Ch 125: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

“What destiny? What calamity? That’s impossible! She’s just a little girl who has barely stepped into the Dao. How could she possibly shake Xuantian Sect?” Xuan Qing couldn’t accept the outcome and supported Cheng Xuzi. “Master, this must be because you’re unsettled by my junior brother’s death, which has affected your divination. Rest for now, and once you’re better, try again. The results will surely…”

“Sigh, Xuan Qing, stop deceiving yourself,” Cheng Xuzi said with a heavy heart, his expression pained as he looked at Xuan Yang’s corpse. If I hadn’t ordered you to use this method to sustain the sect, Xuan Yang wouldn’t have committed such atrocities, nor would he have died so miserably. I thought I could save him, and even if he died, I believed I could help him become a ghost cultivator to continue his practice. But I didn’t expect the ghost officer to arrive so quickly. Xuan Yang… he’s going to suffer.”

Xuan Qing felt equally burdened and at a loss for words. He could only offer comfort. “Master, you acted for the good of the sect. I’m sure my junior brother wouldn’t blame you. It’s a shame that even though we were willing to shoulder karmic debts to support the sect, it all unraveled in the end. It’s all because of Shen Yunxuan! She’s been parading around, exposing my junior brother’s formations for fame and fortune. If not for her, my junior brother wouldn’t have died, and Xuantian Sect wouldn’t have fallen from its pedestal.

Master, if Shen Yunxuan is truly the calamity of our sect, does that mean she will bring even greater harm in the future? I’ll kill her now. Even if it costs me my life, I can’t let her destroy Xuantian Sect.”

“No!” Cheng Xuzi stopped him urgently. “Xuan Qing, you must not act rashly! The divination shows this calamity as Xuantian Sect’s reckoning, its karmic retribution. Master Shen is merely an instrument of the heavens, wielding the blade. If it weren’t her, someone else would have taken her place.

What’s more, our sect owes her a great karmic debt. Though I can’t see the exact details of this debt, the divination warns of rebirth through fire and the inevitability of karma. This is the heavens’ warning for us to atone for our sins. If we continue to resist, we may face the destruction of both our sect and our souls.”

With a deep sigh, Cheng Xuzi continued, “Two decades ago, I foresaw the weakening of our sect’s fortune and sought to defy fate by borrowing fortune through deals. I thought I could evade the heavens’ notice and preserve Xuantian Sect. My plan was to sustain the sect until I reached the Nascent Soul stage, extending my lifespan and securing the sect’s prosperity. I hoped to atone for our debts by doing good deeds and supporting the Taoist community. But now… it has all been for naught. I am injured and burdened by inner demons. I fear I can no longer hope to ascend.”

Xuan Qing was shocked. “Master! How could this happen to you?”

Cheng Xuzi sighed. “Xuan Yang’s actions were ultimately a result of my teachings. His backlash has implicated me as well. Moreover, while healing him, I was spiritually connected to him, and the damage I sustained is far worse than it appears.”

Seeing that Xuan Qing still hadn’t fully grasped the situation, his face filled with unwillingness, Cheng Xuzi shook his head and said, “Xuan Qing, heed my advice—let it go. From now on, focus on doing good deeds and accumulating virtue. Perhaps we may lessen our suffering in the afterlife.”

Cheng Xuzi slowly walked away. Xuan Qing wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent. He noticed that his master’s once upright posture had hunched, his figure now frail and aged. Cheng Xuzi had taken all the blame upon himself, and his spirit seemed broken.

Before Cheng Xuzi could return to his quarters, Minister Zhou arrived with a fully armed team, surrounding Xuantian Sect. Accompanying him was Jianxiu Chengying, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator and one of the government’s most formidable allies.

Chengying’s youthful appearance and robust state stood in stark contrast to Cheng Xuzi’s haggardness. It was Chengying’s ascendance that had initially driven Cheng Xuzi into seclusion to strive for Nascent Soul. But now, injured and worn, Cheng Xuzi stood no chance against Chengying.

The heavy sword on Chengying’s back emitted a low hum, resonating like a thunderous roar in the ears of the Xuantian Sect disciples. Many of the younger disciples clutched their heads in pain, unable to withstand the oppressive sword intent.

This was a warning—a declaration of justice from Chengying on behalf of the righteous path.

Cheng Xuzi sighed and addressed them. “Minister Zhou, Chengying, it has been a long time. I have been foolish and committed grave errors. I was about to surrender myself. I apologize for troubling you to come all this way.”

“Master!” Xuan Qing shouted, intending to take responsibility for the sect’s sins.

But Cheng Xuzi used his spiritual energy to immobilize him, preventing him from speaking or moving. Xuan Qing could only watch helplessly as Cheng Xuzi took full responsibility, admitting that his selfish ambition to make Xuantian Sect the foremost sect had driven him to instruct Xuan Yang to commit those crimes. He insisted that no one else in the sect was involved.

When Shen Yunxuan arrived with Taoist Bai He and the others, they overheard Cheng Xuzi say, “Minister Zhou, Xuantian Sect deserves punishment. We are willing to donate half of our treasure trove and library to aid the cultivation of Taoist practitioners. From now on, Xuantian Sect will dedicate itself to upholding righteousness and accumulating virtue. We will not repeat our mistakes. I hope the government can give us a chance to reform.”

After a pause, Cheng Xuzi added, “As for me, my injuries are my karma, the heavens’ punishment. I have come to terms with my wrongdoing. I will willingly accept imprisonment in the government’s custody and will not leave. From this day forward, I sever all ties with Xuantian Sect.”

His words were an oath sworn to the heavens—a vow no cultivator could break without invoking divine retribution in the form of a fatal lightning strike.

Shen Yunxuan and the others exchanged glances, realizing the punishment was actually quite severe. Strictly speaking, Xuantian Sect hadn’t openly gone on a rampage or committed outright mass murder. Their actions exploited loopholes and were morally reprehensible, but legally, it was difficult to define them as outright crimes. Now that Cheng Xuzi had voluntarily confessed and accepted lifelong imprisonment, severing all ties with Xuantian Sect, the sect had not only lost their Foundation Establishment cultivator Xuan Yang but also their Golden Core cultivator Cheng Xuzi. Their power was greatly diminished and no longer a threat.

In this era of spiritual depletion, the number of capable practitioners was dwindling, and resources like artifacts, talismans, and cultivation manuals were becoming increasingly scarce. By donating half of Xuantian Sect’s treasure and library to the government, Cheng Xuzi was essentially spending his way out of trouble, hoping to gain leniency.

In truth, Shen Yunxuan and her team didn’t have enough concrete evidence to implicate Xuan Qing or the others, and outright destroying Xuantian Sect wasn’t an option either. If the situation escalated, it could lead to a devastating battle with significant casualties. Cheng Xuzi’s proposal for both sides to step back and resolve the matter peacefully was likely the best outcome.

For the Taoist community, however, Xuantian Sect and Xuan Qing’s reputations were utterly ruined. Going forward, disciples of Xuantian Sect would be looked down upon, and the sect gave off an air of inevitable decline. Most critically, Cheng Xuzi had declared that Xuantian Sect would now dedicate itself to virtue and righteousness. Should the sect stray from this promise and commit further wrongdoing, Minister Zhou would have every reason to send forces to eradicate them.

After some deliberation, Minister Zhou nodded. “Very well. Let’s proceed.”

Cheng Xuzi ordered the treasure vault and library to be opened, and the soldiers accompanying Minister Zhou promptly removed half of their contents. The disciples of Xuantian Sect looked on with grim faces, their pride shattered and their hearts filled with unease.

Watching the soldiers, Cheng Xuzi let out a bitter smile. They were cultivators, a major sect—but how could they withstand the power of modern weapons? If they truly angered the government, thousands of soldiers with advanced weaponry could raze the entire sect to the ground.

He had been too naive. Borrowing a bit of fortune to help the sect weather a crisis seemed harmless at the time, but he had forgotten the fickle nature of human hearts. His two disciples had been blinded by power and status, corrupting the entire sect’s ethos. Their recklessness had brought about this calamity, even leading to an attempt to kill Shen Yunxuan. Now, all he could hope for was to quell the anger of their adversaries and secure a sliver of hope for the sect’s future.

Before leaving, Cheng Xuzi placed a hand on Xuan Qing’s shoulder and spoke earnestly. “Karma is real—good deeds are rewarded, and evil deeds are punished. Remember to focus on virtue and righteousness. Only by atoning for our sins can we ensure a good end. This is the true way to preserve the sect. In times of doubt, recall my words. From now on, you’ll have to rely on yourself.”

Xuan Qing, bound by Cheng Xuzi’s spiritual energy, could only convey his anguish with his eyes. He watched as his master decisively turned and walked away, severing all ties with Xuantian Sect.

The once-mighty number-one sect now exuded an air of desolation. Although the people remained, the sect felt empty. Xuan Qing realized the void he felt was in his heart. He and his fellow disciples, along with their master, had been like an iron triangle supporting Xuantian Sect. Now, he was alone, and the weight of the sect seemed unbearable.

Most of the disciples, unaware of the full truth, hesitated to speak up. They saw the scorn directed at Xuantian Sect in the Taoist community chat groups but didn’t dare voice their doubts. They only wanted answers—were the accusations true? But Xuan Qing had no energy to address them. After dismissing the disciples, he arranged for Xuan Yang’s burial and went to inspect the remnants of the fortune-borrowing formation in the forbidden grounds.

The formation was destroyed—this formation had been personally constructed by his master, himself, and his junior brother. Back then, his master had warned them to be grateful to those they borrowed fortune from and to protect them. This would minimize the karmic burden. But over the past two decades, they had gradually forgotten their master’s words and strayed further and further from the path.

Yet their actions hadn’t been for themselves—they had done it all for Xuantian Sect. And now, even the sect’s disciples resented them. What had been the point of their sacrifices?

Xuan Qing collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed. How had it come to this? Over the years, they had helped countless people who sought aid from Xuantian Sect. Was that not enough to balance their sins?

And Shen Yunxuan—what grudge did she hold against them to repeatedly destroy their formations, leading to Xuan Yang’s tragic death and their master’s injury and imprisonment? Was this some destined enmity?

Though Xuan Qing was filled with hatred for Shen Yunxuan, Cheng Xuzi’s parting words restrained him from acting on it. He remained in the forbidden grounds, attempting to calm his emotions.

When he finally emerged, a disciple reported to him that over half of Xuantian Sect’s members had left the sect, packing their belongings and departing. Several wealthy patrons, who had previously donated generously, had called to berate them, accusing them of fraud and threatening lawsuits to recover their donations. These patrons vowed to expose Xuantian Sect’s misdeeds to the public.

With disciples gone, fewer patrons, and their reputation in ruins, Xuan Qing’s head throbbed. What ill fortune had befallen their sect? Was the destruction of the formation really the cause of all this?

What he didn’t know was that this misfortune was entirely Shen Yunxuan’s doing.

As Shen Yunxuan and her team returned to SAD, Cheng Xuzi turned to her and said, “I owe you an apology. It was my wrongdoing that brought harm to you. Although I don’t know the specifics, the divination suggests you endured great suffering to rise again. Xuantian Sect’s downfall is the punishment it deserves. I hope that from now on, you find peace and are no longer burdened by past grievances.”

Shen Yunxuan hadn’t expected Cheng Xuzi to be the first to realize that she had been reborn. While he might not have been certain of the specifics, such as reincarnation, he clearly understood that there was enmity between them. She observed the conflicting light around Cheng Xuzi—a sign of both good and evil deeds—and felt no warmth toward this seemingly benevolent old man. In her eyes, he was nothing more than a confused cultivator. Despite his high cultivation level and position at the pinnacle of the Taoist world, his unclear sense of right and wrong and indecisiveness had led to significant suffering for many.

Perhaps his original intention had been to borrow a little fortune, thinking it harmless and inconsequential. But he hadn’t foreseen the crimes such acts would encourage—how Xuan Yang would oppress others, and how those victims would in turn oppress even weaker individuals, creating a cycle of torment that left families shattered.

The six children of the Fang family were one example. She herself was another. If the situation had persisted, even Lin Zixiao might not have had a good outcome. Cheng Xuzi’s momentary lapse in judgment had entangled countless lives. Whatever punishment he faced now was well deserved. Fortunately, Shen Yunxuan had grown familiar with the ghost officers of the underworld and had already reported Xuantian Sect’s misdeeds to them. When Cheng Xuzi and the others eventually faced judgment in the underworld, their punishment would be severe, freeing her from any further concern.

No matter what, Cheng Xuzi had said one thing that resonated with her: the passage of time had allowed her to see the fall of Xuantian Sect, and with that, she no longer needed to be burdened by the grievances of the past.

Cheng Xuzi was escorted to a special prison, and Shen Yunxuan noticed Jianxiu Chengying quietly observing her from the corner. Chengying radiated a dense golden light of virtue, even stronger than Minister Zhou’s, so she approached him to pay her respects.

“Greetings, Senior. I am Shen Yunxuan, the head of Idle Cloud Temple. It’s an honor to meet you. Your name precedes you, and seeing you today confirms your unparalleled virtue. I’ve encountered some difficulties in my cultivation after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. Would you be willing to offer me some guidance?”

Chengying nodded. Though his demeanor was aloof, his gaze carried warmth, entirely lacking any air of superiority. Shen Yunxuan asked several earnest questions, and Chengying patiently answered each one. Then, after observing her for a moment, he said, “The fate-swapping technique is a dark art. Those who use it will face karmic retribution. You need not worry about your fate being reversed.”

Shen Yunxuan was initially taken aback, but Chengying’s steady gaze reassured her. Delighted, she asked, “That’s a relief! Senior, since you can perceive my altered destiny, is there any way you could help me rid myself of the cursed fate of a lone star and persistent misfortune?”

Chengying replied, “The path you are walking is the correct one. Stay true to your original intentions, and many problems will resolve themselves.”

Shen Yunxuan pondered his words carefully and expressed her gratitude with deep sincerity. By doing good deeds and helping others, she gained not only their heartfelt gratitude but also the power of faith. While this wasn’t yet enough to fully offset her cursed fate, she felt that with time and her prolonged lifespan as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she could endure the trials and make her rebirth truly meaningful.

With her heart suddenly enlightened, Shen Yunxuan felt a profound sense of clarity. Indeed, sometimes all it took was a few words from a wise elder to illuminate the path forward.

Chengying soon departed, returning to the mountains to reunite with his wife. Mao Ximing, who had been observing the interaction, approached Shen Yunxuan and teased, “So, Master Shen, you’re not above flattering others, huh?”

Shen Yunxuan sighed. “I was just being honest.” Then, glancing at Mao Ximing’s features, she suddenly asked in surprise, “Are you related to Senior Chengying?”

Mao Ximing chuckled. “He’s my great-great-great-grandfather. But Senior Chengying and his wife are recluses in the mountains and rarely come out. I’m just a humble junior and have only met them a few times. Just now, I didn’t even dare to approach. I’ll have to keep working hard. Once I reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll go visit them.”

Mao Ximing grinned and added, “Let me tell you, my ancestors were legendary back in the day. They fought against demonic formations and ghost banners, battles you’d only hear about in stories. After defeating all their enemies and with the decline of spiritual energy, they retired to live in seclusion. I’ve always suspected that my ancestor isn’t just in the Golden Core stage. Did you see how youthful he looks, with his jet-black hair and bright eyes? He’s probably got plenty of years left. Not like that Cheng Xuzi, who’s already showing his age.”

Shen Yunxuan shared this suspicion but felt it wasn’t her business to pry into others’ cultivation levels. All she needed to know was that Chengying was a good person. She resolved to visit him in the future if given the chance. Grateful for Chengying’s advice, Shen Yunxuan turned her focus to Mao Ximing. Since he had been assisting her diligently and was Chengying’s descendant, she decided to offer him some guidance, hoping he would reach Foundation Establishment soon and visit his ancestors.

For now, Shen Yunxuan stayed at SAD. Knowing that many were curious about her and eager to learn about cultivation, she deliberately practiced in the garden of the ministerial residence. Once the group gathered, she shared her cultivation insights.

She candidly explained that her primary method of cultivation was through doing good deeds and accumulating virtue. Since she started cultivating, she had noticed that acts of kindness seemed to accelerate her progress. Although she didn’t explicitly mention the power of faith or virtue, she emphasized repeatedly that virtue was universally beneficial and that good deeds would always yield rewards.

Afterward, Shen Yunxuan shared her methods for focusing the mind during cultivation, what it felt like to achieve enlightenment, how to achieve twice the results with half the effort, and how to arrange spirit-gathering formations using specific jade types to aid cultivation. These were insights she had gathered from reading books for over a decade in her previous life and from her own cultivation experience in this life. Since everyone had worked together to help her achieve justice, she was more than willing to share her knowledge, hoping it would benefit them.

The Taoist community had been in decline, and it wasn’t the time to hoard knowledge. Only by empowering more people could the community thrive. Otherwise, with Golden Core cultivators like Cheng Xuzi aging out, and Foundation Establishment cultivators like Bai He following suit, the remaining young disciples wouldn’t have enough strength to uphold the legacy. Was she supposed to retreat into the mountains to live alone, truly embodying her “calamity lone star” fate? That wasn’t an option.

This was why she was willing to share and even encouraged others to try fortune-telling through live streaming. This way, they could help more people in need.

Everyone was astounded by her generosity. They were used to Xuantian Sect’s high-handed arrogance, so Shen Yunxuan’s approach left them not only surprised but also deeply respectful. Many even felt that someone like her was the right leader for the Taoist community.

After Shen Yunxuan finished sharing her insights, the porcupine spirit elder approached her. This demon, a middle-aged woman named Bai Yuzhu, said, “These past few days have been chaotic, but I finally found time to formally meet you, Master Shen. Ximing mentioned the condition of Idle Wanderer Taoist. I’ve been observing him, and I believe he was in the late stages of cancer a few months ago. However, his condition seems to have stabilized recently. Is that your doing?”

Shen Yunxuan was surprised and delighted. “His condition stabilized? Really? I didn’t do much. I just had him perform good deeds with me, set up a spirit-gathering formation in his room, and gave him a health talisman to wear. That’s all. I didn’t expect it to actually work!”

Looking back, she realized that Idle Wanderer’s pale and dizzy state when they first met had disappeared. He even managed to hike into the mountains without feeling faint. It seemed the cancer really hadn’t progressed.

However, she couldn’t help but recall her previous life. Back then, Idle Wanderer had used a secret technique, burning the last of his life force to remain energetic and pass on his Taoist knowledge to her. But it hadn’t saved his life, and by the time she was imprisoned by the Xie family, he had already passed away. She worried that this life might follow the same path and anxiously asked, “Elder Bai, I heard you’re highly skilled in medicine. Do you have any way to cure my senior brother?”

Bai Yuzhu replied, “I’d need to formally examine him to determine the specifics, but don’t worry. I’ll do everything I can.”

Having crossed paths was fate, and Bai Yuzhu wouldn’t stand idly by. Besides, now that Shen Yunxuan had joined their department, they were essentially on the same team. Shen Yunxuan had exposed Xuantian Sect’s crimes, saved so many people, and selflessly shared her cultivation knowledge. Bai Yuzhu admired her deeply and wanted to do something to help.

After thoroughly examining Idle Wanderer, Bai Yuzhu concluded that while there was no guarantee of a cure, she could try her best. Even if the treatment wasn’t completely successful, it might extend his life by another ten years.

Idle Wanderer considered this a great blessing, but Shen Yunxuan wasn’t willing to give up on finding the necessary medicinal ingredients. To express her gratitude, she carved a protective talisman from the finest imperial jade for Bai Yuzhu. Though Bai Yuzhu refused to accept payment, Shen Yunxuan promised to provide useful items whenever needed, knowing they would work together more often in the future.

With her Foundation Establishment breakthrough, Shen Yunxuan felt a deeper connection with nature, sensing the life energy around her. Having avenged her past, overcome her biggest concerns, received guidance from Chengying, and confirmed that Zhou Yunxuan couldn’t harm her anymore, she also saw new hope for her senior brother. The horizon seemed boundless, and her heart was as clear as the sky.

After leading the effort to dismantle the fortune-stealing formations and rescuing countless people, Shen Yunxuan received a substantial influx of merit. While her streak of misfortune was temporarily suppressed, she immediately contacted Fang Qianqian to plan the reconstruction of Idle Cloud Temple. This time, she redesigned the temple to divide it into two parts: one for hosting visitors and another protected by a defensive array, accessible only to insiders. In times of crisis, the array could be activated to repel enemies.

The temple layout integrated buildings with a mountain-protecting array, enhanced by spirit-gathering formations using plants and trees. Backed by a mountain range, it promised to become a flourishing sanctuary.

Seeing Shen Yunxuan finally tending to temple matters, Fang Qianqian eagerly asked, “Sister Xuan, have you really reached Foundation Establishment? I used to think you were just good at fortune-telling, but now I see you’re an amazing cultivator. That’s so cool! Are you taking disciples? Do you think I have what it takes to be one?”

Shen Yunxuan chuckled, finding Fang Qianqian endearing. “You’re qualified. As long as you can endure hardships, you’re welcome to become my disciple. But cultivation is tedious and grueling, and there’s no guarantee of success. Can you handle that?”

“I can! Absolutely!”

Following Fang Qianqian, Shen Yunxuan also accepted Xu Wei and Xianglan as her disciples. Fang Qianqian joked, “Is the temple going to become an all-female sect?”

Shen Yunxuan laughed. “Why not? Perhaps it’s fate that all my disciples are women.”

She taught them the most basic cultivation techniques, urging them to take their time and not rush results. They were instructed to return to her once they sensed spiritual energy entering their bodies. For Xianglan, Shen Yunxuan crafted a soul-nurturing jade to help restore her spirit.

After settling her immediate tasks, Shen Yunxuan received a call one afternoon from Auntie Li.

Auntie Li’s excited voice came through the line: “Master Shen! It worked! I followed your advice, and that old scoundrel finally asked for a divorce!”

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆