Chapter 107: Chapter 105: Five Elements Sword Point
At the foot of the mountain.
Inside a great hall built from massive stones.
A travel-worn Shen Youx stood in the center of the hall, his face ashen. His eyes were wide with fury, fixed on the three people seated above.
"Uncle-Master!"
"Second Senior Brother!"
"Fifth Senior Sister!"
He roared,
"Why?"
"I went through hell to bring the Qii Siblings back to the Sect, and now you’re just going to hand them over to the Celestial Sword and Flying Phoenix Lineages?"
"On what grounds?"
It was no wonder he was so furious.
Ever since that great battle ten years ago, every single Dao Foundation Cultivator of the Bright Void Sect’s Dragon Head Lineage had been wiped out.
Not even the few Dao Foundation Seeds were spared.
The Dragon Head Lineage, once the Bright Void Main Vein, was left with only a few stragglers and had been in decline ever since.
An Innate Dao Body didn’t just mean a smooth path to the Innate Realm; it represented the hope of reaching the Dao Foundation Realm.
One could only imagine.
...how thrilled Shen Youx must have been when he discovered not one, but two people with Innate Dao Bodies.
’The Dragon Head Lineage can be revived!’
And now...
...the three people in the hall were about to hand over the two Dao Foundation Seeds—the very hope for the Dragon Head Lineage’s revival—to others.
"Why?"
Shen Youx roared in grief and indignation.
"Junior Brother..." Pei Jingque’s thin lips trembled.
"We understand how you feel, but the Dragon Head Lineage no longer has any Dao Foundation Cultivators. Innate Seeds aren’t suited to stay with us."
"Whether for the good of the Sect or for their own futures, the Qii Siblings should be sent to the other two lineages."
"Fifth Senior Sister." Shen Youx ground his teeth.
"You consider others, but has anyone ever considered us?"
"It’s been ten years!"
He raged,
"The Dragon Head Lineage hasn’t had a Dao Foundation Cultivator for ten years! If this continues, we’ll be struck from the Bright Void Sect’s records!"
"Silence!" Fengg Wuju, the white-haired man seated in the center, said with a dark expression.
"This matter is settled. The Celestial Sword and Flying Phoenix lineages will come for them tomorrow. There will be no more discussion."
"Thirteen."
He looked at Shen Youx and said in a low voice,
"You brought two Innate Seeds to the Sect. This is a Great Merit, and the Sect Leader will not be stingy with your reward."
"Now leave!"
With a wave of his large sleeve, a gale suddenly whipped up, enveloping Shen Youx and tossing him directly out of the hall.
"Uncle-Master," Zhong Wen began.
"Junior Brother Shen is only thinking of the Dragon Head Lineage."
"I know. How could I not know?" Fengg Wuju closed his eyes and sighed helplessly.
"In the end, Innate Seeds are still just seeds. It will take them thirty to forty years at best, or even a full sixty-year cycle at worst, to mature."
"The Dragon Head Lineage can’t afford to wait. I can’t afford to wait. And there are those who may not even let us wait."
"Exchanging two Innate Seeds for a Foundation Establishment Pill for you, plus some inheritances, is worth it."
"Uncle-Master." Zhong Wen lowered his head, his voice muffled.
"There was really no need."
"Enough!" Fengg Wuju snapped.
"You’ve been weak-willed since you were a child, which your senior brother always disliked. I don’t want you to disappoint me again."
SWOOSH!
He tossed something over.
A Foundation Establishment Pill!
Zhong Wen caught it, watched Fengg Wuju leave, and then let out a soft sigh in the empty hall.
"Senior Brother."
Pei Jingque said,
"Your Talent is no less than that of an Innate Dao Body. With this Foundation Establishment Pill, you will surely be able to achieve Dao Foundation."
"As long as you achieve Dao Foundation, the Dragon Head Lineage’s current predicament will resolve itself."
"Heh..." Zhong Wen gave a slight chuckle upon hearing her words.
"You think too highly of me, Junior Sister."
He shook his head and tossed the Foundation Establishment Pill to Pei Jingque.
"You keep it."
"Senior Brother!"
Pei Jingque shot to her feet, her expression changing drastically.
"You..."
"Even with the Foundation Establishment Pill, my chances of achieving Dao Foundation are still less than fifty percent. But you’re different, Junior Sister," Zhong Wen said.
"You have at least a sixty percent chance of Foundation Establishment!"
"I can’t!" Pei Jingque shook her head repeatedly.
"This was meant for you!"
"No," Zhong Wen said.
"The Foundation Establishment Pill is for the Dragon Head Lineage. And in our Dragon Head Lineage, your Talent is the greatest, Junior Sister."
"You are the most suitable person to take it."
"In a few years, I will announce that I am entering seclusion to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm. That will buy you time, Junior Sister."
He added in a solemn voice,
"Do not, under any circumstances, let a second person know that you have the Foundation Establishment Pill!"
*
*
*
"Did you hear? The Qii Siblings are leaving."
"Leaving? Where are they going?"
"One is going to Feifeng Mountain, the other to Celestial Sword Peak. They’ve been taken in by two of the Sect’s other lineages."
"I heard they each got a Dao Foundation Cultivator as a master, too."
"Really?"
"Looks like the Dragon Head Lineage really has fallen. They can’t even hold on to Innate Dao Bodies. Do you think we can switch to the other two lineages after we reach the Innate Realm?"
"How about you reach the Innate Realm first!"
"..."
At the foot of the mountain.
A crowd of Outer Sect Disciples was gathered, their chatter filling the air.
Zhu Ju wore a strange expression.
He had just heard that the Dragon Head Lineage had received two prodigies and hadn’t even had time to celebrate before they were snatched away by others.
"Junior Brother Zhu."
Ning Ruxue sidled up to him.
"How are you doing living alone on the mountain? I heard a Fierce Beast entered the mountains recently and even killed someone."
"I’m doing alright," Zhu Ju said.
"But I’m planning to move back down soon. The weather’s getting cold, and the Fierce Beasts in the mountains are getting restless..."
"What is that?"
His words cut off abruptly.
High above, the thick cloud layer parted, and a massive ship slowly descended from within.
A ship!
Flying in the sky!
The sight was breathtaking.
A flying ship, over a hundred feet long and two or three stories high, pierced through the sea of clouds, gradually revealing itself to the crowd.
Banners fluttered atop the ship, which was lined with Innate masters. Its imposing aura was so powerful it seemed to weigh down the very stones beneath them.
Standing beneath the flying ship, one couldn’t help but feel insignificant.
"Whoa..."
"Look!"
"What is that?"
"An Immortal Technique!"
"To make such a colossal object soar through the sky—this is a true Immortal Technique!"
Except for the Dragon Head disciples who had been in the Sect for years, all the others who had joined when the Immortal Sect opened its gates cried out in astonishment.
"Silence!"
"Silence!"
"Silence!"
The shouts, like muffled thunder, boomed from the direction of the great hall, echoing across the grounds and instantly quelling the chaotic din.
The white-haired, white-bearded Vein Master of the Dragon Head Lineage, Fengg Wuju, clasped his hands behind his back and walked on thin air, ascending to meet the ship.
There was nothing but empty air.
Yet he could walk upon it.
’Dao Foundation?’
But everyone knew the Dragon Head Lineage had no Dao Foundation Cultivators.
"Senior Brother Su, it’s been a while!"
"Junior Brother Fengg."
A streak of white light shot out from the flying ship and landed opposite Fengg Wuju, revealing a middle-aged man in magnificent, multicolored robes.
"It has been a while."
Looking at the aged Fengg Wuju, the man’s voice was filled with emotion.
"In that battle back then, you burned your Dao Foundation and consumed your life essence to slay our enemies. You’ve changed so much."
"You should have had such a bright future..."
"There’s no need to bring up the past," Fengg Wuju said with a wave of his hand.
"I’ll take you to see the two children, Senior Brother."
"Very well."
The man nodded.
...
The colossal ship landed at the foot of the mountain. The crowd craned their necks to get a better look, gawking until Cao Lei’s voice stopped them.
"Junior Brothers."
In stark contrast to his fierce-looking younger brother, Cao Xiong, it seemed the smile never left Cao Lei’s face.
He cupped his fist in his other hand and bowed to the crowd.
"The Sect has gained two Innate Dao Bodies, two Dao Foundation Seeds. This is a joyous occasion worthy of celebration."
"Because the Qii Siblings were originally disciples of the Dragon Head Lineage and are now being given to the other two lineages, the Sect is offering some compensation."
"All disciples of the Dragon Head Lineage may receive one Secret Technique."
"Senior Brother," someone asked.
"Can we also receive one?"
"Of course," Cao Lei smiled.
"You junior brothers have not yet reached the Innate Realm, so you aren’t considered official Dragon Head disciples. Besides, I imagine you may have other ideas."
"However, all Outer Sect Disciples will have an opportunity this time."
He pointed behind him and said,
"Excluding the Core True Inheritances and Secret Techniques of the Inner Sect Disciples, the rest of you may also choose one Cultivation Technique to practice."
"Whoa..."
The crowd erupted into another uproar.
Aside from the mandatory Earth Evil Mysterious Skill, it was not easy to be taught a new Method even after joining the Sect.
Many Outer Sect Disciples had only mastered one or two inheritances.
This was especially true for the Martial Artists who had recently joined the Sect. They normally would have had to wait until after reaching the Innate Realm for such an opportunity.
Now, it was happening ahead of schedule.
It was truly a fortuitous chance!
The expressions on the faces of the Dragon Head Lineage’s Outer Sect Disciples were varied. Some were indignant that their Dao Foundation Seeds had been stolen, while others were excited about being able to choose a new Method.
"Senior Brother," Ning Ruxue spoke up.
"We know nothing about the Sect’s Cultivation Techniques. How should we choose?"
As she said this, the crowd quieted down. The newly joined disciples, in particular, stared at Cao Lei with shining eyes.
"An excellent question."
Cao Lei shot Ning Ruxue an appreciative glance and said,
"Our Bright Void Sect is a Major Immortal Sect. Even without the Core True Inheritances, there are still numerous legacies to learn."
"But as the saying goes, it’s better to master one thing than to be a jack-of-all-trades. More inheritances aren’t necessarily better."
He paused in thought for a moment before continuing,
"I suggest you choose one of the Cultivation Techniques most commonly used by Outer Sect Disciples, such as the Nine Elements Profound Evil Palm, the Heaven-Ascending Step, or the Demon-Suppressing Sword..."
"That way, if there’s something you don’t understand, you can ask your fellow senior brothers for guidance. It’s always better than fumbling around on your own."
"Your second best option is to choose a Cultivation Technique you are already skilled in."
"For example, if someone has practiced Saber Techniques for many years, they could choose an Innate Realm Saber Technique inheritance. The same goes for Finger Techniques and the like."
"Failing that..."
"Just pick whatever you find interesting."
"As for the junior brothers who have been in the Sect for years and have already achieved the Innate Realm," his tone shifted, "the Methods being offered this time include not only the collection of the Dragon Head Lineage, but also a few Cultivation Techniques from the Flying Phoenix and Celestial Sword lineages. If possible, you should choose an inheritance from those other two lineages. It’s not that their inheritances are better than ours, but an opportunity like this is rare."
’There are even inheritances from the other two lineages?’
Many people’s eyes lit up.
Following the directions, the crowd arrived before a stone pillar, upon which were carved the names of many Methods and their brief descriptions.
Once a Method was chosen, it could be transcribed on the side.
Zhu Ju mingled with the crowd, carefully examining the Methods on the pillar.
’As expected of an Immortal Sect. There are over a hundred Innate Realm inheritances alone, many of which I’ve never even heard of.’
"Brother Hek, which one are you picking?"
"Haven’t decided yet. You?"
"Same here."
Zhu Ju stroked his chin, his eyes thoughtful.
He would definitely choose either a Palm Technique or a Saber Technique. After all, with absurdly powerful Methods like the Five Elements Palm and the Demon Saber in his arsenal, choosing another Palm or Saber Technique would allow for quick mastery and would also boost the power of his Five Elements Sect and Demon Saber abilities.
Secondly,
the more powerful it was, the better.
If he really couldn’t find a suitable choice, he would pick a Lightweight Skill, as Light Body Techniques were currently his weak point.
His gaze swept over the stone pillar one more time, then suddenly stopped.
Five Elements Sword Point!
The description for this Secret Technique was extremely brief.
"An inheritance of the Celestial Sword Lineage. It fuses the transformations of the Five Elements. The moves are complex and difficult to master. Lacking Comprehension may lead to self-injury."
’Five Elements!’
Zhu Ju’s heart pounded.
There was another note beside it.
The greater the Inner Power, the stronger the might!
"You’re choosing the Five Elements Sword Point?" The Inner Sect Disciple in charge looked up, his gaze pausing on Zhu Ju for a moment as a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
"That’s a rare choice."
"Well, I hope you manage to learn something from it!"
Shaking his head, he took out a book and handed it over.
"Go over there to transcribe it."
