Emei Sect had sealed their mountain for sixty years; this reopening was well-prepared.

According to the original timeline, at this point, the three immortals and two elders should have already ascended, along with Li Yingqiong, and the current Sect Leader should be Shangguan Hong.

At this time, the three immortals and two elders were at the level of Heavenly Immortals, having achieved perfection in both their outer and inner skills, simply waiting to finish the third swordfight before ascending to the Spiritual Space Immortal Realm to reunite with Master Changmei.

Their Daoist powers and divine abilities had seen many breakthroughs and advancements compared to before, nearly reaching the pinnacle of this world.

After reopening, the first thing Emei Sect did was send out a fellow disciple, Master Yue Yun of the Jade Cave, along with Li Yingqiong and Zhou Qingyun, to Wuyou Cave in Everlasting Spring Rock at Yunnan's Lion Ridge to find Li Jingxu. They also brought along two personally penned letters from Qi Shuming.

One of the letters was for Li Jingxu, and the other was for Shi Feiyang.

Qi Shuming requested Li Jingxu to mediate and reconcile the relationship between Emei Sect and Shi Feiyang.

He mentioned in the letter to Li Jingxu that a great calamity was imminent and that he would ascend after the upcoming swordfight, not wishing to entangle himself further in vendettas.

Past grievances and enmities, all were part of the Heavenly Design; life and death were fated, and fortunes dictated by heaven, not entirely blaming anyone. If Shi Feiyang agreed, everything could be resolved in one stroke.

Li Jingxu, reading his letter, also felt a profound sense of contemplation.

In reality, he should have ascended long ago, like Yan Yingmu, who ascended more than twenty years ago.

Years ago, he had found Shi Sheng and borrowed the Heavenly Heart Double Rings, passing through heavenly tribulations with his wife and cousin, already capable of ascending.

Only because his departure would leave no elders of the Daoist Mysterious Sect, he was prepared to wait until someone capable of carrying the flag appeared before he left.

Initially, the Mysterious Sect's leader was undoubtedly from Emei Sect, with the previous generation being Master Changmei, followed by Qi Shuming, then Li Yingqiong, and finally Shangguan Hong. After Shangguan Hong, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth plummeted, no one else could ascend, and all immortal techniques severely weakened, devolving to the level of martial arts in Jianghu.

Sword Immortals thus became mere legends.

Various Flying Swords and Magical Treasures gradually became ordinary objects, and the Seven Cultivation Swords were just sharp weapons, no longer possessing their former divine might.

Emei Sect, having suffered heavy casualties, had sealed themselves off for many years and could no longer bear the responsibility of leading the Mysterious Sect. Li Jingxu and Yan Yingmu, as the surviving old guards, considered not only their cultivation but also the future development of the Daoist path.

He had his sights set on another person, Shi Feiyang, although Shi Feiyang wasn't entirely "straightforward" in his actions, often resorting to unscrupulous means to achieve his goals, with Deng Yin and Chi You both being his creations. Otherwise, Deng Yin would have been completely destroyed sooner, and Chi You would have had no chance of revival.

Of course, this couldn't entirely be blamed on Shi Feiyang; it was a result evolved by collective participation, but the initial variable was Shi Feiyang.

If Emei Sect continued to conflict with Shi Feiyang, it would only benefit the evil and deviant paths.

He had originally planned, after Emei Sect's reopening, to mediate between the two parties. Later, he foresaw that Emei Sect would take the active step towards reconciliation and was thus very pleased to await developments at home.

He admired Qi Shuming's wisdom and courage; reconciling with Shi Feiyang at this time undoubtedly benefitted both Emei Sect and the entire orthodox Mysterious Sect. For Emei Sect, they could focus on dealing with Wutai Sect and the Blood God, avoiding unnecessary casualties.

Additionally, after reconciliation, all the major sects could unite as one to face future calamities.

Otherwise, the Daoist path would remain fragmented, two separate peaks amidst the middle, practically shattered into pieces, unable to form a collective force, likely ending up manipulated by the Demon Path into internal strife, ceasing miserably.

Li Jingxu maintained good relations with both parties; his status and qualifications were sufficient, making him both the best and only candidate for this reconciliation.

Nevertheless, he still left room for both sides, not personally leaving the mountains but sending disciple Qin Yu to accompany the three people from Emei Sect to visit Master Yuan Yang at Outer Heaven Divine Mountain.

It wasn't the summer solstice, and the four brought the Emei Sect's supreme treasure, the Zi Wu Universe Light Disc, to Little Antarctic, planning to pass through the Aurora Fire.

Below, they saw two people flying up from Wuyu Island, Lin Han and Shi Sheng, asking their purpose.

Qin Yu stepped forward to explain his side first, "Fellow Daoist Yue has brought two disciples to pay respects to Master Yuan Yang, carrying a personally penned letter from the Sect Leader of Emei Sect."

Yue Yun also stepped forward, clarifying that they were here to visit, not to fight, his tone very cooperative.

Lin Han then spoke, "My fellow disciple and I, following our master's orders, have specifically been waiting here to welcome guests from Central Earth. Please follow us."

He took out the Zhou Tianyu Light Disc to emit the Aurora Fire, leading everyone as they journeyed through the air to the Outer Heaven Divine Mountain.

Yue Yun had visited the Outer Heaven Divine Mountain many years ago when Shi Feiyang had not yet arrived, the Cold Centipede was still entrenched in the Bright Realm, and Qian Kang was still the lord of the sleepless city.

Years of development under Shi Feiyang had completely transformed the island—sappier skies, clearer waters. Creatures of the air and sea teemed more abundantly, without a hint of evil miasma despite miles of travel.

Hundreds of species lived peacefully; a little seal slapped its belly on the rocks, waving happily and chirping at them as they passed. A large tiger shark, with its long fins, patrolled the surrounding waters while groups of Merfolk basked their cultivated treasure beads in the sunlight.

Li Yingqiong whispered to Zhou Qingyun, "That tiger shark is clearly a fierce beast from the ocean. I've seen them in the North Sea, but none this big. This hundred-yard tiger shark is extremely brutal and can swallow many fish and shrimp in one gulp."

While they were speaking, a Green Flood Dragon, bigger than the tiger shark, suddenly darted up from beneath the sea to the rocks.

Li Yingqiong saw the group of small, milky-white, and adorable seals and thought the Green Flood Dragon was about to strike. Without a second thought, she extended her hand and released the Purple Ying Immortal Sword.

Her powers had long since reached the Nascent Soul level, and she was now a prominent member of the Mysterious Sect. Stronger than Qian Kang had been, armed with the Purple Ying Sword—a top divine weapon from Shu Mountain—she could have sliced the Green Flood Dragon in two with one strike!

Fortunately, Lin Han reacted swiftly, stretching out his hand to redirect the Nanming Leaving Fire Sword, which intercepted the tail of the Purple Ying Sword, causing it to strike obliquely.

With a clang, the Purple Ying Sword's course was altered. This peculiar sword was about to counterattack automatically when Li Yingqiong manually summoned it back.

Qin Yu hastily interjected, "Stop quickly, what's happening here?"

Li Yingqiong felt somewhat displeased, "Brother Lin, don't misunderstand, I couldn't bear to see those little seals killed by the dragon..."

Lin Han explained, "They are all citizens of my Yu Country, governed by heavenly and earthly laws that forbid such killings. Else, they would be pursued and executed by a Judicial Immortal Officer to atone for the crime."

Li Yingqiong could not fully understand his explanation, but looked back down.

The Green Flood Dragon had since revealed its teeth and claws, gathering clouds and mist as it flew up, looking at Li Yingqiong with a mix of shock and rage, then it bowed to Lin Han and Shi Sheng.

Lin Han continued, "These guests are from Central Earth and they don't know our laws. They thought you were about to violently devour those children of the Jade Leopard Clan, which is why they acted to save them."

Realizing the misunderstanding, the Green Flood Dragon went back down and lay on the rocks to sunbathe. Indeed, the group of white little seals was not afraid and even climbed on it to play.

Seeing this, Li Yingqiong apologized to Lin Han, "I truly did not know, and acted rashly. I hope you do not blame me."

Lin Han waved his hand dismissively, "Here in Outer Heaven Divine Mountain, myriad creatures coexist with their own rules and regulations. Outsiders cannot act recklessly. While you might kill a Flood Dragon outside, here they are citizens of my country. If you kill one, a Judicial Immortal Officer would pursue you. If you kill more, someone stronger will come. If Brother Yuan of the Earth Officials cannot overcome you, he'll summon Brother Jin of the Heavenly Officials. If Brother Jin cannot, he will report to my master, who will intervene as the protector. It certainly won't end well."

Li Yingqiong exchanged an embarrassed look with Zhou Qingyun, her face flushed as she nodded at Lin Han, "Even so, within this Outer Heaven Divine Mountain, no matter what I encounter, I absolutely won't act rashly, even if attacked by demons, I'll only seek Brother Lin's assistance!"

Lin Han smiled, "That's how it should be!"

The group continued flying towards Tianxin Palace, and Li Yingqiong communicated telepathically with Zhou Qingyun, "I never thought a single Green Flood Dragon would lead to such chaos. I heard that Master Yuan Yang was originally a Black Dragon who reached enlightenment and now serves as the Emperor of a thousand demons here, governing all these different beings with so many laws."

Zhou Qingyun responded thankfully, "Good that the sword was blocked just now, or we could have really caused a disaster! There's deep meaning here. We've been to Little Cold Mountain where under the guidance of the Divine Nuns, tigers and leopards have turned to vegetarianism, sparing their future generations from the sword and allowing them to coexist peacefully with foxes and rabbits. It seems there is a similar intention here."

As they spoke, suddenly, they saw a giant whale with hundreds of eyes surface to breathe, its eyes bright as big lamps illuminating a vast area of water.

Then, with a mighty inhalation, the whale sucked in many fish and shrimp.

Li Yingqiong asked Lin Han, "That giant whale, consuming so many fish and shrimp, does your heavenly law govern that as well?"

Lin Han replied, "The giant whale is a citizen of our country; however, the fish and shrimp are not. This sea area is a public hunting ground. Many creatures of the Water Clan cultivate fish hatchlings here, protecting them, amidst a large seaweed forest underwater, housing over thirty thousand species—red, green, antler-shaped, ribbon-like, and those that emit various lights—all providing ample fish and shrimp specifically for the major Water Clans to hunt. If you have time later, you should visit underwater; it's a sight unseen anywhere else."

Li Yingqiong was about to reply when Zhou Qingyun stopped her, telepathically advising, "We are here just to deliver a message. We are on someone else's territory, having come to seek accord, so why make unnecessary comments and complicate things further?"

"Performing only superficial acts of compassion while still considering the weaker fish, shellfish, shrimp, and snails as insignificant is far from the teachings of Little Cold Mountain under Master Nin!" argued Li Yingqiong, not convinced.

Zhou Qingyun consoled her, "That is also true, but how many in the world can compare to Master Nin?"

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