72 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

**Chapter 72: The Treasure Pouch** Morning had barely broken as the sun began to rise. Yan Jue awoke from her bed, getting dressed in her robe after washing up, and then she donned her cloak of concealment before leaving her room. Her destination was the cliff. The day Bai Ying ventured into the cave, she discovered the Mo Zun already lifeless. Now, the primary communication method between Mo Zun and Nan Zhu was through mental transmission. No doubt, having only recently assumed another body, Mo Zun was still acclimating. If Nan Zhu was entering the cave only at night, then it stood to reason that during the day, the cave would be deserted. Yan Jue decided to inspect the cave herself. Reaching the cliff's edge, she peered downwards. It wasn't long before she spotted a barely noticeable outcropping on the rock face. Obscured by vines, it was difficult to detect without careful scrutiny. A cold sweat formed on Yan Jue's forehead. She grabbed hold of the vines and slid down, landing on a sturdy boulder. Instantly, a dense spiritual awareness spread out, and Yan Jue closed her eyes to sense her surroundings meticulously. Deep within the cave, there was no sign of anyone. Yan Jue entered the cave without hesitation. As she had seen through clairvoyance on Bai Ying, the cave was narrow and reeked of a strong metallic scent of blood. Holding onto the walls with her hands, she walked several dozen paces forward until something hard suddenly struck her forehead, causing her to gasp in pain. The ceiling was unexpectedly low. Yan Jue clutched her aching forehead and continued onward. After a few more steps, the space around her opened up considerably. The surroundings were eerily quiet, the faint sound of flowing water echoing through. Before her was a small waterfall, with water cascading from the cave's ceiling, creating a natural water curtain. Yan Jue's heart pounded wildly as she cautiously passed through the curtain, moving to the area behind. The foul stench of blood grew stronger, almost making her retch. Indeed, there was no one behind the water curtain. Except for a cold corpse. The gnarled body of the Mo Zun lay on the ground, face down, indisputably dead. Yan Jue quickly noticed he was clutching something. A dark beast egg, emitting a soft glow in the darkness. It was the only light source within the cave, revealing delicate cracks on its surface. Yan Jue had a feeling this was no ordinary egg. She recalled from the original text that the Mo Zun possessed a treasure pouch. If his spirit had abandoned this decaying body, could it be he hadn't taken the pouch with him? Should his spirit have only left in these past few days, he likely hadn't had the chance to take it. The cave's secrecy suggested he might lower his guard. Yan Jue took a couple of steps forward and suddenly stepped on something. A crisp sound resonated beneath her feet, and she halted abruptly. In the dim light, Yan Jue saw a shattered piece of amethyst at her feet. Her pupils contracted slightly as she crouched down to pick up the amethyst fragment, then took out two other pieces she had collected from her spatial bag. Indeed, the three pieces could be seamlessly joined! They formed the outline of a jade pendant, though still missing the final piece. With these three connected pieces, Yan Jue could make out two characters at the top: "Nine Void." She examined the pendant for a moment before putting it back into her spatial bag. Then, she resumed her search for the treasure pouch. The cave was exceedingly dark and proved difficult to search, but after much probing, Yan Jue's fingers finally brushed against something cold and hard—a box. It seemed the Mo Zun's spirit had not returned here in person. Upon touching the box, Yan Jue discovered a layer of blue enchantment wrapped around it. Her frequent visits to the Sutra Pavilion ever since returning from Fengxian Town had given her a rudimentary understanding of breaking intermediate formations. If she took the treasure chest outside, she could probably dismantle it within ten days or half a month... After pondering for a moment, Yan Jue chose not to do so. She returned the treasure chest to its original place, then exited the cave. --- The Five Dragon Summit was still in full swing. In the blink of an eye, the second day had arrived. After the first round yesterday, nearly half the participants had been eliminated. When Yan Jue reached the Five Dragon Plaza, it was already packed with people as far as the eye could see. Just as she was about to move forward, she noticed a large crowd suddenly rushing in one direction. "The first match today is between Meng Heng Jun and Sister Yun Rang. It's going to be thrilling!" "No way, isn't this something that should be saved for the finals between two powerhouses?" "Remember last year when the first senior sister faced Yun Rang? They fought two overtime matches before finally winning. Both their cultivations have improved this year, so this match is bound to be amazing!" Yan Jue was taken aback. The first match today was indeed between Qi Xian Qing and Yun Rang. Yan Jue arrived at Arena One, crossing her arms as she glanced up. Yun Rang was already on stage, but Qi Xian Qing was nowhere in sight. As the top disciple of the Qidun Sect, Yun Rang was exceptional in many areas. Moreover, she was the eldest daughter of the Yun family from Chengtan, cultivating immortal arts since she was young. At five, she ascended the mountain. Gifted from an early age, she was beloved by elders within her sect. However, this all changed the day Qi Xian Qing ascended the mountain. Yun Rang recalled the scene vividly. That day, when Qi Xian Qing first ascended, she wore a plain robe and followed silently beside Yun Zhen, her clear, phoenix eyes unwavering as they met Yun Rang's. Though she was brought in as an outsider, Yun Rang never expected Qi Xian Qing to be so unyielding. From that day forward, Yun Rang's days turned into a nightmare. Her legend as a prodigy was shattered by Qi Xian Qing. In every class test and lecture, Qi Xian Qing outperformed her with exceptional results. Initially, Yun Rang refused to accept it, challenging Qi Xian Qing in secret. Qi Xian Qing would be thrown down covered in bruises each time, yet never showed the slightest trace of fear. After turning twelve, Yun Rang couldn't defeat Qi Xian Qing anymore. Yun Rang heard from her master that Qi Xian Qing possessed a unique physique, making her naturally gifted in cultivation. Yun Rang vowed to surpass Qi Xian Qing. One day, she'd flaunt superior cultivation skills and achievements in Qi Xian Qing's face and exclaim, "What does a good physique matter? I am stronger than you!" As the melodious bell rang, a figure draped in white slowly ascended to the stage. Qi Xian Qing was elegantly dressed today in a pale-cloud skirt with narrow sleeves, her long black hair swept up with a jade hairpin, and a dark, ethereal sword named "Candle Shadow" strapped across her back. Her slender build seemed to contain boundless energy. The sunlight favored her, highlighting her skin's porcelain pallor, accentuating her deep and clear phoenix eyes. At the same time, the crowd erupted into cheers. "It feels like these few days at the Five Dragon Summit, I've seen every goddess I wanted to see..." "Seeing Meng Heng Jun two days in a row is unprecedented." "The jade betting tables are open. I'm betting on Meng Heng Jun. What about you?" The "Trinity of Heavenly Arts" formation activated. On Qi Xian Qing’s arena, it surprisingly turned out to be a scorching, sunny day. Yan Jue frowned slightly. The hot weather was likely an advantage for Qi Xian Qing. Yun Rang saluted Qi Xian Qing, and the next instant, charged at her with a set of talismans! Most Five Dragon Sect disciples honed their sword skills, but Yun Rang, from the Qidun Sect, didn't typically use swords. Like her master, Mu Zhong Zi, she manipulated talismans. Talisman types varied greatly. Ice talismans, water talismans, fire talismans... Upon reaching the Altar of Light stage, disciples could begin learning the Five Dragon Sect's anthology: "Wooden Talisman Transforms to Human." A small wooden talisman could be transformed into talisman soldiers, officers, even a talisman king. The power was immense. Now, with a composed face, Yun Rang flung a fiery talisman towards Qi Xian Qing! The fiery talisman shot at Qi Xian Qing with the speed of lightning, morphing into a fiery dragon in the sky, bursting into a cascade of sparks before her. "Clang!" Qi Xian Qing flipped her sword backhanded, the blazing flame and the shadow of "Candle" clashed directly, rebounding the fire back. Immense spiritual energy erupted, the terrifying pressure of a Fusion Realm duel rippling across the plaza. The surrounding onlookers went silent, their faces solemn. As cultivators, none found the intensity bearable. Yun Rang flicked another talisman, the wooden charm expanding into a gigantic talisman general on the ground, which raised its arms to reveal an enormous water sphere. The water sphere spun wildly in the sunlight, splashing droplets all around, drenching the stage in rain. Yun Rang's technique simulated real weather conditions, overtaking the "Trinity of Heavenly Arts" formation's generated climate. Watching from below, Yan Jue couldn't help but frown. This was undoubtedly a severe disadvantage for Qi Xian Qing. Yun Rang flicked another talisman. The wooden charm struck the ground with a "snap," transforming into black and white fish. The fish soared as though sprouting wings, darting swiftly towards Qi Xian Qing. With a stern expression, Yun Rang thrust down yet another talisman, forcing Qi Xian Qing back a step. The latter realized she was encircled by a massive net, trapped within a tiny confinement array. The serpentine power of the plants soon followed. A fiery talisman paired with an icy one shot towards her... The attack commenced. With the Yin-Yang fish ahead and water behind, she was trapped and unable to move. Whispers rose from the audience below. "Starting off so intensely, it seems Sister Yun is serious about defeating Meng Heng Jun this time.” “This is the might of the Qidun Sect—dispatching an opponent in under ten breaths!” Yun Rang was uneasy despite her proficiency in the art of the Qimen Dunjia, successfully cornering Qi Xian Qing within moments. However, she could not smile. Qi Xian Qing gazed up at the trap that surrounded her, her robes fluttering in the fierce wind, face composed. There was no trace of extra emotion. Yun Rang felt a pang of anxiety—could Qi Xian Qing possibly turn the tables in such a predicament? Water, fire, and ice encased her. The Yin-Yang fish were in the front. The serpentine force behind her. All four points advanced simultaneously. ... In sword duels, one would typically wield the long sword, but Qi Xian Qing preferred not to raise her sword. If possible, she’d handle the sword with her own hands. This gave a more seamless connection with her sword, Candle Shadow, feeling more authentic. With scorching heat waves advancing, Téng Shé’s sharp fangs brushed against her skin, sparks from the Yin-Yang fish began to set the hem of Qi Xian Qing’s skirt ablaze. In that critical moment, Qi Xian Qing firmly gripped her sword and suddenly leaped skyward, evading all attacks from above. A deafening explosion ensued as Téng Shé and the Yin-Yang fish collided violently! Restricted by formations on the dueling platform, cultivators were unable to fly, yet Qi Xian Qing leaped impressively high, demonstrating the depth of her internal strength! Qi Xian Qing’s expression remained cold, her characteristic demeanor when serious, as she raised her sword amid the pouring rain, her skirt billowing. With a forceful downward swing, her body tensed, unleashing a fierce strike. Yun Rang froze, watching as a surge of emerald sword energy surged forth, forming a massive crescent blade, its immense spiritual power crashing towards her. Instantly, the talisman-based formation shattered! With the formation broken, Qi Xian Qing's movement restrictions were undone. Yun Rang’s talismans flickered through her hands, harnessing the sun's power to erect a massive wall of light instantly before her. Never in her wildest dreams did Yun Rang imagine how vast the gap would be between minor realms above the Fusion stage. Qi Xian Qing had already ascended to the late phase of the Fusion stage! In a flash, Qi Xian Qing breached the fiery sea in front of her, her expression icy and lethal in the sunlight, transforming into an illusionary shadow in the air. She dared to traverse the inferno head-on! Yun Rang made a swift hand gesture, instantly forming a seal, causing the inferno beneath Qi Xian Qing to surge twice the height of the two combatants. Yet Qi Xian Qing’s indifferent gaze remained unfazed, her deep dark eyes quietly observing. In a mere instant, she stood before Yun Rang. Realizing this, Yun Rang was quick to raise a towering shield talisman before her. A sharp "crack" echoed— Like a fierce dragon, the Candle Shadow surged forward, piercing the shield. Yun Rang extended her right hand swiftly, gripping a talisman to block. With an earth-shattering crash, the ground trembled violently! Qi Xian Qing leapt skyward, her sword spinning downward, then sharply flicked upwards. Her arm strength was astonishing, slicing through Yun Rang’s defenses as a jade arc. Yun Rang’s pupils contracted, only a step away from having Qi Xian Qing’s sword point grazing her throat. Qi Xian Qing had an uncanny ability, making it feel less like a mere duel and more like a life-and-death struggle in her presence. Candle Shadow’s green blade flashed, and Yun Rang leapt back dozens of steps. By the time she realized it, she stood outside the dueling platform. The audience erupted into applause: "Woohoo, I won!" "Ah, our Meng Heng Jun won!" Yan Jue was taken aback, watching Qi Xian Qing saunter down from the platform, her hand bearing faint red marks, likely from Téng Shé’s scorching, as she passed by Yan Jue. Yan Jue glanced at her hand's wound, frowning slightly. Qi Xian Qing suddenly spoke, "How did I do?" Yan Jue blinked, "Hm?" The sunlight was perfect, as Qi Xian Qing lowered her gaze to Yan Jue, the ice in her eyes melting away. It was her first time asking someone’s opinion on her match. Yan Jue met her gaze, her cheeks suddenly flushed with warmth, sincerely exclaiming, "It was incredible, truly amazing, Senior Sister." Aside from being slightly intense and a bit wild, everything else was perfect. Qi Xian Qing smiled slightly, then turned to leave. --- The second day's match held little of note for Yan Jue. She faced a junior disciple she didn’t know well, and after an uneventful match, she emerged victorious, advancing to the third round the next day. The matches concluded swiftly, ending by afternoon. Following the contests was a leisure time for disciples of various sects. Being a righteous sect, the Five Dragon Sect's scenery and architecture could easily serve as a tourist attraction. Naturally, disciples visited various peaks for sightseeing. Even the usually empty Hundred Flower Valley was crowded. However, the Five Dragon Sect had stationed disciples to guard it against any resource theft. Visiting was welcome, but stealing resources was absolutely not allowed. When Yan Jue arrived at the Zhenhuo Sect, she found Qi Xian Qing in the dormitory. For Qi Xian Qing, it was a rare moment of peace during the Five Dragon Summit. Yan Jue approached, observing Qi Xian Qing seated at her desk, holding two strands of wula grass. Her expressionless face focused on weaving the strands into a new shape, reinforcing them with spiritual energy. Qi Xian Qing's desk had various woven figures—little rabbits, mice, elephants—tidily arranged, all exuding a charming aura. "..." Yan Jue hesitated at Qi Xian Qing's doorway, then knocked. "Senior Sister." Qi Xian Qing lifted her gaze to look at her, "Yes?" Silence fell briefly. Yan Jue, struck by awkwardness, searched for words. "What’s all this for? Why are you weaving so many things?" Qi Xian Qing placed the finished piglet on the desk, her lovely phoenix eyes lifting as she leisurely replied, "These are for my baby." Yan Jue’s heart raced, uncertain of what to say. Recalling her near exposure days before, she awkwardly asked, "Baby? You have a child?" Qi Xian Qing: "..." Yan Jue quickly moved to the point: "Senior Sister, I stumbled upon a place. I wanted to ask you to come take a look with me." --- Yan Jue and Qi Xian Qing made their way to the cliff. A gentle breeze tousled their hair. Beneath the cliff was an abyss of clouds. Qi Xian Qing paused, unsure of Yan Jue's intentions, but watched as Yan Jue grasped the vines and slid down the rock face. Absurd. That was the first thought Qi Xian Qing had. Yet, even thinking that way, Qi Xian Qing followed Yan Jue and jumped down. Yan Jue soon landed on the outcropping, steadied herself, and entered the cave. Qi Xian Qing trailed closely behind her inside. Dim light enveloped the cave. Yan Jue, having seen it several times through Bai Ying’s vision, knew the cave's layout well, aware of every pitfall. Even with Qi Xian Qing's powerful spiritual awareness, she could only sense living things. Feeling Qi Xian Qing's steps approaching, Yan Jue instinctively grasped her sleeve, concerned she might trip. Qi Xian Qing paused, momentarily surprised. Walking a few more steps, Yan Jue suddenly felt a tingle all over. The cool hand of the girl behind slid down, gently hooking her fingers. Yan Jue’s heart raced as if it would leap from her chest. After a moment's hesitation, she concluded. Qi Xian Qing must have feared the dark and reached out to hold her hand. That had to be it. They were both women, and Qi Xian Qing was such a straightforward person. What was strange about that? Nothing. After a few further steps, they reached a narrower passageway. Yan Jue suddenly remembered bumping her head that morning. She swiftly turned and covered the spot above her head. In the darkness, Qi Xian Qing couldn’t suppress a small smile. Though unaware of what lay inside, watching Yan Jue like this lifted her spirits. Upon entering the cave, Qi Xian Qing had already used her awareness to scan briefly. There seemed to be nothing unusual. Yan Jue led Qi Xian Qing through the constricted passageway, emerging to the sight of a wide water curtain, behind which something shone dimly. Yan Jue turned back to Qi Xian Qing, "I found this in the morning." Qi Xian Qing was taken aback. Behind the water curtain lay a corpse—a man with graying hair and a hunched posture. The man clutched a dark beast egg, which glowed softly, with light spiritual fluctuations when approached. Yan Jue extracted the treasure pouch from the cave's depths. Qi Xian Qing frowned slightly, "Is this a treasure cave?" She knew many powerful beings sought hidden caves upon their passing. This would prevent their treasures from being easily discovered. Such caves were often referred to as treasure caves by cultivators. The three elements defining one were often: a powerful being's corpse, a wealth of treasures, and formations. She glanced again at the corpse on the ground and easily guessed the significance of the find. However, the bloody scent that permeated the cave since they entered made Qi Xian Qing suspect that this place was far from ordinary. Yan Jue said, "This cave contains several treasures. Let's leave first." Yan Jue placed the black beast egg into her spatial bag, picked up the treasure pouch, and left the cave with Qi Xian Qing. - Upon exiting the cave, they discovered it was nearing dusk. Qi Xian Qing followed Yan Jue to her dormitory. As soon as Du Ming saw Qi Xian Qing, his eyes widened. "Yan Jue, you..." Qi Xian Qing stood elegantly behind Yan Jue, nodding slightly to Du Ming, her poise and grace unmistakable. Startled, Du Ming hastily bowed to the exceptionally noble Meng Heng Jun, "Greetings, Senior Sister. Welcome to our humble abode." He shot Yan Jue a meaningful look, wondering how she managed to bring their prestigious Senior Sister over... Yan Jue gave an awkward smile. After leaving the cave, she had intended for Qi Xian Qing to return to the Zhenhuo Sect dormitory. But Qi Xian Qing insisted on seeing where she lived. For reasons unknown, she was quite adamant. ... It was Qi Xian Qing's first time visiting Yan Jue’s place. The environment of the Shuiyun Sect was always pleasant, with the entire mountain surrounded by streams. As the sun set, fiery clouds bathed the sky in a magical hue. The paths intersected, and the calls of livestock could be heard. A white fox lazily basked in the fading sun, scampering away upon seeing them approach. Bai Ying still harbored some fear of Qi Xian Qing. When Yan Jue and Qi Xian Qing reached the room, Du Ming followed, looking tense. "Yan Jue, what are you planning to do with Senior Sister?" "And you're closing the door too..." Yan Jue replied, "We have important matters to discuss." Du Ming persisted, "What could be so important between you and Senior Sister? Don’t do anything rash like stabbing her in the back when she’s not looking." Yan Jue: "..." Yan Jue promptly closed the door. Her room was small with little furniture, only a single chair at the desk. Yan Jue pulled out the chair for Qi Xian Qing to sit on and seated herself on the bed. Placing the treasure pouch on the table, Yan Jue seriously inquired, "Senior Sister, how do we unlock this formation?" A scent of dairy sweetness lingered in the room, reminiscent of a sunny morning without classes—a clear and pleasant aroma. Qi Xian Qing was momentarily distracted by the fragrance as Yan Jue handed her the wooden box, saying, "Try to solve it." Yan Jue used two small spirit stones as formation-breaking keys, hitting them at both ends of the chest. A ripple appeared in the blue enchantment over the chest. Qi Xian Qing watched silently, then picked up a spirit stone from the ground, tapping it lightly. The chest's barrier dissolved. Rather than opening it, Yan Jue pushed the treasure pouch towards Qi Xian Qing: "Senior Sister, would you do the honors of seeing what treasures lie inside?" Qi Xian Qing studied Yan Jue for a moment, gradually comprehending her intention. Some serendipitous encounter had allowed Yan Jue to know about the contents of that cave. Yan Jue brought her to the cave deliberately, navigating the convoluted path to share the resources with her. ... If Yan Jue remembered correctly, Mo Zun's treasure pouch should contain many valuable items. As Yan Jue spoke, a flicker of uncertainty crossed her mind, knowing Qi Xian Qing typically held external resources in disdain. Being the foremost disciple of the Zhenhuo Sect, resources were never scarce for her. Anything she desired, Yun Zhen would willingly provide. Why should she covet these resources? Meanwhile, Qi Xian Qing sat poised at the treasure chest, smiling gently. "Thank you." Showing no signs of impatience, Qi Xian Qing reached into the treasure chest, extracting an item from within.