Chapter 338: Beast God

Qingyun Sect, Xiao Zhu Peak.

Night wind blew, rustling through the bamboo groves.

Wen Min walked slowly to the Moon Gazing Terrace, seeing Lu Xueqi's slender figure, her shadow doubled against the moonlight; a sharp, prickling pain welled in her heart. She stepped quietly to Lu Xueqi's side and spoke of recent events in Qingyun Sect.

"The Sect Master plans to dispatch personnel to the Death Marsh…"

Wen Min said cautiously.

This vast land of Shenzhou stretched endlessly: to the east lay the boundless Eastern Sea, with Penglai Immortal Sect, Yanluo Island, Liubo Mountain, and others beyond the waves; to the west stretched endless wild lands—the origin of the Demon Cult, the very path taken during the Wildlands Expedition a century ago.

To the far south lay the Ten Thousand Mountains; to the north, the snowy ice plains; the Death Marsh lay in the southwest.

It was said a golden pillar of light had shot into the heavens there—clearly, a rare treasure had emerged. The Demon Cult had moved, and Qingyun Sect was now selecting its own agents.

"He should go too…"

Wen Min whispered: "Ten years…"

Hearing this, Lu Xueqi looked up at the full moon.

Ten years ago, Gu Qing won at Liubo Mountain, and Wan Jianyi returned—two great joys for the Qingyun Sect. But because of the Xuanhuo Mirror, Gu Qing went to Fenxiang Valley, released demons, and reportedly attacked many of its disciples. The Qingyun Sect was enraged and even clashed with monks from Tianyin Temple.

Only the elders knew the outcome of that meeting. Afterward, Gu Qing severed ties with Qingyun Sect.

Since then, Wen Min had heard many things about Gu Qing.

She heard he went to the Heavenly Dragon Palace in the far north.

She heard he visited Penglai Immortal Sect.

She heard he rescued Jin Ping'er of the Hehuan Sect three years ago.

Wen Min had heard these things for ten years.

"This time, Bi Yao and Jin Ping'er will both go to the Death Marsh."

Wen Min added.

After being crushed by Gu Qing, the Demon Cult had lain low for a decade, gathering strength, and two outstanding figures had emerged: Bi Yao, daughter of the Ghost King, wielding the Hehuan Bell with deep power; and Jin Ping'er of the Hehuan Sect. Yet after Gu Qing left Qingyun, both women seemed entangled with him.

Lu Xueqi smiled—rarely, but Wen Min saw warmth in that cold face.

"Let them go."

Lu Xueqi said calmly: "I trust him."

That "I trust him" was as firm as ice cleaved by a blade.

Wen Min stared deeply at Lu Xueqi, astonished by her unwavering faith in Gu Qing—it reminded her of Master Shuiyue, who had once believed every word Gu Qing spoke, yet now seemed to despise him utterly.

The two stood in silence for a long while on the Moon Gazing Terrace before Wen Min left. Turning back, she saw Lu Xueqi's exquisite face, gazing dreamily at the moon.

"Ah…"

Wen Min sighed for Lu Xueqi.

But after Wen Min departed, another figure appeared beside the terrace, joining Lu Xueqi. They exchanged a quiet, knowing smile.

"Jie Jie Shi E Zhenjun?"

Lu Xueqi called softly.

"Let's go."

Gu Qing gently took Lu Xueqi's hand and said: "I've gathered all four scrolls of the Heavenly Book."

The first scroll was in the Blood-Dripping Cave; the second in the Ghost King Sect; the third in the Emperor's Treasury; the fourth on the Wordless Jade Wall of Tianyin Temple; the fifth scroll is the Qingyun Sect's Zhuxian Sword.

Ten years ago, Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple had met because of Gu Qing. During that meeting, a disciple named Zhang Xiaofan bravely stood forward and, with Pu Zhi, recounted the events of Cao Miao Village, firmly believing Gu Qing stood on the side of justice.

In these ten years, Gu Qing traveled the world; whenever someone sought help, he answered. Over time, he earned the title "Jie Jie Shi E Zhenjun"—a name blending Buddhist and Daoist elements, greatly revered by both Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple.

"Are we going to the Death Marsh to find the third scroll?"

Lu Xueqi asked gently.

"No."

Gu Qing said: "We're going to the Illusory Moon Ancient Cave—to retrieve the fifth scroll."

Lu Xueqi stared at him in surprise. He shook his head gently: "The fourth scroll rests on the Wordless Jade Wall. Anyone who cultivates the Great Brahma Sutra and sits quietly before it may cause the fourth scroll to appear. But to unlock the third scroll, one must have already cultivated the first and second."

Gu Qing had already visited the Emperor's Treasury. Atop the ancient tree, beside the yellow bird, he felt a sudden insight—when sunlight struck the Treasury, its gates opened. Yet he took nothing but the third scroll, and only then did the Treasury burst into golden light.

After hearing this, Lu Xueqi asked in astonishment: "You're luring the Demon Cult into the Death Marsh."

Gu Qing nodded: "So we can act fully, and do something else."

For ten years, Gu Qing had been investigating the Beast God.

This monstrous spirit, created by a witch, would bring catastrophic disaster upon awakening. Perhaps it would be more beneficial to let the Beast God rampage, slaughter its way to Qingyun Sect, and let Gu Qing defeat it before the world's eyes with the Zhuxian Sword—gathering greater merit.

But it went against Gu Qing's conscience.

Behind Qingyun Sect.

Illusory Moon Ancient Cave.

When Gu Qing arrived, Wan Jianyi stood guard at the entrance. Seeing him, Wan Jianyi raised an eyebrow, face grim.

"The Illusory Moon Ancient Cave is Qingyun Sect's highest secret."

Wan Jianyi explained: "Only the Sect Master may enter—even Xiao Yicai has never set foot here…"

"Because Xiao Yicai is too cautious."

Gu Qing smiled at Lu Xueqi: "When Daoxuan asked Xiao Yicai what he'd do after taking over Qingyun, Xiao Yicai said he'd seize control of all six peaks, elevate Tongtian Peak alone, and clench all five fingers into one fist."

Hearing this, Lu Xueqi frowned. She had always opposed Xiao Yicai's plan to centralize the six peaks' power. Now, she disliked it even more.

"But I'm different from Xiao Yicai."

Gu Qing said: "I think the six peaks are too close. If I were Sect Master, I'd move Chaoyang Peak to the Eastern Sea, Luoxia Peak to the Wildlands, Longshou Peak to the Southern Frontier, Dazhu Peak to the snowy plains—and build more pavilions across the land…"

Gu Qing had a plan to expand territory.

Lu Xueqi felt Gu Qing was too radical.

"If all methods share the same root, why not have just one Qingyun Sect?"

Gu Qing didn't think it radical: "In these ten years, I've already clashed with the Heavenly Dragon Palace, Penglai Immortal Sect, Yanluo Island—when I bring them under control later, it won't take much effort. Our lives are long. With thirty or fifty years of cultivation, this new Qingyun will flourish."

"…."

Wan Jianyi fell silent.

In these ten years, Gu Qing had stirred up no fewer troubles.

"Who taught you to do this?"

Wan Jianyi growled.

Probably Li Zhichang.

Gu Qing thought of his Daoist master from the Condor Heroes—absorbing his influence, he planned to strike hard once in power.

"Don't worry!"

Gu Qing patted Wan Jianyi's shoulder: "I'm ready."

He had long prepared the Three Pure Ones Reformation Squad, waiting to reform rebellious disciples.

"Go inside."

Wan Jianyi changed the subject: "The Zhuxian Sword is steeped in malevolence. Only someone who has cultivated all four scrolls of the Heavenly Book can fully ignore its backlash… but be careful."

Gu Qing smiled, took Lu Xueqi's hand, and stepped into the Illusory Moon Ancient Cave. Before entering, he promised Wan Jianyi: "When I become Sect Master, I'll reveal all five scrolls of the Heavenly Book—let every elder study them!"

I won't hoard this glory alone!

Inside the Illusory Moon Ancient Cave, illusions shimmered wildly.

As a Huang-level Broken-Grade expert, Gu Qing's spiritual cultivation had reached an unfathomable state. Amid the swirling illusions, he walked steadily forward. Lu Xueqi walked beside him, yet seemed distracted.

"What's wrong?"

Gu Qing asked gently.

"All Qingyun Sect Sect Masters are Daoists."

Lu Xueqi said.

She had cultivated many scriptures beside Gu Qing; the illusions here did not trouble her.

"If they won't let the Sect Master marry, I won't give them the Heavenly Book."

Gu Qing smiled.

After acquiring the fourth scroll, Gu Qing's cultivation finally converged into one. Whether Taiji Qingqing Dao, Yin Ghost Qi, Great Brahma Sutra, or the secret arts of the Ghost King Sect, Hehuan Sect, Penglai Immortal Sect, Heavenly Dragon Palace, and Fensheng Valley—he had fused them all, condensing every martial art and inner energy into one.

Gu Qing understood the value of the Heavenly Book. In the future, he intended to reveal its secrets so others could cultivate—perhaps under this cultivation boom, they might uncover the mystery of immortality.

As for revealing the Heavenly Book allowing others to surpass him…

That was impossible.

After all, Gu Qing had a system, exceptional talent, and relentless effort. He might even transcend to a new world to explore immortality after revealing the Heavenly Book.

Inside the Illusory Moon Ancient Cave, the Zhuxian Sword stood planted in the ground.

Gu Qing walked forward slowly and grasped the sword.

"Heaven and Earth have no mercy—they treat all things as straw dogs!"

At that moment, the fifth scroll of the Heavenly Book blazed into view.

Qingyun Sect, Tongtian Peak.

Daoxuan held a roster, calling out Xiao Yicai, Qi Hao, Song my lord, Lin Jingyu, and Ceng Shushu—ordering them to join forces and go to the Death Marsh to investigate the treasure's origin and the Demon Cult's movements.

"This time, the Demon Cult has many, the Dao Cult few. Once inside the Death Marsh, be extremely cautious—avoid conflict with the Ghost King and Hehuan Sects."

Daoxuan said: "It's said that after ten years of salvage, the Ghost King Sect has regained control of the Fulong Ding."

Hearing this, Xiao Yicai and Qi Hao exchanged glances. Ten years ago on Liubo Mountain, they had seen the Fulong Ding's power. After Gu Qing had thrown it into the sea, the Ghost King had fished it out—his obsession with the artifact was clear.

"This time, you're not to destroy the Fulong Ding."

Daoxuan Zhenren instructed: "As long as you investigate carefully and don't lose any men, that's enough."

Xiao Yicai and Qi Hao exchanged glances, then both bowed in acceptance.

After Xiao Yicai, Qi Hao, and the others departed, Daoxuan Zhenren finally sat down. Moments later, Gu Qing and Lu Xueqi appeared before him, followed by Wan Jianyi.

"It's already..."

"I've finished reading it."

Gu Qing answered Daoxuan Zhenren's question before he could finish speaking.

When one already possesses the fourth scroll of the Heavenly Book and enters the fifth, everything follows naturally—the internal qi condenses and transforms on its own.

Hearing this, Daoxuan Zhenren shook his head and asked: "Has the Southern Bright Fire Sword been forged?"

Ten years ago, Gu Qing had to part with the Xuanyu Mirror.

"Nearly done."

Gu Qing nodded.

Daoxuan Zhenren nodded, drew his long sword, and turned to look at Wan Jianyi behind him.

This time, to confront the Beast God—a monster created by Linglong from malevolent energy, who only gained a weakness after Linglong gave him flesh—his personal power is unparalleled. In the original novel, it was Daoxuan Zhenren himself who fought the Beast God with the Zhuxian Sword.

Once they reach the Southern Frontier, the Zhuxian Sword will be unavailable. To face the Beast God, everyone must make thorough preparations.

Lu Xueqi walked beside Gu Qing, watching Tian Budi, Ceng Shuchang, Shang Zhengliang, Water Moon Master, and even Tian Budi's wife Su Ru preparing for this great undertaking—her heart tightened. She knew this matter was of utmost gravity; sending Xiao Yicai away was meant to draw the Demon Cult's attention and distract them from Qingyun Sect's vulnerable defenses.

After a brief gathering at the Yuqing Hall, each returned to their peaks to quietly entrust their sect duties, then followed Gu Qing toward the Ten Thousand Mountains of the Southern Frontier.

Along the way, the Tianyin Temple's Abbots Puhong and Puzhi arrived, and upon seeing Qingyun Sect nearly mobilize its entire strength, they each chanted sutras, feeling ashamed—as if Tianyin Temple had somehow won by default.

"Master Puzhi."

Gu Qing approached Puzhi and said: "Where is the Three-Day Death Pill?"

Master Puzhi gazed deeply at Gu Qing—years ago, in Caomiao Village, because of Gu Qing, Puzhi had refrained from taking the pill; now, Gu Qing had come to claim it.

"Here."

Puzhi handed the Three-Day Death Pill to Gu Qing and said: "I hope you won't need it."

Wan Jianyi glanced sideways at the tiny pill, recalling his days with the Ghost Master.

This pill was crafted by the Ghost Master, infused with ghostly arts—once ingested, it would keep even the gravest wounds from killing the user for three days.

Gu Qing tucked the pill away and led the group toward the Beast God's resting place.

After the Beast God was forged, his ferocity erupted, slaughtering countless lives. Linglong imprisoned him in this cave, but at the final moment, moved by his desperate pleas, she granted him a body.

But the Beast God was forged from malevolent energy—he was born to kill. Now, he has reached the hour of awakening.

Those inside are already chanting spells to summon him.

(End of Chapter)