Chapter 2415

"Demons dancing wildly!" It's not easy for Liu Yisheng to say this phrase. "I often think here that this period coincided with Shangguan Biao taking office as the master of Qufeng Cave. Perhaps all those conspiracies and accidents were related to him."

Xianren Moke smiled: "In Changfeng Valley, such things aren't surprising, are they?"

Liu Yisheng's cheek twitched: "Not just Changfeng Valley. In any sect... oh, I heard from the two monsters who came to carry out executions that nowadays, is the human nation rising? Even in the human nation, I believe such things are not rare, right?"

"Existence doesn't necessarily mean righteousness." Zhu Xiuer interjected: "In your great sect of over a hundred thousand people, didn't anyone notice Shangguan Biao harboring ill intentions?"

Liu Yisheng could only manage a bitter smile.

"What does 'harboring ill intentions' even mean?" Instead, He Lingchuan answered: "In Changfeng Valley, which disciple isn't wholeheartedly self-serving? Who doesn't treat sect rules and laws as stepping stones for advancement and tools for harm? Who doesn't harbor vigilance and malice toward others? In such a sect, the hardest thing to find isn't someone with ill intentions, but someone who still retains kindness in their heart."

He paused: "Precisely because Changfeng Valley is filled with people like Shangguan Biao, this creates the effect of hiding a tree in the forest."

Liu Yisheng sighed deeply: "How could no one have noticed? Exposing his dark deeds, piling up every ten days would make enough fan material, but..."

It was just useless.

"Among the Five Peaks and Eighteen Caves, which peak or cave master isn't steeped in dark deeds, right?" Xianren Moke understood him: "There are plenty of black marks on your record as Peak Master Liu, aren't there? Otherwise, how would you have ended up here?"

Within the sect, those solemn and righteous immortal elders originally rose by stepping on others' heads. And this is far from limited to Changfeng Valley.

Liu Yisheng offered no rebuttal, only saying: "By then, Shangguan Biao had already consolidated power, his cultivation formidable and his influence solidified. Though merely a cave master, his strength actually surpassed that of two peaks, making him highly prominent within the sect. Those who exposed him found it ineffective, instead provoking his frenzied retaliation. Their deaths were bizarre and varied, making even us shudder. Shangguan Biao's viciousness was finally exposed beyond doubt. Perhaps he believed he no longer needed to hide."

Liu Yisheng pointed to the stone carving beside the screen: "Sect Leader Wang secretly consulted with us to suppress Shangguan Biao."

Shangguan Biao's strength, ruthlessness, and tendency to overshadow the host made even his own sect deeply uneasy.

Zhu Xiuer laughed: "Indeed, the blue surpasses the indigo. Don't be afraid, you lot."

Raising a monster only to fear it yourself—what kind of sight is that?

"But before the plan could be implemented, the incident of the three major sects besieging Changfeng Valley occurred." Liu Yisheng frowned: "Amid internal troubles and external threats, the sect still had to rely on Shangguan Biao, so the original plan was shelved."

"And after this great battle, internal casualties were severe. Due to his exceptional execution ability, Shangguan Biao instead became the sect's mainstay. He seized the opportunity to eliminate several of his usual rivals, and Sect Leader Wang found no suitable moment to act."

The four fell silent. Changfeng Valley had been raising tigers until Shangguan Biao grew into a ferocious figure even the sect leader feared—yet they still dared not move against him.

"Later, Sect Leader Wang suffered qi deviation during cultivation and died suddenly overnight. Although the autopsy indicated this was due to an old wound from defending the sect suddenly flaring up, many people still don't believe it."

He Lingchuan asked him: "You don't believe it either, right?"

"If you had gone through what I have, you'd also point your suspicions at Shangguan Biao." Liu Yisheng whispered: "Afterward, we discovered that Shangguan Biao's undercover agents had infiltrated Sect Leader Wang's entourage. Shangguan Biao likely knew long ago that Wang intended to deal with him."

Ling Jinbao gave an oh: "He struck first, indeed upholding the very principle your sect venerates."

"Sect Leader Wang's death was the second major blow Changfeng Valley suffered." Liu Yisheng rubbed his arms, as if whip marks still faintly ached: "He was a heaven-sent genius. Shangguan Biao's qualifications aren't even fit to carry his boots. You also know Changfeng Valley is famed for spatial divine abilities, and before his passing, Sect Leader Wang had already researched the 'Flowing Light' Secret Realm—this alone would suffice to leave his name in history!"

The four exchanged glances. Ling Jinbao shrugged: "We don't know either."

Because of Changfeng Valley's demise, Wang Lie's achievements also went unnoticed by anyone.

Upon hearing the two words "Secret Realm," He Lingchuan became very interested: "What's so special about this 'Flowing Light' Secret Realm?"

"You know, secret realms born alongside numerous relics and ancient sites often recreate a fragment, a slice of a certain time and space. Thus, within this secret realm, time is nearly stagnant. We plant a seed in such a realm; no matter how much water or nutrients we give, it won't sprout; even if someone mistakenly enters, eats the realm's food, they often suffer unbearable stomach pain. Because, it opposes your physical body. Changfeng Valley calls such a secret realm a 'Time-Space Fragment'."

Xianren Moke and He Lingchuan both nodded.

He Lingchuan naturally recalled the Panlong Secret Realm constructed by Zhong Shengguang.

It embodied the scene most deeply impressed upon Zhong Shengguang, forever freezing time after the fall of Panlong City. From He Lingchuan's first entry until its disappearance within the Dàyuān Heavenly Pearl, its desolate and tragic main theme never changed.

If there is a guardian spirit, then the secret realm's theme and the guardian spirit's obsession are often inseparable.

"Sect Leader Wang, however, successfully fused the 'Time-Space Fragment' with an ordinary small world, allowing time to flow again within the secret realm, hence naming it 'Flowing Light'."

Liu Yisheng's words made He Lingchuan's heart pound repeatedly.

Isn't this exactly what Zhong Shengguang once wanted to achieve using the Dàyuān Heavenly Pearl!

Xianren Moke then asked, puzzled: "What's the benefit of that?"

"Time flowing allows growth to gain strength; imprisoned history can then continue forward." Liu Yisheng said solemnly: "Even regrets left behind in time might possibly be compensated! Sect Leader Wang explored a prototype; as to what this secret realm will ultimately become, we also very much want to know—alas..."

Zhu Xiuer snorted: "I didn't expect your Sect Leader Wang to still have a bit of humanity."

"Sect Leader Wang had far-sighted vision, perceiving the infinite possibilities contained within." Liu Yisheng sighed: "After his passing, the 'Flowing Light' Secret Realm also vanished. His disciples searched for many years, yet found no clues."

"After Sect Leader Wang's death, internal chaos in the sect persisted, and I struggled alone. Shangguan Biao clearly stood by my side and offered strategies using the Earth Mother. This method indeed worked, but the ferocity erupting from the Earth Mother exceeded my expectations—it not only devoured my enemies, but also devoured many disciples of Changfeng Valley!"

The mountain guardian spirit beast suddenly attacked members of our own sect. Even for Changfeng Valley, such backlash carried great impact.