Chapter 128: The Wuwei Sect

Throughout history, Daoist sects have produced many extraordinary figures; when encountering demons, they open mountains and initiate bloodshed.

In ancient times, if genuine demons like Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu had paraded about so brazenly, once discovered by Daoist masters, it would have sparked a bloody massacre.

Just like the White Snake in the Legend of the White Snake, once spotted by Fahai, it meant a fight to the death.

That night, in the Xuanmiao Temple, they summoned the seal to refine the spirit; Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu acted as decoys, luring away most of the temple’s top experts.

Since then, these two had vanished without a trace.

Zhang Fan never imagined they would find their way to Yujing City—and to Ye Buliang.

“This is bullshit… how did they even find this place?” Zhang Fan stood frozen, eyes wide.

After all, nominally, Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu were affiliated with the Wuwei Sect, and even under the command of Si She Bai Yujing.

“Your friend? Nice girl…”

At that moment, Jiang Hu leaned close to Zhang Fan’s ear and muttered something, pulling his thoughts back.

“That’s odd… why does she look so familiar?”

Soon, Jiang Hu’s gaze swept over Su Shiyu, filled with suspicion.

Then he slapped his forehead and suddenly remembered.

That day, on the high-speed train to Gusu City, Zhang Fan had walked out of the restroom with this very girl, openly and boldly, in full view of everyone.

At the time, Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue had been present, and their looks at Zhang Fan had been deeply strange.

“You’re something else—your love troubles have even followed you to the company. Is she your boyfriend?”

Jiang Hu lowered his voice, his gaze lingering for a moment on Shi Shougong, his brow slightly furrowed.

He had a persistent feeling that this man, too, seemed vaguely familiar.

If Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue had been present then, they would have immediately recognized this demon who nearly killed them in Gusu.

That night, Jiang Hu had stayed in the room guarding Zhang Fan and hadn’t personally intervened—otherwise, he too would have recognized Shi Shougong.

“Can we come in?”

Su Shiyu smiled sweetly and asked softly.

“Come in.”

Wen He was about to step forward to greet them when Zhang Fan lunged ahead.

“No… no need… I’ll take them downstairs for a sit.”

Zhang Fan gave a dry laugh and pulled the two of them out of the company.

Right outside the door, they met Yu Fu.

“Old Yu, morning…” Zhang Fan instinctively greeted.

“Huh!?”

Yu Fu stared at the three emerging figures, stunned for a moment, then his sharp gaze swept over Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu.

“Little Zhang, who are these two…?”

“F-friends…” Zhang Fan didn’t turn around, shoving them into the elevator.

Yu Fu stood still, watching the elevator doors slowly close, his eyes narrowing to a single line.

“Old Yu, what’s wrong? What are you staring at?” Wen He stepped closer, following Yu Fu’s gaze—but saw nothing.

“The wind is strong today,” Yu Fu murmured softly, slowly withdrawing his gaze.

“Wind? What wind?” Wen He looked up, scanned around, reached out to feel—and looked utterly confused.

“Demon wind!”

Yu Fu muttered casually, then turned and walked back into the company.

…

Taoyuan Square, first floor.

Ruixin Coffee.

“Are you two insane? You’re practically screaming to everyone that you’re demons, aren’t you!?” Zhang Fan glared at the two demons, each sipping coffee through a straw.

“You really can’t tell,” Su Shiyu whispered.

“Clearly you’ve never been a demon,” Shi Shougong glanced sideways, speaking coolly.

After a spirit beast’s yuan shen possesses a body and transforms into a demon, its yuan shen hides within the spirit platform of the vessel, indistinguishable from a human.

Only through special methods—such as Daoist spells to open the heavenly eye, or using a demon mirror—can the true form be revealed; or if the demon loses control and manifests aberrant signs. Otherwise, ordinary people cannot see through it.

“What if someone from Class Two happens to spot you?” Zhang Fan said nervously.

He was now a startled bird; his own identity was already highly sensitive, and he only wanted to lie low until he reached the [High Skill] rank, utterly unwilling to draw attention because of these two demons.

“What are the odds of running into someone like that?” Shi Shougong glanced at him: “Do you really think such masters are as common as cabbages?”

“Enough talk. Why did you come to me?” Zhang Fan waved his hand, unwilling to dwell on the topic.

“To join you,” Su Shiyu smiled sweetly, dimples appearing.

“Join me? What does that even mean?” Zhang Fan’s eyes darted, surprised.

“That day… Worthy Aunt Yun didn’t tell us to follow you from now on?” Su Shiyu helped him recall.

“Worthy Aunt Yun… that’s Si She…” Zhang Fan narrowed his eyes, muttering inwardly.

“So we’ve come to join you.”

“Wait… no,” Zhang Fan shook his head: “She just said that offhand—I don’t actually need anything. You could…”

“Worthy Aunt Yun and I have always communicated through a single line. She’s no longer in Gusu City. Even if you wanted to find her, you’d have to go through you,” Su Shiyu said softly.

“I can’t find her either,” Zhang Fan said bluntly.

He never wanted to find her again—Si She Bai Yujing, one of the Thirteen Zodiacs of the Wuwei Sect, was nothing but a curse, a nuisance.

“Don’t worry, since she entrusted you with us, she’ll come back to you,” Su Shiyu reassured him.

“I couldn’t care less,” Zhang Fan cursed inwardly.

“By the way, before she left, Worthy Aunt Yun left you the Gusu family estate.”

As she spoke, Su Shiyu pulled a file folder from her backpack and handed it over.

Zhang Fan froze, took it, opened it—and found a stack of documents and the access key to the estate.

“This… I always thought she’d come back for me,” Zhang Fan said with utmost sincerity.

The Gusu estate was worth eight digits—money he’d only ever seen during Qingming Festival.

Even if he worked himself to death at Ye Buliang, he’d never earn that much.

“That house isn’t a gift—it’s only temporarily for you to live in…”

Shi Shougong’s words were like a bucket of ice water, instantly dousing Zhang Fan’s burning hopes.

The documents merely confirmed his usage rights—they weren’t transferred into his name.

“By the way, the monthly property fee for that estate is six thousand eight hundred thirty-six… here’s this month’s…”

As he spoke, Shi Shougong pulled out a receipt from his chest and pushed it toward Zhang Fan.

“Property fee? Over six thousand?” Zhang Fan froze—he earned five thousand a month, and after deductions for insurance and housing fund, he took home barely over four thousand.

“You’re not broke, are you?” Shi Shougong said coolly, a rare smile flickering across his face.

“No problem, no problem—we can rent out the estate.”

Su Shiyu smoothed things over.

Renting out the estate would bring at least thirty-five thousand a month; after deducting property fees, there’d still be a healthy surplus.

“Hmm, brilliant idea—go ahead and rent it out,” Zhang Fan said, eyes narrowing.

He was advancing rapidly in his cultivation at Ye Buliang, on the verge of entering [Spirit Officer] and pushing toward [High Skill]; he’d need money for everything ahead.

After all, the Four Essentials of Daoist cultivation: Law, Companion, Wealth, and Land.

To reach higher realms, wealth is indispensable—cultivating spells, nourishing the body, refining talismans… all cost money.

A fixed salary won’t cut it. “Fine, that’s settled. As for you two… find somewhere to stay. Don’t wander off unless I say so—this is Yujing City… dragons and tigers lurk everywhere,” Zhang Fan mused.

Better to keep these two nuisances close than let them roam free.

“Wonderful! Now we can be together!”

Su Shiyu sat beside Zhang Fan, linking arms with him, beaming with joy.

“I’ll handle it.”

Shi Shougong picked up the file folder, a knowing smile on his face—and one sentence left Zhang Fan utterly stunned.

“Congratulations. You’ve joined the Wuwei Sect.”

With that, Shi Shougong walked away.

“No… no… no…”

Zhang Fan snapped back to reality, glancing at Su Shiyu, then at Shi Shougong’s retreating back—and suddenly understood.

More latest popular novels at /p>

They were Wuwei Sect members, and now they were following him…

What the hell did that mean!?

What kind of relationship was this!?

“Colleagues!?” Zhang Fan’s expression grew increasingly strange.

After sending Su Shiyu off, Zhang Fan returned to the company—Jiang Hu’s gaze at him was now deeply odd.

Even Wen He’s smile carried a hint of ambiguity.

Even the usually silent Yu Fu kept sneaking glances at him.

“While I was gone, what did you say?” Zhang Fan fixed Jiang Hu with a stare.

“I didn’t say anything! You’ve known me long enough—do you think I’m the type to gossip behind people’s backs?” Jiang Hu said with righteous indignation.

“Fanfan, don’t do that in the car—it’ll end up on social media.”

At that moment, Wen He passed by and leaned down to give a thoughtful reminder.

“...”

Zhang Fan squinted, turned mechanically, and fixed his gaze tightly on Jiang Hu.

“It’s just collegial concern.”

Jiang Hu grinned awkwardly.

In the evening, after finally waiting for quitting time, Zhang Fan dashed out of the company.

If you’re not eager to leave work, there’s something wrong with your mindset.

He scanned a shared bike, rode across two streets, and arrived at the Crown Grand Hotel, heading straight to the nineteenth floor’s [Tingchao Pavilion], the private room Li Yishan had reserved.

“Not late, right...”

Zhang Fan pushed open the door and called out—but inside, he saw no sign of Li Yishan, only two beautiful women seated there.

“Huh!?”

“Him!?”

Zhou Miaochan and Zhou Miaoyu glanced at each other upon seeing Zhang Fan enter, both revealing unusual expressions.

Wasn’t this the Daoist youth they’d seen on the subway this morning!?

“No coincidence without destiny—life is indeed mysterious,” Zhou Miaochan thought inwardly, though her expression remained calm.

“We’re friends of Li Yishan... you must be Zhang Fan...”

At that moment, Zhou Miaochan rose and introduced herself with effortless grace.

“Hello...”

Zhang Fan nodded in greeting, glanced around—but still saw no trace of Li Yishan.

“He went to get the wine,” Zhou Miaoyu said softly, studying Zhang Fan.

During the day on the subway, she hadn’t seen him clearly; she hadn’t expected to meet him again tonight.

Zhang Fan, alone with two beautiful women—strangers at that—felt somewhat uneasy; he instinctively glanced left and right, then checked his phone.

“Zhang friend seems a bit uncomfortable,” Zhou Miaoyu teased.

“Not really... this hall had a fire last year—someone died in it...” Zhang Fan picked a random topic.

“You’re a cultivator too—still superstitious about this?” Zhou Miaochan murmured softly.

“How do you know?”

“Li Yishan mentioned it,” Zhou Miaochan replied casually, her expression unchanged.

“Though life and death are fated, unrelated to fortune or misfortune, death as an end is still something to avoid,” Zhang Fan said coolly.

Cultivators seek immortality even as they face death—not because they have cultivation, they become immune to all taboos.

Death means finality.

“I heard from my elders that cultivators, from birth to death, some cling to nothingness, others to emptiness... but all are merely trying to evade death—this is already falling into the lower realm, forever unable to attain the Pure Yang Ultimate State.”

Zhou Miaochan seemed moved, speaking at length.

“What’s your view, Miss Zhou?” Zhang Fan asked casually.

“Zhuangzi said all things are one household, life and death are identical... life and death are both within the Great Dao’s natural flow. How can one attain the Pure Yang Dao without experiencing death?” Zhou Miaochan said softly, her voice steady.

“If a person is dead, what’s left to cultivate? What Dao to refine? How can one comprehend the Pure Yang Ultimate State?” Zhang Fan mused.

The easiest thing to speak is principle; the hardest to practice is also principle.

“Not exactly...” Zhou Miaochan shook her head softly.

“I heard there’s an internal alchemy method that lets one pass from life to death, and from death back to life...”

“There’s such an internal alchemy method?” Zhang Fan’s eyes lit with curiosity.

If such a method truly existed—one capable of reviving the dead—it would be no less mysterious than the Divine Demon Embryo.

“Hasn’t Zhang Daoist heard of ‘Jia Birth, Gui Death’?” Zhou Miaochan said sharply.

Ancient people observed celestial patterns, using the Heavenly Stems to mark years: Jia marks the beginning, when all things flourish; Gui marks the end, when all things return to rest.

“Buddhism speaks of life-death reincarnation and inevitable rebirth; our Daoist sect doesn’t speak of rebirth—we seek only this lifetime...” Zhou Miaochan said solemnly.

“This method compresses countless cycles of life and death into a single lifetime—the Yuan Shen dies and is reborn, is reborn and dies again, as if enduring reincarnation itself...”

“There really is such a method,” Zhang Fan said, his gaze darkening with gravity.

“Jia Birth, Gui Death—death followed by life, ceaseless birth and decay...” Zhou Miaochan murmured softly, her eyes gleaming with longing.

“This is one of the legendary Nine Internal Alchemy Methods...”

“Jia Birth, Gui Death!!!”

Before this method, the great mystery of life and death becomes trivial—each cycle of death and rebirth transforms the practitioner like shedding skin and bones, making them utterly different, impossibly powerful.

He is still him, yet he is no longer him...

“Jia Birth, Gui Death...” Zhang Fan whispered, savoring the name.

That was a legendary internal alchemy method, rivaling the Divine Demon Embryo.

“Life and death aren’t games—can anyone truly master such a method?” Zhou Miaoyu, entranced, couldn’t help asking.

“Perhaps... it’s only a legend,” Zhou Miaochan shook her head.

Legendary internal alchemy methods are all terrifying, yet each is profoundly mysterious—none are cultivable by humans; they exist only in legend.

Jia Birth, Gui Death—death followed by rebirth—perhaps destined that no one can ever master it.

“Here he comes...”

At that moment, a cheerful voice rang out—Li Yishan pushed open the door, arriving late.

(End of Chapter)