Back when Mu Qingge was about to be annihilated, only Su Yishui was by her side. It would make sense if he obtained this secret key from her.
Hearing Wei Jiu's question, Su Yishui tranquilly said, "Exactly. Without this item, it would be impossible for mortals to find the gate to the Netherworld in their lifetime."
Wei Jiu's eyes were fixed on the plaque and he slowly smiled, his eyes gleaming with an evil light, "Su, are you proposing a deal with me by taking out this item?"
Su Yishui held the key in his hand and said, "I came here today to make a Soul Oath with Master Wei. As long as Master Wei agrees, I will give this item to you."
This statement stunned not only Wei Jiu, but also the people from other sects.
Even the always composed Master Kaiyuan of the Jiuhua Sect exclaimed in frustration, "Su Yishui, have you gone mad?"
If Wei Jiu really found the Netherworld spring and formed his Nascent Soul, no one would be able to match him. Wouldn't that mean the demonic path would then dominate the world of cultivation?
When the three realms descend into chaos, how will the righteous path be able to fight back?
Wei Jiu was also wary and asked, "What kind of Soul Oath do you want me to make?"
Su Yishui said solemnly, "You can't have both the fish and the bear's paw. If Master Wei wants to explore the Netherworld, you must not seek to harm the spirit child born from the reincarnation tree. You must swear to withdraw your people from Jue Mountain immediately and never harm the life of the reincarnation tree's spirit child, nor use it to cultivate or benefit yourself. If you break this Oath, you will incur heavenly tribulation and will never be reborn."
Cultivators do not make Soul Oaths lightly, because once made, the pact becomes binding and true.
Su Yishui was clearly forcing him to give up the soon-to-be-born Mu Qingge in exchange for the key to the Netherworld.
Wei Jiu wouldn't have cared about exchanging with anything else, but the Netherworld's spiritual spring was too tempting.
Although Mu Qingge's spiritual power was extremely yin, it couldn't be compared to that ancient secret place. Moreover, he knew that the reincarnation tree bore two fruits. The first one, although weaker, had already taken some of the spiritual power. The whereabouts of that fruit were unknown, and he might not meet the conditions for ascending even if he took all the spiritual power from the later-born fruit.
If what Su Yishui said was true, of course, it would be best to get the key.
As for Mu Qingge, Wei Jiu knew that his feelings for her were more complicated. For cultivators, time is long, and waiting was definitely not going to be an issue.
He need only swear not to kill her today and not to harm her life in future, but what other plans he had in mind would not restricted by the Soul Oath! But… was the key authentic?
While Wei Jiu was doubting the authenticity of the key, Su Yishui calmly said, "I can also make a Soul Oath to guarantee that this key is real. However if you insist on fighting, I will immediately grind this key into dust."
Wei Jiu couldn't help but be agitated. The Netherworld's spiritual spring was said to be a gate of nothingness and without this key, it was impossible to enter.
So he smirked and pondered for a moment before raising his eyebrows and saying, "If what you say is true, then I too, will keep my word."
Just as the deal seemed about to be struck, those from the three major sects started to protest.
Master Wen Shitai of the Kongshan Sect, known for her fiery temper, shouted angrily, "Su Yishui, you were once a model of righteousness. How can you now engage in such treacherous impossible dealings with Wei Jiu? Stop talking nonsense and kill him quickly!"
Not only those orthodox sects, even Yu Chen and Yu Tong couldn't understand. They felt that their Master lacked the vigor he once had when he wielded his sword. Not only did he seem to make preparations for nothing, but now he was even bargaining with evil forces. It was really hard to justify his actions.
However, Xue Ranran felt that her Shifu was tempering force with mercy, and his approach of using non-violent methods was truly brilliant!
She saw clearly that this demonic Wei was terrifying. His hooks were like hooks for butchering meat, tearing people's bodies apart. If her Shifu were to confront him directly, wouldn't he be at a disadvantage?
Seeing the old lady from the Kongshan Sect provoking and challenging her Shifu to sacrifice himself, Xue Ranran couldn't help but raise her voice and said, "Even when the three major sects joined forces, they could not defeat Wei Jiu. Why don't you appreciate my Shifu's efforts to save you? If you could kill him, you should not retreat! It's nearly lunchtime, and the situation hasn't been resolved. If there's a ceasefire, everyone can happily descend the mountain for a meal! Don't take my Shifu like a sandbag on a dam, for you to place wherever you want to plug the leaks!"
Her Shifu must not act impulsively and rush forward. Otherwise, the disciples from the Xishan Sect like her would end up like rootless weeds, left to wither on Xishan.
Although Ranran thought she spoke loudly, her voice had always been delicate and soft . Her words carried a sweet and childish tone, softening the originally sarcastic words and making them sound more tender and aggrieved. Elder Wen, whose face turned red after choking with embarrassment and her head throbbed with anger.
Actually what Xue Ranran said was the truth that everyone was aware of. The three major sects had all gone to seek Su Yishui's help, hoping he would take the lead in the fight against Wei Jiu and cut him down to size.
Their plan had been for Su Yishui to first weaken the demonic forces. Halfway through the fight, the three sects would then join forces to drive them back, thus adding another glorious tale of subduing demons to their legendary achievements .
Unfortunately, after his appearance was sealed, Su Yishui had became reclusive. His personality underwent a big change and he outright refused to help.
Later on, when he brought his disciples to Juefeng Village, everyone was relieved, thinking that although he had become eccentric, he had not abandoned righteousness and was not going to be just a bystander in this fight.
Who would have thought that at the critical moment in a fight to the death when the spiritual fruit was about to fall, Su Yishui would arrive late and even engage in negotiations instead of fighting?
Now, their intentions of using him as a patsy had been exposed by a young girl, making it hard for them to remain dignified.
While the Leaders of the Feiyun and Jiuhua Sects were also displeased, they had to watch as the situation on the mountain top intensified. If Wei Jiu didn't leave and Su Yishui didn't take action, they would have to watch Wei Jiu slaughter all the disciples of the three sects and abduct Mu Qingge.
As for the rumors of the Netherworld, no one knew the actual details, but back then Mu Qingge had still been killed by all of them after she explored that secret place, hadn't she?
It's clear that the most important thing at the moment is to drive away the demon Wei Jiu without risking a life-and-death battle, then make long-term plans after. Besides, in each of the major sects, there are great powers who are about to form their Nascent Soul, and they can't afford any mistakes before ascending right now.
Master Kaiyuan spoke to ease the tension, "The item is in Su Yishui's hands. If he is willing to give it away, he will bear the consequences. Master Wen, you need not be too angry."
Master Wen snorted coldly, and after glaring at the soft-spoken young girl, she could only watch helplessly as Wei Jiu and Su Yishui made their Soul oaths with their blood.
After the oaths were made, Su Yishui threw the plaque to Wei Jiu.
Wei Jiu didn't waste any time. After giving the masked Su Yishui a meaningful look, he gave a wave of his hand and his followers swiftly descended the mountain, laughing strangely as they left.
At this moment, Jue Mountain was left with only the righteous cultivators, the stench of blood, and the scattered corpses.
After Wei Jiu left, Master Kaiyuan, noticing the grim expressions of the other sect leaders, said, "Yishui, you were once a disciple of our Jiuhua Sect. Although you were abducted by the demoness and strayed from the path, you are inherently good. Why did you choose to allow bad consequences to occur in future?"
He had just comforted Master Wen, and now he was the first to criticize Su Yishui for making a deal with the tiger. He was clearly trying to get the others to start in on him.
Faced with his former Master, Su Yishui remained as calm as he has always been and simply said, "If I can't defeat him, why should I court death?"
This statement, left everyone dumbfounded again.
It did make sense. Su Yishui had sacrificed his Golden Core to the tree and later fought fiercely against the Elders of the three major sects to protect it. He seemed to have suffered severe internal injuries at the time.
Since then, he had rarely appeared in public, but often sent Yuchen and Yutong to spend a fortune on searching for millennial ginseng and other medicinal herbs for pills to replenish Qi, which are obvious signs of a depleted spirit.
But even if he couldn't defeat Wei Jiu, few would openly admit it in front of so many people!
Such an admission of weakness made his followers, including Gao Cang, cover their faces in low cries of lamentation.
Putting such truth out in the open, if the major sects continued to blame Su Yishui for not fighting or risking his life, they would have no grounds to do so.
After all, the leaders of these sects had all wisely retreated, so how could they blame others for not seeking death?
In any case, the path up the mountain was finally clear.
After all, the leaders of these sects had all wisely retreated, so how could they blame others for not seeking death?
In any case, the path up the mountain was finally clear.
Several sect leaders now coveted the reincarnated spirit child, so Master Wen gave Su Yishui a glare before leading her disciples, including Wen Hongshan, to the top of the mountain first.
The other sects' disciples, couldn't be bothered with Su Yishui now, also rose into the air and headed towards the mountain top, once again resulting in a flurry of shoes falling from the air.
After they have all gone, the always silent Yutong asked with trembling lips, "Master, all these years, you never told us… Has your internal injury not healed yet?"
Yuchen and Yutong hadn't spent much time with Su Yishui over the past twenty years, as he often secluded himself in a cave on West Mountain.
Although Yutong followed his instructions to regularly purchase medicinal herbs from various places, she didn't know what he used them for, only that his medical earnings was quickly spent, so they always had to be frugal.
But today, before so many people, he candidly admitted he couldn't defeat Wei Jiu… He had always been a proud person, how could he so readily admit this unless his body had reached its limit?
Thinking of this, Yu Tong felt a wave of sadness. Hearing his sister's words, Yuchen also realized the situation. Just now he had even thought that his Master was timid and weak. Overcome with remorse, he knelt down and choked out, "Master, we have failed to take care of you!"
With such a big scene, the four disciples also fell to their knees, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
Bai Baishan felt regret for not doing enough research before becoming his disciple. Today's events opened his eyes to the reality that there were always stronger men out there. He had always thought highly of XiShan's renowned reputation, but now he realized that his Shifu was nothing in front of the other great cultivators…
Ranran felt genuinely sorry for her Shifu. She had heard many glorious stories about him in recent days. A natural talent, successful at a young age, it would indeed be lamentable if he became disheartened due to his injuries.
Looking at all his disciples kneeling, Su Yishui simply said, "Let's go up the mountain."
When they finally reached the top, they saw a large fruit had fallen under the Rebirth Tree.
The disciples of the various sects who had arrived earlier dared not approach it, warily watching the fruit.
Just as Su Yishui stepped onto the mountain top, the fruit suddenly burst open with golden light and slowly cracked open its shell.
Everyone was momentarily blinded by the light, and in that moment, a white cloak was suddenly removed from a female disciple of the Kongshan Sect.
When they regained their senses, they found that the cloak had already wrapped around the body of the girl, newly emerged from the shell.
Naturally, no man-made fabric would be on the body of a being born from a fruit. But in that instant of emergence, the girl managed to manipulate her spiritual energy to remove the cloak from the female disciple and wrapped it around herself.
This ability immediately made everyone wary, while also exciting them: True to her extremely Yin constitution, even after her soul had scattered and reincarnated, her spiritual energy remained undiminished. If one could make use of her, the benefits would be endless!