Chapter 626: Kunlun Gift, Forgetting Gratitude (Part 1)

Glancing at Zhao Mo, who remained firmly protected by the Profound Yellow Pagoda, Wang Yu observed that even under the control of the Emotion-Devouring Beast, the natal magical artifact's instinct to protect its master persisted.

The spirit within it was not so easily fooled.

Therefore,

Even though he could see Zhao Mo frantically crashing against the pagoda walls through the Profound Yellow Pagoda, Wang Yu felt helpless, as this situation was beyond his control.

Instead, it was Zhao Mo's instinct resisting the feeling of being out of control. Physical pain often stimulates the spirit, making one's consciousness clearer.

Unfortunately, Zhao Mo's physical body was too strong.

Even though his instincts urged self-preservation, he couldn't feel any impact, which was why he continued to repeatedly crash against the walls.

Next, Wang Yu employed a minor technique.

After restoring the space in the area to normal, he turned to Li Chunyi and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, may I have a word with you privately?"

"Very well!"

However, before the two had even landed, Mo Lian's companions shouted from afar, "Wei Wuxian, Sister Mo was merely observing the battle; she didn't offend you, did she? The Mo family's ancestor ascended long ago, and the Azure Cloud Dharma Vein supports them. Don't make a mistake."

"Oh?"

Wang Yu flicked his sleeve and sneered, "Why don't you go report it? See if the Azure Cloud Dharma Vein will reward you with some scraps as thanks~"

"You..."

"Damn it, a demonic cultivator will always be a demonic cultivator—a leopard cannot change its spots! In broad daylight, under the clear sky, to lay hands on Sister Mo—he must have been smitten by her beauty."

The latter part of the sentence was something the few female cultivators in the early Nascent Soul stage naturally dared not utter openly. All they could do was glare angrily.

They were utterly incompetent.

Seeing this, Li Chunyi interjected, "Brother Wei, though we are close friends, we cannot behave like this in the Minor Extreme Palace. Apprehending Zhao Mo was excusable given his unusual state, but Mo Lian..."

"You'll understand soon enough. Consider this Wei's gift in return to your Emotion Severing Dharma Vein. The Fei's corpse was excellent. If you wish to thank me, another True Spirit corpse would suffice."

Li Chunyi was speechless.

Since he couldn't reason with Wang Yu in public, he decided to save face for now. After all, he was no match for Wang Yu, and when the time came for accountability, there would be plenty of reasons.

Instead of wasting time on such trivial matters, it would be better to return and further contemplate the Profound Realm Limitless Secret Art. The subtleties of this method were unlike anything he had ever seen; if he hadn't met Wang Yu, he might never have learned it.

And so,

A moment later, inside the Minor Extreme Palace's ice hall.

After Wang Yu recounted the entire incident and presented the runes formed from Mo Lian's memories—concrete evidence revealing the Soul Demon race's insidious plot—

Li Chunyi abruptly stood upright.

This "Emotion Severing Patriarch" of his was increasingly losing his former composure.

"Brother Wei, do you mean Zhao Mo realized something was wrong early on and used himself as bait, intending to uncover information about this entire demonic spy ring? But he was careless. Fortunately, you were one step ahead, not only apprehending Zhao Mo and saving his life..."

"...but also captured Mo Lian, the culprit who influenced Zhao Mo, and obtained these memories using special soul-searching techniques, all without her triggering the demonic race's confidentiality restriction?"

Li Chunyi's summary was spot on; this was indeed the truth.

"So, is this a gift for the Emotion Severing Dharma Vein?"

"A magnificent gift, Brother Wei!"

Li Chunyi's eyes gleamed; he wished he could immediately swear an oath of brotherhood with Wang Yu. Ever since meeting Wang Yu, despite the initial loss of his Dao companion, he had experienced nothing but good fortune.

If it were possible, he would rather lose three more Dao companions to triple this good fortune.

"Can we quickly report this to the Upper Realm and apprehend all suspicious individuals before they discover Mo Lian was captured alive and cut their losses?"

"Indeed, indeed. And these memory runes..."

"Don't worry, I've kept the original. This spiritual jade slip contains a copy of Mo Lian's memories; you just need to find a way to send it up."

"That makes things easy."

Li Chunyi immediately set up an altar and began a ritual. For cultivators with a Dharma Vein, it's common practice to also cultivate the art of prayer talismans!

Normal talismans record the power of a spell.

They can be activated with a slight activation of spiritual power.

Those with a distinguished background can write down the revered name of their Dharma Vein Patriarch.

A talisman inscribed with "Please descend" is a typical summoning talisman. In layman's terms, it's like calling for help, achieving a signal with no delay even within several nearby immortal realms.

This is related to a certain inherent Dao sense of high-level cultivators. It's said that upon reaching the Dao Integration stage, even without practicing divination, a cultivator will possess the innate ability to calculate and perceive cause and effect.

Upon seeing an unfamiliar heavenly material or earthly treasure, they can calculate with a flick of their fingers

and instantly discern its name, effects, and growth process. The same applies to cultivators, though they can usually only perceive the past of lower-ranked cultivators.

This is also why Wang Yu held True Immortal Xuande in profound reverence. While the ability to calculate heavenly secrets that comes with realm breakthroughs is a minor art, True Immortal Xuande is an existence who ascended to immortality by relying on the Great Dao of Karma.

It is highly possible that such beings are omniscient regarding a person's past, present, and future. If his 'placement slot' wasn't a non-physical cheat, Wang Yu might not have known whether he lived or died.

But back to the main point.

As long as a cultivator reaches the Dao Integration stage, they can sense calls from the ethereal realm. Since Dharma Vein disciples are few, they are saved if possible, and it doesn't cause too much trouble.

Thus, a new art of talismans was created: the Path of Prayer Talismans!

The Patriarch can possess one's body, infuse spiritual energy, or even cast divine abilities across immeasurable distances, making it one of the common life-saving methods for Daoists and Saintesses of various Dharma Veins.

Unless one's life is in danger or there is an extremely urgent matter,

this special "communication channel" must not be used lightly. Carelessly disturbing the Patriarch's cultivation could result in a severe beating and stern warning; in serious cases, it could mean expulsion from the sect, never to be seen again.

Since it involved a demonic conspiracy, Li Chunyi immediately set up an altar and reported directly to his sect's Patriarch. As the talisman wrapped around the spiritual jade slip burned to ashes, the jade slip transformed into a wisp of green smoke and ascended directly into the azure heavens.

Li Chunyi wiped the sweat from his temples and, relaxing, said,

"It's done. Now we just wait for people from Kunlun and Emotion Severing to descend. Brother Wei has performed a great service this time and will receive many benefits."

"Oh?"

Wang Yu wore a thoughtful expression but didn't move. Instead, he waited with Li Chunyi for the subsequent reactions, while his private communication jade slip received numerous messages.

All were requests to purchase a "ticket," with varied offers, mostly top treasures from the worlds where these Nascent Soul cultivators were born. Their native worlds were truly unlucky to have them.

The loss of world origin not only refers to the spiritual energy refined by cultivators over years of practice but also these personal treasures, which the world expends resources to produce.

Over time,

the Great Thousand Worlds will, in a "boiling frog" manner, devour the origins of Mid- and Small-Thousand Worlds. The nine peak Upper Realms are essentially super-worlds cultivated by this method.

These matters had little to do with Wang Yu; he was simply dazzled by the sheer number of good treasures available for selection.

This was even before Mo Lian's matter had been formally addressed.

Most cultivators were concerned about his character, knowing that once the verdict was clear, this list of treasures would expand several times over. Therefore, he merely looked at them without replying to a single message.

Meanwhile,

In the True Spirit Realm, at the Emotion Severing Dharma Vein's mountain gate.

Perhaps extremely cold environments suppress emotional fluctuations more easily, for the Emotion Severing headquarters was established at the peak of a snowy mountain named "Heartless Heaven."

Its naming clearly referenced the Daoist temples of the Human Race's Nine Immortals.

This was to gain a good omen, hoping that the Emotion Severing lineage could also produce true Immortal Realm cultivators.

Heartless Heaven was located in the extreme northern part of the True Spirit Realm.

After receiving Li Chunyi's message, a peak Dao Integration cultivator emerged from seclusion almost immediately, rushing along and disregarding Dharma Vein rules to hastily report the situation to the Patriarch.

Then,

In less than three breaths,

the peerless expert who had transcended the Three Calamities and Five Declines, known to the world as the Grand Emotion Severing Loose Immortal, and ranked among the top ten in the Human Race's Tribulation Transcending stage, forcefully emerged from seclusion.

He swiftly plunged into the southern part of the True Spirit Realm with lightning speed.

Using supreme divine abilities, he instantly captured everyone from the Azure Cloud Dharma Vein alive. While reporting to True Immortal Xuande, he began purging demonic spies from top to bottom.

All those associated with the Azure Cloud Dharma Vein were implicated; some were imprisoned, others put on trial, with incredible speed.

This was the prevailing atmosphere in the True Spirit Realm!

Everything prioritized the human race. As long as harm from the demonic race was involved, matters could be brought directly before a True Immortal for the highest level of handling.

Present irrefutable evidence, and it's a green light all the way.

No matter how strong your connections, if you're involved, you will die!

Of course,

if a demonic spy were discovered in the Demonic Cultivation Realm, they might not even act against you. Instead, they would view it as a trial for the younger generation, deliberately instructing demonic cultivators to clash until they were bruised and battered.

The Nine Realms represent the nine paths to immortality for the human race.

Although the general atmosphere and rules are under the jurisdiction of the Vast Immortal Palace, each realm also possesses great autonomy. If the human race were viewed as a dynasty,

the True Spirit Realm would be the Emperor, and the other eight realms would be the eight feudal kings. True Immortal Xuande would not interfere in how they managed things, but when the eight realms were needed to contribute, they would always have to be at the forefront of battles for the human race.

This was the situation in the Vast Immortal Domain.

As time passed,

A month later, instead of people from the Emotion Severing Dharma Vein, those from the Kunlun Dharma Vein arrived first. This was reasonable, as they were here to make amends for their oversight and to save Zhao Mo.

They had received orders from the Profound Yellow Battle Immortal Department.

Only one team of eight arrived. The leader was in the early Dao Integration stage, while the rest were at the Void Refinement stage. Seven of them went directly to the Mo Clan's territory.

The Dao Integration mighty figure, however, came to the Minor Extreme Palace.

Since he did not conceal his aura, Wang Yu and the others immediately sensed his arrival and proactively went out to greet him.

The moment they first met, Wang Yu noticed that the scholarly "old immortal" had a somewhat displeased expression. He stood before the Profound Yellow Pagoda, watching Zhao Mo repeatedly crash against its walls.

The louder the thudding sound, the more he felt his reputation was being tarnished.

The Emotion Severing Dharma Vein had only one Tribulation Transcending Loose Immortal, a top-tier expert in that stage. However, their Kunlun had twelve Loose Immortals, yet they were outshone by a mere disciple.

He had already been severely reprimanded in the True Spirit Realm, and now that he had descended,

how could he have a pleasant expression?

Consequently, he also felt somewhat displeased with Zhao Mo. Kunlun disciples had always been geniuses among geniuses for generations; though few in number, their minimum cultivation was Dao Integration.

Zhao Mo was the most recently accepted disciple and hadn't yet fully matured. His senior brother, ranked just one position above him, was a prodigy accepted a thousand years ago, which demonstrated the effectiveness of Kunlun's elite cultivation system.

Wang Yu and Li Chunyi exchanged glances and performed the junior's salute.

Simultaneously, they said,

"This junior, Wei Wuxian."

"This junior, Li Chunyi."

"Greetings, Senior." (Both)

"I am Qingxi Jushi. You don't need to be so polite. This matter was largely thanks to you two."

Qingxi Jushi waved his hand; his demeanor was quite amicable.

However, the feeling of suppressed anger was not very well concealed, though it was certainly not directed at them. After all, he was a mighty figure of the Kunlun Dharma Vein; despite his anger, he understood the principle of justice having a clear target.

He wouldn't vent his anger on these two junior cultivators who had performed meritoriously.

Qingxi Jushi was well aware of Li Chunyi's background, so he specifically observed Wang Yu a few more times, quickly letting out a soft exclamation of surprise.

"You've cultivated a secret art that conceals heavenly secrets?"

"That's right, Senior Qingxi has a sharp eye."

"Interesting,"

he said, but showed no intention of probing further, and suddenly changed the topic.

"That wretched disciple Zhao Mo is truly disappointing. He cultivated the 'Pure Heart Divine Incantation' but couldn't even withstand the Soul Demon race's innate divine ability, 'Demonic Seduction.' It seems he still lacks tempering."

Wang Yu's eyelids drooped. He knew that Qingxi Jushi had seen through the issue, but the other party didn't seem to intend to expose it.

Li Chunyi could only offer awkward smiles, with no intention of joining the conversation. Qingxi Jushi immediately felt bored. Estimating the time, the Mo family and several allied Nascent Soul families should have been mostly apprehended.

So he waved his sleeve, taking Zhao Mo and the Profound Yellow Pagoda with him. Only then did he speak to the two of them.

"This good-for-nothing disciple had too high an opinion of himself, nearly harming both himself and others. If not for your quick thinking, I fear an even greater disaster would have ensued."

"This item is a branch of the Kunlun Divine Tree, Jianmu, known as the pillar that supports the sky. Though not as powerful as the main body, it is still a top-tier treasure for Void Refinement cultivators to establish their own blessed lands."

"It is most suitable for your use in the near future, and one day, this branch might even surpass the main body. Consider it a token of gratitude from the Kunlun Dharma Vein to you two young friends."

How magnanimous!

Kunlun had twelve Loose Immortals, and such a foundational treasure was casually given away. Wang Yu's breathing became heavier, and Li Chunyi was no better.

In this matter, Wang Yu was the main contributor.

He only assisted and relayed information; logically, he shouldn't have received a thank-you gift of the same quality as Wang Yu. His main reward should have come from the internal rewards of the Emotion Severing Dharma Vein.

Qingxi Jushi did this, in fact, to give Wang Yu a hint.

His little scheme had been seen through.

Li Chunyi was currently dazzled by the treasure and hadn't yet grasped the true meaning.

Theoretically, unless one received an imperial decree from the Eight Divisions or performed duties within their jurisdiction, cultivators from the Nine Realms were not allowed to descend to the lower realms, as clearly stated in the Immortal Rules.

Therefore, after saying just a few casual words, Qingxi Jushi proactively departed.

A moment later,

Li Chunyi suddenly realized with a shock, but it was already too late to say anything more. He immediately revealed a bitter smile.

However,

after glancing at Wang Yu, he quickly declared,

"This Jianmu branch, I, Li, am truly unworthy of receiving, but it is indeed greatly beneficial for creating a Void Refinement blessed land in the future. I will certainly repay you generously later, so as not to betray the trust between us close friends."

Wang Yu immediately nodded with satisfaction.

"Brother Li, what are you saying? Am I, Wei Wuxian, that kind of person?"

After a series of polite declines and acceptances, Wang Yu finally nodded in agreement.

"Since that's the case," Wang Yu continued, "please have the Minor Extreme Palace announce Mo Lian's matter to the world and clear Wei's name. That way... I won't be universally condemned at the next treasure exchange."

"Of course, of course!" Li Chunyi exclaimed. "Brother Wei has performed such an unparalleled feat; how could I, Chunyi, allow a hero to be wronged?!?"

Seeing the other party's increasingly exaggerated demeanor, Wang Yu quickly bid farewell and left. He could roughly guess that the Emotion Severing Dharma Vein would receive the greatest benefits.

However, it wouldn't be handled in just a day or two.

With this free time spent waiting for rewards, it would be better to return and cultivate with Qingqing a few more times to increase his cultivation. According to Li Chunyi, the other party would transfer a portion of the rewards to him to compensate for the value of the Jianmu branch.

"Excellent, excellent~"