112: Chapter 111 Major Events of the Sect

Yun Ming left his Immortal Cave, took flight in a streak of light, and headed toward the main peak of the Qingxuan Sect.

The main peak was extremely high, truly deserving of the description "towering into the clouds."

Yun Ming flew for about fifteen minutes before he finally managed to penetrate the perpetual layer of mist. Above the clouds, his vision suddenly cleared, and a majestic grand hall came into view.

The hall was built on the summit of the main peak, its entire structure made of a certain white jade that shimmered with a warm luster under the sunlight. The roof was covered in layers of green glazed tiles, and vivid, auspicious Divine Beasts were carved among the eaves and brackets. Before the hall lay a vast square paved with white jade, polished to a mirror-like finish. Surrounding the square stood nine stone pillars carved with Dragons, each as thick as three people's embrace, piercing straight into the sky.

Yun Ming landed on the square, looked up at the hall, and couldn't help but mutter, "Why build it so high? One might think they've reached the Heavenly Court."

"Brother Yun Ming, grumbling again?"

A hearty laugh came from behind him.

Yun Ming turned around to see an old man with graying hair and beard walking toward him with a smile. The old man wore a blue-gray Daoist robe, was slightly plump, had a kind face, and his eyes twinkled with a gentle smile.

It was Sikong Gu, a Golden Core Elder of the Qingxuan Sect, also known as Immortal Master Gudan.

Sikong Gu was a veteran Golden Core of the Qingxuan Sect at the Golden Core Middle Stage. He had followed the Old Ancestor since the Qingxuan Sect was just a tiny Sect, over two hundred years ago. He was also the highest-ranking Alchemist in the Qingxuan Sect—Third Grade High Grade—and was one of the top figures in the entire Sect.

Yun Ming often went to him for advice on Alchemy, and over time, the two became well-acquainted. Sikong Gu had an easygoing personality and never withheld his knowledge, so Yun Ming learned a great deal from him. They would exchange insights on the Dao of pills and discuss pharmacology, their friendship deepening day by day.

"Brother Sikong," Yun Ming said, cupping his hands and greeting him with a smile.

The two chatted as they walked toward the hall.

Yun Ming said, "Thanks to your guidance last time, I can finally refine the jinyuan pills. Although the success rate isn't high—only one out of ten batches—at least I've managed it."

Sikong Gu waved his hand. "It hardly counts as guidance. I've long recognized your talent in Alchemy. Some of the things in your Secret Volume of Qingwei Alchemy even take me a long time to figure out. You're just a bit unfamiliar with the techniques; you just need more practice. In time, it's only a matter of when you'll surpass me."

Yun Ming said modestly, "It's just good luck."

As they walked up the steps side by side, Yun Ming suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, brother, do you know why the Old Ancestor has summoned us this time?"

Sikong Gu shook his head and smiled bitterly. "I'm not sure either. Lately, I've been focused on trying to refine the nascent soul formation pill, putting all my heart into it, so I haven't had time to look into anything else. I've refined seven batches in a row, and they were all failures. It hurt so much I haven't slept well for several nights."

Yun Ming comforted him, "The nascent soul formation pill is a Tier 4 Medicinal Pill, so a low success rate is normal. With your miraculous skills, you'll surely succeed eventually."

Sikong Gu raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you use 'miraculous skills'?" Then he laughed, "I'll take your word for it. If I really succeed, I'll save one for you."

Yun Ming laughed. "Hey! Brother, I want two."

"Hahaha, give you an inch and you take a mile."

While talking, the two had already reached the entrance of the hall.

The hall doors were wide open. Yun Ming stepped inside, and the sight before him made him pause slightly.

The interior of the hall was even more magnificent than he had imagined.

The dome was extremely high, at least dozens of feet, embedded with countless night-luminescent pearls arranged like the stars in the sky, slowly rotating and casting a soft glow. Twelve golden pillars carved with Dragons stood tall, each Dragon carved vividly with bright eyes as if they might come to life at any moment.

The floor was paved with a type of black jade, polished to a mirror finish that reflected one's shadow. On both sides of the hall stood rows of bronze lampstands, burning an unknown beast oil with pale blue flames that emitted a faint fragrance.

At the far end was a high platform.

The platform had nine steps, each covered with a crimson carpet. Atop the platform sat a wide jade couch, where the Ancestor of Qingxuan Sect sat. His Aura was restrained, yet he possessed a natural, imposing presence.

Many people were already standing in the hall.

Yun Ming's gaze swept across them; he counted roughly twenty or thirty people. There were men and women, old and young. Some had steady Auras, while others were sharp and prominent, but without exception, all were at the Golden Core Realm. There were even a few whose Auras were unfathomable, faintly touching the threshold of Golden Core Perfection.

Yun Ming and Sikong Gu found a spot to stand and waited quietly.

After about another incense stick's time, a few more people arrived. Once everyone had mostly arrived, the Old Ancestor on the platform spoke slowly:

"I have summoned you all today to inform you of a major matter."

The hall instantly fell silent, and everyone's eyes fell upon the Old Ancestor.

The Old Ancestor's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears: "A few years ago, a major event occurred in the East Xuan Region. A great Cultivator at the Late Nascent Soul Stage killed two Nascent Souls from the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion and the Shenduan Sect in succession. The one from the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion was lucky enough to have his Nascent Soul escape, but it was severely damaged. Even if he undergoes Possession of a Spirit Child, he will never have the chance to form a Nascent Soul again."

As soon as these words were spoken, a low murmur of discussion broke out in the hall.

Killing the Nascent Souls of two Soul Transformation great Sects? And one escaped? Just how bold was this person?

The Old Ancestor continued: "After killing them, this person fled to the Ximing Continent and went into hiding. The Xuanhuang Pill Mansion and the Shenduan Sect suspect he joined a demonic Sect and are extremely furious. The two Sects have decided to each dispatch a Tier 4 Battleship, each commanded by a great Cultivator at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, to the Ximing Continent. First, to hunt down this scoundrel, and second, to purge the demonic Cultivators of the Ximing Continent along the way."

Hearing this, Yun Ming's heart skipped a beat.

Why does this story sound so familiar?

Late Stage Nascent Soul, killed Nascent Souls from Xuanhuang Pill Mansion and Shenduan Sect, fled to Ximing Continent...

Isn't this Cang Xuanzi?

The figure in the black Daoist robe instantly flashed in his mind—that terrifying being who had wiped out a whole Sect with a wave of his hand, leaving not even the chickens or dogs alive. The scene of that day was vivid in his memory—hundreds of Mortals turning to ash, the Teleportation Array destroyed, the core taken away, and Cang Xuanzi tearing through the Void Realm and disappearing.

Yun Ming suppressed the turmoil in his heart, his face remaining impassive.

A Golden Core Elder nearby couldn't help but ask, "Old Ancestor, this... this is a matter for the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion and the Shenduan Sect. What does it have to do with our Qingxuan Sect?"

The Old Ancestor glanced at him and said slowly, "Two Tier 4 Battleships; one will dock at the Danding Sect, and the other will dock at the Qingxuan Sect."

The hall suddenly erupted in an uproar.

"Docking here?"

"A Tier 4 Battleship? That's a Battleship from a Soul Transformation great Sect!"

"This..."

The Old Ancestor raised his hand, silencing the discussions. "The Battleship from the Shenduan Sect will dock at our Qingxuan Sect. They need someone to lead the way; after all, across two continents, the terrain is unfamiliar. Of course, they won't let us work for nothing. Both Battleships are carrying many Heaven And Earth Treasures and Spirit Pills that can be traded for."

He paused and then added, "According to the information I've gathered, the Xuanhuang Pill Mansion has brought two Xuan Ying Pills, and the Shenduan Sect has brought one. At that time, they will go to the highest bidder."