Chapter 150: The Celestial Master Sect Under Attack

The next day would mark the third day of the Immortal Dao Conference, also known as the day of the grand finals.

Only two hours had passed since the two unaffiliated practitioners visited the celestial tablet, yet the Special Investigation Unit had already detected some unusual signals. Dozens more cultivators had arrived at the small town at the foot of Mount Sanqing, most of whom seemed to be unaffiliated practitioners with limited cultivation.

Using the surveillance network along the various highways surrounding Mount Sanqing, the unit had identified over ten familiar faces within a few hours. They were all corrupt Daoist experts who were notorious for their crimes, yet they had mysteriously vanished in the past two years.

Under the cover of night, members of the Special Investigation Unit began withdrawing from Mount Sanqing. Since most had already completed their tasks, they started returning to their original posts to resume their daily duties. Though it appeared as if their labor was being relentlessly squeezed out of them, the true purpose was simply to keep the non-cultivator investigators temporarily away from danger.

The Special Investigation Unit was still primarily composed of young, ordinary people. Although a formal Cultivator Police Unit had been established last year, it was now a separate department and no longer under the Special Investigation Unit's jurisdiction.

Higher authorities seemed to have made a deliberate choice: they granted the Special Investigation Unit relatively high authority yet insisted that it remained composed entirely of non-cultivators.

***

In the forest behind the Daoist temple.

Under the depths of the night's cold, clear moonlight, two sword-wielding Daoists moved and clashed.

One was dressed in white as pure as snow, complementing her gentle and flowing movements. The treasured sword in her hand, seemingly carved from solid ice, constantly emitted strands of cold air, making her seem like an immortal who had descended to the mortal world—the type of immortal who came with dry ice, at least.

The other moved unpredictably. His sword techniques were refined and intricate, and his footwork was even harder to follow. Nevertheless, the female blocked all his attacks using the sword that emanated cold qi.

The woman in snow-white robes clearly had a somewhat clumsy defense, with every move seemingly lacking strength. Adjusting to her, the man circling her deliberately held back from launching strong attacks.

After a while, the two widened the distance between them and lowered their swords.

The woman stood under the moonlight, deep in thought.

Her cascading black hair framed her graceful figure. Although she had no makeup on, her beauty could topple nations. Just a slight furrow of her brow could tug at one's heart and make others wonder what sorrow lingered in her silence.

Meanwhile, the man stepped out from the shadows of the forest with a sword case on his back and a longsword in his hand. "Senior Sister, try to incorporate your understanding of the polarity of yin and yang into your sword techniques. Don't restrict yourself to fixed forms. Your cultivation realm is sufficient, and you've studied sword techniques before."

Wang Sheng had been offering his senior sister guidance and helping her quickly adapt to Ice Crystal in combat.

"

Mm.

" Mu Wanxuan responded, lowered her head in thought for a while, and looked up at Wang Sheng.

Understanding her cue, Wang Sheng once again attacked with the Seven-Star Sword Formation. This time, her response was slightly better than before. She finally began to show hints of a sword style that was centered around yin and yang.

To expect her to switch to using a sword in just one night was admittedly unrealistic. Hence, Wang Sheng only hoped that his senior sister could integrate Ice Crystal's cold qi into her Yin-Yang Grand Formation, which would give her a slight boost in strength.

The two sparred until the first light of dawn. They then each leaned against a tree trunk to rest. Mu Wanxuan played around with Ice Crystal, while Wang Sheng gently wiped down Spiritless.

Soon, they would have to return to the venue and fulfill their duties. As disciples of Qing Yanzi, they had been in service to the people throughout the Immortal Dao Conference. It hadn't been easy. The two couldn't even join the tournament.

"Senior Sister, I heard from Mou Yue that the next Immortal Dao Conference will likely be held five years from now at the Longhu Mountains, and that the Celestial Master himself would organize it. Why don't we go take the first and second places then?"

"

Mm!

" Mu Wanxuan responded seriously. She then tilted her head and looked at Wang Sheng with a bit of worry.

Her junior brother had yet to reach the Illusory Core Realm. Though the next Immortal Dao Conference was still five years away, everyone was diligently cultivating. Many top experts around thirty years old this year would still be eligible to compete in the next one. For him to place second would be no easy feat.

Wang Sheng yawned. Sparring with his senior sister all night had exhausted him more than fighting dozens of battles against the Seventy-Two Swords' formation spirit.

Soon, their phones buzzed. Together, they descended the mountain and headed to the venue to resume their work.

The Immortal Dao Conference would be done by noon, with the top three decided. In the afternoon, a Daoist symposium would be held, during which more than ten Daoist elders would each give sermons on cultivation. It was a grand event in itself.

It was expected that half the cultivators would stay in the area for several more days. After all, this was a rare grand gathering of the cultivation world. Once the official events concluded, those who had hit it off would naturally group up, make friends, share drinks, discuss the Dao, and leisurely enjoy themselves.

However, those who were aware of the crocodile-fishing plan had already lost all interest in watching the climax of the Immortal Dao Conference. The four Golden Core Realm experts were the only exceptions.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Unit members were drafting a list for midday. They intended to invite trustworthy and powerful masters from the Daoist sects and sacred mountains, as well as several eminent monks from the Buddhist sects, to assist in the coming battle.

As the finals were taking place at the venue, Wang Sheng and most of the referees were summoned back to the meeting room.

Mou Yue arrived in a hurry. As soon as she entered, she reported, "We've just received intel that the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect —the largest force among the corrupt cultivators—has made their move after hiding for so long in the shadows. They've already mobilized a large number of experts in secret to seize the celestial tablet!"

The Daoist masters were initially stunned, but they quickly gathered around.

A referee from the Longhu Mountains righteously declared, "The celestial tablet is of grave importance. It must never fall into the hands of corrupt cultivators lest we face unimaginable consequences."

Another Daoist master added, "If you need our help, patrons, just say the word. We cannot just stand by and watch this happen."

Mou Yue sighed in relief and smiled. "Thank you, Daoist masters. Right now, there's not enough time to mobilize the Special Warfare Unit. Once the top eight finish their comprehension of the stone tablet at noon, we plan to transport it away."

"There's no need to worry, Patron Mou. With so many righteous cultivators gathered here, we have an abundance of experts present. On the contrary, I'd like to see what kind of storm those corrupt cultivators think they can stir up."

Mou Yue just stayed silent. However, deep down, she thought,

Transporting the celestial tablet can only be entrusted to reliable experts...

Not only did they have to find trustworthy experts, but their number also had to be kept within a delicate range. Too many, and the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect might grow cautious, making them dive deep into the shadows once more after resurfacing halfway. Too few, and the escort team wouldn't stand a chance against the corrupt cultivators, resulting in unnecessary casualties.

The Daoist masters nodded in understanding, already prepared for a great battle with the corrupt cultivators.

Mou Yue glanced at Wang Sheng, who was sitting to the side. When their eyes met, they shared a knowing smile.

The list of cultivators to escort the celestial tablet was soon finalized: twenty-six Daoist masters at the Illusory Core Realm and forty-six late-stage Seed Formation Realm cultivators.

As long as they could deliver the celestial tablet to a military base, their mission would be complete.

However, a few Daoist masters were puzzled. Why the rush to transport the celestial tablet? With so many righteous cultivators present at the Immortal Dao Conference, this should be the safest place for it.

In response, the Special Investigation Unit could only helplessly answer, "The higher-ups are overly anxious about the celestial tablet."

By eleven in the morning, the Immortal Dao Conference came to an end. A thirty-three-year-old Daoist master from the Qingcheng Mountains claimed the title of Celestial Champion.

When Wang Sheng saw the Daoist master's name, the man's rank on the Heavenly Rankings in his previous life immediately came to mind. A regular in the top fifty of the Heavenly Rankings, he was a truly formidable figure. Unexpectedly, he also ended up becoming the Celestial Champion of the very first Immortal Dao Conference back then.

Apart from Huai Jing, who placed third, the others who finished within the top eight were all from Daoist sects. After the tournament, they were brought into a pavilion behind the main platform, where the true celestial tablet was revealed to them.

Last night, Qing Yanzi had wanted to sneak the tablet away, but Chi Ling had said,

"You can't catch the wolf if you're not willing to sacrifice the lamb."

Hence, the tablet was left behind. Chi Ling had full confidence in her arrangements.

The celestial tablet was inscribed with the scripture of the Great Dao, which no one could yet decipher. Even Illusory Core Realm cultivators experienced piercing headaches after brief comprehension attempts.

The eight cultivators were added to the team escorting the celestial tablet. After all, such a treasure couldn't be shown to them for nothing.

At 1:30 PM, more than ten SUVs and several military trucks entered the venue. The Daoist masters selected to escort the celestial tablet, along with a hundred soldiers from the Special Warfare Unit, squeezed into the various vehicles.

An attack helicopter then descended from the sky and lifted the silver-white box, which was covered in black cloth, into the air once again. Golden Core Realm experts could already fly freely through the skies. Using only a helicopter for transport would not be safe.

The helicopter hovered over the convoy, which slowly made its way down the mountain road of Mount Sanqing to the highway.

The box hung conspicuously in the air, making it impossible not to draw attention.

On the main platform of the venue, many Daoist elders stood watching. The four Golden Core cultivators had also risen to their feet.

Yuan Pu Zhenren transmitted, "Bu Yan, where should we head next?"

"Wait a moment," Qing Yanzi calmly transmitted back. "If I were one of those corrupt cultivators, I'd surely find a way to stall us four before moving to seize the celestial tablet. We'll lure them away from the mountain. Remain steady to deal with all changes."

"So we've already discovered their plan?" Fei Long asked.

"Not really; it's just a guess." Qing Yanzi shrugged. "Still, in all the tactics I can think of, luring them away from the mountain is essential. If I were commanding the corrupt cultivators, I'd definitely send two Golden Core Realm experts with a group of Illusory Core Realm cultivators to attack the Longhu Mountains, which is only three hundred miles away. That would throw our forces into chaos."

The Celestial Master, who had remained silent, perked up and glared sharply at Qing Yanzi.

Qing Yanzi quickly added, "Please don't worry, Celestial Master. They're not as clever as I am."

Led by police cars, the convoy drove along a sealed-off highway, escorting the helicopter to the designated location. They were still hours away.

***

In a small town at the foot of Mount Sanqing.

Half an hour after the convoy had departed, a young man sat by a teahouse window with a smile on his lips. Into his phone, he ordered, "Begin."

Three hundred miles away, a ripple of primal qi suddenly surged through a forest grove at the base of Mount Tianmen—the main mountain of the Longhu Mountains. Several large holes then opened in the grassy woods. Figures shot out of them, unleashed their auras, and charged up the steep mountain path.