Chapter 12: The Immortal Sect Bears the Blame

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Main Hall of Qianren Peak.

The peak masters and elders were all gathered together, including ten Golden Core True Lords, each bearing a solemn expression, with lines of worry etched deeply between their brows. No one spoke; the hall was so quiet that a pin could be heard falling. Seated high above was Qi Hong, the sect leader of Xuanyuan Sect, who furrowed his brows tightly and frequently glanced toward the entrance, as if awaiting someone.

At last, an elder clad in azure robes rushed in hurriedly from outside. It was as if the assembly suddenly awakened, all turning their heads to look at the newcomer.

Qi Hong could not help but rise quickly and approach, asking anxiously, "What news? Were you able to detect anything? Have you found the cause behind the sudden collapse of the forbidden land?"

The elder shook his head, his face heavy with gloom. "I searched the ruins over ten times using every method available, but except for the rocks, no abnormalities were detected."

"How is that possible?" Before Qi Hong could speak, an elder exclaimed in surprise. "If this were just an ordinary mountain, why would the Immortal Alliance designate it as a forbidden land for the demon clan?"

"Pah, demon clan nonsense," snapped the master of the Hundred Refinements Peak, known for his fiery temper, scoffing coldly. "This is all just an excuse concocted by the Immortal Alliance. I believe there is no forbidden land at all; it’s merely a tactic to restrain our sect."

"But there really are many places within the forbidden land engraved with demonic runes," another voiced a differing opinion.

"So what if there are?" the Hundred Refinements Peak master snapped louder. "Those runes have been carved there for over a thousand years without issue. Now that the land has collapsed and no so-called sealed demons have emerged, isn’t that enough proof that the Immortal Alliance’s claims are lies?"

Silence fell over the elders. It wasn’t just the Hundred Refinements Peak master—everyone here harbored doubts.

Several centuries ago, following a seismic event, many giant stones were unearthed from the forbidden land, each inscribed with demonic runes. Since then, the Immortal Alliance forcibly declared the area forbidden, barring anyone—even members of Xuanyuan Sect—from approaching.

The Immortal Alliance claimed the land sealed away ancient demon clans, whose emergence would bring devastation to all living beings. That’s why they guarded the forbidden land so vigilantly for so many years. Now the mountain has collapsed, yet the so-called ferocious demons remain nowhere to be seen.

The Hundred Refinements Peak master sneered even more bitterly. "Hmph, demon clans? I believe it’s just the Immortal Alliance covering up their own ungrateful schemes..."

"Master Lan, be careful with your words!" The master of the Bi Luo Peak’s face darkened as he quickly admonished him.

"Am I wrong?" Lan Yu brazenly continued, ignoring the warning. "Who doesn’t know where all the demonic artifacts and dark cultivation techniques discovered by the sects over the years end up? I refuse to believe they were truly destroyed—aren’t they just exploiting the fact that only they can decipher those writings? Otherwise, how could those people’s cultivation be so advanced..."

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"Junior Brother Lan!" Seeing his words becoming more outrageous, the sect leader had no choice but to intervene.

Only then did Lan Yu reluctantly fall silent.

Yet it was clear that everyone else thought the same way; it was only the overwhelming influence of the Immortal Alliance that kept them from speaking out.

Qi Hong rubbed his temples wearily and sighed. "Enough. Since we cannot ascertain the truth, we must report this to the Immortal Alliance. If they intend to hold us accountable, we will have no choice but to comply."

Lan Yu’s face flushed with even more anger, and he seemed ready to speak again but swallowed his words upon seeing the leader’s stern expression.

Why should this be? This was clearly Xuanyuan Sect’s territory, yet the Immortal Alliance arbitrarily set up a forbidden land here centuries ago. Now that the mountain itself has collapsed, they turn around and blame us!

Frustrating!

This was the sentiment shared by everyone in the hall, yet they were powerless to act.

After all, this was the Immortal Alliance, with Nascent Soul True Lords firmly in command, overseeing the entire world of immortal sects. That was only what was known on the surface; no one truly understood the depth of their power. Even if they were dissatisfied, no one dared to confront them openly.

"Let this matter rest here. From now on, we will leave it to the Immortal Alliance," Qi Hong said helplessly, waving his hand. Then, as if recalling something, he asked, "By the way, the demonic technique we retrieved from the evil cultivators in Yanlin City—has it been sent to the Immortal Alliance?"

"It has already been delivered," an elder on the right replied.

"Hmm." Qi Hong nodded. "For the next few days, everyone guard the ruins carefully. Do not let any disciples approach. We will wait until the Immortal Alliance sends someone to investigate."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Though anger still simmered on their faces, the assembly nodded in unison. Only the Hundred Refinements Peak master bit his lip and remained silent.

———

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Since her cultivation soared like a rocket to the Divine Transformation stage, Qiu Ci felt completely transformed. Not only had her nearsightedness disappeared, but her vision had become almost clairvoyant. Her hearing had sharpened many times over; if she wished, she could hear the faintest rustle of a caterpillar crawling anywhere within Xuanyuan Sect.

Most strikingly, a vast amount of information had suddenly flooded her mind. Before, she had not paid much attention, but now, calming herself, she realized it was knowledge of various spells, cultivation techniques, elixirs, talismans, formations, and other such matters.

Clearly, this was information transmitted directly from the mainframe into her while she was soaking in the enhancement pool. Since the mainframe could send data to the system, it naturally had a way to transmit information directly to her as well. In less than a single night, her mind had acquired a massive compressed package of cultivation knowledge.

Moreover, it was the kind that automatically installs and runs upon opening.

Indeed, this was not merely information; Qiu Ci distinctly felt that the spells and techniques in her mind could be conjured at will, as if her enhanced body had incorporated this knowledge into its muscle memory, fully assimilating it.

Qiu Ci spent five days digesting this enormous package since installation required time. Yet, perhaps due to the overwhelming influx of knowledge, she strangely recalled some memories from before awakening.

When she first awoke, she felt as though her memories were shrouded in a veil, unable to recall anything before awakening. Especially after learning that this place shared the same space-time as Blue Star but was more than twenty thousand years in the future, Qiu Ci felt as if she had traveled forward through time—after all, there was no mention of cultivation or the great world fusion in her memories.

Yet now, from the mainframe’s archives, she found some clues.

She remembered that before falling into slumber, she had undergone a minor surgery at the most prestigious hospital in the area, then fell asleep.

Coincidentally, the hospital’s records in the mainframe mentioned a cryogenic preservation project on the date of her surgery. She speculated that by some twist of fate, she had become one of its subjects.

When she awakened, she indeed crawled out of a metal box. At that time, there was an earthquake; everyone around was fleeing for their lives, so she only followed the crowd without paying close attention. Later, she was taken in by Qingniu Village.

Thus, it was very likely she had not traveled through time but was frozen underground for over twenty thousand years.

As for why she did not awaken on Blue Star but on the Linyuan Continent, it seemed related to this research institute. However, the dog system had only incomplete information and lacked specifics on this part.