249: Chapter 249 The Respect of the Jade Tripod Pavilion

Moonlight, like flowing water, poured down onto the desolate earth of the Lingxu Wasteland, casting hideous long shadows from the jagged rocks along the way. The night wind wailed, kicking up dust and sand, carrying with it a Death Qi of all things decaying.

Su Changge walked silently, surrounded by the group of Jade Cauldron Pavilion Cultivators.

The Cultivators did not dare to fly, nor did they even dare to circulate their spiritual energy to quicken their pace. They walked step by step like Mortals, for fear of disturbing this peerless Master beside them whose Aura was as profound as the abyss and as steady as a mountain. They clustered around Su Changge, ostensibly as guards, but in reality, it was a form of silent surveillance and awe. The surroundings were so quiet that only the 'shasha' sound of footsteps on gravel and each other's suppressed breathing remained.

The leading Golden Core Cultivator, Fang Chen, followed half a step behind Su Changge, keeping pace. He took out a cyan jade water pouch and a bundle of dry rations wrapped in oil paper from his Storage Pouch. Holding them in both hands, he respectfully presented them to Su Changge, his head lowered, not daring to look directly at him.

"Senior, the wilderness is bitter and cold, and you have been toiling until now. These are but rustic items, intended merely to stave off hunger and thirst. I hope Senior will not find them beneath you."

The dry rations in the oil paper package were a special Sect-made substitute for Fasting Pills. They were hard in texture and coarse in taste; normally, only the lowest-level Outer Sect Disciples would use them to fill their stomachs. Fang Chen brought them out now with trepidation, fearing he might offend this Senior whose emotions were unreadable.

Su Changge's gaze returned from the distance and fell upon the water pouch and dry rations. The hunger in his stomach was already burning like a fierce fire, and his internal organs were protesting. He did not refuse, calmly reaching out his hand to take them.

As his fingertips touched the rough oil paper, he could smell a stale scent of wheat. He unscrewed the water pouch and tilted his head back for a drink. The cool spring water slid down his parched throat, bringing a long-awaited sense of relief. Then, he tore open the oil paper, took a piece of dry food, and put it into his mouth as if no one else were there.

When the dry food entered his mouth, it was hard enough to crack teeth. Su Changge's expression remained unchanged as he slowly ground it with his molars and swallowed it. A warm current rose from his stomach, quickly turning into strength that flowed through his entire body. His Physical Body, which had been pushed to its limit, finally received replenishment.

He ate very slowly, every movement imbued with a calm and unhurried rhythm, as if he were savoring some peerless delicacy.

In the eyes of Fang Chen and the others, this was the demeanor of a Master. Return to Simplicity, not bound by material things. Even mundane food could yield insights into the Great Dao when tasted by the Senior. They became increasingly reverent, and even their breathing became lighter.

Su Changge, however, was rapidly calculating in his heart.

The Jade Cauldron Pavilion has a Formation. This is the key. Once we arrive, I must first confirm the location and status of the Formation. Then, I will use thunderous momentum to intimidate their Pavilion Master and Old Ancestor, making them fear to harbor any ulterior motives and obediently open the Formation. Taixuan Sect... home... these two words swirled in the depths of his heart, turning into infinite motivation to return.

With a piece of dry food in his stomach and half a pouch of clear water down his throat, the exhaustion in Su Changge's body was swept away. He handed the water pouch back to Fang Chen with a plain gesture, as if he had just done a trivial thing.

"Where exactly is this place? And where is the nearest Cross-Domain Teleportation Array located?"

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable authority. He chose to go straight to the point, skipping unnecessary indirect probing. Under the guise of a Master's identity, asking directly was the most consistent style of action.

Hearing this, Fang Chen's body jolted, and he quickly bowed to answer, not daring to be even slightly negligent.

"Replying to Senior, this place is the Qingming Domain, three hundred miles outside the Lingxu Wasteland."

Qingming Domain.

These four words reached Su Changge's ears, causing his mind to slightly tighten. That name again. The System's error could still be understood as some kind of confusion, but why did these native Cultivators also call this place the Qingming Domain? A Forbidden Ground that spans across Dao Domains? Or rather... an absurd but persistent thought rose in his heart, but he immediately suppressed it by force.

Fang Chen did not notice his momentary distraction and continued to report respectfully: "The nearest Cross-Domain Teleportation Array is within the mountain gate of my Jade Cauldron Pavilion. This Formation was left by our predecessors and is also the only passage in the entire Lingxu Wasteland that can connect to the outside world."

"If Senior wishes to use it, you only need to state so to our Pavilion Master. The Pavilion Master will surely prepare a warm welcome and would not dare to violate Senior's decree."

A Cross-Domain Teleportation Array!

These words were like a bolt of lightning, instantly striking away all the doubts and anxieties in Su Changge's heart!

Forget the Qingming Domain, forget whether this place is a Cangxuan Forbidden Ground or an alien land! As long as there is a Cross-Domain Teleportation Array, there are coordinates, and there is a possibility of returning! Returning to the Cangxuan Dao Domain is not out of reach!

A wave of wild joy almost crashed through the indifferent facade he maintained. He could finally go home!

Su Changge's chest heaved violently for a moment, but he quickly calmed down with strong self-control. His face remained as calm as a deep well, and he merely nodded slightly, uttering a single word.

"Mm."

A single word, yet full of meaning. To Fang Chen and the others, it represented 'everything is under control.' This Senior already knew about the existence of the Formation in the Lingxu Wasteland; asking now was merely a casual confirmation.

They no longer had any doubts about Su Changge's identity, and their awe grew even deeper. To view a Dao Domain-level Formation as ordinary—this Senior's cultivation probably exceeded their imagination, perhaps even above the Soul Transformation that legends say can roam the sea of stars and cross the Void Realm!

Fang Chen bowed again, his tone becoming even more humble: "Senior, the mountain gate is just ahead. We will quicken our pace and strive to arrive before midnight."

Su Changge nodded noncommittally, but his steps quickened by a few points.

For the rest of the journey, the atmosphere relaxed slightly. At Fang Chen's signal, several Foundation Establishment Cultivators chatted with Su Changge, introducing the local customs of the Lingxu Wasteland and the Jade Cauldron Pavilion. They did not dare to speak directly, but in a conversational tone, they cleverly revealed information.

Su Changge listened silently, noting down every piece of key information.

The Jade Cauldron Pavilion was once one of the three major Sects of the Lingxu Wasteland and flourished for a time. But in the last few centuries, talent had withered, and there was a gap between generations, causing it to fall into the lower ranks. Currently, within the pavilion, there is only one Soul Transformation Old Ancestor whose Lifespan is near its end and who rarely leaves seclusion. As for that Cross-Domain Teleportation Array, it is also a relic from hundreds of years ago, said to be difficult to maintain and extremely costly.

Recently, the pavilion seems to have encountered a huge problem. From the Pavilion Master and Elders down to the Outer Sect Disciples, everyone is frantically searching for something, and the people are in a state of panic.

After hearing all this, Su Changge's heart completely settled.

A declining Sect is for the best. Fewer people mean fewer constraints, making it easier to be cowed by his "Master" Aura. With only one Soul Transformation Old Ancestor, as long as the other party doesn't test him, the System's special effects alone would be enough to bluff them.

Borrowing the Formation is now a sure thing.

In less than six hours, on the continuous barren horizon, the outline of a solitary, steep mountain peak finally appeared. Atop the peak, halls and pavilions were faintly visible under the moonlight, with a weak mountain-protecting light screen enveloping them. The spiritual light was dim, showing a bit of a decline.

Fang Chen pointed to that mountain peak, his expression excited yet devout: "Senior, that is the mountain gate of the Jade Cauldron Pavilion."

Su Changge looked up. That mountain gate, which looked somewhat desolate in the moonlight, surpassed all immortal Realms in the world in his eyes. He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Arrived. The road home is right before my eyes.

When the group arrived at the mountain gate, two Mountain Guard Disciples immediately came forward. Seeing Fang Chen and the others surrounding a stranger, their expressions were wary.

Fang Chen's face darkened as he shouted, "Do not be rude! Go quickly and inform the Pavilion Master and the Elders that a distinguished Senior has arrived!"

The two Disciples were shocked to see that Fang Chen, a Golden Core Junior Martial Uncle, was so respectful and even slightly fearful toward a young man. They did not dare to ask more, and one of them immediately turned into a streak of light and rushed into the depths of the mountain gate.

Su Changge stood outside the mountain gate with his hands behind his back, calmly examining the Sect's archway. The archway was carved from a single piece of bluestone, and the three words "Jade Cauldron Pavilion" were written with powerful strokes, showing a glimpse of the glory of the past. On the surface, he remained calm, but in his mind, he had already rehearsed his plan several times.

When I see the Pavilion Master, there's no need for many words. I'll directly activate the "One Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate" effect, letting the Sword Intent soar into the sky and the phenomenon pierce the sun. Such Divine Might will be enough to crush the psychological defenses of any Golden Core Cultivator. At that time, when I mention borrowing the Formation, how would they dare refuse?

Inside the mountain gate, spiritual energy fluctuated as several powerful Auras were approaching rapidly from afar.

Before long, a middle-aged Cultivator dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe with a lean face, leading a dozen Elders with various Auras, quickly walked out from the mountain gate. The newcomer was the current Pavilion Master of the Jade Cauldron Pavilion, Li Changfeng, who had a Golden Core Great Perfection cultivation.

As soon as Li Changfeng appeared, his gaze locked onto Su Changge, who stood with his hands behind his back. With a solemn expression, he immediately activated the Sect's secret investigative spiritual technique, the "Dongxuan Heavenly Eye."

An invisible spiritual light shot from his eyes and landed silently on Su Changge.

In the next breath, Li Changfeng's face changed drastically.

The feedback from the spiritual technique was not a cultivation Realm, nor was it the strength of spiritual power, but a patch of Chaos, a patch of nothingness. His Divine Sense seemed to sink into a bottomless ocean of the Great Dao, where any spying was like a clay ox entering the sea, instantly assimilated and dissolved. In the depths of that Chaos, he vaguely perceived a supreme Dao Rhyme that stood above all things in heaven and earth—the Great Dao Returns to One!

This was a sign of touching the Origin of the Law, where one's self is a world of its own, as spoken of in legends!

Li Changfeng's legs went soft, and he almost collapsed to the ground. The Elders behind him also changed color; although they had not personally investigated, they had already guessed the result from the Pavilion Master's horrified expression.

"Plop!"

Without hesitation, Li Changfeng led all the Elders behind him to kneel down before Su Changge, performing the grand rite of prostration.

"Junior Li Changfeng, Pavilion Master of the Jade Cauldron Pavilion, leading all the Elders of the pavilion, pays respects to Senior!"

"We did not know of Senior's arrival and failed to welcome you from afar; we deserve ten thousand deaths! The entire Jade Cauldron Pavilion is graced by your presence!"

A loud and trembling voice echoed in front of the silent mountain gate.

Looking at the high-level members of the Jade Cauldron Pavilion kneeling on the ground, the last trace of worry in Su Changge's heart vanished. The System's special effects were indeed invincible.

He looked at the leading Li Changfeng, his voice flat but containing an irresistible authority.

"Rise."

Li Changfeng and the others felt as if they had been granted a great pardon and quickly rose, but they still kept their bodies bowed, standing to the side with their hands down, not daring to take a single loud breath.

"Senior, the mountains are crude and simple. Please move into the pavilion so we may serve tea."

Su Changge nodded slightly and stepped into the mountain gate of the Jade Cauldron Pavilion.

The moment he turned around, Li Changfeng slowly straightened his body. Looking at Su Changge's seemingly defenseless back, the extreme awe and fear in the depths of his eyes were quietly replaced by a touch of even more fervent greed and madness.

He exchanged a subtle look with several trusted Elders beside him. In that look, there was no longer any trace of respect, only the determination of a desperate gamble.

The Cross-Domain Teleportation Array's core had already collapsed in that great catastrophe a hundred years ago and was completely unusable.

They had exhausted their efforts to invite this "Senior" into the mountain gate, and it was never for the sake of hospitality.

The ancient books of the Jade Cauldron Pavilion recorded a cruel secret method: using a living being that contains the Origin of the Great Dao as a sacrifice, flesh as the guide, and the Divine Soul as the pivot, the Formation core can be reshaped and the road to heaven reopened.

The path beneath Su Changge's feet led not to a Formation, but to an Altar carefully prepared for him.