PCJ – Chapter 570 Journey to Kunlun

“What if the Kunlun Sect has ulterior motives behind hosting this cultivation seminar?” Zhang Jiaohua still felt uneasy.

“If the Kunlun Sect had another agenda, they wouldn’t have invited a declining sect like the Xiyun Sect in the first place,” Wei Chenguang replied with a smile. “The Kunlun Sect wouldn’t be tempted by the resources of such a sect.”

Zhang Jiaohua was different from Wei Chenguang—he had secrets. From the current state of the cultivation world, Zhang Jiaohua could tell that his Cultivation Diagram was highly unusual. Even when supplying the Xiyun Secret Realm with spiritual springs, he had to take extra precautions, such as setting up spiritual arrays to collect the spring’s essence.

The arrays worked. The issue wasn’t that spiritual energy didn’t exist between Heaven and Earth—it was just too impure to be usable. It was like water on Earth: industrialization had polluted much of the planet’s water, making clean fresh water increasingly scarce. People said there was a “water shortage,” but it wasn’t a lack of water—it was a lack of clean water.

Spiritual energy was the same. The so-called “shortage” wasn’t because it was gone, but because it had become too chaotic to use. Spiritual springs dried up because there was no clean spiritual energy to replenish them.

The Cultivation Diagram was a sophisticated cultivation method that could transform the chaotic energy of Heaven and Earth into Primal Chaos Qi, which then evolved within the diagram into all things. Every plant and tree within the diagram was essentially a manifestation of Earth’s spiritual energy, purified through visualization techniques that transformed the chaotic energy into refined energy.

The Spirit-Gathering Array that Zhang Jiaohua had designed did indeed help concentrate spiritual energy—but it was really just a cover. The array worked, but not nearly as effectively as it appeared. Given the deep foundations of the three great sacred lands, they surely had similar arrays. Yet they still couldn’t escape the depletion of their spiritual veins. So spiritual arrays alone clearly couldn’t solve the problem.

“If Sect Leader is worried about the seminar,” Wei Chenguang offered, “perhaps I should go in your place.” He could tell Zhang Jiaohua had serious concerns about the Kunlun Sect.

Zhang Jiaohua shook his head. “Of course I won’t pass up this opportunity. If I can learn the cause of the spiritual vein depletion, it may help us find a solution in the future.”

When Liang Mingjie heard that the newly established Meishan Sect wanted to replace the Xiyun Sect in attending the seminar, he thought about it briefly and agreed. His task from the Kunlun Sect was simply to reach out to other cultivation sects, not meddle in unnecessary affairs. Since the Xiyun Sect had been destroyed, they could simply be replaced. He had no special ties to the Xiyun Sect—why would he seek justice on their behalf?

“You’re allowed to come,” Liang Mingjie said. “But once at Kunlun, you must follow the rules of the seminar.” Of course, he was just putting on a show of authority.

Neither Zhang Jiaohua nor Wei Chenguang took his words seriously.

Along the way, Zhang Jiaohua quickly grew friendly with Liang Mingjie.

“Who’s the strongest cultivator in your sect?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“In the past, we had cultivators at the Divine Spirit to Void Return stage,” Liang Mingjie said proudly.

Zhang Jiaohua immediately caught the key word: “in the past.” That meant no one currently in the sect had reached that level.

“The Kunlun Sect’s foundations really are impressive,” Zhang Jiaohua continued. “Then you must have many cultivators at the Qi Refining to Spirit Transformation stage now?”

“Do you think Spirit Transformation cultivators grow on trees?” Liang Mingjie snapped. “Even in our Kunlun Sect, you can count them on one hand. No more than this.” He held up three fingers.

Zhang Jiaohua sighed silently. Though Spirit Transformation cultivators were still formidable opponents for him, he hadn’t expected that even the Kunlun Sect—one of the three great sacred lands—would have so few of them.

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Liang Mingjie said smugly. “With hard work, you could be like me one day and reach the Essence Refinement stage. That would mean you’ve truly stepped through the gate of cultivation—which is no easy feat.”

Liang Mingjie had still not realized who the real leader of Meishan Sect was. He assumed Zhang Jiaohua was just Wei Chenguang’s disciple.

Wei Chenguang, ever the smooth operator, didn’t even crack a smile no matter how absurd Liang Mingjie’s comments were. Zhang Jiaohua, focused on learning more about the Kunlun Sect, feigned reverence toward Liang Mingjie.

“If only I could reach the Essence Refinement stage like Senior Liang… Then I’d truly be a cultivator,” Zhang Jiaohua said, eyes full of admiration.

“You will, you will! I believe in you,” Liang Mingjie said encouragingly, patting his shoulder.

The Kunlun Sect was indeed located within the Kunlun Mountains. But even if an ordinary person visited those mountains a thousand times, they would never find the Kunlun Sect. Though physically within Kunlun, its gates were hidden beyond the reach of mortals.

Liang Mingjie led Zhang Jiaohua and Wei Chenguang to Qogir Peak, the main summit of the Kunlun Mountains. Though an incredibly difficult climb for normal people, it was no challenge for cultivators like them.

The summit was covered with thick, year-round ice and snow, surrounded by dense fog. Visibility was less than a meter.

“Stay close!” Liang Mingjie warned as he continued climbing—this wasn’t even the true peak yet. There was still higher to go.

“Once we reach this point, just charge forward. Trust me—your fortune lies just ahead. Follow me!” he said excitedly.

Zhang Jiaohua remained calm. He’d already sensed that they were entering a formation—this was the entrance to the Kunlun Sect. The formation’s power was much stronger than the Xiyun Sect’s protective array. With the Kunlun Sect’s spiritual veins intact, Zhang Jiaohua knew he couldn’t possibly break through it alone.

“This is our Kunlun Sect’s Mountain Guarding Array,” Liang Mingjie explained. “Without Spirit Transformation cultivation, you’d never break it. Jiaohua, give it a try.” He clearly wanted Zhang Jiaohua to embarrass himself.

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare try to break your Mountain Guarding Array,” Zhang Jiaohua replied quickly.

“It’s fine, just try it. I promise the Kunlun Sect won’t hold it against you,” Liang Mingjie grinned.

Zhang Jiaohua rolled his eyes and thought to himself, “Do you think I’m as dumb as you?”

“Young Master Liang, it’s better not to joke about such things,” Wei Chenguang quickly interjected. “How could we randomly attack a Mountain Guarding Array? If there’s a misunderstanding, we wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences.”