Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 260 Beneath the Nuo Mask
"Good, good, good."

"It seems that my junior disciple now considers himself to have achieved success in cultivation and has completely forgotten the cultivation and support of the sect."

Song Yan gently shook his head: "I will naturally not forget the cultivation I received from the sect, but..."

"With the sect leader's protection, fellow disciples live in harmony, and the master provides guidance."

He looked at Yang Wenxuan with a puzzled expression: "What does this have to do with you?"

"you……"

Yang Wenxuan's face was extremely gloomy, turning pale and then flushed.

Before coming here, he never expected that a disciple who had just established his foundation would speak to him like this.

It's almost to the point of a complete breakdown in relations.

Back then, perhaps we should have killed him long ago on the grounds of colluding with the demonic path!
Song Yan, however, did not think much of it.

As one's swordsmanship skills improve, one's thoughts become increasingly pure.

He was not afraid of Yang Wenxuan's revenge, as he had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage and had joined the Demon-Slaying Peak.

Is it disadvantageous to me? Go ask the sect leader for his opinion.

Unfortunately, Yang Wenxuan wouldn't make a move against him at Longtan Mountain, otherwise he really wanted to test his current strength and see if he could compete with a cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Song Yan remembered the grudges from back then very clearly.

Yang Wenxuan's expression shifted several times. Having gained no advantage, he could only snort angrily and leave in a huff.

Whether in the secular world or the cultivation world, there are far too many people like Yang Wenxuan.

Having a minor official position leads to abuse of power for personal gain, making a big deal out of nothing and acting like someone important.

For Song Yan, the path of cultivation, free from the coercion and exploitation of such petty people, is an extremely important part of the "freedom" he seeks.

Of course, in the world of cultivation, such confidence comes from great strength.

In fact, only Foundation Establishment cultivators of some age like Yang Wenxuan, who are in the mid-stages, would hold positions of real power within a sect.

In the early stages of Foundation Establishment, most cultivators are merely deacons or elders, while those in the later stages vary depending on their circumstances.

Those who are younger still have a chance to achieve the Golden Core, so they naturally don't want to be burdened by sect affairs.

Those who are too old have no hope of immortality, and usually take the so-called power of the sect very lightly.

As for cultivators who have reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, they are already on the same level as the peak master.

There's no need to scheme or plot; within the sect, he's second only to the leader.

Yang Wenxuan is probably the least like a cultivator among these elders who are in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

If we don't manage to build a foundation for our path this time, we might have to obediently hand over our spots.

It's even possible that, like before, he might simply take it away under the pretext of monitoring.

Such an event, happening even once, was enough to make Song Yan feel a sense of urgency. After all, no one likes the feeling of having their life and death in someone else's hands.

If this happens repeatedly, it will likely affect one's Dao heart and sword intent.

The path to immortality is said to require clear thinking, but one must also be strong oneself.

Insufficient strength leads to constant obstacles and retreats, which can significantly impact one's moral character for most people.

That kind of mentality of "a gentleman takes revenge even after ten years" is something that very few people can truly achieve.

Moreover, Song Yan had some considerations regarding Yang Wenxuan.

We will leave aside for now what this person did in the past.

If Lin Qing's speculation is correct, and the Qin family is colluding with the demonic cultivators, does that mean that he might also be connected with the demonic cultivators?
In fact, he was the inside man who led to the sect's downfall.

Song Yan thought to herself.

Two days before the official start of the competition, the list of cultivators who officially advanced from the Dongyuan Sect was finally finalized.

Aside from the cultivators who already had a spot, the two spots available were given to Han Yuan and Kong You, respectively.

Song Yan had consulted Han Yuan about this.

On the one hand, Han Yuan believed that his injuries were not serious, and with the healing from several cultivators from Longtan Mountain, he was almost fully recovered.

On the other hand, he himself was unwilling to miss such an opportunity.

Even just having a fight with someone is enough to get his blood pumping.

Shao Sichao remained unwilling, and Song Yan was unable to force him, so the other qualification was ultimately given to Kong You.

……

Yang clan territory.

Yang Yuerong, dressed in a female sacrificial robe, walked slowly along the mountain path.

Tomorrow is both the Yang family's grand sacrificial ceremony and the final event at Longtan Mountain.

It was already late at night, and everyone in the family looked hurried.

Yang Yuerong went against the direction many people were walking and arrived at a secluded place in the clan.

They knocked on the wooden door.

"Aunt Qing?"

"It's me, Yue Rong."

"coming."

The door opened from the inside, revealing an elderly middle-aged woman.

She has an ordinary appearance, but a very gentle temperament.

"Yuerong? The sacrificial ceremony is tomorrow, aren't you resting today? Come in..."

Strictly speaking, she and Yang Yuerong were not closely related by blood.

However, this little girl lost both her parents at a young age, and her family had no time to take care of her. Yang Qing himself was also all alone, so he decided to lend a hand.

Therefore, Yue Rong was practically raised by Yang Qing.

"I couldn't sleep, so I came to talk to you."

"You, how old are you?"

Yang Qing smiled gently, feigning reproach, but feeling warm inside.

"Let me see."

She gently took Yue Rong's hand, turned her around, and looked Yang Yue Rong up and down at her clothes.

"It fits perfectly."

"Ah."

Yang Yuerong smiled and nodded.

However, Yang Qing sensed that she seemed somewhat disappointed.

"Yuerong, what's wrong?"

"..."

Yang Yuerong sat on the edge of the bed, silent.

"You are one of the thirteen representatives of the Yang family at tomorrow's sacrificial ceremony."

Yang Qing gently comforted her, "I heard that this sacrificial ceremony will be held together with the grand event and will be seen by all the cultivators in the Chu Kingdom."

"Why are you unhappy?"

Yang Yuerong forced a smile, pretending to be relaxed: "I'll be wearing a mask anyway, so I won't be showing my face."

The thirteen representatives tomorrow will all wear masks.

Twelve of them are masks used in ordinary sacrificial rites.

Only one person wore the Nuo mask passed down through generations of the Yang family.

The young man who was qualified to wear the mask of the Nuo God was the genius who emerged in this generation of the Yang family.

The young master of the Yang family, Yang Kaijun.

It can be said that it was precisely because the Yang family was willing to devote everything to cultivating this person that someone as mediocre as himself was summoned back to the family from outside.

At first, Yang Yuerong also harbored resentment towards this person, but after returning to her family, she had some contact with him.

I just felt that this older brother was approachable and friendly.

Yang Yuerong had no idea who to direct her regrets and resentments at.

Did he do something wrong?
No.

He was exceptionally talented, and by the age of around thirty, he had already established a foundation for his cultivation.

Even among the major sects of the Chu Kingdom, he would be considered above average.

He is the hope of the Yang family.

What did the family do wrong?
It seems not.

For a clan to grow, it is always necessary to sacrifice the lives of some clan members so that another small group can focus on their spiritual practice without distractions.

Perhaps one day in the future, I will be able to lead the Yang family to glory.

The current great families in the Chu Kingdom's cultivation world have all achieved their current status through generations of dedicated efforts.

just.

He was one of those ordinary people sacrificed before the Yang family's glorious day arrived. If he had never left the Yang family, perhaps he wouldn't have so many thoughts.

But I had been to Dongyuan Sect before.

I've known friends like Gu Qingqing and Senior Brother Song Yan.

It seems that everyone can live for themselves.

"Oh, you little rascal."

"That's already great." Yang Qing pinched Yue Rong's cheek.

"Aunt Qing."

"Ok?"

Yang Qing squatted down and looked up to see Yang Yuerong's eyes filled with sadness and loneliness.

"A few days ago, I met my friends and senior brothers from the sect."

"Oh? Tell your auntie about them..."

"I envy them so much."

Yang Yuerong spoke slowly.

"Yue Rong knew that her talent was mediocre, and dared not say anything about pursuing the Great Dao. But she also wanted to travel the world, without restraint."

"The thought of being numb and indifferent within the family, working for others."

"Then perhaps one year, like one's own parents, one dies without a ripple, unknown to anyone, and one feels a knot in one's heart."

Unbeknownst to Yue Rong, two lines of clear tears had already streamed down her face.

She hated it so much.

She could use any kindness shown to her by the entire Yang family to comfort herself, abandon all other thoughts, and dedicate herself to the family until her death.

However, his parents died in a family feud, and the promised compensation has disappeared.

Having no relatives to care for her since childhood, she was raised by Yang Qing, a stranger from her clan.

The Yang family had a good relationship with the Xuan Yuan Sect, but there was no quota for her to join the sect.

Even that opportunity to go to Dongyuan Sect was something she had to fight for herself.

Yang Qing sighed softly, unsure how to comfort her.

The girl buried her face in her knees and burst into tears.

She didn't know how long she had been crying, but then she felt a pair of gentle hands softly encircling her neck.

She slowly raised her head.

But then Yang Qing took off the necklace she was wearing and put it around his own neck.

"Yuerong, do you know why I'm still single at this age?"

"..."

Yang Yuerong's tear-streaked face shook gently.

"Haha, of course it's because when I was young, I was just like you."

"But at that time, Aunt Qing still had some attachment to her family, so she went crazy for half her life and then came back."

“However, you are different, Yue Rong.”

"The Yang family has little to do with you."

"If you've really made up your mind, Aunt Qing will go and talk to the elders and ask them to let you leave."

"Really?"

“Of course it’s true.” Yang Qing smiled. “Don’t let your Aunt Qing’s current down-and-out appearance fool you. Back then, quite a few people in the clan owed me favors.”

She gently stroked the pendant on Yang Yuerong's chest, her eyes filled with reminiscence: "This is my talisman, I've carried it with me for many years, and I'm giving it to you."

"Whether you leave the Yang family or go anywhere, I hope it can help you turn bad luck into good."

Yang Yuerong stared blankly at the pendant.

"Thank you, Aunt Qing."

……

The next morning.

Outside the carefree dwelling, a commotion arose.

"Om-"

Song Yan lifted the restrictions and stepped out of the cave.

Outside the Wuyou Pavilion, all the younger generation of disciples from the Dongyuan Sect had already gathered at the entrance.

Even Gu Qingqing and Li Qingfeng, who were accompanying the ceremony, were among them.

Li Yi laughed heartily: "You're the only one missing."

"Let's go."

"it is good."

Surrounded by the crowd, Song Yan and Li Yi walked at the front.

At this moment, almost all the cultivators in the entire Wangling Immortal Valley are heading in the same direction.

After a month of preparation, exchanges among cultivators from various lineages, and the previous preliminary selection process.

The highly anticipated Dragon Pool Mountain Gathering, which had garnered immense attention from the cultivation world of Chu, finally commenced its final competition on this day.

The location is situated in the heart of Longtan Mountain, at the highest point of Wanglingxian Valley.

Longtan Waterfall.

This place is also a marvel of nature in the Chu Kingdom.

Following the path between the Qishan Mountain Range and Luohan Cave, where the two previous disciple selections took place, and heading deeper into the mountains, one can reach the convergence point of the spiritual core of Longtan Mountain's earth veins.

Actually, the mountaintop here wasn't always like this.

Legend has it that long ago, two Golden Elixir True Lords fought a fierce battle here.

The power of a Golden Core cultivator is earth-shattering and awe-inspiring.

The two clashed, causing the mountain range to collapse and shatter, which gradually formed the current topography of the Longtan Mountain Range.

The only surviving highest peak, Longtan Mountain, also had its summit sunk, leaving behind a huge sinkhole.

As time went by, and from some unknown point in time, a continuous stream of abundant spiritual spring water began to gush forth from the bottom of this sinkhole.

The spring water gurgled and flowed, gathering and filling the water, forming a vast and misty Heavenly Pool on this high mountain.

This is "Dragon Pool".

On the southern edge of Longtan, a huge waterfall cascades down.

The mountains beneath the impact of the waterfall were carved into a vast, flat area many years ago.

The Yang family of Longtan Mountain built a magnificent building here, which is the Great Enclosure Building for worshipping gods.

The large enclosed building is in the shape of a huge ring, embracing part of the water area and flat land below Longtan Waterfall.

Normally, it is the place where the Yang family holds clan ancestral rites.

The Dragon Pool Mountain Gathering will serve as the final venue for the grand competition, accommodating all cultivators to observe the ceremony.

This year's competition happened to coincide with the timing of the Yang Clan's sacrificial ceremony.

After discussion, the leaders of the Nine Veins and the leaders of the Yang and Hu families decided to merge the two major events, making the opening ceremony of this year's Longtan Mountain Gathering unique.

All the cultivators from the nine branches of the Chu Kingdom who came to attend the meeting and witness the ceremony were invited to jointly observe the Yang family's sacrificial ceremony.

As the sun rises, rays of light spread across the sky.

Longtan Waterfall is shrouded in a thin mist.

The area inside the large enclosed building where the gods worship were worshipped was already packed with people.

The participants among the cultivators sat at the forefront of their respective lineages.

Besides the cultivators who were officially qualified to attend the ceremony, there were also many cultivators from all over the Chu Kingdom who came because of its reputation. They surrounded the rocks, cliffs, and temporary viewing platforms around the Dragon Pool.

Densely packed, with deafening noise.

At the easternmost part of the Great Enclosure Building, there is a platform where the leaders of the Nine Veins observe the ceremony.

Seated in the center was Ye Ding, a Golden Core cultivator from the Lingfu Sect who had come to oversee the area.

At this very moment, in the center of the inner ring of the Great Enclosure Building, a dozen core members of the Yang family, dressed in solemn and elaborate sacrificial robes, slowly formed a battle formation under the guidance of the clan elders and the head of the family.

The grand ceremony to worship the gods is about to begin.

"Senior Brother Song, Yue Rong said she will also participate in this festival."

Gu Qingqing said, "But all these people are wearing masks, so which one is her?"

"I'm not that close to Junior Sister Yue Rong. If you can't tell the difference, how would I know?"

Song Yan's gaze swept over the thirteen people who were standing scattered around.

The masks worn by the other twelve people were not particularly special.

Only the young man in the center wore a uniquely designed, ancient and intricate Nuo mask.

(End of this chapter)