The No.1 Undercover in the Immortal World-Chapter 418 - 408: The End is Nigh

Lin Yun was certain he couldn’t catch up with the Snow Maiden, so he simply rented a flying rooster. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Since the destination was set, it was unlikely that the Snow Maiden would be captured halfway there.

Moreover, only a few individuals possessed the strength to defeat the Snow Maiden, so her luck probably wasn’t that bad.

Being anxious was pointless, so he decided to just fly on!

Yuqing Mountain, Taiqing Mountain, and Shangqing Mountain collectively formed the Three Sacred Mountain Range, which also included several smaller mountains. The Taiqing Daoist Temple did not establish itself atop the three largest peaks, instead choosing an unnamed lesser mountain within the range.

However, with the rise of the Taiqing Daoist Temple, this once obscure mountain had become the center of attention; this was probably the embodiment of the saying "A mountain does not need to be high; as long as it has immortals, it will be famous."

There were still three days until the contest for supremacy initiated by the Taiqing Daoist Temple, and the visitors scouting the area had nearly filled the main mountains of the Three Sacred Mountain Range.

At the Taiqing Daoist Temple’s Observatory Platform, Yuxuan was playing chess as usual, his left hand wielding the black pieces, his right hand the white, appearing completely at ease.

Yuquan arrived in a hurry and, seeing this scene, was no longer surprised.

"You’re back."

Without turning around and continuing to play chess leisurely, Yuxuan said, "You’re back." Yuquan nodded and replied, "I’m back."

"There’s confusion in your heart."

Yuxuan was certain of his assertion. He had always been so confident, yet Yuquan, after a moment’s hesitation, decided to speak the truth.

"I’m not confused. I’ve returned because I heard about the Gan River relics and the Imperial Court’s affairs and wanted to explore them."

Yuxuan: "..."

Although he had guessed wrong, that wasn’t important.

"There’s nothing worth seeing."

Yuxuan showed no sign of embarrassment. His calm demeanor allowed Yuquan to breathe a sigh of relief.

Yuquan was somewhat afraid of this senior brother; after all, the senior brother was prideful, holding grudges against anyone who didn’t show him respect.

Despite appearing as a lofty Taoist with a divine presence, he was actually quite wicked!

"I’ve heard that the Gan River relics are another Land of Sealed Demons and there seem to be some ancient texts that have surfaced. I just wanted to take a look."

Archaeology was a pleasure for the Taoists of Taiqing Mountain. Upon hearing of an ancient prehistorical site’s emergence, Yuquan had been itching to explore the Gan River relics in person, had he not been duty-bound to guard the Mountain and River Pass.

The false Taoists: practice alchemy, meditate, gaze at the sky.

The real Taoists: conduct archaeology, pursue scientific research, gaze at the sky.

Although Yuquan had already gathered some information from his peers, the more he heard, the more intrigued he became, eager to learn more and preferably to inspect the actual artifacts.

It was said that those who had ventured into the Gan River relics had all acquired some ancient texts, and Yuquan wanted to have a look at them.

Lately, there had been a series of events. Before the issues with the Gan River had even settled down, the Imperial Court hastily started causing trouble, only to have their efforts promptly quashed.

A while ago, Yuquan was contemplating how to explore the Gan River relics. After the Imperial Court’s incidents, he became interested in the mysterious rites and ancient Divine Spirits.

"The past is past, and knowing more changes nothing. We only possess the present. If we take one wrong step, there may be no future at all."

As Yuxuan said this, he made another move on the chessboard. Though Yuquan was accustomed to his senior brother’s profound and mystical ways, this was the first time he had heard Yuxuan speak so seriously and pessimistically about the future.

"Senior brother, have you learned something?"

Yuquan sensed something off in Yuxuan’s tone.

"Nothing much. I just foresaw that my end is approaching."

This revelation took Yuquan completely by surprise. He exclaimed, "Senior brother, you... "

"No need for sorrow; to die is human."

"It’s not sorrow that I feel; rather, I’m curious about the day you foresaw."

Yuxuan: "..."

What to do when the demeanor of the wise crumbles?

Smiling kindly, Yuxuan said slowly, "Three days from now will be the day of my transcendence. Speaking of which, it has been a long time since we’ve sparred, brother. How about exchanging a few moves?"

Yuquan knew Yuxuan wanted to thrash him, but upon seeing the wrinkles on Yuxuan’s face, his nose suddenly felt sore.

Why would a perfectly good person just vanish like that?

"Yes, please enlighten me, senior brother."

With only three days left, it was like fulfilling his senior brother’s last wish.

Instantly understanding Yuquan’s intention, Yuxuan’s lips curved slightly upwards as he spoke, "Then observe carefully. These are the three sword techniques I’ve realized, and I’ve named them after the Three Sacred Mountains. Look at this first stroke, it’s called ’Shangqing Piercing Clouds.’"

With a tap of his finger to Yuquan’s forehead, Yuquan saw an illusion in which Yuxuan transformed into a sword as magnificent as a mountain range, piercing through the clouds. As its name suggested, this was Shangqing Piercing Clouds.

But this so-called sword technique was in fact not a true sword skill. After observing it, Yuquan felt his understanding of the Path of Destiny deepen.

The practice of the Enlightened Realm was like that illusion, where one is surrounded by mist, and only by using oneself as the sword to break through the skies can one ascend higher.

"The second form, Yuqing Shattering Void."

Again in the illusionary realm, what seemed like a simple sword thrust forward by Yuxuan made Yuquan sense the essence of the Dao within. It was an unavoidable thrust, a stroke not meant to slay the physical body, but rather to sever something strange.

"The third form, Taiqing Freeing Heart."

This time, Yuquan saw nothing but loneliness, hearing just the name of the technique before it concluded.

"You cannot learn the third form yet. When you have cultivated to a certain level in the future, the seal I have left for you will unlock itself."

"Senior Brother..."

Yuquan ultimately sighed, Having lived to his current age, he had long become indifferent to life and death, able to accept both his own demise and that of others with equanimity. However, the day of Yuxuan’s predestined death had arrived too abruptly, leaving Yuquan without any preparation.

Moreover, with Yuxuan’s predestined time up, how far could his own be?

"No need to ask further, let all be as fate wills it."

After Yuxuan finished speaking, he gestured for Yuquan to sit down and continued, "After my death, let the Sect Leader position be passed to Zhenren. If he proves capable, assist him well. If he does not, let Zhen Li take over."

By this point, Yuxuan’s words had taken on the tone of entrusting his legacy, yet Yuquan felt he was laying out a grand strategy.

"I understand, but with the world in turmoil, once Senior Brother departs, who will be the one to calm the storm?"

"Let all be as fate wills it."

Yuxuan repeated the phrase once more.

To leave it to fate meant that by then, it would be beyond his control.

"Amidst the killing tribulation, the common folk suffer..."

Yuquan wanted to say more but was interrupted by Yuxuan.

"Junior Brother, remember this, we are not saviors. The sentient beings will find their own paths."

Yuquan: "..."

With a lower cultivation level than Yuxuan, he naturally had no room to argue.

In the end, everything Yuxuan said boiled down to those two words.

Let it be.

"The Conclave of Destiny is in three days."

Yuquan changed the subject, only for Yuxuan to hand over a ring saying, "This is something I snatched from a young girl. Keep it safe for now. When the time comes, someone is bound to seize it."

"It will be seized and not just given away by me?"

"Of course."

"Then does Senior Brother not wish to return this treasure to its owner?"

Yuquan prided himself inwardly. Although he wasn’t as strong as Yuxuan and had suffered at the hands of Dongfang Hongyue, his power contained no ounce of deceit.

Who would be capable of stealing a ring under his protection?

"Not at all. It won’t be long before this treasure finds its way back to its rightful owner."

Even though Yuquan knew Yuxuan was extremely skilled in divination, he still felt unconvinced.

"Then Senior Brother had better watch closely, for I wish to see who has the gall to pilfer from my hands."

Yuquan tucked the Fulong into his clothing, determined to protect it properly, no matter who might come to claim it.

Finally, their conversation drew to a close. However, over at Taiqing Mountain, a spell’s radiance pierced the heavens and shook the earth.

This was surely the work of someone battling with magic. Only someone at least in the Heart Guarding Realm could create such a disturbance.

Truth be told, Yuquan did not care much for these individuals who, for the sake of personal gain, had arrived and stirred trouble. Even if they joined the Conclave of Destiny, they would only be there to pad the numbers, to spectate, or, more unfortunately, to become collateral damage in the clashes between true titans.

But now, with the major powerhouses still absent, these minnows had already begun their skirmish here.

Taiqing Mountain was now packed with people from all walks of life. Conflict was inevitable in such crowds.

A mere glance could spark a feud.

"At the Conclave of Destiny, does Senior Brother intend to sway the world’s fortunes single-handedly?"

Yuquan knew that such questions touched upon the secrets of Heaven and that Yuxuan wouldn’t divulge much; hence, he had refrained from asking earlier. But now, knowing Yuxuan’s impending demise, he couldn’t suppress his curiosity.

Moreover, Yuquan had the nagging suspicion that Yuxuan should have lived longer, wondering if some action of his had brought about this abrupt end.

"In the current world, only one person has the power to influence the course of events single-handedly."

Yuxuan stated confidently. Yuquan felt moved by his assertiveness.

In this world, probably only his Senior Brother could achieve such a feat.

Indeed, Senior Brother exuded dominance to the very end.

What Yuquan didn’t know was that the person Yuxuan referred to was not himself.

It was that man.

"I have imparted to you my sword techniques. Should you encounter someone with the destined affinity, feel free to teach them. Should the day come when Taiqing Daoist Temple faces a lethal tribulation, this act of good karma could ensure a temporary peace."

"Someone with destiny? A lethal tribulation?"

Yuquan disliked vague speech the most, and both pieces of information were vital. Bearing the responsibility to forge good karma, he naturally hoped Yuxuan would clarify.

However, Yuxuan was an old hand in riddles. Shaking his head he said, "This person will arise from water, endure through fire, thrive on earth, and be renowned in metal. Seek him not, for he shall find you."

Yuquan: "..."

You might as well not have said anything. Who could possibly guess who this is?

Seeing his junior approaching the edge of frustration, Yuxuan offered a consoling remark: "There’s no need to rush. Let all be as fate wills it."

Yuquan: "..."

Was his visit to speak with Yuxuan purely a self-inflicted annoyance?