72: Taiyi's Past

Finally, the three agreed to split up. Xiao Zhuo returned to the Taiyi Sect, while Laughing Sword One and Xiao Changkong ventured deeper to explore the mysteries of this Small World.

They agreed to leave messages for each other every three days at a hidden mountaintop about a hundred miles from the Taiyi Sect, exchanging information and resources.

However, when Xiao Zhuo once again stepped through the Taiyi Sect's mountain gate, an indescribable chill instantly seized him—the entire Taiyi Sect had completely reverted to the scene of his first arrival!

The gate-keeping Disciple, “Senior Brother Jin,” who had chatted with him, the majestic yet amiable Wendao Hall Master Dongfang Qingmu, and the dozen or so Prodigies from lower Sects who had attended classes with him for more than ten days, familiar faces though not deeply acquainted... everyone and everything seemed to have been precisely reset to the starting point by an invisible giant hand. They treated Xiao Zhuo, this “old acquaintance,” as if he were a stranger, their words and actions exactly the same as when he first entered more than ten days ago!

It was as if the experiences of those ten-plus days were merely an illusion that had been completely erased.

A strange sense of karmic Reincarnation silently permeated the air.

Xiao Zhuo suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart and could only take out the Yuyang Sect's Personal Disciple token again, repeating the process of “first visit to the mountain.”

In the following days, the Secret Realm entrance was like a stirred-up hornet's nest.

Almost every day, Human Race powerhouses or demonic forces from the outside world broke into this Small World. However, no matter who the newcomers were or how strong they were, not a single one could safely step inside the Taiyi Sect's mountain gate.

These powerful outsiders were either besieged and expelled by enraged Soul Disciples, or they vanished into the vast depths of the Secret Realm like stones sinking into the sea, never to be heard from again.

This morning, Xiao Zhuo arrived at the Wendao Hall as usual.

Inside the hall, Dongfang Qingmu was holding a warm Jade Slip, examining the Cultivation progress of the lower Sect Disciples one by one.

According to the Taiyi Sect's rules, although visiting Disciples from lower Sects could stay for a maximum of three years, if they could Cultivate their chosen Legacy to a rudimentary level within half a month in the Wendao Hall and elevate their Concept by one Realm, they would be qualified to choose whether to become a Taiyi Sect Disciple early, with excellent individuals even becoming Inner Sect Disciples.

Dongfang Qingmu meticulously recorded the examination results into the Jade Slip, then handed it to an Inner Sect Disciple standing by, who read them aloud.

“Lin Hao, Basic Mastery of the Tragic Wind Sword Art, Sword Intent increased by one Realm, qualifies for promotion!”

“Xu Tianjiao, Entry-level Blazing Sun Fist, Fist Intent not increased, eliminated!”

...When Xiao Zhuo's name was read, the Disciple's voice suddenly rose, as if choked, and he stared intently at the Jade Slip, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down with difficulty. After repeatedly confirming for what felt like half a cup of tea, he finally announced with an incredulous tremor:

“Xiao Zhuo, Blazing Thunder Saber Canon... Subtle Comprehension?! Saber Intent... increased by two Realms?! Qualifies... for promotion!”

This dramatically leading score instantly drew all eyes in the hall to Xiao Zhuo, filled with shock and scrutiny.

After all the Disciples' results were announced, the four qualifiers were led into the study.

Dongfang Qingmu's gaze calmly swept over everyone, his tone as still as an ancient well: “You may return to your respective Sects with your Legacy, or you may stay and join my Taiyi Sect's Inner Sect. Make your choice now.”

The four did not hesitate, choosing to stay in unison.

“Good! The matter of your entry into the Inner Sect will be communicated to your Sects. Tomorrow, you will be assigned to the Five Peaks. You may withdraw.” Dongfang Qingmu nodded slightly and was the first to rise and leave.

The next day, due to his astonishing talent, Xiao Zhuo was directly assigned to the Taiyi Sect's main peak—Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak)!

Inner Sect Disciples, unless they had a special Opportunity to become a Personal Disciple of an Elder, were usually taught collectively by the teaching Elders of each peak.

However, as soon as Xiao Zhuo entered Wentian Peak, several Inner Sect Elders heard the news and arrived, disregarding their status, and immediately staged a battle to claim him as a Disciple!

“This child should enter my Tian Shu Peak! My Nine Revolutions Profound Thunder True Scripture perfectly matches his Blazing Thunder Saber Intent!”

“Nonsense! My Yu Heng Peak's Great Evolution Zhou Tian Sword Array encompasses everything, and Saber and Sword share the same Origin. This child's Comprehension Ability is extraordinary, making him perfect for comprehending it!”

“Move aside! I observe his Divine Soul is condensed; he should Cultivate my Kaiyang Peak's Spirit Refining Hell Suppressing Art!”

The Elders, usually immortal and dignified, were now red-faced and spitting, their immense Aura colliding, causing spiritual light to dart wildly in the hall. It looked as if they were about to come to blows!

Xiao Zhuo watched dumbfounded from the side. His original intention in displaying his talent was merely to approach the higher echelons and inquire about secrets, but he never expected to cause such a chaotic situation.

Ultimately, it alarmed Sect Head Azure Heaven Immortal Master at the peak of Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak).

A clear and authoritative voice suppressed all the clamor: “What is this behavior! All of you, go back!”

Only then did the Elders grudgingly cease their dispute, dismissed by the Sect Head.

Xiao Zhuo felt helpless in his heart. It seemed he could only be an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple for now.

Unexpectedly, as the moonlight first rose that night, a young woman—the Sect Head's Personal Disciple, Luo Yuyao, wearing a green jade Sect Head token at her waist—arrived gracefully.

She led Xiao Zhuo through the swirling mist, ascending to the summit of Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak).

The majestic Taiji Hall cast a huge shadow under the cold moonlight, like an ancient behemoth lying dormant.

Xiao Zhuo's heart stirred. This layout... was exactly the same as the Zhenyang Hall of the later Yuyang Sect!

Even the entire Sect's system of three courtyards and Five Peaks seemed like a scaled-down replica of the Taiyi Sect, only the Taiyi Sect's foundation and grandeur were far beyond what the Yuyang Sect could compare to.

Luo Yuyao led Xiao Zhuo into a quiet room in the back hall of the Taiji Hall, then quietly withdrew.

Inside the room, a figure sat cross-legged on a prayer mat.

When Xiao Zhuo clearly saw the person's face, his heart was greatly shaken!

The Azure Heaven Immortal Master, whom he had seen during the day, with an immortal demeanor and black hair tied in a bun, now looked completely different—his flesh was shriveled like withered wood, and his snow-white beard and hair were disheveled, as if he had endured a thousand years of wind and frost without grooming.

His cross-legged body was wrapped in a wide Daoist robe, like a mummy dried by time, with only a faint trace of vitality stubbornly beating within him.

“What? Scared?” A hoarse voice, like an old bellows drawing air, broke the silence.

Xiao Zhuo lowered his gaze and bowed solemnly: “Xiao Zhuo, 374th generation Disciple of the Yuyang Sect, greets Azure Heaven Immortal Master.”

He deliberately highlighted the Yuyang Sect's seniority.

“It seems... you've guessed a few things?” Azure Heaven Immortal Master's voice was still hoarse, but Xiao Zhuo caught a hint of indescribable... relief?

“I have some feelings.” Xiao Zhuo nodded, gazing with complex emotions at the Sect Head before him, who had burned everything for the Sect and guarded it to this day.

“Tell me.” Azure Heaven Immortal Master's voice carried a hint of encouragement.

Xiao Zhuo took a deep breath, looking directly into those turbid eyes that seemed to pierce through people's hearts: “Here... beneath Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak), is there also a Demon Abyss Passage suppressed? And this endless Reincarnation scene of the Taiyi Sect... is it maintained by your supreme World Power?”

Azure Heaven Immortal Master's withered, bark-like face twitched with extreme difficulty, as if forming the prototype of a smile: “You guessed correctly. It seems... the one who comprehended the ‘Great Beginning Sealing Art’ is you!”

Xiao Zhuo's entire body trembled, his pupils constricted, staring intently at Azure Heaven Immortal Master! He had never mentioned this to anyone!

“No need to be surprised.” Azure Heaven Immortal Master seemed to read his mind, “The reason the Taiyi Sect appeared at this time is precisely because this old man sensed... that the ‘Great Beginning Sealing Art’ on the great Seal array outside has been comprehended!”

He spoke slowly, his voice seeming to travel through a thousand years of dust: “Two thousand years ago, my Taiyi Sect ranked first among the Nine Sects of the Yuan Realm, ruling the Dao Gate, enjoying infinite glory... until that day.”

“Two Demon Abyss Passages connecting to the Nine Nether Hell opened without warning in my Taiyi Sect! One is the one you saw earlier, sealed by the ‘Great Beginning Sealing Art’; and the other...” His withered finger lightly tapped the ground beneath him, “is beneath this Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak)!”

Xiao Zhuo's heart was in turmoil, his voice solemn: “Then... what happened?”

Azure Heaven Immortal Master's movement seemed to freeze for a moment, finally turning into a long sigh: “You... see for yourself.”

Before he finished speaking, his withered, stick-like hand lifted, pointing with difficulty at his glabella.

A memory light sphere, emitting a soft glow yet containing endless sorrow and despair, slowly floated towards Xiao Zhuo.

Xiao Zhuo hesitated slightly, then reached out and touched the light sphere.

In an instant, the quiet room before him receded like a tide!

Deafening roars, hysterical screams, and desperate wails... surged into Xiao Zhuo's senses like a raging torrent!

He found himself in a magnificent hall that was violently shaking, as if it could collapse at any moment—it was the Taiji Hall!

As far as his eyes could see, an old man wearing the Daoist robe of a Taiyi Inner Sect Elder stumbled into the hall entrance, his face covered in blood, and thick, inky Devilish Qi wildly emanating from all seven orifices!

“Sect Head! All... all are mad! The underground passage... Devilish Qi is rampant! Corroding... all...” The old man did not finish his sentence. His eyes suddenly turned blood-red, his body twitched violently, and he abruptly raised his hand as if to strike Xiao Zhuo (from Azure Heaven's perspective), but at the last moment, his palm forcefully reversed, gathering all his remaining strength, and fiercely slammed it onto his own crown!

“Bang—!”

Blood and brain matter splattered! The old man's remaining clarity chose self-destruction. His corpse slumped to the ground.

“Junior Martial Uncle Dao Chen!” Xiao Zhuo heard “himself” utter a mournful cry, the voice of the young Azure Heaven!

Xiao Zhuo instantly understood that he was experiencing that world-ending catastrophe from two thousand years ago, through the first-person perspective of Azure Heaven Immortal Master!

At the very moment Elder Dao Chen took his own life, a denser, more sinister black Devilish Qi, like a living entity, surged in wildly from the hall door, windows, cracks in the floor... every conceivable crevice!

Azure Heaven Immortal Master instinctively raised his hand, and an ancient, simple green jade mirror (cloud heaven mirror) hung above his head. A hazy, clear radiance fell, barely isolating the surging Devilish Qi.

Immediately after, the perspective elevated, and the cloud heaven mirror carried Azure Heaven Immortal Master out of the grand hall.

The sight before him froze Xiao Zhuo's Soul—the former Daoist Holy Land had become a Hell of blood!

Countless Taiyi Sect Disciples, their eyes blood-red and bodies entangled with Devilish Qi, were slaughtering and devouring each other like madmen!

Fellow Sect members now only possessed the most primal killing desires.

Screams, roars, and the sound of cracking bones intertwined into the most desperate symphony.

Azure Heaven Immortal Master's heart was twisted with pain. He endured the sorrow, unleashing his Divine Ability to restrain a dozen or so frantic Disciples closest to him, urgently chanting a calming mantra, attempting to awaken their remaining consciousness.

However, what answered him were only more frantic struggles and roars filled with destructive desire!

These Disciples, completely corrupted by Devilish Qi, could not be stopped from their killing instincts by any force other than death.

Xiao Zhuo clearly felt the tearing pain and overwhelming despair in Azure Heaven Immortal Master's heart at that time!

Looking at the tide of once familiar faces, now twisted into demonic visages, Azure Heaven Immortal Master's eyes flashed with determination!

His figure suddenly soared, and the cloud heaven mirror above his head erupted with an unprecedentedly brilliant green light!

The entire Taiyi Sect's mountain gate and its surrounding land, along with all the palaces, towers, spiritual peaks, and beautiful waters upon it, were lifted from the ground amidst violent tremors!

Space twisted, and all things became ethereal, forcibly drawn into the cloud heaven mirror by that vast clear light!

Azure Heaven Immortal Master also transformed into a streak of light and entered the mirror.

As the Taiyi Sect's mountain gate was collected, the Devilish Qi outside seemed to lose its source and began to slowly dissipate.

But within the mirror world, this last sanctuary, besides Azure Heaven Immortal Master, there were only over a hundred Disciples and Elders suffering in agony under the Devilish Qi's erosion, on the verge of complete madness.

Azure Heaven Immortal Master exhausted all his strength, fully activating the Origin Power of the cloud heaven mirror, a Sacred Artifact, to barely suppress the rampant Devilish Qi in these hundred-plus individuals and forcibly compress the residual Devilish Qi permeating the mountain gate space, forcing it deep beneath Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak), sealing it layer by layer with the power of the mirror world.

However, this was the limit of what he could do.

The long years that followed became the most cruel slow torture.

Those fellow Sect members who had been corrupted by Devilish Qi were like people cursed; the Devilish Qi would recur periodically, subjecting them to inhumane torment.

To avoid harming their remaining companions in their madness, one after another, they chose the most tragic end—in a moment of lucidity, they silently found a corner and took their own lives... Ten years after the catastrophe, the last Taiyi Sect Disciple, during one of Azure Heaven Immortal Master's brief seclusion, left a blood-stained letter full of apology and relief, and followed his companions.

From then on, within the vast cloud heaven mirror Small World, only Azure Heaven Immortal Master remained.

He sat withered on the prayer mat in the Taiji Hall, like an ancient stone sculpture, guarding alone the endlessly churning Demon Abyss Passage beneath Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak), and also guarding the last traces and mission of the Taiyi Sect.

Time lost its meaning, and desolation consumed everything.

Who knows how many years passed, perhaps a hundred, perhaps a thousand... This lonely guardian finally raised his hand again.

He used his own Divine Soul as a guide, and the cloud heaven mirror's Sacred Artifact Origin as a foundation, to perform a great Divine Ability that defied space and time and transcended the boundaries of life and death!

Thus, the former flourishing scene of the Taiyi Sect reappeared like an illusion in the mirror world.

The mountain gate remained, Disciples came and went, Elders lectured on the Dao... Only, all “people” were merely strange Soul bodies incapable of perceiving their own death, enacting the long-vanished past in this eternal Reincarnation.

Until... he sensed the fluctuations of the Great Beginning Sealing Art being comprehended on the great Seal array outside.

He unhesitatingly opened the gate of the cloud heaven mirror; that towering pillar of Devilish Qi was both an Introduction, a test, and... the last hope.

Finally, it attracted Xiao Zhuo.

When Xiao Zhuo's consciousness broke free from the memory torrent of that tragic catastrophe and returned to the reality of the quiet room, the back of his clothes was completely soaked with cold sweat.

The despair and tragedy, deeply ingrained in his bones, almost suffocated him.

He looked at the withered, stick-like body before him, which had borne a thousand years of solitude and heavy burdens, his voice tinged with bitterness: “Senior... are you asking me to Seal the Demon Abyss Passage beneath Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak)?”

He shook his head: “You... think too highly of me.”

“Naturally, not by your strength alone.” Azure Heaven Immortal Master's hoarse voice sounded, and his shriveled lips seemed to twitch with extreme difficulty, like the trace of a smile, “But you have proven your talent and Comprehension Ability to this old man. As long as you... can Cultivate the Great Beginning Sealing Art to the Realm of Perfection...”

He paused, his withered body seeming to gather its last strength, speaking word by word:

“And with all of this old man's Divine Soul and Divine Sense as fuel, igniting the fire of the Seal... it will be enough... to completely Seal that passage!”

Before he finished speaking, an ancient Jade Slip was casually thrown out by him.

Xiao Zhuo instinctively caught it and probed with his Divine Sense—it was indeed the Jade Slip containing the complete Legacy of the Great Beginning Sealing Art!

Its profound mystery far surpassed what he had comprehended beside the Devilish Qi passage!

“Suppressing these two Demon Abyss Passages is the destiny... bestowed upon my Taiyi Sect by the Yuan Realm.” Azure Heaven Immortal Master's gaze pierced through a thousand years of dust, meeting Xiao Zhuo's eyes once more.

In those turbid eyes, surged endless sorrow, an unyielding attachment, an indescribable weariness, and... a peace that was almost like liberation, so complex that Xiao Zhuo could not fully comprehend it.

Under the gaze of those eyes, which had borne so much and were about to burn out, Xiao Zhuo remained silent for a moment. Finally, he slowly and very solemnly nodded.