Chapter 30

Yue Qing and his three companions stayed in the thatched cottage for three days. Every morning, they would offer incense and flowers to the Grandmaster Taiyi Hunyuan and change the water. Yue Qing worked hard to digest the newly learned Tongxuan Zhenjing, while Liu Quan diligently practiced the Taiyi Xuan Gong and Hunyuan True Qi. Wei Kan and Situ Ping, besides practicing sword techniques and the Five Elements Techniques, would also go fishing in the river and cause mischief in the trees. Once, they even used magic to tease the pilgrims in front, but were caught by Bai Jianchang and brought back. Liu Quan gave them a severe scolding, and only then did they settle down.

On the fourth morning, Yue Qing led everyone to tidy up the thatched cottage, sweeping the floor, wiping the tables, and burning incense.

Liu Quan asked, "Senior Brother, do you think the Liu brothers will agree to reopen the sect?"

"Rest assured. My master once said that Old Daoist Mao has abilities that even ghosts and gods find hard to fathom. Before my master appeared, I wasn't sure, but now that he has shown himself, it proves that the fate of the world is not as it seems, with the Emei Sect dominating. Old Daoist Mao has always deeply resented the Emei Sect and has a grudge over the death of his disciples. He will definitely make some arrangements. Besides, even if they are unwilling to step forward, it doesn't matter. My main purpose this time is to bring you to meet our benefactor. Now that it's accomplished, any action by the Maoshan Sect is just a pleasant surprise."

After tidying up the thatched cottage and the tomb, they paid their respects to the grandmaster at the temple and then headed to the Yuansu Palace to prepare to leave.

Liu Buxuan set up a banquet to see them off. "Senior Brother Yue, these past few days, I have used our Maoshan secret techniques to divine the future."

"Hmm? What did the divination say?" Yue Qing raised his wine cup and asked with a smile.

Liu Buxuan drank the wine and then said, "After discussing with my third brother, we have decided to reopen the sect and promote the Maoshan Sect. Senior Brother Yue, you are reviving the Wutai Sect, and we, the Maoshan Sect, will join you. As for Junior Brother Liu, our two sects have been closely connected since the previous generation. Now, we should join hands and stand together against the Emei Sect!"

Liu Buxu added, "Senior Brother Yue, I still want the two magical treasures you showed us the other day."

Yue Qing smiled and took out the Kanli Shuttle and the Banana Leaf Fan, handing them over.

Liu Buxu received the treasures, passing the Kanli Shuttle to Liu Buxuan and keeping the Wind Fire Fan for himself.

Liu Buxuan said, "Senior Brother Yue, we are not greedy for these two treasures. Listen to me. Our eldest brother was killed by the Emei Sect and was mocked by them. This blood feud must be avenged. When the Long eyebrowed Immortal took disciples, he gave each one a flying sword, like the White Cloud Sword to White Cloud Nun and the Dragon Slaying Saber to Dragon Slaying Nun. In addition, he helped each disciple forge a magical treasure. The Ziwu Kanli Shuttle and the Wind Fire Dragon Fan are two of them. We will take them and parade them in public to see what the Emei Sect can do!"

"Great ambition!" Yue Qing praised. "But this means a complete break with the Emei Sect. You must be very careful in the future."

"We have already broken with the Emei Sect! From the moment our eldest brother was killed, it has been a matter of life and death!" Liu Buxu took out a sandalwood box, held it with both hands, and presented it to Yue Qing. He bowed three times, then opened the box and carefully took out a token and handed it over. "Senior Brother Yue, what do you think of this token?"

Yue Qing, seeing his seriousness, did not dare to be careless and took it with both hands. The token was made of flawless white jade, over half a foot long, with intricate talisman patterns carved on it. Holding it, one felt a sense of peace. He examined it for a moment and then handed it back. "Brother, my eyes are not sharp enough to understand the wonders of this treasure. Please enlighten me."

Liu Buxu did not take it back. "This treasure is called the Pure Yang Heavenly Immortal Token, a supreme treasure used by the Pure Yang Immortal to ward off evil and subdue demons. With this token, one can avoid water, fire, wind, and lightning, defeat fierce beasts and weapons, command the heavenly spirits, and subdue demons. With this token in hand, all evil will bow! My brother and I have discussed it. We cannot accept your treasures for nothing. Senior Brother Yue, you are reviving Grandmaster Taiyi's legacy, which is a difficult task. Although we are not much, the Maoshan Sect has accumulated many treasures over the generations, and our resources are considerable. Not giving you a few treasures is already a bit too much, how can we take more from you..."

Liu Buxuan, hearing his words, frowned. "Have you had too much to drink?"

Liu Buxu waved his hand. "I am not being formal with Senior Brother Yue. Whether deep or shallow, Senior Brother Yue will bear with me."

Yue Qing nodded. "That's right. We are brothers and don't need to be so formal. This Pure Yang Token..."

"Take it!" Liu Buxu interrupted Yue Qing, directly stuffing the Pure Yang Heavenly Immortal Token into his hand. "If you don't want it, we can't keep the Kanli Shuttle and the Banana Leaf Fan either and will return them to you."

Seeing him say this, Yue Qing said, "If that's the case, I will humbly accept it."

After the meal, Yue Qing declined the Liu brothers' invitation to stay and decided to take Liu Quan to Huangshan to find Xu Feiniang. However, considering that the cave of Master Canxia was also in Huangshan and they had just fought two battles with the Emei Sect, Yue Qing had killed two Emei elders, and Liu Quan had personally killed Canxia's disciple Wu Wenqi, he left Wei Kan and Situ Ping at Maoshan, entrusting them to the Liu brothers' care.

Liu Quan arranged homework for Wei Kan, and Yue Qing handed over the Jukui Sword, which Situ Ping's father had left him, to Liu Buxu. "Cultivation has no time. We are going to find Senior Sister Xu to plan a major event. This journey could take several months or even a few years. These two children, especially Ping, are very obedient and intelligent. As they grow older, I hope you will help me supervise and teach them so that they do not neglect their studies."

Liu Buxu promised, "Senior Brother Yue, rest assured. I will take good care of them!"

"Then I am at ease." Yue Qing, with Liu Quan, bid farewell to the Liu brothers and left the Shangqing Temple, heading straight for the Wulaofeng Peak in Huangshan.

After the defeat of the Grandmaster Hunyuan, Xu Feiniang did not return to Wutai Mountain. Instead, she opened a cave on the cliff behind Wulaofeng Peak, claiming to have reformed and left the Wutai Sect. Later, many fellow disciples came to find her, but she refused them all. She not only opened her cave under the watchful eye of Master Canxia but also actively befriended Xun Lanin, the wife of Qi Shuming, presenting a facade of complete reform.

However, the Emei Sect did not believe her. On the surface, they were friendly, and everyone, especially the Venerable Lady Xun Lanin, treated her well. Xu Feiniang often visited her cave, almost becoming a regular guest at Jiuhuashan. Yet, they used various means to monitor her. Master Canxia, who had been studying under the Venerable Nun You Tan in Chaoyin Cave and rarely returned to Huangshan, moved back, claiming to establish the Huangshan Sect, openly monitoring her.

Xu Feiniang thought she had outsmarted the Emei Sect, but Yue Qing's main purpose in coming was to persuade her to change her original plan and follow him according to his strategy. Among all the disciples of the Wutai Sect, only this senior sister had the most cunning and high Daoist powers, surpassing Yue Qing himself and second only to his uncle Sitong Zhan. Most importantly, she had a wide network of friends across the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, the Four Seas, and the Eight Rivers. If she supported him, Yue Qing's path would be much smoother.

This was the first time Yue Qing had come to Wulaofeng Peak. He and Liu Quan circled around three times before finding the cliff on the back mountain in the vast sea of clouds. They used their flying swords to part the thick clouds and flew up to the Wuyun Step.

As soon as someone stepped on the Wuyun Step, Xu Feiniang in the cave sensed it. Seeing them, she was stunned and then showed a worried look. "Junior Brother, did you pass by Wenbifeng?"

Yue Qing smiled. "I flew over Wenbifeng. I even saw the old nun Canxia picking herbs there. Her eyes were filled with such hatred that they could have bled."

Xu Feiniang immediately became anxious. "Junior Brother! You have ruined my plans!" She pushed Yue Qing out. "Quick, leave. I will pretend to scold you and drive you away. Take Daoist Friend Liu to the Taisu Palace on Qiyun Mountain nearby and wait for me there. I will come to meet you later!" She was about to release her flying sword, as if she really intended to fight them.

Yue Qing quickly reached out to stop her. "Senior Sister! Do you think the Emei Sect doesn't know your thoughts?"

Xu Feiniang was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"Senior Sister, you bear the burden of humiliation and seek revenge, abandoning your old fellow disciples and actively befriending the old nun Canxia and the despicable Xun Lanin. Do you think they will treat you sincerely? Not only have they seen through your plan, but even if you were not from Wutai and had no past, they would still treat you as an outsider and not truly befriend you!"