amaotonovel Is Chapter 1410 fun?
Is Chapter 1410 fun?
Is Chapter 1410 fun?
An immense, boundless pressure, as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, descended without warning upon the Qingxu Sect's mountain gate, instantly enveloping the entire peak. The invisible weight made all living beings within it feel suffocated.
"This is... the pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator!"
Inside the main hall of the Qingxu Sect, Xuan Chengzi and Abbess Jingyun's faces instantly turned deathly pale, their eyes filled with indescribable horror. The sheer power and domineering force of this aura far exceeded their comprehension.
The mere unintentional aura that dissipated caused their originally smooth-flowing magical power to instantly become sluggish and stagnant, as if they were firmly bound by invisible shackles, making even breathing extremely difficult.
The golden core within their dantian trembled, radiating primal fear. The two had no doubt that if this unfamiliar Nascent Soul cultivator harbored even the slightest murderous intent towards them, crushing them would be a hundred times easier than crushing an ant!
Seated at the head of the table, Qingyunzi, whose aura had been waning and whose face was withered, suddenly had two beams of light burst from his cloudy old eyes. His withered body straightened up in an instant, and a faint aura belonging to a Nascent Soul cultivator emanated from his body, attempting to resist the external pressure. However, as soon as they made contact, his aura was like a firefly compared to the bright moon, and was instantly crushed by the opponent's immense and unparalleled pressure.
Qingyunzi's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, and he exclaimed in a low voice, "Mid-stage Nascent Soul!"
"Mid-stage Nascent Soul?" Upon hearing this, Xuan Chengzi and Abbess Jingyun felt as if their hearts were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, almost stopping their beating. A tremendous fear instantly seized them.
The two looked even more grim, exchanging anxious glances filled with despair: "Could it be Fairy Ni Chang from the Hidden Moon Sect? She...she knows that your lifespan is about to end, Uncle-Master, and wants to make a move ahead of time?"
Of the six sects in the entire Yue Kingdom, only Fairy Ni Chang of the Hidden Moon Sect and Ancestor Linghu of the Yellow Maple Valley are at the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
This is also one of the important reasons why the Nine Kingdoms Alliance allowed the six factions of Yue Kingdom, who had fled here in disarray, to barely settle down in Beiliang Kingdom.
Faced with the powerful foreign enemy, the Mulan people of the north, the Nine Kingdoms Alliance needs to replenish its top-tier Nascent Soul stage combat power. The existence of Fairy Ni Chang is one of the talismans that allows the six sects to survive here.
If it is indeed she who comes to make trouble now, intending to swallow up the last bit of Qingxu Sect's essence in order to strengthen Yanyue Sect, then Qingxu Sect may face annihilation today!
Qingyunzi felt the immense pressure that enveloped the heavens and earth, a bitter yet resolute expression on his withered face. He took a deep breath, as if summoning the last bit of strength from his remaining body. A defiant glint flashed in his cloudy eyes, and he sighed softly, "What is meant to be will be! There's no escaping it now. Come, follow me to meet this 'distinguished guest'!"
Having said that, his previously hunched body erupted with a final radiance, his withered spine straightening ramrod straight. A refined sword intent belonging to a Nascent Soul cultivator emanated from his body, which, though unable to shake the overwhelming pressure, demonstrated his indomitable will. With a flick of his sleeve, two gentle yet resilient strands of magical power wrapped around Xuan Chengzi and Abbess Jingyun.
Xuan Chengzi and Master Jingyun suddenly felt the mountain-like pressure on their bodies lighten. Although their magic power was still not flowing smoothly, at least they could move freely.
Watching Qingyunzi's resolute retreating figure, a sense of tragic heroism welled up within them. Abbess Jingyun gritted her teeth and said, "Uncle-Master, we swear to defend the Qingxu Sect's lineage to the death!"
Xuan Chengzi nodded emphatically, his eyes resolute: "Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will never let the villains succeed so easily!"
"Good! With your words, I am at ease!" Qingyunzi's aged voice carried a hint of relief.
Three beams of light, each a different color but all carrying a resolute intent, suddenly shot into the sky from the council hall, like three shooting stars going against the current, struggling to penetrate the viscous, almost solidified pressure of the Nascent Soul, and shooting straight into the sky.
However, when they broke through the clouds and finally saw the uninvited guests hovering outside the protective array of Qingxu Sect, the solemnity and gravity on their faces froze instantly, turning into bewilderment and deep astonishment.
The person who arrived was not the imposing fairy in flowing robes that had been expected.
High in the sky, three figures hovered. The leader was exceptionally tall and robust, dressed in seemingly ordinary black clothing that subtly shimmered with golden light. His face was resolute, with sharply defined features. The terrifying pressure that made the entire Qingxu Sect tremble originated from him. The unfathomable aura emanating from him was clearly that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, inspiring despair!
Beside him stood two stunningly beautiful female cultivators with graceful figures. The one on the left wore a moon-white palace dress, with an exceptionally beautiful face and an ethereal, otherworldly aura, surrounded by a subtle, pure, and feminine spiritual energy. The one on the right wore a pale yellow gauze dress, was charming and lovely, and had a pair of bright, sparkling eyes.
Xuan Chengzi and Abbess Jingyun exchanged a glance, both seeing deep confusion and bewilderment in each other's eyes.
They had absolutely no recollection of these three individuals! They were neither senior figures from other sects within the Nine Kingdoms Alliance, nor did they seem to be giants from either the Demonic Path or the Righteous Path Alliance. Who were they? Why would such powerful beings suddenly descend upon the Qingxu Sect, which was currently teetering on the brink of collapse and almost forgotten?
Qingyunzi's initial momentum of fighting to the death dissipated, and doubts began to arise in his mind.
He carefully examined the burly mid-Nascent Soul cultivator at the head of the group, trying to search his memory for any clues, but to no avail. He could only suppress his surprise and doubt, and cautiously clasped his hands in a fist and bow: "I am Qingyunzi of the Qingxu Sect. May I ask what brings you three fellow Daoists to my Qingxu Sect?"
Below, in the dilapidated Qingxu Gate square and various halls and corners, hundreds of disciples with cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment were all as if they were being crushed by invisible boulders, unable to move, their faces pale, their eyes filled with fear and despair.
Although most of them were unaware of the life-or-death crisis facing the sect's higher-ups, they could vaguely glimpse the sect's predicament from the sharp decline in daily cultivation resources, the increasingly oppressive atmosphere within the sect, and the rumors they occasionally heard about the Hidden Moon Sect and Yellow Maple Valley coveting the resources of the Pure Void Sect.
Enveloped by the terrifying pressure of the unfamiliar Nascent Soul cultivator, it was as if the end of the world had arrived. If they hadn't been unable to move under the pressure, the disciples would probably have already scattered and fled in all directions.
High in the sky, the burly mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator's gaze swept over Qingyunzi and the other two as if it were a tangible object. In an instant, his powerful divine sense had thoroughly investigated the situation of the entire Qingxu Sect's main peak.
Looking at the desolate and dilapidated scene before him, his handsome brows furrowed slightly, and his tone, though indifferent, carried a hint of barely perceptible emotion: "The once dignified Qingxu Sect of Yue Kingdom, now only has so few high-level cultivators left?"
Qingyunzi blushed, a profound sense of humiliation welling up within him, yet he was powerless to refute. Xuanchengzi and Abbess Jingyun lowered their heads in shame. The other party's words were like a sharp knife piercing through their last veil of modesty.
"Who exactly are you, sir? What brings you to my Qingxu Sect?" Qingyunzi, suppressing the dizziness brought on by humiliation and weakness, asked again in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on Qin Hao.
Qin Hao did not answer Qing Yunzi's question directly. Instead, he raised his head slightly and spoke in a deep and clear voice that echoed among the silent mountain peaks: "What? In just over two hundred years, has no one in the Qingxu Sect recognized me?"
"Zhang?"
Upon hearing this, Qingyunzi's body trembled violently! The tone of the other party's words carried a sense of... nostalgia for returning to an old haunt? Even a hint of familiarity? As if he and the Qingxu Sect had some connection over two hundred years ago? Was it a benevolent connection? Or... an enmity?
The thought exploded in Qingyunzi's mind like a thunderbolt! The Qingxu Sect was now like a candle flickering in the wind; any external force, whether benevolent or malevolent, could be the final straw that broke the camel's back! If it was enmity… Qingyunzi dared not imagine the consequences. His withered hands trembled slightly within his wide sleeves as he desperately searched his long-forgotten memories for any clues about the Nascent Soul cultivator surnamed "Zhang."
Just as Qingyunzi was deep in thought, Xuanchengzi beside him stared intently at Qin Hao's robust and resolute face. A name, long buried deep in his memory and almost forgotten, suddenly illuminated his mind like a flash of lightning in the darkness!
“Zhang…Zhang…” Xuan Chengzi’s lips trembled as he opened his mouth, his finger involuntarily lifting slightly to point at Qin Hao, as if he wanted to say something, but he was unable to utter a complete sound due to the immense shock and disbelief.
He subconsciously changed his position and looked Qin Hao's face up and down more carefully.
Seeing this, Abbess Jingyun felt a chill run down her spine, utterly horrified! They were facing a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator! For Senior Brother Xuanchengzi to point at him and scrutinize him like that was blatant disrespect! What if this senior was a violent person? In a fit of rage, he might raze the entire Qingxu Sect to the ground! She anxiously tried to warn Xuanchengzi telepathically.
However, just as Abbess Jingyun was about to speak, Xuan Chengzi's expression suddenly changed from extreme confusion and disbelief to horror as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight!
"You...you...you are Zhang Tie?!"
"Zhang Tie?" Master Jingyun and Qingyunzi were both taken aback. This name was completely unfamiliar to them. Master Jingyun racked her brains but couldn't recall when there had ever been a Nascent Soul cultivator named "Zhang Tie" in the history of Qingxu Sect.
"Nephew! Don't be rude!" Qingyunzi was afraid that Xuanchengzi's loss of composure would completely enrage him, so he quickly reprimanded him sternly, while nervously looking at Qin Hao, preparing to apologize.
However, to everyone's surprise, the imposing mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator showed no anger whatsoever. Instead, with a hint of scrutiny and a touch of reminiscence, he calmly asked, "Oh? You recognize me?"
Xuan Chengzi was struck dumb by Qin Hao's gaze, instantly snapping out of his shock and his back was soaked with cold sweat.
He then realized how reckless and dangerous his actions had been! He quickly withdrew his hand from Qin Hao, replacing it with a respectful cupped-hand gesture, his voice filled with awe and a barely perceptible excitement: "Senior Zhang... Senior Zhang! Do you... do you still remember... Senior Brother Xuanzhen?"
"Sect Leader Xuanzhen..." A complex light flashed deep in Qin Hao's eyes. Xuanzhen Daoist and his cheap master, Fuyunzi, although they had used him to some extent, had generally treated him fairly well. At least they hadn't treated their disciples like expendable pawns, unlike Linghu Patriarch of Huangfeng Valley. This relationship wasn't particularly deep, but there was still some semblance of goodwill between them.
"Where is he now?" Qin Hao's voice remained calm.
Xuan Chengzi felt the pressure lessen and felt a little more at ease, but a deep sadness and helplessness appeared on his face. He sighed and said, "Senior Brother Xuanzhen... failed to break through to the Core Formation stage more than a hundred years ago... and has already passed away."
"He has passed away peacefully..." Qin Hao sighed, "That's a pity."
Qingyunzi and Abbess Jingyun had been anxiously watching Qin Hao's reaction and their conversation. Upon hearing Qin Hao's words, "What a pity," an uncontrollable surge of joy flashed in their eyes!
Although the true identity and past of the mid-Nascent Soul cultivator before them are not yet fully confirmed, one thing is certain: the other party did not come with any grudges! In fact, it is very likely that he has a little-known connection with the Qingxu Sect!
"Junior nephew, you...you know this fellow Daoist?" Qingyunzi suppressed his excitement and asked Xuanchengzi in a trembling voice.
Xuan Chengzi had now completely confirmed Qin Hao's identity, his heart filled with the relief of surviving a calamity and an absurdly profound sense of shock. He took a deep breath and respectfully reported to Qingyunzi, "Reporting to Martial Uncle, this... this senior... also cultivated in our Qingxu Sect for a period of time back then..."
He paused, as if organizing his thoughts: "Uncle-Master, do you...do you still remember that about two hundred and twenty or thirty years ago, Senior Brother Xuanzhen secretly trained a group of exceptionally talented disciples who were skilled in drawing talismans in order to enhance the foundation of our Qingxu Sect's talisman-making skills?"
Qingyunzi tried hard to recall, and seemed to have a vague recollection. He nodded: "It did happen, but that was Xuanzhen's responsibility. I was in seclusion at the time, trying to break through the bottleneck of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm. Later... sigh..."
He sighed. The failed attack and the damage to his foundation marked the beginning of his decline.
Xuan Chengzi's eyes gleamed with disbelief, his voice trembling with excitement and disbelief: "Among that batch of disciples back then, the one with the most outstanding talent and the fastest progress... was this... Zhang Tie, Senior Zhang!"
"What?!" Abbess Jingyun exclaimed in shock, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief. "This senior... he... he was actually a disciple of my Qingxu Sect back then?!"
This news was too shocking. A Qi Refining stage disciple from more than two hundred years ago had now become a Nascent Soul stage cultivator whom they had to look up to? This cultivation speed was simply unheard of!
“Zhang Tie… Zhang Tie…” Qingyunzi murmured to himself, the hazy fragments of memory finally piecing together with Xuanchengzi’s words. He had indeed heard Xuanzhen mention a disciple with exceptional talent in talismans, whose surname seemed to be Zhang. He suddenly looked at Abbess Jingyun, their eyes meeting in mid-air, instantly understanding the horror and bitterness in each other’s eyes.
Yes! They remembered! But who could have imagined? Who could have imagined that the low-level disciple who was ignored back then would, in just over two hundred years, leapfrog through Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and the early Nascent Soul stage, and step into the mid-Nascent Soul stage in one fell swoop! Becoming a top existence capable of looking down upon the entire Tiannan region! Such cultivation speed cannot be described by the word "genius," it's simply monstrous!
However, Qingyunzi was, after all, a Nascent Soul cultivator who had weathered countless storms. After a brief moment of shock and bitterness, immense joy instantly overwhelmed all his emotions! He instantly realized: This was no jinx! This was clearly the greatest savior bestowed upon the Qingxu Sect by Heaven! The only hope for the Qingxu Sect's resurgence!
His withered face instantly lit up with the most sincere and enthusiastic smile: "Oh my! It turns out to be an old friend in person! I'm so confused, so confused! Fellow Daoist Zhang and my Qingxu Sect have such a deep connection! This is truly... truly a blessing from heaven for my Qingxu Sect!"
"Fellow Daoist has come from afar and returned to his familiar place. This is a great joy for our Qingxu Sect! Please come inside and have a chat. Allow this old man to do his best as a host and catch up with you all. What do you say?"
"In that case, I apologize for the intrusion." Qin Hao understood. One of his purposes in returning to Tiannan was naturally to settle karmic debts. When he first entered the world of cultivation and his foundation was shallow, Qingxu Sect provided him with talisman inheritance and a temporary place of refuge.
As Qin Hao's oppressive aura receded like a tide, everyone on the main peak of Qingxu Sect felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and they breathed a long sigh of relief. Many disciples even collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, their faces filled with the relief of surviving a calamity.
Upon seeing this, Qingyunzi was overjoyed, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out with a smile: "Not at all, not at all! It is the greatest honor for our Qingxu Sect that you have graced us with your presence! Please! Please come in quickly!"
The disciples in the plaza below were all astonished and suspicious when they saw the Supreme Elder so respectfully and warmly inviting the terrifying Nascent Soul cultivator and the two beautiful fairies to the main hall in the core area of the sect. They discussed among themselves.
Many people couldn't help but stop and watch, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe. Of course, the gazes of many more young disciples were involuntarily drawn to the two stunningly beautiful female cultivators beside Qin Hao, their eyes revealing amazement and even infatuation.
"Hmph!" A cold snort exploded like thunder in the ears of all the disciples! It was Xuan Chengzi. His face darkened, and his imposing gaze swept across the entire hall, containing an unquestionable command: "Within a ten-mile radius of this hall, no disciple, regardless of rank, is allowed to set foot here! Anyone who disobeys will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect without exception!"
This stern order was like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, instantly extinguishing any curiosity or distracting thoughts in the disciples' hearts. They all scrambled away from the core area as quickly as possible, fearing that being even a step too slow would bring annihilation upon themselves.
Inside the main hall of Qingxu Gate.
Qingyunzi personally invited Qin Hao to sit in the most honored seat, while Yuan Yao and Yanli stood quietly on either side of Qin Hao, like two serene and beautiful orchids. Xuanchengzi and Abbess Jingyun stood respectfully below them.
The spiritual tea is served, its aroma carrying a faint spiritual fragrance.
Qingyunzi broke the somewhat reserved silence first, his face filled with a smile of deep emotion: "Fellow Daoist Zhang... please forgive my impertinence, but I wonder where you have been for the past two hundred years? Your cultivation has advanced to such a profound and unparalleled level, which truly makes me ashamed, and I am also very proud that my Qingxu Sect has produced such an outstanding person as you!"
Qin Hao picked up the spirit tea, took a small sip, and said calmly, "It was just a coincidence that I ended up overseas and found a few opportunities."
"Overseas?" A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of Qingyunzi and the other two. The world beyond Tiannan was too distant and mysterious to them. However, they wisely refrained from asking further.
The conversation naturally turned to the changes in the cultivation world of Tiannan after Qin Hao left. In the more than two hundred years since Qin Hao left Yue Kingdom and went to the Chaotic Star Sea, the power structure of the entire Tiannan region has undergone earth-shattering changes.
As someone who experienced it firsthand, Qingyunzi recounted the story in a weathered and poignant tone.
First, there are the Six Demonic Sects. After annexing the territories of several countries, including Jiang and Cheqi, the Six Demonic Sects are like gluttonous beasts. On the one hand, they need time to digest the vast cultivation resources they have plundered, consolidate their rule in their new territories, and forcefully suppress any resistance. On the other hand, facing the enormous threat of the expansion of the demonic path, the Righteous Alliance, the Heavenly Alliance, and the Nine Kingdoms Alliance all felt a strong sense of crisis, and their internal coordination and cohesion have increased, leading to the construction of a powerful defensive force along the border.
After several small- to medium-sized conflicts broke out between the righteous and the demonic forces in the border area, neither side could gain the upper hand, and a delicate and fragile balance of power was eventually formed.
The situation of the Righteous Path Alliance is similar to that of the Six Demonic Sects. After a period of rapid expansion, they all entered a period of stagnation. Therefore, the overall situation of the cultivation world in Tiannan has been relatively stable for more than two hundred years.
Next is the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Compared to the relatively well-organized Six Demonic Sects and the Righteous Dao Alliance, the Heavenly Dao Alliance is more loosely structured. It is an alliance hastily formed by a dozen or so relatively weak small and medium-sized countries for self-preservation. The Heavenly Dao Alliance is internally fragmented, lacking a unified command center and a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator. However, it boasts the largest number of Nascent Soul cultivators among the four major powers! Moreover, the Nascent Soul-level dual cultivation couple, Long Han and Feng Bing, are said to be able to unleash extremely powerful combined attack techniques when working together, enough to rival a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator! Therefore, the overall strength of the Heavenly Dao Alliance should not be underestimated, making it a crucial force in maintaining the four-way balance of power in the Southern Heaven.
Finally, there is the Nine Kingdoms Alliance, where Qingxu Sect is currently located. The Nine Kingdoms Alliance has the longest history. It consists of nine large and small kingdoms located at the southernmost tip of the South. The Nine Kingdoms Alliance's greatest characteristic, and the source of its strongest cohesion, is the presence of a powerful and fierce neighbor to its north—the Mulan people of the Mulan Grasslands!
The Mulan tribe reveres martial prowess and possesses a unique cultivation system. They frequently raid the countries of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance to the south. It is this powerful external threat that makes the Nine Kingdoms Alliance far more cohesive than the loosely organized Heavenly Dao Alliance.
The leader of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance is Wei Wuyai, who is known as the number one cultivator in Tiannan and one of only three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in Tiannan! His poison skills are unparalleled in Tiannan, and he is feared by all.
It was precisely because of the need to fight against the Mulan people that the Nine Kingdoms Alliance reluctantly accepted the six factions of the Yue Kingdom, who had been defeated by the demonic path and fled like stray dogs, more than two hundred years ago, as a way to add some cannon fodder and replenish some combat power to the front line.
Qin Hao listened quietly to Qing Yunzi's account. This information largely matched the scattered intelligence he had gathered from the Chaotic Star Sea and Han Li's previous descriptions. He gained a clearer understanding of the complex power structure in Tiannan.
After a long conversation, Qingyunzi calmed himself down, carefully considered his words, and cautiously asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, your cultivation is profound. Now that you have returned to Tiannan, I wonder... where you are currently staying in a blessed land to cultivate in seclusion?"
Qin Hao put down his teacup, looked calmly at Qing Yunzi, and said in a tone that was indifferent but carried an undeniable meaning: "After wandering and traveling for many years, I am like a rootless duckweed. Now that I have returned to my homeland, I am looking forward to traveling around and seeing the world, and also to settle some old grudges."
"Old grudges?" Qingyunzi was overjoyed. This mid-Nascent Soul cultivator had not yet joined any sect or force! He was still a free man!
An overwhelming surge of joy overwhelmed Qingyunzi like a tsunami! His withered body trembled slightly with excitement, and his old eyes shone with an unprecedented brilliance.
An opportunity! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity bestowed upon the Qingxu Sect! If they can keep this powerful mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator who has a past connection with the Qingxu Sect, even if it's just as a nominal position, the Qingxu Sect can be instantly revived and even soar to new heights!
He suppressed the overwhelming joy that was about to burst from his throat, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "If... if that's the case, Fellow Daoist Zhang, why don't you consider staying at Qingxu Sect for the time being? Although this place can't compare to your overseas immortal mountains, it's still quite secluded. You can make further plans later when you find a place that suits your taste."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Chengzi and Abbess Jingyun's hearts leaped into their throats. Their palms were sweaty with tension, and they dared not even breathe. If the other party agreed, Qingxu Sect would not only completely escape the fate of being annexed and divided, but would also leap to become the leader of the six sects of Yue Kingdom, thanks to possessing a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator! They would be able to rival the Hidden Moon Sect and Yellow Maple Valley! The restoration of Qingxu Sect's former glory seemed imminent!
Qin Hao naturally understood the three men's intentions. However, one of his purposes in returning to Tiannan was to settle karmic debts.
"In that case, I will be troubling your family for some time."
"No trouble at all! No trouble at all! It is a great blessing for our Qingxu Sect that you have graced us with your presence! On behalf of the entire Qingxu Sect, I am deeply grateful for your great kindness!" Qingyunzi was extremely excited.
"Uncle-Master is absolutely right! It is truly an honor for our Qingxu Sect that Senior has condescended to stay here temporarily!" Xuan Chengzi and Abbess Jingyun were so excited that they were almost jumping for joy.
Fearing that Qin Hao might change his mind, the two quickly bowed and said, "We will immediately prepare the finest accommodations for you and the two fairies! We will make sure you are comfortable!"
Before they finished speaking, the two hurriedly left the hall, transforming into two streaks of light to personally take charge of the arrangements. Their enthusiasm and eagerness were palpable.
Watching the two figures leave, Qingyunzi couldn't suppress the smile on his face, as if he had instantly become decades younger.
……
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The news of a mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator's arrival at Qingxu Sect spread like wildfire throughout the six sects of Yue Kingdom, and then at an astonishing speed to the entire cultivation world of Beiliang Kingdom. This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up towering waves!
The first to become restless were naturally the Hidden Moon Sect and the Yellow Maple Valley, who were always keeping a close eye on the "fat piece of meat" that was the Qingxu Sect.
The headquarters of the Hidden Moon Sect, Piaoyun Peak.
"What? A strange Nascent Soul cultivator has arrived at Qingxu Sect?" The Fairy of Rainbow Robes, dressed in magnificent palace attire, with a beautiful yet somewhat sharp appearance, raised her eyebrows instantly upon hearing her disciple's report. A hint of surprise and anger flashed in her beautiful eyes: "That old bastard Qingyunzi! Even on his deathbed, he still resorts to tricks! That old fox must have found some outside help from somewhere, trying to prolong his life and preserve Qingxu Sect's pitiful resources!"
"Master, then we..." A female cultivator dressed in white, with a cool and aloof temperament and a face that could topple kingdoms, spoke softly from the lower left.
"Hmph! Whether it's true or false, we'll know at a glance!" Fairy Ni Chang sneered, "Junior sister, come with me to Qingxu Sect! I want to see what kind of sage Qingyunzi has invited!"
A cold glint flashed in her eyes. Regardless of whether it was true or false, she had to verify it herself. She absolutely could not allow Qingxu Sect to take advantage of the situation and turn the tables.
Meanwhile, at the Huangfeng Valley base, in the Lingyuan Peak cave.
Linghu Laozu, dressed in a yellow robe and with a lean face, stroked his beard, his expression shifting between light and shadow: "Qingyunzi... quite the schemer! He's really kept it well hidden!"
His mind raced. Although Qingxu Sect's resources couldn't compare to Huangfeng Valley and Yanyue Sect, every little bit helps. With Qingyunzi's lifespan nearing its end, he had long considered Qingxu Sect a part of his own. Now, the sudden appearance of a strange Nascent Soul cultivator had disrupted his entire plan.
"Whether it's true or false, we can't let him succeed so easily!" A fierce glint flashed in Elder Linghu's eyes: "I'll also go and 'pay a visit' to this mysterious fellow cultivator!"
……
Almost tacitly, the three of them arrived at the gate of Qingxu Sect one after the other at almost the same time.
The atmosphere inside the Qingxu Gate's council hall became tense once again.
Qingyunzi sneered inwardly as he looked at the approaching Fairy Ni Chang and Ancestor Linghu. How could he not know their "malicious intentions"? They were simply testing the waters to see if the Nascent Soul cultivator truly existed, what his strength was, and... just how deep his relationship with the Qingxu Sect was.
If they discover that the relationship is not deep, or that "Fellow Daoist Zhang's" strength is questionable, they will probably immediately bare their fangs.
"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Ni Chang, Fellow Daoist Linghu, what wind blew you two here today, bringing you to my dilapidated place?" Qingyunzi cupped his hands with a forced smile.
"Fellow Daoist Qingyunzi is joking." Fairy Ni Chang wore a fake smile, but her gaze was sharp as a knife as she scanned the hall, trying to find the legendary Nascent Soul stage cultivator.
"I heard that a fellow cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage has arrived at your esteemed sect. This is a great event for our six sects! Fellow Daoist Linghu and I have come to pay our respects, to admire your talent, and also... to exchange cultivation insights, so that we can make progress together and fight against external aggression."
"Yes, yes," Elder Linghu chimed in with a smile, his eyes also darting around. "Fellow Daoist Qingyunzi, that's not right of you. With such a distinguished guest arriving, why didn't you inform us sooner? Are you perhaps afraid we'd steal your opportunity?"
Qingyunzi cursed the two men inwardly for their hypocrisy, but he had to maintain a polite facade: "You two have come at an inopportune time. Fellow Daoist Zhang dislikes worldly affairs and is currently in quiet cultivation in the back mountain. It would be inconvenient to disturb you..."
"Hmph!" The smile on Fairy Ni Chang's face vanished instantly, and she interrupted Qing Yunzi with a cold snort: "Fellow Daoist Qing Yunzi, is this your way of treating guests? Or... is that so-called Nascent Soul stage fellow Daoist just something you made up?"
Her tone was aggressive, and a powerful aura of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator was faintly emanating from her, pressing down on Qingyunzi.
Linghu Patriarch also suppressed his smile, his eyes turning icy: "Fellow Daoist Qingyunzi, do you think that I and Fairy Ni Chang are easy to bully?"
Qingyunzi was so intimidated by the two men's imposing manner and words that cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and he was about to speak in his defense.
At this moment, when tensions were at their peak and the atmosphere was extremely tense—
Boom! ! !
A vast and powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted suddenly from the depths of the back mountain of Qingxu Sect without warning!
The entire mountain seemed to be violently shaken by an invisible giant hand! The ground trembled violently, rocks tumbled down, and the beams and pillars of the palaces groaned under the weight! An indescribable pressure from heaven and earth descended instantly, enveloping the surrounding area!
This fluctuation was so peculiar and so familiar that it was unforgettable for the three Nascent Soul cultivators present!
"Someone is attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage!!"
Linghu Patriarch abruptly turned his head to look at the source of the violent spiritual energy fluctuations—the direction of the back mountain—his face filled with disbelief and horror! That enormous vortex formed by the gathering of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, that strange rhythm that stirred the laws of heaven and earth, was undoubtedly a Nascent Soul formation phenomenon!
The fierce expression on Fairy Ni Chang's face froze instantly, then turned ashen. She abruptly turned her head, her gaze piercing Qing Yunzi like a knife, her voice so cold it was almost dripping with ice: "Qing Yunzi! You have such deep cunning! You've hidden it so well!!!"
She was now certain that this person about to form their Nascent Soul was a disciple secretly cultivated by the Qingxu Sect! Qingyunzi's previous dissemination of news about a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator's arrival was nothing but a smokescreen! His true purpose was to cover for this genius disciple about to form their Nascent Soul and ensure a smooth breakthrough! To lure them here to "witness the ceremony" was a blatant humiliation! This old man was even trying to trick them before he died; his intentions were truly malicious!
"Haha, why do you say that, Fairy Ni Chang?" Qing Yunzi was also stunned by the sudden phenomenon of Nascent Soul formation.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Fairy Ni Chang was so angry she was about to explode, her spiritual energy surging with rage. "Fellow Daoist Qing Yunzi, is there any point in us pretending anymore? Do you dare say that the person currently forming their Nascent Soul has absolutely no connection to your Qingxu Sect?!"
"Yes, Fellow Daoist Qingyunzi!" Ancestor Linghu also realized what had happened, his face so dark it was almost dripping with water. He felt like he had been made a fool of, and he was furious and embarrassed: "We have known each other for hundreds of years. Is it fun for you to play with me and Fellow Daoist Ni Chang like this?!"
He was convinced that this was a carefully designed scheme by Qingyunzi, with the aim of making them watch helplessly as Qingxu Sect gained a new Nascent Soul cultivator, thus escaping their predicament and even turning the tables on him! After all, his lifespan was not long, and once he died, Huangfeng Valley would have no successor, while Qingxu Sect would have a Nascent Soul cultivator, so wouldn't they be able to manipulate Huangfeng Valley at will?
"Fellow Daoists, you flatter me... This matter..." Qingyunzi was truly wronged; he genuinely had no idea what had happened.