Chapter 616

"When he came to Luoyang, he didn't call himself Zhao the Donkey..."

Elder Di Longzi sat on a rock, his face looking very unpleasant.

His hands had been reset and bandaged; although they weren't completely crippled, he couldn't practice martial arts or cast spells until the wounds healed, making him like a useless person with no ability to protect himself.

This old man was ruthless and overbearing by nature.

Such humiliation almost made him explode with anger.

However, he was also a man who knew the current situation.

The Qingcheng Sect was openly shielding him, and this kid Li Yan before him was also a ruthless man who had killed several people fiercer than him, so he had no choice but to admit defeat.

"He knows how to seek treasure and has extraordinary methods; he took on several big jobs and quickly made a name for himself, which also annoyed the local treasure-seekers..."

"He wasn't good with words, but his wife was an old hand in the martial world, so every time it was his wife who negotiated. After being ambushed and attacked several times, the two of them restrained themselves quite a bit."

"I was mostly in the vicinity of Luoyang, and wanting to find a treasure, I hired him with a large sum of money. Who knew this kid would steal the item, which is why I hunted him down."

"He is very clever, and I didn't succeed."

"You are also a person of the martial world; tell me, in what way did I act against the rules?"

Having said that, the old man put on a look of righteous indignation.

"Cut the act!"

Sha Lifei beside him sneered, "We've already inquired about your reputation; rules are only brought up when they are useful."

"I know the character of Brother Zhao the Donkey; even if it were the treasure of the Jade Emperor, he wouldn't be greedy. There must be something else going on!"

Seeing that he couldn't hide it, Elder Di Longzi let out a muffled snort, "His wife wasn't there; I reckon someone else captured her to threaten him, which is why he tricked me..."

Li Yan said in a low voice, "What did you make him look for?"

Elder Di Longzi hesitated for a long time before unwillingly saying, "It was a precious pearl in a Northern Wei tomb on Mount Mang; it can repel dust and is worth a fortune."

Seemingly afraid that Li Yan would develop murderous intent, he hurriedly added, "This matter is secret, and not many people know about it. Their opponent is me; with my cooperation, as long as Zhao the Donkey isn't dead, we can definitely find him."

Li Yan glanced at him coldly and said nothing.

This old thing must be hiding something.

But Li Yan wouldn't really kill him.

Not only for Zhao the Donkey's sake, but also to give Mount Qingcheng face.

Since others could intentionally favor him at the cost of their own reputation, he couldn't go too far either. Conflict was fine, but killing someone in broad daylight was another matter.

After questioning Elder Di Longzi, Li Yan turned his head to look at the Night-Crying Lang, Shen Sanyou, a smile appearing on his face, "Brother, why have you left Chang'an?"

This Night-Crying Lang was a notoriously dissolute person, almost in a state of semi-retirement, and rarely participated in martial world disputes.

Although the Cellar Opening Assembly was important, it certainly wouldn't have attracted him.

"No choice."

Shen Sanyou drooped his eyes, his face full of helplessness, "I came under the orders of my master; there are some things I need to tell you. Let's find a quiet place."

"Alright."

Li Yan didn't ask much more and looked at Elder Di Longzi again.

The old man still had a gloomy face and snorted coldly, "Rest assured, I am not like others; I keep my word. After the Cellar Opening Assembly, I will take you there."

Li Yan didn't waste words, cupped his hands, and left with the group.

Watching their departing figures, one disciple finally couldn't help but say indignantly, "Master, they are simply bullying us too much. I heard Uncle Zhao is in Ezhou; why don't we..."

"Fool!"

Elder Di Longzi glanced at him and sneered, "He has a proud nature and usually couldn't get along with me. Even when those sect members in Shu were in trouble, he didn't show his face; why would he come to help?"

As he spoke, he looked in the direction where Li Yan had disappeared, "Sometimes you have to use your brain. Since that kid is so good at fighting, we might as well use his hands to get rid of those opponents..."

"Master is wise."

"Stop the flattery, help me up. Make sure those goods are well-kept; at this Cellar Opening Assembly, we might just find what I need..."

Mount Qingcheng also welcomed a long-lost liveliness.

In the Shenzhou, there were quite a few Mystic Sects, Dharma Sects, and side-door sects, large and small; even if each sect only sent a few people, the number was not small.

The disciples of Qingcheng had almost all returned to the mountain gate.

Receiving guests, patrolling the mountains, making arrangements... everyone was busy to the point of being overwhelmed.

Li Yan was already familiar with Mount Qingcheng, so he naturally didn't need anyone to lead the way and took the group straight to Zhaoyang Cave on the back mountain.

With so many people coming, a hierarchy naturally emerged.

The elders of those major Mystic Sects were usually arranged in the Patriarch Hall, Shangqing Palace, Tianshi Cave, and other palaces and temples to show respect.

Those from small sects or with insufficient strength were uniformly arranged in the hillside courtyard.

That place was originally a place for pilgrims to stay, and logically speaking, it could be considered a quiet environment, but if one were to attend the Cellar Opening Assembly, one would inevitably have to walk a long way.

As for Zhaoyang Cave, it was second only to those palaces, and the environment was even better; those who lived here were all famous figures in the Shenzhou's Mystic Sects.

"Little Friend Li, you've returned?"

"Master Lu, you haven't gone out?"

"The mountain is cold, and I'm truly too lazy to move."

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Li."

"Greetings, Chan Master."

Along the way, people greeted Li Yan from time to time.

Just as Zou Shaohai, the president of the Shu Divine Fist Society, had said, after the battle at the Shu King's Palace in Chengdu and with this Cellar Opening Assembly, Li Yan had already become famous throughout the four seas.

The martial world is like this: it talks about rules, but it is even more realistic.

Li Yan's battle record was worthy of this respect.

The name of the Twelve Yuan Chen had spread in all directions, and just in these few days, quite a few people had come to greet him.

Li Yan and his group were no longer worried about not being hired.

What they were worried about was how to turn them down.

Human favors were everywhere, and if not handled well, they would become trouble.

"Tsk tsk..."

Seeing this, Shen Sanyou made strange remarks, "I never thought that the kid who was hiding here and there in Chang'an would now become a big shot. If the girls in Pingkang Lane knew, they would probably regret it to the point of turning their intestines green."

"Brother, stop joking."

Li Yan was speechless. After leading Shen Sanyou into his room and hanging up the "Wish-Fulfilling Pearl," he said seriously, "Brother, you must have something major, right?"

Hearing this, Shen Sanyou's expression also became solemn. He first looked at the Wish-Fulfilling Pearl and then said in a low voice, "I came under the orders of my master to ask you about the Nine Tripods."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan became vigilant, "The Ming Sect rarely participates in martial world disputes, so why ask about this?"

The Nine Tripods involved the destiny of the Shenzhou and were even watched by the immortals and gods of the Great Luo Dala Fajie; if things went wrong, countless people would die, so he didn't dare to be careless.

Even if the person who came was an old friend.

Shen Sanyou wasn't angry either, but said in a low voice, "Since I came to ask you, I naturally have to explain the reasons. This matter is related to the roots of my Ming Sect."

"My Ming Sect is the orthodox secret blessing of the Qin Palace, known as the 'Soul-Pacifying Great Blessing.' We not only preside over the funerals of the imperial palace but are also responsible for suppressing the Yin demons of the five directions, and we went into hiding after the burning of books and burying of scholars."

"The Ming Sect does not participate in martial world disputes; some disciples hide in the marketplace and make a living from funeral affairs, which is the Yin Gate."

"But there are five others who hold the five-direction Yin sacrifices and roam all over the Shenzhou. My master, 'Yin Jiuge,' is one of them."

"Their mission... is to monitor the Nine Tripods."

Li Yan was surprised, "Why have I never heard of this?"

Shen Sanyou shook his head, "This is a taboo in the sect. Once one obtains the Five-Direction Yin Sacrifice Dharma, one cannot make a name for oneself in the Mystic Sect; to violate this is to die."

Li Yan was silent, then shook his head, "Brother Shen, I'll speak the truth; what you say is too coincidental. The news of the Nine Tripods appearing has just emerged, and your master sends you over..."

"I understand."

Shen Sanyou also nodded, "The news of the Nine Tripods shouldn't have been known to outsiders, and even I only just found out."

As he spoke, he sighed, "But regarding this matter, my master truly didn't lie. Have you heard of the Qin King's Undying Palace?"

"Are you kidding? Isn't that just a rumor?"

Sha Lifei beside him was taken aback and interrupted.

Li Yan was also full of disbelief.

They came from Guanzhong and had entered the Qin Ling Mountains, but that mysterious place had always been shrouded in many mists and legends.

There was the ancient Huaxu Kingdom, rumored to be the dwelling place of immortals...

There were the Ten Absolute Fierce Tombs, which no one who entered ever came out of...

There was the White Python God of the Qin Ling Mountains, coiled around the mountain peaks...

Just like the Three Treasures of Yunmeng, they were all local strange tales, and no one knew if they were true or false; they were just passed down from generation to generation.

But the most attractive one was still the Qin King's Undying Palace.

It was rumored to have been built for the Qin Shi Huang Huang by the Fangxian Dao, burying the secret of immortality, but countless people had entered the Qin Ling Mountains since ancient times, yet they could never find it.

Shen Sanyou's expression was calm as he continued, "My master said that the Qin King's Undying Palace is real, and the roots of the Ming Sect are related to it."

"As for what is inside, I don't know, but after the Nine Tripods appeared, the Earth Vein Instrument inherited by the Ming Sect's main hall showed abnormalities."

"Subsequently, someone from the Qin King's Undying Palace came and demanded that the appearance of the Nine Tripods be stopped, otherwise there would be a world-shaking calamity!"

"Someone from the Qin King's Undying Palace?!"

Hearing this, everyone felt even more surprised.

A strange thought rose in Li Yan's heart, "Could it be..."

"I really don't know."

Shen Sanyou scratched his head, "If that person were truly there, why would the Lishan Sect guard the imperial tomb so strictly? My master's mouth is very tight, and he is unwilling to say more."

Li Yan took a deep breath, "Alright, what do you want to know?"

Shen Sanyou said in a low voice, "Everything!"

"Who exactly is plotting the Nine Tripods, and what methods are they using? You are a Living Yin Messenger, so you should know more. Right now, the entire Ming Sect is investigating."

"The Sect Leader only has one sentence: those who plot the Nine Tripods must die!"

Li Yan pondered for a moment and said, "They are a mysterious organization, and the members are all Yin criminals. I only know that there is the Qin-era Fangshi Lu Sheng, the Great Song Ghost Sect Leader Zhao Changsheng..."

He recounted what he knew.

Of course, he didn't reveal the affairs of the Great Luo Dala Fajie; after all, it involved some immortals and gods, and the fact that he possessed a special hook-order would also bring trouble.

Who knew what kind of people were behind the Ming Sect.

If they were truly willing to stop it with all their might, that would be a good thing.

Shen Sanyou listened while carefully recording.

After Li Yan finished speaking, he blew the ink dry, carefully folded the paper and tucked it into his bosom, then stood up, "I came to Qingcheng for this matter; I have no interest in the Cellar Opening Assembly, so I will leave now to report back to my sect."

As he spoke, he sighed and cupped his hands, "My master said that the transformation of humanity has arrived, and chaos is frequent throughout the world; no one can escape it."

"Your reputation is not small now, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. After all, hidden arrows are hard to guard against; keep your guard up in whatever you do."

"Brother is right, travel slowly on the road."

"Farewell."

After sending Shen Sanyou away, the group returned to the room.

"Tsk tsk, Qin King's Undying Palace."

Sha Lifei was still in disbelief, "It actually exists?!"

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and shook his head, "The Divine Palace of Lord Yunzhong, the Water Mansion of the Dragon Palace, the Qin King's Undying Palace... the transformation of humanity has arrived, and who knows what else will pop up in the future."

Li Yan said in a low voice, "In any case, be careful with everything."

"Tomorrow is the Cellar Opening Assembly; Ling Yunzi has already said it will last for three days. After we finish, we will leave, first pick up Lady Long, and then head to Yuzhou to inquire about news!"

After setting the plan, everyone left one after another.

They also had things to do.

The scale of this Cellar Opening Assembly far exceeded the one on Mount Hua.

In addition to opening several treasure vaults that had been sealed since the Song Dynasty, there would also be trading and auctions, and every orthodox Dharma lineage would take out some spirit treasures for exchange.

The Twelve Yuan Chen now had a resounding name, and the dangers they would encounter would be even greater.

They had to take this opportunity to improve their strength as much as possible.

After everyone left, the room became quiet.

Li Yan opened his bag and carefully took out some items from inside; they were all gains from the battle at the Shu King's Palace.

After researching them these past few days, he had finally figured out what they were.

Some were useful, and some could be used to trade for treasures.

Thinking of this, Li Yan carefully picked up a jade pendant.

The jade pendant was only the size of an infant's fist, and the texture was green jade; it was in the shape of a "Double Chi Arching Bi," with an outer circle and an inner hole, about three inches in diameter.

This treasure had an ancient and substantial aura; according to Wang Daoxuan, it was a typical style from the Warring States to the Qin Dynasty.

The edges were embossed with two intertwined Chi dragons, symbolizing the harmony of Yin and Yang and the mandate of heaven for imperial power; it must have come from the royal family, and the carving was extremely exquisite.

Looking closely, the front was also engraved with "Cloud and Thunder Patterns," and the center hole was surrounded by twelve small seal script talismans, such as "Prolonged Life and Eternal Longevity" and "Suppressing Evil and Warding Off Spirits."

Wang Daoxuan had checked, and these corresponded to the Fangshi prayers recorded in the *Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of the Qin Shi Huang Huang of Qin*; it was a ritual vessel for sacrifice.

Lu Sheng's name was not small.

In the 28th year of the Qin Shi Huang Huang, the Langya stone inscription recorded that this Fangshi Lu Sheng had once presented the prophecy "Those who destroy Qin are the Hu."

This was a divine artifact for national sacrifice!

In addition to the power of calming the mind and avoiding supernatural powers and heavenly investigations, it was even stronger than the "Wish-Fulfilling Pearl."

No wonder Lu Sheng had always carried it with him.

Looking at this item, Li Yan scratched his head.

This thing was the hardest to deal with.

He was a Living Yin Messenger; if he sold it casually and some old ghost obtained it, it would become a problem when they turned against each other in the future.

But keeping it was too extravagant.

He had the "Dragon Snake Plaque," and the team had the "Wish-Fulfilling Pearl"; if he used this item to hide as well, it would inevitably make everyone jealous if word got out...

"Sigh~"

Li Yan sighed and picked up the second item.

This was a yellow silk scripture streamer scroll, which was the *Precious Proclamation of the Earth Official Granting Pardon* used by Lu Sheng when he first stopped the Yin soldiers.

This item was a one-time treasure, and the power attached to it had already disappeared, making it look like an ordinary object.

But Li Yan knew that this was evidence of the mastermind behind the Great Luo Dala Fajie, but he had no clue how to use it.

The first time, the Yin soldiers were forced back by it.

The second time, the summoning of Wen Lingguan was not fully successful.

Both the Heavenly Court and the Underworld knew about it, but there was no further movement.

The mastermind behind the scenes had a significant background...

Li Yan shook his head slightly and picked up the third treasure.

It was the bronze vertical-eye Nuo mask left behind by Erlang at the time.

This item had returned to calm, but Li Yan could still feel an aura circling the center of the vertical eye, sharing the same origin as Erlang.

Yang Erlang had consumed a thousand years of incense to strike the Nine Tripods back into the earth veins, which could be considered repaying the gratitude of the people of Shu for their offerings, and he had now ascended to godhood.

Li Yan still remembered that when he left, he left this item behind, saying it might be useful.

He didn't explain it clearly.

What exactly was it for?

(End of chapter)