Chapter 345: Taiyi Sect

Luoxia Mountain is located at the junction of Ansili and the five surrounding countries, occupying exactly the dividing line of the six nations.

For the Taiyi Sect, which wishes to seclude itself from the world, choosing this location could not be more appropriate.

Chen Che and the other two traveled for a day and a night, finally arriving at Luoxia Mountain at dusk on the second day.

When Chen Che stepped onto this land, he was immediately struck by the scenery before him.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the rolling mountains, dyeing the peaks in patches of brilliant golden-red, as if the evening clouds from the horizon had accidentally fallen into the human world.

The air in the mountains was fresh and moist, carrying a faint scent of pine and earth, which was refreshing to the mind. The stream gurgled, clear to the bottom, and occasionally a few small fish could be seen playing in the water, their figures shimmering with silver light under the reflection of the setting sun.

The trees in the mountains were lush and green, and the chirping of birds could be heard from time to time among the branches, adding a touch of vitality to this tranquil mountain forest.

"Sect Master, Madam, the Taiyi Sect is right on the mountainside. I have already sent word back to the sect in advance; I imagine someone from the sect will come to welcome us before sunset."

Adili was visibly happy, and he cupped his hands and said, "Let us head up the mountain."

Chen Che nodded and continued to follow Adili up the mountain with Xie Wanning.

As the group ventured deeper, the scenery of Luoxia Mountain became even more enchanting, causing Xie Wanning, who had been on guard the entire way, to relax her nerves.

The mountain terrain gradually became steeper, but the mountain path was unusually flat, as if someone had carefully paved it to welcome guests from afar.

On both sides of the mountain path, exotic flowers and herbs vied for beauty, and occasionally some precious medicinal materials could be seen, growing quietly on this land untouched by the dust of the world.

With the last ray of sunlight remaining, the three looked up and finally saw the mysterious sect.

Above the mountainside, the building complex of the Taiyi Sect was situated, perfectly integrated with the surrounding natural landscape; from a distance, it looked very much like a large temple.

The buildings were primarily of a simple wooden structure, with roofs covered in blue tiles, complementing the surrounding mountain forest.

The scale of the temple was grand, yet it did not appear ostentatious; every building revealed a kind of tranquility and solemnity that transcended the secular world.

The courtyard walls of the temple wound along the mountain, as if they were a part of the mountain, coexisting harmoniously with nature.

Under the reflection of the sunset, the golden roof of the Taiyi Sect shimmered with a soft light, like a wise man silently watching the changes of the world.

The bell of the temple was melodious, echoing through the valley, allowing one's soul to be purified.

"It seems there is no mistake; this is the real Taiyi Sect."

Chen Che looked up at this mysterious religious sect, his heart filled with respect and anticipation; that inexplicable sense of familiarity made him put down all his doubts and guard.

"It really seems to be the case. Even from this far away, I can feel that mysterious aura that transcends the world; it is exactly the same as the feeling from Master back then."

Xie Wanning was also stunned, and she said sincerely, "It seems that Adili didn't lie to us, but... where is he?!"

Xie Wanning suddenly came to her senses, only to find that Adili had disappeared.

Chen Che also looked around; apart from the fresh scent of vegetation, there was not a single sound.

"Damn it! We were actually played!"

Xie Wanning said angrily, shouting.

Chen Che's expression was calm as he silently observed his surroundings.

The mountain forest, which had just been filled with the chirping of insects and birds, became quiet almost instantly; at the same time, Chen Che clearly felt that something had been released.

It was some invisible and intangible Array and Restriction.

Chen Che raised two fingers and cast a Pupil Technique; passing through layers of Arrays and Restrictions, he saw the four figures standing on the temple pavilion.

And Adili, who had fainted, being carried by a few people to the front of the four.

Those four seemed to have sensed something and looked toward Chen Che's direction together, their expressions filled with surprise and disbelief.

"We weren't played, it's just that it seems someone doesn't want us to go in."

Chen Che put away his Pupil Technique, took out the Sect Master Token, threw it into the air, formed seals with both hands, and gave a low shout.

The token paused in mid-air, and the True Qi attached to it exploded, spreading to the surroundings like fireworks, forming a huge World Tree pattern that shone brightly in the night sky.

"What happened?"

Xie Wanning asked as she saw Chen Che catch the token.

Chen Che looked around; the Arrays and Restrictions were still there. He sighed and said, "It seems the people in charge of the Taiyi Sect are more cautious than the subordinates, but since we have already arrived here, it is of course impossible to go back."

"So what do you want to do?"

"These Arrays and Restrictions have no lethality; they only make people lose their way. It's just like how we see the Taiyi Sect now, but if we keep walking forward, we will never reach it.

I think this is also a means for the Taiyi Sect to prevent outsiders from entering."

Chen Che tucked the token away again and slowly changed his hand seals, "Although I am not as proficient in Arrays as the Fourth Senior Sister, this kind of thing still cannot stump me; it just requires some time."

………

Looking at the huge World Tree pattern in the sky, the four people located on the pavilion were all stunned.

"Senior Brother, could it be that those two have the Sect Master Token?"

The Second Elder asked in disbelief.

The Great Elder did not speak, but looked at Adili, who was being supported by two disciples, and flicked a wisp of True Qi out with his finger.

Adili woke up, and upon seeing the four elders, he was startled for a moment, then immediately bowed and saluted, "Disciple Adili, greets the three elders and Master."

"Adili, you were undercover in the Due Sect, why did you return to the sect? And if we hadn't used the Mountain Protection Array to teleport you back, you probably would have already led outsiders in."

The Great Elder said in a deep voice.

Adili hurriedly explained, "Great Elder, the Du'e Cult Leader is dead, and I have confirmed that he is not Zanpu Dunzhu. Besides, those two people were also encountered by this disciple by chance.

One of them has the Sect Master Token; it is precisely our Sect Master who has been missing for many years!"

Adili was obviously very excited; although his many years of undercover work had yielded no results, finding the Sect Master was a great achievement!

"Adili, this matter cannot be taken lightly. Are you sure that person has the Sect Master Token in his hand? It's not a fake?!"

Said the Third Elder, who was Adili's master.

"Master, this disciple can be sure! The pattern on the token is exactly the mark of the Taiyi Sect, and this disciple can feel that there is an imperceptible connection and induction between the token and that person; it has indeed recognized its master!"

Adili said with an excited expression, very firmly.

Upon hearing this, all four elders were stunned.

"Senior Brother, since that is the case, should we let them in?"

The Third Elder asked for instructions.

The Great Elder's brows were tightly locked, clearly deep in thought, and he asked, "Adili, what does that person look like, and how old do they appear to be?"

"They have a dignified appearance and look to be only in their twenties!"

The four elders looked at each other.

"Only the four of us in the Taiyi Sect have seen the Sect Master. When the Sect Master left the Taiyi Sect, he was about that age, but that was a hundred years ago..."

"Could it be that the Sect Master has already attained that legendary realm and achieved rejuvenation?"

"That's not right! If that were the case, the Sect Master could naturally return on his own; why would he need Adili to lead the way?"

"........."

The four of them whispered to each other, their hearts filled with doubt.

The Great Elder shook his head in frustration and delivered the final verdict: "Looking at it now, I can be certain that person is definitely not the Sect Master."

"Senior Brother, what should we do now?"

"Do not worry about it for now."

The Great Elder said, "Although I still do not know how he made the Token recognize him as its master, since the Token is in his possession, it means he must know the Sect Master's whereabouts. Therefore, we absolutely cannot just let them leave."

"They are currently being held up by the Mountain Protection Array. This is an Array that the Sect Master personally created back in the day; no matter how high their cultivation is, as long as they cannot undo the Array, they cannot unleash their power."

"We will use the Array to drag them out for the night, and when they are exhausted, we will step forward to subdue them."

After the Great Elder finished speaking, he turned and left.

Adili walked toward his master with a look of panic: "Master, did I cause trouble?"

The Third Elder smiled kindly: "It is fine. Since you have returned, just cultivate well. As for the rest, your master is here; you do not need to worry about anything."

Adili nodded: "Then I will go find my Senior Brother."