Chapter 221: My Heart Alone Faces the Bright Moon

No matter how beautiful or how shocking her words were, a young woman who had just graduated from university and entered the workforce normally would have difficulties drawing the attention of authorities. Most people would simply think she was speaking nonsense.

However, Shen Qianlin had contacted Wang Sheng, a young sword cultivator who had made some connections among the Hua Republic's authorities and the cultivation world. Wang Sheng reported the matter directly to Chi Ling, the captain of the Special Investigation Unit.

Shen Qianlin was immediately subjected to official scrutiny.

Within three minutes, the senior officials in the video conference began discussing how to respond to the threat that the "descendants of immortals" and "guardians of the netherworld" posed.

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan, who also had access to the meeting, saw with their own eyes how swiftly and decisively the senior officials formulated strategies. They showed no hesitation or delay.

First, they decided it was better to believe it could exist than to assume it didn't. The scouting team was instructed not to step onto the Yellow Springs Road lightly, but they were to continue verifying its existence.

Next, they pursued a two-pronged approach. While they made direct contact with the young woman from the Hidden Earth Sect, they also launched a full-scale investigation to locate where the sect was hiding within the borders of the Hua Republic. Even if it was a reclusive sect, they would eventually find traces of it for as long as it was based in the Hua Republic.

In today's world, there was no such thing as a true hidden paradise. One satellite sweep could expose everything.

Taking a more aggressive stance, some proposed that the so-called descendants of immortals be treated as unstable individuals. They would be restrained and ordered to hand over their treasures to the Cultivation Research Institute for study.

However, others counterargued that the state should maintain a cooperative relationship with them just as they had been doing with the righteous factions of the cultivation world. If they truly were the heirs of immortals, they should use that legacy to benefit the people. Either way, they had to make contact with the Hidden Earth Sect before anything could be decided.

After giving Shen Qianlin's number to Chi Ling, Wang Sheng found himself unsure about what else he could do. Hence, he and his senior sister turned their attention to another pressing issue: the female corpse who had failed to reincarnate and was now frantically searching for another method, deep in the netherworld.

The authorities hadn't taken notice of the female corpse yet, but she posed an even greater threat. Wang Sheng could still vividly remember Xi Lian, who was only a half-immortal, easily shrugging off the Heavenly Sword. If a full-fledged Celestial Immortal lost control, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Just as Wang Sheng planned to raise the matter, Mu Wanxuan asked if there was any way to help Shen Qianlin, making him smile wryly. She probably thought he could solve anything. Even this.

But he was merely a cultivator at the Illusory Core Realm. Though no longer insignificant within today's cultivation world, how could he possibly assist a Celestial Immortal in reincarnating?

Worried, Mu Wanxuan sent a message.

Mu Wanxuan: If she doesn't reincarnate, will her remnant soul vanish?

Wanting to give an encouraging and believable answer, Wang Sheng thought for a moment. In the end, he could only shake his head. He typed a few lines on his phone and sent them to her.

Wang Sheng: All life is born only to eventually pass. The opposition and cycle of life and death feed into each other. This is what I learned from your teachings on the Dao of Balanced Yin and Yang.

Wang Sheng: Master taught us that cultivators follow the Dao, harmonize with and perceive nature, pursue the Great Dao to grasp its essence, and transcend the laws of life and death. Right now, that female immortal is gravely wounded and believes her time is nearly up. With our current abilities, all we can do is light incense and pray for her.

Mu Wanxuan reflected on it seriously, then turned and ran to her room. She came back holding a bundle of incense sticks. In response, Wang Sheng respectfully helped her set up the incense burner. They knelt and began praying.

Xi Lian, who had been standing nearby, looked at them in disbelief. Her mouth twitched.

Those two always have a way of surprising me.

Less than thirty minutes later, the Special Investigation Unit had placed Shen Qianlin under protection. The authorities continued their search for the Hidden Earth Sect, but they had ruled out the possibility that they were hiding deep in the mountains. Ever since cultivation had been revived, the government had invested heavily in monitoring such areas.

One of the senior officials proposed that if the Hidden Earth Sect were like a traditional clan living in some remote village, they would be nearly impossible to locate swiftly. With the Hua Republic's six to seven hundred thousand administrative villages and several million natural villages, such a reclusive sect had no shortage of places to hide.

An hour after Wang Sheng's call with Shen Qianlin, the scouting team located the entrance to Yellow Springs Road. Following a brief discussion, the research institute ordered them to leave behind monitoring devices and collect a few samples, then retreat immediately. They did not set foot on the Yellow Springs Road itself.

Shen Qianlin's information became significantly more credible since it aligned with the distance they had traveled. Still worried, Wang Sheng requested a video call with his mistress to ask about the progress, and Chi Ling was quick to tease him about it.

—What's wrong? Are you worried we'll use extreme methods on your senior sister?

"Well... I'm sure you've set proper boundaries, Mistress."

—Don't worry. We have our principles. Only corrupt cultivators get 'special treatment.'

"That's good to hear. Any progress?"

—Not yet. Miss Shen is still a bit hesitant.

"About what?"

—Your senior sister is very intelligent. Although she did come forward to warn us out of goodwill, she also intends to use this opportunity to borrow external strength to clean up the internal power struggle within her sect.

—I just had a long talk with her. She repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction and concern about the current state of the Hidden Earth Sect. She's rational, but the members of her sect have developed a mindset that regards themselves as the rightful heirs of the immortal path. That kind of thinking is... dangerous.

Wang Sheng thought for a moment. "Has the exploration of the Small Nether Realm come to a halt? Is there a plan yet?"

—We do. Since there's no need to send cultivators along the Yellow Springs Road just yet, we've switched to using drones to monitor the Small Nether Realm. We also have to contact the Hidden Earth Sect as soon as possible.

—If they are willing to cooperate with the government, they will be treated the same as any other Daoist sect with recognized heritage once we've confirmed their identities. Should they seek to become rulers of the cultivation world, we will share their exact information with the Daoist sects and let the cultivation world deal with it.

—And if they attempt to stand above the country and the people by claiming to be descendants of immortals, then we will have to reassess the very meaning of their existence.

There wasn't much Wang Sheng could say to that. He simply gave a few soft grunts of acknowledgment.

—During my conversation with Miss Shen, she mentioned your name twenty-one times, her father's name six times, and the Hidden Earth Sect twelve times.

Chi Ling then smiled mischievously and teased him.

—You're quite impressive, Fei Yu. You're always with Little Xuan, yet you still somehow managed to extend a branch of plum blossoms outside the wall. I finally understand why your master arranged for Little Wen to become Jingyun's disciple.

Tsk.

What kind of logic is that?

"Mistress, I have only one moon in my heart!" Wang Sheng replied righteously.

—But the night sky is filled with stars, isn't it?

When his mistress got playful, even his master had no say.

"

Ahem

, I'll hang up now, Mistress."

—Go talk to Miss Shen. I think she already has a solution but still hasn't decided whether to lead us to her hidden sect. You might be able to persuade her. If we can avoid a confrontation with the Hidden Earth Sect and integrate their power into the righteous path of the cultivation world, it would be a tremendous gain for us. They can monitor the entire Small Nether Realm directly, and they have extraordinary treasures in their possession.

—On the other hand, if we try to seize them by force, we could face dire consequences. We don't know if the Celestial Immortals of the Heavenly Court are still alive or not. It would be best to avoid disturbing their descendants.

Wang Sheng quietly acknowledged that his mistress truly was meticulous. She even accounted for the long-lost Celestial Immortals of the Heavenly Court.

He turned to his "moon." She was sitting sideways on a dining chair, quietly watching Wang Sheng with both hands on the backrest and her chin resting on them.

Their eyes met, calming down Wang Sheng's heart. She gave him a faint, warm smile.

"Little Xuanxuan, get me a glass of juice!" Xi Lian instructed, abruptly shattering the tender atmosphere.

Wang Sheng had the urge to complain about the half-immortal fox who had somehow slipped into the official group of the three major government organizations. Meanwhile, Mu Wanxuan was already floating toward the fridge as gracefully as a lotus emerging from the water. Watching her put Wang Sheng in a brief daze.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Peace was always preferable to war.

Wang Sheng did not believe the Hidden Earth Sect had the strength to contend with the cultivation world, let alone the government. Shen Qianlin's warning had not only saved the twenty-seven cultivators but also her sect and family.

Does the Hidden Earth Sect possess Immortal Arts that true immortals left behind?

The forefathers of the Daoist sects were immortals of the Heavenly Court themselves, though.

Mu Wanxuan brought over two glasses of juice for Xi Lian. After Xi Lian picked the grape juice, Mu Wanxuan handed the remaining glass of lemon water to Wang Sheng.

After a moment of thought, Wang Sheng called Shen Qianlin again. Seemingly in good spirits, she didn't blame him for the Special Investigation Unit's temporary detainment. After all, she had made the call knowing exactly what could happen. As Chi Ling had said, her motives were not entirely selfless—she had her own plans.

"Senior Sister, am I your messenger now?" Wang Sheng asked Shen Qianlin as he took the glass from Mu Wanxuan with a smile. "Thanks, Senior Sister."

—No! I never intended to use you for anything! Please don't misunderstand. I just didn't want to see my people clash with the authorities.

Shen Qianlin seemed anxious.

Wang Sheng smiled. "I'm kidding. Your timely warning has already been very helpful. Anyway, what are you planning next? Got a plan?"

—I do... Are you really not upset?

"Yes, really. As a disciple of Daoist sects, I value peace of mind," Wang Sheng replied gently. He took a sip of the lemon water and found the sweetness pleasing. "Now, what's the plan, Ms. Brave Girl?"

Shen Qianlin hesitated for a few seconds.

—How about you pretend to be my boyfriend, and I'll take you to meet my father.

"

Ahk!

" Choking on his lemon water, Wang Sheng coughed profusely.