Daqian Martial Saint

The floor caved in, revealing a moderately-sized passage.

A faint golden light flickered between Chen Ping’an’s brows. After a brief scan confirmed there was no danger, he leaped into the passage.

Once inside, Chen Ping’an discovered the passage was far longer than he’d imagined. It didn’t lead to the secret chamber he’d expected at all.

The passage sloped downward, looking immeasurably deep. Chen Ping’an didn’t rush straight down. Instead, he looked around and, just as he expected, found a circular ring mechanism.

Chen Ping’an turned it gently. The sunken section of the floor above slowly rose, returning to its original position.

With that done, Chen Ping’an followed the passage downward. It was pitch-black inside, but his perception was so astounding that he could proceed without any light.

’What a massive undertaking. I wonder how much effort this took!’ Chen Ping’an mused as he walked through the passage.

White Cloud Temple was built on a mountain. To dig such a huge underground passage beneath it clearly meant they had to tunnel directly into the mountain itself.

As Chen Ping’an continued on his way, he faintly saw a flicker of light. He immediately circulated his True Qi, enveloping his body to muffle any sound he might make.

After another ten or so steps, Chen Ping’an could finally see the scene ahead. It was an enormous subterranean hall, where figures in black robes moved about.

Stone pillars carved with intricate patterns lined the great hall. Raging flames burned atop them, illuminating the area.

As Chen Ping’an made out the patterns on the pillars, his gaze sharpened.

’Celestial Net Sect!’

’This is a Celestial Net Sect stronghold!?’

Chen Ping’an’s heart began to pound violently in his chest.

The Celestial Net Sect’s influence stretched across every province of the Daqian Dynasty. Although it had suffered severe crackdowns, it remained an unimaginably massive entity. In comparison, factions like the Ten Thousand Demons Sect weren’t even worthy of carrying the Celestial Net Sect’s shoes.

From what Chen Ping’an knew, eradicating a single stronghold of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect required the full, combined effort of the entire Weishui Outer Town Patrol Office. If it were a Branch, one level higher, its elimination would require mobilizing the full might of Weishui County City. The Weishui Garrison alone would likely fall short.

If that was the case for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, then the far more terrifying Celestial Net Sect was on another level entirely.

Chen Ping’an’s nerves stretched taut. With the Celestial Net Sect involved, who knew what kind of masters were inside. ’If this is just an ordinary outpost, that’s one thing, but if it’s a Celestial Net Church Entrance... then...’

’There would absolutely be a Martial Arts Master of the Profound Light Realm presiding over it!’

’And there might be more than one!’

’If it’s a Branch...’

’No! It can’t be a Branch. If it were, they would have detected me the moment I came down.’

’A Celestial Net Sect Branch, even one from the Canglong Province division, would absolutely have an Absolute Master at the Profound Light High Realm in charge!’

’There might even be a formidable expert at the peak of the Profound Light High Realm Perfection, someone infinitely close to becoming a Grandmaster!’

At that moment, not even his Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill—which had reached the Minor Success Realm and entered the Copper Man Unbreakable Realm—could give Chen Ping’an a sufficient sense of security.

’My... what kind of luck is this!?’

’A Daoist temple I entered on a whim just happens to be a Celestial Net Sect stronghold?’ At that moment, Chen Ping’an’s chest heaved; he desperately wanted to curse.

’Reckless!? So reckless!’

’I told myself not to be reckless, and I still act recklessly!’

’I promised myself I wouldn’t be a brute! But these are the actions of a brute!’

’Reckless? What the hell was I thinking!’

’I just ran down here without any preparation! If something goes wrong...’

’One wrong step and it’s over for good!’

’Chen Ping’an, oh, Chen Ping’an! You get a little bit of power and immediately start thinking you’re invincible, like a frog in a well, completely ignorant of how big the world really is!?’

’This world is vast, far vaster than you imagine!’

’A master at the Profound Light Middle Realm can certainly dominate a region, but on the world stage, they’re nothing. Never mind the Profound Light Middle Realm; even those at the Profound Light High Realm, who have achieved Profound Light Penetrating Objects and Armor Unlost, cannot act completely as they please.’

’Perhaps only by becoming a Grandmaster can one truly be carefree, able to look upon the mortal world with a tranquil smile.’

Chen Ping’an held his breath and focused, concealing his aura as he pressed his body almost flat against the stone wall of the passage.

In the subterranean hall, people bustled about, seeming incredibly busy.

From his position in the passage, Chen Ping’an didn’t dare extend his senses too far, afraid of attracting attention. He got the vague impression that these people were all Martial Artists at the Qi Blood Realm; there were no truly formidable experts among them.

’But just because I can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t here!’

’After all, the Celestial Net Sect’s reputation is formidable! Who knows what kind of Martial Arts Masters are lurking inside.’

’This is no place to linger! I have to get out of here, fast.’

For now, he was safe in the passage; the people in the great hall were unlikely to spot him unless they came over. But if someone were to come down from the entrance above, he would have nowhere to hide.

With this in mind, he began to move, silently retreating backward.

The path that had taken only moments to traverse on the way in now seemed exceptionally long on the way out.

To be honest, Chen Ping’an was terrified that while he was retreating, the mechanism for the passage would open and the old Daoist would come down, running right into him.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. After he triggered the mechanism, the floor sank, the passage opened, and with a single flip, Chen Ping’an was back in the old Daoist’s room.

The room was empty.

Seeing this, Chen Ping’an breathed a small sigh of relief.

In truth, even if he were discovered at this point, he was fairly confident he could get away. Still, it was best not to be discovered at all.

As he had made his way back through the passage, an idea had begun to form in his mind. It might still be half-baked, but it was incredibly appealing.

And the success of this idea hinged on him remaining undiscovered.

Chen Ping’an moved quickly to the door. The golden light between his brows flickered as he scanned the area outside. After a careful check, he confirmed no one was nearby. However, the old Daoist had locked the door. If he forced it open, the damage would be too obvious, basically announcing that an intruder had been there.

Chen Ping’an chose the window instead. After sliding the latch open, he slipped outside. Then, he circulated his True Qi, suffusing the window frame and using his fine control to push the latch back down. In a matter of moments, everything was just as it had been, completely flawless.

Such fine control was beyond the abilities of an ordinary Martial Arts Master.

With that done, Chen Ping’an leaped onto the roof and moved stealthily away. The Daoists’ morning prayers were not yet over, so he easily avoided them and left White Cloud Temple.

’My actions today were far too reckless!’

After leaving White Cloud Temple, Chen Ping’an’s figure blurred as he flitted through the mountains.

’Thankfully, it didn’t end in disaster! I know why I made this mistake today. I must remember this lesson and always remain vigilant!’

’Of all things, a hidden Celestial Net Sect stronghold is located right near where Feng Shixian died. I’m afraid his death is deeply connected to the Celestial Net Sect!’