Chapter 183: The Strongest Specter

Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

Lu Yang honestly explained the reasons and consequences of the incident and had Everlasting Fairy come out as a witness to convince Yun Zhi that Lu Yang was merely conducting an experiment.

The thunder dissipated, and the moderate rain abruptly ceased; moonlight pierced through the dark clouds, and Dao Seeking Sect was clear once again.

The disciples of Dao Seeking Sect were unclear about what had happened; the rain had not lasted long before it stopped.

At Dao Seeking Sect, rain usually meant that the elders were casting spells, mixing spiritual power with the rainwater as it fell, irrigating Dao Seeking Sect and increasing the concentration of spiritual energy in the sect.

“I told you so, tonight to tomorrow daytime, from cloudy to clear, look how accurate I am,” Everlasting Fairy boasted about her ability to predict the weather.

“…” Lu Yang did not want to talk.

Lu Yang noticed several familiar figures following behind Eldest Senior Sister, unmistakably the vice-head Liu and other seven high-ranking officials of the Undying Sect.

The seven of them looked utterly lost, their eyes filled with a subtle terror when they looked at Eldest Senior Sister.

“Eh, they are all in soul form,” Everlasting Fairy remarked, somewhat surprised.

“Eldest Senior Sister, what are you doing…?” Lu Yang was very puzzled.

Yun Zhi explained lightly, “I see that they have a knack for skewers, quite popular among junior brothers and sisters. Instead of confining them at the prison peak, why not let them return to the barbecue restaurant to utilize their special skills?”

“I have refined them into specters.”

Naturally, the money earned by vice-head Liu and others had to be handed over to Eldest Senior Sister without any discrepancy.

The prison peak was suppressing a decent amount of ancient Unity Stage souls, temporarily not lacking raw materials for crafting Spiritual Treasures.

Lu Yang was dumbfounded, this setup felt eerily familiar.

And specters of the Unity Stage, wasn’t this already the limit of what specters could achieve?

Refining them into specters also meant there was no fear of the seven rebelling or causing trouble within the Dao Seeking Sect. If they harbored intentions of harming others, they would die on the spot.

Eldest Senior Sister led vice-head Liu and the others back to the “Come Again” barbecue restaurant, letting them peacefully run the place.

Vice-head Liu and the others quickly nodded, declaring they would definitely promote the spirit of barbecuing, never skimping on work or maliciously overcharging, guaranteeing to serve every customer with the most professional and considerate attitude.

Only then did Eldest Senior Sister leave satisfied, asking Lu Yang to follow her back to Heaven’s Gate Peak.

The “Come Again” barbecue restaurant opened successfully, and many merchants came forward to congratulate on the new opening.

Initially, vice-head Liu and the others were quite disdainful. Even though they were now in soul form and had become specters, they were still Unity Stage powerhouses, figures who commanded respect in the outside world, and they were reluctant to interact with these merchants, feeling it lowered their status.

However, they quickly dismissed that notion. They scanned the area with their spiritual sense and broke into a cold sweat. Even a casual scan revealed several cultivators whose levels they could not discern.

For instance, the beautiful owner of Hundred Fragrances House, and the teahouse owner, etc.

This indicated that the other party’s cultivation was also at the Unity Stage!

It was one thing for cultivators of great power to hide among the populace, but to do the same within the Dao Seeking Sect?

Vice-head Liu also discovered many Void Refinement Stage cultivators. The cultivation fluctuations of those at the Void Refinement Stage were extremely high; at their peak, they could even display Unity Stage combat power. Without them taking action, it was impossible to determine whether their current strength was high or low, making them very intimidating.

“The depth of Dao Seeking Sect is frightening indeed…” they secretly communicated amongst themselves.

If that was the case, how many Unity Stage cultivators did Dao Seeking Sect possess?

“Just afraid that it’s not only Dao Seeking Sect like this, the Five Great Immortal Sects are closely matched; the other four major immortal gates are probably only stronger, not weaker than Dao Seeking Sect.”

Even when communicating through spiritual sense, Vice-head Gao lowered his voice, as if afraid of being overheard.

“This is just a corner of Dao Seeking Sect.”

They finally realized how vast the gap was between the four great demonic sects and the Five Great Immortal Sects; it was not even close. No wonder they would hide or flee upon encountering someone from the Five Great Immortal Sects.

If they did not hide or flee, they would end up like they are now, either turned into specters or refined into top-level Spiritual Treasures.

Vice-head Liu and others felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

“Why does this method seem so familiar to us?”

…

Returning to Heaven’s Gate Peak, Yun Zhi left her body in the cave dwelling, and her spirit ventured out.

“Eldest Senior Sister you…”

Before Lu Yang could finish, he saw Eldest Senior Sister’s spirit fly directly into his own spiritual space, startling both Everlasting Fairy and Lu Yang.

“You, you, you scared me!” Originally, Everlasting Fairy was lazily sitting in a soft chair, legs crossed, looking drowsy and thoroughly enjoying herself.

Eldest Senior Sister’s sudden appearance startled her into standing up with a jump.

Eldest Senior Sister ignored Everlasting Fairy’s reaction and spoke to Lu Yang, “I now know the location of the Undying Sect headquarters, but if I rashly go there, it might end up like last time, with them fleeing before I arrive.”

“This time I will hide in your spiritual space. You do as I say, and you can enter the Undying Sect headquarters to ensure we capture everyone without missing anyone.”

Lu Yang felt he might as well play cards in the spiritual space.

He understood Eldest Senior Sister’s concern; this was indeed a good plan.

“How should I do it?”

“First, find Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone.”

…

Undying Sect headquarters, in the leader’s secret chamber.

Two rows of bookshelves stood on either side, filled with various precious pills, secret methods, and techniques.

Most pill bottles were empty; the pills had been consumed by the Undying Sect leader for healing.

At the end of the bookshelves stood a life-sized statue of Everlasting Celestial, indistinguishable as male or female.

In the darkness, the Undying Sect leader slowly opened his eyes, coming out of seclusion.

He moved his limbs, feeling the still murky spiritual power circulating within, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

During the test of entry, the sudden appearance of Dao Seeking Sect’s Yun Zhi dealt him a blow that he had yet to recover from.

“Looks like I might really need a hundred years of quiet cultivation?” The Undying Sect leader was worried about the future.

If it took a hundred years to fully recover his strength, who would lead the Undying Sect in the meantime?

Among the three vice leaders of the Undying Sect, vice leaders Liu and Gao coveted his position, only vice leader Jin, who had organized the entry test, had so far shown no desire for his role.

The leader’s gaze moved to the statue of Everlasting Celestial, his eyes filled with hope, as he faintly felt Everlasting Celestial stirring.

He lit three incense sticks, placing them in the censer, knelt down on his knees, hands pressed together, and bowed three times to the celestial statue.

“Great Everlasting Celestial, please save your devout followers, save this world!”

“Who is calling upon this celestial?” A kind yet aged voice echoed in the secret chamber.

The leader looked up, his eyes filled with fanaticism and joy, his body trembling slightly, fingers quivering uncontrollably from the excitement.

The statue before him emitted a strange red light from its eyes, and the rising incense smoke enveloped the statue, forming a cloud.

The smoke morphed, gradually changing into a kindly-looking old man.

(End of the chapter)