Mortal: I am the young sect master of the Thousand Illusions Sect

Chapter 80 Tang Geng and the Fragmented Map of the Void Heaven

With her mind at ease, Su Mixin slowly stood up and stepped out of the underground fire chamber, where the furnace had been burning continuously for a long time recently.

The autumn colors were even stronger in the courtyard outside the cave, with the branches and leaves of several sacred trees swaying gently in the wind.

Qin Lian, who had been waiting outside, saw him come out and quickly went to greet him, her expression respectful and proper.

She handed over a sound transmission talisman with both hands and said softly, "Young master, this sound transmission talisman was just sent to the cave today. I'm presenting it to you specially."

Su Mixin reached out and took it, then used her divine sense to probe into it.

A moment later, a gentle voice transmission from a cultivator slowly spread through my mind, the content of which was concise and clear: Tang Geng will arrive at the cave tomorrow to pay a visit.

He gathered his divine sense and casually crushed the transmission talisman.

Tang Geng is a newly promoted cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation, having successfully formed his core only a little over ten years ago.

The two met a year ago at a private trade fair for high-level cultivators. At that time, Tang Geng took a fancy to a magic weapon flying sword that Tang Geng had personally crafted. He was quite satisfied with it and bought it at a high price on the spot. This led to their acquaintance.

Afterwards, another Core Formation cultivator whom Su Mixin knew revealed to him that Tang Geng belonged to the Star Palace's direct lineage and was now a registered Core Formation steward of the Star Palace. Although his cultivation was only at the ordinary early stage of Core Formation, his background was not simple.

He is a descendant of a Nascent Soul elder of a certain Star Palace. Although they are not blood relatives and cannot be considered direct relatives, he has quickly gained a foothold in the Core Formation cultivator circle of Tianxing City by relying on the sect's backing. He is quite resourceful and ordinary cultivators give him some face.

Since they met, the two have bumped into each other twice and had very congenial conversations.

Knowing that the Star Palace was deeply rooted in the Chaotic Star Sea, controlled resources and intelligence from all sides, and had channels far exceeding those of ordinary forces, as well as possessing the most comprehensive collection of books in the entire Chaotic Star Sea, Su Mi deliberately cultivated good relations with them and maintained this connection.

His purpose was clear: to befriend Tang Geng in order to use the Star Palace's channels to find clues about the Bitter Yin Spirit Water and the Void Crystal.

Tang Geng's visit suggests he has something important to say.

Su Mixin understood immediately and turned to Qin Lian, instructing, "Tomorrow, Fellow Daoist Tang Geng will be visiting. Prepare spiritual fruits, tea, and top-quality wine for your cave in advance. Be courteous and hospitable, and do not neglect him."

Qin Lian quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, young master, I understand and will make proper preparations."

The next day, at 9:00 AM, a blue beam of light swept down from the upper level of the sacred mountain and landed steadily outside the cave entrance. The light then subsided, revealing a refined and slender figure.

The person who arrived was Tang Geng.

He appeared to be around thirty years old, with a handsome face, gentle and refined features, and a clean and spotless plain-colored brocade Taoist robe. A jade waist tag, exclusive to Star Palace stewards, hung at his waist, exuding a humble and gentle demeanor.

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Su Mixin had already calculated the time, so she stepped out of the courtyard and greeted the guests with a smile.

The two greeted each other with clasped hands, exchanged a few pleasantries, and the atmosphere was harmonious and natural.

Su Mixin then led Tang Geng into the viewing pavilion in the center of the courtyard and they sat down.

The stone table in the pavilion had been wiped spotless and was set with crystal-clear spiritual fruits and fragrant spiritual tea.

Qin Lian stood respectfully to one side of the pavilion, his hands hanging down. Upon seeing this, he immediately stepped forward to serve, lifting his fingertips to pour tea from the teapot.

Warm tea is poured into the cup, and wisps of white steam rise, instantly filling the entire pavilion with a delicate tea aroma, dispelling the autumn chill and making the atmosphere even more relaxed and peaceful.

The two chatted casually, discussing the recent movements of cultivators in Tianxing City and interesting anecdotes from the market. They talked and laughed, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

After finishing a cup of spiritual tea and gradually ending the casual conversation, Tang Geng finally suppressed his smile, became more serious, and slowly got down to business.

"Fellow Daoist Su, the reason I've come to your door today is to specifically invite you to discuss a matter."

Su Mixin looked up, her expression calm: "Fellow Daoist Tang, please speak."

Tang Geng smiled slightly and said, "Ten days from now, there will be a private trading fair in the city that is only open to Core Formation cultivators. The entry requirements are quite high, so I have come here specifically to invite Fellow Daoist Su to attend."

Upon hearing this, Su Mixin frowned slightly, a hint of surprise on her face: "Oh? This kind of private trade fair for Core Formation level cultivators is quite a major event in the city, yet I've never heard a word about it. I wonder who is organizing this trade fair, and what its rules are?"

Tang Geng was not surprised by his question. He clapped his hands and chuckled, patiently explaining, "It is normal for Fellow Daoist Su not to know. The organizer of this trade fair is not a veteran Core Formation cultivator from Tianxing City, but a newcomer who has only recently arrived here."

"This person's name is Song Yuezi. He is a cultivator from the Xuanji Sect. He has only recently taken over from his predecessor and is in charge of the Xuanji Sect's liaison office in Tianxing City. He is a newcomer here."

"The Xuanji Sect?" Su Mixin pondered for a moment, then feigned ignorance and asked, "I've heard very little about this sect. What are its details?"

Tang Geng looked solemn and quickly began to explain in detail, clearly quite wary of this sect: "Fellow Daoist Su, you must not underestimate the Xuanji Sect! This sect is renowned and influential within the Righteous Path Alliance of the Chaotic Star Sea. It has a profound foundation and boasts three Nascent Soul Ancestors, making it far superior to ordinary second-rate sects."

He paused, then added crucial information: "And Song Yuezi, who is organizing this trade fair, is no ordinary person; he is the direct disciple of Tian Wuzi, a Supreme Elder of the Xuanji Sect."

"Tian Wuzi————"

Su Mi's heart stirred slightly, and a deep meaning flashed across her eyes.

He knew that name all too well.

When the Void Heaven Palace opened in the original story, Tian Wuzi was one of the three righteous Nascent Soul cultivators.

This person once had a mutated fire python under his command, which was originally a spirit beast that could help him seize the Void Heaven Cauldron, but it was inexplicably stolen by the Extreme Yin Old Demon before he went to the Void Heaven Palace.

Later, in the inner hall of the Void Heaven Palace, Tian Wuzi even summoned the Li Turtle, which he had borrowed from his senior brother Tian Yuanzi, to fight off the enemy, employing a variety of methods.

However, after examining various details in the original work, Su Mixin still harbored doubts.

The conflict between the Extreme Yin Old Monster and Tian Wuzi may not be the apparent enmity. The so-called theft of the Fire Python might be a pretext for their private collusion and secret transaction, a show put on for outsiders.

Despite the turmoil in her mind, Su Mixin remained outwardly calm, maintaining only a thoughtful and curious expression as she listened quietly to Tang Geng's next words.

Seeing that he seemed to be deep in thought, Tang Geng continued to explain the real reason for this trade fair: "To be honest, Song Yuezi's purpose in coming to Tianxing City and suddenly organizing this high-level trade fair is very clear. Xuanji Sect has already spread the word that he is acting on the orders of his master, Tian Wuzi, to search all over Tianxing City, hoping to find a fragment of the Void Heaven Map."

"A fragment of the Void Heaven Map?"

Su Mixin raised an eyebrow at the opportune moment, her eyes showing just the right amount of confusion and doubt, her tone carrying a hint of surprise, perfectly fitting the persona of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator.

Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Tang Geng immediately smiled and patiently explained: "It seems that Fellow Daoist Su has been devoted to cultivation for many years, and has also focused on running the Jade Flower Pavilion and studying the art of weapon crafting. He knows very little about the affairs of the secret realms outside."

"This fragment of the Void Heaven Map is a renowned treasure in our Chaotic Star Sea, as it serves as the entry pass to the Void Heaven Palace, the first secret realm of the Chaotic Star Sea."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly revealed the secret: "The Void Heaven Palace opens only once every three hundred years. It is an unparalleled secret realm left behind by ancient cultivators. Every time the secret realm opens, the Void Heaven Remnant Map will sense it and guide the holder to the entrance of the secret realm. Only the holder of the map can step into the palace."

"The Void Heaven Palace is filled with countless treasures, ancient treasures, rare materials and rare spiritual herbs, and endless opportunities. It is a place of creation that countless cultivators dream of."

"It is also rumored that there is a Longevity Fruit Tree inside. Nourished by the rich spiritual energy in the secret realm, Longevity Fruits ripen every time the secret realm opens, attracting countless cultivators whose lifespans are about to end to compete for entry."

"Within the secret realm, there is also the Void Heaven Cauldron, which is known as the number one treasure of the Chaotic Star Sea and is called a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure."

At this point, Tang Geng's tone turned slightly somber, adding a touch of seriousness: "However, fortune favors the bold, and such a top-tier secret realm is far too tempting."

"In previous years, when the Void Heaven Palace opened, Nascent Soul giants and top ancestors from all over the Chaotic Star Sea would flock there, where undercurrents surged and battles raged. For us Core Formation cultivators, the opportunities were great, but the dangers were even greater. A slight mistake could lead to our demise in the secret realm or the dissipation of our cultivation. It was a matter of life and death."

After saying that, Tang Geng raised his right hand, and spiritual light slowly gathered in his palm.

A clear light appeared in his palm, reflecting the shape of an ancient, fragmented map, resembling a brocade handkerchief of an unknown material—the very image of the fragmented map of the Void Heaven.

Tang Geng gazed at the light and shadow in his palm and said with a smile, "However, despite the risks, the value of this fragment of the map is undeniably high. If Fellow Daoist Su is fortunate enough to find it, there's no need to personally venture into the secret realm. You can simply resell it at a high level and easily make a fortune, enough for both of us to cultivate without worry for decades."

"If you have the connections, offering it to a Nascent Soul Grandmaster would bring immeasurable benefits."

Upon hearing this, Su Mixin smiled and shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of self-deprecating indifference: "Such an extraordinary opportunity is beyond my reach."

Su Mixin looked up at Tang Geng with a calm expression: "However, I have agreed to accompany Fellow Daoist Tang to this private trading event. It just so happens that I have recently gone into seclusion to refine two exquisite magic weapon flying swords, but I haven't found a suitable channel to sell them. This grand gathering of Core Formation level cultivators will bring together many fellow cultivators, so I can see if anyone will take a liking to them and let me recoup my investment in refining them."

"Hahaha! Fellow Daoist Su is certainly pragmatic!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Geng burst into laughter, his brows relaxing even more.

"With Fellow Daoist Su's skill in crafting weapons, the flying sword you personally forge is of excellent quality and you will certainly not have to worry about selling it. If no one recognizes its value, I can also introduce you to a few friends, and I guarantee that you will not lose money."

Tang Geng smiled and agreed, his tone sincere and enthusiastic.

The two then stopped talking about the fragmented map of the Void Heaven and the secret realm, and instead began chatting casually. They talked back and forth, and the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious, with both host and guest enjoying themselves.

The two men chatted and laughed in the pavilion, completely unaware of the commotion around them.

Qin Lian, who had been standing silently with her hands at her sides, suddenly and imperceptibly changed her gentle and respectful expression the moment she caught a glimpse of the illusory image of the celestial map in Tang Geng's palm.

A fleeting, intensely bright glint flashed in the depths of her clear eyes, as swift as lightning, disappearing into her gaze in an instant. Without the most meticulous observation, it would be impossible to detect.

Concealed by the wide sleeves of her robe, her right hand, which had been hanging loosely, quietly clenched its five fingers, slowly tightening them, her knuckles turning slightly white, and the spiritual force in her palm rising and falling almost imperceptibly.

She kept her eyes lowered, her posture respectful, her face calm and expressionless, quietly standing aside serving tea as if the commotion from just moments ago had never happened.

But only she knew that the illusory image of that fragmented map had stirred up quite a ripple in her heart.

After chatting for a while, the sun began to set. Tang Geng stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and Su Mixin politely saw him off until they reached the gate of the cave.

As Tang Geng's blue light disappeared into the distance, Su Mixin turned and returned to her residence. The heavy cave door slowly closed and slammed shut.

Layers of fine, intricate spiritual light array patterns lit up successively from the ground and stone walls, flowing and covering the entire cave like ripples of water.

It isolates the internal and external energies and blocks all divine sense probing.

Having completely blocked any outside prying eyes, Qin Lian, who had been restraining himself and maintaining a calm demeanor, could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart. He quickly stepped forward and walked to Su Mixin's side.

Her usually gentle and calm eyes were now filled with excitement, and her voice carried an undisguised urgency: "Young Master! I've seen the illusory image of the Void Heaven Map that Senior Tang just displayed in his palm before!"

Su Mixin paused, her dark eyes suddenly narrowing with surprise, and a look of astonishment appeared on her face.

He never expected that Qin Lian would have any connection with such a treasure.

"Tell me in detail."

Su Mixin composed herself, her tone becoming more level, and her gaze calmly fell on Qin Lian, awaiting what would follow.

Qin Lian nodded quickly, took a deep breath to suppress her surging emotions, calmed her excited state of mind, and slowly and clearly said, "Young Master, earlier that Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator wanted to take me as a concubine."

"He once specially invited me to talk in a private room of a high-end restaurant in the city. At that time, he set up a barrier in the room to isolate himself from outside noise and investigation. He was relaxed and had no defenses against a weak woman like me."

"I sat quietly to the side and dealt with him. I clearly saw him playing with an old-fashioned brocade handkerchief in his hand. He himself looked puzzled and murmured to the handkerchief, wondering what it was and what its purpose was."

At this point, Qin Lian raised her eyes and looked at Su Mixin with certainty, her tone resolute: "The light and shadow, material and appearance of the fragmentary map that Senior Tang just displayed are exactly the same as the brocade handkerchief in the demonic cultivator's hand. It must be the same thing—the Fragmentary Map of the Void Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Su Mixin's eyes remained filled with surprise for a long time, and her thoughts were churning.

It's utterly unbelievable that such a treasure as the Void Heaven Remnant Map, which attracted the attention of Nascent Soul giants and prompted the Supreme Elder of the Xuanji Sect to personally order a massive search, would fall into the hands of a mere Foundation Establishment stage rogue cultivator.

He pondered to himself, a deep sense of doubt arising in his heart.

The Void Heaven Remnant Map has always circulated between high-level cultivators and top sects. A Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator with low cultivation and shallow foundation should not be qualified to touch it at all. It is highly likely that he obtained it by accident while killing and robbing outside.

A deep, hidden glint flashed in Su Mi's eyes.

He had originally been too lazy to bother with this Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator, but now he was determined to get his hands on this fragment of the Void Heaven Map.

A hundred years from now, the Void Heaven Palace will open once every three hundred years.

He had been secretly planning for a long time, and regardless of whether he could successfully break through to the Nascent Soul realm, he would take the initiative to confess the existence of the teleportation array and the Chaotic Star Sea to the higher-ups of the Thousand Illusions Sect.

He planned to persuade the Thousand Illusions Sect to send several Nascent Soul elders to accompany him.

The Void Heaven Palace contains many powerful ancient treasures, high-aged spiritual herbs, and rare spiritual materials, as well as the Longevity Fruit Tree, which can extend the lifespan of cultivators. Each of these treasures is an irresistible temptation for the Nascent Soul Grand Elders of the sect.

As long as he releases this complete intelligence, he can persuade several Nascent Soul elders in the sect to form a team to go to the Void Heaven Palace, and the opportunities they can obtain will certainly be plentiful.

The fragments of the Void Heaven Map are the credentials to enter the Void Heaven Palace, so naturally, the more the better.

Such a treasure, falling into the hands of a low-level Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator, is truly a complete waste of talent and a misuse of resources. It is destined to be passed down to Su.