40: Unlucky Pozhenmen

“System, sign in!”

On the bamboo bed, Gu Changge opened his eyes and said to the System.

“Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in, gaining five thousand years of cultivation!”

“Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda!”

“Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 10 Emperor-grade High-quality Spiritual Veins!”

“Not bad, another day of undeserved gains.”

Gu Changge stretched, tossing a Spiritual Fruit between his fingers.

“These days are so empty. I really envy those 'cattle and horses' from my previous life who could enjoy the '996 blessing.' Why don't I have that fate, sigh...”

He bit into the Spiritual Fruit, its sweet juice flowing over his tongue, a hidden contentment welling up in his eyes.

His gaze swept over the treasures quietly suspended in the System space.

The Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda emitted an ancient golden glow, and the profound runes circulating on its body faintly exuded an oppressive power that seemed to suppress all laws. Just looking at it brought a sense of peace to one's mind.

And those ten Emperor-grade Spiritual Veins, each like a winding Golden Dragon, enveloped in Spiritual Qi so dense it could drive any Sect mad, slowly glided within the space.

“Perfect. The Old Ancestors in the Forbidden Ground have advanced their cultivation quite a bit, and the Spiritual Qi might not be keeping up.”

Gu Changge thought casually, his fingertip lightly tapping the Void Realm, temporarily storing the Spiritual Veins properly.

“I'll find a quiet night, bury them beneath the Forbidden Ground. It's not easy for old people; let's improve their lives a bit.”

Gu Changge then glanced at the bronze token in the corner of the space, engraved with “Azure Cloud Secret Realm.” It had been idle since he obtained it from a previous sign-in.

The hundred-thousand-mile Spiritual Land and ancient Legacy within the Secret Realm were merely insignificant embellishments to him. It would be better to leave them as a training ground for the Azure Profound Sect.

“Deal with them all at once.”

As soon as the thought emerged, Gu Changge's eyes suddenly grew colder.

He flicked his finger, and three glowing communication Jade Slips appeared out of thin air in his palm. Lingering spiritual fluctuations remained on the Jade Slips — these were the secret messages intercepted in recent days.

Two of them were sent to the Burning Heaven Palace, detailing the internal movements of the Azure Profound Sect.

The other was sent to the Myriad Law Pavilion, subtly mentioning the defensive weaknesses of the Azure Profound Sect's Forbidden Ground.

“The rats hiding in the dark are getting increasingly restless.”

Gu Changge's fingertips applied a little force, and the three Jade Slips instantly turned to dust, scattering with the wind.

He leaned back in the bamboo chair, gazing at the main peak shrouded in clouds in the distance, a cold arc forming on his lips.

During these days, while using his Divine Sense to probe the outside world, he had already discovered many “anomalies” hidden within the Sect.

There were spies from the Burning Heaven Palace embedded for many years, as well as informants planted by other Sects. There were even several seemingly loyal Elders secretly colluding with the outside world.

“Since they can't endure the solitude, it's time for a cleanup.”

He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

This was also one of the reasons why Xuan Yangzi and Shi Wanshan were so focused on “lying low and developing.”

The Seven Great Sects in Xuan Province often clashed, and each Sect would plant spies.

This was a common tactic for everyone.

Although a few spies were occasionally rooted out, some were incredibly secretive and could not be detected immediately.

If they were careless, these hiddentermite worms would sooner or later ruin important matters.

It seems I need to discuss this with the Sect Master...

Within the Sect's main hall.

Xuan Yangzi's fingers, clutching the communication Jade Slip, turned slightly white. The characters on the Jade Slip glowed coldly under the infusion of Spiritual Power.

“Grand Elder Yan Cangyun of the Burning Heaven Palace will probe the Formation Breaking Sect tonight, then proceed to the Azure Profound Sect.”

Shi Wanshan leaned over to glance, his round belly trembling with anger.

“This old geezer is really pushing his luck! Does he really think our Azure Profound Sect is a pushover? How about I take a few Elders...”

“Sit down.”

Xuan Yangzi raised his hand to stop him, his fingertips lightly tapping the stone table.

“The Burning Heaven Palace and the Myriad Law Pavilion are fighting fiercely right now. If we act now, we’ll just become a live target.”

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes.

“Since they're going to the Formation Breaking Sect first, let the Formation Breaking Sect take the heat for now. We'll see how things develop.”

Shi Wanshan smacked his lips: “What if Yan Cangyun makes his way here?”

“Then...” Xuan Yangzi intentionally drew out his words, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

“We'll let him experience the severity of four beatings a day.”

At night, in front of the bamboo house on Zizhu Peak.

Gu Changge leaned back in a bamboo chair, twirling a purple crystal grape between his fingers. His Divine Sense casually swept across the Xuan Province, just happening to catch two furtive figures — Grand Elder Yan Cangyun of the Burning Heaven Palace, sneaking towards the Formation Breaking Sect with a hunched back.

Grand Elder Mo Lingzi of the Myriad Law Pavilion followed closely behind on the other side, the sword tassel on his waist's jade sword trembling slightly, clearly not harboring good intentions either.

“Oh, two old foxes, they've actually teamed up!”

Now there's a good show to watch. Gu Changge was about to get some melon seeds to watch their performance.

Suddenly, as if he thought of something, he grinned, looking exactly like someone who had secretly done something mischievous.

He lightly tapped his fingertip in the Void Realm, and an imperceptible spiritual fluctuation silently permeated the Formation Breaking Sect's mountain-protecting formation.

Meanwhile, Xuan Yangzi and the others were still on high alert, strictly guarding against Yan Cangyun's arrival...

The next morning, a piece of news spread like wildfire throughout Xuan Province.

It left everyone dumbfounded and confused.

The teahouse was bustling with noise. Tea guests gathered in groups of three or five, discussing animatedly, their conversations revolving around the Formation Breaking Sect's farce from the previous night.

“Have you heard? The Grand Elders of the Burning Heaven Palace and the Myriad Law Pavilion actually started fighting at the Formation Breaking Sect!”

A Cultivator who had just taken a seat put down his teacup and was immediately drawn into the conversation at the next table.

“More than just fighting!”

A man in a grey robe beside him took a sip of tea, his tone tinged with astonishment.

“I heard Yan Cangyun of the Burning Heaven Palace was beaten until he spat blood, and half of the Formation Breaking Sect's Scripture Pavilion was burned down. There probably aren't many ancient books left inside!”

“I also heard that the Grand Elder of the Myriad Law Pavilion, with a single sword strike, even split open the Formation Breaking Sect's mountain-protecting formation!”

Someone interjected, gesticulating wildly.

“The flames, ah, dyed half the sky red, visible from a hundred miles away!”

“The Myriad Law Pavilion and the Burning Heaven Palace have been at odds these past few days, fiercely competing for Spiritual Veins. But fighting is one thing, why did they have to run to the Formation Breaking Sect?”

A Cultivator resembling a pale-faced scholar frowned, looking utterly bewildered.

“Isn't this clearly setting someone up? A perfectly good Sect was torn apart.”

“Who said it wasn't!”

Another tea guest chimed in, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“I heard they fought like madmen, specifically targeting critical areas of the Formation Breaking Sect. The Pill Refining Room and the training grounds all suffered. If it weren't for the Formation Breaking Sect's Old Ancestor emerging from seclusion overnight to activate the Sect-protecting formation, who knows what state it would have been torn into!”

At this moment, a hushed voice from the corner interjected.

“I heard a Disciple from the Formation Breaking Sect say it wasn't agreed upon at all — the two old geezers secretly snuck into the Formation Breaking Sect in the middle of the night, bumped into each other, and both insisted the other was there to collude with the Formation Breaking Sect!”

“Really? Is that true?” Someone asked in surprise.

“It's true!” The voice continued.

“The Grand Elder of the Myriad Law Pavilion is incredibly fierce; he's actually a Heavenly Human Realm Late Stage Cultivator. In the entire Xuan Province, you can count them on one hand.”

“Then isn't Yan Cangyun in danger?” Someone asked.

“Yan Cangyun had the Burning Heaven Palace's Blazing Sun Token tucked in his embrace. The Burning Heaven Palace was supposedly beaten so badly but didn't die, all thanks to this treasure protecting him.”

“As for the Grand Elder of the Myriad Law Pavilion, I heard his beard was completely burned off. Just imagining that look is comical...”