Chapter 45: The Second Map Fragnt!
As the Moon-Devouring Emperor had said, humans appeared harmonious on the surface but were rife with malice and conflict beneath.
Differences in philosophies had splintered cultivators into factions: the Immortal Sects, Buddhist Orders, and Demonic Clans. These divisions fostered centuries of animosity, with disputes escalating into relentless warfare.
The old abbot nodded slowly, his expression troubled. “I’ve considered it as well. Tonight’s events may not have been accidents but the result of deliberate planning.”
Xiao Yu’s voice turned sharp. “That possibility has crossed my mind too. The timing is too coincidental to dismiss the likelihood of foul play. Have you offended anyone recently or crossed paths with soone whose interests clash with yours?”
The abbot sighed heavily. “We at Iron Pillar Temple have always maintained neutrality and refrained from becoming entangled in the feuds of the larger sects. However, so ti ago, Lei Yan, the master of Qingyu Hall, visited the temple. He proposed an alliance, but I declined his offer politely.”
[Lei Yan (雷严): A typical antagonist figure, his na reflects “thunder” (雷) and “severity” (严), hinting at his temperant and thods.]
“Qingyu Hall?” Xiao Yu’s expression darkened.
Qingyu Hall was a sect that had risen to prominence within a matter of decades, its growth both astonishing and mysterious. It straddled the line between orthodoxy and heresy. Yan himself was infamous for his ruthlessness and ambition, a man who wielded power with cunning and brutality. He never hesitated to resort to underhanded tactics to achieve his goals.
The abbot noticed Xiao Yu’s reaction and hesitated. “You seem concerned. Is there sothing about him I should know?”
Xiao Yu’s voice grew grim. “When you rejected his proposal, did he leave imdiately? What was his deanour at the ti?”
The abbot furrowed his brows, recalling the encounter. “Now that I think about it, he didn’t leave right away. He claid he needed to relieve himself and wandered off toward the back mountain. I thought nothing of it at the ti, being eager to see him off. But when he left, his expression was sour, as if deeply displeased.”
Xiao Yu’s suspicions deepened. “The timing aligns too well. It’s highly likely he had sothing to do with tonight’s events. However, without concrete evidence, it’s impossible to say for certain.”
The abbot fell silent with worry. Xiao Yu continued, “The Yin-Yang Sword Cave is a heavily guarded forbidden zone, watched day and night. How could a fire ignite there so easily?”
The abbot paled. “Are you suggesting the fire was intentional?”
“If the fire wasn’t natural, then it was ant to sever the temple’s lineage by destroying the accumulated wisdom of the past masters,” Xiao Yu stated coldly. “Releasing the Moon-Devouring Emperor on a full moon night was clearly calculated to deal a death blow to Iron Pillar Temple. Whoever is behind this is both cunning and ruthless.”
The abbot’s fists trembled with rage. “I’ve lived a life of honesty and fairness. Though I can’t claim to be entirely selfless, I’ve done no wrong to warrant such cruelty. Who would harbour such hatred as to plot our utter destruction?”
Xiao Yu’s voice softened slightly. “The Moon-Devouring Emperor is dead now, and the Curse Water Formation has fulfilled its original purpose. Rather than leaving it dormant, why not adopt it to defend the temple?”
The abbot’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “You’re absolutely right! The formation’s power could still serve us well. Thank you for the reminder.”
Relieved to have a solution, the abbot visibly relaxed. Turning to Xiao Yu, he added with sincerity, “You’ve done so much for us, Immortal. Words cannot express our gratitude. I do have sothing you might find valuable…”
Reaching into his storage pouch, the abbot retrieved a weathered fragnt of sheepskin. “This was discovered by the previous abbot many years ago. It’s impervious to fire and water, and we’ve kept it as a treasured relic. Please, take it as a token of our thanks.”
Xiao Yu’s eyes brightened as he examined the fragnt. Its texture, craftsmanship, and unique markings were identical to the piece he had retrieved from Nian Laoda, though the patterns on its surface differed.
“Thank you, Abbot. I will accept this graciously,” Xiao Yu said, taking the fragnt with care. Though its purpose remained a mystery, his instincts told him it was tied to a treasure of unimaginable magnitude—sothing even the legendary Ziyin Master would covet.
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