World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 393: Qing Yanzis Concern

In a clearing deep within the mountains, Qing Yanzi's voice came through the phone's speaker. As Wang Sheng had expected, his master sounded a bit surprised.

—You're going to the Moon Palace?

"Yes. Fairy Yaoyun told me the Moon Palace holds the complete Daoist heritage of the Heavenly Court. Within it are many cultivation techniques related to the Dao of Balanced Yin and Yang."

—That's...

Instead of the joy that Wang Sheng had anticipated, Qing Yanzi looked pensive, as if something was troubling him.

Assuming his master was concerned about the journey itself, Wang Sheng explained, "I've already made the calculations, Master. The Moon is about three hundred eighty thousand kilometers from Earth. I have enough enchanted power to fly there with Senior Sister.

"There is no air resistance in outer space. Although there is no primal qi to replenish my power, the enchanted power consumption won't be too heavy. Fairy Yaoyun also told me that she has her own way of entering the Moon Palace."

—That's not it. What I'm worried about are the consequences that will follow. For the cultivation world, the Moon Palace is the sacred land of the Heavenly Court, known to all as a place of fortune. Everyone also knows that it hasn't been opened yet. If it does open, every sect will clamor to share in it. That will lead to conflict.

Qing Yanzi sank into thought again.

Frowning, Wang Sheng muttered, "Why must there always be so many complications..."

After thinking about it more carefully, though, he realized his master was right.

—If word spreads that you cultivate in the Moon Palace, many cultivators will complain. They might even think your rapid progress is thanks to the Heavenly Court's legacy, which could stir tension between cultivators and the government's three departments. The cultivation world appears calm on the surface, but hidden tensions are already on the rise.

He slowed down.

—This is naturally still a great opportunity for you both. Go if you must, but secrecy is essential. It would be best to slip there quietly.

"We can just say that Senior Sister has entered seclusion to attempt her Nascent Soul breakthrough, then," Wang Sheng suggested. "Sneaking over should be simple enough. As long as no one notices, everything will be fine."

Spiritless trembled faintly, and Yaoyun telepathically spoke to him.

Wang Sheng smiled bitterly. "Master, according to Yaoyun, the Moon Palace was the final foundation of the Heavenly Court. It was not meant as a blessed land for the Daoist sects."

He then repeated Yaoyun's explanation to his master.

When the immortals of the Heavenly Court sought to break free from the Realm of Exiled Immortals and launch their counterattack, the Moon Palace was chosen as their base in case they failed. Within it were countless treasures and the Daoist heritages of the Heavenly Court's experts.

In truth, it was left for the Heavenly Court immortals themselves. Their fates were unknown now. Still, it would be a disaster if the Daoist sects emptied the Moon Palace and the immortals returned one day to find nothing left.

—Hmm...

After some thought, Qing Yanzi smiled bitterly.

—She's right, but the sects wouldn't understand. Years ago, some of them even proposed that the government send cultivators on another lunar mission to search for the Moon Palace.

Qing Yanzi sighed.

—This is so complicated.

He and Wang Sheng looked troubled. What had seemed simple now bore the weight of many conflicting interests.

At the side, Mu Wanxuan tried several times to say she did not have to go to the Moon Palace. Each time, however, Xiaomiao tugged at her sleeve to stop her.

Seeing Wang Sheng and Qing Yanzi lost in thought, Xiaomiao raised her hand to make her presence known. "Big Brother, can I say something?"

"Of course. Our family does not restrict speech. We only strictly forbid early romance," Wang Sheng joked.

Wang Xiaomiao rolled her eyes. Calmly, she said, "Right now, only my master can open the Moon Palace. If you and Senior Sister go inside to cultivate, the sects will surely find it unfair. Believing they deserve a share of the treasures within, they'll pressure the government. Did I get it right?"

Qing Yanzi smiled.

—Yes, you did. You're quite clever, Xiaomiao.

Wang Xiaomiao pursed her lips. "I think the real issue is deeper than that, though. At the heart of this problem lies the relationship between the Daoist sects and the Heavenly Court. Can both sides recognize and accept each other? To take it a step further, when Daoist cultivators ascend to immortality, will they be willing to become heavenly soldiers of the Heavenly Court, fighting and dying for it?

"Back then, the Heavenly Court was only raising troops on Earth. Today's Daoist sects are nothing more than fragments of the heritage that they had left behind a thousand years ago. They feel little sense of belonging to the Heavenly Court.

"Without that sense of belonging, how can they shamelessly claim the Heavenly Court's treasury as their own? If they demand to divide the treasures equally, they have no justification at all.

"From this perspective, the Moon Palace cannot be opened casually. Doing so would turn hidden dangers into real threats. Also, we shouldn't forget that Senior Sister isn't just Fairy Bu Yu. She also has another identity."

Wang Sheng's eyes brightened. "That is true. Senior Sister's other identity is certainly important now."

Qing Yanzi finally visibly relaxed. The more he looked at Wang Xiaomiao, the more he liked her. If she didn't have a master yet, he would've taken her in as his disciple.

At the side, Mu Wanxuan was utterly speechless. Surrounded by three people with thoughtful looks, she alone seemed unable to grasp where the supposed contradiction stemmed from.

Qing Yanzi chuckled.

—Xiaomiao is roughly correct. That's why others shouldn't learn about this whole Moon Palace matter. You have to leave and return in secret. Once inside, avoid touching the treasures that the immortals left behind. Focus on studying the cultivation techniques. As long as this remains hidden, no immediate problems shall arise..."

"Why do you need to sneak in?" Yaoyun suddenly asked, her words ringing through the forest. She manifested on Wang Sheng's shoulder, her expression calm. "Just go openly to the Moon Palace. What can those cultivators do? I can decide what to do with the treasures, too. This man is my sword master. If he enters the Moon Palace, he naturally has to get something.

"If the sects want to claim the Moon Palace for themselves, then let them try. Emperor Ziwei and dozens of the Heavenly Court's experts were the ones who put the restrictions on it. Even a Grand Dao Golden Immortal cannot enter without the entry method. They will only be turned away."

Qing Yanzi bowed respectfully.

—Please don't be offended, Fairy. This is just human nature. You're the only remaining immortal of the Heavenly Court. The others are missing, their fates unknown. Since the Daoist sects see themselves as the Heavenly Court's successors, they'll inevitably look for a way into the Moon Palace once they produce their own immortals.

Yaoyun's delicate face turned frosty. Coldly, she replied, "If they find a way, I will not stop them. The Heavenly Court did leave the Daoist heritages of this world, but they are only fragments. The sects have to understand that their ties to the Heavenly Court are shallow. If they enter the Moon Palace and receive its blessings, then they should also be ready to face the disasters that once beset the Heavenly Court.

"Until the fates of the Heavenly Court's immortals are clear, I will not open the Moon Palace to the sects. Hua Qing is an immortal of the Heavenly Court. Her going to the Moon Palace to cultivate is rightful, proper, and justified. I'll show anyone who'd dare spread rumors no mercy. Hmph! "

Smiling helplessly, Wang Sheng gently said, "That's enough, Yaoyun. Anyone who obstructs my senior sister from cultivating will be my mortal enemy. Still, it's best not to draw attention to our journey to the Moon Palace. Though we're not afraid of trouble, I'd still rather avoid it when possible. Better to devote our minds to cultivation."

Yaoyun nodded softly. "Mm. You and your senior sister may decide this yourselves. Do not concern yourselves with what others think."

Wang Sheng smiled and nodded. Yaoyun then returned into Spiritless.

—In any case, the fewer who know, the better. I will tell your mistress, though she will likely agree with me.

"You should also tell Big Sister Xi Lian to keep it a secret, Master." Wang Sheng then looked at his sister, "You can keep this a secret too, can't you, Xiaomiao?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Xiaomiao nodded firmly.

—Only six people should know about this matter, then. Make sure not to drag another person into this.

He reminded his disciples to act cautiously, think carefully, never seek quick gains, and remember that comprehension was more important than techniques.

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan listened attentively. Soon after, Qing Yanzi ended the call, likely to speak with their mistress.

The trio, who had originally planned to visit the Wudang Mountains, returned home instead.

After discussing it with Yaoyun, Wang Sheng decided to depart for the Moon Palace the day after tomorrow. They would spend the next two days making preparations, lest something go wrong.

On the way, their master and mistress video-called them. Agreeing with Qing Yanzi, Chi Ling urged them to keep the matter a secret and asked what help they needed.

If necessary, the government could advance its next lunar mission. Within half a month, they could prepare a flight to carry the siblings to the Moon.

Wang Sheng swiftly declined. The lesser attention it drew, the better. Besides, he and his senior sister could reach it on their own. There was no need to waste government resources.

When they returned to the villa, they told Xi Lian about their plan to cultivate in the Moon Palace along with the possible troubles it could bring.

Though stunned for a moment, Xi Lian soon rolled her eyes. "Don't worry. Once you leave, I will surround the house with formations. Why bother about what those sects think? If any of them dare to be a busybody, I'll tear down their mountain gates myself! However... Hehehe..."

Her alluring eyes flickered with worldly mischief, and her arched brows rose slightly. She rubbed her pale fingers together before Wang Sheng.

"Compensation and hush money are up to you. If you bring back treasures, don't bother with anything below the level of Forged Spiritual Treasure. Any less would be an embarrassment."

Wang Sheng pressed a hand to his forehead. He could not help but feel that the snow-white little fox from years ago now had a heart thoroughly dyed black.

Demanding Forged Spiritual Treasures beyond even immortal artifacts just like that. Might as well sell it off instead!