Chapter Sixty-One: Dark Imprisonment

Ever since Quanyou uttered that word, the disciples of the Moon Shadow Sect seemed to regard me with a newfound reverence. Even Hua Ying greeted me with utmost respect and no longer tried to engage me in idle chatter.

One day, unable to bear the strange atmosphere any longer, I cornered her in the back of the house and demanded, "What's going on? Why is everyone acting so strangely around me?"

She pouted reluctantly, muttering, "Oh, stop pulling me around. It's not like I can hide from you anyway."

"Well, you're the know-it-all in the Moon Shadow Sect. I've been bored to death these past few days with no one to talk to," I coaxed her, pulling out the snow lotus I had obtained earlier and handing it to her.

Her eyes lit up instantly, cradling the snow lotus like a treasure, examining it from all angles before looking at me with half-belief. "Why are you willing to give me such a precious treasure? This snow lotus is an essential ingredient for refining elixirs. Just to ask me this little thing?"

Indeed, I initially sought the snow lotus to use its spiritual energy to revive the Grand Immortal. However, seeing that it had no significant use beyond boosting spiritual power, I thought it better to exchange it for a favor.

I continued to flatter her, "All I ask is for the wise Hua Ying to speak a few words. What's this small plant compared to that?"

"Hmph, you're such a fool. This snow lotus has many uses," she muttered, carefully tucking the snow lotus into her sleeve. Then, clearing her throat and with a smug look, she asked, "You want to know why everyone's attitude towards you has changed, right?"

"Yes."

"Because, thousands of years ago, during the Great War between the gods and demons, both sides suffered heavy casualties. Most of the high-ranking gods and demons perished from their injuries, leaving a few to fall to the mortal realm. They couldn't return to the heavens or the demon realm, and as their divinity and demonic nature faded, their souls and bodies eventually dissolved into nothingness."

"I know that much. Then what?"

"There are no more gods or demons in this world. The Master wants to cultivate you into a god. Don't you understand the deeper meaning of his words?"

"You mean… he wants to use me to control all beings and the very fabric of this world?" As soon as I said this, Hua Ying, shocked, quickly covered my mouth.

"Shh! Are you crazy? Keep that to yourself. Why say it out loud? Aren't you afraid those keen-eared creatures will hear?" She looked around cautiously, finally breathing a sigh of relief when she confirmed no one was nearby.

Hua Ying's hand had a strange scent that made me uncomfortable. I pushed her hand away and spat a few times on the ground, saying, "You're so timid. Who could possibly be here?"

She corrected me with hands on her hips, "Demons. Do you think the disciples of the Moon Shadow Sect are all the same kind of demon? Some can hear sounds from miles away."

"Alright, alright. I have a few more questions." I conjured an ice lotus, plucking three petals and tossing them into the air, creating a crescent-shaped barrier around us. "Is this secure enough?"

"Not bad. Go ahead, ask your questions."

"Do you know of a bird that resembles a phoenix but has entirely blue feathers?"

She rolled her eyes and then nodded upwards. "Blue feathers, like a phoenix? You're talking about the Qingluan. It's a type of phoenix."

I was puzzled. "Qingluan? But why haven't I read about it in any books?"

"Because it's been extinct for ages. Even someone like the Master, who's lived for over a thousand years, only managed to get a single Qingluan feather. Such ancient divine creatures likely perished alongside the gods during the Great War." When she mentioned the Qingluan feather, her eyes gleamed with longing, and her hands clenched tightly. "You have no idea how beautiful a Qingluan feather is!"

This explanation seemed peculiar. I wasn't sure if Quanyou had said it himself or if Hua Ying was deliberately withholding information. The feathers of a phoenix and the reverse scales of a dragon are forbidden to touch, as doing so means instant death. Unless Quanyou had seen a Qingluan in person, there's no way he could have simply obtained such a feather.

It appeared that either Quanyou had injured the Qingluan or he had promised it something significant to willingly receive the feather.

"Just a feather, and you're so thrilled," I scoffed.

"Go ahead and scoff. When you actually become a god, make sure to help me ask the Master for a piece of it. Even a tiny bit would be enough," she said eagerly.

I nodded stiffly.

"Hua Ying, do you know how many others like you have been personally trained by the Master?"

"Well, there were at least two hundred over the years, but since each training period lasts for several centuries, there are only about five left now, including me, which makes four."

I hadn't expected Quanyou to be even more skilled than Hongyi. Perhaps this is the advantage of living for so many years. His method of nurturing talents is like raising Gu insects, surpassing Hongyi's methods in both subtlety and efficacy.

"Is there anything else you want to ask? If not, I'm leaving."

No, if I let her go now, it'll be hard to get any more information out of her later.

An idea flashed in my mind, and I quickly called out to her, "Wait! The Master hasn't assigned me any tasks recently, and I'm getting bored in the sect. How about I help you with your tasks?"

"Didn't expect someone to ask for trouble. Fine, take this." She tossed me a somewhat rusty key, warning, "In a few hours, go and fetch some food. There's a hidden door behind the waterfall in the rear mountain. Use your magic to part the water and then unlock the door with the key. Turn left and walk to the end. Pass the food through the gap and leave immediately. Do not look back."

The task seemed simple enough, though there was something mysterious about it.

"Hey, make sure you remember what I said. I'm off!"

I nodded, and a few hours later, I went to the rear mountain following Hua Ying's instructions. To my surprise, I found a door behind the waterfall.

If Hua Ying hadn't told me, I wouldn't have imagined there was a secret chamber behind this waterfall. It was dark and damp inside, impossible to see anything. It seemed like a place used to imprison enemies.

Steadying my nerves, I continued to walk in. Suddenly, I stepped on something that felt like bones, and in a panic, I kicked forward, hitting something with a loud "thunk."

That seemed to be… an iron cage?!

Could it be that someone important was imprisoned here?

Holding my breath, I walked forward and set the wooden box I carried on my arm down, taking out a few dishes of food and passing them through the small door at the bottom of the cage. I quickly withdrew my hand.

Inside the cage was a dark figure, wrapped in a black robe, resembling a small hill. It didn't move or make a sound.

Could it be dead? No, Hua Ying wouldn't have me bring food to a corpse. This place seemed too eerie, better to leave quickly and investigate later.

As I turned to leave, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind me.

"Qingyue!"