Xianxia: Big Brother of Tianyong City

Chapter 36: The Master of Blazing Sky Valley, Bai Yunqing

Blazing Sky Valley, located far from the heartlands of Zhongtu Divine Province, had maintained its legacy for over a millennium. It stood as a steadfast guardian of the southern borderlands, preventing the incursion of savage beasts into the central territories. Revered as near-divine protectors by the local populace, the sect enjoyed widespread acclaim.

As night fell, a black-robed elder entered the forbidden grounds of Blazing Sky Valley. With his hands folded respectfully, he stood in the corner of the chamber and addressed the young man seated inside.@@novelbin@@

“Master, you summoned me?”

The speaker was Shangguan Ce, the sect’s Grand Elder. A cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, his life-bound magical weapon, the Nine-Turn Profound Ice Spike, was infamous for its cruelty and lethality. Highly esteemed by the sect master, Bai Yunqing, Shangguan Ce was charged with upholding the sect’s laws with an iron hand, earning him both reverence and fear among the disciples.

[ Bái Yúnqīng (白云清): “Bai” (白): A common Chinese family name meaning “white,” symbolizing purity, brightness, and simplicity. “Yun” (云): This character means “cloud,” often representing freedom, elegance, and a connection to nature. “Qing” (清): This character means “clear,” “pure,” or “tranquil,” suggesting clarity of mind, serenity, and purity.]

“Elder Shangguan, there’s no need for such formality here. Have a seat,” Bai Yunqing said, gesturing toward the tea table.

The forbidden grounds were a repository of priceless knowledge, lined with shelves of jade slips containing manuals on cultivation, alchemy, weapon crafting, and array formations.

Bai Yunqing himself had an unusual appearance. His lustrous black hair was devoid of a single grey strand, and his skin was smooth and youthful. At first glance, he resembled a teenager untouched by the trials of cultivation. Yet this seemingly innocent visage concealed a power so immense that even Shangguan Ce, a seasoned elder, dared not show any hint of disrespect.

“Yes, Master,” Shangguan Ce replied, taking a seat as instructed.

“The world is now divided into three factions: the immortal path, the demonic path, and the Buddhist path. These powers vie for dominance, creating a precarious balance,” Bai Yunqing began, sipping his tea.

“For Blazing Sky Valley to thrive in such a turbulent era, we must not only cultivate strength but also execute our century-long grand strategy to perfection.”

“Your wisdom is unmatched, Master!” Shangguan Ce replied earnestly. “The current state of the world is indeed concerning. Fortunately, our plans are progressing steadily. Li Xun is actively searching for the Mysterious Flame Mirror. I believe he’ll succeed soon.”

Bai Yunqing nodded. “The Mysterious Flame Mirror is the essence of ten thousand flames and the key to activating the Eight Desolations Flame Array. Our century-long strategy hinges entirely on this artefact. Let us hope Li Xun does not disappoint.”

[Eight Desolations Flame Array (八荒六合焚天大阵, Bā Huāng Liù Hé Fén Tiān Dà Zhèn): A legendary formation designed to harness immense fire-elemental energy, often requiring rare artefacts to activate.]

“Rest assured, Master,” Shangguan Ce said confidently. “The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox has been sealed for years. Though her two offspring, the Six-Tailed and Three-Tailed Foxes, escaped, they were wounded by my Nine-Turn Profound Ice Spike. With the tracking compass I provided, Li Xun should retrieve the mirror in due time.”

“Good,” Bai Yunqing said with satisfaction.

Suddenly, the tranquil atmosphere of the forbidden grounds was shattered by a sharp cracking sound.

Crack!

The sound echoed crisply, like glass breaking, a vase shattering, or a jade pendant splitting apart.

“Hm?”

Bai Yunqing frowned. The noise was unmistakably that of a jade slip breaking. But why would a jade slip, protected by powerful arrays, suddenly shatter without cause?

“Master, please continue enjoying your tea. Allow me to investigate,” Shangguan Ce offered, rising from his seat and heading toward the shelves.

“Very well.” Bai Yunqing nodded, though his unease remained.

The jade slips housed in the forbidden grounds were safeguarded by intricate formations, ensuring they couldn’t be easily dislodged or damaged.

Moments later, Shangguan Ce stood frozen before a particular shelf, disbelief written across his face.

“What has you so startled?” Bai Yunqing asked, his sharp intuition sensing that something extraordinary had occurred.

“Master, you must see for yourself,” Shangguan Ce said, stepping aside to reveal the shattered jade slip.

In an instant, Bai Yunqing appeared at his side, his expression darkening as his gaze fell upon the broken piece. Fury and grief flickered across his face as veins bulged on his forehead.

“Unforgivable! Truly unforgivable!”

The jade slip wasn’t just any slip—it was a life-bound jade slip connected to Li Xun. Its shattering could mean only one thing: Li Xun, far away on his mission, had been killed.

“Master, please remain calm!” Shangguan Ce urged. “Li Xun’s death is regrettable, but we must act swiftly to identify the culprit and avenge him. Moreover, our grand strategy may require immediate adjustments.”