Lu Yang honestly explained the reasons and consequences of the incident and had Everlasting Fairy come out as a witness to convince Yun Zhi that Lu Yang was merely conducting an experiment.
The thunder dissipated, and the moderate rain abruptly ceased; moonlight pierced through the dark clouds, and Dao Seeking Sect was clear once again.
The disciples of Dao Seeking Sect were unclear about what had happened; the rain had not lasted long before it stopped.
At Dao Seeking Sect, rain usually meant that the elders were casting spells, mixing spiritual power with the rainwater as it fell, irrigating Dao Seeking Sect and increasing the concentration of spiritual energy in the sect.
“I told you so, tonight to tomorrow daytime, from cloudy to clear, look how accurate I am,” Everlasting Fairy boasted about her ability to predict the weather.
“...” Lu Yang did not want to talk.
Lu Yang noticed several familiar figures following behind Eldest Senior Sister, unmistakably the vice-head Liu and other seven high-ranking officials of the Undying Sect.
The seven of them looked utterly lost, their eyes filled with a subtle terror when they looked at Eldest Senior Sister.
“Eh, they are all in soul form,” Everlasting Fairy remarked, somewhat surprised.
“Eldest Senior Sister, what are you doing...?” Lu Yang was very puzzled.
Yun Zhi explained lightly, “I see that they have a knack for skewers, quite popular among junior brothers and sisters. Instead of confining them at the prison peak, why not let them return to the barbecue restaurant to utilize their special skills?”
“I have refined them into specters.”
Naturally, the money earned by vice-head Liu and others had to be handed over to Eldest Senior Sister without any discrepancy.
The prison peak was suppressing a decent amount of ancient Unity Stage souls, temporarily not lacking raw materials for crafting Spiritual Treasures.
Lu Yang was dumbfounded, this setup felt eerily familiar.
And specters of the Unity Stage, wasn’t this already the limit of what specters could achieve?
Refining them into specters also meant there was no fear of the seven rebelling or causing trouble within the Dao Seeking Sect. If they harbored intentions of harming others, they would die on the spot.
Eldest Senior Sister led vice-head Liu and the others back to the “Come Again” barbecue restaurant, letting them peacefully run the place.
Vice-head Liu and the others quickly nodded, declaring they would definitely promote the spirit of barbecuing, never skimping on work or maliciously overcharging, guaranteeing to serve every customer with the most professional and considerate attitude.
Only then did Eldest Senior Sister leave satisfied, asking Lu Yang to follow her back to Heaven’s Gate Peak.
The “Come Again” barbecue restaurant opened successfully, and many merchants came forward to congratulate on the new opening.
Initially, vice-head Liu and the others were quite disdainful. Even though they were now in soul form and had become specters, they were still Unity Stage powerhouses, figures who commanded respect in the outside world, and they were reluctant to interact with these merchants, feeling it lowered their status.
However, they quickly dismissed that notion. They scanned the area with their spiritual sense and broke into a cold sweat. Even a casual scan revealed several cultivators whose levels they could not discern.
He understood Eldest Senior Sister’s concern; this was indeed a good plan.
“How should I do it?”
“First, find Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone.”
...
Undying Sect headquarters, in the leader’s secret chamber.
Two rows of bookshelves stood on either side, filled with various precious pills, secret methods, and techniques.
Most pill bottles were empty; the pills had been consumed by the Undying Sect leader for healing.
At the end of the bookshelves stood a life-sized statue of Everlasting Celestial, indistinguishable as male or female.
In the darkness, the Undying Sect leader slowly opened his eyes, coming out of seclusion.
He moved his limbs, feeling the still murky spiritual power circulating within, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
During the test of entry, the sudden appearance of Dao Seeking Sect’s Yun Zhi dealt him a blow that he had yet to recover from.
“Looks like I might really need a hundred years of quiet cultivation?” The Undying Sect leader was worried about the future.
If it took a hundred years to fully recover his strength, who would lead the Undying Sect in the meantime?
Among the three vice leaders of the Undying Sect, vice leaders Liu and Gao coveted his position, only vice leader Jin, who had organized the entry test, had so far shown no desire for his role.
The leader’s gaze moved to the statue of Everlasting Celestial, his eyes filled with hope, as he faintly felt Everlasting Celestial stirring.
He lit three incense sticks, placing them in the censer, knelt down on his knees, hands pressed together, and bowed three times to the celestial statue.
“Great Everlasting Celestial, please save your devout followers, save this world!”
“Who is calling upon this celestial?” A kind yet aged voice echoed in the secret chamber.
The leader looked up, his eyes filled with fanaticism and joy, his body trembling slightly, fingers quivering uncontrollably from the excitement.
The statue before him emitted a strange red light from its eyes, and the rising incense smoke enveloped the statue, forming a cloud.
The smoke morphed, gradually changing into a kindly-looking old man.
(End of the chapter)