83: The peak of all things, the catastrophe is coming

Xiao Zhuo’s heart brightened upon hearing this—his Revered Master must have glimpsed his true combat power from fragments of the future!

His throat bobbed, but the question, “What will the future truly be like?” ultimately remained unasked.

The others’ gazes were like hooks, firmly fixed on Xuan Lun.

Xuan Lun’s grey Daoist robe billowed without wind. He raised his wine gourd, took a swig, and his voice carried the ethereal quality of one who had seen through heavenly secrets: “What Heavenly Dao sees is but a fleeting glimpse... moreover, heavenly secrets cannot be fully revealed.”

He turned his sunken eyes towards Xiao Zhuo, his gaze profound: “The outcome of this battle depends entirely on how far you, young man, can go. I... have said all I can.”

Li Miaoyi sat in her original spot, her slender fingers unconsciously caressing the rim of the cold tea cup: “The Demon’s advance is a foregone conclusion... yet, is there still a glimmer of hope in this battle?”

Xuan Lun nodded but said no more.

“Then... for the Taiyi Sect, how should we conduct ourselves?” Venerable Xuan Yun’s voice was like sandpaper grating against bluestone, its tail end suspended in mid-air, and everyone in the hall held their breath.

Silence enveloped the grand hall.

Two thousand years ago, the Taiyi Sect was incomparably brilliant, with seven Shattering Realm (Cultivation Class) experts suppressing the world, truly deserving its title as the Yuan Realm’s foremost Daoist Sect.

But now, only Immortal Master Azure Heaven remains alone in the world.

Although the Yuyang Sect originated from the Taiyi Sect, it had already maintained its independent Legacy for two millennia.

To rush to “acknowledge kinship” now, where would the Sect’s dignity be?

If the other party demanded “return to the main Sect,” wouldn’t the Yuyang Sect’s millennia-old Legacy be severed?

Even if it was returning to the main Sect, for the Yuyang Sect, how was it not a form of demise?

Inside the hall, sandalwood incense wafted, but it couldn't suppress the fine beads of sweat seeping from everyone’s temples.

“This Disciple has a plan,” Xiao Zhuo’s clear voice broke through the stagnant air. “We can send Elders and Disciples to the Taiyi Sect to Cultivate. This act not only fulfills the righteousness of a former subsidiary Sect but also allows us to utilize their resources to nurture our Yuyang Sect’s talents. Led personally by a Peak Revered Master, once the Taiyi Sect’s Foundation is stable, they can then lead the Disciples back to Yuyang!”

After speaking, he flipped his palm, and ten Spiritual Fruits materialized out of thin air, their skins shimmering with a lustrous treasure light, emitting an enticing spiritual aura.

“These are dragon blood fruit and wisdom seeking fruit obtained from the Taiyi Secret Realm. This Disciple specifically saved some, which might be of great use to all Junior Martial Uncles and Elders.”

“The legendary divine fruits that can defy fate and enhance Comprehension Ability?!” True Man Xuan Wei’s old eyes widened, staring intently at the ten shimmering Spiritual Fruits.

Xiao Zhuo smiled slightly, and the Spiritual Fruits transformed into streaks of light, accurately flying towards the five people present.

“These... are for us?” Li Miaoyi’s thin lips parted slightly, unable to hide her astonishment.

Seeing the young man nod affirmatively, the Immortal Masters exchanged glances, the sound of their bobbing Adam’s apples clearly audible.

True Man Xuan Wei sighed deeply, gently pushing back the two Spiritual Fruits that had flown before him: “At my age, why waste such a divine item? Junior Martial Nephew Xiao, you should keep them for yourself.”

The others also showed signs of polite refusal. Xiao Zhuo chuckled: “This Disciple has already consumed them to the maximum limit, otherwise, how could I have this Myriad Manifestations Realm cultivation?”

Everyone suddenly understood.

But Xuan Wei still insisted: “My share, let it be given to that young Dongfang Bai! He is only twenty-seven and has already reached the Peak of the Return to Truth realm. His talent is second only to Junior Martial Nephew Xiao. If his Aptitude can be further enhanced, perhaps our Yuyang Sect can gain another Myriad Manifestations Realm expert!”

Xiao Zhuo tried to persuade him several times without success and could only take out another pair of Spiritual Fruits.

Only then did Xuan Wei carefully put the four Spiritual Fruits into his storage ring.

He lightly tapped the table with his knuckles, but a heavy sigh was hidden in his heart.

Xiao Zhuo had brought out ten wisdom seeking fruits and twenty dragon blood fruits, all of which had been purified of Devilish Qi. He had only thought of improving the strength of the Yuyang Sect’s high-ranking members before, and had not considered cultivating young Disciples.

With this matter settled, Xuan Wei and the others continued to discuss the selection of personnel, while Xiao Zhuo returned to his small courtyard on Xuanyuan Peak.

The Spirit Rain Technique was but a minor Dao to him.

After consuming five Attribute Points for a deep Comprehension, this Profound-grade technique had already reached the realm of subtlety!

Its unique skill, “Rain of Sweet Dew,” not only greatly restored injuries and purified negative statuses but also injected immense vitality into spiritual lands, far surpassing a regular Spirit Rain Technique at the Perfection level.

Xiao Zhuo completed his learning and immediately went out.

A ray of green light shot up from the courtyard, piercing the sky!

In an instant, light green spiritual clouds gathered above the Yuyang Sect like ten thousand galloping horses.

The sweet dew, imbued with the fragrance of grass and trees, poured down! The cracked spiritual fields at the foot of the mountain let out joyful moans. The dark bloodstains covering them twisted and struggled in the pure rain, being rapidly washed away and dissolved.

This life-giving spiritual rain lasted for a full three hours.

When the rain stopped, tiny specks of tender green had stubbornly pierced through the scorched earth!

However, the lingering filth of the blood river was deeply ingrained. Xiao Zhuo perceived that at least two more applications of sweet dew would be needed for complete purification.

The spiritual fields also needed time to digest this abundant vitality; once a day was the limit, as too much would be counterproductive.

The next day, the communication jade slip in his embrace vibrated.

Immortal Master Azure Heaven informed him that the Taiyi Sect’s mountain gate had been established in an excellent Spiritual Vein in southern Jizhou, and that the Sect would open its doors to recruit Disciples in ten days.

Xiao Zhuo replied that the Yuyang Sect would dispatch a thousand-strong team, led by Venerable Xuan Yun, to assist the main Sect in reopening its mountain gate. He also stated that he would arrive before the grand opening ceremony and was confident in refining the remaining Devilish Qi.

Upon hearing this, Immortal Master Azure Heaven’s conveyed emotions were filled with joy.

Ending the communication, Xiao Zhuo calmed his mind and began to add Attribute Points to the Primordial Chaos Golden Scripture!

The Attribute Points accumulated from slaying Charm Without Color, Blood Night, and over twenty King-rank Demons in the Cloud Heaven Realm had now reached a staggering five hundred seventy thousand!

This was the perfect opportunity to charge towards the Peak of the Myriad Manifestations Realm!

As the Attribute Points were allocated, his consciousness instantly sank into the familiar Chaos White Mist Space.

Xiao Zhuo sat cross-legged, his mind merging with the Profound Truths of the Cultivation Technique. Time flew by rapidly during the deep Comprehension.

Now, his Physical Body’s Origin was abundant, and the Attribute Points were like firewood, continuously thrown in, extending his Cultivation time in the White Mist Space exponentially.

Ten Rank 8 Blood-Strengthening Medicinal Pills were held in his mouth, transforming into surging hot currents that supported this almost frantic seclusion.

Attribute Points were consumed like a river breaking its banks.

Within the White Mist Space, centuries passed intermittently.

During this time, he only briefly exited to replenish Medicinal Pills when they ran out, then immediately re-immersed himself in Comprehension.

When only sixty thousand Attribute Points remained—

A mighty, irresistible force erupted from within Xiao Zhuo’s body with a thunderous roar! The Peak of Myriad Manifestations Realm was finally achieved!

His consciousness was abruptly ejected from the White Mist Space!

A terrifying aura, like an ancient Vicious Beast awakening from slumber, surged uncontrollably from his body!

It instantly swept across the entire Xuanyuan Peak, then spread throughout the entire Yuyang Mountain Range!

Even with the Spirit Concealment Art operating at full power, it was easily torn apart like thin paper!

Within the Yuyang Sect, Disciples and Elders alike felt a violent shock in their hearts, looking in horror towards Xuanyuan Peak!

Almost simultaneously, the celestial phenomena changed drastically!

Dense, inky black tribulation clouds gathered out of thin air, layer upon layer, obscuring the sky and sun!

A Heavenly Dao pressure that made all things tremble descended with a roar, firmly locking onto Xiao Zhuo in the small courtyard! At this moment, even if he immediately reined in his aura, it would be useless.

The delayed Heavenly Tribulation had finally arrived!

Xiao Zhuo’s gaze was like lightning, piercing through the rooftop and directly into the rolling thunderclouds.

In the ethereal realm, he already knew that this was the tribulation he was meant to overcome upon Breakthrough to the Myriad Manifestations Realm.

Previously, he was in the Cloud Heaven Realm, isolated from heavenly secrets.

Upon his return, his aura was deeply hidden, and the Heavenly Tribulation did not sense him.

Now, with his Myriad Manifestations Realm Peak aura leaking out, like a torch in the dark night, it finally drew forth this tribulation lightning, which contained both destruction and trial!

However, there was no fear in Xiao Zhuo’s eyes; instead, a fervent Battle Intent ignited!

Heavenly Tribulation?

The grander the scale, the better!

The crucial turning point for the Dao of the Blade Domain and Concept he had comprehended lay precisely in this!

Whether he could break free and step into a higher Domain depended on this tribulation!