Chapter Thirty-Five: First Glimpse

Luo Qishui steadied herself and continued, “The thirteen main peaks of Yuntian Sect are home to the inner disciples. Among these inner disciples, apart from the six sons of Yuntian who hold the most power, there are others who are equally important spiritual cultivators. They have peers among the senior disciples, as well as some remarkable juniors. Since Yuntian Sect is the foremost among the five great spiritual cultivation sects of Linglong Continent, such a vast sect cannot possibly be managed entirely by just the six sons alone. Therefore, aside from the main peak where the six sons reside, each of the thirteen peaks has its own master who stands guard. Likewise, the various halls of Yuntian Sect are managed by outstanding disciples who hold important positions. Only in this way can the enormous Yuntian Sect operate smoothly.”

Mo Bai nodded to himself at Luo Qishui’s words. Indeed, as the leading sect among the five great spiritual factions, Yuntian Sect was truly a colossal organization.

Luo Qishui went on, “However, ever since Grandmaster Yun Jin secluded himself in the Cloudtop Palace, many unexpected incidents have begun to occur within Yuntian Sect.”

Mo Bai did not interrupt her, knowing that the crucial part was about to be revealed.

Luo Qishui said, “At first, some less significant hall masters died in unexpected accidents one after another. Later, several main peak leaders were either injured or killed. Initially, no one paid much attention, thinking they were just accidents, or perhaps the natural course of life and death. But when Junior Brother Yun Zui was also attacked and injured, everyone realized how grave the situation had become.”

Mo Bai nodded inwardly. Up to this point, Luo Qishui’s account matched what Master Yun Kong had told him. But then he heard Luo Qishui continue, “Others may not know, but my brother Tong is well aware of Junior Brother Yun Zui’s cultivation. Within Yuntian Sect, few could possibly harm him, let alone injure him so severely. So Tong and I began to observe secretly—he investigated within the sect while I made inquiries outside. Using the Luo family’s connections, I conducted a thorough search and uncovered a matter of immense importance.”

Mo Bai’s heart stirred. Was Luo Qishui about to mention that affair? Could it be that this affair was closely linked to Yuntian Sect? He calmed his mind, picked up his cup of fragrant tea, and took a light sip, waiting for Luo Qishui to speak. However, at that moment, her beautiful eyes were fixed intently on him, lips tightly sealed, not uttering a word.

Mo Bai smiled wryly; she clearly still did not quite trust him. He chuckled, “Sister Luo, are you referring to the resurgence of the Western Rakshasa Sect threatening Linglong once more?”

Luo Qishui was startled, then revealed a pensive expression. At last, she relaxed and nodded to Mo Bai, saying, “Hero Mo, it seems you have indeed earned my father’s favor and become his close confidant.”

As it turned out, the Western Rakshasa Sect was a foreign tribe that had swept across Linglong Continent sixty years prior. No one knew their origin; only that they had advanced from the far west, beginning with the Falling Leaf Sect, and moved toward the heart of Linglong Continent, crushing spiritual cultivation sects in their path. Ultimately, under immense pressure, the five great spiritual sects united and fought a tremendous battle against the Rakshasa Sect before the Hidden Buddha Monastery. That battle shook the heavens and made ghosts weep. Only by combining all their strength did the five great sects drive the Rakshasa Sect out of Linglong Continent, after which they vanished.

Yet this battle also cost the five great sects many fine cultivators. Over the years, they had been recuperating and rebuilding, never expecting that the Rakshasa Sect would attempt to rise again after sixty years.

The Luo family of Heyang was among the most prominent of the major spiritual cultivation clans. Beyond their unparalleled mastery of secret spiritual arrays, the Luo family was also famed for their business acumen. Their enterprises spanned all across Linglong Continent; wherever there was commerce, there was a Luo family branch. This network formed the backbone of their unique intelligence system, overseen by the head of the family, Luo Songyi.

In her quest to find the culprit who injured Yun Zui, Luo Qishui contacted her father, Luo Peitian. The old man doted on his second daughter, and given that Yuntian Sect was the Luo family’s in-law, he paid even greater attention to the matter. Through her elder brother Luo Songyi’s intelligence network, they began to investigate, but after a long period, there was no news—only the shocking discovery that the Western Rakshasa Sect appeared to be stirring once again on Linglong Continent.

Now, Mo Bai and Luo Qishui had come to trust each other. But what connection could there be between the Rakshasa Sect and the odd events in Yuntian Sect? Was it possible that members of the Rakshasa Sect had injured Grandmaster Yun Zui and assassinated other key figures?

Mo Bai pondered this repeatedly. Could the Rakshasa Sect be attempting to conquer Linglong Continent once again, sending vanguards to assassinate renowned spiritual cultivators? But Master Yun Kong had insisted that the one who injured Yun Zui was from within Yuntian Sect, and it was clear that the one who killed Dong Zixuan was also an insider.

Suddenly, a bold idea came to Mo Bai: perhaps the Western Rakshasa Sect had planted agents deep within Yuntian Sect!

With this thought, Mo Bai asked, “Sister Luo, do you know who replaced those elite members of Yuntian Sect who died? Do these people share any similarities?”

Hearing this, Luo Qishui gave Mo Bai a subtle thumbs-up. Though young, he was indeed meticulous and astute.

“Hero Mo, you are correct. My brother Tong has been investigating within Yuntian Sect all this time, and after such lengthy inquiries, he discovered something astonishing: almost all the replacements are connected to Senior Brother Yun Fa.”

Mo Bai immediately asked, “How so?” With so many members and such a complicated structure, he needed to understand exactly what Luo Qishui meant.

Luo Qishui exhaled softly and said, “These people are either Yun Fa’s personal disciples or close friends among his fellow disciples.”

Mo Bai nodded in understanding. Now he finally realized why Jiu Xi had been so eager to reveal his ambitions. Jiu Xi was no fool; he too must have noticed this. After all, as Grandmaster Yun Jin’s chief disciple and the sect leader’s heir, Jiu Xi had his own faction. Unfortunately, he had been repeatedly suppressed by Yun Fa’s influence, which likely prompted his desire to retaliate. With this in mind, Mo Bai said, “Thank you, Sister Luo, for sharing all this with me. I have a request—would you please help me?”

Luo Qishui knew that Mo Bai must already have a plan. She replied softly, “Please speak, Hero Mo.”

Mo Bai considered for a moment and said, “Please ask Master Yun Tong to do everything he can tomorrow to recommend someone as the master of Taotian Cliff.”

Luo Qishui asked, “Who?”

Mo Bai replied in a clear voice, “Yu Fei!”

Luo Qishui was clever enough not to ask further. She lifted the teapot and poured the fragrant tea out the window. Watching as the gloomy clouds began to dissipate, she said quietly, “Hero Mo, I wonder if, one day, we too might wager a bet?”

Mo Bai smiled. He knew Luo Qishui still wondered why her shrewd father had lost to him; this was her way of seeking to restore her father’s honor. Mo Bai laughed, “There will be a chance. Just don’t blame me if I show no gratitude for today’s kindness.”

Luo Qishui emptied the last of the tea and laughed freely, “All I ask for is fairness.”

Mo Bai left Yunli Peak, feeling as if most of his doubts had been swept away. Looking up, he saw Wu Luohua and Nalan Xiner approaching, and his spirits lifted further. He was, by nature, a remarkable man—having suffered much in his early years, there was nothing left that could truly trouble him now.

He walked up to Wu Luohua. The two exchanged a knowing smile and simultaneously said, “It’s not Jiu Xi.” Then they both burst out laughing, having excluded the ambitious Jiu Xi from their suspicions with just that one sentence.

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