Mo Tiange hurriedly left Guifang City and departed from the Northern Lin Kingdom. Several days later, she entered the territory of the Jiuyan Sect.
The northern part of the Dongtang Kingdom, being close to the Northern Lin Kingdom, was a desolate land of barren mountains and treacherous waters, so remote that even villages were few and far between. It wasn't until she neared the Jiuyan Sect that people became more numerous. Upon entering the Jiuyan Sect's sphere of influence, towns and cities were everywhere, a scene of bustling prosperity.
Among the five major sects of the Dongtang Kingdom, both the Jiuyan Sect and the Danxia Sect were located in the north, though one was in the east and the other in the west. Due to the presence of these two sects, the surrounding areas were exceptionally prosperous, with cultivation cities densely scattered about, far more flourishing than the Tianji Region.
Along the way, Mo Tiange casually chose a cultivation city to rest in, only to discover that the turmoil within the Demonic Path had long since affected all parts of Yunzhong.
The emergence of a Sacred Object of the Demonic Path meant that once a powerful demonic cultivator obtained it, their strength would increase dramatically. Although the various practitioners of Yunzhong coexisted peacefully, they existed in a delicate balance. If a demonic cultivator's power were to surge, especially someone like one of the Three Great Demon Lords, then the situation in Yunzhong would inevitably change accordingly.
Therefore, the appearance of the Demonic Path's Sacred Object not only caused an uproar within the demonic cultivation world but also drew in practitioners from other paths—Daoist, Confucian, and Buddhist alike. At this time, when she returned to the Dongtang Kingdom, the five major Daoist sects had hardly left behind any high-level cultivators; they had essentially all mobilized en masse.
The commotion this matter caused in the Dongtang Kingdom was far greater than in Guifang City. This was a Sacred Object of the Demonic Path. Demonic cultivators went to contend for it for their own benefit, while Daoist cultivators felt an added sense of crisis.
Daoist cultivators had grown accustomed to being the most numerous and powerful practitioners in Yunzhong. This time, however, demonic cultivators actually had the possibility of obtaining a Demon Lord's Sacred Object—how could this be allowed? One must know that in the past, although the Demon Lord was immensely powerful and there were outstanding figures like the Ten Great Demon Lords, the Daoist side also had geniuses like Senior Fuyaozi and other capable individuals; the Daoist strength was not the least bit weaker.
So many years had passed. Although Daoists and demons were no longer openly hostile, deep down, they were still unwilling to let demonic cultivators steal the spotlight and rise above the Daoists.
As for Buddhist and Confucian cultivators, they also belonged to the righteous path. The strengthening of demonic cultivators held no benefit for them either, so of course, they stood on the Daoist side.
Hearing all this, Mo Tiange couldn't help but sigh.
She truly hadn't expected that in the short few years of her seclusion, the situation in Yunzhong would undergo such a change. As a result, the matters she needed to attend to had become more complicated.
Several years ago, Ling Yunhe had agreed to help her obtain the complete version of the Art of the Plain Maiden. He had only said he would find a way to get it for her, without specifying how much time it would take or whether he would hand it over directly. Furthermore, regardless of whether Ling Yunhe had become the Jiuyan Sect's Sect Master or not, with almost the entire sect mobilized, he was likely swept up in this affair. It was unknown whether he was even at the Jiuyan Sect at this moment.
Mo Tiange pondered for a while, feeling that excessive speculation was pointless. It would be better to go directly to the Ling Family in Tianxue City and make plans once she arrived.
Having decided this, she traveled day and night without stopping and soon arrived at Tianxue City.
Familiar with the way, she went straight to the Ling Family. Coincidentally, the one who received her was again that cultivator Xiaoshun, who addressed Ling Yunhe as Second Uncle. However, ten years had passed, and the other party had successfully established his Foundation, becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Senior, it's you!" Seeing Mo Tiange being led in by the gatekeeper servant, Xiaoshun's mouth fell open in surprise.
Mo Tiange's gaze swept over him and immediately noticed that times had changed. Xiaoshun had advanced to Foundation Establishment; his attire, demeanor, and overall bearing were vastly different from that low-level cultivator of years past. She smiled and said, "It's been many years. So you've successfully established your Foundation. Congratulations."
Xiaoshun scratched his head sheepishly and quickly invited Mo Tiange to sit. "Senior, please have a seat. At present, the few Core Formation elders of the Ling Family are all busy. Please forgive our inadequate hospitality."
Mo Tiange waved her hand dismissively. "I understand. The Sacred Object of the Demonic Path has emerged, and now the whole of Yunzhong is affected." In truth, for a great family like the Ling Family, even if a Core Formation cultivator came calling, having a Foundation Establishment cultivator receive them before the reason was stated was sufficient and not considered impolite. Moreover, given the special circumstances, she estimated that the Ling Family's Nascent Soul Patriarch had most likely gone chasing after that Demonic Realm Sacred Object as well. The remaining Core Formation cultivators in the Ling Family were probably few in number and likely all busy, with no time to entertain her.
Seeing that Mo Tiange didn't mind, Xiaoshun breathed a sigh of relief and said apologetically, "Since Senior knows the reason, I won't explain further."
The servants of the Ling Family were well-trained. By this time, they had already swiftly served tea.
After Mo Tiange had taken a sip of tea, Xiaoshun spoke up. "Senior, have you come seeking Second Uncle?"
Mo Tiange set down her teacup and nodded. "That's right. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Ling is at the residence or within the Jiuyan Sect's mountain gate?"
Xiaoshun shook his head, his tone apologetic. "What a coincidence. Second Uncle left with the Patriarch several months ago. It's unknown when he will return."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange paused for a moment before sighing. "I guessed beforehand that Fellow Daoist Ling probably couldn't avoid the matter of the Demonic Path's Sacred Object. I just came to ask on the off chance."
"Senior need not be so disappointed," Xiaoshun said with a smile. "Although Second Uncle isn't here, he had already given me instructions regarding Senior's matter some time ago."
"Oh?" Mo Tiange felt a flicker of joy. So her trip wasn't entirely in vain. "I wonder what Fellow Daoist Ling said?"
Xiaoshun replied, "Second Uncle instructed that your reward has been prepared. However, this matter is significant and not convenient to hand over casually. He asks that you please wait until he returns to receive it personally from him."
Mo Tiange was taken aback. "Is that so..." What she wanted was the complete Art of the Plain Maiden, including the techniques above the Nascent Soul stage. Moreover, this item was a treasured collection of the Danxia Sect. Such caution was not excessive. However, with the emergence of the Demonic Path's Sacred Object this time, countless cultivators had been drawn in. One could imagine it would be a great upheaval. How could Ling Yunhe guarantee he would survive to fulfill the agreement? If Ling Yunhe were to perish during this venture, wouldn't she be unable to obtain it?
Hesitating for a moment, Mo Tiange asked, "Can you contact him now?"
Xiaoshun hesitated briefly before answering, "This junior cannot. However, Second Uncle also instructed that if Senior truly came during this period and wished to find him, this junior could tell Senior where to locate Second Uncle."
"Oh?" Mo Tiange was slightly surprised. Although she knew most Core Formation cultivators in Yunzhong were involved in this event, she had never considered inquiring about their whereabouts, as such matters were surely closely guarded secrets. But now, listening to Xiaoshun's meaning, it seemed he could tell her?
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and asked, "Isn't this matter a sect secret? Why can you tell me?"
Xiaoshun smiled and shook his head. "Senior, it is a secret, that's true. But an event involving almost all high-level cultivators in Yunzhong—how secret can it really be? Senior is also a Core Formation cultivator. If you truly wished to know, there would be ways to find out. Since that's the case, what difference does it make if I tell you?"
Put that way... it made sense. With so many participants, even the most secretive matter became less so.
Mo Tiange smiled and asked, "Then tell me, where should I go to find him?"
Xiaoshun smiled, looked at her, and uttered only three words: "The Guixu Sea."
Mo Tiange was startled, her brows furrowing slightly. "The Guixu Sea?"
"That's right." Xiaoshun took out a beast-skin map from his robes and spread it on the tea table. It was a simplified map of Yunzhong. The Yunzhong continent was only outlined, but the inland sea was depicted in extreme detail, with every small island and each stretch of sea clearly marked.
"Senior, if you wish to go find Second Uncle, go to this small island."
Mo Tiange looked at the small island Xiaoshun pointed to, located near the Guixu Sea, and asked, "Is he there?"
Xiaoshun shook his head. "Second Uncle only gave these instructions. In this junior's opinion, the chance of Senior encountering Second Uncle there is not high."
Mo Tiange fell silent. This small island was clearly just a place Jiuyan Sect cultivators passed by. Ling Yunhe was on an important mission this time, a major event involving the entire sect's mobilization. How could he possibly wait for her there? Moreover, he had no way of knowing she would actually seek out the Ling Family at this time. So, this was merely a possibility.
After thinking for a while, she asked again, "If things go smoothly, did he mention when he might return?"
Xiaoshun paused for a moment, then gently shook his head, a look of melancholy appearing on his face. "I don't know. Since Senior already knows what has happened, you surely understand this is a great upheaval affecting the whole of Yunzhong. No one knows whether the seniors who left will be able to return alive."
"..." Mo Tiange was silent for a while before pointing at the map on the table. "Can I have this?"
Xiaoshun snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "Of course." He then rolled up the map and presented it to her with both hands.
Mo Tiange accepted it and said, "Thank you for relaying the message. I haven't decided yet whether to go or not. If Fellow Daoist Ling returns and I haven't gone to find him, please tell him I will visit again at a more suitable time."
Xiaoshun nodded with a smile. "I will definitely convey Senior's words."
Mo Tiange added, "Also, regarding Fellow Daoist Tian Can, she asked me to relay a message. She currently has urgent matters to attend to and cannot say when she will visit—perhaps three to five years, perhaps ten to twenty. Once she is free, she will come to find the person."
Xiaoshun nodded solemnly. "I understand."
Mo Tiange hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not tell Xiaoshun about the matter of changing the reward. This matter was too sensitive. It would be better to discuss it when she met Ling Yunhe. Even if she didn't relay the message, Nie Wushang could say it herself later.
Having conveyed the main matters, Mo Tiange was in no hurry to leave. She chatted idly with Xiaoshun, taking the opportunity to ask about the aftermath of events from years past.
After obtaining the Carefree Fruit, Ling Yunhe had indeed successfully secured the position of Jiuyan Sect Master. When he returned injured that year, the Ling Family's Nascent Soul Patriarch was furious. Subsequently, turmoil arose within the Jiuyan Sect. After a period of struggle, Ling Yunhe smoothly succeeded to the Sect Master position, and the matter was concluded.
Although Xiaoshun spoke vaguely about this event, Mo Tiange could guess it must have been related to Ling Yunfei. Back then, Ling Yunfei, as a member of the Ling Family, had schemed against Ling Yunhe and must have had backing. And that backing certainly wasn't the Ling Family Patriarch. Reasoning it out, it was no wonder the Ling Family Patriarch was angry—how could he tolerate his own Core Formation descendant being bribed by others? One could say that Ling Yunhe ascending to the Sect Master position signaled the decline of a certain faction within the Jiuyan Sect.
Of course, this was the internal affair of the Jiuyan Sect. Mo Tiange only asked about it in general terms, not showing too much curiosity. For her, the current question was: should she go find Ling Yunhe to settle this matter early, or should she stay out of it and wait here?