The masked elder’s voice fell and the floating black flames paused momentarily.
The other six all bowed their heads, their expressions changing like clouds in the sky, and after the battle at the Supreme Sect, their fear of the Sword Venerable Fudao had grown even more.
The masked elder continued, “During this period, the main branch has lost two-tenths of its followers, including seventeen Unification Realm cultivators. We cannot determine the life or death of the Vice Sect Hierarch, does the Sect Hierarch have a way to confirm?”
Upon hearing this, Butcher Immortal Jing’s voice emanated from within the black flames, “The Vice Sect Hierarch is unfettered; even I am not privy to her whereabouts. However, she cannot possibly be dead unless a Mahayana Cultivator has emerged in the lands of the nine dynasties. Even if there were Mahayana Cultivators, the commotion of trying to kill her would not be small.
Have you felt any battle pressure surpassing the Mystic Heart Realm?”
The masked elder replied, “No, but with the Vice Sect Hierarch suddenly going missing, I cannot help but be more cautious.”
“Rest assured, she may be held up by something and would not die without a trace. Moreover, I have already cursed myself and there’s no turning back now. Continue to search for more sacrifices, the more the better, for I intend to probe the Heavenly Destiny at once!”
The voice of Butcher Immortal Jing sounded, and all seven responded in unison.
…
In the Chentang Dynasty, at Three Pure Ones Mountain.
This sect, regarded by the dynasty as a land of Immortals, was hidden among lakes, with majestic mountains that appeared intermittently, like a mirage.
Beneath an ancient tree, Li Ya was sitting cross-legged, his back against a cliff, the North Sea Heavy Sword standing beside him. Both his hands propped on his knees, his gaze fixed on the chessboard on the ground, his face showing a puzzled expression.
He howled in frustration and couldn’t help but rub his scalp.
At that moment, a Soul Body fell from the ancient tree. It was the soul of the Ancestor of the Li Family, now more substantial than before.
“Hahaha, youngster, I told you the trials of Three Pure Ones Mountain are arduous and demand wisdom. Your comprehension is not enough; you are still far from me. Back then, I solved the chess puzzle in just three years, but looking at you, I fear even ten years might not suffice,” laughed the Ancestor of the Li Family in schadenfreude.
Li Ya glared and cursed, “What kind of ancestor are you, hoping your descendant is inferior to you? I refuse to believe I’m really worse than you!”
The Ancestor of the Li Family chuckled, “My master once foretold that someone destined from the Li Family would emerge to help me overcome tribulation. I originally thought it was you, but now it seems there might be someone else. Child, why not give up cultivation, go down the mountain to marry and have children, and give birth to the person of destiny sooner.”
Li Ya was so furious that he immediately stood up, drew the North Sea Heavy Sword, and swung at the Ancestor of the Li Family.
“What are you two making a fuss about now?” An elderly voice came.
Li Ya turned around to see a figure emerging from the mist: an old Taoist with a youthful face wearing a blue robe, holding a horsetail whisk as if it caught the clouds, exuding an aura of immortality.
He hurriedly saluted, “Disciple pays respect to Martial Master.”
The Ancestor of the Li Family also saluted the blue-robed Taoist, “Greetings to Master.”
This blue-robed Taoist, known as Daoist Tianshu, had the demeanor of a true immortal in the Mortal World.
Daoist Tianshu landed on the cliff and smiled, “Who says the person of destiny has not yet been born? I have calculated again, and the Li Family’s fortune is rising, which indicates that the person of destiny has already been born.”
The Ancestor of the Li Family said with a laugh, “I was just teasing the youngster. He’s arrogant and self-important; he needs to be humbled, otherwise, he will make trouble for me when he descends the mountain.”
Daoist Tianshu waved his whisk, turning the chessboard on the ground to flying ash, which dissipated like smoke.
Li Ya frowned and asked, “Martial Master, what are you doing?”
He was anxious, wondering if even his Martial Master thought he lacked wisdom.
Daoist Tianshu smiled, “A great calamity is descending upon the nine dynasties, and the tribulations are increasingly perilous. Even Three Pure Ones Mountain may be in danger of destruction, so it’s not appropriate for me to test you anymore. All three branches of Three Pure Ones Mountain must descend to save the world. Before I leave, I will impart a divine skill of mountain protection to you.
If Three Pure Ones Mountain is destroyed, I hope you will carry on the Daoist Tradition of the Three Pure Ones.”
To descend the mountain!
Both Li Ya and the Ancestor of the Li Family’s complexions changed.
“Please teach me, Master. I wish to join the battle!” Li Ya immediately said.
Daoist Tianshu shook his head, “Your cultivation level is too low, it won’t make a difference in this tribulation. If we fail, there will be others in the mountain who will take you away from the nine dynasties to another world far away to live on.
This continent originally belongs to the Demon Clan; our sect has been established for so many years, it’s already come to the end of its Heavenly Destiny.”
He stroked his beard and smiled, his face showing no worries, as if he had seen through the mortal world.
“But…”
“There is no ‘but,’ just obey.”
Li Ya bit back his words, his face a tangle of emotions.
Daoist Tianshu asked with a smile, “Could it be that you still have someone you are concerned about?”
The Ancestor of the Li Family teased, “He’s worried about his Junior Brother Gu.”
Hearing this, Daoist Tianshu said softly, “If one can control their own destiny in life, they have transcended. Everything depends on human effort; do not force things.”
Li Ya was silent.
…
At the Supreme Sect, the Third Medicine Valley.
The world was dark, and disciples gathered together, looking up at the grand scene in the sky, with Gu An among them watching.
One could see bursts of heavenly thunder striking down, all converging at the same spot: the formation set up by Lu Lingjun. The golden lightning, like azure dragons, plummeted down and made the formation burst with rainbow light that scoured the sky, creating a magnificent sight.
In the distance, on the mountaintops surrounding the Third Medicine Valley, stood numerous cultivators of the Supreme Sect, including cultivators and elders with the lowest being in the Elixir Formation Realm. They watched Lu Lingjun’s tribulation and discussed among themselves.
The maximum extent of the tribulation reached a hundred miles, with the thundercloud area emitting red light as if it were the eye of heaven.
In front of this heavenly eye, the Third Medicine Valley seemed insignificant. Thankfully, the heavenly thunder was concentrated solely on Lu Lingjun. Otherwise, the valley would have suffered a catastrophic strike.
Gu Zong stood beside Gu An, expressing his sentiments, “The Mystic Heart Realm is truly indescribable. Just witnessing this tribulation makes me feel a myriad of emotions.”
Lu Lingjun’s tribulation had already lasted three days. The heavenly might was most terrifying yesterday, and today it had weakened somewhat. Yet even now, each thunderstrike was powerful enough to kill a Unification Realm cultivator.
Looking up, there were Unification Realm Great Cultivators guarding in every direction. Upon knowing that Lu Lingjun was an Inner Sect Elder, the Supreme Sect rejoiced and even assisted in setting up her formation.
Whenever the formation was about to break, the Unification Realm elders would take action, using their Spiritual Power to maintain the formation, which also showed Gu An the unity of the Supreme Sect.
Some people doubted Lu Lingjun’s identity until Gu Zong said that even if she truly was a Demon Cultivator, and succeeded in breaking through, she still wouldn’t be a match for Sword Venerable Fudao.
This statement alleviated everyone’s concerns.
Gu An also sighed emotionally, “I never expected that the Servant Disciple randomly assigned to me by the Sect Leader could harbor such formidable cultivation. I am indeed fortunate across three lifetimes.”
Gu Zong laughed, “Perhaps you are a Great Fortune of Energy Movement after all. Considering you could write ‘Investiture of the Gods,’ maybe in the mysterious ways of the universe, you are the reincarnation of some Great Power, recalling experiences from your past life.”
Gu An rolled his eyes at him, what a wild imagination.
I do indeed have a past life, I was the great descendant of Yan and Huang in my previous incarnation!
Gu Zong was only jesting, but he was also very curious about how Medicine Valley under Gu An could give birth to a Mystic Heart Realm Cultivator.
Those who cultivate immortality believe most in destiny, the more mysterious, the more they believe.
Gu Zong thought about the Shenzhou Scripture that Gu An previously gave to the ten talented disciples and wondered if he should also cultivate his mind.
Gu An refocused his attention on Lu Lingjun. Her Mystic Heart had been refined, signifying a successful breakthrough, and her cultivation level was about to soar.
He felt emotional in his heart.
Crossing Tribulation is really difficult!
If it weren’t for the formations and elixirs, Gu An felt that with the capabilities of the Nine Layers of the Unification Realm, he couldn’t have crossed the tribulation at all.
The Spiritual Power of the Nine Layers of the Unification Realm is indeed vast, but to withstand the heavenly lightning, the consumption is also enormous. Gu An didn’t bother to calculate how many elixirs Lu Lingjun had taken, but it was definitely an astronomical number.
At one point, Gu An even thought of intervening to help her because she nearly couldn’t hold on and didn’t even have time to take elixirs. Luckily, the Unification Realm Cultivators of the Supreme Sect acted in time.
Over twenty Unification Realm Elders along with Ancestor Kusong of the Mystic Heart Realm joined forces to finally protect Lu Lingjun.
After the most difficult part of the celestial tribulation passed, Ancestor Kusong left at dawn.
Gu An wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that the back of Ancestor Kusong seemed very forlorn.
“It seems the Tribulation Crossing was successful, and it’s time for me to leave. Once her cultivation stabilizes, you should foster a good relationship with her and try to keep her in Medicine Valley until the Sect Leader returns to make arrangements,” Gu Zong left these words behind and departed.
He flew into the sky, transmitted a few words to the other Unification Realm Elders through voice transmission, and then left.
Although Gu Zong was only at the Void Crossing Realm, his status was extremely high. His backing lay with the Gu Family, and he managed the great powers of the Sect, which also caused him to neglect his cultivation.
Reaching the Unification Realm, they are mostly hands-off managers, spending most of their time in closed-door cultivation and not involving themselves with the Sect’s affairs.
Gu An looked not far away, where Shen Zhen was drawing a portrait of Lu Lingjun’s tribulation.
That’s really courting death!
Daring to offend even a Mystic Heart Realm Great Cultivator!
…
Two days later, the heavenly tribulation in the sky completely dissipated, Lu Lingjun’s Tribulation Crossing was successful, and she officially stepped into the Mystic Heart Realm. After retracting her formation, a crowd of Unification Realm Great Cultivators from the Supreme Sect gathered around, making pleasantries with her.
Lu Lingjun was also grateful for their assistance, so she was courteous in her demeanor, which also satisfied the gathered Great Cultivators, stirring excitement in their hearts.
The Supreme Sect had welcomed a new Mystic Heart Realm member!
Especially at this critical moment!
It truly is heaven’s blessing for the Supreme Sect!
After a while.
Only then did Lu Lingjun manage to extricate herself from their compliments, as she flew towards Medicine Valley, she happened to see Gu An being entangled by Shen Zhen.
Upon seeing Lu Lingjun fly down, Shen Zhen immediately stored the painting in her Storage Bag.
Lu Lingjun landed in front of the two, looked at Shen Zhen, and said, “Were you drawing my Tribulation Crossing earlier?”
Gu An quickly interjected, “This is the Holy Daughter of the Daotian Sect, Shen Zhen. She meant no offense; she admires your strength.”
The key point was the Daotian Sect!
Lu Lingjun, noticing the closeness between Shen Zhen and Gu An, instantly spoke with displeasure, “Ms. Shen, please maintain a proper distance from Gu An in the future.”
Shen Zhen asked with surprise, “Why? Could it be that someone of your stature as a Great Cultivator is interested in him…”
Lu Lingjun didn’t answer, only calmly looking at her.
“Haven’t you heard of the name ‘Gu An’?” asked Shen Zhen curiously.
Upon hearing this, Gu An quickly said, “It’s all your fault, using my name to write that worthless book, ruining my good name!”
Lu Lingjun had seen the Supreme Secret Records before and even doubted him, so he preemptively revealed Shen Zhen’s trickery.
Shen Zhen didn’t get angry but laughed, “What do you mean ruining your good name? Didn’t you receive benefits?”
Lu Lingjun’s gaze towards Gu An turned strange, as if accusing him of greed.
Then, Shen Zhen continued, “Senior, Gu An is no simple man. He is the author of ‘Investiture of the Gods’, Pan An. You better keep an eye on him daily; there are no shortage of women who admire him.”
With that said, she saluted Lu Lingjun with a gesture of her hand, then turned and left.
Gu An inwardly felt troubled.
Lu Lingjun ignored Shen Zhen and looked intently at Gu An, “Are you really Pan An?”