Chapter 492: Chapter 491: Reinforcements Dispatched
The mountain forest was silent, the only sound being Yang Fei’s voice echoing in the void.
In just a few minutes, Yang Fei finished reciting the over thirteen hundred words of the secret mantra.
After he finished, the area remained silent.
Yang Fei looked towards the cultivators in the Divine Travel Realm and said, "The secret mantra has been announced to all. If you desire immortality, then endeavor to study and practice hard. Can we leave now?"
His voice brought many people back to their senses, but the majority of cultivators were still savoring the secret mantra he had recited, either immersed in it or silently committing it to memory, not daring to forget a single word.
However, several strong cultivators in the Divine Travel Realm, who had the ability not to forget anything they heard, had already memorized the secret mantra. Using their understanding of cultivation, in a short time, they discerned that this was indeed a complete set of cultivation techniques.
"Are you sure the technique you have cultivated is this one?" Ouyang He asked after a moment’s contemplation.
Yang Fei nodded and said, "When I was thirteen, I received the true teachings from my master. The technique I have practiced for the past ten-plus years is this mantra. I can swear to the heavens; if there is a single lie, may I be struck by thunder."
Wang Changchun snorted and said, "Who believes in swearing anymore? Kid, your technique seems complete, but to me, it feels very ordinary and nothing special. You couldn’t possibly be deceiving people with a random cultivation technique, could you?"
"Indeed, I also feel this technique is too simple," Wang Chunyang agreed, nodding.
Some senior cultivators also nodded in agreement, suspecting that Yang Fei was deceiving everyone.
After all, Taoist cultivation techniques were of utmost importance. In their view, how could Yang Fei so readily share something so important with the public?
Yang Fei sighed helplessly.
Such is the human heart.
Eager to receive, yet fearful that what comes too easily is a deception.
"Hehe, I expected that you would have doubts, but everything I have said is true. ’The great way is simple.’ Do you not even understand this principle?" Yang Fei said with a cold laugh.
The people of the Hidden Sect remained silent, not daring to easily believe Yang Fei’s words.
After all, the matter was of great significance. If they let Yang Fei go just like that and it later turned out that the technique was fake, how would they find him?
Earth is so vast, if a person intended to hide, searching for them would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Just as the situation was at a standoff, Yang Fei suddenly sat down cross-legged and said, "Watch closely now."
After speaking, he used the Qi-guided Needle with the Six Harmonies Energy-Introducing Needle Technique to bolster himself, and then began practicing the Taoist cultivation technique.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, the Heaven and Earth Power around him began to move swiftly. Cultivators who had reached the Innate Realm or higher could distinctly feel the Heaven and Earth Power converging around Yang Fei.
And a few strong cultivators in the Divine Travel Realm could clearly sense that the technique Yang Fei was using exactly matched the mantra he had just recited.
The Heaven and Earth Power was continuously drawn into his body and, guided and refined by Yang Fei’s technique, gradually transformed into True Qi.
Yang Fei’s technique was special in its own right; unless he was practicing his technique, weaker cultivators couldn’t even tell if he was a cultivator. But at this moment, he deliberately used the Six Harmonies Energy-Introducing Needle Technique to enhance it, and with the operation of the technique, the effect was astonishing. Even cultivators in the late stages of the Energy Transformation Realm could feel the domineering True Qi surging like a river inside him.
"It is indeed this technique!"
"This technique seems unremarkable at first glance, but who would have thought that upon reaching a certain level, it would have such an extraordinary effect?"
"Have you forgotten? Taoist cultivation is about gradual progress and accumulating depth before breakthrough. Other techniques simply chase an easy start and quick advancement. Only Taoist cultivation seeks a solid foundation and steady progress, step by step."
"Right, I’ve heard that too."
"It looks like this young man did not deceive us."
"Hahaha, from now on, even we weaker sects and aristocratic families may have a chance to achieve the Way."
In an instant, the crowd was excited and overjoyed.
Seeing that the situation was favorable, Yang Fei stood up after collecting his energy and looked at everyone, saying, "Now that it’s settled, may my wife and I leave?"
Those who doubted that Yang Fei could share a Taoist cultivation technique with the public fell silent.
They were indifferent to Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang’s departure, but they were aware that they were not qualified to let them go.
It would require the say-so of the few big shots present.
Yang Fei didn’t expect these people to take his side; he turned his gaze toward powerhouses like Wang Chunyang, Ouyang He, and Helian Zhan.
The few Divine Travel Realm experts, meeting his gaze, did not voice any objections either.
After all the difficulties they threw at him, this young man handled them all, and now he generously made the Taoist cultivation technique public; how the hell were they supposed to give him a hard time again?
To trouble him further would simply be too demeaning.
The several of them exchanged glances, and Helian Zhan, having received a secret transmission from his daughter, couldn’t help but smile bitterly to himself. However, he maintained a calm demeanor and said with a smile, "We of the Hidden Sect keep our word; since we had already agreed to the conditions, we will not go back on them. Now that you have won the duel and made the Taoist cultivation technique known to all, according to our previous agreement, you two may leave."
Seeing that Helian Zhan had spoken, Ouyang He also followed suit, "Indeed, you may leave. But I, as an old man, must warn you both—don’t be so arrogant and unrestrained next time, or you will bear the consequences."
"That’s right, Qin Yanyang, as a senior military officer of Divine Continent Country, conducting yourself in this manner is unbecoming and disregards the overall situation. Considering this is your first offense and due to the exigency of the situation, we will not hold this against you. After you go out, withdraw the military immediately. Otherwise, if the two realms really start a conflict, and calamity arises from within, then you will be a sinner of Divine Continent," Zuo Wenjun scolded loudly.
Facing Zuo Wenjun’s rebuke, Qin Yanyang actually accepted it humbly, gratefully saying, "The senior’s reprimand is just; my actions were indeed rash, and I thank the seniors for their magnanimity in not holding this against me."
After speaking, she walked over to Yang Fei, grabbed his hand, and said, "Let’s go."
Yang Fei nodded his head at her words.
The two of them, hand in hand, walked towards the passageway entrance.
The people from the Hidden Sect stepped aside to create a path, none hindering them.
After leaving the crowd, the pair quickened their pace, and soon they reached the entrance of the passageway, both jumping in and disappearing from everyone’s sight.
With the departure of the two, Wang Chunyang snorted coldly, "Everyone, although letting those two leave today is a minor loss of face for our Hidden Sect, there’s still the most important issue that hasn’t been resolved."
Everyone felt a shock at his words.
Indeed.
For the public, acquiring the Taoist cultivation mnemonic was a cause for joy.
But Wang Chunyang was right; the entire Hidden Sect still faced a huge unresolved danger.
According to Mo Li and Chen Liangzhong, Divine Continent Country’s high-tech weapons could effectively suppress Divine Travel Realm experts; if such weapons were plentiful and Divine Continent Country stationed a special forces team permanently at the passage, wouldn’t that turn the Hidden Sect into a dead end? The people inside would no longer have true freedom and be unable to leave?
Wang Changchun snorted coldly, "Now you think of this, isn’t it a bit late?"
Helian Zhan chuckled, "Gentlemen, Qin Yanyang resorted to such absurd actions only to rescue her man. Now that they have left, she will naturally withdraw the troops. Moreover, if Divine Continent Country really wanted to block us, even if we detained those two, could that change anything at all?"
Everyone nodded their heads at this, finding it reasonable.
Whether a war between the two realms would break out depended not on the life and death of Qin Yanyang and Yang Fei, but on whether the conflicts between the two realms had reached an irreconcilable state.
Mo Li coughed before saying, "Gentlemen, the Hidden Sect and Divine Continent Country have an agreement to not interfere with each other. Our Hidden Sect has long had the rule that unless Divine Continent is in peril, the disciples of the Hidden Sect must not venture out.
Now, the conflicts between the realms are all because our people in the Hidden Sect couldn’t bear obscurity and kept involving themselves in the mortal world, even stirring up trouble, causing mortal nations to feel threatened.
To ease the tension between the realms, I think we can calmly discuss this matter."
"Bullshit, utter bullshit! Throughout history, our Hidden Sect has been covertly protecting the entirety of Divine Continent, always above mortal power. Now they forget their roots and even want to block us; can you tolerate this?" Wang Changchun interrupted sharply, giving no face to Mo Li.
Seeing that Mo Li’s complexion turned red, as if he was about to get angry, Wang Chunyang intervened to smooth things over, "What Master Wang says also has its logic. Mo Li, you should know why people from our Hidden Sect have been frequently venturing out lately, right? The spiritual power here is vanishing. If we don’t plan ahead, we might actually have to face the legendary millennium catastrophe."
Hearing the words "millennium catastrophe," everyone’s heart sank.
Meanwhile, outside, in Divine Continent Country.
As soon as Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang emerged, Qin Yanyang shouted, "It’s me."
The anxious Mo Yinpeng and members of the Military Department, hearing this voice, were all overjoyed, each breathing a sigh of relief.
Yet Qin Yanyang’s expression was grave; without any hesitation, she said, "Don’t relax; stay alert, strengthen the guard. Yinpeng, connect me to the Imperial City hotline."