The Grand Elder led Chu Yuan to a cliff.
The night wind howled, and below the cliff was an endless abyss. At the top of the cliff, Chu Yuan was dragged by the Grand Elder, repeatedly falling to the ground.
The Grand Elder looked down at Chu Yuan from above, his gaze as cold as a knife.
At this moment, Chu Yuan finally recovered from the Nascent Soul Stage kick from the Grand Elder. He raised his head, his eyes filled with anger, unwillingness, and heart-wrenching pain, his voice hoarse:
“Grand Elder... all of this, you did it, didn’t you? You are the Demonic Path mole who colluded with Demonic Cultivators!”
The Grand Elder’s expression froze at his words, then he revealed a sinister smile:
“Chu Yuan, you think too highly of me. This game was indeed brilliant, but I am not a Demonic Path mole; I merely acted on orders.”
The Grand Elder slowly paced, “Never mind, since you are about to die, I might as well let you die with understanding!”
“Actually, all of this was the Old Ancestor’s doing. The Cultivation Technique he Cultivates requires sacrificing living beings; Mortals and Cultivators alike are sources of his power.”
The Grand Elder’s tone was mocking: “That small village of yours, which was annihilated by Demonic Cultivators back then, was actually also the Old Ancestor’s doing.”
“And those former Demonic Cultivator death squads were merely hunters he raised. Do you remember the Demonic Cultivators during the Secret Realm trial? They absorbed the vitality and spiritual energy of countless Cultivators, all to ultimately become the Old Ancestor’s ‘nutrient reservoir’.”
Chu Yuan’s mind roared.
The scene of the Old Ancestor ‘timely arriving’ to save the day during the Secret Realm trial appeared before his eyes.
That was not a rescue at all, but rather the Old Ancestor’s method of collecting these “results.”
“So that’s how it is...”
Chu Yuan murmured.
Suddenly, his expression froze, and he looked furiously at the Grand Elder, “Are you saying, Master’s hometown—”
The Grand Elder stroked his beard, revealing a mocking smile:
“Indeed. Luo Zhiqing’s righteous indignation is simply laughable. Her hometown was also a sacrifice by the Old Ancestor, but she has been kept in the dark until now.”
Chu Yuan clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth:
“All of this... I will expose it to the world, and you will all die a terrible death!”
The Grand Elder scoffed, raised his hand to gather spiritual energy, and a palm strike aimed directly at Chu Yuan’s head:
“You have no chance. Die here.”
Just as the Grand Elder thought Chu Yuan would die from his attack, a blinding light suddenly erupted in front of Chu Yuan.
The Grand Elder’s eyes widened, “This is—”
Boom—
A violent explosion sounded on the cliff, and smoke filled the air.
Chu Yuan, riding a Flying Sword, shot out from the smoke and fled into the distance.
Although Chu Yuan’s Qi Sea had been destroyed earlier.
However, because he had prematurely condensed an unformed Golden Core, he was able to store spiritual energy within the Golden Core.
So, relying on the spiritual energy that had not yet dissipated in the Golden Core, he was able to activate the protective trump card Luo Zhiqing had given him earlier, unleashing a full-power attack at the Late-stage Yuanying.
Finally, like now, he escaped by controlling his sword.
When Chu Yuan disappeared into the horizon.
On the cliff, the smoke dispersed.
The Grand Elder, in tattered clothes, got up in a disheveled manner, covering the bloody, deep-to-the-bone wound on his shoulder, and roared angrily:
“Chu Yuan! You can’t escape! I will personally capture you and cut you into a thousand pieces!”
...
You fled all the way.
The enraged Grand Elder mobilized a large number of Sect Disciples to hunt you down, but you relied on the accumulated reserves you had gathered over the years, carving out a path for yourself.
You found the Patrol Hall, intending to take the little girl with you, as she might be silenced if left behind.
However, when you seized a Patrol Hall Disciple and interrogated him, you learned that the little girl had already been taken away by the Grand Elder’s people.
Realizing that the little girl was likely in grave danger, you had no time for sorrow and quickly fled, otherwise you too would be left behind.
You fought and fled, yet you did not harm the lives of your fellow Disciples, even as the wounds on your body increased.
Under adversity, not only did you not falter, but because of the Growth in Adversity (Purple) trait, you erupted with even greater strength, impossibly escaping from the heavy encirclement and leaving the sphere of influence of the Piaomiao Sword Sect.
When you safely settled in a waterfall cave, the spiritual energy in your unformed Golden Core was completely exhausted.
Because there was no spiritual energy to nurture it, your unformed Golden Core also dissipated shortly after.
Your Cultivation completely disappeared, making you a true cripple.
Even so, the Grand Elder still did not let you go.
Because you held the secret of the Old Ancestor’s Demonic Cultivation, you were constantly searched for and hunted by various assassins sent by the Elder.
Fortunately, you hid very deeply and were not found and killed.
However, during the time you were hiding, the Grand Elder had already made arrangements, informing all major Sects about you, causing you to be wanted as a Demonic Cultivator by all major Sects.
You realized that even if you wanted to tell the truth to other Sects, it was impossible.
Before you could explain the truth, you would be killed, without any chance.
Therefore, you could only reluctantly give up and live a life under a false name.
...
After Chu Yuan lost his Cultivation, he tried various methods to restore it, but he was always unable to re-condense spiritual energy.
Normally, with a destroyed Dantian and Qi Sea, any Cultivator would be considered a cripple unable to Cultivate again for life.
But Chu Yuan was unwilling to give up, and he was not reconciled.
He hadn't yet let Master know that he had been framed, and he hadn't yet saved Master from that demonic den.
Since conventional Cultivation methods were completely unfeasible for him, he decided to find another way.
No matter the cost.
One day, heavily disguised, he took his remaining Spirit Stones to the Cultivator market and auction house, hoping to find an ancient text or secret treasure that could solve his problem.
Along the way, he weaved through the bustling stalls, looking around, but found nothing.
Just as Chu Yuan was feeling disappointed, he was suddenly attracted by a uniquely shaped ancient stone at a nearby stall.
The stone was entirely black, covered with ancient inscriptions, like some undeciphered runes.
When his gaze touched the ancient stone, a strong, inexplicable feeling surged in his heart, as if this stone had some ineffable connection with him.
Chu Yuan couldn't help but step forward and ask:
“How much is this stone?”
The stall owner, an elderly Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator, glanced at him casually at his words.
“Three Spirit Stones.”
Chu Yuan frowned, “Three Spirit Stones? Isn’t this just an ordinary stone? I think it’s worth one at most.”
The stall owner’s eyelid twitched.
Although this stone looked mysterious and strange, no one bought it here, making it essentially scrap.
“Alright, alright! Two Spirit Stones, take it.”
Chu Yuan made to turn and leave.
“Oh, come on, one, one is fine!”
“Alright.”
Chu Yuan bought the stone.
Just as Chu Yuan was about to leave with it, a vendor from the next stall interjected:
“Kid, you’re buying this broken stone? Let me tell you, I’ve seen many people try to inject spiritual energy into this thing to study it, but there was no reaction. It’s probably just a useless piece of scrap stone, a waste of money.”
Chu Yuan ignored him and left with the stone.
Back at his hiding place, Chu Yuan placed the ancient stone on the table, carefully examining the inscriptions, his fingers gently stroking the surface of the stone.
Just as his finger slid over a carved mark, the stone suddenly erupted with a dazzling light.
Chu Yuan instinctively took two steps back, only to see a blurry figure slowly emerge from the light.
The figure gradually became clear: an old man with white hair and beard, dressed in ancient robes, his eyes bright and piercing.
“Finally... finally found the right person.”
The old man’s voice was ancient, filled with emotion.
Chu Yuan was startled, and looked down at his hands.
Such a classic traditional 'cool novel' plot...
Chu Yuan was a little disbelieving that it would happen to him.
Although, judging by his experiences, he did have a bit of that protagonist vibe.
With a secret warning in his heart, Chu Yuan spoke:
“Who are you? Why are you in this stone?”
The old man smiled slightly:
“This venerable one is the owner of this ancient stone. In life, I was the peerless powerhouse of this continent.
It’s just a pity that I was ambushed, my Physical Body was destroyed, and my Primordial Spirit was Sealed in this stone.
Now, by a stroke of Opportunity, you have awakened this venerable one.”
Chu Yuan stroked his chin: “So?”
The old man looked at him deeply, and slowly said:
“Young man, your Qi Sea is ruined, and your Cultivation is completely lost, right?
But your eyes show no surrender, and you have a deep obsession in your heart.
This venerable one can impart a Cultivation Technique to you, allowing you to embark on the path of Cultivation again, even becoming far stronger than before.”
“Then, what’s the price?” Chu Yuan asked.
“You only need to become this venerable one’s Disciple.”
The old man continued, “Your Physique and obsession happen to meet the Cultivation requirements of this venerable one’s Cultivation Technique; this stone’s reaction to you is proof.”
“If you are willing to acknowledge this venerable one as your Master, this venerable one will teach you everything without reservation.”
A hint of confidence flashed in the old man’s eyes, as if he believed Chu Yuan would simply accept.
However, Chu Yuan shook his head:
“I’m very sorry, I already have a Master. No matter what, in this life, I will never acknowledge anyone else as my Master.”
The old man was stunned at his words, then pondered something.
A moment later, instead of getting angry, he laughed heartily, “Good character, this venerable one likes it! Since that’s the case, not acknowledging this venerable one as your Master is fine.”
“This venerable one can impart the Cultivation Technique to you unconditionally. After all, this venerable one doesn’t have much time left; it would be too much of a pity if there were no Legacy.”
You accepted the Old Man’s Legacy, and he imparted his Cultivation Technique to you.
However, you discovered that
This Cultivation Technique was a Demonic Technique.