567: Chapter 77 Returning to Qingyun

The next day.

Following the address provided by You Ji and Bi Yao, Ghost Master went to visit Meng Li's previous residence.

However, when he arrived at the place, he found it already deserted.

Ghost Master was somewhat surprised, but after a moment's thought, it dawned on him.

No wonder Black-Hearted Old Man didn't fight Meng Li yesterday over the matter of Wanfu Ancient Cave; it turned out the other party had left.

Since the two parties didn't cross paths, naturally, a fight couldn't break out.

This left him somewhat disappointed and, at the same time, gave him a headache.

Because with things developing this way, the whereabouts of the Tome of Heaven volume in Wanfu Ancient Cave became uncertain.

Based on the known situation, it was highly probable that it was with Black-Hearted Old Man, but there was also a small chance it had been taken by Meng Li.

And both parties, based on current circumstances, were extremely troublesome existences.

Black-Hearted Old Man was unfathomable, accompanied by Jin Ling and several maids whose strength was comparable to the Shangqing Realm; the lineup was undeniably strong, and his whereabouts were unknown.

Meng Li's tracks were relatively easy to determine, but his strength was terrifyingly high, and with the Qingyun Sect behind him, he was not someone to be easily provoked.

With difficulties on both sides, Ghost Master had no immediate plan to deal with it and could only intend to return to the Ghost King Sect with Bi Yao, You Ji, and Azure Dragon first to inform the Ghost King and let him decide.

At the same time he was leaving, Meng Li also set out on the road back to the Qingyun Sect with Tian Linger, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and Lin Jingyu.

Regarding Ghost Master's visit and finding him gone, he was completely unaware, and even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

This was because the persona of Black-Hearted Old Man was just a casual move Meng Li made on a whim; he never intended to use it for double-agent schemes. Giving Old Nian the Blood Demon Stage of the Blood Refining True Skill and expecting him to lead the Blood Refining Hall to fight the Ghost King Sect was also just a coincidental, casual placement of a chess piece.

In the end, whether it succeeded or not didn't matter to him.

In the future, unless necessary, he didn't even plan to use the Black-Hearted Old Man persona.

After all, Jin Ling, the only one closely related to this persona, had already initially completed her 'redemption' and had become Tian Linger's guardian spirit under the identity of Mei San Niang. If nothing went wrong, she was capable of staying by his side in a special way to be together forever.

...

With Meng Li leading the flight, the group returned to the Qingyun Sect in about half an hour.

Subsequently, several of them went together to Tongtian Peak to report on their mission.

The mission to Yudu City this time was personally issued by Mysterious Dao and concerned the Demonic Cult and Wanfu Ancient Cave, so it was highly valued.

After Mysterious Dao met with them, he immediately sent someone to summon several peak masters, including Tian Buyi and Water Moon True Person.

Before long, the top brass of the Qingyun Sect gathered in the main hall of Yuqing Hall.

Zeng Shushu, Lu Xueqi, Tian Linger, and Lin Jingyu began to report the events of their mission in Yudu City.

Meng Li sat to one side, not interjecting much.

Because the main executors or trainees for this mission were Lu Xueqi, Tian Linger, and the other two; although he had contributed a lot, his role and position were only to provide backup. Moreover, some matters were more appropriate coming from the mouths of Tian Linger and the others.

Only when asked would Meng Li take the Opportunity to say a few words.

For instance, Tian Buyi, Zeng Shuchang, and others were shocked by the total annihilation of Poison God, Hundred Poisons Child, Blood-Sucking Old Demon, and the Wandu Sect Disciples, and couldn't help but ask questions.

"Is this matter true?"

"Nephew Meng, was that lightning-summoning method of yours our sect's Divine Sword Control Thunder Technique?"

Facing these questions, Meng Li replied frankly, "Poison God, Hundred Poisons Child, Blood-Sucking Old Demon, and the Wandu Sect Disciples they brought were indeed all killed by me with lightning. As for that lightning-summoning method, it was not the Divine Sword Control Thunder Technique."

"It is a miraculous art I comprehended after stepping into the Taiqing Realm, combining Taiji Xuanqing Dao and the path of Talismans, called 'Heavenly Borrowed Power'."

"This technique is based on our sect's Taiji Xuanqing Dao principle of 'breathing as one with heaven and earth, being one with nature, and controlling natural creation with the body to transform it into great power,' supplemented by the mystery of Talismans transforming magic power into external power. Ultimately, it uses one's own Qi as a guide to communicate with heaven and earth, making nature resonate to borrow the power of creation."

As he spoke, he released a surge of Qi and demonstrated on the spot.

In an instant, with a crackling sound, several bolts of lightning appeared out of thin air, transforming into a petite swimming dragon that coiled and circled around him.

Tian Linger, Lu Xueqi, and the other two had seen even more powerful methods before, so seeing this situation, they didn't feel it was anything special.

However, Water Moon True Person, Zeng Shuchang, and the others were seeing this method of releasing Spells without hand Seals, incantations, or the need for a Magic Treasure for the first time. They were momentarily amazed but could not see through its mysteries. Even Mysterious Dao, who had entered the Taiqing Realm, only vaguely saw some of the mechanics and failed to grasp the essence.

And when Meng Li cast the Spell, whether it was magic power or Qi, it radiated the unique charm of Taiji Xuanqing Dao.

Therefore, they didn't doubt him, only marveled inwardly: As expected of someone with the potential of Qingye Ancestor, his Aptitude and Comprehension Ability are beyond what we can reach.

Following that, Zeng Shuchang spoke, "Since that Poison God went to such great lengths to control Yudu City, the Wandu Sect must have gone all out this time. Now that Poison God, Hundred Poisons Child, and the rest have been eliminated by Nephew Meng, the Wandu Sect has likely become a sect in name only. Even if there are survivors, they will find it hard to amount to anything."

"For the Demonic Cult, this can be described as a major blow."

"Presumably, they will become well-behaved for a long time."

"This matter is a great thing for our Righteous Path and the common people of the world."

"Nephew Meng's contribution is indispensable."

Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others nodded in unison, not at all surprised by Zeng Shuchang's act of crediting Meng Li.

Among the top brass present, the one with the closest relationship to Meng Li was naturally Tian Buyi.

However, their relationship was too close, so it was actually difficult for Tian Buyi to say much.

Zeng Shuchang's relationship with Meng Li wasn't that close, but Wei Qiong was his father-in-law. Meng Li's elimination of the Wandu Sect this time was a huge help to Wei Qiong, even a debt of gratitude. It was perfectly normal for Zeng Shuchang to choose to return the favor and show appreciation at this moment.

Meng Li also understood the logic behind it, but he still humbly stated that he was a member of the Qingyun Sect and that eliminating demons and defending the Dao was his duty, skipping over the topic.

Afterward, Lu Xueqi, Tian Linger, and the others continued their story.

This time, they finished recounting everything directly.

Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others fell into thought after listening.

The main problem they were considering was that 'people from the Demonic Cult broke the Seal of Wanfu Ancient Cave but didn't enter,' which was indeed strange.

But based on what was currently known, there were only a few possible inferences.

In the end, the conclusion they reached was similar to Wei Qiong's; it couldn't be verified for now and had to be set aside.

After this major issue was passed over, Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others, like Wei Qiong before them, asked about Mei San Niang and the Blackwater Xuan Snake.

Meng Li and Tian Linger summoned the two of them on the spot.

Regarding the Blackwater Xuan Snake, Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others didn't have many questions.

Although the matter of subduing and raising Spirit Beasts was not common because they were rare, it wasn't unheard of. For one, the Qingyun Sect had several places where Spirit Beasts were kept: Tongtian Peak housed the Water Qilin Spirit Venerable, Feng Hui Peak had a bunch of Spirit Beasts raised by Zeng Shushu, and Dazhu Peak also had the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey raised by Zhang Xiaofan.

If not for the Blackwater Xuan Snake's great fame and formidable strength, Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others wouldn't have bothered to ask.

Instead, it was the Yin Spirit Mei San Niang who attracted more of their attention.

After all, Yin Spirits were already rare due to their unique nature, and hearing of one whose strength was comparable to the Late Stage of the Shangqing Realm and who could travel in daylight was a first.

Moreover, Mei San Niang had come out of the Wanfu Ancient Cave.

This was something they could not afford to ignore.

Therefore, Mei San Niang once again faced questioning...