“This talisman… who made it?”

Qin Meran stared fixedly at the talisman before her, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

The moment she laid eyes on this talisman, she felt as if she weren’t looking at ink and paper, but at the genuine Heavenly Dao Rhyme manifesting in the sky above! Every detail, every nuance, was exactly the same.

It wasn’t just a superficial resemblance; it possessed the very essence of the Dao!

The imprints on the talisman were like living Heavenly Dao Rhyme!

This was no ordinary Perfect Dao Talisman. This was a truly perfect Perfect Dao Talisman, as if someone had taken the Heavenly Dao Rhyme, pressed it onto the paper, and imprisoned it within to form this object!

Such skill should not exist in this mortal realm!

At the very least, Qin Meran had devoted herself to this art for five hundred years, yet she had never heard of or seen such a talisman before. This simple piece of paper brought her world-shaking astonishment.

That disciple didn’t know any of this, but he hurriedly replied, “Reporting to Elder, this talisman is sold by the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. As for who made it, this disciple does not know.”

“Something sold by the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion?” Qin Meran was stunned, finding it hard to believe. “A talisman like this… obtaining even one could be called a rare treasure in the world. They actually put it up for sale?”

“Huh?” The disciple was confused.

In his heart, he thought it was just a Perfect Dao Talisman. Although rare, most talisman masters could occasionally produce one, right?

However, he didn’t dare to be negligent and quickly explained, “What this disciple says is entirely true. In fact, not only the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion but also the Lingbao Pavilion has started selling this kind of talisman.”

“Do they have so many that they can sell them?” Qin Meran found it strange.

“This… they probably do…”

“What do you mean?”

“The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion can offer at least fifty thousand talismans for sale daily. The Lingbao Pavilion has slightly fewer but can still offer at least twenty thousand.”

“What did you say???”

At this moment, Qin Meran was utterly shocked. She sprang to her feet, her face full of astonishment and disbelief.

This was a perfect Perfect Dao Talisman! She had spent her entire life unable to create even one, and yet they produced tens of thousands daily?

What kind of joke was this?

Suddenly, Qin Meran realized the key issue. “Since both the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and the Lingbao Pavilion have such talismans, they certainly aren’t making them themselves. It’s very likely they are supplied by the same group!”

“Do you know which faction supplies their talismans? Does that supplying faction possess some special method?”

The disciple looked embarrassed. “This… this disciple does not know…”

“You don’t know?” Qin Meran frowned.

“Elder, please forgive me. This disciple truly does not know.” The disciple hurriedly explained, “This kind of talisman first appeared from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. They have always claimed publicly that they mastered a secret art they would not disclose. After the Lingbao Pavilion also obtained these talismans, both parties publicly stated that they cooperated and jointly mastered this technique…”

As soon as Gu Xiu and Shang Zhongqing reached their cooperation agreement, the Lingbao Pavilion and the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion set aside their competition and joined hands. Their goal was clear: to protect that mysterious faction.

Listening to this disciple’s report, Qin Meran’s frown deepened. She had long resided in the Azure Mystic Sacred Land, paying no attention to outside affairs. She never expected so many things had happened in the outside world.

“During this time, countless talisman masters have gathered in Cloud Firmament City, all attracted by the ‘Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes’ incident. When the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion produced such Perfect Dao Talismans, many wanted to investigate.”

“But due to Cloud Firmament City’s rules and restrictions, none of the parties have been able to find useful leads…” the disciple explained.

Hearing his words, Qin Meran also furrowed her brow. She had been paying attention to the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes; the Azure Mystic Sacred Land had long dispatched disciples to investigate. However, there had been no news until now.

But this time…

“I need to go to Cloud Firmament City!” Qin Meran made a decision. “I will personally investigate the Homage of Ten Thousand Rhymes. I refuse to believe that if I go personally, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion would still conceal things!”

This matter was of great importance and must be thoroughly investigated.

That disciple would have been glad for Qin Meran to investigate personally but hesitantly reminded her, “But Elder, Junior Martial Uncle’s Dao Sword is nearing completion. If you leave now…”

Qin Meran frowned. She glanced back at Jiang Xun, who was still crafting talismans, and felt momentarily hesitant.

For the Azure Mystic Sacred Land, Junior Martial Uncle was currently the most important priority; everything else had to wait!

However…

“Second Senior Sister should still need a few days there. I will go quickly and return swiftly.” Qin Meran gritted her teeth; she still couldn’t rest easy about the Heavenly Dao Rhyme matter.

Having said that, she hesitated no longer. She immediately summoned her magical treasure, preparing to fly away from the Azure Mystic Sacred Land.

But just as she reached the sect entrance…

Qin Meran suddenly froze.

Because she saw that a figure, who had walked step by step for who knew how long, had just entered the gates of Azure Mystic Mountain.

“Senior Sister!” Qin Meran exclaimed in surprise.

This person was none other than the master of the Heaven-Asking Pavilion in the Azure Mystic Sacred Land.

Nian Zhaoxi!

During this period, Nian Zhaoxi had been away and hadn’t returned for a long time, causing much worry among many in the sect. Seeing her return now filled Qin Meran with joy.

“Senior Sister! You’ve finally returned! Everyone has been very worried about you during this time. Senior Sister… you…”

As she spoke, Qin Meran’s words suddenly trailed off.

Because she saw her senior sister, Nian Zhaoxi, with her snow-white hair, glance at her indifferently.

That gaze was full of meaning.

She couldn’t understand what lay hidden within those eyes.

But within them… there was a sense of distance.

Senior Sister seems to have changed.

This thought suddenly arose in Qin Meran’s heart. But before she could ponder further, she saw Nian Zhaoxi suddenly cough lightly. A trace of blood flowed from the corner of her mouth; her body swayed as if about to collapse.

“Senior Sister!” Qin Meran hurriedly supported her.

But just as she helped her up, Qin Meran’s expression suddenly turned horrified as she looked at Nian Zhaoxi in terror. “Senior Sister… your injuries… why are they so severe?”

“And…”

“And why do I feel your life essence is constantly draining away?”

She could sense it.

At this moment, Nian Zhaoxi was as frail as a sheet of paper; it seemed a gust of wind could blow her over.

Even more terrifying…

Her life essence was draining away madly. Her senior sister, who had been perfectly fine not long ago, now seemed to have entered her twilight years!

As if she could pass away at any moment!

“It’s nothing.” Nian Zhaoxi shook her head. “I just walked slowly on the road… thought too much… asked too much…”

Thought? Asked?

Qin Meran was stunned for a moment before realizing: Senior Sister cultivated the Path of Heavenly Secrets. Could it be that along her journey she performed divinations and asked fate too many times?

However, before Qin Meran could speak…

A figure instantly appeared in the sky above.

Qin Meran looked up and immediately knelt on the ground. “Greetings, Master!”

The one who appeared was none other than Sect Master Guan Xuelan!

At this moment, Guan Xuelan stared at her eldest disciple with eyes full of gloom. “Rebellious disciple! You finally know how to return?”

“Disciple pays respects to Master.” Nian Zhaoxi gave a slight bow.

“Hmph!” Guan Xuelan snorted coldly. “Go to the Main Sect Hall! Prepare to receive punishment!”

Qin Meran was startled and hurriedly spoke up for Nian Zhaoxi. “Master! Senior Sister right now…”

Unfortunately…

Before she could finish speaking, Guan Xuelan had already turned and left.

Nian Zhaoxi remained calm, however, breaking free from Qin Meran’s support and heading step by step towards the Main Sect Hall.

Along the way, she met many Azure Mystic disciples, all respectful and reverent.

But Nian Zhaoxi gave no response.

Just step by step, from the mountain gates into the main hall.

The further she walked, the darker her heart became.

This journey… she had walked all the way back from Cloud Firmament City to the Azure Mystic Sacred Land without using cultivation, without using her formidable power.

She knew everything too late, but still hoped to retrace the path her Junior Martial Brother once walked.

Before, as a lofty and mighty expert, she felt that the path passed in an instant.

But after not using cultivation, she discovered…

That path was truly long and treacherous.

She thought that was already her limit, but now, walking through the vast expanse of the Azure Mystic Sacred Land…

Nian Zhaoxi discovered something else.

The former Azure Mystic Sect had now become the Azure Mystic Sacred Land.

The changes were truly great.

This path was also truly far.

Just…

Facing those disciples who were so respectful and reverent towards her, Nian Zhaoxi again felt her heart ache faintly.

She received reverence.

But Junior Martial Brother?

She wanted to taste the hardships Junior Martial Brother experienced, but she was forever unable to truly, genuinely experience the suffering he encountered…

Finally.

After walking for half a day and passing several layers of sect restrictions, Nian Zhaoxi finally arrived before the doors of the Main Sect Hall.

Inside…

Guan Xuelan sat upright in the main seat.

The other junior sisters had already been waiting inside for a long time.

Nian Zhaoxi took a deep breath and stepped inside.

“Rebellious disciple!” Guan Xuelan’s voice was like thunder. “Do you know your crime!”

“Disciple knows her crime.” Nian Zhaoxi lowered her head.

Guan Xuelan asked coldly, “Speak. What crime do you have?”

“The crime of cowardice.”

“What?”

“And the crime of overestimating my capabilities.”

“What are you saying?” Guan Xuelan frowned.

She saw Nian Zhaoxi speak softly, “Disciple’s nature was cowardly. After Junior Martial Brother Gu lost his power, I did not help him. This is a crime.”

What???

These words stunned everyone present into disbelief.

Even Guan Xuelan was stunned for a moment.

She saw Nian Zhaoxi continue speaking. “Disciple, while regretting the past, wishfully thought I could redeem everything.”

“The result was merely overestimating my capabilities.”

“This, too, is a crime.”