Mo Tiange gazed at the foot of Mount Taikang and sighed.
They had only left the mountain for a few short days. None of them had expected to find this answer in such a brief span of time.
"Senior Brother," she said, looking at the immortal qi-shrouded Mount Taikang, "should we tell the truth?"
Qin Xi shook his head. "How would we say it? That this world has been abandoned, with no path to ascension? Forget it. The God Transformation seniors have kept this secret for tens of thousands of years without uttering a word. Why should we shatter others' hopes?"
The cruelty of the truth was not something everyone could bear. The God Transformation cultivators had their reasons for remaining silent.
Mo Tiange thought for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "Very well. The lack of an ascension path is a problem for God Transformation cultivators to consider. Over thousands of years, only one or two cultivators would ever need to face it... Let them keep hope in their hearts."
As they spoke, a streak of escaping light rose from Mount Taikang and shot toward them.
The newcomer stopped before them, the light dissipating to reveal an ordinary yet smiling face. "Dao Lord Shoujing, Dao Lord Qingwei, you've returned so quickly?"
This person was none other than Wu Feishuang. After advancing to the Core Formation stage, her Daoist title had been set as Dingguan. Mo Tiange had once privately mused that Wu Feishuang's personality was very much like Dao Lord Miaoyi's—outwardly amiable but inwardly resolute. Yet, Dao Lord Miaoyi had given her the title 'Dingguan' (Steadfast Observation). Wasn't that practically asking her to cultivate herself into a block of stone?
Even so, looking at Wu Feishuang's empty left sleeve, Mo Tiange felt a pang of sorrow. Before forming a Nascent Soul, one could not regenerate flesh, but creating a temporary prosthetic hand was not difficult. Yet she left her sleeve empty, as if declaring some kind of resolve.
"Things went more smoothly than expected," Mo Tiange said vaguely. The purpose of their trip was known only to a few Dao Lords; others were not privy to the details, and there was no need to elaborate now.
As a junior, Wu Feishuang would not pry further. She bowed to the two of them. "Duty calls. Please show your identity tokens, honored uncles."
As the war intensified, the Xuanqing Sect's mountain-protecting grand formation had been on high alert. Regardless of identity, anyone entering or leaving needed to present their identity token.
After verifying their tokens and confirming they were correct, Wu Feishuang respectfully bowed again. "Welcome back to the mountain, honored uncles."
"No need for such formality," Qin Xi waved his hand, entering through the temporarily opened entrance of the mountain-protecting formation. He asked casually, "Has Junior Brother Lingxi returned to the mountain?"
Wu Feishuang replied, "Reporting to Uncle-Master, this disciple has been on duty recently and has not seen Uncle-Master Lingxi."
Qin Xi nodded. They had been teleported before Zhong Muling and Yuanbao for only half a day before being sent back. Hanquan had said the others would have an opportunity; Dao Lord Lingxi was likely delayed because of that.
Just as they were descending toward Clear Spring Peak, both of them suddenly felt a tremor in their hearts, as if an invisible power had appeared out of thin air.
The next moment, thunder suddenly roared in the sky. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth churned, condensing into tangible, substantial motes of spiritual light.
"This is..." Wu Feishuang exclaimed in shock.
"Who is forming their Nascent Soul?" Mo Tiange asked, first startled, then delighted, turning to Qin Xi.
After the initial surprise and joy, Qin Xi looked toward the source of the churning spiritual energy. "Zhaoyang Peak..."
"Nascent Soul Formation..." Wu Feishuang murmured softly, also casting her gaze toward Zhaoyang Peak, her expression complex—a mix of anticipation and worry. "Could it be him..."
The heavenly phenomenon of Nascent Soul Formation grew increasingly distinct. Dao Lord Zhenyang had already emerged from his cave abode. Looking at the surging winds and clouds around him, he laughed heartily with aged satisfaction. "Hahahaha! Excellent! Zhifei, you have finally lived up to your master's expectations!"
Seeing disciples under Dao Lord Jinghe forming their Nascent Souls one after another, it was impossible to say Dao Lord Zhenyang didn't care at all. However, Nascent Soul Formation could not be forced. His disciples either lacked opportunity or were simply not striving hard enough; he had been helpless. At this moment, his long-held wish was finally fulfilled, filling him with immense joy.
After laughing, seeing Mo Tiange and Qin Xi return added to his delight. "You two are back so soon? What about Lingxi?"
"Senior Brother Zhenyang!" The two bowed in greeting.
"Junior Brother Lingxi will probably return later," Qin Xi answered, then looked at the Nascent Soul Formation heavenly phenomenon atop Zhaoyang Peak. "Senior Brother, is it Zhifei forming his Nascent Soul?"
"Exactly!" Dao Lord Zhenyang beamed, his voice booming. "Zhifei has learned from his lessons these past years, cast aside his obsessions, and has finally severed the entanglements of past right and wrong, achieving Nascent Soul."
Qin Xi smiled and nodded. "Our Xuanqing Sect now has its ninth Nascent Soul Dao Lord. Truly a cause for celebration."
Nine Nascent Soul cultivators—not far from ten. Thinking that the sect might reach double digits in Nascent Soul cultivators during his tenure, Dao Lord Zhenyang felt a surge of ambition. He was not solely dedicated to arduous cultivation; having presided over the Xuanqing Sect for many years, the sect's strength brought him great satisfaction, especially now that the one forming his Nascent Soul was his own disciple.
"Qingwei, Shoujing, this is all thanks to you. Without you, the Xuanqing Sect would not be what it is today." After his excitement subsided, Dao Lord Zhenyang adopted a solemn expression and bowed deeply to them.
The two hurriedly stepped aside. "Senior Brother Zhenyang, you are too courteous. We are also disciples of the Xuanqing Sect. This is only our duty."
After bowing, Dao Lord Zhenyang said with a smile, "Your return is perfectly timed. Miaoyi and Xuanyin are in seclusion. Zhifei's emergence would be too quiet without you. You can help make it a proper occasion! Besides, you are disciples of the same generation. Getting closer is always good."
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi exchanged a glance, understanding the implication behind Dao Lord Zhenyang's words. Bai Yanfei's downfall was not unrelated to them. Now that he had formed his Nascent Soul and stood as a fellow Dao Lord, the past should be wiped clean. Their going to welcome him would be the first step in showing their attitude. This was also Dao Lord Zhenyang's final test for Bai Yanfei.
To be honest, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi hadn't given their entanglement much thought. Naturally, they agreed to Dao Lord Zhenyang's small request. Moreover, when a sect member formed their Nascent Soul, they should welcome them. Back when Qin Xi returned to the mountain after forming his Nascent Soul, hadn't Dao Lord Zhenyang, as the Head Supreme Elder, personally come out to greet him?
The two readily agreed and followed Dao Lord Zhenyang toward Bai Yanfei's cave abode. After taking a few steps, they heard Wu Feishuang say, "Uncle-Master Zhenyang, honored uncles, this disciple is currently on duty and cannot leave easily. I will not be going over."
Only then did Dao Lord Zhenyang notice her. His excited expression faded slightly, replaced by a hint of guilt. "Feishuang, leaving for a moment is fine. Zhifei, he... you..."
The words that followed, Dao Lord Zhenyang hesitated to voice. Even though Mo Tiange and Qin Xi were not outsiders, marital matters were not something to discuss openly.
Wu Feishuang said solemnly, "Precisely because someone is forming their Nascent Soul, the watch must be even more vigilant. This junior-niece should not linger." She paused, then added, "I trouble Uncle-Master to convey on my behalf: Dingguan congratulates Uncle-Master Zhifei for breaking free from his inner demons and stepping onto the Great Dao."
She referred to herself by her Daoist title and addressed Bai Yanfei as 'Uncle-Master Zhifei,' making her stance abundantly clear. Dao Lord Zhenyang was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Forget it. If this old uncle meddles any more, it would be undignified. You may go."
Wu Feishuang clasped her fists toward the three of them, then mounted her magic treasure and left.
Watching her figure disappear, Mo Tiange shook her head and followed Dao Lord Zhenyang as they landed on Zhaoyang Peak.
Bai Yanfei's cave abode was located beside Dao Lord Zhenyang's own, its spiritual energy no less than that of the main cave abode on Zhaoyang Peak, a testament to Dao Lord Zhenyang's favoritism toward him.
Mo Tiange couldn't help but wonder: Was it precisely because he was too favored that Bai Yanfei had taken the wrong path? Bai Yanfei was different from them. She came from an ordinary background and faced hardships in her youth. Qin Xi, though born into a prince's mansion, was from a collateral branch, far from being coddled. Bai Yanfei, however, was born a crown prince. After entering the sect, he became the Head Supreme Elder's beloved disciple. He was too accustomed to being doted on, so when he met setbacks, he fell and could not rise.
In truth, in terms of natural talent and comprehension, Bai Yanfei was not inferior to them. Even if he couldn't match her Mixed Spiritual Roots, he was several times better than Qin Xi. He also had ample resources—the careful guidance of a late-Nascent Soul great cultivator and countless materials at his disposal. Perhaps it was precisely because he possessed too much that he forgot some things must be sought through effort.
No matter how intelligent or wealthy a person is, they merely walk a little earlier and a little faster than others. Always holding one's head high allows one to see higher goals but often obscures the path beneath one's feet. Over time, one day, those who never entered his sight would eventually appear in his raised line of vision, becoming figures he must look up to. Only then would he realize how unsteady his steps had been all along. The taste of falling from a height is unpleasant, but without the fall, there is no way to climb back up.
Mo Tiange stood behind Dao Lord Zhenyang, watching as the stone gate of the cave abode opened and a figure slowly stepped out, his gaze calm, his movements steady and composed.
She smiled faintly. That arrogant, impetuous junior brother, after decades of silence, had finally stood up and firmly solidified the once-unsteady path he had walked.
After meeting Bai Yanfei, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi returned to their cave abode.
They hadn't been gone long, and everything in their abode was in order. The two sent messages to their master, instructed their disciples, and after a flurry of activity, sent a message to the Ancient Sword Sect to inquire if Jing Xingzhi had returned.
Before they received a reply from the Ancient Sword Sect, Dao Lord Zhenyang, accompanied by Dao Lord Jinghe and Dao Lord Miaoyi, came to visit.
Seeing them act so formally, Mo Tiange felt somewhat overwhelmed by the honor. After exchanging greetings, she said, "Since Master has returned, you could have simply sent someone to summon us. It's too much trouble for you to come in person."
Dao Lord Jinghe didn't put on his master's airs today. He waved his hand and said, "Your master rushed back temporarily and still has to go to Kunzhong City afterward. No time for posturing. Let's get straight to the point!"
Mo Tiange was speechless for a moment. It was Qin Xi who reacted quickly, directly ushering them into the cultivation chamber.
Inside the cultivation chamber, there were no chairs. The five of them sat casually on meditation cushions. Dao Lord Zhenyang spoke first. "The other day, when Zhifei formed his Nascent Soul, I didn't have time to ask in detail. Shoujing, Qingwei, you returned so quickly, and Lingxi is not with you. Did something go wrong?"
Qin Xi poured tea for each of the seniors before answering. "Senior Brother Zhenyang, rest assured. Nothing unpleasant occurred."
"Then you..." Dao Lord Zhenyang's brow remained furrowed. As the Head Supreme Elder and as a senior brother, he was also worried about Dao Lord Lingxi, who had not yet returned.
Dao Lord Miaoyi lifted her teacup, gently sniffed its aroma, then set it down with a smile. "Senior Brother, although Shoujing and Qingwei bear injuries, their expressions are calm, clearly indicating Lingxi is fine. Moreover, they show no trace of anxiety or displeasure. It seems they likely found some answers on this trip."
Mo Tiange glanced at Dao Lord Miaoyi with admiration. "Senior Sister Miaoyi is perceptive. We did indeed find answers. It's just that these answers..." At this point, she hesitated, then let out a long sigh. "I hope you won't be too disappointed after learning them."