455: Refuse to suffer

No wonder the disaster at Luan Yun Mountain has lasted so long without subsiding; it turns out Saints cannot casually intervene.

Xu Sanyan then asked, “I heard the Sect Master made a move not long ago…”

He was referring to the palm strike that killed Flower Maiden.

The Mad Daoist nodded, “That’s why the blood sacrifices have increased recently.”

“Blood sacrifices?” Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow.

The Mad Daoist, however, had no intention of explaining further. He simply instructed, “Actually, becoming a Saint is quite simple. One only needs to fully comprehend a Heavenly Dao, then draw the Astral Wind into their body. If they endure it, they become a Saint; if not, their body perishes and their Dao disappears.”

Xu Sanyan asked curiously, “What is Astral Wind?”

The Mad Daoist extended a finger, pointing towards the sky, “Have you ever been above the Nine Heavens?”

Xu Sanyan shook his head, “Never.”

Why would he run so high for no reason? He always preferred to keep his feet on the ground.

“Above, a fierce wind sweeps, and a layer of azure sky envelops this world. That is the Astral Wind. You will see it when you go there.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Sanyan became even more curious, “Has anyone been beyond that Astral Wind?”

The Mad Daoist shook his head and sighed, his mood suddenly heavy, “I don’t know. Perhaps only Immortals are qualified to go out and see…”

Xu Sanyan pondered carefully in his heart. If what the Mad Daoist said was true, then he was not far from becoming a Saint. He only needed to fully comprehend the Heavenly Dao within his body, then he could attempt to draw the Astral Wind into his body and break through to Saint Realm.

This was thanks to the Soul-Gathering Life-Preserving Grand Formation, which helped him achieve He Dao Realm Perfection in one fell swoop, saving him a lot of trouble.

However, after hearing the Mad Daoist’s words, it seemed that becoming a Saint was not so wonderful, which made a hint of uncertainty surface in Xu Sanyan’s heart. Also, what the Mad Daoist just said about “blood sacrifices”—do Saints still need to eat?

He wanted to see the state of a Saint with his own eyes even more.

Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for now. Not to mention the other four Saints, even the Saint of their own Sect was rarely seen.

“Alright, it’s good that you’re back. The matters on the mountain are still yours to handle. This old man can finally relax.”

The Mad Daoist swayed his steps, about to leave, when Xu Sanyan quickly said, “Hall Master, wait. I might also be leaving soon. You should choose someone else.”

The power to control the Lineage was being shirked between them; neither wanted it.

Neither of them had much desire for power. Xu Sanyan was dedicated to Immortal Ascension, avoiding these trivial matters, and the Mad Daoist was even more so, drunk all day long, sometimes even impossible to find.

Power struggles were impossible in the Chixin Lineage; they all found it troublesome.

“Hmm? You’re leaving again?”

The Mad Daoist stopped, a puzzled expression on his face, “Do you know that Gan Country is searching the whole world for you now? After what you did, I’m afraid that group of bald donkeys won’t let you off either.”

“Heh heh, it’s fine. Let them come.” Xu Sanyan smiled, not taking it to heart at all.

Gan Country had no Saints. If Cultivators of the He Dao Realm came, he wasn’t afraid no matter how many there were, even if the group of bald donkeys from Tianyi Fumo Temple were added.

“Alright, you decide for yourself then.”

Seeing that Xu Sanyan had a plan, the Mad Daoist said no more. Even he could not see through Xu Sanyan’s Realm now, which was enough to prove that his strength was already no less than his own.

Watching the Mad Daoist leave, Xu Sanyan also stepped towards his residence. The courtyard he used to live in was still empty; no one dared to move in.

Walking along the familiar path, the Disciples on the mountain bowed to him one after another.

Creak—

The main door opened, and the maidservants stood in a line in the courtyard, waiting. Each was tall and beautiful, and two of them were already at the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet they still remained here as maids.

These women were the same ones he had chosen with the help of Chi Yu when he first became a Saint, and they had not been replaced.

Xiang Tan had changed into different clothes and stood at the front of the line. Seeing Xu Sanyan return, she immediately bowed and saluted, “Welcome Saint home.”

“Welcome Saint home~” The group of maidservants behind her chorused.

“Inhale~ Exhale~”

Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath, smelling the fragrance filling the garden, feeling a sense of relaxation in his heart.

This place was truly good. Even the air was filled with the taste of freedom. Within the Demonic Sect, without the constraints of worldly morals, one could act more as they pleased.

Although Xu Sanyan originally had no morals to speak of.

“Change my clothes.”

“Yes…”

…

Rip—

In the room, light gauze drifted, and a young woman danced gracefully on her tiptoes on the table, her colorful silks fluttering, her figure light, just like a peacock spreading its tail, breathtakingly beautiful.

Xu Sanyan drank wine and watched the dance, indulging himself freely and unrestrainedly. Even the Killing Intent accumulated in his chest dissipated considerably.

Previously, he had slaughtered five cities and killed millions of people, inevitably accumulating Killing Intent. Although he didn’t care much, it was better for it to dissipate.

It wasn't until two days later that the singing gradually faded, finally returning to silence.

…

In the stone pavilion in the courtyard,

Xu Sanyan, wearing only an outer robe, sat on a stone chair, gazing at the tender green shoots on the treetops, feeling a rare sense of contentment.

He was not an ascetic Cultivator. With abilities, one should naturally enjoy themselves; otherwise, why would he painstakingly cultivate Immortality?

Wasn't it for comfort? If he liked suffering, he could simply abolish his cultivation and become a mortal; there would be plenty of opportunities to suffer.

He never advocated for asceticism and scoffed at the worldly sayings like “No pain, no gain” or “Suffering can temper one’s will.”

The common people of the world were already suffering so much, yet they didn’t necessarily become superior.

On the contrary, as long as they could endure hardship, there was even more hardship waiting for them.

Such sayings were nothing more than a form of psychological comfort.

His thoughts slowly drifted, and Xu Sanyan recalled many things. He thought of what he encountered when he first entered the Central Continent, the Ghost Realm on Qiyang Mountain, and the Soul Realm on Da Gu Mountain. He felt he should go back and see them again.

In that Ghost Realm, he encountered a nunnery that was truly sinister, and it took a great deal of effort to resolve it in the end.

And that Soul Realm was even more dangerous. The Soul-Shaking Wood in Xu Sanyan’s hand was obtained from there. If he hadn’t had his cheat to protect his consciousness back then, he would have fallen into it long ago and found it difficult to survive.

There was also Qiyang Mountain, where the ruins of the ancient Sect, the Four Venerables Seeking Immortality Sect, were located. This Sect was truly remarkable. The Soul-Gathering Life-Preserving Grand Formation was created by the four Immortals of this Sect working together, with the goal of exploring a higher Realm beyond Immortals.

Although it ultimately failed and caused considerable slaughter, this spirit of courageous exploration was worthy of respect.

The more Xu Sanyan thought about it, the more restless he felt. He sensed that he should make a trip there, as if an invisible force was drawing him.

Deciding to go, Xu Sanyan didn’t delay. He tightened the belt around his waist, stood up, and was about to leave.

Just then, Xiang Tan came out. Seeing his appearance, she quickly asked, “Saint, are you leaving again?”

Her words were full of reluctance.

“Yes, wait for me obediently at home.”

Xu Sanyan lightly kissed her lips, then casually patted her shapely bottom, and whispered something in her ear, causing Xiang Tan’s pretty face to flush crimson, as if it could drip with water.

“Then please be careful.”

“Alright.”

…