Chapter 100: Qing Yanzi Leaves Seclusion

The corrupt Daoists were wreaking havoc, wantonly taking lives. Such matters could not be ignored when encountered, let alone when one was directly entangled in them.

No wonder the Five Gods Cult had been completely wiped out in his previous life and even made an example of in official reports. While the powerful Yin-Yang Cult had gone into deeper hiding, the Five Gods Cult had instead grown so bold that they were now trying to negotiate with the authorities.

Merely holding hostages to negotiate would still be a vile act, but it would at least show that these corrupt cultivators had not completely lost their rationality. However, the Five Gods Cult, along with several other large-scale corrupt Daoist groups, had also recklessly slaughtered a branch of the Special Investigation Unit.

It was supposed to serve as a blatant warning to the Hua Republic—a declaration that if these corrupt Daoist cultivators wished to stir up chaos, they could deal a huge blow that the government could not afford to bear.

On the contrary, though, it seemed the corrupt cultivators had forgotten that just a few years ago, when cultivation had not yet been possible, the government had maintained a zero-tolerance stance toward terrorism. Now that their actions had long since crossed the line, they were simply seeking their own destruction.

Even Wang Sheng and Chi Ling were considered a backup plan. There was a chance that the corrupt cultivators would already be eradicated before they even arrived.

If the enemies had been so arrogant that they had not taken hostages, then by now, they would likely have already been reduced to nothing but scorched remains under a barrage of overwhelming firepower.

The most troublesome issue at the moment was that their ruthless enemy had captured Special Investigation Unit members. Moreover, they had chosen a coastal area for their attack, which gave them an escape route by sea. The location made the rescue operation several times more difficult.

The enemy had specifically demanded the cultivator who killed the Wood Yin God and the captain of the Special Investigation Unit for negotiations. There was no way Wang Sheng could avoid the situation, but even if there were, he had no reason to.

"Senior Sister, please put these gloves on while I go change my clothes. I'll explain how to use them in a moment."

Wang Sheng strapped the Primal-Qi Gatherer onto his back, then grabbed his sole artifact. He pushed off with both hands, launching himself from his wheelchair into the bathroom.

After some effort equipping his artifact properly, he immediately felt a refreshing coolness in his vital spots. The inner garment, made from Drunken Celestial Butterfly Silk, was undoubtedly a top-tier luxury item in the cultivation world.

By the time he had put on his Daoist robe and stepped out, his senior sister had already changed into a pink and white traditional gown. She managed to change even quicker.

Wang Sheng took out the tube that an elder from the Medicine God Valley had given him, but before he could apply it, he received a call from Bulldozer.

"I'll do it on the way. Senior Sister, help me dissolve the medicinal power later."

Mu Wanxuan immediately nodded in agreement. "

Mm.

"

Fortunately, over the past two days, Wang Sheng had been using his true essence to strengthen his bones and heal his fractures. By now, the bone reinforcement process was nearly two-thirds complete.

If he gave up on further reinforcement, he could focus all his true essence on repairing his injuries within three hours. With the rare medicinal ointment from Medicine God Valley, he might get to stand even sooner. He had wanted to save the ointment to avoid having to buy another later on, but it seemed he had no other choice.

Bone reinforcement will just have to wait until I break my leg again...

Wang Sheng picked up his sword case, and Mu Wanxuan pushed the wheelchair. The two hurried out of the room. When the elevator doors opened, Bulldozer was already inside waiting. He quickly helped Wang Sheng in.

"What about your leg injury?" Bulldozer asked with concern.

"Don't worry. It'll be healed soon."

Wang Sheng left his wheelchair right at the hotel entrance. He then pushed himself up with both hands and jumped straight into the back seat of the SUV.

Once Mu Wanxuan got in, she immediately lifted Wang Sheng's legs onto her lap. Her palms glowed with true essence as she covered his injuries with qi.

Bulldozer started the car. Before he could step on the accelerator, someone shouted from the hotel entrance, "Wait! I'm coming too!"

A man darted forward at incredible speed, yanked open the car door, and squeezed into the front passenger seat. He then turned and grinned at Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan.

"I'll hitch a ride. No need for them to send another person to pick me up," Fei Lianzi remarked.

Wang Sheng's eyes lit up. "You're heading there as well?"

"Of course. When matters like this arise, one must take action." Fei Lianzi's expression turned serious. "Our sword sect was founded on righteousness. While I may lack the grand heroism of the legendary Sword Immortal Taibai, who was praised for ‘killing one in ten steps, leaving none alive within a thousand miles,' I still uphold the duty of slaying evil, defending the Dao, and protecting the people!"

"Good!" Bulldozer roared. "We're heading straight to the base. The helicopter will be arriving soon!"

He put the pedal to the metal, shooting the vehicle onto the main road.

At the hotel entrance, Li Gufeng rushed out clutching two longswords and stared at the disappearing taillights. "Master! You forgot your sword!"

However, there was no response at all. The jeep had already sped away.

***

Just as Wang Sheng and the others arrived at the temporary base of the Special Investigation Unit, several helicopters descended from the sky. Unlike before, Wang Sheng allowed his senior sister to carry him onto the helicopter.

While they were still in the car, Mu Wanxuan had carefully applied the ointment to Wang Sheng's ankle. Now, she continued to help him dissolve the medicinal power.

Watching his senior sister quietly tending to him, Wang Sheng felt his heart warm up. However, the sentiment quickly faded when Bulldozer provided them real-time updates.

The group of corrupt cultivators was not acting blindly. They had apparently retreated to an island near the mainland and even taken the villagers of the island as additional hostages.

"The Special Warfare Unit has already surrounded the island, but those bastards are ruthless. They've started executing hostages!" Bulldozer's eyes burned with rage as he cursed under his breath. "They're demanding that the Special Warfare Unit withdraw from the area or they'll kill a hostage every three minutes. They've already begun killing people!"

Fei Lianzi grew furious. "Those corrupt cultivators treat human lives as mere playthings! They deserve to be hacked to pieces! There must be many among them who have practiced demonic arts and lost all traces of humanity!"

"Do we know the exact number of Illusory Core Realm experts among them?" Wang Sheng asked.

Bulldozer checked his phone. "Confirmed on the enemy's side, there are six Illusory Core Realm experts: the Five Gods Cult's Flowing Water God, Metal Iron God, and Earth Sand God; Daoist Iron Eagle, the sect master of Tianlin Sect; Grand Elder Duan Kongming from the Flying Flame Sect; and Wei Zixiaoyao, an unaffiliated corrupt cultivator.

"From the way they were calling out to us, we believe that the Five Gods Cult is leading this operation. They aim to force the authorities to stop interfering in the cultivation world's affairs. They want things to return to how they were in ancient times, where cultivators handled their own matters, and the secular world stayed out of it."

Wang Sheng snorted and closed his eyes to rest.

The opposing side had six Illusory Core Realm experts. It was unclear how many experts the Special Investigation Unit could mobilize on short notice, but the seven Daoist elders who had attended the research institute's exchange meeting would likely be with them.

They certainly didn't fall behind in strength.

Moreover, since the corrupt cultivators had made such a huge scene, the elite members of the Special Warfare Unit, along with their instructors, would likely take action as well.

There was nothing to be overly concerned about. Wang Sheng just had to help however he could.

***

At an unnamed peak on the Zhongnan Mountains' western end.

Near the cave entrance on the mountainside, where Jingyun would usually stand still like a jade statue, she had now drifted down from the clouds.

She tied up her long hair and started a fire next to a tent. Under the vast, starry sky, the dry-wood-fueled flames burned steadily as she prepared noodles for the young girl meditating beside her.

Jingyun had lived alone on the mountain for an unknown number of years, cultivating in solitude. Nevertheless, her cooking skills were still quite decent. Even though it was just plain noodles in clear broth with a few leafy greens, the aroma was delicate and pleasant.

Riiiing! Riiiing! Riiing!

The ringing phone pulled Jingyun out of her thoughts. She lowered her slender hand toward the fire, and the flames immediately shrank. With a casual motion, she summoned the phone into her palm. She then glanced at the message from the Special Investigation Unit, which made her frown.

Just then, a lazy yawn echoed from the cave, where layers of spiderwebs had long since accumulated.

"

Mmm...

smells good. How did you know I would be leaving seclusion today, Junior Sister? You even made noodles for me?"

Jingyun turned around in surprise. Her spiritual consciousness had been covering the area, yet she still failed to even slightly notice his movements.

At the cave entrance, a scruffy man with tangled hair and a full beard stretched his arms, perfectly embodying the fact that long-term secluded cultivation inevitably led to a disheveled appearance.

Fortunately, upon reaching the Illusory Core Realm, a Daoist's body became naturally pure. Otherwise, he would probably be reeking of sweat...

Jingyun's face lit up. Smiling, she stepped forward to greet him. "Senior Brother? Why didn't you say anything before coming out?"

Qing Yanzi chuckled. "I'm not really sure myself. I was deeply comprehending the Great Dao when I suddenly had a strong impulse to end my seclusion. It seems like the right time to come out...

Huh?

Junior Sister, when did you take in a disciple?"

As his eyes locked onto Chi Wen's small face, he froze. Even in the dim light of the fire, he instantly recognized her.

Chi Wen, on the other hand, had trouble fully entering a meditative state due to her shallow cultivation level. Nevertheless, though their conversation had already disturbed her, she wasn't sure anymore if she should open her eyes.

In disbelief and suppressed joy, his voice trembled slightly. "Is that Little Wen? Is it really her?"

Qing Yanzi was about to take a big step toward Chi Wen when he hesitated, suddenly unsure of himself. "It really is Little Wen... Why is she here? Junior Sister, quick, what should I say?"

Before Jingyun could answer, Qing Yanzi took a deep breath and softly greeted, "Little Wen, I... I'm your father. You may not have seen me before—wait, what am I doing? Let me tidy myself up first. I should at least look presentable before meeting you. Junior Sister, you have to explain everything to me later.

Bursting into laughter, the Daoist turned and ran back toward the cave, suddenly revitalized.

"Senior Brother! You can't take your time bonding with Little Wen right now!" Jingyun called after him. "Something happened to the Special Investigation Unit. A group of powerful cultivators ambushed one of their branch offices, captured their members, and took hundreds of hostages. They're demanding that the investigation unit's captain meet with them for negotiations."

"Investigation unit? What unit?" Qing Yanzi was momentarily confused.

Chi Wen opened her eyes and jumped up. "Did my mom go? Are those corrupt cultivators really strong?"

Qing Yanzi tensed up.

"Unfortunately, that's all I know," Jingyun quickly replied. "Since Fei Yu killed a corrupt cultivator from the Five Gods Cult, they've specifically demanded that he join the captain as well."

"Fei Yu?"

Before Jingyun could react, Qing Yanzi had snatched the phone from her hand. Standing in front of her, he frowned as he skimmed through the message.

"Tell them to send me the exact location. If there's any update, call me immediately! No wonder I've been feeling so restless, like something major was about to happen. I didn't expect corrupt cultivators to still be running rampant in this day and age. Do they really think the righteous path has no one left to stand against them?"

Before he was even done talking, he had already shot forward.

"Junior Sister, lend me your sword!"

His Daoist robe and long hair fluttered as he leaped into the air. With a flick of his hand, he summoned Jingyun's shortsword and placed it beneath his feet.

Taking a deep breath, he rose into the sky and accelerated as he headed east.

Although Golden Core Realm cultivators could control objects to fly, moving at Qing Yanzi's reckless speed rapidly depleted true essence and spiritual consciousness. Worse, he wasn't even anywhere near the speed of a modern passenger jet yet.