Chapter 108: Changing Winds and Clouds (Congratulations to "Sanshengyuan Maomao" for becoming a grand patron of this book; thank you for your support!)

The first day of the four hundred and twenty-eighth year of the Ming era.

At the first light of dawn, Cheng Xinzhan took the children of the village to post the door god paintings. This time, there were not only the New Year Taoist but also the Demon-Quelling True Monarch. On every gate, these two occupied either side—one wielding a sword, the other drawing a bow. Wherever thunder and fire manifested, dark evils would naturally retreat.

The old village chief watched with a smile, saying that with these two gentlemen present, people felt at ease.

After working for the better part of the morning, the task was finished. Cheng Xinzhan handed the remainder to the old village chief for safekeeping, explaining that he might not be able to come next year, so the villagers could post them themselves when the time came. The old village chief agreed, carefully hiding the remaining paintings; they were precious treasures, as no one in the village had lost their soul throughout the past year, which he attributed to the efficacy of these images.

Once the paintings were posted, Cheng Xinzhan was surrounded by children clamoring for a story. They already knew the tale of the New Year Taoist by heart, so this time they demanded something new. Cheng Xinzhan, never one to falter, launched into the story of Zhang Shuye.

He had barely begun when a command arrow suddenly shot out from the void toward him. His gaze sharpened, and he caught it. It was a green jade arrow, marked at the end with a silver cloud bordered in gold. Engraved on the shaft were the words: "Upon seeing this arrow, return to the sect immediately."

His expression changed. This was a recall order from the sect. The eight words rarely changed; the urgency depended on the cloud. A gold-bordered blue cloud signified a joyous occasion, like a grand ceremony; if busy, one could ignore it. A gold-bordered yellow cloud meant the sect sensed impending turmoil and advised disciples to return for safety; one could delay if in seclusion or a secret realm. The third type—the gold-bordered silver cloud he now held—signaled that war was imminent and the sect was summoning disciples to mobilize; like the second, it allowed for slight delays in emergencies. A gold-bordered red cloud meant the sect was under attack, requiring immediate return. The final type, a gold-bordered white cloud, meant the sect had fallen; disciples were not to return but to hide and wait for an opportunity to restore the tradition.

Cheng Xinzhan put away the arrow and quickly said to the old village chief, "Chief Mu, I have urgent business and must leave. We shall talk another day!"

He patted the heads of the children and, without waiting for the old man to ask for details, turned into a cloud and departed. Deng Ge, seeing this from afar, immediately rode the wind to follow. Cheng Xinzhan was flying at full speed, and Deng Ge could not keep up. As Deng Ge had not yet mastered the art of size transformation, he was not as convenient as Sanmei, whom he could carry in his robes. Cheng Xinzhan cast a spell to envelop Deng Ge, then unleashed a string of thunder talismans. Stepping upon them, he traversed the skies above the Sanxiang and Yuzhang regions in a straight line. By the time the thunder ceased, he had returned to Mount Sanqing.

At that moment, various streaks of light crisscrossed the mountain like a loom. A jade talisman hung from the towering Yuhua Peak, repeating a message that echoed in every corner of Mount Sanqing, creating a tense atmosphere: "All registered disciples are forbidden from leaving the sect. All true-transmission disciples are to return and await orders. All mountain masters, direct-transmission disciples, and elders above the third realm are to gather at the Qianjun Hall on Yuhua Peak for a council!"

Cheng Xinzhan went straight to Wuyou Cave. His soul returned to his physical body, and his bamboo form condensed into a spark of light stored in his heart. He gathered all the talismans he had accumulated in the cave, taking everything he could carry. He left Sanmei and Deng Ge to guard the home and headed to the Bamboo Stele to await orders. It was empty here, presumably because his master had already gone to Yuhua Peak.

Shortly after he arrived, the voice from the jade talisman on Yuhua Peak changed: "Cheng Xinzhan, true-transmission disciple of Mingzhi Mountain, is hereby promoted to direct-transmission disciple. Proceed to Qianjun Hall immediately for the council!"

The talisman had called his name. Cheng Xinzhan did not dare to delay and flew toward Yuhua Peak.

He entered the Qianjun Hall, a vast, circular structure used for meetings. The doors were wide open and unguarded. Upon entering, he was stunned by the scene. The floor tiles were like mirrors or still lakes, reflecting the emerald and azure coffered ceilings and the dragon-and-phoenix-carved pillars. The floor was empty, but in the void hung nine circular tiered platforms, growing smaller as they descended like stairs. Each platform was covered in colorful spiritual plants, some purple, some red, each the size of a meditation cushion, and upon them sat the attendees.

As he entered, many eyes fell upon him. "Xinzhan, take your seat beside your master," said a middle-aged man on the lowest, central platform. Cheng Xinzhan recognized him as one of the five vice-abbots of the sect, the Vice-Abbot of Yuqing Peak, who oversaw most mountains outside the Lotus Blessed Land. Since Yuhua Peak handled emergencies, it fell under his jurisdiction. The fact that the Abbot had not appeared suggested the situation was not yet at its most dire.

He scanned the hall and quickly found his master, Wen Sukong. He flew up and landed on the spirit fungus beside her. "Master," he whispered. Wen Sukong nodded.

"Gong Weijian and Zhao Wuji have already taken fifty people each and gone ahead. Let us discuss how many more should go, in how many batches, and the rotation schedule," said the Vice-Abbot. Cheng Xinzhan knew both of these men—they were the masters of White Tiger Mountain and Shuji Mountain, respectively, whose teachings he had often audited.

While others debated, Wen Sukong whispered an explanation: "Last night, the Northern Sect of the Demon Cult launched a surprise attack on West Kunlun. They occupied the summit, and the West Kunlun Sect has been wiped out."

Cheng Xinzhan was shocked. Such a major event! Had the centuries of peace between the righteous and demonic paths truly ended? He knew history well; when the righteous path dominated, the world was peaceful under unified dynasties. When it grew complacent, the demonic path rose, leading to chaos and tyranny, which only fueled the demonic influence. But this cycle was brutal, and the righteous would eventually rise to cleanse the world.

The West Kunlun Sect was a pillar of the Three Pure Ones’ tradition. To think a major sect that had suppressed the Northern Demon Cult for four hundred years had fallen overnight.

"The Northern Demon Cult is aggressive. After taking West Kunlun, they didn't just plunder; they established a new sect there. They have introduced a figure called the Blood God Child, who has founded the Blood God Sect. This is something we righteous sects cannot tolerate!" Wen Sukong said coldly.

Blood God Child? Cheng Xinzhan had never heard the name.

"I called you here because of the rule that every lineage must have at least two representatives at a council in Qianjun Hall. Only mountain masters, elders, and direct-transmission disciples may enter. By sect rules, one must be in the third realm to be an elder, and the second to be a direct-transmission disciple. Since Mingzhi Mountain only has the two of us, we made an exception to promote you," Wen Sukong explained.

The council continued. After much discussion, the Vice-Abbot concluded: "It is settled. Excluding Shuji and White Tiger, which have already departed, and Mingzhi, each mountain will send ten people, except Danxia, which sends twenty. Outside the Blessed Land, each mountain sends twenty, except Dujuan Valley, which sends forty. All will be a mix of first and second-realm disciples. The first batch will be led by Jingsong and Jingyan."

Cheng Xinzhan looked at Wen Sukong. She understood his intent. "You wish to go?"

"I do, Master."

"Mingzhi Mountain disciples are exempt from this duty."

"I wish to go," he repeated.

Wen Sukong nodded and called out, "Add one from Mingzhi Mountain!"

The Vice-Abbot looked over and nodded. "Cheng Xinzhan of Mingzhi Mountain is added to the first rotation."

Everyone agreed. After a brief period of planning, Cheng Xinzhan returned to Mingzhi Mountain with his master to prepare.

"The Northern Demon Cult is different from the South," Wen Sukong warned. "They are bloody and cruel. Their cultivation methods are self-destructive. Be careful. Your uncle disappeared in the North—do not follow in his footsteps. If you encounter danger, do not be a hero. Preserving your life is paramount."

Cheng Xinzhan was startled; this was the first time he had heard of his uncle. "I understand."

"Did you bring your avatar?"

"I did."

"Good. Use it to scout. And have you learned 'The World at One's Fingertips'?"

Cheng Xinzhan shook his head. It was a difficult technique for quickly returning one's soul to the body.

"Learn it first! You are not to enter dangerous territory until you have!" she said sternly.

"As you command."

Before he left, she added, "Take your dog. Since the Demon Cult practices blood-refining, the dog's nose will be useful."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded and sent a message to the cave. Soon, the dog and cat appeared. When he asked her to look after the cat, she agreed.

"Go now," she said. "And return in one piece!"