Chapter 521: Chapter 283: A Real or Fake Child of Destiny?
Of course, there was never a shortage of people willing to take risks here. Generations of Cultivators came one after another, and over the long eons, who knows how many of their bones came to be buried in this place.
...
On the main peak of the Wentian Mountain Range, within the hallowed grounds of Lu Hua Palace.
Inside a Secret Hall, where brilliant rays of light shone and Spiritual Mist swirled, Qin Mengxuan and Liu Ying Ziyi sat facing each other, communicating silently via Divine Thought.
Needless to say, the two were discussing matters related to Ling Changqing.
Even though this was her private domain, Qin Mengxuan didn’t dare let her guard down, fearing that prying ears might overhear them.
Therefore, whenever the topic turned to Ling Changqing, she and Liu Ying Ziyi would communicate solely through Divine Thought. Even when they were face-to-face, they would still deploy a Shielding Array, leaving no opportunity for anyone to eavesdrop.
As a result, no one within the Sect had a clue about this after all these years. The High Rank Elders were still agonizing over how to find the Child of Destiny.
Qin Mengxuan was completely unconcerned, even though the Sect had expended considerable manpower and resources in the search, a process that inevitably led to friction with other major powers.
After all, she had already reaped sufficient rewards. Especially after reaching the Void Refining Realm, her authority and status as the Grand Palace Master had become increasingly unshakable. No one in the Sect dared to question her.
Accompanied by the pleasant, lingering chime of a Jade Chime, a beautiful woman with a solemn expression hurried in. She was dressed in a magnificent Feathered Robe, her features as lovely as a flower.
"Elder Shiyue, what brings you here in person? Has something important happened?"
Qin Mengxuan dismissed the surrounding Shielding Array and asked, her expression surprised.
After a pause, she added, "Patriarch Liu Ying is not an outsider here. There’s no need for discretion. You may speak freely."
"There is indeed a major development!"
Elder Shiyue reported after a slight bow:
"Palace Master, according to a report from our secret outpost in Shunzhou, a vassal family of the Primordial Demon Palace has found the Child of Destiny!"
"???"
Qin Mengxuan was stunned, wondering if she had misheard.
Elder Shiyue repeated her words, adding:
"It is said that Daoist Monarch Qianhuan of the Primordial Demon Palace has come out of seclusion. He personally brought the Child of Destiny back to the Sect and announced that he would accept him as a Direct Disciple."
"The entire Primordial Demon Palace is now rejoicing, from top to bottom. Even the upper echelons of several surrounding major prefectures have been alerted and are planning to send Envoys to negotiate with the Primordial Demon Palace..."
Qin Mengxuan silently exchanged a glance with Liu Ying Ziyi, momentarily at a loss for words.
If the two of them hadn’t been continuously engaged in Dual Cultivation with Ling Changqing, reaping immense benefits in the process, they might have actually believed it.
Clearly, this so-called Child of Destiny who had just appeared in Shunzhou was a complete and utter fake.
’What on earth is the Primordial Demon Palace trying to pull with this stunt?’
"What do you think? How credible is this?"
Qin Mengxuan asked Elder Shiyue, her fine brows furrowing slightly.
Elder Shiyue said pensively, "Those major powers all have their own secret channels for verification. Judging by the reactions of their leaders, the news is most likely true, isn’t it?"
"It would be nearly impossible for a fake to fool so many major powers."
She was naturally inclined to believe it. After all, the Primordial Demon Palace had caused too great a stir. Who knew how many masters of great power had been alerted and were now rushing to Shunzhou day and night.
Qin Mengxuan was silent for a few moments before speaking softly, "So, Lu Hua Palace cannot simply stand by and watch? We must take action?"
"The Palace Master is correct."
Elder Shiyue said, her expression grave.
Unaware of the inside story, she naturally felt that Lu Hua Palace had to act swiftly. Otherwise, if the Primordial Demon Palace truly monopolized the legendary Child of Destiny, wouldn’t it be an unimaginable disaster for the Sect?
Qin Mengxuan thought for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well. Summon the Core Elders for a meeting. We must devise a proper plan for this matter."
「A short while later, in the Sect’s Council Hall.」
All the Core Elders who were in residence were present. Dozens of beautiful women were seated on either side—a mix of young lolitas, mature beauties, and everything in between. The hall shimmered with the luster of jade and pearls on their hairpins, rings, and fine clothing.
"Alright, I have summoned you all here today because..."
From her throne, Qin Mengxuan briefly explained the situation, then had Elder Shiyue recount the details once more.
"...If this is true, I fear the Sect will be put in a very disadvantageous position,"
a beautiful, cold-faced woman in a black robe said with a frown.
The other women deeply agreed. The Child of Destiny’s temperament was still unknown, but now that he had entered the Demon Palace, he would inevitably end up aiding a tyrant in his evil deeds, posing an immense threat to the Xuanmen Orthodox Sects.
"What should we do now?"
asked an innocent-looking loli in a red dress, who was hugging a Dragon and Tiger Jade Ruyi.
"I’m afraid it’s too late for us to do anything. Now that he’s in the hands of the Primordial Demon Palace, snatching him away will be next to impossible!"
Elder Shiyue said, shaking her head and sighing.
The Primordial Demon Palace’s power far surpassed that of Lu Hua Palace. Even the combined strength of all the top powers in the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm could not match this ancestral home of the Demon Path.
Seize him by force? That was an option only powers like the Da Xia Divine Dynasty, the Pure Land of the Buddhist Sect, and the Primordial Divine Hall were qualified to consider.
Qin Mengxuan nodded slightly. "Just send some people to keep an eye on things from a distance. For now, don’t consider anything else. If my guess is correct, a fight has probably already broken out over there, hasn’t it?"
In this world, there were a few superpowers on the same level as the Primordial Demon Palace, not to mention some reclusive old masters and living fossils who would not be pleased to see the Child of Destiny fall into the hands of the Demon Path.
So now, if the Primordial Demon Palace wanted to hold onto this "Child of Destiny," a great deal of blood would likely be shed.
In the end, Qin Mengxuan’s suggestion was unanimously approved.
From her perspective, the appearance of this imposter wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. At the very least, it would divert the attention of the major players, keeping their eyes off of Yuzhou.
She only hoped the imposter wouldn’t be exposed too soon. As the various powers fought amongst themselves, they would inevitably suffer losses, which would only benefit the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm.
...
「Shenluo Celestial Palace.」
"...Arrange for a group of High Rank Elders to go and observe. They are not to act rashly. Tell them to act as the situation dictates."
the Elder Sect Leader instructed calmly, turning her head to the side.
"Yes, Master!"
Chen Chuyu replied respectfully.
Shenluo Celestial Palace was not as powerful as the Primordial Demon Palace, so it couldn’t directly enter the fray to compete. They could only observe from the sidelines and see if an opportunity to pick up the pieces presented itself.
Chen Chuyu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Master, what if this Child of Destiny turns out to be another fake? Won’t all our efforts be for nothing?"
It wasn’t impossible. Over the past years, Shenluo Celestial Palace’s intelligence network had identified thousands of potential targets, all of which had proven to be false leads.
The Elder Sect Leader pondered for a few moments, then said slowly, "That is indeed a possibility. All the more reason for us not to act rashly. Let them fight amongst themselves for a while."
"Master is absolutely right!"
Chen Chuyu said, completely convinced.
If the other major powers were to shed a bit more blood during this turmoil, it would certainly be to Shenluo Celestial Palace’s advantage.
’Especially the Beichen Family and the Taiqing Divine Dynasty. I heard they also sent significant forces to Shunzhou. It would be best if they all stayed there and never came back.’
’Once those two powers decline from their losses, Shenluo Celestial Palace’s opportunity to unify Yaozhou will arrive.’
A smile graced the Elder Sect Leader’s face. Her clear, beautiful eyes glanced toward a corner as she called out softly,
"Qi Yu, come and greet your eldest martial sister."
Seated in the corner was a beautiful, loli-like girl of thirteen or fourteen. She wore a gorgeous, light-cyan dress, and her full, dramatic curves rivaled those of a mature woman. Her ink-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her bright, spirit-filled eyes were slightly closed.
Hearing the summons, the girl named Qi Yu lifted her head. She rose with a graceful posture and walked over with the fluid elegance of moving clouds and flowing water.
Chen Chuyu had actually noticed the unfamiliar girl long ago, but since her master hadn’t mentioned her, she hadn’t taken the initiative to ask.
The girl’s gaze was cold and clear, and she carried a mysterious, barely perceptible Dao Rhyme—a sharpness held in reserve. It made Chen Chuyu’s expression turn serious without her even realizing it.
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