When Yu Ci once again stepped into the study of Elder Yu Zhou, he immediately spotted the Dragon Fish. He was certain this was the one he had brought back from Sky Rift Valley.
At that moment, the Dragon Fish, with its slender body, was coiled into a serpentine formation, tucked inside a birdcage that was two feet high and about four inches in diameter. The cage rested on the elder’s desk.
The scene seemed rather eerie, as the gaps in the birdcage’s bars were wide enough for two or three Dragon Fishs to slip in or out, yet the Dragon Fish showed no signs of attempting to escape. It lay there lazily, its body barely moving. Only when Yu Ci entered the room did it stir slightly, seemingly sensing the presence of its “enemy.” But soon, it quieted down again.
Seeing that Yu Ci was staring at the Dragon Fish, Elder Yu Zhou smiled. “Don’t just stand there looking. This little guy is going with you to Cliff City, where you’ll hand it over to Senior Brother Xie.”
“Oh?” Yu Ci asked.
“Recently, the Heart’s Desire Pavilion has had a merchant caravan return from the Western Buddha Kingdom. They plan to hold a ‘Treasure Exchange Banquet’ in Cliff City, with many rare and precious items. Senior Brother Xie is interested in one of them and has asked for a Dragon Fish in exchange. You just so happen to be going to Cliff City, so you can bring it along on your way.”
Yu Ci nodded. In the cultivation world, trade and transactions were rarely straightforward. Unlike in sects, where good deeds could be exchanged for goods, most dealings were bartered. It was said that many large southern merchants had tried to introduce a currency system for trade but had failed due to various reasons.
The Heart’s Desire Pavilion, mentioned by Elder Yu Zhou, was one of the more well-known southern merchants, with a good reputation. Yu Ci had heard of it even while on the mountain. However, since the sect had a close relationship with another southern merchant, the Sanxi Hall, most large-scale purchases were handled through them. In this region, Heart’s Desire Pavilion only managed smaller trades. Otherwise, the ‘Treasure Exchange Banquet’ would be held at the sect’s gate, not Cliff City.
Elder Yu Zhou patted the cage holding the Dragon Fish. “This is the ‘Three Yin Soul Snare.’ Though it looks like the cage is open, the Dragon Fish is actually quite secure in it. You needn’t worry. The only trouble is, it can’t be kept in a storage ring.”
Yu Ci quickly assured him it was no trouble.
Elder Yu Zhou then picked up a square seal from the desk. Yu Ci remembered seeing the elder fiddling with it when he had visited before but hadn’t asked what it was for.
“This seal is for you.”
Yu Ci was surprised. “For me?”
Elder Yu Zhou squinted and smiled. “All sect disciples, whether they’re from the main or external branches, receive a basic tool for ritual purposes. Sword practitioners get a sword, talisman practitioners get talismans. You’re skilled with the sword, but you’re currently focusing on cultivating the ‘Primordial Origin Qi Method,’ so I took the liberty of requesting a seal for you. It might help with your cultivation.”
Yu Ci nodded repeatedly. While it was true that once he reached the Divine Connectivity Realm, he could form symbols using Qi without external tools, using a sword, seal, or other objects as support would only enhance the effect. The seal, which embodied the power of heaven and earth, also reflected one’s will and could potentially aid in developing the “concepts” he was lacking at the moment.
He took the seal from Elder Yu Zhou’s hand. The material was some unknown white stone, plain in appearance. The button on top of the seal was a simple clay knob. It felt delicate but heavy, and when he flipped it over, he saw the ancient seal script of the words “Scripture Mastery Path Treasure Seal” carved on it, still fresh and often used.
“This ‘Scripture Mastery Path Treasure Seal Seal’ is made from Big Dipper Stone, which is quite rare. It was crafted by Senior Brother Lu Deru. You should know him, as he was the one who bought your first Dragon Fish. He’s a master in the sect’s artifact forging techniques, so it’s a bit of a waste for him to make this seal, but it was done with your Dragon Fish in mind. When you meet him, be sure to thank him.”
Yu Ci felt grateful, but he knew that without Elder Yu Zhou’s influence, he would not have received such a gift.
Before he could express his thanks, Elder Yu Zhou’s wrinkled face broke into a smile. “Back in the day, I was close friends with Senior Brother Xie (Xie Yan), Senior Brother Lu, Junior Brother Xie (Xie Liang), and Junior Brother Qian Bao. Though I’ve achieved little and the Dao seems far from me now, our friendships have only grown stronger. You’re familiar with Junior Brother Xie, no need to mention him. Senior Brother Lu is the one who crafted this seal. Junior Brother Qian Bao gave you guidance on your cultivation, so remember to thank him as well. As for Senior Brother Xie, he’s the one stationed in Cliff City. He’s a bit eccentric, but he’s one of the few people I admire in swordsmanship. When you see him, be sure to ask for advice.”
Elder Yu Zhou was now explaining the relationships he had in the sect, and Yu Ci took careful note of it all.
After going over these matters, Elder Yu Zhou looked at him and asked, “What are your plans for this trip to Cliff City?”
“To further my cultivation,” Yu Ci replied simply.
But that wasn’t the only reason. In his heart, Yu Ci also planned to try using the sect’s power to accomplish a few tasks, though he wasn’t ready to mention that yet.
Elder Yu Zhou smiled knowingly. “I know you’re going to enhance your cultivation, but once you’re there, you won’t be able to avoid worldly matters. Senior Brother Xie doesn’t care for such things, and that young fellow Li You is fickle, but they’re still sect members. You, on the other hand, are different!
“You’ll likely be involved in external affairs for a long time. Sooner or later, you’ll need to deal with the matters in Cliff City. Can you really expect an old man like me to keep supporting you?”
Yu Ci furrowed his brow, about to speak, when Elder Yu Zhou asked, “Do you know how I’ve been managing the affairs in Cliff City all these years?”
“No, I don’t,” Yu Ci answered.
The old daoist lightly tapped the table with his finger: “When I first arrived at the Heart Prohibition Temple, there were many factions in Cliff City. The Sun Light Sect and Thousand Spirit Gate fought fiercely, but within half a year, I established the Sun Light Sect as the sole faction with the ‘exclusive rights to operate’ in Cliff City. Do you know what my intention was?”
“Was it the sect’s decision? I’ve heard that Jin Huan and the Sunset Valley…”
“No, no! It’s not about what the sect thought; it’s about what I thought.”
Upon seeing Yu Ci’s surprised expression, the old daoist smiled: “At that time, I was very laid-back and didn’t want to handle matters directly. I also saw that the Sun Light Sect was growing rapidly, with strength far surpassing the Thousand Spirit Gate, and they showed enough respect for the sect. So, I decided to help them, making the situation in Cliff City simpler. I ensured there was only one voice, and that voice would follow the sect’s will. That’s it.”
Yu Ci couldn’t help but wonder what Shi Song from the Thousand Spirit Gate would think of this.
The old daoist, unaware of his thoughts, continued: “Understand this: in the end, we are all cultivators. It’s impossible for us to govern a city or a country, handling everything ourselves. What we need to do is embody the will of the sect, but ultimately, it is up to us to reflect that will. So, we need to create a channel that is easier for us to convey that will. To put it simply: ‘I say, you act. Apart from that, don’t cause trouble.’ That’s all.”
Yu Ci understood. The old daoist had said a lot, but the core message was just one sentence:
“Do things in Cliff City according to your will!”
This wasn’t guidance—it was support. Yu Ci lowered his head deeply, pressing down the emotions swelling in his heart, and said in a deep voice, “I understand, master.”
*****
When Yu Ci saw the faint outline of Cliff City from afar, the signs of spring were already subtly visible. The wind passed through the willow branches, and a hint of green was faintly visible, like smoke or mist. He had traveled from the Heart Prohibition Temple for half a month, through desolate mountains and wilderness, seeing not a single person. Now, upon seeing the city walls, he felt differently.
At this moment, Cliff City showed no signs of demonic or devilish disturbance. Outside the grand east gate, there was a bustling crowd, with countless street vendors shouting their wares, creating a chaotic yet lively scene.
As Yu Ci walked along the road, he certainly attracted attention. Dressed in a jade-colored daoist robe, with wide sleeves fluttering, he seemed quite majestic. However, in his hand, he carried a birdcage covered with cloth, making him look like a wealthy young master out for a stroll with his pet bird, though no bird calls could be heard from the cage.
Of course, the cage contained a Dragon Fish. Yu Ci couldn’t place a living creature into his Storage Ring, so he had to use this method to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
He remembered that the last time he had left the city through the east gate, he encountered Mysterious Moon Sect’s cultivator. That day was just as busy, but he and the Sun Light Sect had stirred things up. He wondered what was happening today.
When he casually asked a passerby, the answer surprised him: “Immortal Xuan Yin’s birthday?”
‘The Mysterious Moon Sect sure has a lot of festivals!’ Yu Ci thought to himself but then, the image of the Red Yin Immortal’s face surfaced in his mind, and his gaze turned cold.
The passerby continued talking: “Daoist, you might as well change into common clothes and visit the Mysterious Moon Sect to burn some incense. Since the ‘demon plague’ began last winter, the Immortal Xuan Yin has been channeling spirits and showing divine manifestations, protecting the faithful. Those who believed in the Immortal Xuan Yin and went out to collect herbs have all returned unharmed…”
Yu Ci didn’t listen further. He looked at the crowds extending all the way to the Mysterious Moon Sect, which lay ten miles beyond.
On such a day, as the chief, the Immortal Chi Yin should be presiding over a ceremony in the palace.
Yu Ci suddenly didn’t feel like entering the city. He changed direction and followed the crowd toward the Mysterious Moon Sect to take a look.
Following the devout followers, Yu Ci walked slowly. The road wasn’t particularly scenic, but the high proportion of young women among the pilgrims caught his attention. Whether walking or riding in carriages, the fragrant aroma filled the air, creating a unique atmosphere.
The terrain gradually rose, and soon, the Mysterious Moon Sect came into view. From where Yu Ci stood, he could see a vast expanse of temple buildings, with painted eaves and corners, looking grand and majestic. The surging crowd before the palace had come to a noticeable halt, blocked by the narrow temple gates. Nevertheless, the devotees entered and exited with impressive order.
Yu Ci wasn’t in a hurry. He strolled leisurely along with the crowd. Inside, the sight opened up into a large area, with the main hall and side halls arranged in an orderly fashion, exuding a majestic atmosphere. However, from Yu Ci’s perspective, it didn’t differ much from a regular temple that worshiped the Three Pure Ones or honored the Buddha.
Upon entering the Mysterious Moon Sect, Yu Ci realized that people like him, strolling leisurely, were few and far between. The vast majority of the visitors were earnest devotees—some were burning incense, others were fulfilling vows, and many came to ask for blessings or divine revelations. However, the most common reason for attendance was to participate in the grand birthday ceremony of the Immortal Xuan Yin held by the Mysterious Moon Sect.
The ceremony was being held in the courtyard of the Mysterious Moon Sect, but even from the main hall, Yu Ci could hear the buzzing sound of the chants and feel the ripples of spiritual energy, as though waves were rippling across the surface of water, spreading outward in ever-expanding circles.
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