lcionline 69. Disguised Mahayana
69. Disguised Mahayana
Gao Zhun's words caused an even more agitated situation than before. The cultivators present all looked unwell, whether because they were worried that the opportunity they had finally waited for turned out to be the Yin Sha Cave, or because of the cultivators who had already lost their lives inside.
At this moment, someone still stepped forward despite the pressure from the Mahayana stage cultivators. He pointed at the cultivators who came out of the entrance and asked, "How do they explain this?"
Gao Zhun found it amusing. She was just wondering how to gather these cultivators who had been infiltrated by Yin energy together, and this person had already spoken up. She really wanted to reward him with a lollipop, provided that such things existed in the Immortal Spirit Continent.
"Yes, we've all come out. Although the secret realm is fraught with danger, it does indeed contain some good things. The others who haven't come out are probably exploring deeper. Senior's statement is rather arbitrary." Although they didn't want to reveal that they had gained any benefits, the few cultivators wanted to take this opportunity to establish good relations with the cultivators present, lest they be the only ones to benefit and then be attacked by the other cultivators who wanted to kill and plunder them, which they would likely be unable to resist. Of course, the most important thing was that they believed they had indeed entered a secret realm, not the Yin Sha Cave that this secretive senior had described.
Upon hearing this, Gao Zhun nodded in agreement. If she were one of these cultivators, she would naturally argue her case as well. However, for now, she should focus on playing her role. Gao Zhun then snorted coldly. The immortal artifact she possessed had the effect of temporarily raising a person's cultivation level to the Mahayana stage. Of course, compared to a true Mahayana cultivator, it was merely the form, not the spirit. Otherwise, with her releasing such overwhelming pressure, few present would have survived, let alone had the chance to argue with her.
"You little brats are trapped in an illusion without realizing it. Yin energy has seeped into your bodies; you probably don't have more than a few months to live. And now you want to exonerate this Yin Sha Cave?" The old woman spoke, and Gao Zhun used a gravity spell to pull the few cultivators she had previously observed who had emerged alive from the secret realm to her front. The cultivators dared not speak out, and could only watch helplessly as a ball of flame suddenly appeared in the air, instantly surrounding the cultivators, as if to burn them alive. Some of the more compassionate cultivators present even closed their eyes, unable to bear watching this high-level cultivator, who had never revealed himself, indiscriminately slaughter innocents.
Gao Zhun naturally had no intention of burning these people to death. She merely activated her natal Heavenly Fire to scorch the meridians of these cultivators, burning away their Yin energy and repairing some of their hidden injuries. She also helped these rogue cultivators, who were struggling to cultivate, to temper their meridians. When she withdrew the Heavenly Fire, she left a wisp of divine thought in the sea of consciousness of several of them who had obtained the Nascent Soul Pills, saying as if sighing, "Using pills to advance is ultimately a inferior method. You all have decent aptitude and opportunities, so why ruin your future? You should leave those Nascent Soul Pills to those in your families or sects who have limited aptitude."
Upon hearing this, the cultivators trembled, and Gao Zhun withdrew the Heavenly Fire that had been attached to them. At this moment, she helped to dispel the Yin Sha Qi from these people. Her Heavenly Fire was also affected. Gao Zhun's face was pale, and her natal Heavenly Fire was tainted, causing her to suffer some internal injuries.
The expected death did not come; instead, they gained another opportunity. Now, these cultivators believed Gao Zhun's words without a doubt and even took the initiative to ask her name. However, she brushed it off, saying, "We cultivators are all practicing against the heavens. A little help is nothing to mention. If you can take better care of lower-level cultivators in the future, it will be a blessing for our Immortal Spirit Continent."
The cultivators were somewhat moved by what they heard, and immediately expressed their gratitude profusely: "Senior, your compassion is truly appreciated, and we will certainly remember it."
Gao Zhun was very pleased to hear this, but because of the Heavenly Fire, she could no longer maintain the pressure of a Mahayana cultivator. She left behind the words, "I will go to the Yun family to find someone to break this Yin Sha Cave. You may all return." Then she took off the immortal artifact. Because of the immortal-grade invisibility talisman on her body, she looked just like a real Mahayana cultivator who had torn through space and disappeared without leaving a trace.
Thus, the news that this secret realm was a Yin Sha Cave built by evil cultivators spread like wildfire. Cultivators attracted from all around brought the news back to their families, sects, and other forces. The few cultivators who were lucky enough to obtain the treasure were protected by the mysterious Mahayana cultivator, and because of that remark, no one went to do such a thing as killing and robbing.
After leaving the Yin Sha Cave, Gao Zhun, led by Ah Zhong, arrived at a cave with relatively rich spiritual energy, preparing to undergo a short period of seclusion to completely refine the Yin Sha energy in the Heavenly Fire.
It was ten days later when Gao Zhun emerged from seclusion. Because of the discovery of the Yin Sha Cave, which had been nurtured for tens of thousands of years in the Ya Tian City region, she and A Zhong were both somewhat uneasy. They put aside all other tasks and only wanted to get to the Yun family's territory as soon as possible, find Yun Mu Ning, and then ask her to have the Yun family send some experts with cultivation levels above the Integration Stage to destroy the disturbing cave, so as to prevent it from continuing to cause harm to the world in the future.
This time, neither Gao Zhun nor Ah Zhong flew on their swords. Instead, they took out a flying magic weapon, also a celestial artifact. Gao Zhun had plenty of celestial artifacts at hand; she didn't have any spiritual artifacts, magical treasures, or ordinary magic weapons. This flying magic weapon, when fully activated, was as fast as a Mahayana stage cultivator, making it perfect for traveling. Of course, Gao Zhun also placed a talisman on the outer wall of the flying magic weapon. Elder Lei had given it to her after hearing that she might visit the Yun family after arriving in Yatian. With this talisman, the flying magic weapon could find its way through the Yun family's misty array, and it was also proof of the Yun family's acceptance.
It has to be said that this speed, comparable to that of a Mahayana cultivator, is truly impressive. Normally, even if Gao Zhun and Ah Zhong were to cough up blood while flying on their swords, it would still take them several months to travel from the Yin Sha Cave to the Yun family. But now, using a celestial artifact, they arrived in just three days.
As soon as they entered the Yun family's territory, the talisman on the flying magic weapon emitted a golden light as a warning. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a member of the Yun family came to guide them.
"May I ask what brings you to the Yun family's territory, friend?" Judging from the man's attire, Gao Zhun knew he was a collateral descendant of the Yun family. But then again, why would a direct descendant have time to act as a greeter?
Gao Zhun smiled and said, "I wonder if you know how to contact Fellow Daoist Yun Mu Ning? My name is Huang Zhu, and I am an old friend of Fellow Daoist Yun."
Upon hearing Yun Mu Ning's name, the disciple immediately became solemn, took out a communication stone, and explained Gao Zhun's identity to Yun Mu Ning on the other end of the communication stone.
The communication stone flashed, and Yun Mu Ning was somewhat surprised. However, upon hearing that it was a member of the Yun family who was receiving visitors, saying that a person named Huang Zhu claimed to be her old friend and had come to see her, she smiled. She knew the alias Gao Zhun Huang Zhu; she had always used this name back in Yongcheng. She just hadn't expected her to come to Ya Tian. She replied, "Bring her to my villa..." After a pause, Yun Mu Ning added, "Never mind, I'll go and greet her myself. You all stay where you are; I'll be there in a moment."
Having received Yun Mu Ning's confirmation, the Yun family's guide lowered his guard somewhat, saying that Yun Mu Ning would arrive shortly and that Gao Zhun would have to wait here for now.
While Gao Zhun was still chatting and laughing with the Yun family's guide, Yun Mu Ning appeared in front of them. Looking at Gao Zhun and A Zhong, who had changed their appearances, she was still a little hesitant to recognize them. But when she heard Gao Zhun's tone, she was absolutely certain that the person who spoke with such an unreliable air was the Gao Zhun she knew.
Upon seeing the people waiting, Gao Zhun bid farewell to the guide in a friendly manner and then came to Yun Mu Ning's side. However, she had changed her previous smiling demeanor and said with a worried expression, "A Yin Sha Cave has been discovered on the southwestern border of Ya Tian. It was the work of a dozen or so evil cultivators with at least the Nascent Soul stage cultivation tens of thousands of years ago. I'm afraid that delay will cause trouble. Mu Ning, you should report to your family elders first."
Gao Zhun dropped this bombshell right from the start, effectively stopping Yun Mu Ning from starting a proper reminiscing. However, she knew there were priorities. Reminiscing could wait, but the Yin Sha Cave, which could endanger lives and even breed a terrifying ghost, was a serious matter. She immediately took out her communication stone. Time was of the essence, and unsure who to contact, she used the communication stone her master had given her to contact him directly.
“My master has considerable influence in the family. I have informed her of the matter, so you can rest assured.” Yun Mu Ning had changed her previous arrogant and haughty personality and did not boast that her master was one of the most powerful elders in the family. Gao Zhun felt a little uncomfortable seeing Yun Mu Ning like this.
Seeing Gao Zhun's gaze, Yun Mu Ning felt angry but couldn't vent it. Although she had changed her face, she still felt an irresistible urge to be scratched. So she said somewhat irritably, "This is the Yun family's doorstep. Even I can't be presumptuous."
That short sentence cleared up Gao Zhun's doubts. Gao Zhun raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. When did Miss Yun become so perceptive? The world has really changed. But it also shows that someone is indeed good at managing things. No wonder she is a woman who single-handedly supports an entire family! Meanwhile, Gao Zhun praised Wu Yaqiubai, who was nowhere to be found.
"I don't know what kind of luck you have, to stumble upon such a major event as the Yin Sha Cave so soon after arriving in Ya Tian. The training grounds you casually visited back then were also important locations for my Yun family..." Before Yun Mu Ning could finish speaking, a high-level female cultivator rushed to the Yun family's gate, and the former said very respectfully, "Master, you've arrived."