Chapter 513: Wanxiang Cave, God-Striking Whip

Ximen Kankan rushed to the mountain peak of the Ruling Sect Justice Division in a flurry, showing his Sect Cloud Token to the guards at the mountain entrance, claiming he had come to the Ruling Sect Justice Division to hand over official business.

Ximen Kankan was already a registered Inner Sect Disciple of the Inner History Department, and his status within the Sect was far higher than these guards. Those guards only checked the Cloud Token before letting him enter the mountain.

He headed straight for the main hall of the Ruling Sect Justice Division, but after just taking a look at the entrance, he discovered that the hall was completely empty.

Ximen Kankan's expression was suspicious. "Could it be that Xiao Yu didn't come here?" Suddenly, his gaze flashed, and he left that area, heading toward the Dungeon.

Ximen Kankan walked not far from the Dungeon when he saw a figure walk out from within. Upon seeing that figure, Ximen Kankan's eyes lit up. "She really is here!"

"Xiao..." Ximen Kankan ran over and shouted, but his words choked in his throat.

The person who came out was not Xiao Yu, but Shen Mizhi.

Shen Mizhi and Xiao Yu were wearing identical dresses and had their hair styled in the same bun; at first glance, it almost made Ximen Kankan mistake one for the other.

"Why are you here?" Ximen Kankan asked.

Shen Mizhi squinted at Ximen Kankan and said, "I should be the one asking you that! Why aren't you staying on the mountain? What are you running here for?"

Ximen Kankan knew Shen Mizhi was asking why he wasn't keeping a good eye on Xiao Yu and why he was running around.

Ximen Kankan leaned in close and, at Shen Mizhi's ear, recounted the whole sequence of events regarding Xiao Yu's disappearance.

Shen Mizhi's face turned angry as she listened, glaring at Ximen Kankan and saying, "I knew you were unreliable."

Ximen Kankan said anxiously, "Her legs are on her own body; if she wants to run, what can I do?"

"Keep your voice down!" Shen Mizhi knitted her brows, her peripheral vision darting about.

She looked at Ximen Kankan and said, "Let's go, let's change places to talk."

The two then walked away quickly.

After Ximen Kankan and Shen Mizhi had walked far away, two figures emerged from the side of the Dungeon. One was Yang Yi, and the other was a thin, middle-aged man.

Yang Yi looked at the middle-aged man and said, "Follow them. If you find Xiao Yu's whereabouts, report back immediately."

"Yes!" The man cupped his hands slightly, then his figure flashed, darting into the nearby dense forest like a ghost.

In truth, even if Duan Rong hadn't said anything, Yang Yi would have released Shen Mizhi.

If he could follow Shen Mizhi and track down Xiao Yu's whereabouts, the Ruling Sect Justice Division would have room to maneuver, and his second uncle, Yang Sixuan, wouldn't have to be in a difficult position.

As for the guy who had just met with Shen Mizhi and whispered there, Yang Yi hadn't recognized him at first, but since he came to the Dungeon at this time and muttered with Shen Mizhi for so long, it seemed he was likely in the same group.

Ximen Kankan and Shen Mizhi crossed the iron chain and arrived at a mountain peak.

This was the edge of a cliff, with no one in front or behind.

Ximen Kankan said, "Where do you think Xiao Yu would go?"

Shen Mizhi looked vigilant and whispered, "Sister Xiao must have gone to Yunfu Peak."

"Yunfu Peak? Why would she go to Yunfu Peak?" Ximen Kankan seemed influenced by Shen Mizhi and also spoke in a whisper.

Shen Mizhi glared at Ximen Kankan and said, "Your mouth is just too much. You just had to tell her that Duan Rong was locked in the Dungeon. She must be racking her brains on how to save him now."

Ximen Kankan's eyes lit up and he said, "Hmm, that makes sense. Then let's go to Yunfu Peak to find her!" Ximen Kankan remembered that Xiao Yu had even asked about Duan Rong's master.

Shen Mizhi grabbed Ximen Kankan and said, "It's too late to go now! Besides, Duan Rong had already instructed me that you and Sister Xiao should hide at Shang Xiangyu's place and that no one should contact you, to avoid exposing your tracks. You running to the Ruling Sect Justice Division like this, and just happening to run into me coming out—I'm afraid both of us are already being watched."

"No way, right?" Only then did Ximen Kankan look alert, glancing around, only to find clouds and mist drifting, mountains and forests obscuring the view, and it seemed no one was following them. "Is someone really watching us?"

Shen Mizhi said, "You think the Ruling Sect Justice Division is a pushover?"

Ximen Kankan asked, "Then what do we do now?"

Shen Mizhi said, "Since Sister Xiao went to Yunfu Peak, she must have already met Duan Rong's Senior Brothers and Sisters. Breaking into the Tower Forest to snatch a prisoner is a violation of the Sect Iron Law, and Duan Rong is already trapped in prison. This is a matter at the Sect level; small fry like us can't do anything anymore. Besides, we are likely already being watched."

Ximen Kankan said, "Then let's go to Shang Xiangyu's mountain peak to rest for two days and gather some more information."

Shen Mizhi said, "No. What if Sister Xiao returns to that mountain peak? That mountain peak is, after all, a stronghold where she can hide; it cannot be exposed."

"Then where do we go?"

Shen Mizhi's expression suddenly relaxed, and she said, "Just wander around! It's a good chance to see the scenery of these Endless Great Mountains."

Ximen Kankan laughed, "That's not a bad idea. It'll just let those people watching us feast their eyes as well."

The two made up their minds and really began to wander aimlessly; their voices changed from whispering to chatting loudly as if no one else were around, and Ximen Kankan practically turned into a storyteller...

After the two had walked some distance away, a thin figure emerged from the corner of the cliff, his expression somewhat grave.

Ximen Kankan and Shen Mizhi were clearly quite guarded, specifically choosing to discuss things at this cliff; he had no place to eavesdrop, and the two had lowered their voices, so he could only hear murmurs from afar.

As for the ability to probe with Divine Sense, that was a Soul Technique that could only be mastered after achieving the Womb Treasury Sutra. Only personal disciples and Inner Sect Disciples who had rendered great service were qualified to practice it. He was just a registered Inner Sect Disciple of the Ruling Sect Justice Division with mediocre aptitude; how could he be qualified to receive the inheritance of the Womb Treasury Sutra?

An Old History Supervisor of the Inner History Department suddenly rushed to find Wu Shidao in a panic, holding a document in his hand, panting as he said, "Just sent over from the Ruling Sect Justice Division... Quick! Quick!"

Wu Shidao took the document and muttered, "What is it, that you're in such a rush?"

Wu Shidao opened the document and took a look, his face changing abruptly. "This..."

He clutched the document and flew out of the room, Wind Riding along the Corridor, knocking over several Attendants; the sounds of falling and screams rang out in a chorus.

Wu Shidao kicked up a gust of wind and stopped in front of Zhu He's room, causing the wooden door to rattle with a clatter.

Inside the room, Zhu He was assigning tasks to several people; when the door rattled, a flash of annoyance crossed his face.

Next, there was a knock-knock-knock sound at the door.

Zhu He flicked his sleeve through the air, and the door bolt fell off on its own; the door then opened, revealing Wu Shidao standing there blankly.

Zhu He said coldly, "What is it?"

Wu Shidao looked at the people in Zhu He's room, knowing Zhu He was assigning tasks, so he said, "Master! It's about the Disciple; the Ruling Sect Justice Division has issued a document."

"Issued a document?" Zhu Hexin's heart stirred. "So fast!?"

At this moment, he had just left Chu Qiushan's mountain peak and summoned these people to discuss matters; counting it up, it had only been an hour or two, yet the Ruling Sect Justice Division had already issued a document regarding Duan Rong.

"Yes, the Inner History Department just received it." Wu Shidao stood at the entrance, took out the document, and held it up with both hands.

Zhu He's hair and beard moved without wind; he reached out and grabbed the air, and the document was already in his hand.

Zhu He opened the document, and at a glance, his face turned instantly livid; a muscle on his right cheek twitched uncontrollably from extreme rage. "Wuliang Cliff? Wanxiang Cave? God-Striking Whip!?"

The Ruling Sect Justice Division's document instantly turned into powder in Zhu He's hand.

"Yang Sixuan, are you trying to kill my disciple!?"

Zhu He transformed into a streak of black light and shot out through the building.

That black light shot out from the pavilion on Yunfu Peak and pierced into the clouds; it was originally aimed in the direction of the Ruling Sect Justice Division, but halfway there, it suddenly veered and headed toward where Chu Qiushan was.

When Zhu He landed in front of that thatched cottage of Chu Qiushan's, his state of mind had already calmed down.

When he first saw the document from the Ruling Sect Justice Division, his anger had indeed surged. Even now, the fury in his heart had still not subsided. He was able to calm down because he knew this could not possibly be Yang Sixuan's idea, nor could it be Chu Qiushan's idea.

Because according to that kind of punishment of theirs, Duan Rong would die!

On Wuliang Cliff, first endure three strikes of the God-Striking Whip!

And afterwards, be locked inside Wanxiang Cave to face a trial of life and death!

Inside Wanxiang Cave, one careless move and one would fall into an illusion where the Divine Soul shatters, becoming completely lost. Not to mention entering Wanxiang Cave after having already endured three strikes of the God-Striking Whip with a damaged Divine Soul!

How the hell is this any different from murder!?

Zhu He walked into Chu Qiushan's thatched cottage with a look of fury on his face.

Chu Qiushan sat before a wooden table, looking at Zhu He with an expressionless face.

Zhu He said, "Not even three hours have passed, and the Killing Order has already come down. Sect Master Chu, you have such heavy murderous intent!"

Chu Qiushan said, "First endure three strikes of the God-Striking Whip! Then enter Wanxiang Cave to face a trial of life and death! Zhu He! This is the Ancestor's will."

Upon hearing this, Zhu He's expression turned stern. Before he came, he had already guessed the answer in his heart, but hearing Chu Qiushan say it was the Ancestor's will with his own mouth, his heart still trembled.

Duan Rong had already moved into the deep valley; if it were not for the Ancestor personally giving the order, who would dare to impose such a heavy punishment of death upon him?

Zhu He said, "My disciple, even if he has faults, he is still a rare talent worth molding. Punishing him a little to let him learn his lesson would suffice. Why must the Ancestor deal such a ruthless hand against him?"

By the time Zhu He finished speaking, he was already very heartbroken.

Chu Qiushan said, "The Ancestor's profound intentions—are they something we can fathom?"

Zhu He let out a cold snort; in his view, Chu Qiushan was simply watching the fire from the other side of the river.

Zhu He said, "Sect Master Chu, I have only one request. Can the date for Duan Rong's execution be postponed by two days?"

Chu Qiushan's expression flickered, and he said, "It can. I will tell Yang Sixuan to issue another document."

"Many thanks!"

After Zhu He said these words, he turned around and strode out of the thatched cottage, transformed into a streak of black light, and shot into the clouds.

At dusk, the old farmer was using a chopper to cut cabbage, preparing to feed the few little rabbits in the basket once he finished cutting.

Just at this moment, Zhu He transformed into a streak of black light and landed in front of that old farmer.

Landing so directly in front of the old farmer was already somewhat impolite.

As soon as Zhu He landed, he cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Chu, Zhu He has offended you."

That old farmer sat beside the chopper, lifted his eyelids, and said, "You should go back. The Ancestor said he will not see you these few days."

Zhu He's face instantly stiffened. He knew that whatever Lv Yinlin had said, he had never taken back, but to watch such a brilliantly talented disciple go to his death with his own eyes—he was truly unwilling!

Moreover, he could not swallow this anger either!

Why did the Ancestor want to kill Duan Rong?!

Although Duan Rong had faults, his crimes did not warrant death!?

Why? There must be a reason for everything, right?!

Zhu He said, "Mr. Chu, although Duan Rong has faults, punishing him according to the rules would be enough. First endure three strikes of the God-Striking Whip! Then enter Wanxiang Cave to face a trial of life and death! He has only just stepped into the Qi Cyclone Realm; how could he withstand such a punishment? This is to take his life!"

That old farmer gave Zhu He a strange look and said, "I advise you to go back! You have stayed in the Taiyi Sect for over two hundred years; when have you ever seen the Ancestor take back a command?"

Zhu He naturally knew this, but even if the command could not be taken back, he still wanted to seek an explanation.

Along the way, he even suspected whether there was something else about Duan Rong that had touched the Ancestor's reverse scale. Otherwise, he truly could not understand why the Ancestor would want to kill Duan Rong.

Seeing that the old farmer was cold-faced and stopped speaking, Zhu He suddenly cupped his hands and said, "Since Mr. Chu is unwilling to take me into the valley, I have no choice but to force my way in!"

That old farmer's expression froze, and he said, "You..."

After Zhu He finished speaking, he transformed into a streak of black light and, like a meteorite breaking through the air, smashed into the Deadwood Forest at the valley entrance.

Zhu He condensed his Law Power and blasted it out, striking into the Deadwood Forest. But that Deadwood Forest was like a clay ox entering the sea; it had absolutely no reaction, only stirring the pervasive thin mist to roll slightly.

Zhu He did not lose heart and continued to strike his condensed Law Power, one blow after another, toward the same spot in front of him.

That small patch of white mist not far ahead was finally stirred into some disarray.

At this moment, a voice suddenly exploded above Zhu He's head, rumbling like muffled thunder. "Who is trespassing in the valley?!"

Zhu He immediately stopped, prostrated himself on the ground, and called out, "Ancestor! Zhu He begs the Ancestor to spare a moment to grant an audience!"

The thin mist all around churned for a moment before returning to its original state. After a few breaths, a voice suddenly sounded again. "Little Chu, bring him in."

"Yes!"

When that "yes" sounded, Zhu He suddenly realized that he did not know when the old farmer had already been standing behind him.

The old farmer looked at Zhu He and said, "Let's go."

Zhu He cupped his hands and said, "Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Chu."

That old farmer led Zhu He into the valley, then turned back and returned into the Deadwood Forest.

Zhu He walked into the valley and saw from afar that Lv Yinlin was sitting under an ancient pine tree that was as lush as a canopy.

Zhu He immediately ran over, prostrated himself, and said, "Zhu He was rash in crashing into the valley; I deserve death!"

"Get up!" Lv Yinlin smiled slightly and said, "My deep valley is not the Tower Forest; there is nothing that cannot be entered."

These words of Lv Yinlin carried a hint of sarcasm, but they also hit the nail on the head regarding Zhu He's intentions for coming to see him.

Zhu He immediately said, "Ancestor, first endure three strikes of the God-Striking Whip, then enter Wanxiang Cave to face a trial of life and death. Duan Rong has only just stepped into the Qi Cyclone Realm after all; I fear... I fear he cannot withstand it!"

It was already dusk, and the deep valley was even dimmer. Lv Yinlin sat in the shadow of the ancient pine, his face even more obscured. One only heard a voice, faint and ethereal, saying, "Zhu He, let me ask you. Do you understand, or do I understand?"

Zhu He was stunned by these words from Lv Yinlin. He thought for a moment before saying, "Ancestor, you mean that kid Duan Rong—he can withstand it!"

After Lv Yinlin stood up, he walked out of the shadow of the ancient pine. In the twilight of the deep valley, his expression held a hint of profundity. "How could I, this old man, not know he is a sapling? Would I harm him for no reason?"

Seeing Lv Yinlin speak this way, Zhu He felt slightly more at ease, yet his face still held a look of trepidation as he said, "But inside that Wanxiang Cave, the illusions are manifold and the Artistic Conception is fragmented; can that kid really withstand it?"

Just as Zhu He said, inside Wanxiang Cave, the illusions are manifold and the Artistic Conception is fragmented; it is the critical juncture after reaching Great Perfection of the Qi Cyclone Realm, before charging toward the Dongming Realm. Only after repeated verification can one be allowed to enter, to break through the illusions and shatter the Mysterious Barrier. By this means, one enters the stage of Entering the Dao to contemplate, making final preparations for condensing the Dongming.

The so-called manifold phenomena are all manifestations of the Dao, hence the name Wanxiang Cave.

Lv Yinlin said, "Do you know that beneath that kid's Blade Radiance, there are still over a hundred types of heterogeneous Artistic Conceptions hidden?"

"Ah!?" Zhu He was stunned. He had never known that Duan Rong had actually comprehended over a hundred types of Artistic Conceptions.

Lv Yinlin said, "With such heterogeneous Artistic Conceptions within his body, only inside Wanxiang Cave can they be harmonized into one. That Wanxiang Cave is precisely the most suitable place for him; if he can break through this barrier, it will be like a dragon entering the sea."

Zhu He said, "Then what if he cannot break through?"

Lv Yinlin suddenly smiled, looked up at the cliff face in the twilight, and said, "Zhu He, you know that over a hundred years ago, there was an eagle's nest on that cliff face. One year, I saw with my own eyes a mother eagle carry two eaglets to the top of the cliff and throw them down. One eaglet fell to its death at the bottom of the cliff, while the other learned to fly while struggling."

After finishing speaking, Lv Yinlin turned and walked toward his own Cave Abode. "Zhu He, go back. As for Duan Rong's matter, do as I said."

(End of this chapter)