People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 365, The Mission of Dongjun and the Moon Goddess

Jiugong Shendu Mountain, Donghuang Pavilion.

The dark golden gate opened, and Dongjun Feiyan and Yueshen walked side by side into the Donghuang Pavilion. Their high-heeled boots made a crisp sound as they stepped on the star-reflecting floor. The two looked up at Donghuang Taiyi, who was sitting on a high throne, and their faces showed respect.

"Your Excellency Donghuang."

Dongjun Feiyan and Yueshen bowed.

"I have cultivated nine acres of orchids and planted a hundred acres of fragrant herbs." Donghuang Taiyi said calmly, looking at the two people below.

Feiyan and Yueshen's eyes flashed with a hint of light when they heard Donghuang Taiyi's words. These were words from Qu Yuan's Li Sao, which used the planting of orchids and fragrant herbs as a metaphor for cultivating virtuous talents. This meant that Donghuang Taiyi had a task for the two of them.

"We will obey His Majesty the Eastern Emperor's command." The two looked at Donghuang Taiyi and said with firm eyes.

“Xinghun’s unauthorized descent from the mountain has been discovered by Luo Wang. His identity will surely attract Lü Buwei’s hatred, which may affect the Yin Yang School’s grand plan to enter Qin. This time, you will go down the mountain to represent the Yin Yang School to attend the ceremony of the covenant between heaven and man at Taiyi Mountain,” Donghuang Taiyi said in a deep voice.

"A pact between heaven and man?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Fei Yan's eyes. Since Lü Buwei might affect the Yin Yang School's plan to enter Qin, they should be heading to Xianyang in Qin. Why would they go to Taiyi Mountain to participate in the Covenant between Heaven and Man?
The Moon Goddess frowned slightly behind her pink veil, looking at Donghuang Taiyi with a puzzled expression, just like Feiyan.

However, she was more worried about something else. The Yin Yang School and the Tian Zong School had a tense relationship because of the next Shao Siming. The Tian Zong School almost launched an attack on the Yin Yang School, but in the end, for some reason, the two sides did not fight.

But after that incident, the relationship between the Heavenly Sect and the Yin-Yang School became tense. If they went to Taiyi Mountain to participate in the Covenant between Heaven and Man again, those crazy cultivators from the Heavenly Sect who treated cultivation with common sense might take action against them.

The two of them going to witness the covenant between heaven and man is no different from lambs being led into the tiger's den.
After glancing at the two puzzled individuals, Donghuang Taiyi waved his sleeves, and the constellations in the sky changed once more. The Moon Goddess and Feiyan also looked up at the starry sky.

Using their astrological powers, the two quickly detected two unusual trajectories among the myriad constellations. One of the constellations was moving south from the far north, heading directly towards the Qin Kingdom in the west, while a star shrouded in mist within the Qin Kingdom was also moving.

The two stars eventually intersected, and the point of intersection was Taiyi Mountain, where the Taoist Heavenly Sect is located.

"Your purpose is not to participate in the Covenant between Heaven and Man, but to get close to the master of these two natal stars. The person who came from the north is Ji Dan, the crown prince of Yan. He is responsible for the mystery of the Seven Azure Dragon Constellations and is the secret guardian of Yan. Fei Yan, you must get close to him and obtain the Seven Azure Dragon Constellations of Yan from him."

"Otherwise, plant the Six Souls Terror Curse, and make sure it doesn't get close to the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations."

Donghuang Taiyi looked at Feiyan, a strange glint in his eyes, and said in a somewhat serious voice.

The Yin-Yang School initially broke away from Taoism due to ideological differences, and took a different approach by establishing the Yin-Yang School based on Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, in order to pursue the ultimate limit of humanity and nature.

The Yin-Yang School sees the starry sky as endless, with each star representing a person's destiny. These stars, representing destiny, operate in a regular yet unpredictable way, as if an invisible hand is controlling fate.

Thus, the Yin-Yang School created astrological laws based on the Taoist art of observing qi, hoping to use them to glimpse fate, comprehend the elusive nature of destiny, and grasp the invisible hand of destiny.

Through observation and investigation by people throughout the ages, the Yin-Yang school has come to a conclusion from ancient books: King Wen of Zhou created the Later Heaven Bagua by comprehending this great hand, and ultimately returned this secret and power to the Azure Dragon Seven Mansions.

Thus, the Yin-Yang School began its pursuit and protection of the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon. Anyone who approached this secret and power had to be eliminated by the Yin-Yang School.

"Yes."

Feiyan's beautiful eyes were cold and calm as she nodded and spoke.

She didn't know Ji Dan, but she had heard of her. However, that didn't matter. Since Donghuang Taiyi had given her this task, she would do her best to complete it.

She either obtains the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, or Ji Dan dies; it's simply a choice between two options.

The Moon Goddess glanced at Fei Yan, then looked at Donghuang Taiyi, awaiting her mission.

Donghuang Taiyi also looked at the Moon Goddess, a hint of solemnity flashing across his face beneath the mask. If possible, he would prefer to entrust the task of getting close to Xu Qing to Dongjun.

However, Dongjun and Xu Qing fought in Xinzheng before, and both sides were quite heavy-handed. Although it's unclear whether Xu Qing knows Dongjun's identity, it would be best to have someone else approach him.

Although the Moon Goddess's talent and abilities are still a bit inferior to Dong Jun's, she is currently the most suitable candidate.

"The star that moves to the west is Xu Qing, the Grand Minister of Qin. Moon Goddess, your task is to get close to him, befriend him, help him support the King of Qin to assume power, and clear away obstacles within Qin, especially Lü Buwei," Donghuang Taiyi said.

Upon hearing that the Moon Goddess's target was Xu Qing, a barely perceptible dark light flashed in Fei Yan's eyes. Her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the days when she had been monitoring Xu Qing in Xinzheng, and the scene of her final confrontation with him.

Upon hearing this, the Moon Goddess's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise, but she quickly understood Donghuang Taiyi's idea: he was trying to achieve his goal indirectly.

Because Xinghun is Gan Luo, Lü Buwei has set his sights on the Yin-Yang School, and the latter is likely to target them. Though the tiger is nearing the end of its life, it is still a fierce tiger; anyone who dares to provoke it will inevitably face its desperate counterattack.

The conflict between Ying Zheng and Lü Buwei needs no explanation; the ambitious King of Qin and the aging powerful minister were destined to face death.

Xu Qing's choice to support Ying Zheng inevitably makes him an enemy of Lü Buwei, and as the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

As long as she helps Xu Qing and Ying Zheng defeat Lü Buwei, she will be able to enter Ying Zheng's field of vision. At that time, even if the Yin Yang School is attacked by Lü Buwei on his deathbed, it will still retain the last chance to enter Qin.

However, this task is not simple. After all, Xu Qing is a member of the Taoist Heavenly Sect, the deputy head of the Medical School, and has connections with the Mohist School and the Agricultural School.

Some time ago, news circulated that Xu Qing was a disciple of the Gongyang School of Confucianism.

This complex person is very much like a polymath, and Lü Buwei is now the de facto head of the polymath school. Such a complicated relationship makes her somewhat troubled.

"The one who rescued Xu Qing in Xinzheng was He Guanzi, the former head of the Daoist Tianzong sect. People in Xinzheng have sent word that he is a disciple of the Daoist Tianzong sect, so your task is very difficult."

"It's better to go slowly than to alert the enemy."

Donghuang Taiyi stared at the Moon Goddess and said solemnly.

He also understood that getting close to Xu Qing would be difficult, as Xu Qing was a member of the Daoist Heavenly Sect and possibly a disciple of He Guanzi. If He Guanzi discovered that Yue Shen was getting close to Xu Qing, it might lead to another attack on the Yin Yang School like before.

The Yin-Yang School can no longer withstand such a large-scale war. In the Battle of Luoyang, Xinghun, Yunzhongjun, and Shun, who were covering the rear and blocking the Six-Fingered Black Knight, died in battle. The sword wounds suffered by the two Shao Siming sisters have not yet healed, and the next Shao Siming has not yet awakened.

As for Ehuang and Nüying, although they recovered, new problems arose.

After a conflict with the new Shun, the two drowned themselves in the river, leaving behind a person whose identity was impossible to identify. This prevented the new Shun from cultivating with the woman who practiced the highest good and gentleness, thus hindering his rapid breakthrough to the Celestial Realm.

Although Xinghun has awakened and his strength is increasing rapidly, his premature awakening has caused drawbacks, forcing him to remain in his current state. In addition, his arrogant and conceited personality makes him temporarily unable to shoulder heavy responsibilities.

Xu Fu, the newly appointed Lord of the Clouds, is obsessed with alchemy, and his actual strength is negligible. If He Guanzi were to attack the Yin-Yang School, Xu Fu might be able to put up a fight, but he wouldn't be confident of defeating him. In that case, the Yin-Yang School would truly be extinct.

Therefore, we must be cautious, not hasty, and everything we do must be reasonable and justifiable.

“Your Excellency Donghuang, he is a disciple of the Daoist Tianzong sect. If we suddenly appear beside him, it might arouse his suspicion,” the Moon Goddess said hesitantly.

Donghuang Taiyi glanced at the Moon Goddess, his eyes flashing, and after a moment's thought, he said...

"There's a rumor that the one from the Heavenly Sect participating in the Covenant of Heaven and Man this time is not Chisongzi, but him. He will be facing Xiaoyaozi, and this battle is crucial to whether he can be recognized by the Heavenly Sect. Perhaps you can start from here."

The moon goddess was taken aback, her eyes filled with confusion.

How did she get started from this? To help Xu Qing defeat Xiaoyaozi? She doesn't seem to have that ability.

Moreover, if a stranger, or even a potential enemy, suddenly offers to help you defeat another enemy, Xu Qing, who is rumored to be almost superhumanly intelligent, would probably order someone to capture her and interrogate her thoroughly.

Feiyan looked at the Moon Goddess and said in a calm voice.
“If my sister isn’t confident, we can switch targets. I’ll approach Xu Qing, and you can approach Ji Dan.”

The Moon Goddess snapped back to reality and looked at Fei Yan. Meeting Fei Yan's calm gaze, her eyes sharpened, and a competitive spirit ignited within her.

"No need, I have my own way," the Moon Goddess said coldly.

She and Feiyan had been rivals since childhood, and although she had never won, she had never admitted defeat.

If the mission were switched with Feiyan's, wouldn't that imply that her abilities were inferior to Feiyan's? This was something she absolutely could not accept, and she also sensed something unusual in Feiyan's attitude.

Feiyan's gaze sharpened, and their eyes met in mid-air, as if sparks were about to fly.

Donghuang Taiyi's expression grew even more serious as he watched the two locked in a fierce confrontation. They hadn't even gone on their mission yet, and they were already fighting amongst themselves. What would happen if they actually went to Taiyi Mountain? He was afraid that the Tianzong sect would wipe them out in one fell swoop.

Besides him and Chu Nan Gong, only Yue Shen and Dong Jun are left to support the Yin Yang School. These two absolutely cannot afford any mishaps.

"Absorb the Qi of the Six Elements, drink pure water, wield the power of Yang, and embrace the radiance of the rising sun. This mission is crucial to the grand plan of the Yin-Yang School. I hope that the two of you can join hands, help each other, and complete the mission together," Donghuang Taiyi said in a deep voice.

Hearing Donghuang Taiyi's reprimand, Feiyan and Yueshen also withdrew their gazes and bowed to Donghuang Taiyi, saying...
"I will keep in mind His Majesty the Eastern Emperor's teachings."

Looking at the two who were still unwilling to give in to each other, Donghuang Taiyi only hoped that they could truly remember that even if they could not help each other, they should not fight amongst themselves.

"Go back and prepare. You can mobilize all the resources within the sect, whether people or materials, to ensure the mission is completed," Donghuang Taiyi said.

"Yes."

After bowing to Donghuang Taiyi, Feiyan and Yueshen turned and walked out of the hall.

As the gates of the Donghuang Pavilion closed, Donghuang Taiyi looked up at the myriad stars above once more, his gaze fixed on the star representing Xu Qing's destiny.

"How strange! The Dai River is impassable and its depths are unfathomable. How bizarre!"

Donghuang Taiyi withdrew his gaze and sighed helplessly, saying that he still could not see through the fog surrounding Xu Qingming's star.

For a moment, he didn't know whether it was because of Xu Qing himself, or because He Guanzi had used this method to protect Xu Qing.

However, the strategy for entering Qin could not afford any mistakes; neither he nor the Yin-Yang School had any way to retreat. Thinking of Xinghun, who had led the Yin-Yang School into its current predicament, Donghuang Taiyi was filled with countless emotions.

Awakening the Star Soul ahead of schedule was his decision, and he has no one to blame but himself.

However, once Xinghun returns to Jiugong Shendu Mountain, he will have to personally teach him, and it would be best to help him curb his arrogant and conceited nature.

"I hope everything is alright."

A deep sense of emotion echoed within the Donghuang Pavilion, while countless stars in the sky began to move once more, their patterns remaining completely unpredictable.

On the mountain path of Jiugong Shendu Mountain, Dongjun and Yueshen walked side by side.

"It seems that you're still holding a grudge about being defeated by Xu Qing back then," the Moon Goddess said calmly, glancing at her sideways.

Upon hearing these provocative words, Fei Yan's eyes flickered, and she stopped, looking at the Moon Goddess and saying...
"I don't care who I'm defeated by, I only care about the secrets he holds."

"Really? If I remember correctly, the jade needle he used to injure you has always been with you, hasn't it? If you're not holding a grudge, then you can't forget it?"

The Moon Goddess also stopped, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said softly.

She wasn't provoking Feiyan for no reason; it was Feiyan's words in the Donghuang Pavilion that were the real provocation, and she was merely retaliating.

Fei Yan's gaze turned slightly cold. The silver needles hidden in her belt made her feel a little stiff. She simply said in a cold voice...
"Whatever you think."

After leaving a message, Fei Yan strode away from one side of the fork in the road.

She was indeed still thinking about Xu Qing and wanted to figure out his secrets, especially the fact that he used the Yin-Yang Harmony Hand Seal after only one glance, which left a deep impression on her.

This concerns the secret arts of the Yin-Yang School, and she must figure it out. At the same time, she also wants to defeat Xu Qing to avenge herself.

Watching Fei Yan's departing figure, a glimmer of light flickered in the Moon Goddess's eyes. She was quite certain that her rival still harbored feelings for Xu Qing.

Whether it's for revenge or something else, Xu Qing is now her target. If she can complete the mission before Fei Yan, she can surpass Fei Yan and fulfill her long-cherished wish.

She thought it would be very interesting for Fei Yan to see her standing with Xu Qing. She was also very curious about what kind of person Xu Qing, who had defeated Fei Yan, was, and whether he was as legendary as the rumors suggested.

"I'm glad you don't have any other thoughts, sister. I hope you won't interfere with my mission when we get to Mount Taiyi," the Moon Goddess said.

Feiyan paused, a barely perceptible glint flashing in her beautiful eyes. After revealing a meaningful smile, she continued walking towards her Dongjun Pavilion.

After seeing Feiyan's figure on the mountain path, the Moon Goddess turned around and left via another path, heading towards her Moon Goddess Temple.

(End of this chapter)