Chapter Sixty-Six: Wanted

Doubt began to arise in my heart.

Could the Huai Shuo I encountered in the illusion be the current Quanyou?

My thoughts were in turmoil, unable to distinguish truth from falsehood easily. It seemed the only way to unravel all the mysteries was to wait until I met Dream Immortal Qingwu again.

The feather was indeed beneficial for my cultivation, but I had no desire to use it. Instead, I sealed it in ice and kept it close, never taking it out again.

Mo Zhuo, knowing I had the feather, frequently visited me. He either picked fights or tried to win my favor with food, perfectly exemplifying the use of both hard and soft tactics.

Annoyed, I couldn't help but ask, "What exactly do you need this feather for?"

Without hesitation, he replied, "For cultivation."

"Then explain to me how one can cultivate with a single feather. Convince me, and I might consider it."

Mo Zhuo, a bit impatient, explained, "You use your power to awaken its spirit, then place it in your dantian to absorb its essence."

"Is that so?" I took out the feather encased in ice and held it in my palm, deliberately waving it in front of him while blocking his glowing eyes with my body. "But I heard that using it for cultivation is extremely complicated."

"That's impossible. Tell me how it's complicated."

"Ahem, listen carefully." Seeing his slightly confused expression, I suppressed a laugh and said, "First, you must wash your hands thoroughly to remove any dust. Then, respectfully cradle the feather in silk spun from a hundred-year-old snow silkworm. Prepare sandalwood, red fruits, embroidered cloth, Buddha's hand offerings, and willow dew, arranging them in accordance with the five elements. Finally, perform three bows and nine kowtows, sincerely praying for it to enhance your cultivation."

Mo Zhuo was clearly taken in by my words, nodding thoughtfully as he listened.

Unable to hold back, I burst into laughter. He froze for a moment, then, realizing he'd been tricked, angrily shouted at me, "You're deceiving me! The feather's spirit fades as its color does. If that tedious method worked, the feather wouldn't still be so vibrant."

So, the feather loses its color once used for cultivation. Yet the feather in my hand was as vibrant as the one I saw in the illusion. Could it be that Quanyou never used it for cultivation?

Lost in thought, I suddenly noticed a third hand reaching for the feather in my hand. I quickly cast an ice spell to stop it.

"Ah!" Mo Zhuo cried out, holding his frozen hand and breathing warm air onto it, glaring at me. "Weren't you going to give me the feather?"

"I only said I'd consider it. I never promised to give it to you. Instead of practicing your spells, you might want to work on your intelligence," I replied smugly, sitting on a stool and taking a bite of the peach blossom pastry he had offered as tribute.

The pastry was fragrant and sweet, but I found it unappealing.

I suppose I had outgrown my sweet tooth, preferring more subtle flavors these days.

Disinterested, I put the half-eaten pastry away, planning to finish it later.

"You tricked me! You!"

I hummed smugly through my nose. He walked over and grabbed the entire plate of pastries, declaring, "You're not allowed to eat anymore!"

A knock sounded at the door—it was Huaying.

Huaying pulled Mo Zhuo aside and said, "If you can't get the feather, you better find another method quickly. Nian Ying and Kuruo have already found their spiritual tools and begun their cultivation. If you keep waiting, the new leader of Qiongyun will bring his people to the inner hall."

"Fine, I get it! I'll go find another spiritual tool. They will definitely be better than those two when they attack Yueying Sect."

Mo Zhuo glanced at me, seeming to want to say something. I took out the half-eaten peach blossom pastry and handed it to him. "Here, why don't you take this too?"

He clenched his fist in frustration, then turned and left.

"Stop teasing him. Seriously, you need to focus on your cultivation as well. If the new sect leader comes, I might not be able to help you," Huaying said, sitting beside me and pouring herself a cup of tea.

My interest was piqued. "New sect leader? Who did Que Linyun pass the leadership to?"

"Who else? It's Que Linyun's son, Que Han. He just inherited the position and is already leading various sects to destroy our Yueying Sect. He's quite impressive."

"Que Han? Are you sure? Is it really Que Han?" I grabbed Huaying's arm, barely able to contain my joy. My excitement felt like it was under the scorching sun.

The Great Immortal really came back. Dream Immortal didn't lie to me; he truly did it.

Huaying nodded. "Yes, it's said that Que Han had been training in a secluded ice chamber in Qiongyun. He only came out to take over the leadership."

I had just visited Qiongyun Sect a few days ago, and it was Que Linyun who proposed the attack on Yueying Sect. Why would he suddenly step down? Could he be seriously ill? This was very strange.

I asked again, "Huaying, do you know why Que Linyun handed over the leadership?"

Huaying casually replied, "Of course, he died."

Died? Could there have been an infiltrator in Qiongyun Sect that day? Those demonic beasts and creatures did… No, Que Linyun wouldn't have been so easily caught off guard.

"How did he die? Huaying, be clear. Que Linyun wouldn't die so easily."

"It's quite a story. The day Que Linyun gathered the sects, they were attacked by many demonic beasts. Most people were killed or injured. Que Linyun was lightly injured and was recuperating in the secret chamber. But unexpectedly, a traitor infiltrated the chamber and shattered his life essence, killing him."

Huaying clapped her hands and said cheerfully, "It was his just deserts for his past deeds. It's no surprise he got what he deserved. But unfortunately, the old one is replaced by an even tougher one. Que Han's skills surpass Que Linyun's."

Killed by a traitor who infiltrated the secret chamber?

I was shaken. My voice trembled as I asked, "A traitor from Qiongyun Sect? Huaying, where did you hear all this?"

"From the streets in town. Various sects have issued a wanted notice. Oh, I tore one off. Let's see who did this great deed." Huaying took a crumpled paper from her sleeve and unrolled it.

Huaying, brimming with excitement, said, "Honestly, I wouldn't believe it was an outsider. It's hard for outsiders to find Qiongyun's secret chamber, let alone act without Que Linyun noticing. To earn his trust and feel so secure around him, it must be..."

She fell silent as she looked at the face on the wanted notice, then stared at me in disbelief.

Curious, I glanced at the wanted notice and was stunned.

The person on it was me.