Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Seventh Dao Master left and Qin Yu was left alone in the underground prison. He was smiling. 

Everything was going smoothly!

The freezing world that the Sky Spirit Clan was in was recovering. The truth was because the way this World Heart was made was slightly different from usual – this World Heart wasn’t only linked to the freezing world. 

It was like a wide river branching out into eight smaller rivers. Each of them did not look big but these smaller rivers carried about half of the water – and this water, without a doubt, came from Seventh White Jade Capital. 

It did not look obvious now, but very soon, Seventh Dao Master would realize that the rate of usage to help the freezing world recover was horrifying. The power of one White Jade Capital would not be enough to help it. 

At that time, he would need to choose whether to give up on what was already invested or try to find a way to continue investing? Qin Yu’s eyes glimmered, when that time comes, maybe Seventh Dao Master would not even be the one making the choice. 

……

Ninth White Jade Capital. 

Amidst the palace in the clouds, Ninth Dao Master was sitting and frowning slightly. He was currently thinking about Qin Yu. The rumor from Seventh White Jade Capital of how Qin Yu stole World Origin and has been suppressed by Seventh Dao Master had reached him. However, Ninth Dao Master did not believe this…it seemed like Seventh Dao Master was making a move!

With this, Ninth Dao Master looked even more solemn and he felt an urgency. When he first saw Qin Yu in the Bounded Void Space, he had sensed something different. It was why he ordered Prison to kill Qin Yu. He wanted to try to get whatever Qin Yu was hiding. This was also to prevent Qin Yu from helping the Seventh Dao Master to win. 

In the end, he failed and Prison died. But when Qin Yu returned, Ninth Dao Master could clearly sense it. He was finally sure what aura it was on Qin Yu…it was a connection with the altar. It was as if Qin Yu was the true owner of the altar. 

Hence, when Seventh Dao Master came, Ninth Dao Master tested him. Though Seventh Dao Master did not behave strangely, Ninth Dao Master was even more sure that he had some kind of deal with Qin Yu. If not, with Seventh Dao Master’s personality, he would not have come to see him. 

Locked in the underground prison!

Hehe, he was most likely locking Luo Guan up to prevent any incidents. If he was so cautious, it showed that Seventh Dao Master was eyeing something huge. 

“Men.”

Ninth Dao Master suddenly said.

From outside of the palace, a White Jade Palace cultivator came in and bowed, “Please give me your orders.”

“Tell the eight White Jade Capitals that I have found out something new about the altar. Tell all the Dao Masters that they must come.” Ninth Dao Master’s eyes flickered.  “If any of the Dao Masters say that it is not convenient for them to leave, then tell them that we can change the location to their White Jade Capital.”

“Yes Dao Master.” The cultivator stepped back and left. Very soon, the news spread. 

Seventh White Jade Capital. 

Hearing the news, he waved to send the person off as he looked serious. He knew very clearly that Ninth Dao Master was testing for something. It seemed like he could not go. Otherwise, with Ninth Dao Master’s personality, he would come with all the other Dao Masters and things would more easily be exposed. 

With this, Seventh Dao Master sent out a telepathic message. Very soon, a respectful voice could be heard from outside the palace, “Master, I have arrived.”

“Come in.”

Cheng Haoran quickly entered and bowed again, “Greetings Master.”

Seventh Dao Master nodded, “I have been invited to Ninth White Jade Capital. I don’t know when I can return. You will temporarily be in charge of White Jade Capital’s formation.” As he spoke, he reached out and a ring appeared. 

On this object, clouds seemed to be moving and glowing. It looked special. 

Cheng Haoran used two hands to receive the ring; he looked serious, “Master, this…”

Seventh Dao Master waved his hand, “Don’t ask further. With this ring, you will control the formation of White Jade Capital. Guard the underground prison. Before I return, do not let anyone enter.”

“Yes!” Cheng Haoran bowed. 

Woosh – 

Seventh Dao Master got up and disappeared. 

In the hall, after taking a few breaths, Cheng Haoran straightened his body and looked in the direction his master disappeared in. He looked at the ring and a complicated and surprised expression filled his eyes. Soon, he appeared determined as he took a deep breath and walked out. 

Outside the palace, Cheng Haoran lifted the ring and the formation of White Jade Capital shifted, ‘boom boom boom’. There were low sounds as clouds split apart. Numerous golden talismans appeared in the air and covered the entire White Jade Capital. It turned into an impenetrable fortress. Even if Dao Masters arrived, they would not be able to break it down immediately. 

Woosh – 

Woosh –

The air vibrated and several figures appeared. Their expressions changed when they saw the ring Cheng Haoran was holding. 

“Everyone, don’t panic. It is the formation. Master was invited to Ninth White Jade Capital and asked me to control the formation for the time being to prevent incidents. I just fully activated the formation.” Cheng Haoran smiled softly and spoke calmly. 

“Oh I see. Since it was Master’s orders, it will not be a problem.” The protectors put their hands together before turning to leave. They did not suspect anything Cheng Haoran said. After all, he was the most trusted and respected disciple and everything he said was normal. 

When the protectors left, Cheng Haoran stepped out and returned to his residence. He sent off all the servants and his face sunk as he entered his residence. He waved his sleeve and closed the door. Standing in the hall, he seemed to be struggling and hesitating. But eventually, Cheng Haoran took a deep breath and tapped the air in front. 

The air vibrated and a black face mask appeared. In the eye holes, red flames danced, looking extremely peculiar. 

“Have you thought it through?” The mouth moved and spoke in a low voice. It was calm and guarded, making one feel at ease. This was extremely different from how it looked. 

Cheng Haoran sneered, “I still do not believe everything you say!”

The mask smiled softly, “Seventh Dao Master left and you activated the formation. This already shows your suspicions. So don’t lie to yourself. The truth is before your very eyes. Won’t you know if you test it?”

Cheng Haoran gritted his teeth, “What should I do?”

“Very simple.” The mask spoke in an even more calm tone, “This mirror will show your true self. Look carefully at who you are.”

As it spoke, the mask spat out a mirror, about the size of a palm. It landed in front of Cheng Haoran. The mirror grew bigger and soon became as tall as a man. It floated in mid-air, reflecting Cheng Haoran’s figure. 

Cheng Haoran’s figure jerked as he stared at the mirror. His breathing became rushed as he paled. In the mirror, though the person looked exactly like him, its disposition was completely different. 

Its eyes looked sharp as if it could see through everything. Its face was tranquil and composed, looking slightly indifferent and cold. It was standing and looking straight at Cheng Haoran, causing a chill to run through Cheng Haoran and slowly spread all over him. He felt as if he was freezing!

This reflection was him but not him. Cheng Haoran was extremely familiar with these eyes…Master! It was Master! At this moment, Cheng Haoran started sweating profusely. He could not help the trembles running through him. 

The truth was in front of him. His master was living off of him like a parasite. As long as his master wanted, he would be like that pirate, Han Shuisheng from Sea King Island. He would lose everything and become his master’s puppet. 

But his master’s puppets would eventually disappear. No one knew where they want. Cheng Haoran did not wish to one day know where they disappeared to. 

The mask opened its mouth and swallowed the mirror. It said slowly, “The truth is cruel, but it is the truth. It is in front of you and you cannot avoid seeing it even if you wanted to. So now, I am asking again if you are okay with being your master’s puppet and being able to disappear anytime.”

The hall fell silent and Cheng Haoran lowered his head, holding onto the books by his waist. His fingers were white from the strength, causing the book to change shape. At this moment, numerous memories flooded through him. How his master cared for him since he was young and patiently taught and guided him through his cultivation journey. Deep in his heart, Cheng Haoran had viewed his master like a father and he was the person he respected most. 

But now, all the warm memories shattered like ice. So from the start, his master groomed him merely to be a puppet. Whenever the time came, he would not hesitate to use him and wipe out his existence…what was his life for?

Taking a deep breath, Cheng Haoran slowly let it out before he looked up at the mask. It looked strange and fierce, making one feel uneasy. But now, he had no choice. 

“You can help me?”

The mask smiled, “Of course, I can help you live like a real human. But there is a price.”

“Tell me.”

“Go to the underground prison and find Luo Guan.”

Cheng Haoran stood up and walked out, “Okay.” His face was pale and he seemed to be numb, but there was a fire in his eyes burning strong. 

Outside the underground prison, the security was strict. 

As soon as Cheng Haoran appeared, he was stopped, “Senior Cheng, Master instructed that the underground prison is out of bounds and no one can enter.”

The two cultivators looked serious.

Cheng Haoran lifted his hand and took out the ring, “Before Master left, he handed White Jade Capital to me. Leave!”

“This…” The two of them looked troubled. 

Cheng Haoran looked up icily at them, “I will bear all the consequences. If you don’t back down, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

“Yes!”

The two cultivators bowed and backed off. 

Whether it was status, or the ring in his hand, Cheng Haoran was not someone the two of them could offend. If they really wanted to stop him, it would not end well for them. 

Stepping into the underground prison, Cheng Haoran made his way through the quiet and wide corridor. His footsteps filled the air. 

Tap – 

Tap –

Without stopping, Cheng Haoran arrived at the deepest area of the underground prison. Stopping outside a cell, he frowned slightly and took out the ring. The restriction was temporarily lifted. 

Pushing it open to step in, Cheng Haoran caught Qin Yu’s eyes and he spoke, putting his hands together, “Sorry for disturbing you, Fellow Luo Guan.”

Qin Yu frowned silently but looked calm, “Fellow Cheng, you should not have come here.”

Cheng Haoran said, “I have no choice.” He lifted his hand and tapped. 

The air shook and the black mask appeared. It turned and its red fiery eyes looked at Qin Yu. 

“Luo Guan.”

A calm voice came from the mask. 

Qin Yu frowned slightly and looked at Cheng Haoran who was not saying anything, “Who are you?”

“Who am I is not important…what is important is the power held in this mask. If it explodes here, it will kill you in an instant.”

Qin Yu frowned harder; he did not doubt this. When the mask spoke, deep in the fiery eyeholes, a horrifying aura was released for a second. It felt as if it came from an abyss of destruction and could kill all the creatures in the world!

“Cheng Haoran!” Qin Yu growled.

Cheng Haoran trembled as he looked at Qin Yu, “Sorry…I have no choice. I don’t want to die.”

The black mask said, “Answer me and nothing will happen. You can continue to live.”

The little blue lamp spoke in his mind, “I am sure. It is Ninth Dao Master.”

Alas it was him!

Qin Yu was apprehensive when he looked at the mask. Yet, he felt a sense of familiarity with it. Though this was not part of the plan, this change could be for the better.

Thinking quickly, Qin Yu took a deep breath, “Okay!”

The black mask smiled, “Smart.” It said immediately, “What kind of deal do you have with Seventh Dao Master? Tell me the truth; I don’t have much time and no patience. You have to remember this.”

Qin Yu was silent. 

Buzz – 

The aura from the black mask grew violent!

“I’ll speak!” Qin Yu looked sour as he said slowly, “Our deal is to use the power from White Jade Capital to help the freezing world recover. It will eventually help Seventh Dao Master to get a complete World Origin!”

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“You are lying.” The black mask spoke coldly and the flames seemed to be flowing out. 

“A whole World Origin requires the recovery of the entire world. Putting aside how you can help the freezing world recover…once it recovers, the World Will will also awaken and no one can take its World Origin or they will suffer the backlash!”

Qin Yu said in a low voice, “I am telling the truth.” He lifted his hand and showed the Ninerealm Token. 

The black mask stared at it, “This…belongs to the altar. Luo Guan, you are the master of the altar!”

Qin Yu replied, “The altar in the Bounded Void Space does not only link to this freezing world. Ninth Dao Master, do you also want a complete World Origin?”Cheng Haoran’s eyes widened. 

Ninth Dao Master!

He looked at the black mask in shock. 

“Luo Guan, you are indeed very smart. I like making deals with smart people.” The black mask spoke slowly, admitting its identity. “I am curious how you managed to gain Seventh Dao Master’s trust, given his cautious personality.”

Qin Yu said, “Very simple. I created a World Heart and gave it to Seventh Dao Master.”

“World Heart!” The mask snorted and the flames in the eyehole grew more intense. It stared at Qin Yu and then the Ninerealm Token in his hands. After a few moments, it spoke, “Now, I am slightly interested in what you have to say.”