429 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

### Chapter 429: Yao Qing's Intelligence What's happening on Baishan? What kind of trouble has occurred, and who is involved? Chu Qin Sect immediately went into action, searching everywhere to uncover the truth. However, on Baishan, ten Nascent Soul sects simultaneously shut their doors, recalling their traveling disciples and temporarily restricting even transport beasts and rogue cultivators from passing through. All communication lines were abruptly cut off, leaving Yao Qing and Wan Shi Zhi grasping at straws. Even the all-seeing 'Underworld Hand' organization faced issues in maintaining contact. Fortunately, the Chu Qin Sect borders the Death Swamp to the north, keeping the path from Qiyun clear. The first news that came through was obtained from Black River Alley. The most valuable piece of information was that almost at the same time as the white smoke rose, families and factions with clout in Qiyun, such as the Nangong family of Qinancheng, began to restrict their disciples, forbidding them from heading south to Baishan. This behavior indicated that the people of Qiyun were aware of something. While Qiu Xiu issued similar restrictions to the Chu Qin Alliance, he immediately sent a message to Shuang Chu for further clarification. Chu Hongshang had no idea, but soon news came from Chu Shentong. According to the records left by Chu Zhen, the white smoke served as a funeral announcement, and the peculiar emotional disturbance was called "All Souls' Sorrow," a celestial phenomenon that occurs only when a cultivator on the path to Deity Transformation perishes. The broader its influence, the higher the individual's achievements in life. "A Deity Transformation cultivator has fallen!" The potential truth sent chills down Qiu Xiu's spine. The impending storm might not pose an immediate threat to the Chu Qin Sect, which had already signed an agreement with the Spiritwood Alliance. Zhai Yi clearly intended to stabilize the north and focus southward, meaning that for Chu Qin Sect or the Chu Qin Alliance, there was no immediate danger. Since there was no immediate threat and they did not wish to involve themselves in the internal warfare of the major sects on Baishan, the best approach was to watch and wait. However, what truly sent shivers down his spine was something else. After living for over a century, he had seen plenty of death and the occasional demise of a Nascent Soul patriarch, but this was the first time witnessing the fall of a Deity Transformation cultivator! It was said that Deity Transformation cultivators have an exceptionally prolonged lifespan, more than five times the two-thousand-year lifespan of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Depending on the specific path of cultivation, a series of tribulations typically begins to descend after surpassing ten thousand years, occurring approximately once every three thousand years. Only then do Deity Transformation cultivators face genuine life-and-death crises. At under two hundred years old, Qiu Xiu was insignificant to Deity Transformation cultivators. However, the path of the heavens was consistent—no matter how long you live or how high your cultivation, when the time comes, all paths lead to the same end, life extinguished and the path vanished. From Qi Condensation to Deity Transformation, and even beyond, truly reaching the pinnacle of the Dao seems unattainable within a trillion cultivators. “The path to the Dao is perilous; if even Deity Transformation cultivators cannot escape death, how could I be the exception?” Realizing that dwelling on it further would only harm his Dao heart, he decided to let go for the time being. He called upon Nangong Yanran, sending her back to her family to gather intelligence. Given Nangong Mu's proximity as the nearest Deity Transformation presence, the Nangong family of Qinancheng should know quite a bit about the hidden sects on Baishan. In the past, Qiu Xiu would never deign to seek their help, but since Nangong Zhi had already requested his assistance in a previous matter, this wouldn't be too much to ask in return. "The identity of the fallen Deity Transformation cultivator remains unknown..." The Hidden Sect on Baishan only had a Deity Transformation cultivator descend during the last war, a presence Qiu Xiu had never seen due to his position. "Right, how many Deity Transformation cultivators does the Hidden Sect on Baishan actually have?" This question once again baffled Qiu Xiu. Indeed! He had established himself on Baishan, yet he had never clarified how many Deity Transformation cultivators were atop the mountain! "Surely it can’t just be that one Deity Transformation cultivator who came down during the last war?" A sudden thought struck him, "If that were the case, with no one to keep the feuding Nascent Soul cultivators in check, Baishan could descend into utter chaos, possibly turning everything upside down!" The more Qiu Xiu thought about it, the more he believed in his assessment. Complete disorder seemed the only explanation for why those major factions on Baishan, which had adhered to the rules for thousands of years, such as the Spiritwood Alliance, abruptly began expanding or warring, even stabbing the corporeal form of Chai Guan on Baishan's peak. All indications pointed to what could be an unprecedented transformation—a great upheaval! "Someone, come!" With these thoughts, he dared not delay any further. "Issue my orders: all members of the Chu Qin Alliance are forbidden from independently entering the territories of Spiritwood, Lihuo, or further south. Violators will be severely punished! Furthermore, the families within the alliance must securely guard their gates, refrain from unnecessary outings, and importantly, avoid associating with southern sect cultivators—violators will face strict penalties!" After making these arrangements, he sent someone to inform Gu Rong, asking him to ensure Yao Qing, who was gathering intelligence in the southern parts of Baishan, was safely escorted back. Following this, Qiu Xiu personally oversaw a thorough overhaul of the Sit-in-the-Mist Peak’s defenses, allocating spirit stone reserves to the central hub of the mountain-protecting formation, repairing slightly damaged array disks, and inspecting inter-family communications and defensive measures. Once he finished, the marketplace began buzzing with whispers, suggesting the fall of a Deity Transformation elder on Baishan and an ensuing chaos. The series of actions taken by the Chu Qin leader were noted by attentive minds in the marketplace, corroborating their speculations. Consequently, residents either returned home or temporarily relocated, and from time to time, sword lights would flash, representing cultivators flying away. In less than a day, the Sit-in-the-Mist Market, which had just started bustling again after the Chu Qin-Spiritwood agreement, was once more sparse and desolate. About ten days later, the Ancient Sword Sect members escorted Yao Qing back, bringing along intelligence surrounding Baishan previously blocked by the numerous sects. "The previous rumors about Hehuan Sect intending to mediate are indeed true, but southern forces believe it's a delay tactic. Though proclaimed as mediation, they are secretly aiding two disadvantaged sword sects. Judging by the southerners' reactions, it's likely true." As Yao Qing spoke, his expression was somewhat displeased, likely because Gu Rong had forcefully removed him from the center of the storm following Qiu Xiu's request, causing him some lingering resentment. However, Yao Qing, as the second-generation "All-Knowing Scholar," was remarkably adept at gathering intelligence. Starting from the ordinary behaviors of numerous sects around Baishan, he provided a well-reasoned analysis, and his methodology was highly accurate, serving as his advantage over Wan Shi Zhi in the domain of local intelligence. "Whether through an extreme death pact, a supremely powerful being, or the highest secret of this realm, regarding the secrets atop Baishan—no matter where or by whom—nothing significant has come to light; those who know won't speak. Hence, Sect Leader, there's no need for undue effort." Yet concerning the secrets of Baishan, Yao Qing dismantled Qiu Xiu’s hopes with a simple remark. "Around Baishan, those closest to the Hidden Sect are likely the small Buddhist sects. Since the Baishan phenomenon spread, they have been conducting extensive rituals for the deceased, which supports the rumor of the Deity Transformation cultivator’s fall." "And regarding why conduct such rituals, they are unaware themselves. When asked, a hundred monks uniformly replied that it’s a customary practice they adhere to upon sight of white smoke, with no knowledge of its origins or outcomes." After detailing each piece of intelligence, Yao Qing pondered momentarily and added, "Furthermore, both sides in the Thick Earth Desert standoff have remained amenable; the Spiritwood and Lihuo alliances even seem to be retreating north. Various intelligence suggests Baishan might not descend into chaos immediately—instead, it may enter a brief period of peace." "You know, this peace is akin to the darkness before dawn." (To be continued)