Lǐ Mùbái, astride a silver sword light resembling flowing clouds, flew towards the Tai Xuan Sect's mountain gate, following the route indicated in the visiting card. As he descended, his feet landing on the newly repaired, yet still visibly time-worn plaza before the mountain gate, a rich, pure, and far more potent Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy than he had imagined washed over him without him needing to deliberately circulate his energy to sense it. It enveloped his entire body like a gentle tide.
His heart jolted!The density of this Spirit Energy… it was almost comparable to the 'Flowing Cloud Grotto-Heaven' his Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's core disciples cultivated in!Moreover, this Spirit Energy wasn't the dense, somewhat sluggish kind forcibly gathered by spirit-gathering formations, but was full of vitality, as if originating from the depths of the earth, flowing naturally, endlessly!
He subconsciously looked up, gazing at the enormous light barrier that enveloped the entire Tai Xuan Sect mountain gate. The barrier was no longer the dim, thin, and seemingly fragile appearance from his memory, but presented a solid, heavy, pale golden luster. Countless fine, profound runes flowed like swimming fish on its surface, emitting a heart-palpitating, rock-steady energy fluctuation. With his cultivation at the early Golden Core stage and the keen spiritual sense unique to sword cultivators, he actually felt a strong sense of threat from this light barrier, as if his full-strength sword strike might not even be able to shake it in the slightest!
"This… how did this Sect Protecting Grand Array become so formidable?!" Lǐ Mùbái's heart churned like stormy waves, but he tried his best to maintain a calm expression, only his pupils minutely contracting.
Consequently, his attitude towards the gatekeeping disciples subtly changed. Those disciples, with their cultivation only at the mid-to-late Qi Condensation stage, would normally be beneath the notice of a Golden Core cultivator like himself. But now, although these disciples bowed respectfully, their eyes were clear and sharp, their postures upright, their spirits full, and their entire beings exuded an uplifted vigor and spirit that was vastly different from the sallow-faced, listless Tai Xuan Sect disciples of his memory.
"Lǐ Mùbái of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, by order of my master, True Lord Yunhe, I am here to visit your Sect Master Su, presenting a visiting card and congratulatory gift." Lǐ Mùbái lowered his stance more than expected, presenting the warm jade visiting card and a brocade box with both hands.
"Senior Lǐ, please wait a moment. Junior will inform them immediately." The leading gatekeeping disciple received the visiting card with neither arrogance nor obsequiousness, his movements swift and his speech clear. He then activated a communication talisman.
Before long, a Foundation Establishment stage guide disciple arrived and politely led Lǐ Mùbái into the mountain gate.
As he proceeded, the shock in Lǐ Mùbái's heart did not subside but rather grew like a rolling snowball.
The moment they passed through the light barrier, it felt like entering another world. The Spirit Energy outside was already abundant, but it was even more so within the mountain gate! The spiritual mist filling the air was almost substantial enough to form rain droplets; with every breath, he could feel his cultivation slightly, imperceptibly increasing.
As far as his eyes could see, although he could still see many unrepaired ruins, testaments to past battles, there was a much greater sense of burgeoning vitality. Many damaged halls were under repair, with disciples transporting materials and carving array foundations, working with great fervor, yet everything was orderly. Not a single complaint could be heard; instead, everyone's face showed a drive filled with hope. On the training grounds, shouts echoed ceaselessly, sword lights flashed, and techniques roared. The intensity of the cultivation atmosphere far surpassed what he usually saw at his Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.
What shocked him even more was that these disciples, regardless of their cultivation level, had a sparkle in their eyes that he hadn't seen in Tai Xuan Sect disciples for a long time – it was the radiance of 'hope' and 'confidence'! None of this could be achieved through pretense!
"What on earth happened to this Tai Xuan Sect under the heavens?" Lǐ Mùbái's mind was in turmoil, vaguely sensing that his master's worries might not have been unfounded. The changes in the Tai Xuan Sect were far more profound and thorough than they had anticipated!
The guide disciple led him to a side hall named 'Taixuan Side Hall'. The hall's furnishings were simple and rustic, not extravagant, but immaculately clean. Several newly transplanted spiritual plants emitted a faint fragrance, complementing the rich Spirit Energy outside the hall.
Soon, footsteps were heard outside the hall, and Sū Yuèníng's figure appeared at the doorway.
The instant he saw Sū Yuèníng, Lǐ Mùbái's heart skipped a violent beat again, beyond his control!
The Sū Yuèníng before him wore a simple and elegant sect master's robe. Her face was clear, her expression serene. Where was the trace of her former critical condition from serious injuries, or the weakness of someone just recovering? Her aura was integrated and full, subtly resonating harmoniously with the surrounding heaven and earth Spirit Energy. As she walked, she possessed a demeanor as solid as a mountain, yet with a hint of icy sharpness. This aura… was by no means that of an ordinary mid-Golden Core cultivator! To him, she felt even more unfathomable than some veteran mid-Golden Core elders within his own sect! Especially her eyes, clear and deep, as if capable of seeing through people's hearts, carrying an undeniable aura of a sect master's authority.
"Senior Brother Lǐ, you have traveled a great distance. It is our loss not to have welcomed you sooner. Please forgive us." Sū Yuèníng walked into the hall and sat in the main seat. Her tone was as calm as water. She showed no hostility due to past friction, nor did she display excessive enthusiasm due to his visit. The balance was struck just right.
Lǐ Mùbái quickly suppressed all signs of surprise, stood, clasped his hands, and forced a proper smile onto his face. "Sect Master Sū is too kind. It is I who have intruded upon your cultivation. Please excuse my presumption." He gestured for his attendant to present the brocade box. "I heard that Sect Master Sū has fully recovered from your injuries. My master was overjoyed and ordered me to prepare a small gift to offer congratulations. Seeing you today, Sect Master Sū, looking so radiant, with such a profound aura, even better than before, is truly cause for celebration. It seems the rumors are true; your sect has indeed taken on a new appearance!"
His words were both polite pleasantries and a probing test.
Sū Yuèníng nodded slightly, signaling for a disciple to accept the congratulatory gift. She said calmly, "True Lord Yunhe is thoughtful. Our sect has indeed received some blessings from our Ancestors recently, activating some of the residual arrangements they left behind, allowing us to recuperate and recover some vitality. Please trouble yourself to thank True Lord Yunhe on my behalf upon your return, Senior Brother Lǐ."
She attributed the sect's dramatic transformation to "ancestral arrangements left behind" in a light and casual manner, her tone calm and natural, as if stating a commonplace event.
After a few more exchanges of pleasantries about the sect's recent affairs and regional gossip, Lǐ Mùbái changed the subject, beginning to probe indirectly. "The density of Spirit Energy in your sect today is truly something I, Lǐ, have rarely witnessed in my life. I presume it is the work of that 'arrangement'? I wonder what profound Array Formation possesses such a heaven-defying power? It truly leaves us in awe."
Sū Yuèníng picked up the Spirit Tea beside her and took a gentle sip, responding imperturbably, "It is all the grace of the Ancestor Master. The specific profound mysteries are beyond what we junior disciples can fully describe. We only know that diligent cultivation is required not to fail the Ancestor Master's expectations."
She attributed everything to the ethereal but unquestionable 'Ancestor Master', her answers watertight.
Lǐ Mùbái attempted to probe further with a few more questions regarding array restoration and disciple cultivation. Sū Yuèníng responded appropriately each time, her words sincere yet always skirting around the core information, leaving him feeling like he was looking through fog, unable to grasp the truth.
What made Lǐ Mùbái even more uneasy was that throughout his conversation with Sū Yuèníng, he had been secretly activating his spiritual sense, cautiously sensing the spiritual energy within the entire Tai Xuan Sect area. Apart from clearly sensing the familiar, seemingly more refined and profound late Golden Core aura of Daoist Qinglin emanating from somewhere behind the mountain (Daoist Qinglin was diligently comprehending the 'Taixuan True Interpretation', and his aura naturally leaked out), he detected not a single unfamiliar, especially powerful aura that might belong to an external source or the rumored 'Ancestor Master'!
It seemed as though the entire Tai Xuan Sect was only guarded by the two Golden Core cultivators, Qinglin and Sū Yuèníng!
But was this possible? How could just the two of them have caused such earth-shattering changes?
Either the possible 'Ancestor Master' or 'Strong Reinforcements' possessed extremely high concealment techniques, completely beyond his spiritual sense's range; or… the 'ancestral arrangement' that Sū Yuèníng mentioned so casually was of such a level and power that it far exceeded his understanding and imagination, such that it could cause such an effect without the principal figure needing to appear in person!
Either possibility sent a shiver down Lǐ Mùbái's spine.
Initially approaching with a somewhat condescending attitude to probe, he now felt only deep doubt and a lingering unease in his heart. The waters of the Tai Xuan Sect were far deeper and much more dangerous than he had imagined!
After sitting for a while longer and seeing that he could not glean any more useful information, Lǐ Mùbái rose to take his leave, his tone even more polite than when he arrived. "Sect Master Sū must be very busy, and I should not disturb you further. Seeing your sect's new vigor today deeply impresses me. I will certainly report what I have seen and heard truthfully to my master. The heavens of this region are likely to change."
Sū Yuèníng did not detain him further, merely saying calmly, "Senior Brother Lǐ, safe travels."
Watching Lǐ Mùbái, accompanied by the guide disciple, disappear down the corridor outside the hall, Sū Yuèníng picked up the now slightly cool Spirit Tea, the corner of her mouth curling into a barely perceptible arc.
She knew that Lǐ Mùbái's visit had failed in its purpose. And the tip of the iceberg that the Tai Xuan Sect had revealed was enough for the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, and even the Profound Frost Valley behind them, to carefully consider their position.
Lǐ Mùbái left the Tai Xuan Sect's mountain gate, stepped onto his flying sword, and looked back at the Sect Protecting Light Barrier, which shimmered with a pale golden light under the sun, like a slumbering behemoth. He no longer felt the lightness he had upon arrival, only a heavy pressure and countless mysteries waiting to be unraveled. He had to return to his sect immediately and report everything he had seen and heard, word for word, to his master. The heavens of this region were truly about to change.