Chapter 79: The Eye That Sees Through Illusion

The Returning Cloud Immortal Sect was preparing to hold a grand ceremony. In a year, the three-tiered Academy Tower would open, and the sect would select its most outstanding disciples to visit the Central Continent and observe. For any renowned sect atop the Wilderness of Spirits, visiting the Academy, the Southern Barbarian Demon Domain, or the Northern Foreign Border was a mark of honor.

Especially since, fifty years ago, a young disciple from an unremarkable sect defeated the prodigy of the generation at the Academy Tower, instantly becoming famous throughout the realm.

As a premier sect in the Eastern Ancestor Continent, the Returning Cloud Immortal Sect naturally broadcasted this event loudly. Other major sects, such as the Sword-Washing Sect and the Azure Cloud Sect, also sent representatives to attend.

Yet, among the messages received in advance, one jade communication token was most conspicuous. It bore only two characters, but possibly the weightiest among all. For those two characters meant Dao Sect.

The arrival of this token astonished even the highest figures of the Returning Cloud Immortal Sect.

The Nine Sacred Grounds were thought to transcend the world, lofty and untouchable. Even a great sect like the Returning Cloud Immortal Sect could rarely draw their attention. Why now?

Elder Ximen Guan, just returned to the sect, heard the news but paid it little mind. He had recently lost the sect’s treasured artifact in Pingyao Town, and his favored disciple’s cultivation had been crippled before his very eyes. The culprit remained elusive, and these troubles weighed heavily upon him.

The breeze scattered his silver hair, yet could not dispel the gloom in his heart. Suddenly, he spoke: “Your junior brother is now a ruined man. My hope rests with you. Do not disappoint your teacher.”

Yun Qing, clad in lake-green robes, stood behind him, her expression calm. She nodded and turned to leave.

The mountain wind carried her as if she were a fairy wandering the woods. Her robes fluttered, and countless disciples cast admiring glances her way.

Yun Qing understood her master’s intentions: he hoped she would win first place at the grand ceremony and achieve distinction on the upcoming Academy journey. Yet she sighed inwardly.

It wasn’t that the task was too difficult, but that her master underestimated her.

Her ambitions had never rested with the Returning Cloud Immortal Sect. What she sought was the path to immortality, and at the Academy, she longed for the sanctification of the Academy’s sages.

She walked into a secluded courtyard, lifted her head, and a white mist slowly gathered within her deep eyes. Subtle spiritual energy from the world flowed into them, and soon, her gaze shone like a bright moon rising over the sea.

Within the courtyard, strange phenomena unfolded.

At the age of nine, she discovered the mutation in her eyes. Yun Qing did not know the cause of this talent; she searched through ancient texts, but found not a single mention.

Yet, ever since she acquired these eyes, she could see through all illusions within a thousand miles.

This astonishing ability was kept secret from everyone, including her master.

From early on, she realized that on the path to the great Dao, no one in the Returning Cloud Immortal Sect was her companion.

Yun Qing closed her eyes briefly and then reopened them, restoring their ordinary appearance.

Through these eyes, she saw many truths of the world—beauty and ugliness alike. The sect leader’s gaze upon her, her master’s distasteful thoughts, and the shallow schemes of her peers.

Years passed like a carousel; she viewed them all as scenery, with nothing hidden from her.

Having seen so much, she grew unwilling to join them, longing only for loftier vistas.

The only person of any interest to her was Yang Yiqing, her notoriously carefree junior brother, whose heart was the purest in the sect. So, though she did not particularly like him, she was willing to avenge him.

Those two sneaky figures trailing behind them went unnoticed by others, but Yun Qing always saw them clearly.

...

Three days later, at dawn.

The gates of the Returning Cloud Immortal Sect swung open, and the guest peak resounded with deep, sonorous bells.

Though the official ceremony was to be held the next day, guests were already arriving.

In the distant sky, rainbows flashed, and visitors of all ages streamed into the Ascendant Path of the sect.

Not only cultivators attended; even mundane noble families and royal clans were permitted to witness this ‘celestial event.’

Shen Yu and Lu Caiwei swaggered into the mountain gate with the crowd.

Their efforts these three days had not been wasted.

Elder Qu Zheng of the sect had perished in his transformation, his body buried atop a remote peak called Immortal Fall.

They waited until nightfall to visit, and saw the mountain—steep and perilous, difficult to ascend for ordinary folk. The lingering glow of sunset cast an endless sense of desolation.

Many departed elders and stewards of the sect were buried here—once dazzling geniuses of their times, now reduced to dust. Only small mounds remained.

Only a few low-ranked disciples guarded the place. Shen Yu did not mind being discovered, so he casually knocked them out.

As they reached the foot of the mountain, Shen Yu suddenly halted.

Lu Caiwei paused, asking, “Will it be troublesome?”

Shen Yu shook his head, replying, “No. You can stay up there for the whole night.”

Once Lu Caiwei’s figure disappeared into the distance, Shen Yu turned to gaze at the mountain base.

A figure in lake-green appeared amidst the woods.

Shen Yu’s expression remained calm.

He had long known they were being watched.

He had come prepared for a fight, and since the other party had made no move, he gave it no further thought.

As for what plots or powerful opponents they might encounter in the Returning Cloud Immortal Sect, Shen Yu had never cared.

Some things etched into one’s bones do not change, no matter how many times one is reborn.

Night slowly fell, and the two finally met each other’s gaze.

Yun Qing recalled their meeting at the ancient town of Pingyao and said, “I didn’t expect I’d misjudged you.”

Shen Yu asked, “You’re alone?”

The woman lifted her chin, with a hint of amusement in her voice: “Not enough to fight?”

Shen Yu looked into her eyes and, after a silent moment, replied lightly, “Yes.”

“Quite the bravado.”

The woman closed her eyes.

Her green robes swirled, and countless streams of spiritual energy instantly gathered around her, radiating dazzling light.

Among female cultivators, most favored beauty in all things. Even their spiritual treasures and immortal swords reflected a distinctive feminine elegance.

Shen Yu gazed at her and sighed softly.