Chapter 758 - 535: Backup Plan!
Immortal Domain, Eight Treasures Palace!
In the core of the hall, suspended above the void, an ancient lotus pedestal hovered slowly.
Upon the lotus pedestal, a figure in plain Taoist robes sat upright, hair tied in a Taoist knot, secured with just a single jade hairpin, with a clear and elegant face, eyes indifferent, and pupils in which mist seemed to gather and disperse, depths unfathomable.
Below the steps, Qin Zhaoyu bowed with hands clasped in respect:
"Greetings, Master. This disciple has come this time to report an important matter."
"Recently, calamities have befallen the Qin Clan frequently, among which the clan’s Elder Qin Cangwu, many of his incarnations were obliterated by some will..."
"This disciple suspects this matter may be related to the Daoist Monarch’s inheritance. I seek Master’s guidance."
Finally, a faint ripple appeared in Chen Sheng’s eyes as he straightened slightly, his gaze falling upon Qin Zhaoyu, contemplating:
"Daoist Monarch’s inheritance?"
Over the years, he took advantage of his role as a named disciple in the Immortal Mountain, wielding access to many privileges and resources, yet remained at a standstill.
He traversed the myriad territories affiliated with the Immortal Mountain, failing to find more opportunities, only managing a slow accumulation.
As for the reason, Chen Sheng was well aware:
"Cultivation stagnation, potential exhausted, the spirit of the Immortal Mountain no longer favors."
"Unexpectedly, outside of the Immortal Mountain came such a pleasant surprise. Perhaps this is my opportunity to break through the predicament."
With various thoughts swirling in his mind, he raised his hand slowly, a wisp of clear light gathering at his fingertips, and as he waved lightly, Dao rhyme flowed:
"Zhaoyu, bring that jade talisman."
"I will personally conduct a deduction to see which Daoist Monarch’s shadow lies behind this matter, and what hidden calamities are entangled within."
"As you command, Master!"
Qin Zhaoyu responded promptly, her sleeve gently waving, a faint purple spirit light suddenly emerged and slowly drifted towards Chen Sheng.
Chen Sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, spirit light flashing in his gaze, as he flicked his fingers.
In an instant, the jade talisman exploded with a roar, transforming into countless fragments of spirit light, with scenes clearly manifesting, vivid and lifelike, as if being there in person.
Chen Sheng employed a secret technique for deduction, with intricate and complex tracks of deduction gradually intertwining, spreading and entangling in the void, forming the shape of dragons and phoenixes, illuminating the entire Eight Treasures Palace with dazzling brilliance and auspiciousness prevalent.
Amid the swirling incense smoke, Dao rhyme flowed, the sound of deductions ceaselessly echoed in the Eight Treasures Palace, where only spirit light and tracks intertwined, silence prevailed, with only Qin Zhaoyu’s breathing gentle and respectful, not daring to disturb in the slightest.
One does not know how much time had passed, the tracks of deduction gradually dispersed, the spirit light dimmed, Chen Sheng slowly ended the technique, his gaze lowered in contemplation, his expression complex, filled with confusion and regret.
He gradually formed conjectures in his heart but was unable to identify a definite identity, nor could he deduce the specific location and more details.
"The inability to deduce more details is normal. The cultivation path emphasizes seeking within rather than without; it seeks self-transcendence."
"The higher the cultivation, the more condensed the cultivator’s own Dao principle becomes, making the connection with this heaven and earth world more sparse and thereby harder to be deduced or spied upon by external forces."
"In the world, causality is complex, fate is chaotic, hard to manipulate—this is commonplace!"
"Particularly after achieving the status of a Dharma Master, personal will can extend into the laws of heaven and earth, addressing each other as Daoist friends, making demise difficult."
"Even those Daoist Monarchs who major in the path of causality face great difficulty when attempting to deduce a Dharma Master’s detailed situation, expending immense heart spirit, and success is not guaranteed."
"Back then, the design against a Dharma Master like Jiao Qi was the best example—Daoist Monarchs jointly planned, capturing the opportunity of incorporating a new Gran Thousand realm into the Immortal Mountain system, barely achieving the scheme, revealing the unfathomability of causality."
"Involving Daoist Monarchs in this matter, even a fallen Daoist Monarch, is no trivial affair."
Various thoughts emerged in his heart as Chen Sheng’s gaze fell upon Qin Zhaoyu, slowly conveying his deduction results:
"Zhaoyu, your suspicion is correct; behind this matter indeed lies the legacy of a Daoist Monarch."
"My deductions indicate a high probability of relation to True Monarch Dong Yin’s inheritance."
"However, this matter involves extensive connections, and I have been unable to pinpoint the specific location of this inheritance, nor can I confirm more critical details."
"Relying solely on the aura of this current jade talisman, I cannot further unravel the origins of this matter."
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhaoyu felt even more grave in her heart:
"The name of True Monarch Dong Yin, I have heard of—an elite Daoist Monarch. If this matter is indeed related to him, it may be more tricky and dangerous than this disciple imagined. The Qin Clan might find it difficult to bear such calamities."
At this moment, Chen Sheng spoke again, his tone gradually becoming gentler, with a hint of consideration, having formulated a new plan:
"However, it is not completely without a turning point, so let’s not be too pessimistic."
Qin Zhaoyu lifted her eyes, hope flickering in them, and said quickly:
"Master, please guide me."
Chen Sheng said:
"Currently, the information is insufficient, and further deductions would be futile."
"You should return to the Qin Clan Ancestral Land and make every effort to collect information related to this matter, even the slightest hint, or seemingly trivial rumor, should not be overlooked."
"This disciple understands." Qin Zhaoyu nodded.
Chen Sheng especially reminded, his tone serious:
"Focus on gathering information on that black-robed cultivator. His realm is the lowest, perhaps the best starting point. Investigate his origins and background..."
"This disciple will remember Master’s instructions," Qin Zhaoyu bowed, speaking respectfully and resolutely, "I will immediately gather the relevant information with full effort and deliver all details to Master for further deduction."
Chen Sheng looked at her, seeing her composed and unflustered even in crisis, not a trace of impatience or panic, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. He spoke slowly, kindly, offering comfort:
"There’s no need to be overly anxious. Although the matter is tricky, it is not without solution."