Chapter 567

Chapter 567: Opening the Passage

Cheng Yuweng had assumed the matter concluded, but Cang Ye’s sudden interference took him completely by surprise. He’d raised Cang Ye himself, personally instructing him in Divine Arts and treating him like an adopted son. Never had he imagined this protégé would betray him, resulting in a decade of confinement and suspended training resources.

Truthfully, the punishment itself meant little – as Misty Sect’s Vice Sect Leader, ten years’ seclusion barely affected him. The true blow lay in losing his position. By confinement’s end, power structures would shift, leaving him a mere elder stripped of privileges and influence.

Cheng Yuweng stared at Cang Ye with hollow disbelief before stumbling from Misty Hall like a broken man.

Kneeling on cold tiles, Cang Ye watched his mentor’s retreating figure. Hatred flickered in his lowered gaze.

“Your integrity honors Misty Sect, Cang Ye.” Sect Leader Hua Changchun’s voice echoed. “Dismissed. Your reward will come.”

“Gratitude, Sect Leader!” Cang Ye trembled with performative fervor.

Hua Changchun turned to Tian Yunzi. “Apologies for today’s farce.”

The visitor shrugged. “Your sect’s drama concerns me not. Shall we discuss business?”

“Ever the pragmatist!” Hua Changchun chuckled. “Cang Ye, escort Ye Yun to the guest wing.”

As Cang Ye rose, Murong Wuqing stepped forward. “With respect, Sect Leader – I’ll accompany Ye Yun. We’ve brotherly matters to discuss.”

Hua Changchun waved assent. “Cang Ye remains. Let’s settle rewards now.” A flick of his finger sent light and shadow coalescing into a glowing scroll before the disciple.

“Cloud Palm – a Divine Art. Master it, and your strikes become unavoidable as drifting clouds.”

Cang Ye’s hands shook as he accepted it. The Sect Leader vanished mid-nod, Tian Yunzi following via teleportation.

Murong Wuqing nudged the pensive Ye Yun. “We’re leaving.”

“My thanks, Brother Wuqing.”

“Drop formalities. We’ll need cooperation soon.” The unspoken reference hung between them – their impending venture into the Saint’s Secret Vault’s depths.

Descending from Misty Hall, Ye Yun’s gaze lingered on the Cloud Dragon Pillar. Its dragon-like shadows writhed within, supporting the entire structure impossibly.

“My first reaction matched yours,” Murong Wuqing remarked. “Three millennia back, they found this natural pillar upholding a massive stone brimming with top-tier spirit stones and Immortal Spirit Stones. Yet none could extract even one pebble.”

Ye Yun’s eyes widened. “So Misty Hall was built atop it?”

“More bizarre – initial constructions failed until they followed the stone’s energy veins. Upon completion, spiritual energy flooded through the hall, forming a self-sustaining great formation.”

As Ye Yun marveled, Murong Wuqing lowered his voice. “Imagine activating a heaven-born formation of this scale. What cataclysmic power might awaken?”

"The might of this great formation isn’t overwhelming, but its defense is extraordinary. Once activated, no expert at the Nascent Soul stage could harm it even slightly, whether facing one person, a hundred, or a thousand." Murong Wuqing glanced at the Cloud Dragon Pillar and continued, "Legends say even a Saint couldn’t breach this defense, at least not quickly. When the Immortal Sword Sect’s Saint attacked long ago, this formation held firm."

Ye Yun narrowed his eyes, studying the Cloud Dragon Pillar. Spiritual energy swirled like mist within it, and the dragon-like creature wasn’t a true immortal beast or divine dragon—merely a solidified form of spiritual energy.

Still, the Misty Hall’s wonders were undeniable. With such a formation, it could remain secure for millennia.

As they walked and talked, they turned down a corridor and passed through shaded woods. Ahead, beyond lush branches, glazed tiles glinted with golden sunlight.

Ye Yun looked up to see a side hall roughly three to four zhang tall. Beyond its gates lay courtyards—spacious, orderly, and pleasing to the eye.

"This is the Misty Sect’s guest courtyard. Only Higher-ups from other sects may stay here. You’re lucky Senior Tian Yunzi’s influence grants you this privilege," Murong Wuqing said, approaching a Small Courtyard. He pressed a hand to its wooden door, which glowed green before creaking open.

"Impressive. Is this usually occupied?" Ye Yun followed him inside, noting the courtyard was twice as large as his Divine Grace Palace quarters. Rockeries, streams, blooming wintersweet, and budding camellias lent it a refined air.

"None have stayed here recently. Current visitors lack the status. You’ll cultivate undisturbed," Murong Wuqing replied, scanning the area.

"How do you know that, Brother Wuqing?" Ye Yun asked. They’d arrived together from the Divine Grace Palace—how could Murong Wuqing know?

Murong Wuqing chuckled. "Simple. There are twelve courtyards here, each marked by a zodiac sign. Yours is the Dragon Courtyard—check the roof."

Ye Yun glanced upward. A purple dragon coiled fiercely above.

"Occupied courtyards have purple zodiac symbols. The other eleven remain blue," Murong Wuqing explained.

Ye Yun nodded. No disturbances meant better focus. His priority was using the Thousand Mechanisms Guide to link his soul to the Burning Divine Platform and uncover clues about the Saint’s Secret Vault.

"Rest well today. I’ll cultivate in the Snake Courtyard nearby. We’ll meet tomorrow." Murong Wuqing patted Ye Yun’s shoulder and turned to leave.

"You’re staying next door? Perfect—we can talk more," Ye Yun said.

Murong Wuqing waved dismissively. "My duel with Shu Anshi taught me much, but I’ve yet to reflect deeply. Delaying risks losing those insights. With luck, they’ll aid my cultivation."

Ye Yun’s eyes gleamed. "Then we’ll cultivate undisturbed. Such peace is rare."

"Exactly. If I’m still secluded when you finish, don’t wait." Murong Wuqing left.

Ye Yun shut the courtyard door with a wave. The roof’s dragon descended, morphing into a purple statue that sealed the entrance with gentle light.

"A dragon-shaped lock? Clever." Ye Yun entered the cottage and sat cross-legged. The Misty Sect’s dominance over the Divine Grace Palace made sense—even guest rooms had Spirit Gathering Arrays, doubling the spiritual energy.

Calming his mind, he called inwardly, "Ancestor, are you awake?"

"Of course. I’ll guard you during your soul state journey," replied the Ancestor of the Sword Path, voice quivering with anticipation.

"I don’t know the risks, but this chance to explore the Burning Divine Platform’s secrets—especially about the Saint’s Secret Vault—is worth it," Ye Yun said.

"A soul state… like me?" The Ancestor sounded intrigued.

"Tian Yunzi said distance forces a soul-state entry," Ye Yun confirmed.

"Bring me along. My weakened soul might still enter," the Ancestor urged.

Ye Yun brightened. "If we both enter, finding the spatial gate to the vault becomes possible. No more relying on Tian Yunzi or Hua Changchun!"

"True. The Burning Divine Platform was made by my sect’s Saint. Its secrets could unlock the vault," the Ancestor said eagerly.

Ye Yun steadied himself. His soul, tempered to perfection, stayed controlled.

Summoning the Thousand Mechanisms Guide—three mirrors (white, blue, red)—he activated their heart techniques. Beams of light shot into the mirrors, which then projected three thick pillars onto the ground. The colors merged, forming a tri-colored gate before him.