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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Fifteen: The Ten-Year Pact
Here lies an endless wasteland, appearing even more desolate and sorrowful under the twilight.
Five figures stand upon the barren land, the cold wind blowing through their garments. Yet they remain motionless, like sculptures.
Each of the five stands at a different point, maintaining a certain distance from one another.
One man is dressed in white, his demeanor refined, wearing a White Crown that gives him an extraordinary presence. He holds a simple wooden staff in his right hand, which stands at Eyebrow Height.
Another man is clad in black, towering and robust. His long Black Hair flows down his back, and an aura of unyielding authority radiates from his brow.
The Third Person is similarly dressed in a black robe with a hood that obscures the upper part of his face, lending him an air of mystery and eeriness.
The fourth figure is a monk in a Dao Robe, eyes closed in meditation, existing in a state of tranquility.
"Are you going to fight or not? You've been standing here for three hours without saying a word. Aren't you tired?"
The words come from the fifth person, the only woman among them. Her eyes are like water but carry a hint of coldness, as if she can see through everything. Her slender fingers and skin are as smooth as cream, pale with a touch of pink. Her long black hair cascades down to her waist, dancing lightly in the wind and exuding a faint fragrance. She wears a white Cloud Smoke Robe that gives her an ethereal quality.
Seeing that the four remain unmoved, the Peerless Woman speaks again: "You have each found your successors and arranged for them to meet today. Is this final ten-year pact something you all wish to abandon?"
"It's just three people meeting," replies the tall man with Black Hair.
"My Ghost Sect is regarded as Evil Path; we cannot walk among the world," responds the man in black robes.
"Among the three who appeared, it seems that the one from Divine Ruins is the weakest, not even reaching the first level of Foundation," the woman remarks lightly once more.
In the midst of the conversation, the man in black robes, the tall man, and the Peerless Woman all turned to look at The Man with the Wooden Stick. He cast a calm glance at everyone before saying, "I, Divine Ruins Disciple, am unmatched in this world. If anyone has doubts, just ask my wooden stick."
"Get on with it; it's finally the last time I get to be a witness," the woman said, growing impatient.
"Let's begin," the tall man spoke.
"Start."
The monk, who had been silently meditating, opened his eyes. He removed the Prayer Beads hanging around his neck and chanted a Buddhist mantra. In an instant, his entire body radiated golden light, and a towering Golden Buddha Statue slowly appeared behind him.
The tall man also moved; his black hair danced as his long black robe billowed. Behind him emerged a massive phantom of a Peng, which let out a deafening cry that seemed to tear through the heavens.
The man in black robes slightly curled his lips, and a terrifying Skeletal Pattern manifested behind him. A skull exhaled black mist, completely enveloping the man in black.
"Is it really necessary to make such a fuss over a fight?"
After finishing his words, The Man with the Wooden Stick swung his stick like a flash of lightning directly at the man in black. His movements were so swift that they left behind an afterimage.
This astonishing battle lasted for several days. After those days passed, five figures vanished without a trace, leaving only the desolate and lonely desert behind.
A White Shadow appeared, dressed in a white Dao Robe. His aura was exceptionally sharp, like an unparalleled sword drawn from its sheath.
"Once again, I arrive too late."
He murmured to himself as he quietly surveyed the barren desert, sighing repeatedly. The entire terrain of the desert had sunk considerably; what was once an intact desert had been cleaved in two, revealing an unfathomable chasm in between.
"Dugu Po, your staff technique has improved quite a bit," he said, gazing quietly at the ravine.
On the left side of the wasteland lay a massive deep pit. He looked at it and remarked, "Buddhism emphasizes saving all beings; how can one preach compassion while wantonly destroying the land?"
The right side of the wasteland was marked with countless claw marks. Across the entire expanse, many areas of yellow earth had turned black, devoid of any life.
"Evil Path, truly insignificant."
A hint of coldness appeared on his face as his right hand transformed into a Sword Point. A river, seemingly emerging from nowhere, surged into the wasteland. The water flooded the ravine, filled the deep pit, and concealed the claw marks and blackened soil.
This desolate area transformed into a lake, with the river obscuring everything that had occurred.
"What is Divine Ruins really doing? Instead of eradicating Evil Path completely, they engage in friendly competitions?"
After he finished speaking, he transformed into an unparalleled celestial sword that pierced into the sky and vanished from sight.
Solitary Moon City, located within Southern Land Yang Prefecture's Solitary Mountain. For centuries, many powerful figures had emerged from here, gaining great renown across the Jiuzhou Continent.
The most famous among them was Sword Saint Lin Bai. He practiced Walker Foundation Establishment and Cultivation, reaching a state of clarity and understanding fate. At thirteen years old, Lin Bai became the first in Jiuzhou to grasp Fate. This record remains unbroken to this day.
Solitary Moon City produced an extraordinary talent; people across Jiuzhou believed that Lin Bai's generation of young powerhouses would merely be supporting characters. He was undoubtedly expected to claim first place at the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference. However, a dark horse emerged at the conference, and Lin Bai was defeated by him, taking only second place.
That person had no sect or affiliation and was named Dugu Po. Later, it was heard that Dugu Po entered one of the Four Great Secret Lands known as Divine Ruins.
After claiming first place, Dugu Po vanished from the world, while Lin Bai also secluded himself. Twenty years later, when the demon clan invaded, the Ten Demon Generals possessed overwhelming strength and pushed forward relentlessly. The Demon Army reached Solitary Mountain, prompting Lin Bai to emerge from seclusion and lead all his followers to resist the demonic forces.
The Lonely Mountain Battle marked the rise of Lin Bai. Armed with only a sword, he faced the Ten Demon Generals, defeating five and injuring another five. The demon army suffered significant losses and retreated.
After the Lonely Mountain Battle, Lin Bai, the lord of Solitary Moon City, gradually became recognized as the foremost master of Jiuzhou Swordsmanship, earning the title of Sword Saint.
Lin Yun led everyone to the foot of Solitary Mountain. He pointed towards the mountainside and said, "Everyone, look in the direction I am pointing; that is Solitary Moon City."
As they looked up, the most striking sight was a massive sword standing between the mountains. It was a carved Stone Sword, seamlessly integrated with the mountain itself, appearing as one with it. The enormous Stone Sword reached the same height as the mountain, its tip soaring to the peak of the range, giving it an imposing presence as if it were about to break free from the mountain and ascend into the sky.
The selected disciples gazed at the giant sword in stunned silence.
Elder Lin Yun led everyone into Solitary Moon City and began to settle them in. Once everything was arranged, Elder Lin called everyone together to speak.
"Listen carefully. Your entry into Solitary Moon City today only qualifies you as Outer Disciples. In three months, Solitary Moon City will hold the Inner Sect Disciples Competition. Only true strong individuals can become Inner Sect Disciples."
"For these three months, I will guide your training. During this time, you are to remain within this courtyard and cannot go anywhere else. You are not the only ones who have entered the mountain; other elders are selecting disciples elsewhere."
"Since you all share the Lin surname, you will receive preferential treatment that others do not. Each person I brought here will receive a True Essence Pill. Keep in mind that those chosen by other elders do not have such benefits."
"In the entrance competition after three months, only the top ten will qualify to become Inner Sect Disciples; everyone else will remain Outer Disciples. Inner Sect Disciples are key candidates for cultivation in Solitary Moon City and will focus solely on their training every day. Outer Disciples will primarily serve as attendants; as for your cultivation, that will depend on your own efforts."
"I hope that my Lin Family members do not bring shame upon our clan. We must secure at least half of the ten available spots. Do you all have confidence?"
"Yes."
"That response lacks vigor; this is not the spirit of a Lin Clan member. Do you all have confidence?"
"Yes," the Lin Clan members replied in unison, their voices resonating like thunder.
"Very good."
Elder Lin nodded with satisfaction and said, "Each of you has a bundle beside you, which contains two books. One of them is a manual, and there is also a porcelain vial inside that holds a True Essence Pill. Now, everyone open the True Essence Technique and study it carefully; I will explain it later."
"Understood."
The Lin Clan members eagerly opened their manuals. Finally entering a major sect, they could cultivate authentic techniques and become powerful beings in the world. Just thinking about it filled them with excitement.
Lin Feng opened his manual to find only a few lines of text. After glancing at it, he began to read and felt an odd familiarity.
"Isn't it just the Outer Disciples who can practice this? It's not really an impressive cultivation method."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. He had thought that the Gray Robed Man would provide him with at least an advanced cultivation method, but he didn't expect that even the Outer Disciples of a sect could access it.
After carefully reading through the manual, he discovered that it was incomplete. It merely recorded how to cultivate Vital Energy. In contrast, the book given to him by the Gray Robed Man focused on the fundamentals of Earth Qi and its connection to all things in the world.
"It's still different," Lin Feng finally found some balance, feeling much more at ease.
Three hours later, Lin Yun instructed everyone to put away their manuals. He said, "The cultivation methods you have been practicing are incomplete; therefore, you can only derive True Qi and cannot refine and absorb Earth Qi."
"It would be too regrettable for everyone to abandon their cultivation and start over with a complete method. Thus, our elders have painstakingly authored a technique that can merge your True Qi and Earth Qi into one, ultimately guiding you onto the correct path of cultivation."
"The True Essence Pill not only helps everyone transition successfully but also ensures that your foundation does not suffer too greatly. Now I will explain it to you."
Lin Yun was very patient and explained everything in great detail, while everyone listened attentively. Only by becoming an entry-level disciple could one cultivate the true high-level techniques of Solitary Moon City and leap through the dragon gate to become a true powerhouse.
Hearing Lin Yun's explanation, Lin Feng couldn't help but think, "So it turns out I don't have to waste my cultivation and start over. Why did that Long Robe Local make me waste my efforts?"
On this day, after Lin Yun finished his explanation, everyone began their cultivation the next day. Three days later, some individuals started to expel impurities from their bodies, emitting a foul odor.
When Lin Yun saw these impurities, he not only did not show any disdain but was rather pleased. He said, "The expulsion of impurities indicates that the transformation has been successful. You will be able to cultivate the complete techniques in the future."
Five days later, thanks to the miraculous effects of the True Essence Pill, nearly everyone had completed their transformation. After cleansing themselves, they felt refreshed and extremely comfortable. However, everyone's foundation had dropped.
Most had fallen from the third level to the first level. Only five had dropped from the third level to the second level. Among them, Lin Heng, who had the highest foundation at five levels, had dropped to four levels.
Lin Yuan looked at Lin Heng and nodded in appreciation, saying, "You are doing well; you will surely become an Inner Sect Disciple. But do not let pride take root; remember to practice diligently."
"Yes, Elder," Lin Heng replied respectfully, though there was a hint of arrogance in his demeanor.
Lin Yun turned his gaze toward Lin Miaomiao, whom Lin Xiao had strongly recommended to him. Lin Yun paid considerable attention to her. After checking her foundation, he discovered that Lin Miaomiao's foundation had not dropped at all; she remained at five levels.
"After the transformation, your foundation remains unchanged? In my decades of experience and having guided numerous disciples, not a single one has managed to maintain their foundation without dropping. Your father truly did not recommend you in vain."
Lin Yun couldn't help but laugh heartily. Lin Miaomiao was undoubtedly talented; having discovered such potential himself meant that she might even earn a pill that could elevate her cultivation.
All the disciples present looked at Lin Miaomiao with envy, while Lin Heng's expression toward her was somewhat complicated.
"Is there anyone who has not successfully transformed?" Lin Yun asked loudly, his voice clear and resonant, his mood at its peak.
"There's also me," Lin Feng said.
The only one who had not successfully transformed was Lin Feng, as he had abandoned his cultivation and did not need to undergo the transformation.
Lin Yun glanced at Lin Feng and, knowing his foundation, said, "I remember you; you are from the Lin family in Qingshan Town. I saw that your cultivation had reached the third level, and your perseverance and courage were commendable. Logically speaking, your aptitude shouldn't be poor. Why is your foundation zero after the transformation?"
"It doesn't make sense. With a True Essence Pill, you should at least retain a first-level foundation. Did you not take it?"
Lin Feng awkwardly replied, "Elder, I learned that the cultivation methods of the major sects differ from those of our town. I heard that I needed to start over, so... I abandoned my cultivation."
"What? You... acted too smart for your own good."
Lin Yun snorted angrily and left with a wave of his sleeve. It was clear that Lin Feng had lost all value in his eyes.
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