Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 271 Turning the Tide (Part 2)
Everyone knows that above the Foundation Establishment Realm lies the Golden Core Realm.

The gap between a Golden Core cultivator and a Foundation Establishment cultivator is far greater than the gap between a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Qi Refining cultivator.

The two are worlds apart.

As long as resources are not so scarce, even cultivators with less talent have a chance to build a foundation for their cultivation.

However, the Golden Core realm is entirely different.

Resources, luck, mindset, techniques... all are indispensable.

There are quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators in the entire Chu Kingdom, but there are only about thirty or forty Golden Core cultivators on the surface.

In the world of cultivation, countless cultivators have perished on their quest for the Golden Core.

Some of these cultivators failed to break through to the Golden Core stage and, knowing they had no hope for the future, became disheartened.

Yet he was unwilling to die as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Thus, by using the demon core, a pill shape was formed within the body, creating a "fake pill".

Such cultivators possess some of the techniques of the Golden Core realm, but ultimately these are not achieved through their own power.

Its combat strength is roughly equivalent to 50% of that of a cultivator in the early stage of the Golden Core realm.

Furthermore, both lifespan and cultivation level have come to a complete halt here, unable to continue increasing.

It can be said that once a cultivator reaches the Pseudo-Core Realm, his path to enlightenment has come to an end.

But when it really comes down to it, quite a few cultivators actually make that choice.

After all, in a place like the State of Chu, it is extremely difficult to gather all the precious medicines and obtain the elixir of immortality.

At the Pseudo-Core Formation stage, one is already above ten thousand others.

However, everyone was astonished at that moment.

How could Song Yan, with his early Foundation Establishment stage strength, escape unscathed from a fake Core Formation cultivator?
Several people looked at each other in bewilderment.

Song Yan didn't care what others thought of him.

The so-called "resurrection" technique he used was called "Turning the Tide".

It is a technique for avoiding death and prolonging life that can only be cultivated by those with a sword spirit within the Taixu Sword Chapter.

This secret technique is actually recorded in the Spirit Transformation chapter.

However, Song Yan had not yet fused the water-based spiritual substance into the seed of swordsmanship.

Therefore, he only studied it for a while and did not actually try it.

It wasn't until he obtained the Endless Treasury and the Book of Great Void within the Sword Sect that he was able to cultivate it.

To cultivate this method, one must at least have the Sword Dao Seed refined through the fusion of three supreme spiritual elements: Wood, Fire, and Water.

And only by building upon this foundation can one successfully implement the Dao.

This technique can only be used once in the entire Grand Realm. It can borrow the spirit of the sword to reshape a new body, achieving the effect of bringing the dead back to life.

However, this process may be extremely slow.

If the seed of swordsmanship is refined to encompass all five elements, then the speed will be much faster.

Fortunately, Xinshan Sanren did not do anything to his physical body.

The original body was preserved, but it needs a period of rest and recuperation.

Song Yan didn't say much when questioned by Xu Ziqing and others.

"That Hermit Xinshan seemed to have no intention of staying, but when he was caught up, he used a demonic spell to trap me here."

Xu Ziqing nodded: "I see."

It seems highly unlikely that a cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment could face a fake Core Formation cultivator and emerge unscathed.

Song Yan did not mention Yang Wenxuan.

Firstly, Song Yan still couldn't determine the truth of the matter.

He and Yang Wenxuan did indeed have a life-or-death feud, but it was impossible to draw a conclusion based on just a few words from the other party.

He knew he would go find Yang Wenxuan someday, but he didn't want to be used as a pawn by the demonic cultivators.

Secondly, all the cultivators from the Nine Meridians are present. If they were to foolishly reveal Yang Wenxuan's name, the situation would be completely different.

If word gets out that the elders of the Dongyuan Sect colluded with the pseudo-Core Formation cultivators of the Demon Ruins, the Dongyuan Sect will also be implicated.

Song Yan still had some affection for the sect, so there was no need to bring it up at this critical juncture.

Putting aside emotions, if Dongyuan Sect were labeled as colluding with demonic cultivators and became universally condemned by the cultivation world of Chu, it would not benefit him at all.

Finally, and most importantly.

Without sufficient evidence, he does not expect to seek justice through external forces.

Even the sect leader.

Do your own thing. On the surface, try to have as little involvement or grudge as possible with this elder in order to make it easier to take action.

In any case, whether facing Yang Wenxuan or Xinshan Sanren.

If given the chance, the choice is the same regardless of who you choose.

"Now that this matter is settled, come back with me."

"Yes."

With the incident involving Xinshan Sanren, the purge of the Nine Meridians cultivators went from being uneventful to being a close call.

The name Song Yan was mentioned once again by the cultivators in Longtan Mountain.

Putting aside the facts, with the strength of someone in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, being able to face a fake Core Formation cultivator and escape unscathed is remarkable.

When people talk about this, it always gives people a very extraordinary feeling.

Originally, Song Yan was already regarded by many as the top of the younger generation because of that earth-shattering sword strike on the ruins of the Yang family.

Once this news spread, those who love to create gods would be even more eager to elevate him to a divine status.

The title of "Sword Immortal in the Clouds" became increasingly renowned.

However, Song Yan didn't take any of this to heart.

The senior Zhou Ziyin of yesteryear, who was known as the Sword Immortal Who Suppresses Evil despite being at the Golden Core stage, never considered himself one of those people.

As a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, it's best not to call myself a sword immortal.

His current focus is entirely on recuperating his body and rebuilding his physique.

Besides the fact that the secret technique of "Turning the Universe" can only be used once within the entire realm, there is another price to pay: the sword spirit will fall into a deep sleep.

The specific recovery time will depend on the situation.

By nourishing his natal flying sword with sword energy every day, he might be able to reawaken it sooner.

To outsiders, the meeting at Longtan Mountain was undoubtedly a failure.

Consequently, many people lamented the plight of this generation of young monks.

They believed that they not only lost the opportunity to shine in the eyes of the world, but also the reward for the final competition.

But Song Yan didn't think so at all.

the reason is simple.

This trip allowed him to rid himself of a major problem that had been haunting him for a long time.

Heart demon.

This thing is so strange; I couldn't even see or touch it before.

He only discovered its existence a few days before the Sword-Testing Tournament.

When I broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, I made ample preparations, but it remained completely silent.

This is not a good thing.

Subtle, gradual influences are the hardest to guard against.

After all, no one can take the Wuxiang Pill and apply the Jingyue Talisman all the time.

However, as he learned more and more about his inner demons, a somewhat dangerous idea began to sprout in Song Yan's mind at some point.

To perish together with one's inner demons.

To be honest, this idea probably came about after he read some ancient book.

Most cultivators' inner demons arise from their own hearts. Even if a cultivator truly possesses the method of reincarnation and nirvana, no matter how many times they die, if their inner knots remain unresolved, inner demons will always arise.

However, it is practically impossible for inner demons to arise at the Qi Refining stage.

Therefore, Song Yan concluded that his inner demons came from the demonic flames that had been scorching for thousands of years on the Unmoored Boat.

In other words, the process of one's inner demons being born is inherently from the outside in.

This matter has both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage, of course, is that he contracted the "inner demon" at such a young age, and the path he took could lead to endless troubles.

And the benefits...

If you die, your inner demons will only have two choices: escape or wait for them to dissipate.

This is the simplest and most direct method to completely eradicate inner demons!
Therefore, Song Yan thought of the sword technique mentioned in the Spirit Transformation chapter, which could use the sword spirit to bring the dead back to life, "Turning the Universe".

Looking back now, he feels a sense of lingering fear.

But I have no regrets.

The path of cultivation is inherently defying the heavens; this applies not only to sword cultivators but to all cultivators.

Being subservient and lacking in courage, seeking only stability in everything, makes it impossible for them to have any real path to success.

Fortunately, he has now succeeded.

The inner demons have vanished, I don't know where they've gone.

It doesn't matter. If the demon cannot seize the original body, it will only be a lingering existence no matter who it resides in.

With his inner demons removed, Song Yan's only heartache also vanished without a trace.

At this moment, my thoughts are clear and my mind is open.

Having just escaped death, he felt his natal flying sword subtly moving, and his Void Observation Sword Eyes also showed signs of breakthrough.

Destroy and then rebuild, live towards death.

His swordsmanship has improved in all aspects, and he has gained a great deal.

However, now is not the time for seclusion and cultivation.

The complete annihilation of the Hu family meant that all the troubles at Longtan Mountain had come to an end.

The cultivators from all over Chu Kingdom who had come from the Nine Meridians began their journey home.

Because of the invasion by demonic cultivators, the other disciples of Dongyuan Sect did not have time to wait for him. They said goodbye and returned to the sect first.

Because Song Yan needed to recuperate, he stayed here for three days before setting off.

When I first came to Longtan Mountain, I was in a hurry because my cultivation had been delayed.

I had planned to take my time on the return journey, enjoying the scenery of the Chu Kingdom and perhaps even visiting Shiliang Town to check on things.

No one expected that the gathering at Longtan Mountain would turn into this scene.

Song Yan then lost all interest in sightseeing.

When they encounter markets or settlements of independent cultivators, they will descend in a streak of light, wander around, and buy some unique local cultivation resources.

The main purpose was to find out if there was any news about the ancient sword.

After about three to five days on the journey, Song Yan returned to Dongyuan Sect.

The sword light fell outside the entrance platform.

The two guards at the entrance to the mountain gate seemed to be checking the disciples who were allowed to pass through much more strictly than before.

With a little thought, it becomes clear.

With the invasion of demonic cultivators, the situation in the cultivation world is turbulent, and it is normal to strengthen vigilance.

He showed the token to the two guard disciples.

"Senior Brother Song Yan..."

The two guards exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with a complex expression.

"please."

Song Yan naturally noticed this little movement, but he just assumed that his two disciples had recognized him and didn't take it to heart.

"Good work."

After entering the entrance platform, they flew towards Taiping Peak.

The disciples' trip to the Dragon Pool Mountain gathering is itself a sect mission.

Previously, due to recuperation, he had not returned with Xu Ziqing and the others, so now he needed to go to Taiping Peak to report that he had returned to the sect.

The number of disciples coming and going from the mission hall on Taiping Peak is much less than before.

Many disciples received orders from the sect to go to the north to guard against the demonic cultivators.

Disciples on the main peaks were forbidden from flying. Song Yan descended with his sword light halfway up the mountain and slowly walked towards the mission hall.

Every now and then you could see groups of three or five cultivators traveling together, chatting about the situation on the front lines of the demonic path.

Currently, nearly 10,000 disciples from the six major sects have been assigned to the front lines.

Disciples at both the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages are present.

Song Yan pondered that perhaps once he recovered to his peak condition, he would be sent to the front lines without having to report to the sect.

Upon arriving at the mission hall, I randomly found a steward to report to.

This steward also appears to be an elder at the Foundation Establishment stage, who has been placed in this leisurely position by the sect to enjoy his retirement.

Upon seeing the person, he immediately recognized Song Yan.

"Song Yan?" the elder exclaimed, "You're finally back!"

"Ok?"

Song Yan was taken aback, thinking to himself that he had only been delayed for three to five days, and that was because he was injured, so it shouldn't be too late.

"Senior brother, has something happened?"

The elder laughed and said, "We'd like to ask you the same thing: what exactly happened at Dragon Pool Mountain? Why did your life lamp go out?"

"what……"

Song Yan then remembered that there was such a thing.

Previously, I had considered all aspects in order to eliminate my inner demons.

But they were all focused on how to ensure their own survival, and had no idea that their life lamp in the sect would go out.

"Dragon Pool Mountain is plagued by demonic cultivators, and you are one of the most prominent among the younger generation."

“When your life force went out, things really went into chaos those two days.”

"I heard that your master, Elder Qin Xijun, caused a scene at the Elders' Council and beat up Elder Yang Wenxuan."

"While hitting you, he kept saying that he was the one who killed you."

"..."

Song Yan was taken aback.

In fact, he had always felt that even if a nobody like him died in a fight on the path of cultivation, no one would care.

I never imagined that my life would end like this.

Looking back, I realize that I have more and more relatives, friends, elders, mentors, and people who care about me.

Song Yan was momentarily stunned and quickly asked, "Senior brother, do you know what happened next?"

Without any evidence, based on just a few words, they got into a dispute with the other elders, and even got into a fight.

Such a situation would likely be considered a serious crime within a sect.

"Later, Elder Xu Ziqing and the others returned, but they also found it very strange."

The elder recalled for a moment and said:

"He said you were just chasing after a fleeing rogue cultivator, but you didn't expect him to be a Pseudo-Core Formation cultivator. He didn't intend to attack, so you were only injured."

"This matter even required the sect leader's intervention. Your master, Elder Qin, seems to have been punished by being sent to the forbidden area to reflect on his actions. I don't know the specifics."

Song Yan let out a long sigh of relief.

Facing the wall in self-reflection doesn't sound like a severe punishment.

Thinking of Granny Qin's carefree attitude, how she actually broke ties with Yang Wenxuan and fought directly within the sect for her sake.

A warm feeling rose in my heart, but at the same time, I was also a little worried.

Once all the matters concerning returning to the clan are settled, I need to go and visit her.

I don't know if I'll be able to get into this so-called forbidden area.

"Junior Brother Song, it's done."

"Thank you very much."

Song Yan left the mission hall, walked quickly down the mountain, and used his escape light to fly towards Dragon Head Peak.

(End of this chapter)