The spiritual energy of Qianyang Mountain changed. The Lingxin Sect also benefited from it because of a small spiritual eye, and the spiritual energy was much more abundant than usual. The Xuanming Sect had a large spiritual eye, and had the greatest change. It had only been a few months since Gu Pinglin last came, but the small trees on the roadside had grown into towering trees, and there were exotic flowers and plants everywhere. Low-level disciples could be seen picking herbs in the forest from time to time.
Yan Feixiu was shocked by the scene before him and murmured, "This is not normal. There is something wrong with the Great Spirit Eye on the mountain."
Not only Qianyang Mountain, the changes in other places are probably similar.
Gu Pinglin said: "It's almost the eighth day of the eighth month."
Yan Feixiu came back to his senses and smiled bitterly: "People who don't know the truth are probably still happy. I don't know what method the Wanfa Sect used to easily cause changes in the spiritual energy of various places. So many sects and families nearby didn't notice their actions. It's really not easy to leave no traces like this."
Zhan Renjie had received Gu Pinglin's invitation long ago and was waiting in the hall in person. Gu Pinglin performed the junior ceremony. Because of Yan Feixiu, the difference in generation between the two was not considered low status. After greeting each other, Zhan Renjie invited Gu Pinglin to take a seat, and Yan Feixiu stood beside him.
Zhan Renjie laughed first and said, "Master Gu, did you really believe in the story of Duyindi? The Demon Ancestor is dead, who would know such evil magic? It's simply nonsense! It's more suspicious that Duan Liu has learned the Demon Ancestor's "Nine Chapters of Refining the Spirit", but the foundation of the Sword King Pavilion is still shallow and not enough to plan such a big thing. I heard that he sold the news to Master Weifeng in order to save Guangling Sect and offended Wanfa Sect. Master Gu is kind and considerate of the friendship between us in the past. I'm afraid he has bad intentions and deliberately deceived you with false news so that he can use us to deal with Wanfa Sect."
Yan Feixiu hurriedly said: "But the spiritual energy of Xuanming Sect is too abnormal, it is very suspicious."
Zhan Renjie waved his hand indifferently: "The veins of the cultivation world have lasted for thousands of years. It is time for changes. Abundant spiritual energy is a good thing for us. Besides, who can tamper with the veins of Qianyang Mountain under the nose of our Xuanming Sect?"
Yan Feixiu was also smart. Seeing that he didn't believe her, she smiled and said, "Master is right. The news about Duyin Land is really too absurd. However, there are rumors outside recently that someone is trying to attract spiritual energy. We must be cautious about this matter."
Zhan Renjie stroked his beard and said, "You don't have to worry about this. I personally took people to check the Purple Sky Palace Spirit Eye on Baitou Mountain. The seal is still there, which shows that rumors are always rumors. Even if someone really wants to steal the spiritual energy and change the earth veins..." He sneered, "In the beginning, we sealed the Purple Sky Palace Spirit Eye together to stop some people from thinking about it. I'm afraid that if he gets it, he may not be able to withstand the wrath of his fellow cultivators."
Yan Feixiu was secretly anxious and turned to look at Gu Pinglin.
Gu Pinglin nodded in agreement: "Master Zhan, what you said makes sense." He changed the subject: "Is Dean Yun still in seclusion?"
Zhan Renjie smiled bitterly and said, "After Yun Ya came back from the discussion, Dean Yun went into seclusion to comprehend swordsmanship. Everyone knows his temper..."
"It's just a temporary victory or defeat," Gu Pinglin said, "Dean Yun's cultivation is profound, how can he be compared with the arrogant kid? I heard that Yang Zhao is now a cripple."
It was rare to hear him belittling others, Zhan Renjie was a little surprised, he smiled and said: "It's not a bad thing for young people to be a little arrogant, what a pity."
"Master Zhan is very generous, so he won't mind," Gu Pinglin suddenly returned to the previous topic, "but the changes in the spiritual energy in the cultivation world are always disturbing. I have decided to go to Wuyin Mountain with Master Li of Yinlan Manor to investigate. But if I leave like this, if there is any major incident in the sect, please take care of it, Master Zhan."
Zhan Renjie really laughed and said, "You are worrying too much. Well, I am here in Qianyang Mountain, so what can happen to Lingxin Sect? We are not outsiders now, so why be polite? Just go."
Gu Pinglin cupped his hands and said, "I feel relieved after hearing what Sect Leader Zhan said."
The two chatted for a while, and Zhan Renjie ordered a banquet to entertain them. He also asked Yan Feixiu in detail about her progress in cultivation and gave her some advice. They drank happily until the evening, and then Gu Pinglin took Yan Feixiu to say goodbye and leave.
Walking to the mountain gate, Yan Feixiu stopped and whispered to Gu Pinglin, "Do you feel that my master is a little different from usual?"
Gu Pinglin said "Oh", "What's the difference?"
Yan Feixiu looked back hesitantly: "Logically I shouldn't doubt him, but you don't know that the Xuanming Sect is different from the Lingxin Sect. They never give any advice when teaching disciples. We always ask the master."
Gu Pinglin smiled: "Senior sister is now in Lingxin Sect, and the master and disciple don't see each other often, so Sect Master Zhan is naturally more concerned."
"Maybe," Yan Feixiu's expression did not relax much, "Are you really going to Wuyin Mountain?"
"Of course," Gu Pinglin said, "I'm going with Master Li."
Yan Feixiu said anxiously: "The veins of Qianyang Mountain are of great importance. The two major spiritual eyes are occupied by the Xuanming Sect and the Tiancan Sect. The Tiancan Sect is far away. I have inquired about it, and there is nothing unusual about the spiritual energy over there. But you have also seen it here in the Xuanming Sect. There must be a problem. I heard..." She stopped.
Gu Pinglin turned sideways and said, "Senior Sister, if you have anything to say, just say it."
Yan Feixiu pondered for a long time and said, "A few days ago, Lord Pingcang of Penglai passed away. The disciples who were sent to pay their respects came back and said that Lord Pingcang's personality had changed drastically in recent years. The ghost cultivators of the Wanfa Sect are very mysterious, and their evil ghost arts confuse people's minds..."
Gu Pinglin interrupted her: "I just tested it, and Master Zhan showed no signs of being affected by the magic."
Yan Feixiu trusted him very much, and heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that: "That's good." She was a little embarrassed: "My master has a high level of cultivation. I was overthinking and shouldn't have doubted him."
It is not necessary to rely on magic to influence a person. Human hearts are inherently dangerous. Gu Pinglin said, "Let's talk about it when we get back."
As the two were about to leave, they heard the cry of a crane overhead. A cold and beautiful woman returned with two female disciples. The three of them landed outside the mountain gate because they were not allowed to fly inside the mountain gate.
"Meet Master Uncle Cheng," Yan Feixiu hurriedly greeted him and stepped aside, "Master Uncle, did you just come back from outside?"
The woman was none other than Cheng, the junior sister of Zhan Renjie of Xuanming Sect and the aunt of Duan Qingming. She stepped off the spirit crane, glanced at Yan Feixiu indifferently, and then her eyes fell on Gu Pinglin.
Gu Pinglin had seen her several times in recent years, but they had never talked. Facing that cold gaze, Gu Pinglin looked calm and bowed, "Cheng Daxiu."
Cheng withdrew his gaze, pretending not to hear, and asked Yan Feixiu: "Are you back to see your master?"
Yan Feixiu was quite embarrassed and answered only two sentences respectfully.
Cheng didn't say much. He took his disciples up the mountain on foot, and the three cranes flew to the Spirit Bird Garden on their own.
Yan Feixiu hurriedly explained to Gu Pinglin: "Master Cheng probably still cares about what happened back then and has some misunderstandings about you. Now that Pavilion Master Duan is safe and sound, she must be relieved."
Cheng had known for a long time that Duan Qingming was not dead, after all, she had saved him personally. Gu Pinglin looked at the direction where Cheng was going thoughtfully, and nodded after a while: "Let's go."
.
The two rushed back to the gate. Chen Qian, Jiang Wu and Ren Ping were waiting in the study. Mu Shiqing was standing at the door, but Wan Lai was sent to accompany Bu Shuihan and Chang Jinxin to drink. Ren Ping had just returned from the outer gate Taoist temple and was suddenly told such a shocking secret. She was shocked.
Gu Pinglin briefly recounted the events of the trip.
Jiang Wu was worried: "Master Zhan doesn't believe me, what should I do?"
Chen Qian thought more: "There is nothing to worry about. The Great Spirit Eye is in Xuanming Sect. Even if Sect Leader Zhan doesn't believe it, he won't let the people from Wanfa Sect enter Xuanming Sect. I still think that the Soul Locking Array will not be in Qianyang Mountain."
"This is strange," Ren Ping said while stroking his beard, "It is said outside that someone wants to draw spiritual energy. Many sects and families are secretly investigating. This matter involves the method of drawing spiritual energy. From what you said, there is clearly a big problem with the spiritual energy of the Xuanming Sect, but the reaction of the head of the sect is too calm. It doesn't make sense no matter how you look at it..."
Yan Feixiu was also thinking about this: "Exactly! I have been feeling uneasy, and I don't know what Master thinks."
What was the reason that made Zhan Renjie easily let go of the doubt
Jiang Wu tried to probe implicitly: "Maybe the leader of the Zhan Sect already knew about this..."
"Impossible!" Yan Feixiu said, "How could my master know the conspiracy of the Wanfa Sect? Do you suspect that the Xuanming Sect is cooperating with the Demon Realm?"
Seeing that she was unhappy, Jiang Wu quickly stood up and apologized: "Senior Sister, calm down, I didn't mean that."
Yan Feixiu was reasonable and knew that he was just talking about the matter at hand. He immediately stopped being angry and waved his hand: "I understand what you mean, but if the cultivation world becomes a lonely place and the Taoism is extinct, what good will this do to our Xuanming Sect? How could my master not know this?"
Chen Qian said: "What if Wanfamen deceived him?"
Gu Pinglin raised his eyebrows slightly.
This makes Chen Qian right. The Xuanming Sect was one of the behind-the-scenes of the tragedy in the sea bone pit. In order to weaken the power of various sects, it colluded with the Weifeng Master of the Demon Realm and the Duan family, which shows Zhan Renjie's ambition. Now the Xuanming Sect has lost face at the Yunya Dao Conference. If the Wanfa Sect conceals its true purpose and offers conditions to lure Zhan Renjie, Zhan Renjie may not refuse to cooperate.
"My master is not that easily deceived. You are just prejudiced against him!" Yan Feixiu scolded Chen Qian, but a trace of uneasiness flashed across his eyes.
Gu Pinglin stopped Chen Qian from speaking in time: "There are several more deans in Xuanming Sect."
Yan Feixiu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's right! The several deans have high status and their words carry a lot of weight. My master has to consult with them when encountering important matters. There are also uncles and brothers in the sect. Who knows if anyone has fallen into the trap of the Wanfa Sect. Maybe my master has been deceived by his own people."
Gu Pinglin agreed with her and said, "That's what I meant, so I wanted to ask Senior Sister to secretly inquire whether there is anyone in the Xuanming Sect who is behaving strangely. Maybe there will be some clues."
Yan Feixiu immediately said: "This is easy, just leave it to me."
Gu Pinglin said to everyone, "It's always better to be careful. The spiritual vein of Qianyang Mountain is the foundation of our sect. On the eighth day of the eighth month, Senior Sister and Senior Brother Chen may as well go back to Xuanming Sect to visit Sect Master Zhan. Senior Brother Jiang can also go with you. If you find anything wrong, release the incense, and friends from Guangling Sect will be nearby to pick you up."
When everyone heard that Guangling Sect would send someone, they all nodded, "That's great."
Yan Feixiu was most worried about his master, and he was delighted to hear this, "It's better not to have a conflict. If there is a problem, I will find a way to delay my master. However, you must not disturb the retreating Dean Yun. With him around, even if Master Zhou comes in person, it will be useless."
Yun He is the strongest swordsman in Xuanming Sect. He has a bad temper and won't listen to any explanation. He is now in seclusion near the Spirit Eye. If everyone is guarding the Spirit Eye, it is inevitable that he will be disturbed.
Chen Qian looked solemn: "Perhaps we can go to the cave entrance to set up a barrier in advance."
Yan Feixiu was also worried, but still said, "I'll find a way."
Mu Shiqing suddenly asked, "What if Pavilion Master Duan takes action?"
The room was quiet.
If Duan Qingming shows up in person, he will inevitably become an enemy of the Lingxin Sect.
Chen Qian said coldly: "He is no longer a disciple of our sect. He chose to help the Wanfa Sect. Has he ever thought about the fate of his fellow disciples in the Lingxin Sect after the success? Since he doesn't care about his former master, we naturally can't let him cause trouble to the cultivation world."
Yan Feixiu pulled his arm and said, "We are from the same school after all. Junior Brother Duan was a good man in his past. If he could turn back, we wouldn't have to come to this."
Chen Qian frowned but did not refute her.
Everyone looked at Gu Pinglin, but Gu Pinglin did not continue the topic and motioned for everyone to continue.
Jiang Wu said: "Now many sects in the Demon Realm are attached to the Wanfa Sect, plus the Sword King Pavilion, if they put all their efforts into it..."
Chen Qian interrupted, "No, if Wanfa Sect wants to create the Four Spirits Swallowing Sun Formation, it is impossible for them to concentrate their strength. Moreover, with the strength of Xuanming Sect, even if Master Weifeng comes, they can only support it for a day or two. Moreover, there are many sects and families nearby, and there is also Tiancan Sect. I still think Qianyang Mountain is not the target of Wanfa Sect."
Jiang Wu also agreed: "But Master Weifeng is unprepared, and the Demon Realm's Soul Locking Formation is very likely to succeed. In this case, we must guard at least two places. Now that the spiritual energy in various places is abnormal, how can we determine the location?" He looked at Pinglin: "The head and Master Li are planning to go to Wuyin Mountain. Is there any clue?"
Gu Pinglin hummed, "There are some guesses."
Everyone showed joy on their faces at the same time.
Jiang Wu smiled and said, "Now that the Sect Master has said that, we have a clue. To be honest, I've been so worried lately that my hair is almost falling out."
The atmosphere became relaxed, everyone started chatting and laughing, and no one asked too many questions.
Actually, saying there was a clue was half true, and half was just to reassure everyone. After listening for a while, Gu Pinglin asked everyone to disperse, leaving only Mu Shiqing: "I want you to go out for a while."
Mu Shiqing asked: "Master wants me to go to the Sword King Pavilion?"
Gu Pinglin appreciated his cleverness: "Yes, I have informed Wu Jiansan and asked him to go back with you. You have two things to do on this trip. First, Lingxin Sect will hire the three sword masters Feng, Yun and Wu from Jianwang Pavilion."
Mu Shiqing hesitated and said, "I'm afraid Pavilion Master Duan won't agree."
"So he will offer a bizarre price. Sword King Pavilion will not refuse business," Gu Pinglin said, "Here are two thousand five-color coins. How to negotiate is up to you. I believe you will not return empty-handed."
Two thousand five-color coins were enough to hire hundreds of inner alchemy masters, but now they were only used to hire three sword masters from the Sword King Pavilion. It was really a sky-high price. Mu Shiqing was slightly shocked and hesitated to speak.
Gu Pinglin asked: "Do you have anything to say?"
Mu Shiqing told the truth: "I think that if he wants to achieve his goal, he may not care about the business of the Sword King Pavilion. He can just reject us directly."
"You're wrong. Only Wanfamen wants to achieve its goal," Gu Pinglin paused, "and those who are keen on the game will definitely abide by the rules."
Mu Shiqing was still confused, but nodded and took the bag: "The second one is..."
Gu Pinglin said, "I am sending an invitation to Master Duan on behalf of your uncle Bu. On the eighth day of the eighth month, I invite Master Duan to be the guest of Lingxin Sect."
Mu Shiqing took the order and went out to find Lan Feiyu.
Gu Pinglin looked outside the door with an unreadable expression.