"My guest?" Mo Tiange was puzzled. She didn't have many friends, and most of them were within the sect.
"Who is it?"
Luo Fengxue replied, "It's an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. He claims his surname is Ling."
Ling! Mo Tiange's heart stirred, and a name surfaced in her mind. "Take me to him," she said.
Luo Fengxue nodded and led the way, guiding her to the guest hall on the main peak.
Before she even stepped into the hall, she saw a man standing with his back to her. His posture was upright, hands clasped behind his back, seemingly admiring the Dao Lord portraits enshrined within.
The moment she entered, the man turned around. His hair was tied in a topknot with a crown, his features handsome and refined. He wore a flowing apricot-colored Daoist robe that drifted like clouds.
"Fellow Daoist Mo, it's been a long time," the visitor said upon seeing her, revealing a gentle, perfectly measured smile.
It was Ling Yunhe, whom she hadn't seen since parting in Yunzhong many years ago.
"Fellow Daoist Ling?" Mo Tiange was surprised. "It has been many years. How have you been?"
"... I've managed well enough," Ling Yunhe said, his gaze resting on her with some complexity. "Ah, I haven't yet congratulated you on advancing to the mid-stage. My visit coinciding with this grand occasion brings me great joy. A small gift, nothing to show my respect, but consider it a token for your Nascent Soul Ceremony."
He extended his hand, and an exquisite jade box appeared in his palm, floating smoothly toward her.
Mo Tiange reached out to receive it and bowed slightly. "Thank you. You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Ling."
Ling Yunhe smiled. "I never imagined that in just over fifty years, Fellow Daoist Mo not only formed her Nascent Soul but also broke through to become a mid-stage cultivator. I truly feel inadequate by comparison."
Mo Tiange said, "Didn't you also successfully form your Nascent Soul and step onto the Great Dao? As for my advancement to mid-stage, it was merely a chance encounter, a stroke of luck. It doesn't truly count."
"A breakthrough is a breakthrough. How can opportunity not be part of one's strength? Why be so modest, Fellow Daoist Mo?" Ling Yunhe maintained his smile throughout, but its perfection felt artificial.
Mo Tiange thought to herself: Back then, he endured the agony of the Vermilion Bird's Breath invading his body, only to have his efforts benefit another. His sect's millennia-long scheme ended up profiting Qin Xi for nothing. That he could still converse and smile with her now was already remarkable. She decided to feign ignorance.
"What brings you to the Tianji Region, Fellow Daoist Ling?" Mo Tiange gestured to a nearby chair. "Please, have a seat."
They both sat down. Ling Yunhe answered, "I came specifically to see the Tianji Region this time, and incidentally to deliver a message to you, Fellow Daoist Mo. I just didn't expect to coincidentally encounter your Nascent Soul Ceremony."
"Oh?" Mo Tiange asked. "What message is it?"
Ling Yunhe said, "Just a verbal message. Someone asked me to bring you a single sentence." He paused. "'The Sacrificial Temple has appeared. Come quickly.'"
Mo Tiange's expression instantly turned grave. She stared at Ling Yunhe. "Who asked you to deliver this?"
Ling Yunhe's gaze remained calm. "It was that Fellow Daoist Tian Can."
Mo Tiange was puzzled. "Why didn't Fellow Daoist Tian Can come himself? Is he tied up with something?"
Ling Yunhe nodded slowly. "He's been entangled by Demon Lord Yueying and can't get away at the moment. If I hadn't happened to pass by, he wouldn't have asked me to deliver the message."
This explained the situation. Nie Wushang, using the alias Tian Can, had only a superficial friendship with Ling Yunhe. Asking him to deliver a message was strange in itself, let alone a verbal one.
Mo Tiange nodded. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ling. When do you plan to return to Yunzhong?"
"Soon," Ling Yunhe said. "I was just looking around casually."
Earlier, he said he came specifically to see the Tianji Region and incidentally to deliver a message. Now he said he was just looking around casually. Hearing this, Mo Tiange understood he had come specifically to deliver the message to her. However, given the enmity between her and the Jiuyan Sect, it was awkward to state it plainly.
Mo Tiange bowed solemnly to Ling Yunhe. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ling. If you don't mind, could you wait a few days so I may accompany you?"
Ling Yunhe's gaze paused, looking at her with amusement. "Fellow Daoist Mo, given the conflict we had before, are you still willing to trust me? Aren't you afraid I might attack you along the way?"
Mo Tiange laughed. "Leaving aside my own overconfident flaw, the Ling Yunhe I know would never resort to a sneak attack." She still remembered the Ling Yunhe from Wuyou Valley, who trusted his sworn brothers and friends wholeheartedly.
Ling Yunhe lowered his head and fell silent. The perfect smile on his face cracked slightly. Finally, he sighed. "I hope I can always remain that Ling Yunhe." The next moment, he lifted his head, donning the perfect mask once more. "Fellow Daoist Mo, where shall I rest?"
This meant he agreed to wait for her. Mo Tiange said happily, "Thank you for being willing to wait, Fellow Daoist Ling."
Ling Yunhe waved his hand. "I am also among those invited by Fellow Daoist Tian Can regarding this matter. So, it's merely convenient."
"Even so, thank you." Mo Tiange turned and called for the attendant waiting outside, asking him to make the arrangements.
The attendant said, "The Sect Leader has already given instructions. Esteemed guest, please follow me."
Ling Yunhe stood up, clasped his hands toward Mo Tiange without another word, and followed the attendant away.
Mo Tiange stood still for a moment, then left, intending to return to Clear Spring Peak. Unexpectedly, as she walked behind the Three Pure Hall, she saw Qin Xi waiting there. She hurried over. "Why didn't you go back?"
Qin Xi smiled, not answering but asking instead, "Was the visitor Ling Yunhe?"
"Yes," Mo Tiange nodded. "I was just about to discuss this with you. Let's go back first."
Qin Xi said nothing more. The two left the main peak together and returned to their cave abode on Clear Spring Peak.
As they flew away, Ling Yunhe, following the attendant, looked up at the two figures in the clouds and let out a long, soft sigh.
Returning to Jueyuan Valley, none of their disciples were present. Even Xiao Guzi and Xiao Zui had gone to help on the main peak. Only Xiao Feng remained to watch the gate.
The two decided not to enter the cave abode. Instead, they casually chose a rock floating on the water to sit on, leaning against the mountain and gazing at the water.
"Ling Yunhe came to deliver a message," Mo Tiange recounted her meeting with Ling Yunhe. She concluded, "If it truly concerns the Sacrificial Temple, then we must go."
Qin Xi pondered briefly. "Is Ling Yunhe trustworthy?"
"He should be," Mo Tiange assessed. "Although he also plays schemes, he always uses open strategies, not underhanded plots. I believe his character is more trustworthy than many others'."
"But we made a great enemy of the Jiuyan Sect in Yunzhong."
Mo Tiange shook her head with a smile. "Ling Yunhe would disdain using such a method for revenge. I believe that much."
"Alright," Qin Xi didn't dwell on it further. "I trust your judgment."
Mo Tiange turned to look at him, offering a gentle smile.
"So, what does Nie Wushang's message mean?" Qin Xi's brows furrowed slightly. "'The Sacrificial Temple has appeared. Come quickly.' Which temple? And how has it appeared? Ling Yunhe said she's entangled by Demon Lord Yueying. Is it because of this matter?"
"I can confirm the locations of several temples. First, the Azure Dragon Temple was already destroyed in the East Sea. Second, the Vermilion Bird Temple is in the secret realm of the Guixu Sea. It's inaccessible now, and even if we entered, it would be useless—the Vermilion Bird Bow and the Yuan Demon Stone Tablet are gone. Third, the White Tiger Temple is in the far west's Wind-Sand City, guarded by Nascent Soul cultivators from the Immortal Alliance. The remaining ones are the Xuanwu and Qilin Temples. The Xuanwu Temple is in the Jialing Mountains of Yunzhong, but I haven't been there. I don't know about the Qilin Temple."
Qin Xi lightly tapped his fingers. "The first three have no value left. Nie Wushang is in Yunzhong, so the one that has appeared is most likely the Xuanwu Temple. Also, the Qilin Temple is possible—if it's also in Yunzhong."
Mo Tiange continued, "Ling Yunhe isn't the least bit anxious, so it seems no one is competing for it yet."
"Then what about Demon Lord Yueying? What's going on there?"
Mo Tiange thought for a moment. "Let's ask Ling Yunhe again tomorrow."
Qin Xi neither objected nor agreed. They chatted idly for a while longer before returning together to cultivate.
The next day, some guests had already begun their journey home, leaving the Xuanqing Sect feeling much emptier.
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi went to see Daojun Jinghe to report the matter. Daojun Jinghe took it very seriously and promptly went to the Three Pure Hall on the main peak, summoning all the Nascent Soul Dao Lords.
After hearing the details, Dao Lord Zhenyang, Hua Yan, and the others shared the same view: they should go. However, opinions differed on whether they should travel with Ling Yunhe and issues of trustworthiness. After half a day of discussion, they finally reached a tentative consensus.
"Shoujing, Qingwei, this matter concerns your opportunity. The decision is yours," Dao Lord Zhenyang said. "But there's one point you must pay attention to: if the Jiuyan Sect sends additional people to accompany you, delay for time. We will also dispatch someone to follow."
Dao Lord Zhenyang had originally intended for them to take another person along, but unfortunately, after much deliberation, no one could be spared. Dao Lord Zhenyang, Miao Yi, and Xuan Yin—the three of them had to represent the Xuanqing Sect in Kunzhong City. With the Tiandao Sect's forces largely withdrawn from the Immortal Alliance, the responsibilities had correspondingly fallen to the Xuanqing Sect. Three people were already the minimum. Daojun Jinghe and Hua Yan were guarding the mountain gate. Daojun Jinghe was also training disciples, while Hua Yan was both assisting Jinghe and stabilizing his own realm. Ling Xi could have gone with them, but unfortunately, he was at a critical moment in cultivating a secret technique. Stopping abruptly would cause significant harm.
Thus, Dao Lord Zhenyang lamented: No matter how many Nascent Soul cultivators you have, it's never enough!
Qin Xi nodded. "We understand."
Daojun Hua Yan hesitated for a moment before asking, "With just the two of you, I'm still not entirely at ease. Qingwei, is your friend truly reliable?"
He had already asked several times. Mo Tiange said helplessly, "Truly reliable. Please rest assured, Senior Brother Hua Yan."
Qin Xi thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can find another helper."
Everyone's gaze fell on him. Mo Tiange asked, "Who?"
"Jing Xingzhi." Qin Xi's answer was within expectations.
Mo Tiange really wanted to roll her eyes, but with so many people present, she restrained herself. "You really do trust him."
Qin Xi said, "As I've said, I've known him since Foundation Establishment. Although he's not a good person, he's one of the few people I can genuinely trust."
"Jing Xingzhi?" Dao Lord Zhenyang was puzzled.
Daojun Jinghe said, "That's Chongguang's precious former disciple."
Sword Venerable Chongguang was of their generation, and Dao Lord Zhenyang also knew him. Later, he had heard that after Chongguang's fall, he left behind a disciple who faced considerable ostracism within the sect. However, Sword Venerable Chongguang's friendship with them was generally superficial, so there was no need to interfere in another sect's affairs for his disciple's sake. Thus, he wasn't familiar with Jing Xingzhi's name.
"So it's him. I think I've heard of him. That kid defected from his sect."
Daojun Jinghe rolled his eyes—he wasn't afraid of awkwardness. "That kid formed his Nascent Soul after defecting. Old Man Yuanying sought him out later. In my opinion, he'll return to the Ancient Sword Sect sooner or later."
Dao Lord Zhenyang thought for a moment and said, "Since you trust him, it's up to you."