Senior Master Gao slightly furrowed his brow and said, "How could there be burial goods?" The attendants by the stone sarcophagus looked thoughtful. "Indeed, something is amiss," Guan Ya set down the double-drake jade pendant in her hands. "This is the Pure Yang Sect's site for sealing away demons. The person buried here is a demon of great evil—why would there be burial goods?" The quiet attendant, Hou De Zai Wu, pondered and said, "Since this is the Pure Yang Sect's site for sealing demons, the burial goods must have been placed there by them." Xia Shu Zhi Lian asked, "Why would the Pure Yang Sect prepare burial goods for a demon of such magnitude?" After much deliberation, the group couldn't come up with a clear explanation. At that moment, Zhang Yuanqing noticed Jiang Jingwei suddenly stopping her motion of waving her small flag, standing motionless. He frowned, about to ask a question, when Jiang Jingwei gently exhaled and said, "Because they were a group of ungrateful, unkind disciples!" Her voice was clear and bright, yet her tone carried the weight of age and depth, full of quiet weariness. Everyone turned their This… Zhang Yuanqing grew pale, his face tightened, and hesitated, asking, "Who are you?" A terrifying possibility flashed through his mind, yet he found it too strange to believe. Guan Ya and the others each adopted defensive stances, their expressions unusually odd—clearly, they too had formed similar conjectures. Only Master Gao remained composed, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Who am I?" Jiang Jingwei turned around, blackness swirling within her eyes, obscuring the sclera and iris, making her delicate, pale face appear unusually ethereal. She sighed, "I am merely a wretched being sealed and subdued by my unruly disciple." Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. Though they had already suspected it, hearing it confirmed firsthand left them utterly stunned. He was the demon king recorded on the stone tablet—he hadn't died yet? Only Guan Ya, knowing the ancient sun-god, Old Bangzi, who had recently revived, had some psychological resilience; she was surprised, but not profoundly shaken. Indeed it was him, just like the old boulder, having "slept" until now, yet unlike her, who had been absorbed into the spiritual realm and become a chapter of the副本. I had clearly seen the face of Jing Jing, and she should have been spared from misfortune—she hadn't been destined for calamity. Zhang Yuanqing silently set down the ancient scroll in his hands and tightened his nerves. He opened his star-eyed gaze once more, observing Jing Jing's facial features discreetly. Still a normal face—no overcast clouds, no signs of blood-related disasters. High Peak Elder examined Jing Jing carefully and asked, "Are you a senior from the Pure Yang Sect?" The demon subtly glanced at Zhang Yuanqing before shifting his gaze back, and in turn, questioned the elder, "Are you the headmaster and senior of the Northern Xu Wu Sect, or one of the Five Seal Imprint Holders of the Imperial Five Elements Office?" After speaking, he glanced again at the assembled Sages, smiled, and said, "Need not be anxious. I harbor no ill will. After enduring such a long period of sealing, I have calmed my inner demons and regained my sense of self He remained calm and spoke gently, with no trace of the aloofness or arrogance often associated with those who practiced the esoteric arts. Senior Monks Peak said, "A millennium has passed. Now, the people rule—the imperial power has long since become mere dust in history. You haven't yet answered my question." The eyes, once darkened, now revealed a moment of dazed clarity. After a few seconds, the ancient cultivator sighed, "A millennium—just a flash of time..." He turned to Senior Monks Peak and said, "I am the Grand Master of the Pure Yang Sect." Guan Ya furrowed her brows, saying, "Whether you're the Grand Master or a demon—please leave our companions. Otherwise, we shall take all necessary measures." "Ah, ah..." the Grand Master of Pure Yang smiled. "A fragment of my residual soul is enshrined within the Banner of Fiery Flame. It was she who activated my consciousness using her artifact. I have merely borrowed her body to breathe and survive for a thousand years. My spirit has grown profoundly weak and will soon return to the realm of heaven and earth." The others turned their gaze to Senior Monks Peak. Senior Gao Feng nodded slightly, as if agreeing with the state of the Pure Yang Master, and asked, "How were you sealed here? Are the events recorded on the stele truly accurate?" Seeing the senior inquest into the ancient secrets of the immortal sects, the various officials fell silent, listening intently. The demon turned to gaze at the stone stele below, then scoffed, "A mere selection of facts, taken out of context." "Indeed, when I was tormented by my inner demons, I committed many errors—killing countless innocent beings. Yet all of this was due to the fault of that ill-fated disciple. During the Northern Song dynasty, the celestial and terrestrial spiritual energies gradually thinned, making it increasingly difficult for practitioners to make any progress. Though gifted, my disciple was constrained by the grand cosmic trends and could not ascend to the Golden Sun stage. To seek a breakthrough, she turned to a state of demonic transformation, devising a scheme to betray her teachers and destroy her own lineage." "What scheme?" asked Senior Gao Feng. The Pure Yang Master's eyes flashed with resentment: "She exploited my period of meditation, allied with members of the demonic sect, employed a secret technique to awaken my heart's demons, and then seized my yang essence using Pure Yang's foundational treasure, aiming to devour me and ascend to the Golden Crane rank. "Yet she underestimated me. Though I lost half my yang essence, I managed to break through and now suffer from mental confusion, dominated by my heart demons, resulting in a series of misfortunes." Another instance of the 'devouring' ritual to achieve ascension—Master Lao Bang once mentioned that since the Song to the Ming dynasties, as celestial and terrestrial energies waned, practitioners resorted to killing their peers to survive and progress. Even her disciple, Temple Attendant Zuo, followed this path. Ah, yes—the Golden Crane refers to the sun deity, doesn't it? Zhang Yuanqing's thoughts flowed freely. The Pure Yang Master's account aligned with his understanding of ancient cultivation history. The Pure Yang Master continued: "Later, she successfully refined my yang essence, ascending to the Golden Crane rank, and then led the Pure Yang sect to overthrow the teachers and extinguish the ancestral lineage, sealing me here." "These burial items are nothing but insincere performances," the Huayu attendant suddenly realized. "That explains why the inscriptions on the stele offer so little detail about you—there must be such a hidden matter." Several attendants believed him, yet the senior monk, Gao Feng, remained silent, pondering for a few seconds before asking, "Then, why didn't she kill you, but instead sealed you here?" The Pure Yang Master sneered, "This is precisely the hypocrisy of her disciple. To imprison me for a thousand years—what difference does that make, compared to killing me? She gains a good reputation instead." Gao Feng inquired, "The disciple you speak of—the imperial princess recorded on the stele from the Song dynasty—who exactly is she?" He wished to verify this further. The Pure Yang Master paused slightly, then smiled gently. "My disciple may have already exhausted her lifespan and passed away years ago. If you wish to see, then I shall show you." With her left hand—unclasped from the banner of blazing flame—she waved, and a phantom image materialized beside her. There stood a graceful lady in a plain imperial robe, her elaborate coiffure adorned with a golden hair ornament that swayed gently. Her features were clear and resplendent, with a floral hairpin shaped like plum blossoms resting gently on her smooth forehead. No. Although the elder Bàngzha is reserved and difficult to get along with, she truly is a righteous and noble soul. Her tone of disgust when speaking of her disciples consuming others to cultivate is genuine—not feigned—and there’s no reason for her to lie to me. Even if he may not fully understand her, Zhang Yuancheng is more inclined to trust the elder Bàngzha than the pure-yang abbot, who is still unfamiliar with her. Master Chuyang narrowed his eyes, sighed, and said, "I have told you nothing but the truth. Why do you not believe me?" Senior Gao turned to Yuan Shi Tian Zun and asked, "Are you certain?" Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "I know that imperial princess. She is a member of the orthodox sect, and she wouldn't behave in such a way as to betray her teachers and destroy her lineage. I don't know what Master Chuyang is trying to accomplish by delaying, but we must be careful not to fall for it." The attendants' expressions changed. Could it be that Yuan Shi Tian Zun knew ancient cultivators, knew the ethereal woman formed by the convergence of illusions? Senior Gao was also surprised. He had not witnessed the mid-year killing trials, so he had never seen the Lady of San Dao Mountain. Without hesitation, he fully trusted the young prodigy of the Wu Xing Alliance. Senior Gao reached out, grasped a black silk banner, and struck it hard against Jiang Jingwei. At once, a translucent figure sprang from Jiang Jingwei's body and swiftly drifted toward the distance. Jiang Jingwei collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Seeing this, Master Gao Feng suddenly thrust his right palm forward, and with a thunderous "crash," four earth walls rose up along the edges of the platform, forming a square enclosure that trapped the people on stage. The ethereal figure collided with the walls and was bounced back—this intangible spiritual form could not penetrate the solid earth walls. At that moment, the crowd finally made out the figure's appearance: a young man clad in a shimmering, translucent robe, with a strikingly handsome face, white hair flowing over his shoulders, and a cold, piercing gaze. Indeed, even those not of the Night-Wanderer deity could perceive this spectral form—it was no ordinary spirit, but a true immortal soul! Gazing directly into this immortal soul, Zhang Yuanqing felt his own spirit trembling, as though facing a formidable adversary. With no means of escape, the Master of Pure Yang immediately moved with clear intent toward Zhang Yuanqing. Master Gao Feng stepped in front of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, drawing his black silk banner across the spiritual form of the Pure Yang Master. To their surprise, however, the spiritual form instantly dissolved, turning into a delicate, swirling stream of green mist, evading the banner's stroke and continuing its path The Master of the Pure Yang Sect had an exceptionally profound cultivation in the realm of spiritual essence—something Zhang Yuanqing would never have dared to accomplish, let alone "disperse" his spiritual body. "Yuanshi!" Guan Ya's face paled as she stepped forward, shielding him without hesitation. Huh... Zhang Yuanqing was startled, immediately drawing out his Fumagou Staff and striking it firmly into his thigh. A brilliant golden light erupted, filling every corner of the platform. The Pure Yang Master's spiritual essence collided head-on with the blazing golden radiance, instantly spewing out ethereal black smoke and emitting a piercing, desperate cry: "Why do you possess the Pure Yang Sect's foundational treasure? What is your connection to that unruly disciple?" Senior Elder Gao maintained a calm demeanor, withdrawing his black silk banner and gently grasping the spiritual essence, now bathed in golden light, with his palm. In an instant, streams of yellowish, earth-bound spiritual energy rapidly coalesced, adhering to the Pure Yang Master's spiritual essence and continuously compressing, compressing, until they solidified into a small orb. Within the orb, a faint green vapor seemed to struggle and jostle At the same time, Master Gao raised his hand, and Zhang Yuanqing's Fumogong staff floated upward, hovering before him with its three-pointed tip aimed at the earth-yellow sphere. Gao gently waved his hand, and the staff shot forth, piercing through the earth-yellow sphere. Another burst of golden light erupted, accompanied by the pure yang master's cry. A few seconds later, the golden glow faded, and everything dissolved into nothingness. The crowd exhaled silently. How strong—though it was merely an earth-based monster, it had even managed to imprison a spiritual body... Zhang Yuanqing knelt down to pick up the staff that had fallen to the ground, thinking to himself that with the protection of an eighth-grade elder, there was indeed a strong sense of security. Guan Ya rushed over to the junior high student, examined her carefully, and then frowned, saying, "Jingwei's condition seems off." Master Gao, whose hairline had receded, approached and glanced at her, noting, "Her spiritual energy has been drained, becoming nourishment for that vengeful spirit. The pure yang master delayed the attack in order to restore his own strength." What a remarkable technique—indeed, no wonder it's been mastered by ancient cultivators. I've never seen a senior from Taiyuan Monastery employ such a method. Zhang Yuanqing thought: though he had clearly examined Jingwei's facial chart using stellar astrology and found no anomalies, in reality, she had "sustained injuries." Could a high-ranking night-wanderer even obscure the insights of stellar astrology? Senior Gao Feng said: "You should divide up the burial goods; don't list them in your reports." Otherwise, according to the Five Elements Alliance's regulations, all such items would have to be submitted, in exchange for merit points and bonuses. Official organizations strictly prohibit private retention of spoils—though such practices are repeatedly ignored, unless someone raises a complaint, the authorities naturally take no action. What a compassionate and generous leader! Zhang Yuanqing quickly added, "Senior, may I also request an item from you?" Gao Feng waved his hand, "Too modest in value—what I've taken is utterly useless." "Then, Senior, allow me to treat you to a fine meal," Zhang Yuanqing said, changing his tone. Senior Peak brightened at the sight, surprised that the young man was so thoughtful, and smiled: "Alright! Come by Hangzhou whenever you have time—I'll take you hiking." Zhang Yuanqing found himself unsure whether to accept or decline. Immediately, the group divided the burial goods from the stone sarcophagus. Zhang Yuanqing took the two ancient scrolls and the bronze small cauldron that were rightfully his. Guan Ya, owing to her possession of the Han Eight-Directions Sword, gave her slender, blade-like sword to Xia Shu Zhi Liang and took the Double-Drake Jade Pendant, also assuming responsibility for guarding the Flame Banner on behalf of Jiang Jingwei. Hua Yu, the steward, chose the jade beads, while Hou De Zai Wu selected the ancient mirror. As for the final bronze beast figure, the group decided to submit it to the Hangzhou branch. After distributing the items, the group held hands, and Senior Peak gently pressed Xia Shu Zhi Liang’s shoulder, then led his subordinates away through earth-shifting. Outside the ancient tomb, along the bright yellow perimeter line, a security officer slowly raised his head, black circles forming in his eyes. He turned back to gaze at the entrance of the ancient tomb, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth, murmuring softly: "Good disciple, I never thought you had already passed away..." Fu Qingyang picked up on his subtle intentions, speaking calmly: "Prepare a list for the hare maiden, and I'll have it delivered to the adjacent room later." As long as the requests weren't excessive, the money gentleman would always accommodate his trusted subordinates. "Also," Fu Qingyang said firmly, "stay at home carefully from now on and avoid going out." He offered no explanation, merely waved his hand, "Go rest now." Zhang Yuanqing stood up, "You too, rest early." He dissolved into a dreamlike streak of starlight and vanished into the study. ... One a.m., the compact villa. The queen, dressed in pajamas, and the delicate green tea lady, finally returned to their rooms to rest. In the second-floor bedroom, Zhang Yuanqing heard the knock at the door, opened it, and found the tall, graceful hare maiden standing there, a catering cart behind her. "Mr. Yuan Shi, your materials have arrived," she smiled. How efficient she is... Zhang Yuanqing nodded, took the cart inside, and said, "Go rest now." "After closing the door and unrolling the tablecloth, a variety of materials were laid out—common ones included cinnabar, yellow paper, and soil from the graveyard; rarer items such as spirit-communicating jade and star sand. Besides the materials for the summoning ritual, Zhang Yuanqing also listed those needed for creating talismans. As expected, the master, renowned for his ability to win people over through virtue, once again fulfilled his request. Zhang Yuanqing then proceeded to retrieve the materials for summoning the old drum and began the summoning ritual."