Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 981 Take it all
As dawn broke, the golden sun tore through the leaden clouds of the past few days, casting its golden rays across the frozen northern border of Xuandu.

After raging for several days, the heavy snow finally subsided, leaving the world clear and bright. The snow-covered mountains shimmered like shattered diamonds in the morning sun, and even the biting wind seemed to be tamed by this radiance, becoming gentle and docile.

Deep within the heart of Xuandu, at the gate of the Wuxiang Sword Tomb.

Inside a grand stone hall called "Lifeng Hall," the atmosphere was as heavy as solidified ice.

Three groups of people stood like javelins, clearly divided, occupying three positions in the main hall.

On the left is the Taiyin Si clan, surrounded by the cool, moonlit aura, with Si Xuanshuang and Murong Xi standing at the front.

To the right is the Ancient Pool of Tribulation Thunder, where the aura of wind and thunder is faintly restless, and Elders such as Dong Yi and Lei Heng have solemn expressions.

In the center is the host, Wuxiang Sword Tomb, its sword aura chilling and its intent sharp and intimidating. The leader is none other than the Broken Gold True Lord.

The main hall was spacious, with a considerable number of people, yet you could hear a pin drop.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on the towering altar in the center of the hall.

At the top of the altar, an old man with white eyebrows reaching his shoulders and carrying a huge, ancient sword box on his back was continuously pouring his pure and powerful magic into a jade longevity tablet floating in front of him.

The memorial tablet, made of warm, smooth material, now shimmered with a radiant glow. Inscribed on it in ancient Xuandu seal script was the words: "The Spirit Tablet of the Ancestor of the He Family, Yunlan".

Time passed silently in anxious anticipation, with only the faint humming sound of magic power being injected into the memorial tablet echoing in the empty hall.

"Palace Master Wu!"

Finally, in the group at the Ancient Tribulation Pool, an elder with a withered face could no longer contain himself. His voice, tinged with barely perceptible impatience, abruptly broke the silence: "The Immortal Envoy's token... why has there been no response? Could something have gone wrong?"

This abrupt question relieved the tension among the crowd, and hushed whispers began to rise like a tide.

What allowed these three powerful figures of Xuandu, who had previously been locked in fierce rivalry, to temporarily set aside their past grievances and gather together was naturally the selection of the "Immortal Envoy He," a matter that captivated everyone's attention.

The white-browed old man on the altar was none other than Wu Sanxiong, the hall master of the Lifeng Hall guarding the Wuxiang Sword Tomb.

Upon hearing this, he slowly ceased his practice, without turning around. His voice was calm and even, yet it possessed an undeniable air of authority.

“Cross-border projection is no easy task. Even with this bloodline token as a guide, it still requires the right timing, location, and even the right conditions in the other world. It cannot be forced. All we can do is wait patiently.”

Upon hearing this, everyone subtly curled their lips, a hint of mockery flashing in their eyes.

The so-called "waiting patiently" is nothing more than an attempt to monopolize the opportunity to communicate with the celestial envoy and gain more benefits by taking advantage of their control of the He family's crucial token.

As mentioned before, this "He Xianshi" was indeed descended from the He clan of the Xuandu ancient clan.

The He family's ancestor, He Yunlan, was a man of extraordinary talent who ascended to the celestial realm. To ensure the continuation of his bloodline, he painstakingly crafted this longevity tablet, leaving behind a passage to the ancestral realm.

Unexpectedly, the world has changed. He Yunlan, who had ascended to immortality, had already perished in the Immortal Realm. The He Clan of Xuandu had also declined and withered due to various changes. Now, the entire clan is barely supported by a Daoist True Monarch named He Sheng, and it is no longer as prosperous as it once was.

This "backup plan" left by their ancestors has now benefited He Xianshi.

He used this object to send back a message, ordering He Sheng to inform the three major immortal sects of Xuandu about the selection process.

Knowing that he was outnumbered and powerless to lead such a grand event, He Sheng simply entrusted the tablet, along with the responsibility of presiding over the selection, to his close neighbor, Wuxiang Sword Tomb, who had a close relationship with the He family.

In this way, although the move gave the Sword Tomb of No Form a slight advantage, it also drew some complaints from the Si Clan and the Ancient Pool of Tribulation Lightning. However, since the token was in the other party's hands, they were helpless...

Murong Xi stood tall in the Si clan formation.

As the only outsider not a direct descendant of the three major immortal sects of Xuandu, she remained calm and showed no embarrassment. Instead, her eyes darted around with a hint of scrutiny and curiosity as she looked at the people who were most likely to become her opponents in this selection.

Her gaze first fell on the Broken Gold True Monarch in front of the Formless Sword Tomb Formation.

This man had a cold and hard face with lines as sharp as if carved by a knife and axe. The most striking feature was his hands, with unusually large knuckles and a dark, metallic color, as if they were forged from countless pieces of gold, faintly exuding a sharpness that could cleave through the void.

Murong Xi felt a chill in her heart. She had heard that the Broken Gold True Monarch condensed his own Dao Fruit, "Broken Gold Sword Qi," into his palms. With every move he made, he could shatter gold and cut jade, break laws and vanquish evil. He was the most ferocious and ruthless figure to attack in the Wuxiang Sword Tomb in the past thousand years.

After more than twenty years of seclusion and arduous training, his brilliance must be even greater than before.

If facing them, one must play to one's strengths and avoid one's weaknesses, using the long, drawn-out sword intent of Cloud and Water to engage in a protracted battle, and never directly confront their sharpness.

After a moment's thought, her gaze turned to Dong Yi in front of the Ancient Thunder Pool Formation.

Compared to the unfathomable depths of the Broken Gold, this "acquaintance" actually made her feel a little more at ease.

Dong Yi was still wearing the same purple-patterned lightning robe, and the winding lightning marks on his brow bone seemed even deeper. His aura was also more serene and restrained than before, indicating that his cultivation had improved again. However, they were still very familiar with each other's cultivation methods.

While Murong Xi was judging others, she herself became the focus of attention.

Within the Formless Sword Tomb array, some people whispered among themselves:

"Such a precious opportunity, how could the Taiyin Si clan be willing to let an outsider take it? What is Si Xuanshuang thinking?"

"It's not surprising. The Biluo Chaosheng Pavilion and the Taiyin Si Clan have been on good terms for generations, supporting each other. It may seem like they're just giving Murong Xi a spot, but who knows if it's not a deeper exchange of interests between the two factions? The Si Clan's move is not without its hidden agenda!"

"Senior Brother Suijin should be careful. Murong Xi is known as the 'Sword Master of Yunming,' and her Dao Fruit, the 'Life-Giving Cloud and Water Sword,' is no ordinary weapon. Her swordsmanship is profound. If you encounter her during the trial, do not underestimate her."

The Broken Gold True Lord remained expressionless, merely nodding slightly upon hearing this, coldly uttering two words: "I understand." His gaze, however, swept over Murong Xi with a sharp, probing intent.

Time slipped away quietly in the anxious wait.

Wu Sanxiong ignored the whispers inside the hall and focused all his attention on the longevity tablet, continuously channeling his magical power into it like a gentle stream.

After an unknown amount of time, just as the tension in everyone's hearts was about to snap—

hum!
The silent longevity tablet suddenly burst forth with dazzling spiritual light, causing the entire Lifeng Hall to tremble violently. In the void, it seemed as if billions of muffled thunderclaps exploded simultaneously, the rumbling sound instantly filling the heavens and earth, shaking people's souls.

Immediately afterwards, an indescribable, vast power descended from the darkness.

The space inside the main hall rippled violently like water, and the purest spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered and spun wildly, forming a visible milky white spiritual mist vortex. At the center of the vortex, the void twisted and tore apart inch by inch, revealing the deep, boundless, star-studded dark background behind it.

An aura, distinct from this realm, more ethereal and purer, carrying a faint sense of oppression, spread like a tide.

Crack! A crisp yet chilling sound of shattering rang out.

Everyone stared intently and saw that the jade longevity tablet on the altar, which carried the legacy of the He family ancestors and connected the two realms, had cracked open with a deep fissure. Its spiritual light quickly dimmed, and it eventually broke in two, falling to the dust, no longer possessing any of its divine power.

Simultaneously, the void barrier at the center of the vortex, which had been forcibly torn apart, also groaned under the strain.

The next moment, a figure stepped out from the other side of the dark and deep crack!
The steps appeared relaxed and unhurried, yet they contained a terrifying Daoist charm that could shrink the earth to an inch and traverse the boundless void.

With each step, the figure became clearer; with another step, it transformed from illusion into solidity, completely descending upon the main hall of this realm.

The radiance was subdued, and everyone's attention instantly focused on it.

The newcomer wore an elegant and flawless white robe, spotless as if woven from the clouds of the heavens. His hair was as black as ink, casually draped over his shoulders, loosely tied back with a simple jade hairpin.

His face was exceptionally handsome, his eyebrows and eyes were gentle and refined, and a faint smile played on his lips, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Moreover, there was no imposing pressure emanating from him, but his transcendent and refined temperament, as well as his deep, star-like eyes that seemed to see through all things in the world, all revealed his extraordinary identity and realm.

It exudes an ethereal charm and stands out from the crowd.

"But... what immortal envoy has arrived?" Wu Sanxiong was the first to react. He suppressed the shock in his heart, clasped his hands and bowed, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

The white-robed man's gentle gaze swept across the entire room, his warm smile seemingly able to dispel all the tension and oppression within the hall: "I am indeed you. Fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formality. The title of Immortal Envoy is too distant; just call me by my real name, He Zhiyun."

His voice was clear and peaceful, like a mountain stream flowing, which refreshed the mind and spirit.

Wu Sanxiong was taken aback by the approachable manner of this celestial envoy from the upper realm. He quickly replied, "I am Wu Sanxiong from the Wuxiang Sword Tomb, and I am honored to be the master of the Lifeng Hall."

"So it's Fellow Daoist Wu. Thank you for waiting."

He Zhiyun nodded with a smile, then his gaze swept over everyone in the hall, lingering briefly on those with the most outstanding auras, such as Broken Gold True Lord, Dong Yi, Murong Xi, and Si Xuanshuang, with a hint of approval in his eyes.

Everyone bowed in greeting, their astonishment growing.

The celestial messenger's affability far exceeded their expectations.

"He Sheng, an unworthy descendant of the He family, pays his respects to his late elders!"

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a simple gray robe, whose aura was slightly weaker than that of the True Lord of Inquiry, trembled with excitement. He stepped forward from the crowd, walked to He Zhiyun, and knelt down deeply, his voice choked with emotion.

He Zhiyun looked at the only remaining pillar of the He family in Xuandu, then glanced at the completely shattered and lifeless ancestral tablet on the ground. A complex and unfathomable ripple passed through his deep eyes, as if he were reminiscing or feeling sentimental, which finally turned into a barely audible sigh.

He stepped forward and personally helped He Sheng up, saying gently, "No need for formalities. The rise and fall of a clan is predetermined. It is already remarkable that you have been able to preserve the lineage. Get up."

These comforting words made He Sheng even more excited, and he repeatedly agreed.

After the family reunion scene ended, Wu Sanxiong stepped forward at the right time and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist He, in your previous message you mentioned that you needed our help. Was it for... the trial of the Upper Realm Immortal Sect?"

He Zhiyun straightened his expression and nodded, saying, "That's right. I come from the 'Nine Peaks Immortal Sect,' and this time I'm participating in the sect's 'Myriad Phenomena Corridor' trial to compete for the Great Dao."

"This trial is no small matter. It takes place in a fragment of a broken ancient world where the laws are chaotic and spacetime is distorted. It is extremely dangerous and requires the cooperation of fellow practitioners to penetrate into the core and obtain opportunities."

His gaze swept over the dozen or so elite True Monarchs selected in the hall, and he continued, "Therefore, I need the assistance of my fellow townsmen and heroes to enter the 'Trial Realm' with me, to support each other, overcome difficulties together, and help me reach the end to fulfill the sect's entrustment."

"If we succeed, the opportunities bestowed upon us by the Nine Peaks Immortal Sect, as well as the potential fortune hidden within the fragments of that ancient realm, will be shared with you all."

These words confirmed what had been said before, and everyone felt reassured and nodded in agreement.

“In that case,” Wu Sanxiong looked down at Si Xuanshuang and Dong Yi, as well as his own successor, True Monarch Suijin, and asked, “Fellow Daoist He, now that they are here, should we let them spar and display their skills before you decide on the choice?”

As he spoke, nearly ten True Monarchs, including Sui Jin, Dong Yi, and Murong Xi, subconsciously took a step forward. Their auras subtly collided, and their gazes, filled with fighting spirit or scrutiny, instantly made the atmosphere subtle.

However, to everyone's surprise—

Looking at the imminent battle before him, He Zhiyun suddenly laughed heartily. His smile remained gentle, yet carried a sense of certainty: "A friendly exchange? A contest? Why go to such trouble?"

With a flick of his sleeve, an invisible, gentle power spread out, instantly calming the subtle tension that was rising in the arena.

"I believe in the strength of you fellow Daoists, and I trust the judgment of the three great immortal sects of Xuandu. Since you are willing to lend a helping hand and face danger together, I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

His gaze swept over Sui Jin and the others, his smile sincere: "Everyone, you are all the help I need! I ask for your... full assistance on this trial!"

In an instant, everyone was stunned, their faces filled with astonishment and disbelief.

what?
Isn't it because the spots are precious and require everyone to fight tooth and nail for them? Isn't it only the strongest who can stand out?
How... just like that? You... accepted them all?!
Especially for those like Murong Xi who were prepared to fight with all their might, it felt like they had punched empty air. The huge psychological gap left their expressions blank for a moment.

But then, a surge of joy, like a bright star breaking through the clouds, instantly filled everyone's hearts.

Without the need for bloodshed, an incredible opportunity is firmly in one's grasp. Is there anything more wonderful than this?
Actually, it was their own misunderstanding that led them to this conclusion.

He Zhiyun did not specify the number of slots beforehand. They subconsciously assumed that the opportunities in the upper realm would be too plentiful for the limited resources in Xuandu, which led to this misunderstanding...

After a brief silence, the noise in the Lifeng Hall resumed.

"Thank you for your trust, Immortal Envoy!"

"Fellow Daoist He is so righteous! We will do our utmost, even at the cost of our lives!"

"I vow to help the immortal envoy succeed!"

Various oaths of loyalty rose and fell, and even a cold and hard man like the Broken Gold True Lord had a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Murong Xi's heart was also filled with turmoil. Although she was surprised, it was undoubtedly the best that she could obtain the qualification so smoothly.

He Zhiyun accepted the gratitude and expressions of loyalty from the crowd with a warm smile, responding gently and reassuring them.

For a moment, the hall was filled with joy and laughter, and both host and guest were delighted...

……

(End of this chapter)