The storm on Saintly Forest Peak rose abruptly and then quietly subsided. The enforcement branch acted swiftly and decisively, only announcing to the outside world that Saintly Forest Immortal Lord was in seclusion, comprehending supreme profound methods, and that Saintly Forest Peak was temporarily sealed, with all affairs proceeding as usual.
Countless people speculated about what had truly happened, but only a very few knew a little of the inside story.
However, no one expected that this was caused by a single sentence from a small True Disciple.
Several days later.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao was invited to the depths of the Lingxu Palace, a white jade Immortal Palace suspended amidst a nebula.
The palace was without luxurious decorations; only the four walls displayed revolving star charts of the heavens, and the floor, like a mirror, reflected the vast dome.
Several blurred figures sat among the stars, their auras as profound as the sea. These were the several Immortal Venerables who held power in the Heavenly Palace.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao stood quietly below. Above him, the figures of the Immortal Venerables were indistinct, and a gentle voice echoed through the hall:
"Yunmiao, you deserve the foremost credit for uncovering the hidden danger in the Heavenly Palace this time."
"The Sect will not mistreat those who have rendered meritorious service. Speak, what reward do you desire?"
When Jade Balance Celestial Venerable confirmed it that day, there was both anger and relief.
It was fortunate that it was discovered early, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao bowed slightly, his voice calm:
"Master is discerning; the one who perceived it was not this Disciple. This Disciple dares not claim such a great Achievements as his own."
Jade Balance Celestial Venerable's figure rippled slightly, as if he chuckled softly:
"Haha, Yunmiao, you are indeed honest. With your eyesight, I'm afraid you wouldn't have been able to see it. I, however, have guessed some things. This Disciple of yours is completely different from you in your youth."
"I have already discussed it with the Immortal Venerables and we have specially allowed him to immerse himself in the 'Myriad Dao Origin Pool' for three days, as well as a hundred years of comprehension time at 'Questioning Dao Cliff.' How does that sound?"
"However, since you reported it promptly and also have merit, I will refine a furnace of Yan Dao Purple Golden Pill for you at that time, as your reward."
Immortal Lord Yunmiao's heart trembled slightly; the Sect's generosity this time was truly immense.
The "Myriad Dao Origin Pool" was a supreme Holy Land for tempering the Immortal Foundation. Ordinary True Disciples had never even heard of this Holy Land; only the Ten Great True Disciples and those of the Sect's Dao Child level were permitted to enter it once.
And the "Questioning Dao Cliff" was a Holy Land for comprehending the Origin of the Three Thousand Great Dao, greatly beneficial to cultivation.
As for the 'Yan Dao Purple Golden Pill,' it was an unparalleled Immortal Pill. It would be of great help even to him, and refining it was not easy. Only alchemists of Jade Balance Celestial Venerable's level could refine it. With this pill, he might be able to use this Opportunity to step into the realm of Taiyi Golden Immortal.
He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and bowed with utmost solemnity:
"Disciple thanks Master and the Immortal Venerables for their generous bestowal!"
"However,"
Jade Balance Celestial Venerable's voice sounded again, still gentle, but with an added hint of gravity,
"The Sect still has one matter that requires your trouble."
Immortal Lord Yunmiao's mind tightened, and he looked up.
He heard Jade Balance Celestial Venerable slowly say:
"The Free Heavenly Devil Seed Thought technique is unpredictable and elusive, capable of deceiving the heavens and hiding right under our noses.
Since this child possesses the ability to see through illusion, the Sect hopes... he can once again exert himself and thoroughly investigate the entire Heavenly Palace, from top to bottom."
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Yunmiao immediately showed a troubled expression, somewhat hesitant.
This move involved too much, or rather, it granted Han Xuanji too much power. How many people might fall into an abyss because of his single word? If this matter were known, who knows how much Karma would arise.
Given Han Xuanji's nature, he probably wouldn't be willing to do this.
"Rest assured, only a few of us know about this matter, and it will certainly not expose your good Disciple, my good Disciple's Disciple."
Jade Balance Celestial Venerable chuckled:
"Would I harm my own people?"
"If this matter succeeds, there will be even greater rewards. Go... The Sect will not mistreat any meritorious official, nor will it let go of any black sheep."
Though the words were gentle, they carried the weight of a final decision.
This was no longer a discussion, but a decree.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao knew deeply that this matter was a joint decision of the Immortal Venerables, so he could only suppress his myriad concerns and bow in response:
"Yes, this Disciple obeys."
Light and shadow swirled, the nebula trembled slightly, and the vast pressure within the Immortal Palace gradually receded.
Immortal Lord Yunmiao exited the Lingxu Palace and looked back at the white jade Immortal Palace suspended in the nebula, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He hadn't expected that he, as Master, would benefit from his Disciple's good fortune.
It was a good thing he discovered it early, otherwise this excellent Disciple wouldn't have been his.
...
Immortal Lord Yunmiao left the Immortal Palace, and auspicious clouds formed beneath his feet, but he did not immediately return to Purple Firmament Peak.
He paused amidst the Nine Heavens' fierce winds, letting his robes flutter in the howling wind, his gaze sweeping over the layered Immortal Mountains and blessed lands below, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
"Fortune lurks within disaster, and disaster relies on fortune... This Karma, I, as your Master, do not know whether it will bring you Opportunity or calamity..."
Immortal Lord Yunmiao sighed softly, his figure transforming into a purple stream of light, descending towards Purple Firmament Peak.
In front of Myriad Phenomena Garden, Immortal Lord Yunmiao tidied his robes slightly, concealing his worries deep within his heart, his face resuming its usual gentle and peaceful expression, before he slowly walked in.
Inside the Immortal Cave, Han Xuanji was sitting opposite Su Ming.
"Senior Brother, you don't know, all the True Disciples of Saintly Forest Peak have practically fled now. Many of Saintly Forest Immortal Lord's Disciples are also being strictly investigated by the Sect. That Zhao Yuan probably regrets it to death."
Su Ming's eyebrows danced with excitement, still recounting various anecdotes from Saintly Forest Peak, clearly eager for Saintly Forest Peak to be gone.
Han Xuanji listened quietly, unable to help but inwardly complain. He hadn't realized it before, but this guy really held a grudge.
He had almost forgotten about Zhao Yuan.
Seeing Immortal Lord Yunmiao return, the two stood up and bowed.
"Master (Senior Brother)..."
Immortal Lord Yunmiao's gaze fell on Han Xuanji, and he smiled slightly, saying:
"Junior Brother Su, this time I have something to discuss with Qingxiao."
Hearing this, Su Ming nodded, and after bidding farewell to Han Xuanji, he left Myriad Phenomena Garden.
...
"Xuanji, you have rendered great service this time, and the Sect's reward has been issued."
Immortal Lord Yunmiao's tone was gentle:
"This is the 'Myriad Dao Origin Token.' Hold it, and you can enter the Dao Origin Pool to immerse yourself for three days. Your Disciple token also has an additional hundred years of time at Questioning Dao Cliff."
Immortal Lord Yunmiao handed Han Xuanji a jade token flowing with seven-colored auspicious light, on which the four characters "Myriad Dao Origin" were etched, seemingly containing infinite profound truths.
"Myriad Dao Origin Pool?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Han Xuanji's eyes.
By the name, it seemed like an extraordinary place.
His first reaction was that the accumulated sign-in counts seemed to be useful.
As for Questioning Dao Cliff, he could stay there for a hundred years anyway...