novelnext Chapter 332 A Secret Plot to Open the Meridian
Chapter 332 A Secret Plot to Open the Meridian
Chapter 332 A Secret Plot to Open the Meridian
Three days later, in the Southern Border.
Within the Eight Desolations Sect, in the Silent Desolate Palace.
"Cough cough cough!"
Ning Wujiu, his face deathly pale, suddenly awoke, sat up, coughed violently, and spat out several pieces of blood mixed with fragments of internal organs.
"How does it feel?"
Looking at the sect disciple's miserable appearance and weakened aura, Ning Xuanji spoke calmly.
"Master, your disciple is incompetent, utterly defeated, and has disgraced the ancient reputation of the Eight Desolations Sect."
"Please punish me, Master!"
Ning Wujiu staggered to his feet and knelt down, his voice hoarse and filled with resentment.
This was the first time he had encountered such a crushing defeat since he embarked on the path of cultivation.
The proud Nirvana Golden Elixir not only failed to defeat the Taiyi Golden Elixir, but instead became a stepping stone for the Taiyi Golden Elixir.
But Ning Wujiu did not run away. He had lost, and that was that. Any explanation would only be an insult to himself and his opponent.
"My disciple, what crime have you committed?"
Ning Xuanji shook his head slightly, his tone indifferent: "The Taiyi Dao Sect's heritage is already above the Eight Desolate Sect, and it even has a collection of legendary immortal techniques."
"Master, do you mean Chen Zi'ang has already mastered immortal techniques?"
Ning Wujiu was slightly taken aback and looked up in disbelief.
There is no immortal technique lineage within the Eight Desolations Sect.
Even the sect's most treasured cultivation technique, the "Eight Desolate Extinction and Void Refining Scripture," is merely a Void Refining Technique passed down from the Eight Desolate Daoist Venerable. It cannot possibly rival the legendary immortal techniques.
"So what if I am? So what if I am not?"
Ning Xuanji gave his disciple a deep look and asked in return.
Ning Wujiu remained silent.
The mere comprehension of the Eight Desolations Silent Void Scripture brought him back from the brink of death.
If it weren't for his master sparing no expense and using the sect's rare medicines to save him, he would probably be buried with grass growing three feet high by now, let alone the immortal techniques that are even more difficult to cultivate.
No wonder he was no match for Chen Zi'ang even with the Heavenly Treasure!
"Foolish child."
Ning Xuanji's tone was somewhat disappointed: "Laws are created by humans. If you attain the position of True Lord and suppress him with force, what can Chen Zi'ang do even if he cultivates immortal techniques?"
"We, the Huangzong Cultivators, may be defeated, and we may die in battle, but we must never lose our edge and backbone."
"Since you insist on punishment," Ning Xuanji paused slightly, his tone indifferent, "then I will punish you by placing you in seclusion for three years. You may not emerge until you have attained the True Monarch level."
"Thank you, Master, for your guidance."
As soon as Ning Wujiu finished speaking, Ning Xuanji waved his sleeve, and the former's figure instantly disappeared from the hall.
After doing all this, a smile of interest flashed across Ning Xuanji's face.
In Daozi's eyes, this battle to challenge the Dao was a complete failure, but Ning Xuanji did not think so.
It's impressive that Ning Wujiu was able to overpower the Golden Core experts from the five major sects of the Earthly Realm, but it's also not bad that his defeat allowed Chen Zi'ang, the Mirror Moon Daoist, to gain momentum.
The five major sects of the Earthly Realm were already embroiled in constant internal strife and mutual sabotage.
In the event of an invasion by external enemies, the five major sects might be able to set aside their differences and unite to fight the enemy, thus safeguarding the foundation of the Earthly Realm.
However, the sudden rise of Daozi of the Mirror Moon Sect, who overwhelmed all others and defeated Wujiu, has greatly exacerbated the sense of crisis among the other four major sects.
Furthermore, Zhu Wuyai's threatening words, while seemingly protective of his own, actually revealed the true nature of the five major sects of the Earthly Realm—outwardly strong but inwardly weak.
As long as the Eight Desolations Sect doesn't act openly but instead secretly stirs things up, the Mirror Moon Sect is unlikely to abandon its tens of thousands of years of foundation for the sake of a fallen Dao Child.
The next instant, a figure quietly appeared in the Silent Desolate Palace.
"Master Ning, why be so harsh on a junior?"
"Blood Demon, instead of hiding in the Blood Sea Demon Cave, you've come to my desolate and silent palace. Aren't you afraid your avatar will perish?"
Ning Xuanji stood with his hands behind his back and turned to look behind him.
"I am omnipresent, merely a blood body. If True Venerable Ning wishes to kill me, I can do so at any time." True Venerable Blood Demon smiled.
"Just say what you have to say."
Ning Xuanji frowned slightly.
The damage to the Dao of Creation in the Earthly Evolution Realm, resulting in the inability to produce a Nascent Soul cultivator, does not mean that there are no experts in the Earthly Evolution Realm.
Blood Demon True Venerable was a Nascent Soul True Venerable who became famous in the Earthly Evolution Realm 15,000 years ago, and formed a life-and-death feud with the Mirror Moon Sect.
The reason is simple: the Daoist essence of the Earthly Evolution Realm is gradually depleting. In order to prevent the foundation of the sects from being affected, the first generation ancestors of the five major sects specially cleaned up the Earthly Evolution Realm before their lifespans came to an end.
According to ancient records, the Blood Demon True Venerable was killed by the first patriarch of the Mirror Moon Sect.
No one knows what secret technique this old codger used or what terrible price he paid to be able to live another life after his death.
"I need not elaborate on the threat posed by the five major sects of the Earthly Realm; I'm sure True Venerable Ning is already aware of it."
Blood Demon True Venerable said with great interest, "If the Eight Desolate Sect hadn't hidden itself well back then and hadn't exposed the land of creation and Dao charm of the Southern Evolution Realm, it probably would have been the first sect to be destroyed by the five major sects."
Ning Xuanji's expression remained unchanged.
He knew very well that the reason why the Eight Desolations Sect was able to become the overlord of the Southern Desolate Region was not because of its strength, but because it could endure and was obedient enough to outlive all the first generation ancestors of the five major sects.
It is precisely for this reason that Ning Xuanji is unwilling to allow another Nascent Soul True Venerable to emerge from the five major sects of the Earthly Realm.
"boring."
With a thought, Ning Xuanji caused the Blood Demon True Venerable's physical body to explode.
"True Venerable Ning, why do you always think of suppressing everything with overwhelming force?"
A blood-red shadow writhed, and the figure of the Blood Demon True Venerable reappeared: "Why don't we join forces to invade the Earthly Realm, slowly boiling the frog in water, to prevent the five major sects from using their sect's resources?"
"Oh?" Ning Xuan asked calmly. "How do you intend to cook it?"
"It's very simple," the Blood Demon True Venerable said confidently. "I will lead the charge. My Blood Sea Earth Demon Art excels at concealment, infiltration, bewitching, and creating internal strife, which can make the five major sects suspicious and attack each other."
"Fellow Daoist, you only need to stay behind the scenes and provide me with sufficient resources; you don't need to intervene."
Upon hearing this, Ning Xuanji's brows twitched slightly, and he glanced indifferently at the Blood Demon True Venerable: "Agreed."
Mirror Moon Sect.
Chen Beiwu slowly opened his eyes, ending his cultivation of immortal techniques.
In the Southern Wilderness, ordinary Golden Core cultivators need decades, or even centuries, of cultivation to make any progress.
Some individuals with mediocre talent who form a lower-grade Golden Core and exhaust their potential may be trapped in the early stage of the Golden Core realm for their entire lives.
With the blessing of the Golden Egg and the Five Qi Vine, Chen Beiwu's cultivation speed far surpasses that of the Golden Core cultivators in the Southern Wilderness, but he has no intention of advancing from the late Golden Core stage to the peak Golden Core stage in just a few years.
"Want to give it a try?"
The golden egg poked its head out, looking somewhat eager to try.
"Huh?" (Trying what?)
Wu Qi Teng put down the soil in his hand and looked at Chen Beiwu.
Tie Dan also raised his head at the right moment, his eyes showing a look of nostalgia.
"You'll find out after I preside over the opening ceremony of the Beast Taming lineage."
Chen Beiwu smiled, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense.
"Hey."
Wu Qi Teng pursed her lips, took a small leap, and hung directly on Chen Beiwu.
Seeing this, a hint of eagerness flashed in Jin Dan's eyes.
"Don't you dare."
Chen Beiwu immediately patted Jin Dan's head.
The golden egg activating the Ruyi Xuantong to shrink his size was manageable; he could barely withstand it.
However, if the golden egg's hundred-foot-long dragon body were to charge directly, Chen Beiwu wasn't sure if he would suffer internal injuries from a single embrace.
"Thump!"
"Thump!"
"Thump!"
Just then, the sound of the protective barrier vibrating came from outside the cave.
Chen Beiwu got up and pushed open the door. The person who came in was Shu You, who was in charge of organizing the Beast Taming Ceremony.
"My lord, everything is ready."
Shu You bowed slightly, her tone respectful.
"Great, thank you for your hard work, let's go together."
Chen Beiwu patted Shu You on the shoulder.
=***
Mirror Moon Sect, Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts.
This valley was originally a place where sects raised spirit beasts and treasure beasts and trained flying mounts, but today it has been completely transformed into a training ground for the beast taming lineage, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.
Before the auspicious time arrived, disciples from all branches of the Mirror Moon Sect gathered in the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, creating a sea of people. Even the sect's high-ranking members were almost all present.
"Buzz!"
The sound of the golden bell marked the beginning of a new lineage.
The ceremony concluded shortly afterward.
Under the watchful eyes of thousands of cultivators, Chen Beiwu, dressed in a specially made Mirror Moon Spirit Robe from his sect, calmly stepped onto the high platform.
"I, Chen Zi'ang, have been ordered by the Ancestor to perform the ritual of opening the meridians here today."
Chen Beiwu spoke in a calm voice, his gaze sweeping over all the sect cultivators below.
"The universe is vast and its creation is wondrous. All beasts possess spirits and are endowed with the Dao."
"We cultivators gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temper ourselves, seek longevity, and embark on the path of cultivation."
However, of the three thousand great paths, all lead to the same destination; all beings in the world have their own way of cultivating immortality.
At this point, Chen Beiwu paused slightly: "Today, I, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, will build upon the past and usher in a new era, establishing the Beast Taming lineage upon the foundation of the sect's six branches!"
"—"
The newly initiated disciples of the sect were simple-minded and ambitious. Looking at the sect's Daoist disciple with extraordinary bearing on the high platform, they couldn't help but show their longing. Since the end of the Daoist Challenge and the defeat and departure of Ning Wujiu, the Daoist disciple of the Eight Desolations Sect, from the Mirror Moon Sect, the atmosphere within the sect has changed drastically.
Within the sect, from the Golden Core elders to the newly initiated Qi Refining disciples, which cultivator is unaware that Chen Zi'ang, the Daoist Master of Mirror Moon, is a genuine number one Golden Core cultivator in both realms!
It was precisely because of this that when the news of Chen Zi'ang establishing the Beast Taming lineage spread, the entire sect was in an uproar.
Although the Jingyue lineage is the main lineage and holds a high position, it is still inferior to the Beast Taming lineage to which Daozi belongs.
In particular, the Beast Taming lineage was founded by Daozi, and cultivators who join now can easily become confidants of the elders and even gain Daozi's favor.
"I've heard the Beast Taming lineage has extremely strict examinations? Well, there's no way around it; we have to find a way to join!" "That's right, even if we start by caring for spirit beasts, it'll be fine. As the saying goes, 'Those near the water get the moon first,' if we can get guidance from the Daoist Master, maybe we can even hope to reach Core Formation!"
Thinking of this, some disciples' eyes turned red, and they looked at the nearby cultivators with wary eyes.
On the other side, the Bone-Eating Abyss.
The cold wind was like a knife, emitting a mournful and desolate sound.
Yu Pan dragged her weak steps out of the prison.
The long-awaited sunshine made this Foundation Establishment cultivator unconsciously squint her eyes, greedily breathing in the air of freedom.
How many decades are there in a lifetime?
Even though she cooperated fully with the sect's judicial hall cultivators in investigating the "corruption on Qing Su Island," the sect's higher-ups were too corrupt, and the investigation progressed slowly.
Even with Yun Yishu's protection, Yu Pan's expected ten-year imprisonment in the Bone-Eating Abyss was extended to thirty years, and she couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
"I'm sorry, I should have agreed to Senior Sister Yun's conditions back then."
Yu Pan reached out and gently stroked the little gray head, transmitting her thoughts telepathically.
Twenty years have passed, and her cultivation level has regressed instead of progressing, even nearly falling to the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
If she had agreed back then, Little Grey wouldn't have been dragged down by her, and would probably be a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast by now.
"Xian."
Tianmu Xuanzhi shook his head, indicating that with her by his side, his cultivation and spiritual practice were worthless.
"Senior Sister Yu, your sentence is over. You can leave now. These are your belongings." The Judicial Hall cultivator said expressionlessly, in a businesslike manner.
Yu Pan took it, scanned the storage ring with her divine sense, and found that nothing was missing from the storage space. Then she cautiously looked at the cultivator of the Judicial Hall.
"Isn't my sentence thirty years of solitary confinement?"
Yu Pan's voice was hoarse, afraid of falling into a trap and being caught in the conspiracy of the sect's second generation.
"The original sentence was indeed thirty years, but today Daozi officially established his sect, which is a great celebration for the sect."
As a gesture of grace, the sect has decided to grant amnesty to a group of cultivators, and Senior Sister Yu's name happens to be on the amnesty list.
Upon hearing this, Yu Pan froze on the spot.
Kyōtsuki Michiko?
Could it be that during her twenty years of confinement, Senior Sister Zhu Qiong, the top disciple of the sect, has successfully passed the sect's high-level tests and advanced to the Dao Child level?
"Senior Sister Yu, we cannot linger in the Bone-Corroding Abyss."
Seeing that Yu Pan was standing still, the monk from the Hall of Justice spoke up to remind her.
"Feel sorry."
Yu Pan took a deep breath, and after taking two steps with Tianmu Xuanzhi, she paused.
"Junior brother, could you please tell me the name of the current Daoist Master?" Yu Pan asked, turning his head.
Senior Sister Zhu Qiong, Senior Sister Yun, and Chen Zi'ang all came from the same school.
If it was indeed Senior Sister Zhu who signaled for a pardon, it means that Xiao Hui might still be on Chen Zi'ang's mind.
"Who else could be a contemporary Daozi of the Mirror Moon Sect!"
The cultivator from the Hall of Justice said with pride, "He is indeed Chen Zi'ang, the number one Golden Core cultivator in both realms, a direct disciple of Master Duobao, the Hall Master of the Hall of Justice of our sect!"
The number one Golden Core cultivator in both realms? Chen Zi'ang!
Yu Pan's heart skipped a beat, her mind went blank, and her face was filled with astonishment and disbelief.
She was only imprisoned for twenty years, not two hundred years.
Even if Chen Zi'ang was exceptionally talented, how could a mere Qi Refining cultivator possibly break through to the Golden Core stage in just twenty years, become the Mirror Moon Daoist, and even open a new lineage for the sect?
"Senior Sister Yu, if you don't leave soon, according to sect rules, you might have to stay in the Bone-Eroding Abyss for another day."
Looking at Yu, who was stunned and motionless, the cultivator from the Hall of Justice frowned slightly.
Yu nodded silently, his heart filled with indescribable emotions, and left the Bone-Eating Abyss with Tianmu Xuanzhi without looking back.
She didn't know whether she had good or bad taste, because the Qi Refining prodigy she once admired was now a sect disciple.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of Wanshou Valley was nearing its end.
"Gu Chun, Wang Hao, and Zhi Baizhi, are you three willing to join my lineage and become my disciples?" Chen Beiwu's gaze was like lightning.
The number of disciples in the Beast Taming lineage is actually far more than the three in front of us; if you include the outer disciples, the number reaches several thousand.
However, most of his disciples were newly recruited cultivators, and Chen Beiwu had no interest in taking them all in and teaching them.
He planned to hand over the task of teaching to Gu Chun, Wang Hao, Bai Zhizhi, and Shu You, so that the disciples they took in would become second-generation disciples.
Shu You, being the capable one, also served as the deputy head of the lineage, responsible for many miscellaneous tasks within the Beast Taming lineage.
"This disciple is willing to pay respects to the Sect Master!"
The three knelt down in joy and paid their respects.
At this point, the Beast Taming lineage's initiation ceremony was completely completed.
The elders of the six branches of the Mirror Moon Sect stepped forward to congratulate Chen Beiwu.
Chen Beiwu remained calm and politely responded to the congratulations from the cultivators present, but in reality, he was multitasking, with a portion of his mind already immersed in the depths of the chaotic world.
The reason he established his own sect and accepted Gu Chun, Wang Hao, and Zhi Baizhi as his disciples was not only to strengthen the sect's power, but also to gather the power of the Beast Taming lineage, refine the lineage's fortune, and forge his own fortune and status.
Now is the perfect time for Chen Beiwu to reap the rewards of his good fortune!