Immortal Soaring Blade

Mysterious Heaven Temple.

At this moment, there were four people sitting inside the main hall. Aside from Jian Wuxian and Elder Waning Moon, there were two middle-aged men.

There was a middle-aged man wearing a yellow robe with a face as smooth as jade. He was Elder Dawn Wind, who had appeared during the training exercise, and he was the person with the highest cultivation in the sect, mid stage of the Mahayana Realm.

The middle-aged man beside him was slightly younger. He looked a bit more scholarly and wore a plain, green shirt. He always had a smile on his face and he was one of the three pillars of the sect as well. Elder Pine Tree.

Each of the four people here had a very prominent identity. They had gathered here and were all talking about something.

The three elders were calm, but Jian Wuxian was a little restless. His eyes were very anxious. “Elder Waning Moon, have you found the whereabouts of Qingniu?”

Elder Waning Moon first nodded and then shook her head. After seeing Jian Wuxian’s doubt, she softly explained, “I found his whereabouts, but I didn’t pursue further. Ceng Qingniu is indeed in the southern Barbarian Forest, but he is in the deepest part, the Hundred Thousand Mountain Range. There are a lot of spirit beasts gathered there, including those at the Mahayana Realm. I wanted to avoid trouble, so I didn’t go in. However, I’m certain that child Qingniu is still alive.”

Although even Elder Waning Moon had gone out, she still couldn’t find his second disciple. Jian Wuxian couldn’t help but feel disappointed. But after hearing that Ceng Qingniu was still alive, he let out a sigh of relief. As long as Ceng Qingniu was still alive, there was hope.

Ceng Qingniu had been missing for many years, and because of Jian Wuxian’s identity, he couldn’t go out to look for him. There was a gap between the generations, and the pillars of the sect had less than 1,000 years of lifespan remaining. If no one could break through to the Mahayana Realm before their lives ended, then the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect would really be in danger.

Ceng Qingniu was the most talented among all the disciples in the past 1,000 years. This was why Jian Wuxian had implored Elder Waning Moon to make this trip. Although she had brought back information, Ceng Qingniu was still not found. However, Elder Waning Moon couldn’t be blamed. The deepest part of Barbarian Mountain was a gathering place for spirit beasts, and there were many strange people there. If Elder Waning Moon went in, she would attract too much attention. Not to mention the holy land the Great Barbarian Sect was there, so she couldn’t make any big moves.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit depressed, Elder Dawn Wind smiled. “No problem. As long as that child is alive, he will certainly come back. There will be more opportunities. What’s more, I still have 1,000 years of lifespan left, not to mention my junior sister and brother have longer lifespans than me. The three of us old fellows can still contribute at least 1,000 years to the sect. During that time, besides you guys, some disciples will certainly grow.”

After he finished speaking, he looked at Elder Waning Moon and Elder Pine Tree and continued, “Also, in the last 100 years, didn’t we get a demonic talent in that little girl Sha Shan? And there is also this Zhao Jiuge. Looking further, we still have Fu Hongling and Wu Tianshan, so there isn’t a complete gap. We have to think more about the positives.”

The elders had guarded the sect for generations. Perhaps one wouldn’t see them normally, but when the sect needed them or when the sect faced a crisis, they would all be willing to step forward and be ready to lay down their lives.

This was the spirit of the holy lands and sects that lasted a long time. If there were no cultivators at the peak holding down the fort, how could a sect carry on its legacy, and how could the disciples cultivate in peace? They could be destroyed in an instant.

Elder Pine Tree laughed and said, “That’s right, I’m also very interested in this Zhao Jiuge. He actually condensed a grade-7 spirit core and triggered a phenomenon. Although his talent isn’t good, his strength isn’t bad. The most important thing is that he was able to catch the attention of our second senior sister.”

The previously depressing atmosphere was swept away by their words. However, Elder Pine Tree still noticed the anxiety in his senior brother’s eyes.

“Some people walk on this road and shine brightly at first, but as time goes on, they fade away. Some people have a humble start but gain a stable foundation, allowing them to go further and further. In the end, they become a dazzling existence. I clearly remember the look of determination in that boy’s eyes when we were picking disciples, and I have not seen it in anyone else in many years. Although I didn’t know how far that stinky brat will go, I know that his future achievements won’t be worse than the average person’s.” Elder Waning Moon spoke with a smile. Although her face was covered by a veil, one could feel her love toward Zhao Jiuge.

Elder Pine Tree was about to say something when Elder Dawn Wind said, “They have arrived.”

In an instant, the Mysterious Heaven Temple quieted down and their gazes moved toward the square outside the main hall. Sure enough, Fu Hongling and Zhao Jiuge landed.

When the two of them arrived inside the main hall, the four of them had stood up and arrived at the entrance. Zhao Jiuge only knew his own teacher and Master Moon; he didn’t know who the other two were.

As a result, he first respectfully said, “Greetings, Teacher.” After seeing Jian Wuxian smile and nod, Zhao Jiuge rushed before Elder Waning Moon.

“Master Moon, where did you go earlier?” When Zhao Jiuge saw Master Moon return, he felt an inexplicable sense of happiness.

Elder Waning Moon dotingly rubbed Zhao Jiuge’s head. “I went out to take care of something and also got some materials to help you to improve your spirit core.”

Although Zhao Jiuge didn’t know the remaining two, Fu Hongling knew them. When she saw all four of them, she was shocked but soon went to greet them. 

Hearing Fu Hongling greet them, Zhao Jiuge learned the identities of the other two. He was equally as shocked and respectfully greeted Elder Dawn Wind and Elder Pine Tree.

Elder Dawn Wind silently smiled, while Elder Pine Tree curiously observed the young man before him.

Jian Wuxian suddenly revealed a smile that wasn’t a smile while he looked at Zhao Jiuge and asked, “I heard that you made a bet with that brat Zhou Hongyong last month.”

Although Zhao Jiuge didn’t know why his teacher had asked this, since there were so many elders here, he nodded honestly.

Unexpectedly, Jian Wuxian just smiled and didn’t ask for more information. Zhao Jiuge felt like this was a bit strange.

“Jiuge, do you know why we asked you to come here?”

Elder Waning Moon asked in a soft voice, her eyes locked on to Zhao Jiuge. Zhao jiuge could clearly feel that Master Moon’s tone was a bit excited.

Zhao Jiuge said with some uncertainty, “From what my senior sister said, it should be to raise the grade of my spirit core?”

Elder Waning Moon slowly said, “Yes, but there are a few other matters. One is the new head disciple after the exchange between the old and the new on the Sword Pavilion Ranking. The other is the competition between the seven holy lands. We have decided to let you go.”

“But it seems like my cultivation is too low.” Zhao Jiuge was surprised. It has to be said that the other holy lands had disciples from this generation that had reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

“No problem, we believe in your potential. This is why you have to work hard to raise the grade of your spirit core. You must deal with all those that are unconvinced during the exchange between the old and the new. I heard about what you said after the fight.” After she finished speaking, a smile appeared on Elder Waning Moon’s face.

This made Zhao Jiuge feel quite embarrassed in front of these elders. However, there was still some doubt in his heart. Why was such a heavy burden placed on him? “Master Moon, I remember Sha Sha being much more talented than me, and her cultivation is a realm higher.”

However, before Zhao Jiuge could finish, Elder Waning Moon interrupted him, “Sha Sha is still a little girl and will stay our hidden ace. You’re a man, so you should accept more responsibility. Aren’t you quite determined? Where did your confidence go?”

Zhao Jiuge’s expression immediately changed and he quickly agreed. He noticed that Master Moon’s tone had changed a bit—she seemed a little angry.

“Jiuge, do you know what grade my spirit core was when I condensed it? It was only grade-3, and I spent a lot of effort to force it to grade-6. As for the phenomenon, it was only a dream. However, I ended up reaching the Mahayana Realm. As long as there is an opportunity, nothing is unachievable. What your Master Moon said is right, and not to mention you have triggered such a shocking phenomenon,” Elder Pine Tree suddenly said with a smile, and his words shocked Zhao Jiuge. After all, the Mahayana Realm was too far away from him.

Elder Waning Moon suddenly asked, “That’s right, Senior Brother, do you know anything about Jiuge’s phenomenon?”

Phenomenons only appeared when one was condensing a spirit core, and no one knew why or what they represented. Most people did not trigger phenomenons, but for those that did, if they didn’t ascend in the end, they would at least become a peak existence. That was why they were all very curious about the phenomenon Zhao Jiuge had triggered.

Elder Dawn Wind pondered for a bit and slowly said, “Gold Lotus Appears, Sanskrit Chant Echoes. This should be related to the Buddhist cultivation method that caused it. The founding ancestor’s phenomenon was the Law Horn Blows, Heavenly Music Sings because he cultivated a daoist cultivation method. There are some differences, but according to my analysis, Jiuge’s phenomenon should be no worse than the founding ancestor’s. After all, the gold lotus and sanskrit chant are very special.”  

The more he spoke, the more his brows furrowed. After pausing for a bit, he continued, “Although very few phenomena appear, we have seen a lot. Everyone’s phenomena are different, but most of them are very common. Zhao Jiuge’s phenomenon is much more powerful. Sha Sha’s phenomenon of Blue Jade Surges, Silver Moon Ascends is also very special. The logic should be that the more special the phenomenon, the greater one’s potential.”

Everyone listened, but they didn’t really understand. After all, everything Elder Dawn Wind had said was only his own speculation. Zhao Jiuge didn’t care much about it, and he didn’t feel conceited. What mattered now was his current strength. His possible future strength was merely an illusion until he obtained it.

Elder Dawn Wind urged everyone, “Let’s go and quickly take Zhao Jiuge to the Thousand Year Chilling Ice Pool. If he can raise the grade of his spirit core, then we can see the phenomenon again. Then I will be able to judge it myself.”