Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

’Sword Intent Transformation!’

Daoist Master Zhengyang’s eyes were full of appreciation, and the shadow cast by numerous outstanding disciples dying in the Secret Realm dispersed slightly.

“You’re quite impressive. At your age, Qiubai had only comprehended Sword Intent, still far from Sword Intent Transformation.”

Li Haoran’s expression remained unchanged, nodding slightly as he said:

“Ancestor, your praise is undeserved. My Sword Intent has barely transformed and is still immature. I need to learn more on the cultivation path from my master.”

His tone was calm, as if Sword Intent Transformation was a trivial matter.

“Good, neither proud nor complacent. This is the attitude a cultivator should have!

After surpassing one peak, another appears. Only by always carrying a humble heart can one go further.”

Daoist Master Zhengyang was increasingly satisfied; scores of cultivators, after achieving a small success, become complacent and slack in pursuing higher realms, wasting time.

The Dao is endless, and one cannot halt their questing steps.

Even if one never reaches the end of the Immortal Path, their heart’s pursuit of the Dao must remain firmer than metal or stone.

Not to mention, Nascent Soul Daoist Masters and above can potentially be reborn and cultivate anew.

Lin Jiuxiao and Zhuu Xiangrong exchanged a glance, both perceiving the joy in each other’s eyes.

The Golden Spirit Sect is not a Sword Cultivation Sect; if a Sword Cultivator Golden Core Ancestor emerges one day, a more systematic Sword Cultivation legacy can surely be established.

Instead of the current situation, where only the few from Yingyue Peak’s line maintain a small inheritance.

To put it bluntly, the few in number might someday lead to an inheritance cutoff.

Daoist Master Zhengyang lightly raised his arm, catching the black bottle from Li Haoran’s hand, and after probing it with Divine Sense, his brows slightly raised as his complexion darkened.

“Take a look, can you recognize what this thing is?”

Saying so, he tossed the jade bottle to Lin Jiuxiao.

Lin Jiuxiao cautiously caught the bottle, gingerly probing it with his Divine Sense.

Since Nephew Li indicated that the contents inside were the source causing the Demon Beast rebellion, he naturally had to be alert.

Inside the bottle, there was a white, semi-transparent soft-bodied creature.

Its flat body bore black spots on its back, resembling an Evil Ghost’s pattern.

It had no eyes or other organs, extending countless black tendrils as fine as ox hair.

This bizarre thing could actually devour his Divine Sense, startling him.

“Could this be a Gu Worm?”

He recalled the records about Gu Worms; when the Golden Spirit Sect had just migrated to the Western Continent, there were still some indigenous tribes here skilled in raising poisonous insects and refining Gu.

Among them, the most mysterious and eerie was undoubtedly the Soul Gu which controlled cultivators’ consciousness.

Rumor has it that a Soul Gu can devour Divine Sense, eventually merging entirely and replacing the cultivator’s consciousness.

Cultivators afflicted by a Soul Gu are no longer themselves, their behavior and thoughts change, being subjected to the Soul Gu’s master’s control.

“It is indeed the Silk Thread Soul-devouring Gu, likely the last remnants of the indigenous people from back then.”

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded slightly, having personally experienced the war against the indigenous people back in the day, being quite knowledgeable about these methods.

He had more or less pieced together the happenings in the Secret Realm in his mind.

“Haoran, explain how you discovered this Gu Worm.”

To validate his thoughts, he needed to ask the firsthand experiencer.

Li Haoran began his narrative, “Once I confirmed the Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beasts in the Secret Realm were not a match for my sword, I set out for a forbidden area.”

His Sword Intent has been slow to reach the Transformation Realm, thus arose the notion of venturing into forbidden zones to find more formidable Demon Beasts to temper his Sword Intent.

Although dueling with his master was thrilling, his master lacked killing intent, leaving a sense of incompleteness.

Only through fierce trials can real gold come forth.

His Sword Escape Technique was not inferior to ordinary Chao Origin Stage Demon Beasts, giving him the confidence to enter the forbidden zones.

Tempering Sword Intent is vital, but undertaking life-and-death trials without preparation is not courage, but foolishness.

“While surveying the outskirts of a forbidden area, I discovered two Loose Cultivators lingering nearby, so I tracked them for a while.

I found them igniting an undisclosed Spirit Plant, which frenzied Demon Beasts within tens of miles, even drawing out Chao Origin Stage Demon Beasts.

Ultimately, I found these two Loose Cultivators were intentionally luring Demon Beasts toward the sect-designated area and thus slew them.

After their deaths, the Gu Worm tried to control me with an Illusion Realm, but I killed one and captured the other… I initially thought these two were exceptions and paid little attention.

However, it turned out many Loose Cultivators were controlled by the Gu Worm, causing a tragic outcome.”

After listening to the account, Daoist Master Zhengyang reconstructed the facts in his mind.

The hidden enemy was very informed about the events in the Secret Realm, having prepared far in advance, controlling numerous Loose Cultivators.

Such Soul Gu’s method of control was highly covert, only detectable by a Golden Core Daoist Master upon presence, discerning the subtle discord between the controlled cultivator’s soul and body.

At this moment, a shout filled with joyous surprise rang out, as a two-zhang-long, snow-white haired Demon Wolf emerged from the Secret Realm’s exit.

It had two massive heads, one spewing blue flames, the other exhaling white icy breath.

Their sound was boisterous; it had not tasted succulent cultivator flesh in years.

This time, it feasted to satisfaction and intended to catch more prey to store for leisurely consumption.

Seeing cultivators vanish behind a glow curtain, it hesitated for long before deciding to pursue.

Upon entering this realm, it immediately felt the binding sensation on its body vanish abruptly, witnessing a plethora of delectable food.

“That Chao Origin Stage Demon Beast has escaped!”

A disciple shouted in a low voice, his tone tinged with residual fear.

It was this mutant dual-headed wolf that slaughtered the most cultivators.

Any cultivator caught by its icy breath would immediately become rigid and then be easily devoured by it.

The icy breath has a wide range and fast speed; even if not hit directly, being grazed by the aftermath can still affect a cultivator, slowing their movements and reaction speed.

“Rampant!”

With an angry shout from Daoist Master Nanshan, a flash of golden light was seen, and the menacing cry of the demon beast abruptly stopped.

The demon beast then split in two, blood splattering forth, as if a crimson, fiendish flower had bloomed in mid-air.

The Chao Origin Stage Demon Beast, which had been rampaging in the Secret Realm, was no match for a Golden Core Cultivator.

“Two fellow Daoists, I’ll gladly accept this demon beast’s Demon Core.”

Daoist Master Nanshan shouted, instructing a Chao Origin Stage disciple behind him to fetch the Demon Core.

Daoist Master Zhengyang was not concerned about the demon beast’s inner core. He took a Jade Bottle meant for sealing Gu worms and said to Li Haoran:

“Come with me, and recount the matter you just mentioned in full detail to the other Daoists as well.”

The emergence of indigenous remnants is no trivial matter; the Three Sects advance and retreat together, and such intelligence must be shared.

There is also a very important issue that needs discussion, regarding the delayed support from Central Continent and how to address the Mingfeng Mountain defense line. A plan must be formulated.

…

At midnight, the Wuji Hall on Sunrise Peak was brightly lit.

More than twenty Chao Origin Stage cultivators who remained at the Sect were all present, murmuring softly among themselves.

“Why has the Ancestor urgently summoned us? Could Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City be facing a major crisis?”

Over an hour ago, they had just ended a meeting in this hall, arranging tasks for the next phase.

“Very possible.”

The cultivators’ expressions became solemn, all faintly sensing the ominous onset of an impending storm, the atmosphere seemingly growing heavier.

Chu Huai’ge remained silent, fully aware of why everyone was called back again, but the situation was so grave it felt like a massive, ten thousand-pound boulder weighed upon his heart.

He realized that the sky over the Western Continent was about to change.

The war had reached a crucial turning point, and the original plans might have to be completely scrapped and reworked.

Daoist Master Zhengyang stepped into the main hall, his footsteps heavy, resonating in the hearts of the gathered cultivators like the beating of a drum.

“We just received news that Qingxu Daoist Master from Luofeng Valley encountered a demon cultivator attack on his way back to the Sect from the Secret Realm entrance, and returned to the Sect severely injured.

None of the accompanying disciples survived.”

Luofeng Valley used a Teleportation Array to send the message to Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City, and Master Yuxiao relayed the message back to us.

Daoist Master Zhengyang was keenly aware of the impact this incident could have, considering Qingxu Daoist Master’s already limited lifespan, and with such grievous injuries, his days were likely numbered.

The message stated that the attacker was a Demon Cultivator at the Golden Core Eighth or Ninth Level, with the demon form of a Cyan Flood Dragon, skilled in Water Manipulation Technique, and containing potent poison.

Though the battle at Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City seemed intense, Chao Origin Stage cultivators had been injured but none were fatal casualties.

Despite striving to maintain a calm tone, his words stirred immense waves in the hearts of the cultivators present.

“How is this possible?”

A cultivator exclaimed; for no disciples to survive is a significant blow to Luofeng Valley’s heritage.

That a Golden Core Stage Demon Cultivator had infiltrated the heartlands of the Human Race was like a sword hanging overhead, with no telling when misfortune would befall someone.

As long as this threat loomed, no cultivator could find peace, as if a dark cloud hung over the Western Continent’s sky.

The hidden enemy must be found and eliminated before any further action can be considered.

But to incapacitate a Golden Core Cultivator, what means does the Three Sects have for counterbalance?

Only if all the Golden Core battle forces return might there be a chance to eliminate the threat.

Lin Jiuxiao spoke in a deep voice:

“Ancestor, what should our next step be?”

The impact of this attack goes beyond injury and death, dealing a heavy blow to morale.

The greatest fear is the enemy remaining hidden, launching attacks when least expected.

From now on, which cultivator wouldn’t be on edge while carrying out tasks outside?

Luofeng Valley’s ancestor had fallen, and any targeted cultivator would meet the same fate.

All eyes were on Daoist Master Zhengyang, as his decision concerned the life and death of numerous cultivators.

“I will take the Teleportation Array to Mingfeng Mountain; Golden Core Daoist friends from other sects will also be going.

This meeting will determine the future of the Western Continent.

After I leave, the Sect’s Mountain Protection Array will have its defense strength increased, and the patrol range of the Law Enforcement Hall will be temporarily reduced.

Before I depart, I will awaken the Sect’s Mountain Guardian Spirit Beast, Li Fire Turtle, ensuring the Sect remains safe.”

Upon hearing his arrangements, all cultivators couldn’t conceal their joy.

A Mountain Guardian Spirit Beast must certainly be a Golden Core Stage Spiritual Beast, without question.

The appearance of Rock Ancestor had already brought much celebration among the cultivators; who would have thought the Sect had even more hidden depth!