The internal space of the jade bracelet seemed boundless, filled with countless fragments of laws, like a world on the brink of destruction.
No matter how many times Chen Qingyuan had visited, he was always struck with awe, unable to maintain absolute calm.
A silver spear floated in a corner of the space. Chen Qingyuan’s consciousness approached it, feeling a heavy heart.
The spear was nine feet long, with a dragon pattern engraved at its tip. Though its surface was smooth, countless cracks marred its Dao rhythm, indicating it had experienced something significant.
Chen Qingyuan grasped the silver spear, and a bone-chilling cold surged through him, piercing his soul.
Soon, the coldness dissipated, becoming gentle.
As he gently lifted the silver spear, the entire space within the jade bracelet seemed to be affected.
In an instant, a terrifying Dao might erupted from the spear, like a flood breaking through a dam, unstoppable.
The spiritual wisdom of the silver spear was damaged, shattered into dozens of fragments, floating within the Dao rhythm space inside the spear, appearing somewhat desolate.
“Would you be willing to fight alongside me against our peers?”
Chen Qingyuan looked at the silver spear in his hand, murmuring softly.
“Zheng——”
The silver spear trembled slightly, as if responding.
Chen Qingyuan felt the spear’s intent, his eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you.”
Since stepping out of the Sky Abyss Restricted Zone, Chen Qingyuan had mostly used swordsmanship. However, he had never claimed that his strongest skill was the Sword Dao.
Sword techniques, blade techniques, fist techniques, leg techniques, finger techniques—Chen Qingyuan had mastered them all.
All of this was thanks to the Red-Dressed Girl in the Sky Abyss. In just a century, she had helped Chen Qingyuan grasp the essence of many Dao laws and techniques, leading to his current prowess.
If Chen Qingyuan had not entered the Sky Abyss, no matter how talented he was, he would at most have some fame in the Northern Wilderness. But on a global scale, he wouldn’t have the ability to dominate.
After all, there were too many extraordinary talents in this world.
Exiting the jade bracelet space, Chen Qingyuan focused on his cultivation.
Five years passed, and he consumed over ten thousand high-quality spirit stones and over a thousand top-grade spirit stones. Even so, Chen Qingyuan couldn’t make a breakthrough; he was still a bit short.
The foundation of a Saint-grade Three-Dan Pill required an immense amount of spiritual energy. Chen Qingyuan needed to continue refining spirit stones without rest.
Northern Wilderness, Dao Yi Academy.
In an ancient pavilion, Yu Chenran, dressed in dark cloth, sat on a stone bench, savoring tea.
In recent years, Yu Chenran had been experiencing strange emotional fluctuations. Despite numerous attempts at divination, he couldn’t find a specific answer. “Could it be because of that kid, Qingyuan?”
However, although the direction of his divination was related to Chen Qingyuan, it wasn’t the whole picture.
“Could it be the Mystic Azure Sect?”
Yu Chenran thought of this, his brows furrowing.
Sipping fragrant tea, he pondered the causal traces related to the Mystic Azure Sect.
“I found it.”
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed, and the other vice principal, Lin Wenyou, arrived.
Due to the unusual situation, Yu Chenran had assigned Lin Wenyou to investigate, while he stayed at the academy to prevent any unexpected events.
Lin Wenyou had been away for several years and had found some useful information.
“Speak quickly, don’t dawdle.”
Seeing Lin Wenyou drinking fine wine in front of him, Yu Chenran couldn’t help but urge.
“Don’t rush.” Lin Wenyou took a few more sips of wine and slowly began, “Your concerns are not unfounded. The changes in causal traces are indeed related to the Mystic Azure Sect.”
“Get to the point.” Yu Chenran glared.
“I visited the Mystic Azure Sect in the Supporting Flow Star Domain and conducted a secret investigation. Then I went to the Imperial Province and figured out many things.” Lin Wenyou put down the wine jug, his face serious. “Twenty thousand years ago, the Protecting Sect Elder of the Mystic Azure Sect mysteriously disappeared.”
Yu Chenran remained silent, listening to Lin Wenyou’s slow recount.
“According to my speculation, that Protecting Sect Elder didn’t go to the demon abyss but changed his name and identity, unwilling to live under the will of the Mystic Azure Sect.”
Lin Wenyou then narrated the historical traces he had uncovered.
Twenty thousand years ago, the Sect Master of the Mystic Azure Sect had arranged for a successor and settled all matters before embarking on the path of the sages. Accompanying him was the Protecting Sect Elder of that time.
Both were Heaven’s Pride, having touched upon the inheritance of the Mystic Azure Sect. Their cultivation levels soared, and they understood the responsibilities they bore.
Thus, they arranged everything within the sect and headed to the Imperial Province.
At a critical moment, the Protecting Sect Elder hesitated, unwilling to sacrifice his life for the ignorant common people and the ungrateful sect.
“Senior Brother, let’s go back!”
The Protecting Sect Elder said to the Sect Master.
“Why?”
The Sect Master asked.
“Is it worth it for us to do this?”
This question had been asked by countless predecessors of the Mystic Azure Sect. Knowing that the end of this path was death, they still resolutely pursued it.
“Actually, I’m afraid too. But we have no choice.”
The Sect Master pondered for a long time, not directly answering the question. Perhaps in his heart, he also felt it wasn’t worth it. However, as a disciple of the Mystic Azure Sect, having accepted its ancient inheritance, he had to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities.
“I don’t understand the meaning of all this. Our predecessors sacrificed themselves, disregarding their descendants. Abandoning the small family to protect the world—our ancestors could do it, but I don’t have that kind of selfless courage.”
He still had many years of life left and didn’t want to die.
“Go if you must!”
The Sect Master could understand the Protecting Sect Elder’s actions but didn’t agree with them.
“Senior Brother, come with me! We’ll change our names and live in anonymity; no one will know.”
The Protecting Sect Elder urged.
“Some things must be done by someone. Perhaps the world will call us foolish, not knowing how to seek our own benefits. But without so many foolish people in the world, how could there be peace and stability?”
The Sect Master shook his head, refusing to leave.
In the next moment, the Sect Master headed towards the demon abyss, leaving behind a long silhouette.
The Protecting Sect Elder stood there, struggling for a long time, but ultimately succumbed to his fear of death and didn’t move forward.
Thus, the Protecting Sect Elder concealed his origins and started a new life in the Imperial Province.
“Guess where he went?”
In the ancient pavilion, Lin Wenyou pretended to be mysterious.
“Hurry up and say it, stop keeping me in suspense.”
Yu Chenran kicked him.
“The Imperial Province, Luozhe Star Domain’s Linghe Sect.” Lin Wenyou quickly said, “According to my investigation, he is now the Supreme Ancestor of the Linghe Sect, highly respected and one of the top powerhouses.”
“Twenty thousand years ago, the Supreme Ancestor of the Linghe Sect…” Yu Chenran caught the key information, his eyes brightening as he revealed the name, “Solitary Old Man?”
There were only a few Supreme Ancestors, and the key information was enough to deduce it.
“That’s him.” Lin Wenyou nodded, “Dugu Changkong, once the Protecting Sect Elder of the Mystic Azure Sect.”
“He was from the Mystic Azure Sect, hiding so deeply!”
Yu Chenran had met Dugu Changkong years ago and considered him an ordinary friend.
“Solitary Old Man took on a disciple from the Northern Wilderness, who was taken away by an immortal crane when he was young and is now one of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness.”
Lin Wenyou continued.
Some buried causal traces slowly began to reveal themselves.