178: Chapter 179 Qing Xuanzi

A moment later, Lu Chengfeng took a deep breath, trying his best to remain calm. As the Sect Master, he couldn't afford to panic.

However, the sudden bad news had thrown his mind into disarray.

After all, both of them were Foundation Establishment Cultivators and were registered under him.

Especially Zhu Zhengran, a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator, whose combat strength, while not top-tier, would ensure he handled any unexpected situations with caution.

If the situation was beyond his control, he would prioritize discretion and choose to retreat.

And with his Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation, self-preservation should have been assured.

Unless he encountered an insurmountable enemy, was completely defenseless, and fell before he even had time to call for help!

Who exactly was it! Who dared to kill members of the Qingxuan Sect!

"Have the Soul Lanterns been brought?"

Lu Ming asked Su Hong, his tone icy and indifferent.

Su Hong, hearing this, dared not delay and quickly presented the Soul Lanterns.

The current Sect Master was a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment, so he'd better be quick about his tasks!

Lu Chengfeng took the two Soul Lanterns. Although he was mentally prepared, seeing the wicks completely burned out and the soul flames extinguished, his heart still surged with uncontrollable rage.

Both of them were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, not just two cabbages; they were talents nurtured by the Sect with considerable resources.

They were also the future mid-to-high-level combat strength of the Sect, but now they had both fallen outside, causing him great pain.

"Very well! I want to see who is so audacious!"

He formed hand seals and chanted incantations, and two streaks of crimson light pierced through the air from outside the main hall, entering the lotus lanterns.

The flames in the wicks instantly reformed, flickering.

This didn't represent the resurrection of the deceased, but rather a final burst of activity, reviewing past information recorded by the Soul Chasing Curse through a secret technique.

Not long after, within the two lotus lanterns, the flames projected a scene.

Desolate mountains and wild ridges, a one-armed Daoist... Lu Chengfeng frowned.

This person's face was unfamiliar; he had never seen him before.

However, this person's figure appeared in both lanterns.

Lu Chengfeng boldly guessed that this was the culprit who killed the two.

But he felt somewhat strange in his heart: why were two Foundation Establishment Cultivators killed without even time to call for help?

How high was this person's cultivation!

Could it be a Golden Core Immortal Master?

Lu Chengfeng felt uncertain, especially since it involved a Golden Core Immortal Master, which made him indecisive.

He decided to go to the back mountain and let the Grand Elder make the decision.

After Lu Chengfeng dismissed Su Hong, his figure flickered, transforming into a cloud of mist and disappearing from the main hall.

When he reappeared, he was already at the back mountain of the Qingxuan Sect.

This was a bamboo forest, but it was shrouded in a hazy white mist, making it seem both real and illusory.

Lu Chengfeng was no stranger to this place; this bamboo forest was the secluded residence of the Grand Elder, Qingxuanzi.

He respectfully bowed towards the depths of the bamboo forest.

"Lu Chengfeng requests an audience with the Grand Elder!"

"Come in!"

The voice was somewhat ethereal, originating from afar, but when it reached his ears, he couldn't discern its direction.

Granted permission, the hazy white mist parted a path for him, and Lu Chengfeng walked straight in.

A moment later, the sound of flowing water reached his ears.

Upon nearing, he saw a solitary figure fishing amidst green mountains and clear waters.

Before him was a clear river, and an old man with white hair and a slightly hunched back appeared, sitting by the river, fishing.

He was the renowned Golden Core Cultivator of the Southern Wilderness Region, the Qingxuan Sect's Grand Elder 'Cheng Xuanqing,' with the Daoist title 'Qingxuanzi.'

But at this moment, he showed no sharpness; instead, there was a sense of peace, like an old scholar cultivating his temperament in the mountains.

"Greetings, Grand Elder!"

Lu Chengfeng approached and bowed respectfully again.

"What is it?"

While Lu Chengfeng was still organizing his words, a faint voice came from the side.

Lu Chengfeng, hearing this, no longer hesitated and quickly reported the matter in detail, along with his own conjectures.

Qingxuanzi, however, did not turn his head after listening, merely gazing calmly at the ripples created by the transparent fishing line in the river.

"Can you perceive the trace of the Soul Chasing Curse?"

"I can, but I'm just worried that a Golden Core Immortal Master might be involved here, so I haven't gone to investigate yet. That's why I came to report to you first."

Lu Chengfeng said with his head bowed, his attitude respectful.

Qingxuanzi did not answer, but instead asked, "Do you have any suspected targets?"

"I do have some suspicions. According to the report from my subordinates, Deacon Su Yanran went to investigate the Chu Family's collusion with the Ji Imperial Dynasty.

But somehow, she encountered Elder Zhu, and both fell. I suspect this matter is inseparable from the Ji Imperial Dynasty."

This was not an unfounded statement. Among the four Golden Core forces in the Southern Wilderness Region, the Immortal Dynasty Ji Family was undoubtedly the most active.

Perhaps they believed in the supremacy of imperial power and ambitiously wanted to incorporate the Southern Wilderness Region into their territory.

Secretly stirring up trouble was something they were capable of and had done before.

Especially recently, the Southern Wilderness Region had been turbulent, with undercurrents surging.

Most notably, a few days ago, there was friction between Heavenly Star Immortal City and the Ji Imperial Dynasty.

The Third Prince of the dignified Ji Imperial Dynasty had openly caused trouble in the territory of Heavenly Star Immortal City.

Although it was ultimately attributed to Ji Wuli suffering from Qi Deviation and losing control, and compensation was paid to Heavenly Star Immortal City afterwards.

Such audacious behavior was indeed characteristic of the Ji Imperial Dynasty's style.

In Lu Chengfeng's view, this was a test of Heavenly Star Immortal City's bottom line.

Their Qingxuan Sect's territory also saw frequent incidents, with Demonic Path Cultivators rampant, and various forces restless.

Especially some individual families below, who were also secretly colluding with the Ji Imperial Dynasty.

However, at the time, he didn't take it seriously, because as long as the Grand Elder was present, the other party couldn't cause any major trouble.

"The Chu Family... the Ji Imperial Dynasty..."

After listening, Qingxuanzi's face showed no joy or sorrow.

"It seems our Qingxuan Sect has been too quiet for too long, and some people are already stirring."

"In this world where the strong prey on the weak, only by making them feel pain will they behave."

After speaking, he added,

"However, this matter is very likely not the work of the Ji Imperial Dynasty."

Lu Chengfeng's eyes flickered, and he understood the Grand Elder's meaning; he had been somewhat overcome by anger upon first hearing the bad news.

Now, with this guidance, he gradually came to his senses.

The Soul Lantern's backtracking was not a secret among forces of equal standing, and it was highly possible that foul play was involved.

Of course, it was also possible that they deliberately did the opposite to clear suspicion.

But Lu Chengfeng felt that doing so had little meaning, as there could be many suspects, and there was no need to actively invite suspicion.

Qingxuanzi saw Lu Chengfeng's expression and knew he had fallen into a misconception.

He reminded him, "Instead of thinking so much, it's better to verify it yourself."

"Then could it be a trap?"

Lu Chengfeng voiced his thoughts; he worried this was a trap.

If it was truly done by a Golden Core Immortal Master, and they deliberately didn't remove the Soul Chasing Curse afterwards, it would be to wait for their Qingxuan Sect to investigate, and then ambush them in secret. This was not impossible.

"The Soul Chasing Curse will take root in the Divine Soul. Even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator cannot remove it, unless a Golden Core Immortal Master personally intervenes."

"But if it truly were a Golden Core Immortal Master, they would not leave the Soul Chasing Curse on themselves."

"Don't forget the purpose of the Soul Chasing Curse; it's not just for tracking. If it remains in the Divine Soul for too long, it will damage one's Dao foundation. Even a Golden Core Immortal Master cannot afford such a price."

Qingxuanzi's tone remained calm, but his words carried an inexplicable meaning, and its implication was very clear.

That is, a Golden Core Immortal Master would not jeopardize their Dao path just to set a trap, unless he no longer wished to ascend the immortal path.

"However, discussing this now is meaningless. First, to resist external threats, one must first stabilize internally. Whoever has a problem, deal with them first."

"As for the Ji Family, if it's confirmed that they are involved, I will personally go to the Ji Imperial City to demand an explanation."

"Go forth boldly and do what you must. I will intervene if necessary."

Qingxuanzi said calmly, but his words contained a strong sense of killing intent.

Lu Chengfeng knew this was a sign of the Grand Elder's anger.

But he said no more, merely bowed deeply and drifted away.

The bamboo forest once again fell into silence.