Chapter 265
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
“Could it be that you have also cultivated an Immortal Dao technique?” Qin Shiyue asked.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua also questioned it inwardly. Indeed, cultivating the [Carefree Heart Sutra] allowed him to release his perception and sense the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth. However, such Qi was rarely seen in daily life and could only be faintly detected in the medicinal fields. Could it be that Ma Rulong had also practiced an Immortal Dao technique? Moreover, was there a place here where the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth was particularly dense?
Unconsciously, Zhang Xiaohua perked up his ears.
Ma Rulong gave a bitter smile and said: “How could this old man have such an Immortal fate to obtain a cultivation technique? Such techniques gradually disappeared over ten thousand years ago. Even though my Ma family did everything in our power to preserve them, we failed. They vanished several thousand years ago. Besides, didn’t I just mention that most techniques were recorded in jade slips? The Yuan Qi within jade slips cannot last long—how could the techniques be preserved?”
“Then how did you come to know about it?”
“This old man did not perceive it but saw it.”
“Huh?” Qin Shiyue and Zhang Xiaohua both exclaimed in unison.
Qin Shiyue’s expression darkened slightly as he turned to glance at Zhang Xiaohua. Then, turning back, he asked: “You mean to say you can see the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth?”
“Hahaha! How could this old man possibly see Qi? Even His Excellency Emperor Shitian of the Divine Cult is likely the same as me—seeing the changes in the restrictions placed upon forbidden grounds, thus deducing that the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth has undergone a transformation!”
Seeing Qin Shiyue’s confusion, Ma Rulong explained: “Restrictions are the same as formations; they all require the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth. However, many powerful restrictions do not rely solely on Yuan Stones for Qi; they can absorb Qi directly from the heavens and the earth. The restrictions in the world today were all set by Immortal Dao practitioners ten thousand years ago. Over the millennia, these restrictions have absorbed less and less Qi from the surroundings, causing them to weaken gradually. Yet, in recent years, their power has shown signs of strengthening. Tell me, isn’t this a sign that the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth is being restored?”
Qin Shiyue nodded, then suddenly asked in surprise: “Could it be that your Ma family also has a forbidden area?”
A flush of pride appeared on Ma Rulong’s face as he said proudly: “You’re only realizing it now? If not for this, how could our Ma family be considered a lineage of inheritance? Though we only have a single restricted area, that is still fundamentally different from the Heaven’s Way Alliance, which has none.”
“Then, the restricted area you speak of—is it…”
“Yes, Lord Qin, you’ve guessed correctly. It is right here. To be precise, it is behind me.”
“The white mist behind you… Even the mountain wind cannot disperse it. That must be part of the restriction, correct?”
“Lord Qin is perceptive. Restrictions manifest in many forms—some appear as light, whether red, yellow, or even five-colored. Others manifest as white mist or black smoke. I’ve even heard that some restrictions can generate illusions, seamlessly blending into their surroundings. The restricted area of my Ma family is precisely this white mist.”
Both Qin Shiyue and Zhang Xiaohua nodded to themselves. Ever since Zhang Xiaohua discovered the spatial pouch, he had suspected something unusual about the cave he had previously visited. Now, listening to Ma Rulong’s words, wasn’t that precisely the kind of restriction he was describing? Not to mention the white mist in the Piaomiao Sect’s forbidden grounds that devoured people—it must be similar to the Ma family’s restriction.
Meanwhile, Qin Shiyue recalled an incident in his sect’s forbidden grounds where five-colored light had emerged. It was likely one of the restrictions Ma Rulong had mentioned. With that realization, he now understood how the cult leader had detected the changes in the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth.
However, Qin Shiyue was puzzled—why had Ma Rulong brought him here? Did he intend to use this restriction to kill him? At the thought of this, Qin Shiyue instinctively took a step back.
Ma Rulong noticed his retreat and immediately understood his concerns. He chuckled and said: “Lord Qin, there’s no need to worry. If I could use this restricted area to eliminate my enemies, I wouldn’t need to waste words here. Are you perhaps wondering why I fled to this place?”
Qin Shiyue nodded slightly.
Ma Rulong said, “The restrictions of the Immortal Dao are all meant to protect important things. Ever since I was a child, I knew about the restriction on this back mountain and always hoped to see what lay inside. But Immortal Dao restrictions require Immortal Dao cultivation to pass through unscathed. Otherwise, one would either be ejected or trapped inside forever. In the past, countless brilliant individuals of my Ma family attempted to enter through sheer skill, but none ever returned alive. No one knows whether they perished within or found some other fate.
I am well aware of the Qinggong of the Divine Cult’s Garuda lineage. In front of you, Lord Qin, I have no chance of escape. Rather than dying under your sword, I might as well take this opportunity to enter the forbidden ground and put an end to my lifelong obsession.”
Then, with a smile, he asked: “I wonder if this explanation satisfies Lord Qin?”
Qin Shiyue also smiled and said: “Is the old master not afraid that I might intrude upon your Ma family’s restricted grounds?”
Ma Rulong bowed slightly and gestured: “If that is the case, Lord Qin, please go ahead.”
Qin Shiyue stepped forward with a smile. “It would be more fitting for the old master to go first.”
Standing to the side, Zhang Xiaohua found it puzzling. They already knew that this forbidden ground devoured people, and none who entered had ever come out alive—yet Qin Shiyue still wanted to go in?
Seeing Qin Shiyue step forward, Ma Rulong’s expression changed slightly. He took a step back, pressing against the white mist, and said: “No need to stand on ceremony, Lord Qin. In that case, allow this old man to go ahead. I shall be waiting inside.”
With that, he began to retreat. Qin Shiyue’s smile remained unchanged. “Then allow me to send you on your way.”
As he spoke, he drew a soft sword from his waist. With a swift swish, he slashed across. Seeing the movement of Qin Shiyue’s arm, Ma Rulong immediately exerted force through his toes, rapidly retreating. Just as his figure was about to vanish into the white mist, how could Qin Shiyue allow him to escape? He leaped forward like an arrow, his soft sword stabbing into the mist. A shrill scream rang out from within the mist, then fell silent. Qin Shiyue withdrew his sword, watching as droplets of blood dripped from the blade. He was unsure whether that strike had been fatal.
Qin Shiyue looked at the strange white mist before him but had no intention of stepping inside to investigate.
After waiting for a moment, he turned around, walked up to Zhang Xiaohua, and smiled, saying: “Ren Xiaoyao, you really enjoyed listening, didn’t you?”
Zhang Xiaohua was momentarily stunned and asked in confusion: “Daren, what kind of joke is this? I didn’t hear anything at all. My ears have been inflamed these past two days, and I can’t hear a thing. I was just about to tell you and ask to see a doctor. Once we reach Xinji Town, I hope Daren will be merciful and allow me to get treatment.”
Qin Shiyue curled his lips and said: “Don’t try to fool me. I have no intention of silencing you. You should know very well that we still need to find the Bronze Cauldron from you. After hearing what was just said, you also understand how important the Bronze Cauldron is. It is something the Divine Cult must obtain. You’d best be obedient and tell us who took it.”
Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself, Isn’t that obvious? If I hadn’t heard today’s conversation, I would have thought that big cauldron was just an incense burner. But now that I know it’s an artifact of the Immortal Dao, how could I possibly return it to you? Not to mention that I can use it myself—even if I had no use for it, if I gave it to you, wouldn’t you silence me immediately?
With an innocent expression, Zhang Xiaohua said: “Lord Qin, I truly don’t have this thing. How could I tell you something that doesn’t exist?”
Hearing this, Qin Shiyue’s smile deepened. He reached out his hand as if to seal Zhang Xiaohua’s acupoints, but after a moment’s thought, he withdrew it and said: “Over the past few days, you’ve suffered all kinds of torture from my Divine Cult, yet you’ve managed to endure it all. An ordinary person would have been driven mad by now, but you’re still lively and energetic. Since I already promised not to seal your acupoints again, I won’t. In any case, your fate is already in the hands of Lord Emperor Shitian. I only need to bring you back. Whether you heard today’s conversation or not, and who truly took the Bronze Cauldron, I will report everything truthfully. What awaits you—I have no idea.”
After saying this, he glanced at the sky and continued: “Set aside your selfish thoughts and follow me back to the Divine Cult. Listen to the leader’s arrangements. Let’s go.”
With that, he performed Qinggong and sped off. Zhang Xiaohua did not dare to fall behind and followed closely. This time, Qin Shiyue did not exert his full strength, and Zhang Xiaohua found it easy to keep up. Even so, Qin Shiyue was puzzled—What is this kid’s background? His Qinggong foundation is surprisingly solid.
Returning to the cave leading to the secret passage, Qin Shiyue glanced around. Finding no other choice, he once again plunged into the passage. When the two of them emerged from the dry well, they saw Ying Fei sitting on the ground, holding a treasured sword. His complexion had already regained its color, and an iron arrow lay discarded on the ground. His arm was now bandaged.
Seeing Qin Shiyue emerge from the well, Ying Fei visibly relaxed. He stood up and asked: “Daren, why did you take so long? Did you manage to kill that Old Ma?”
Qin Shiyue replied, “The secret passage is quite long. After exiting, I had to chase him for quite a distance before I finally cut down that old bastard. How is your injury?”
Ying Fei said: “I pulled the iron arrow out myself. It’s no longer a problem. Thanks to Daren’s Detoxification Pill, otherwise, even ten of me wouldn’t have survived.”
Qin Shiyue thought for a moment and said: “Your bandaging is too sloppy. Once we reach town, you should find a doctor to have it properly redone.”
Ying Fei smiled and said: “Many thanks, Daren.”
Qin Shiyue asked: “Can you still use Qinggong?”
Ying Fei replied: “It shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Good, then you two follow me.”
With that, Qin Shiyue leaped onto the roof, took a rough look at his bearings, and headed toward the Ma family’s estate.
Qin Shiyue had no desire to go through that damp, cramped secret passage again.
Before long, they arrived at the Ma residence. The entire courtyard was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the lively, bustling scene of midday. Qin Shiyue led the two of them across the rooftops for a while, but not a single person was in sight. However, he did spot the three horses they had ridden in on. Only then did he leap down to the ground.
After some thought, Qin Shiyue said: “Let’s go. We’ll head to town first and have your injury looked at.”
Saying this, he took the reins of his horse and was the first to walk out of the Ma family’s main gate.
Zhang Xiaohua stared in surprise at Qin Shiyue’s departing figure. He opened his mouth as if to ask why they weren’t searching the Ma estate for any Immortal Dao relics. But after thinking it over, he realized that Ma Rulong must have prepared in advance. Now that trouble had erupted, not even his own family members were anywhere to be seen—they had likely fled in the chaos. How could any valuable treasures still be left in the Ma estate? Qin Shiyue must have thought this through as well, which was why he had left so decisively.
The three of them rode their horses down the main road. On the corner tea house’s upper floor, an old man was staring at their backs with a piercing gaze. It was none other than Qiu Xidao’s old steward.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
Orluros’s Vault of Secrets: If you liked the chapter feel free to donate 🙂 and if you find any errors in the translation please mention them in the comments here or in discord
