Chapter 729 522: Divine Skills

Green Pond Sect.

The main hall of the Green Pond Sect was lofty and grand, immortal qi drifting lightly about. The steps were made of white jade, brilliant treasure lamps radiated bright light, while milky spiritual energy flowed down like mist. Chi Zhiyun was descending the stairs when a middle-aged man ascended before him. He seemed rather at ease, his steps solid. Chi Zhiyun simply asked:

"What matter?"

This man was, of course, Ning Hejing. At once, he cupped his hands and said:

"Sect Master, the people from Qing Song Island have returned… They met a few, and Li Xizhi's sister said she had gone to the Han Family, but her whereabouts are unknown."

"Those who followed went to the Han Family, only to hear from them that Li Xizhi had departed early, and that only Han disciples were sent to Qunyi Sea to investigate."

Ning Hejing paused for a moment, then spoke:

"We searched all the way, and heard that Li Xizhi received an invitation from Kong Tingyun of the Xuan Yue Sect, and went with Changxi Perfected Person to Mount Foolish to gather Cai Xia. As for the two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Han Family, most likely they have already perished."

Chi Zhiyun listened calmly, his expression somewhat intriguing as he asked:

"So you're saying Li Xizhi never went near Thundercloud Temple, but journeyed directly to Xuan Yue Sect… How interesting."

Ning Hejing bowed his head in reply, seeing Chi Zhiyun mumble quietly:

"Could it have been Changxi's doing?"

Ning Hejing's face showed a hint of hesitation, but Chi Zhiyun quickly shook his head:

"It shouldn't be that Perfected Person. He has not cultivated Fate-related Divine Skills, and wouldn't dare meddle in Green Pond's affairs…"

The two were both of the Immortal Sect's direct lineage, both families having elders in the Zifu realm. They understood well the Zifu's divine skills and the various Zifu of the South River region.

The Zifu realm forges divine skills, yet not every divine skill is of one type, but encompasses myriad categories: Body-related Divine Skills, Fate-related Divine Skills, Eye Divine Skills… each shrouded in its own mysteries, but the most crucial is the Fate-related Divine Skill.

The Fate-related Divine Skill is the key for a Zifu to grasp destiny. It shares similarities with many Buddhist practitioners' methods: seducing the mind to interrogate, subtly and silently influencing situations, or perceiving omens and deducing origins.

Though it is seldom that Zifu would engage in open combat—apart from a handful of the most prominent—among the rest, it's rare to determine who is stronger or weaker. But only with a Fate-related Divine Skill can one truly become a player of the great game; it is a true threshold to cross.

Because their family's Perfected Persons possessed different divine skills, so too did the Immortal Sects distinguish themselves. For example, Ziyan Sect had two Zifu Perfected Persons at the pinnacle, earning a faint reputation of being the top below the Three Sects. Meanwhile, Snow Ji Sect was at its weakest, its Zifu missing for years, even their disciples dared not show their faces.

The several Zifu of Green Pond Sect all possessed Fate-related Divine Skills. Once, three masters were heralded as the Green Pond Three Epochs. Yuan Su had the greatest renown—not only was his seal peerlessly powerful, but the Lu Shui divine skill he cultivated, "Cave Spring Sound," was both a Body and Fate-related Divine Skill, wondrous beyond compare.

Whereas Changxi Perfected Person cultivated the "Foolish Rushing Mountain" divine skill, a rare Spell-related Divine Skill, but was not adept at offense. In recent years, progress stalled due to lack of suitable techniques, hence, among the Seven Sects he had always kept his head low. Chi Zhiyun, naturally, suspected him least.

After pondering for a moment, Ning Hejing asked:

"Could it be that Chuting Perfected Person…"

At the mention of Xiao Chuting, their expressions both grew uneasy. Xiao Chuting had not appeared for many years, yet was one person all were wary of.

From the very first, this Perfected Person had broken through to Zifu amidst hardship, advancing with great difficulty. Later, he seemed at ease, advancing with measured steps, and had now become someone all factions sought to win over.

Chi Zhiyun's expression darkened, but he still shook his head and whispered:

"If Xiao Chuting had intervened, there'd have been no need for all this… Besides, he is now always in the Northern Sea, and should be with Yuanxiu atop Cangzhou. There's no way he could control affairs at the East Sea from over ten thousand li away…"

Ning Hejing was silent—silent for several heartbeats—before finally speaking:

"I do not understand. How dares he go to the Northern Sea!"

Chi Zhiyun answered lowly:

"After all, a Zifu breaking through to Golden Core is a grand event. How could Xiao Chuting miss that? Moreover, his cultivation is of Kan Water, and Kan Water in Cangzhou is strongest. This is a rare opportunity."

Ning Hejing's lips parted, his voice extremely low:

"Sect Master is right… Yet… When Xiao Xianyou died so strangely that year, rumors say it was at Shangyuan's hand… The underlings dare not mention it, and even the Xiao family feign ignorance, but Xiao Chuting surely knows! Were I him, I wouldn't dare set foot in the North…"

Chi Zhiyun's face turned ill, only retorting:

"Enough talking! How many were involved in the affair of Donghua Li Jiangqun that year? Not just Xiao Xianyou; that one from Ziyan Sect too, and Yuanwu, Yuanxiu, Tianyuan… who was not part of it? Who would dare not go to Xiuyue for that reason?"

"Shangyuan was only recommend by Donghua… but what would he dare do? I say, even if he achieves the Golden Core, he wouldn't dare speak more of this…"

Ning Hejing could only nod repeatedly. The two discussed the affairs of centuries past, hearts fluttering with anxiety. Chi Zhiyun then composed himself, making his judgment:

"If Li Xizhi truly did not go, it is almost certainly coincidence and chance… Though there is still a sliver of possibility…"

Ning Hejing nodded lightly, speaking softly:

"It's also possible he merely put on a show… Without any real intention to investigate Yuan Tuan's death, so delayed things as he pleased…"

"After all, with Yuan Tuan dead, Qing Sui Peak fell into his hands."

Chi Zhiyun nodded indifferently, as if other answers lingered in his heart unspoken. He waved to dismiss him and sat alone in his seat.

He waited a moment, then rose on the wind, flying straight to the highest point of Green Pond Peak. There, white qi enveloped all, clouds and mist drifting about. He passed through them, making his way deep within the cave mansion.