Chapter 706: Inheritance of Heaven and Earth

Yuan Luo, once the number one genius of the Qiankun Sect, was now a Free Immortal, his name shaking the world.

His descent into demonic ways was a massive blow to the Qiankun Sect, which prided itself on being a righteous sect.

An Xin had received word that Yuan Luo, while out adventuring, had crossed paths with many other sects. For reasons unknown, he suddenly turned demonic and slaughtered tens of thousands of cultivators—including several hundred of his fellow sect disciples. The news quickly spread within the Qiankun Sect and could no longer be suppressed.

Other sects were also using this as an opportunity to attack the Qiankun Sect’s reputation.

An Xin believed this was the greatest crisis the Qiankun Sect had ever faced. If not handled properly, it could affect the sect’s future development.

“Let it be. This tribulation can serve as a test of the Qiankun Sect’s resolve,” Gu An replied casually.

In truth, Yuan Luo hadn’t fallen into demonic ways. He had merely acted in a fit of rage. Yuan Luo had always harbored a deep-seated ferocity since childhood—a fact the upper ranks of the Qiankun Sect had long been aware of.

As the reincarnation of the Chaos Wraithfiend, Yuan Luo’s strength grew alongside his resentment and fury. In the recent clashes with the Dao Court, he had come to realize this and began deliberately pushing himself into extreme emotional states.

Right now, Yuan Luo wasn’t strong enough—at least not to the point of threatening the world. The Chaos Wraithfiend remained sealed, so he could only borrow a sliver of its power.

In fact, the Qiankun Sect harbored more hidden threats beyond just Yuan Luo.

The rigid codes of so-called righteousness could sometimes spark deep-seated hatred and become weapons for those with ulterior motives.

After hearing Gu An’s words, An Xin seemed to realize something. She stepped aside to make way for him.

Watching Gu An and Shen Zhen walk away, An Xin let out a soft sigh. She understood that her master had grown tired of looking after the Qiankun Sect.

Though she got along well with the sect, she wouldn’t defy or question her master’s decisions.

She didn’t dwell on it further and turned to leave. Lately, she had been deeply immersed in the Lifespan Projection, her insights into the Hunyuan Dao Emperor path growing ever deeper.

The more she explored it, the more she realized how boundless and unfathomable that path was. She resolved to fully commit herself to it—she would become a Hunyuan Dao Emperor.

All the disciples of Wushi were now walking the path of the Hunyuan Dao Emperor. She vowed to become the first one to succeed in that path after Gu An!

…

Under the bright sunlight and surrounded by rolling mountains, Xiao Lan walked along a stone path beside a creek, her white dress fluttering gently. She curiously admired the scenery around her.

“Senior Sister Xiao Lan.”

A voice called out beside her. A blue-robed man descended from the sky and landed next to her with a warm smile.

The blue-robed man was tall and elegant, exuding a gentle aura that felt like a spring breeze.

Xiao Lan gave a small nod and asked, “Junior Brother Cheng, you’re here too?”

“Master said the Lord of the Court wanted to see me, so I came. I didn’t expect I’d not be the only one. Looks like a few more of us got summoned,” Cheng replied with a grin.

Xiao Lan’s interest was piqued. It seemed something important was about to happen.

The two of them continued forward, chatting along the way.

As they walked, they encountered several other disciples, which only deepened their curiosity.

When they finally reached the courtyard, they saw over a dozen disciples already waiting. Xiao Lan even spotted Zhao Rushen among them.

“Even he’s here? Something major must be happening,” Xiao Lan thought silently.

Right now, Zhao Rushen wielded enormous power. His authority in the Dao Court was second only to the Lord of the Court, Yuan Songzi. Everyone regarded him as the next in line to lead the Dao Court.

It wasn’t just Xiao Lan—other disciples were also surprised to see Zhao Rushen there.

Zhao Rushen wore a black robe and sat beside Yuan Songzi, his domineering aura radiating with an air of superiority. When he lifted his gaze and swept his eyes over Xiao Lan and the others, his presence was overwhelming. Most of the disciples didn’t dare meet his eyes, except for a rare few.

Yuan Songzi looked at the group and smiled. “Everyone I’ve called is here. There’s something I must announce today.”

The disciples all stood in a line, none daring to sit like Zhao Rushen.

It wasn’t that Xiao Lan was afraid, she just didn’t want to get too close to Yuan Songzi and Zhao Rushen. She had spent years in seclusion, intentionally distancing herself from the inner factional struggles of the court.

Even though Yuan Songzi had once taken her to walk the Path of the Grand Dao, her master wasn’t part of Zhao Rushen’s faction.

“Court Master, what’s going on? Are the secular sects planning to attack us?” Junior Brother Cheng couldn’t help but ask first.

As soon as he said this, the other disciples grew tense.

Over the years, more and more sects had been targeting the Dao Court. News of countless conflicts had reached their ears. The Dao Court prided itself on being righteous and held the position of the world’s ruler. Yet in how it handled certain matters, the disciples had grown increasingly dissatisfied. They could all feel the growing pressure from other sects and the weakening stance of the Dao Court.

While they were usually unhappy with the higher-ups, the thought of an all-out war with the secular sects made them uneasy.

Things were no longer as they had been in the past. The Dao Court truly lacked the power to suppress all of humanity.

“That hasn’t happened yet. But what you’ve imagined will come, sooner or later.”

Yuan Songzi chuckled softly. His words caused their expressions to change drastically. But seeing his calm smile, the disciples couldn’t help but feel a little reassured.

Maybe the Court Master already had a plan.

Thinking that, they started to relax.

“You are all the most outstanding disciples of the Dao Court, and you’re held in high esteem. I’ve decided to pass down the major inheritances of the Dao Court to you. When the Dao Court dissolves in the future, you’ll each be able to establish your own sects. Do you have the confidence to do that?”

As Yuan Songzi said this, he still wore the same gentle smile, as if he were talking about something trivial.

The courtyard instantly burst into an uproar. The disciples were stunned and began trying to persuade him otherwise.

“Court Master, what do you mean? Why disband the Dao Court?”

“We’re not afraid of war! Even if it’s a fight to the death with the hundred sects, we’re not scared!”

“Exactly! The Dao Court’s been around this long—what storm haven’t we weathered? What’s there to be afraid of?”

“That’s right! Court Master, how about we strike first? Catch them off guard and wipe them out!”

While the disciples were riled up, Xiao Lan remained silent, her eyes fixed on Yuan Songzi. She didn’t believe he was someone who lacked courage.

Back then, when the Undefeated Imperial Clan came to kill them, Yuan Songzi had been the one charging at the front without a trace of fear.

The combined forces of all the secular sects couldn’t compare to the Undefeated Imperial Clan.

Yuan Songzi raised his hand to signal them to quiet down. The crowd had no choice but to suppress their emotions.

“The Dao Court has ruled the world for over one million years. That’s long enough. What you don’t know is, I didn’t establish the Dao Court alone. It was formed through an alliance of the top sects from each great world before Heaven and Earth were remade. I simply brought them together. Once the Dao Court disbands, you’ll go forth to establish your own sects and build the new order. That itself is a form of inheritance.”

Yuan Songzi’s tone was solemn. After a slight pause, he continued, “Of course, the Dao Court won’t disband easily. At the very least, we must let the other sects understand how precious this throne truly is. Only then will future generations take it as a warning. Only then can we better serve the people of the world.”