Young Master Bai — Chapter 44

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Chapter 44: The Heavenly Net

The Hidden Wisdom Sect stood at the summit of Yuncheng [lit. Cloud City]. From the Descending Immortal Lake at its center, the sect extended outward in accordance with the principles of the Eight Trigrams, dividing into four halls and eight palaces. The entire mountain had been constructed as a staircase leading up to the sect gates. Ascending the eighty-one heavenly steps, one would find themselves amid swirling clouds and mist, looking upon the ancient plaque inscribed with the bold characters “Hidden Wisdom Righteous Sect,” hanging above the eight white jade gates.

This great formation had been created by the first headmaster, Da Yuren, who spent his lifetime of cultivation to construct it. It was said to conceal the most powerful force of the human race — if another calamity ever threatened to annihilate them, it would once again save mankind. But after all, this was a formation from a thousand years ago. Back then, even a single Tribulation Transcending cultivator was already considered an extraordinary powerhouse. How could that compare to today’s age, where Wandering Immortals could be found everywhere? Thus, most cultivators regarded it simply as another ancient glory of the Hidden Wisdom Sect.

Even after a millennium, the artistry of this cloud-top celestial palace built into the mountain remained impossible to replicate. Bai Chen was pondering what kind of array could keep the sect’s four halls and eight palaces suspended in midair for a thousand years without collapse, when a Hidden Wisdom Sect disciple hurried over to Bu Tiange.

“Headmaster, the envoy from the Unknown Truth Sect awaits in the Qiantian Palace.”

Everyone already knew why the Unknown Truth Sect had come. Bu Tiange detested such disputes, and responded coldly, “I already said, if it concerns the Divine Wordless Book, tell them to go negotiate with the court themselves.”

But this envoy was not so easily dismissed. The disciple looked hesitant, then added, “Sect Master Feng himself has come.”

This surprised Bu Tiange. “Is the Divine Wordless Book truly that important? For it to draw him out of Busi?”

Feng Shiqi, headmaster of the Unknown Truth Sect, was also the leader of the Heaven’s Way Alliance — a terrifying man who had single-handedly reshaped the entire cultivation world and ushered humanity into a new era. It was said that a century ago he had obtained a fragment of a Heavenly Star and had since secluded himself in Busi, researching ancient mysteries. In all these years, even if he traveled, he never strayed farther than Chang’an. Yet this time, he had personally come to demand the Divine Wordless Book.

Regardless, Feng Shiqi had once been sworn brother with a former Hidden Wisdom Sect headmaster. Both in sentiment and in duty, Bu Tiange could not simply ignore him. He ordered the disciple to lead the way, then said to Bai Chen in an indifferent tone, “I will go see what scheme he intends. You may wander around for now — we can discuss matters with the Unknown Truth Sect later.”

Had it been just an ordinary envoy, the Hidden Wisdom Sect could have casually received them. But Feng Shiqi, as the leader of the Heaven’s Way Alliance, could not be treated with such neglect.

Bai Chen understood his difficulty and did not press. Instead, he said gently, “We are strangers here. Headmaster Bu, would you mind assigning a disciple to guide us?”

“He Yu, accompany them.”

This was a request Bu Tiange could not refuse. He entrusted the task to He Yu, who had crossed paths with Bai Chen before. Having been saved by Bai Chen in Elderly Village, He Yu was especially cordial toward them. Receiving his orders, he asked, “Headmaster, where shall I arrange lodging for our guests?”

“The Hidden Wisdom Sect is not so poor as to begrudge two guest rooms. Wherever there is space, let them reside.”

The four halls were reserved for the headmaster’s disciples and the Grand Elders, so outsiders could not stay there. The eight palaces each had their own functions and were spread far apart. Since Bu Tiange had said “anywhere,” He Yu led the yao delegation toward the Lihuo Palace, where the Unknown Truth Sect had temporarily settled. One side took the eastern wing, the other the western wing, making it convenient to hold discussions.

In earlier years, incidents had forced the sect to restrict flight within the mountain. Now, a ban on flying was enforced by formations, and disciples traveled between palaces by means of enchanted flying stones, activated with personal jade tokens. These stones, when resting before a broken bridge, resembled ordinary viewing platforms. Insert the jade token into the mechanism, and the stone would glide along a fixed path between palaces — convenient for newer disciples who had yet to master sword flight.

“Travel between palaces is possible only by these stones. If you wish to go out, come to the library to call me,” He Yu said after showing them their quarters. Leaving this reminder, he departed to report back to the headmaster.

Feng Shiqi was in talks with the headmaster, and only a few low-level disciples guarded the eastern wing. Bai Chen glanced out the window toward them, then quietly closed it. Turning back to survey the elegant furnishings of the room, he sighed softly. “After hearing the Hidden Wisdom Sect’s renown for so many years, this is the first time I have set foot within.”

Inside, mist drifted gently, the calls of cranes and rustling pines the only sounds. At first glance, it was like a celestial paradise. Yet Bai Chen’s feelings were complicated here. Li Wuming, knowing he was recalling the past, comforted him:

“Don’t worry. Bu Tiange will investigate this Lu Wen thoroughly.”

Chenzui was already resting in the adjacent room. It was a good opportunity to discuss the matter of the yao core. Seeing Bai Chen’s doubtful expression, Li Wuming added, “You said Lu Wen saved you after you were born, but you were born on the night of the Chang’an massacre. At that time, his master Yao Jianke was still only a youth. By human lifespans, if Lu Wen had no cultivation, he couldn’t possibly still be a youth a hundred years later. But if he did have cultivation, why would he bother joining Yao Jianke’s sect afterward? As long as Bu Tiange thinks carefully, he’ll realize something is very wrong with this man.”

“That’s right. If he could take away my yao core, infiltrate the Hidden Wisdom Sect, and deliberately draw close to Yao Jianke’s daughter, his motives were surely not simple.”

Bai Chen disliked dwelling on matters related to this person. But hearing Li Wuming’s reasoning, he sensed something indeed suspicious. “If that’s the case, what is it in the Hidden Wisdom Sect that he is after…?”

When it came to a rival, Li Wuming spared no mercy in tearing down his image. As he boiled water for tea, he said with a smile, “The spiritual veins of Yuncheng have never withered in a thousand years. The Hidden Wisdom Sect is also a blessed place where multiple immortals have ascended. There are plenty of things here worth coveting.”

This made Bai Chen realize what he meant. “Yes, it’s because so many have ascended here — that’s why there must be things in this place that don’t belong to the mortal realm.”

The little fox only needed a small hint to see things clearly. Li Wuming, pleased, poured tea for him and said with a soft laugh:

“Speaking of which, the Divine Wordless Book is considered the only known immortal artifact in the mortal world. No wonder the Unknown Truth Sect values it so highly, to the point that even Feng Shiqi came in person to demand it.”

The Unknown Truth Sect’s greatest passion was exploring the unknown. And what mystery could be greater than Heaven itself?

Bai Chen caught the implication, sipped his tea, and cast a sharp look at the man pretending to be oblivious. “The only one? Do you actually believe that?”

Li Wuming always revealed only a fraction of his knowledge before his Dao companion — otherwise, the little fox would feel outmatched and scratch at him. So he feigned ignorance. “Are you suggesting there are others?”

“The Dao Ancestor perished at Descending Immortal Lake, and the immortal maiden of the Hidden Wisdom Sect returned to her sect until she died of old age. Both of them were True Immortals. Are you saying they didn’t have a single immortal artifact on them?”

This supposed Sword Immortal’s heir saw everything clearly, yet still pretended to be clueless. Bai Chen glared at him, then gazed at the admonitory calligraphy hanging in the room, his expression turning deep. “For a thousand years, the headmasters of the Hidden Wisdom Sect have all died in the same way — sacrificing themselves for the Dao. Aside from that, not even Heavenly Tribulation could claim their lives. Such a thing cannot be explained away by mere zeal.”

Li Wuming chuckled. With no fox ears to toy with, he idly twined Bai Chen’s hair around his finger, secretly tying a knot before speaking. “Which is why you were right not to provoke the Hidden Wisdom Sect. Humans believe in not flaunting wealth — only a fool would constantly parade his trump cards before the world.”

And weren’t the yao, who boasted about the Nine-tailed White Fox every day, the greatest fools of all?

Bai Chen shot him an exasperated look. Seeing this, his Dao companion quickly smiled in apology and untangled his hair before Bai Chen continued, “Speaking of the Immortal Realm, I’ve always had a question. The primordial yao beasts ruled the world for tens of thousands of years. Surely some must have ascended. Why has not a single one come back to aid the yao?”

This doubt had weighed on Bai Chen’s heart for years. He had little hope that Li Wuming, a human, could answer it. Yet, unexpectedly, his Dao companion replied: “Between Heaven and Earth lies the Heavenly Net, woven by the Golden Crow. It can only be torn apart in times of existential crisis. Even immortals, if they tried to force their way through, would meet only death and the annihilation of their souls.

Of course, if they were like the Dao Ancestor and the immortal maiden of the Hidden Wisdom Sect, willing to sacrifice even their lives to preserve humanity’s prosperity, then the Heavenly Net could not hold them back.”

How could a mere mortal know so much of the Immortal Realm? Bai Chen looked at him suspiciously, his fox ears unconsciously emerging and twitching. Li Wuming, seeing this, knew doubt had taken root. He pressed down on the ears to stop them from moving.

With his ears subdued, Bai Chen felt as if his thoughts had tangled. He gave up thinking for the moment, sighing helplessly.

“In truth, I’ve considered it before. In the end, the yao of today are separated from the primordial yao beasts by countless generations. Those in Heaven have their own direct descendants — naturally, they would not risk everything for distant kin they have never met.”

Through experience, Li Wuming already knew the little fox’s weaknesses by heart — grasp the tail and he’d lie down obediently; pin the ears and he’d stop thinking. Having successfully diverted the topic, he laughed, “Mm, and losing in the contest of ancestry is quite the disgrace.”

To the proud Nine-tailed White Fox, this was the greatest of insults. Bai Chen looked coldly at his ever-mischievous Dao companion, claws glinting. “Bring your face here. I promise I won’t draw blood with this swipe.”

Seeing his fox raise claws, Li Wuming dropped the playfulness, hurriedly offering another cup of tea. “I’m your only weapon now — you’d best take good care of me.”

It was nearly impossible to wring the truth out of this so-called Sword Immortal’s heir. Bai Chen still remembered the sight of his strike — how, though his right hand bore no scars, he immediately bound each finger tightly afterward. If there was nothing suspicious about that, Bai Chen would never believe it.

But whenever this topic arose, Li Wuming would always change the subject. Bai Chen, unwilling to listen to further evasions, lowered his eyes to the man’s bandaged fingers and asked thoughtfully, “Do none of the immortals who descended ever survive?”

The question made Li Wuming’s movements pause. After a moment, he answered casually, “At least not humans.”

There was something suggestive in that reply. Bai Chen raised his brows. “Not humans?”

Even Li Wuming, with his vast knowledge, could not be certain. He could only speculate. “The Heavenly Net was woven by immortal beasts in ancient times. Perhaps they left a back door for their own descendants — it’s not impossible.”

It was indeed a plausible explanation. Bai Chen looked at this man, shrouded in mystery, again and again. After much hesitation, he still could not bring himself to voice the question he most feared — And you? You, whose single strike so terrified Mountain God Luo — are you truly just an ordinary human general?

~ Chapter End ~

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