The Immortal’s Revelation and a Cursed Encounter

Named the Demon Suppression Bureau, its purpose was to imprison demons, monsters, ghosts, and those practitioners of malevolent arts. To powerful cultivators, many ghosts and monsters were perhaps nothing more than expendable resources—a few might be captured for alchemy, while others could be effortlessly annihilated if deemed unnecessary. Yet, they did not move to purge them entirely. Beyond the sheer inconvenience, the impossibility of ever truly eradicating them was enough to dissuade most from even attempting such a feat. One powerful being once remarked:

“As long as there is injustice in the mortal realm, as long as a single wicked person exists, as long as even a trace of resentment lingers, then ghosts and monsters will never truly perish.”

Ultimately, ghosts and monsters were but the materialized manifestations of humanity’s darker aspects. Perhaps this was the inherent flaw in a world where divine beings and demons coexisted.

“Roar…” Within the rows of cells, where ghosts and monsters were bound, each entrance was sealed by a specialized wooden door. From time to time, wails of anguish would pierce the air, interspersed with seductive whispers, all tempting one to unlatch those wooden doors.

“Clang! Clang! Clang~” An ancient bell-cauldron resonated, its chimes echoing throughout the prison. The resonant hum swept through, silencing all the cacophony of the confined spirits.

A jailer once inquired:

“These artifacts, blessed by celestials, are incredibly effective, but why do these celestials not descend themselves to directly eradicate the ghosts and monsters?”

“I do not know.”

On the path to grand enlightenment, many powerful beings and formidable cultivators emerged, yet after gradually uncovering certain truths, they inexplicably vanished from the mortal realm, journeying to unimaginably distant places. Not a single scrap of information from them ever returned, a fact that sent shivers down one’s spine upon deeper reflection. However, should one employ secret arts to contact them, seeking their blessings or assistance, those powerful beings and celestials would indeed respond. Their demeanor was even quite amiable, almost as if they were omnipotent wish-granters.

“Esteemed One, this is the place.” The jailer opened one of the wooden doors. Stepping inside, a heavy silence descended, revealing a one-armed youth meditating. Even amidst the chaotic shrieks of the surrounding demons, his Dao heart remained unshaken. Upon seeing such an individual of unwavering resolve, the Jindan cultivator from the Demon Suppression Bureau couldn’t help but feel a surge of goodwill.

‘This person doesn’t resemble a demonic cultivator,’ she thought, unsure why she had come to such a conclusion. Approaching, she directly asked:

“What is your name?”

“…Xiao Yao.” He turned his gaze, eyes like condensed starlight. As he rose, an aura of undeniable dominance emanated from him. He seemed to seethe with anger, yet like the vast ocean, he suppressed all perilous turmoil deep within, rendering it imperceptible to others.

“Are you from a sect?” the Jindan cultivator pressed, their voice indistinct, betraying no gender.

“I am from the Moon Gate Sect, dispatched by an elder to apprehend a demonic woman.” Xiao Yao stated, his gaze fixed on his single arm.

“The Moon Gate Sect.” The Jindan cultivator’s eyes narrowed slightly. While not considered a mighty force, that sect still boasted a Nascent Soul realm cultivator overseeing it. The person before her was at least in the Foundation Establishment realm, and perhaps held a significant position.

“Have you been to the Zhang Manor?”

“Naturally.”

“Then, did you find the demonic woman?” The Jindan cultivator understood that the ‘demonic woman’ Xiao Yao spoke of was Su Mo. They had also been investigating, but the trail had gone cold. She might have already been devoured by the ghosts and monsters outside, leaving no trace of her bones.

“Yes, but she wasn’t at the Zhang residence,” Xiao Yao replied, a note of surprise in his voice, as if the outcome had been unexpected. His words immediately piqued the Jindan cultivator’s interest.

“You may withdraw for now,” the Jindan cultivator commanded, dismissing her subordinates. Once only the two of them remained in the cell, Xiao Yao chuckled:

“Senior, why are you disguised as a man?”

“You brat, do you wish to die?!” The Jindan cultivator swiftly reached out, her grasp sharp and menacing. To her surprise, Xiao Yao produced a token—a jade plaque—which immediately caused the Jindan cultivator to retract her hand.

“What is your connection to the Immortal Seeker’s Association?” the Jindan cultivator demanded. The object before her was remarkably ancient, its carvings distinct from, yet strikingly similar to, those of the current Immortal Seeker’s Association. Without a care, Xiao Yao casually tossed the plaque to the Jindan cultivator, shaking his head as he spoke:

“The Immortal Seeker’s Association has been too lax for too long; they’ve forgotten their original purpose and are nothing more than a disorganized rabble.”

Injecting her spiritual sense, the Jindan cultivator saw a hazy vision of an immortal palace, and gasped in astonishment:

“You are one of the Three Immortals?!”

“Indeed. You possess a modicum of discernment.” Xiao Yao chuckled softly. It might have been several millennia, or perhaps even tens of thousands of years ago, but in that era, Xiao Yao was an existence on the cusp of true immortality. However, the Immortal Seeker’s Association was certainly not founded by him. He had heard of it, dismissing it as nothing more than a childish game of ‘playing house’. Yet, during his defeat at the Zhang residence and subsequent escape, he inexplicably discovered a jade plaque by a river, which stirred ancient memories within him.

‘The Immortal Seeker’s Association… not a bad stratagem after all. Su Mo? Sooner or later, I’ll make you kneel,’ Xiao Yao sneered inwardly. Seeing the disguised Jindan cultivator remain silent, Xiao Yao began to recite an ancient cipher:

“Odd changes, even stays! Quadrant determines the sign!…”

Fear began to rise, giving way to awe. Only then did the Jindan cultivator realize that the cultivation methods circulating within the Immortal Seeker’s Association, which were meant for people to train with, would all become keys to control them. ‘She shouldn’t have coveted shortcuts. But without pursuing those shortcuts, she wouldn’t possess her current strength to protect a city,’ she thought. Unable to even contemplate resistance, she had no choice but to acknowledge the ‘immortal’ before her.

“Esteemed Immortal,” she addressed him, her original voice—a clear, cool female tone—now distinct. His eyes gleaming faintly, Xiao Yao looked down and asked:

“What is your name?”

“Mo Lian.” She unveiled her black-and-white robes, removed her mask, and revealed a pair of cool, beautiful eyes. A cascade of purple hair tumbled down, causing a momentary ripple in Xiao Yao’s heart. He conceded that her beauty was indeed remarkable, a rare sight in his lifetime. Yet, the timing was not right; he intended to proceed gradually. It would be best not to end up in a predicament like Su Mo’s, where resolution proved elusive.

‘Xu Qingzhu… no, it should be Bai Yunbo! Just you wait…’ he mused inwardly, then instructed Mo Lian to prepare the ritualistic items. He intended to perform a grand ritual, starting with a powerful strike against ‘Bai Yunbo’!

“Dare to steal my wife, Bai Yunbo? You won’t have an easy time of it from now on,” Xiao Yao sneered, inserting the incense sticks into the altar.

****

“Boom! Boom!!” Bolts of thunder continuously struck the barrier surrounding the two of them. Su Mo, observing the tottering formation around them, instinctively recoiled, then called out to the contemplative Xu Qingzhu:

“Xu Qingzhu! Quickly, use your invincible brain and think of something!”

She had initially assumed he was merely a ‘bronze-tier’ cultivator, but who would have thought that Bai Yunbo, at full power, could rival the strength of a Jindan realm expert? He was terrifying beyond measure!

“Quiet, I’m thinking,” Xu Qingzhu murmured, stroking his chin as he observed the frenzied Bai Yunbo, a sense of familiarity stirring within him. He felt as though he had encountered him in a previous life, yet no clear memory surfaced. ‘Could it be that this man truly acquired one of the Nine Pendants in his previous life, successfully deciphering an immortal tomb, thereby shattering time and space and influencing countless people’s impressions of him?’ Xu Qingzhu mused. Who was it? Along the path of immortality, Xu Qingzhu had met many geniuses, but those capable of wielding even a trace of divine lightning punishment were few. Yet, the fact that he couldn’t recall was truly peculiar.

Frantically waving his hanging banner, as bolts of lightning descended from the heavens, Bai Yunbo’s eyes reflected a tumultuous expanse of purples and blues.

“So arrogant, do you finally know fear?!” he shrieked, yet cold sweat beaded on his forehead. ‘I’m being drained dry by this lightning punishment banner; how has it still not broken through this defensive formation?’ he thought. Gritting his teeth, he forced out a sliver of spiritual energy, continuing to summon the lightning.

“Today, either you die, or you perish!” Bai Yunbo gripped his banner tightly. His cold gaze fixed on the duo, he suddenly noticed Xu Qingzhu looking up, a distinct expression of surprise on his face.

“?” Bai Yunbo was momentarily puzzled, before a surge of power erupted from the void.

“Crack!” Several ribs in his chest abruptly fractured, and his spiritual energy instantly ran rampant, violently surging through his meridians. With a darkened glabella, Bai Yunbo simultaneously spat blood and forcefully performed a hand seal. His eyes wide, he exclaimed:

“Which vile wretch is cursing your ancestors?!”

“Boom! Boom…” The lightning dissipated. No amount of cursing could reverse what had been done. Propping himself up with the banner, Bai Yunbo managed to stand, gazing at the two individuals who were now rubbing their hands together in anticipation. A tremor of fear ran through him.

“Fellow Daoists, this… this is likely a misunderstanding…”

“Misunderstanding? Oh, we can certainly talk about it.”