Chapter 613: Paper Figurines Come to Life!

For glancing at the Fengli Sect's sect master one extra time, Wang Sheng was punished with seclusion for the latter half of the day.

Half a day later, the Fengli Sect departed in haste, leaving behind two female disciples in the Xinghai Sect to handle follow-up negotiations and communication.

The two sects had accepted and further refined Wang Sheng's proposal, becoming the foundation of their alliance's core terms. If the Celestial Wind Sect took action against either of them, experts from both sects would be able to respond rapidly.

Presumably, if the Celestial Wind Sect was even moderately well-informed, they had likely already heard of the alliance. It was still uncertain how they would respond and whether they would launch a full-scale campaign across the thirteen qi planets.

Wang Sheng clearly had no time to think about such things at the moment.

Beside the Lotus Pavilion, Wang Sheng paced back and forth. Mu Wanxuan, Lishang, Linyuan, and Yao Xingzi all looked at him with varying degrees of confusion.

Linyuan asked, "Elder Pi, you called us here. What exactly is this about?"

"I..."

Wang Sheng, who was usually decisive, was unable to speak. This matter was genuinely difficult to explain. It involved too much and touched upon the Heavenly Court's secrets.

Unable to tell what had suddenly come over her junior brother, Mu Wanxuan could only blink. He had been gloomy and distracted the entire time.

"Is there something you're having trouble talking to us about?" Yao Xingzi gently asked. He added with concern, "If you're suffering from some illness that you'd rather keep a secret, you may speak to me in private. I have some medical knowledge."

Wang Sheng was dumbfounded. Yao Xingzi made it sound as though the dignified True Immortal Realm sword cultivator and Pure Yang Immortal Mantra practitioner had poor kidneys.

Wang Sheng replied, "What I wish to discuss involves too many parties. Sect Master, I asked you to come as well in my hesitation, but after thinking it through carefully, I've concluded that I shouldn't drag the Xinghai Sect into this."

Linyuan frowned. "Why shouldn't we be involved? We are family, not outsiders. Kachew, you—"

Smiling, Yao Xingzi interjected, "Junior Brother. We should listen to Elder Pi."

Yao Xingzi stood up and gestured for Linyuan to leave with him. Not only did he show no signs of displeasure, but his smile even remained calm and steady.

Linyuan was a bit confused. However, he realized that the sect master had likely already seen what was going to happen. After all, Yao Xingzi was highly skilled in divination.

Linyuan let out a muffled grunt, stood up, and followed after Yao Xingzi.

Wang Sheng said, "Senior Sister, let's head into the city."

Lishang frowned. "What are you going into the city for?"

Wang Sheng admitted, "I'm going to consult a few of my friends."

Lishang stood up. "Then I will go with you."

Wang Sheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Vice Sect Master, I'm not thinking of betraying the sect. I really just think we shouldn't involve it in this matter. "

"This is where your conduct is improper," Lishang replied. "You once said that you joined the Xinghai Sect to seek protection and to find a place that your friends and family can rely on once they come here to the thirteen qi stars.

"The entire Xinghai Sect, even our disciples and off-heritage Protectors, regard you as one of our most important members. Yet to you, what matters most is only the safety of your own family and friends. Tell me, am I wrong?"

Wang Sheng frowned deeply, then slowly nodded.

Mu Wanxuan cast him a helpless look. "Together."

"Fine." Wang Sheng smiled faintly at Lishang. "Vice Sect Master, once you board my pirate ship, it won't be so easy to get off."

Lishang was confused. Wang Sheng sounded as though there was a deeper meaning behind his words.

***

Lishang deliberately transformed her snake tail into human legs, changed into a plain long dress, and styled her long hair into a phoenix tail bun. Afterward, she donned the veil that female immortals customarily wore when traveling outside.

Wang Sheng only agreed to let her make contact with Earth's cultivators after careful consideration. This decision came with many risks, the most obvious of which was Lishang exposing the secrets of Earth's cultivators.

However, Wang Sheng trusted Lishang deeply. After all, they had been on the brink of death together and slain vicious enemies side by side. She was even vaguely aware of his Dawnlight. Though she didn't know how, she was aware that Wang Sheng could improve the quality of treasures.

Moreover, if everything proceeded smoothly, Earth's cultivators would gain another powerful backer. He'd be able to travel or go into seclusion with more peace of mind if they had her on their side.

Upon entering Xinghai City, the trio concealed their tracks. They changed routes repeatedly and wandered for quite some time before finally heading to the residence where Huai Jing and the others were staying.

Upon opening the door, Huai Jing froze momentarily. In front of him was Lishang.

Wang Sheng curiously asked, "Buddhist Master, do you ever go into seclusion to cultivate? Every time I visit, you seem to be wandering in the courtyard."

Huai Jing chuckled. "

Amitabha.

I cultivate in a somewhat unique way. Right now, I am savoring solitude. Vice Sect Master Lishang, please come in. My house isn't luxurious, and it may not be accommodating enough. I hope you don't mind."

Lishang nodded slowly. Being recognized despite her veil surprised her slightly.

Smiling, Huai Jing ushered the three inside, glanced outside, and closed the door. He then greeted, "How have you been lately, Fei Yu?"

Wang Sheng said, "My mind is a bit chaotic right now. For now, just gather everyone. I have something to discuss with you all."

"Alright," Huai Jing replied. He then shouted into the residence, "Hey, big shots! Come out and greet our visitors!"

Soon after, waves of Buddhist chants echoed from different parts of the courtyard. Several thick array barriers lit up, and a few people hurried over from all directions.

Lishang's eyebrows knit together. She realized she could not see through the handsome and seemingly young Buddhist cultivator at all. When she probed with immortal perception, she could only see a golden Buddha statue hovering behind him.

The people Lishang met next perplexed her even more. Two of them were Rebirth Realm sword cultivators whom Wang Sheng respectfully addressed as "Senior." There was also a man and a woman who had not yet attained immortality, yet could chat and laugh freely with Wang Sheng.

Despite being a late-stage True Immortal Realm sword cultivator with extraordinary combat power, Wang Sheng couldn't seem to care less that they were far inferior in cultivation.

What a strange group.

The two other cultivators who had previously visited the Xinghai Sect to look for Wang Sheng weren't around. They seemed to have gone off somewhere.

"Everyone, this is Lishang, Vice Sect Master of the Xinghai Sect and a descendant of Goddess Nuwa. But you can just address her as 'Senior.' After all, she has lived for more than ten thousand years."

Lishang shot him a glare, and he chuckled lightly in response.

Zhang Zikuang and Fan Tuantuan cupped their fists properly. With solemn expressions, Fei Lianzi and Gao Shixing performed Daoist salutes and addressed her as "Senior Lishang."

Wang Sheng waved his hand. "Let's head inside. I believe the matter I want to discuss is far beyond anyone's imagination."

Zhang Zikuang asked in a deep tone, "Is it about the Celestial Wind Sect gaining strong support from the North-River Sword Sect?"

While walking, Wang Sheng answered, "No. It's somewhat related, but that sect is no longer our biggest problem."

The group couldn't help but be somewhat puzzled. Having traveled around quite a bit, Zhang Zikuang was already well informed. Nevertheless, even he didn't seem to have a clue.

Upon entering the front hall, everyone sat around the round table in the dining area. Mu Wanxuan went off gracefully to prepare tea, while Fan Tuantuan took out a thick notebook, ready to take minutes of the meeting.

Wang Sheng took out Spiritless, which shimmered faintly with sword radiance. Yaoyun then sat down between Wang Sheng and Lishang. Her expression was grave, her eyebrows tightly knit.

In a deep tone, Gao Shixing asked, "Fei Yu, what's making you so anxious?"

Gao Shixing looked much younger than when Wang Sheng first met him. Moreover, as his cultivation advanced, his bearing also grew increasingly steady. He was like a treasured sword still hidden in its scabbard. Once he emerged from it, his sword radiance would surely be immeasurably dazzling.

Everyone looked at Wang Sheng. Yaoyun pressed her lips together and was about to speak, but Wang Sheng gestured that he would explain the situation himself.

In an ancient language that Lishang could also understand, Wang Sheng answered, "Earlier, I saw Yaoyun's mother—the Queen Mother of the West."

Zhang Zikuang and Fan Tuantuan were visibly shocked.

"What?"

"Really?"

Fei Lianzi stumbled over his words. He even let slip a couple of dialect phrases. "Which Queen Mother, eh? The Immortal Emperor's wife, eh?"

"The Queen Mother?" Lishang frowned. "The Heavenly Court's Queen Mother?"

"Yes," Wang Sheng replied. "Before Yaoyun became my sword spirit, she served the Heavenly Court as its thirteenth princess. The Daoist heritages passed down in our homeland all originated from the Heavenly Court's immortals who survived the great war of their era.

"I mainly cultivate using the Pure Yang cultivation technique. A few days ago, our forefather even came looking for us. Had he not been entangled in karma, he would have already wiped out the Celestial Wind Sect with a flick of his finger." Wang Sheng rubbed his forehead. "You're curious about where I saw her, aren't you?"

Huai Jing frowned. "We are. The Queen Mother should have already passed away in the Jade Pool. Considering many of our Buddhist sects' experts witnessed it personally, she couldn't have simply faked her death. Did some fiendish devil see her portraits and use a transformation technique to copy her appearance?"

"That's right." Wang Sheng took out two jade pieces and placed them on the table.

Yaoyun rolled her eyes and muttered, "Pervert."

Wang Sheng snorted. He had only used the jade pieces to take a look at his senior sister. Even if they were not yet a lawful couple, having a bit of private sentiment was not a bad thing.

"Back to the matter at hand. A few days ago, the forefather left me these two jade pieces. They allow their user to look through illusions and see other people's true form.

"When powerful reinforcements arrived at the Celestial Wind Sect, the Fengli Sect's sect master personally came to the Xinghai Sect to discuss an alliance. To our surprise, she was the spitting image of the Queen Mother. Seeing her shook Yaoyun mentally, which caused my Primordial Spirit to convulse for half an hour."

Yaoyun softly commented, "It won't happen again."

Tsk... Her attitude... is barely acceptable.

"After that, I used the jade piece to look at the Fengli Sect's sect master." Wang Sheng sighed. "Take a guess at what I saw."

Zhang Zikuang answered, "A fiend?"

Recently, he had taken a keen interest in the fiend race.

Wang Sheng shook his head.

Huai Jing intoned Buddha's name and guessed, "An illustrated scroll that gained sentience?"

"Neither." Wang Sheng tapped the tabletop with his finger. "I saw a humanoid paper figurine, roughly three

cun

tall and wide. Around its neck was a strand of hair."

Everyone immediately tried to imagine it.

Yaoyun said, "The hair belongs to my mother. Even though the aura is extremely faint, I would never mistake it."

Already struggling to keep up with the discussion, Lishang could only frown and listen intently.

Huai Jing breathed in coldly. "A powerful being is probably behind all this!"

Zhang Zikuang firmly commented, "In the Longhu Mountains' Daoist canons, there are records of divine abilities that can create soldiers from beans and form people from paper. They seem nothing more than minor tricks, yet they are incomparably powerful.

"Still, to use Daoist arts to form a Heavenly Immortal using a single sheet of paper and one strand of hair, then control that Heavenly Immortal to create a faction as strong as the Fengli Sect? That's some mother-loving..."

Yaoyun glared at Zhang Zikuang.

The towering man immediately shrank his neck and swallowed his crude words. He then chuckled and continued, "...ly impressive stuff."