Chapter 461: Meeting

Though Wang Sheng had just returned, he only had half a month to spend in the Pure Yang Sword Faction before having to set out on a new journey. Aside from his daily cultivation, he had spent every afternoon of those two weeks watching his junior martial brothers and sisters practice their sword techniques.

He simply stood nearby most of the time, adding a bit of pressure to their training. When they finally grew used to his presence a few days later, they started approaching and chatting with him during breaks on their own.

As their second martial brother, Wang Sheng honestly did not know what he could do for them. He could only encourage them to cultivate diligently, follow the sect rules, and avoid angering their master.

Wei Lin's Daoist name was Qing Yu, which meant "soft spoken." Li Jing'an's was Mo Yu, which meant "wordless," and Zhou Liuji's was Ji Yu, which meant "forbidden speech."

Wang Sheng could only sigh helplessly at his master's naming style. Taking Bu Yu and Fei Yu into consideration as well, their master seemed to have quite the fixation on the word "Yu."

Wei Lin did have a gentle nature and spoke softly, though. Qing Yu suited her well. Their fourth and fifth martial brothers' Daoist names could not be read aloud with homophones, or it would sound suspicious. Somehow, they all ultimately fit their master's personality perfectly.

Chi Wen wasn't a sword expert. Nevertheless, during the early stages of the young disciples' foundational training, having her demonstrate the basic sword techniques was the right decision.

In these rare fifteen days of rest amid his hectic schedule, Wang Sheng deliberately let himself relax. The bronze box should be breaking out of the Realm of Exiled Immortals any day now.

Wang Sheng could not explain why, but he felt tense and in danger. He simply felt an urge to push himself to cultivate and break through faster.

Half a day before departure, the fifteen Daoist experts invited for the trip to the Moon arrived at the Pure Yang Sword Faction. Xi Lian, Jingyun, and the "half-Pure-Yang-monk" Huai Jing would also be joining them.

Qing Yanzi chose to remain behind to guard the Pure Yang Sword Faction, teach his disciples, and watch over the southern borderlands, where the corrupt cultivator forces had once been strong. Though the ancient cultivators had nearly wiped out the corrupt cultivators of the southern borderlands, a powerful expert could still be hiding somewhere, waiting to stir up trouble.

Wang Sheng couldn't bring Shi Qianzhang and Liu Yunzhi. Even if he wished to make things easier for them, they were still far from reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.

The density of primal qi in the Hua Republic was even higher than in most parts of the Small Immortal Realm. The Small Immortal Realm's greatest treasures were its facilities, like the Platform of Immortal Dream and the Pool of Immortal Arts.

Wang Sheng bowed respectfully to the fifteen elders before him. "Everyone, this journey will take at least half a year, possibly even two to three years. If you have final instructions for your sect members, please send them now."

The Celestial Master, who was standing at the front, slowly shook his head. "All preparations have been made. It was simply announced to the cultivation world that we have entered secluded cultivation to seek breakthroughs. We can depart whenever you want, Fei Yu."

Wang Sheng smiled. "Since everyone is here, please follow my senior sister, my martial aunt, and Senior Xi Lian to the Moon Palace. I have a small matter to take care of first, but I'll be joining you shortly."

A small matter?

Xi Lian, Jingyun, and even Mu Wanxuan looked at him with faint doubt, but no one questioned Wang Sheng's arrangements.

Using her enchanted power to summon a white cloud, Xi Lian carried Mu Wanxuan and Jingyun into the sky. The Daoist elders exchanged bows with Qing Yanzi before rising one after another into the sky. Wang Sheng, who had slung Spiritless across his back, stayed on the ground, pondering deeply.

Once the group had vanished over the horizon, Qing Yanzi asked, "What is it, Little Sheng? What's on your mind?"

"I want to visit Mistress before going to the Moon Palace," Wang Sheng replied.

Qing Yanzi paused briefly, then nodded. "I'll contact her and ask where she is."

Wang Sheng stepped forward and caught his master's arm. Softly, he insisted, "I'll contact her myself, Master."

A trace of sadness crossed Qing Yanzi's eyes, and his smile turned faint. "It's my fault you and Little Xuan got involved with the Special Investigation Unit."

"Master, you always taught us to protect the country and punish evil," Wang Sheng said firmly. "Had I known what would happen later, I still would have done the same. Anyway, I'm only doing this to warn the officials. I'm still worried about the bronze box breaking out of the Realm of Exiled Immortals."

Qing Yanzi patted his disciple's hand. "Then go ahead. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Wang Sheng nodded, took out his phone, and contacted Mou Yue. He then explained that he had to meet Chi Ling urgently. In response, Mou Yue immediately agreed and told him to head straight to the Special Investigation Unit's headquarters.

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, Qing Yanzi watched his second disciple rise into the air, transform into a streak of rainbow light, and shoot northeast across the sky. He then sighed deeply.

"I've left too much for my disciples to bear..."

With a bitter smile and a shake of his head, Qing Yanzi turned and walked back into the great palace. Before the fully restored stone statue, he sat cross-legged and gradually entered meditation.

***

Wang Sheng had a straightforward meeting with Chi Ling. When he reached the Special Investigation Unit's headquarters, Mou Yue was already waiting at the entrance. She led him straight to the elevator that went up to the top floor.

The moment he stepped into the building, countless eyes turned toward him. Wang Sheng did not bother to look around. He simply followed behind Mou Yue expressionlessly.

As the elevator quickly ascended, Mou Yue tried to speak several times, but in the end, she only managed to ask softly, "You aren't here to hold anyone accountable, are you?"

Wang Sheng only shrugged. His vague answer made Mou Yue break out in a cold sweat.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened, revealing the top floor. Before stepping out, Wang Sheng said calmly, "Don't worry, I'm not."

Mou Yue rolled her eyes. Remembering the status that Wang Sheng had within the cultivation world, she quickly followed him, her high heels clacking.

Mou Yue knocked on the door. "Captain, Wang Sheng has arrived."

The wooden door automatically opened with a soft click. Inside, Wang Sheng once again saw the woman his master now preferred not to face—the woman who oversaw the entire cultivation world.

Chi Ling was behind her office desk, in the middle of a video conference.

She subtly gestured at Mou Yue to make Wang Sheng wait on the sofa in the corner. However, Wang Sheng instead walked straight to her desk. The projection device showed him in the virtual meeting space.

"Pause the meeting," Chi Ling instructed, and the holographic projections vanished. She then looked up at him. "Fei Yu, what's the emergency?"

Mou Yue quickly pulled over a chair and placed it behind Wang Sheng. He unhesitatingly sat down.

"Three matters," Wang Sheng said calmly. He took a folded sheet of paper from his robe and placed it on Chi Ling's desk. "I don't know how far technology has advanced now, but if possible, establish an early warning system to monitor the space between the asteroid belt and Earth."

Chi Ling frowned deeply. "Why?"

"Enemies of the cultivation world, perhaps of the Heavenly Court, could appear at any moment. I've written some details on this paper. You can read it before making your decision, Captain."

"Alright." Chi Ling held the paper but didn't open it. "And the other two matters?"

"At present, the key to entering and leaving the Moon Palace is effectively in my hands. I have decided not to open the Moon Palace to the government or the general body of cultivators. The top experts of the cultivation world will have priority over the Small Immortal Realm's resources to aid them in their cultivation and breakthroughs."

"The Moon Palace is of great importance, Fei Yu. You alone—"

"I'm informing the Special Investigation Unit, not asking for permission."

Chi Ling looked at him as if she had misheard. "Fei Yu?"

Wang Sheng's gaze remained steady. "You can assume that I've grown arrogant because of my cultivation, but my decision is final. Once the Special Warfare Unit experts reach the Nascent Soul Realm, I'll allow them access to the Small Immortal Realm for cultivation as well."

Chi Ling pressed her fingers against her forehead, her breathing uneven, but she quickly regained her composure. Though Wang Sheng looked no different, she understood that the man before her was no longer the same.

He had slain fifteen ancient cultivators on his own, had deep connections with the Lady Meng and Nameless, who were both immortals. Now, he also controlled the Moon Palace and the Small Immortal Realm. His influence spanned the entire cultivation world.

The word "decision" was certainly fitting.

"Alright. And the third matter?"

"You have plans to separate the secular and cultivator worlds and establish smaller cultivation realms. The plans are good. As cultivators grow stronger, detachment from the secular world is inevitable.

"But during this process, I don't want to see the Special Warfare Unit being used to handle conflicts. Communicate and persuade more. Let the Daoist sect experts play their roles. This, I believe, should fall within the Special Investigation Unit's proper responsibilities."

Chi Ling's tone turned cold. "Fei Yu, did you come here today to threaten us?"

"No. I'm only threatening you."

Even without using any enchanted power, his gaze was already so sharp that Chi Ling instinctively averted her eyes.

She reflexively clenched her left fist and quickly nodded. "Alright. I'll keep those in mind."

Wang Sheng nodded slightly. Having said his piece, he started walking toward the door.

"Fei Yu!" Chi Ling called out from behind him. "I know you misunderstand us deeply, but you have to understand, the position I hold forces me to abandon personal feelings at times!"

Wang Sheng's expression and gaze softened slightly. He looked at the wooden door and replied gently, "The Special Investigation Unit was outstanding in its early years, and its young employees were full of vitality. They lacked cultivation aptitude, yet they worked hard for social stability, resolved conflicts within the cultivation world, and maintained communication and cooperation with the various Daoist heritages.

"Now, all it seems to care about is control and dominance. You even manage the distribution of resources just to maintain your authority over the cultivation world. I don't know why things changed. Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive.

"If the government faces urgent crises, you can still come to me. I'll be standing at the very front should we face foreign enemies. But when it comes to the cultivation world's internal matters, please stop troubling my master. He has truly grown weary over the years."

Wang Sheng turned away, pulled open the wooden door, and walked out as if nothing had happened. Moments later, a streak of rainbow light swept across the city sky, speeding eastward.