Chapter 23: The Yin-Yang School

"The Eastern Emperor Taiyi and the Eastern Lord of the Yin-Yang School?"

"It is rumored that within the Yin-Yang School, the Eastern Emperor Taiyi is the supreme leader. Beneath him are the three guardians of Sun, Moon, and Star. The Eastern Lord must be the representative of the Void Sun, the Three-Legged Golden Crow. Beneath the three guardians are the five great elders, and beneath the elders are the many disciples!"

Zhou Qing was well-informed about the Yin-Yang School. Five hundred years ago, after splitting from the Taoist School, the Yin-Yang School embarked on a different path, pursuing tyrannical offensive techniques while integrating the essence of Taoist philosophy. Though not a massive force, it was home to many formidable experts.

It was unexpected that these two major figures of the Yin-Yang School had arrived while he was in seclusion breaking through his cultivation. This development defied Zhou Qing's expectations; according to the trajectory of history, the Yin-Yang School seemed destined to integrate into the forces of the State of Qin in the near future.

After the battles of Changping and Handan over a decade ago, the State of Zhao—the last nation among the six eastern states capable of contending with Qin—had fallen into a deep decline from which it could never recover.

Although six years prior, Lord Xinling of Wei had led the coalition forces of five states to crush the Qin army and defeat the general Meng Ao, it was merely a fleeting surge, and Meng Ao had not lost the favor of the King of Qin because of it.

Recent rumors suggested that General Meng Ao had once again captured several cities in the State of Han, demonstrating the majesty of Qin. If there were no surprises, a situation of one superpower dominating several weaker states would emerge. In another ten years, the wars of annexation would erupt, the six kings would be vanquished, and the world would be unified.

As the Eastern Emperor Taiyi, who claimed to perceive the secrets of heaven, it was not difficult for him to foresee this situation; many across the Central Plains could see it as well. Reflecting on this, Zhou Qing felt that perhaps he, too, should take some action.

"Indeed. The Eastern Lord of the Yin-Yang School is no more than eleven or twelve years old, yet her cultivation has already reached the Xiantian realm, not far from the Hualing (Spirit Transformation) stage. If the Eastern Lord is this formidable, the other two guardians are likely no less impressive."

Mu Shanzi, the leader of the Human Sect, nodded in agreement. While Zhou Qing’s cultivation was superior by comparison, the offensive methods of the Yin-Yang School were notoriously treacherous yet undeniably powerful.

If one were not careful, it was truly possible to fall into their traps. Sensing this, Mu Shanzi looked toward Zhou Qing at his side with a grave expression.

"That is true."

Though the Yin-Yang School was strong, their objectives were always clear. If there was no conflict of interest, they generally remained aloof. The secret of the Seven Luminaries of the Azure Dragon, a legend spanning millennia, was something that could catch the eye of the Eastern Emperor Taiyi; it must hold extraordinary significance.

Chisongzi also nodded with a faint smile. However, while the Yin-Yang School was powerful, the Taoist School was no pushover. One only needed to be a little more vigilant when encountering them. His junior brother had already reached the Hualing stage; who knew when he might break through to the Wuxu (Void Perception) realm?

If one truly reached the realm of Wuxu, they could walk freely across the entire Central Plains. A martial artist at that stage could be considered a transcendent existence.

The group of nine did not linger long in the restaurant. After their meal, they exchanged bows and farewells. The once-every-five-years discourse provided an opportunity for the two sects to reunite. Although the Taoist School was divided into the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect, their differences were merely philosophical; both aimed to reach the realm of their ancestors.

"Junior Brother Chisong, Junior Brother Xuanqing, when you seized the Eagle Sword, you killed several Net assassins. I suspect the journey home will not be without trouble. Be careful in all things!"

After the meal, as they left the restaurant, Zong Quan and the others led the horses over. Chisongzi, Mu Shanzi, and others exchanged Taoist salutes. Sensing the movements in the surroundings, Mu Shanzi could not help but shake his head slightly.

"It is of no concern. The Net does not exist for our sake; they will learn their place after losing a few men," Chisongzi said with a faint smile. He, too, felt the prying gazes, but dismissed them. The Taoist School transcended the world and did not conflict with the Net, which belonged to the State of Qin.

If they were to trouble the Taoist School over a few assassins, then the "Heaven-grade" assassins among the eight ranks—Heaven, Earth, Desolation, Killing, Demon, Ghost, Monster, and Spirit—would need to be retrained from scratch.

Zhou Qing held the Eagle Sword, his internal energy circulating to conceal its edge as he slung it across his back. He chuckled at Mu Shanzi’s words. Shortly after, the Heavenly Sect and Human Sect parted ways.

******

"The Net acts with arrogance, but the assassins they sent are hardly worth mentioning!"

The four members of the Taoist Heavenly Sect rode on their return journey. Emerging from Mount Taiyi, they headed straight south, passing through Hangu Pass and entering Hanzhong Commandery. Deep within the rugged mountains, the Net assassins finally made their move.

With the Eagle Sword in hand, he tested its edge. Moving like the wind and riding the void, he slew the six assassins, whose strength was no higher than the Xiantian level, with effortless grace. The scent of blood and slaughter drifted through the forest, turning into fertilizer for the earth.

Facing two practitioners at the Hualing level, they stood no chance of success without at least five Heaven-grade assassins. Most Heaven-grade assassins were also at the Xiantian realm, possessing only slightly superior assassination skills.

As for those assassins who had truly entered the Hualing realm, Zhou Qing did not believe the Net would dare to dispatch them!

"Junior Brother, your breakthrough to the Hualing realm on this journey is an unexpected joy. Upon returning to the sect, I expect the Master will emerge from seclusion to instruct you personally. The next realm is Wuxu."

"In those years, Liezi rode the wind into that realm, Zhuang Zhou entered it in a dream, and our Master attained it through a profound understanding of the entire *Xiao Yao You* (Free and Easy Wandering), which is why he is revered by the Hundred Schools as Master Beiming."

"The Master has spoken much of the mysteries of Wuxu, but I have yet to grasp its wonder. Given your talent, Junior Brother, I expect you will gain much!"

The realms of Wuxu, Hedao (Unity with the Way), and Shenrong (Merging with All Things) were states that had been reached by only a handful of people in recorded history. Chisongzi had cultivated for forty or fifty years and was still hovering at the Hualing stage.

As the horses trotted along the path, passing high mountains and crossing rivers, the southern commanderies remained underdeveloped, still displaying a desolate, primitive aura.

Oxen plowed the narrow plains, farmers labored in the fields, and women wove cloth in bamboo courtyards. Under the policy of agriculture and war, it was these small households that bolstered the powerful foundations of the State of Qin.

Hearing his senior brother’s words, Zhou Qing nodded. In less than a year, he had crossed the stages of Foundation Establishment, Qi Refining, and Xiantian to reach the Hualing level. He knew his own circumstances best.

His "Calculation Count" was unparalleled; he only needed a moment of enlightenment for a realm to fall into place. His count had now exceeded one million. Although he had only broken into the Hualing realm a few days ago, under the surge of his count, his spiritual perception grew ever stronger.

His perception of the surrounding heaven and earth grew increasingly keen, expanding from a few dozen meters to several hundred meters in radius.

Moreover, Zhou Qing had a feeling that the Hualing stage was not something that had a definitive "perfection" or "peak," as his senior brother had described. Liezi rode the wind into Wuxu; Zhuang Zhou entered Wuxu in a dream. As for their ancestor, he likely attained the supreme state by observing water. Regardless, the fact that his strength grew every day was undeniable. The chaos of the Central Plains had not yet truly begun; the stronger his power, the greater his security.