Chapter 105: Sternly Impartial (A 4,000-Word Chapter)

While Qinghong was off enlightening Qiao Yuan, Qin Wu and his companions were in the city apprehending demonic cultivators.

The Taixiao Palace was an expert in such matters, and with the assistance of the Beggar Sect, they quickly captured a group of people practicing demonic arts. Most of these individuals were hiding in flower houses and gambling dens.

Qin Wu used chains to bind the demonic cultivators one by one. "These people haven't even reached the Human Immortal realm, yet they have committed heinous crimes by kidnapping and trafficking. Junior brother, take them back first; we will deal with them after interrogation."

Just as the brothers finished their sweep, immortal light descended from the sky.

Wei Feng hurried over to find Qin Wu. Upon seeing the threads of karma on Wu's body, he stomped his foot in frustration. "Still a step too late."

Qin Wu bowed to Wei Feng and asked, "Regarding the Killing Tribulation, did our Taixiao Palace also play a role in inciting it?"

"The Immortal-Demon Killing Tribulation was triggered by the Taiyuan Palace," Wei Feng replied. "Our Taixiao Palace had no prior knowledge of it."

Wu He exclaimed, "Won't the Taiyuan Palace face questioning from the entire Profound Sect then?"

"It wouldn't go so far as questioning. Although their actions were rash, they clearly sensed the destiny of the future and prepared accordingly. For our Profound Sect, is this not also an opportunity?" As an Earth Immortal, Wei Feng was well-versed in destiny and understood the intentions of the Taiyuan Palace.

"This Killing Tribulation is not vast. The tribulation does not affect Earth Immortals, and the main altar of the Taixiao Palace is untainted by tribulation qi. If disciples take shelter in the three sacred palaces, they can avoid the tribulation. I and the elders came to find you disciples with the intention of helping you avoid it early. I didn't expect to be a step too late."

Qin Wu appeared carefree. "Tribulations cannot be avoided or dodged. If I am caught in this one, at worst I shall walk through the mortal world. I imagine the other fellow practitioners are also embroiled in it."

"Indeed, Du Yue and Song Shaoming cannot escape either. The Yin-Ming Sect intends to use this opportunity to establish its status among the demonic sects, and Zheng Qiong will also descend the mountain. As for the successor of the Supreme lineage, as a successor of the three palaces, it is impossible for him not to show his face." Seeing Qin Wu's confidence, Wei Feng was quite pleased with this facade-bearing successor.

"However, strictly speaking, those who are truly unfortunate are not us, but the rogue cultivators. In the face of such a Killing Tribulation, they are merely cannon fodder," Wei Feng stated. "The major sects have already stirred up waves and are preparing to seek an explanation at the Taiyuan Palace on the ninth day of the third month. By then, the gathered immortals will discuss strategies for the Killing Tribulation. Those of you caught in the tribulation, if you are free, you may all attend." This was addressed not only to the two of them but also to Liu Zimo and Qing Lan who had just arrived.

Qing Lan and Liu Zimo, worried about the Wuwei Sect, nodded in agreement, preparing to go to the Taiyuan Palace.

After waiting for a while longer, Qinghong and the other two arrived via a bridge of heavenly light.

This golden rainbow bridge was Qiao Yuan's Dao Fruit. After becoming an immortal, he could use his divine abilities to channel the power of heaven and earth, forming a bridge between them. In other words, this was a great divine ability for traversing space—the Mountain and River Heaven-Connecting Bridge.

By constructing the "this shore" beneath his feet and the "other shore" at his destination, one could easily arrive across the bridge. It could be said that Qiao Yuan's Dao Fruit ability allowed him to travel freely across the vast lands without fear of being hunted. If he wished, he could traverse mountains and rivers in a single day.

With Wei Feng present, Qinghong felt a bit apprehensive. He had rescued Lady Chen from the Demon-Suppressing Tower, and now he felt a pang of guilt before the master of the demonic tower.

"But back then I used the identity of Ji Feichen, so I shouldn't be exposed," Qinghong comforted himself as he and Li Jingxun stepped forward to offer their respects.

Wei Feng observed the two with his Dharma eyes. He saw that Li Jingxun was surrounded by a faint, pure, and spiritual aura; she possessed the bones of an immortal and the heart of a jade orchid—the very traits of a female cultivator of the Supreme Profound lineage. However, she seemed shrouded in a layer of mist, making it impossible to see her clearly.

As for Qinghong, there seemed to be layers of heavenly light shining behind his head, similar to the regulations of the Three Mountains Tower. Moreover, he had black and white qi evolving into a Taiji diagram to protect his body, also making it impossible to discern his origins.

"This child has a unique inheritance, with some similarities to the Three Mountains Tower."

Wei Feng praised, "The Supreme lineage is indeed the orthodox root of our Profound Sect. You two have extraordinary bones; I trust this great tribulation will be no trouble for you." He focused particularly on Qinghong. A master capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the successors of the three palaces, who was also a successor of the Yunxiao Pavilion, led him to have many thoughts.

"Following the breaking of the seal on that person in the Demon-Suppressing Tower, the activities of these Qi practitioners have become increasingly frequent." Not only Qinghong, but Qiao Yuan beside him was also an ancient Human Immortal. His Dao Fruit ability was truly eye-opening, a unique marvel in the world.

Wei Feng said, "You are here to block the Blood Spirit Demon Pool. Ordinarily, since I have arrived, I should personally intervene to destroy the blood pool. But upon reflection, they are merely small demons; I shall leave them for you to practice with."

He swept his gaze over Song Shaoming and the others, naturally unwilling to act himself, so he left it to Qin Wu and Qinghong to deal with.

"Tonight, I will lecture on the Dao for you. When the sun rises and the yang energy ascends, you may then proceed to the blood pool."

Although everyone often heard lectures from Earth Immortals, listening more never hurt. Thus, they sat in a circle, listening intently as Wei Feng explained the Human Immortal Dao Fruit.

The most important step in the Human Immortal Dao Fruit is the "Five Qi Returning to the Source." Similar to the extreme of the One Origin in the Transcending Mortality realm, it is a manifestation of perfection at this level. However, unlike the One Origin extreme which few manage to refine, the Five Qi Returning to the Source is the ultimate pursuit of many Human Immortals; they attempt to ascend to Earth Immortal after completing this stage.

"The Five Qi Returning to the Source involves participating in Yin and Yang and harmonizing the Five Elements, directed at the Dharma body, spirit, and soul. Generally, all Earth Immortals have completed this step. If they cannot refine it at first, they will find ways to compensate later to ensure a perfect foundation. If you wish to become Earth Immortals, you must find a way to perfect this step."

Qinghong listened with great interest. Lady Chen and Wei Feng's lectures were two extremes. Lady Chen was more meticulous, focusing on personal realization, while Wei Feng used the Taixiao Palace's heritage to provide examples and explain the difficult problems of Human Immortal cultivation.

"The Human Immortal realm emphasizes both the Dao and the essence. The Dao is the Dao Fruit; fulfilling the Dao Fruit vow allows one to refine the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit and advance in cultivation. But if the immortal's Dharma body and primordial spirit cannot match, they are merely slightly more powerful Human Immortals."

"The Supreme Palace is known as the leader of the three palaces. Each generation of their successors has a cultivation level far beyond their peers. While others are still studying the Divine Form realm, they have already mastered the Dao, manipulating the myriad paths of heaven and earth with ease, contemplating how to complete their Dao Fruit vows. By the time you complete your Dao Fruit vows, they have already achieved the cultivation of Earth Immortals, approaching Heaven Immortals. It can be said that they focus more on the cultivation of the Dao itself. However, without methods for protecting the Dao or subduing demons, wouldn't they eventually lose to others?"

In other words, the Supreme Palace focuses more on the essence of "seeking the Dao" rather than "becoming an immortal"? Qinghong thought of the nameless individual from before and gradually understood the symbols behind the different styles of the three palaces.

The Supreme lineage seeks the Dao, hence their few members; they do not rely on external objects. The many inheritances of the Supreme lineage today are merely techniques scattered during their original pursuit of the Dao. That the Supreme successor refuses to show his face today is perhaps a form of self-protection, to avoid being killed once his identity is exposed.

The Taixiao Palace values the norms of heaven and earth, existing as protectors of the natural order. They are better at using thunder arts to manipulate the power of heaven and earth, symbolizing divine punishment. Hence, they have the Three Mountains Tower to suppress demons and oversee the immortal path.

The Taiyuan Palace, however, cares more about the "immortal," considering themselves the leaders of the immortal path. They distinguish between clear and turbid, separating the immortal and demonic paths, truly expanding the immortal path and becoming the masters of the Xuanzheng Province.

Wei Feng lectured for the night, and everyone gained something; even Li Jingxun gained a better understanding of the Human Immortal Dao Fruit. Unfortunately, with the great tribulation looming, she could not easily become an immortal.

When the eastern horizon turned pale, the seven of them headed to the Blood Spirit Demon Pool.

With Qiao Yuan present, the fecal river at the entrance of the demon pool was no longer an obstacle. He tapped his forehead, and the golden bridge flew out from the Dao Fruit light wheel behind him. This Mountain and River Bridge had dragons coiling and tigers crouching on either side, shimmering with immortal light. Everyone stepped onto the bridge to reach the other side.

Although the fecal river stirred up boundless stench, the Mountain and River power of the golden bridge suppressed it, preventing it from touching those on the bridge and allowing them to enter the blood sea calmly. Protected by the golden bridge, even the blood sea posed no problem.

In the end, after this battle, except for Song Shaoming who escaped, everyone else was captured. Xiuhun, Yuan Chuping, and Wei Chen—none of them escaped.

Qin Wu used chains to escort the group to Wei Feng.

Wei Chen fell to his knees, begging, "Ancestor, for the sake of being your only remaining descendant, please spare my life!"

Upon hearing this, the immortals were shocked. Although the two shared a surname, there were many people in the world with the same name. With one being an immortal and the other a demon, no one had linked them together.

Qinghong cleared his throat and stepped forward to ask, "May I ask what the relationship is between this demon and the senior?"

"He is a descendant of mine from a hundred generations later," Wei Feng said calmly. "Before I ascended the mountain to cultivate, I left behind a line of descendants. As the years passed, only this branch remains."

So, this was Wei Feng's only bloodline?

"Then..." The others looked awkward. Could they really let Wei Chen go?

"You need not worry about me," Wei Feng comforted them, ignoring the begging demon. "This wretch has committed grave sins, consuming humans to practice his arts; he is destined to die. I instructed Qin Wu to keep an eye on him long ago; if there was an opportunity, he was to be struck down."

Qin Wu nodded. Wei Feng had indeed instructed him to kill "Wei Chen" and "Ji Feichen" that day. He hadn't expected it to be a matter of cleaning house.

With this attitude, the others felt relieved, yet had a strange lingering feeling.

"The senior's righteousness in putting justice before family is truly a model for our generation," Qinghong said, though it was unclear if he was sincere or sarcastic.

Wei Feng frowned, catching the sarcasm in Qinghong's words. "This junior is quite insensitive. I am purging my own descendants; what kind of twisted logic is this?"

But when Qin Wu heard it, he immediately understood and thought, "Did Daoist Qinghong think of his own situation?"

In the Lingwei Immortal Mansion, Qin Wu had chatted with fellow practitioners and learned that Qinghong and Ji Feichen were brothers. Seeing Qinghong's expression, he mistakenly thought Qinghong was disgusted by Wei Feng's actions. Thus, he secretly transmitted his voice to inform Wei Feng.

"Brothers?" Wei Feng looked surprised. He secretly calculated the heavenly secrets, seeing two Dao Fruits in the dim Heavenly Dao. One was supported by a black dragon, vast like the River Styx. The other was accompanied by auspicious clouds, illuminated by the sun, moon, and stars.

One righteous and one evil, one heaven and one earth, yet they were indeed somewhat similar and shared the same origin.

"They are brothers?" Wei Feng looked at Qinghong again, his expression changing to one of sympathy.

Such things were not uncommon in the Profound Sect. He remembered a pair of sisters from several hundred years ago. The elder sister was an outstanding immortal of a Profound Sect, while the younger was taken into a demonic sect from a young age. In the end, she used their sisterly bond to force the elder into a cultivation deviation, causing her to perish.

Even in the case of Wei Feng and Wei Chen, someone in the demonic sect had harbored malicious intent, intentionally causing trouble for Wei Feng.

"Then... are they aware?" Wei Feng communicated privately with Qin Wu.

"Daoist Qinghong should know. As for the other one, it seems he hasn't regained his memories yet? I am not entirely sure of the specifics."

Is that so? Wei Feng pondered. "Since he is of the Profound Sect, this child's nature is not bad. If there is an opportunity later, you should capture Ji Feichen and bring him into the Demon-Suppressing Tower, so he might avoid the tragedy of fratricide. Besides, fratricide is the easiest way to damage one's Dao heart and be exploited by the demonic sects. Keep an eye on them."

Wei Feng felt a sense of shared misfortune and no longer blamed Qinghong for his temper. Instead, he smiled, "This child joined a demonic sect; the demonic sect must be trying to spite me. Using him to ruin my cultivation and create a flaw in my Dao heart. The demonic sects are used to such things. If he could be saved, then so be it; I will bring him into the Demon-Suppressing Tower to reform him one day. I don't mind saving him."

"But since he has adapted to the demonic sect from the root, how can he be saved? Even if it cuts off my own bloodline, so what? It is better than letting him cut off the bloodlines of others in the future. You must know that indulgence itself is a great wrong."

Wei Feng deliberately reminded Qinghong. Qinghong was stunned, his expression dazed. He sighed, stepped back, and said nothing more.

Wei Feng then instructed Qin Wu, "There is no rush to kill this wretch. Send him to the Three Mountains Tower later and have him walk upon the Demon-Slaying Platform; it will just happen to help you reduce the force of the great tribulation."

After speaking, Wei Feng left first, leaving Qin Wu and the others to bring the prisoners back to the mountain.

As they parted ways, Li Jingxun said, "Now that the great tribulation is rising, I am going to the Taiyuan Palace Immortal Assembly. Would you all like to come along?"

Liu Zimo and his junior sister followed her, and Qiao Yuan, having escaped his own tribulation, was curious about such gatherings. Thus, he used the "Mountain and River Heaven-Connecting Bridge" to take the three of them to the assembly.

Qinghong kept a straight face. "Forget it, I have no interest. As a Qi practitioner, I will honestly return to the mountain to cultivate."

Seeing Qinghong's attitude, Li Jingxun thought he was thinking about his own brother. She thoughtfully did not disturb him and, after a few words of advice, bade him farewell.

"If Senior Brother is returning to the mountain, remember not to descend easily. The Killing Tribulation is more ruthless than water or fire. No matter who comes looking for you, do not descend. I will visit you in the fifth month; afterward, you should seal your immortal mansion and wait for the Killing Tribulation to end."

Li Jingxun urged him repeatedly before stepping onto the rainbow bridge and departing.

Once he was separated from the others, the sadness on Qinghong's face vanished instantly. Brothers? Did he have a brother? Reinforcing the impression of fratricide, he contacted Tushan: "Tell Tiancheng to meet me quickly; we are preparing to save someone!"

After leaving Jinyu City, he immediately changed his identity. A cold, demonic aura began to emerge; his white clothes turned into ink, and he reappeared as a disciple of the demonic sect.

"I will not stop Qin Wu and the others from capturing demonic cultivators, but they cannot take Yuan Chuping." To save this fellow practitioner, Ji Feichen followed Qin Wu in secret, preparing to rescue the prisoner.