54: Chapter 54 Eternal Peace

True Monarch Minggu fell above the Nine Heavens, and the terrifying pressure and threat of Sect annihilation he brought vanished along with the destruction of his body and soul.

In the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate square, after a brief silence, an unprecedented carnival and shouting erupted, the sound waves nearly overturning the light barrier of the Sect-protecting Formation.

The Disciples were flushed with excitement, the Elders had tears in their eyes, and the heads of the cultivation families and powerful Loose Cultivators were filled with awe as they stepped forward one after another to express their sincerest congratulations and deepest reverence to Lin Wan, this newly emerged "Guixu Sword Lord" destined to become famous throughout the Tiannan region.

However, Lin Wan, who was at the center of the storm, was exceptionally calm.

He simply nodded to True Monarch Daoxuan and Peak Master Yue Lingyun, then embraced Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao, who had already been crying but were now smiling through their tears, and leaned down to pick up his son Lin Jingyun, whose little face was flushed with excitement.

"Daddy! You are so amazing! You beat that bad old man away!" Lin Jingyun said crisply, clutching Lin Wan's neck, his eyes filled with stars of admiration.

"Mm, Daddy is back. From now on, no one will ever be able to bully us or bully the Qingyun Sect again." Lin Wan stroked his son's head and said gently.

"Brother Wan..." Liu Ruyan leaned on his shoulder, thousands of words ultimately turning into a single affectionate call.

Chu Qingyao also gripped his sleeve tightly, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, everything unspoken.

After a brief moment of warmth, Lin Wan said to True Monarch Daoxuan: "Sect Head, although True Monarch Minggu is dead, the Nine Serenities Underworld will not let this go easily. Furthermore, since the Five Elements Sect Legacy has appeared and my strength has been exposed, it will inevitably attract more covetous eyes. The Sect must prepare early."

True Monarch Daoxuan looked solemn and nodded: "What you say is true. This is not the place to talk; let us move to 'Lingyun Hall' to discuss in detail."

A moment later, in the core area of the Qingyun Sect, Lingyun Hall.

Inside the hall, only True Monarch Daoxuan, Peak Master Yue Lingyun, Lin Wan, and several of the most core and trusted Peak Revered Masters and Elders were present.

The atmosphere was no longer the fanaticism of the outside, but carried weight and contemplation.

"Lin Wan, although you are currently at the Golden Core stage, your strength far exceeds that of an ordinary Nascent Soul, and you have obtained the supreme Legacy. The Sect has nothing more to teach you. From today on, you are the Head of our Qingyun Sect's 'Guixu Peak', with a status equal to mine and the Sect Head's. You may recruit Disciples on your own, pass on the Daoist tradition, and the Sect will give priority to supplying all resources." True Monarch Daoxuan set the tone first, granting Lin Wan the highest status and autonomy.

This was a recognition of his strength and a necessary measure to bind him firmly to the Qingyun Sect's chariot.

"Thank you, Sect Head, Revered Master." Lin Wan did not decline.

Having his own mountain Peak would make it more convenient for him to settle his Family, teach the Dao, and facilitate future actions.

"As for the Nine Serenities Underworld and other forces that might covet the Legacy..." Peak Master Yue Lingyun interjected, his brows locked tight, "True Monarch Minggu held a high position in the Nine Serenities Underworld. His fall will surely infuriate them. However, their mountain gate is hidden and their actions are treacherous. In the short term, they may not launch a large-scale invasion, but are more likely to spy in the dark or collude with other forces. We need to strengthen our vigilance, and at the same time... perhaps we can actively contact other Righteous Path Sects in the Southern Region, or even some friendly forces in the Central Plains, to seek an Alliance and resist foreign enemies together."

"Revered Master's words are reasonable." Lin Wan nodded, "However, relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself. Since I am a member of the Qingyun Sect, I should naturally do my best for the prosperity of the Sect. I can select Disciples with good Aptitude and Heart-Nature to join my 'Guixu Peak' and pass on some basic Five Elements Daoist techniques to improve the overall strength of the Sect. At the same time, I can try to repair and strengthen the Sect-protecting Formation and refine some special Formation Plates and Talismans to distribute to each Peak for emergencies."

With his current understanding of the Dao of Five Elements, Guixu, the Void Realm, and the stars, combined with part of the Five Elements Sect Legacy, doing this was not difficult.

This would not only enhance the Sect's Foundation but also allow him to integrate into and control the Sect's power more quickly.

"That would be excellent!" True Monarch Daoxuan and the others were overjoyed to hear this.

With the personal intervention of Lin Wan, the "Guixu Sword Lord" who possessed the Five Elements Sect Legacy, the strength of the Qingyun Sect would surely undergo a qualitative leap in a short time!

"In addition," Lin Wan pondered for a moment and added, "regarding that enemy of 'the end'..." He briefly informed everyone about the information he learned from the Five Elements Dao Venerable Legacy regarding "the end" eroding all Realms and causing the decline of the Five Elements Sect (concealing core secrets like the Dao Seed and the Guixu Bag).

After listening, the hall fell into dead silence.

Everyone was shocked by this astonishing secret.

"the end"? The enemy of all "existence"? Even a behemoth like the ancient Five Elements Sect declined because of this? This news was even more heart-chilling than the threat of the Nine Serenities Underworld.

"This matter is of great importance and must not be leaked." True Monarch Daoxuan said in a deep voice, his gaze towards Lin Wan becoming more complex, filled with both worry and expectation, "Lin Wan, since you have obtained the Five Elements Dao Venerable Legacy and know of this matter, I fear... the heavy responsibility of resisting 'the end' will also fall on your shoulders. The Sect, and even the entire Tiannan region, will be your firmest backing."

"Disciple understands." Lin Wan's gaze was firm.

This path had been destined from the moment he accepted the Legacy.

But he was not alone.

After deciding on various matters, Lin Wan began his "seclusion" and construction within the Qingyun Sect.

He chose a valley deep in the Tianyun Mountain Range, which was rich in Spiritual Qi yet relatively secluded, as the dojo for "Guixu Peak".

Using some Materials from the Guixu Bag and combining his understanding of the Five Elements Returning to Ruins Dao, he personally set up several powerful complex Formations for defense, gathering spiritual energy, and concealment, building the valley into an impregnable fortress.

He even drew upon the earth's veins and gathered the power of the stars, making the concentration of Spiritual Qi here far exceed that of the main Peaks.

Liu Ruyan, Chu Qingyao, and Lin Jingyun naturally moved in with him.

Peak Master Yue Lingyun also allocated some of his own collections and a group of loyal, reliable, and talented Disciples (including some good seedlings discovered from the outer Sect and chores) to Guixu Peak.

Lin Wan did not hoard his knowledge; according to the Disciples' Spiritual Root attributes, he taught them some basic "Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture" Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment chapters, as well as some low-level Spells, Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Formation knowledge from the Five Elements Sect Legacy.

Although it was only the tip of the iceberg, for the Disciples of the Qingyun Sect, it was already a supreme Opportunity, and Guixu Peak quickly became the most desirable Holy Land within the Sect.

At the same time, he spent several months traveling throughout the Tianyun Mountain Range, using the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed to sense the spiritual veins, and combined this with the Qingyun Sect's original Sect-protecting Formation to conduct a thorough repair and upgrade.

The new Formation not only saw its defensive power skyrocket but also contained a trace of the power of Guixu extinction, which could actively neutralize and annihilate attacks from some evil and filthy energies.

He also refined hundreds of special "five elements token" and "Void Realm Sword Talismans" to distribute to each Peak and important Disciples, which could be activated in critical moments for powerful defense or attack.

During this period, rumors about the "Guixu Sword Lord" Lin Wan outside became increasingly intense.

His record of slaying the Late Stage Nascent Soul True Monarch Minggu completely solidified his illustrious reputation as the "Number One Golden Core in Tiannan" and even "invincible below the Nascent Soul".

The status of the Qingyun Sect also rose with the tide.

Many Sects and families in the Southern Region sent envoys to congratulate him and express goodwill, and there was even a faint intention to look to them as the leader of the Southern Region.

Top forces from the Central Plains, Eastern Wasteland, Western Desert, and Northern Plains also sent envoys, either openly or secretly, to probe the truth, some to make friends, some out of fear.

As for the Nine Serenities Underworld, unexpectedly, they did not immediately launch retaliation.

However, some ghostly and mysterious figures often appeared on the outskirts of the Qingyun Sect, clearly not having given up.

Lin Wan was well aware of this, but he remained calm, only secretly strengthening his vigilance and using the weak connection between the Guixu Bag and the Five Elements Return to Void Realm to constantly sense potential threats of a higher level.

Time passed quietly in peace and fulfillment for ten years.

These ten years were a decade of rapid development for the Qingyun Sect, and also a decade for Lin Wan to settle, accumulate, and steadily improve.

Supported by the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed, the Chaos Qi from the Guixu Bag, and the massive resources of the Qingyun Sect, his cultivation finally reached the limit of Golden Core Great Perfection, touching the thin film of the Nascent Soul.

However, he did not rush to make a Breakthrough, but continued to polish his Dao Foundation, comprehending deeper Profound Truths in the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed, and perfecting his own "Dao".

Under his careful guidance and the allocation of resources, the cultivation of Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao also improved steadily, both reaching the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

His son Lin Jingyun showed amazing talent for cultivation, with balanced Five Elements Spiritual Roots and a very fast comprehension of the Five Elements Returning to Ruins Dao.

In ten years, he had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, and his Foundation was solid, with the initial Formation of Sword Qi, and he was regarded by the entire Qingyun Sect as the star of hope for the future.

Many good seedlings also emerged among the Disciples of Guixu Peak, achieving great results in the Sect competitions.

The Guixu lineage had become the branch with the strongest strength and potential within the Qingyun Sect.

On this day, Lin Wan was in the quiet room of Guixu Peak, communicating with the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed with his mind, deducing a new sword move that fused the power of the stars and the Void Realm.

Suddenly, the Dao Seed in his brow center felt a strange palpitation.

It was not a warning, nor was it an external enemy, but a kind of... summons? Resonance?

It was as if in the depths of the infinitely distant, yet seemingly close Void Realm, something that shared the same Origin as his Dao Seed, yet was even more vast and ancient, was slowly awakening and casting a ray of... gaze in the direction where he was?

At the same time, the "five elements token" in his arms became slightly hot, transmitting a vague message:

"...Sensing... Homologous Dao Rhyme... Located in... Central Plains... 'Heavenly Ruins'... Suspected... Five Elements Sect... Lost... 'War Barrier'... Awakening..."

The Five Elements Sect's lost "War Barrier"? Located in the Central Plains "Heavenly Ruins"? And it was awakening, resonating with his Dao Seed?

Lin Wan's heart stirred.

He had heard of the Heavenly Ruins; it was a giant ancient ruin complex located in the center of the Central Plains, even more ancient, vast, mysterious, and ten thousand times more dangerous than the Tiannan Ruins.

It was said to connect many lost worlds and space-time rifts, and was a place where true dead zones and treasure lands coexisted.

Even Soul Transformation Cultivators dared not easily penetrate its core.

The Five Elements Sect actually left a "War Barrier" there? Could it be a contingency plan left behind from the days of resisting "the end"? Is it awakening now because it sensed him, its successor, or because... the erosion of "the end" has approached a certain critical point?

Regardless of which it is, he must make a trip there. This concerns not only the Five Elements Sect Legacy he might obtain but potentially the movements of "the end" as well.

He ended his deduction and rose to walk out of the quiet room. It was time to leave the Qingyun Sect, to go to a broader world, to pursue a higher Dao, and to face the challenges that were destined to come.

However, before leaving, he needed to make some arrangements, and also... attempt to condense his Nascent Soul. With Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, coupled with the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed, he would have enough confidence to explore a forbidden land like the Heavenly Ruins.

He informed True Monarch Daoxuan, Peak Master Yue Lingyun, as well as Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao of his thoughts.

Although everyone felt reluctant and worried, they all knew that Lin Wan's Dao path was vast and he could not remain trapped in the Qingyun Sect forever. Moreover, the stronger he was, the safer the Qingyun Sect would be.

"Brother Wan, be careful in everything. Qing Yao and I, along with Jingyun, will wait for you in the Sect." Liu Ruyan said softly, her eyes filled with tears, yet brimming with support.

"Dad, you must come back early! When I form my Golden Core, I also want to go out and adventure with you!" Lin Jingyun waved his small fists, his eyes filled with longing.

"Rest assured, I will return as soon as possible." Lin Wan promised.

Over the next few months, Lin Wan entrusted the affairs of Guixu Peak to several capable Disciples and Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao (whose status within the Sect was now extremely high). He also spent a large amount of resources to further reinforce the Sect's great Formation, leaving behind several "guixu sword Seals" containing his full-strength strike as a trump card. At the same time, he selected some profound Cultivation Techniques and divine abilities (with core parts removed) obtained from the Five Elements Dao Venerable's Legacy that were suitable for the Qingyun Sect, stored them in the higher levels of the Sect's Scripture Pavilion, and set Restrictions; only Disciples who had made significant contributions to the Sect or reached a certain level of cultivation could exchange for them to study, serving as a Foundation for the Sect's long-term development.

With everything arranged properly, Lin Wan announced his seclusion to attempt a Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage.

The location for his seclusion was chosen deep underground at Guixu Peak, in a "Five Elements Guixu Cave Heaven" he had specially opened up, which drew upon the Earth Core Fire Vein and the power of extraterrestrial stars. Here, the Spiritual Qi, power of stars, and even a trace of Earth Vein Ancestral Qi were so dense they had liquefied. Furthermore, he had laid down layers of time-dilation and mental-protection Formations, making it an excellent place to attempt a Breakthrough.

Sitting cross-legged on the Five Elements Jade Platform in the center of the Cave Heaven, Lin Wan held his breath and focused his mind, adjusting his state to its Peak.

Within his Dantian, the five elements sword core, which had reached the extreme of the Golden Core, appeared as chaotic dark silver and contained the phantom of a nebula; it slowly rotated, emitting a majestic, sea-like Core Energy. The Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed at the center of his brow also shimmered with light, echoing with the sword core and resonating with this Cave Heaven and the Great Dao of the outside world.

He took out the crystal containing the "Dao Venerable Essence Blood" obtained from the Five Elements Hall and, without hesitation, crushed it. A crystal-clear blood droplet, displaying seven colors and seemingly containing the birth and death of the Universe and the Reincarnation of the Great Dao, floated before him, emitting a heart-palpitating, majestic vitality and supreme Dao charm.

"With the Dao Seed as a guide, the Essence Blood as fuel, and Guixu as the intent—Nascent Soul, condense!"

Lin Wan silently recited in his heart, opened his mouth to inhale, and swallowed the drop of "Dao Venerable Essence Blood" into his abdomen.

"Boom—!!!"

The moment the Essence Blood entered his abdomen, it was as if a star had exploded within his body! An indescribable, pure-to-the-extreme, vast energy containing a portion of the Five Elements Dao Venerable's original vitality and Dao imprints erupted, instantly filling his limbs, bones, Meridians, acupoints, and even... his Divine Soul and Sea of Consciousness!

His body was instantly shrouded in seven-colored light; beneath his skin, it seemed as if countless Dao law runes were roaming and imprinting themselves. Under the impact and nourishment of this vast energy, the five elements sword core in his Dantian trembled violently and began to slowly melt and deform, transforming toward a more complex and profound form—the Nascent Soul!

At the same time, his Divine Soul was also continuously refined and sublimated under the scouring of this power, gradually resonating and merging with the melting sword core, preparing to condense that which represented the "True Self," could temporarily exist apart from the Physical Body, and possessed all kinds of mysterious divine abilities—the Nascent Soul!

Condensing the Nascent Soul is a huge leap in life level, a sign of truly stepping into the ranks of high-level Cultivators, and also an extremely dangerous process. The core shatters and the infant forms; the slightest mistake would mean the destruction of the core and death, with the Divine Soul completely extinguished.

However, for Lin Wan, this process was much "smoother" than imagined.

The Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed acted like a needle to calm the sea, stabilizing his Dao Foundation and guiding the flow of that vast energy. It also perfectly matched the Dao charm within the "Dao Venerable Essence Blood," allowing his absorption and conversion efficiency to reach an astonishing level. The guixu sword also floated above his head, emitting Chaos Sword Intent to suppress Heart Demons and eradicate external evils.

He seemed to have transformed into a chaotic "egg," undergoing a metamorphosis like a butterfly breaking out of a cocoon under the dual nourishment of the Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed and the Dao Venerable Essence Blood.

Within the Cave Heaven, there was no sun or moon.

It was unknown how much time had passed; perhaps a year, perhaps several years.

At a certain moment, the dense Spiritual Qi, power of stars, and Earth Vein Ancestral Qi within the Cave Heaven, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, frantically gathered toward the Five Elements Jade Platform in the center, submerging into Lin Wan's body.

The brilliant seven-colored light around him suddenly retracted.

Within his Dantian, the chaotic dark silver five elements sword core had disappeared. In its place was an infant only an inch tall, with a body entirely of chaotic color, features identical to Lin Wan, five-colored nebulae slowly rotating around its body, and holding a phantom of a miniature guixu sword in its small hands!

Nascent Soul, formed!

Moreover, it was not an ordinary single-attribute Nascent Soul, but a Chaos Nascent Soul that fused the powers of the Five Elements, Guixu, Void Realm, and stars! Its quality was so high and its potential so great that, looking across the history of the entire Tiannan Ruins cultivation world, it was likely unique!

The very instant the Nascent Soul formed, Lin Wan's aura surged violently! It instantly broke through the limits of the Golden Core, reaching a brand new, vast, sea-like level—the Nascent Soul Stage!

Furthermore, it was not merely the early Nascent Soul Stage, but he had stabilized at the Peak of the Early Stage of the Nascent Soul Stage in one go! Its Spiritual Pressure was so strong, his Divine Sense so vast, and his Core Energy (now Nascent Energy) so thick and pure that it far exceeded those of the same stage, and he could even rival those in the Middle Stage of the Nascent Soul Stage!

He slowly opened his eyes, a flash of chaotic light passing through his pupils before returning to deep calm. With a thought, the inch-tall Chaos Nascent Soul leaped out from his crown chakra, hovering in the air, curiously looking around, and then looking at the Physical Body below; the two smiled at each other, their minds connected.

With the Nascent Soul leaving the body, his spirit could roam the Void Realm. Only now could he be considered to have truly stepped into the ranks of high-level Cultivators, possessing more means of self-preservation and cultivation conveniences.

With the Nascent Soul returned to its position, Lin Wan stood up, feeling the boundless power within his body that seemed capable of controlling the world. There was not much excitement in his heart, only a sense of calm and clarity that came with success.

The Nascent Soul was just the beginning. His Dao was the Five Elements Returning to Ruins, it was transcendence, it was protection, it was the unreachable Peak of the Immortal Realm, and it was the enemy, "the end," that he would eventually have to face.

However, now he finally had sufficient strength to explore the Heavenly Ruins, to search for the lost "War Barrier," and to accumulate more capital for the future.

He walked out of the seclusion Cave Heaven; outside, the sun was bright, and the mountain breeze brushed against his face.

Liu Ruyan, Chu Qingyao, Lin Jingyun, as well as Peak Master Yue Lingyun, True Monarch Daoxuan, and others had already sensed the movement and were waiting outside. Seeing him emerge from seclusion and feeling that vast, sea-like, yet deep and restrained Nascent Soul aura, everyone was both surprised and happy.

"Brother Wan, you succeeded!" Liu Ruyan wept with joy.

"Dad! You are a Nascent Soul True Monarch now!" Lin Jingyun jumped up in excitement.

"Good! Good! Good! My Qingyun Sect finally has another Nascent Soul True Monarch! And such a young Nascent Soul!" Peak Master Yue Lingyun was greatly comforted, repeating the word "good" three times.

True Monarch Daoxuan also stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes filled with infinite anticipation for the future of the Sect.

Lin Wan chatted with everyone for a while, then announced his decision to travel far away to the Heavenly Ruins in the Central Province.

Although everyone felt reluctant, they knew his mind was made up, and with his cultivation greatly advanced and his safety significantly increased, they could only offer countless admonitions and watch him depart.

Before leaving, Lin Wan carefully gave instructions on the affairs of Guixu Peak and the Sect once more. He also left behind a specially made "Parent-Child Transmission Talisman," which could transmit short messages across great distances, and agreed that if the Sect encountered life-or-death crises, or if there were any abnormalities regarding "the end," it should be activated immediately.

Then, amidst the reluctant gazes of his wife, child, teachers, and fellow Disciples, Lin Wan rode the Chaos Sword Light, soared into the sky, and broke through the air toward the direction of the Central Province.

His figure soon disappeared into the horizon.

But everyone knew that the legend of this "Guixu Sword Lord" had not ended, but would continue to be written on a broader, more magnificent stage.

The Central Province Heavenly Ruins, the Five Elements Sect's lost War Barrier, the hidden shadows of "the end," the even higher path of the Immortal Realm...

Waiting for him were unknown challenges and supreme opportunities.

And the Qingyun Sect would serve as his most solid backing, quietly developing, waiting for his return to lead the Sect toward a more glorious future.

...

Central Province, outskirts of the Heavenly Ruins.

Lin Wan hovered above a desolate, broken, gray land filled with chaotic spatial turbulence and ancient lingering killing intent, looking at the boundless, gray-black mist-shrouded ruin complex ahead, where huge black shadows and strange lights faintly flickered within; chaotic light swirled in his eyes.

The sensing of the five elements token and the resonance of the Dao Seed all pointed to the depths of this mist.

"War Barrier... I have arrived."

He whispered, his figure turning into a chaotic stream of light, and without hesitation, he plunged into the forbidden land known as the place where even Soul Transformation Cultivators must stop—the Heavenly Ruins.

A new journey officially began.