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Chapter 698: His Legacy
Chapter 698: His Legacy
Mountains crumbled, and rivers changed course.
On the ground, ruins and broken walls were scattered, and amidst them stood a towering stone pillar, rising abruptly with intricate and exquisite patterns, as if narrating the past glory of the land.
Three figures swiftly passed by in the sky.
They were three cultivators wearing the standard disciple robes, their cultivation levels only at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
However, the black horses they rode exuded a rebellious aura, making it clear that they were not to be trifled with.
The three seemed accustomed to the scene below, showing no signs of stopping.
Soon, they rode their black horses and flew to the outskirts of a towering mountain peak.
From a distance, they could see the varied heights of buildings scattered throughout the mountain range and the dense heavenly and earthly essence qi surrounding the area.
Upon seeing this, the leader of the three cultivators let out a cold snort.
"A small sect relocated to this remote area, and they dare to claim possession of such a high-quality spirit vein like our Five Elements Domain. I wonder what the higher-ups are thinking."
The others beside him echoed his sentiment.
However, amidst the agreement, there was a dissenting voice.
"Although it's a declining minor sect, it has its unique strengths. The Grand Elder of the Celestial Heaven Sect, Zhan Mo Wang Yuan, is exceptionally skilled in body refinement techniques!"
"Indeed! I heard that during the Demon Turmoil in the Eastern Wilderness, there were twenty-seven well-known major sects on the frontlines. When the Demon Turmoil erupted, aside from our Five Elements Divine Sect and other Nascent Soul Major Sects, most of them perished in the first wave of the beast tide. Only a few Golden Core Major Sects managed to escape. One of them was the Celestial Heaven Sect, and Zhan Mo Wang Yuan was the first hero who preserved the sect! It's said that battle was fought with the heavens collapsing and the earth shattering, rivers drying up, and mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Countless powerful cultivators fell..."
As the junior disciples spoke of the past, the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Ran Feng, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Zhan Mo Wang Yuan was indeed a formidable figure.
Even the elders of his sect spoke of him with respect.
However, the Falling Cloud Sect had only this one outstanding individual.
The rest were not worth fearing!
"Let's go into the mountain and deliver the orders. With that, our mission will be complete."
Without waiting for a response, Ran Feng directly urged his black horse and charged into the Celestial Heaven Sect.
The disciples on guard at the Celestial Heaven Sect had already noticed their sudden arrival.
Seeing their actions, they hurriedly approached.
"Visitors, please dismount and announce your purpose..."
Before the disciple could finish speaking, Ran Feng waved his hand and threw out a token, not bothering to wait for a reaction as he barged into the mountain.
"It's someone from the Five Elements Divine Sect!"
"That's a Gale Wind Beast, and the rider is Ran Feng, a renowned Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Five Elements Divine Sect!"
The Celestial Heaven Sect disciples' expressions changed slightly, and they quickly chased after him.
Even the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Celestial Heaven Sect would not be so impolite.
Seven or eight disciples hurriedly followed, eventually stopping at a mountain path halfway up the mountain.
A man stood in their way, with a metal wing on his back and a massive broadsword in his hand.
Between them, a long ravine stretched across the ground, like a natural moat.
Boom!
The broadsword struck the ground, and the burly man's face was filled with killing intent. "This is the Celestial Heaven Sect! It's not a place for you to run wild. Even if the Grand Elder of your sect, Lin Mu Shangren, came personally, he would show proper etiquette. You are being too reckless."
Ran Feng's disdainful expression faded, and he looked at the man with a hint of seriousness.
"Who are you?"
The burly man's voice turned cold. "I don't hide my name or change my surname. I am Ceng Yilong!"
Upon hearing this name, Ran Feng's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He didn't recall anyone by that name. But the man had just forced their three Gale Wind Beasts to stop with overwhelming power, and his method of interception was not something an ordinary cultivator could achieve.
The junior disciple, who had been traveling outside for many years and was familiar with the cultivation world, immediately explained to his less-traveled senior brother, "His Dao title is Sha Longzi, and he is the only direct disciple of Zhan Mo Wang Yuan. He is extremely powerful and is known as the first person below the Golden Core stage in the Celestial Heaven Sect."
At the mention of Sha Longzi, Ran Feng's eyebrows lifted.
"Oh, so you're the belligerent cultivator that Qi Shizhu often talks about!"
"Qi Shizhu? Upon hearing a familiar name, Ceng Yilong's expression softened, and he nodded. "If there are no surprises, then she must be talking about me."
"I heard that during the Battle of the Border City, you and Qi Shizhu worked together to slay the third-stage Fire-Eyed Ferocious Bull King, solidifying Qi Shizhu's position among the Nine Great Paths of our sect. Now that I see you, I can see why..."
As they exchanged words, the atmosphere between them gradually eased.
Ceng Yilong signaled to the Celestial Heaven Sect disciples who had rushed over, and they immediately understood, bypassing the two and heading towards the sect's sacred grounds.
Only the two of them remained, conversing in the eerie atmosphere.
Soon, Ceng Yilong's expression shifted, and he stepped aside.
"Please, our sect leader is waiting for you!"
Ran Feng nodded and, before leaving, took a good look at Ceng Yilong.
He knew of Sha Longzi, but he didn't know that he was from the Celestial Heaven Sect.
Now it seemed that the Celestial Heaven Sect wasn't entirely without merit.
Dismounting from the Gale Wind Beast, Ran Feng walked at a steady pace, no longer looking down on the sect.
His gaze occasionally swept across the surrounding environment.
"This formation... It has its merits, although it's not as grand as our sect's grand formation. If I had charged in recklessly just now, I would have suffered severe injuries."
"Is that the place where the Celestial Heaven Sect's powerful cultivators seclude themselves?"
"With my divine sense, I feel a sense of oppression, even from this distance... No wonder the elders of my sect warned me not to underestimate anyone. These cultivators who survived the Demon Turmoil in the Eastern Wilderness are indeed not comparable to the sect's disciples who only know how to boast."
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Ran Feng's attitude towards the Celestial Heaven Sect, a minor sect relocated to a remote area, became more respectful, but his eyes also held a hint of pity.
After delivering the orders from above, it might not take long for the Celestial Heaven Sect to decline.
In a short while, he spotted a graceful figure of a woman standing before a new grand hall.
Upon seeing Ran Feng, the woman bowed politely.
"I am Yao Mingyue, the Sect Leader of Celestial Heaven Sect, and I respectfully welcome the Imperial Envoy of the Divine Sword Sect."
Compared to the domineering Sha Longzi, the Celestial Heaven Sect Leader's attitude was much more humble.
After his previous experience, Ran Feng didn't take it personally.
He took back the token he had thrown earlier, which identified him.
"I am Ran Feng, a disciple of Master Yan Yun of Divine Fire Peak, and my master is Divine Fire True Person!"
Divine Fire Peak?
Upon hearing his background, Yao Mingyue's heart skipped a beat.
Within the Five Elements Divine Sect, the Divine Sword Peak and Supreme Wood Peak were the most friendly towards them, and it was the Divine Sword Peak that had initially granted them this foothold.
The most unfriendly one was clearly the Divine Fire Peak.
Usually, it was the people from the Divine Sword Peak and Supreme Wood Peak who communicated with them.
This time, the messenger from the Divine Fire Peak had come, could something be wrong?
...
In a cave mansion at the back mountain.
Yao Mingyue stood respectfully before a young woman in red, who appeared even younger than her.
"Master, this is the message from the Five Elements Divine Sect."
The woman in red turned around, her face solemn.
"They want our Celestial Heaven Sect to take the lead, uniting the seven Golden Core Sects, to reclaim the Three Paths River?"
Yao Mingyue bit her lip, "The Three Paths River is infested with a large number of second-tier Demon Beasts, and there are even over ten third-tier Demon Kings. Most importantly, there are several fallen Immortal Cities nearby. Once the battle begins, the Demon Kings in those cities will swarm out, and we will be attacked from both sides, which is almost like sending us to our deaths!"
Indeed!
Nowadays, the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World was no longer the same as it was during its expansion.
Countless Demon Beasts poured out from the million mountains, constantly attacking human territories.
Over the past few decades, more than a dozen Great Domains had fallen.
Even with the Holy Land Abyss Sect organizing manpower, they temporarily regained several Great Domains, but they were met with an even more ferocious Beast Tide.
It was said that even battles between Nascent Soul Stage cultivators had erupted several times.
The woman in red fell silent.
After a while, she asked softly, "Did you find out if this is the decision of the Five Elements Divine Sect or the Holy Land?"
Yao Mingyue hesitated, "The Holy Land's directives are usually on a grand scale, and it is the Nascent Soul Stage Upper Sects of the Five Elements Divine Sect who handle the specific manpower arrangements. This time, although Ran Feng spoke of the Holy Land's arrangement, in my opinion..."
She didn't finish her sentence.
But her meaning was already clear.
The woman in red sighed, "It seems that the Divine Sword Sect can no longer tolerate our occupation of this high-quality third-tier Spirit Vein."
Shaking her head, she asked about another matter.
"Has Lingjun sent any news from Radiant Palace?"
Upon hearing that name, Yao Mingyue fell silent.
Qu Lingjun, the chief alchemist of Celestial Heaven Sect, entered the Radiant Palace and was never heard from again.
Wasn't he supposed to establish himself in the Radiant Palace with his alchemy skills and then secure a territory for the Celestial Heaven Sect in the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World?
After a while, she couldn't help but speak up, "Master, I fear that Lingjun has forgotten..."
"Silence!"
The woman in red's expression turned stern!
"He is your senior brother! He is the disciple of the Supreme Elder! How dare you speak of him so casually!"
Yao Mingyue lowered her head, but her eyes still held a hint of resentment.
Over the past few decades, the Celestial Heaven Sect had been in a precarious state, and it was only through everyone's united efforts that they managed to survive and maintain the sect's reputation.
There was no need to mention the guest elders and temporarily recruited loose cultivators, as it was common for them to abandon the sect in critical moments.
But Qu Lingjun's departure was the biggest blow to the disciples who were unaware of the truth.
She had given up her cultivation and devoted all her efforts to handling mundane tasks, interpersonal relationships, and external affairs, ensuring that the Celestial Heaven Sect wouldn't be excluded by the local powers of the Five Elements Divine Sect.
Who could understand the hardships she had endured? Why should she respect Qu Lingjun, who hadn't sent a single message in twenty years!
"Sigh... Mingyue, you may leave now! Regarding the battle for the Three Paths River, I will discuss it with the elders, and I will rely on you to control the overall situation in the rear."
Yao Mingyue nodded.
Before leaving, she cautiously raised her head and looked at the woman in red with anticipation.
"Master, when will you enter Core Formation?"
The woman in red was full of confidence, "At most, thirty years, you don't need to worry. Our sect has five Golden Core elders, and your Master Gu has already reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. Core Formation is just around the corner. Once I and she reach Foundation Establishment, the Celestial Heaven Sect will have seven Golden Core cultivators. With this strength, we will eventually have a place in the Eastern Wilderness."
With this assurance, Yao Mingyue's mood finally lightened.
Her departing steps also seemed less heavy.
However, she didn't notice the woman in red's drooping eyelids.
"Core Formation..."
A faint sigh echoed from within the cave mansion.
Accompanying it was another mocking voice.
"Sima Huiniang, how can I not know your confidence in Core Formation? You're barely at the Initial Ninth Layer Foundation Establishment yourself!"
A young woman in a white palace skirt strode in nonchalantly.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Sima Huiniang's expression darkened.
"Gu Caiyi, now that you've reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, instead of entering seclusion for Core Formation, you come out to cause trouble? The sect has struggled to provide you with the resources for Core Formation, and this is how you waste them."
"Hmph!"
Gu Caiyi scoffed, "If I don't come out, will I not know when you go to the Three Paths River battlefield and die without me even knowing?"
Sima Huiniang pursed her lips and shook her head lightly, "It's still uncertain, we'll have to see what Wang Yuan and Chu Kui decide."
The battles of the Celestial Heaven Sect had always been decided by Wang Yuan and Chu Kui.
Wang Yuan led the charge, while Chu Kui commanded from the center of the battlefield.
As for the other three Golden Core elders, they were guest elders recruited over the years.
And so, the Luo Tian Alliance of that year had already become a mere name without substance during the chaos of the demon invasion.
Gu Caiyi spoke in a low voice, "During the battle at the Ten Directions Immortal City three years ago, Wang Yuan suffered a severe injury. This time, I fear that we..."
"What are you trying to say?" Sima Huiniang furrowed her brows and glanced at her.
"What I mean is, the Five Elements Divine Realm is not a place to stay for long. The Five Elements Divine Sect has been ambiguous towards us. I fear that they didn't take us in with good intentions, and now they're sending us to our deaths. So, should we consider your brother Sima Wenjie's plan?"
"You mean merging with the Motian Cliff?" Sima Huiniang mentioned the plan, then firmly rejected it, "Impossible! Luo Tian Sect is his legacy. Even if I die, I will never agree to merge the sects."
The Motian Cliff they spoke of was another well-known Yuan Ying Upper Sect in the Eastern Wasteland.
In the past, it had also participated in the war to open up the Xiaoyue Mountain Range.
In that battle, several Yuan Ying Upper Sects joined forces.
However, the outcome was that the Luoyun Sect was destroyed, the Yuding Sword Sect was overwhelmed by demon beasts, and even the Medicine King Sect, which was not far away, was forced to relocate, leaving its original domain.
Only the Five Elements Divine Sect, the Fenghua Palace, and the Motian Cliff, which were far apart, managed to preserve their strength.
Oh!
The main participant in that war, Tianfan City, has also become a mere name without substance.
Although the sect still exists, the one in charge is actually a powerful figure from the Mingyuan Sect acting as a proxy.
After that battle, the Yuan Ying Upper Sects were affected, but the ones most impacted were actually Jin Dan sects like the Luo Tian Sect.
The once-famous Jin Dan sects in the Yuding Domain, such as Qingdangu Valley and Bingbao, had long since disbanded.
Even if the sect elites survived, they either became wandering cultivators or were absorbed by the Yuan Ying Upper Sects.
Among these powers, very few, like the Luo Tian Sect, managed to maintain their sect structure after traveling thousands of miles.
This alone shows how refined the remaining power of the Luo Tian Sect is.
Therefore, Yuan Ying Upper Sects like the Motian Cliff have the idea of absorbing the Luo Tian Sect and have repeatedly sent people to secretly make contact.
Seeing Sima Huiniang's determination, Gu Caiyi's eyes reddened.
"Do you think I don't care about his legacy?"
"But if the people are gone, and only the empty name of the Luo Tian Sect remains, what use is it?"
"There's no news from Lingjun, and the Five Elements Divine Sect is also ambiguous towards us. If we continue like this, fighting and killing in battle after battle, how many of us in the Luo Tian Sect will survive?"
"The most important thing is, is he really still alive?"
Sima Huiniang suddenly took a step forward and stared intently at Gu Caiyi.
"He's alive!"
Gu Caiyi gritted her teeth and said, "But all the Jin Dan cultivators who went to the Great Snow Mountain died! This is information that all the sects have disclosed. How can you be sure he's still alive?"
Sima Huiniang pointed at her chest, "He's really still alive!"
"Alive in your heart?" Gu Caiyi looked at Sima Huiniang with pity, "I also want to believe he's alive, but the fact is, sixty years have passed without any news!"
Sima Huiniang's tone softened slightly, and she shook her head.
"I once told you that during my Foundation Establishment Ceremony, Chu Kui gave me a pair of spiritual beetles. These beetles come in a male and female pair, implanted in me and him, nourished by our blood. My beetle is still alive, which means he is too, and he's doing very well."
"Don't mention that spiritual beetle again!"
Unexpectedly, Gu Caiyi lost her composure when this was brought up.
Her face turned red, and her tone was almost a roar.
Sima Huiniang shook her head and didn't argue.
She knew that Gu Caiyi was jealous.
She had been jealous all these years!
Jealous that she had become Luo Chen's person before her.
Jealous that she believed more than anyone that Luo Chen was still alive.
Jealous that she and Luo Chen had a so-called 'spiritual connection' through the beetles.
But Gu Caiyi, in her years of steadfastness, had gradually begun to doubt whether Luo Chen was still alive.
As a result, her love had become increasingly blurred.
Every time she thought of her own wavering, she was tormented by endless guilt.
So-called love, in the face of time and distance, is the most difficult test.
"Forget it!"
"You should go back and cultivate in seclusion, and quickly form your Golden Core!"
"The Luo Tian Sect is still too weak to withstand the storms of the Cultivation World. As for me..."
Sima Huiniang looked somewhat dejected.
Even though she had handed over the mundane affairs of the sect to her disciple Yao Mingyue, focusing solely on cultivation, the gap in talent and lack of resources made her increasingly anxious about forming her Golden Core.
Especially!
Her lifespan was running out.
She was already older than Luo Chen, Gu Caiyi, and the others, and she had barely completed her Foundation Establishment before the age of sixty.
Now, with only a few decades left before the 250-year limit of her Foundation Establishment, she had limited time.
The time required to progress from the initial stages of Foundation Establishment to its completion, and then to take the final step of forming the Golden Core, was beyond what she could achieve.
The thirty years she had mentioned to Yao Mingyue earlier...
She gave a self-deprecating smile, already feeling somewhat resigned.
Perhaps, this battle at the Three Paths River would be the last time she could contribute her strength to the Luo Tian Sect.
Gu Caiyi stood up and walked towards the cave mansion's entrance.
Her figure seemed lost and dispirited.
Just at that moment!
A chilling aura suddenly emanated from behind her.
Gu Caiyi turned around abruptly!
In her line of sight, Sima Huiniang's clothes were disheveled, and her hair bun had fallen.
She clutched her chest with both hands, her face was deathly pale, and her eyes were filled with disbelief.
It was as if the sky had fallen.
Sima Huiniang had never shown such a state, not even when she learned that all the cultivators from the Great Snow Mountain had fallen into the hands of the Demon Emperor.
Could it be...
Gu Caiyi felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, and her voice was hoarse as she asked,
"Huiniang, what's wrong with him?"
(End of Chapter)
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