Chapter 142: Rebuke

Strictly speaking, “unconscious” wasn’t quite accurate—Yu Ci’s thoughts continued to flow clearly and coherently. He simply didn’t have the strength to deal with anything else, including moving his physical body. To outsiders, though, he appeared no different from someone who had fainted.

Once he grasped the overall framework of the Primordial Origin Qi Method, the spatial barrier was no longer an issue. Although his spirit, physical body, and the Divine Illumination Bronze Mirror were separated by space, they remained connected through Qi. Especially the Dragon Fish—due to the Spirit Control Technique—it maintained a close link with the vital energy of Yu Ci’s body and acted as a bridge, helping connect his spirit to his body.

Thus, the “Void Within the Mind” was established—the very moment when Yu Ci’s spirit returned to his body, and he opened his eyes.

With the “Void Within the Mind” bringing the three—body, spirit, and mirror—together into one space, fragmented external information began to transmit through the Divine Illumination Bronze Mirror. The first thing Yu Ci became aware of was the conversation between Chi Yin and Ming Lan. Upon hearing Chi Yin declare her intention to return to the East Sea, Yu Ci was certain that this woman wouldn’t return the treasured mirror before leaving!

Yu Ci had to stop her—but before that, he had to deal with someone else.

Inside the “Void Within the Mind,” the scenery of starlit space looked as if it were about to be hit by an earthquake or swept up in a violent storm. The entire space trembled. The source of the chaos? A violently thrashing Dragon Fish!

More specifically, the core of the Dragon Fish’s “spine.”

The moment the “Void Within the Mind” was successfully established and Yu Ci’s spirit and body reintegrated, the Dragon Fish’s crushing pressure and devouring effect ceased. He thought he finally had a moment to breathe, but unexpectedly, the “spine”—which dominated the Dragon Fish’s instincts—suddenly abandoned the creature’s flesh and spirit, taking advantage of the newly formed “Void Within the Mind” to charge straight in!

The “Void Within the Mind” was instantly thrown into upheaval!

Previously, the “Void Within the Mind” had a naturally formed center—a small central lake that reflected the heart’s image. It served as an anchor, indicating the structure and order of the void. But the moment the Dragon Fish’s “spine” broke in, it did only one thing—and did it with overwhelming force and dominance: seize the central position of the small lake!

It wanted the forest to revolve around it, the lake to expand from it, the moonlight—even the entire void—to spin in orbit around it!

Wasn’t this an attempted possession?

In that instant, Yu Ci suddenly understood the true nature of the “spine”: as the central axis of the Dragon Fish, it lacked consciousness, but possessed an overwhelming instinct—to capture, to dominate, to devour, to make everything revolve around it, serve it, and be sacrificed for it.

What kind of monstrosity was this?

Of course Yu Ci wouldn’t allow it to control the “Void Within the Mind,” and thus control his flesh and spirit. He rose in defiance—but the struggle was somewhat absurd.

When the “Void Within the Mind” reopened, Yu Ci’s Yin Spirit had nearly collapsed, his body was extremely weakened, and the Divine Illumination Bronze Mirror was no longer in his possession. The entire structure of the “Void Within the Mind” had only come together thanks to the bridge formed by the Dragon Fish. Even his spirit’s return was made possible by the “spine” willingly abandoning the Dragon Fish’s flesh and soul and projecting his Yin Spirit into his body.

In other words, at that moment, Yu Ci and the Dragon Fish’s “spine” were both separate and inseparable. And since the “spine” lacked consciousness, the so-called struggle was actually a clash between Yu Ci’s will and the primal instinct of the “spine” over control of the “Void Within the Mind.”

The “Void Within the Mind” twisted and trembled. The moon swayed, forests flipped—compared to its previously calm and steady state, the void was now much more dynamic and intense. Regardless of how things unfolded, the “Void Within the Mind” continued to shift and evolve around the core of this battle.

Before he even realized it, the center had already been decided.

All that remained to be seen was whether this “Void Within the Mind” would ultimately be governed by will—or driven by instinct. That was the only question.

***

“Hungry… so hungry…”  

“I want to eat… so badly…”  

“Eat your own head!”  

A sudden shout exploded in the room as Yu Ci abruptly opened his eyes and sat up.  

The chamber fell silent. Xie Yan had been sitting by the table, elbow propped, fingers massaging his temples. The sudden yell nearly made him jab his own eye. He turned his head, staring blankly at Yu Ci, who was now upright, before suddenly standing.  

“You’re awake?”  

The words slipped out before he could stop himself, but Xie Yan wasn’t the type to hide his emotions. He tightened his expression slightly, yet couldn’t suppress a smile. “Good! Waking up this quickly means there shouldn’t be any serious issues.”  

“Uncle Xie.” Yu Ci called out, then suddenly felt his vision darken, accompanied by intense dizziness.  

Xie Yan stepped to the bedside and pressed a hand lightly against the crown of his head. Yu Ci felt a tingling numbness in his scalp, followed by a resonant clang in his ears—like the sound of two swords crossing, yet not harsh. Instead, his mind cleared further, likely due to some soul-calming technique Xie Yan had employed.  

Sure enough, Xie Yan said, “Your soul has been damaged. Though we’ve applied a Soul-Nourishing Talisman and administered medicine, recovery will still be difficult. In the coming days, you must rest your mind and focus on recuperation…”  

Even as Xie Yan urged him to rest, Yu Ci wore a pensive expression and abruptly interrupted, “Uncle Xie, it’s mid-morning outside, isn’t it?”  

Xie Yan was taken aback. The room was sealed. Even for a healthy person, let alone a patient just waking from unconsciousness, discerning the exact time purely by the dim indoor light should have been impossible—especially with such precision.  

Before Xie Yan could ponder further, Yu Ci pressed on, “Are we on Dan Cliff? Are the leaders of Cliff City’s sects gathered outside?”  

Xie Yan’s surprise deepened, but his brow furrowed. “Why concern yourself with that? The affairs of Cliff City are no longer your concern. Focus on recovering—”  

“Uncle Xie!”  

Yu Ci cut him off again, suddenly clasping his fists in salute from the bed. “This disciple has an impertinent request. I hope Uncle will grant it.”  

Seeing his demeanor, Xie Yan’s initial joy—even excitement—at his early awakening slowly settled. His watery pupils scanned Yu Ci’s face, his lips pressing together as he finally reassumed the dignified bearing befitting an elder of the Rifting Earth Sect. Yet his response was anything but simple:  

“If it’s within my power, speak.”  

***  

Dawn had broken over Cliff City, but in the hearts of many, a shadow lingered.  

For most of the city’s residents, the Sun Light Sect had been their sky. Yet in a single night, that sky had collapsed. Rumors spread that the Sun Light Sect had been utterly annihilated, replaced by the Thousand Spirit Gate, the Pure Water Altar, the Immortal Sword Sect, and the Mysterious Moon Sect.  

Of course, this understanding of “replacement” would only solidify over time. For now, the people were more concerned with whether their loved ones had been harmed, if their homes needed repairs, or whether their workplaces had changed hands. Their worries had nothing in common with the city’s cultivators.  

For the cultivators living in and around Cliff City, adapting to a world without the Sun Light Sect was now the foremost priority. Countless eyes turned toward the rising powers, scheming how to curry favor.  

Yet the so-called “rising powers” harbored very different thoughts.  

The leaders of the Thousand Spirit Gate, Pure Water Altar, Immortal Sword Sect, and Mysterious Moon Sect—along with their inner circles—had been the ultimate victors of last night’s battle. They should have been discussing substantial matters, and they were… until a disciple from the Thousand Spirit Gate hurried in, forcing all discussions to be postponed.  

The message was simple: Yu Ci, the immortal from the Rifting Earth Sect, had summoned them.  

“Awake? Already?” Lu Mingyue spoke first, glancing at Monk Yixin beside him. The monk remained solemn, eyes lowered, offering no response.  

In the council hall, Shi Song was the first to rise. He had lost an arm in last night’s battle, his pallid face tinged with sickly green. Yet upon hearing the news, his expression brightened. “Truly?”  

Once confirmed, he turned to the others with a smile. “Since Immortal Yu has summoned us, let us all go. If he is unharmed, then last night’s efforts were truly complete!”  

Without waiting for reactions, he motioned to Hu Dan, and the two strode out first. The other leaders, each harboring their own thoughts, followed in succession.  

Soon, they arrived at Yu Ci’s recovery chamber. Xie Yan remained inside, seated in a corner with closed eyes, ignoring the newcomers. The leaders first bowed to him before greeting Yu Ci, marveling at his swift recovery.  

Yu Ci reclined comfortably against the bed, smiling through their pleasantries while scanning their faces. Noting his target’s absence, he finally spoke, deliberate and measured:  

“The Sun Light Sect colluded with demons, bringing calamity upon the city. Thanks to your efforts, their influence has been eradicated—a monumental achievement. Yet the Sun Light Sect dominated Cliff City for decades, their roots deep and their reach vast. Now that they have been uprooted overnight, the resulting void must be filled, their resources redistributed—matters requiring urgent discussion. Were you not already negotiating this?”  

No one had expected Yu Ci to be so direct. The mention of sect interests immediately sharpened attention. Dong Shan, leader of the Immortal Sword Sect—who had suffered worse injuries than Shi Song—was particularly eager. Dragging his wounded body to the meeting, he blurted, “Does Immortal Yu already have a proposal?”  

The moment the words left his mouth, Shi Song and others subtly tensed. Yu Ci noted their reactions with a faint smile. “I do have some thoughts, but these must be deliberated jointly by all sect leaders… Hmm, why is Immortal Chi Yin not present?”  

His abrupt shift caught them off guard—except for Ming Lan, who seemed prepared. Her round face bore a slight smile as she stepped forward. “Immortal Yu, our revered teacher was injured in battle against Jin Huan last night and is currently recuperating in seclusion. She regrets being unable to attend and has sent me in her stead—”  

Yu Ci cut her off. “So Immortal Chi Yin intends for you to represent the Mysterious Moon Sect?”  

Before Ming Lan could confirm, Yu Ci’s expression darkened.  

“This is shortsighted. While Master Ming is esteemed, certain matters must be discussed face-to-face with a sect’s true leader. How else can things be made clear? If misunderstandings arise due to incomplete negotiations, and the Mysterious Moon Sect loses its rightful share, who will bear the blame? Master Ming, you should convey these stakes to Immortal Chi Yin.”  

The room fell into stunned silence, none understanding Yu Ci’s sudden sternness.  

Watching Ming Lan’s brows gradually furrow, Yu Ci smiled. “Fortunately, the Mystery Seeking Palace isn’t far from Dan Cliff. The journey won’t take long. As for Immortal Chi Yin’s injuries…”  

He paused, then bared his teeth in a grin.  

“Surely they aren’t so severe that she must return to the East Sea to recover, are they?”