Chapter 354: Chapter 176: What Is Gui Xu’s End Game?

"Greetings, Sect Leader Yu. Greetings, Elder Zhao!"

After exchanging greetings, the two parties started up the mountain together.

Along the way, Cang Zhenzi didn’t chat about the scenery of Qingcheng Mountain. Instead, he spoke of the home of Gui Xu Qing City.

"The mountain ranges there are towering, several times higher than those in the Central Plains. The forests are so dense and the beasts so ferocious, they are beyond anything in this world..."

"According to the fragmented records left behind in our predecessors’ letters, the land is boundless. It is home to numerous divine artifacts, and it is the foundation from which many Dharma Aspects manifest..."

Everything Cang Zhenzi spoke of were secrets of Gui Xu. Zhao Rui already knew some of them from Zen Master Zhisheng.

But others, he had never heard before.

While Zhao Rui knew a thing or two, Yu Zhengnan listened with a look of pure shock on his face.

"How did you manage to survive in such a treacherous place?"

"Generation after generation, our skilled predecessors blazed a trail, carving out a small foothold for us. Later, the Land of Return fell into turmoil, and some Gui Xu people fled into our territory. After several hundred years of integration, we have merged into one..."

"These transformations of the Dharma Aspect all came from the Gui Xu people, while we taught them the path to enlightenment. Only by combining our strengths were we able to gain a firm foothold."

"The chaos and strife involved are too complex to explain in just a few words."

Cang Zhenzi’s candor was a clear signal to Zhao Rui, showing that his Qingcheng Sect was completely sincere in its desire to reconcile.

They chatted the whole way up. By the time they reached the main gate, a group of Daoists in exquisite Daoist Robes, each with an extraordinary bearing, had appeared at the entrance to the Qingcheng Sect.

"I am Dust. My greetings."

"You are too kind, Master. I, Yu Zhengnan, along with Elder Zhao Rui, greet the esteemed masters of the Qingcheng Sect."

The two sides exchanged polite greetings, each sizing up the other.

The gazes of the Qingcheng Sect members were fixed almost entirely on Zhao Rui.

As for Yu Zhengnan, he was... well, something of an accessory. But a necessary one.

Without him, their visit would lack legitimacy.

They couldn’t for the life of them understand why the Qingcheng Sword Sect would choose a Daoist with such mediocre Martial Arts to be its Sect Leader.

It seemed that, compared to the Qingcheng Sword Sect, they themselves were more like a Martial Arts Sect, while the Qingcheng Sword Sect resembled a tranquil place for Daoist School cultivation.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, you are so young. Looking across the entire Central Plains Martial Arts world, I fear there are only a handful of people who can match your good fortune."

Sect Leader Dust’s pupils dilated slightly. Although he had heard about it from his disciples, seeing him in person was still beyond his expectations.

"I don’t deserve such praise, Master. My meager skills are not worth mentioning. You, on the other hand, Master, have a solemn Dharma Aspect and have restrained your divine light. You already show signs of Returning to the True, which is truly admirable."

"Haha, you are too kind, Fellow Daoist. Please!"

"After you!"

The two parties walked side by side into the Qingcheng Sect’s grounds.

Inside the great hall!

Everyone sat according to their status as hosts and guests.

After a few pleasantries, they got straight to the point: the matter of merging the sects.

This time was different from the last. They were not using power to pressure them, but had instead opted for a model similar to Mount Emei’s: two sects on one mountain, of the same school and origin.

Before arriving, both sides had already discussed most of it; only a few details remained to be finalized.

Thus, after less than an hour of casual talk, the two parties reached an agreement.

"With you, Fellow Daoist, joining us, the great rise of our Qingcheng Mountain is just around the corner."

Dust stroked his beard and smiled, seeming full of confidence for the future.

"Qingcheng Mountain has stood since ancient times, for hundreds of millions of years. When has its fate ever risen or fallen because of mortals like us?"

Zhao Rui said after a moment of quiet contemplation.

Dust’s eyes narrowed slightly. He stroked his long beard and laughed freely. "What you say is true, Fellow Daoist. It seems I have lost my sense of tranquility."

"On my way up the mountain today, I learned much from the guidance of Brother Daoist Cang Zhenzi and gained some understanding of Gui Xu. I wonder if you, Master, might be able to resolve some of my doubts?"

"Please, speak."

"What is Gui Xu’s objective? And what is your objective in returning?"

Zhao Rui’s question was incredibly direct.

The faces of the people who had returned from Gui Xu all remained impassive, but a sharp light flickered and shifted within their eyes.

Zhao Rui was well-versed in the Celestial Demon Dao. He could see through such things as clearly as fire, and one look told him that there were undoubtedly some hidden machinations at play.

Why do classes exist in this world?

This is the function of class.

There are some things—some information—that you can never access unless you step into that circle.

You can only be swept along by the tides of the era, like a headless fly buzzing about aimlessly.

And Zhao Rui did not want to remain ignorant and adrift.