At the highest point of the suspended mountain, there is a small temple.
Compared to the many magnificent and imposing temples located halfway down the mountain.
This small temple appears exceptionally simple.
The mud walls and wooden pillars are mottled and full of the marks of time.
There were only a few monks' quarters, which looked like they could only accommodate three to five people.
The Grand Elder arrived here, his face solemn.
He said with utmost respect, "Presiding Master, esteemed elders, Xuan Yi has important matters to discuss with you."
There was not a sound inside the small temple.
The Grand Elder showed no displeasure; his face remained respectful as he waited patiently.
About fifteen minutes later, a peaceful voice finally drifted out from inside.
"Come in."
Then, with a creak, the door of the small temple opened by itself without any wind.
The elder first bowed respectfully before cautiously walking inside.
Finally, it stopped in the empty courtyard and waited quietly.
"What is it?"
After a long while, the voice slowly drifted out again from somewhere.
At the same time, the Grand Elder felt several invisible gazes fall upon him.
He dared not be negligent and quickly bowed, saying, "It is like this, Abbot. Not long ago, the temple sent Junior Brother Xuanming and the others to Zhongzhou to compete for that mysterious opportunity."
But today, the young novice monk responsible for cleaning the Soul Tower discovered that all the soul lamps of his junior brother Xuanming and the others had gone out.
The disciple suspected that they had probably perished in the outside world.
This matter is of great importance, and I dare not act on my own. Therefore, I have come to seek the advice of the abbot and all the venerable elders on what to do.”
Upon hearing this, a moment of silence fell over the area.
But the Grand Elder clearly felt that the gazes falling on him had become even heavier.
His expression remained unchanged, but the pressure in his heart was gradually increasing.
After a long while, the calm voice rang out again.
“That’s right. I just calculated that their karma has been exhausted, and they have indeed all perished.”
"Then, Master, can you deduce who killed Junior Brother Xuanming and the others?"
The elder's spirits lifted, and he quickly asked.
"No, although the rules of the outside world have been initially established and the secrets of heaven have become clearer, it is still not easy to predict."
Separated by the boundary, using the power of the Heart Temple to deduce the cause and effect of Xuanming and the others is already the limit.
Furthermore, those who murdered Xuanming and the others were no ordinary people; they too possessed items that shielded them from heavenly secrets, making their actions even more difficult to predict.
His voice was calm and slow, authentic.
It seemed that the deaths of Xuanming and the others had not caused him to be moved in the slightest.
The elder felt a pang of disappointment, but still said, "Master, in your opinion, was the death of Junior Brother Xuanming and the others caused by those three from the Holy Mountain, or by people from the other three secret realms?"
This disciple fears that there might be a conspiracy here that is detrimental to us.
"It's hard to say," said the calm voice. "Xuanming and the others are carrying treasures like the Vajra Pestle, so in theory, few outsiders should be able to harm them."
However, the three Holy Lords atop the Holy Mountain are bound by its constraints and will not act rashly.
"Then the most likely candidates are people from the other three secret realms?" the Grand Elder asked hastily.
"The secrets of heaven are unknown, and it's hard to say anything for sure. You should send someone out to investigate first."
"I have already sent Junior Brother Xuanyi to Wujian Tower to have him send people out to investigate."
“That’s fine too. My Suspended Mountain has sheltered the Wujianlou for so long, it’s time for them to prove their worth.”
“But Master, since the changes in heaven and earth and the revival of spiritual energy, the Wujian Tower seems to have been acting strangely and is not behaving very well,” the Grand Elder said.
"It's alright, they're just a bunch of lowly rats. In a few days, they'll see the reality. You can go now," the calm voice said indifferently.
"Yes, disciple takes his leave."
The elder felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the abbot must have already made a decision.
He didn't dare to ask any questions, so he could only reply in a low voice and slowly leave the small temple.
After the elder left, the small temple returned to peace.
After a long while, a calm voice finally spoke: "Elders, what do you think of what Xuan Yi said?"
After more than ten breaths, a hoarse voice rang out: "Let's wait and see. The most important thing for us now is to consolidate our cultivation and wait for the day when the rules of heaven and earth are completely stabilized."
They were able to overcome the tribulation immediately, condense the golden core, and return to the Golden Core Realm.
At that time, whether it's a conspiracy or a calculated move, it will be nothing to worry about.
"That's right. No matter how much noise is going on outside, it's just a minor disturbance in the end."
Once our cultivation is restored, we can crush them with a mere flick of our wrist.
"As long as we can recover our cultivation before the old immortals in the other secret places, all the opportunities and fortune will belong to our Suspended Mountain."
The other two voices said the same thing.
“Very well, the elders are absolutely right. Let us wait and see, and let Xuan Yi and the others make some trouble first.”
He spoke softly in a gentle voice.
The small temple fell silent again, and no one spoke for a long time.
As the Grand Elder left the small temple, at the foot of the suspended mountain gate, a figure rode a stream of light and flew down to the earth below.
After a while, he landed in front of a village, reached out and beckoned, and the light beneath his feet quickly shrank and landed in his hand.
It was a small boat transformed from a green bamboo leaf.
It was Xuan Yi who was ordered to go to the Wujian Tower.
"Master Xuanyi, what brings you here?"
Xuan Yi's arrival was so conspicuous that the villagers had already noticed him.
Immediately, someone came out and bowed to him obsequiously.
"Enough with the nonsense. Where is your leader? Take me to him."
Xuan Yi looked at the somewhat greasy fat man in front of him with some disdain and said indifferently.
He has always looked down on these rats who only know how to hide in the shadows.
I don't know why the organizers chose to protect these things in the first place.
“Our leader is inside. Please come with me, Master.”
The greasy fat man seemed oblivious to Xuan Yi's deep dislike and continued to fawn over him.
"Then lead the way."
Xuan Yi followed the greasy fat man into the village, and after walking for a while, he couldn't help but frown.
The village was filled with skeletons and mummified animal carcasses, creating a rather eerie and terrifying atmosphere.
In the dark rooms all around, many cold eyes were secretly watching, making Xuan Yi feel very uncomfortable.
"Master Xuanyi, what's wrong?"
The greasy fat man saw Xuan Yi stop and quickly said.
"snort!"
Xuan Yi snorted coldly, and his cassock suddenly emitted a dazzling golden light.
The next moment, suppressed screams could be heard coming from the dark houses on both sides.
The greasy fat man's face changed drastically, and he immediately cursed, "You blind fools! How dare you look Master Xuanyi in the eye? I'll deal with you when I get back!"
After saying that, he bowed and scraped to Master Xuanyi again: "Master Xuanyi, don't bother with these ignorant fools. I will punish them myself later. Don't let this delay your important business."
Xuan Yi didn't say anything and walked forward expressionlessly.
Given his status, a slight punishment would suffice; there's no need for him to bother with a bunch of rats.
After all, he still needed to get these rats to do things later.
Following the greasy fat man, Xuan Yi finally arrived at a tall wooden tower.
“Master Xuanyi, our leader is waiting for you inside.”
The greasy, fat man gestured with his hands, but he didn't actually go inside.
Xuan Yi remained unfazed and stepped into the tower.
However, he already felt dissatisfied.
A shady rat leader who barely survived under the protection of their suspended mountain dared to put on airs in front of him.
If it weren't for the fact that he had something else for these rats to do, he would have immediately lost his temper.
Upon entering the tower, Xuan Yi saw a black figure standing with his back to him, hands clasped behind his back.
The aura was elusive and elusive, making it impossible for Xuan Yi to determine whether the person before him was real or an illusion.
He felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that the person before him was even more powerful than himself.
The dark figure was looking at a painting on the wall.
The painting depicts a giant black yaksha, wielding two tridents, resembling a king from the underworld, exuding a mysterious and eerie aura.
"It is rare for such an honored guest to come from heaven. I am sorry for failing to greet you properly. I hope Master Xuanyi will forgive me."
The black-clad figure turned around and gave Xuan Yi a bright smile.
"Wu Xing, enough with the nonsense. I've come here to entrust you with something."
Although he sensed that the black-clad figure's cultivation level was still above his own.
But Xuan Yi still didn't give him a very friendly look, and just said coldly.
"I wonder what business is on the mountain that requires the assistance of lowly people like us?"
The black-clad figure still wore a smile, seemingly unconcerned about Xuan Yi's attitude.
“A while ago, my senior brother Xuanming and senior brother Xuannu, along with their disciples, went to the outside world to compete for opportunities with some people from your Wujianlou.”
Now, due to some unforeseen circumstances, their whereabouts are unknown.
I need your Wujian Tower to send out more people to find out the whereabouts of Senior Brother Xuanming and the others.
And what major events have happened in the outside world recently?
"Xuanming and others have gone missing?"
The figure in black was taken aback, seemingly unaware that Xuan Yi had come for such a reason.
Is there any force in the world that dares to oppose Suspended Mountain?
"That's right. Not only Senior Brother Xuanming and the others, but also those Wujianlou disciples who went out with him, have not been heard from at all."
Therefore, you don't need to do much on this trip; just find out the whereabouts of Senior Brother Xuanming and the others.
The figure in black felt a chill run down its spine.
Judging from Xuan Yi's tone, it seemed that Xuan Ming and the others were likely in grave danger.
He immediately realized the seriousness of the matter.
"Master Xuanyi, rest assured, I will arrange the manpower right away."
Xuan nodded: "After you've chosen your people, have them wait at the boundary gate. Someone will escort them out when the time comes."
Remember, on this trip, your priority should be to find out the whereabouts of Senior Brother Xuanming and the others.
Don't do anything unnecessary, or you'll bear the consequences!
Having said that, Xuan Yi turned and walked out of the tower, led by the greasy fat man, heading out of the village.
It would be a desecration for him to linger there even for a moment longer.
Standing in front of the tower, watching Xuan Yi's departing figure, a strange look appeared in the eyes of the black-clad figure.
Suddenly, a strange figure appeared beside him.
"Master, this Suspended Mountain is increasingly disregarding us."
"A mere Qi Refining cultivator at the Lesser Completion stage dares to act arrogantly and disrespectfully towards you, the Lord of the Wujian Tower."
"What can we do when we're under someone else's roof?" the black-clad figure sighed.
"They are top disciples of the Suspended Mountain. Any one of those old monsters on the mountain could crush us with just one finger."
Not to mention, the methods of entering and leaving this realm are also in their hands.
If you were in that situation, you would be arrogant too.
The eerie figure fell silent.
Because he knew that what the original poster said was true.
After a while, he said, "Then, Master, what do you think about what Xuan Yi said just now?"
Could it be that there is actually someone in this world who dares to attack the people of Suspended Mountain?
Could it be someone from one of the other three secret realms?
"Who knows? But it's clear that the changes in the outside world are far more dramatic than we expected."
Even the suspended mountain couldn't completely control the situation; this presents an opportunity for us.
The eerie figure perked up: "Master, you mean..."
"You'll be leading the team this time. Remember, there's no need to rush back."
This is a rare opportunity to obtain information from the outside world, so we must make the most of it.
"It's not too late to come back after we've thoroughly investigated the situation outside."
The black-clad figure began to explain.
"Yes, I understand," the eerie figure replied respectfully.
"Go ahead, choose the person yourself, pick someone clever."
This may be our only chance to break free from the control of the suspended mountain.
...
Lu Qing knew nothing about what had happened in the secret place of Suspended Mountain.
At this moment, he was focused on activating the power of the Fire Cauldron to refine his own unique restriction within the gray gourd.
And it has reached the final stage.
As the final restriction was applied, the gourd suddenly emitted a hazy gray light.
This gray light is different from the deathly gray light of the Plague Old Man.
It is filled with a mysterious aura, and has the connotation of encompassing and evolving all things.
As the gray light gradually subsided, the Fire Cauldron spat out the gourd, which landed in Lu Qing's hand.
"This person has truly mastered the secret weapon-refining techniques of the Li Huo Sect."
Having watched Lu Qing refine the gray gourd from beginning to end, Yan was absolutely certain that Lu Qing had truly obtained the true teachings of the Li Huo Sect in weapon crafting.
Furthermore, he mastered it to a very high level.
Judging solely from the refining technique, it is no less impressive than some of the true disciples of the Li Huo Sect back in the day.
"Congratulations, young master, you have successfully crafted the magic weapon."
Seeing the gourd fall into Lu Qing's hands, "Yan" immediately congratulated him.
"It's only been a preliminary refinement; it's still far from perfect."
Lu Qing shook his head, showing no sign of pride.
His current cultivation level is still too weak.
Even with the power of the Li Huo Cauldron, he could only barely manage to refine a few layers of restrictions into the gourd.
Therefore, at present, this gourd-shaped magical artifact is only in its initial form.
It's still a long way from being fully mastered.
To further refine the ritual, his cultivation level needs to advance.
However, even though it was only in its initial form, Lu Qing could sense the extraordinary nature of the gourd in his hand.
He activated his supernatural ability and looked into the gourd.
