Chapter 468: The World Reacts, A Breakthrough Opportunity

Chapter 468: The World Reacts, A Breakthrough Opportunity

January 25, 2025

In the Frostwater Palace of Northern State, Han Ling Shuang was deep in thought, gazing at the golden invitation before her.

Several capable generals stood beside her, their eyes fixed on the same invitation.

"Palace Master, what do you think is the purpose of the Holy Mountain's three sages convening this sacred assembly?" One of the young men finally spoke up.

"What else could it be? Bound by the rules of heaven and earth, we, the Four Great Secret Realms, expend a significant amount of spiritual energy each time we open the entrance to the Mystic Realm. This limits our ability to enter and exit freely, and most of our time is spent recuperating within the secret realm," one of them replied.

"For nearly a thousand years, the Holy Mountain has controlled the world. But with the recent changes in the heavenly order, their grip on the world has weakened, and their control is now merely symbolic," another woman analyzed.

"They must be planning to re-establish the rules and regain control over the world."

"Is that even possible?" someone asked, puzzled. "Things are different now compared to a thousand years ago. With the heavenly rules in place, only the Four Great Secret Realms and the Holy Mountain can surpass the limits, while other martial artists can only cultivate up to the Primordial Perfection Realm. According to reports, over the past year, there have been frequent occurrences of heavenly tribulations across the world. It's likely that many powerful cultivators, who have been suppressed by the heavens for a long time, have already transcended the heavenly tribulation and entered the Golden Core Realm."

"Even if the three sages of the Holy Mountain have also reached the Golden Core Realm, their physical bodies are unable to leave the Holy Mountain. It's probably impossible for them to regain control over the world."

"Indeed, this move by the three sages is not a wise one," someone agreed.

The fact that the three sages of the Holy Mountain were unable to leave the Holy Mountain was not a well-kept secret, but it wasn't widely known either. The Four Great Secret Realms, in particular, had been aware of this for a long time. After all, it was hard to ignore the sudden appearance of three powerful cultivators who could even break through restrictions over a thousand years ago.

Although the three sages had never revealed their inability to leave the Holy Mountain, many intelligent people in the world had already guessed the truth from various clues. However, before the revival of the heavens, the three sages' puppet incarnations were enough to dominate the world, which was why the various sects acknowledged the Holy Mountain's status.

Now that the world had changed, they doubted the outcome of the sacred assembly. It might even bring disaster to the Holy Mountain.

"Enough about the intentions of the three sages of the Holy Mountain. The crucial question is whether we, the Frostwater Palace, should attend this sacred assembly or not." A middle-aged man interrupted the discussion, speaking bluntly.

The others fell silent.

Indeed, all other matters were trivial compared to the dilemma they now faced—whether or not to attend the sacred assembly.

Everyone turned to Han Ling Shuang, the Palace Master, as the final decision rested with her.

She had remained silent during the earlier discussion, her gaze fixed on the invitation as she pondered. After a long while, she finally lifted her head and said, "We, the Frostwater Palace, will attend this sacred assembly, and I will go in person."

"Palace Master!" The others were shocked by her words.

"Palace Master, you mustn't! Your heavenly tribulation is imminent, and the most important thing for you now is to seclude yourself and prepare for it. I can lead a team to attend the assembly on your behalf; there's no need for you to go in person." The middle-aged man urged.

"Yes, we can handle it. Palace Master, you should focus on your cultivation," the others chimed in.

"You won't be able to control the situation," Han Ling Shuang shook her head. "This sacred assembly will undoubtedly be a tumultuous event, with various sects and powers vying to showcase their strength and compete for benefits. Although we, the Frostwater Palace, have no intention of engaging in conflicts, we cannot afford to weaken our reputation. If we show weakness, countless forces will see it as an opportunity to challenge us. That's why I must attend this assembly. Your strengths are still insufficient."

"But Palace Master, your cultivation..."

"My cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and further seclusion will not lead to any significant progress. Unless I can transcend the heavenly tribulation and achieve the Golden Core Realm, there can be no further advancement. Recently, I've been refining myself, but I haven't sensed any breakthrough opportunity. However, when I received this invitation, I suddenly felt something stir within me. I believe the opportunity to enter the Golden Core Realm might lie in this sacred assembly."

Han Ling Shuang's gaze returned to the invitation, a sense of strangeness in her heart.

This was the reason she had been staring at the invitation all along.

She was curious as to why the opportunity to break through to the Golden Core Realm would coincide with this sacred gathering.

Could it be that some opportunity awaited her on the Holy Mountain?

"The opportunity to break through?"

Upon hearing these words, the others fell silent.

If this was indeed the case, then the Palace Master's determination to attend was understandable.

As fellow cultivators, they were well aware that such opportunities were rare and unpredictable.

If they missed this chance, they might not know when the next one would come.

"Since that's the case, we are willing to follow the Palace Master and go to the Holy City to attend this sacred gathering."

Since they couldn't persuade her, the group could only express their willingness to go.

...

As the envoys from the Holy Mountain visited various sects and delivered invitations, news of the sacred gathering spread throughout the lands, becoming the most anticipated event since the world's revival.

Countless cultivators, upon hearing the news, set out for Central State.

Even those without invitations didn't want to miss such a grand event.

The news had even reached Cangzhou's Cang County.

"The Holy Mountain is holding a sacred gathering in the Holy City? I truly hope to witness such a grand event in person."

In the County Governor's mansion, Yan Canghai held a secret letter, his eyes filled with astonishment.

But he knew it was impossible.

As the ruler of a county, he couldn't leave his jurisdiction at will.

Although the previous incident had led his father to lift the ban, allowing him to return to the royal capital at any time, Yan Canghai wasn't foolish enough to leave Cang County at such a time.

After witnessing Lu Qing's extraordinary abilities, he realized that Lu Qing was far more powerful than he had ever imagined.

Cang County was the closest place to Nine Li Village, and the Wei family, who had a close relationship with Lu Qing, also lived in the county.

Additionally, his friend Lin Zhirui was also acquainted with Lu Qing.

With such a convenient opportunity, how could he not try to seize it?

Therefore, under no circumstances would he leave Cang County and return to the royal capital.

"I wonder if that person will receive an invitation from the Holy Mountain. And where has Zhirui gone? I could have asked him about the situation."

As Yan Canghai pondered, a figure appeared outside the study.

"Sir, Shadow Guard Number One has a report!"

"Speak," Yan Canghai said without looking up from the secret letter.

This Shadow Guard was his personally trained elite, tasked with gathering information for him.

"Just now, several white-robed envoys entered the county and headed towards the Wei family. Judging by their attire, they should be the Holy Mountain's envoys that have been the talk of the entire world recently," Shadow Guard Number One replied.

"What did you say?"

Yan Canghai abruptly stood up, his face filled with shock.

"Are you joking, Envoy?"

In the Wei family, Wei Daguan also wore a shocked expression, gazing incredulously at the several white-robed envoys with unfathomable auras. He couldn't see through them at all.

Without a single mistake, they presented a letter!

Just then, these visitors had arrived, producing a golden invitation, stating that the Holy Mountain was inviting the Wei family to the Holy City to attend the sacred gathering.

Wei Daguan was well aware of the sacred gathering that had been the talk of the entire world recently.

But he never imagined that his Wei family would also receive an invitation.

For a moment, he felt flustered and couldn't believe that what was happening before him was real.

"Of course, it's no joke." The lead white-robed envoy spoke solemnly, "This invitation bears the magical power imprints of the three Sage Sovereigns. It cannot be fake.

Wei Daguan, just present this to your family head, and they will be able to discern its authenticity."

Wei Daguan took the invitation with a dazed expression.

He opened it and saw three imprints emitting mysterious auras.

Although he couldn't confirm their authenticity, he knew that they couldn't be easily forged.

"Rest assured, Envoy. As soon as the family head returns, I will present this to him immediately," Wei Daguan said solemnly.

Hearing this, the white-robed envoy smiled, "That's excellent. We have other urgent matters to attend to, so we won't disturb you further. Farewell."

"Won't the Envoys stay for a meal? The wine and dishes are already prepared," Wei Daguan hurriedly said.

"There's no need."

As their voices faded, the figures of the white-robed envoys slowly disappeared.

Witnessing their profound abilities, Wei Daguan's heart filled with awe.

He dared not delay and immediately ordered his men to prepare the horses. Then, with several guard commanders, he carried the golden invitation and hurried towards Nine Li Village.

When Wei Shan Hai and the others at the Nine Li Village branch saw the invitation, they were equally shocked.

They immediately took the invitation to the Halfway Manor, seeking an audience with the old doctor.

"Doctor Chen, is this invitation real or fake?"

In the courtyard, the old doctor was examining the golden invitation, while Wei Shan Hai felt a bit apprehensive.

He had never imagined that the Holy Mountain would send them, the Wei family, a special invitation.

No matter how he thought about it, the Wei family didn't have the qualifications for such an invitation.

So his first thought was to doubt the authenticity of the invitation.

However, the three seals on the invitation were indeed profound, and he couldn't be sure.

"These three seals are indeed left by three Golden Core Realm experts."

After examining the invitation for a while, the old doctor nodded.

"So, this invitation is real?" Wei Shan Hai asked, his eyes widening.

"It's most likely genuine," the old doctor replied.

He had once seen the Third Sage Sovereign in Central Province, albeit in the form of a puppet incarnation. One of the three seals on the invitation carried the same power and aura as that of the Third Sage Sovereign.

Moreover, the Wei family was merely a small clan; it was unthinkable that three Golden Core Realm experts would join forces to deceive them.

"But why would the Holy Mountain send a special invitation to our small Wei family? What merits or abilities do we have to deserve such an honor?"

After receiving confirmation from the old doctor, Wei Shan Hai became even more incredulous.

However, the old doctor merely smiled at him.

Wei Shan Hai felt the gaze of the old doctor, and after a moment's hesitation, a flash of insight came to him.

"Doctor Chen, did the Holy Mountain send invitations to you and Young Master Lu?"

Logically, the old doctor and Lu Qing, both being Golden Core Realm experts, should have been the first to be invited.

"I didn't receive an invitation, but Ah Qing did. He and Lin Zhirui have already set off for Central Province."

"So, Young Master Lu went to Central Province?" Wei Shan Hai suddenly understood.

Recently, Lu Qing had brought Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to the branch and then said he had to leave for a while. It turned out he was going to Central Province with Lin Zhirui.

Lu Qing and Lin Zhirui went to Central Province, and now the Wei family received an invitation from the Holy Mountain...

At that moment, Wei Shan Hai keenly sensed a possible connection between these events.

The old doctor, understanding his thoughts, smiled and said, "Don't overthink it. Since the Holy Mountain sent an invitation to your Wei family, there must be a reason for it.

If you're willing, you can go and broaden your horizons.

If you delay, you might miss this grand gathering."

Hearing the old doctor's words, Wei Shan Hai's heart stirred.

If it were just them, going to Central Province would indeed be a challenging journey.

After all, the outside world was not peaceful, and Central Province was filled with countless powerful experts and masters.

The Holy Gathering hosted by the Holy Mountain would undoubtedly stir up unimaginable turmoil.

With their meager strength, they might become innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

But if Lu Qing was also in Central Province, then it was a different story.

"Doctor Chen, aren't you going?" Wei Shan Hai asked.

"I prefer tranquility, so I'll pass on this excitement." The old doctor shook his head. "Besides, someone needs to stay here in Nine Li Village. You should go."

Wei Shan Hai looked at the precious medicinal ingredients outside the Halfway Manor and the rich spiritual energy in the surroundings, nodding in agreement.

Currently, Nine Li Village could be considered a blessed land for cultivators. Taking out any item from here would likely spark a competition among the cultivators outside. It was indeed necessary to have someone guard the place.

"Then I'll go back and think it over."

Wei Shan Hai left the Halfway Manor and returned to the branch.

After some contemplation, he finally decided to go to Central Province and attend the grand gathering.

Of course, apart from Lu Qing's presence in Central Province, which made him feel more at ease, there was another crucial reason.

His cultivation had been stagnant at the Perfected Primordial Realm for a long time, and he had not been able to sense the opportunity to break through.

He had even sought advice from Lu Qing and the old doctor several times, but even with their guidance, he couldn't overcome that final obstacle.

This had left Wei Shan Hai feeling desperate, even thinking that he might remain at the Primordial Realm for the rest of his life.

But now, the invitation from the Holy Mountain had stirred something within him.

This grand gathering would undoubtedly attract countless powerful cultivators from all over the world.

The scene would be beyond imagination.

Perhaps, he could find his opportunity to break through amidst all this?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end