Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 363 God’s Will
Demon Ruins, Western Border.

Looking into the distance, beneath the sky of this realm, there is an enormous golden epiphyllum.

One by one, countless large and thick golden petals bloom here.

The monks walked among these petals as if they were in a deep mountain forest.

Each enormous golden petal resembles a uniquely shaped mountain peak, with numerous caves on it.

If it were the many cultivators of the mortal realm who came here for the first time, they probably wouldn't think that such a beautiful and magnificent scene was in the Demon Ruins.

On the contrary, one might feel that this place is the legendary Buddhist paradise.

The Road to the Underworld, the Great Ephemeral Flower.

A cave dwelling.

The stone door to the quiet room hummed and slowly slid open to the sides, releasing a cold and eerie spiritual pressure like a tidal wave.

It instantly filled the entire cave.

There were two cultivators guarding the entrance, one a Golden Core cultivator and the other a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Both men were wearing Taoist robes from the Underworld. Upon seeing the stone gate wide open, they immediately knelt on one knee, buried their heads deep in the ground, and dared not look directly at it.

A figure slowly stepped out from inside the stone gate.

This man was tall and imposing, with a cold and stern face, and a piercing gaze.

It was Yu Yiming, the Nascent Soul cultivator who had recently gained considerable fame in the Yellow Springs Path.

He secluded himself for eighteen years, and emerged from seclusion a few years ago after successfully condensing his inner energy.

He then spent several more years consolidating his cultivation and refining magical artifacts.

Now, his aura is perfectly natural, harmonious and restrained yet revealing a hint of sharpness, clearly indicating that his cultivation has reached a new level.

"Disciple, respectfully welcome Master out of retreat!"

The two disciples offered their congratulations in unison.

"Hmm." Yu Yiming's gaze swept over the two disciples kneeling on the ground, and he asked, "What about the arrangements for the other lineages?"

One of the disciples quickly reported, "Reporting to Master, everything is proceeding according to plan. The other eight elders are already waiting in the Blood Curse Cave."

"Oh?"

A glint flashed in Yu Yiming's eyes: "All eight of you have arrived? Very good."

Without another word, he blurred into a dark streak of light and vanished from the spot.

All that remained was the lingering, malevolent energy and two disciples still kneeling on the ground.

Southeast of the Demon Ruins lies the Blood Curse Cave.

This cave is filled with countless bones and flesh; if a cultivator with a weak mind were to stay here for even a short while, their mind would collapse.

In the center of the cave, a pitch-black platform floats above the pool of blood.

Around them, eight figures sat or stood, their auras unfathomable; they were all demonic cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage.

The eight people came from different lineages, so they usually stayed in pairs or groups of three, communicating secretly through telepathy.

"If Elder Xu said we'd be setting off today, why hasn't Elder Yu Yiming arrived yet?"

Perhaps growing impatient, one of the demonic cultivators spoke up and asked another cultivator from the Yellow Springs Path.

Just as the man was about to speak, a dark beam of light broke through the barrier at the cave entrance and landed directly on the bone platform.

As the light dissipated, Yu Yiming stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the eight cultivators of the same level present.

"Hahaha, Elder Liu, please calm down. I've arrived, haven't I?"

"Fellow Daoists, you've been waiting for a long time!"

Upon seeing this, everyone stepped forward to offer their congratulations: "Congratulations to Elder Yu on successfully completing your seclusion."

"Hehe, hundreds of years of arduous cultivation have finally yielded results." Yu Yiming showed no humility whatsoever, his eyes filled with ruthlessness.

He was in high spirits, unleashing the powerful aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator without reservation, clashing with the other eight auras within the cave.

"Back then, my master, True Man Xiumu, was at the critical juncture of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage when Chen Linyuan launched a despicable attack, causing my master to fail and die."

"This hatred is irreconcilable. This time, I will personally tear him to pieces and scatter his bones to ashes to appease my master's spirit in heaven!"

Yu Yiming's words were passionate, righteous, and indignant.

However, the remaining eight Nascent Soul cultivators remained silent, their expressions somewhat strange.

Those present are all cultivators who have lived for hundreds of years. Back then, Chen Linyuan, with his Nascent Soul Realm cultivation, turned the Demon Ruins upside down.

It can hardly be described as a "despicable assassination".

Those Nascent Soul cultivators of that generation in the Demon Ruins who were prominent and had the potential to advance to the Divine Transformation stage were all slaughtered by Chen Linyuan, who followed the list and went from house to house several times.

If you trace back one or two generations of the four major lineages, which family hasn't had several masters or grandmasters killed by Chen Linyuan?

However, no one called them out on it.

After all, Yu Yiming certainly couldn't be seeking revenge for Master Kuchiki.

If Chen Linyuan hadn't killed Xiumu, it would have been several hundred years before someone like Yu Yiming could have condensed his Nascent Soul.

He simply wanted to take this opportunity to make a name for himself and boost his own fortune.

Everyone shares the same goal.

However, amidst this somber atmosphere, an untimely voice rang out.

"Torn to pieces?"

The speaker was a Nascent Soul cultivator dressed in a Shura Daoist robe, standing at the edge of the bone platform.

He seemed completely oblivious to the emotions in Yu Yiming's words and the atmosphere of the scene. He simply frowned and repeated very seriously, "However, Elder Xu clearly stated that what you Huangquan Dao want is Chen Linyuan's 'complete corpse'."

“You just said you wanted to tear him to pieces, which seems to conflict with Old Master Xu’s request.”

"Our primary task on this trip is to ensure that Chen Linyuan's remains are delivered to the Underworld intact. This is a condition agreed upon by Elder Xu and the others."

"Elder Yu, I understand your feelings, but we cannot let personal matters interfere with public duty."

Chen Tianze spoke in a flat, unchanging tone, as if he were simply stating facts.

His words created a strange atmosphere in the cave.

Among the others, some chuckled, while others remained expressionless, as if they hadn't heard.

Someone rolled their eyes, clearly used to Chen Tianze's straightforwardness.

The group looked at Yu Yiming with a hint of amusement, wanting to see how he would deal with this "clueless" colleague.

The joint operation of the Demon Ruins was naturally led by the Asura Path.

Chen Tianze was the leader of this operation.

Yu Yiming was inexplicably doused with cold water, and his mood was not very good.

However, he knew that Elder Chen Tianze was such a rigid person who liked to nitpick over words.

Taking a deep breath and suppressing his anger, he said, "Elder Chen is right! I will naturally keep Elder Xu's order in mind!"

"Hehe, I have plenty of ways to make him wish he were dead and let him experience all kinds of cruel tortures in the world."

Chen Tianze nodded: "As long as Elder Xu's order can be fulfilled, Elder Yu, please do as you please with everything else."

One of them, seemingly impatient, changed the subject: "Chen Linyuan is only at the peak of the Golden Core stage, barely clinging to life. The fact that all nine of us came together is truly giving him a huge favor!"

Chen Tianze nodded and said, "Let's not delay, let's set off immediately."

“However,” a withered elder said hoarsely, “should we bring along some juniors at the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment stages?”

Yu Yiming waved his hand dismissively, his face full of disdain: "No need. They're just a bunch of ants. What's the point of bringing them along? They'd only be a burden."

“Once we swiftly and decisively kill Chen Linyuan, some of his disciples will naturally see the situation clearly, kneel down and beg for mercy, and surrender to me.”

"The golden age of the Demon Ruins has arrived. Only those who are pragmatic will survive. The same applies to the other cultivators of Chu: those who adapt will prosper, and those who resist will perish."

His eyes gleamed with ambition, which he made no attempt to conceal: "After killing Chen Linyuan, I will personally oversee the Chu Kingdom and consolidate its foundation."

He looked at the other eight people: "As for you fellow Daoists, the remaining eight countries in the border region will have to rely on you!"

This time, Chen Tianze should be in charge of coordinating the nine Nascent Soul cultivators. Perhaps it's because Yu Yiming is in high spirits now that he's started giving orders.

This made the other veteran Nascent Soul cultivators somewhat uncomfortable.

Upon hearing this, Chen Tianze didn't think much of it; that was exactly what Old Xu meant.

"lets go."

At his command, nine beams of light of different colors shot into the sky.

...Central Region, Taiyi Sect.

Daoyuan Mountain.

"Master, a message has arrived from Junshan..."

Wen Changming came alone, seemingly wanting to report something to Daoist Shanhai.

Before he could finish speaking, Shan Hai waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to continue.

“I have explained the pros and cons to Li Li in detail. He knows exactly what to do.”

Shan Hai glanced at Wen Changming: "He is Chen Linyuan's master, a Nascent Soul cultivator just like you."

It seems that Shan Hai already knew what Wen Changming wanted to say when he came here.

He continued, "If you are uneasy, you may go to the State of Chu in person to see for yourself."

"Whether Junshan wants to send someone to rescue us, what kind of person they send, and what their cultivation level is, is none of our business."

"This……"

Wen Changming was taken aback, then sighed softly, seemingly putting the matter aside.

"Master..."

"how?"

"What exactly is the will of Heaven?"

This is a very simple yet profound question.

Shan Hai's expression suddenly froze, as if something was vaguely in his mind, yet he couldn't quite grasp it.

Ha ha.

He suddenly smiled.

It seems that at some point, I probably asked "that person" the same question...

Shan Hai quickly snapped out of his momentary daze and replied, "The will of Heaven naturally refers to the will of Heaven and Earth."

"Humans have thoughts, demons have intelligence, and the Heavenly Way that shapes all of this naturally has its own will."

"Compared to the immense power of heaven and earth, neither humans nor demons, nor even celestial beings, are worth mentioning."

"The will of Heaven can influence the changes of all things in the world invisibly."

Shan Hai paused for a moment, then continued, "Chen Linyuan's appearance is the will of Heaven."

"The reincarnation of an immortal is not something that happens easily."

"Only those who are favored by Heaven have this opportunity and this qualification."

"However, what Chen Linyuan carries is the last remaining destiny of this world's old world."

"In the end, he was ultimately a relic of the old emperor and could not become the master of the new era."

"It is likely that he realized this in his previous life when he was in the Nascent Soul stage... no, perhaps when he achieved the Golden Core stage."

"..."

Wen Changming lowered his gaze, seemingly also feeling regret for this person who was about to perish along with the old world.

"Changming, I know what you're thinking right now."

Shan Hai glanced at him.

"Do your best and obey destiny."

……

Minzhou, Taibai Mountain in the central region.

They did not return to the cave.

There were two young men dressed in red and white outfits under the flowering tree.

One of them was lying on his back on the ground, with his legs crossed, a blade of grass in his mouth, and a token in his hand.

Another person sat next to him, holding a bag of birdseed and scattering it to the birds flying not far away.

Judging from their appearances, the two look almost identical.

"Brother, when do you think we can change our brand name to 'Xuan'?"

Perhaps his mouth was dry, Zhu Lifang spat out the grass stem and asked lazily, "All I do every day are trivial matters. My bones are practically rusting."

Zhu Pingfang scattered a handful of birdseed toward where several birds had landed: "Really? I saw you having quite a bit of fun during the confidential martial arts competition earlier."

"That's not very entertaining either. It was better back in Daitian Prefecture."

"Alright, the two of us are only at the Foundation Establishment stage, with no power, no influence, and no backing. The fact that we were able to sneak into this Hidden Dragon Secrets and become formal disciples is already a stroke of good fortune accumulated over several lifetimes."

Zhu Pingfang casually patted it: "Yellow characters have their advantages."

Zhu Lifang nodded: "That's true. At least we don't have to be like those old monsters in the inner court, who are always out in the wind and rain. I bet their hair has turned white from worry."

Zhu Pingfang turned his head blankly to look at his twin brother: "How old are you this year?"

"Isn't it the same as yours? Thirty-one."

"You're only thirty-one and you've already lived too long? How dare you talk behind the backs of your seniors who are called 'Heaven' and 'Earth'?"

Zhu Lifang then realized what had happened, shrank his neck, and looked somewhat frightened.

The Tang Dynasty in the Central Region appears prosperous and thriving, but beneath its magnificent exterior lie countless unknown undercurrents.

The Tang court had many institutions and organizations, among which there was one that never showed itself off, yet was kept a closely guarded secret by both the court and the public.

That was the legendary special force established by Emperor Xuan.

Hidden Dragon Secrets.

It did not belong to the Six Ministries, the Grand Council, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, or the Imperial Observatory.

Apart from Emperor Xuan and the Hidden Dragon's own people, no one knew what they did on a regular basis.

The unknown is what makes people most fearful and apprehensive.

The Hidden Dragon Secrets are like a guillotine hanging over the heads of all the officials of the Immortal Dynasty, ready to fall at any moment.

The one who had it cut down was the Xuan Emperor.

And this place, Taibai Mountain in Minzhou, is the hiding place of the Hidden Dragon.

While the two brothers were chatting, they suddenly stopped at the same time, as if they had a feeling.

Qi Qi took out the token that represented her confidential identity.

Yellow number 07.

Yellow character zero eight.

Upon seeing the spiritual energy fluctuation on the waist tag, astonishment appeared in both of their eyes.

Is the master giving orders?

"Understood, Huang Zi 07, Huang Zi 08."

"Set off immediately for the border region of Chu. Once you arrive in Chu, follow this mark to reunite with me."

"Conceal your whereabouts and do not disturb the local area."

"Issue the command, Earth character three nine."

The two exchanged a glance, both noticing the excitement in each other's eyes.

"Di Zi San Jiu" is the code name of their master.

In the Hidden Dragon Secrets, the character "地" (earth) represents the Nascent Soul level.

The two were still at a very low level of cultivation, and their master rarely gave them direct tasks, let alone such secret orders that crossed geographical boundaries.

"The State of Chu..."

Zhu Lifang frowned slightly: "What a remote place."

The secret order did not specify the mission details, but for the disciples of Hidden Dragon's Secret Service, upon receiving the order, they did not need to ponder its deeper meaning; they only needed to carry it out.

Moreover, this task was assigned by his own master.

"Let's go."

The two stopped chatting.

He then stood up from the ground, put on a mask, and left the Cave of No Return.

(End of this chapter)