Volume 4 Chapter 62

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Volume 4 Chapter 62: Crisis

It turned out that Immortal Zizhen broke free from the restriction earlier than Xu Qingfan had anticipated. With the help of Xu Qingfan’s "Death Spirit Pearl," it took just twenty days to break out, ten days earlier than Xu Qingfan had imagined. Xu Qingfan speculated that he either overestimated the giant trees that imprisoned Immortal Zizhen or underestimated Immortal Zizhen’s abilities. The latter seemed more likely.

However, after Immortal Zizhen broke free, he didn’t rush to reclaim the "Qingxu Gate." Instead, he discreetly rescued Qinglingzi, contacted his long-time supporter Bailingzi, and through him, reached out to Xuan Ling’s apprentice, Huanlingzi, and others. He revealed Liu Ziqing’s scheme to everyone, which, as Xu Qingfan had previously suspected, involved using a unique cultivation method to harness Qingxu’s practitioners, eventually absorbing their Original Souls to enhance his own power.

Immortal Zizhen knew that with only thirty percent of his strength, he could still reclaim the "Qingxu Gate" through sheer power because of his reputation and remaining unmatched strength. However, this would inevitably lead to a fierce battle against those misled by Liu Ziqing, which would greatly weaken the "Qingxu Gate," a situation Immortal Zizhen wished to avoid. Thus, after breaking free, he attempted to gather support and isolate Liu Ziqing as much as possible.

Initially, things went smoothly. Upon hearing about Liu Ziqing’s plot, Xuan Ling and others, who had been deceived by Liu Ziqing, were skeptical. However, when Immortal Zizhen pointed out the flaws in the cultivation method and explained its consequences, everyone was both shocked and remorseful. They apologized to Qinglingzi, who had been misunderstood, and secretly reinstated him as the sect leader.

But then, Immortal Zizhen encountered trouble. Some Qingxu elders, led by Huanlingzi, remained distrustful of him, believing that Immortal Zizhen was the one deceiving them. Unwillingly, Immortal Zizhen had to imprison Huanlingzi and the others, publicly claiming they were in secluded meditation to prevent Liu Ziqing’s suspicions. During this time, Liu Ziqing appeared unsuspecting, which eased everyone’s concerns.

Finally, when Immortal Zizhen had control over all the Qingxu elders, either persuading or detaining them, he believed the time was right. He revealed himself within the "Qingxu Gate" and sent people to apprehend Liu Ziqing, bringing him to the "Qingxu Hall." Despite Liu Ziqing’s late-stage Real Golden Core Level strength, he stood no chance against several Golden Core Stage Qingxu elders.

Up to this point, everything was going smoothly.

But just as Liu Ziqing was escorted into the "Qingxu Hall," a sudden change occurred. Half of the Qingxu elders gathered there inexplicably went mad the moment Liu Ziqing appeared, launching frenzied attacks on every living being present, except for Liu Ziqing himself.

Meanwhile, many Qingxu disciples outside the "Qingxu Hall" also became deranged.

Caught off guard, numerous Qingxu elders and disciples were injured or killed instantly, dying without knowing the reason.

Liu Ziqing took advantage of Immortal Zizhen and Qinglingzi being busy handling the sudden attack to escape from the "Qingxu Hall" and rescued the imprisoned Huanlingzi and others, fleeing in the chaos from the "Qingxu Gate."

It was later proven that those Qingxu elders and disciples who suddenly became insane were the ones who practiced Liu Ziqing’s cultivation method most diligently. In other words, these cultivators were the elite of Qingxu Gate. Liu Ziqing had discovered something amiss when the incense around "Qingxu Gate" had been replaced with "Confusion Incense." However, because they practiced the cultivation method too deeply, their mental flaws grew larger. Although not yet able to be absorbed by Liu Ziqing, with the "Confusion Incense," they were still easily controlled by him.

After the chaos, out of the original forty Qingxu elders, eight were still bewitched by Liu Ziqing and defected with him. Additionally, fifteen Qingxu elders became deranged and suffered severe soul damage. Although Immortal Zizhen restrained them, how to heal them remains unknown. Among them, the name of Xuan Ling was notably included. Due to attacks from the insane Qingxu elders, seven other elders were killed on the spot, and others were injured to varying degrees.

As a result, the esteemed "Qingxu Gate," one of the six Holy Lands, was reduced to just ten elders within a month, with numerous ordinary disciples dead or injured. This situation was even more disastrous than the chaos of Jiuhua Gate back then.

…

After hearing Mo Ziliang recount the current situation of "Qingxu Gate," Xu Qingfan sighed softly, not expecting the internal strife to have caused such severe losses, far beyond his previous imagination.

If not for Immortal Zizhen’s presence, fearfully, "Qingxu Gate" might have been removed from the six Holy Lands.

"The renown of Brother Huanlingzi has been tarnished by Liu Ziqing’s deception, alas…" After talking about the situation of the "Qingxu Gate," Mo Ziliang sighed, his face full of sorrow.

Beside him, Xu Qingfan slightly nodded. Though he hadn’t spent much time with Huanlingzi, he could see that Huanlingzi was someone prone to getting stuck in his ways, a trait easily exploited by someone like Liu Ziqing. Sadly, if they didn’t find him soon, Huanlingzi might not escape being robbed of his Original Soul by Liu Ziqing.

Yet Xu Qingfan asked in confusion, "When Senior Huanlingzi saw the chaos at Qingxu Gate, didn’t he suspect Liu Ziqing in the slightest?"

Mo Ziliang shook his head in despair, smiling bitterly, "Liu Ziqing led them to escape through the tunnels, so Huanlingzi and the other senior brothers, as well as their disciples, didn’t notice the chaos at Qingxu."

Xu Qingfan asked again, "What about Senior Xuan Ling and the others? Does Immortal Zizhen have any cure for their sudden madness?"

Mo Ziliang’s face grew even gloomier as he slowly said, "Senior Xuan Ling and fifteen others have been detained by Master Uncle Zizhen. Despite his constant research and contemplation these days, Master Uncle Zizhen still hasn’t found a solution to cure them."

Hearing Mo Ziliang’s words, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but sigh quietly once more.

After this calamity, it’s uncertain when "Qingxu Gate" will be able to recover its strength.

More importantly, although "Qingxu Gate" suffered great losses, they still failed to eliminate Liu Ziqing and even allowed him to escape with his followers.

Xu Qingfan instinctively felt that if this Liu Ziqing situation continued to develop unchecked, it might become another Zhang Xusheng in the future. Although Immortal Zizhen had stopped Liu Ziqing from absorbing the Original Souls of all the cultivators of the Qingxu Gate, if he managed to absorb the Original Souls of Huanlingzi and others, it would be enough to restore about forty to fifty percent of his former power. Meanwhile, the unfortunate Huanlingzi and others still trusted Liu Ziqing, unaware that they were being used.

As they spoke, Mo Ziliang had already brought Xu Qingfan to Ronghua Mountain. It was only then that Xu Qingfan realized, after Mo Ziliang’s introduction, that more than an hour had unknowingly passed.

Looking around, Ronghua Mountain still appeared like a fairyland, with its entire peak shining with dazzling golden light. However, whether it was due to the thoughts in his mind, when he looked at Ronghua Mountain again, Xu Qingfan distinctly sensed a hint of forlorn desolation.

Beside him, Mo Ziliang formed a hand sign, and the golden light surrounding Ronghua Mountain began to ripple like flowing water, quickly parting to reveal a gap wide enough for a person to pass through.

Upon entering Ronghua Mountain, the scenery inside was just as Xu Qingfan had imagined, perhaps even more desolate than he had anticipated. It was like looking at a beautiful face suddenly covered with scars. Though the bright eyes remained captivating, the sight of the face inevitably brought a sigh of regret.

As Xu Qingfan stared at the sights of Ronghua Mountain, the chaos-ravaged scene and the Qingxu disciples busy amidst ruins with their faces still showing fear and confusion, Mo Ziliang sighed and said, "Taoist Friend Xu, Master Uncle Zizhen is waiting for you in the Qingxu Hall at the top of Ronghua Mountain. Let’s go."

Xu Qingfan nodded gravely and quickly followed Mo Ziliang, flying towards the top of Ronghua Mountain.

…

At the top of Ronghua Mountain stood a vast grand hall. As the power hub and symbol of the Qingxu Gate, this Qingxu Hall, although lacking some of the ancient grandeur of Linghua Hall on Jiuhua Mountain, possessed an elegance and delicacy of its own.

Xu Qingfan had once lectured the cultivators of Qingxu Gate in front of the "Qingxu Hall," yet he had never entered the Hall itself. Naturally, he harbored some doubts about it. However, when he followed Mo Ziliang into the "Qingxu Hall," Xu Qingfan showed no curiosity or desire to scrutinize his surroundings. Instead, he walked closely behind Mo Ziliang, his gaze fixed on a person inside the Hall.

This person had the face of a young man, handsome and graceful in demeanor. Dressed in blue, he exuded a carefree yet composed aura. However, in stark contrast to his youthful appearance were his eyes, which seemed to carry the burden of centuries of experiences, leaving a lasting impression.

Xu Qingfan had seen Qinglingzi’s face before, and although this person sat in the main seat of the "Qingxu Hall," he was not Qinglingzi. Xu Qingfan realized that this must be the only Mahayana Stage master of Qingxu Gate at present, Immortal Zizhen.

Although surprised by Immortal Zizhen’s youthful appearance, Xu Qingfan remained composed and, alongside Mo Ziliang, bowed to Immortal Zizhen.

"Junior Xu Fan, pays respect to Senior Zizhen."

"Disciple Mo Ziliang, greets Master Uncle Zizhen."

"No need for excessive formality."

Immortal Zizhen silently and intently examined Xu Qingfan for a moment, his eyes showing a hint of surprise. After a pause, he slowly spoke.

His voice was just as Xu Qingfan remembered it from the Ronghua mountainside—hoarse and weary, but now tinged with even more fatigue.

After Xu Qingfan and Mo Ziliang stood up, Immortal Zizhen said, "Ziliang, you may leave now."

After Mo Ziliang respectfully excused himself, Immortal Zizhen turned his gaze to Xu Qingfan. His eyes were as calm as the sea, yet as deep and mysterious as the ocean itself. Though it was just a brief glance, Xu Qingfan felt as if he had been completely seen through in an instant.

Just as Xu Qingfan was about to hand Immortal Zizhen Liu Huaxiang’s letter, Immortal Zizhen spoke first.

"Xu Fan, I don’t know if that’s your real name or a false one, but you’re probably not a rogue cultivator from the Southern Wasteland, rather, you’re from Jiuhua Gate, aren’t you?"

Hearing Immortal Zizhen’s words, Xu Qingfan was startled and looked up, only to find Immortal Zizhen’s eyes sharp as a sword.

…

Meanwhile, nearly a thousand miles south of Ronghua Mountain, outside Niufu Mountain.

Two figures in purple robes hovered quietly in mid-air.

"Number 4, are you sure that Xu Fan is among this ‘Qinghan Gate’?" one of the purple-robed figures asked coldly.

Another man in purple clothing lazily said, "Of course there’s no mistake. Xu Fan just gave a talk at the ‘Qinghan Gate’ three days ago. We can wait for him here."

"Hmph, Number Five, your information is never accurate. What if we wait in vain again? The master has instructed us to stop and kill Xu Fan at all costs. If we fail, neither of us can bear the blame."

Number Five didn’t mind at all. Smiling, he pointed toward ‘Niufu Mountain’ and said, "Isn’t someone coming there? We can confirm with them."

Where the man in purple pointed was exactly the direction Iron Old Man was hurrying towards, leaving ‘Qinghan Gate’ to return to his own residence.

A short while later.

Number Four held Iron Old Man’s severed head, blood dripping from the broken neck and soaking his robe, but Number Four didn’t care.

Meanwhile, Number Five was holding a purple bottle, his eyes closed as he concentrated on something. Inside the bottle, a soul was letting out agonizing screams, enough to send chills down anyone’s spine.

After a moment, Number Five gave a slight squeeze and the purple bottle, along with the soul inside, shattered instantly. Smiling, Number Five said, "Turns out I was wrong again. Xu Fan was invited to the Qingxu Gate. Let’s wait for him outside Ronghua Mountain."