Chapter 558: The Opening

The next day, Bai Qingcheng sent Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi to a city called Anshan, several hundred li north of Qingshan City.

Within Anshan City, the Bai family had temporarily purchased a residence.

This place was far from Shancheng, removed from the disputes and troubles, and protected by several Jin Dan cultivators of the Bai family, making it very safe.

"You two stay here for now. Once I've finished handling matters, we'll return to the Bai family together. You've been away from home so long—the Ancestor misses you dearly…"

Having said that, Bai Qingcheng turned and left.

"Mother…"

Bai Qingcheng turned her head and saw two pairs of hopeful, longing eyes; her heart ached.

Zisheng and Zixi—these two children—had never before shown such obvious care and concern for anyone…

Not even for her, their mother…

"I understand."

Bai Qingcheng said lightly.

After speaking, she no longer looked at her two children, turned, and left, though her heart was heavy with worry.

Leaving Shancheng—what came next would be the true bloodshed and storm.

Even if she had the will, she might not be able to save that child called "Mo Hua."

What's more, he had fallen into the hands of that "Gui Daoren"…

Snatching food from the "tiger's" mouth was never easy…

Two days later, Bai Qingcheng arrived at a newly built Daoist cultivation camp outside Shancheng City.

Outside the camp, second-grade and even third-grade formations had been laid.

Within the camp, Dao Court soldiers were stationed.

At the same time, the various powers of Daozhou had also dispatched high-ranking cultivators with real authority from their families to gather here.

Inside the camp, in a great hall inscribed with sound-isolating formations, spirit-blocking formations, and arrays that hindered others' perception—

Nine cultivators with deep, powerful auras sat within, whispering to each other, debating animatedly.

When Bai Qingcheng entered, the crowd fell silent for a moment, nodded in greeting, then picked up where they had left off and continued speaking…

"…Several days ago, in the direction of the Great Li Mountains, heavenly tribulation lightning appeared…"

"After that, the auras of those several Mo Dao Liu Yuhua cultivators vanished…"

"Not only that, the auras of a large number of Jin Dan Mo cultivators have also never appeared again…"

"Could it be… Heaven opened its eyes? Directly suppressing and slaying this group of Mo cultivators?"

"What are you thinking? There must be some hidden circumstances here…"

"Mo Dao infighting? Turning on each other?"

"At a time like this?"

"…Has Sister Situ divined anything?"

"A fog of confusion, the workings of heaven are treacherous and unfathomable, I cannot divine it clearly…"

"So you divined nothing?"

"No, this means something was divined…"

"What do you mean…"

"The workings of heaven are treacherous…"

"It's… 'Gui' Daoren…"

Everyone in the room drew a sharp breath, and then someone said:

"Has this Gui Daoren lost his mind? At a moment like this, killing his own comrades?"

"Who can possibly fathom Gui Daoren's intentions?"

Some looked solemn, others frowned and said:

"…Speaking of which, aren't you curious how exactly Gui Daoren made his move?"

"What exactly did he do to slaughter four Liu Yuhua Mo Dao cultivators and several hundred Jin Dan cultivators?"

"This is within a third-grade state boundary…"

"The tribulation lightning appeared—did he… harness the heavenly tribulation?"

"How would he harness it? Those Mo cultivators aren't fools—wouldn't they run? Suppressing one's cultivation, refusing to ascend—these taboos, they should know about them too…"

"I'm not Gui Daoren—how would I know?"

"Most likely, Gui Daoren drove them into a corner with no way out, forcing them to use Liu Yuhua power against their will, and thus they were reduced to ash beneath the tribulation lightning…"

"On what grounds does Gui Daoren manage this?"

"By his strength alone… how could that be possible?"

"Dao Heart Planting Mo?"

"Dao Heart Planting Mo is a sect-guarding Mo art originating from the Phantom Mo Sect, but I've experienced this Mo art firsthand—it's merely somewhat thorny, somewhat troublesome, but hardly all that powerful…"

"Some cultivation arts, treasures, and spiritual instruments that clear the mind and calm the spirit can all counter Dao Heart Planting Mo…"

"If only it were really that simple…"

"…If it were truly that simple, he wouldn't have been bestowed the title of 'Daoren' by the Mo Sect…"

"Just how is his Dao Heart Planting Mo different?"

The crowd was puzzled, but their expressions grew all the more solemn.

"Regardless, Liu Yuhua-realm cultivators must not act rashly…"

"If we can't act, then what are we Liu Yuhua cultivators even here for?"

"What good would it do if you acted?"

In a third-grade state, even if you're a True Person, you're still just a stronger Jin Dan!

Without achieving Liu Yuhua, without flight, of your full strength, less than one-tenth can be unleashed—and you must constantly face the risk of being erased by the heavenly tribulation…

Those four Liu Yuhua ancestors of the Mo Sect, born of demonic paths, utterly ruthless—after living so long, weren't they still tricked by the Deceiver Daoist and erased by the heavenly tribulation?

Those were four great demonic lords of the Liu Yuhua realm!

At this point, everyone felt a lingering chill.

The Void-Dwelling do not emerge.

Among all cultivation factions, the highest realm those who walk abroad usually reach is the Liu Yuhua realm.

But Liu Yuhua cultivators generally do not come to states below third grade.

Because the risk is too great.

If not for this matter's gravity—involved as it is with Mr. Zhuang, the one who calculates heavenly fate—ten Liu Yuhua True Persons of the Dao Court would not have gathered outside Shancheng!

But now, because of the Deceiver Daoist, the situation has grown delicate again.

They, as Liu Yuhua cultivators, possess immense power, yet dare not lift a finger.

Heavenly eradication.

Those four characters, like a blood-dripping guillotine, hang eternally above their heads, waiting for them to make a single misstep before slashing down and taking their lives.

"Damn it!"

One Liu Yuhua True Person, choked with frustration, slammed his fist on the table.

"You're a Liu Yuhua, a True Person—show some dignity, mind your speech…"

"I'll say what I damn well please—what's it to you?"

"Your manners are damn terrible…"

"You damn well curse too!"

"You reap what you sow—I'm cursing you because you cursed first!"

…

The two lost all decorum, shouting and bickering.

Someone couldn't take it anymore: "You two, in front of so many people—can you damn well mind your manners and stop cursing?!"

"You damn well curse too!"

…

Someone cleared his throat: "White True Person is here…"

"What the hell is White—"

He cut himself off mid-sentence, looked up at the upper seat, saw Bai Qingcheng—dressed in white, exquisitely beautiful, with a chilling aura—and his old face flushed red as he swallowed his words.

Everyone fell silent, coughing several times, clearing their throats, sitting upright, and carefully guarding their own images.

Bai Qingcheng acted as if she heard nothing, her gaze utterly unmoved.

The elder at the highest seat sighed helplessly.

His face was withered, clad in black robes, surname Situ, master of calculation, Grand Elder of Xuanji Valley, known as Sister Situ.

He was the highest-ranked, oldest, and most senior Liu Yuhua True Person present.

Sister Situ glanced around, then spoke slowly:

"No matter what, Liu Yuhua True Persons must not act lightly again!"

"Achieving Liu Yuhua is no easy feat…"

"If any Liu Yuhua True Person suffers even a slip, it is a loss to the Dao Court—and for each of your sects, a catastrophic disaster!"

"All of you, please take care!"

Sister Situ spoke with deep gravity.

Everyone bowed in response: "Sister Situ, your words are most wise."

Someone asked hesitantly: "Sister Situ, logically, the Gui Xu Heavenly Burial is of immense importance—why then…"

"Why didn't Daozhou's top-tier Shijiahe Sects send high-level cultivators, but only sent some Jin Dan to fill the ranks?"

At this, everyone exchanged glances.

"Indeed…"

"The Void-Dwelling ancestors don't emerge—so their absence is understandable…"

Even if they came, they'd merely be a bigger "Jin Dan," still facing the risk of death—hardly worth it.

"... But why don't even any Liu Yuhua cultivators come?"

"That really doesn't make sense…"

…

The group of Liu Yuhua True Persons whispered among themselves, then silently turned their gazes toward Bai Qingcheng at the upper seat.

Among all present factions, only the Bai family was a true behemoth.

Though not located in Daozhou, it dominated its region, capable of rivaling Daozhou's ancient aristocratic families.

Among all the Liu Yuhua True Persons present, only Bai Qingcheng came from the largest family and possessed the deepest background.

Bai Qingcheng remained cold, still silent.

Everyone was helpless—wanting to ask, yet afraid to.

Sister Situ said: "Each family has its own arrangements; each ancestor has their own plans. We must do our own duty—other matters are none of our concern."

Everyone frowned, but since Sister Situ had spoken, they dared not press further.

After the group of Liu Yuhua True Persons dispersed, Bai Qingcheng rose to leave, but Sister Situ called out to her.

"White True Person…"

Sister Situ, though of high virtue and great prestige, spoke to Bai Qingcheng with utmost courtesy.

Not only because of her noble lineage, but because her talent was extraordinary—she broke through to Liu Yuhua at just a few hundred years of age, becoming a True Person of flight…

More importantly, she was tied to countless karmic threads.

Mr. Zhuang, the Devil Daoist, and her two children with Heavenly Spirit Roots…

Some matters, others did not know.

But Sister Situ, who mastered the Great Dao's algorithms and had long governed the Xuanji Valley, naturally knew more of the inner truths than others.

Bai Qingcheng's expression was cold, slightly haughty, yet she showed deep respect to Sister Situ, nodding slightly:

"Sister Situ, Elder."

Sister Situ hesitated a moment before speaking:

"Before you came, did Bai's ancestral elder give any instructions?"

Bai Qingcheng's delicate brows furrowed. "Sister Situ, Elder, what are you asking?"

Sister Situ did not wish to probe too deeply; she merely sighed:

"At my age, I fear death, so I only ask for omens of fortune or misfortune."

It concerned heavenly fate and the Dao's opportunity.

No matter what, he had to come here.

But now, he realized this opportunity was strange—no matter how he calculated or deduced, the path ahead remained utterly obscure.

Having lived so long, he had grown shrewd with age, and now he wished to keep a backup plan, to preserve his old life.

The Xuanji Valley was large and prosperous, its younger generation lacked skill in calculation, still relying on this old relic to hold things together—he could not afford to lose his life here…

Bai Qingcheng was slightly surprised; she had not expected Sister Situ, a senior elder, to be so candid.

She thought for a moment, then said: "Our ancestral elders originally did not want me to come…"

"But due to certain reasons… I had no choice but to come…"

"Before I left, our ancestral elder gave me only one instruction: to…"

Bai Qingcheng paused slightly, then slowly spoke four words: "Stand idly by…"

"Stand idly by?"

Sister Situ was stunned, her heart startled.

How could it be… stand idly by?

They would not intervene, not inquire, not seek… that…

Sister Situ's expression shifted, her emotions roiled.

Bai Qingcheng said no more, bowed, and said: "Your humble disciple takes leave."

Even after Bai Qingcheng had vanished into the distance, Sister Situ remained frozen in place, frowning deeply, muttering to herself:

"Impossible…"

"How could they possibly not be anxious at all?"

"At the final move of this great game, when victory or defeat is decided, why have they all suddenly become turtles pulling their heads in, withdrawing their pieces?"

"Those old immortals, nearing their end, must be even more desperate than I am…"

"No, something's wrong!"

"Unless… they've calculated something… or fear something?"

"Or perhaps… this game is not as I thought…"

Doubts rose in Sister Situ's mind; she stroked her beard, pacing back and forth in the hall, walking countless circles, until suddenly she stopped, her heart jolted:

"Could this game have a wildcard?"

"Is this current board… not the end, but merely the beginning?"

"With Mr. Zhuang's death as the opening move?"

"With the emergence of the Gui Xu Tian Zang as the first stone in the grand scheme to plot heaven and earth, to weave the cosmic threads?!"

Fragments of scattered tales from the two ten-thousand-year history of the Dao Court surfaced in her mind, linking together…

Sister Situ found it hard to believe.

"Impossible…"

"Who could have such a grand hand?"

The more she thought, the more terrified she became, the more horrifying it felt—as if an endless abyss had opened its monstrous maw, exhaling a chilling, terrifying aura.

Sister Situ's body trembled uncontrollably.

What exactly is hidden here?

Or was it merely her overthinking?

Sister Situ slumped into her chair, silent for a long while, then sighed deeply:

"Enough. For now, I'll just cling to life…"

Even if there is some conspiracy, it is still far from me—perhaps not even a thousand years away, and by then, I may already be dead, all over and done with…

Sister Situ suddenly felt at peace.

For now, she must consider the present matter.

Bai's ancestral elder instructed Bai Qingcheng to "stand idly by"—it could not be without reason.

That means, anyone who gets involved in this faces mortal peril.

Where will they die?

No need to guess—it must be the Devil Daoist, it must be "Dao Xin Zhong Mo"…

That title, "Daoist," is no simple matter.

Sister Situ frowned, pondered for a moment, then summoned a disciple and ordered:

"Issue orders: set up Pure Heart Array, Concentration Array, Dustless Array… around the encampment."

"Strengthen patrols at the perimeter; if anyone resembling a 'Daoist' or any bizarrely shaped cultivator approaches, report to me immediately…"

"Order all Liu Yuhua-level cultivators not to leave the camp…"

…

Sister Situ spoke at length, and after finishing her orders, she sighed, then fell into self-doubt:

"Am I overreacting?"

"Even if the Deceptive Daoist is strong, he couldn't possibly kill all ten of our Liu Yuhua-level True Persons…"

No sooner had Sister Situ spoken than she realized her mistake and lightly slapped her own mouth.

Don't speak carelessly!

She studied causality—she could not utter words that invited death!

Sister Situ's arrangements were carried out, and soon other Liu Yuhua-level True Persons arrived to see her, opening with:

"Sister Situ, are we overreacting?"

"Even if the Deceptive Daoist is strong, he couldn't possibly…"

Sister Situ's gaze, sharp as a blade, instantly pinned him into silence.

"Prevent trouble before it arises!"

"Do not underestimate the Deceptive Daoist!"

Sister Situ's tone was solemn.

Seeing Sister Situ's grave expression, all present understood the gravity of the matter and said no more.

…

Several days later, a disciple came to report.

"Ancestor, a 'Daoist'… has arrived…"

Sister Situ's heart tightened; she rose at once and stepped outside to look.

But all around was open, arrays densely arrayed, mountains towering—no trace of a 'Daoist' could be seen.

Sister Situ frowned.

"Strange… I clearly saw a 'Daoist'…"

The reporting disciple muttered, puzzled:

"Where did the 'Daoist' go?"

"Did he hide?"

"Or…"

The disciple paused, then his voice suddenly turned hoarse and hollow:

"…I am the Daoist?"

Sister Situ froze in horror, drenched in cold sweat in an instant.

She turned her head—and saw the disciple's pupils were utterly black.

Suddenly so tired… can't write today… will write tomorrow…

(End of Chapter)