Episode 91

  In a secluded and elegant residence, ten or so practitioners sat in meditation. Among them was the master of the Yi Xiu Gate. The man had three strands of long hair floating gently, his entire body wearing a gray long shirt with a faint blue glow, his face showing a warm and gentle expression, exuding an aura of kindness and approachability. Seeing that the quarrel among the crowd had subsided slightly, he slowly spoke:

  "This time, the luck of heaven broke through the mysterious array of the dark and hidden cultivator's secret law. However, the array is just an inanimate object, and he will definitely rebuild it elsewhere. From my perspective as a member of the Easy Cultivation Sect, there are three things to do: Firstly, secretly investigate the large-scale purchase of materials for building the array at this time. The heavenly treasures and earthly gems required to build the array cannot be a small amount! Secondly, closely monitor the recent movements of the dark and hidden cultivator, and try to find clues to destroy his lair and obtain his mysterious array to help our ten major sects rise to a higher level. Thirdly, secretly investigate what exactly flew out after the collapse of the Refining Hell space, and it is essential to find this object. This matter cannot be taken lightly! If this object can remain unscathed under the power of the boundary, it is definitely not ordinary! Fourthly, prepare for the counterattack of the dark and hidden cultivator! He will inevitably feel resentful after being defeated, and all parties must raise their vigilance to prevent him from striking back!"

  "The words of the eldest brother are indeed correct! However, I don't know what instructions the several heavenly lords above have given in the great palace?"

  A Taoist among them.

  "The many Heavenly Venerables in the Grand Palace have also made ample preparations, so we don't need to worry about it. However, it's said that once a certain formation is initially established, our cultivation will advance to the next level in no time!"

  "These words are true! Ah, great joy! Great joy! Our realm has been stagnant for hundreds of years without a breakthrough. If the grand array can be formed, then a breakthrough is in sight, and we may even gain another thousand years of lifespan. Such a great path is within our grasp, such a great path is within our grasp! Hahaha......"

  "Too true, the Great Formation! Too true, the Great Formation! Ah! Tai Zhen's person has truly succeeded! He can actually reverse the will of Heaven with his formation! I really don't know what kind of divine state he has reached? But the Heavenly Lord in our great palace is also not an ordinary person, and he has successfully replicated the formation! Haha ha!"

  "Gentlemen, prepare according to our previous agreement! If we succeed, the Grand Palace will surely reward us!"

  "Alright! So, we bid farewell! Haha...!"

  All the monks left with a smile, as if they had gained something substantial.

  In the grand hall of the Yi Xiu Sect, more than a dozen cultivators were seated. At the center of the offering table below the Eight Immortals' table, one person sat quietly. This seat was naturally reserved for the sect master, and no one else dared to sit there. He glanced around calmly, but the other cultivators immediately fell silent, not daring to speak again, only looking at the sect master. He withdrew his gaze, staring fixedly at the empty seat of his third junior brother Ye Wen Tian, remaining silent for a while. Suddenly, he let out a long sigh and said:

  "Gentlemen, you are all pillars of our Yi Xiu Men. I invite you to come and discuss a major matter. Our Yi Xiu Men has been established for thousands of years, but rarely has such an event occurred. My third brother, Tian Ye, has fallen!"

  He finished speaking and sat still with his back straight. The discussion below the hall started again, and a little later he slowly said:

  "Many of his disciples who were personally taught by him have gone missing or become mentally disabled. Some disciples came to report that it was due to being possessed by evil spirits while practicing their skills. My fellow disciple's temperament is fierce, and this might be true. However, he fought against the enemy sects to protect our school's safety, and ultimately fell in battle! Alas! My fellow disciple had a natural talent, but unfortunately died young, which is truly unfortunate! It is also a great loss for our school! How infuriating and regrettable! Sigh!"

  "Report to the Master, we, the Dan Temple crowd, think that San Shi Shu Xiu is a Tian Gong, and has made great achievements many times. Now he has fallen in battle with the enemy's repair, as an inspiration to future generations, we should set up his spirit pillar in the Shen Hun Temple for worship!"

  "I report to the master, I have inspected the hall and think that Dan's argument is quite reasonable, we should agree with him."

  "Master, I think their argument is not proper. Only the successive masters of the sect, the great elders and the gatekeepers who have achieved spiritual enlightenment are qualified to live in the Soul Temple. This is the rule that our sect has followed for thousands of years, it cannot be violated! Please, Master, reconsider!"

  "You people are too used to the usual ways of speaking! I, the founder of this sect, have stood for thousands of years, unshakeable and unwavering. It is because there are disciples like Tian Shi Shu who view death as a return home, who view the sect as their own family door, protecting it from outside. Generation after generation of sect leaders, elders, and great masters have worked tirelessly, managing everything within. Now, the sect faces external threats lurking nearby, and internal weaknesses that imperil its survival - this is indeed a critical moment of life and death! And yet, these heroes who fought to protect the sect's interests have unfortunately fallen, it is precisely the time to praise the deceased and inspire future generations! How can we let petty rules and habits chill the hearts of these loyal and righteous men?"

  "This statement is a misconception that undermines the fundamental principles of our family's teachings! His heart should be punished! Since ancient times, the principle of governing a country and a family has been to have rules and regulations, otherwise it will fall into chaos and perish! A family without rules will have no standards to follow in its actions, and its downfall will not require external enemies! If this is the case, then evil spirits will roam outside, treacherous and wicked people will cause trouble inside, and the family will be destroyed! Therefore, upholding the rules of our sect is equivalent to upholding the fundamental principles of our family. When the rules are abolished, the downfall of the family is imminent! I hope the master of the house will carefully consider this and make a wise decision!"

  "Cough, cough, cough...... The various palaces' discussions, oh...... very...... very...... this...... this......"

  The host at this time had a feeling of self-imposed restraint, and did not know how to respond.

  "Master Men's younger brother, asking about the death of Master Tian's younger brother, we all share the same sorrow! However, the discussions among the various palaces all say that there is a reason for it. Why not set aside a piece of land in Lingqiu to bury him and show our commemoration, while his spirit tablet does not enter the Spirit Soul Hall? Wouldn't this be good?"

  Taiyi Zhenren saw this and said calmly: At this time, which of the high-ranking officials did not know about Ye Xiang's affairs? They just couldn't speak clearly.

  "Master Bo's words are indeed correct! This way we can comfort the deceased without violating the rules of our sect! I, the Secret Hall, concur!"

  "I agree with all of your opinions."

  "I agree with the judge's opinion."

  ······

  "In that case, I will act according to Taiyi Zhenren's doctrine. At this time, there is the Hall of a Hundred Affairs in charge."

  "There is still one more thing, I hope the master will make a wise decision. The three uncles have thousands of disciples under their door, now that the uncle is unfortunately gone, and there is no one in the door who can take charge..."

  That's a bit too much. The girl is indeed a true immortal, and when she saw the True Person glance over at her, she immediately bowed out and stood under the hall, saying: The master of the house saw this and slightly furrowed his brow, saying:

  "Has the Junior Brother of the Heavenly Master already passed away? If so, then his Night Illuminating Palace should be sealed off. His disciples under his gate will be handed over to the Wanbing Temple according to their cultivation level and assigned to the high-ranking disciples on the outer islands for management. Does anyone have any objections?"

  For a long time, all the monks in the hall were quiet and bowed their heads. But suddenly one monk said:

  "There is a female disciple under me named Fu Junru, who went to look for my third junior brother's disciple Feng Cheng and has not returned for more than half a year. Although I have sent many people to search for her, they were unsuccessful. Recently, I received some news that said Fu Junru was being held captive in the Night Cave. Fu Junru is intelligent and talented, and she is someone I have nurtured with all my might, so it's unbearable if anything happens to her. Master, can you allow me to search for her in my third junior brother's Night Cave?"

  "Oh!"

  The host raised his head and looked up:

  "Sister, has your female disciple gone to Third Brother's place?"

  "Yes!"

  "In that case, you go and search thoroughly. Also, bring Lin Jiang along with the other disciples to supervise. Lin Jiang!"

  "Yes! Master."

  Lin Jiang took a step forward, clasped his fists and bowed in response.

  "You bring your younger brother's son along with you and Master Tai Bo, search carefully and see what you can find!"

  "Yes! Master."

  "Huh? When did Lin Jiang acknowledge the Sect Master as his teacher?"

  Under the stage, there is a quiet path. However, such matters are only known to those two people, who can see it!

  "Alright! Lin Jiang, you all come with me!"

  Taiyi Zhenren's face paused for a moment, then returned to its usual calm and serene state, her tone still as gentle as the spring breeze. Taiyi Zhenren left the grand hall with Lin Jiang. The sect leader looked at the departing figure of his usually composed and peaceful sister, but couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart as he sneered inwardly:

  "Hum! You think you're worthy?!"

  Inside the cave, Taiyi Female True Person met with Lin Jiang and other disciples to carefully search. What kind of identity is Taiyi Female True Person? How can she personally come to search like an ordinary disciple?! She just sat on one side, supervising the crowd of disciples as they reported the treasures obtained from the immortal family one by one, while Lin Jiang was on the other side making a list of what they had gained. There were several treasures that were really rare, even Taiyi Female True Person's cultivation couldn't help but reveal her greed, yet she couldn't do anything about it and could only watch as they were put into the law bag and sealed.

  "Lin Jiang, let's discuss this business."

  Taiyi Zhenren transmitted the art of transmitting sound with magic spells to Lin Jiangdao.

  "Master is above, disciples dare not! Please give orders, Master! Disciples will obey!"

  "In this Spring of the Water Drop, can't you and I go take a look first? You can get as many treasures as you want, and I won't tell your master about it!"

  "This! ...... Master Shibo, the disciple really doesn't dare to do something that goes against the master's will! However, since Master Shibo has ordered it, the disciple also doesn't dare disobey, so I'll just follow Master Shibo's decision!"

  "What a sly one! You're just like your current master, unparalleled. Or are you actually the disciple of the sect leader? Are you secretly asking about the Heaven's Gate?"

  Taiyi's eyes curved slightly upwards at the corners of her mouth, as if smiling, but her eyes were also cold and stern.