After leaving Guifang City and Northern Lin Country in a hurry, Mo Tiange entered the sphere of influence of Jiuyan Sect a few days later.
The northern part of Eastern Tang, because it was close to Northern Lin Country, had barren mountains and wild rivers, and was very desolate. Not even a few villages could be seen. When she got close to Jiuyan Sect, there were more people. After entering Jiuyan Sect's sphere of influence, there were even more towns and cities everywhere.
Among the five major sects of Eastern Tang, Jiuyan Sect and Danxia Sect were located in the north, one in the east and the other in the west.
Because of the existence of these two sects, the surrounding area was very prosperous. Cultivation cities were everywhere, and it was many times more prosperous than the Celestial Pole.
Along the way, Mo Tiange randomly picked a cultivation town to stay, but she found that the turmoil of Devil Path had already affected all parts of Yunzhong.
Once a powerful Devil Cultivator obtained the sacred object of Devil Path, his strength would soar. Although the cultivators of Yunzhong coexisted peacefully, they were also in a delicate balance.
If the strength of Devil Path cultivators skyrocketed, especially figures like the three Devil Monarchs, the situation in Yunzhong would certainly change.
Therefore, when the sacred object of Devil Path appeared, not only did it set off a great uproar in the world of Devil Path, but other Taoist cultivators, Confucian cultivators, and Buddhist cultivators were also involved.
When she returned to Eastern Tang at this time, there were almost no high-level cultivators left in the five major cultivation sects. Basically, all of them went out in full force.
The disturbance caused by this matter in Eastern Tang was far greater than that in Guifang City.
This was the sacred object of Devil Path. Devil Cultivators went to fight for it for their own interests, but Taoist cultivators felt a sense of crisis.
Taoist cultivators were used to them being the most numerous and powerful cultivators in Yunzhong. This time, it was possible for Devil Cultivators to get the sacred object of Devil Venerable. How could this be?
Although Devil Venerable was powerful and had outstanding figures like the ten Devil Monarchs, Taoist cultivators also had geniuses like Senior Fu Yao Zi and other promising cultivators. The strength of Taoist cultivators was not weak at all!
After so many years, although Taoist and Devil Path were no longer hostile, they were still unwilling to let Devil Cultivators steal the limelight and dominate Taoist cultivators.
As for Buddhist cultivators and Confucian cultivators, they also belonged to the Righteous Path. It was not good for them if Devil Cultivators were strong, so they naturally stood on the side of Taoist cultivators.
Mo Tiange couldn't help but sigh.
She really didn't expect that the situation in Yunzhong would change in such a way in just a few years of seclusion. As a result, the things she wanted to do had changed again.
A few years ago, Ling Yunhe promised to help her obtain the complete version of the Art of Sunu. He said he'd only think of a way to get it for her, but he didn't say how long it would take or whether he'd directly give it to her.
Moreover, regardless of whether Ling Yunhe had become the sect leader of Jiuyan Sect or not, with almost all the sects mobilized, he would most likely be dragged into this matter as well. It was unknown whether he was in Jiuyan Sect at the moment.
After pondering for a while, Mo Tiange felt it was useless to think too much about it. She might as well go directly to the Ling Clan in Sky Snow City to take a look and then decide what to do next.
After making up her mind, she traveled day and night without stopping to rest. Soon, she arrived at Sky Snow City.
She went to the Ling Clan with familiarity. Coincidentally, the person who received her was the cultivator who called Ling Yunhe Second Uncle, Xiaoshun. However, after ten years, Xiaoshun had already successfully built his foundation and became a Foundation Building cultivator.
"Senior, it's you!" Xiaoshun opened his mouth in surprise when he saw Mo Tiange being led in by the gatekeeper.
Mo Tiange swept her gaze over him and immediately found that things were different now. Xiaoshun had advanced to the Foundation Building realm, so his dressing and bearing were completely different from the low-level cultivator he used to be.
She smiled and said, "We haven't seen each other for many years. Turns out you've successfully built your foundation. Congratulations!"
Xiaoshun scratched his head embarrassedly and hastily asked Mo Tiange to sit down. "Senior, please sit. The Core Formation elders of the Ling Clan are all busy right now. Please forgive me for not being a good host."
Mo Tiange waved her hand indifferently. "I know. The appearance of the sacred object of the devil path has affected the whole of Yunzhong."
In fact, for a big clan like the Ling Clan, even if a Core Formation cultivator came to visit, it would be enough for a Foundation Building cultivator to receive them before the reason was stated. It wouldn't be considered rude.
Besides, the current situation was special. According to her estimation, the Ling Clan's Nascent Soul ancestor was most likely chasing after the devil realm's sacred object. There were probably only a few Core Formation cultivators left in the Ling Clan, and they were probably all busy and didn't have time to receive her.
Seeing that Mo Tiange didn't mind, Xiaoshun sighed in relief and said apologetically, "Since Senior knows the reason, I won't explain much."
The servants of the Ling Clan were all well-trained. At this time, they had already served tea quickly.
After Mo Tiange drank the tea, Xiaoshun said, "Senior, did you come to look for Second Uncle?"
Mo Tiange put down the teacup and nodded. "Yes, but I wonder if Fellow Daoist Ling is in the manor or inside Jiuyan Sect?"
Xiaoshun shook his head and said apologetically, "Unfortunately, Second Uncle went out with the ancestor several months ago. I don't know when he'll come back."
Mo Tiange was stunned for a moment before she sighed. "I guessed Fellow Daoist Ling probably couldn't avoid the matter of the devil path's sacred object. I just came to ask with the slightest hope."
"Senior doesn't have to be so disappointed."
Xiaoshun smiled and said, "Although Second Uncle isn't here, Junior has already been informed about Senior's matter."
"Oh?"
Mo Tiange was slightly happy. In that case, she didn't come here in vain. "May I know what Fellow Daoist Ling said?"
Xiaoshun said, "Second Uncle said that Senior has already prepared your reward. However, this matter is very important, so it's inconvenient to tell him. He asked him to personally hand it over to you when he comes back."
Mo Tiange was stunned. "Is that so …" What she wanted was the complete Art of Sunu, including cultivation techniques for those in the Nascent Soul realm and above. Moreover, this thing was a treasure of Danxia Sect, so it wasn't wrong to be so cautious.
However, the emergence of the devil path's sacred object this time would involve a lot of cultivators. She could imagine the chaos that would ensue. How could Ling Yunhe guarantee that he'd come back alive and fulfill his promise?
If Ling Yunhe died on this trip, wouldn't that mean she wouldn't be able to get it?
After hesitating for a while, Mo Tiange asked, "Can you contact him now?"
Xiaoshun hesitated for a moment before answering, "Junior can't.
However, Second Uncle also told me that if Senior really wants to come and look for him during this period of time, Junior can tell Senior where to find Second Uncle. "
"Oh?" Mo Tiange was a bit surprised.
Although she knew most of the Core Formation cultivators in Yunzhong were involved in this matter, she never thought about asking about their whereabouts because this kind of matter was definitely a secret that couldn't be passed on.
But now, from what Xiaoshun said, it seemed he could tell her?
Mo Tiange pondered for a moment then asked, "Isn't this matter the sect's secret?
Why can you tell me? "
Xiaoshun smiled and shook his head. "Senior, it's true that this matter is confidential, but how could it be confidential when almost all the high level cultivators in Yunzhong were involved?
Senior is also a Core Formation cultivator, so if you really want to know, you still have a way to inquire about it.
That being the case, what's wrong with me telling Senior? "
What he said … was true.
With more people involved, even the most confidential matter wouldn't be confidential anymore.
Mo Tiange smiled then asked, "Then tell me, where can I find him?"
Xiaoshun smiled and looked at her. He only said three words: "Returning Ruins Sea."
Mo Tiange was startled and frowned. "Returning Ruins Sea?"
"Correct." Xiaoshun took out a map made of animal skin from his robe and spread it on the tea table.
This was a simple map of Yunzhong. Only the outline of Yunzhong's continent was drawn, but the internal sea was extremely detailed. Every island and every part of the sea was clearly shown.
"Senior, if you want to find Second Uncle, you should go to this island."
Mo Tiange looked at the island next to the Returning Ruins Sea Xiaoshun pointed at and asked, "Where is he?"
Xiaoshun shook his head. "It's just that Second Uncle told me to do so. In Junior's opinion, Senior's chances of running into Second Uncle here aren't high."
Mo Tiange was silent.
This island was obviously a place where Jiuyan Sect cultivators passed by. Ling Yunhe had something to do, and it was a big matter that involved the whole sect, so how could he wait for her here?
Besides, he also didn't know she would really come to the Ling Clan at this time.
Therefore, this was only a possibility.
She thought for a while then asked, "What if things went smoothly? Did he say when he would come back?"
Xiaoshun was silent for a while then shook his head softly with a melancholy expression. "I don't know.
Since Senior already knows what happened, you must also understand that this is a great turmoil that affects the whole of Yunzhong. No one knows whether Senior can come back alive or not. "
"…" Mo Tiange was silent for a while then pointed at the map on the tea table. "Can you give this to me?"
Xiaoshun regained his composure and said with a smile, "Of course." He then rolled up the map and offered it with both hands.
Mo Tiange accepted it then said, "Thank you for passing the message, but I haven't decided whether to go or not.
How about this? If Fellow Daoist Ling comes back and I haven't gone to look for him, please tell him I'll find a suitable time to visit him. "
Xiaoshun nodded with a smile. "I'll definitely pass on Senior's message."
Mo Tiange said, "Fellow Daoist Tiancan also asked me to pass on a message. Right now, she has something important to do, so the time of her visit is uncertain. Maybe three to five years, maybe ten to twenty years. When she's free, she'll come to look for him."
Xiaoshun nodded cautiously. "I understand."
Mo Tiange hesitated for a while, but in the end, she didn't tell Xiaoshun about exchanging the reward.
This matter was too secretive. She'd better tell him when she saw Ling Yunhe. Even if she didn't pass on the message, Nie Wushang could still tell him herself.
After she finished telling him about the main matter, Mo Tiange wasn't in a hurry to leave. She chatted with Xiaoshun and asked him about what happened that year.
After obtaining the Carefree Fruit, Ling Yunhe successfully seized the position of Jiuyan Sect's head.
When he came back with injuries, Ling Clan's Nascent Soul ancestor was furious. Afterward, Jiuyan Sect was in turmoil.
After a series of struggles, Ling Yunhe successfully succeeded the position of sect head, and this matter finally came to an end.
Although Xiaoshun didn't explain this matter very clearly, Mo Tiange could guess it must have something to do with Ling Yunfei.
Back then, Ling Yunfei was a disciple of Ling Clan, but he plotted against Ling Yunhe, so he must have something to rely on. And this reliance definitely wasn't Ling Clan's ancestor.
With this inference, it would be strange if Ling Yunhe didn't get angry. His own Core Formation descendant was actually bribed by someone else — how could he tolerate it?
It could be said that Ling Yunhe's ascension to the position of sect head was a sign that one of Jiuyan Sect's factions was losing power.
Of course, this was Jiuyan Sect's internal affairs. Mo Tiange only asked about it briefly and didn't express too much curiosity.
For her, the problem now was whether she should look for Ling Yunhe and settle this matter as soon as possible or stay out of it and wait here?