Chapter 504: Suspicions of an Old Case

Within Duan Rong's Spirit Sea, the Black Earth stretched endlessly, and the thin mist filling the space was churning of its own accord...

In the center of the Cangqiong, a Gray Shadow sat cross-legged; its features were somewhat blurred, yet one could vaguely discern that the brows and eyes bore a resemblance to Duan Rong.

Surrounding that Gray Shadow, twelve Star Bodies shone brilliantly, like planets, circling the shadow in layers upon the Cangqiong, rotating slowly.

Just then, at the vault above the Gray Shadow's head, a cluster of bright, glazed spiritual essence drifted down, as if a deity were descending.

It was the form of an infant.

The Nascent Soul had a serene expression, and its gaze, as it looked down, seemed to possess an air of disdain for all living things.

The moment the Nascent Soul descended, the twelve Star Bodies that had been slowly rotating around the Gray Shadow suddenly stopped, hovering there, motionless.

Almost simultaneously, the features of the Gray Shadow became even more blurred.

Within this space, the thin mist that had been churning incessantly also instantly stilled.

And at the very moment the Nascent Soul spiritual essence descended into this space, this world, which had been restless and churning, solidified in an instant.

The thin mist that kept churning within this Spirit Sea was Duan Rong's surging thoughts; the moment the thin mist solidified, Duan Rong's flowing thoughts also stagnated, and his gaze instantly became dull.

The spiritual essence Nascent Soul hovered in the void, looking at the Gray Shadow and the twelve brilliant Star Bodies surrounding it, a flash of astonishment passing through its glazed pupils.

Lv Yinlin had not expected that Duan Rong had actually achieved a full twelve layers of the Womb Treasury Sutra.

This kid, he hasn't even been in the inner sect for a year, right!?

The Nascent Soul spiritual essence glanced at the Blade Shadow on the forehead of the blurry-faced Gray Shadow.

Naturally, he knew that the Blade Shadow was the Artistic Conception Duan Rong had condensed.

Unlike the blurry face of the Gray Shadow, the Blade Shadow on the forehead was very clear; even from a distance, the Nascent Soul spiritual essence could feel the surging Blade Intent contained within it!

"To think he has comprehended Blade Intent to this degree?!"

The gaze of the Nascent Soul spiritual essence swept across the sky, its figure flashed, and it vanished in an instant, appearing in the center of the Black Earth the next moment.

The Nascent Soul spiritual essence walked on the Black Earth like a little adult, hands behind its back, its pair of glazed pupils scanning around from time to time, which was quite eerie...

Soon, it stood in the southeast of the Black Earth, looking at a patch of the Cangqiong there; the Cangqiong above was almost covered with dense, overlapping shadows of various weapons.

The figure of the Nascent Soul spiritual essence vanished suddenly, and the next moment, it appeared near those weapon shadows on the southeast Cangqiong, reaching out to brush against the nearest Copper Hammer shadow.

The shadow was passed through directly.

"Void shadow?!"

Even though Lv Yinlin was a great power who had achieved the Nascent Soul Realm and had lived for over a thousand years, he did not know what these dense weapon shadows, which almost covered the southeast Cangqiong in Duan Rong's Spirit Sea, actually were.

Looking at the weapons before him, which seemed even denser than the ruins of the Ancient God-Demon Battlefield, Lv Yinlin felt a surge of horror in his heart.

"No wonder he could trigger the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi Tide when forming his core; this kid truly has unfathomable aspects!?"

The gaze of the Nascent Soul spiritual essence shifted, its figure vanished, and it left this part of the sky.

Above the Black Earth, it was dim and silent, with only one place emitting a faint cyan glow: the Tree Spirit Light Sea.

The Nascent Soul spiritual essence strolled through the Tree Spirit Light Sea, occasionally startling the cyan light filaments; those filaments floated for a while, rising like dust, then slowly settled back to their original positions, reforming into the appearance of tree branches and leaves.

An expression of extreme curiosity appeared in the eyes of the Nascent Soul spiritual essence.

This Tree Spirit Light Sea was clearly different from the weapon shadows; those weapon shadows could not be touched at all, they were merely shadows. But this patch of cyan glow before him consisted of light filaments that could nourish the origin of the Divine Soul.

Although the Nascent Soul spiritual essence did not know why there was such a large sea of ghostly light in Duan Rong's Spirit Sea, or why these cyan glows would take the form of trees...

But one thing he understood: these cyan filaments were clearly the same thing as the light filaments extracted from the churning mist when the divine shadow descended into the Spirit Sea while practicing the Womb Treasury Sutra.

These light filaments could nourish the Divine Soul origin and achieve the Womb Treasury Sutra. When he assisted that girl Lv Qingzhu in practicing the Womb Treasury Sutra, he had condensed these light filaments from her Spirit Sea and injected them into her Spirit Sea to help her condense those Star Bodies floating on the Cangqiong.

Thinking of this, the Nascent Soul spiritual essence looked up again at the twelve Star Bodies on the Cangqiong.

At this moment, he already knew how Duan Rong had achieved the twelve layers of the Womb Treasury Sutra; it must have a great deal to do with this sea of ghostly light.

But where did such a large sea of ghostly light come from? And why did it take the form of trees?

Looking at the sea of light before him, Lv Yinlin saw all the cyan ghostly light condensed into the appearance of trees, with every single ghostly branch looking lifelike.

"How could it be related to trees?!"

Even though he had lived for over a thousand years, he truly could not understand what connection trees could possibly have with a person's Divine Soul.

The Nascent Soul spiritual essence wandered in that sea of ghostly light for a long time, and after much deep thought without result, he walked out of the sea of light.

Lv Yinlin had seen the Spirit Seas of many people, but Duan Rong's was the one that shocked him the most.

Those dense weapon shadows hanging upside down in the sky, and this sea of ghostly light—even he did not know what they were.

With a deep gaze, the Nascent Soul spiritual essence wandered in the Spirit Sea for a long time, and after confirming there was nothing left to see, his figure rose suddenly and vanished into the endless vault...

A shadow of spiritual essence darted out from between Duan Rong's brows, flashed, and sat cross-legged atop Lv Yinlin's head.

The moment the Nascent Soul spiritual essence sat on Lv Yinlin's head, it flickered and vanished; almost simultaneously, Lv Yinlin's eyes snapped open, shooting out brilliant light.

Duan Rong also woke up suddenly at this moment; in an instant, cold sweat broke out all over his body, and his eyes were filled with intense lingering fear, because his Divine Soul was connected to the Gray Shadow, and the moment his thoughts stopped, he had clearly seen a spiritual essence descend into his Spirit Sea...

Lv Yinlin glanced at Duan Rong; he had not expected that this kid had so many things that even he could not understand.

Lv Yinlin's figure vanished suddenly, and the next moment he was sitting before the Stone Table, picking up the Bamboo Tube he had put down earlier and taking two sips of water.

Duan Rong sat cross-legged on the cushion; the fear of his Spirit Sea being controlled caused his heart to surge.

Lv Yinlin glanced at him and said, "You go out first. Tell your master to come in!"

Duan Rong knelt before Lv Yinlin on the cushion and said respectfully, "Yes, Ancestor!"

Duan Rong savored that glance Lv Yinlin had just given him, as well as the words spoken; he did not seem to detect any hostility. That the Nascent Soul spiritual essence could directly enter his Spirit Sea, control it, and solidify his Divine Sense activity was something he had never imagined.

But fortunately, he had managed to find a way to refine the origin blood light of the Filthy Blood Divine Art. Otherwise, he would likely have been wiped out by the Taiyi Sect Ancestor just now.

Duan Rong had long known that the leader of the Filthy Blood Sect, Fu Yi, was originally Lv Yinlin's beloved disciple, but Fu Yi had betrayed the Taiyi Sect and founded the Filthy Blood Sect, causing master and disciple to turn against each other. Therefore, this Filthy Blood Divine Art and the Filthy Blood Sect had always been Lv Yinlin's reverse scale.

Duan Rong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, walked out of the stone cave, looked at Zhu He who was observing a remnant game under the withered pine, and said, "Master, the Ancestor wants you to go in!"

"Wants me to go in?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu He's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up, lifted his robes, and ran toward the cave.

Duan Rong shook his head; he's at that age, can he not be a bit more dignified?

Zhu He ran to the entrance of the cave before suppressing his jubilant mood, straightened his lapels, and walked into the cave.

Walking into the depths of the stone cave, Lv Yinlin was sitting in front of a stone table in deep thought, and Zhu He immediately prostrated himself.

Lv Yinlin was lost in thought and did not look at Zhu He for a long time; he suddenly realized that Zhu He had already been kneeling there for quite a while.

Zhu He felt anxious in his heart, wondering if he had committed some mistake. He was thinking about whether his competition with Lv Zhongtang for the position of the next Sect Master had caused the Ancestor's dissatisfaction; if the Ancestor showed even the slightest sign, he would immediately give up the fight for Sect Master.

"Get up, Zhu He."

Lv Yinlin's voice came, warm and genial.

Zhu He felt as if he had been granted a pardon and stood up.

Lv Yinlin pointed to the stone chair opposite the stone table and said, "Sit!"

A look of being flattered appeared on Zhu He's face, but he was not coy; after saying thanks to the Ancestor, he lifted his robe and sat down cautiously.

Lv Yinlin poured him a cup of clear water with a bamboo tube. Zhu He held the clear water as if holding an immortal medicine, his eyes even turning slightly red, and he took a sip somewhat clumsily.

Lv Yinlin said, "Duan Rong has already achieved the twelfth level of the Womb Treasury Sutra, do you know?"

"What!? The twelfth level!?" Zhu He was shocked. But he knew that what the Ancestor said could not be wrong. "This kid..."

Seeing Zhu He's reaction, Lv Yinlin knew that he did not know about this matter. "It seems that kid's confidentiality work is quite good. He even kept it from you, his master."

Zhu He felt anxious; the Ancestor's words already carried the implication of secretly blaming him for his lack of oversight.

Lv Yinlin said, "Go and investigate where his cultivation technique came from."

"Yes, Ancestor!"

Zhu He stood up, bowed to Lv Yinlin, and strode out of the stone cave.

Duan Rong was waiting outside the cave. After Zhu He walked out of the stone cave, he gave Duan Rong a strange look. He really wanted to ask Duan Rong what was going on, but since the Ancestor was inside the stone cave, it was not convenient for him to talk too much; the Ancestor told him to investigate, not to interrogate Duan Rong.

Zhu He did not say a word, turned around directly, and walked toward the valley entrance.

Seeing his master leave, Duan Rong did not know if he should leave, so he walked a few steps, preparing to catch up with Zhu He to ask. Just as he took a few steps, a voice suddenly rang in his ears for no reason. "Stay in the valley."

Duan Rong stopped abruptly. Because that was Lv Yinlin's voice. He stood there, watching Zhu He's figure disappear into the Deadwood Forest at the valley entrance.

After Zhu He left, Duan Rong stood alone in the empty deep valley. He looked at the withered branches of the wintersweet on the cliff and the corner of the blue sky enclosed on all sides. Just then, a figure suddenly walked out of the Deadwood Forest at the valley entrance.

Duan Rong saw a flicker of a figure out of the corner of his eye and thought it was Zhu He returning, but when he focused his gaze, he felt a shock in his heart.

It was actually Lv Qingzhu!

On Lv Qingzhu's stunning face, a trace of fatigue could not be hidden. There were many grass clippings on her body, and the cloth bag on her back was bulging, with a flash of scales faintly visible at the mouth of the bag.

Duan Rong's eyes shifted; Lv Qingzhu had clearly just returned from the Dark Forest, and what was in the bag seemed to be some kind of snake-type Origin Beast.

As soon as Lv Qingzhu walked out of the Deadwood Forest, she saw Duan Rong at a glance.

She did not expect to see Duan Rong here.

This deep valley was the Ancestor's place of seclusion; not just anyone could enter, could they?

Lv Qingzhu put down the cloth bag on her back. Duan Rong smiled at her and said, "Miss Lv!"

Although Duan Rong was smiling, his gaze was already fixed on Lv Qingzhu's right hand. He knew that this girl had attacked him every time she saw him, without hesitation.

Sure enough, Lv Qingzhu just looked at Duan Rong expressionlessly, then drew her Long Sword, leaped, and stabbed at Duan Rong.

The moment Lv Qingzhu leaped over, Duan Rong's pupils shrank.

"Qi Cyclone Realm! Lv Qingzhu has also achieved the Qi Cyclone Realm!"

The Long Sword stabbed over, and when it was half a foot away, Sword Radiance suddenly erupted from the sword tip!

Lv Qingzhu's cold, stunning face contrasted with the sword tip and Sword Radiance. Amidst the fatigue and determination between her brows, she was clearly also staring at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong retreated violently, the Frost Pattern Phosphorus Crystal Blade instantly in his hand, and Blade Radiance suddenly erupted from the blade edge, appearing as if solidified.

As soon as Lv Qingzhu saw Duan Rong make a move, she immediately retreated, sheathed her Long Sword, and walked toward the valley entrance on her own.

Duan Rong was stunned for a moment, looked at Lv Qingzhu's back, and asked, "Why aren't you fighting anymore?"

Lv Qingzhu replied without looking back, "I can't kill you anyway! Why keep fighting!"

As soon as Duan Rong made a move, Lv Qingzhu could see that he had also achieved the Qi Cyclone Realm, and the Blade Radiance on his blade edge was far more solid than her Sword Radiance.

Duan Rong's comprehension of Blade Intent clearly surpassed her Sword Intent.

Lv Qingzhu walked to the valley entrance, picked up the cloth bag on the ground, and walked straight back to her own cave, without even looking at Duan Rong.

After returning to Yunfu Peak, Zhu He immediately went to the Document Repository of the Inner History Department and checked Duan Rong's resume from top to bottom.

In fact, he had already carefully understood Duan Rong's situation before.

After all, he wanted to take Duan Rong into his sect and place him at the core of the grand chess game.

If he did not know Duan Rong well enough, how would he dare to use him?

He had always felt that this kid had a clean background; it seemed he still hadn't investigated carefully enough!

Three years as a Registered Disciple, three years as an Outer Sect Disciple, one year as an Inner Sect Disciple, and the previous sixteen years were all spent living in Xiangu County.

Zhu He rolled the resume he had previously checked over in his mind. He was wondering where Duan Rong had obtained the twelfth-level Womb Treasury Sutra cultivation technique.

What he had passed to Fan Hongjiao only went up to the eighth level.

Just then, a flash of lightning seemed to pass through Zhu He's mind, and he remembered something.

What made him remember this was two keywords: Xiangu County and Womb Treasury Sutra.

When these two keywords were put together, a name jumped into his mind: Xu Ruhu.

The Xu Ruhu Case back then happened in Xiangu County.

However, when the Xu Ruhu Case happened, Duan Rong seemed to be only ten. And his name did not appear at all in the case files investigating this matter.

Zhu He immediately pulled out the files of the Xu Ruhu Case and reviewed them repeatedly.

He was the one who strongly advocated for a strict investigation into the Xu Ruhu Case back then, but the woman involved was a personal disciple of Elder Sun, who was in charge of the Medicine Pavilion. At the time, there was no solid evidence to prove it was related to the Womb Treasury Sutra technique, so it was eventually dropped in the Elder Council.

"It seems this kid took advantage of this loophole!" Zhu He's eyes flickered, and the corners of his mouth smiled slightly, revealing an expression of some appreciation.

Based on Duan Rong's later intelligence and his various methods within Shenyun Prefecture, even though he was only sixteen at the time, it was not impossible for him to have obtained the technique from Xu Ruhu and kept it hidden from everyone.

(End of chapter)