fynovel Chapter 14 Aftermath
Chapter 14 Aftermath
The results of the Qingzhou sect selection spread throughout the entire Eastern Wilderness within three days.
This is not surprising—a selection that originally belonged only to Qingzhou has become an event that the entire Eastern Wilderness cultivation world is talking about because of the presence of the Holy Maiden of the Central Continent Immortal Sect, the demonic runes exposed in public on the arena, and the black light that killed and silenced witnesses in full view of everyone.
But what truly made the name "Ling Chen" start being mentioned repeatedly was another reason.
Before leaving Qingzhou, Su Qingyuan, the Holy Maiden of the Central Continent Immortal Sect, said something in front of the elders of the three major sects.
"Ling Chen is someone our Central Continent Immortal Sect wants. Anyone who touches him is making an enemy of the Central Continent Immortal Sect."
These words carried such weight that the elders of the three major sects fell silent.
No one knew why Su Qingyuan valued a young man in the early stage of Qi Gathering so highly. Some speculated that Ling Chen was the illegitimate son of a reclusive master, others said he was actually the closed-door disciple of an elder of the Central Continent Immortal Sect, and still others claimed to have personally witnessed Ling Chen's swordsmanship on the arena being a secret technique passed down from the Central Continent Immortal Sect.
Speculation abounded, but no one guessed the truth.
Ling Chen himself did not step out of the inn during these three days.
He was recuperating from his injuries. In the battle with Meng Hu, while Lie Feng shattered the demonic seed, his meridians also endured an impact of spiritual energy beyond their limits. Although the chaotic spiritual energy was strong, his physical body was ultimately only at the early stage of Qi Gathering. The price of forcibly activating the Heavenly Venerable's ultimate technique was damage to multiple parts of his meridians.
Fortunately, the recovery ability of the Myriad Dao Heavenly Venerable Technique far surpasses that of ordinary cultivation methods. After three days of seclusion, the injuries to his meridians had healed by 70%, and his cultivation had also improved in this battle, faintly touching the peak of the early stage of Qi Gathering.
"With a few more days of practice, you should be able to attempt to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Gathering." Elder Mo's voice echoed in his mind. "However, I advise you not to rush. You've just fought a tough battle, and your foundation needs to be more solid. Cultivation is like building a tower; if the foundation is unstable, no matter how high the spire is, it's just a castle in the air."
"I know." Ling Chen opened his eyes, clenched his fist, and felt the surging spiritual energy within his body. "Elder Mo, I have a question."
"explain."
"Su Qingyuan—is she really the reincarnation of an ice servant?"
Old Master Mo remained silent for a moment.
"Are you still having doubts?"
"It's not suspicion. It's..." Ling Chen carefully chose his words, "...it's too much of a coincidence. I came to Qingzhou to participate in the selection, and she happened to be ordered by her master to find the Myriad Dao Returning to the Void Map. I was targeted by the Demon Clan, and she happened to be an attendant under the Heavenly Venerable in my previous life. Everything seems to have been arranged."
"Who do you think arranged this?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's the Celestial Venerable, maybe it's fate, maybe..." Ling Chen paused, "...maybe it's something else entirely."
Old Master Mo did not answer immediately. The candlelight flickered gently in the room, casting Ling Chen's shadow on the wall.
"Young man, I've lived for over ten thousand years and witnessed countless coincidences. Some coincidences are the gears of fate, others are the moves of a chess player. As for which one it is, before you have the ability to see the chessboard clearly, thinking too much will only become a demon in your heart," Elder Mo said slowly. "But there is one thing I can be certain of—that little girl didn't lie to you. I saw the Ice Servant mark in her soul with my own eyes; it can't be faked. As for why she happened to appear in Qingzhou at this time, perhaps it wasn't entirely her master's order. The Myriad Dao Returning to the Void Diagram is searching for a host, and the host is also searching for the Myriad Dao Returning to the Void Diagram. Similarly, the remnant soul of the Heavenly Venerable awakened in this life, and the reincarnation of the Ice Servant also awakened in this life—this is not a coincidence, but cause and effect."
"cause and effect……"
"Ten thousand years ago, they walked a path together, but that path wasn't finished. So in this life, they've come together again. That's all."
Ling Chen remained silent for a long time before nodding.
He didn't press the matter further. Just as Elder Mo had said, before he could see the chessboard clearly, thinking too much would only cause him trouble. Right now, there was only one most important thing—to become stronger. The Qingyun Sect possessed a secret realm left behind by a Celestial Venerable, a place he absolutely had to enter.
"Someone's coming," Old Mo suddenly reminded him.
No sooner had he finished speaking than a knock sounded on the door.
"Is Young Master Ling there? A letter has arrived from the Qingyun Sect."
Ling Chen opened the door. A servant in blue stood outside, holding a letter with gold lettering in his hands. The back of the letter bore the emblem of a drawn longsword, the very mark of the Qingyun Sect.
Thank you for your trouble.
He took the letter and unwrapped the sealing wax. The letter contained only a few lines, the handwriting vigorous and sharp, each stroke carrying the intent of a sword—
"Young friend Lingchen:"
The sect selection is complete. With your top ranking, you are hereby granted entry to my Qingyun Sect for cultivation. Three days from now, at Chenshi (7-9 AM), take this letter to the teleportation array south of Qingzhou City, where a sect official will personally escort you.
There is another matter I must inform you of: Before her departure, Fairy Su specifically instructed that after you join the Qingyun Sect, you will be given priority in the supply of inner sect resources, and no one may withhold them for any reason. I do not know your connection with the immortal sects of Zhongzhou, nor do I intend to investigate. But now that you have joined the Qingyun Sect, you are a disciple of the Qingyun Sect. The sect will devote all its efforts to your cultivation, and we hope you will live up to expectations.
"Written by Jian Xuan, an inner sect elder of the Qingyun Sect"
Jian Xuan. Ling Chen remembered this name—the Qingyun Sect elder on the high platform during the preliminary selection, with a pale face, no beard, and carrying a long sword. He spoke very little from beginning to end, but every time he did, it went straight to the point. Now it seemed that Elder Jian Xuan was on his side. At least for now.
"Qingyun Sect..." Ling Chen put away the letter and gazed at the southern horizon outside the window. Su Qingyuan had said that the Heavenly Venerable's Secret Realm lay deep within the forbidden area. His path would begin with this letter.
"Brother!" Ling Xue ran over from the next room, waving a letter in her hand. "I received one too! It's from Luoxia Valley! They said my fire-elemental spiritual root talent is quite good, and they're willing to accept me into their outer sect!"
Ling Chen took the letter and read it. The letter from Luoxia Valley was much thicker than that from Qingyun Sect, spanning several pages. The gist of it was: Although Luoxia Valley was founded on alchemy, it also had a martial arts lineage. Ling Xue's fire-type spiritual root was extremely compatible with the cultivation method practiced by one of their alchemy elders. If she wished to join, she could directly become that elder's disciple.
"Do you want to go?" Ling Chen asked.
Ling Xue pursed her lips, hesitating, "But... Brother, I want to be with you."
"This time won't work." Ling Chen explained patiently, "Qingyun Sect doesn't accept female disciples. Luoxia Valley is more suitable for you. Moreover, Luoxia Valley has a tradition of alchemy. What you can learn there will be more useful than what you would learn with me."
"But I'll miss you, brother..."
"I'll miss you too." Ling Chen gently pinched her nose. "But remember, we didn't come to Qingzhou for fun. Xue'er, your fire-elemental spiritual root talent is excellent. Luoxia Valley is willing to accept you into their inner sect; you can't miss this opportunity. Once you become stronger, no one will dare to bully you anymore."
"Let me think..." Ling Xue lowered her head and stared blankly for a long time, then raised her head and nodded vigorously, "Brother, I'll go."
Ling Chen gently ruffled her hair, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but mostly relief. His little sister had grown up. From that timid little girl who cowered behind him, afraid to speak, to now being willing to face new environments alone, she was braver than many others.
"Then it's settled. Three days from now, you'll go to Sunset Valley, and I'll go to Azure Cloud Sect. Let's each strive hard and meet again at the summit."
On the morning he left Qingzhou, Ling Chen passed by the inn where Ling Xue was staying and saw her coming out with her luggage. The steward from Luoxia Valley who came to pick up the new disciples was a kind-looking middle-aged woman. She held Ling Xue's hand and nodded back to him.
Ling Xue stood in front of the carriage in Luoxia Valley, her eyes reddening again, biting her lip to refuse to cry.
"Brother, you have to come see me."
"Yes."
"You must eat properly and not just cultivate without sleeping."
"it is good."
"Also... if that bad guy Meng Hu comes looking for trouble, you must beat him."
"...He is dead."
"Oh." Ling Xue was silent for a moment, then suddenly rushed over and hugged him tightly. "Anyway, you have to take good care of yourself."
Ling Chen bent down to re-tie her loose sash, took two steps back, waved, and watched the carriage slowly drive out of the city gate. Only after the carriage disappeared at the end of the official road did he turn around and walk towards the south gate.
He just didn't know how long it would be before they met again.
-
South of Qingzhou City, at the teleportation array plaza.
The teleportation array was a massive circular stone platform, over ten zhang in diameter. The platform was covered with densely packed spatial inscriptions, emitting a pale blue light when powered by spirit stones. Shared by the three major sects, the teleportation array could accommodate thirty people simultaneously and was one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in Qingzhou City, maintained in rotation by the three sects.
When Ling Chen arrived, there were already more than ten young cultivators waiting around the stone platform. Most of them were those who had passed the second round of the sect selection, and nearly half of them had chosen to join the Qingyun Sect. Han Tie was among them, carrying his Golden Scale Sword, which was covered in cracks but had been carefully repaired. He strode over when he saw Ling Chen.
"Is your injury healed?"
"Almost done," Ling Chen said, looking at him. "And you?"
"It's just a superficial wound, it'll heal in two days. The cut on the web of my hand is a bit deep, so I had to bandage it for a few days." Han Tie waved his hand dismissively, then lowered his voice, "Have you heard? The Blood Fiend Sect got attacked."
Ling Chen's gaze sharpened: "When did this happen?"
"Just last night. It's said that a master stormed the Blood Fiend Sect's stronghold in Qingzhou under cover of night, leaving no survivors. The attacker left only one mark—a piece of ice crystal." Han Tie looked at Ling Chen with a meaningful gaze. "There's only one person in all of Qingzhou who can use that kind of ice-based technique."
Su Qingyuan.
Ling Chen felt a slight tremor in his heart. She hadn't returned to Zhongzhou, or rather, before returning, she had made a special trip to the Blood Fiend Sect's stronghold. The Blood Fiend Sect had sent assassins to kill him, so she had uprooted the entire Blood Fiend Sect's influence in Qingzhou for him.
"She really cares about you." Han Tie's tone was slightly mischievous.
"...She was simply keeping her promise." Ling Chen looked away, offering no further explanation. She had said that from this day forward, she would protect his secrets. The Blood Fiend Sect was merely the first. All those who attempted to uncover his secrets would become her enemies.
"Let's not talk about this anymore." Han Tie patted his shoulder. "From today onwards, we are fellow disciples. Once you join the Qingyun Sect, don't forget to look after me."
"...You're just a Qi Gathering Peak cultivator, and you expect me to protect you?"
"You're not just an ordinary early-stage Qi Gathering cultivator," Han Tie said matter-of-factly. "Besides, there's not another person in the entire Qingzhou who could block that woman's sword strike. If I don't cling to your coattails, who else should I rely on?"
Ling Chen shook his head helplessly. He had gradually gotten used to Han Tie's frank and almost shameless style.
At this moment, a blinding blue light shone from the teleportation array in the center of the stone platform. After the light faded, a middle-aged man dressed in the inner sect sword robe of the Qingyun Sect stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. It was Elder Jianxuan.
"Gentlemen, the time has come." The middle-aged man's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, as if someone were speaking right next to them. "I am Jian Xuan, the head of the Transmission Hall of the Qingyun Sect. Today, I will personally preside over your initiation teleportation. Before you depart, there are a few things I need to make clear."
"The Qingyun Sect has been established for 3,700 years, and has always adhered to the principle of 'quality over quantity.' The sect does not value quantity, but rather the combination of excellent character, innate talent, and perseverance. The sect has fully grasped your performance in the Qingzhou selection, but this is only the beginning. Once you enter the Qingyun Sect, no matter which young master or genius of which family you were before, you will all start from scratch here. The training intensity for outer disciples is three times that you have experienced before, and the intensity for inner disciples is three times that of outer disciples. Those who can withstand it will be fully cultivated by the Qingyun Sect. Those who cannot can leave at any time."
He paused for a moment after speaking, and seeing that no one was swayed, he turned his gaze to Ling Chen.
"Ling Chen, step forward."
Ling Chen stepped forward as instructed. Jian Xuan glanced at him a few times, then took out an object from his sleeve—a sword-shaped token, made of neither gold nor jade, with the emblem of the Qingyun Sect engraved on the front and a long sword suspended in the clouds on the back.
"This is an inner disciple's token. With this token, you can freely enter and exit the inner sect's training rooms, scripture pavilion, and martial arts arena, and receive thirty spirit stones and three bottles of Qi Gathering Pills every month. This treatment was personally secured for you by Fairy Su. She said that if you can break through to the mid-stage of Qi Gathering within a month, she will keep a door open for you at the Central Continent Immortal Sect."
Upon hearing this, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd around the stone platform. The Central Continent Immortal Sect personally reserved a spot for him—what did that mean? Even an inner disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect might never have the chance to step into the Central Continent Immortal Sect in their entire life. Yet Ling Chen only needed to break through one minor realm in a month to directly enter the sect.
Ling Chen accepted the token with both hands and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Elder Jianxuan."
"No need to thank me." Jian Xuan waved his hand. "You can remember Fairy Su's favor. I was just following the rules."
Ling Chen put away his token and returned to the group. He could feel the gazes from all around him—envy, jealousy, curiosity, and a few barely concealed hostility.
"One last thing to note." Jian Xuan looked around. "Once the teleportation array is activated, you will leave Qingzhou and arrive directly at the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate. There will be spatial turbulence during the teleportation process, and physical discomfort is normal. But remember—do not use your spiritual power to resist during the teleportation, otherwise you will be torn to pieces by the spatial turbulence. Do you all understand?"
"Listen carefully!"
Jian Xuan nodded in satisfaction and turned to walk towards the core of the teleportation array in the center of the stone platform. He took out a fist-sized high-grade spirit stone and embedded it into the array's eye. In an instant, all the inscriptions on the stone platform lit up simultaneously, and blue light surged like a tide, engulfing all figures.
boom--
A muffled, deafening roar exploded in my ears. Everything before my eyes twisted and distorted—the sky, the plaza, the figures—all turned into blurry streaks of light. My body was pulled by an irresistible force through endless light and shadow, the pressure all around me so intense that my bones creaked.
Perhaps it was a moment, perhaps a long time. Within the teleportation array, time lost its meaning.
When Ling Chen finally felt solid ground beneath his feet again, the ringing in his ears drowned out all other sounds. He braced himself on his knees, took a few deep breaths, and when he looked up and saw the scene before him, he held his breath.
Mountains. Countless mountains suspended in a sea of clouds. Not situated on the earth, but held aloft by some ancient force, suspended in the sky. Ancient iron chains connect the mountains, laid with bluestone slabs to form breathtaking suspended walkways. Clouds churn beneath one's feet, mountains appearing and disappearing within them. The central peak soars into the clouds, its summit cleaved by a cascading waterfall. The waterfall's water plunges into the sea of clouds, dissipating into mist, which refracts sunlight to create a rainbow spanning the sky. At each end of the rainbow hangs a stone sword, each a hundred feet in size, its blade inscribed with ancient sword incantations.
Qingyun Sect. The number one sword sect in the Eastern Wilderness.
Even though Ling Chen was mentally prepared, he still felt a sense of insignificance standing in front of this suspended mountain range. It wasn't that his power was suppressed, but that his realm was crushed—every stone slab and every sword mark on this mountain gate was permeated with the sword intent of great sword cultivators throughout the ages. Three thousand seven hundred years of accumulation had refined the entire mountain range into a giant sword suspended in the clouds.
"New disciples, come over here to register." Jian Xuan's voice came from the front.
Ling Chen and the other newcomers walked towards the mountain gate, seeing many Qingyun Sect disciples in cyan sword robes practicing their morning exercises along the way—some were practicing alone on the cliff edge, some were sparring with others on the iron chain bridge, and others were meditating cross-legged on the suspended walkway. Each of them possessed a deep and sharp aura, completely different from the rogue cultivators of Qingzhou. Even a casual patrolling disciple here was at the late stage of Qi Gathering.
At the entrance to the mountain gate stood a wooden table, behind which sat a smiling, plump steward. He glanced at Ling Chen's inner disciple token, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly stood up to personally lead Ling Chen to the inner disciple living area.
It was a separate courtyard, nestled on the mountainside on the southeast side of the main peak. Pushing open the courtyard gate, one could see the sea of clouds surging, the spiritual energy so dense it was almost condensed into mist droplets, and even a breath of it made one feel their pores open up.
"Junior Brother Ling, this is your residence. There is an inner sect morning class every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM) on the second floor of the Transmission Hall. The Scripture Pavilion is in the nine-story tower in the center of the inner sect area; you can freely enter and exit the first five floors with your disciple's token. The training room is in the back mountain and requires reservation. Also—" the fat steward lowered his voice, "Elder Jianxuan asked me to tell you to go to the Transmission Hall to see him at noon; he wants to test your swordsmanship fundamentals alone."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Ling Chen politely saw the steward off, looked around the courtyard, and took a deep breath. From today onwards, this is his new beginning.
He sat cross-legged, waiting for noon to arrive. Entering the Qingyun Sect was only the first step. The Celestial Venerable Secret Realm, hidden deep within the forbidden area, was his true goal.