Chapter 27: The Jiuli Existed Long Before Zhou Wuqing, For a Thousand Years Already

The great hall, previously abuzz with heated discussion, fell into sudden silence. When the words "Immeasurable True Fire" were spoken, the faces of those on both sides had already begun to shift, and as the name "Zhou Wuqing" escaped his lips, everyone was rendered instantly speechless.

"That is impossible!" someone blurted out. "It has been fifteen hundred years since the turmoil at Peach Blossom Spring. If it were truly him, how long would he have had to live to reach this day?"

"Perhaps it is the art of soul reincarnation or the technique of corpse-shedding... those are life-extending methods used only by evil cultivators. Could that senior have turned to the path of darkness?"

"What path of darkness? How dare you speak so recklessly of our predecessors!"

The brief silence was followed by a chorus of questioning, with emotions running even higher than before. It was not until Yan Guoyun, standing at the center, gestured once more that everyone’s gaze returned to him.

When "Peach Blossom Spring" was mentioned earlier, the old man had shown a faint trace of surprise, yet it vanished so quickly it was almost imperceptible. But upon hearing the name "Zhou Wuqing," his composure shattered in an instant.

A sect leader remains a sect leader, however; within a few breaths, he had steadied his mind, lowering his eyes in contemplation as if struck by a sudden realization.

"Zhou Wuqing... For a thousand years since the Shakya Turmoil, we have never caught a glimpse of him."

He spoke in a low voice, his words carrying an unquestionable majesty. "Now that we have finally received news of him, regardless of the circumstances, we must go and see for ourselves."

The hall fell into silence again, and this time, Jiang Ruifeng was among them.

The Shakya Turmoil was a massive catastrophe that had swept through the entire Central Plains cultivation world over twelve hundred years ago. In that calamity, the number of cultivators in the Central Plains was reduced by nearly half. The Immortal Alliance, led by the Jiuli Sect, was shattered and dissolved, and the sect itself suffered grievous wounds. From then on, Jiuli closed its mountain gates, spending over five hundred years in seclusion to recover its strength.

In the accounts of later generations, that catastrophe birthed countless legends, and Zhou Wuqing was a frequent subject in all of them. In the sect’s archives, records concerning Zhou Wuqing had appeared intermittently since the time one first entered the sect. However, when the Shakya Turmoil erupted, most of the Jiuli sect history was lost, leaving only rough descriptions and few details; it was not until a century later that the records returned to normal. People only knew that he had left Jiuli shortly after the Shakya Turmoil and had never returned.

Some said he had perished in the catastrophe; others claimed he fled the Central Plains to live out his days in solitude; still others insisted he had broken through the Heavenly Barrier to stave off the collapse of the world... but all these legends pointed to the same truth.

There has been no Zhou Wuqing in Jiuli for a thousand years.

Yan Guoyun, seated above, closed his eyes slightly, opening them again after a long moment.

"If Zhou Wuqing is indeed still among the living... according to our customs, it is only fitting that I, as the sect leader, go in person to welcome him back."

There was absolute silence. In ordinary times, a sect leader stepping down from his throne would be a major event shaking the entire sect, and usually, several elders or deacons would voice their opposition. Yet, faced with these words, not a single person present raised an objection, as if this were a truth acknowledged by all.

"...But, if he is still alive and chooses to remain hidden—so much so that not even our sect, nor the entire cultivation world, has heard a whisper of him—I suspect he must have his own considerations. Perhaps today’s situation is exactly what he intended."

Yan Guoyun lowered his gaze. "If that is the case, for us to go looking for him with such fanfare would be an act of defiance."

With these words, the crowd fell into deep thought. After a long while, an elder sitting nearby finally spoke.

"The Sect Leader’s words are wise. Moreover, everything concerning Zhou Wuqing is currently based on speculation. If we were to mobilize our forces to find him, only to discover the intelligence was flawed, it would become a great laughingstock."

"Indeed. Furthermore, with the two great threats of the Buddhist sects and Peach Blossom Spring looming, our every move could expose a vulnerability. We must act with caution."

"However, with this matter now before us, the mobilization regarding Peach Blossom Spring must also be adjusted..."

"......"

Another round of discussion ensued, though this time, the opinions were uncharacteristically unified. After a short while, once the voices in the hall had settled, Yan Guoyun placed his hands on the armrests and slowly stood up. In the past, whenever he made this gesture, it signified that the meeting was concluded and the group should disperse.

"Regarding the mobilization for Peach Blossom Spring, I have written a letter. The First and Second Elders shall revise it over the next few days and issue it to all sectors. Communicate with external parties promptly and ensure the elites in every region move immediately."

A command from the sect leader was the highest authority in any sect; the men below responded at once and moved to exit the hall to make preparations.

"As for Zhou Wuqing..."

He turned his gaze toward Jiang Ruifeng in the center. "You have been stationed in the Liang Province region for over a decade and have maintained close ties with various external factions. This time, you shall take the lead."

Even with his premonition, Jiang Ruifeng was stunned. "Me?"

As a high-ranking deacon, his status both inside and outside the sect was not low, but compared to the figures in this hall, he was insignificant—let alone being tasked with dealing with a legendary figure from a thousand years ago. It felt as absurd as asking a lowly scout to take down the Great Sage.

"Sect Leader, is this not a bit..."

"That person’s status is truly unique; it is not appropriate for us to act rashly. Using the name of the Environmental Protection Bureau to accompany them is the best approach, and that is precisely your area of expertise."

Yan Guoyun shook his head slightly. "Your primary mission is to verify that person’s identity and intentions. To do this, you will need one thing—Seventh Elder, open the Treasury."

An elder beside him nodded in response, turned his wrist, and a golden token appeared in his palm. As spiritual energy was poured into it, the token erupted with brilliant light, as if tearing through the void. Colors like shimmering reflections in a mirror rippled out, instantly enveloping the two men.

Within a few breaths, the surroundings changed completely. The magnificent sect hall vanished, replaced by giant cabinets filling the entire field of vision. These cabinets covered the walls, divided into thousands of compartments by special array patterns, each containing a spiritual treasure of varying styles. Judging by the lingering spiritual glow, every single one was a top-tier artifact.

Yan Guoyun walked slowly toward the center of this massive treasury. Facing him was a complex array, two yards wide, with a spiritual sword thrust into its center. The blade seemed to have faint, flowing fire patterns, and the radiance it emitted formed a subtle domain that shrouded the entire treasury.

This sight made Jiang Ruifeng’s pupils contract. Having been in the sect for four hundred years, he had seen this sword more than once, and the impression it left could be summarized in four words: The Sect’s Guardian Treasure.

As a millennium-old sect, the treasures stored within Jiuli were countless. Even if one only counted the most exquisite, there were more than two hands could hold. This spiritual sword had stood out to earn the title of "Guardian Treasure" for one reason alone.

"A thousand years ago, I stood right here and watched him place this sword here with my own eyes."

Yan Guoyun spoke suddenly, startling Jiang Ruifeng. In the present Jiuli Sect, Yan Guoyun was the only cultivator in the Transformation God stage and the only person who had lived for over a thousand years. Previously, Jiang Ruifeng had only vaguely heard that the Sect Leader had entered the sect during the later stages of the Shakya Turmoil, but he had never thought much of it. Now, hearing these words, he realized something.

A thousand years had passed; that original generation had long since passed away. Looking at the Jiuli of today, perhaps only the old man before him had truly seen Zhou Wuqing.

"When he left the sect, it was at a time when the Immortal Alliance had split and Jiuli was turning toward isolation amidst internal and external strife. Before he departed, he left this sword to stabilize the four directions and ensure our sect could survive its darkest hour."

Facing the sword, Yan Guoyun’s face took on a distant, wistful expression. In an instant, time seemed to fade from him; this powerful Sect Leader appeared, for a moment, like a child once more.

"When I witnessed him leave, I was still a naive youth... Haha, even I never imagined that this sword, having passed through a dozen sect leaders, would finally be drawn by me."

Yan Guoyun raised his hand slightly. The spiritual light of the array flared, the connecting seal patterns faded, and the spiritual sword trembled as it was pulled free. It departed its home of a thousand years and floated gracefully into the old man’s hands.

"His spirit remains within this blade, undiminished for a thousand years. If it is truly him, he will surely resonate with it."

He gently stroked the blade before turning, handing it solemnly to Jiang Ruifeng. "Take this sword to see him. Tell him it is our sect returning an old possession and invite him to accept it. As for all other matters, leave them for him to decide."

Jiang Ruifeng gazed at the sword in his hands. The blade appeared plain, yet upon closer inspection, one could see flames rolling within the edge, emitting a faint, scorching heat that did not diminish even in the cold of the treasury.

A sense of great gravity welled up in his heart. He tucked it safely away and bowed. "I shall strictly obey the Sect Leader’s command."

Yan Guoyun nodded slightly and turned to leave, but instead of heading toward the exit, he walked back to the array and reached out to touch the cracks left behind by the sword.

"Remember, everything I have said is predicated on that senior’s attitude. If he is willing, then tell him..."

"Jiuli awaits the return of our senior at any time."