495 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 495: The Hidden Treasure News The insiders all hailed from the subordinate families in the western region of Southern Chu, with most being Foundation Establishment cultivators. Now, with two dead, two injured, one missing, and one has defected, the losses were undeniably significant. Yet, Qi Xiu understood that planting spies only to have them discovered was their own failing, making any thoughts of retaliation groundless. Moreover, the simultaneous actions of the Spirit Wood Sect, Leaving Fire Sect, Thick Earth Sect, Sharp Metal Sect, Dan Alliance, and the Hehuan Sect suggested an unspoken understanding among them, despite any past grievances. In this new situation, Qi Xiu could only choose to swallow the bitter pill silently. The good times of internal turmoil within Baishan were no longer, and the Chu Qin Sect’s situation had become delicate again. No sooner had one wave subsided than another rose. Suddenly, rumors of a certain treasure hidden within the Lian Shui Alliance’s territory were rampant, attracting a timely visitor. “Greetings, Brother Qi.” After stepping down from the title of "All-Knowing," Wan Xuan disappeared for a while. When he reappeared, he wore a lake-blue long robe instead of his usual blue scholar's attire. After exchanging pleasantries, he wasted no time in stating his purpose: he was here to act as a lobbyist for the Bihu Sect, inviting the Chu Qin Sect to join in the treasure hunt. "To be honest, this information originated from the Bihu Sect. There’s a relic on their former territory that will soon open on its own. Originally a tightly held secret by the Lian Shui Alliance, the Bihu Sect, after falling out with Shui Lingyi, decided not to let the Lian Shui Sect enjoy the benefits alone and deliberately leaked the news. Now, cultivators from all over are gathering, waiting for the treasure to be revealed." After Wan Xuan finished, Qi Xiu sneered inwardly. The internal strife within the Lian Shui Alliance had intensified to the point where the Bihu Sect was resorting to acts of betrayal that harmed others without benefiting themselves, making them unsuitable partners for a treasure hunt. Besides, with his current expansive domain, Qi Xiu wasn’t reliant on finding secret treasures or windfalls; cultivating remained his priority. Without a second thought, he straightforwardly declined. “Hehe, Brother Qi, don't be hasty…” With a confident smile that seemed certain Qi Xiu would eventually participate, Wan Xuan inquired, "Do you know the origin of that treasure?" “Go on, stop keeping me in suspense.” Qi Xiu glanced at the incense stick burning in the corner, seeing that about one-third of it remained. “My path is difficult, and I can't afford to waste time.” Wan Xuan, seeing no other way, had to detail the information about the treasure. “Oh?” Upon hearing, Qi Xiu was indeed moved. He leaned forward slightly. “The burial place of the Omniscient Elder?” Wan Xuan chuckled quietly, raising his tea cup, suddenly opting for silence. The Omniscient Elder was an exceptionally mysterious figure, generally believed to have been just an idle chronicler of minor matters before his time. However, as Qi Xiu’s influence grew, his doubts about that notion also grew. The comprehensive records attributed to the Omniscient Elder spanned four to five hundred years, suggesting he was at least a Golden Core cultivator. However, many single copies of works bearing his name circulated from time periods even further back, spanning several additional centuries, implying he might have been a Nascent Soul cultivator. While it's commonly accepted these were forgeries, Qi Xiu, having conducted his research based on the collections brought back by Yao Qing, found himself unable to dismiss them entirely. From Qi Xiu’s own experience, such as the secretive trial at Junxuan Mountain, which occurred every three hundred years and should have remained an utmost secret of the Qi Yun Sect, the Omniscient Elder remarkably recounted it in vivid detail, albeit erring on the timing, something a mere itinerant Golden Core could not have possibly unearthed. "Say no more if you wish, then I’ll take my leave." Seeing Wan Xuan’s reluctance to divulge further, Qi Xiu rose with a smile, posing as if to see the guest out. "Don’t be hasty." Wan Xuan was reluctant to leave, drawing closer, sharing his full plan with an air of secrecy, "The Omniscient Elder is a predecessor on my path. Long before I took up the title of All-Knowing, I had been delving into his mysteries..." "Lianshui Sect and Bihu Sect only know it as a predecessor’s relic; however, during my tenure with Bihu Sect, I gathered information discreetly, which led to my belief that the hidden treasure relates to the Omniscient Elder. But I haven't told them. I’ve come only to you…” Realizing Wan Xuan's ulterior motives, Qi Xiu saw that, on the surface, Wan Xuan was employed as a guest retainer by the Bihu Sect but actually intended to exploit the treasure hunt for personal gain. Unfortunately, as a reclusive author with limited connections and influence, he came seeking the Chu Qin Sect’s strength. "You're quite bold, aren't you?" Qi Xiu couldn't trust him and questioned, "Not only would you offend the Bihu Sect, but you’re also risking me burning bridges with you afterwards. Toss in the competition from various treasure-seeker factions, and it's like grabbing a hot coal!" “I can't concern myself with so much. Since suspecting that the place is the Omniscient Elder’s burial ground, my heart has been aflame with a desire for the truth.” Wan Xuan retorted, "Your true path involves the red-tailed monkey, a destiny-related path. Aren't you interested in the legacy of the Omniscient Elder? If there truly are any destiny-related treasures, would you not be intrigued?" The mere mention of 'destiny omniscience' left Qi Xiu startled. Whether Wan Xuan said it by happenstance or deliberately probed, Qi Xiu maintained his silence. Seeing this, Wan Xuan declared, "Let me show you my hand." He performed a hand seal, revealing a mountain peak shaped like a brush stand behind him, "My life-bound object is the 'Brush Stand of Destiny', and my Dan Theory also pursues understanding fate!" As he meditated and channeled his energy, a yellowish aura emerged from the mountaintop, resembling the aura of Qi Xiu’s ‘Fate Simulation Art.’ “No need for that, I believe you.” Wan Xuan’s display evidently cost him dearly, as his complexion swiftly paled. Qi Xiu realized that Wan Xuan was staking everything to earn his trust and quickly intervened. "Hehe, Brother Qi, I've observed the Bai Family in Qinan City for over a hundred years. After thorough observation, I concluded that while you’re crafty, you aren't one to burn bridges once crossed or betray friends. I avoided dealing with the likes of Chai Yi or Zhong Xingjun, or even reaching out to the Nan Gong family among the Qi Yun forces, because I simply couldn’t trust them.” Wan Xuan, retracting his energy and drenched in sweat, spoke sincerely. Qi Xiu, moved yet still governed by rationality, shook his head, “Though the enigma of the Omniscient Elder’s legacy greatly tempts me, even if I'm willing to waste some time away from cultivation, this isn’t solely my decision. To be candid, the circumstances within and outside Chu Qin are exceedingly delicate, with stability hinging almost entirely on me. Even if I trust you, I don’t dare wander into a place entangled with such strife. Moreover, searching ancient relics is typically a fruitless endeavor.” With a sigh of dejection, Wan Xuan appeared utterly crestfallen. Qi Xiu had left unspoken his dreadful luck with adventures, from the quest for foundational opportunity at the Nether Spring Land, be it the Dan Snatching Trial, Awakening Lion Valley, or Stele Forest Trial—each encounter had been a torment. He dared not tempt fate recklessly once more. "However…" Not intending to leave Wan Xuan in complete despair, Qi Xiu proposed, "I could help you connect with others in the sect, maybe even some from the Chu family, to form a team." Nodding, Wan Xuan bid farewell in silence. As he saw him off, Qi Xiu playfully remarked, “Had I known you’d silently joined the Bihu Sect, I would've reached out first to invite you to become our guest retainer at Chu Qin." "You should have said so earlier." Wan Xuan cast a wistful glance back as he left, his silhouette appearing all the more desolate. Honestly, Qi Xiu’s offer had been mere formality, since Yao Qing and Wan Xuan had been adversaries nearly all their lives, and welcoming him into the sect wouldn't sit well with his own. However, his promise to help organize a team wasn’t empty words. As the news of hidden treasure in the Lian Shui Alliance spread like wildfire, many were drawn to them proactively. Eventually, a team formed from Double Chus and the Chu Qin Sect, boasting a decent lineup on paper, provided one overlooks their age. Chu family of Qi Yun’s very own, Chu Shen Cang, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, shared the same generation as Chu Shen Tong and Chu Shen Ting. This unseen elder statesman of over five hundred and thirty years exceeded typical Golden Core lifespan, largely due to extensively using lifespan-extending elixirs. From the Southern Chu Sect, Chu Shen, also a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, an acquaintance of Qi Xiu’s, was around four hundred forty years old. And leading the Foundation Establishment seniors? Li Shan Gan Long from Chu Qin’s allied families, late-stage Foundation Establishment, was the same age as Qi Xiu, at a hundred and ninety-nine years. Kong Qu Mountain's Qi Bingyan, late-stage Foundation Establishment, at a hundred and eighty-five years. Married into the Gong family, a subordinate of the Southern Chu Sect, Chu Zhuangmian was a hundred and ninety-two years old… and several others. As they embarked, a troop of over a dozen elderly cultivators departed, with their white hair flowing like snow in the wind. "It's like this..." Chu Zhuangmian, tapping her cane against the ground, explained to Qi Xiu, who came to see them off, “We’ve neared our end. Rather than waiting idly in caves for the remaining years, why not make one last dash in search of that slim opportunity?” Only Chu Shen stood with a straight back, appearing "young" by relative standards. Leaping onto his flying shuttle, he called out, “All aboard!” exuding a formidable presence. Chu Zhuangmian, rising behind him, turned back to give Qi Xiu a bittersweet smile, “Until we meet again,” she called out. For a fleeting moment, Qi Xiu envisioned the carefree young girl from years past, who had mischievously smiled as she rode a winged creature, escorting him to Black River Peak. (To be continued)