496 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 496: Secrets Hidden Beneath the Blue Lake The Bi Hu Sect used to hold substantial weight as a subordinate sect within the Lianshui Alliance, boasting two Golden Core cultivators and dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators. It was once a prosperous and influential group. However, when the Lianshui Sect secretly relocated to Qi Yun and Hehuan Sect began encroaching step by step, the Bi Hu Sect chose to flee northward with their entire household. Returning has been difficult ever since. Shui Lingyi, in an effort to consolidate the dispersed loyalty within the Lianshui Alliance, deliberately excluded them, possibly as a warning or perhaps out of a desire to obtain certain secrets for herself. Unexpectedly, the Bi Hu Sect managed to connect with Sang Jia, a late-stage Golden Core rogue cultivator and guest of the former Thick Earth Alliance, at the Black River Market. The scattered forces outside Baishan regrouped, and the sect's strength doubled after the restructuring, exhibiting a brand-new atmosphere. Their first significant move was a retaliatory action, openly revealing all the secret information, which dealt Shui Lingyi a severe blow. With this as the background, when the Southern Chu Sect flew their shuttle to the entrance of the secret site near a large lake under the cover of night, the shore was already dotted with countless temporary camps, with various defensive shields lighting up the night sky, casting colorful reflections on the lake's surface. The scene was quite spectacular. Furthermore, beasts, ships, and cultivators frequently traversed the area, creating a bustling atmosphere. Chu Shencang strolled unsteadily on the ship's bow with his hands behind his back, peering intently at the various camps below. "Beast Taming Sect, Tianli Sect, Southern Forest Temple... huh? Even people from the Qinglian Sword Sect are here." He laughed, his weathered face filled with ridges and furrows. "This place is extraordinary!" "Interesting, isn't it?" Chu Shen remarked from behind, sneering. "Shui Lingyi must be regretting so much that her guts are turning blue." This secret site had never been opened before, and the people from the Lianshui Sect seemed unaware of its value. But seeing this scene, if Shui Lingyi had another chance to decide, she would certainly not have excluded the Bi Hu Sect. The more people here, the higher the value of the secret site. For these old cultivators, it was unquestionably a blessing. As for the increased risks? They didn't care. After all, they didn't have many years left, and it was others who should fear them. This was an unspoken rule in treasure hunting—better to provoke the young than the old. Old cultivators nearing the end of their lives were rich in experience and assets, fearless, and ready to act without scruples for their own longevity or for their disciples and descendants, causing their opponents headaches. After choosing a spot, Chu Shenzhuang and the others were ordered to set up a camp and array, while Chu Shen and Chu Shencang performed a water-repellant spell to dive into the lake together. This lake, aptly named "Bi Hu" (Blue Lake), was the foundation of the Bi Hu Sect's existence and one of the major lakes surrounding Lianshui City. The lake's spiritual energy never dissipated throughout the year, ranging internally from the upper to lower first grade, which produced many low-level spiritual fish. During the past, Qi Xiu and Wei Mindang would frequently enjoy dining on these fish during their visits. However, this time, no one was interested in the fish. Chu Shen casually dispersed a school of silver fish with a spiritual force, following the route outlined by the Bi Hu Sect, diving into a hidden trench at the lake bottom. After descending for quite some time, they finally reached the bottom, recognizing an illusionary wall ahead. At its entrance sat a beautiful female cultivator cross-legged—it was none other than the South Palace's Nascent Soul cultivator Nan Gongmeng, who had once presided over the peace talks at the Black River Market. "Why is the South Palace guarding the gate..." Chu Shencang and Chu Shen exchanged glances, both wondering the same thing. By this time, Nan Gongmeng was already laughing and saying, "Ah, two young masters of the Chu family, you also wish to wade through these troubled waters?" "Haha, with our limited time left, we’re making one final effort," Chu Shencang pretended not to understand the implication in her words and bowed. "Very well, go ahead. Once you've had a look, remember to come out. The opening will be at midnight seventeen days from now," Nan Gongmeng casually lifted a corner of the illusionary array to let them through. Inside the illusionary barrier lay a separate space filled with cultivators from all over, gathering around a jade doorway set into the ground, pointing and talking amongst themselves. A Nascent Soul cultivator floated mid-air, keeping a watchful eye over everyone present. "Jiang Huan?" Recognizing the Nascent Soul cultivator, both were taken aback. To tell the truth, Jiang Huanshan Jiang Huan was a rather weak presence among the Nascent Soul cultivators of Qi Yun Sect, seldom involved in major affairs. Yet here he was, jointly with Nan Gongmeng, seemingly managing the order of this treasure hunt, bewildering all observers. It was perplexing not only as to why Qi Yun forces were spearheading the treasure hunt in Baishan but also why Jiang Huan was qualified to stand on equal footing with Nan Gongmeng. "Ah, if it isn't Shencang? Come over here." Jiang Huan was far more hospitable than Nan Gongmeng, beckoning them over for a chat with Chu Shencang, teasingly asking, "I remember you being older than Shentong by age, yet here you still are, lively as ever." Faced with such a quip from his elder, Chu Shencang could only manage a wry smile and reply, "Living these over five hundred years, I am truly ashamed." After deflecting Jiang Huan's inquiries, they finally turned their attention to the entrance of the lakebed's secret site. The entire gateway was carved from a single piece of immaculate jade, forming a circular shape with a diameter of approximately two feet, intricately engraved with a complete star map. Though the craftsmanship was extraordinary, flawless with no errors, it didn't appear particularly peculiar. According to calculations, the map corresponded precisely to the starry sky seventeen days later at midnight, explaining the precise determination of the opening time. Given the honest wait of both Nascent Souls, it seemed impossible to force entry, prompting the pair to prepare to retreat to their lakeside camp. Yet, they were suddenly stopped by a young, black-robed cultivator, who asked straightforwardly, "Are you from the Chu Qin Sect?" with a polite hand gesture. Had Qi Xiu or Chu Wen been present, they would have immediately identified him as a temperamental Black Wind Valley cultivator from the Stele Grove Trials. Chu Shen and Chu Shencang, unfamiliar with him, merely exchanged pleasantries before responding, "No, we are from the Chu family of Qi Yun and the Southern Chu Sect, may I ask..." "Oh, I'm Tu Ziru from the Black Wind Valley," he replied with a bold introduction, then gestured toward a large later-stage Golden Core man behind him, saying, "This is my senior brother, Tu Dan." In such a setting, Tu Ziru remained bold and unconstrained, evidently coming from an untested prestigious family. Standing tall and imposing, Tu Dan exuded immense pressure as if a mountain loomed over a deep pool; his piercing gaze was sharp as a knife, instantly revealing his formidable nature. Chu Shencang and Chu Shen introduced themselves, exchanging words until they understood that Tu Ziru had noticed the red cloud on Chu Shen's robe and associated it with the same red cloud on Qi Xiu's robe, hence his inquiry. The Chu Qin Sect's robes were red with the words "Chu Qin" embroidered in gold on the chest's red cloud, whereas the Southern Chu Sect's robes were white with an empty red cloud. The robes of the Chu family of Qi Yun were also white, featuring a white cloud of Qi Yun Sect embroidered on the chest. Each of the three had distinctions. Tu Ziru managed to make a keen observation through sheer coincidence. Even if it were Chu Wen or Qi Xiu, they wouldn't have had a deep connection. Initiating a relationship now naturally suggested ulterior motives. The four followed along to the make-shift camp established hurriedly by Chu Zhuangyuan and the others, and once settled, Tu Ziru promptly proposed an alliance. "During the last Stele Grove Trials, your sect's Chu Wen, standing bravely against the mighty Beast Taming Sect to expose Yuhe's secrets, garnered my deep admiration. Both of you, being from his lineage, must surely be loyal and faithful. My brother and I have ventured far here, unfamiliar with the terrain, and hope to seek your support, for mutual assistance within the mysterious realm.” After Tu Ziru finished, Chu Shencang pondered aloud. Though the Black Wind Valley was considered part of an unorthodox line, their reputation for integrity was sound. Given the current grand occasion, the two Golden Core cultivators from their side might not even stir the slightest ripple, thus he intended to nod in agreement. Yet before he could respond, Chu Shen interjected, "We are but decrepit elders with little time left, we dare not burden you both." His refusal was clear, and Tu Ziru, proud by nature, didn't push the matter further. After briefly discussing Baishan's local scenery, they parted ways. "What is your reason?" Chu Shencang asked as soon as they were out of earshot. Having been informed of the trade with Wan Xuan by Qi Xiu before departure, Chu Shen naturally didn’t want additional complications, though he preferred not to disclose such secrets to Chu Shencang prematurely. He deflected with, “With so many parties gathered here around Bi Hu, why align with an unrelated unorthodox sect like Black Wind Valley? Just you wait and see, the next seventeen days will indeed be quite thrilling!” As expected, on the following day, various sects approached to establish connections, and numerous camps were filled with guests or tensions ran high. Sects aligned and splintered, forging alliances or rivalries even before the treasure hunt began, stirring up a frenzied atmosphere around Bi Hu. (To be continued)