After exiting the Yao Ming Palace, the few disciples of the Taiyan Sect trailed behind, discussing what had happened in the palace.
“I can’t believe that the Sect Master actually had a past with the Demon Queen,” Men Dong murmured in disbelief.
One was a sect cultivator who was aloof and untainted by the world, while the other was the ruler of the demon realm, known for her amorous affairs. They seemed like they were from two completely different worlds.
“But,” Meng Ying pondered, “why did the Sect Master and the Demon Queen want to talk in private? Since they were discussing the Golden Gate Ruins, wasn’t there anything they couldn’t let us hear?”
“That’s obvious. They must have wanted to reminisce,” Men Dong suddenly realized something and looked at Zanxing in shock, “They wouldn’t rekindle their old flame, would they?”
“It’s possible,” Tian Fangfang casually said, “It seems like our Sect Master is quite devoted, still carrying the token of their love. The Demon Queen is incredibly charming, so it wouldn’t be impossible for them to rekindle their old flame. But…” He glanced at Zanxing, seeming a bit troubled, “If they really did rekindle their old flame, the seniority of you and the Seventh Martial Uncle would be quite confusing.”
Zanxing: “…”
She was silent for a moment before sighing, “Don’t worry, our Heishi City’s Demon Queen never eats the grass that grows by the roadside. What happened in the past is over, and rekindling an old flame is impossible.”
“I see,” Tian Fangfang nodded, “That’s a shame.”
Just as they were talking, Mu Cengxiao reminded them, “Pu Tao has walked ahead.”
Zanxing looked up and saw that Pu Tao, who had many prejudices against the demons, had been subtly mocked by Bu Jiang in the Yao Ming Palace and was naturally upset. The young woman walked ahead alone without even glancing at them.
Zanxing glanced at Gu Baiying, who asked puzzled, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s not just our Sect Master who’s devoted,” Zanxing said, her words carrying a hidden meaning. Pu Tao harbored deep resentment towards the demons, yet she still followed Shaoyang Zhenren to Heishi City. Perhaps discussing the Golden Gate Ruins was a mere excuse, and her true intention was to see her beloved. Zanxing still remembered how this girl had openly expressed her hostility towards her at Yue Mountain. The pampered little junior martial sister wore her heart on her sleeve.
Although she knew Gu Baiying didn’t like Pu Tao, she couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable.
Zanxing sighed and said, “I haven’t seen Lantern Ghost and the others in a few days.”
Gu Baiying’s expression changed, and he looked at her with sudden vigilance, “What are you trying to do?”
Zanxing smiled slightly at him and uttered two words, “Catch up.”
“Yang Zanxing,” he stared at her incredulously.
Zanxing snorted and walked past Gu Baiying.
In the hall, Xiao Shuang filled Shaoyang Zhenren’s teacup and quietly retreated.
Bu Jiang laughed, “Why aren’t you talking? Are you still angry that I exposed our relationship earlier?”
Shaoyang Zhenren did not speak and lowered his eyes to look at the teacup in front of him.
After a moment of silence in the hall, Bu Jiang sighed, “No matter what, thank you for concealing the matter of Heishi City’s spiritual veins from the sect.”
With the key to the Golden Gate Ruins in Bu Jiang’s hands, and the matter concerning the spiritual veins of all sects, those old-timers in the cultivation world had to lower their heads and ask Heishi City for help. Even Doaist Lingxin, who had always hated the demon realm, tacitly approved of their actions this time. It was because the initiative was in Heishi City’s hands.
However, Bu Jiang knew that even if they did not come to seek his help, as the spiritual veins of Heishi City gradually depleted, if there truly had been an immortal remedy within the Golden Gate Ruins, they would still have had to make a trip to the Golden Gate Ruins. And the Demon Clan alone could not use the key to the Golden Gate Ruins.
Shaoyang Zhenren understood this truth, but he did not inform the other sects.
“And there’s also the Heart-Extinguishing Needle,” Bu Jiang raised her eyes, “You used the Heart-Extinguishing Needle on your little disciple, and it’s probably not just to shut up the old man from the Chihua Sect. The Heart-Extinguishing Needle is said to sever affections, but it actually seals a portion of one’s memory. I taught you this method.” Bu Jiang snorted, “You were afraid that they would probe Gu Baiying’s memory and use his soul to sense Zanxing’s whereabouts?”
Shaoyang Zhenren’s hand holding the teacup paused slightly. “You’re always like this,” Bu Jiang smiled leisurely, speaking slowly, “You do so many good deeds but don’t let others know. I told you before, with a personality like this, you’ll suffer a lot. It’s better to do one good deed and tell others about ten, than to do ten good deeds and tell others about one. You’re quite good at being a sect master, but how have you not made any progress in being a person all these years?”
Shaoyang Zhenren put down his teacup and looked at the person on the high seat, “I came today because of the Golden Gate Ruins.”
“I know,” Bu Jiang looked at him, “You said that there might be an immortal formula in the Golden Gate Ruins that can revitalize the spiritual veins. But Shaoyang Zhenren, we both know that’s just a legend. No one has ever witnessed the thousand-year-old flood firsthand.”
“It’s not a legend,” Shaoyang Zhenren replied.
“What evidence do you have?”
Shaoyang Zhenren was silent for a moment, then reached out and covered his dantian. From his dantian, a golden-red shadow gradually emerged. This shadow was radiant, and the golden light illuminated the dark hall, but it was only the size of a fist.
Bu Jiang’s brow gradually furrowed.
“Your golden core…” she hesitated, “Why has it weakened so much?”
“I used the Taiyi Nine Palaces Technique to divine the Immortal Hexagram.”
“The Immortal Hexagram?” Bu Jiang was shocked, “To divine the Immortal Hexagram requires burning one’s lifespan as a price. You…”
Cultivators rarely used the Immortal Hexagram because the cost of divination was too high. Mortals who wanted to ask the immortals would inevitably have to pay a great price.
“What did you ask?” Bu Jiang asked.
“How to revitalize the spiritual veins.”
Bu Jiang sat up straight and leaned forward slightly, staring at him, “And the result?”
“The answer lies in the Golden Gate Ruins,” he said.
Bu Jiang didn’t speak immediately.
Shaoyang Zhenren said calmly, “I know your concerns. Before everyone from the cultivation world sets off, I will plant the Heart-Linked Spell. Once the spell is cast, they won’t attack the demons. You can open the Golden Gate Ruins without worry.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” Bu Jiang scoffed, “For so many years, the sect has seemed to be running out of luck, and there haven’t been any outstanding geniuses. I’m worried about what exactly is in the Golden Gate Ruins.” She stared into Shaoyang Zhenren’s eyes, as if trying to see through him completely. “Shaoyang Zhenren, are you hiding something from me?”
Shaoyang Zhenren lowered his eyes, his expression very calm, “The flood is raging, and trouble will soon affect everyone. Both humans and demons in Duzhou cannot escape. The Golden Gate Ruins are the last and only chance.”
Bu Jiang frowned at him for a long time, and Shaoyang Zhenren looked at her seriously.
After a while, the brows of the person on the high seat, as if she had figured something out.
She said cheerfully, “Alright, I believe you.”