Embers of Sword

Chapter 566 Twenty-Four Hours (Part Twelve)

The Taoist priest, with a hunched back, carried a lantern and pointed the way ahead.

Chen Jingxuan followed behind.

Before stepping into the back mountain, he looked back once.

Behind them, the seven sacred mountains all exhibited chaotic energy... but the most eye-catching was the "Green Bag Mountain" of the Longevity Temple.

The one who caused a great disturbance at the Taoist sect in broad daylight was the Xuanzhi Zhenren of Qingnang Mountain.

They hadn't gone more than a few steps.

The mystery in my heart was solved... The mountain mist gradually broke through, and on the steps of the back mountain, there was a huge indentation of a cow's hoof.

"This is?"

Chen Jingxuan paused slightly, looking at the cow hoof prints.

"A blind monster crashed into the back mountain."

The Candle Master was very strict in his speech.

That blue ox during the day was incredibly strong.

Just by stepping on something out of thin air, this mark was created.

In truth, Zhu Daoren knew that with Chen Jingxuan's keen perception, he could guess most of the truth with just a glance... However, it's one thing for someone to guess something, but quite another to admit it and let slip some information.

The suffering he endured during the day was something that the Candle Taoist could only swallow in silence.

The master values ​​face.

The incident that Master Xuanzhi caused is ultimately a scandal... If it gets out, he will surely be ridiculed by the world. Therefore, when Daoist Zhu came to see Chen Jingxuan with a lantern, he had already made up his mind that no matter how the latter tried to probe, he would grit his teeth and keep his mouth shut.

"That monster is quite strong."

Chen Jingxuan asked calmly, "How is the Grand Master?"

"Master is well."

The Taoist priest led the way halfway, then stopped.

He handed the lantern to Chen Jingxuan, indicating that the rest of the journey should be undertaken by Chen Jingxuan alone.

With his hands behind his back, Chen Jingxuan, a figure in a flowing blue robe, formed from golden threads behind him. He took the lantern, illuminating the thick fog, and continued climbing the mountain with an air of nonchalance.

At the top of the back mountain, there is a wide-open space.

only……

The mountainous terrain, which should have been flat and unobstructed, now bears many more cow hoof prints.

Grand Master Chongkan sat cross-legged, floating in mid-air, his sleeves fluttering in the wind, exuding an irresistible majesty.

However, some things cannot be faked.

Chen Jingxuan saw it at a glance...

Chongkan was injured.

Moreover, the injuries were quite severe.

He appeared calm, but inwardly he was secretly shocked. The intensity of this battle between the Daoist sects was far greater than he had imagined… Grand Master Chongkan was a top-tier expert at the eighth level of the Yang God realm. Aside from the leaders of the three sects and the two in the imperial city, Chen Jingxuan couldn't think of anyone else who could rival Chongkan—

Real Person Xuanzhi actually possesses such strength?

"Shouldn't Mr. Chen congratulate the Great Master?"

Chen Jingxuan spoke calmly.

"Congratulations?"

Chongkan frowned.

"The Great Master has taught an extraordinary disciple."

Chen Jingxuan smiled and said, "It is truly amazing that True Person Xuanzhi has achieved such good fortune after a hundred years of cultivation. The latest list of 'Ten Heroes' of Fangyuanfang is about to be updated, and it seems that True Person Xuanzhi will be firmly among them."

"Ah."

Grand Master Chongkan said expressionlessly, "The title of one of the Ten Heroes is nothing but fleeting fame. Xuanzhi doesn't need it; you may erase it from your records."

"This list was not decided by Chen alone."

Chen Jingxuan was speechless: "The Hunyuan Instrument captures the secrets of heaven. I drafted a list, but the final decision was actually made by my master."

"Is Yan Xin in charge...?"

Chongkan lowered his eyes and said calmly, "I was just looking for him. In that case, you don't need to worry about it; this matter has nothing to do with you."

"but……"

Chen Jingxuan smiled dismissively, looked around, and asked, "Where are Master Xuanzhi and that green ox?"

This battle shook the seven sects of Taoism, leaving them depleted of their vitality.

To be able to fight Chongkan to this extent...

It is highly likely that Master Xuanzhi has reached the fifth or even sixth level of the Yang God realm! Although it is unknown why the two started fighting.

But surely Chongkan wouldn't kill Xuanzhi and Qingniu on the spot?
"Don't mention those two anymore."

Chongkan's expression was icy: "They have committed a grave error and have been taken to Tianyuan by me."

Deposit Tianyuan?

Chen Jingxuan remained calm and silently gazed into the distance behind the mountain.

Tianyuan Mountain is the most important secret realm of the Taoist sect. It is similar to Lotus Peak of Da Sui Sword Palace. However, Tianyuan Mountain is more like a combination of Lotus Peak and Thirty-Three Grotto Heavens. This sacred mountain secret realm not only contains the insights and creations of many Taoist sages, but also uses the power of the Taoist stele to form a "Taoist cage".

This cage is woven from hundreds or even thousands of Great Dao Realms—

The Taoist sect has strict rules, and if one violates them, one will be imprisoned in the Tianyuan Taoist Cage.

It is both a punishment and a test.

It is said that Yan Xie was imprisoned in the "Dao Cage" back then, and endured the suppression and cleansing of the Dao Realm for ten years.

"Chen Jingxuan... Now that you've come to find me, let's not waste any more time on each other."

Chongkan had little patience for small talk.

He waved his sleeve.

A strong wind suddenly blew up on the top of the back mountain.

A powerful divine thought condensed into a picture—

A woman in a Taoist robe sat cross-legged, her face pale. Above her head hung a vast pool of lightning, with thousands of bolts of lightning cascading down like a waterfall, striking the woman's head and constantly cleansing her body.

"..."

Chen Jingxuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

It was Tang Fengshu who followed Qin Qianlian to the imperial city and then returned to the Daoist sect.

It was as if they had received a divine response.

The Taoist woman bathed in lightning slowly opened her eyes and gazed indifferently ahead.

Their eyes met across the void.

Familiar and unfamiliar.

"I know you're here to see someone."

Chongkan calmly said, "Here... this is the person you're looking for."

Chen Jingxuan shook his head.

He looked away and said calmly, "This isn't the person I'm looking for."

Chongkan scoffed, "Oh?"

"Given Tang Zhaizhu's character, he would never yield to this forbidden zone."

Chen Jingxuan said slowly, "You may be able to suppress her physical body with violence, but you cannot suppress her soul."

Chongkan asked indifferently, "So?"

"Therefore, once she had the opportunity to leave the Taoist sect, she would never return."

Chen Jingxuan lowered his eyes. "I've heard that there's a technique hidden in Tianyuan Mountain of the Daoist sect that controls the soul, called 'Heart Cage,' which is similar to the 'Soul Gu' of the Demon Kingdom. Those suppressed by 'Heart Cage' will have their souls sealed, like a puppet on strings, and their actions and words will have nothing to do with their true selves."

Say it.

He looked again at the woman in the lightning, feigning calmness.

At this moment, Chen Jingxuan appeared calm on the surface, but a hint of heartache flashed in his eyes.

He concealed this emotion very well.

“You know her very well, and you also know Taoism very well.”

Grand Master Chongkan remained silent for a moment before speaking frankly: "That's right... I did use the 'Mind Cage' on her. You can interpret the meeting at the library not long ago as... my will."

The truth comes out.

The huge weight in Chen Jingxuan's heart suddenly lifted.

He felt much lighter in his chest.

"I'm here to take her away."

Chen Jingxuan looked up.

He gazed at the towering, mountain-like black-robed Grand Master before him and spoke each word with utmost seriousness: "Chen Jingxuan intends to take Tang Fengshu away from the Daoist sect."

……

……

(PS: 1. I got bitten by a bug last night, but thankfully it wasn't serious and I felt better after a good night's sleep. 2. Only one update tonight, the next one will be tomorrow during the day. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Dragon Boat Festival~)

(End of this chapter)