Gui Yin slowly opened his eyes. His lips pursed into a tight frown and he sat up. He looked down at his clothes, looked at the candle stand, and looked out into the terrace. Nothing was wrong, but why did he feel that something was missing? He seemed to have been talking to someone last night too, but he had no memory of who he was talking to. Was he talking to himself?
After he thought about that scum man, he had essentially blacked out. It was unsettling, but of the memories Gui Yin could revisit, he found that he was quite happy. There was not a moment he was frustrated or disgusted.
Then…nothing must have happened, right?
Gui Yin confusedly got out of bed and got ready for the day. It was the day of the conference and he had to be in his best condition.
Xingchen Pavilion was a dedicated meeting place for conferences that pertained to the Beidou Alliance. It was literally just a large stadium that sat atop a mountain, overlooking the city and other provinces below. The building had a standard top, but it was open in all directions, with marble columns that held up the roof. A large staircase led up to it, winding up the side of the mountains. When one reached the top, they would be greeted by one straight bridge towards the stadium. The stadium and this bridge sat atop a large, reflective lake, making it seem as if the Heavens and the earth met at this one point.
It was ostentatious, but its beauty fit the status of the lord immortals that often frequented it.
Upon arrival, Gui Yin was pulled aside by the people who upkept the stadium year-round. They gave him a quick rundown of the schedule—how long it was recommended that he talked, how to keep the attention of the cultivators, and how to properly introduce himself in front of an audience.
As a first-time speaker, Gui Yin had to be given the lecture from beginning to end. He was just glad that he decided to arrive early.
“Do you have anything you’d like to show?” the staff member asked.
Gui Yin turned and looked up to the large stone ball at the center of the stadium.
“No, I’m okay.”
“Well, if you do, you’ll know how to operate it,” the staff member said. “It was your invention, after all.”
His…invention…?
Gui Yin was thrown more information, none of which he absorbed. At some point, people had begun to filter in. Although they spoke quietly, Gui Yin knew they were talking about him, the only person who was currently on the stage. He could feel their eyes burning holes into the back of his head. He was beginning to regret not wearing a hat or a mask like Jiu Jingyi had suggested.
It wasn’t because he was vain and thought he was the world’s handsomest man, but perhaps it would prevent them from staring at him like they were observing an exhibit at the zoo.
Lin Cangyuan and Jiu Jingyi made their way to Gui Yin’s side.
“There’s a lot more people than usual,” Lin Cangyuan noted.
“What?” Gui Yin glanced at his sect master. “More than usual?”
Lin Cangyuan nodded, his gaze casually sweeping over the stands. “Normally the stands are only half filled—I mean, unless they’re discussion conferences. For small emergency meetings, people don’t tend to find it necessary to come. They’ll hear all the information from hearsay later anyway.”
“They must have come for you,” Jiu Jingyi said, patting Gui Yin’s shoulder. “Good for you.”
“Is it good?” Gui Yin asked. He looked out into the audience with obvious disdain.
“Don’t be too hung up on it. I only need one hand to count the amount of decent people in this audience,” Lin Cangyuan said. “If you’re angered over this, you won’t be able to handle all the other things they do or say.”
It was fair to say that the current era was the era of human cultivators. Although all things prospered because of them, all conflicts also arose from them. Because there was an absence of gods, deities and demons running amuck, the human cultivators have slowly begun to lose their sense of responsibility. The peace made them less vigilant. And this lack of vigilance will be their eventual downfall.
“They don’t know the rottenness that’s waiting to explode, just under their noses,” Gui Yin said.
“Well, you’re here to show them today, aren’t you?” Lin Cangyuan said. He straightened Gui Yin’s robes. “Chin up, shoulders back. Show them why everyone at Yunjing Pavilion is scared of you!”
“…Are you scared of me?”
“When did I say that?”
“You said ‘everyone’.”
“Haha, you’ve misheard me,” Lin Cangyuan chortled. He turned to Jiu Jingyi. “Shimei, let’s find a good seat so we can cheer our cute Qinle on.”
Jiu Jingyi nodded enthusiastically. She followed Lin Cangyuan off the stage. Before she completely left, she turned around and gave Gui Yin two thumbs up. The ordeal suddenly reminded him of high school, when he was once forced to perform in a talent show.
After another ten minutes, a large gong interrupted everyone’s chatter.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Gui Yin went over the happenings of Devil’s Desert. He even spoke about Huigu Palace. At the mention of Huigu Palace, several senior members of Beidou Alliance’s expressions changed. They sat forward and were more attentive. More and more evidence that Li Fangyin found after scouring Qi Du Tower was spilled onto the table. Although it wasn’t enough to say that Qi Du Tower was behind it, it was clear that they had a hand in not only Huigu Palace’s abrupt downfall, but also the attacks of the sand pirates, the ongoing slave trade out of the continent, and even the mysterious deaths that had just barely caught the cultivator’s notice.
Gui Yin paused as noises of dissent rose from the crowd.
Elder Shan lightly cleared his throat. The noises settled once more.
“Young Palace Lord Li of Yin Hua Palace has been cooperating with me on this investigation,” Gui Yin continued. “We have found enough information to safely say that Qi Du Tower was involved in all of these things, but it’s not enough to say that they were the mastermind. In fact, the both of us think otherwise as well. I would like to ask for permission from those seated here today if we can capture and interrogate the leader of Qi Du Tower.”
Gui Yin looked up. He remained silent for a full two minutes. When no one spoke against his decision, Gui Yin continued.
“While investigating the mysterious deaths of merchants who passed through Devil’s Desert and encountered Qi Du Tower, we also came upon more disturbing news, which was about the slave trade,” Gui Yin said. “As we all know, the slave trade is run by an underground, mysterious organization. Beidou Alliance has spent many years on the lookout for their trail, but they also managed to operate without sound or shadow, just out of the corner of our eyes. We do not know of their routes, their places of organization, nor what they do with the slaves. Today, I will share with you what I found.”
The presentation lasted no longer than an hour, but multiple people had to leave the stadium by the time Gui Yin was finished.
He looked up at the crowd. “After all I’ve said, can we agree that these actions are immoral and inhumane?”
The crowd cheered in agreement. Voices from every direction spoke their own piece, but it all became drowned out in the sound.
Only after they quieted did Gui Yin speak again.
“Therefore, I have a suggestion. It will not do away with the slave trade, but hopefully it can help the spirit cultivators,” Gui Yin said. “For the ones who are too weak to protect themselves, we shall negotiate an establishment of a protective array all around Kunlun. As we all know, Kunlun is known as the last sacred place of the gods. It houses many heavenly beasts, spirits, and creatures who no longer roam the greater part of this continent. Us, human cultivators, do not have the right to impede on this holy and ancestral ground, but the sacrilegious acts performed by our own kind should not be overlooked. If this continues, it will not only harm the harmonious political relationship we established with the spirit cultivators, but I believe it will also become a monster that will eat away at our conscience.
“The slave trade is an act done by mortals, so we should take responsibility for it, don’t you think?” Gui Yin asked.
There was a deafening silence that rang through the stadium.
Morally, what Gui Yin said was not incorrect, but politically and economically, it was difficult to establish.
A hand was raised.
Gui Yin nodded.
“Lord Ninglan, what you say is correct. However, how are we going to negotiate further than we have? The last treaty was written far before any of us were alive. Not to mention, the spirit cultivators have always been an elusive group—not only do they prefer to keep to themselves, they also are not united under one leader. While your plan is good, I fear it would be difficult to enact.”
“Difficult to enact,” Gui Yin echoed. He looked around the stadium. “Does everyone think the same?”
The guilty looks on their faces did all the talking.
Gui Yin lowered his gaze for a moment. “Then, may I ask you how everyone thinks the Beidou Alliance came to be?”
Silence.
“Was it all several hundred clans and over ten thousand people who came together in a stadium like this, debating over what is right and wrong—what would be beneficial and what would be incorrect?” Gui Yin asked.
The cultivators avoided Gui Yin’s gaze.
“No. It was not. In the beginning, it was a group of three valiant heroes who had seen enough of the treachery of mankind and decided to do something about it,” Gui Yin said, his voice raising in volume. “Why, now, do you think we cannot simply start with a few clans here and there and eventually gain enough recognition and support from the spirit cultivators?”
When no one answered, and more people avoided looking at Gui Yin, the normally calm lord immortal let out a long sigh.
“If it’s not political now, then it must be because of money,” Gui Yin’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Everyone is afraid and unsure of how we would fund enough arrays, is that right?”
The uncomfortable silence became heavier.
“We can erect an array around Kunlun, as we did with the ghost realm,” Gui Yin said.
The boundary between the human realm and the ghost realm was erected using the power of several hundred cultivators and three lord immortals that were nearly ascended. There were, indeed, four masters like that in today’s era, but everyone was still a bit unwilling to believe such a thing would work.
“It’ll be much easier. After all, we’re not reinforcing it to keep out anything, we’re just making sure no one can go in,” Gui Yin said. “The only reason a barrier hasn’t been erected around Kunlun until now is because the spirit cultivators had trust in us. I think that trust is misplaced. In another few years, the spirit cultivators will realize the same thing. That is why I think we should act first before anything else unfortunate happens.”
“…How are we supposed to get another barrier like that?”
“I’m glad you asked,” Gui Yin said. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a thin card. Upon closer inspection, the experienced cultivators could see it was high-grade spiritual stones flattened into something almost as thin as a piece of paper.
“This is my newest invention,” Gui Yin said. “These cards will be able to power a barrier that is half the strength of what is between us and the ghost realm.”
Lin Cangyuan’s eyes widened. He looked at the card in Gui Yin’s hand. That was a project he had abandoned years ago, after he had fallen into his depression. At that time, it was barely a quarter of the strength of the barrier. When did Gui Yin have time to make it half the strength?
In fact, Gui Yin only had his past self to thank. After rummaging around Lord Immortal Ninglan’s room for something to entertain himself one day, Gui Yin came upon this little trinket. It was only half complete, but the way to complete it was already embedded into his memory. The only downside was it didn’t achieve its initial goal, which was to replace the ghost realm’s barrier. But, with this, cultivators who were lower than the Void Refining were unable to break through it. And there were only four cultivators on this continent who had reached Void Refining.
It would be able to block out human cultivators, no matter if they were righteous, demonic or ghostly. But it would not prevent the heavenly beasts in Kunlun from entering the human realm.
Gui Yin’s explanation rang over the stadium. He waited patiently for wails of dissent or even rejection, calling him a heretic. As he waited, movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned his head subtly and watched as a familiar cloaked form walked down the steps and headed for the side door.
His eyes narrowed. It was a nondescript black cloak, but Gui Yin found it extremely familiar. His feet shifted. His mind told him to follow the man, but before he could make a decision, someone in the stadium spoke.
“I think Lord Ninglan’s suggestion is brilliant.”
Following this one statement, many others echoed their agreement. Like a swarm of seagulls mimicking each other, the noise didn’t settle down for a long time.
Shortly after, the meeting was adjourned.
Gui Yin remained on stage as Lin Cangyuan and Jiu Jingyi went up to meet up. Following them were Li Fangyin, and his father, Li Huanwei.
“Thank you for taking care of my son during this time,” Li Huanwei said, bowing slightly.
Gui Yin smiled. “No need to say such polite words. Your son is a rare talent. It was an honor to work with him.”
As he spoke, his eyes slowly roamed over Li Huanwei’s form.
The man wasn’t too much older than Gui Yin, from what he remembered. Since he had been cultivating since a young age, his appearance also remained young. Like Gui Yin and Lin Cangyuan, Li Huanwei appeared no older than his mid-twenties. However, because his expression was so cold and stiff, and perhaps because he was already a father, there was a mature air about him that made people feel that he was closer to his thirties or forties. Standing next to Li Fangyin, the pair couldn’t be mistaken as brothers, but perhaps as a young uncle or a nephew.
“His talent is what is expected of the heir to Yin Hua Palace,” Li Huanwei replied coldly.
Li Fangyin glanced at his father and looked away again. The young man who was normally spritely and polite looked like an absolute brat beside his father.
“My son’s birthday is coming up in a few weeks. It would be our honor if Lord Ninglan could attend.”
“I shouldn’t be busy then,” Gui Yin said, surprising both Lin Cangyuan and Jiu Jingyi. “If Palace Lord Li sends an invitation, I will surely answer.”
Li Huanwei nodded. He frowned at his son. “Is there anything you want to say to Lord Ninglan.”
Li Fangyin bowed his head. “Thank you for taking care of me during this time, Lord Ninglan.”
“Lord Ninglan? What happened to calling me qianbei?” Gui Yin joked, a soft smile appearing on his face. He patted Li Fangyin’s head. “I should be thanking you for telling me of this. If you need me again in the future, do not hesitate to call for me, Fangyin.”
Li Fangyin’s eyes widened. He glanced at Gui Yin, his face warming slightly. If this continued, he really might just fall for Gui Yin.
Gui Yin glanced at Li Huanwei. The man’s expression wasn’t very good.
After exchanging a few more words of pleasantry, the Li father and son left the stadium.
Jiu Jingyi let out a low whistle. “What was that just now? You don’t normally involve yourself in messy things like that.”
Gui Yin fixed his sleeve as he gathered up the rest of his things. “It was bothering me that someone could have such an extraordinary son, yet still act as if they are worth less than the dirt beneath their shoes.”
“It’s all because Qinle is fired up,” Lin Cangyuan said knowingly as they walked down the stairs. “He’s still looking for someone to fight.”
At this sentence, Gui Yin suddenly remembered something. He turned to Lin Cangyuan and Jiu Jingyi. “Did the two of you see that person who walked out towards the end?”
“Which person?” Jiu Jingyi asked blankly.
“They walked out before everyone else. They were wearing a cloak and had their hood up,” Gui Yin said, his brows furrowing.
Lin Cangyuan and Jiu Jingyi glanced at each other.
Lin Cangyuan shook his head. “I didn’t notice anyone leaving early. Were they sitting on the other side of the stadium?”
“No, they even brushed by you,” Gui Yin said. His voice petered out.
“I didn’t notice anyone,” Lin Cangyuan said. He looked at Jiu Jingyi.
“I also didn’t.”
“Well, who Qinle saw could have been a ghost, or it could have been Huigu Palace’s Palace Lord. At this point, I wonder if there is a difference.”
Gui Yin turned as Elder Shan walked up to them.
Lin Cangyuan and the rest bowed lowly in respect. “Elder Shan.”
Elder Shan hummed, a gentle smile on his face.
Elder Shan, Shan Zhangzhen (鄯仗珍) was the last of the oldest generation. Because his talent for cultivation wasn’t splendid, his appearance was that of a man in his early-forties. Still, he was filled with vitality, making him appear younger than the stone-faced Li Huanwei. Although he was a cultivator, time still weathered him. He had little crow’s feet at his eyes when he smiled and the smile lines around his mouth were quite deep. In his left hand, he always held a cane.
After an accident a hundred years ago, Elder Shan had adopted this habit of carrying around a cane to support his limp. If Gui Yin remembered correctly, the cane in his hand was one forged by Tiemen Sect (铁门派), the famous blacksmiths. Just by twisting the handle, a sword would unsheathe.
“What does Elder Shan mean by that?” Gui Yin asked.
Elder Shan looked Gui Yin up and down with a mysterious twinkle in his eyes. “I think you know what I mean, child.”
Gui Yin offered a helpless smile, expressing that he truly didn’t.
“If you saw that man, then that’s because he let you see him. I don’t know how you attracted his attention, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. He’s quite helpful when he wants to be,” Elder Shan said.
“Elder Shan said…Huigu Palace? But their sect doesn’t exist anymore,” Jiu Jingyi said.
Elder Shan raised a brow. “Do you believe everything you hear, silly girl? Is this how your father raised you?”
Jiu Jingyi frowned in protest. “No one’s said otherwise…”
“Still arguing?” Elder Shan frowned.
Jiu Jingyi pouted and let out a soft harrumph.
Gui Yin looked between the two people’s rather intimate conversation. He suddenly remembered a detail. Elder Shan wasn’t just Shan Yu’s grandfather, but also Jiu Jingyi’s grandfather.
One of Elder Shan’s daughters had married out to a nondescript clan and they gave birth to Jiu Jingyi. At the time, their family had still been estranged, so instead of going back to the Zheng Yu Lake to study, Jiu Jingyi had gone to Yunjing Pavilion.
In this way, Shan Yu and Jiu Jingyi were considered cousins.
Still in awe by this revelation, Gui Yin hadn’t heard what Elder Shan said.
“Qinle?”
Gui Yin snapped out of it. “What’s wrong?”
“I asked you how you met Huigu Palace’s Palace Lord.”
Gui Yin stared at Elder Shan blankly. He glanced at Jiu Jingyi and Lin Cangyuan. “This…even I’m not sure.”
Thank you for the update ❤️💯
thanks for reading!!!
i’m a bit worried if spirit cultivators leave Kunlun, would they be able to go back?
also not to thirst over Elder Shan but, happy wrinkles you say 👉👈
yesh, they can go back! in theory, it only keeps out humans and demons, since their…energy is different from the spirits. of course, there’s ways for humans to get in, so long as they have clearance from ppl from the inside :3
NOT THE ELDER SHAN THIRST LMAO 😭 thanks for readin gkaskdfkaskfsk
Thank you for the chapter! ☺️
thanks for reading!!!
Er-ye went to the stadium to see Gui Yu😊 I think that’s kinda cute :3
Thanks for the chapter!!
❤❤❤