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Chapter 425: The Past of Nanyang Sect
Chapter 425: The Past of Nanyang Sect
Amidst the steep cliffs, a white-robed figure stood out.
Shen Yi gazed silently into the distance, and all he could see were clouds and mist, obscuring the true form of the world below.
Suddenly, he felt a chill in the mountain breeze.
He seemed to be standing at an unreasonably high position.
Ye Wenxuan claimed to be at the first level of Reverting Void, yet this wooden man, obviously a top-tier cultivator in the Reverting Void Realm, still met such a desolate end.
In comparison, even if Shen Yi's strength surpassed Ye Wenxuan's, it seemed insignificant in this world, not particularly extraordinary.
Through the words of the middle-aged man from Qingyue Sect, Shen Yi quickly realized that the six Dao Plates behind him represented cultivators of lower status than the Sect Leader. With his current strength, it would be difficult to secure such a high position.
He glanced sideways at the wooden man and asked, "The South Flood Seven Sons, is this place called South Flood?"
Although Li Xuanqing's mind was preoccupied with the Nanyang Sect, he still answered seriously, "This place is called Hongze, and we are in the south."
"What's the relationship between the Seven Sons?" This question was important to Shen Yi.
"They share life and death together," Li Xuanqing replied without hesitation.
"..." Shen Yi paused for a moment, neither confirming nor denying, "Then why, after so many years, haven't they paid attention to what's happening inside the Nanyang Sect? Is it because they can't break through the formation array?"
"If the Sect Leader intervenes, they can break it, but this place will be destroyed," Li Xuanqing said, looking at Shen Yi. Just from the undried demon blood on his body, he could roughly deduce the situation inside.
"The most precious thing about the Nanyang Sect is itself."
"What do you mean?" Shen Yi was a little curious. He didn't quite understand why even the items within the Nanyang Sect couldn't support cultivators in breaking through to the second level of Reverting Void, and what made them so desirable to outside cultivators.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuanqing closed his eyes, "The White Jade Capital in the heavens, twelve towers and five cities, where immortals caress my head, and where I receive longevity. The White Jade Capital is a metaphor for the immortal palace, so the Reverting Void Realm is divided into twelve layers. Reaching the White Jade Capital is almost like becoming an immortal."
Shen Yi digested this for a moment, and surprise appeared in his eyes, "Were you an immortal before?"
It seemed different from what he had imagined an immortal to be.
"Almost," Li Xuanqing corrected, "After reaching the White Jade Capital, one still needs a Harmony Dao Site. This object either gains the recognition of the Heavenly Court and is recorded in the immortal records, or it gains the recognition of Heaven and is taken from this world."
"It's been many years since anyone from Hongze has visited the Heavenly Court."
"Harmony Dao Sites are limited, and each one is acknowledged by Heaven through the great perseverance and fortune of the predecessors."
"If this place is destroyed, the celestial covenant established in the past will be nullified, and everything will have to start anew."
Shen Yi listened attentively.
He gradually understood.
This was similar to the imperial examinations in the mortal world. After ascending the twelve towers, one could consider themselves successful, gaining the qualification to become an official.
But whether one could actually become an official, or an immortal, depended on the availability of positions.
So, there truly was a Heavenly Court in this world, and what he held in his hands was actually an immortal position?
At this thought, Shen Yi suddenly felt the Dao Plate in his hand was a bit hot.
Additionally, Shen Yi keenly noticed a detail in Li Xuanqing's words—he separated "Heavenly Court" from "Heaven."
This implied that there was more than one path to immortality.
"If I give this to you, can you become an immortal immediately?"
Shen Yi slowly raised the Dao Plate in his hand, appearing utterly calm.
In reality, if this Wooden Man wanted to forcefully take it, there was no way they could protect it. It was better to be straightforward about it.
"It used to be like that."
Li Xuanqing didn't even glance at the Dao plate and let out a long sigh. "I can no longer be considered a cultivator. If I have to put it bluntly, I'm more like a demon..."
As he spoke, he suddenly noticed the change in the young man's expression beside him, who looked at Li Xuanqing thoughtfully.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm just giving an example, and I won't harm you."
Li Xuanqing smiled helplessly. "I'm not even a demon. I'm just a lonely soul residing in the Wooden Puppet. Can you take me home now? I am truly the direct disciple of the Nanyang Sect Leader. The Nanyang Sect did intend to pass it down to me, but now, I leave it to your discretion."
"One last question."
Shen Yi exhaled lightly. "How did they disappear?"
Without clarifying this matter, it was like having a sword hanging over his head, and he would not be able to rest easy.
Li Xuanqing fell silent for a long time, then said calmly, "The responsibility lies with me, but it has nothing to do with you. As for how they perished, it is also related to the Harmony Dao Site."
"If one day you become the true Sect Leader and achieve Harmony Dao, all living beings within that realm will no longer absorb the energy of heaven and earth. Instead, they will absorb your energy and be called Dao Servants or Dao Slaves. Their cultivation will be at your command, and their lives will be in your hands."
At this point, a hint of sorrow crept into Li Xuanqing's voice. "They were devoured by the master. You can also understand it as them returning all their cultivation to the Nanyang Sect Leader, sacrificing themselves for the sake of this realm."
Upon hearing these words, Shen Yi was stunned as if struck by lightning.
With his cautious nature, how could he possibly entrust his life to someone else?
But according to the Wooden Man's words and observing the other sects, it seemed that in the outside world, this was an ordinary occurrence.
As if sensing Shen Yi's thoughts, Li Xuanqing put aside his sorrow and spoke softly, "Without the protection of the Harmony Dao Site, wandering alone outside would only lead to a more tragic end. Moreover, the Nanyang Sect is an exception. The Sect Leaders of other sects, even if they perish, generally wouldn't harm the Harmony Dao Site. After all, as long as the site remains, the legacy can be smoothly passed down, allowing the next Harmony Dao cultivator to continue supporting the sect."
"During this time, it has also been a period of recovery for the Nanyang Sect's realm."
"It's just been too long."
Li Xuanqing couldn't even remember how many years he had waited, as the administrators and elders of other sects had been replaced several times.
"..."
Before Shen Yi could react, the Wutong Mountain disciples' faces slightly changed. They had read ancient books and knew some of the past events.
If it weren't for that old dog surviving, the entire sect's disciples and demons would have been devoured.
Following the normal procedures, the remaining Nanyang Sect's successor should have quickly regained control of the Thousand Demons Grotto. Once they reached the Returning Void Realm, they could reopen the sect.
"From what I can tell of your character, it seems you find it hard to accept this viewpoint."
Li Xuanqing turned back to Shen Yi. He could understand that a true dragon, who had fought his way out of the Abyssal Depths, leading other cultivators, would not willingly submit to others, entrusting his life to someone else.
"Since you're unwilling to join another sect, then do your best to protect your Dao plate... Even though it will be more difficult than you imagine."
(End of Chapter)
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