Chapter 171: Xuanyin, Wait Outside

Following Daoist Nun You, Wang Ping returned to the area where he had first entered the Immortal Gate. Deep within the rolling mountain range stood a pillar of profound light, stretching from heaven to earth.

‘In the other direction is Xuanhe's Sea of Learning...’

Wang Ping shifted his gaze, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Rumble!"

In the distant sky, the cloud-shrouded cliff holding the Sea of Learning collapsed with a deafening crash. Boundless iridescent light plummeted from the heavens toward the earth like the fragments of a shattered star.

A torrential downpour suddenly swept between heaven and earth.

The rain was dense, yet each drop was a talisman—a cascade of countless written characters. As they splattered and blanketed the earth, they rapidly dissolved back into spiritual energy.

The Sea of Learning had collapsed!

This sudden catastrophe confirmed Wang Ping's worst-case scenario: Daoist Xuanhe was dead! Furthermore, it was highly likely that Kunyun had killed him!

‘Was I exposed?!’

Countless theories flashed through Wang Ping's mind until Daoist Nun You's voice drifted from beside him. "What a pity. It seems Junior Brother Xuanhe's fate was poor after all."

Wang Ping snapped his head around, only to see Daoist Nun You looking completely indifferent. "Senior Brother Kunyun allowed me to take you away as a favor to me, sparing your life," she said softly. "That is your good fortune. Xuanhe, however, lacked such luck. Even though he was my junior brother, he was also a member of the Heaven and Earth Pavilion."

In a flash, Wang Ping understood.

‘Kunyun... even if it was merely on suspicion, he killed Xuanhe to ensure every variable was eliminated. Better to kill the innocent than let a threat slip away?’

Didn't the Immortal Gate have sect rules? Was this really permitted?

"There is nothing that isn't permitted."

Looking at Wang Ping's astonished expression, Daoist Nun You easily guessed his thoughts. She chuckled and said, "Senior Brother Kunyun is a True Transmission, and he is about to face his life tribulation."

"Naturally, he enjoys special privileges."

"At a time like this, no one will investigate his actions against the inner sect, outer sect, or independent cultivators. Everything will be settled after the fact."

"...After the fact?" Wang Ping pressed.

Daoist Nun You continued, "That means after he undergoes his life tribulation. If he fails, then his soul, Destiny Pattern, providence, and the true spiritual root within him..."

"Every single thing of value will be harvested to repay his karma. For example, by killing Junior Brother Xuanhe this time, he owes a karmic debt to my master. My master won't trouble him right now, but once his life tribulation fails, my master will strike, dividing his foundation based on this karma."

"A junior brother like Xuanhe is worth at least a portion of his providence."

"That is also why he spared your life as a favor to me. You possess a true spiritual root. If he had killed you as well, his required compensation would have been vastly greater."

"In that case, he likely wouldn't even have the chance to reincarnate."

"And if he succeeds?" Wang Ping couldn't help but ask.

"If he succeeds, then everyone rejoices." Daoist Nun You's face revealed a look of yearning. "The sect will have produced another Qi Refining practitioner. Everyone will congratulate him."

"As for cultivators like Junior Brother Xuanhe, who died during his life tribulation, their deaths will be considered a consummate merit. They will have died for a worthy cause, fulfilling their ultimate value as human livestock."

"Of course, the karma must still be repaid."

"When that time comes, the karmic repayment from a Qi Refining practitioner will be worth far more than a dead cultivator at the Tribulation Transcending Third Layer. My master will be more than happy to see him succeed."

Wang Ping remained silent.

Hearing this, Wang Ping finally understood the unspoken implications of Daoist Nun You's words.

He realized what the independent cultivators, the inner sect, and the outer sect truly meant—and what their actual status was—to the Qi Refining practitioners, the Immortal Gate, and the true transmission disciples.

The answer was devastatingly simple: property.

‘To the Qi Refining practitioners, the independent cultivators, the inner sect, the outer sect... anyone without a true spiritual root and lacking the hope of Qi Refining Entering the Dao is fundamentally just their human wealth!’

‘Only the true transmission disciples are an exception. Because they possess a true spiritual root and the future hope of Qi Refining Entering the Dao, they receive special privileges. This special privilege is the investment from the Qi Refining practitioners, and what they use to invest is the very lives and fortunes of that human wealth!’

It was utterly absurd!

For a moment, Wang Ping's mind was in turmoil. Not only had Daoist Xuanhe's sudden death completely derailed his plans, but he had also finally seen the true nature of the Immortal Gate.

However, he quickly regained his composure.

‘It's not entirely certain yet.’

‘Daoist Xuanhe... he started out as Human Firewood too, clawing his way up from the very bottom. Could he really have failed to anticipate that Kunyun might try to silence him one day?’

No, he definitely saw it coming.

Recalling his previous conversation with Daoist Xuanhe, Wang Ping quickly reached a conclusion. ‘Resurrection isn't some rare method in either Great Shun or the Immortal Gate.’

‘He might not be completely dead.’

Of course, even if he wasn't permanently dead, the public identity of Daoist Xuanhe was still gone. As a result, the plan to hunt down Kunyun would only become more difficult.

That being said, one couldn't expect the enemy to follow the script every time a plan was drawn up. That wasn't planning; that was just wishful thinking. It was overestimating oneself and underestimating the enemy... plans rarely survived contact with reality, a truth Wang Ping understood better than anyone.

The key was adapting to the circumstances.

‘First, I need to secure what's already within my grasp. I must take down Daoist Nun You!’

‘I'll refine this venomous woman into a protector wisdom consort. That way, I'll have at least one informant planted inside the Immortal Gate, and I'll indirectly gain the status of a true transmission disciple.’

With that thought in mind, Wang Ping immediately raised his head.

As he looked up, a mask of deep respect and gratitude had already slipped perfectly over his features. He bowed deeply, his tone brimming with sincerity. "Thank you for saving my life today, Senior Sister."

Daoist Nun You nodded in satisfaction.

Why had she spoken so much? Why explain everything? It was entirely to make Wang Ping realize that she had saved him, forcing him to acknowledge this life-saving debt.

Only then could she leverage that gratitude to compel him into dual cultivation.

While they spoke, the trails of light carrying them had already reached the depths of the mountain forest. Yet, with just that step, a dark light surged from the ground.

In an instant, the world darkened, and the light of the sun and moon vanished. The chirping of birds and the rustling of beasts in the forest faded away, replaced by an absolute, abyssal silence.

Wang Ping looked around but couldn't see a single thing. His vision was consumed by pitch-black darkness, save for a mysterious silhouette lurking in its deepest recesses.

The sound of breathing. The scraping of scales.

Everything told him that a colossal beast lay dormant within the gloom, and that he was standing right in front of its gaping maw. Yet, he couldn't pinpoint its exact location.

The Corpse Immortal Liberation Cave-Heaven!

Though Wang Ping's face displayed terror, his mind remained perfectly calm:

‘This is the Grotto-Heaven forged by Xuanyin, the inner sect disciple pursuing Daoist Nun You that Xuanhe mentioned. He was the previous Furnace-Tending Disciple of the Eight Trigrams Furnace.’

Tap, tap, tap...

Soon, accompanied by footsteps, a figure gradually emerged from the shadows. It was not a giant beast, but rather a handsome man holding a feather fan and wearing a silk head wrap.

"Senior Sister You, I wondered why you ventured out so suddenly. I certainly didn't expect you to bring a man back with you. Could it be you've finally decided to engage in dual cultivation?"

"If that is the case, surely I, your junior brother, would be a much more suitable partner? My cultivation is profound, and my divine powers are vast."

Saying this, the handsome man cast a sidelong glance at Wang Ping. Pale green light flowed through his pupils as he scrutinized him. "Can a mere Tribulation Transcending First Layer cultivator truly satisfy you?"

"Xuanyin, step aside."

Daoist Nun You's expression turned frigid at his words, and she spoke in a low tone. "Or do you want me to invite my master over? The old man hasn't been in the best of moods lately..."

"You must be joking, Senior Sister."

Xuanyin immediately took a step back. The darkness receded, returning the world to its original state. Daoist Nun You's Cave Abode sat nestled at the very heart of the mountain forest.

Although he had cleared the path, Wang Ping could clearly sense that the inner sect disciple's gaze hadn't softened in the slightest. If anything, it had grown even sharper, as if trying to carve right through his body to figure out how a lowly Tribulation Transcending First Layer cultivator had managed to catch Daoist Nun You's eye.

However, in the very next second.

Daoist Nun You waved her hand. A spell immediately shrouded Wang Ping's body, severing Xuanyin's line of sight and preventing him from looking any further.

‘I cannot let him see through this.’

‘This man possesses a true spiritual root but isn't a true transmission disciple. If Xuanyin discovers this, he will probably turn hostile and forcefully snatch him away.’

‘If Xuanyin transplants the true spiritual root, he'll have the potential to be promoted to True Transmission. When he comes looking for me then, I truly won't be able to refuse him... I might even be used by him, reduced to a convenient tool to purify his magical power. My path to immortality would plunge straight into ruin.’

"Why block my view, Senior Sister?"

Seeing this, Xuanyin narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke softly. "I'm only looking out for your safety. What if this man harbors malicious intentions toward you?"

"Mind your own business."

Daoist Nun You sneered. "Since when did it become an inner sect disciple's place to dictate my actions? Xuanyin, do not forget, I am the True Transmission!"

For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense.

Ultimately, it was Xuanyin who took the initiative to step back, yielding the path. He smiled and said, "You are absolutely right, Senior Sister. Since you are in such an elegant mood, I will naturally help you see it fulfilled."

"Please."

Seeing this, Daoist Nun You protected Wang Ping as she led him to the entrance of her Cave Abode. They stepped inside, and with a heavy thud, the Cave Abode doors slammed shut.

Only Xuanyin remained outside, his expression shifting.

...........

Inside the Cave Abode.

Without a word, Daoist Nun You activated all the formations inside and outside the Cave Abode, both to prevent outsiders from coming in and to keep the person inside from escaping.

Watching her, Wang Ping sighed inwardly.

‘A familiar Daoist temple...’

The layout of the Cave Abode before him was almost identical to Daoist Nun You's Youren Temple back in Great Shun, instantly stirring up Wang Ping's memories.

Once upon a time, inside a Daoist temple just like this one, he had been subjected to endless humiliation by Daoist Nun You as a strongman, treated as human material and refined into a magical artifact. Looking back, it was only a few months ago, but times had changed. This time, he was the hunter.

Daoist Nun You was now the prey on the hook.

With that thought in mind, Wang Ping turned to look at Daoist Nun You, breaking into a grin—if our roles were reversed, I'd show you what cruelty is!

In the next second, without any hesitation, Wang Ping drew his blade!

His timing was extremely precise, seizing the exact instant after Daoist Nun You locked down the Cave Abode. Wang Ping's blade light howled as it struck.

Even then, Daoist Nun You's mind still hadn't caught up.

‘I wonder how sturdy Dousheng's physique is. I possess the Bliss Immortal Physique, after all. I'll need to be careful during dual cultivation so I don't suck him dry all at once...’

Boom!

By the time the sound reached Daoist Nun You's ears, her vision was completely filled by a surging, howling, endless river of blade light.

Following closely behind was a lethal sense of danger and chill!

"You?!"