Sect Leader Is Under Great Pressure CH 096 A Century Of Splendor, Not Altered By Dreams
In the quiet room, a slightly red long incense was lit, its lingering light smoke filling the room with a subtle fragrance.
Qiu Yuansheng sat at the desk, writing a letter. His demeanor was relaxed and natural, showing no sign of being a prisoner.
For him, there was nothing to worry about; it was all expected. He knew that the matter couldn’t be hidden for long and had never hoped that he would avoid exposure.
From the moment he was taken in by the High Priest, he knew he would follow him for life. A hundred years ago, when the High Priest sent him to Kun-Lai, he had said, “Twelve years from now, when you come of age, you can choose whether to serve me. Observe with your eyes and judge with your heart. If Kun-Lai is worthy, stay with Kun-Lai; if I am worthy, take up my legacy. Make your choice, for there is no turning back.”
That was a chance to become a true member of Kun-Lai, but twelve years later, he had answered the High Priest’s choice with the lives of hundreds.
Did he think Kun-Lai wasn’t worth it?
No, Kun-Lai was certainly worth it; Kun-Lai could be called his paradise. Over the past century, when he wasn’t helping the High Priest, he had been wholeheartedly working for Kun-Lai, never slackening, and his contributions to Pill Peak were significant, earning the trust and respect of many.
However, while Kun-Lai was good, it was a bit mundane; I am more interested in seeing what upheavals I can cause with you.
Choosing Kun-Lai or you? What choice was there?
Whether it was Bai Liu or the Pill Peak elders, they all treated him as their own, but so what?
He would be pleased to see Kun-Lai grow stronger and be delighted by his own achievements, but those feelings didn’t penetrate his heart.
So, despite feeling it was a pity, he still brought up the ancient spiritual beast blood that could enhance cultivation to Bai Liu to deal with the last knowledgeable person from that time.
The High Priest had long said that no strategy is easier to achieve than understanding human nature; as long as the key positions are given just a slight nudge, it was enough.
The feeling of manipulating the world in his hands was so enjoyable and wonderful; the only thing that could compare was being online.
Unfortunately, this time he hadn’t expected that the Sect Leader would come along. If not for the Sect Leader’s intervention, his plan could be played with for a long time.
What a pity.
After finishing the last word, Qiu Yuansheng sealed the letter, put away the pen and ink, and sat facing the wall.
After a while, he heard Yang Fuyin’s footsteps. Had he found a clue?
Then he heard a book being tossed beside him.
“This is the item you gave to the Dragon-Snake Sea Clan. Do you need to confirm it?” Yang Fuyin’s cold voice came from behind.
“No need.” Qiu Yuansheng turned around, picked up the booklet, and looked at the information on Qingdi Peak’s high-level cultivators and the defensive arrangements. He seemed somewhat nostalgic. “I drew this. I used the High Priest’s hand to give it to those impatient for death Sea Dragon-Snakes. As long as it piques their interest, a conflict with Qingdi Peak was inevitable. I just didn’t expect Hai Gongzi to handle it so well.”
“During the expedition to the Fire Domain, you had just ascended the mountain and were new to Qingdi Peak. How could you know such details?” Yang Fuyin recalled the details seen in the other’s memories. “Who helped you?”
“The knowledge of the Great Xuan Dynasty over ten thousand years contains some very practical techniques,” Qiu Yuansheng tilted his head and said generously, “I admit it was me who did it. You can do whatever you want.”
“Qingnu thinks the same way.” Yan Zhao, who walked out from the side, looked at him coldly. “Do you have any remorse?”
“Regret is only for not being able to go online. As for the dead…” Qiu Yuansheng looked up, his gaze pure and undiluted, and said leisurely, “After all, everyone will die. Early or late, what difference does it make? In a few decades, won’t they just be reincarnated?”
“Did the High Priest also teach you this?” a voice suddenly asked.
Both Yang Fuyin and Yan Zhao, as well as Qiu Yuansheng, who was sitting casually, tidied their clothes and paid their respects.
“Greetings, Sect Leader!”
The figure that emerged from the void was silent, merely observing Qiu Yuansheng as if looking through him to another person.
Qiu Yuansheng felt a twinge of guilt, lowered his head, and said earnestly, “Yes, the High Priest said that life is just a grand dream. Only the Abyss of Nine Hells, the place of reincarnation, is where dreams end. After waking, it’s just another dream. In dreams, taking things seriously is fine, but once the dream is over, it passes with the wind.”
To him, this meant: I am alive, and others merely existed.
“He overestimates himself,” Ji Yunlai said coldly. “Kun-Lai is not a dream he can create.”
Qiu Yuansheng was momentarily at a loss for words, feeling as if he might choke on a stifled breath.
It seemed that the Sect Leader had some valid points. Whether it was a dream or reality, it was his own matter, but such things couldn’t be scrutinized too closely. If examined closely, it would make his side appear wrong.
But why did it feel like the Sect Leader understood the High Priest’s meaning so well?
“Sect Leader, how do you want to deal with him?” Bai Shuixian, who also came in from outside, inquired. After all, Qiu Yuansheng was one of the Seven Talents of Kun-Lai, with great prestige in both Pill Peak and Kun-Lai. Directly killing him might be inappropriate and might lead to people reminiscing about him later.
Ji Yunlai glanced at him, reached out a hand then tapped his forehead, leaving a red mark.
He then turned and left, disappearing into the void.
Only a faint voice lingered from the void: “Take him back to the sect for a public trial.”
Yan Zhao nodded, acknowledging this. Since Qiu Yuansheng held great prestige in Kun-Lai, he couldn’t be allowed to deceive others further. As for whether anyone would come to rescue him… didn’t the Sect Leader leave a restriction on him? As long as he dared, the Sect Leader’s Calamity Sword seal would ensure he would never even think of reincarnation.
As for now…
Yan Zhao sighed, seeing that Qiu Yuansheng still showed no sign of fear, and made up his mind.
“Xiao Qiu, if you had even a bit of remorse, I could have given you a quick end, considering your past contributions to Kun-Lai.” His expression was heavy and regretful. “But it would be too unjust to the disciples who died unjustly back then. Besides, you must have done more than just these things over the years, right?”
“If I cried and begged…” Qiu Yuansheng shook his head vigorously at the thought. That was too inconsistent with himself. “It seems Elder Yan would still look down on me. It’s better to maintain some dignity.”
“In that case,” Yan Zhao turned to the door, “Qingnu, he’s in your hands now.”
Qiu Yuansheng immediately froze and bit down on the poison pill in his mouth.
But the next second, Qingnu, with a satisfied look, quickly forced an unknown twig into his mouth and grabbed him, making a swift exit.
"Don’t leave any traces!" Yan Zhao instructed.
"Rest assured!" Qingnu's voice came with an uncontrollable glee in the wind.
***
Ji Yunlai lay back on Xiao Qing's chest.
Feng Qingxiu, who had been listening outside, brought him back to Zhuiyun Peak, sensing that his master was unhappy.
He didn’t ask any questions.
He simply stayed with his master at the peak, watching the starry river and the full moon in the sky. When his master was unhappy, he liked to go to the mountaintop to gaze at the sky. Sometimes, Feng Qingxiu even felt that they were not looking at the sky but at another world.
He recognized the stars in the sky, as it was a mandatory subject for outer sect disciples, and it was also the best way to find direction when flying with a sword.
"Xiao Qing," suddenly came his master's voice from beside him. He turned and saw his master sitting on the green stone beside him, with his white hair and dark robes, appearing even more dazzling than the bright moon in the sky. He was momentarily stunned.
His master said in a deep voice, "Actually, the Ways of the world are vast. The more you know, the easier it is to get lost in the path and give rise to heart demons."
Just like that person… the grand dreams that Qiu Yuansheng spoke of, he had heard this word-for-word from his uncle, Luo Qingxiao, without missing a word or changing any part.
He had said this when he left home to seek the Dao.
But he didn’t agree. At that time, he was still young and deeply yearned for cultivation, only smiling and replying, "If you don't witness the vastness of this world, wouldn’t it be a waste of this grand dream?"
"Perhaps you will regret going out," his uncle had sighed at the time.
"Perhaps!" He had simply nodded then, with provisions collected by his clan, and set off on the path of seeking the Dao.
The youth marched forward without looking back. How could he have known that there would be no return?
"Master!" A voice suddenly interrupted his moment of sadness. He turned his head to see Xiao Qing, somewhat hesitant and blushing, looking a bit shy.
Holding a piece of clothing, Xiao Qing gathered his courage and said, "Master, I made you a robe… Please, give me your guidance."
A spiritual robe is essential for cultivators. It has wards that can provide defense and clean dust, requiring no washing or ironing. Kun-Lai cultivators always have at least one in their wardrobe, and it was often considered as a gift to show one's intentions.
However, Ji Yunlai merely glanced at it and then looked at his apprentice with an ambiguous expression.
"Where did the small ward patterns on this robe come from?" Ji Yunlai asked, running his hand over the small trim on the robe.
"This is a ward pattern?" Feng Qingxiu was startled. The small, ornate trim seemed beautiful at first, but upon closer inspection, he realized something was off. His face turned red, and he almost jumped up.
Damn it, Yang Fuyin, we have a big grudge now. You dared to give me fabric with a dual cultivation ward!
"However, since it was given by Xiao Qing, Master will accept it." Seeing his apprentice’s face nearly burning up, Ji Yunlai’s mood instantly improved.
It was just a troublesome relative. With a sweet and obedient apprentice like Xiao Qing around, there was no need to let it ruin his mood.
Ji Yunlai thought this and smiled while gently patting his apprentice’s hair.