It turned out to be truly dire, and the people of the Five Elements Immortal Sect only realized the gravity of the situation a month later.
The sect war had begun, not only involving the Corpse Ghoul Sect and the Void Heaven Sect, but even the Great Yan Dynasty had intervened.
The truth behind the sect leader's death in seclusion was exposed: these powers feared that the Five Elements Immortal Sect's leader would truly achieve a breakthrough, thereby disrupting the current balance of power.
They had been plotting for a hundred years, bribing the Vice Sect Leader of the Five Elements Immortal Sect and six peak masters among the eighteen main peaks.
Step by step, they closed in and found an opportunity. The sect leader was poisoned by the Vice Sect Leader while in seclusion.
Once the spiritual energy within his body reached a certain level, it would trigger a series of toxins, leading to direct self-destruction.
The world of cultivation was this cruel.
A top-tier sect, a millennium-old foundation, collapsed in an instant.
On that day, under the combined efforts of the traitors and enemies, the Five Elements Immortal Sect's protective array failed to function properly. The three top powers joined forces, vowing to carve up this colossus immediately.
There were no morals or laws, and certainly no mercy.
They would not let anyone go easily, especially geniuses. Throughout history, countless stories of "don't bully the poor young man" had emerged. To massacre a sect meant destroying its loyal geniuses along with it.
Unless they were willing to surrender and become dogs, there was no chance of survival!
The Five Elements Immortal Sect was annihilated.
He Guangxin and his companions had only lived here for four years.
As for Yi Chenzi, the Peak Master of the Sword Riding Peak, he showed no intention of surrendering until the very last moment.
He transformed into a sharp sword, forcefully advancing from the Void Refinement stage to the Spirit Transformation stage.
Carrying the lightning tribulation and his own will, he single-handedly destroyed a Vice Sect Leader of the Corpse Ghoul Sect and thousands of their enemies.
However, he was ultimately outnumbered and perished.
The Five Elements Immortal Sect became history. Besides the resources of the eighteen main peaks being plundered, the sect was controlled by traitors and became a subordinate sect of the Great Yan Dynasty.
With the sect left in ruins, the three major powers departed with satisfaction.
However, for them, the matter was far from over.
"Sect Leader! The teleportation array on Sword Riding Peak has been destroyed, and there are many fragments of spirit stones. That teleportation array has been used!"
The new Sect Leader of the Five Elements Immortal Sect's face darkened, and he said angrily, "That old fellow Yi Chenzi indeed knew how to use the teleportation array! Damn it! He must have teleported away our sect's inheritance and those missing disciples!"
"Then what do we do?"
"What do we do? Useless! Of course, we go find them! Do you want to see these geniuses rise up later and take revenge? Activate the sect's highest-level pursuit order and ensure that everything they carry is recovered!"
"Yes, yes! Your subordinate understands!"
...
In a small town a hundred thousand li away from the Five Elements Immortal Sect.
He Guangxin and his 295 teammates had gathered here.
To avoid attracting attention, they had changed out of their Five Elements Immortal Sect disciple robes, but everyone's expression was grim.
He Guangxin's eyes were red, and he kept stroking the wine gourd hanging at his waist.
This was given to him by Yi Chenzi before he sent them away: "Your Master must abstain from alcohol. This may be the most glorious moment of my life, so it's better to keep a clear head. You are too young to drink, just take this gourd. When you miss your Master in the future, you can have a drink with me..."
The 296 of them were sent away one unknown night.
"Squad Leader, what do we do now?" someone asked cautiously.
He Guangxin took a deep breath, trying his best to remain calm.
"We have become targets of pursuit for the Five Elements Immortal Sect, the Great Yan Dynasty, the Corpse Ghoul Sect, and the Void Heaven Sect. This place is within the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty, so it's not safe. You should disperse and try to leave here. Continue to lie low, and after another sixteen years, we... we can return to Blue Star."
"Squad Leader, what about you?"
He Guangxin faltered, his lips pressed together, and said, "I want to find a way to avenge my Master!"
"Squad Leader, that's not rational!"
"I know it's not rational! That's why I arranged for you all to leave first. I'll act alone. Oh, right, my Master emptied the treasure vault of Sword Riding Peak for me. Take these things yourselves and cultivate, or take the cultivation techniques and secret manuals back to Blue Star..."
Song Fang stepped forward and interrupted He Guangxin, "Squad Leader! Stop joking. What exactly are you going to do?"
He Guangxin gritted his teeth, tears no longer held back, and punched the wall.
"Pathetic! I'm so damn pathetic! Those who died were living people! This isn't a game world; there are no resets. They were just living people, like everyone else in a different world! They die when they are killed!"
"What have I experienced in these four years? I've avoided any emotional interaction with anyone as much as possible, but my Master..." He Guangxin wiped the tears from his eyes and trembled, "He treated me better than my grandfather ever did! Should I remain indifferent to this? I can't, brothers! My heart is heavy, and the core values instilled in me in Xia Country do not allow me to be so cold-blooded!"
Everyone lowered their heads, emotions spreading.
Because Chu Yang's teachings had made them reject their sense of belonging to the sect.
However, people are not plants; how can they be without feelings?
There were always memories that were difficult to let go of.
"Squad Leader, I'll go with you!"
"Me too! Damn it, I'm not afraid of death!"
"I've had enough of those hypocritical big shots!"
"..."
For a moment, everyone expressed their willingness to join He Guangxin in his revenge plan.
But He Guangxin was calmer than them: "Be quiet! I'm not complaining to you to beg for your help; I'm telling you my reasons for doing this! Remember our mission: we are not here to experience life; we are here to improve our strength! Only one-fifth of the time has passed. You still have plenty of time to go to a new place, join a new force, learn, and acquire resources!"
"Squad Leader, then you..."
"I won't go to my death. Just protect yourselves. In the remaining sixteen years, I will definitely... become the nightmare of these dogs!"
A moment later.
He Guangxin, carrying his sword, turned and left.
This turn was a farewell to his weak self of the past.
As the sun set, a sharp sword intent erupted from him.
This sword intent was resolute, unwilling, and also contained a trace of longing...