Sect Master felt his eyebrows rise up to his hairlines when he saw a beam of light suddenly appear outside his mansion. He was familiar with this method of transportation. Although rare, most immortal emperors who had an immortal estate above the Huang Realm could use this technique to easily teleport around the Huang Realm. It was much easier and faster than flying.
When it was Grand Elder Xi who appeared in front of him, Sect Master Xia felt a sense of confusion. Among all the Grand Elders, Grand Elder Xi was the one least involved with sect affairs. And for her to enter his territory in such a method was a major breach of etiquette.
Sect Master Xia's gaze zeroed in on the paled face man wearing an immortal artifact armor, upon seeing face felt his brows rise even higher. "What happened?"
He wasn't dumb. So he could easily link Grand Elder Xi's impolite actions as something urgent.
After explaining Tianyi's entanglement with Lei Jingye and Longwei, as well as Longwei's true identity, Sect Master Xia felt a headache coming. He already had enough on his plate with the appearance of the divine artifact, and now another major matter appeared. Although the Dragon Emperor's current strength wasn't strong, and he still needed to verify it was actually the Dragon Emperor, his latent threat could not be looked down upon. At this moment, Tianyi spoke up.
"Wait, Sect Master Xia, you aren't surprised about the time travel event I mentioned?" Tianyi asked. He had thought that the time travel he spoke of would shock Sect Master Xia and look at Lei Jingye and him with a different look.
Sect Master Xia chuckled. "Little Tianyi, I don't know, and seamless immortals like me can't feel the effects. But that doesn't mean that the Buzhou Immortal Sect doesn't have methods to detect it. But for immortal emperors like Grand Elder Xi, they probably have sensed something."
Tianyi looked at his mother with wide eyes, shocked. Sect Master Xia chuckled and continued speaking. "For those at the Extremity Immortal Realm, they have touched upon the mysteries of time if the timeline is disturbed. Naturally, they will be affected."
Sect Master Xia didn't continue to elaborate. At Tianyi's current level of strength, knowing too much might actually hamper his growth.
"Then are there different timelines with events occurring differently?" Tianyi asked, curious.
Sect Master Xia blinked in surprise at Tianyi's question. Tianyi's grasp of time surprised him. He glanced at Mengfei, who nodded, so the sect master continued to speak. "There are, but due to certain events, these timelines will eventually be destroyed. Timelines are constantly destroyed and created. But like a tree, certain ones will be pruned while others remain."
Tianyi blinked. Wasn't this like the many-worlds theory back on Earth?
"Little Tianyi, don't think about it too much. At your current level, you should not concern yourself with such matters." Sect Master Xia advised.
"One last question," Tianyi said. "Do you know the cause of the timeshift?"
Sect Master Xia stroked his beards as he glanced at Mengfei, who nodded once more. Tsk, tsk, Sect Master Xia felt that Grand Elder Meng sure was liberal with this son of hers. Was she not afraid of dampening his growth and potential? Nevertheless, it wasn't his problem so he answered. "Unclear, but it seems to have some connections with the Yellow Emperor's Spring Autumn Scripture."
"Many thanks," Tianyi said as he cupped his fist in thanks. His thoughts drifted to Tianwei Continent, or Tianwei Island as he called it. He recalled that was where he first came into contact with the incomplete Spring Autumn Scripture. At the time, the treasures left behind had already been collected. Tianyi wondered if there was a connection.
Tianyi shook his head. What were the chances? He was more curious about Immortal Riverrat's killer, the foreign immortal.
Sect Master Xia then glanced at the crazed-looking Lei Jingye. "As for him, we will interrogate him for all he knows later. We have a more important matter. For now, Grand Elder Xi came at a perfect time."
"What matter?" Mengfei asked expressionlessly. But Sect Master Xia got a distinct impression that she was displeased at this decision.
Sect Master Xia coughed into his hands. "Grand Elder Xi must have also felt the appearance of the divine artifact in Earthsea Land. Not just us, but all the forces in the Huang Realm know of it, so we must quickly seize the initiative to refine it."
At his words, Tianyi, Daoyi, and Su Bojing all made a strange face, confusing Sect Master Xia. Just as he was wondering why the three were making stranges faces, he felt a hint of divine energy. His eyes snapped to the inconspicuous mirror floating next to Mengfei.
The mirror had no handle, and the mirror's frame appeared to have been made of bones with the characters of the ancient language of the Immortal Court engraved into it. But the mirror was cracked, separating the unreflecting mirror into three sections. Despite its plain appearance, the pressure it gave off was real.
Sect Master Xia opened his mouth and then closed it. "T-t-th-this i-i-is!"
"It should be the Queen Mother of the West's Longevity Oracle Mirror," Mengfei said, clearing Sect Master Xia's doubt.
Upon hearing that it was indeed the Divine Artifact, Sect Master Xia couldn't help but feel that a large pie just fell into the Buzhou Immortal Sect's hand. Earlier, he had arranged for an expedition to seize the Divine Artifact from the other forces.
His first thought was to hide the fact that Mengfei had taken the divine artifact so as to make the other powers, both on the Heaven Continent and the other hegemonic sects to be less wary of them. But he immediately refuted the suggestion. Judging by how fast Mengfei came using the flashy method and the appearance of the divine artifact, Sect Master Xia knew he couldn't hide the information.
He sighed. If the Eight Pillars Sect were to know of their sect gaining a divine artifact, then their wariness would increase even more. Even the Anti-Heaven Alliance might shrink back even more. Sect Master Xia's eyes began to shine when he recalled the Longevity Oracle Mirror's purpose. "Grand Elder Xi, is the Longevity Oracle Mirror's purpose the same as the legends say?"
Mengfei nodded. But Tianyi felt his interest piqued. He couldn't help but ask, "What is the Longevity Oracle Mirror?"
It wasn't Sect Master Xia who answered, but Mengfei. "Queen Mother of the West was in charge of the lifespan of the world. Her mirrors allowed her to peer into people's lifespan; even immortals were not exempt. At the same time, it can manipulate the lifespan of anyone is reflected by it."
Tianyi felt his brows rise up. It doesn't sound beneficial for a protagonist to have. It was more like a took such as a digger's shovel or a gardener's sheers. "Does it do nothing else? Such as defensive or offensive means?"
Mengfei nodded. "I can sense a strong vitality flowing into me. Even if I am injured, I will regenerate at an astonishing rate. As for offensive means, this mirror can absorb the lifespan of those reflected by it, instantly aging them."
Tianyi nodded. Sure enough, that sounded more like a protagonist's fortuitous encounter. An artifact that can both protect and attack, how convenient.
"Do you want it?" Mengfei asked, trying to figure out Tianyi's interest in the divine artifact.
Tianyi gave a weird look. "No, I was just wondering what kind of artifact it was."
"Are you sure? It has a powerful life protective means." Mengfei asked. The more she thought about it, the more she thought Tianyi carrying the Longevity Oracle Mirror was a good idea.
Tianyi felt a chill creep up his spine. He quickly shook his head. "No way, if people were to discover that I have it, wouldn't they target me even more? I'm only at the Nascent Soul Realm. I don't want it. Plus, I prefer swords instead."
"Are you sure?" Mengfei asked, feeling that it was a pity for Tianyi not to have it. As for a sword-shaped divine artifact, it was too dangerous for the current Tianyi.
Sect Master Xia watched this with twitching lips. This was a divine artifact, ah! How many people wanted it, and Grand Elder Xi was trying to push it onto her son like it was nothing. The son was even worse, saying all sorts of words such as how ugly it was or how boring it was, his disdain apparent to the world.
If you don't want it, give it to me. Sect Master Xia screamed inside his head, but of course, he didn't say it out loud. Coughing into his fist, Sect Master Xia got the parent-child duo to look at him. "Grand Elder Xi, would you mind if I revealed to the world that you refined the Longevity Oracle Mirror?"
If it were revealed that Grand Elder Xi refined the Longevity Oracle Mirror, the world at large wouldn't as wary as the Buzhou Immortal Sect. Despite being a Divine Artifact, it wasn't one that spread its name far and wide like the Lord of Numinous' four Immortal Exterminating Swords. It was more of a backdrop to the Queen Mother of the West's legend and power.
It might be useful for weaker sects if they wanted to prolong their cultivator's lifespan. But the Buzhou Immortal Sect didn't place much importance on such members who could only remain mortal. They were a hegemonic sect and haven't reached the point that they would need to extend their mortal cultivator's lifespan.
Oh, there was another benefit. Those who wanted to extend their family member's lifespan would have to find Grand Elder Xi now. Many immortals had family who didn't have enough talent to become immortal, so Elder Meng could just raise their lifespan and receive many benefits. It wasn't like she needed to pay a high price with the Longevity Oracle Mirror.
Well, as long as Grand Elder Xi didn't reveal the offensive means of the Longevity Oracle Mirror, the forces they were plotting against wouldn't raise their guard too much. After Grand Elder Xi agreed, Sect Master Xia repeatedly told her not to use the offensive means at all unless she had no choice.
Sect Master Xia then quickly sent messages to the appropriate people to the spread message before recalling the members he arranged to compete for the divine artifact. After that was done, Sect Master Xia finally focused his attention on the sealed Lei Jingye.
He didn't rush all the matters concerning the divine artifact because Mengfei was staring at him with her pitch-black eyes. Her gaze certainly wasn't stabbing him to the point it hurt. But he wouldn't be able to interrogate Lei Jingye, especially since his soul was currently too fragile. So he called for two people.
First was Grand Elder Zhang. Among the Buzhou Immortal Sect elders, she was the one capable of the widest range of techniques. Even the sect's soul immortal monarch was weaker than her in soul methods.
The next was the Head Elder of War Hall, Huang Feihong. Among all the immortals in the Huang Realm, the one with the greatest martial accomplishments was him. So he was given the broad meaning title of Martial Monarch to establish his mastery of the martial path. And he was a half Immortal Emperor, able to fight for a period of time with immortal emperors.
Elder Huang wasn't like Grand Elder Zhang, who was skilled in soul scrying. But if he proclaimed to be number two in the amounts of times fighting with the Dragon Emperor, then no one would dare to claim number one.
"Sect Master Xia, what have you summoned me for?" Head Elder Huang said as he glanced at Lei Jingye, having an inkling of what it was related to. The saying "no one knows you better than your nemesis" was true. Grand Elder Zhang didn't say anything, but her movements revealed her unspoken question.
Sect Master Xia explained what Tianyi explained to them, causing them to frown. As people who have personally witnessed the Dragon Emperor's strength, they knew of the danger he posed.
Sect Master Xia had Tianyi recount his experience with the Dragon Emperor, especially what the Dragon Emperor said, one by one.
"It does sound like the way that bastard would say. No matter the circumstance, his arrogance never changed, always believing that he was the true master of the world and that the world should revolve around him. He always repaid any slights he received, no matter how small. But he also knew when to retreat and how much he should reveal. Back when we fought, I don't know how many times I almost got tricked by him." Head Elder Huang said as he crossed his arms, his form-fitting robe outlining his chiseled body.
"Please," Sect Master Xia cupped his hand towards Grand Elder Zhang. Grand Elder Zhang stepped towards Lei Jingye and brought out a brush. With a swipe of her brush, the ink landed on Lei Jingye's body despite his struggles. Immediately his eyes glazed over as an unfurled scroll appeared above his head.
On the scroll, images of his life began to flashy by; they were his memories. Tianyi felt his heartbeat quicken, extremely wary of Grand Elder Zhang's technique. But he couldn't hide his curiosity as he watched the video-like images play across the scroll.
The memories began with Lie Jingye's first life. As his memory played, Tianyi couldn't help but feel that Lei Jingye was a novel's protagonist. His early life was worry-free, and he was plain and a bit of a wastrel, but then his clan was destroyed, causing him to grow up quickly.
But Tianyi's eyes focused even more when Lei Jingye met Daoyi. As he watched, he could acutely sense the minute differences between his Daoyi and Lei Jingye's Daoyi. His thoughts couldn't help but whirl. The him of Lei Jingye's memories was Xi Longyi. Could it be that Daoyi was also different?
Tianyi smiled self-deprecatingly. I already suspected Daoyi for a long time. What is one more piece of evidence worth? I don't dare to confront her and change our relationship.
Eventually, Lei Jingye's memories reached the point of his reviving, causing Tianyi to perk up. He saw Lei Jingye's journey after leaving Paradise Sand City, their first meeting, secretly sneaking into Daoyi's room, meeting the Heaving Surpassing Sage's soul, and eventually their second meeting before blacking out.
Head Elder Huang narrowed his eyes when he saw the Heaven Surpassing Sage's soul. The soul had the appearance of a dragon. He had no evidence, but his intuition was screaming that it was the Dragon Emperor. Then the Lei Jingye's memories resumed when he was awoken in the Earthsea Land after Tianyi defeated him.
Watching this, Sect Master Xia furrowed his brows. "Head Elder Huang, what are your thoughts on this?" Although Sect Master Xia was the Sect Master, Head Elder Huang Feihong was stronger and had greater seniority than him, so his tone was full of respect.
"I don't have any evidence, but my intuition is telling me that it is the Dragon Emperor. But there is one fact I am certain of, that Heaven Surpassing Sage is not a mere soul fragment. Maybe it's a clone that wants to become the main body, but its danger is real." At Head Elder Huang's words, the situation's severity increased severalfold.
"Little Tianyi, you said that you fought him at the Earthsea Land. Do you have any clues?" Sect Master Xia asked.
Tianyi shook his head. "In our battle, I wasn't even conscious when I won. I relied on a previous preparation to defeat the Dragon Emperor. By the time I woke up, it was Lei Jingye. I thought he was pretending to be Lei Jingye."
Sect Master Xia looked towards Grand Elder Zhang. "I already checked his soul. Aside from being a soul fragment clone, I cannot detect anything else."
"Seal him away. His future memories will be useful. We can slowly use it to our advantage." Sect Master Xia ordered. He started to arrange for a task force to search the Earthsea Land for any trace of the Dragon Emperor's soul.
When the stony-faced brocade immortals dragged away Lei Jingye, Head Elder Huang called out, "Stop!"
The brocade immortals immediately stopped as Head Elder Huang stepped toward Lei Jingye. He frowned as he started to walk around Lei Jingye and closely examined him.
"Did you discover something?" Sect Master Xia asked, a bit surprised since Grand Elder Zhang didn't discover anything.
Finally, Head Elder Huang shook his head. "I thought I sensed something, it might have been my imagination."
But Sect Master Xia felt his heartbeat speed up as he observed Lei Jingye's body. Better be safe than sorry. In the end, he ordered the brocade immortals to lock Lei Jingye in the Seven Emotions and Six Desires Abyss.
The Seven Emotions and Six Desires Abyss was the most secure prison of the Buzhou Immortal Sect. Anyone who was locked inside without the proper protection would be buried under their own delusion formed from their emotions, desires, and obsessions, never able to wake up. Even immortals were not exempt.
"Hehe..." Lei Jingye started to mutter to himself even as he was being dragged, already under the prison's effect. "Xi Longyi, justice is finally dealt! Hahahahah!!! Buzhou Immortal Sect...you raised... the devil... don't think..."
"What? Lovespot failed his Unity Heavenly Tribulation and suffered a huge backlash. Now, it's not known whether he can even keep his Nascent Soul Realm cultivation?" Upon returning to Jade Peak, Tianyi immediately heard this news.
Tianyi's lips couldn't help but twitch. His musing on how Sect Master Xia planned on using Lei Jingye's future knowledge, long forgotten. He actually wasn't happy that he didn't get to off Lei Jingye, but catching the Dragon Emperor was more important.
Now, he heard that Lovespot failed his Unity Heavenly Tribulation. His mood skyrocketed, and he instantly sent Su Bojing to learn more information.