The mournful gusts of wind finally dissipated. The spiritual energy on Lorian Vale's body vanished, and he fell heavily to the ground. After the radiance, endless spiritual rain fell from the sky, a manifestation of all the spiritual energy Lorian Vale had absorbed returning to nature.
When an immortal passes, a hundred spirits are born.
When an immortal is born, a hundred spirits vanish.
This is the eternal truth of the cultivation world.
The relationship between the cultivation world and the natural world is like day and night, the cycle of birth and death, perpetual and unending. Whenever a cultivator dies, it signifies the birth of a pure land of spiritual light on the continent. Similarly, the rise of a powerful cultivator is inevitably accompanied by the consumption of vast resources, even the disappearance of countless mountains and rivers.
However, for Vale Ruogu, spiritual energy can cycle, but lost lives can never return. The spiritual rain fell on his body, shoulders, and face, wetting his entire face and turning into tear stains flowing down.
"Little brother..." Vale Ruogu wept silently.
"Bastard!" Shi Wunian roared in anger.
Lorian Vale's self-destruction of his Heavenly Heart, though it didn't cause much harm under the protection of the Universe Shield, severely insulted Shi Wunian's dignity, as if slapping him hard across the face.
So what if he is a Violet Palace True Lord? Lorian Vale could still leave him with nothing.
The next moment, He Chong rushed out to search Lorian Vale's body but found nothing. His face turned pale as he looked back at Shi Wunian, trembling. "Vow Master... the Profound War Mirror isn't on him..."
Shi Wunian sucked in a cold breath. He had come to retrieve the Profound War Mirror, never considering it might not be on Lorian Vale. After all, it was a rare treasure, the key to opening the grand formation. Whoever possessed it wouldn't part with it even for a moment. Only when Lorian Vale spoke did Shi Wunian realize he might have made a grave mistake.
What Lorian Vale said wasn't false; half a year was enough time for him to make arrangements.
"Search! This is the foundation of the Celestial God Palace's prosperity. Even if we have to scour heaven and earth, we must find the Profound War Mirror!" Shi Wunian shouted hoarsely, his face twisted in rage.
Following his command, He Chong dove into the ruins, frantically searching like a mole, disregarding his image as a Heavenly Heart Realm True Person. But even so, he found nothing.
As He Chong turned the ruins upside down without a trace of the Profound War Mirror, the killing intent in Shi Wunian's eyes intensified. He turned to glare at Vale Ruogu. "Your fine third brother!"
Vale Ruogu, shocked, knew Lorian Vale had thoroughly enraged the Vow Master. He quickly bowed. "Vow Master, please understand, this has nothing to do with the Vale family! I, Vale Ruogu, will mobilize everyone to find the Profound War Mirror's whereabouts!"
"Find it? How?" Shi Wunian snapped.
Vale Ruogu took a deep breath. "I know my third brother. If he said he made arrangements, the Profound War Mirror isn't here. But when I arrived, the courtyard was clean, as if regularly maintained. My brother was always sloppy, except for his clothes. In distress, he wouldn't bother tidying up. Someone else must have been caring for this place. Also, there were four dishes on the stone table. He never cared for mundane food, so these were likely for sharing. Though he cleared the tableware, I can tell he wasn't alone."
"You mean..." Shi Wunian began.
"He must have given the Profound War Mirror to someone else!" Vale Ruogu said firmly. "Find that person, and we'll find the mirror. The food was still warm, so they can't have gone far. If we discover who it is, we'll retrieve what the Celestial God Palace seeks."
Shi Wunian's eyes lit up. "He Chong, find out who Lorian Vale was with recently."
Seeing Shi Wunian agree, Vale Ruogu sighed inwardly. Little brother, I've failed your efforts.
To Lorian Vale, no one in the Celestial God Palace could be trusted. Shi Wunian claimed no intent to kill, but who knew if it was true? Perhaps it was to placate the Vale family. Once they had the Profound War Mirror, they might slaughter everyone. The Vale family, even without full knowledge, knew enough to be silenced.
But if the palace didn't get the mirror, silencing them would be pointless, especially with the threat of exposure. The Vale family would be safe.
That was Lorian Vale's view, shaped by dealing with treacherous palace members. He couldn't trust them again.
Vale Ruogu thought differently. The Vale family was one of Moqiu's four great houses, with status, prestige, and connections nationwide. Exterminating them would cause turmoil, possibly civil unrest. The palace, though powerful, relied on mortals and ordinary cultivators. Killing one Lorian Vale affected only the family; wiping out the entire clan would shake the nation.
Thus, Vale Ruogu believed that even if the palace retrieved the mirror, they wouldn't destroy the family. They might even offer benefits to mend relations. After all, Lorian Vale's death was suicide, not murder, making it easier to accept.
Conversely, failing to retrieve the mirror could lead to covert suppression, causing the family's decline.
The dead worry about survival; the living, about prosperity and legacy.
So, Vale Ruogu chose to assist Shi Wunian fully, seeking understanding.
The brothers' perspectives differed fundamentally. Lorian Vale was impulsive, Vale Ruogu steady. But Lorian Vale knew the mirror's importance; Vale Ruogu did not.
Whose view was right? Only time would tell.
As he pondered, a loud shout echoed from afar: "Who dares release spiritual might here, disturbing the people? Do you think the Moon-Washing Sect is unmanned?"
"The Moon-Washing Sect is here!" He Chong called.
Shi Wunian snorted. "He Chong, do your task. Vale Ruogu, follow me to greet them. Let's see what the Moon-Washing Sect can do."
In remote Qiongzhou, even if the sect sent someone, it likely wasn't a major figure. Without their top experts, who could stop Shi Wunian?
Several figures flew in, led by a black-robed man with a long beard and sharp eyes, a sword on his back. Spotting Shi Wunian, he was about to shout when his mind trembled. Rubbing his eyes, he looked closer, then fell from the sky in shock. "Nan Baicheng of the Moon-Washing Sect pays respects to the Great Vow Master Wu Nian. Forgive me for not knowing of your arrival!"
Shi Wunian glanced at him. "You have some discernment."
Nan Baicheng smiled. "The Great Vow Master's celestial presence is known to me, head of the Anyang branch. I've seen your portrait in the Myriad Immortals Register, avoiding offense."
The Myriad Immortals Register was a protective talisman in the cultivation world, listing high-level cultivators to prevent unwitting offenses. It later ranked them, though immortals were beyond such lists.
Shi Wunian, a renowned divine lord of the Celestial God Palace, was featured. His pride meant he never disguised himself, so Nan Baicheng recognized him instantly.
Vale Ruogu and He Chong were listed, but their low rankings and poor portraits meant Nan Baicheng didn't recognize them. Even if he had, Shi Wunian's presence overshadowed them.
As Anyang's overseer, Nan Baicheng commanded respect locally. Yet, facing Shi Wunian, he was meek, silencing his followers.
Stepping forward, he bowed. "Why has the Great Vow Master come to Qiongzhou? Command me, and I'll serve."
"No need," Shi Wunian replied coldly. "We're handling matters. You may leave."
Nan Baicheng's face stiffened, but he clasped his hands. "Great Vow Master, Anyang is our jurisdiction. We're the hosts; you're our guest. It would be improper for us to leave."
"What?" Shi Wunian's eyes blazed, his spiritual pressure pinning Nan Baicheng.
Struggling, Nan Baicheng replied, "I cannot stop you, but as the sect's overseer, I must stay. Please understand."
Initially terrified, he composed himself, determined to hold his ground.
Earlier, seeing the spiritual disturbance, he alerted the sect. Recognizing Shi Wunian, he sent an urgent message: "Vow Master has arrived." Though vague, the sect would understand.
Reinforcements were en route; his task was to delay.
If Shi Wunian dismissed him and reinforcements saw, his future would be bleak. But standing firm, delaying until help arrived, would be a great merit.
He couldn't stop Shi Wunian for a second, but this was sect territory. Killing sect members would be a grave insult, and unless mad, Shi Wunian wouldn't dare.
Nan Baicheng was gambling with his life, as many did for advancement.
"So, you insist on monitoring me?" Shi Wunian asked.
"Misunderstanding, Vow Master," Nan Baicheng smiled. "You're our guest; I wish to extend hospitality. As locals, we can assist."
His followers echoed, "We serve at your command!"
Shi Wunian knew involving them in the search for Evan Reed was risky; they'd likely interrogate him first.
Any matter involving a True Lord was significant.
He was about to decline when Nan Baicheng eyed the ruins. "Qi Nan, check who lived here."
Shi Wunian tensed. The sect's local knowledge meant they'd soon uncover everything. He considered silencing them but realized Nan Baicheng had reported back. Killing them wouldn't erase the evidence.
Furious, he cursed Lorian Vale for this posthumous trouble. Self-destructing his Heavenly Heart was a ploy to involve the sect.
Unaware of the danger, a cultivator returned with a booklet. "Found it. A young outsider bought this house six months ago."
"An outsider?" Shi Wunian's eyes gleamed. "His name?"
Before the cultivator could answer, Nan Baicheng snatched and destroyed the booklet.
"You..." Shi Wunian raged, but Nan Baicheng pressed his hand to the cultivator's head, spiritual energy poised. "Great Vow Master, you can't leave without hospitality. It would shame our sect. As for the owner's information, it's trivial. Stay, and we'll provide it."
If Shi Wunian refused, Nan Baicheng would kill the cultivator instantly.
Shi Wunian laughed in fury. "Think this affects me?"
"Of course not," Nan Baicheng replied. "A True Lord's power is beyond me. But while killing is easy, stopping me is hard. Surely, you didn't come to slay sect members?"
Shi Wunian paused. The six sects maintained a delicate balance, avoiding open conflict. Provoking the sect would yield no benefit.
"Please wait," Nan Baicheng urged.
Shi Wunian snorted. "Bold junior! The Moon-Washing Sect breeds talent, but your experience is lacking."
He raised his hand, and Nan Baicheng paled, fearing death. But Shi Wunian pointed, reassembling the booklet.
"The Return to Origin Method?" Nan Baicheng gasped.
"No, the Dao Thought of Time," Shi Wunian corrected. "It reverts objects to a past state."
"Dao Thought... a Heavenly Venerable?" Nan Baicheng was aghast.
True Lords and Heavenly Venerables both reached the Violet Palace, but only those mastering the Dao earned the latter title.
"It's a minor Dao," Shi Wunian said. "True mastery eludes even Heavenly Venerables."
He opened the booklet and murmured, "Evan Reed, twelve years old..."
He Chong approached, but Shi Wunian waved him off. "I know who he is. Let's go."
As he turned, Nan Baicheng panicked. "Wait! Our Third Uncle Ancestor is coming to greet you. He insists you stay; he'll be here soon."
"That madman Xiao Biehan?" Shi Wunian's face darkened. "I have no time for him!"
Xiao Biehan, the sect's Sword Maniac, was a battle-hungry lunatic who'd demand a fight.
Shi Wunian didn't fear combat but had urgent duties. Yet Xiao Biehan wouldn't relent.
A distant howl pierced the air, followed by a sword beam outshining Lorian Vale's explosion. Its intent was palpable.
"Bastard!" Shi Wunian cursed.
Xiao Biehan's speed meant he'd used a teleportation array, a costly measure.
A sword shadow streaked across the sky. "Shi Wunian, perfect timing! Let's fight!"
"I came for a traitor, not your sect!" Shi Wunian retorted, dispersing the strike.
"Anything in our territory concerns us. Fight first!" Xiao Biehan bellowed, appearing with a slash.
"He Chong, Vale Ruogu, pursue the boy. I'll handle him!" Shi Wunian ordered. Golden armor enveloped him, and his punch unleashed a tidal force.
Unsatisfied, Xiao Biehan taunted, "Use your Great Vow!"
His strikes filled the sky, leveling peaks with aftershocks.
"Bastard!" Shi Wunian fumed. Entangled, he couldn't pursue Evan Reed. He had to defeat Xiao Biehan first.
Soaring skyward, he chanted, "I vow to extinguish all conditioned dharmas..."