Severing Ties: The Sect Regrets My Departure

Chapter 191: Meeting Zhongqing Again, Inviting the Lord into the Jar

“Little Sword Spirit, you did exceptionally well this time. But as the ancients said, ‘Do not rejoice merely because of victory.’ We must not become complacent; we must reflect and learn.”

In the backyard of the Listening-to-Rain Pavilion, deep within Cloud Firmament City, the self-proclaimed Four Saints Who Shake the Ancients were conducting a tactical review.

The atmosphere was grave. The Star Shattering Forging Platform lectured from his pedestal, while the Little Black Monkey, the Carefree Jade Pendant, and the newly christened Crossing Immortal Sword sat below, listening with rapt attention.

“Little Sword Spirit,” Star Shattering continued, his voice heavy with seniority. “Your performance was good, but not perfect.”

“First, you do not understand how to conceal your edge.”

“Your target was too obvious. Your intent was too naked. You exposed yourself too early, giving the enemy a chance to defend. If you had been more subtle, you wouldn’t have needed three strikes to land two hits.”

The Crossing Immortal Sword vibrated slightly, as if taking notes.

“Second, your preparation was insufficient.”

“There is a saying: ‘If the damage is lacking, supplement it with underhanded methods.’ Although your castration strike was brilliant, think about it—if you had coated your blade with a slow-acting poison beforehand, wouldn’t the effect have been even more devastating?”

“Furthermore, you must learn to leverage momentum…”

Today, the Crossing Immortal Sword had flown 30,000 miles, intercepted the Little Martial Uncle of Azure Mystic, severed his heart meridian, and forcefully altered his gender. It was a military achievement of immense merit.

However, the Four Saints were humble spirits. They would not let a little success go to their heads.

After returning and scrubbing itself a thousand times to wash away the “filth,” the sword spirit had immediately convened this meeting. They were eager to learn.

Gu Xiu, having just finished his cultivation session, walked out of his room to find this bizarre scene. He paused, staring at his artifacts.

Their diligence was commendable. But the curriculum…

Gu Xiu wasn’t sure if he should be proud or terrified. Shaking his head, he decided not to disturb their plotting. He donned the Three-Body Mask, transforming his appearance into an unassuming woodcutter, and slipped out the gate.

He had been so busy lately that the talisman supply for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and the Lingbao Pavilion had nearly run dry. The Pavilion Master of Lingbao was probably pacing holes in his floor by now.

Shang Zhongqing’s Courtyard. The Lake Pavilion.

“Fellow Daoist, you finally came,” Shang Zhongqing said, his voice weak but relieved. “If you had delayed any longer, I would have thought your organization had forgotten our agreement.”

“We gave our word to help Young Master Shang. We would not forget,” Gu Xiu replied in his disguised, raspy voice. He scanned Shang Zhongqing’s face. “You seem to be recovering well.”

Shang Zhongqing, the Second Prince of the Golden Feather Divine Dynasty, was a prisoner in all but name. Confined to Cloud Firmament City, he had been slowly dying from a curse that drained his lifespan.

Gu Xiu had not only provided the Perfect Dao Talismans necessary for his business but also exposed the curse. Thanks to that warning and a steady diet of life-extending herbs, Shang Zhongqing had stabilized.

“We both know the truth,” Shang Zhongqing said, his gaze sharp. “The person who cursed me wants me dead. I am merely clinging to life. When their patience runs out, the result will be the same.”

He leaned forward. “What I want is to leave this cage.”

“Not yet,” Gu Xiu said flatly. “If you leave Cloud Firmament City now, you won’t live past noon.”

Shang Zhongqing’s eyelids twitched. He was a smart man. He knew his enemy had laid traps everywhere outside the city walls.

“Then what should I do?”

“Wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“Wait for the Golden-Feathered Roc to cry in sorrow. Wait for the day Ten Thousand Beasts attack the city.”

Shang Zhongqing shot to his feet, staring at Gu Xiu in horror. “What… did you say?”

The Golden-Feathered Roc was the totem of his Divine Dynasty. If it cried in sorrow, it meant only one thing.

The Divine Emperor was dead.

“For you, the current situation is a dead end,” Gu Xiu said calmly. “To survive, you must place yourself in a fatal position to seek survival afterward. There is no other way.”

“Is… is this true?” Shang Zhongqing whispered, trembling.

“Believe it or not, it is your only chance.”

“And your organization…”

“We will be there,” Gu Xiu assured him. “When the chaos begins, we will help you escape. And that day is not far off.”

Shang Zhongqing sank back into his chair, his mind reeling. The power of this mysterious organization terrified him. To speak so casually of the Emperor’s death… just who were they?

“Fine,” Shang Zhongqing said after a long silence. “I will wait.”

He hesitated, then looked up again. “I have one more question. I wonder if you can clarify something for me.”

“Please speak.”

“Recently, rumors have been spreading that Gu Xiu of the Azure Mystic Sacred Land has become a cripple and abandoned his Sect. Your organization is well-informed. Is this true?”

Gu Xiu raised an eyebrow behind his mask. “Rumors appear inexplicably. No one knows the truth. Even I am unwilling to believe it.”

“I see,” Shang Zhongqing sighed. “The news appeared out of nowhere. ‘The Azure Mystic Sword Immortal has lost his cultivation and fled.’ It’s hard to believe. Knowing him, knowing what he sacrificed for that Sect… for him to leave? It doesn’t make sense.”

He looked at Gu Xiu hoping for confirmation, but Gu Xiu merely shook his head.

“Whether true or false, it does not concern your current situation. Focusing on distractions will only harm you.”

“You’re right,” Shang Zhongqing laughed bitterly. “Look at me, a dying cripple worrying about a hero. If Gu Xiu saw me now, he’d probably laugh at my presumption.”

Gu Xiu remained silent. He turned to leave.

“Wait,” Shang Zhongqing called out. “Can I ask for a favor?”

Gu Xiu stopped. “What favor?”

“The rumors might be false, but such big news rarely arises from nothing. If your organization ever crosses paths with Gu Xiu… please, pass on a message for me.”

“What message?”

Shang Zhongqing pursed his lips, his eyes distant. “He and I had a pact. The next time we meet, we would ascend a high tower and drink fine wine until dawn.”

“Tell him I hope he remembers.”

“Tell him… don’t die.”

Gu Xiu looked back. Beneath the mask, a genuine smile touched his lips.

“We will convey the message.”

He walked out of the courtyard without looking back.

Walking through the bustling streets of Cloud Firmament City, Gu Xiu pondered the situation.

The news of his defection had been leaked. It had to be the Red-Robed Ancestor. For now, it was just a rumor, but soon, the entire cultivation world would be hunting him.

He needed strength.

“I must reach the Golden Core stage,” Gu Xiu muttered. “Once I reform my Golden Core, I won’t need to hide.”

His Foundation Establishment was unparalleled. His Golden Core would be monstrous. Once he ascended, even the Immortals would have to think twice before crossing him.

Suddenly, a conversation from a nearby tea stall caught his ear.

“Did you hear? Awakening Spirit Valley is going to exterminate the Shi Clan.”

“Awakening Spirit Valley? Isn’t that the little herb-growing sect? Why announce a killing so publicly?”

“And who are the Shi Clan? Never heard of them.”

Gu Xiu froze.

Awakening Spirit Valley. The Shi Clan.

To the passing cultivators, this was meaningless gossip about minor factions. But to Gu Xiu, it was a siren.

Shi Siling. His Fourth Senior Sister. She was from the Shi Clan.

Inviting the Lord into the Jar.

Gu Xiu looked toward the direction of Azure Mystic, his eyes narrowing into cold slits.

“Xu Wanqing.”

“You want to lure me out? You want to kill me?”

It was a trap. A blatant, obvious trap designed specifically for him. She knew he wouldn’t let his former Senior Sister’s family be slaughtered because of him.

Gu Xiu touched the Three-Body Mask on his face. He felt the Divine Demon Finger Bone in his robe.

He wasn’t worried.

In fact, he smiled.