Chapter 670: Mystic Cloud Master |
Hearing the old Daoist's words, all the Players couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
After all, through Lin Yu's explanation, they all understood that Xie Chong's remains were the "key" to breaking through this dungeon. Although they didn't yet know its specific use, it was certain to be extremely important.
And this old Daoist had come specifically for Xie Chong's remains... He was definitely no ordinary passing native of the Prison Mountain Realm, but rather a figure strongly connected to their completion of this dungeon.
Although the old Daoist had displayed the techniques of the Taiqing Sect, and disciples from "righteous and orthodox sects" in the Prison Mountain Realm generally had relatively guaranteed character, if he was connected to Xie Chong's remains, they would have to consider not only his character but also his "position."
The fact that the Free Alliance and Order could cooperate despite differing positions meant that although the old Daoist was a righteous figure, he might still stand in opposition to them due to different stances.
Seeing the wary expressions of the six people, the old Daoist chuckled: "Fellow warriors need not worry excessively. Although I recognize these remains, I have no covetous intentions... Indeed, there have been rumors circulating in the martial world lately that 'acquiring the Blade Demon's remains allows one to directly enter the Dao realm.' But as a legitimate heir of the Taiqing Sect, having cultivated for seventy years and lived in seclusion for seventy years, I am already half a step into the Grandmaster realm. How could I be moved by such hearsay?"
"I only wanted to remind you all that these remains of Xie Chong the Layman truly hide great secrets... If you intend to keep them, you must be extremely careful—these remains may bring disaster!"
The old Daoist spoke solemnly. Seagull, Snowy Owl, and High Mountain were all uncertain about this old Daoist's background, and for a moment, no one responded.
In Lin Yu's group, Li Nian wore an expression of amused interest, watching the spectacle, while Flying Knife still looked as timid as ever.
And Lin Yu had indeed vaguely figured out the old Daoist's stance.
"This old Daoist from the Taiqing Sect is speaking with hidden meaning. He clearly must have noticed the unusual activity of the spiders and spider silk around Twin Saw Mountain, yet he still warns us that the remains will bring disaster..."
"Combined with his identity as a member of the Taiqing Sect and the stance he just displayed..."
Lin Yu's mind stirred. He knew what image and position to adopt when communicating with him.
He looked at the old Daoist and cupped his hands in salute.
"Senior, since I'm carrying Xie Chong's remains, I naturally know their peculiarities—I am well aware they will attract abnormal activity from demons and covetous glances from those with ill intentions."
"But Xie Chong's remains truly hold secrets useful to me... However, I have no interest in those rumors about 'directly entering the Dao realm.' What's most useful to me about Xie Chong's remains... is that I plan to use them to deal with a powerful demon."
Hearing this, the old Daoist carefully examined Lin Yu: "Young friend truly has chivalrous courage... But how do you plan to use Xie Chong's remains to deal with a demon, and which demon are you planning to deal with?"
Although the old Daoist still wore a smile when speaking, the mirth in his words had greatly diminished.
"Although this old Daoist lives in seclusion in the mountains, I am still a member of the Taiqing Sect. When it comes to eliminating demons, guarding the Dao, slaying monsters, and expelling evil, this old Daoist cannot shirk his duty—if young friend has the intent, I cannot refuse to lend a hand."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yu cupped his hands to the old Daoist again: "Senior is too kind, but that demon is extraordinarily powerful and its whereabouts are uncertain. I only know it lurks in the nearby Twin Saw Mountain. It's a spider demon, responsible for the spiders and spider silk around Twin Saw Mountain. I still don't know its exact whereabouts."
Hearing Lin Yu say this, the old Daoist finally showed a look of understanding. He completely withdrew his smile, bowed respectfully, and spoke seriously.
"So this young friend has indeed come for the 'Thousand-Eyed Thousand-Silk Demon Lord.' I, Mystic Cloud Master, am deeply impressed," he said, cupping his hands. "In these degenerate times, I see that young friend is not from a Daoist sect, yet you possess such chivalrous intent, taking it upon yourself to slay demons and eliminate evil, even actively seeking out powerful demons. This is truly heartening."
As the old Daoist spoke, Lin Yu waved his hand.
"Daoist Master, there's no need for such polite formalities. However, I heard you call that spider demon the 'Thousand-Eyed Thousand-Silk Demon Lord,' suggesting you know its origins... I don't know much about this demon, only having investigated that it's been wreaking havoc here, lying dormant for a long time. So please, Daoist Master, enlighten me."
The old Daoist from the Taiqing Sect nodded.
"Young friend has asked the right person. Half the reason I've been living in seclusion in these mountains all these years without traveling around is because of this demon."
"This Thousand-Eyed Thousand-Silk Demon Lord is a demon that suddenly appeared in the Fire Hell of the Prison Mountain Realm several hundred years ago. As its title 'Demon Lord' suggests, this spider demon once caused tremendous chaos, becoming infamous throughout the Two Mountains and Six Hells. Countless innocent people died at its hands. Even skilled martial artists who went to subjugate it numbered over a hundred... In the end, it was suppressed by the senior ancestors of my Taiqing Sect."
"But this demon was too unique and powerful. Even the masters of the Taiqing Sect at its peak couldn't completely annihilate it, only managing to seal it deep within the Fire Hell... Over the years, this demon has never given up its attempt to see the light of day again. It has been lying low and accumulating power, preparing to break the seal in one go and wreak havoc on the world once more."
"The fact that you can now see its spider silk and descendant demons appearing in Twin Saw Mountain means... the seal from back then has indeed become seriously loose and ineffective."
Hearing Mystic Cloud Master's words, Lin Yu asked with some confusion.
"If that's the case, why doesn't the Taiqing Sect send people to reinforce the seal?"
"Mystic Cloud Master, forgive my impertinence... Although your Daoist cultivation seems very deep, it would still be somewhat difficult to suppress this terrifying demon on your own, wouldn't it?"
Mystic Cloud Master wasn't angered by Lin Yu's question. He simply sighed.
"Indeed. Although I have entered the Dao for a hundred years and cultivated hard for half my life, compared to this demon that can already be called a 'Demon Lord,' I am far inferior."
"But now, being able to watch over this demon alone is already the best I can do under the circumstances."
"The Taiqing Sect may still rank among the Four Great Daoist Sects, but it is no longer the leader of the Daoist world as it was in its prime. This spider demon was incredibly ferocious back then, so the arrays, talismans, and spells used to seal it were all the most exquisite and superior. Many of these have now been lost. Haphazardly repairing the original formation might even backfire, possibly destroying the parts still functioning and rendering it completely useless."
As the old Daoist spoke, Lin Yu nodded.
He understood what Mystic Cloud Master meant—when a program isn't working well but can still run, it's best not to touch it.
Especially when this program was left behind by a technical genius from the company's golden age, and no one can understand it now.
But...
"Since the formation can't be maintained, shouldn't more people be sent here? Why leave you to watch alone, Daoist Master?"
"That's a long story," Mystic Cloud Master sighed again. "Please, everyone, come to my Taoist temple, and let me tell you the whole story from beginning to end!"
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