Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 711: Chapter 451: A Visit_2

“Everyone!”

Linghu Yun shook his head, his attitude resolute, “Our master is in seclusion, and we dare not disturb him. Whatever important matters you have, speak them here, and I, Linghu Yun, as the Sect Master, will still be able to assist.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Hearing his words, everyone fell silent again.

Eventually, it was that man who spoke, “Since Sect Master Linghu has said so, we shall be blunt. We have come to ask Forefather Lingyun to step in, to strategize for the world, for the people, and to stop those individuals’ actions!”

“Oh!?”

Linghu Yun’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the crowd, “Who exactly are these individuals you speak of?”

“White Jade Capital, Li Xuanyuan!”

“Temple of War God, the Martial Frenzied Rascal!”

“And that Mingxiao Taoist…”

The crowd knew he was feigning ignorance but did not call him out on it, simply going along to say, “These individuals are desecrating sacred grounds, wielding the force of Heavenly Tribulations to annihilate major Cave Heaven Blessed Lands, committing unforgivable acts and drawing the ire of both humans and gods. However, due to the immense pressure of the Heavenly Tribulations, our Cave Heavens are unable to intervene, leaving us no choice but to ask Forefather Lingyun…”

“You all think too highly of Lingyun Mountain!”

His words were cut off before he could finish.

All saw Linghu Yun shaking his head repeatedly, “That Li Xuanyuan can be called a Sword Immortal descended to dust, his cultivation in Sword Dao is unfathomable, slaying Deity Transformation experts as if slaughtering dogs, sweeping across the five Demonic Blessed Lands including Demon Dragon Ridge, to date without a single enemy who can match him in a single sword strike, nor a single person who can glimpse the true form of his Flying Sword…”

“And that Martial Frenzied Rascal, though a mere martial man, possesses unparalleled dragon-like strength, has refined an undying body of the War God, can fend off swords with bare hands, has broken the Blood Spring alone, Mysterious Heaven disciples are no match for him, and the Heretical Dao Blood Demons are even less able to withstand him…”

“Also, regarding Elder Shi, the name Mingxiao is no exaggeration, his mastery of Taoism is divine, thunder and lightning obey his commands, and with the Ritual Laws, his appeals reach the heavens. The five major Demonic Blessed Lands like Demon Dragon Ridge have all been destroyed by his thunder…”

In a stream of words, there was nothing but praise, causing everyone to feel quite embarrassed.

Yet Linghu Yun paid them no heed, “With such high beings, such fierce warriors, how could Lingyun Mountain possibly stop them?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Upon hearing this, they all remained silent.

Such words, such praise, his stance was clear.

But they were unwilling to leave matters as they were, for the threat loomed large overhead.

So, after a brief silence, the crowd spoke up again.

“Sect Master Linghu, this is not correct!”

“Although those individuals possess methods, they are not without adversaries.”

“On the contrary, such a show of force only reveals their inner frailty.”

“Our Sects have transmitted their images back, and after review by all major Cave Heavens and our various seniors, we’ve unanimously determined that the cultivation of these three does not exceed the Deity Transformation Realm, and that they only parade as fierce due to their mastery of magical powers and the might of the cataclysm they wield.”

“Forefather Lingyun, as a Great Return to Void Cultivator and a paragon of the Righteous Path, possesses profound cultivation and solid foundations. Only Forefather Lingyun needs to make a move to suppress those three wild men and relieve the people’s suffering!”

“It is said that in order to face the Heavenly Tribulation, Forefather Lingyun’s treasured Lingyun Three Mountains Formation Map of Lingyun Mountain was destroyed, and upon learning this, our Patriarch felt deeply sorry and specifically ordered me to present this item to aid Forefather Lingyun in Demon-Exterminating and Guard of The Dao!”

With these words, an object was taken out, stored within a jade case, from which celestial light faintly shone through.

Linghu Yun’s eyebrows furrowed, “This is…?”

The holder of the case smiled, “The Three Mountains Five Peaks Map!”

“…”

Linghu Yun fell silent for a moment before shaking his head, “Impossible, absolutely impossible!”

Upon saying this, he pushed the jade case back.

The man remained calm and spoke solemnly, “The Three Mountains Five Peaks Map is a Medium-Grade Immortal Artifact, resonating with the spirit of the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, filled with the profound mysteries of Array Formation, which aligns with the Lingyun Art. Forefather Lingyun would surely master it with ease…”

“Your good intentions, I fully appreciate!”

He was interrupted before he could finish, and Linghu Yun’s face turned stern, “But on this matter, I must regretfully decline on behalf of Lingyun Mountain!”

“Sect Master Linghu…”

“No more words!”

The crowd tried to speak, but Linghu Yun pressed his hand down, “Our sect’s Blessed Land was dissolved out of necessity, but it was still a move in accordance with the will of heaven and the expectations of the people. Elder Shi Mingxiao performed the sect’s rituals, dispersing tribulations, a deed that saved our lives and protected the Dao. How could Lingyun Mountain betray its principles and righteousness?”

After speaking, he stood up and said with a grave voice, “Lingyun Mountain cannot bear the eternal infamy of such misdeeds. Everyone…please return!”

“Sect Master Linghu, that is incorrect!”

Foreseeing this response, one person stood up and retorted.

“Cause and effect, cause and effect. If there were no coercive cause, how could there be the effect of Lingyun’s voluntary dissolution?”

“Lingyun Nine Sons, seven have fallen, this vengeance, this hatred, mostly must be placed upon this person.”

“These people harbor ill intentions, claiming to be responding to the Heavenly Demon Tribulation, but in reality they are only seeking to take credit and nourish themselves.”

“Now, as the heretical and evil demons are eyeing us covetously, we, the Cave Heaven Blessed Land successors have entered the world to Slaughter Demons and claim merit as a preparation for the future. As long as the opportunity from the heavenly Dao presents, we will naturally follow the heavens and respond to the people, returning to the world once more.”

“He, so arbitrary and autocratic, oppressive in his ways, forces all major Cave Heaven Blessed Land to disband, facing the Heavenly Tribulation unprepared and ultimately dying tragically, turned to ashes!”

“With such actions, even if all Cave Heaven Blessed Lands are returned to the world, we cultivators will be largely diminished by the Heavenly Tribulation, every sect and school severely weakened. How will we then face the Demon Catastrophe, how will we protect this world!”

“Lingyun Forefather clearly understands the importance and the stakes involved. This is not a scheme for personal or sectarian interests, but a plan for the world, for all living beings!”

“In this way, how can there be a legacy of curses throughout the ages, only praises for righteousness!”

The crowd spoke one after another, their momentum fierce.

“Enough!”

Sect Master Linghu interrupted with a loud shout, “Lingyun Mountain neither has the will nor the power for this matter. I suggest you seek others who are more capable. Someone, see the guests out!”

“Sect Master Linghu!!”

“Gentlemen, please!”

Hearing this, the crowd wanted to speak but then saw two Nascent Soul cultivators step forward, showing a tough stance.

Although the crowd were disciples of Immortal Gates and successors of Cave Heavens, most of them were mere Golden Core cultivators. Faced with Linghu Yun’s attitude, it was not appropriate for them to use force, so they could only turn away coldly and leave with their sleeves flapping.

“Hmph!”

A cold snort echoed in the hall.

After the crowd left with a flick of their sleeves, outside Lingyun Mountain, their voices rose sharply.

“Unworthy to conspire with!”

“Lamenting their misfortune, furious at their lack of struggle!”

“Spineless dogs, acknowledging the thief as their father!”

“With such a great hatred upon them, can they truly endure in silence?”

“With Lingyun Mountain setting the precedent, other Blessed Lands will surely follow suit, dissolving themselves into the world.”

“Those individuals, currently only at Deity Transformation, but if they dissolve all the sects’ Blessed Lands and receive the merit and virtue from the heavenly Dao, their strength will surely surge, growing ever more powerful.”

“When the time comes, it will indeed be a time of crisis for us, the Cave Heaven Immortal Gates!”

“We cannot let him have his way. If Lingyun Mountain cannot be persuaded, then we must think of other methods. No matter what, this hidden danger must be contained!”

After speaking their piece, the people quickly left in different directions.

Meanwhile, inside Lingyun Mountain.

“Master!”

Linghu Yun approached swiftly, his expression grave.

Lingyunzi sat on a cushion, his face slightly pale, yet his demeanor was calm, “Have they all left?”

“Yes!”

Linghu Yun nodded, his voice somber, “These Cave Heaven Immortal Gates, truly stop at nothing!”

“It’s a matter of life and death, naturally it is so.”

Lingyunzi shook his head, his tone peaceful, “Cave Heaven Blessed Land, Cave Heaven Blessed Land… I wonder how much more karmic retribution the Cave Heavens must bear compared to the Blessed Lands. We have a three in seven chance of crossing the Tribulation, but for them, it’s not nine deaths out of ten, then it’s a two in eight chance at best. How can they accept this?”

Hearing this, Linghu Yun also fell silent.

The Mundane Tribulation, a matter of life and death!

Who would willingly face it unless it was a last resort?

These Cave Heaven Immortal Gates, with great ambitions and much to lose, least of all wish to endure this tribulation.

This time Lingyun Mountain faced the world, only a few Deity Transformations perished. If it were them, who knows how many Return to Void, Integration, Mahayana, and even Calamity Immortals would perish under the thunder.

Especially the Tribulation Realm, inherently interconnected with karma, the consequences significant. For those who are Nine Tribulations True Immortals, it’s still manageable, but for those Calamity Immortals in the midst of tribulation, the chances of surviving this Mundane Tribulation… better left unsaid!

In such a dire situation, it is only natural to be driven to desperate actions, using any means necessary. This visit to Lingyun Mountain is probably just the beginning, what follows…

Linghu Yun’s heart sank, and he tentatively asked, “Master, what should Lingyun Mountain do next?”

“Exterminate demons, guard the Dao, and stay out of disputes!”

Lingyunzi shook his head, speaking firmly, “Although we have entered the world, the Cave Heaven Immortal Gates are still what they are, with formidable strength. Lingyun Mountain should not become entangled in these conflicts, just fulfill our proper duties.”

“Yes!”

Linghu Yun nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, “Master, do they have any hope of success with their actions?”

“Who knows?”

Lingyunzi’s eyes hardened as he gazed into the sky, murmuring to himself, “Heavenly intent, human heart, Demon Catastrophe…”