Chapter 239 - 136: A Sword Opens the Celestial Gate, Breaking the Mountain Gate

Chapter 239: Chapter 136: A Sword Opens the Celestial Gate, Breaking the Mountain Gate

Within the Xiyi Grotto Heaven, countless steep mountains soared to immense heights. From their peaks, the heavens seemed almost within reach.

But nestled among the encircling mountains, in a low-lying area where a waterfall cascaded like a jade dragon, lay the true heart of the Xiyi Grotto Heaven—the residence of the Master Dongtian.

The residence was far from magnificent. It boasted no golden splendor, no jade steps or crimson halls. There was only a quiet, simple cottage resting on the shores of Smoke Wave Lake.

A beautiful woman in palace attire sat in the courtyard, her hair adorned with a dangling silver hairpin shaped like a jade-flowered branch. Her expression was serene as she focused on her embroidery, and every movement seemed in perfect harmony with the world around her. Even a sudden disturbance failed to shatter the natural tranquility of the scene.

Only after finishing a section with intense focus did she set down her needlework. "Come in," she called out lightly.

The person outside seemed quite anxious. At her word, he strode in immediately and bowed deeply. "This disciple, Deming, pays his respects to the Zhenren," he said.

This beautiful woman in palace attire was, indeed, the second-generation ancestor of the Westyi Sect, the current Master Dongtian: Master Chang Guang.

Master Chang Guang nodded slightly. "Deming," she asked, "you rushed back from the Celestial Waterfall Dharma Assembly. Is there an urgent matter to report?"

Deming’s expression turned grave. "Reporting to the Zhenren," he answered, "today at the Celestial Waterfall Dharma Assembly, the True Form Temple of Yunlan Province issued a formal challenge to the Celestial Permanence Sect."

"Oh?" Master Chang Guang’s delicate brows furrowed. The two sects Deming mentioned were familiar to her, but this was not the conflict she had anticipated. "And the result?" she asked.

On the surface, a mere provincial sect stood no chance against the likes of the Celestial Permanence Sect. But the fact that Deming had rushed back with an urgent report suggested otherwise. Master Chang Guang already had a guess as to the outcome.

And just as she’d suspected, Deming replied in a low voice, "By the time this disciple left, Daoist Brother Jiang Chengzi of the Celestial Permanence Sect had been slain by Dao Miao of the True Form Temple. I fear the Celestial Permanence Sect’s seat has already been usurped by the True Form Temple."

"Mmm..." Master Chang Guang rose and glided gracefully toward the lake. Gazing at its surface, she sighed softly. "No lineage in this world lasts forever. I simply never imagined that of the five Earth Immortal sects, the Celestial Permanence Sect would be the first to face ruin."

Deming’s expression flickered. He sensed something amiss in Master Chang Guang’s words, but intimidated by the Zhenren’s authority, he dared not question her.

After her sigh, Master Chang Guang looked away from the lake. "If the True Form Temple does indeed succeed in replacing the Celestial Permanence Sect," she said softly, "you are to issue a decree in my name. Prepare gifts and congratulate them on their ascension into the five major sects and their new dominion over a great domain."

"What?" Deming finally blurted out. "Zhenren, are we, the Westyi Sect, really going to support the True Form Temple’s claim? What if the other three sects refuse to accept it?"

When Deming had left the assembly, Yang Bijie had not yet declared a stance, which was why he included the Dragon Image Sect in his concern.

"Our sect is not supporting either side. We are simply abiding by the rules of the Celestial Waterfall Dharma Assembly." Master Chang Guang sat down again, her tone dispassionate. "Even if the other three sects decide to ignore the ten-thousand-year-old rules of the Dharma Assembly, the provinces, prefectures, and commanderies under the jurisdiction of our Xiyi Domain must still be governed."

Understanding dawned in Deming’s eyes. He bowed deeply. "The Zhenren’s virtue is profound."

Master Chang Guang picked up her embroidery once more. "Go," she said dismissively, offering no further response.

Deming bowed one last time before straightening and exiting the courtyard.

—

At the same time Deming was rushing back to his sect, a unique Spiritual Sparrow carrying a letter arrived outside the main gates of the Celestial Permanence Sect. It circled once, dropped the letter, and then flew off.

A patrolling disciple caught the Talisman Book in mid-air. He cast a suspicious glance at the departing Spiritual Sparrow before unfolding the letter. A single glance at its contents, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

His companion looked over, puzzled. "What’s wrong? Is there a problem?" he asked.

The question snapped the disciple out of his stupor. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he didn’t dare utter a single word. He abandoned his post, transformed into a streak of light, and shot toward the inner sect, leaving his companion shouting questions in his wake.

In this generation, the Celestial Permanence Sect had a total of ten Nascent Soul Venerables. Jiang Chengzi served as the Sect Master, while the others all held key positions within the sect.

For the recent Celestial Waterfall Dharma Assembly, He Haojun had departed alone, and Jiang Chengzi had taken another five Venerables with him. This left three Nascent Soul Venerables to watch over the sect. The one in charge of managing its affairs was the group’s only Nascent Soul Second Level Cultivator, Elder Wang Xingsi.

Not only was Wang Xingsi the highest-level cultivator among them, but he was also Jiang Chengzi’s most trusted confidant. Before leaving, Jiang Chengzi had granted him the authority to act as interim Sect Master. As such, Wang Xingsi was currently presiding over the Hall of Councilors.

The patrol disciple made his way to the Hall of Councilors, but as a low-ranking patrolman, he had no right to an audience with the acting Sect Master. He insisted he had an urgent report, but when the guards questioned him, he dared not speak of the contents. He could only hand over the letter, claiming that the Elder would understand everything upon seeing it.

The guard had no choice but to take the letter and deliver it into the hall. However, Wang Xingsi was busy with an urgent task and simply set the letter aside. It was not until some time later, after he had finished his work, that he finally had a moment to pick it up for a look.

But upon unfolding the letter and giving it a mere glance, Wang Xingsi’s eyes widened in shock. He opened his mouth to shout an order, but realizing that would be too slow, he shot to his feet instead. In a single flash, he was already outside the hall.

The patrol disciple was still being held back by the guards. When he saw Wang Xingsi appear, he immediately tried to call out. Wang Xingsi’s gaze shot toward him, fixing on his pale face. "You brought this letter?" he barked. "When and where did you get it? From whom?"

Startled, the disciple dared not conceal anything. "Three quarters of an hour ago," he stammered, "this disciple was on patrol at the sect gates. I received it from the beak of a Spiritual Sparrow with star-flecked blue tail feathers."