Chapter 128: Gathering Materials for Artifact Refining (Part 5)

"There is nothing strange about that; that great fish has simply lived long enough," Master Sheng said with a tone of disdain. "How old is Xujing? By the time he reaches that age, he will at least be a Golden Immortal."

"Some species are naturally long-lived, but longevity does not equate to power. It is more likely they have found loopholes in the laws of nature. That great fish must have lived for at least two eons, grinding away from a mindless, low-level creature into an ancestor of the East Sea. It is truly rare for one to survive for so long."

"However, the vast world contains everything. In the future, if you encounter such ancient relics, stay far away. As the saying goes, 'those who live long without dying are thieves.' These creatures all have their own hidden trump cards. Even after I ascended to the rank of Sage, I never dared to provoke them lightly. Who knows which old monster has the capability to trap even a Sage?"

Wang Li was startled. "In that case, even becoming a Sage is not safe!"

"Heh, if becoming a Sage meant everything would be worry-free, would I have ended up like this?" Master Sheng gave a wistful smile. "A Sage is merely a fruit position; it is far from the end of the Dao."

"I once thought that by hiding away until I reached Sagehood, I could make up for the regrets in my life—at least, it would allow me to return home safely."

"But the moment I became a Sage, a voice from the void told me that what is missed is missed. Even if a Sage severs their past and present, erases their history and future, and constructs themselves to be completely flawless, they cannot change anything. One can only drift with the tide."

Wang Li pondered for a moment and asked, "I have always had a question. Could you help me resolve it?"

"Oh? You have found the answers to most of your own questions; the only things you cannot reconcile are those concerning the reaches of the Dao." Master Sheng shook his head. "I cannot answer the question you wish to ask, for I perished before reaching the end of the Dao. To catch a glimpse of the scenery at that end, one would have to start all over again."

At this point, Master Sheng changed the subject. "However, I have high hopes for you. You are a native lifeform of this vast world, naturally attuned to its Dao. Perhaps you might behold the ultimate secret before I do."

"Me? Stop joking. I know my own worth." Wang Li replied, "I am just a—damn... who is there!"

Halfway through his sentence, he felt his head grow heavy, and then his vision went black. He knew nothing more.

The spatial channel, having lost control, instantly collapsed, and the chaotic void easily swallowed Wang Li.

The last words Wang Li heard came from Master Sheng: "What is meant to come will come. You old schemer, you are courting death!"

***

Pure Yang Temple.

As the morning sun rose, five figures appeared before the mountain gate of Pure Yang Temple.

Zhou Qian, who was guarding the gate, saw them and hurriedly opened the grand formation to welcome them.

"Zhou Qian pays respects to Junior Uncle Yunjing and Senior Sister Jiang Yue."

Now that Yunjing’s identity had been made public, Zhou Qian dared not call her Senior Sister anymore.

"And these three are..."

After greeting the two, Zhou Qian looked curiously at the other three.

Yunjing said, "Zhou Qian, these three are the prized disciples of the Sect Leader. We have important business to attend to with him."

"Oh, so it is the three of you! My apologies, please, come in. I will go and announce your arrival to the Sect Leader immediately."

The notorious 'Three Tumors' of the Pure Yang Temple! It was better to have as little contact with them as possible.

Zhou Qian turned to head toward the main hall, but Jiang Yue smiled and called him back. "Junior Brother Zhou, no need. We will go ourselves. You should station more guards here; I expect someone will be showing up shortly."

She added with a grin, "Be polite to them. They are old acquaintances; it wouldn't do to be rude."

Zhou Qian asked, puzzled, "Who is coming? Friend or foe?"

"Jiang Yu of the Five Elements Pavilion. You know her, right?"

Zhou Qian nodded. Any Pure Yang disciple who had participated in the Heavenly Selection knew Jiang Yu. He had even partnered with her to manage Revenge City for a time. He was merely curious about her purpose in visiting. Every major sect had been in seclusion for nearly fifty years, with very little interaction between them. Her sudden arrival felt somewhat strange.

"She is here to find her husband. Sigh, it's a pity that stinky Wang Li isn't here, otherwise we could have had a wedding drink!" Jiang Yue’s words carried a teasing tone, sparking a fierce flame of gossip in Zhou Qian’s heart.

However, he could not pry further in front of the others. After letting them in, he went to summon the reception disciples. Although the Pure Yang Temple was closed to the world, they could not neglect the proper courtesies for guests. Moreover, Jiang Yu’s status was no longer what it once was; she was now the Saintess of the Five Elements Pavilion and the first in line to succeed the Pavilion Master. Her status was even higher than Yunjing’s, so he had to show her due respect.

***

After Jiang Yue’s group entered the mountain-protecting formation, they headed straight for the main hall.

When Sect Leader Liuguang saw the five of them arrive together, his head instantly began to ache. None of these five were easy to manage; it would be a miracle if they didn't cause trouble when gathered together. He had to send them back to the secret realm as quickly as possible!

Determined, he kept a stern face and said, "Speak. What matter was so urgent that you couldn't just use a communication token, but had to run here yourselves?"

Jiang Yue smiled and hooked her arm through Liuguang's. "Grandfather, it’s been decades! Yue'er has missed you so much!"

Liuguang patted her head lovingly. "You’ve grown into a young woman now. Grandfather is very happy to see you. Later, spar with me a bit; let me see the results of your cultivation over these years."

He was always lenient with his granddaughter. After chatting with her for a moment, he turned a cold face to the other four. "The three of you, kneel down over there! Daring to lay a hand on your Junior Uncle Liu—have you lost your minds?"

Zhenjingzi and Nantian exchanged a look, then hung their heads and knelt down obediently.

"Huaiji, do you think I don't have the heart to beat you?"

Liuguang glared, and Huaiji, who had been about to plead for mercy, immediately abandoned the thought and knelt down with a long face.

Seeing this, Yunjing hurriedly stepped in. "Senior Brother, the children were merely bewitched. Didn't Deacon Wang cure them?"

"They have performed very well in the secret realm these years. A symbolic punishment is enough. The Master said we are counting on them to bring honor to our Pure Yang Temple!"

Liuguang had no fondness for his junior sister either. He let out a cold hum. "Junior Sister, are you teaching me how to do my job?"

"How could I dare!" Yunjing waved her hands frantically. "They are your disciples; it is up to you how to discipline them. You are right, I spoke out of turn."

"That’s more like it. Now tell me, why did the Master send you here?"

"It is like this," Yunjing explained. "The Sea Clan has gone mad. A few days ago, they surrounded the mountain gate of the East Sea Sect. Both sides asked the Master to mediate. The Master intended to help Qiu Wanli, but a peerless powerhouse emerged from the Sea Clan. The Master fought him, but gained no advantage. In the end, they agreed to set up a dueling platform on the shores of the East Sea."

"The humans and the Sea Clan will each send fighters. If we win, the Sea Clan retreats. If we lose, the East Sea Sect must move out of the East Sea entirely."

Upon hearing about a dueling platform, Liuguang’s interest was piqued. "What are the rules of the competition?"