Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 744 Major Events Across the Land, Returning to the Sect (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
He looked down at his hands. Although his newly grown right arm still had a slight numbness, he could clearly feel the coolness of the rain, the softness of the soil, and even touch the fine sweat on his fingertips caused by excitement.

"They're really... back!"

An indescribable ecstasy erupted in his chest like a volcano, and he couldn't help but roar to the sky, his voice piercing through the rain and echoing through the valley.

Amidst the howling, there was the relief of surviving a catastrophe, the感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep feelings) about the past, and even more so, the excitement for the future.

The chaotic light cluster within his dantian spun violently due to the fluctuations in his emotions, and the lightning and the power of life and death intertwined to form a dazzling halo, causing the rain around him to scatter and splash.

He suddenly gathered his strength and leaped up, rushing upwards on the slippery bluestone.

The trees along the way rushed past, leaving a silver trail of water behind them.

As he swung his right arm, the newly formed muscles, though still feeling a pull, were full of power, and each push brought him one step closer to the summit.

The moment he reached the top of the mountain, he grabbed onto an old pine tree and gasped for breath.

I wasn't tired, I was excited!
I was incredibly excited!
This was almost a life-or-death experience!

Coming back is almost like being reborn.

"Ten years have passed in the human world..."

Standing atop the mountain, overlooking the valley where the great battle once took place, Li Yunjing quickly deduced how many years had passed.

How things have changed!

Ten years is enough for the ocean to turn into mulberry fields, enough for black hair to turn white, and enough for a shocking conspiracy to be worn into a blurred legend by time.

He looked down into the depths of the valley, where a deep ravine he had once cleaved open was now filled with a stream.

He suddenly remembered that Zhang Heng and the others had set up the "Netherworld Soul-Locking Array" by that deep ravine. If he hadn't risked his life to use the "Boundary-Breaking Sword," he would probably have become a lonely soul on the banks of the "River of Oblivion."

"I wonder how the sect is doing..."

He muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously clenching.

Can the Shenxiao Dao Sect maintain its prosperity over the next ten years?
"It's time to go back."

Li Yunjing took one last look at the valley before turning and rushing towards the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

This time, instead of using the Thunder Escape Technique to rush forward, he flew through the sky towards the Shenxiao Temple inside the Hengyue Mountains.

That was an important stronghold of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," and one could learn what had happened in the past ten years from there.

Flying high in the sky, stepping on auspicious clouds, overlooking the earth.

In the villages along the way, wisps of smoke rose from chimneys in the rain and mist, accompanied by the sounds of barking dogs, women calling their children, and children chasing each other with laughter…

These trivial yet vivid sounds, like fine needles, gradually mended his mind, which had been eroded by malevolent energy in the "Nine Netherworlds."

The moment the clouds broke through, the glazed tiles of the Shenxiao Temple shimmered faintly in the rain and mist.

This Taoist temple, built against the mountain, covers an area of ​​100 acres. At this moment, hundreds of disciples are practicing swordsmanship in the training ground, and the crisp sound of the swords cutting through the rain is uniform.

"what is that?"

A sweeping disciple suddenly pointed to the sky, and the broom in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud".

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure in black descending slowly on a pale golden auspicious cloud. The star patterns on the "Starry Night Robe" flowed in the rain, forcing the surrounding rainwater to stay three feet away.

"It's...it's the sect's vice sect leader!"

An inner disciple exclaimed in shock, "But this aura... such powerful lightning force!"

The swordplay on the training ground instantly fell into chaos. The disciples sheathed their swords and all turned their gazes toward that figure.

As Li Yunjing's face became clearly visible through the rain and mist, a middle-aged elder with graying temples suddenly staggered backward, his sword case crashing onto the bluestone slab with a clang.

"Li... Vice Sect Leader Li?"

His voice trembled, as if he had seen a ghost, "Impossible! Ten years have passed, the sect has been saying that you..."

"It's Vice Sect Leader Li!"

Among the younger disciples, one raised his sword and pointed it to the sky, his voice trembling with excitement, "I've seen it in the murals in the sect's forbidden area!"

"Wow..."

These words were like a thunderclap, and the training ground instantly erupted in chaos.

The elder, who was refining medicine in the alchemy room, burst open the door and rushed to the steps with his hair askew.

The young Taoist priest in charge of sweeping squeezed at the back of the crowd, standing on tiptoe to look around, and was jostled about by his senior brothers in front of him.

Even the two senior disciples guarding the gate stood up, leaning on their long swords, their cloudy eyes glistening with tears.

He gazed at the familiar and unfamiliar faces before him. His disciples, who had been mere children when he left, had now grown into tall and handsome young men.

The elders who had once guided him now had more gray hairs at their temples.

"Elder Yu, how have you been?"

He nodded slightly to the middle-aged elder who had lost his composure, his voice hoarse from not having spoken normally for a long time, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Disciple greets Vice Sect Leader Li!"

Yu Huayuan stiffened abruptly, tears mingling with the rain streaming down his face: "You...you really came back!"

At this shout, hundreds of disciples in the training ground knelt down in unison, their shouts shaking the rain and mist: "Greetings, Vice Sect Leader Li!"

"Welcome back to the mountain, Vice Sect Leader Li!"

……

Li Yunjing quickly helped Yu Yuanhua up, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on a young girl clutching a sword, her eyes red-rimmed.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old; she was Yang Wenyue.

"Junior Sister Yang, it's been a long time."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

The girl could no longer hold back and covered her mouth, sobbing, "Senior brother...we all thought you were dead..."

Li Yunjing patted Yang Wenyue on the shoulder and said softly, "I'm sorry to have worried you. I'm back now."

As soon as he finished speaking, a burly middle-aged cultivator squeezed out from the crowd. He was wearing silver armor and had a long sword hanging at his waist. He was none other than Wang Yun, who had entered the sect at the same time as Li Yunjing.

The once quick-witted young cultivator now had a weathered face. Upon seeing Li Yunjing, he suddenly clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice choked with emotion: "Senior Brother Li... no, Vice Sect Leader Li! It's so good that you're back!"

"Wang Yun, it's been a long time."

Li Yunjing smiled and returned the greeting: "Your demeanor is much more composed than it was back then."

Wang Yun scratched his head and chuckled, "It's all thanks to Vice Sect Leader Li. I studied the cultivation techniques you left behind day and night, and I finally managed not to embarrass you."

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Yunjing felt a growing sense of warmth in his heart.

These familiar faces, some with gray hair and some with wrinkles, all carried genuine concern, instantly giving him a sense of belonging.

"Vice Sect Leader Li, several Supreme Elders are already waiting in the Sanqing Hall."

Elder Yu stepped forward and said respectfully, "Over the past ten years, the Supreme Elders have often mentioned you. Upon learning of your return, they specially convened a meeting of the sect's core members."

Li Yunjing nodded: "Thank you for guiding us, Elder Yu."

As they passed through the layers of palaces, the disciples along the way stopped and bowed, their eyes filled with admiration and curiosity.

Upon arriving at the Sanqing Hall, one sees three elderly Taoist priests with white hair and beards standing in front of the hall, waiting. Their aura is unfathomable; they are the Supreme Elders of Shenxiao Temple.

Ling Xiaozhi, who was in the lead, opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning, and swept over Li Yunjing before revealing a gratified smile: "Vice Sect Leader Li, welcome home."

The other elders were all acquaintances, including friends like True Man Liehuo and True Man Lei Ze.

"Yun Jing greets all the Supreme Elders!"

Li Yunjing bowed respectfully, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Good lad, after ten years, your divine body has been tempered to such a level!"

Master Liehuo stepped forward and gently patted his shoulder with his withered hand. The scorching spiritual energy emanating from his palm resonated faintly with the thunderous power within his body: "Your combat strength is far superior to that of us old guys."

Master Lei Ze stroked his white beard that reached his chest, his gaze falling on the man's newly grown right arm, his brows furrowing slightly: "How did you return from the 'Nine Netherworlds'?"

"It was a stroke of luck."

Li Yunjing sat down in his seat and laughed, "That day I was ambushed and thrown into the 'Nine Netherworlds,' which really opened my eyes."

He then recounted his experience in the "Nine Netherworlds".

However, information about "Judge Cui" was omitted.

After all, such a person is truly famous throughout the world.

If this gets out, it will definitely cause a stir.

Furthermore, Li Yunjing did not mention the matter of "Xuanwu, the Prison Suppressor," nor did he mention the matter concerning Emperor Fuxi, which was equally astonishing.

As for the rest, he briefly mentioned it.

He also spoke about the "Netherworld Ghost Sect" in the Nine Netherworld.

This greatly surprised the elders in the hall.

No one expected that the "Netherworld Ghost Sect," which had wiped out the entire clan, still had such power in the "Nine Nether Lands."

After listening to Li Yunjing's account, the Sanqing Hall fell silent for a moment.

The elders exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with shock.

Ling Xiaozi sighed and waved his whisk lightly: "'The Netherworld Ghost Sect' has actually been rooted in the 'Nine Nether Lands' for many years. No wonder it felt too easy when we wiped them out back then."

"This is no small matter."

Master Liehuo slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, his hair and beard bristling. "We must report this to the Supreme Master immediately!"

Li Yunjing frowned slightly: "The Sect Leader, he..."

"The Sect Master is currently in seclusion, attempting to reach a higher realm."

Master Lei Ze explained, "Over the past ten years, my 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect' has appeared prosperous on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents have been surging. After your disappearance, the demonic forces have been stirring, especially..."

“Especially the power of the ‘Palace of Ten Thousand Demons’ has expanded dramatically in the last ten years.”

Master Lei Ze changed the subject, his voice turning somber: "Their new sect leader, Mo Tianxing, is said to have reached the threshold of the Nascent Soul Realm. His 'Devouring Demon Art' is incredibly domineering. Last year, in the battle at 'Falling Immortal Ridge,' he forcibly refined the primordial spirits of three other sect masters."

"The Hall of Ten Thousand Demons?"

Li Yunjing's fingertips twitched slightly. "Haven't they been holed up in the 'Black Miasma Mountains' all along?"

"This time, that time."

Ling Xiaozi happened to come in carrying a freshly brewed cup of spiritual tea. Upon hearing this, he interjected, "Three years ago, Mo Tianxing annexed the 'Blood Shadow Sect' and joined forces with the 'Bone Skull Sect' to control a number of spirit stone mines. Now, righteous cultivators turn pale at the mere mention of his name."

“What’s more troublesome is that the ‘Hall of Ten Thousand Demons’ has close ties with the ‘Netherworld Ghost Sect’.”

Master Liehuo took the teacup, his fingertips creating fine lines on it: "Zhang Heng was able to gain a foothold in Black Wind Ridge thanks to Mo Tianxing's support! I heard they reached a private agreement to share the Southern Heaven Continent."

"Not just the demonic path."

Ling Xiaozi suddenly spoke up: "The 'East Sea Dragon Palace' in the east has also been restless in recent years. The young master of the Dragon Clan, Ao Lie, has led troops to blockade the near sea. Any cultivator who dares to step into the hundred-mile sea area will have their cultivation destroyed at best, and will die on the spot at worst. Last month, even the envoy of 'Penglai Immortal Island' was detained by them."

"Dragon Palace?"

Li Yunjing was taken aback and asked, "Weren't they wiped out by the 'Tianluo Dao Sect'? How come they're back?"

Li Yunjing experienced part of that battle back then.

After the Heavenly Dragon Emperor died, all the cultivation techniques fell into his hands.

He's never had time to cultivate that "Dragon Emperor Scripture"! How come the dragons have come back to life now?
"It's likely that the Dragon Clan had some hidden plans back then."

Master Lei Ze took out a sea chart, which was covered with dense red dots marked with cinnabar. "It is said that dragons are active in the East Sea, the South Sea, and even the West Sea and the North Sea!"

"The good news is that because of the appearance of the East Sea Dragon Palace, the 'Tianluo Dao Sect' has focused its main efforts on its grudges with the Dragon Clan. The war in the East Sea has completely stopped."

Ling Xiaozi added.

"Great!"

Upon hearing this news, Li Yunjing was overjoyed.

It should be noted that the East Sea has always been a thorn in his side. The "Tianluo Dao Sect" is eyeing the East Sea Alliance covetously and is constantly fighting with the "East Sea Alliance," which has greatly restrained the power of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect."

Now, the war is over.

The large army that the "East China Sea Alliance" sent to support can now be mobilized back.

In particular, there are top masters like the Five Elements Master among them.

This is of great benefit to the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" in redistributing its combat power.

Li Yunjing's eyes gleamed as he tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his chair, pondering the current situation.

"The end of the East China Sea conflict is indeed good news."

He slowly began, “But with the collusion between the ‘Ten Thousand Demons Palace’ and the ‘Netherworld Ghost Sect’, coupled with the unusual activities of the ‘East Sea Dragon Palace,’ the cultivation world is likely to soon face a great upheaval.”

"good."

Master Liehuo said in a deep voice, "Especially since the 'Netherworld Ghost Sect' has been resurrected in the 'Nine Nether Lands,' if they join forces with the 'Ten Thousand Demons Palace,' it may unleash a catastrophe that will sweep across the entire cultivation world!"

"Therefore, we must strike first."

Li Yunjing's gaze turned cold. "Since the 'Netherworld Ghost Sect' dares to rebuild its power in 'Black Wind Ridge,' then we'll wipe them out once again!"

“But Black Wind Ridge is extremely dangerous, and ordinary cultivators simply cannot enter it.”

Master Lei Ze frowned and said, "Even for us old folks, if we rashly barge in, we might not be able to escape unscathed."

"It doesn't matter."

Li Yunjing's lips curled into a slight smile. "This time, I will take my revenge and personally wipe them out."

"Are you still going to make a move?"

The fact that Li Yunjing had returned and was about to take action immediately surprised everyone else.

"good."

Li Yunjing nodded, "Revenge for grudges, vengeance for grievances. If the 'Netherworld Ghost Sect' dares to cause trouble, I will make them taste the pain of annihilation once again!"

The elders exchanged glances, all seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Li Yunjing's behavior was bordering on vindictive.

"What about the 'Palace of Ten Thousand Demons'?"

Master Liehuo asked, "Mo Tianxing is ambitious. If left unchecked, he will become a major threat sooner or later."

"Mo Tianxing..."

A cold glint flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes, "If he dares to touch anyone from the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect,' I'll show him what true 'devouring' really means!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the chaotic light cluster within his body trembled slightly, and a terrifying pressure flashed by, causing several Supreme Elders to feel a chill run down their spines.

"Alright! Since you're confident, we'll give you our full support!"

Ling Xiaozi slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "However, this matter needs to be considered carefully. After all, the sect has only just stabilized, and it would be inappropriate to start a war rashly."

"Not urgent."

Li Yunjing smiled slightly, "Let me see how far the sect has developed in the past ten years."

……

The following day, Li Yunjing stood in front of Shenxiao Peak, the main peak of the Shenxiao Dao Sect, overlooking the entire sect.

Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, one after another, celestial mountains float in the air, with mythical birds soaring and cranes calling out.

In the distance, disciples flew back and forth on their swords, creating a scene of prosperity.

"It seems that the sect has developed very well in the past ten years."

He whispered to himself.

Back at "Qiwu Villa," the vermilion gate was ajar. The sycamore tree inside was much thicker than it had been ten years ago, and three faded love knots hung among its lush branches and leaves.

"Clouds... Cloudscape?"

The moment Yu Yunyi saw the figure she had longed for for so many years, she wondered, "Am I dreaming again?"

For the past ten years, she has dreamt of her husband returning home in the middle of the night, and each time she wakes up, she cries until dawn in front of the empty bed.

Normally, she wouldn't be particularly worried if Li Yunjing were in danger.

But Li Yunjing was banished to the "Nine Netherworlds" and could not escape. How could she not be anxious?
Even Qin Jiuxiao, a prominent figure in the sect and Li Yunjing's teacher, was helpless.

She thought it was goodbye forever.

I never expected that my former lover would actually come back.

Looking at that familiar yet somewhat weathered face, she dared not approach, fearing that a single touch would shatter it like the previous times.

"I am back."

Li Yunjing strode over and pulled her into his arms.

The lady's body was stiff as ice, but when she felt the warmth of the new skin on his right arm, she suddenly softened, and the sobs she had suppressed for ten years finally broke out of her throat.

"You're really back...you bastard, I've been waiting for so long!"

The crying alerted the inner room.

Lu Ruoxi, who was cultivating, lifted the curtain and stepped out. When she saw the two people embracing, her delicate body swayed.

"Husband..."

She murmured something as she rushed over, and the three of them embraced tightly.

"They all say you're dead, but I don't believe it..."

Lu Ruoxi's almond-shaped eyes, which used to always be smiling, are now filled with fine red blood vessels. "I embroidered the peace pendant every day, knowing that you would definitely come back!"

Zhao Qi was the last to arrive.

She had just returned from checking the accounts at "Star Moon Trading Company," and her smart, dark-colored dress was still covered in dust.

Upon seeing the scene in the courtyard, the account books in her hands scattered all over the ground, and her usually composed face instantly lost all color, followed by a flushed, burning red.

"It's good to be back."

She stepped forward and gently pressed Li Yunjing's shoulder, her fingertips trembling uncontrollably. "I've been managing the business's accounts for you, but... but without you, even the biggest business feels tasteless."

Before she could finish speaking, tears were already streaming down her sharply defined cheeks.

Under the sycamore tree, four people sat around a stone table.

"You must have suffered a lot."

Yu Yunyi held his right arm and examined it carefully, her fingertips tracing the new skin. Tears welled up in her eyes with heartache: "Does it hurt a lot?"

Lu Ruoxi placed the amulet into his palm: "Wherever you go in the future, you must take it with you."

"Thank you everyone."

Li Yunjing looked at the three ladies in front of him and took their hands together. "From now on, it's my turn to protect you and the Shenxiao Dao Sect."

As dusk fell, the long-unseen lights of "Qiwu Mountain Villa" were lit up.

Yu Yunyi brought a bowl of steaming "spiritual ginseng soup" from the alchemy room, with fine water droplets condensing on the rim of the celadon bowl.

She carefully blew on it before handing it to Li Yunjing: "This is stewed with 300-year-old 'snow ginseng'. Drink it while it's hot to replenish your energy."

Li Yunjing took the soup bowl, and the warmth spread from his fingertips to his heart.

A few bright red "blood lotus seeds" floated in the soup. He had specially picked them for Yu Yunyi at "Soul-Breaking Cliff" years ago, and now she was using them to nourish herself.

“This is made by the most famous pastry shop in ‘Luoxia City’. You always said you couldn’t get enough of it back then.”

Lu Ruoxi picked up a piece of "Yunpian cake" and handed it to Li Yunjing: "I have someone send over a batch every three months, just in case you suddenly come back one day and want to eat it."

Li Yunjing took a bite of the cake, and the sweet taste melted on her tongue.

"good to eat!"

Li Yunjing smiled.

As night deepened, the Qiwu Mountain Villa was brightly lit.

Li Yunjing sat at the stone table in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by his three wives. In the candlelight, their eyes and brows were filled with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

"How have you been these past ten years?"

Li Yunjing asked softly.

Yu Yunyi lowered her eyes and gently stroked the teacup with her fingertips: "In the first two years, the sect would often send people to visit and offer their condolences, but later... gradually no one mentioned it anymore."

“Some people even think that you’re not coming back.”

Zhao Qi snorted coldly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, "Especially the 'Tian Shu Peak' lineage, they've secretly caused a lot of trouble."

Li Yunjing frowned slightly: "What did they do?"

"But we didn't dare to be blatant about it."

Lu Ruoxi sighed, "It's just that our lineage's share of sect resources has been reduced quite a bit, but not too much."

A cold glint flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes: "Heh, it seems I've been away for too long, and some people have forgotten the rules."

"However, we are not easy to bully."

Zhao Qi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of pride. "We have enough power to protect ourselves and safeguard the interests of our lineage."

"very good!"

Li Yunjing nodded, feeling both gratified and heartbroken.

He knew that these three ladies could have lived peacefully under the protection of the sect, but in order to protect his foundation, they fought their way out of the turbulent "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

"Thank you for your hard work."

he whispered.

"As long as you come back, it's all worth it."

Yu Yunyi said softly.

“Now that I’m back, all the other people’s little tricks have completely lost their effect.”

Li Yunjing smiled and said, "I think that after tomorrow, the resources we deserve will come back, or even come back in double the amount."

"Of course, now that my husband is back, who would dare to bully us?"

Lü Ruoxi smiled.

(End of this chapter)