Chapter 1806: Gathering

“This stele is probably left behind by the Earthly Sovereign.”

Ye Qing declared in a low but certain tone.

Feng Qingyou withdrew her finger and said softly, “Since we’ve located the Mountain Beyond Mountain, let us contact the others immediately.”

Ye Qing nodded and produced his jade communication talisman. Then, he informed the Chief Libationist and more Sages about the location of the Mountain Beyond Mountain.

He received the Chief Libationist’s response not long after he sent the message.

“Excellent! We’ll be there right away!”

After receiving the Chief Libationist’s affirmative response, Ye Qing put away the talisman and looked at the stele once more. “Now, we wait.”

And so the trio waited quietly at the top of the mountain.

The mountain wind blew strongly, fluttering clothes and causing a howl from time to time. The sun gradually set, and the sky slowly darkened as time passed. It was now evening, and nighttime wasn’t far away. Everything was quiet and dark.

Suddenly, a bright, clear whistle erupted from the distant horizon. It shook the nine heavens and deafened the four plains like a dragon’s roar.

The trio immediately perked up and turned in the direction of the howl. As expected, they saw a clear, righteous light shooting straight toward them like a rainbow that could pierce the sun. It was so fast that it reached them in just the blink of an eye. Then, the light faded to reveal a tall, imposing figure.

The man was wearing a Confucian robe and a black silk headdress. He had a simple, plain-looking face, and his hair and beard were completely white. He wielded a jade ruler and emanated an aura of righteous qi. He looked like a living celestial and naturally garnered respect from everyone who set their sights on him.

He was none other than the Chief Libationist.

“Greetings, Chief Libationist.” Ye Qing, Feng Qingyou and White Robe Demon Master hurriedly greeted him.

“Long time no see, Joyless, Qingyou.” The Chief Libationist smiled and greeted them with a voice that felt as warm and soothing as the spring wind. “My apologies for being late. You must have waited a long time.”

“You exaggerate, Chief Libationist. We have just arrived a while ago,” Ye Qing replied.

The Chief Libationist nodded and scanned the trio for a bit. Then, his gaze landed on the stele with a hint of praise. “Not bad, not bad. This is definitely the Mountain Beyond Mountain. The auras of this place are quite profound and extraordinary.”

Another whistle erupted before he could finish. It was shrill and loud like a phoenix’s cry.

The next moment, a purple beam appeared from the horizon. It was surrounded by purple qi that covered up both the sky and the earth. One could vaguely spot a figure amidst the purple light. The figure was surrounded by flashing lightning and rumbling thunder, intimidating and domineering.

“The Old Heavenly Master has arrived as well!” The Chief Libationist smiled while stroking his beard.

After the figure reached them, the purple light surrounding them faded away to reveal an old man wearing a purple Taoist robe. His eyes were bright like a pair of lightning bolts. Thunderous power crackled around him and gave him the appearance of a thunder god. He looked quite awe-inspiring.

“Hahahaha, this poor Taoist has arrived, my boy!” The Old Heavenly Master lifted his head and guffawed like thunder. This one gesture was all one needed to see to know his spirit and soul.

“Greetings, Old Heavenly Master,” The trio saluted the man just like they did the Chief Libationist.

“Oh, save the courtesies.” The Old Heavenly Master waved them off before gazing to the distance. “The old monk and the rest should be right behind me.”

As if on cue, the Dragon Subjugating Zen Master appeared on the horizon. He was donning a kasaya and wearing a solemn expression. Each step he took produced a lotus flower, and his Buddhist light and Brahma sounds dispelled the gloominess of the sea and brought a sliver of auspiciousness and tranquility to this place.

Not long after, Haotian Hong, Xuanyuan Wang, Yue Hanhai, Long-browed Divine Monk, Princess Royal Floating Sun, Xiahou Zun and more all showed up as well.

The gathering of Sages was impressive to say the least. Their combined auras were as vast as the sky and as deep as the abyss. They naturally warped their surroundings without trying.

After greeting each other and trading pleasantries with each other, the group all turned their gaze onto Ye Qing.

Their astonishment was plainly written on their face.

“You’re already at the third level, young friend Ye? The young truly is to be feared,” said Haotian Hong with blazing eyes, an admiring tone, and unbridled astonishment.

Xiahou Zun was wide-eyed as well. “My boy! How on earth do you practice? How is your cultivation level higher than mine already?!”

A hint of astonishment peeked out of the Dragon Subjugating Zen Master’s normally stony expression as well. “Amitabha, your talent truly is out of this world, benefactor Ye. The Buddhist sutra claims that even a momentary flash may prove their Bodhi fruit, and your progress is practically divine, benefactor Ye.”

“The young is to be feared. The young truly is to be feared!”

Yue Hanhai was looking Ye Qing up and down in amazement and praise as well. “I used to think that I, Yue Hanhai, am a man of outstanding talent, but compared to you? I might as well be a firefly trying to outshine the moon!”

Ye Qing accepted everyone’s praise with a modest expression and a salute. He said clearly, “You flatter me, seniors. The reason this junior achieved what he achieved is all thanks to your guidance and support. Without your unreserved help, there is no way I could have come this far.”

The Chief Libationist stroked his beard smilingly. “Bah! It is all the product of your hard work and fortune. We did nothing.”

The Old Heavenly Master barked out a laugh and clapped Ye Qing on the shoulder. He declared rambunctiously, “Not bad at all, young friend Ye! You make us proud! When this is over, you must join me for a drink! We won’t stop until we drop, okay? Haha!”

After chatting with Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou a while longer, the Chief Libationist turned his gaze to Ye Qing and said gently, “Since we have found the Mountain Beyond Mountain, unlock the seal so we may head inside and slay the Undying Nether Phoenix, Joyless. No sense in dragging this out, right?”

Ye Qing nodded and stopped talking. He walked up to the old stele and summoned the Earthly Sovereign Bell on his palm.

Floating in the air, the ancient bell swayed and emitted a low but resounding chime. The sound waves washed across the area and distorted the surrounding space.

When Ye Qing performed a hand seal and injected a vast amount of qi into the sacred artifact, the bronze bell shone brightly, and Profound Yellow Mother Qi rushed out of it. It mixed with the stele.

The ancient runes on the stele lit up one after another, and profound light flowed around its body. A mysterious but grand aura was slowly awakening from the depths of the stele.

Crack—

There was a crack, and a gap appeared on the stele’s surface. The crack rapidly grew until it split the stele in two perfectly at the center. The now split parts of the stele slowly shifted to the sides until a dark door appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Deep and dark, chaotic streams of energies flowed inside the door as if the other side was a completely different world. At the same time, a cold, oppressive aura seeped out of the door and generated wisps of black flames in the air. It was intimidating.

“Is this the door that leads to the interior of the Mountain Beyond Mountain?” Haotian Hong stared at the dark door with great interest.

Xuanyuan Wang nodded with a severe expression. “Senior Earthly Sovereign was truly out of this world. To think he could create such a potent space. One cannot help but be amazed by it.”

Eyes resembling dark, bottomless pools, the Chief Libationist stared intently at the door and declared, “The entrance is open, everyone. Let us go!”

His voice was steady and imbued with unquestionable dignity.

Everyone responded affirmatively and turned completely serious.

Ye Qing took the lead and stepped into the door first, and Feng Qingyou was right behind him. They were followed by White Robe Demon Master, Chief Libationist, Old Heavenly Master and more.

As soon as they stepped through the door, heaven and earth swapped places, and time and space changed dramatically.

By the time they regained their consciousness, the scenery before them was like nothing it used to be.