Chapter 323: Calamity Descends
In the southeast of Qing Province, above Yuepo Plateau.
Amidst the constantly surging yellow sand, countless figures clashed fiercely in the sky.
Spells, immortal light, and Magical Artifacts exploded into a sky full of sparks in that instant, falling down with whistling sounds of breaking air.
Then, a beam of immortal light plummeted from the sky, piercing through a treasure ship carrying Shang Family Disciples, which then crashed onto the ground with a loud bang.
The Shang Family Disciples who fell with the ship were not seriously injured and immediately rose from the dust-filled ground, heading towards the towering ruins.
There were very few fruits in the Soul Severing Mountain ruins, and some were even dry, containing not much Heavenly Dao power.
Therefore, for Asked the Dao Sect, Yuepo Plateau was extremely important.
They were very eager to take down this ruin, and had repeatedly dispatched small teams to approach it from the back mountain, attempting to bypass the defenses and enter the ruins. Once discovered, the original standoff naturally turned into a fierce battle in an instant.
Because the Chen Clan suddenly realized that the Shang Family of Asked the Dao Sect had never intended to share the immortal opportunity from the beginning.
At this moment, an old figure appeared on the yellow earth high slope.
He was dressed in yellow brocade clothes, holding a broad-bladed iron saber, and was not conspicuous in the dust-filled environment.
However, as his footsteps continuously created deep pits in the ground, immeasurable immortal light began to swirl around his body.
Then the saber's edge suddenly turned, and the sky-shattering hum instantly made the surroundings tremble.
“Boom!!!!”
The iron saber, striking from the sky, fiercely cut down, instantly carving a hundred-mile-long gully on the plateau. The Shang Family Disciples charging at the front were torn into countless severed limbs and scattered remains under this furious Saber Qi, with blood mist erupting into the sky.
This heaven-splitting saber strike instantly disrupted Asked the Dao Sect's attempt to forcefully open the ruins. The remaining Disciples unleashed their full Spiritual Qi,
only then were they able to fiercely resist the scattering Saber Qi.
But without a moment's respite, the old man in yellow robes flipped his saber's edge again.
After another hum, furious Saber Qi once again surged down with a roar.
However, at this instant, dozens of figures streaked through the distant sky. The leader lightly wielded a long sword, and a powerful spell dispersed the hundred-zhang wave of earth facing him, directly suppressing the iron saber.
“Suichang, you old dog!”
Under the Sword Qi, Shang Xingkong, the Deputy Sect Master of Asked the Dao Sect, roared, “Half of Yuepo Plateau is within my Yu Province. This ruin, do you really think the Chen Clan can monopolize it?”
Chen Suichang, the Chen Clan's Old Ancestor who had been in seclusion for many years, let out a cold chuckle: “A mere foot of a mountain also counts as being within your Yu Province? Stop spouting nonsense here. Your Asked the Dao Sect merely inherited an empty shell, and you are naturally resentful. But have you ever considered that this might be the Heavenly Dao's choice?”
“What do you mean, old dog?”
“My meaning is that the Heavenly Dao simply wants your Asked the Dao Sect to understand that your Luck has run out, and you cannot contend for this immortal opportunity.”
As Chen Suichang's words fell, dozens of figures dressed similarly to him appeared behind him, also with white hair, holding iron sabers to meet the challenge.
Just as the two sides were in a standoff, under the sky to the southwest.
A beam of heavenly light suddenly descended, instantly blasting all the cultivators approaching the ruins into a sky full of blood mist.
The two looked at each other, their gazes instantly turning fierce as they landed on the old man in black robes embroidered with mountains not far away.
“Huo Rong, you old dog, after all these years, you’re still not dead?”
“Thanks to you, I am still among the living.”
Chen Suichang gritted his teeth: “If it were just Asked the Dao Sect, then fine, but what reason does your Mountain and Sea Pavilion have to be here?”
Huo Rong raised the corner of his mouth: “The Zheng Clan’s demon back then came from your Chen Clan, causing countless casualties among my Pavilion’s Disciples in the Qi Ridge disaster.
How can we allow you to approach the ruins again now? Since our two Sects are neighbors, the Mountain and Sea Pavilion naturally has the responsibility to oversee your Chen Family on behalf of the world.”
“What grandstanding—”
“Boom!!!!”
Amidst a huge roar, a thunderous explosion shook the surroundings.
Amidst the sky-high dust, Saber Qi surged into the air, fiercely colliding with the descending spells, causing a furious surge of energy.
Shang Xijie, the Third Young Master of Asked the Dao Sect, stood on a nearby hill, his eyes slightly cold as he watched this scene: “The Chen Clan claimed they wanted to sit down and negotiate with my Asked the Dao Sect, yet they secretly sent so many Divine Travel Realm cultivators here. Fortunately, we were prepared early and did not fall into their trap.”
His Protector Elder spoke in a deep voice upon seeing this: “We just didn’t expect the Mountain and Sea Pavilion to also make a move—”
At this moment, a Disciple of Asked the Dao Sect soared through the air, stirring up a sky full of dust as he landed: “Third Brother, traces of Huo Family’s Second Young Master have been found in the southwest, seemingly trying to sneak into the ruins amidst the chaos.”
Shang Xijie frowned, immediately shot into the sky, and sped towards the southwest.
His Protector and the Shang Family Disciples under his command immediately followed, crossing half of the yellow earth plateau and diving into a dense forest with a huge lake embedded within it.
While flying, Shang Xijie's robes billowed wildly. Then, as his hands gathered, streaks of dazzling white heavenly light erupted from mid-air, tearing through the dense forest like a rising sun, descending fiercely with a roaring intent.
This was Asked the Dao Sect's inherited secret technique, Nine Heavens Slaughter.
However, just as the trees snapped and the forest ground shattered, an arc of immortal light suddenly spread out in all directions, fiercely shattering the killing intent of the Nine Heavens.
Amidst the smoke and dust, Huo Xingyun gasped for breath, magnificent Spiritual Qi still lingering between his raised palms.
“Shang Xijie.”
“Brother Xingyun, still well.”
Huo Xingyun panted twice, then suddenly erupted, gathering thunder clouds in his hands, which instantly pressed down fiercely towards Shang Xijie.
Shang Xiyao seemed to have been prepared as well, immediately waving his hand to grasp the killing intent condensed in the heavenly light, clashing with it.
“Shang Xijie, your eldest brother has taken charge of the Sacred Artifact, hasn’t he?”
“What’s the use of saying that!”
Huo Xingyun waved his hand, shattering the immortal light that condensed the killing intent. The terrifying thunder in his hand pressed down, and he lightly shouted, “At the Immortal Sect banquet that year, when you and I first met, though we were still young, I could tell at a glance that you were the same kind of person as me.”
Shang Xijie retreated rapidly, then directly shattered the ground with his feet, bringing the heavenly light to kill again.
Amidst the collision of intense thunder and killing intent, the powerful combat strength from the Innate Realm directly sent both of them flying a hundred zhang.
“Does Brother Xijie perhaps think what I said is wrong?”
Shang Xijie looked up at him: “I’d really like to know, what kind of person am I in your eyes?”
Huo Xingyun opened his mouth slightly: “Astonishingly talented, but with lingering resentment.”
“Then I’m truly sorry, Brother Xingyun, for your misunderstanding.”
Shang Xijie flipped his palm in shock, and the Nine Heavens Slaughter roared again.
Seeing this, Huo Xingyun immediately formed a seal, and the roaring immortal light from his entire body surged into the sky with a whoosh, forming a square shape condensed from illusory light.
Mountain and Sea Seal.
“Boom!!!!”
The two figures clashed again. After Huo Xingyun used the Great Seal Art to shatter the roaring killing intent, he roared: “You should know that for a thousand years in Qingyun, the one who takes over the Sacred Artifact doesn’t necessarily have to be the eldest legitimate son. It’s just that they were born earlier, which gave them an advantage over us, but now it’s different!”
Shang Xijie’s blood surged as he looked at him with cold eyes: “How is it different?”
“The power of one person cannot contend with the will of the Immortal Sect, but now that there is the Dao Fruit, this is authority. When you and your fellow cultivators have the ability to shake the Immortal Sect, I believe the Immortal Master of Asked the Dao Sect will definitely change his mind.”
“You want to cooperate with me?”
Huo Xingyun turned his head to look at the ruins: “Everything is within reach.”
Shang Xijie’s eyes narrowed slightly: “Let’s not talk about cooperation for now. I heard that the Immortal Master of Mountain and Sea Pavilion entrusted the matter of the ruins to you. But you brought people here to contend for the Yuepo ruins, have you considered what will happen to your backyard?”
Huo Xingyun’s expression instantly turned cold: “What do you mean, Brother Xijie?”
“The Chen Clan released news of peace talks, seemingly wanting to share the Yuepo ruins with my Asked the Dao Sect, but they arranged for Divine Travel Realm cultivators from their Sect to ambush here. I think they weren’t delaying my Asked the Dao Sect’s time. If I’m not mistaken, someone from the Chen Clan has already entered Soul Severing Mountain.”
“You cannot sway my resolve. I am determined to have the Yuepo ruins. Either you join forces with me, or we see who emerges victorious!”
The Mountain and Sea Great Seal, falling from the sky, crashed down with a roar.
However, unexpectedly, Shang Xijie did not confront it head-on as before. Instead, he gracefully turned and dodged this powerful blow, his gaze fiery as he looked at Huo Xingyun.
Perhaps it was their similar backgrounds, similar circumstances, and facing similar situations. Although Shang Xijie wouldn't admit it, Huo Xingyun's earlier words were indeed spot on.
He was indeed resentful and equally ambitious as him.
But having the same mindset does not necessarily mean they can become allies. After all, this is a matter of success or death. For cooperation, the other party's will must be firm.
And just now, the will Huo Xingyun displayed seemed quite firm.
In the distant sky, Qi Zhengyang overlooked from the wind, seeing that as the chaotic battle continued, the Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect suddenly formed an Alliance and pressed towards the Chen Clan.
Seeing this, he lightly stroked his long beard, then returned to the mountain amidst the whistling Sword Qi.
“Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect formed an Alliance?”
“That’s right.”
Hearing Qi Elder’s conjecture, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu were very surprised and couldn’t help but look back at their Master Jian.
Yan Shu was not so surprised, because Ji You had written to her earlier, telling her about Shang Xijie and Huo Xingyun, so she was not surprised to learn of their Alliance now.
Since ancient times, the alternation of power in Immortal Sects has always been accompanied by such open and covert struggles.
It seems that the ruins of Yuepo Plateau will be opened jointly by the Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect. Perhaps later, it will even evolve into a struggle for power within the Sects.
With this thought, the Young Master Jian couldn't help but think of Chu Xian, the direct Disciple of Xuan Yuan.
The Xuan Yuan Sect Master also revealed his intention to pass the Sacred Artifact to his son at the Youxian Assembly. It is unknown whether Chu Xian is willing, and whether he will make any moves regarding the Dao Fruit.
But after thinking carefully, the Young Master Jian couldn't help but shake her head.
Chu Xian was different from Shang Xiyao and Huo Xingyun; he was not of the Immortal Sect Bloodline, but an outsider with a different surname.
For the Immortal Sect Master, whether the Sacred Artifact is passed to the eldest son or the second son, the power will ultimately be passed down through the Bloodline, and they will not interfere too much.
But an outsider wanting to covet the Sacred Artifact would likely be struck down the moment he even thought of it.
As fellow direct Disciples of Immortal Sects, Yan Shu had also had several encounters with Chu Xian, knowing that this person was exceptionally intelligent and extremely shrewd, and would certainly understand this fact.
Moreover, their Chu Family was almost annihilated back then for defying the Immortal Sect, so they should be clearer than anyone else on such matters.
“Young Master Chu City has arrived.”
“Thank you.”
Ji You jumped out of the carriage. After five days of flying and traveling by carriage, he finally arrived at Chu City.
This was the Chu Family's Daoist temple and also the largest city in You Province, its scale even surpassing that of the old imperial Li Family.
The entire city was arranged in a circular pattern, looking similar to the Yao Race, and was also divided into an inner city and an outer city.
The inner city was inhabited by the Chu Family's eight Bloodline branches, with the Chu Family's main lineage at its core.
As for the outer city, it was mostly composed of the Chu Family's relatives and friends, as well as people who had branched out from the eight major branches over the past thousand years.
Ji You chose the Chu Family first among the remaining Du, Bai, and Chu Families because the Chu Family had a close relationship with Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, and many of the disappeared Immortal Villas in Feng Province were basically dependent on Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion.
He paid the coachman a tip and walked along the road to the inner city, only to find that the inner city was heavily guarded, still protected by a large Formation like other Sects, making it impossible to enter.
And because the entire city was related to the Chu Family, the sudden appearance of an outsider would be very conspicuous. Therefore, Ji You had not walked far in the city before he was noticed.
A figure dressed like a guard stepped forward: "Young Master, you look unfamiliar. May I ask why you have come?"
"Tourism."
"?"
"I heard long ago that the Chu Family is renowned in Qingyun. Passing by, I came here for tourism."
"This place belongs to the Chu Family. If you do not have an invitation, please do not linger."
The Chu Family's inner city was protected by a grand Formation, and the outer city had scouts watching, with security comparable to an Immortal Sect. He stayed in the city for many days, unable to find an opportunity to get close, so he could only pay close attention to the surrounding news and discussions within the city.
At noon three days later, the weather was slightly overcast. Ji You continued to wander around, and as he walked, his eyes suddenly narrowed. In the circular inner street, he saw a familiar figure.
It was a man with Sword Qi-like eyebrows and bright eyes, wearing a long green robe with his hair neatly tied. He looked full of heroic spirit.
In fact, Ji You didn't see him first; he saw Ji You first, and then Ji You noticed him because of his gaze.
"Brother Fang?"
"Oh, Wulü, why are you here?"
On the inner street, the man stepped forward in surprise. This person was none other than Fang Ruoyao's Elder brother, Fang Ruoming, who now served in the Zhenbei Army.
Upon hearing the question, Ji You cupped his hands: "I have some matters to attend to and happened to pass through You Province. I was looking for a place to stay. Brother Fang, why are you here?"
Fang Ruoming pointed in the direction of a tall mountain in the distance: "The Barbarian Race has been acting frequently these past few days, showing signs of raising an army. A section of the city wall in northwest You Province just cracked, so I led a team to escort repair craftsmen here and passed by to take a look."
"Brother Fang is also interested in the Chu Family?"
"After all, it's a Sect hailed as the eighth largest Immortal Sect. Since I'm passing by, I naturally have to take a look."
After Fang Ruoming finished speaking, he looked at Ji You: "How about it? Want to walk around with me, your Elder brother?"
At the Tiandao Conference two years ago, Ji You first met Fang Ruoming and had already told him about breaking off the engagement with Fang Ruoyao.
But he didn't know why Fang Ruoming was still very affectionate towards him and always called him 'Elder brother.'
However, they both came from Yuyang County, and Fang Ruoming was indeed a few years older, so calling him 'Elder brother' wasn't excessive.
Just right, Ji You was currently aimlessly searching and couldn't find any valuable information, so he readily agreed.
It was just noon. Fang Ruoming took him to a small restaurant in the city and skillfully ordered a few dishes: "These are the signature dishes of this restaurant. You must try them later."
Ji You glanced at him: "Brother Fang, this isn't your first time here?"
"To be honest, when I first joined the Zhenbei Army, I was responsible for guarding this section of the city wall in You Province. I've stayed here for many years."
"I see."
Fang Ruoming reached out and handed chopsticks to Ji You: "Have you been home recently?"
Ji You nodded: "I just went back for a trip, but I didn't stay too long before leaving."
"Me too, Elder brother. I just arrived in Yuyang County and hadn't stayed for a few days when I received a military order. I had to hastily lead the team here. My younger sister hasn't been home for a long time, and I, as her Elder brother, haven't even been able to see her."
"Brother Fang left home to join the army a long time ago?"
Fang Ruoming nodded: "It's been about ten years now."
Ji You suddenly remembered something: "Back in the Xianxian Holy Land, did Brother Fang leave early?"
"That's right, I was probably among the first to leave."
"No wonder we didn't meet when I left then."
Fang Ruoming smiled: "I wanted to wait for you then, but you were in the center of the Holy Land, and I couldn't enter. I was afraid of missing you again, so I felt there would be plenty of opportunities in the future and didn't rush."
After a simple lunch, the two left the restaurant.
Then, under Fang Ruoming's guidance, Ji You truly acted like a tourist, following him to see many sights in the outer city.
For example, Jingbo Lake in the north of the city and Lizhi Slope in the west of the city. "This city of the Chu Family was built a long time ago, already a thousand years old."
Fang Ruoming took Ji You around and finally returned to a magnificent ancestral hall with upturned eaves on the main city road. He pointed to a row of buildings in front: "Previously, there wasn't this outer circle of the city. Later, as the Family gradually grew stronger, it slowly expanded outwards."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Ji You, finding that the other party had no reaction.
"What's wrong?"
Ji You pointed to the building behind them: "What is this place? An ancestral hall?"
Fang Ruoming looked at it and chuckled: "Let's go in and see."
"Is no one guarding it? I met many guards on my way here who wouldn't allow wandering around."
"Those built in the outer city are generally not important places. It's fine to just visit."
After Fang Ruoming finished speaking, he walked in first, so Ji You stepped up and followed him inside.
This was indeed an ancestral hall, and a very grand one at that. There was a huge incense burner in the central courtyard, and further inside, one could see the Heavenly Dao tablets enshrined.
However, what was most captivating were the murals inside this ancestral hall.
In fact, the reason Ji You specifically asked what this place was, was because he had seen the murals on the wall from outside just now, and they seemed to contain a lot of content.
Now, looking closer, he found that the content of these paintings was indeed rich.
The first painting visible upon entering depicted an old man sitting on a meditation cushion, cultivating the Dao. It was painted very vividly.
However, by the second painting, the old man had somehow become a figure with his chest opened and entrails exposed.
By the third painting, the old man was already lying in a coffin, surrounded by small figures with sad expressions, prostrating and weeping bitterly.
After that was a scene of a house burning down, followed by many small figures being led up a tall mountain.
And the last painting was a complete map of this Chu City.
Ji You scanned each of these murals, his brow furrowing slightly: "What is painted on these?"
Fang Ruoming withdrew his gaze from the wall: "The history of the Chu Family."
"?"
"Back then, the Chu Family's Seven Apertures Exquisite Body shook the world, and countless Prodigies emerged within the Family. The Immortal Sect was very curious about this, so after the Chu Family's Old Ancestor died, they dissected him and studied him for many years."
Ji You turned to look at Fang Ruoming: "What happened next?"
Fang Ruoming stroked his chin: "After that, it probably says they became dependent on the Immortal Sect, rising higher and higher, and thus established this city."
"After dissecting and studying for many years, did they find any results?"
"Probably not. If they really found results, wouldn't the world be full of Seven Apertures Exquisite Bodies?"
Ji You pointed to the painting depicting the house burning in a great fire: "I heard people say that the Chu Family once opposed the Immortal Sect and was severely suppressed in the end.
Is that this painting?"
Fang Ruoming turned to look at that painting, then shook his head: "It's painted vaguely, not clearly visible. However, the Immortal Sect always likes to gloss over things. Even if this really happened, they probably couldn't depict it completely."
"Listening to Brother Fang's tone, it seems you also harbor deep resentment towards the Immortal Sect?"
"How can people who came out of our Feng Province tolerate such deformed monsters?"
Fang Ruoming chuckled softly: "Do you know that when Fengxian Mountain Manor was established in my Yuyang County, countless people were killed. My father was captured and taken into the Manor, where he learned to bark like a dog for half a month just to save his life. And your Ji Family, just for saying one wrong sentence, was wiped out entirely. All of this is due to the so-called immortal might."
Ji You was a Transmigration, taking the place of the original Young Master Ji. He hadn't felt much real emotion about the Ji Family's demise.
But placed in the current context, it was indeed sigh-inducing.
The two walked and talked, gradually exiting the ancestral hall.
Ji You subtly inquired Fang Ruoming about the situation in the inner city, but the other party said he hadn't been there for a long time and didn't know much about it.
And Fang Ruoming's next sentence completely dispelled Ji You's idea of trying to seize the opportunity to enter the inner city.
"The Formation of the Chu Family's inner city also came from the Formation Sect of that year. Especially the Chu Family's main lineage, guarded by Dual Formations, it is said that once you enter, there's no return."
"How did Brother Fang know about this?"
"The Formation Sect was annihilated. The repair of the northern border's city wall has no Formation Master to guide it, so sometimes we can only refer to these great guardian Formations."
Fang Ruoming couldn't help but sigh softly at this point: "Speaking of which, the Formation Sect seems to have suffered even more than us rustic commoners or the Chu Family. In the end, they couldn't even leave behind their Bloodline."
During their conversation, Ji You followed Fang Ruoming out of the main city road. At this moment, a small squad of the Zhenbei Army was already waiting outside the city on tall horses.
Fang Ruoming mounted his horse and looked at Ji You: "I have military orders, Elder brother, and dare not delay. Let's part ways here."
"I wish Brother Fang a smooth journey."
"If one day the world is at peace, Wulü, give me a piece of land and teach me how to farm."
Ji You cupped his hands forward, watched them depart, and then turned to look at Chu City.
He had made a large circle, unable to enter any of the target Sects, and found no results.
The only thing he knew was that, compared to other Sects, the fact that these Sects were so strictly guarded must mean there was something fishy going on.
Now, the only ones left to investigate were the Du Family and the Bai Family.
But he knew that these two families should be like the Liu Family, Li Family, and Chu Family, not allowing outsiders to enter.
However, the Bai Family was an exception.
The Bai Family's eldest son was named Bai Ru Long, and he would most likely be able to contact the Bai Family.
Ji You pondered for a long time, feeling that there was no time to lose, so he hired a carriage in the city and headed towards the Bai Family.
Bai Ru Long's cultivation was not firm, and his mind was entirely focused on Dual Cultivation. Now that the five-year period was up, he, like Lu Qingqiu and the others, would be leaving the academy.
And according to Cao Jinsong, this Young Master had actually returned home early this spring.
According to his own words, staying in the Immortal Sect wouldn't improve him much, so he might as well stay home.
Inside the bumpy carriage, Ji You breathed in and out while holding a pen and paper, writing a letter to Bai Ru Long.
If the Bai Family was also heavily guarded, he certainly wouldn't be able to enter immediately, so he could only use a letter to inform him to come out and meet.
However, as he was writing, the carriage he was riding in suddenly stopped, and the horse pulling it immediately let out a terrified neigh.
"Why did it suddenly stop?"
"Young—Young Master, something has happened—"
"?"
Ji You pulled open the curtain and poked his head out. The moment he appeared, he felt a strong smell of blood in the wind, and his brow instantly furrowed.
The coachman, trembling, reached forward and pointed towards the sky.
In the distant sky, a dark tide was surging across the heavens, murmuring and spreading in all directions.
Because the distance was too great, he couldn't see what it was yet, only that it looked like clouds.
But the problem was that clouds were formed and only moved with the wind; their interiors didn't move, which was very different from this tide.
Seeing this scene, a golden light instantly flickered in Ji You's eyes, and he saw countless Evil Seeds howling towards them.
At the same time, the Yuepo Plateau ruins, Soul Severing Mountain ruins, Great Barren Forest ruins—the ruins successively opened by the Immortal Sect—suddenly had countless broken limbs and bones, and dark, surging Evil Seeds were pouring out from the deepest parts, covering the sky and obscuring the sun.
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