Chapter 87: The Mountain's Secret Sealed Away

Stepping out of the pavilion, Zhang Mingyuan did not accompany them any further. Watching the backs of Wang Changsheng and his companions, Zhang Mingyuan spoke in a deep voice, "The Corpse Refining Sect's emergence this time is likely far from simple. I fear that countless factions may be buried at their hands..."

After speaking, Zhang Mingyuan shook his head and returned inside the pavilion.

In any case, whatever happens with the Corpse Refining Sect, the primary target will certainly not be the Rogue Pavilion. After all, the Rogue Pavilion is merely a second-rate force in the Southern Region and barely counts as a third-rate one in the entire Shentian Realm. Moreover, it has no enmity with the Corpse Refining Sect.

What happened the first time Wang Changsheng visited the Rogue Pavilion might become a hidden threat, but Zhang Mingyuan had no choice in the matter.

"Shangyi, tell me, should we go to the Shangyang Li Family first or to Yun Palace Peak?" Wang Changsheng and his group halted before the Rogue Pavilion's teleportation array, his voice grave. "The Shangyang Li Family is right here in the Southern Region, and we've already obtained some clues..."

By Wang Changsheng's reasoning, they ought to visit the Shangyang Li Family first—after all, they were already in the Southern Region! Yet Elder Yun's recommendation was to visit Yun Palace Peak before heading to the Li Family, and Wang Changsheng's personal intentions conflicted with their mission. He was uncertain about Chen Shangyi's thoughts.

Having witnessed the state of the Shentian Realm, Wang Changsheng realized that, with his strength, venturing into the cultivation world would be exceedingly difficult. He might be robbed along the way, his life at risk!

Chen Shangyi wore a thoughtful expression, then glanced at the other disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect.

"We follow Steward Wang and Senior Brother Chen!" Zhang Cunzhong declared in a low voice, "Although we can't practice cultivation alongside Steward Wang, the more I consider it, the more his words seem to hold some truth..."

The other disciples nodded in agreement.

Chen Shangyi turned to Wang Changsheng and asked, "Steward Wang, what is your plan? Do we go to the Shangyang Li Family first, or head to Yun Palace Peak?"

Wang Changsheng smiled and replied, "Let’s go to Jin Ning City and seek out the Wei Family. First, we need to figure out how to reach the Shangyang Li Family!"

It was clear that Chen Shangyi meant to defer to Wang Changsheng's decision.

Wang Changsheng felt that Chen Shangyi's thoughts were beginning to change. Though still somewhat rigid, he was clearly more flexible than when he first left the Corpse Refining Sect.

To Wang Changsheng, this was a good sign.

Yet before heading to Jin Ning City, Wang Changsheng wished to clarify a few matters.

"Shangyi, tell me about the time the Corpse Refining Sect was forced to seal its mountain," Wang Changsheng said. "From what Zhang Mingyuan mentioned, it seems the situation was far more complicated..."

Wang Changsheng knew that numerous factions had united back then to oppose the Corpse Refining Sect, mainly because their cultivation methods were deemed too unnatural and progressed too quickly, causing widespread alarm.

However, Wang Changsheng was unaware that wars had broken out, with even Golden Core experts falling—just the Wei Family alone had lost two Golden Core cultivators, not to mention other major powers.

By this reckoning, the Corpse Refining Sect’s true strength was unfathomable.

"It was indeed not so simple," Chen Shangyi said, his tone tinged with emotion. "That battle swept across all the top forces of the Shentian Realm. The Wei Family, for instance, was a first-rate power with two Golden Core experts, but after that war, they were relegated to second-rate status!"

"As for the true depth and strength of the Corpse Refining Sect," Chen Shangyi paused, "I’m not entirely sure myself... Many senior disciples claim that the matter even reached the authorities above..."

As he spoke, Chen Shangyi pointed skyward.

Wang Changsheng was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. "The more you say, the more tangled it seems. Perhaps it's better not to know..."

Indeed, the more Chen Shangyi explained, the more complex it became—even involving those above. The situation was more intricate than it appeared. But these events had taken place hundreds, even thousands of years ago, and hardly concerned Wang Changsheng now.

Furthermore, given Wang Changsheng's current strength, it would be difficult even to be involved.

"What about the Wei Family of Jin Ning City?" Wang Changsheng asked. "How strong are they now? Did Elder Yun say anything about them?"

Chen Shangyi shook his head. "Elder Yun said nothing at all. I suspect he didn’t expect we'd get entangled with the Wei Family."

"But I estimate that the Wei Family now has at least one, maybe two, Golden Core Dao cultivators," Chen Shangyi said. "After so many years of recuperation, they should have recovered somewhat."

"That will complicate matters," Wang Changsheng said gravely.

Trying to seek information from the Wei Family—especially when they were unfriendly toward the Corpse Refining Sect—would be no easy task.

After a brief discussion, it was Wang Changsheng and his group's turn to use the teleportation array.

"Jin Ning City!" Chen Shangyi said directly.

He handed over the spirit stones, and the array flickered. Wang Changsheng and his companions vanished from the Rogue Pavilion's teleportation formation.

There was another bout of tearing sensation, but after several uses, Wang Changsheng had grown more resistant to it. It was much better than before, and even the little fox in his arms was less restless than it had been.

When their figures reappeared, they found themselves in a vast, ancient city.

Jin Ning City’s prosperity was nothing like the Rogue Pavilion.

Though the Pavilion seemed populous, there was a sense of somberness—everyone focused on their own affairs, even merchants conversed in hushed tones, wary of being overheard.

In contrast, Jin Ning City was bustling like a marketplace, filled with shouts and noise. The teleportation array saw a constant flow of cultivators coming and going.

"Let’s first find a place to learn about the situation," Wang Changsheng said in a low voice.

Chen Shangyi nodded.

Knowing that the Wei Family and the Corpse Refining Sect were at odds, Chen Shangyi and his group disguised themselves even more thoroughly, wrapping up tightly—even their eyes were veiled with thin gauze, lest they be recognized.

Their aura was suppressed to nothing; unless one’s cultivation far exceeded theirs, it was impossible to discern their presence.

Thus, as Wang Changsheng, an elderly man, led a group of black-robed figures through the lively streets, they drew many curious glances.

They soon found a luxurious-looking tavern and entered directly.

"Give us your finest private room!"

Before the attendant could speak, Wang Changsheng interjected, "I want the best you have!"

The attendant was taken aback but quickly recovered, being used to all kinds of patrons. He led Wang Changsheng and his group upstairs.

At the top floor, he opened a room adjacent to the street and said, "Honored guests, this is our best room. You can observe the outside, and within, there are various arrays—soundproofing, spirit energy, and more!"

Wang Changsheng nodded.

"Do you have any further instructions?" the attendant asked, bowing obsequiously.

"Bring us the finest food and drink!" Wang Changsheng said in a deep voice. "Spirit stones are no concern!"

"Certainly!" the attendant replied promptly and prepared to leave.

"Wait!" Wang Changsheng called after him.

"Is there anything else, honored guest?" The attendant turned at once.

"Find me someone well-informed about local matters," Wang Changsheng said gravely. "Someone whose information is highly reliable."

"You may ask me directly, honored guest," the attendant replied. "Our establishment offers such services, and our sources are trustworthy. If anything proves false, you may return for immediate compensation."

It was now Wang Changsheng’s turn to be surprised.

He had merely hoped to find someone akin to a know-it-all to gather information, never expecting that this tavern itself offered such a service.

"You certainly know how to do business," Wang Changsheng nodded.

"Many taverns operate this way," the attendant explained. "With so many travelers passing through, merchants and couriers alike, it’s inevitable that news from various places circulates."

"As the largest tavern in Jin Ning City, our information is more comprehensive than most, and our fees are lower than other establishments," he added.

"Very well. Bring the food and drink later; I’ll ask you a few questions first," Wang Changsheng said with a smile.

"Please ask, honored guest," the attendant replied, his face brightening—this was the most profitable kind of business for him.

"Who is the strongest person in Jin Ning City?" Wang Changsheng asked with a smile.

The attendant was momentarily stunned, then replied, "Do you mean the strongest publicly known, or the strongest in truth?"

"There’s a difference in the fee. For the publicly known strongest, it’s a single low-grade spirit stone. For the true strongest, it’s ten middle-grade spirit stones," he explained.

"Such a difference?" Wang Changsheng was visibly surprised.

It was, after all, a thousand times the cost.

The attendant nodded. "The difference is indeed vast. If you want the publicly known strongest, honestly, you wouldn’t even need a spirit stone—ask any cultivator outside and they could tell you."

"But the true strongest involves the hidden strength of certain families in Jin Ning City," he continued. "Other taverns might not even dare answer such a question."

It was true—Jin Ning City housed not only the Wei Family but many other factions. Such a question touched upon the privacy of each power, and few would know all the details, let alone dare to openly sell such information.