189 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 859: Exploring Secrets Xu Youqing stealthily slipped back into the surroundings. As the time approached to unveil the Heavenly Mechanism's last will, guests were converging towards the grand hall. The disciples of the Heavenly Mechanism sect appeared visibly excited. Earlier, when the guests were mourning at the memorial hall, most of the disciples were kept inside to avoid disturbances. On the way to the main hall, Xu Youqing saw several young girls clad in indigo robes, walking in groups. The reason for her earlier seamless entry was due to having Fu Zhi as a sort of “entry pass.” As an outsider, her movements within the Heavenly Mechanism’s internal areas naturally drew attention. Xu Youqing hadn’t been this secretive in a long time; the last time she snuck around like this was as a child, skipping her master's lessons to play with the trio of sisters at Ink Bamboo Peak. A full cycle (sixty years) had passed, and the gap in cultivation difficulty between dual-spirit roots and single-spirit roots had become apparent. Huai Ye formed her Nascent Soul in her forties, only slightly later than Xiang Shi Yan. Zhu Yun also excelled later, joining the Nascent Soul ranks over a decade ago, with He He following closely. Currently, he only manages the Ink Bamboo Peak as a temporary overseer because his youth lacks the required seniority. Among the familiar children of the past, only Xu Youqing and Zhu Yu are still at the Golden Core stage. Zhu Yu, striving to catch up with her exceptionally gifted sister, worked hard, staying at the brink of achieving a perfect Golden Core for several years, always on the verge of a breakthrough. Xu Youqing, currently in the late Golden Core stage, had no trouble masking her presence as she slipped past the nearby lower-level disciples. ...Her friends had changed so drastically. Sometimes, Xu Youqing couldn't help but wonder what Qian Da Ni would be like if she were still alive. The features of her memory were now blurred; all that remained was the impression of a tall girl with warm hands. The infiltrator moved discreetly below the pavilion's railing, quietly crossing over the foundation spanning the water. She crouched under the arch bridge, waiting for two disciples to pass by, overhearing them discussing the last will of the Heavenly Mechanism. "Who do you think will be the next Heavenly Mechanism?" one whispered, as if afraid of being overheard gossiping about the elders. The other replied uncertainly, "Probably the First Elder or Second Elder... I can't really say." "The successor has always been the most talented elder. Fu Zhi is also greatly favored by the Heavenly Mechanism. It's hard to predict the outcome," said the first. Upon hearing that name, Xu Youqing stopped in her tracks, straining to listen. Her companion spoke with some hesitation, "Fu Zhi... is indeed different from ordinary people." Even the ordinary disciples perceived Fu Zhi as the most exceptional among the Heavenly Mechanism's disciples. The renowned woman with a celestial eye was blind when they entered the sect. Yet, she could still comprehend the heavenly way through illusions and dreams. Some even regarded her as the most outstanding disciple in the history of the Heavenly Mechanism. Choosing her would not be unexpected. "You once served in the Transfiguration Pool, didn't you? Did she really stay in there for two years?" another woman marveled. "I’ve only been to the observatory tower during cleaning. The altitude and wind chills me to the bone. I can’t imagine how the junior elder endured soaking in the water there. Ah, but the hydrangeas in the courtyard below are beautiful. Let’s visit next spring to admire them." "The Transfiguration Pool... it's deadly," said the companion, filled with concern. "Fu Zhi sees visions unlike ours, yet she's a person who will stop at nothing for her mission. I was relieved when the pool closed; I was really afraid she might fall asleep in there and never wake up, or become forever trapped in the body of a young disciple from the Yu Cang Mountain." "If the Heavenly Mechanism Master entrusted her with this task, there must be a reason beyond us," she shrugged off. "You… you haven’t seen it, so you don’t know. Fu Zhi’s health was never good, and after that, she weakened even more. A full cycle has passed, but when I think of her frail figure, I still feel anxious. If she becomes the Heavenly Mechanism, the mission will weigh on her, and there will be no release." Though their voices faded, under the bridge, Xu Youqing felt rooted to the spot, unable to move. Her brain struggled to comprehend their conversation. What was the Transfiguration Pool, and who was this “young disciple from Yu Cang Mountain” they spoke of? Why would the affairs of her sect inadvertently involve Yu Cang Mountain? She wished to reveal herself immediately and intercept the two disciples, but the thought of being discovered intruding on the Heavenly Mechanism during such a pivotal time made her stop. She suppressed her curiosity, quietly climbing over the lakeside embankment. Originally, Xu Youqing entered to find Fu Zhi and clarify matters regarding the woman resembling Xiang Shi Yan. Now, blocking Fu Zhi along her path might lead to an encounter with the blind woman. Yet the disciples' mention of the "Transfiguration Pool" piqued her interest; she had to unravel what schemes the Heavenly Mechanism had with Yu Cang Mountain a cycle ago. Based on their words, the "Transfiguration Pool" was located atop a towering observatory within the sect. It had no four walls at the summit, exposed to the winds, with a courtyard below filled with hydrangeas. Most people gathered near the grand hall, leaving few disciples to guard the inner sect. Few would notice a place devoid of important texts or secret techniques, only an abandoned formation. Xu Youqing easily found the tallest structure within the Heavenly Mechanism sect and climbed up quietly to the top floor. The light-colored cloth draped around the four sides at the rooftop fluttered violently in the cold breeze. On the vast platform lay a circular pool, presumably the "Transfiguration Pool" the two female cultivators spoke of. Xu Youqing approached cautiously. The pool had been drained, making it evident it wasn’t intended for bathing; even when filled, the water would barely cover a lying person's face. The entire observatory was wooden, with the exception of a large marble basin placed unexpectedly atop. The center was shallowly carved, appearing unusual. The pool's walls and bottom were inscribed with the most intricate arrays Xu Youqing had ever seen. Being unfamiliar with them, she dared not decipher their meanings and refrained from touching it. Instead, she took out a jade slip to carefully record the array patterns she saw. The Zhu family was known for their mastery of arrays, and Zhu Yun had fully integrated their secret family texts. She would surely understand this. While she was busy recording, a cold breeze swept over, causing Xu Youqing's hairs to stand on end. She whipped around but saw no one. Just as Xu Youqing released her breath, a voice, clear and melodious like a musical instrument, echoed from directly ahead: "If I were you, I wouldn't delve too deeply. The truth is something you may not want to know." Startled, Xu Youqing widened her eyes and looked up, but saw only the soundlessly swaying thin drapes; the source of the voice was empty. There had indeed been someone. She shivered, uneasily scanning her surroundings, hurriedly stowed away the jade slip, and fled to the roof below. Behind her, a figure in white appeared above the Transfiguration Pool again. Xiang Shi Yan gazed at the complex patterns, then at the fleeing Xu Youqing, sighed helplessly. The truth indeed wounds, but no more than the deceit of those close to you. Xu Youqing lost track of time spent there. The ghostly figure seemingly meant her no harm, yet without a doubt, her intrusion and attempt to steal secrets were discovered. She could only hope they wouldn’t expose her. Wondering at her own sudden fervor to uncover the truth—frightened by that ethereal voice—Xu Youqing felt a chill within. Only now did she realize the risks she'd taken; if caught, not just her but even the Xu family and Yu Cang Mountain might face repercussions from her actions. Like a skulking thief, she aimed to take a shortcut from here towards the grand hall to rendezvous with He He and others. Yet, in the labyrinthine hallways of the Heavenly Mechanism's buildings, she became disoriented, wandering anxiously until she recognized a familiar silhouette ahead. Fu Zhi. The blind woman staggered in Xu Youqing’s direction, wearing an elaborately adorned blue robe, occasionally pausing, her expression vacant. Knowing Fu Zhi wasn’t one to covet fame or power, Xu Youqing found her unsuited to her usual demeanor. Suddenly, rapid footsteps approached. A woman in an indigo robe delivered a vicious kick to the dazed Fu Zhi's stomach, sending the frail figure skidding back. With a swift motion, she grabbed Fu Zhi by the collar, pinned her against a corridor pillar, and strangled her with an intent to snap her neck. Xu Youqing stood frozen in shock at the scene unfolding before her. She recognized the assailant as Mu Hua, the eldest sister within the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, with whom she had crossed paths a few times. Mu Hua was a few years older than Sister Huai Ye and was said to be exceptionally gifted in her youth. However, for some unknown reason, her cultivation had stalled mid-Golden Core, showing no further progress. Upon first meeting Mu Hua, Xu Youqing thought she bore a striking resemblance to Long Ruiqing. After Sister Long’s death, Xu Youqing had a fond impression of Mu Hua, perhaps due to love’s transference. The person she remembered as elegant and gentle was now unrecognizable, her face flushed with fury, tendons bulging in her arms, eyes wide with malice. It was as if she was determined to take Fu Zhi’s life, wanting nothing more than to tear out Fu Zhi’s throat, her thumb pressing mercilessly against it. Why? Xu Youqing was paralyzed by fear at the sudden turn of events. She was aware of the strict rules of succession within the Heavenly Mechanism. Once the new Heavenly Mechanism was established, all her sisters—every elder—would be forcibly removed, losing any official influence over the sect. The First Elder was a strong candidate for the Heavenly Mechanism position, and should her influence wane, Mu Hua, as the daughter of the First Elder, would naturally be affected as well, possibly being forever excluded from sect affairs. Could this be the reason... Author's Note: A big thank you to the lovely angels who supported me with votes and nutritional supplements from 2022-11-03 35:30:00 to 2022-11-05 20:13:37! Special thanks to the angels who provided nutritional supplements: Deng Yue, 140 bottles; A Bu, Bai Yi, 10 bottles each. Thank you all for your support. I will continue to work hard! This site has no pop-up ads. Permanent domain (xbanxia.com)