Chapter 771: Old Beggar Returns to Save

Ji Yuan already held a respectable position among the cultivators of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. His status was further elevated when he led them into the Hall of Heavenly Secrets during this visit. His profound spiritual attainment, naturally, went without saying.

Therefore, seeing Ji Yuan in pain made Lian Baiping extremely uneasy. He had just been by Ji Yuan's side and yet failed to perceive the cause of this sudden change. For an immortal cultivator of Ji Yuan's caliber, very little could pose a threat. Any uncontrollable physical change he exhibited would undoubtedly be a significant event.

While questioning Ji Yuan, Lian Baiping didn't remain idle. He flicked out a turtle shell, which instantly transformed into a pale yellow aura, enveloping Ji Yuan and himself within a few feet. The light emanating from it clearly showed the layered structure of the turtle shell, and the magical energy flowed like water. This was evidently a powerful treasure capable of providing robust all-around protection or focusing its defense on a single point.

"Mr. Ji, are we under attack by a formidable enemy?" Lian Baiping tried to keep his voice calm, but it inevitably carried a hint of nervousness.

After Ji Yuan's headache subsided slightly, he looked at Lian Baiping and waved his hand. "It's not an attack by a strong enemy," Ji Yuan said. "It's due to my own actions. Hmm, Daoist Lian, you could say I just forcefully peered into the Heavenly Secrets."

"Forcefully peering into Heavenly Secrets?" Lian Baiping asked almost instinctively, as if an occupational habit had taken over. "What did you glimpse, sir? Uh, forgive my presumption. It must be something very serious, perhaps related to the Qianyuan Sect's matter?" But immediately after speaking, he realized his initial question was inappropriate. He changed his approach, reasoning that merely glimpsing the secrets had caused Mr. Ji, whose cultivation was peerless, to cry out in pain. Revealing it would surely cause a severe drain on his energy.

Ji Yuan found it inconvenient to elaborate, so he simply nodded and then shook his head. "You're close enough," Ji Yuan said. "There's no need to be nervous, Daoist Lian. You can remove this protection now."

"Understood."

Lian Baiping extended his hand, and the turtle-shell-shaped aura around them vanished, transforming back into a small turtle shell that flew into his hand before he tucked it into his sleeve.

"By the way, did the Qianyuan Sect only send a message and not dispatch anyone?"

"Of course not," Lian Baiping replied. "It's just that the spiritual message travels faster. The Qianyuan Sect cultivators will arrive at one of the publicly accessible entrances to my Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' grotto-heaven shortly."

"Will the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets help the Qianyuan Sect then?"

Lian Baiping nodded without much thought. "My Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets has always maintained friendly relations with all sects and factions," Lian Baiping said. "Since Daoist friends from the Qianyuan Sect have a request, even though our grotto-heaven is currently closed, we will certainly lend a hand."

"How will you help?"

Ji Yuan had fully recovered from his headache. Although the recent pain was so extreme that it made him cry out despite his current endurance, it caused little actual damage. While the mental exertion was immense, it was something Ji Yuan could quickly recover from. Thus, Ji Yuan was now completely restored and sat upright on his small stool once more.

Hearing Ji Yuan's question, combined with the previous situation, Lian Baiping understood that Mr. Ji was extremely concerned about the Qianyuan Sect, or rather, the events it was facing. He then said gravely, "Originally, we would have invited the Daoist friends from the Qianyuan Sect into the grotto-heaven, and then a highly cultivated individual from our Pavilion would perform a divination for them. However, given your reaction, Mr. Ji, this matter requires greater attention. I will suggest that my senior brother personally perform the divination and that at least two Elder With Long Beards accompany them to the Qianyuan Sect."

Unless they had a particularly glaring weakness, immortal cultivators generally possessed some Heavenly Heart Perception, allowing them to perform minor divinations for themselves. However, this naturally couldn't compare to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, which regarded the deduction of Heavenly Secrets as the very foundation of their cultivation.

Hearing Lian Baiping's words, Ji Yuan nodded. "Please ensure Daoist Xuanjizi takes this matter seriously, and pay close attention to details that the Qianyuan Sect cultivators might easily overlook."

"Sir, will you not return with me to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets to await the arrival of the Qianyuan Sect Daoists?"

Lian Baiping saw how concerned Ji Yuan was about the matter, and considering his earlier reaction to peering into Heavenly Secrets, he had assumed Ji Yuan would return with him. However, Ji Yuan furrowed his brow slightly, thought of the child from the Li family, and shook his head. "I cannot leave here for now."

Lian Baiping nodded, stood up, and bowed to Ji Yuan. "I understand, Mr. Ji," Lian Baiping said. "Please remain seated here. I will return to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets first. If the Daoist friends from the Qianyuan Sect arrive, may I bring them here to meet you?"

Hearing this, Ji Yuan smiled and nodded.

"Very well. I take my leave!" Lian Baiping then bowed to Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan rose and returned the bow, then watched him depart.

In the front courtyard of the temple, the young monk was still sweeping, gathering fallen leaves and withered branches into a pile. He yawned as he swept them into a dustpan. "Ho... huff... So sleepy... Hmm? Sir, leaving so soon?"

Seeing Lian Baiping emerge, the monk asked curiously. Indeed, people with such long beards like Lian Baiping were rarely seen and exuded a unique presence.

"Yes," Lian Baiping replied. "Thank you, young monk. I must take my leave. Oh, and here's some incense money; please accept it."

Lian Baiping approached the sweeping monk, reached into his sleeve, and offered something to him. The monk instinctively opened his palm, and a small fragment of gold appeared there. Although it was only half the size of a small walnut, it felt heavy in his hand and was the largest sum of money the monk had ever seen in his life.

The monk stared at the gold in his palm for a moment, then, recovering, quickly tried to refuse it. "This... sir, it's too much, far too..."

As he looked up, the monk realized Lian Baiping had already reached the courtyard gate and stepped outside in a single stride. "Take it, young monk," Lian Baiping called back. "The temple's rice bin is nearly empty, hahahaha..."

"Hey, hey, hey, sir!" The monk, still holding his broom, chased him out. But when he reached the gate, the distinctive old man had vanished, and there was no sign of him on the narrow, empty old streets stretching in either direction. "No way, he walked that fast? And so much gold..."

If this small piece of gold were exchanged for silver, it would be a handful; if exchanged for copper coins, it would fill several jars. "Wait a minute, how did he know the rice bin was nearly empty?" As the ones who often cooked in the temple, the two young monks naturally knew that the temple's rice stores were low. That's why their master and senior brother had recently been going out frequently to beg for alms. Sometimes they would bring back some rice, other times a little flour or steamed buns, which were perfectly fine even if slightly stale.

After some thought, the monk still felt uneasy holding so much money. After repeated consideration, he decided to take the money to the courtyard where Ji Yuan was staying, since the old man had just clearly known the esteemed guest. Just as the monk stepped into the courtyard, Ji Yuan, who had been sitting with his eyes closed in front of the house, opened them and glanced at the monk. Then, without waiting for him to speak, Ji Yuan said calmly, "Keep it. Consider it payment for my lodging and meals during my stay. For today's vegetarian meal, could you add a few more dishes?"

His master had long told him that this visiting gentleman was no ordinary person, and the monk now vaguely realized it. Without saying more, he simply nodded in agreement before slowly excusing himself.

Ji Yuan closed his eyes again, murmuring to himself. "The Qianyuan Sect... that seems to be Old Master Lu's sect. When the Nine-Resonance Mountain-Shaking Bell rings, all Qianyuan Sect disciples feel it. I wonder if Old Master Lu will return. He should... shouldn't he?"

The Qianyuan Sect, which produced an expert like the Old Beggar, reportedly also had a sect leader who was a true immortal who had attained the profound mysteries of the Dao. Naturally, there would be no shortage of other experts within the sect. For them to ring the bell nine times to summon all disciples, the situation they faced must be extremely difficult. Ji Yuan naturally wanted to understand, especially after realizing it was definitely a move by some entity. However, he also knew he couldn't easily get involved, as that move seemed to be a test from the other side, and that entity was certainly not one of his own kind. Yet, from another perspective, it was also an opportunity for Ji Yuan to understand the entity behind it.

Ji Yuan had initially perceived that the great tribulation of heaven and earth might still be a millennium away, based on natural changes. If it wasn't a natural change, however, things might be different. 'First, I must stabilize the child from the Li family,' he thought. 'Even if a player tries to overturn the board, at least I will have made many more moves than they have.'

In the immeasurable distance, a streak of light swiftly traversed the sky. Within it were three figures riding on clouds: an old beggar in ragged clothes, a young man in patched garments, and a middle-aged man also wearing patched clothes. Even after several days of rapid flight on clouds, the old beggar's expression remained stern. His heavy thoughts were etched on his face, causing concern in the hearts of his two disciples.

"Master, your path is veering off!" Lu Xiaoyou suddenly noticed his master's escape light changing direction and instinctively called out a warning. The old beggar, however, said gravely, "My spiritual platform senses that there are Qianyuan Sect cultivators hurrying in the distance. It's a good opportunity to go and ask. Since the founding of the Qianyuan Sect, the Mountain-Shaking Bell has never rung nine times. Could they have encountered a matter of life and death?"

No matter how many reservations he had, how could the old beggar not return to save the Qianyuan Sect? Lu Xiaoyou and Yang Zong exchanged glances, saying no more. Instead, they seized the time to regulate their own breathing and internal energy, as their master had already stated that this trip was certainly not a leisurely excursion. Thus, any improvement they could make was worthwhile.

Below the clouds lay the vast sea; above, celestial phenomena unfolded. Half a day later, the rapidly fleeing old beggar and his companions saw several streaks of light on the horizon. Behind those streaks, a vast, ominous black cloud followed closely, with continuous lightning and thunder. Endless black winds periodically blew out from the black cloud, surging towards the celestial lights ahead.

"This is bad!" the old beggar exclaimed. "Xiaoyou, Xiaozong, prepare yourselves! Follow your master!"

Magical energy surged wildly within the old beggar's body. He propelled his escape light, instantly transforming into a meteor streaking forward. Before his light even reached them, his majestic voice resonated across the sky.

"Heaven and Earth are boundless! Qian, Yuan, Hua, Fa—"

"Qianyuan" signified the beginning of the Heavenly Dao, wielding immense power through true words. Without reserving his magical energy, the old beggar's voice boomed like thunder. Streaks of light descended from the sky and rose from the sea surface.

"Lock the heavens, pierce the clouds!"

A colossal roaring sound echoed. Giant waves in the sea rose one after another, combining with the magical light to form sharp swords, piercing directly towards the dark cloud. The foremost waves even transformed into ice shards, emitting infinite light. Meanwhile, streaks of light from the sky descended like chains, enveloping the dark cloud from above.

The celestial lights that had been fleeing maintained their speed, but everyone aboard clearly glanced sideways towards the distance, their eyes filled with pleasant surprise.

"It's an expert from our Qianyuan Sect!"