Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 411 Investigating the Crisis
Song Xian had already learned about the previous battle from Jiang Zichen. Qi Yunxuan had tricked everyone, including the disciples of Yunxuan Sect, who were also used as cannon fodder. Only a portion of the elites of Yunxuan Sect managed to escape from Xijiang County and their whereabouts were unknown.

In addition, it was learned that the members of the Beast Taming Sect were summoned the day before the Yunxuan Sect was to leave. It is said that on that day, Wei Wuyai, the Xuanyuan Sect's chief clerk in Xijiang County, personally visited the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate.

This intelligence further solidified Song Xian's previous conjecture that this was an insignificant war caused by the escalation of internal conflicts within the Qianqing Emperor's court.

Of course, this seemingly insignificant change is relative to the overall situation of Emperor Qianqing, but for the overall situation of Xijiang County, it represents a dramatic transformation.

That's how the world works; a small ripple from a powerful force can become a massive storm when it reaches the doorstep of a smaller force.

It's obvious that the Xuan Yuan Sect has been secretly watching the Yun Xuan Sect all along. They probably didn't intend to take action immediately because killing the Yun Xuan Sect would be easy for the Xuan Yuan Sect, without any complicated procedures.

Wei Wuyai must have made the decision on the spur of the moment. He probably received intelligence that Yunxuan Sect was going to flee. At that time, it would have been too late to report to Xuanyuan Sect and then transfer people from Xuanyuan Sect. So he went to Yushou Sect and ordered Yushou Sect to take action.

Wei Wuyai dared to do this because he must have received instructions from the Xuanyuan Sect beforehand, instructing him to keep a close eye on Yun Xuanzong and to have the authority to make decisions on the spot if he discovered that Yun Xuanzong had fled.

Otherwise, how could Wei Wuyai dare to do this based on his own personal will?

Qi Yunxuan clearly sensed danger, which is why he came up with the plan to escape unscathed. As for how he knew that Xuan Yuan Sect wanted to take action against him, he most likely received information from the upper echelons of Qian Qing Sect.

The upper echelons of the Qianqing Sect must be engaged in fierce infighting right now, otherwise Qi Yunxuan wouldn't have abandoned everything and hastily fled.

If the situation continues to deteriorate, the power struggle within the upper echelons of Emperor Qianqing will inevitably affect the entire Qin state.

Therefore, Song Xian immediately made a decision to seize the opportunity to strengthen the sect's power in order to cope with the possible great turmoil.

Given the current strength of the Hunyuan Sect, if it absorbs too many Foundation Establishment cultivators from outside, it may lead to the consequences of the guests usurping the throne. Even if it is handled well, there will inevitably be a series of power struggles and management chaos in the future.

But we can't worry about that now. There are gains and losses; it's impossible to have all the advantages.

"The leader of the Windwalking Sect, Zhuang Buyi, is dead?" Wang Feng's eyes flickered.

He wasn't surprised by the result, because he had personally witnessed two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect chasing after Zhuang Buyi that day.

Zhuang Buyi only had the cultivation of the early stage of Golden Core, and was no match for the two of them. If he escaped alive, it would be considered that he was lucky; if he died, it would be only to be expected.

What he was really thinking about was Tao Jinyuan's fate. Even Zhuang Buyi was dead. Tao Jinyuan was trapped by the supernatural powers of a Golden Core cultivator. Was there any chance he could survive?
He wanted to confirm whether Tao Jinyuan was dead, but he didn't want to ask directly, since he came from Luoyun Sect and had only joined Hunyuan Sect a few days ago, and this topic was too sensitive.

“This news has been confirmed and should be true.” Song Xian nodded calmly and glanced at him. “In addition, I have also learned that Tao Jinyuan and Wen Yiren are also dead.”

"Is that so?" Although Wang Feng tried to remain calm, his expression changed slightly. He murmured softly, as if asking a question, or as if talking to himself. After a while, he seemed to come back to his senses.

"Since the sect leader has given the order, I will comply. However, the people of the Windwalking Sect have scattered and fled, and I do not know where they are. It will probably not be easy to find them."

"I know this won't be easy, but please do your best to find it!"

"If we encounter any cultivators from our sect... ah! no, the Luoyun Sect, would it be possible to introduce them to our sect?"

"Yes, you can win over Foundation Establishment cultivators from both the Windwalking Sect and the Falling Cloud Sect. Even Qi Refining disciples are welcome to join us as long as they are sincere in their allegiance."

"I understand. What if it's a cultivator from the Yunxuan Sect?"

Song Xian pondered for a moment: "If they are Foundation Establishment cultivators from Yunxuan Sect, we can try to win them over, but Xuanyuan Sect has already given an order that we cannot invite them directly to the mountain gate."

"In this way, if we encounter any Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yunxuan Sect who are willing to join us, we can bring them to the Muhe Grassland. I will find a place to settle them. During this period, we will provide them with salaries according to the sect's Foundation Establishment cultivator standards. After the storm has passed, we will bring them back to the sect to assign them positions."

……

Night fell, and the moon was dark and the wind was high.

In the eastern part of the Mukh Grassland, on the desolate hills of Pingye City, a dazzling light shot into the sky, accompanied by a thunderous roar.

In the distance, two streaks of light passed by. Upon seeing the sudden burst of dazzling light, the two exchanged a glance, their curiosity piqued, and headed in that direction. Halfway there, their expressions suddenly changed as they sensed a powerful divine sense sweeping over them, and they stopped in their tracks simultaneously.

"It's a Jindan cultivator."

"This is bad! We must leave quickly, lest we anger this man and bring about our own demise."

The two immediately turned around and sped away.

The dazzling light quickly disappeared, and everything returned to calm.

Below the hill, a short, burly man stared expressionlessly at the man covered in blood and gore at his feet. As he clasped his hands together and chanted incantations, a hand shrouded in black mist materialized in front of his chest. It grabbed at the man covered in blood and gore at his feet, and actually passed right through his flesh, pulling out a faintly transparent soul from his body.

The soul showed a twisted and painful expression, struggling incessantly.

The black hand reached into the soul's head, and after a series of convulsions, the soul shattered like a mirror and vanished into the air.

"It wasn't him." The short, burly man said coldly, "How many Foundation Establishment cultivators who participated in that market auction are still around?"

“There are five more people. The identities of the other four have been confirmed; they are independent cultivators from this area, but their whereabouts are unknown, and they cannot be found. Only one person's identity is still unconfirmed,” a man beside him replied in a low voice, head bowed.

"After all these years, why are there still people whose identities haven't been confirmed?" The short, burly man glanced at him coldly.

The man was terrified and immediately prostrated himself: "Uncle, please forgive me. This person is probably not a cultivator from the East Sea District. It is said that he bought the Black Gold Bloodstone in the market and then disappeared without a trace. He has never appeared in any part of the East Sea District since, so we cannot determine his identity."

Do you know what level of cultivation that person possesses?

"Sixth level of foundation building."

"What are the cultivation levels of the other four people?"

"Three of them are at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and only one is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment."

"Focus on investigating the whereabouts of that late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Also, send people to continue investigating the identity of that sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. If we can't find him in the East China Sea area, we'll expand the search area."

"Yes, disciple will do it immediately."

"Let me tell you, the Ancestor has sent people again to urge us on the progress of our investigation. We don't have much time left. We only have this one lead right now. If anyone tries to fool me and makes it impossible for me to explain to the Ancestor, I'll skin you alive before the Ancestor punishes me. Do you understand?"

"This disciple understands," the man said, his voice trembling.

Bianxi City, Luoyun Mountain.

In the dimly lit cultivation room, Song Xian sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, cultivating his Qi. Suddenly, a knocking sound came from the outside. He opened his eyes, waved his hand, and the stone door opened by itself without any wind. He saw his disciple Yang Shen standing in the outside room, followed by Huang Ye, both with solemn and serious expressions.

"Greetings, Sect Leader. Senior Brother Huang has something extremely important to report." Yang Shen bowed.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Seeing Huang Ye's expression and knowing that he had come over in person, Song Xian knew that something big must have happened.

Huang Ye glanced at Yang Shen, and Song Xian understood, then waved his hand: "You go first!"

Yang Shen responded and left.

Even after he had gone far away, Huang Ye still looked back with concern and said in a low voice, "Sect Leader, I just heard some news. A strange Foundation Establishment cultivator has come to the intelligence exchange in Bianxi City. He is inquiring about the identity and background of a Foundation Establishment Level 6 cultivator. I suspect he is from Yinyuan Island."

Upon hearing the words "Yinyuan Island," Song Xian's pupils contracted sharply, and he was greatly alarmed: "This is not the place to talk. Let's go back to the manor and discuss this in detail."

"Yes."

The two entered the main hall of the mansion.

"Tell me in detail what exactly happened." Song Xian sat down in the main seat and looked at him with a solemn expression.

"Last night, a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the eighth level came to the Information Exchange, took out a drawing, and asked the exchange's information intermediary if they knew the person's identity and background. After receiving no answer, he then asked if there were any Foundation Establishment cultivators at the sixth level in Bianxi City?"

“I suspect that the person they are looking for might be the sect leader, and they are specifically targeting you. They are very likely from Yinyuan Island,” Huang Ye said slowly with a solemn expression.

Although he didn't know the specifics of the conflict between Song Xian and Yinyuan Island, he still participated in the investigation of Yinyuan Island. He not only went to the area around the Muhe Grassland and Moxing Sea to investigate ghosts, but also made a special trip to Wei Kingdom to investigate information about Yinyuan Island.

Now, suddenly a Foundation Establishment Level 8 cultivator appears in Bianxi City, searching for the origins of a Foundation Establishment Level 6 cultivator. Except for the portrait not matching, the other information is basically correct. Moreover, he also knows that Song Xian possesses a Shapeshifting Talisman, a talisman that can change one's appearance. How can there be so many coincidences in the world?

Therefore, he immediately concluded that this person was very likely a cultivator from Yinyuan Island, who was here specifically to target Song Xian.

Upon hearing these words, Song Xian sat there in a daze, his heart filled with turmoil.

Without a doubt, this person must be a cultivator from Yinyuan Island, and he is definitely here for him.

He had appeared at the East Sea District Market Auction and killed an investigator from Yin Yuan Island there. The other party must have traced him here through this line. He knew without asking that the portrait that the Foundation Establishment Level 8 Yin Yuan Island cultivator showed him must be the image he had created with the Shapeshifting Talisman.

The other party has already located Bian Xicheng, which is equivalent to a knife already hanging over his head; it's only a matter of time before it falls.

The only good news is that the other side probably hasn't locked onto him yet, otherwise they wouldn't have only sent a Foundation Establishment Level 8 cultivator here, and even sent him to the intelligence exchange.

But this doesn't mean he's safe; on the contrary, he's now on the edge of a cliff.

The cultivators of Yinyuan Island are not kind-hearted people, and that Yinquan Shangren is a ruthless person who kills without blinking an eye, not to mention that it involves a treasure like the Youlu Pearl.

Yinyuan Island won't talk to him about evidence; once they suspect him, it's basically a death sentence.

If it is confirmed that the Green Pearl is in his possession, the entire sect will face annihilation.

The other party may need some time to rule out the disguised person, but if they can't find this person in the end, it will definitely lead to speculation that this person used the trick of changing appearance, and at that time, they will suspect him.

What to do, what to do?
Song Xian was filled with fear and anxiety.

Even if we kill that investigator from Yinyuan Island now, it won't help; it will only expose us.

"Sect Leader." Seeing that he remained silent, his expression changing several times, and he seemed lost in thought, Huang Ye knew that his prediction was correct, so he spoke up to remind him: "I think we should act immediately, otherwise it will be too late once they suspect you."

“You’re right.” Song Xian regained his composure and quickly regained his composure: “We can’t just sit here and wait to die. What’s your plan?”

Huang Ye flipped his hand and took out a piece of paper: "This is the portrait of the person that the unfamiliar Foundation Establishment Level 8 cultivator inquired about. May I ask the sect leader, is this the same person you used the shape-changing talisman to represent before?"

Now the entire Bianxi City is under the control of the Hunyuan Sect. Although the intelligence exchange is an independent organization of rogue cultivators, it has many connections with the Hunyuan Sect's intelligence peak. Such a big matter naturally cannot be hidden from the eyes of the Hunyuan Sect's intelligence network, and obtaining this portrait is a piece of cake.

Song Xian took the paper and saw that it was indeed a portrait of him in disguise, depicting him as a Mukh grassland man.

“Since you’re in the know and have guessed it, I won’t hide it from you. I encountered their people at the East China Sea District auction and killed one of the investigators. They must have found us through this lead.”

Huang Ye frowned: "There is only one way to resolve this crisis now."

"What can I do? Tell me quickly."

"Find a trustworthy Foundation Establishment Level 6 cultivator to impersonate the person in the portrait. This will both attract the investigating cultivators from Yin Yuan Island and clear the sect leader of suspicion. If they can't find the person in the portrait, they will suspect that this person doesn't exist, and then they may suspect the sect leader based on his cultivation level."

That's a good idea, but where can we find a Foundation Establishment Level 6 cultivator to replace him? And who can we trust?
Ideally, the fewer people who know about this, the better; the more people who know, the greater the risk.

Currently, only he, Su Zhirou, Lin Zixiang, and Huang Ye know about this. Telling others such a secret would be like handing over one's life and fortune to others.

Song Xian quickly came up with two candidates: Apu and Han Yuan.

Ap was doing this because he also had something on him, and his true identity could not be exposed, otherwise he might attract the pursuit of the Houssien family, the lords of the eastern Mukh grasslands.

Finding him to replace the portrait is the best choice. Everyone has something on each other, which forms a deterrent. Moreover, he trusts Apu's character. Back when they were exploring the secret realm left by Dong Xuanchen, Apu had saved his life. When he was unconscious after being possessed by Dong Xuanchen, Apu took him away from that secret realm.

It's just unknown whether Apu has reached the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.

The other Han Yuan meets all the requirements. When the two of them acted together to seize the Xuan Yin Luo Fire last time, he had already reached the sixth level of Foundation Establishment. Moreover, because of this, Han Yuan owes him a favor and wants to do something to repay him.

"Go find Junior Brother Zichen immediately and tell him to go to Luojia Mountain and summon Senior Brother Zixiang."

"Yes." Huang Ye responded and left.

(End of this chapter)