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Located in the south of the continent, Tiandong City should have been a picturesque paradise, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful mountains and rivers. However, at this moment, Xu Qiaoshan saw only a scene filled with yellow sand and the Gobi Desert, devoid of the scenic beauty that was once enveloped by trees.
Tiandong City had experienced more than one battle of immortals in its vicinity. Although the cracks left behind had been smoothed over by the boundless power of Mahayana Practitioners, the vegetation that once thrived had not returned. The spiritual energy of that land had gathered from the sea due to the formations inscribed in Tiandong City, which explained why the water-based spiritual energy was so abundant.
At Smoke Ridge Pass, the steward of Universe Hall was a middle-aged man named Ma Jiaquan. Though he was also at the Infant Stage, Xu Qiaoshan felt he deserved more respect. After all, Ma Jiaquan had lived for over fifty years according to the lifespan of Ying Cultivators, having witnessed five Sky East Tournaments and countless talents choking under his gaze. He was destined to remain in this sea of yellow sand, living his own life.
It had been nearly two days since anyone had crossed into their territory. If no one came soon, Xu Laodi could finally withdraw. The cultivators guarding that road were enough to stop everyone in their tracks. Xu Laodi was indeed the first and only one Ma Jiaquan had seen in five years; it was truly an extraordinary stroke of luck.
Ma Jiaquan spoke some flattering words that sounded pleasant enough, but Xu Qiaoshan didn’t think much of them. There were four small paths leading from Smoke Ridge Pass to Tiandong City, and he had already intercepted sixteen people on three of those paths without encountering a single Divine Cultivator. It should have been his luck, but aside from those three paths with intruders, the nearest path remained completely empty, which made Xu Qiaoshan's expression serious and his heart uneasy.
The three slightly longer paths without Ying Cultivators were one thing, but the fact that not a single intruder had come down the nearest path was likely a sign of bad luck.
What was the name of that town ahead? Do you know who is guarding it?
I heard it's called Old Sand Town. The steward there mentioned someone named Jiang Ping, a Gold Cultivator.
So it’s him.
Feng Bao jumped onto the rooftop and handed a wine jar to Gu Ping. Bu Luo had already drunk all the fine wine from that small shop; they were now using a slightly inferior but more common brew from Yujing in the south as a substitute. This jar was already the twentieth one.
The twentieth jar! I should celebrate my successful guarding even if I only have one audience member.
It sounded easy, but Feng Bao knew that from the moment Gu Ping defeated Xiao Zhang, this previously somewhat famous Gold Cultivator would become a legend known to Easterners—one even more renowned than that person—and would be seen as someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
Was it shocking? For Feng Bao at this moment, it felt more like numbness. Ever since nightfall on the second day, he hadn’t seen Gu Ping draw that grayish long sword again; he knew that those coming after him were no longer worthy of his blade.
Yan Dong's Gu Ping easily dispatched a disciple from a small sect at Gold Mid-stage with just one move of Spiritual Feedback. Though reluctant, Feng Bao understood that the gap between them could only be described as worlds apart.
Oh, it's already twenty! Gu Ping picked up the wine jar and tossed Feng Bao a high-quality cypress branch as thanks for his drink. "If we have another chance to meet."
The voice echoed in Feng Bao's ears, but the person had already vanished into Chang Kong, much like the Azure Hawk that now hovered in the vast sky of the desolate Gobi, trying to evade the influence of the Divine Period cultivators.
News of everything that transpired in Old Sand Town quickly reached Universe Hall through the Communication Jade Tablet, accompanied by the silence of Cheng Zong's Steward and the gasps of other Stewards.
Cheng Zong's Steward had grasped the ins and outs of Old Sand Town's events just an hour after Xiao Zhang returned to Tiandong City. They refrained from sharing this information with Bu Luo out of fear of embarrassment. Following Xiao Zhang's earnest persuasion, they decided to include Gu Ping in Cheng Zong's plans. Some more open-minded elders did not find anything wrong with Xiao Zhang's suggestion and hoped to quickly negotiate the entry conditions with Gu Ping. The favor of a Super Sect was something anyone could aspire to, and in everyone's eyes at Cheng Zong, it seemed like an easily solvable matter. However, Xiao Zhang was far from optimistic about it.
A hundred thousand years is a long time; it can bring about earth-shattering changes across realms. Cultivators have emotions, but heaven is indifferent. A Gold cultivator named Coco cherished the familial bonds in Dust Realm and had taken good care of his juniors. But what about Ying Cultivator? After five years away, would anyone in his family still recognize him? The fierce person he once liked had long since turned to dust, and his old friends were no longer around.
People change, and so do times; this saying couldn't be more fitting. If Ying Cultivator felt this way, how much more so for Tian Zai, who had long forgotten his worries? What about those exalted beings who transcended time and coexisted with the universe?
Xiao Zhang knew that if news from Gu Ping reached certain ears within Cheng Zong, it could cause the entire Sect to crumble in an instant. There was no need for them to seek out brighter paths.
With light already collapsed, would Jie Donglai be their beginning? Had those who prided themselves on being orthodox ever considered that they might face such a day?
In the heavenly realm, sending someone like Dong Fan might connect them with Primordial Sovereign. It was wise to prepare ahead to avoid disaster and perhaps plant a seed for Liu Dong.
Coco's nature clearly sought greater things than before. Among various Major Sects, there were indeed no such examples; for instance, Moon River Sect sought refuge under Amitabha Buddha after separating from their original sect. Although Liu Dong's sect still represented Dust Realm Infinite, Buddhism had always maintained an ambiguous relationship with it. If Jiang Ping were to become Dongyi’s honored one, would they return to that already unstable castle in the air?
Xiao Zhang was filled with unknown doubts. Since joining Cheng Zong nearly half a year ago, this was the first time he felt uncertain about the Sect’s future.
Many issues could be discerned from Xiao Zhang's calm analysis: Jade Void Sect was becoming increasingly arrogant; Cheng Zong was contracting; the academy was neglecting its affairs; Moon River Sect was undergoing a major cleanup externally; Buddhist Sect's influence was waning; and the demon race had been unusually quiet in recent years. It felt like the calm before a storm as thick clouds swirled over Dust Realm. Once Nine Nether Invasion began, another wave of conflict would arise, and Cheng Zong, located in the northern region, would likely bear the brunt.
Not everything needed to be discussed in advance; more often than not, it relied on an unspoken understanding—a tacit agreement on boundaries. Once war broke out, it would likely lead to Cheng Zong being wiped out before the other five Major Sects united against Nine Nether Invasion. Afterward, there might be little left for Cheng Zong; even at Heavenly Gate, not much would be said about it—at most they might select a spokesperson among first-rate Sects. Gradually, their status as an orthodox sect might not last long; if another fire broke out in the heavenly realm, it would be no different from Ru Ming’s light.
When walls fall, everyone pushes; when trees fall, monkeys scatter—an unchanging principle that applies at all times. War was approaching, and Xiao Zhang feared he would be powerless to act.
Had I also been eliminated?
A somewhat familiar voice sounded behind him. Just as Xiao Zhang was about to raise his cup, he turned around to find Hong Yulong, who had been eliminated early on. Che Qiangxuan from Treasure Pavilion had been schemed against by his junior brother Wu Lei. Although Wu Lei had been taken back to Sect for accountability, Che Qiangxuan had lost face and left early as well. Xiao Zhang wondered why Hong Yulong hadn’t left yet; perhaps he wanted to see how things unfolded at Sky East Tournament before making any plans. Xiao Zhang handed him a cup of wine and poured it for him with a nod.
Had I heard of Jiang Ping before?
Just now, Hong Yulong raised his glass, and upon hearing that name, he slowly placed it back on the table with a sigh of resignation.
Ah, he might have encountered the most gifted person ever, like a celestial being falling from Tian Zai to Dong Lai, perhaps even surpassing it. I wouldn't be surprised if someone believed he was an immortal; even the legendary Ye Youluo might pale in comparison.
How does he compare to Gu Ping?
Hong Yulong paused again. He could guess that Jiang Ping was indeed Gu Ping, but Xiao Zhang clearly had no idea. If he exposed Gu Ping's identity now, that guy would probably want to leave early again. Considering the tenuous relationship between his Treasure Pavilion and the Jade Void Sect, Gu Ping might have misplaced his trust. Hong Yulong thought to himself that he found Gu Ping more trustworthy, even though he could never see through those cold, indifferent eyes to understand what he was thinking. However, that didn't hinder their currently decent relationship.
He should be no match for Gu Ping. He remembered that Gu Ping had a secret technique to temporarily enhance his strength, which he did not possess.
What if he handed One Qi Three Purities over to Jiang Ping?
Xiao Zhang must be joking; One Qi Three Purities was a secret transmission of their sect. How could Coco pass it on to outsiders?
Just getting him to join Cheng Zong would suffice.
That wouldn't be too Coco-like.
Hong Yulong felt cold sweat trickling down his back as he silently lamented Xiao Zhang's fanciful thoughts. He had no idea what Xiao Zhang had said to Jiang Ping; he was probably being misled again. A Gu Ping capable of unleashing explosive secret techniques was already unmatched among his peers. If One Qi Three Purities were added into the mix, it would be a matter of one plus one equals one; he had witnessed the great Radiant Cutting Array firsthand, and describing it as world-destroying would not be an exaggeration. Just imagining the three of them together made Hong Yulong feel terrified. He didn't want to continue discussing that topic with Xiao Zhang and hoped that Xiao Zhang hadn't done anything foolish.
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