Ever since the conclusion of the high-level meeting at the Grand Dao Sect, this mysterious plague has spread throughout the mountain gates at an alarming rate.
Even though an official decree was issued early on, ordering the disciples to be vigilant, practice self-isolation, and avoid contact with others, the situation spiraled out of control. Various pills were distributed to the disciples as needed, but…
None of the measures worked!
The speed at which the plague spreads and its lethality toward lower-level cultivators far exceeded the expectations of the Grand Dao Sect leadership.
In less than a month, almost every disciple of the Grand Dao Sect had contracted this strange illness. The miraculous Creation Purple Gold Pill, a divine medicine, wasn’t available to all disciples. Ordinary pills proved to be more of a psychological comfort than an actual remedy in the face of this plague.
It all depended on individual luck.
Those with milder symptoms gradually recovered after enduring some pain, though their cultivation levels dropped. At least they survived. However, more disciples experienced severe symptoms, and despite using all kinds of life-saving techniques and secret arts, they couldn’t escape death.
The situation grew even grimmer, with everyone in the Grand Dao Sect living in fear. No one dared to handle the bodies of the dead. From a safe distance, they would use spells to completely disintegrate the corpses, serving as a makeshift funeral.
The Grand Dao Sect, once filled with life, now was shrouded in sorrow, with cries of despair echoing throughout. It was hard to believe this was one of the most powerful sects in the cultivation world.
On this day, Sect Leader Ji Changxi once again summoned Senior Sister Zhao and Li Fan to the main hall to discuss the strange plague.
“Cough cough…”
As soon as they entered the hall, the sound of coughing echoed from all directions. The elders and Sect Leader Ji Changxi no longer had their former vigor, appearing weak and sickly, barely keeping up appearances. Some elders even lay down, with puppets around them gently massaging their bodies, their occasional groans breaking the silence.
Despite being in the same hall, Li Fan noticed that everyone was isolated from each other with barriers and formations.
“How have you two been feeling lately?” Sect Leader Ji asked.
“Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. Over the past month, we each took three Creation Purple Gold Pills. Both Li Fan and I are now fine. Most of the symptoms have disappeared, and we should fully recover soon,” Senior Sister Zhao replied with her head lowered.
Cough cough, “That’s good to hear, but you must remain cautious in the future and continue to prioritize personal protection. Based on the current situation, even if someone recovers from this plague, they could face a second or even multiple infections,” Ji Changxi said with a serious expression.
Senior Sister Zhao’s face paled slightly.
Before she could respond, Ji Changxi continued, “The reason I called you here today is to assign you a task.”
“After a period of investigation, we’ve come to some initial conclusions regarding the origin of this strange plague.”
Li Fan immediately focused, listening intently.
“Previously, we suspected that this illness was caused by a Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereign reversing some natural law of the world. Recently, we’ve confirmed which natural law was altered.”
“In the eyes of cultivators, mortals are like ants. However, this illness allows even mortals to kill immortals!” A trace of uncontrollable anger flashed in Ji Changxi’s eyes.
“This plague actually originated from a plague that spread among mortals years ago.”
“It originally posed no threat to us cultivators, but after this manipulation by a Heavenly Sovereign, it underwent a fundamental change, becoming a threat to our very lives.”
“Heh, it could now be called the ‘Immortal Plague.’”
“I don’t know what this Longevity Sovereign was thinking or what their ultimate goal is, but it seems they are determined to drive us to destruction. The situation is starting to spiral out of control.”
“Out of control?” Senior Sister Zhao asked in shock, “Has this Immortal Plague really reached that level?”
Ji Changxi shook his head, “You’ve been in the sect this whole time, so you don’t know what’s been happening in the outside world over the past month.”
“The source of the Immortal Plague is mortals, and this fact has spread among the cultivation world.”
“Those cultivators who are dying from the plague have begun to take out their anger by slaughtering mortals. The world outside is now a scene of hell.”
“They are too cowardly to confront the Heavenly Sovereign, so they vent their frustration on the weak. It’s disgraceful!” Senior Sister Zhao’s eyes flashed with cold fury upon hearing this.
Ji Changxi, however, said, “It’s understandable that those who are on the verge of death lose their sanity. We can’t completely blame them.”
“But the indiscriminate slaughter of mortals is excessive. The Immortal Plague lies dormant within the mortals, and even if they die, the plague won’t disappear. In fact, it will spread even further.”
“Moreover, if they truly wipe out all mortals, how will the world be sustained…”
Ji Changxi paused slightly.
“That’s why this madness must be stopped.”
“All the elders are currently focused on finding a way to counter the Immortal Plague, and they cannot leave their duties. So, I’m entrusting this task to you two.”
“Of course, the ‘Xuanhuang’ Realm is vast, and the two of you alone won’t be enough. Other sects will also send disciples to help save mortal lives.”
Senior Sister Zhao bowed and accepted the command but raised a concern: “Under normal circumstances, those cultivators might fear the reputation of the Ten Great Sects and stop the slaughter of mortals. But now, many of them are so far gone…”
Ji Changxi waved his hand to cut her off and said, “Those who have completely lost their minds, you needn’t waste time trying to reason with them. Just kill them. As for the others, tell them that the Ten Great Sects have devised a way to deal with the Immortal Plague. Have them wait patiently and stop committing senseless slaughter.”
Senior Sister Zhao’s expression turned strange. “Have we really found a way to counter the Immortal Plague?”
To her surprise, Ji Changxi nodded slightly. “The idea came from the Longevity Immortal Beast of the Beast Taming Sect. Since the source of the Immortal Plague is mortals, and we can’t kill them all, the solution is to exile them to the various ‘Cave Heavens’ and minor worlds attached to the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“Without mortals, the concentration of the Immortal Plague in our realm should significantly decrease. Afterward, completely eradicating it won’t be difficult. At the very least, it will allow us cultivators to live normal lives.”
“Although the feasibility of this mass migration is still under discussion, it seems like the best option for now.”
“The Great Migration Plan…”
“Relay this to the other cultivators. With a sliver of hope, they shouldn’t be as crazed.”