Chapter 24: The Secret Revealed (Part 2) The Secret Revealed / Xu Qingning felt a chill run down her spine…
Xu Qingning suddenly turned around.
Zhou Fuling was standing behind him, having arrived at the pavilion at some point, her bright eyes fixed on him.
Xu Qingning's blood turned cold.
The object in his hand was like poison; he tucked it into his sleeve and remained silent for a long time.
"Senior brother?" Zhou Fuling called out again.
Xu Qingning stared at her without moving.
Zhou Fuling had a radiant complexion, delicate and beautiful like jade, and a pair of almond-shaped eyes that sparkled.
It was just like the image of his most trusted junior sister from the past.
The two looked at each other, as if time had frozen.
Zhou Fuling squinted her eyes: "Senior brother, I want to eat candied fruit."
"Have you ever been to Qingxiu Mountain?" Xu Qingning asked abruptly.
Zhou Fuling was taken aback, then looked up in confusion: "No."
She bit her lip. "Actually... when I was seeking refuge, I considered going towards Qingxiu Mountain, but it was too far away and shrouded in mist. Even with my senior brother's talisman, I didn't dare go. What's wrong?"
Xu Qingning turned her head away.
The object in his sleeve felt scorching hot, making him afraid to touch it.
However, the strip of cloth in my hand felt cold to the touch.
Just as Xu Qingning was about to secretly put the item from his sleeve back into the mustard seed talisman, Zhou Fuling grabbed his hand.
She placed his hand on the side of her face, frowned, and asked softly:
"Why is it so cold?"
Xu Qingning bowed his head.
Zhou Fuling's gaze, which had been warm and gentle, suddenly froze when it fell on his face.
She seemed to have noticed something, scanning his face.
His gaze grew increasingly somber, like a bottomless abyss.
[Hint: The target's affection level has changed.]
Xu Qingning felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
He pursed his lips.
Zhou Fuling's once bright eyes sent a chill down his spine.
It reminded him of... the bottom of the pool, his hands, the spring water... and the blood.
"Fuling, take good care of your injuries." After a long while, Xu Qingning withdrew her hand, her voice hoarse, her hands behind her back, stiff.
"Where are you going?" Zhou Fuling grabbed his arm again.
She took his arm and acted coquettishly as she always had.
"Let's discuss this." Xu Qingning turned his head.
Following his gaze, Zhou Fuling saw wisps of blood-red smoke rising from the horizon.
Xu Qingning didn't look back at her, withdrew her hand again, and walked away with her arm stiff.
Zhou Fuling's dark gaze slowly fell on his back.
She crossed her arms over her chest.
So urgent?
What does he want to do?
Until an officer approached her: "Fuling, I heard... something terrible has happened to the Immortal Sect. The last time the Immortal Sect emitted such 'blood smoke of ten thousand marquises' was when the Tianji Sect had an accident in the Chou Shi Ravine of Tianjue Gorge, right?"
Zhou Fuling turned around, her eyes clear, and bit her lip as she whispered, "Yes, I hope my senior brother is safe."
...
Unable to calm down.
Xu Qingning was completely unable to remain calm.
He stepped onto the Phoenix bicycle frame, breathing rapidly, his chest heaving.
He lowered his gaze.
incredible.
He couldn't be sure if it was all a dream.
His mind was unusually in turmoil.
[Congratulations, host! You have successfully unlocked the villain's hidden identity.]
[Junior Sister of Bingjian Peak: "Zhou Fuling"]
Xu Qingning was completely stunned.
He sat there motionless, staring at the candlelight, as if all the blood in his body had been drained away.
A pair of hands that usually hold a sword steadily are trembling.
"...Who do you think the villain is?"
[Zhou Fuling.] The system also sighed silently.
Xu Qingning sat there in shock and disorientation.
The system fell silent, waiting for his breakdown, his questions, and his humiliation.
Unexpectedly, Xu Qingning's hands trembled, and after closing his eyes, he suddenly released his divine sense.
A barrier decisively blocked the system from entering the sea of consciousness.
Xu Qingning could no longer hear what the system was saying.
The system was stunned: [...]
Good heavens, what kind of operation is this?!
Unexpected...
No, Xu Qingning has gone to such lengths, and you still don't believe it?!
Do you think it's framing Zhou Fuling?
Oh my god!
What is he thinking?
Xu Qingning closed his eyes for a moment, made a hand seal, and left a mark in the sky above the hidden village.
This would allow him to be aware of everything happening in the hidden village in a timely manner.
This was one of the few things he could think of and do, relying on reason amidst his current chaotic thoughts.
On the phoenix carriage, Xu Qingning lowered her head again, gazing at a corner of the peace charm.
Qingxiu Mountain. Shattered body parts. Three miles away, Zhou Fuling, who suddenly disappeared and reappeared, but was completely unharmed... and this, a bloodstained amulet.
And...the system's words.
Xu Qingning's fingertips caressed the cloth, his heart burning as if tormented by fire.
No... it cannot be confirmed yet.
He pursed his thin lips and told himself.
Could it be that someone else left it behind?
Zhou Fuling also gave gifts to other people, quite a few of them.
Yes, he can't think like that... He can't doubt Fu Ling, no matter who he suspects.
The system's appearance was also very strange; he couldn't trust it. He had to verify it himself.
Xu Qingning closed her eyes, and the agony of being cooked in her heart returned once more.
He tried to ignore Zhou Fuling's strange look and also tried to erase some eerie details that kept surfacing in his mind... such as the timing of Zhou Fuling's appearance and the fact that Zhou Fuling was unharmed.
But he failed.
One must be calm and composed when one's mind is in turmoil.
"Young Master, what's wrong?" The official was startled when he saw Xu Qingning again.
Master Xu has always been aloof, decisive, and self-possessed.
But now, the young sect leader sat at the table with red eyes and his hands resting limply on the table, as if he had lost all his strength, as if he had just fought with someone.
—The official had almost never seen Xu Qingning like this before.
Distraught and disoriented, my mind is in turmoil.
"Give me the golden book of the Great Protectorate of the Mountain." Xu Qingning raised his eyes again, his gaze turning blue, concealing his unease.
"...Yes." Although the official was puzzled as to why the young sect leader suddenly wanted to move the protective mountain realm, he still handed the golden book to Xu Qingning.
This golden book is for the guardians of Tianji Gate.
The book contains a miniature version of the Great Boundary of the Mountain Guardian, which is connected to the real Great Boundary.
Therefore, cultivators can alter the world with their divine sense from a hundred miles away.
Xu Qingning lowered her head and quickly manipulated the array points on the golden book with her fingers.
On the golden book, the formation moved, and the distant protective mountain barrier also moved.
However, this commotion was completely silent to most cultivators.
Xu Qingning was merely making the highest level of defense arrangements in advance on the mountain protection boundary.
His fingers were icy cold, and his mind felt as if something was pounding on it, causing waves of pain.
Once he confirms... once he confirms, this grand formation will be able to restrain those within it...
The premise is that there is a real need.
"Go to Dragon Pool." Xu Qingning knew that to confirm and obtain more clues, the only place to go was Dragon Pool.
Before this, he would never listen to any instigation.
...
Zhou Fuling suddenly raised her eyes coldly.
In the distance, the protective boundary of Tianji Gate was changing.
The hidden village was connected to it, and the barrier was also moving, with a dark blue barrier rising into the sky.
Her eyes flashed like lightning as she stared grimly at the barrier that ordinary cultivators couldn't detect any changes in, and then she suddenly stood up.
“Miss Fuling, the young sect leader said you need to rest and recuperate here… Ah!” The officer tried to stop her.
Thump!
But then Zhou Fuling turned around, and to the astonishment of the officer, a terrifying pressure emanated from her fingertips—
The officer was stunned by a fan.
Before he fainted, he looked at Zhou Fuling with shock.
Like a sharp blade, like a demon from the underworld.
Junior sister—why do you have that expression?
The snake's tail dragged the officer into a corner of the attic, and Zhou Fuling's fingers glowed with a bluish light.
Zhou Fuling straightened her skirt and casually put on the snow lotus hairpin.
Gazing at the distant phoenix carriage, she vanished into thin air and gave chase.
...
[Host, the villain's favorability has decreased by 60%!! It's now -50%! Aaaaaah—] the system roared.
However, due to Xu Qingning's resolute barrier, Xu Qingning did not hear the system's words.
The system was originally capable of breaking through Xu Qingning's barrier.
But now, with the power of Heaven's Dao limited, Xu Qingning's will is indeed extremely strong.
When he is stubborn, his will is as strong as an ox's, and the system cannot break through his sea of consciousness.
The system watched helplessly as the villain's favorability rating changed.
The villain's initial favorability rating: 10%
(Regarding the host as half one of their own)
However, just now, it dropped significantly.
It dropped three times in total.
-25% ("Closed")
-30% (avoid)
-50% (Aversion, Defense)
While all of this was happening, Xu Qingning remained calm and composed as she walked into the Immortal Alliance's Dragon Pool.
System: [Host, wake up! What else do you need to investigate?]
However, Xu Qingning could not hear it.
At Dragon Pool, the fiery red lanterns had been torn down by the immortal cultivators, and a state of emergency had been imposed.
When Xu Qingning arrived, his face was almost bloodless.
Sect Leader Xu: "Qingning, why is your face so pale?"
Xu Qingning shook her head, her lips pale.
Then, he learned an even more shocking piece of news.
"What?! Zou Tianmo is dead too?!"
A crack appeared once again on Xu Qingning's usually aloof face.
He couldn't believe it.
Xu Qingning knew that Zou Tianmo was Zou Lanci's cousin and Zou Lanci's most loyal and ruthless henchman.
His "Dragon Arrow" technique is so masterful that it is considered a superb skill, making him an extremely powerful fighter.
At that time, Xu Qingning saw Zou Tianmo's body, but because he was in a hurry to find Zhou Fuling, he was unable to confirm her identity.
He opened his eyes.
Why would the villain kill Zou Tianmo?
She killed experts from two major forces in the Immortal Realm in one fell swoop. What was she trying to do?
Did we defy the heavens?
The thought of the possibility of him being a villain only flashed through her mind... Xu Qingning's hands and feet turned ice cold.
Afterwards, Xu Qingning followed the others to the Immortal Palace in a daze.
At the Immortal Gate's Golden Hall, Zou Lanci arrived with his entourage, dressed in black, in mourning, his face extremely somber.
In addition, Xu Qingning met Kuang Yunchu.
Kuang Yunchu, Xu Qingning's stepmother, with a refined and elegant demeanor, was the leader of the mortal realm. She was also sitting in the hall, all of whom were disturbed by this matter.
"Qingning, why do you look so pale?"
When Kuang Yunchu brought his people in, he was very approachable and asked in a low voice.
"..." Almost everyone who saw him asked. Xu Qingning turned his head, but he did not answer.
Two great masters were in the hall, and all the celestial officials had also arrived.
Zou Lanci looked at Xu Qingning and suddenly asked:
"Young Master Xu, Prime Minister Xu, where were you when the incident occurred yesterday? Why did you disappear at the Wanshan Banquet?"
Xu Qingning remained silent for a long while, then said coldly, "Ning Chaoxue and I were attacked at the Wanshan Banquet, and our closest fellow disciples also disappeared. Shouldn't Tianji Sect be asking Longtan what exactly happened?"
His voice was clear, cold, and aloof, yet now each word resonated deeply.
Many immortals looked up, shocked by Xu Qingning's question.
How could he be so bold... to go against Zou Lanci like this?
Well, the relationship between Zou Lancheng and Zou Lanci is extremely tense now. Tianjimen is related to Zou Lancheng by marriage, and the relationship between the two families has been getting worse and worse...
Unexpectedly, Zou Lanci narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "Fellow disciples have disappeared?"
Xu Qingning pursed her lips: "Yes."
Who disappeared?
“My junior sister, Zhou Fuling. She doesn’t know how to cultivate and was innocently implicated. I also want an answer.” Xu Qingning lowered her eyes, her face extremely cold.
His previous pale face seemed to have given everyone an answer.
Zou Lanci stared at Xu Qingning's face for a long time before saying in a low voice, "Young Master Xu, you will stay in Longtan for the time being. You will be in charge of investigating this matter."
Xu Qingning is appointed as a first-rank official. In the past, when investigating major cases in the immortal sects, both the immortal sects and the mountain gates had to send people. Xu Qingning's investigation is in accordance with regulations.
Xu Qingning slightly raised her eyes.
He found it strange.
Why did Zou Lanci's actions seem like he was trying to trap him in a dragon's den?
What is the purpose?
...
Two major events have recently occurred in the Immortal Realm:
The first incident involved the brutal murder of Zou Tianmo, a first-rank official of the Southern Continent, the sect leader of the Yun Ning Sect, and the immortal officer of the Longtan Sili Sect, at Qingxiu Mountain.
Secondly, Xu Qingning, a first-rank official from Dongzhou, and Ning Chaoxue, a second-rank official from the Yunyi Department, were also attacked at the Wanshan Banquet.
Xu Qingning was ordered to assist in the investigation, working alongside the Supreme Court Commandant and the Supreme Prefectural Commander, two of the Nine Immortal Ministers, to handle the case.
This is the highest level of investigation protocol ever used by the Immortal Sect when dealing with a major case.
"How infuriating! Zou Lanci ordered you to assist in the investigation, yet he's stopping you from doing it!" Uncle Xu, the sect leader, said angrily.
Indeed, Xu Qingning wanted to find out the truth about the recording bead in his possession.
But Zou Lanci's men blocked him from going to see the morgue and the clues they had found.
...Hostage. Xu Qingning became even more certain that she seemed to have been taken hostage.
Whose hostages are they?
He must calm his mind and furrow his brows.
Well, he wasn't one to sit idly by and wait for his death.
Xu Qingning raised his sword and put on his cloak.
...
"Young Master Xu, what brings you here?" When Xu Qingning appeared at the Shangtingwei Immortal Mansion, the Shangtingwei looked like he had seen a ghost.
Xu Qingning was seen wearing a black cloak, his face covered in shadow.
Only the ever-burning sword that exudes a chilling aura and his icy, jade-like demeanor can reveal his identity to others.
The Supreme Court Commandant was in charge of interrogating major cases within the Immortal Sect. When the Supreme Court Commandant heard about Xu Qingning's purpose, he sighed and began to evade the question: "Young Sect Leader, we just sealed the body and belongings with the Mountain-Scanning Jade... As you know, once this jade is used, the barrier cannot be broken for a while."
"Is that so?" Xu Qingning's voice sent a chill down the spine of the Imperial Censor.
Xu Qingning's voice was icy and intimidating, and Shang Tingwei shivered.
No, he's a second-rank official in Longtan, while Xu Qingning is a first-rank official in Dongzhou. What is he afraid of?
He was about to shake his head when he heard a cold voice.
Xu Qingning placed a recording bead on the table of the Imperial Censor.
Xu Qingning's voice was cold: "I've heard that Lord Zuo has a son who is extremely disappointing. Lord Zuo sent him to study under many famous teachers, but he only managed to reach the sixth rank of cultivation. And in the last twenty years, a heretical cultivation method has suddenly emerged in the mortal realm—"
"Absorb demon pills and practice evil arts."
"Although this technique is evil, the benefits are enormous. Find one or two minor wood-type demons, refine their demon cores, and you won't get much demonic energy on yourself, but you have a chance to absorb 30% of their power."
Xu Qingning pressed the recording bead and whispered, "Unfortunately, two years ago, my people saw your son participating in a transaction at the Earth Dragon Black Market in the Mortal Realm... It was a coincidence that it was related to the Wood Demon Pill."
The recording bead glowed dimly, and the Imperial Censor's face turned ashen: "You, you... how did you get it two years ago?"
“I’ve always had it.”
"Young Master Xu, you actually have spies in the mortal realm?!"
"..." Xu Qingning looked coldly at the Imperial Censor, without answering.
The Imperial Censor realized he had said something foolish.
Indeed, if Xu Qingning had no informants or influence in the mortal realm, how could he possibly return to the immortal sect and establish himself again?
What do you want?
"Let me in," Xu Qingning said calmly. "Otherwise, this pearl will be given to your cousin. I heard he's been trying to bring you down for a long time."
The Imperial Censor was pale and glared resentfully at Xu Qingning.
Xu Qingning's phoenix eyes were cold and clear, and his face was shrouded in darkness amidst the flickering candlelight.
...
Half an incense stick later, Xu Qingning put on a cloak to conceal his figure and entered the underground chamber of the Shangtingwei Immortal Mansion.
"Young Master Xu, half an hour, I'll buy you half an hour... I'm afraid the immortals will arrive soon..."
Xu Qingning nodded.
The barrier was closed.
In the darkness, the air was thick with the stench of blood.
But as soon as she entered, the coldness on Xu Qingning's face shattered.
He closed his eyes, his hands clenched into fists, unable to loosen them for a long time, his knuckles turning white.
He could almost hear his own heartbeat.
After a short while, he opened his eyes again and began to search carefully.
Amidst the horrifying remains and belongings, Xu Qingning slowly searched and soon found what she was looking for.
On one of Zou Tianmo's severed fingers, a magic seal was found buried within the flesh and blood.
That was a hidden mark. Xu Qingning held it close, and the secret text only became faintly visible when the recording bead was brought near.
Unraveling the mystery requires profound knowledge of immortal arts. One must calm one's gaze and wait a while before one can unravel the method.
It says on it:
—"Great distress leads to internal collapse, great fear breeds madness."
Previously, the recording bead that Xu Qingning found in Qingxiu Mountain was sealed, and a secret text was needed to break it.
Xu Qingning stared intently at his finger until he got the answer, then recorded the secret text with his divine sense.
...
A moment later, under the watchful eyes of the Supreme Commandant who had finally relaxed, Xu Qingning quietly slipped out of the Supreme Commandant's immortal abode.
In Longtan, cultivators from both the Eastern and Southern Continents reside in their own celestial temples.
After Xu Qingning arrived, she left the others behind and went into the pavilion alone.
In the dim light of the candle, he infused the unlocked spell into the recording bead with his divine sense.
Light and shadow flowed across the bead, and in the blink of an eye, a beam of light floated in the air, creating a phantom.
He had to hold his breath and remain calm, and for a moment he could not hear any external sounds, and his hands were icy cold.
All that could be seen were verdant peaks and rushing streams in countless valleys... This was Qingxiu Mountain, high above.
Is this Zou Tianmo's vision?
What exactly happened?
Xu Qingning stared silently at the recording bead.
Suddenly, a bow and arrow appeared in their line of sight. Xu Qingning recognized it as Zou Tianmo's golden bow.
Zou Tianmo hid on the high ground, drew his bow, as if waiting for something.
In the stillness of the night—
Golden light and firelight exploded amidst the chaos.
Xu Qingning frowned:
He clearly realized that it was as if Zou Tianmo and Ning Tingyue had made a pact to kill someone together.
Instead of... the attack he thought was from the villain.
In the stillness, Xu Qingning could only see the snow-white rocks.
But then Zou Tianmo's screams rang out.
"Ah! Ah!! Ah!!"
Seven or eight snake tails, as thick as jars, suddenly appeared—
The snake's tail tore Zou Tianmo apart violently, its oppressive power overwhelming, as if it were tearing apart an unpleasant toy.
Zou Tianmo was torn to pieces amidst screams of agony.
Looking at the snake's tail... Xu Qingning's face suddenly felt drained of blood. He stared at the scene indifferently, remaining motionless for a long time.
Its green scales and snake tail, resembling both a dragon and a fish, dripped with strange slime, exuding a powerful aura...
This monster...
He was certain he had seen it...
One hundred years ago.
It was indeed at midnight in Tianjuejian.
The cold memories once again invaded Xu Qingning's mind.
Red and white feet, snake tails crowding the cave... cold sounds, blood and pain.
His face was deathly pale, his fingers clenched into fists, digging tightly into his flesh, and he remained unresponsive for a long time.
Zou Tianmo suddenly screamed again:
"Who are you?!"
"Who is it?!"
Xu Qingning suddenly raised his head.
Upon seeing the scene before him, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind, and he froze in place.
On the verdant cliffs, rocks rolled, and a pair of boots stepped onto them.
The person who arrived... was none other than Zhou Fuling!
Zhou Fuling, dressed in a green robe, with a delicate and pretty face, moved lightly and nimbly, stepping on the blood as she slowly approached Zou Tianmo.
On her snow-white face, her dark eyes shone brightly like pearls, yet reflected a bloody light.
She lifted her skirt, her small, white feet disappeared, and behind her, snake tails emerged one after another!
Buzz—
For a moment, Xu Qingning's mind was filled with nothing but buzzing.
“You have two sons and a daughter,” she said.
She raised her hand.
Then, Zou Tianmo let out a scream, and the phantom disappeared.
Xu Qingning stared at the recording bead, but remained motionless as if turned to stone.
He seemed to have lost the ability to react.
He seemed unsure of what to do next.
He stared at the video recorder like a wooden statue, his face gradually losing all color, and his fingertips seemed to have lost all strength.
"puff--"
Xu Qingning coughed up a mouthful of blood.
But a dark shadow appeared before my eyes.
not good.
Xu Qingning struggled to grasp something.
Finally, he fell unconscious against the wooden table.
...
System: [Host, let me out!!! Ah!!!]
[Oh no! The villain's favorability rating has dropped by 55%!]
The system jolted awake, suddenly sensing that the barrier had vanished.
When I came out, I was stunned and didn't know what to say.
Xu Qingning was found unconscious in the attic.
He lay on the bed, his face pale, his eyes tightly closed, his eyelashes still trembling, like a sleeping beauty in pain.
Her dark hair was disheveled and scattered around her ears, and she looked like she had been greatly traumatized.
...Well, he finally knows who the villain is.
The system didn't know what to say either.
You could say he's smart, since he could have gotten the answer long ago, but he stubbornly went and banged his head against a wall.
If you say he's not smart, then why did he know to release it before it fell into a coma?
The system sighed, but then suddenly froze.
[Oh no... the villain's power...]
The alarm sounded:
[The villain is approaching! Host, wake up!]
-----------------------
Author's Note: Because I need to work on the clipboard tomorrow, I'm combining two updates today. The next chapter will be released at midnight on the 28th (Saturday).
Next, let's talk about the world-building. In this world, very few demons can transform into human form, unlike traditional fantasy worlds. The official system is also based on real-world dynasties.
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