First Immortal of the Sword

As if able to tell that Mo Wuhen didn’t believe it, the Netherworld Abyssal added, “Those are the facts. I believe them, regardless of whether you do or not.”

With that, it withdrew its head and disappeared into the mists, giving Mo Wuhen no opportunity to ask follow-up questions.

The corners of Mo Wuhen’s lips twitched.

The Netherworld Abyssal’s behavior was highly indicative of a guilty conscience. This only made him increasingly convinced that it had deliberately let Su Yi into the Divine Cave of the River of Forgetfulness.

This Su Yi kid’s origins are surely extraordinary. I have to get to the bottom of this! 

He’d only just thought this when the Netherworld Abyssal’s voice emanated from within the mist once more, “I’m warning you! Don’t bother Su Yi, or else… hmph! The consequences will be more than a mere Meng Po Palace can bear!”

Mo Wuhen’s heart shook, and his expression filled with uncertainty.

The Netherworld Abyssal was from the Sea of Bitterness, and it was wantonly proud and vicious by nature. Throughout its time in Meng Po Palace, it had never taken him or any of the other old-timers seriously.

Not even Yun Ziying; the beast saw him as a mere ‘defeated foe.’

It was easy to imagine how proud and aloof the Netherworld Abyssal was.

Yet now, it had personally warned him against provoking a young Spiritual Incarnation Realm cultivator. It even said Meng Po Palace wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences!

What strong words! Who is this Su Yi person? Just what kind of origins must he have for the Netherworld Abyssal to have let him into the Divine Cave of the River of Forgetfulness? And for it to warn me like that?

Mo Wuhen felt a bit uncertain. 

The only thing he knew for sure was that there was no way the Netherworld Abyssal would give him any answers…

Mo Wuhen took a deep breath, then made a decision. “Xue’er, go inform the sect’s old-timers that I’ll be waiting for them in the grand hall. We have something important to discuss”

“Yes, sir.” 

The Netherblood Sparrow beat its wings and flew off.

……

Fifteen minutes later.

Evening Glow Peak, the sect’s grand hall.

The higher-ups filed in under the leadership of the Grand Libationer. Everyone was in attendance. 

However, the atmosphere was a bit stifled and oppressive.

None of them could figure out why Mo Wuhen, an old fossil long disinterested in worldly affairs, would suddenly leave seclusion and summon them all for a meeting.

They most certainly wouldn’t have imagined that he’d do this on account of Su Yi!

“Ancestor, this is what I know about Su Yi,” stammered the Ninth Libationer. He dared not look up at Mo Wuhen, who sat in the central seat.

As ordered, he’d already explained how they’d gotten acquainted with Su Yi in full detail, leaving nothing out, no matter how inconsequential it seemed.

Except for the incident with Cui Jingyan’s pendant. He chose to keep that hidden.

After all, the pendant and its message were the Adjudicator of the Netherworld’s business. It was highly private, and not important to Meng Po Palace.

Otherwise, the Ninth Libationer wouldn’t have dared keep it hidden.

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When he heard about Su Yi’s accomplishments in the Azure Realm, he furrowed his brow. Nothing about it seemed all that noteworthy.

Mo Wuhen asked, “Who were that master and apprentice duo who returned with you?”

The Ninth Libationer shook his head. “I’m afraid only the Third High Elder knows the answer to that.”

“And where is he?” asked Mo Wuhen.

Everyone looked at each other.

It was then that the Grand Libationer realized he couldn’t keep this a secret any longer, so he steeled himself and said, “Ancestor, yesterday, after Su Yi arrived at the sect gates…”

He then explained his attempt to obtain the Seed of the Azure from Su Yi, not daring to hold back the slightest detail. Besides, word of this incident had already spread throughout the sect.

When they learned that Third Libationer Yuan Linning and Fifth Libationer Lu Changqing had left in pursuit of Su Yi, and that Third High Elder Lu Changming had gone after them out of concern for his disciple’s safety, Mo Wuhen’s expression darkened.

“Ludicrous!” 

His cold voice boomed throughout the grand hall, and the gathered higher-ups’ hearts shook.

The Grand Libationer was so startled that his back broke out in cold sweats, and he said gravely, “Ancestor, we weren’t trying to seize the Seed by force. We just…”

Mo Wuhen interrupted him expressionlessly. “How dare you quibble with me? You’re our Grand Libationer, a glorious Emperor, yet you did something so shameless and despicable. How humiliating! Losing face for yourself is one thing, but you’ve brought shame to the entire sect! You’re an utter scoundrel!”

Mo Wuhen insulted the Grand Libationer so badly that he could no longer lift his head, and his heart filled with terror and uncertainty.

The others were as silent as cicadas in winter.

None of them would have guessed that an old relic like Mo Wuhen would lose his temper over Su Yi.

“Ancestor, the Third High Elder is back,” someone outside the hall reported.

Almost immediately afterward, Lu Changming strode into the grand hall. When he saw Mo Wuhen in the centermost seat, as well as the silent, nervous higher-ups, he couldn’t help but find it strange. 

“Martial Uncle, you were looking for me?” Lu Changming approached and greeted Mo Wuhen respectfully.

“Have Yuan Linning and your disciple returned yet?” Mo Wuhen asked expressionlessly.

Lu Changming’s heart sank as he realized that something was amiss. He said in a low voice, “They’ll be back shortly.”

“And that young man, Su Yi?”

Lu Changming’s eyelids twitched. “He and Jingyan have already set off for the Cui Family estate.”

“Oh,” said Mu Wuheng. “Have we acquired the Seed of the Azure?”

Lu Changming calmed himself, then shook his head. “We haven’t. When I arrived…”

He then described how Su Yi had defeated Yuan Linning in full detail.

The story stunned everyone present. The room was in uproar, and all of them were astonished.

Only Mo Wuhen remained calm.

He already knew that Su Yi had ventured into the fourth layer of the Divine Cave of the River of Forgetfulness, and furthermore, that he’d cut down nine early-stage Profound Illumination combat spirits of will. Defeating Yuan Linning wouldn’t have been difficult for him. 

“Why didn’t you seize the Seed?” asked Mo Wuhen.

Lu Changming’s expression filled with uncertainty. “Martial Uncle, to tell the truth, I disapproved of stealing the Seed of the Azure right from the start. Furthermore, Fellow Daoist Su is no ordinary person. I… couldn’t bring myself to engage in such wanton theft.”

The Grand Libationer’s face stiffened.

Mo Wuhen suddenly asked, “Who were that master and appreciate?”

Lu Changming’s heart shook, and he lowered his head. “Martial Uncle, my Daoist brother is an unmatched expert, and he once did me a kindness. When he left, I agreed not to reveal his identity. I humbly request your understanding.”

He paused, then added, “But I guarantee that he won’t cause Meng Po Palace any trouble.”

Mu Wuhen furrowed his brow, but in the end, he didn’t say anything.

It was then that Yuan Linning returned.

Her beautiful face was pallid and wan. When she walked into the grand hall, she lowered her head, approached, and bowed. “Greetings, Ancestor.”

The group’s expressions were quite complicated.

She was an Empress, yet she’d lost to a Spiritual Incarnation Realm youth. If word got out, never mind the uproar it would cause; it would deal a devastating blow to Yuan Linning’s reputation!

When he saw how despondent she looked, Mo Wuhen let out a long sigh. “You didn’t lose unfairly, and you needn’t be upset over it.”

The group was instantly flabbergasted. Don’t tell me the ancestor already understands Su Yi’s abilities?

“Ancestor, don’t tell me Su Yi has impressive origins?” the Grand Libationer couldn’t help but ask.

The others found this rather confusing too. Mo Wuhen was an ancient expert who paid no heed to worldly affairs, yet he’d convened this meeting out of nowhere to ask about Su Yi. Something was obviously amiss here.

Mo Wuhen didn’t answer.

Instead, he gazed indifferently at the Grand Libationer. “Starting today, you are to proceed to the ninth layer of Blackwater Cave to contemplate and repent. You are not to leave for one hundred years.”

The grand hall instantly fell silent, and everyone’s expressions shifted.

The ninth layer of Blackwater Cave!

This was a forbidden ground used to punish Emperors! It was full of terrifying, baleful energies. Even Imperial experts would suffer physical anguish day and night!

If their hearts weren’t strong enough, the torment would leave them longing for death!

This was quite the severe punishment.

The Grand Libationer reacted as if he’d been struck by lightning. He felt a chill in his hands and feet, and his lips quivered, but in the end, he said in a low voice, “I shall assiduously carry out your orders, Ancestor!”

Next, Mo Wuhen gazed at Lu Changming. “You are one of our high elders, and you were obviously well aware that Su Yi is extraordinary, but you didn’t decisively intervene or prevent this despicable attempt at thievery from taking place. Although you committed no major error, you too must be punished. From this day forth, you needn’t continue in your role as high elder any longer. For now, remain in your immortal cave, introspect, and repent.”

The atmosphere was increasingly stifled, and the higher-ups’ hearts shook. They would never have guessed that Mo Wuhen wouldn’t just punish Grand Libationer Gu Zhongxun over this; he’d even stripped Lu Changming of his position!

Lu Changming’s expression shifted dramatically. Some time passed before he lowered his head and said bitterly, “Martial Uncle, you were right to chastise me, and I… willingly accept my punishment!”

Mo Wuhen then issued yet another order. “Yuan Linning, proceed to the Heart-Tempering Cliff and go into seclusion. You are not to emerge until you’ve condensed a complete Profound Dao Law.”

“Yes, sir.” Yuan Linning lowered her head.

Mo Wuhen then swept his gaze across the crowd, his expression dignified and imposing. “You are not to leak a word of what happened today, nor to discuss Su Yi with outsiders. If you do, I won’t let you off!”

Every word boomed like thunder, echoing throughout the grand hall.

The crowd trembled, then solemnly assented.

Mo Wuhen rose, then strode out of the hall. 

He still had important business to attend to.

After he faded from view, the crowd felt lost and bewildered.

Just what kind of origins did the Azure Continent’s Su Yi have to make their ancestor go to such lengths!?

Although they couldn’t see through it, all of them knew that whatever Su Yi’s identity was, it seemed highly likely that even Ancestor Mo Wuhen was afraid of them!

This was unquestionably terrifying. Just thinking about it made them panic.

Meanwhile, Mo Wuhen appeared within an immortal cave. 

After a moment’s silence, he slipped a golden talisman out of his robe and carved it with his divine sense.

“Senior Apprentice Brother, I’ve happened upon a youth of mysterious origins. An inheritor of the Ghost Lantern Sarcophagus Bearers accompanies him, and that girl Jingyan is leading him to the Cui Family personally. Even the Netherworld Abyssal went so far as to warn us not to interfere with him…

“What’s strange is that he’s only in the Spiritual Incarnation Realm, and he’s only about eighteen years old, yet he defeated Third Libationer Yuan Linning, an Imperial expert.

"The crux of the matter is that… he’s surnamed ‘Su!’”

No one but himself knew what Mo Wuhen was thinking, but as he carved this last sentence, the hands holding the talisman trembled, and his expression filled with uncertainty.