Chapter 416 - 414: A Storm Gathers

Unconsciously, she couldn’t help but worry about Li Qiye’s safety.

"What else did Li Qiye say about the Golden Divine Hall?" Treasure Turtle Daoist couldn’t help but ask. As the Sect Leader, he also realized the gravity of the situation.

"He didn’t say anything else." Lan Yunzhu gently shook her head. There were some things she was unwilling to say at this moment.

"So this is the secret of the Yin Yang Pool," Treasure Turtle Daoist murmured. Rumors about a secret at the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool had always circulated within the Qianli River sect. Some even claimed that the foundation of the entire Qianli River lay beneath it.

Because of these rumors, many incredible Great Sages from Qianli River had tried to dive into the Yin Yang Pool to reach its bottom over the generations. However, no matter how their predecessors tried, none could ever reach it. Thus, the secret at the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool became the stuff of legend for later generations.

However, this legend was confirmed today by an outsider. How could something like this not deeply move Treasure Turtle Daoist, the Sect Leader?

"How does Li Qiye know this secret?" Treasure Turtle Daoist said in a deep voice. As the Sect Leader, he considered himself quite knowledgeable about his own sect. Yet, he knew nothing about the secret of the Yin Yang Pool, while an outsider knew it like the back of his hand.

It could be said that even the Elders of Qianli River did not know the secret of the Yin Yang Pool. Even the sealed Elder Ancestors knew very little about it.

Now, such an earth-shattering secret was in the hands of an outsider. To Treasure Turtle Daoist, this was a matter of utmost importance.

After receiving Lan Yunzhu’s report, Treasure Turtle Daoist immediately convened a secret meeting. Only those of the Elder Level were permitted to attend, and even the Elders, who rarely showed their faces, were present.

"There is a Golden Divine Willow and a Golden Divine Hall beneath the Yin Yang Pool!" Upon hearing Treasure Turtle Daoist’s statement, all the Elders present were visibly moved. They all exchanged glances.

"The rumors are true." Even the Elders couldn’t help but gasp. One of them said, "Could this be the foundation left behind by the Immortal Emperor Ancestor Master for future generations?"

"A secret like this concerns the very survival of our Qianli River. We absolutely cannot allow an outsider to grasp it," said Elder Lin, who was staunchly opposed to Li Qiye, his voice grim. "We should capture Li Qiye immediately and interrogate him severely."

An elder shook his head in disagreement. "We don’t have all the facts yet. Capturing and severely interrogating Li Qiye now would compromise the integrity of our Emperor Immortal Gate. Why not talk to him about this first?"

"Hmph, this concerns the survival of Qianli River. What is there to talk about?" Elder Lin said coldly. "If we just capture and interrogate him, won’t he confess every last detail?"

"This matter is of great importance. We should indeed capture Li Qiye." Another Elder, Elder Wang, who was also Elder Lin’s master, nodded in agreement and said in a low voice.

"Even we don’t know the secret of the Yin Yang Pool, so how does Li Qiye?" At this time, Elder Yang, another Elder, spoke in a deep voice. "Perhaps Li Qiye has a profound connection with our Qianli River."

"Senior Brother Yang, he’s just an outsider. What kind of connection could he have with us?" Elder Wang sneered. "Maybe this Little Ghost spied on our Qianli River’s secrets and stole the method to enter the Yin Yang Pool from us."

"Spied on our secrets and stole the method to enter the Yin Yang Pool from our Qianli River?" Elder Yang shot him a sidelong glance. "If we had a way in, we wouldn’t have waited until today. Does Junior Brother Wang know the way in? Not only do we not know, but even the sealed Elder Ancestors don’t know. Are you suggesting an Elder Ancestor knew this secret and told an outsider?"

Elder Wang said gravely, "As long as we capture and interrogate him, how could he not confess? Then we’ll easily find out how he learned this secret."

"Personally, I don’t advocate for interrogation. We can talk to Li Qiye about this," Elder Yang said, shaking his head.

Another Elder also nodded and said, "Resorting to severe interrogation right away would indeed be too hasty. However, we must talk to this Little Ghost."

"Martial Uncles." At this moment, Treasure Turtle Daoist cleared his throat and said, "We can put the matter of Li Qiye aside for now. I believe the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool is worth a personal look from us."

"Correct." Hearing Treasure Turtle Daoist’s words, not only the other elders but even the higher-ranked Elders felt a jolt of excitement. "We must go down and see for ourselves," they said.

The Elders of Qianli River took immediate action. They sealed off the island, forbidding anyone from approaching. Several elders and Elders dove into the Yin Yang Pool with treasures in hand. Following the method Lan Yunzhu had described, they attempted to enter the bottom of the pool.

However, no matter how many times they tried using Qianli Immortal Emperor’s Heavenly Destiny Secret Skill, the "River of Fate Celestial Return," they couldn’t enter the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool, let alone see the Golden Divine Willow and the Golden Divine Pool.

After failing again and again, Treasure Turtle Daoist and the others realized the key didn’t lie with the Heavenly Destiny Secret Skill, the "River of Fate Celestial Return," but with Li Qiye.

"Let’s go talk to that Little Ghost." In the end, the Elders reached a consensus. For them, no matter what, Li Qiye had to reveal the secret.

"Young Master, this is bad!" That afternoon, Lu Baiqiu rushed in anxiously and exclaimed the moment she saw Li Qiye.

Li Qiye glanced at her and said, "What’s the big deal? Why are you in such a panic?"

Lu Baiqiu looked around as if afraid of being overheard, then said in a low voice, "Young Master, this afternoon, many more Qianli River disciples suddenly appeared, patrolling around our courtyard. I’m afraid Qianli River means to act against us."

Lu Baiqiu had served as a Hall Master before; she was naturally cautious and vigilant. The moment she saw the sudden increase in patrolling Qianli River disciples on the island, she immediately knew something was wrong.

"Is that so?" Li Qiye smiled. This was within his expectations. With Lan Yunzhu reporting the matter of the Yin Yang Pool’s depths, Qianli River was bound to make a big move.

Lu Baiqiu couldn’t help but tense up, whispering, "Could it be that Qianli River is backing out of the marriage agreement? But, Young Master, from what I can see, Bamboo Fairy seems to have feelings for you."

"Silly girl, where is your mind wandering?" Li Qiye lightly flicked her forehead and said with a laugh, shaking his head. "It’s not like that. This has nothing to do with Zhu Girl."

Lu Baiqiu had a strong sense of crisis. She still couldn’t help but whisper, "But Bamboo Fairy should have given you a heads-up, Young Master. Now she’s vanished completely. Could it be that she’s also backing out of the marriage agreement?"

"You don’t need to overthink it," Li Qiye said with a calm and unhurried smile. "Even Zhu Girl can’t call the shots in this matter. I’m afraid she isn’t free to act as she pleases, either."

The secret at the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool concerned the rise and fall of the Qianli River. For a matter like this, never mind a disciple like Lan Yunzhu; even the Sect Leader of Qianli River, Treasure Turtle Daoist, couldn’t make the final decision.

"What should we do?" Lu Baiqiu couldn’t help but ask in a low voice. "Young Master, should we flee overnight?"

"Flee? Why would we flee?" Li Qiye said leisurely, perfectly composed. "Relax. Even if the sky falls, your Young Master will be here to hold it up for you. What’s there to be afraid of?"

Lu Baiqiu took a deep breath, nodded firmly, and said, "I will advance and retreat with you, Young Master."

Li Qiye just smiled and said no more. He slowly closed his eyes, awaiting what was to come.

That very afternoon, the number of disciples patrolling the island where Li Qiye was staying grew and grew, until the island was surrounded so tightly not even a drop of water could leak through.

By now, even the slowest disciples within Qianli River understood that something major was happening. Seeing that everyone from the top down was keeping their mouths shut, the ordinary disciples didn’t dare to ask what was going on.

Seeing more and more disciples patrolling the island, Lu Baiqiu’s heart pounded in her chest with fear. Only when she saw Li Qiye’s calm and composed demeanor did she breathe a sigh of relief inwardly.

That night, Treasure Turtle Daoist finally came to visit Li Qiye. They were unable to enter the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool and were at a loss. They all knew the key lay with Li Qiye, so Treasure Turtle Daoist, as the Sect Leader, came personally to discuss the matter with him.

"Did the Sect Leader come for the matter of the Yin Yang Pool?" After Treasure Turtle Daoist was seated, Li Qiye didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

Treasure Turtle Daoist smiled and nodded. "Young Master Li is truly a perceptive man. Since we both understand, let’s speak frankly."

"I’m all ears," Li Qiye said with a smile.

Treasure Turtle Daoist looked at Li Qiye, took a deep breath, and sat up straight. He then said in a solemn voice, "Young Master Li, our Qianli River must know the crucial secret to entering the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool! Therefore, I must ask Young Master Li to teach us the method to enter."

"The method to enter the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool?" Li Qiye smiled and shook his head gently. "I’m very sorry, but there is no method. I am the only one who can enter that place."

Treasure Turtle Daoist’s eyes narrowed. He said in a low voice, "Young Master Li, this matter is of great importance. I hope you will be prudent with your words and not speak recklessly."

Li Qiye shot Treasure Turtle Daoist a sidelong glance and said, "If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. Also, take my advice: don’t entertain any ideas about entering the bottom of the Yin Yang Pool."

"Why?" Treasure Turtle Daoist was momentarily stunned.

Li Qiye said flatly, "That place is not somewhere you all should enter. If the Sect Leader wants me to be blunt, you are not yet qualified to go there!"

Li Qiye’s words caused Treasure Turtle Daoist’s expression to change drastically. He said in a grim voice, "Young Master Li, don’t forget, this is the Qianli River, this is the Thousand Carp Lake! There is no place in the Thousand Carp Lake that we, the Qianli River sect, cannot enter!"