"Shi Jingzhi is not participating in the martial arts assembly?" Qu Duanyun's hand holding the brush paused for a moment.

"Sect Leader Shi is in poor health, so he is sending his disciples and... and a subordinate to participate." Even as Jin Lan said it, it sounded absurd.

According to the rules of the martial arts assembly, unless there are special circumstances, the sect leader must personally attend. In order to demonstrate that the person also has the ability to teach and impart knowledge, they are given an extra spot to select an outstanding disciple to accompany them. And this "outstanding disciple" is almost certainly the candidate for the next sect leader.

To prevent small sects from randomly finding people to "fight on their behalf", the martial arts assembly not only compares martial arts, but also compares prestige. With layers of rules intertwined, this can be considered the most solemn grand event in the entire jianghu world. It would be fine if the senior disciple fought on his behalf, but for the Ku Mountain Sect to even bring in a subordinate is truly absurd.

But if one wants to find fault, no one can find any.

Qu Duanyun received news from the Yueshui Bureau that Shi Jingzhi had been sitting in a wooden chair the entire way, eating soft porridge and medicinal soup for three meals a day, looking like he was on his last breath. According to the rules, Sect Leader Shi can indeed refrain from taking the stage. Qu Duanyun pondered hard, but couldn't think of any reason for Shi Jingzhi to feign illness.

Sect Leader Shi himself has excellent martial arts, and is now on the verge of death. If he and that senior disciple both participated in the battle, Qu Duanyun would need to be extra vigilant. Shi Jingzhi making such a fuss is equivalent to cutting off his own arm.

Could it be that he has truly reached his limit?

In the three hundred years since the founding of Dayun, there have been more than a dozen Desire Children. The vast majority of them were consumed by their desires before the age of twenty and fell into madness. Those Desire Children either ended their own lives or sought death at the hands of others. The Mi Lan Empress and Yan Budu endured the torment of desire and were among the few "long-lived" ones.

Even so, the Mi Lan Empress committed suicide at the age of twenty-six, and Yan Budu committed suicide at the age of twenty-nine, ultimately failing in the end.

Jiang Youyue once said that Desire Children bear the essence of the world and are destined to not live past the age of thirty. The short lifespan amplifies the Desire Children' desires, making the selection more effective, which is truly a wonderful strategy.

Desire Children are different from those with normal physiques. Shi Jingzhi is nearly twenty-eight years old and has indeed reached the age when his lifespan is about to end. Jiang Youyue did not misjudge him.

Shi Jingzhi, on the verge of death, is still not going mad and is still racking his brains to find a way to survive. That cunning Desire Child has walked through dangerous situations and trials by fire, yet he has actually lived until today.

Everything is developing according to Jiang Youyue's predictions, and the hundred-year great undertaking is just one step away.

Could there really be a "heavenly mandate" in this world?

...No, even if there really is a heavenly mandate in this world, he is still unwilling to bow his head.

"Sect Leader?" While Qu Duanyun was in a daze, Jin Lan's legs had gone numb from standing, and he couldn't help but speak up again.

Qu Duanyun lowered his head; the ink on the tip of the brush had already dried. He simply put down the brush and put on his usual smile, "Is there anything else?"

"I... I saw Senior Sister. Her appearance has greatly changed, and she even created some Yangsha Sect. I'm afraid her state of mind is abnormal. Sect Leader... Senior Brother, now that Sect Leader Qi is no longer here, why don't you make a decision and bring her back?"

"It's difficult to go against the sect's orders. I have only been the sect leader for a few months. If I immediately disobey Master's last wish as soon as I take over, it would be hard to justify."

Seeing Jin Lan's dejected look, Qu Duanyun gave a comforting smile.

"Although your Senior Sister is stubborn, she is definitely not a reckless person. Since she has come to the martial arts assembly this time, she must have her own ideas. If she performs a righteous act at the assembly, it will be a good opportunity for me to invite her back."

Only then did Jin Lan perk up and say "good" with a smile.

"Not very good." At the edge of a nameless town, Sect Leader Shi swallowed the last mouthful of hawthorn porridge. He kept flipping through stacks of papers, looking a bit depressed. The papers in his hands were dry and yellowed, with fresh vegetable leaves still stuck to them, not knowing where they were dug out from.

"What's not very good?" Yin Ci ruthlessly put down a bowl of medicinal soup. The soup was bitter, causing Sect Leader Shi to lean back.

"The matter with Qu Duanyun."

Shi Jingzhi moved the wooden chair a bit, trying to get away from that bowl of medicine.

"Shen Zhu searched for information on his deeds. This person is a bit... hard to grasp."

Qu Duanyun was born into the prominent Qu family.

His father was an official in the court, known for his upright integrity. His mother was the daughter of Taiheng Elder and was a warm and open-minded person. The couple was deeply in love and was a match made in heaven. They were neither overly strict nor indulgent towards their only son, Qu Duanyun, striking the perfect balance.

Qu Duanyun had the best teachers since he was young and was also very promising. Whether it was martial arts or studying, he did not rely on talent to get by, but instead put in great effort and never slacked off. Compared to the princes in the palace, Qu Duanyun had a bit more freedom and was a true favored son of heaven.

In the entire Dayun, there may not be a more perfect family than this, and there may not be a luckier person than Qu Duanyun.

From a young age, Qu Duanyun seemed to have never done any "bad deeds", and there were not even any unpleasant rumors about him. With both talent and perseverance, and being good at socializing and handling matters, Qu Duanyun's future was smooth sailing.

The Immortal Gathering had always been keen on recruiting outstanding individuals, and they would have to be blind to let go of such a promising young talent.

"If he wanted to be an official, he could have just taken the imperial examinations. He might have even been able to become the top scholar. Now that he has followed the National Teacher, his future is also bright," Shi Jingzhi mumbled. "If he didn't want to be an official, he is also the sect leader of Taiheng, with considerable prestige among the people. If Qu Duanyun had any further ambitions, he could only kill my brother and become the emperor - but from what he has done along the way, there is not the slightest intention of harming Dayun."

Shi Jingzhi had been struggling to survive for many years, and his desires and wishes were extremely humble. Qu Duanyun's fortune was so prosperous, what other ambitions could he have? Shi Jingzhi really had no clue.

Was he so well-off that he was looking for trouble?

"Forget it, anyway, I didn't misjudge him. As long as he is not a person who goes back on his word, our plan can continue. You and I have terrible luck."

Shi Jingzhi said sourly.

"If I could switch places with him, that would be so..."

After a long time without hearing the word "good", Yin Ci turned to look at Shi Jingzhi. Sect Leader Shi sighed with a complicated expression, "It's not very good either. If I became him, wouldn't I miss out on you, Zizhu?"

Yin Ci snorted with a half-smile.

"Zizhu?"

"Instead of sweet-talking here, why don't you drink the medicine first? This stuff is bitter when hot and even more bitter when cold."

"Zizhu--"

"In the past, you even gnawed on rotten meat in order to survive," Yin Ci said mercilessly. "It's just a bowl of medicinal soup, don't whine."

"...Whining makes me feel better," Sect Leader Shi mumbled as he held the medicine bowl. "Anyway, you brought me sugar candy. I smelled it as soon as you came in."

Yin Ci raised his eyebrows, took out the soft taffy candy, and stuffed it directly into his own mouth. Shi Jingzhi finally remembered this person's ruthless side, and his paw holding the bowl trembled, nearly spilling the medicinal soup. Fearing that Yin Ci would really deceive his master with the candy, he hurriedly gulped down the medicinal soup in one breath.

Yin Ci couldn't help but laugh out loud. He didn't swallow the taffy candy, but held it between his lips. Then Yin Ci leaned down and delivered the soft taffy candy to Shi Jingzhi's mouth in this manner.

After drinking the sour and bitter medicinal juice, Shi Jingzhi's face wrinkled like a dried radish. He kissed his disciple with a sweet taste for a good while before his features relaxed.

Inside the town, it was quiet and peaceful, while outside it was lively and bustling.

The nameless town had no other characteristics except that there were many opera troupes in the early years. Outside the town, stages were set up and dismantled. As time passed, there were more woodworkers and stonemasons here than elsewhere. This time, the Golden Jade Gang arrived upon hearing the news and found people to urgently set up a fighting arena. By the time the major sects arrived, the Golden Jade Gang had even arranged small stalls all around.

Su Si, wearing a Nuo mask, squatted on a nearby rooftop. Yan Qing, unable to reveal his ghost eyes, also wore his mask tightly, squatting together with him. At first glance, the two looked like two dusty gray cats.

With the Nuo masks on, anyone would know they were from the Ku Mountain Sect. Righteous people came and went under the eaves, and most of the glances cast at them carried a sense of contempt.

They didn't suppress their voices, not minding if the two heard their conversation at all.

"The Ku Mountain Sect really dares to come. Do they have the qualifications to attend the assembly?"

"No choice. The Yueshui Bureau hasn't designated them as an evil cult yet. Everything must follow the rules. With evidence and witnesses, they must confront them face to face. It's a pity that the wanted notice has been out for so long, but no one has caught them, allowing them to exploit this loophole."

"They're probably desperate. Shi Jingzhi looked like he didn't have long to live and must want the Shi Rou more than anyone else. Pitiful, pitiful. So eager to live that his mind is broken - with the Ku Mountain Sect's current reputation, how can they convince others?"

"They may not even win the competition, let alone convince people. Tsk, once the assembly is over, the rule of 'no private duels' won't matter anymore. With Sect Master Qu himself here, you think the Ku Mountain Sect can slip away again?"

"Speaking of the Taiheng Sect, have you heard about Shi Zhongyu..."

Seeing the two shift the topic to Shi Zhongyu, Su Si instantly lost interest. He took out a pack of roast chicken, took a bite of the chicken leg himself, and stuffed one to Yan Qing.

"Just bought it from the Golden Jade Gang, smells amazing."

Su Si said indistinctly.

"Eat carefully. After eating, go hang around the incense burner. Otherwise, if the Sect Master smells it when we return, he can crush you to death with his aura."

Yan Qing solemnly took the chicken leg and ate it with extra care.

With so many people and eyes here, the Immortal Gathering was omnipresent. Shi Jingzhi was afraid of being exposed and had been eating porridge for many days. Although the porridge had mushy, light minced meat, it couldn't compare to fatty chunks of meat. Yesterday, Su Si's hands were itching, so he started roasting pork in the courtyard. Sect Leader Shi was furious, and an aura descended from the sky, precisely pressing down on Su Si's head.

Su Si's hands trembled and he nearly dropped the freshly roasted meat skewers into the ashes. Without waiting for Sect Leader Shi to react further, he grabbed handfuls of meat skewers and fled in a flash.

"After all, the Sect Master is that... Desire Child? His appetite is a hundred times stronger than ordinary people. What you did is no different from torturing him."

Yan Qing said in a kind voice.

"Luckily the timing was right. If Senior Yin was present, you might not have been able to escape."

Along the way, Shi Jingzhi's behavior was no different from ordinary people. Instead, recently, he hasn't been concealing his desires in front of the few of them, and his joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are quite direct. Perhaps it's because of his deep bond with Senior Yin that he no longer suppresses himself.

Thinking about it, Yan Qing's face showed a hint of gratification.

"People say I'm the young leader of an evil sect, but the way you talk is much more frightening."

Su Si had no mind to sigh - no matter what Yan Qing was feeling gratified about, he definitely wasn't feeling gratified about the right thing. Thinking of Yin Ci's cold and gloomy appearance, Young Sect Leader Su immediately shuddered.

"What escape or not escape, isn't Shi Jingzhi's condition all spoiled by that surnamed Yin... Who do you think I'm doing this for? Those two make you practice martial arts day and night. No matter how much meat you eat, it's not enough."

"Ah Si treats me well, I keep it all in my heart."

Yan Qing naturally filtered out the first half of the bad words. He scratched his head and smiled somewhat shyly.

"Although practicing martial arts is hard, it's not the fault of the Sect Leader and Senior Yin. I have to go on stage after all. If I'm eliminated too quickly, won't it ruin the Ku Mountain Sect's reputation? Besides, during this time, I've learned a lot."

Su Si glared at Yan Qing, exasperated. To this day, Young Sect Leader Su really couldn't see what reputation the Ku Mountain Sect had left.

"You... sigh, the competition starts tomorrow. Be careful. Everyone knows you're from the Ku Mountain Sect, and their attacks may not be restrained."

"Mm!"

On the first day of the martial arts assembly, the Yueshui Bureau attended as usual to observe.

This time they weren't wearing red robes and green jackets, but each dressed in proper and elegant attire. "Recording the grand event of the martial arts world" was not like descending into a Ghost Tomb; it was a relaxing and stable cushy job. Yan Qing looked around for a long time but didn't find Shen Zhu among them, not even a sparrow.

Has the Sect Leader completely cut ties with Miss Shen?

Perhaps he was overthinking, but Yan Qing always felt undercurrents surging around him. Sect Leader Shi and Senior Yin had not explained their plans in detail, only telling him to focus on practicing martial arts. Even Su Si had discussed important matters with Sect Leader Shi alone. He was about to take the stage, yet he still knew nothing as before.

...Forget it.

Yan Qing quickly came to terms with it on his own - that pair of master and disciple were as powerful as demons, and Ah Si was not really a member of the Red Hook Sect. At least until now, the four of them were safe. He had close friends by his side and skills in his hands. He shouldn't be greedy for too much.

The edge of the arena was particularly lively.

In the distance, some sedan chairs were parked, not knowing which wealthy family had come to watch the excitement. The crowd surged, and people were already selling fragrant drinks and biluo. Closer in, two physicians had set up stalls and flags in advance, and even a lame fortune-teller had mixed in, shouting that he wanted the Golden Jade Gang to place bets on his behalf.

Closest to the arena, the common people were even more crowded together in a chaotic mess. They didn't dare to get too close to the arena, but also feared that being too far would prevent them from seeing clearly. With everyone advancing and retreating like this, they stirred into a pot of chaotic human porridge on the spot.

The Golden Jade Gang, after all, had seen the world. They cordoned off the arena with red ropes and set up wooden stands of varying heights for people to sit on, allowing even more people to watch clearly.

The stage was empty, and the people's urgency gradually subsided a bit. The disciples of the Golden Jade Gang were like sheepdogs in a flock, slowly organizing the people into order, even squeezing in some vendors selling fruits and tea.

Not many people came from the various sects, so it wasn't difficult to accommodate them. However, to everyone's surprise, there were actually three monks mixed in with the crowd.

Wasn't Jianchen Temple sealed off?

However, the leading monk was somewhat recognizable to the people in the martial world - he was clearly the monk Zhixing who had witnessed the evil deeds of the Ku Mountain Sect.

Monk Zhixing looked slightly pale, his vacant expression not matching the heated atmosphere at all. Behind him followed two ascetic warrior monks with their faces covered by cloaks, not looking like they were going to take the stage.

"Could it be that Taiheng invited them to confront the Ku Mountain Sect on the spot at the end of the assembly?"

"Ha, there will be a lively show to watch this time!"

However, no matter who asked, Zhixing just lowered his head and didn't respond. When he was really blocked tightly, he only said "Amitabha" and didn't show any anger. Jianchen Temple was after all the largest temple in Dayun, so people didn't dare to go too far and could only watch him sit in the upper seat with eager eyes.

With Jianchen Temple not participating, the demon sects couldn't participate either. Although Taiheng had not won, he already had the air of being the host.

When the time arrived, the fat leader of the Golden Jade Gang moved his obese body onto the stage and struck the big gong with a "clang".

"Presenting - the wooden bracelet - please - the bright mirror -"

The fat man squeezed his throat and chanted in a singsong voice, as if performing a grand play.

Before he finished singing, disciples of the Golden Jade Gang emerged from the side of the stage. The two were dressed in gold and silver, adorned like two auspicious beasts.

The crowd erupted for a moment, the buzzing almost drowning out the voice of the Golden Jade Gang leader. The Ku Mountain Sect couldn't squeeze into the crowded area, so even though Yan Qing was tall, he still had to stand on tiptoe to see.

The two disciples, one on the left and one on the right, each held a red wooden tray. The tray on the left held nearly a hundred thin wooden bracelets, stacked slightly high, while the tray on the right displayed a large bronze mirror. The bronze mirror was polished to a bright shine, with the mirror stand made of Muyan stone carved with dense talisman inscriptions, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Compassion Stone Sword.

The Golden Jade Gang leader used a thin silk to cushion his hand and placed the bronze mirror in the center of the stage, also setting up a small incense burner. After bowing to the mirror, he turned around with a smile: "This time, a total of thirty-six sects are participating, roughly seventy-two people. This is the first grand gathering of the righteous martial world. As per old rules, we will first verify hearts before arranging battles."

Yan Qing watched with great interest, and upon suddenly encountering an unfamiliar rule, he hurriedly turned to Su Si: "Verify hearts?"

"Don't worry, you'll know in a moment," Su Si said nonchalantly, "Even if something happens to Senior Brother Yin, you'll be fine."

Yan Qing became even more curious, but since Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi were not present, he had no one else to ask, so he could only shut his mouth and continue watching.

On stage, the Golden Jade Gang leader took a long silk banner and read out the names on it in a singsong manner. As the most prominent figure, Qu Duanyun was naturally ranked first.

"Taiheng Sect - Sect Master Qu Duanyun -"

Qu Duanyun leaped up and landed gracefully in front of the bronze mirror with the wind beneath his feet. The Taiheng Sect had a high reputation, and there was a burst of enthusiastic cheers from the audience below.

The fat gang leader seemed to have anticipated such a scene. He was unhurried and waited for the commotion to end before continuing to shout.

"The bright mirror hangs high, dispelling evil and demons. Sect Master Qu, please!"

Qu Duanyun had no hesitation. He grasped the mirror stand, letting the mirror reflect him clearly. The person in the mirror had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, undoubtedly Qu Duanyun himself. The fat gang leader's small eyes swept over and then curved: "Pass!"

Qu Duanyun bowed and took a wooden bracelet from the tray, wearing it on his left wrist. The wooden bracelet squirmed for a moment before snugly fitting around his wrist, apparently also a magical artifact.

"Tsk." Su Si sucked in a breath, "Qu Duanyun actually passed the heart verification, could he have used some underhanded trick?"

Yan Qing was at a loss, only able to make a vague sound of agreement as if he understood.

People from various sects took the stage one by one, repeating what Qu Duanyun had done. A few more were indeed eliminated - when those people went on stage, the mirror could not reflect their faces.

"Improper conduct, fail!" Whenever he saw such a person, the Golden Jade Gang leader would always shout like this.

The Ku Mountain Sect was a new sect, so it was quite far down on the list. The fat gang leader called more than half the people before reaching the Ku Mountain Sect.

"Ku Mountain Sect - Senior Disciple Yin Ci -"

There was no response from below.

The fat gang leader was not angry. He called Yin Ci's name three times in an unhurried manner. Seeing that Yin Ci did not come, he directly skipped to the next one.

"Ku Mountain Sect - servant Yan Qing -"

The moment the word "servant" came out, it was like cold water poured into boiling oil, and the crowd erupted. Unlike when Taiheng took the stage, this time there was a barrage of ridicule and mockery.

Fortunately, Yan Qing had grown up with the ghost eyes since childhood, and the villagers' insults back then were even more vicious. A few unkind words from the righteous sects were nothing to him. Yan Qing carried the Compassion Stone Sword on his back and walked step by step towards the bronze mirror, only worried that the mirror would kick him off the stage first.

He carefully extended his hand and touched the stone platform of the bronze mirror.

As a result, the moment his fingertips touched the stone platform, the surrounding clamor instantly disappeared. Yan Qing turned his head to look around, the stage and stalls were still there, but they were all empty, not a single person in sight. The blue sky and bright sun also vanished, leaving the sky a dull gray. Only his face remained in the bronze mirror, amidst a sea of darkness.

An old, shrill voice suddenly exploded in his ear: "Yan Qing, do you know your sin?"

Yan Qing had a look of bewilderment on his face: "...?"

He stared at the mirror in confusion for a long time, but didn't hear the next sentence. His face was still reflected in the pitch-black darkness, without the slightest blur or distortion.

Yan Qing became even more baffled, not knowing what he should do. However, in the next moment, the surrounding clamor returned like a tidal wave. It was as if he had emerged from the bottom of the water, and the sounds of the human world once again flooded his ears.

"Pass!" The Golden Jade Gang leader declared loudly.

Even after putting on the wooden bracelet, Yan Qing still hadn't figured out the trick just now. Perhaps it was similar to the Compassion Stone Sword, carrying some technique to recognize people... Forget it, as long as he didn't lose face, it was fine.

Seeing Yan Qing walking off the stage in a daze, Su Si smiled so much that his eyes curved - his friend had passed the Buddha's Heart Formation and obtained the Compassion Stone Sword. If he were to be taken down by the mere "Mirror of Sins", that would be a real joke.

He was actually more worried about that Senior Brother Yin who didn't seem like a good person.

Not long after Yan Qing left the stage, Yin Ci arrived fashionably late. His skin was even thicker than Yan Qing's, remaining calm and collected amidst the curses. To Su Si's surprise, Yin Ci touched the mirror without any hesitation, his actions quite decisive.

This time it was the Golden Jade Gang leader's turn to be puzzled. He froze for a good while before hesitantly calling out "Pass", his voice even a bit softer than before.

Upon hearing this result, the condemnation from the audience mostly turned into shock.

"The servants are one thing, but even Ku Mountain's senior disciple passed?"

"The Mirror of Sins questions one's sins and seeks a clear conscience... If one's thoughts differ from the norm, they can still consider themselves guiltless."

"Perhaps at that time, Shi Jingzhi deceived them and specifically chose innocent people to go on stage."

......

However, before people could discuss further, their attention was drawn to the next person—

"Yangsha Sect—Sect Leader Shi Zhongyu—"

"Pass!"

"Yangsha Sect—Senior Disciple Ma Shili—"

"Unrighteous in heart, fail!"

Shi Zhongyu completely ignored the grumbling Ma Shili. She turned her head and looked at Qu Duanyun not far away, her gaze as sharp as a sword. The latter looked back openly, showing no guilt or retreat.

After distributing the wooden bracelets representing qualifications, it was time for the battle matchup segment. To demonstrate fairness, the leader of the Golden Jade Gang specially called Monk Zhixing from Jianchen Temple on stage to draw the silk strips one by one.

Not far away, Yin Ci pushed the wheelchair-bound Shi Jingzhi to the edge of the arena. By now, the qualifications were determined, and several sects had retreated to spectator positions, leaving many empty seats.

The surrounding area was mostly occupied by sects that had obtained qualifications, so they naturally wouldn't openly attack Sect Leader Shi. However, upon closer inspection, Shi Jingzhi's condition was much worse than the rumors suggested. Although the temperature was just right today, Sect Leader Shi was clenching his teeth, a layer of cold sweat on his forehead. From time to time, he would tug on his disciple's sleeve, have the disciple lean in close, and then whisper a few words in a feeble voice.

If they knew the content of the conversation, they would probably curse even louder.

"Push me a little closer... Yes, yes, yes, oh my, I almost made a mistake just now. The distance is too far, making it quite difficult to use the technique. Zizhu, are you sure you've replaced every silk strip?"

"You should focus on casting the technique. Monk Zhixing is getting stiff. The little monk is waiting for you, so hurry up and hand over the appropriate names. Later, I'll have to find time to switch them back."

The Golden Jade Gang was quite strict in guarding the silk strips. Even with martial arts as strong as Yin Ci's, he had to put in a lot of effort to switch them—in order to control the matchups of the martial arts assembly, they had to replace the silk strips with treated demon silk, allowing Shi Jingzhi to control them one by one.

"Senior Chen's techniques are good, but a bit difficult to control..."

Although Shi Jingzhi was mumbling, his hands in his sleeves never stopped working. One meticulous technique after another continued uninterrupted, causing him to sweat profusely. Fortunately, Monk Zhixing remained expressionless and deliberately slowed down his movements to cooperate, ultimately avoiding exposure.

In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the battle matchups were determined.

Qu Duanyun couldn't help but smile.

Even if fate truly existed, this time it was on his side. The battle matchups before him were quite ideal for Qu Duanyun—

Yin Ci and Shi Zhongyu were placed in another group. The two of them had to fight first, and only the winner could face him in the final battle. Before that, he only needed to eliminate the servant that Ku Mountain Sect had brought to make up the numbers.

Perfect to the extreme.