Chapter 358 - 38: Fall of the Nascent Soul

"I don’t know."

Dong Yuelan’s expression was grim.

"Right now, rumors are flying everywhere—it’s impossible to tell what’s true and what’s false. Some say the Six Paths Demon Monarch is already dead. Others claim the Core Disciples of the Celestial Yu Sect have all gone into hiding in a Secret Realm and sealed off their mountain..."

"The only thing we know for sure is that Miaoyan True Man has fallen."

"When did this happen?" Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered.

"Has the Immortal Alliance issued a notice?"

"Half a month ago." Dong Yuelan shook her head.

"The Immortal Alliance hasn’t made a move. The entire Righteous Dao has been thrown into chaos, and still, the Immortal Alliance does nothing."

Zhu Ju walked to the edge of the Flying Ship, watching the Tunneling Lights zipping back and forth below like countless headless flies.

’What can we do?’

’We’re just a few Dao Foundation Cultivators. What could we possibly do?’

*

*

*

「Bright Void Sect.」

A deathly silence filled the grand hall.

Although Liuu Huang’er, Zhai Qingfeng, and the others had safely retreated from the front lines, no one present could manage a smile.

"Junior Brother."

Pei Jingque took a deep breath and spoke slowly,

"You’ve had a difficult journey."

"It was my duty." Zhu Ju cupped his hands.

"Senior Sister, the Hundred Flowers Sect has decided to move south soon. They plan to establish their new sect residence near the Earth Abyss to avoid the coming demonic calamity."

"What should we do?"

"The Hundred Flowers Sect is divided into an Inner Sect and an Outer Sect. Only Inner Sect Disciples are considered true successors, while most Outer Sect Disciples are mere affiliates." Pei Jingque rubbed her temples and said,

"So the Hundred Flowers Sect doesn’t have many true disciples, and migrating the sect isn’t difficult for them."

"But for us..."

"Even if we don’t count the servants and attendants who depend on the Sect for their livelihood, we still have five or six hundred people. If we do count them, the number is over three thousand. A migration would be anything but simple."

’Over three thousand?’

Zhu Ju’s eyes shifted slightly.

’I remember when I returned from the East Sea, the whole Sect was barely two thousand people. Now, less than twenty years later, it’s grown this much.’

"We still don’t know the Six Paths Demon Monarch’s condition."

Zhai Qingfeng spoke up.

"If the Six Paths Demon Monarch is severely injured, and I mean gravely, then there shouldn’t be a major Demon Dao invasion within a hundred years."

"But if he isn’t..."

"Then we’re in trouble."

"Not necessarily!" Liuu Huang’er shook her head.

"The Demon Dao’s methods are strange and unpredictable, and the Six Paths Demon Monarch has mastered the arts of all Six Demonic Sects. Even if he’s heavily injured, with the Dazhou’s resources, I’m afraid it won’t be difficult for him to recover."

"As far as I know, the Blood Demon Sect has an Evil Technique that allows one to use the flesh and blood of others to heal. As long as there is enough Essence Blood, they can recover quickly even if they’re on their last breath."

"What I mean is..."

"We must relocate immediately!"

"Heh..." Pei Jingque chuckled lightly, a complex look in her eyes as she spoke slowly,

"This scene... it’s so familiar."

Liuu Huang’er was stunned for a moment, then fell silent.

Back then, facing the impending invasion of the Demon Dao, the Bright Void Sect had also discussed whether or not to move south.

’When should we move south?’

A pity...

Before they could come to a conclusion, the Demon Sect suddenly invaded, leading to disastrous losses for the disciples of the three branches.

"History must not repeat itself."

Pei Jingque lowered her head, having made her decision.

"We move south!"

"There’s no need to be too hasty," Zhu Ju spoke slowly.

"At that time, the Bright Void Sect’s residence was located on the edge of the Ten Thousand Mountains, right next to Dazhou. The Demonic Demon People could gather quickly. Moreover, the Bright Void Sect was in a strategic location back then, so it naturally faced the Demon Dao’s main assault. It’s different now..."

The Bright Void Sect wasn’t as prominent now, nor as important; the Demon Dao might not give them a second thought.

Although the words went unspoken, everyone present understood.

Pei Jingque smiled bitterly.

"You’re right."

"Back then, the Bright Void Sect had at least two Tier Three Arrays. Unlike now..."

"Junior Brother is right."

She thought for a moment and said,

"Even if the Demon Sect invades in full force, it would take them eight to ten years to mobilize troops from Dazhou to here. But we still need to relocate."

"Then let’s decide on a location first!"

"Agreed." Zhai Qingfeng nodded.

"First, we decide where we’re moving, and then we move."

...

「The night grew deep.」

Despite the late hour, Zhu Ju had a visitor now that he was back.

"Master!"

"Your disciple pays respects to Master!"

The two disciples, Xi Youyue and Guk Rusong, knelt and bowed.

"Rise."

Zhu Ju flicked his sleeve lightly. His gaze paused on Guk Rusong, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

"Not bad. You’ve reached Nine Acupoints Perfection."

"It is only thanks to Master’s excellent guidance and the Spiritual Medicine you granted me that I have been able to come this far," Guk Rusong said, his voice tinged with excitement.

"I will never forget Master’s kindness."

"Heh..." Zhu Ju chuckled lightly.

"I am not a very qualified master. You’ve reached this point because of your own hard work."

He hadn’t given Guk Rusong much guidance. As for resources...

Those were simply his payment for the trip to the Void Secret Realm.

"Master." Guk Rusong hesitated for a moment, then knelt down again, raising a storage bag with one hand as he spoke in a low, serious voice,

"This disciple requests a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"A Foundation Establishment Pill?" Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered slightly before he averted his gaze.

"Youyue."

"I am here, Master."

"You may leave. Cultivate well. Strive to open the Seven Acupoints and advance to the Late-Stage Innate realm within ten years."

Zhu Ju said,

"At that time, you will be a Core True Inheritance."

The titles of Core True Inheritance and Inner Sect Disciple weren’t just about status; there was also a gap in their everyday benefits.

There were other perks.

Like the Foundation Establishment Pill.

As long as a True Disciple opened their Nine Acupoints, the Sect would give them a Foundation Establishment Pill, while an Inner Sect Disciple would need to exchange Sect contribution points for one.

Just like now.

For Guk Rusong to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, the most convenient and fastest way was to exchange for it from Zhu Ju.

He was Zhu Ju’s disciple, so he was allowed to do this.

Other Inner Sect Disciples who did not have a Dao Foundation Cultivator as a master could only painstakingly accumulate Sect contribution points, or earn enough Spirit Stones to trade for one.

"Yes." Xi Youyue nodded emphatically.

"I will work hard."

Ever since her older brother Xi Chen was lost in the Secret Realm, it was as if she had suddenly grown up. She had been cultivating diligently all these years.

Not long ago, she had opened her fifth Acupoint and was already considered quite strong among the Outer Sect Disciples.

’I still have to open the Seven Acupoints.’

’And then,’

’I’ll go to that Secret Realm and see for myself!’

Even though everyone said Xi Chen was dead, Xi Youyue refused to believe it. Even if he was dead, she had to find her brother’s remains.

「Inside the room.」

Guk Rusong remained kneeling on the floor. He felt his hand become empty; the storage bag had been taken by Zhu Ju.

’Great Merit points from the Sect, Spirit Stones...’

His Divine Thought swept through the storage bag, and Zhu Ju slowly nodded.

"With all this, it’s more than enough for a Foundation Establishment Pill. You’ve been very thorough."

"Master." Guk Rusong looked up.

"I implore Master to grant my request!"

"Are you sure you want to make the exchange?" Zhu Ju sighed.

"You are already over sixty years old and have only just opened the Nine Acupoints. If you try to break through now, the chances are pitifully small."

"You were good friends with the Inner Sect Disciple Liao Huanbai, I believe. You should know what happened to him."

Guk Rusong was silent.

Liao Huanbai was his good friend. A few years ago, he had used half a lifetime of savings to trade for a Foundation Establishment Pill. The breakthrough failed. Worse, his Qi Blood began to decay as a result, and he died on the back mountain last year. Since he had no heir, it was Guk Rusong who had arranged his funeral.

"Master."

After a moment of reflection, Guk Rusong kowtowed again, his voice solemn.

"I seek nothing else, only the Great Dao."

"Although I have now passed the age of sixty, I still want to take a gamble. Even if I fail, I will have no regrets."

He knew far, far too many people who had fallen on the path of Cultivation.

Liao Huanbai, Cao Dongjun...

’But so what?’

Countless people threw themselves forward one after another, many without even a chance to take a Foundation Establishment Pill. He had this chance, and he would not give it up, no matter what.

"Mm."

Zhu Ju nodded slowly, put away the storage bag, and handed over a porcelain bottle.

"This is a Celestial Rhythm Pill. It can extend the life of a Qi Refining Cultivator by twenty years. In terms of value, it is no less precious than a Foundation Establishment Pill."

Huh?

Guk Rusong looked up in astonishment.

"At your current age and Cultivation, the chances of a breakthrough are too small." Zhu Ju shook his head gently and explained,

"If you were to take the time to properly solidify your foundation now that you’ve reached Nine Acupoints Perfection, I’m afraid you’d be over seventy. At that age, your chance of breaking through would be even more remote. That’s why you’re so anxious for a Foundation Establishment Pill, hoping to seize the opportunity now that you’ve just passed sixty."

"However..."

"With this elixir, your lifespan will be increased, and the window for breaking through to Dao Foundation will also be extended. You can think of yourself as being fifty years old again, with ten years to stabilize your Cultivation."

Guk Rusong’s eyes lit up.

"Here."

Zhu Ju tossed the Elixir.

"Come and find me again in ten years."

THUD!

Guk Rusong slammed his head on the ground, so hard that his scalp started to bleed. His eyes were red with emotion as he cried out,

"Thank you, Master!"