Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 375 Feather Sound

Chapter 375 Feather Sound
"Ancestor!?"

Nangong Xuanlang looked surprised.

Other members of the Nangong clan may not know, but these high-ranking members have always been aware of the existence of this Golden Core Ancestor.

It can be said that Zhang Cheng was the source of the Nangong family's confidence to boldly expand both inside and outside the Great Wall.

Once he passes away, the Nangong family will likely be in a state of panic.

"What? You have a way to bring this old man back to life?"

When he was on his deathbed, Zhang Cheng was surprisingly relaxed and even had the energy to joke with him.

"Hahahaha... All you need to do is tell this old man, are you willing?"

Just as Nangong Xuanlang was about to answer, Zhang Cheng raised his hand to stop him.

"Don't rush to answer."

Zhang Cheng looked at him.

“The Nangong family is in dire straits. Fellow Daoist Qin and I cannot protect you for more than a few days. We urgently need a pillar who can step forward right now.”

"If you agree, I will perform the empowerment technique to help you quickly condense your true essence and achieve the Golden Core."

"but……"

He paused for a moment: "After the initiation, your cultivation will never be able to advance any further in this life, and you will only be able to stop at the Golden Core realm."

"You should know that with your talent and comprehension, if you were to go to the Central Region and work hard like I did back then, you would have a good chance of reaching the mid or late stage of the Golden Core realm."

"If one is lucky, one might even be able to touch the threshold of the Nascent Soul Realm."

"However, once you receive the initiation, you will be stuck at the early stage of the Golden Core realm for life."

"Now, are you still willing?"

Initiation.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xijun's heart stirred.

Since stepping down from her position as an elder in the Dongyuan Sect, she has had plenty of free time and often browses through the many books in the collection.

She was also aware of the tradition surrounding this initiation.

In places like the Central Region where the cultivation system is well-developed, any powerful force with a long history and a well-known reputation has a stable means of cultivating Golden Core cultivators.

This is the only way to ensure that there are always experts in each generation, so that the family line doesn't die out.

Otherwise, if the ancestor were to encounter an accident and die, or if there were a generational gap in the lineage, then even without any mortal enemies, he would eventually disappear within a few hundred years.

Among these methods for stably cultivating Golden Core cultivators, the most common and lowest-level method is the initiation method.

It consumes all the cultivation and lifespan of a Golden Core cultivator, and in a very short time, greatly increases the cultivation of another cultivator.

This method is extremely effective, but it is also too violent. It will not only destroy a Golden Core cultivator, but also cause the cultivator's cultivation to stagnate at the early stage of the Golden Core realm, making no further progress.

Moreover, there are many restrictions. If two cultivators who have no blood relation and are completely unrelated receive the empowerment, the effect will be much worse.

This requires the recipient to have a solid foundation in the late stage of Foundation Establishment and to be in good physical condition in order to ensure that they can reach the Golden Core realm after the initiation.

Take Zhang Cheng and Nangong Xuanlang, for example.

Qin Xijun didn't know much about Senior Zhang Cheng. Perhaps he had some Nangong family blood, but he was an outsider and his connection with the Nangong family wouldn't be very deep.

That's why we need a cultivator like Nangong Xuanlang, who has excellent aptitude, a solid foundation, and is relatively young, to ensure that he can enter the Golden Core realm in one fell swoop after the initiation.

Upon hearing this, Nangong Xuanlang remained silent.

He slowly turned his head, looked around, and gazed at the ruins of the Nangong clan's territory.

This land, scarred by blood and fire, is being reborn.

Those faces, some sad, some worried, some joyful, some resolute.

Nangong Xuanlang smiled and said, "Ancestor, if you can achieve the Golden Core stage sooner, you can protect our clan..."

"This is a great fortune for Xuanlang."

He knelt before Zhang Cheng and kowtowed deeply.

……

Dongyuan Sect is located at the foot of Longshou Peak.

In just a few days, many cultivators from the sect have gathered outside the forbidden area.

Elders, deacons, inner and outer disciples—familiar or unfamiliar faces alike were now filled with the same confusion and anxiety.

"Elder Zhang, are you aware of the sect leader's message?"

One of the elders asked, "The Demon Ruins army was defeated several years ago. Our sect's younger generation is all brave and diligent, and their momentum is at its peak. So where does this talk of the sect's downfall come from?"

Many elders surrounded Sun Zhenglun, Zhang Guangyuan, and Luo Xiaming, subtly centering their presence around these three.

"..."

The three looked at each other, then shook their heads.

"Elder Sun, you are the elder guarding the mountain. Have you ever met the sect leader? Has the sect leader given any instructions?"

All eyes turned to Sun Zhenglun, whose expression was equally solemn.

Sun Zhenglun frowned: "Since the day the sect leader closed the restriction, I have been unable to step into it again. The sect leader's mind is made up."

"However, the sect leader's cultivation is extraordinary, and he has foresight. This move must have a deeper meaning. It is probably not just a threat or empty words, but we cannot fathom it."

These words caused an even greater commotion among the crowd.

"Could it be that the demonic cultivators have returned with a vengeance, and even the sect leader..."

He didn't say the words "it's beyond saving."

Among the crowd, many were unwilling to accept this, especially some young and ambitious disciples who had a deep affection for the Dongyuan Sect.

"I entered the sect when I was ten years old, and now more than twenty years have passed. The sect has been disbanded, so how can we find a home?"

"So what if it's a Demonic Ruins? If they want war, then we'll fight! We'll die within our sect!"

"A foundation built over hundreds of years, the hard work of countless predecessors, how can it be scattered so easily?"

"Please, Sect Master, rescind your order!"

The sound grew louder and louder, but the restrictions surrounding the forbidden area remained silent and unchanged.

Lin Qing was also on the outskirts of the crowd.

However, at this moment his face was somewhat pale, and the surrounding noise and arguments seemed to be blurred through a veil of water.

Only the muffled thud of the heart beating in the chest cavity was deafening.

"How did that happen……"

The same situation occurred in my previous life, before the sect was destroyed.

The sect leader issued an edict to disband the sect, and then demonic clouds filled the sky. The sect leader died, and the sect was destroyed.

Now the exact same situation is repeating itself.

Lin Qing was screaming in despair.

All that he knew in this life was known to the sect leader in advance, and he thought that the many changes and the defeat of the Demon Ruins were the work of the sect leader.

I thought the sect leader had already overcome the greatest calamity, and that the great ship of Dongyuan Sect would not sink again.

Was it all in vain...?

Run away.

It's no use. This situation, this torrent of change over time, is beyond the control of a Foundation Establishment cultivator like myself.

As soon as the sect leader issued his decree, some cultivators naturally left the sect.

He subconsciously touched the golden mark between his eyebrows.

The sect leader might have already forgotten about this matter. Yu Ling also sent it to me. As long as I escape far away, I can use that teleportation array to leave Chu and head to the Central Region.

Once the sect leader dies and his cultivation dissipates, this threat will naturally disappear.

As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn; the destruction of the Dongyuan Sect is already a foregone conclusion.

Let's go! Let's go!
Lin Qing took a few steps back, left the crowd, and disappeared into the foothills.

……

Longshou Mountain Forbidden Area.

Outside the forbidden area, there was a great commotion and people were filled with anxiety, but deep within the forbidden area, it was quiet and serene, just as always.

In the center of the bamboo house, there is a low table and two cups of tea.

Qin Ying was dressed in a simple Taoist robe, spotless.

She has been burning incense and calming her mind here, and has been praying fervently for three whole days.

At this moment, she knelt on a futon in front of Chen Linyuan, holding a jade teacup steadily in her hands, raising it above her eyebrows.

"Master, please have some tea." According to the rules of formal apprenticeship in the cultivation world, the master accepts the tea offered by the disciple, takes a symbolic sip, and the ceremony is considered complete, thus announcing the establishment of the master-disciple relationship.

Opposite the low table, Chen Linyuan was still wearing a faded gray-blue Taoist robe, sitting cross-legged.

He took the teacup, but did not drink it immediately, saying, "Don't rush to drink this tea."

"Why?"

"Besides me, you must worship another person. Come with me."

In fact, when Chen Linyuan said those words, Qin Ying already knew who she was going to worship.

It should be the tombstone beneath the rock wall in the secluded valley.

Qin Ying naturally agreed.

As long as Chen Linyuan is willing to drink this cup of tea, she doesn't care what he does.

Soon, she followed Chen Linyuan to the secluded valley, under the pear tree, in front of the blue stone tablet.

The name of a woman is engraved on this blue stone tablet. Perhaps she was Chen Linyuan's deceased Daoist companion.

Qin Ying had no idea.

She then respectfully kowtowed three times, following the etiquette for paying respects to Chen Linyuan.

"Ah."

After Qin Ying finished her greetings, she looked up and saw that Chen Linyuan was already drinking tea. She was immediately delighted.

However, he didn't just take a small sip and put it down; he took one sip after another.

Although it was slow and leisurely, the cup of tea was finished in no time.

Qin Ying felt a little strange, but this suited her just the way she wanted it.

"This tea was brought from my home. If Master likes it, I will go home and get more."

"Okay, you're interested."

She bowed deeply and respectfully, saying, "Disciple Qin Ying thanks Master! I will diligently cultivate myself and live up to your kindness!"

Chen Linyuan maintained his indifferent expression: "Hmm."

Qin Ying didn't know what the sect leader meant. After waiting for a moment, she said, "In that case, this disciple will not disturb Master's cultivation any longer and will take her leave first."

"it is good."

She lowered her head, maintaining a respectful posture, and slowly turned around.

The poison of the feather sound is colorless and odorless.

According to the cultivators of the Demon Ruins, the origin of Feather Sound Poison can be traced back tens of thousands of years.

At that time, there was a plague immortal named Pei Chuan who failed his tribulation in the Yellow Springs.

This person is an expert in the art of poisoning; this Feather Sound Poison was developed by him when he was at the Nascent Soul stage.

At most, it can affect cultivators in the late Nascent Soul stage; it is colorless, odorless, and extremely difficult to detect.

When first poisoned, there will be no special abnormalities, but once spiritual power is used, one will fall into an illusion, see the things one fears most, and hear the sounds one fears most.

Moreover, those poisoned will lose all their spiritual power in a very short time, leaving them completely vulnerable to attack.

Not only spiritual power, but also sword energy and demonic energy are the same.

Qin Ying's mission was only truly over when Chen Linyuan drank the tea to honor his teacher.

The rest was not her responsibility.

We just need to wait for those demonic cultivators to arrive...

However, just as she was secretly pleased, Chen Linyuan's voice suddenly came from behind her, calling out to her.

"Ah, right."

The sudden question sent a shiver down Qin Ying's spine.

She forced herself to remain calm and asked, "Master, is there anything else you require?"

"Nothing much." Chen Linyuan sat cross-legged in front of the blue stone tombstone, toying with the teacup in his hand, and asked casually.

"I just wanted to ask, my good disciple, when will this poison you gave me take effect?"

Om-!
Qin Ying's mind went blank for a moment, and she was momentarily terrified.

How did he know? Where did he slip up?

She instantly extinguished her chaotic thoughts, leaving only one idea.

escape!
"Disciple...disciple does not understand what Master is saying..."

Qin Ying's voice trembled slightly, and his body staggered backward, his entire body radiating spiritual light as he prepared to transform into a beam of light and escape.

"hehe."

Chen Linyuan chuckled lightly, casually raised his hand, and made a grasping motion.

Qin Ying felt his whole body stiffen, and the spiritual light around him suddenly dissipated.

"Good disciple, this forbidden area is full of restrictions that I have set up. Where do you think you can escape to?"

At this moment, an invisible force enveloped Qin Ying's entire body, causing his limbs, bones, and acupoints to completely freeze.

He couldn't move even a finger and could only stand frozen in place.

A deep sense of fear welled up inside me.

Chen Linyuan remained seated cross-legged without moving an inch, and casually beckoned towards her waist.

Qin Ying's Qiankun bag broke free from its restraints and flew towards his palm.

He scanned the area with his divine sense, ignoring everything else, and took out a small blue jade bottle.

"Good disciple, I haven't looked closely at your women's items."

Chen Linyuan gave a very easy explanation, and then turned his gaze to the bottle in his hand.

He opened it, fanned himself with his hand, and then smelled it.

"It really is colorless and odorless."

"Wasn't it this thing that killed Master Ye Ding of the Spirit Talisman Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Ying's pupils contracted slightly.

Back then, in the Longtan Mountain incident, Master Ye Ding was considered a test subject for this deadly poison.

The incense that Master Ye Ding often used in his cultivation was only slightly laced with poison, and he was killed by the demonic cultivator almost without any resistance.

"Who gave you this poison?"

A faint golden light gleamed in Chen Linyuan's eyes, and Qin Ying felt as if he had been seen through from head to toe.

"I don't know," Qin Ying said. "The person who gave it to me was named Xin Shan. He was just a contact, and he's dead now."

"never heard of that."

Chen Linyuan didn't care much.

He's just a nobody.

Is this all you have?

Chen Linyuan's voice was somewhat teasing: "Did you put too little tea in the cup you gave me earlier?"

"you……"

Before she could respond, to Qin Ying's astonishment, Chen Linyuan actually poured the blue porcelain bottle in his hand into his mouth.

He drank the highly poisonous liquid in the bottle in one gulp.

"You...what are you doing?"