He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, expression becoming gradually solemn.

This trap is quite troublesome.

The Evil Extermination Department can destroy the Qianye Sect, but the statues of the Venerables of the Qianye Sect can only be demolished by themselves.

Destroying the statues would mean confronting Hu Yaoyang, the Venerable of the Qianye Sect.

Once Hu Yaoyang is dealt with, then Hu Yaohui has to be faced.

Who could know the depths of Hu Yaohui’s abilities?

A bright moon hung high.

The clear light showered everywhere.

A party of four, like wisps of smoke, glided through the moonlight over mountains, rivers, and large lakes.

Zhu Lingyun’s robe fluttered as he walked alongside Su Qi, with the other two following behind them.

"Brother Su, I am very curious. Exactly how strong is this Third Elder?" Zhu Lingyun asked, "Could he truly be invincible?"

Su Qi moved effortlessly like a drifting dandelion, carried by the wind without exerting any effort.

He smiled proudly: "Does Brother Zhuo not believe my words and think I’ve exaggerated too much?"

Zhu Lingyun nodded.

Su Qi shook his head, "The world believes it to be an exaggeration, thinking the Third Elder isn’t that powerful."

Zhu Lingyun said, "If he were truly that powerful, he should have a reputation that echoes like thunder."

The renown of the Third Elder Hu Yaohui of Qianye Valley wasn’t that far-reaching.

In the memories he had gained, Hu Yaohui’s fame only covered a radius of a thousand miles, beyond that it wasn’t as prominent.

"That’s because the Third Elder has deliberately restrained himself."

"Afraid the Divine Venerable will come looking?" Zhu Lingyun speculated, "The Divine Venerable wouldn’t easily move against us, right?"

Su Qi frowned, "According to the Third Elder, that is indeed his worry."

Zhu Lingyun shook his head, "I find it peculiar, don’t you, Brother Su?"

"Now that you mention it, Brother Zhuo, it does feel a bit off." Su Qi thought slowly and nodded.

The round-faced middle-aged man behind them snorted, "Brother Zhuo, if there’s something odd, just say so directly; don’t beat around the bush!"

The thin middle-aged man said, "Is Brother Zhuo suggesting that the Third Elder is bluffing?"

"That’s not quite right." Zhu Lingyun said, "As the Third Elder, how could he be bluffing?"

Su Qi nodded, "Our Elders have all earned their rank through hard fighting and distinguished service, and the Third Elder is no exception."

"Then what do you mean?" The thin middle-aged man looked at Zhu Lingyun.

While they conversed, they continued moving as four streaks of smoke under the moonlight.

Zhu Lingyun said, "Could there be flaws in the Thousand Mechanism Soul Chasing Technique? Or could it have future repercussions when it’s activated?"

"Oh—?"

The three all exclaimed in surprise.

Their eyes immediately showed a look of realization, nodding in agreement.

They had never considered this point until Zhu Lingyun brought it up, immediately feeling it was spot on.

This might be the greatest weakness, the essential secret of the Third Elder, Hu Yaohui.

"If that’s the case, it would make sense why the Third Elder seldom uses this technique." Su Qi remarked, "Indeed, Brother Zhuo."

Zhu Lingyun said, "What exactly is this Thousand Mechanism Soul Chasing Technique like? How powerful is it? Isn’t there anyone in your valley who knows?"

"Even if they did, it’s not something they could talk about." Su Qi shook his head, "That’s confidential."

"What a pity." Zhu Lingyun shook his head.

"Brother Zhuo, the secret techniques of your Wanxiang Cliff are formidable enough; there’s no need to envy others, is there?"

Zhu Lingyun shook his head, "Our Wanxiang Cliff doesn’t have secret techniques that render one invincible."

The thin middle-aged man asked, "Then what are the repercussions?"

Su Qi shook his head, "I haven’t figured it out, ... Alright, let’s not talk about this. We should consider whether this move will work."

"No problem." The round-faced middle-aged man smiled, "I can’t think of how Chu Zhiyuan could break it; he’s surely doomed."

Zhu Lingyun said, "Provided the Third Elder is strong enough."

Su Qi said, "There’s absolutely no doubt; Chu Zhiyuan cannot withstand the Third Elder."

Zhu Lingyun nodded, knowing it was difficult to dig out more useful information.

This Third Elder was indeed mysterious.

... 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Chu Zhiyuan took out the Heaven-Reaching Order from his chest, concentrated his True Yuan onto it.

The Heaven-Reaching Order emitted a soft glow, enveloping his body; moments later, he disappeared.

The next moment, he appeared outside the grand hall towering upon the snowy peaks.

The Heaven-Reaching Order flashed, a Light Gate appeared, and he stepped through it, entering the grand hall.

In the spacious hall, there was only one person sitting cross-legged in the center.

Tall and strong like a bear, he suddenly opened his leopard-like eyes, and his laughter was thunderous: "Little Junior Brother, back so soon?"

"Senior Brother Ning, I wish to inquire about someone." Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists.

"Who?"

"Third Elder Hu Yaohui of Qianye Valley in You Meng Heaven." Chu Zhiyuan replied, "Does Senior Brother Ning know of this person?"

"You Meng Heaven... Qianye Valley... Hu Yaohui..." Ning Dongge pondered, scratching the back of his head, "Seems vaguely familiar."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Can I kill him with my current cultivation?"

"Hu Yaohui..." Ning Dongge frowned, thinking, "That Hu Yaohui is the Third Elder of Qianye Valley, um, I remember, he practices the Thousand Mechanism Soul Chasing Technique?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"This Thousand Mechanism Soul Chasing Technique is no simple matter." Ning Dongge said, "Those unaware of it often fall to him."

Chu Zhiyuan felt invigorated.

Ning Dongge said, "The spiritual energy of You Meng Heaven is most suited for spiritual cultivation, and their attack methods mostly involve Spiritual Attacks, but the Thousand Mechanism Soul Chasing Technique is a Spiritual Treasure."

"A Spiritual Treasure?"

"The key to the Thousand Mechanism Soul Chasing Technique is a Spiritual Treasure, the Thousand Mechanism Spirit Needle, extremely fast, invisible, undetectable, and indefensible."

"Isn’t there a way to see it?"

"No, it kills invisibly, and Spiritual Defense is useless."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "So it’s invincible?"

Ning Dongge said, "To defend against it, one needs a Spiritual Artifact, and merely a Spiritual Defense type of artifact won’t do, but that’s mostly what’s available in You Meng Heaven."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

"Little Junior Brother, do you have a Spiritual Artifact?" Ning Dongge asked, "That sword at your waist won’t do."

He glanced at Chu Zhiyuan’s waist.

Before Chu Zhiyuan could respond, Ning Dongge said, "I’ll find something for you."

He said, walking to the west wall, pressed the Heaven-Reaching Order against it, and instantly a Light Gate appeared, through which he stepped.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

A moment later, Ning Dongge reappeared from the Light Gate, holding a round plaque.

Palm-sized, ink black, covered with peculiar patterns, it faintly glimmered.

He handed it to Chu Zhiyuan, "This is the Mo Shield, best at defense, capable of blocking the Thousand Mechanism Spirit Needle."

Chu Zhiyuan did not refuse, taking it with a smile, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Ning Dongge waved his hand, "We have several such Spiritual Artifacts within the sect; if you need more, just come and get them."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Where did these Spiritual Treasures come from?"

Ning Dongge replied, "They were obtained by the ancestors and elders through fortuitous encounters, stored in the sect when not in use."

Chu Zhiyuan curiously asked, "Can I take them freely?"

"Of course," Ning Dongge said, "Besides this, do you need anything else?... Spiritual Treasures aren’t always better in quantity, as they can be burdensome."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Understood, I’ll start with this one then."

"Are you planning to take on that guy?" Ning Dongge asked, "How did he offend you?"

"He has a brother who formed an Evil Sect, Qianye Sect, in Biyuan Heaven. For me to destroy this Qianye Sect, I have to confront Hu Yaohui."

Ning Dongge nonchalantly said, "Well, it’s prudent to plan early, so just destroy him."

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists, "Thank you, Senior Brother, then I shall go."

Ning Dongge advised, "Be careful, don’t make a mistake."

"I will." Chu Zhiyuan activated the Heaven-Reaching Order and left the Heaven-Reaching Sect.