116: Those who obstruct my path shall be slain.

"Who is currently in charge within the alliance? And what is the background of that 'Elder Purple Fiend'?" Li Muchen asked.

"The Five Immortals Alliance has no alliance leader in the strict sense; major affairs are discussed and decided by several 'Protector Elders.' Among them, the most powerful are 'Purple Fiend,' 'Black Wind,' 'Blood Vine,' and 'Bone Phosphorus'."

Daoist Master Xuangu said: "Elder Purple Fiend's specific background is unknown, but rumors say he hails from the Corpse Driving lineage of Western Hunan. Later, somehow he made contact with the five immortals. Because of his ruthless methods and mastery of evil formations and the arts of Corpse Refining and soul control, he was recruited as a Protector Elder. He is primarily responsible for affairs in the area from Black Water Ridge to the northern foothills of Changbai Mountain and maintains close relations with the Hu and Huang families."

"'Elder Black Wind' seems to have deep roots with the Liu Family (Snake Immortals) and is skilled at driving snakes and controlling poison. 'Blood Vine' is related to the Bai Family (Hedgehog Immortals) and specializes in curses and life-force depletion. 'Bone Phosphorus' colludes with the Hui Family (Rat Immortals); he is the most well-informed and excels at stealth, tracking, and setting up informants."

"What position does Xuan Cheng hold in the alliance?"

"Xuan Cheng... should be Elder Purple Fiend's spokesperson in Changchun Temple, holding the power of law enforcement within the temple and secretly handling alliance business. His status in the alliance isn't top-tier, but because he controls such an important stronghold as Changchun Temple, his actual power is quite significant." Daoist Master Xuangu said hatefully, "For this Grand Sacrifice, Changchun Temple is one of the important sources of 'Spirit Mediums' and a logistics hub!"

"The Grand Sacrifice on the night of the full moon—where specifically is it held? Is it where the 'covenant stone' is located?" Li Muchen took out that iron-gray talisman Seal, "This object seems to point somewhere."

Daoist Master Xuangu took the talisman Seal and carefully identified the eerie totem on it, his expression changing: "This is... the 'five immortals secret key'! Rumor has it that it is one of the keys to opening the Secret Realm where the 'covenant stone' is hidden! I only heard Xuan Cheng mention it vaguely while he was drunk. The covenant stone is hidden deep within Changbai Mountain in a 'Dragon Vein Secret Realm' sealed by multiple ancient formations. It requires gathering several 'secret keys' and must be opened at a specific time, presided over by a specific person. It seems they have long been fully prepared!"

He pointed to the Fusion totem on the talisman Seal: "Look, this pattern seems chaotic, but it actually contains the symbols of fox ears, yellow whiskers, thorns, snake scales, and rat tails—distorted Fusions of the five immortals' characteristics. This item must be an important token managed by Elder Purple Fiend's faction! Daoist Master Li, where did you get this from?"

Li Muchen briefly recounted the events from the Demon Turtle's memory and last night by the river, without mentioning the details of the soul search. After hearing this, Daoist Master Xuangu was both amazed and worried: "So, you have already had a direct conflict with Elder Purple Fiend's faction, rescued the sacrifices, and destroyed one of their strongholds. They will never let this go! Especially since they lost this 'secret key,' they will search for it frantically!"

"No matter." Li Muchen's tone remained calm. "I was just thinking of meeting them. Does the Daoist Master know the general location of that 'Dragon Vein Secret Realm'? Or are there other clues?"

Daoist Master Xuangu frowned and thought for a long time, then said hesitantly: "The exact location is probably only known to the Protector Elders and the Five Immortals Ancestors. However, I once heard an old Fellow Daoist who traveled here in his early years and was very knowledgeable about earth veins and feng shui mention that beneath the Heavenly Lake of the main peak of Changbai Mountain, there is another world. The earth vein spiritual nodes are intricate, and there are several 'Hidden Dragon Caves.' One of them has the most ancient aura and the heaviest Evil Qi, appearing to be under a Seal. Perhaps... that is where the 'covenant stone' is? That old Fellow Daoist also mentioned that to find such hidden caves, one needs to observe the reflections and Spiritual Energy Vortex in specific areas of the Heavenly Lake's surface at midnight, when the moonlight is strongest and the earth qi is rising."

Beneath the Heavenly Lake, Hidden Dragon Cave, moonlight at midnight, reflections and vortices... Li Muchen noted down this information. Although it was still vague, he finally had a more specific direction for investigation.

"The priority now is to properly settle these rescued 'Spirit Mediums'," Li Muchen said. "Their minds are damaged, and they may have tracking marks on them. They need to get away from here as soon as possible, and we must find a way to clear the hidden dangers."

Daoist Master Xuangu nodded: "Leave this to me. I still have a few trustworthy old acquaintances living in seclusion in Liaodong. I can entrust them to secretly send these children away and take good care of them. It's just... young friend Chen Feng..."

Chen Feng had been listening from the side all along. Now he stepped forward and said resolutely: "I'm not leaving! Muchen, those people killed Old Zhang, treated me as a sacrifice, and imprisoned and tortured so many innocent people. This grudge must be avenged! And I always feel... this Tongyou Constitution of mine might be of some use when dealing with them." He looked at Li Muchen, his eyes full of pleading and determination.

Li Muchen glanced at him. After the trials of these past few days, although Chen Feng was still afraid, his resolve had indeed strengthened. The faint 'Tongyou' potential within his body, after being freed from the entanglement of evil spirits and being in a clean and quiet place, actually showed a trace of spiritual movement, as if it were showing signs of Awakening. Perhaps this truly was a tribulation in his life, as well as a karmic opportunity.

"Have you thought this through? The road ahead is perilous, with only a slim chance of survival," Li Muchen said.

"I've thought it through!" Chen Feng nodded heavily. "Instead of living in fear every day, I'd rather fight to the death! I believe in you, Muchen!"

Li Muchen said no more and nodded slightly.

"In that case, let us act separately," Li Muchen made the arrangements. "Daoist Master Xuangu, I entrust these five youths and the rubbed pattern of this 'secret key' to you. Contact trustworthy people as soon as possible to secretly transfer and settle them. I will keep the original; it might be useful. We also need to make some arrangements for Old Man Han's side to prevent the enemy from tracing their way here and involving the innocent."

Daoist Master Xuangu solemnly agreed: "Daoist Master Li, rest assured, I will do my utmost! Regarding Old Man Han, I will speak with him tomorrow and tell the villagers to be vigilant these next few days. If any strangers come, they should quickly evacuate via the back mountain path."

Old Man Han had been listening quietly from the side. Now he patted his chest and said: "The Daoist Master and Daoist Master Li are doing righteous work. We mountain folk don't understand many grand principles, but we know how to repay kindness and can tell good from bad! Don't you worry, even though our Xitou Village has few people, we are of one heart!"

The plan was set, and the night was deep.

Li Muchen sat alone by the window, looking at the pitch-black silhouettes of the mountains outside. The iron-gray 'five immortals secret key' in his sleeve emitted a slight chill.

The night of the full moon, the Hidden Dragon Cave of the Heavenly Lake, the covenant stone, the Five Immortals Ancestors, the centennial Grand Sacrifice... a storm was brewing.

He slowly closed his eyes, his Divine Sense turning inward. The Golden Core in his Dantian rotated slowly, breathing in the thin but pure Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth. The qingxiao sword let out a silent clear hum in his Purple Mansion.

Since he had chosen to involve himself in this Karma, he would use the sword in his hand to carve out a clear Righteous Path.

No matter if what lies ahead are demons or devils, immortals or monsters, those who block my Dao—

All shall be slain.