Chapter 258: Too Socially Dead

Inner Courtyard of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, west side, Management Office main building front hall.

Zuo Qiuyang, Master of the Zizai Hall, and Chai Hu, Master of the Changsheng Hall, sat upright in the upper seats, with three elders from the Elder Pavilion on their left and right sides.

And the three managers of the Management Office stood in front of a wooden board, which was covered with messages fed back by walkers outside the academy, as well as records of the rumors about Dou Yuankong these past few days.

Scattered fragments couldn't be pieced together into effective sentences, making people feel it was hard to grasp.

"Evil Seeds are just dried corpses of the Remnant Race and have no distinct identifiers, so the source is even harder to investigate; the only clue at present is this Dou Yuankong; we have been visiting Sanli County these past few days, continuously trying to confirm the places he might have been before the incident, and currently, there is some clue."

Qin Rong hung a map on the wooden board: "The surroundings of Sanli County are barren and not a good place for sightseeing; however, if you go further, there are several large cities, relatively prosperous; among them, Anyuan City is famous for its wine shops; this Dou Yuankong is fond of wine and women on weekdays, so he might have passed through here."

Zuo Qiuyang opened his mouth after pondering for a long time upon hearing Qin Rong's words: "Where was the corpse of Dou Yuankong's old servant found back then?"

Qin Rong then pointed to another location on the map: "The corpse was found in Baiai County, Nanming Prefecture, Qingzhou, right on the west side of Wanhe County."

"Far enough; but it counts as a clue; count that Anyuan City you mentioned, and continue searching along these three locations."

"Yes."

After a discussion, the Management Office that received the order immediately moved, while Zuo Qiuyang and Chai Hu left the Management Office.

It was just that on the way back along the mountain road, Chai Hu couldn't help but frown slightly: "Does the senior brother truly feel this matter is related to the Qiling incident?"

Zuo Qiuyang wrapped his wide sleeves behind his back: "Too similar; back then, Evil Seeds also appeared suddenly."

"If it truly is so, what is the purpose?"

"Naturally, it is for the ancient immortal Dao in the ruins."

Chai Hu somewhat disagreed: "Everything in the ruins is contrary to the Heavenly Dao and fundamentally cannot be brought out; even if brought out, it would be annihilated by the Heavenly Dao; how can one talk about plotting?"

Zuo Qiuyang frowned tightly upon hearing this: "The immortal Dao in the ruins is indeed contrary to the Heavenly Dao, but it cannot stop people from being greedy; what if someone is willing to be like the Zheng family ancestor and also wants to seek to reverse heaven and ascend from the ruins."

"If it were such a big movement, it definitely couldn't be hidden from our eyes, but the Management Office checked earlier, and the ruins were not opened; the feedback from other Immortal Sects is also the same."

"But the seven major Immortal Sects, although they are harmonious on the surface, are actually each guarding their own camp; some words can be believed, but cannot be fully believed; that is the temptation from the immortal Dao; let alone Immortal Sects, I'm afraid even those noble families would be a bit bolder for this."

The subtle balance between the Qingyun world had lasted for hundreds of years; Immortal Sects were on top, followed by thousand-year noble families, and hundred-year noble families.

Such stability was naturally good for some people, but for some people with quite a bit of ambition, it was a shackle.

In fact, since the Qiling incident appeared, the seven major Immortal Sects had been guarding against each other, all feeling that some side was secretly causing trouble, otherwise the Pill Sect wouldn't have been in such a hurry to form an alliance with the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan.

And the rumor of chaotic times originated from this.

What is a chaotic time?

It is that this world has no rules and no legal principles.

If it truly reached this step, the first thing to be broken would be the balance between the seven major Immortal Sects.

And in Zuo Qiuyang's view, the seven major Immortal Sects each hold a Holy Artifact to awe the world; the only ones who can have such great power to break this kind of balance are the seven major Immortal Sects themselves.

At the same time, Ji You had already returned from Xiang Cheng's residence.

Because of the Evil Seed appearance matter, the Niuma Division where Old Xiang was was very busy.

Ji You didn't delay his time too much, just told him to pay attention to safety, and even if he found anything, not to be impulsive.

Because in his view, this kind of matter involving the Heavenly Dao was not something human power could sway.

But Xiang Cheng had read many sage books since childhood and was extremely easy to be impulsive; he was afraid he would get involved in bad things.

On the way back, he saw another large batch of Management Office disciples leaving the academy.

He had heard from Instructor Cao earlier today that as early as when the Evil Seeds appeared for the first time, the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan had sent out some Management Office disciples, and now another batch was going out, looking like they had expanded the search scale.

Ji You didn't stay too long in the outer courtyard, but stepped back into the inner courtyard, pushed the door, and entered his own courtyard.

From leaving last summer to returning this summer, a period of about a year, no one had lived in this courtyard.

However, the disciples of the Management Office were relatively responsible and often came to clean, so it wasn't desolate.

But because of the torrential rain for months before, the clothes and bedding in his room appeared very damp.

Ji You had just spent a whole day drying the bedding, and then he received several invitation posts.

There were invitations from He Lingxiu and Xiao Hanyan, as well as invitations from noble disciples in the capital, some he knew and some he didn't.

Actually, actually, eating at a banquet wasn't the purpose; for them, seeing if Ji You was truly still in the Realm of Profound Understanding was the purpose...

Just as Ji You was flipping through those posts, a vast spiritual sense suddenly attacked from the distant mountain.

That spiritual sense enveloped him and scanned him several times, then returned in silence.

At this time, Ji You couldn't help but look up, gazing in the direction from which the spiritual sense attacked.

This spiritual sense should have come from one of the five major Immortal Halls; it seemed that even the Hall Master of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan was very interested in the matter of him entering the Sages' Holy Land but failing to break through.

However, the following days were quiet; there were no more invitations, and no more banquets.

Besides Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu often coming to find him, Lu Hanyan also came to pay respects from time to time, expressing her desire to continue learning the sword, and then not many people came to disturb him.

This was probably because everyone had confirmed Ji You's current realm, and their attention to someone in the Realm of Profound Understanding was not as it was in the beginning, only regarding him as a fallen person who had fallen into a bottleneck.

Shifting his gaze back to the Evil Seed matter.

During this period, Ji You received a letter from the Pill Sect.

Yuan Caiwei also heard the news of him coming out of the Sages' Holy Land, and then learned from the sect's outer walkers that he had returned to the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, so she specially wrote to ask if everything was still well.

Actually, the news that Ji You failed to break through also had an impact on her.

Previously, various rumors were continuously spreading in the Qingyun world, saying she liked Ji You and wanted to marry him.

Regarding this matter, her father and some elders in power had never stopped it, basically turning a blind eye.

But since this news spread, her father and the elders in the sect were always hinting at wanting to persuade her to change her mind.

Yuan Caiwei was still very important to the Pill Sect; part of the reason was that her alchemy talent was extremely high, and on the other hand, it was because she could influence Yuan Yuanchen's decision as the future Abbot.

However, Yuan Caiwei didn't say it in the letter, just told him about some things that happened in the Pill Sect recently, as well as her own recent situation and Yuan Yuanchen's recent situation.

Additionally, she betrayed Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi, saying that after he entered the Sages' Holy Land, she and "Sister Yan" went to Fengzhou together.

These girls were all quite smart, knowing how to run home.

However, the Lingjian Mountain Little Master seemed a bit clumsy, clearly not admitting it with her mouth, but her body was quite honest.

Even took advantage of when I went to the Sages' Holy Land to sneak home again.

Ji You pouted, then picked up a pen to reply to Yuan Caiwei, also telling her roughly about his past half year, writing a long piece.

Logically speaking, since Yuan Caiwei knew he had returned, the Lingjian Mountain Little Master should also know.

However, until now, he hadn't received a reply, so Ji You personally wrote a letter and sent it to Lingzhou.

Lingjian Mountain had been much more stable during this period; the new disciples entering the mountain had decent aptitude, and because of the influence of a certain actor, they all entered the Xuanjian Peak.

To increase her prestige among the disciples, Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi also appeared three times; cold, proud, and beautiful, her aura was like an immortal, and her high-and-mighty image made many people feel admiration.

And the more it was like this, the more people felt it was hard to imagine what kind of sacred person could become the sweetheart of such a fairy.

When Ji You's letter arrived, Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi was listening to Zhuo Wanqiu's report on the Evil Seed matter.

Back then, during the Qiling disaster, she had personally gone to investigate the Zheng family's old residence and had seen with her own eyes those Evil Corpses imprisoned in cages, so she had always had her own worries about this matter.

The sect's outer walkers walking in the north had now all been sent by her to investigate Dou Yuankong's disappearance, but until now, what was sent back were all fragmented messages of little value.

At this time, Ding Yao walked up the mountain, holding a letter, and walked up to the Cloud-Top Heavenly Palace of Xuanjian Peak.

"Master, a letter from the Young Master."

Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi turned her head upon hearing this: "Really came out of the Sages' Holy Land; what did he say?"

Ding Yao handed the letter over: "Just four words: I am back."

The Little Master took the letter and glanced at it, a trace of sword aura rising in her eyes. Since returning from the Heavenly Dao Assembly, her Dao heart had been messy because of some things she didn't understand; in order to eliminate the fear of the unknown, she secretly went down the mountain and bought a secret manual recording the art of bloodline reproduction, but after reading that manual, she became even messier.

The clothes and pants changed after bathing the night before always had to be changed again the next morning.

Now that he had received a letter from the culprit, he could not help but feel a mix of annoyance and shame.

She was no longer the Lingjian Mountain Master from before; her brain had many more pieces of knowledge, knowing how a little Heavenly Tian Shuyuan disciple wanted to mess with her.

Although it hadn't been messed with in reality yet, Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi had already had it several times in her dreams, so she counted all the old and new accounts on his head, fierce to the extreme.

Afterward, she asked Ding Yao to find paper and pen, and swung her brush, the brush tip like a sword.

Ding Yao was standing in the hall at this time, observing the Master's expression.

She had heard the news that Ji You came out of the Holy Land but failed to break through early on, and had quite a lot of confusion in her heart, not understanding why it would be like this.

She actually really wanted to know the Master's thoughts, but the Master had never chatted with them about this matter, so they weren't easy to open their mouths to ask.

In fact, Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi knew Ji You was walking the body refinement path, and was clear that although he hadn't broken through, he was definitely no longer the him from before he went in.

But the more this was the case, the more the Little Inspector was terrified.

She finished writing the letter, then folded it and handed it to Ding Yao.

Actually, she and Ji You didn't need such troublesome communication; they only needed to go to Wuwu Mountain to meet.

However, Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi didn't dare to go now.

Wuwu Mountain could condense what the spirit thought into colored gas; many thoughts had nowhere to hide in it, and it fundamentally wasn't something that could be covered up by being stubborn.

And she had tried several times before Ji You returned to the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, and every time it was yellow...

Ji You received the reply three days later, but saying it was a letter wasn't quite accurate, because inside the envelope was another drawing of a stick figure.

The female stick figure with long hair as a significant feature held a forty-meter long sword, piercing the heart of the male stick figure with short hair as a significant feature, and then picked him up on the tip of the sword.

Last time there was also an identical drawing, because of the Demon princess's tail matter, but this time it definitely wasn't.

He stayed in the Sages' Holy Land for more than half a year; where would he have the opportunity to meet other women?

After thinking about it, he felt Kuangcheng Yan Shuyi still had a feeling of hoping he would return but hoping he would return slower, which was why she gave such a reply.

Ji You held the Little Master's reply, and a pile of lewd stick figures couldn't help but float in his mind, wanting to draw them and send them to her.

For example, I also have a forty-meter long stick, one stick into the belly, and the stick technique changes infinitely between sitting, lying, and standing.

But after thinking about it, Ji You felt that if he really sent this kind of letter, he might be beaten up when they met again.

Afterward, he saw a small line of words on the letter: Stranger, the fate between you and me is exhausted; I wish to forget each other in the world, and never see each other in this life.

Tsk.

Because she was afraid of pain, she didn't even want her husband anymore...

Afterward, news from outside Shengjing was continuously coming in.

The Immortal Supervision Bureau had basically cleared all the Evil Seeds that would cause disaster within the Nine Provinces, and those not cleared were also strictly supervised.

It was just that regarding their source, the Immortal Supervision Bureau still hadn't found any clues.

And the investigation results of the seven major Immortal Sects regarding Dou Yuankong's whereabouts, although not public, were also continuously transmitted back to Shengjing along with the rumors.

Cultivation matters are dry and boring; this kind of news was naturally attractive enough.

The first to find clues was the Mountain Sea Pavilion.

They searched eastward based on the location where Dou Yuankong's old servant was found, and found out that he had once drunk at a city named Anfeng City nearby.

It is said that he also recruited three singing girls and spent a good night with them.

When those three singing girls were found, they were subjected to extremely detailed questioning; even what they wore, what they brought, and what songs they sang that night were recorded meticulously.

Actually, this wasn't strange, because in this kind of idle chat, there might be clues that Dou Yuankong said casually.

For example, did he say where his next stop was, or where he wanted to go, or did he see anyone along the way.

Those three singing girls were originally mortal women; how could they withstand immortal questioning? They immediately said everything.

They even said Dou Yuankong only pounded one of them thirteen times before ending; after ending, he had to ask if the other person was comfortable.

As for the other two singing girls, they sat idle the whole time, quite helpless.

Other things didn't spread widely, but this matter spread too comprehensively, making people hiss in surprise.

"There's actually such a thing; love to hear it."

"If Dou Yuankong were still clear-headed, he could probably just pass away directly..."

"Correct; if it were me, I would just die outside; what's the point of living like this."

"Brother Dou probably didn't think his whereabouts would be missed by so many people back then."

"It's fine; anyway, Brother Dou is stupid, so face and such are not needed..."

"Seriously, I knew Brother Dou was useless when I saw him wet his shoes while peeing back then; I didn't expect..."

The noble disciples in the capital discussed among themselves, a trace of emotion flowing on their faces when mentioning their former friend.

And Dou Yuankong didn't just stay in Anfeng City for one day, but seven days; during these seven days, he went to a wine shop again.

Still drinking the same wine, but different from last time, this time the Young Master Dou recruited five singing girls.

This news, once spread, instantly caused countless people to evaluate him as "person is weak but addiction is big."

Wasted two out of three, and next time actually had the courage to want five; don't know if he was cheating others or cheating himself.

However, this investigation also had gains; the gain was not how many times Dou Yuankong could pound, but in his way of acting.

Back then, Dou Yuankong was forced to leave the capital, and he was originally wandering without a purpose.

And according to what those three singing girls said, every time Dou Yuankong went to drink flower wine, he was entertained by local friends.

This also explained why Dou Yuankong was clearly a weakling, but every time he ordered three or five.

Because when going out, face is given by oneself.

But thinking about it from another angle, Dou Yuankong's route was very likely to be visiting friends, so there would be traces to follow.

Of course, more people felt somewhat puzzled about the seven major Immortal Sects' behavior of investigating Dou Yuankong's whereabouts so meticulously.

Although a large part of them indeed liked to hear the story of Dou Yuankong pounding and then becoming useless, they felt the seven major Immortal Sects shouldn't be so bored.

"Dou Yuankong has injuries caused by Evil Seeds on his body, and recently there have always been Evil Seeds appearing in various places in the Nine Provinces; could it be that there is a hidden story in this Evil Seed matter?"

"Looking at the actions of the seven major Immortal Sects now, I'm afraid it's not a natural disaster, but a man-made calamity; otherwise, why would there be a need for such detailed investigation, stripping Brother Dou's inside and outside bare."

"If it is a man-made calamity, what is the purpose?"

"Perhaps it is related to the Qiling incident; after all, the last time Evil Seeds appeared was like this?"

"If it is truly related to Qiling, then it would be too big; many people died before; who knows what will happen this time..."

Noble disciples had their own sources of news and were not truly stupid people; they very easily smelled the strangeness in it.

After all, the matter of Evil Seeds appearing was very easily associated with the Qiling incident back then.

This actually wasn't a good thing, because it involved the Heavenly Dao and the immortal Dao, easily causing turmoil in the Qingyun world, especially since the Demon race and the Barbarian race were still eyeing it covetously outside the border.

Thus, the major Immortal Sects gradually began to suppress the news regarding this matter.

However, even so, many noble families set their sights on the matter regarding Dou Yuankong, and secretly sent family disciples to the Qingzhou area.

This feeling was quite like the rumors that immortal fate had appeared at Qiling back then, when countless people swarmed over, not willing to fall behind.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 259 =====