“One more thing,”
Pei Qingxuan rubbed the space between her eyebrows.
“Among the messengers of the various Sects, some have vaguely mentioned that the Heavenly Secrets have become chaotic lately. Deduction Arts have been failing frequently, as if shrouded in a layer of mist.”
“The Master of Mysterious Dust Great Elder of the Mystic Pavilion specializes in the calculations of Heavenly Secrets. He told me privately that he vaguely senses an extremely ancient and obscure ‘“Evil Omen’ coalescing, but its source is ethereal and hard to find, as if… it does not exist in this world, yet seems to be everywhere.”
Heavenly Secrets are chaotic, and deduction has failed.
Xu Ping’an thought of the characteristics of his own Chaotic Body, as well as the methods of the person behind the scenes who could obscure the Heavenly Secrets and allow the Wu Tribe aura to entwine with the Dragon Qi without immediately suffering the backlash of the Heavenly Dao.
This was likely no coincidence.
“Husband.”
Pei Qingxuan looked at him, her eyes filled with worry.
“Regarding last night’s events… and Elder Kang’s side, I have already deployed more personnel and am conducting a secret investigation, but there are no further clues yet. I worry that the opponent is already deeply hidden and has grand designs. I feel that The Immortal Destiny Assembly… will not be peaceful.”
Xu Ping’an took her hand; her fingertips were somewhat cold.
“We will deal with whatever comes our way. You only need to handle the affairs of the various Sects on the surface and remain vigilant. As for the matters in the shadows…”
He paused.
“I will keep an eye out. Last night, I already ‘returned’ a small gift to the opponent.”
Pei Qingxuan was slightly stunned for a moment, then read something from Xu Ping’an’s calm gaze.
She didn’t ask further, but simply gripped his hand back tightly and nodded vigorously:
“Mm. You must be extremely careful.”
“Alright.”
At this time, the voice of a messenger Disciple came from outside the Yuanzi.
It seemed an important guest had arrived, requiring the Sect Master’s personal welcome.
Pei Qingxuan gave Xu Ping’an a reluctant look, hurriedly tidied her appearance, and departed once more on her Sword.
Xu Ping’an stood alone in the Yuanzi, listening to the faint sounds of clamor and ceremonial music in the distance.
He felt the increasingly chaotic yet powerful various auras in the air and cast his gaze toward the distant mountains.
The wind blowing through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains.
The gathering of the various Sects was ostensibly to discuss how to deal with the Demon disaster and form an alliance.
But wasn’t this also a display of the strength and intentions of each faction?
Beneath the undercurrents, would the mastermind behind the Wu Tribe methods—the one intending to destabilize the Human Fortune—also be using this “grand assembly” to cast their gaze here?
The Liuyun Sect, or rather Pei Qingxuan, had already become a prominent piece on the Chessboard.
And he, Xu Ping’an, with the “Invisible Spike” he sent out last night through the connection with the Venomous Insect, had likely moved a small step from the edge of the Chessboard toward the center.
Next, would it be the surging undercurrents beneath a calm surface, or a direct and violent wave?
He walked back under the Rong Tree, lay down in the rocking chair again, and closed his eyes.
His depleted mental energy had not yet fully recovered, but he needed to adjust his condition as soon as possible.
The Immortal Destiny Assembly might not just be a gathering of various Sects, but perhaps… a stage for some clashes in the shadows.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting mottled and swaying shadows on his face. His breathing was steady, as if he had truly fallen asleep.
Only his slightly twitching eyelashes showed the rapid thoughts turning in his mind, and the extremely faint golden light of the Chaos Golden Eyes that occasionally flickered unnoticed beneath his eyelids.
Time slipped away quietly amidst the growing clamor and undercurrents of Swordsmith Peak.
In the following days, Xu Ping’an stayed at the Autumn Water Hall.
Now that messengers from various Sects were gathered, the Pavilion of Immortal World, as the Sect Master’s residence and an important meeting place, was full of eyes and ears.
If he were to live there as a “Disciple,” it would instead be easier to attract attention, and some might even see through his true nature.
Staying at the relatively peripheral and quiet Autumn Water Hall might be safer and more low-profile.
Pei Qingxuan became completely busy.
Messengers from various Sects arrived in an endless stream.
As the hostess and a core figure of one of the initiating parties, her feet barely touched the ground.
The number of times the two met dropped sharply.
Occasionally, she would hurry over late at night, still carrying the lingering cold night dew and the scent of incense from the Deliberation Hall, with exhaustion thick in the corners of her eyes.
Usually, they would only say a few simple words to confirm each other’s well-being, and then she would have to rush back to the Pavilion of Immortal World to handle the pile of jade slip transmissions.
Xu Ping’an understood her difficulties and never tried to keep her. Every time she left, he would silently stand under the Rong Tree in the Yuanzi and watch as that cold Sword Light merged into the night.
What he could do was guard this Small Courtyard, not cause her trouble, and give himself enough space to observe and think.
More often than not, he was alone.
Autumn Water Hall was quieter than usual.
Xiao Jing’er and Li Zhi’er seemed to be affected by the atmosphere of the Sect’s grand event. Xiao Jing’er would occasionally slip out to see the excitement and come back chirping about what she had seen.
Li Zhi’er was more timid; she stayed in her Room most of the time and rarely went out.
Xu Ping’an was happy to have the peace.
The thing he did most was lie in the rocking chair under the Rong Tree, or sit by the window of his Room, activating the Chaos Golden Eyes and gazing toward the Eastern horizon.
His vision crossed the courtyard walls, over the layers of Mountains and buildings, piercing through the clouds and aura barriers that ordinary people could not perceive, reaching that ethereal yet real level.
The pale golden dragon shadow formed by the Great Qi Dragon Qi struggled day after day in his “eyes.”
It appeared even more listless than before.
The black line on its body, formed by the Wu Tribe Blood Fiend Qi, seemed to have taken root, entwining even tighter and more fiercely. Its color had gradually shifted from the initial darkness to an ominous purple-black.
Every time the golden dragon tried to raise its head or swing its tail, it seemed incredibly difficult, as if it were burdened by ten thousand tons of shackles.
The pale golden spots of light, symbolizing the loss of the dynasty’s fortune, were peeling away and dissipating from its body at a visibly accelerating rate.
Xu Ping’an looked very carefully.
He had no spiritual power to interfere, but the “seeing” granted by the Chaos Golden Eyes possessed an inherent “analytical” ability.
He could see the trajectory of the black line’s erosion, feel the changing strength of the Dragon Qi’s resistance, and capture the intensifying “momentum” of “end” and “chaos” that shrouded the Dragon Qi.
Daily observation, comparison, silently building a model in his heart, and repeated calculations.
The date of The Immortal Destiny Assembly drew closer day by day, and the excitement and tension within the Liuyun Sect increased daily.
Various light streaks traveled more frequently, and Disciples in different Sect robes moved and interacted within permitted areas. The air was filled with a complex mix of excitement and oppression.
Just three days before the start of The Immortal Destiny Assembly, Xu Ping’an ended another long period of “observation.”
He slowly closed his eyes, which were slightly sore from overusing his pupil power, leaned back against the chair, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.
The vague node in his heart finally became incredibly clear and sharp, like a cold needle pricking the calculated timeline.
“The day of The Immortal Destiny Assembly…”
He whispered to himself, his voice drifting away in the quiet Yuanzi.
Not before, not after.
Exactly at the moment when The Immortal Destiny Assembly officially convened, when the various Sects gathered, and the eyes of the righteous path of the World focused on the Liuyun Sect.
Based on the acceleration of the Dragon Qi’s decay, the characteristics of the final stage of the black line’s erosion, and the “Calamity Qi” that permeated invisibly and was almost solidifying, he could almost conclude that the carefully chosen “detonation point” was the day of The Immortal Destiny Assembly.
The opponent not only wanted to subvert the Great Qi Dragon Qi and shake the foundation of Human Fortune, but also intended to turn this “grand event” into a world-renowned “funeral,” staging the collapse of the dynasty’s fortune before the righteous path of the World.
This was undoubtedly the greatest mockery and blow to the righteous alliance, and it would also plant seeds of fear, doubt, and turmoil in the hearts of the widest population.
What a grand move, what a poisonous calculation.
Xu Ping’an opened his eyes and looked toward the Pavilion of Immortal World.
It was brightly lit there; even from a distance, one could feel a solemn and busy atmosphere.
Pei Qingxuan must be exhausting her mind and heart for the smooth convening of this “grand assembly,” dealing with the various Sects, and striving to show the Liuyun Sect’s cohesion and responsibility as the leader of the righteous path.
Had she also vaguely sensed something? Or was her entire mind completely occupied by the Sect’s affairs on the surface and the upcoming assembly?
Xu Ping’an didn’t know.
He didn’t tell her this nearly certain “prophecy” he had calculated.
Firstly, this matter was too shocking and lacked empirical evidence;
Secondly, even if he said it, what could she do at this critical juncture with The Immortal Destiny Assembly about to convene?
Cancel or postpone The Immortal Destiny Assembly?
That would arouse suspicion from various Sects and might even trigger internal chaos, playing right into the mastermind’s hands.
Strengthen defenses?
But the enemy was not coming from an external attack; they were aimed directly at the invisible foundation of the dynasty’s fortune.
Telling her seemed to offer no benefit other than adding a sense of helpless pain and anxiety to her already heavy pressure.
“It seems I must go to this Immortal Destiny Assembly.”
Xu Ping’an murmured, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile that lacked warmth.
He didn’t want to show his face on such an occasion, but if, as he expected, the day of The Immortal Destiny Assembly was when the Dragon Qi would collapse and the dynasty’s fortune would be in turmoil, then the center of the venue would likely become the “eye of the storm.”
Pei Qingxuan was at the center of the storm, he could not rest easy waiting in the Autumn Water Hall.
He had to find a way to sneak in.
He stood up and paced slowly in the Yuanzi.
With his current status as “Pei Qingxuan’s Disciple,” he should technically be eligible to attend the periphery of The Immortal Destiny Assembly, at least in the name of an attendant or observer.
But Pei Qingxuan had explicitly expressed her concern before and didn’t want him to take risks.
Directly asking her would likely be rejected and might even distract her.
He needed to find a suitable reason, or… utilize other channels.
Xu Ping’an’s gaze inadvertently swept over the closed window of Li Zhi’er’s Room.
Would this timid Princess of Great Qi be a good “front”? As a member of the Royal Family, perhaps she had a legitimate reason to request to attend or listen?
However, given her character, she probably wouldn’t have the courage to suggest it, and taking her to such an occasion might be even more dangerous for her.
Or… start from Xiao Jing’er’s side?
She was Li Yuer’s personal maid. Li Yuer, being a County Princess and the only Prince’s Heir of the Thirteenth Prince Lord, had a special status and might have an opportunity?
But Li Yuer seemed to be intentionally keeping a low profile lately and rarely went out.
Thoughts flashed by, only to be quickly evaluated and set aside.
Finally, Xu Ping’an stopped walking, his gaze becoming calm and firm once again.
“Forget it, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. If it really comes down to it…”