Chapter 232: Chapter 226: The Catastrophic Jiazi!
Gao Tianxiong was dead.
They had all thought their Master summoning them back meant something major had happened, but no one had imagined news this devastating. The Dianchuan Festival Envoy. In Dianchuan Province, he was akin to a Local Emperor; even the Sage in the Central Imperial Court of the Great Xuan Dynasty might not have wielded as much authority in this territory.
Beyond his noble status, Gao Tianxiong himself was a powerhouse in the Primordial Spirit Realm, his combat strength heaven-shattering, his presence imperious and formidable. For such a high-ranking frontier official, a dominant figure, to suddenly fall...
It was just as Wei Wujie had said: the sky of Dianchuan Province had collapsed.
"A Primordial Spirit Boss has already broken through the limits of lifespan and is theoretically immortal. How could one suddenly perish? Was it an outsider’s doing?" Nangong Qingxiu’s fine brows knitted together, her expression solemn. How could a Primordial Spirit Boss suddenly meet their end? They represented the pinnacle of combat power in this era, possessing limitless lifespans, effectively immortal. The death of any Primordial Spirit Boss was enough to trigger a monstrous wave in the Cultivation Realm!
"The specifics are not yet known. For now, only a few of the Ancient Sect Nobility are privy to this news. But such a secret can’t be kept forever; the news of Gao Tianxiong’s death will inevitably leak out sooner or later." Daoist Yunxiong’s voice was low, his gaze steady, the corners of his mouth slightly downturned.
As the Dianchuan Festival Envoy, Gao Tianxiong was the proverbial anchor in turbulent times for Dianchuan Province. As long as he was alive, the situation could be stabilized, no matter how dire or adverse; it wouldn’t collapse. But now he was dead. The official powers on the surface had lost their greatest pillar of support. Without the restraints imposed by official power, Dianchuan Province would likely soon face its most terrifying dark era.
Listening to everyone’s discussion, Qi Xiu’s expression was grave and serious, the Golden Cry Jade Beads in his hand spinning faster and faster. Could this be... the so-called calamity of the sixty-year cycle!?
The Human Path Merit warning echoed in his mind: "Within one sixty-year cycle, a great disaster will befall Dianchuan Province." Qi Xiu unconsciously clenched one of the jade beads. He had originally assumed the calamity would occur towards the end of the sixty-year period. He never expected that, a little over twenty years in, the great disaster had arrived prematurely.
"Master, so you called us back because..." Li Jun began slowly after a moment of silence.
"With Gao Tianxiong dead, the situation in Dianchuan Province will undoubtedly collapse soon. When that happens, the Demonic Evil Cultivators led by Divine Sorrow Ridge will surely seize this opportunity to unleash a storm of blood and gore. This great calamity could very well determine the survival of Dianchuan Province itself. All the Ancient Sect Nobility will likely find it impossible to stay out of it. Therefore, the Sect Master’s intention is... it’s better to take the initiative than to remain passive. The various Ancient Sect Nobility of Dianchuan Province have already reached a tacit understanding: once the news of Gao Tianxiong’s death spreads, everyone will act together. We must hold out until new forces arrive from the court."
"New forces? Will a new Military Governor come?" Nangong Qingqiu couldn’t help but ask upon hearing this.
"Not necessarily a new Military Governor," Daoist Yunxiong analyzed. "The Gao Family has managed this land for so many years; how could they idly watch such a prize be snatched away by others? I suspect the court might dispatch reinforcements or reallocate forces from other provinces to assist the Gao Family in suppressing the turmoil. The Great Xuan Dynasty is long past its peak. But, as they say, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse, and a dilapidated ship still has three thousand nails. They won’t just stand by and watch a tenth of their territory fall into the hands of Demons."
"Master, our Dianchuan Province has ten great Ancient Sects and eight great Noble Houses. Destroying a place like Divine Sorrow Ridge shouldn’t be difficult, right?" Song Guanjia tightened the cloth strap around his wrist, somewhat puzzled.
Although Divine Sorrow Ridge was strong, with seven Dao Body Great Demons and one Primordial Spirit Demon King presiding, this force was negligible compared to all the Ancient Sect Nobility of Dianchuan Province. The Shenxiao Sect alone possessed enough internal foundation and power to crush Divine Sorrow Ridge, let alone the combined strength of the entire Dianchuan Province. It might seem like Demonic Evil Cultivators occupy nearly half of Dianchuan Province now, but that’s only because the major Ancient Sects and Noble Houses have been slacking off. If they truly resolved to exterminate them, they could wipe out all Demonic Evil Cultivators in the province within a single day.
"Divine Sorrow Ridge is merely an outpost for the Demonic Evil Cultivators. Behind them lies the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, teeming with countless Great Demons who have long coveted the lands of the Great Xuan Dynasty!" As Daoist Yunxiong mentioned the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, his eyes grew profound, and his brows furrowed deeply. "That is a true Demon Nation on earth. The number of powerful Great Demons established within is enough to scare the wits out of some of the younger generation."
"Previously, when Demonic Evil Cultivators from three hundred and sixty routes swarmed into Dianchuan Province, why didn’t the major Ancient Sects and Noble Houses act? The Gao Family and the Fan Town Government Office also only fought while retreating, eventually ceding almost half the province. Ultimately, the leaders of these major powers all understood: the Demonic Evil Cultivators’ sudden, coordinated influx into Dianchuan Province undoubtedly had the shadow of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains behind it. If anyone dared to intervene and clean them up, they would, nine times out of ten, face retaliation from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. That is something no Ancient Sect or Noble House is willing to confront."
"But previously, no matter how bad the situation in Dianchuan Province became, the Gao Family and the Fan Town Government Office were always at the forefront. Even if the sky itself were to collapse, Gao Tianxiong, the Dianchuan Festival Envoy, was there to bear the burden. But now... Gao Tianxiong is dead. The greatest reliance of the Ancient Sects and Noble Houses has naturally vanished. If we don’t unite and shoulder this burden together, Dianchuan Province will sooner or later fall into the hands of Demons. And for us, the Ancient Sects and Noble Houses, it’s as the saying goes: the monk can flee, but the temple cannot run. We cannot abandon the Mountain Gates passed down through generations. As for relocation? That’s a joke. All the famed mountains, great rivers, Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands were claimed by various families tens of thousands of years ago. Even a sect like the Shenxiao Sect, which relies on Divine Artifacts to open up Universe Space, must still depend on the spirit of an Earth Vein. Otherwise, without an anchoring point, the Mountain Gate would eventually drift Outside the Domain."
"With Gao Tianxiong’s death, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains will surely be spurred into action. I estimate that before long, Great Demons will descend upon our province. When that time comes, a bloody battle is likely to commence. However, this is both a calamity and an Opportunity. I, as your master, have summoned you back precisely for this matter."
Daoist Yunxiong’s words caused Qi Xiu and the others to lift their heads and prick up their ears.
"Master, you mean... Human Path Merit?" Qi Xiu, the disciple most familiar with Human Path Merit, ventured tentatively.
A great calamity was descending, and the Human Race faced peril. This demonic disaster sweeping across Dianchuan Province could very likely become a catalyst. Once Dianchuan Province fell into the hands of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, they would most likely use it as a springboard to rapidly invade the entire Great Xuan Dynasty. By then, the death toll would likely be counted in the hundreds of millions, if not billions.
Thus, this disaster, seemingly brewing only within Dianchuan Province, would endanger almost the entire Human Race. Naturally, it would trigger a manifestation of the Human Dao, bestowing Human Path Merit upon those who slay Demons, eliminate evil, and aid the Human Race in its time of crisis. The wondrous uses of Human Path Merit were countless. All cultivators were drawn to it, coveting it intensely. Therefore, this calamity was both a disaster and an Opportunity—an Opportunity to acquire a vast amount of Human Path Merit!
"Correct. Just as Xiuer said, in this great calamity facing our province, anyone who can help support the falling edifice will certainly be rewarded with Human Path Merit. This is an Opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. Therefore, after consultation with the Sect Master and the council of Elders, a decision has been made: our Shenxiao Sect will take the lead and enter the world. Since we cannot avoid it, it is better to enter the fray early—the first spoonful is always the fullest. Being timid, hesitating and overthinking will only lead to picking up scraps left by others. However, seizing benefits is not the same as courting death. This calamity is extraordinary; the number of Demonic Evil Cultivators will be unprecedentedly vast. Therefore, disciples below the Blood-Stained Realm are temporarily forbidden from participating."
After listening to Daoist Yunxiong, the disciples showed varied expressions and fell into silent contemplation.
The eldest, Wei Wujie, naturally looked eager. He had been traveling the world for years and had even infiltrated the inner sanctums of Divine Sorrow Ridge, becoming a notorious ’tiger bandit’ who specialized in ambushing all sorts of Demonic Evil Cultivators. He certainly wouldn’t miss this calamity in Dianchuan Province.
Nangong Qingqiu appeared calm and collected. Though a woman, when it came to mastery of Thunder Magic, she was foremost among the younger generation of Yunti Peak; even the versatile Wei Wujie could not compare. Moreover, her Divine Soul Realm had been stagnant for a long time, and she had yet to find an opportunity to break through. Perhaps during this great calamity, guided by Human Path Merit, she could shatter her shackles and ascend to a higher level.
Li Jun and Song Guanjia hesitated briefly before their gazes gradually firmed.
Among all the disciples, the only ones who showed any hesitation were Qi Xiu and Ge Ping.
Ge Ping hesitated because he had spent many years cultivating quietly within the sect. Although he had already advanced to the ranks of great cultivators in the Blood-Stained Realm, he was not adept at magical combat. It wasn’t that he feared being unable to contend with Demonic Evil Cultivators and losing his life; rather, he worried that his lack of skill would tarnish his master’s and the Shenxiao Sect’s reputation.
As for Qi Xiu... his hesitation wasn’t due to concerns about his combat ability. He had dared to kill Blood-Stained Realm cultivators even when he was only in the Dao-Entering Realm; ordinary Blood-Stained cultivators simply couldn’t withstand his Thunder Magic Sword Technique. His reluctance was entirely because he didn’t want to go out at all. Possessing the Divine Marvel of Proficiency, as long as he cultivated step-by-step, he faced almost no bottlenecks or limitations. While Human Path Merit was good, personal safety was paramount.
Daoist Yunxiong, noticing the hesitation in Qi Xiu’s and Ge Ping’s eyes, was not surprised. People have their own aspirations, and he knew the character and habits of his disciples well. Among the seven disciples, only Qi Xiu and Ge Ping often stayed on Yunti Peak, frequently accompanying him, which itself spoke to their dispositions.
"Master, I will go too."
Just as Daoist Yunxiong was about to suggest that Qi Xiu and Ge Ping remain within the Mountain Gate, the hesitant Qi Xiu surprisingly volunteered.
"Oh? What made you suddenly change your mind?" Daoist Yunxiong asked, the corners of his eyes slightly raised as he looked at Qi Xiu.
"You’ve said before, Master, that we cultivators cultivate the Dao and cultivate the heart. Though I seek tranquility and relish simplicity, I also know some things cannot be forgotten simply by closing one’s eyes and chanting scriptures. Even if I avoid it today, the knot in my heart will only grow larger. Your disciple cultivates the Dao, seeking only a clear conscience. Now that I am aware of these matters, I cannot simply cast them aside. Since these Demonic Evil Cultivators will not let this disciple cultivate in peace, then this disciple shall slaughter them until there is a mountain of corpses and a Blood Sea, leaving none alive!"
When Qi Xiu spoke these words, his expression was calm, showing no trace of ferocity, yet each word seemed to conjure visions of a surging Blood Sea and millions of corpses.
"You all... *Sigh*. Well, in that case, I’ll go too! It’s just fighting, isn’t it? I’ll learn as I go!" Seeing that all his martial brothers were resolved to descend the mountain to slay Demons and eliminate evil, Ge Ping took a deep breath and abruptly stood up.
Don’t push an honest man too far! This Ge is also a cultivator of Thunder Magic, after all!