Chapter 49 Part 2

Wei Mingyi couldn’t suppress her grin. With feigned modesty, she said, “Just myself, unworthy and humble.” Before Lang Fengya could answer, she added, “It’s all thanks to my Shizun’s excellent teaching.”

Though mentally prepared, Lang Fengya’s eyes widened the moment her suspicion was confirmed. She stared at Wei Mingyi in shock, momentarily speechless. After all, during the debate, no external items could be brought inside. It all depended on a Daoist’s own skills. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators at the 3rd Layer were present, and they moved as a family unit—breaking out alone was harder than scaling the heavens.

Seeing Lang Fengya too astonished to speak, Wei Mingyi added, “Mainly, those people’s thoughts have been rotted by old habits.” Coupled with her Cheat Item’s function of “seeking benefit and avoiding harm,” which she’d figured out, she had a chance; winning the championship wasn’t impossible. If she’d had to fight them one-on-one, even the Cheat would have been useless.

“In any case, Fellow Daoist is truly brilliant.” Lang Fengya collected herself and said earnestly. Her gaze lingered on Wei Mingyi’s face. A moment of silence, then she gloated, “The title of Champion has always gone to the aristocratic clans. How do you think those people are reacting? How furious are they? This feat boosts the prestige of the master-disciple lineage—how are the Three Sects responding?” Rogue cultivators hadn’t joined the clans or the sects, but many had master-disciple inheritances and generally leaned toward that lineage.

Wei Mingyi thought for a moment, then answered truthfully, “They’re very angry.” Yes, she’d struck at the clans, but she had thoroughly offended the Three Sects as well. Mentioning them, she asked, “What’s been happening in the Wild Domain recently?”

Lang Fengya was the first to receive land from Chongyuan Sect. When Yangchun Terrace was silent, people wanting to gather news had all sought her out at Fire Element Dwelling. At Wei Mingyi’s question, she immediately replied, “The He Clan has established itself in Imaginary Village. Many clan members have moved in. However, the He Clan is acting on orders from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, so that place isn’t just for one family. It’s mixed with Daoists from many aristocratic clans. He Yaoluo has come looking for me several times—seems to be her own idea.”

Wei Mingyi gave a lazy response, then asked, “Have any cultivators from the Three Sects shown their faces?”

“Yes.” Lang Fengya nodded. “The first to appear were Daoists from Heavenly Origin Sect. Seeing the aristocratic clans have a foothold in the Wild Domain, they want a base camp, too. Before long, the Three Sects will probably send people here.” News spread quickly; in the Wild Domain, many eyes were fixed on Yangchun Terrace.

Lang Fengya asked, “What do you plan to do, Fellow Daoist? Will you make a deal with the Three Sects?”

Without batting an eye, Wei Mingyi said, “Fighting wicked wraiths is everyone’s duty, isn’t it? In the face of the Evil Tide, who cares about aristocratic clan or master-disciple lineage? In the end, we all stand on the same side.” Of course, she could say that, but the Three Sects couldn’t use it as a noble cause to pressure her.

Lang Fengya nodded, didn’t press further, and after mentioning a few more matters of the Wild Domain, she took her leave.

Wei Mingyi lowered her eyes, mused for a moment, then turned to the silent, weary Wu Chongyun. “Shizun, do you have any thoughts?”

Wu Chongyun hadn’t spoken the entire time, only standing quietly, listening to the two talk freely. Now, seeing Wei Mingyi finally notice her, she gave a soft scoff. “Why not ask your Fellow Daoist Lang?”

“How could that be the same?” Wei Mingyi stared at Wu Chongyun and quickly said, “Fellow Daoist Lang’s knowledge is limited. For deeper insight, of course I must wait for Shizun to teach me.”

Wu Chongyun said lazily, “Then wait.”

The aristocratic clans valued profit. Seeing that Chongyuan Sect could be befriended, they’d want to pull it to their side—best to jointly monopolize the land in the Wild Domain. If the Three Sects wanted land, the clans would surely come to block it.

Wait? Wait for what?

But since Shizun had said so, Wei Mingyi could only wait patiently.

The Three Sects’ Daoists arrived extremely quickly. They didn’t even wait until the next day—rushing over the moment they received word.

The cultivator of Yangchun Terrace was elusive; no one knew when the next chance would be.

Wei Mingyi had originally wanted to bring Wu Chongyun when facing the Three Sects’ people, but Wu Chongyun didn’t want to think about such vexing matters, simply saying she was “tired.” Wei Mingyi immediately dropped the idea and let Wu Chongyun rest well in the house.

There were three of them, all at the Golden Core cultivation level.

At first glimpse that the person meeting them was only at Foundation Establishment, one of the blue-robed Daoists showed some displeasure on her face.

Before they could even introduce themselves, Wei Mingyi, relying on stereotypes, had already labeled the blue-robed one as “of the Pure Clean Sect.”

“Who might you all be?” Wei Mingyi asked, though she already knew. According to the Nine Provinces’ customs, a junior meeting a senior must salute. But Wei Mingyi didn’t care to observe such hollow courtesies. She didn’t introduce herself either, just asking flat out.

“Where is your elder?” The blue-robed Daoist frowned deeply, her tone impatient.

Wei Mingyi clicked her tongue and mimicked the blue-robed Daoist’s tone. “Where is yours?”

“You—” Seeing Wei Mingyi grow even more insolent, the blue-robed Daoist’s rage flickered inside.

In truth, the Daoists stationed at the Lifeless Land, apart from those of Heavenly Origin Sect, hadn’t intended to contact Chongyuan Sect. But not long after, word about Imaginary Village reached their sects. The sects’ authorities conveyed a Perfected One’s decree: they must make contact with Chongyuan Sect. Jade Emperor Sect and Pure Clean Sect had no choice but to join with the Heavenly Origin Sect Daoists.

But who could have guessed Chongyuan Sect’s cultivator would never show herself? The Three Sects had been seeking her for ages, and Liu Yuqi’s resentment ran deepest. By the rules, a different Fellow Daoist should have rotated to guard the Lifeless Land by now, and she could return to the Pure Clean Sect. But precisely because this matter remained unresolved, the rotation had been delayed. On top of that, the recent Paragon Debate had brought a terrible piece of news: her favorite disciple, Yan Luo, had been killed. Her pent-up frustration was even harder to quell.

“Fellow Daoist Liu!” A Daoist beside her, seeing her anger flaring, spoke in a low voice to stop her from saying something she shouldn’t. She had a kindly brow and gentle demeanor. “I am Ren Piaoping of Jade Emperor Sect.” She gestured to the blue-robed Daoist and added, “This is Liu Yuqi of Pure Clean Sect.”

As for the remaining sharp-eyed Daoist, she didn’t wait for an introduction and spoke herself: “Zhang Tianxin of Heavenly Origin Sect.”

Wei Mingyi raised an eyebrow; she’d never heard of any of them. Polished and polite, she said, “Ah, the Three Sects’ Seniors. I’ve long heard your great names.” Then she shifted her tone and said with a smile, “My surname is Wei, Daoist name Wuwang.”

The Three Sects’ Daoists already knew Chongyuan Sect had a Daoist Wuwang. But the moment “Wei Wuwang” linked together reached their ears, it was like a thunderclap! They already knew the result of the Paragon Debate—the Champion had vanished without a trace. The Three Sects had guessed she might be the Daoist Wuwang of Yangchun Terrace, but it was only a guess, unconfirmed. Last year, word from the He family said Daoist Wuwang was only at Meridian Opening. It was very possible she had entered Foundation Establishment before the debate, but breaking through and then seizing the championship—that was beyond belief.

The Three Sects’ Daoists instinctively focused their gazes on Wei Mingyi and realized she was now at the Foundation Establishment 2nd Layer. Though her appearance differed again from the portrait that had been circulated, her realm matched.

Coming back to their senses, the Three Sects’ Daoists looked grave, their emotions tangled. Yangchun Terrace, Chongyuan Sect… A cultivator from this mysterious Daoist lineage had seized the championship at the Paragon Debate—better than some tiny rural sect. But thinking that, also a master-disciple sect lineage, Chongyuan Sect had no prior ties or friendship with the Three Sects, and had even dealt with the aristocratic clans first—their hearts sank like a heavy stone.

Tacitly, they avoided mentioning the debate. Instead, Ren Piaoping of Jade Emperor Sect spoke: “Fellow Daoist Wei, we wish to visit the Perfected One of Chongyuan Sect to discuss land purchase in detail.” She paused briefly on the last four words.

“Our sect’s Perfected One has urgent matters and cannot be disturbed,” Wei Mingyi made up without blinking. Seeing disappointment on Ren Piaoping’s face, she added, “The matter of buying land has been entrusted entirely to me.”

Ren Piaoping looked surprised and asked, “When might your elder have time to spare?” It wasn’t that she looked down on Wei Mingyi’s cultivation level—only that she seemed too young.

Liu Yuqi of the Pure Clean Sect’s eyes flickered. She stepped past Ren Piaoping to the front and said, “If Fellow Daoist can take full responsibility, that’s even better.”

Zhang Tianxin of Heavenly Origin Sect said nothing, merely frowning. She instantly understood Liu Yuqi’s mindset.

She thought she could push around someone young.

Compared to Daoists two hundred years old, Wei Mingyi was indeed young, but she wasn’t blind to people’s hearts. This Pure Clean Sect Daoist’s self-cultivation was lacking; disdain was written plainly on her face. Not wanting to waste time, Wei Mingyi said directly, “We do have spare land. It has a spirit vein and can resist wicked wraith invasions. May I ask how much you are willing to offer?”

Liu Yuqi said, “Just a base camp. A million at most—settled in Pill Jade?”

Wei Mingyi scoffed and gave Liu Yuqi no face at all. “Perfected One, do you think this is some hilltop in the Pure Domain you’re buying?”

Stung by the blunt counter, Liu Yuqi’s expression soured. She frowned and said, “With the Lifeless Land in place, it can block the Evil Tide. We don’t absolutely need a base in the Wild Domain. It’s just that with the wicked wraiths surging like a tide, we of our own will shoulder this great burden, striving to make all Nine Provinces a Pure Land. Yet Chongyuan Sect clearly has the ability to turn the Wild Domain into Pure Land, and you talk only of profit. If word spreads, the world’s Daoists will scorn you.”

Wei Mingyi knew it would come to this. Amused, she asked, “If you don’t absolutely need it, why come here? The Perfected One has noble righteousness—then distribute scriptures like the Scripture of Salvation and Ink of World Purification to all like-minded people in the world. What are you saying to me? Does the Perfected One plan to inch by inch lick the barren soil with her own tongue and turn it into a Pure Domain?”

“As for the great responsibility—” Wei Mingyi’s eyes flickered, and she put on a sincere expression. “How about this: if you Perfected Ones hand over the authority of the Three Sects to me, then I’ll reluctantly take up the banner and strive for a Pure Land across the world.”

Who didn’t have a tongue? Did she think only Liu Yuqi could talk?

Liu Yuqi: “…”

Ren Piaoping’s lips were tightly pursed, her expression not looking good either. It wasn’t only the Pure Clean Sect being mocked.

Zhang Tianxin of Heavenly Origin Sect laughed and asked, “What price does Fellow Daoist have in mind?”

Wei Mingyi narrowed her eyes. “The He Clan offered something of heaven-tier. The Three Sects’ standing is above the He Clan—surely you won’t give less than them?”

Liu Yuqi’s face grew even uglier. Heaven-tier items weren’t cabbages! Her voice sharpened: “And what about Fire Element Dwelling? Those rogue cultivators could never afford it.”

Wei Mingyi remained utterly poised. She wished she could whisk a duster, but her hands were empty. Composed, she said, “First launch half price. Doesn’t the Perfected One even understand that?”