Chapter 68: The Purpose of the Visit

“Cloud Palace Peak…” Upon hearing these words, Wang Changsheng immediately showed a look of helplessness. “Elder Yun, are you sending us to our deaths?”

It was no wonder Wang Changsheng wore such an expression; he had thought they were to pay a visit to some friendly allied sect. But Cloud Palace Peak—there was no way it stood on the same side as the Corpse Refining Sect! He had come to learn a little about Cloud Palace Peak by now. It was a first-rate sect in the Shen Heaven Realm, a leading force among all.

If he led the Corpse Refining Sect to Cloud Palace Peak, how was that any different from marching to their doom?

“Don't worry,” Elder Yun said. “It seems you’ve misunderstood the strength of the Corpse Refining Sect.”

“What misunderstanding?” Wang Changsheng asked at once.

“In the entire Shen Heaven Realm, true cultivators who have attained the Golden Core Path are few and far between!” Elder Yun spoke with some pride. “Yet, the Corpse Refining Sect has just such a true cultivator seated in power!”

“That person?” Wang Changsheng pointed upward.

“Yes,” Elder Yun replied. “The sect master of the Corpse Refining Sect is a true cultivator who has attained the Golden Core Path.”

Wang Changsheng’s face showed utter shock.

“Before the sect sealed its gates, the sect master had already achieved the Golden Core Path. In the Shen Heaven Realm, the Corpse Refining Sect may have few disciples because of the nature of its cultivation arts, but in terms of overall power, it stands among the foremost great sects!” Elder Yun explained.

Very well, upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng realized he had indeed underestimated the Corpse Refining Sect!

The main reason was that the sect had been so thoroughly suppressed by that old schemer, they couldn’t even raise their heads; even when an elder was killed, they dared not protest. Wang Changsheng had sincerely believed the Corpse Refining Sect was nothing more than a minor sect. Now it was clear—the sect was not weak; it was that old schemer who was unfathomably monstrous!

From Elder Yun’s words, Wang Changsheng gained a general sense of the Corpse Refining Sect’s strength, and, in contrast, a deeper understanding of just how terrifying that old schemer truly was.

Wang Changsheng felt, all of a sudden, that he had found himself clutching onto a true giant.

“If the sect possesses someone who has attained the Golden Core Path, yet was still forced to seal its gates…” Wang Changsheng muttered under his breath.

Elder Yun seemed not to hear him and paid no heed, continuing, “Rest assured. As long as you’re under the protection of the Corpse Refining Sect, you’ll be safe wherever you go.”

“Fine,” Wang Changsheng said. “Are there any other visits we need to make?”

“We must also pay a visit to the Shangyang Li Clan,” Elder Yun replied, his expression growing grave at the mention.

“Shangyang Li Clan?” Wang Changsheng was visibly puzzled; he had clearly never heard of them.

“Yes, the Shangyang Li Clan,” Elder Yun said solemnly. “They, too, have a true cultivator who has achieved the Golden Core Path. It’s one of the most eminent clans in the Shen Heaven Realm. However, as they’ve never involved themselves in any disputes, many cultivators have no understanding of their true strength.”

“I see,” Wang Changsheng nodded.

No wonder he’d never heard of them; another reclusive clan! With a true cultivator of the Golden Core Path in residence, in the Shen Heaven Realm, they were indeed an unparalleled existence.

“Any others?” Wang Changsheng ventured.

There were already two sects they had to visit. Cloud Palace Peak now held sway over the entire cultivation world—no doubt, any power at the summit of the Shen Heaven Realm must have a Golden Core Path cultivator at its core.

By Wang Changsheng’s estimation, Cloud Palace Peak likely had more than one such figure. Still, it was only speculation—given his current level, he was so many realms removed from the Golden Core Path that he might as well be an ant. In the cultivation world, Wang Changsheng was but a minor character, the sort who perished by the hundreds every day!

How could he presume to speculate about Cloud Palace Peak’s strength?

As for the Shangyang Li Clan, having a Golden Core Path cultivator meant their power was unquestionably overwhelming.

Wang Changsheng felt, once again, that the Corpse Refining Sect was setting him up for disaster.

“There’s one more,” Elder Yun said gravely. “There’s another power you must visit alone. No disciples from the Corpse Refining Sect will accompany you.”

“What?” Wang Changsheng cried out in alarm. “Alone?”

“You must be joking!” he exclaimed.

Judging by Elder Yun’s description, the previous two powers—Cloud Palace Peak and the Shangyang Li Clan—each had a Golden Core Path cultivator at their helm, and their disciples were all unthinkably formidable. He hadn’t seen the Li Clan, but the likes of Cailing from Cloud Palace Peak were already terrifying.

With this in mind, the power he was to visit alone must be even more formidable—wasn’t this a death sentence?

“Yes, you must go alone,” Elder Yun said gravely. “And you must visit, no matter what.”

“Can I… refuse?” Wang Changsheng asked weakly.

He didn’t want to die!

“No,” Elder Yun replied, his tone severe. “Your loyalty to the Corpse Refining Sect will be judged by the outcome of this visit.”

Loyalty?

Truth be told, Wang Changsheng felt no sense of belonging to the Corpse Refining Sect, let alone loyalty. Besides, there were even elders in the sect who wanted to see him dead!

“What if I don’t go…” Wang Changsheng muttered.

“If you don’t,” Elder Yun’s eyes narrowed, “then you will face the relentless pursuit of the entire Corpse Refining Sect.”

“If you’re not in the sect, without that old schemer to shield you, there will be nowhere left for you in the cultivation world!” Elder Yun added, “Even if you return to the Cheng Heaven Realm, we will hunt you down all the same.”

A threat! A naked threat!

Yet faced with such a threat, Wang Changsheng had no power to resist. That was what left him truly helpless.

Just as Elder Yun said—without the old schemer’s protection, with the entire Corpse Refining Sect after him, he wouldn’t stand a chance. Even if the sect didn’t move personally, as long as they offered a reward, plenty in the cultivation world would leap at the chance.

“Fine. Which power?” Wang Changsheng ground out between clenched teeth.

He simply lacked the strength to argue.

“The Barbarian Shrine,” Elder Yun said, his expression growing even graver at the name. “The Barbarian Shrine lies within the Wilds, so you must go alone.”

“The Barbarian Shrine?”

Once again, Wang Changsheng had never heard of this faction.

Still, it had to be unimaginably powerful.

Moreover, it was located in the Wilds—a place Wang Changsheng had never even heard of, nor did he know where it was. But with a name like that, could it possibly be a simple place?

“The Barbarian Shrine and the Corpse Refining Sect have never gotten along. While not exactly enemies, they have little goodwill toward us,” Elder Yun explained. “If disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect went to visit, not only would they never make it through the Wilds, they’d be beset and slaughtered on sight.”

“I…”

Wang Changsheng was on the verge of tears.

He wanted to say, “I’m not going,” but seeing the threatening look in Elder Yun’s eyes, the words died in his throat.

“The reason no disciples are going is for your own good,” Elder Yun said. “The aura of the Corpse Refining Sect is too strong upon them; they’d be recognized instantly. But you carry no trace of our arts—so you’re perfectly safe!”

“Safe?”

Wang Changsheng did not believe it for a moment.

With his own meager abilities, he was in danger wherever he went in the Shen Heaven Realm—let alone in some unknown Wilds! And on top of that, the Corpse Refining Sect had already announced his existence to the world—surely the Barbarian Shrine would have heard?

After much back and forth, Wang Changsheng could only grit his teeth and agree; after all, the Corpse Refining Sect was not an enemy he could afford to offend.

“Fine. Any other powers to visit?” he asked, voice low.

“No, only these three,” Elder Yun replied. “In all the Shen Heaven Realm, only these can stand on par with the Corpse Refining Sect. The rest, even if all united, are no threat to us.”

“All right, the Corpse Refining Sect is truly formidable, I get it,” Wang Changsheng retorted, somewhat irritably.

“In that case, let’s talk about the purpose of these visits,” he continued.

Elder Yun took no offense at his attitude. Instead, he merely smiled. After all, Wang Changsheng’s reactions and decisions were just as Elder Yun had anticipated—he was fully prepared for this.

If he were in Wang Changsheng’s shoes, Elder Yun would have felt the same.

“The purpose of visiting Cloud Palace Peak is simple,” Elder Yun said. “Though it currently leads the cultivation world, its disciples have grown arrogant. That’s only because they don’t realize how deep the waters of the Shen Heaven Realm truly run.”

“But the true experts of Cloud Palace Peak are not fools. Your task is simple: express goodwill. That’s all,” Elder Yun smiled. “Of course, you need not humble yourself too much before them.”

“Fine,” Wang Changsheng replied with a bitter smile.

There was nothing for it, really.

For him, setting foot in Cloud Palace Peak would be impossible without the Corpse Refining Sect’s support. Back in the Cheng Heaven Realm, Cailing had made it clear such lowly aptitude would never be accepted as a disciple.

Now, a man who once had no hope of even entering the gates was to pay a formal visit, and not with a submissive bearing. It was, indeed, a rather ironic turn.

“In fact, the Corpse Refining Sect’s return is a boon for Cloud Palace Peak,” Elder Yun continued. “Just pay your respects and that’s enough.”

“What kind of boon?” Wang Changsheng pressed.

“You wouldn’t understand even if I told you,” Elder Yun replied.

Very well—Wang Changsheng felt that visiting Cloud Palace Peak should be safe enough.

“The purpose in visiting the Shangyang Li Clan is also simple—to seek cooperation,” Elder Yun went on. “Though the clan is little known in the cultivation world, their strength is unquestionable. More importantly, they have always maintained neutrality. This time, do your utmost to secure their alliance.”

“Is there a good chance?” Wang Changsheng asked.

“A very good one,” Elder Yun replied. “The Li Clan is a family. As long as it benefits them, they won’t refuse. Otherwise, how could a family ever grow to rival the great sects?”