Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 573 - 568 Jikong’s Desertion, Things Change People Don’t _1
"The Hidden Cultivation Association’s intentions are sinister! Such a cunning strategy to sow discord! I, Jia Ren, have a deep-seated, irreconcilable hatred for them!"
"Although I come from humble origins, the Lingbao Sect treated me like family; I will certainly protect the Sect with all my effort."
"The esteemed seniors present are wise and powerful; surely they will not be deceived by villains and believe rumors!"
Jia Ren declared his position, trying hard to minimize trouble.
He believed that with the Xiezhi Seal as proof, the Lingbao Sect would not doubt the truth of his words.
He glanced at the Lord of Suppressing Evil Peak, determined not to give this man a chance to speak.
Jia Ren could use Wang Fugui and the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre as explanations for entering the Sealed Land. However, there were still many questions, like how he left the Source Treasure Cave Heaven, and what precious treasure escaped from the Hidden Cultivation Association.
Once caught in the cycle of explanations, losing the initiative would only lead to more questions.
The best strategy was to regain control and strike first.
"Where is my master, Ancestor Ji Kong?" Jia Ren asked.
This was both to gather news about Ancestor Ji Kong and to divert everyone’s attention.
It was reasonable for Jia Ren to inquire about his master’s whereabouts upon his return to the Lingbao Sect, having just cleared himself of suspicion.
The air seemed to freeze. Everyone remained silent; not a single word was spoken.
The name Ancestor Ji Kong seemed taboo, with no one willing to mention it.
Jia Ren sensed the atmosphere was amiss, and his expression gradually turned grim. "Won’t anyone tell me the answer?"
He scanned the crowd, his gaze finally resting on Tian Lingzi, Chief of the Lingbao Sect.
Since no one was willing to answer, he had to seek out someone for a response.
With a deep sigh, Tian Lingzi said, "Are you asking about Ji Kong, the traitor of the Lingbao Sect?"
"You have been away from the Sect for a long time and are unaware of many things."
"Ancestor Ji Kong grievously injured his sect mates and stole the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation; he has already betrayed the Lingbao Sect."
What?! Jia Ren thought, reeling. He couldn’t believe his ears, his face a mask of utter disbelief.
Ancestor Ji Kong, to contribute to the war effort in the Secret Realm against the Shimo Sect, had sent out all his disciples; his own granddaughter had died on the Secret Realm Battlefield.
Ancestor Ji Kong had accumulated countless merits for the Lingbao Sect; each Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure was a testament to his contributions.
When the Xuantiandao Sect and Beyond the Heavens pressed down on the Lingbao Sect, encroaching step by step, who had stepped forward to destroy the Xuantiandao Sect’s encampment?
This had even attracted Qingxuan Zhenjun, and Ancestor Ji Kong had narrowly escaped death in the ensuing altercation.
What was all of Ancestor Ji Kong’s effort for?
It was to protect the Lingbao Sect!
Even if all the higher-ups of the Lingbao Sect were to betray the Sect, Jia Ren would not believe that Ancestor Ji Kong would betray the Lingbao Sect.
Jia Ren felt a sense of belonging to the Lingbao Sect, and Ancestor Ji Kong had played an undeniable role in fostering this feeling.
"This is the truth! It’s harder for us to believe than for you."
"The Lingbao Sect will find Ji Kong and uncover the truth."
The Lingbao Sect had just gotten a chance to catch its breath when a Nascent Soul Stage Elder absconded with the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation, dealing a significant blow to the Sect.
Jia Ren swept his gaze over the faces of those present; no one objected.
They have no reason to conspire to deceive me.
Why did Ancestor Ji Kong flee?
Why did he take the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation with him?
Could it be... related to the True Dragon Evil?
Jia Ren remembered that the main material of the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation was an Azure Dragon’s skeleton, originating from the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm, the source of the True Dragon Evil.
When he was searching through the Void for the wounded Ancestor Ji Kong, he had accidentally encountered the True Dragon Evil. Coupled with Ancestor Ji Kong’s abnormal behavior, a bold idea arose in his heart.
Had Ancestor Ji Kong been possessed by the True Dragon Evil?
The True Dragon Evil couldn’t possess a Nascent Soul period cultivator. But with Ancestor Ji Kong grievously injured and unconscious, it would have had its opportunity.
If so, his taking the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation would make sense.
Jia Ren was about to voice his speculation when he remembered his own performance in this battle.
Does the Lingbao Sect know about Qingxuan Zhenjun and the Longevity Gui Talisman?
If this information were revealed, would the Longevity Gui Talisman be linked to me, causing trouble?
With the Xiezhi Seal present, lying was not an option.
Jia Ren’s thoughts rapidly shifted, and he quickly had another idea. "My master once provoked the True Dragon Evil in the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm. Regarding his theft of the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation, could this matter be related to the True Dragon Evil?"
This is my own guess, so it can’t count as a lie.
He hoped to use this to seek help from the Lingbao Sect.
The Mysterious Realm is vast, and it’s not easy to find someone.
Three Sealed Lands had been destroyed, and a large number of Bizarre Demons had returned to their former territories, making the Mysterious Realm even more dangerous; finding someone had become much more difficult.
"Ji Kong has revealed quite a bit to you!"
"The Lingbao Sect will find out the truth."
The Cultivators present didn’t show much surprise, whether because they were already informed or simply adept at concealing their emotions.
"If you are unwilling to lend a hand, I will find the answers myself."
Jia Ren didn’t want to linger in the great hall and took the opportunity to leave.
The Formation barrier outside the great hall flickered, blocking his exit.
"What does this mean?" Jia Ren turned around, his expression unpleasant.
He had already prepared a Virtual Spirit Pill in his mouth, just in case of trouble.
He thought that would be the end of it, but to his surprise, a new variable arose.
"Don’t misunderstand. You are still a member of the Lingbao Sect, and the Refining Palace has prepared a corresponding position for you."
"The Sect will make a public statement proving your innocence and will also search for Ancestor Ji Kong."
"Until we clear your name, it is not convenient for you to move about with your current identity, as it may bring trouble to you and the Sect. I hope you will consider the greater good of the Sect."
Tian Lingzi spoke in a gentle and measured tone, no longer as harsh as before.
Ancestor Ji Kong’s drastic change in temperament was more due to external factors and would not implicate his disciple.
Jia Ren had become a Heaven-reaching Refiner, possessing Lianxu Stage Cultivation Level, and had been with the Lingbao Sect for hundreds of years. His Cultivation Level and Artifact Refining skills advanced side by side, and his future was promising.
Why would the Lingbao Sect push such a talent out the door?
As his voice fell, a new Identity Token was tossed over. It was blank inside, ready to be filled with any new identity.
The Formation barrier disappeared, and there was no longer any obstacle before him.
Jia Ren put away the Identity Token, said nothing, and strode out of the great hall.
The Formation barrier resealed itself, leaving behind the shifting expressions of the crowd.
"Jia Ren deliberately asked about Ancestor Ji Kong; he is intentionally avoiding my question," the Lord of Suppressing Evil Peak finally voiced his dissatisfaction.
"The Source Treasure Cave Heaven is protected by a Formation; neither Bizarre Demons nor Cultivators can enter. The treasures that can freely move in and out of the Source Treasure Cave Heaven are extremely rare, each one a significant treasure."
"Ordinary people keep Bizarre Demons at a distance, but Jia Ren left the Source Treasure Cave Heaven to go to the Sealed Lands; this is highly unusual."
"The Body Integration Realm Guardians of the two Sealed Lands failed to escape alive. How could he, a Void Refinement Cultivator, possibly have found a way out? He must be hiding a great secret!"
Despite the verification by the Xiezhi Seal, the Lord of Suppressing Evil Peak believed that Jia Ren was hiding something.
Tian Lingzi swept his gaze over the faces of the crowd, looking solemnly at the Lord of Suppressing Evil Peak. "Jia Ren came from the Sealed Western Lands and possesses extraordinary talent; otherwise, the people of the Heavenly Palace Sect would not have invested in him with the Golden Scale Wind-Riding Technique."
"Everyone has secrets. As long as they do not endanger the Sect or other Cultivators, and do not bring calamity to all, we can turn a blind eye to this matter."
"Jia Ren has contributed greatly to the Sect; he is a genius of the Lingbao Sect, there is no doubt about this. I do not want any more suspicions, nor do I wish to see strife among our own."
As the Chief of the Lingbao Sect, Tian Lingzi’s words were the final word on the matter, effectively closing the case.
If the Sect wished for its disciples to remain loyal, it first and foremost could not let them become disheartened.
If the higher-ups were so intent on extracting secrets and benefits from their disciples, how would their actions differ from those of the Demon Path Sects?
If the disciples’ hearts grew distant and their loyalty wavered, if morale collapsed, how could the Sect speak of continuation or a future?
The Lingbao Sect had maintained its principles since its founding and had never wavered.
"Ma Tianbao, you must remember this: treasures are the Lingbao Sect’s foundation, but talent is its root. Only when you understand the conviction behind passing on the torch can I dare entrust the Sect to you."
Jia Ren was unaware of the discussions in the great hall, knowing only that he had avoided the biggest trouble.
New problems followed: being framed for associating with the Hidden Cultivation Sect and the Sinful Denizens, and the Heart-devouring Illusion Bizarre suspected of impersonating him to cause wanton chaos.
I will definitely seek them out for a thorough reckoning.
But this matter is not urgent. It will not be too late to act after advancing to the Body Integration Realm.
The drastic change in his master, Ancestor Ji Kong, was most likely related to the True Dragon Evil, and the trouble associated with the True Dragon Evil also needed to be resolved.
Returning to the Sect, he wanted to meet some familiar faces to understand the changes that occurred before Ancestor Ji Kong defected.
His theory about the True Dragon Evil was just conjecture; he couldn’t be completely certain.
To understand the full story, he still needed to inquire with someone he knew, Zhuo Chengdao.
Jia Ren disguised himself as Zhen Yi and made his way towards Zhuo Chengdao’s Cave.
Although he had been away from the Sect for some time, among the Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators he met on his way, only a few were new faces; the majority were acquaintances.
For those at the Divinity Transformation Stage and above, a few hundred years were negligible.
Zhuo Chengdao’s Cave was overgrown with weeds, desolate, and silent.
A Sound Transmission Talisman was sent inside, but there was no response for a long time.
"Which Senior Brother might you be? I have never seen you before."
Jia Ren’s disguised Cultivation Level was at the Early-stage of Void Refinement. Such a Cultivation Level certainly meant he was an old-timer in the Lingbao Sect, so an unfamiliar face would naturally arouse suspicion.
A Cultivator from a neighboring Cave stepped out, standing within a Formation. Beside him was a token, ready to send a message to the Sect at any moment.
"Junior Brother Qi, do you know of Zhuo Chengdao’s whereabouts?"
"I have been away from the Sect for hundreds of years on external affairs and only returned today. I have urgent matters to discuss with Junior Brother Zhuo."
"If you doubt my identity, you can always verify with the Sect."
Jia Ren remained unperturbed by the other’s defensive stance, speaking calmly.
This composed attitude did not seem like that of an outsider. The Qi-surnamed Cultivator finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Three years ago, Ancestor Ji Kong defected from the Sect... Junior Brother Zhuo couldn’t believe his Master would do such a thing and has already left the Sect, searching for his Master everywhere." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Hearing this, Jia Ren’s face changed drastically. "Junior Brother Zhuo is truly muddleheaded!"
"Has he forgotten that he has a mortal enemy?!"
"Thank you for the information, fellow Daoist."
He had no desire to linger after receiving this answer and hastened his departure.
The Qi-surnamed Cultivator, upon hearing about Zhuo Chengdao’s mortal enemy, was now convinced of Jia Ren’s identity; otherwise, how could he know such a secret matter?
Jia Ren hurried towards the location of his own Cave. Moments later, his expression turned to one of shock.
A Formation had been erected around the Cave, as if someone was living there.
As soon as he arrived, a Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Early Stage looked at Jia Ren warily and asked, "What brings you to my Cave, Senior Brother?"
