Chapter 208: Chapter 139: Silent Rain Cutter (Double-Length)
It’s a pity that in three days, it will be time for the Outer Sect trials to begin, and Liou Yuan has no time left.
He might as well focus all his energy on the Silent Rain-Slaying Sword Skill.
That is the quickest way to improve his strength in the short term.
The autumn scenery grows more intense.
A colossal platform rises from the center of the Five Extremes Mountain’s five spiritual peaks.
The ginkgo grove surrounding the platform stretches wildly, its golden leaves rustling in the autumn wind.
At the end of the platform, a winding white jade pathway leads to a gigantic illusory gateway.
Beyond the gateway, one can vaguely see another world’s well-arranged halls and towers.
That is the Inner Sect of Five Extremes Mountain.
On the platform, over ten thousand Outer Sect disciples are gathered, all of whom must attend this Outer Sect trial, summoned by the sect.
Liou Yuan, naturally, is among them.
The densely packed crowd remains silent, quietly gazing toward the inner side of the gigantic gateway at the platform’s end.
As if waiting for something.
"Inner Sect!" Liou Yuan murmurs, standing with Qiu Ming, with the Canglan Sword slung across his back, his eyes following the white jade pathway leading to the gateway of the Inner Sect.
There, one can see the glazed tiles of the Inner Sect’s pagodas shimmering with iridescent light in the autumn sun, perfectly complimented by the surrounding golden maple leaves, stunning in their beauty.
Wind chimes hanging from the eaves of the towers sway gently in the autumn breeze, producing a clear and pleasant sound.
That is the place every Outer Sect disciple dreams of reaching.
There is only one way to enter the Inner Sect: Foundation Establishment.
Only disciples who undergo Foundation Establishment qualify to become Inner Sect disciples and enjoy better treatment than those in the Outer Sect.
"How difficult the Foundation Establishment is." Liou Yuan sighs softly.
After embarking on the path of cultivation, he realized how arduous cultivation is. The Spiritual Power required for the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer and Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer doubled.
The late stage of Qi Cultivation already feels incredibly challenging to Liou Yuan, let alone Foundation Establishment.
That giant gateway, like an insurmountable barrier, divides Five Extremes Mountain into two distinct regions.
These Outer Sect disciples can only glimpse the Inner Sect during the trials but cannot advance even a step inside.
The solemn atmosphere didn’t last long.
Soon, a disturbance broke out among the crowd of Outer Sect disciples gathered on the platform.
The light within the illusory gateway to the Inner Sect suddenly flickered.
After a ripple like a wave, three figures emerged.
Like the other Outer Sect disciples, Liou Yuan immediately turned his gaze toward them.
Leading the group was a young Daoist in a moon-white robe embroidered with light blue cloud patterns along its edges, appearing light yet solemn.
Though youthful in appearance, he stood at the center of the three, flanked by the other two, emphasizing his extraordinary status.
His expression held a smile, with soft facial lines, skin as fair as jade, emanating a gentle luster.
Beneath his prominent nose, his thin lips slightly curved upward, always adorned with a fitting smile, creating a sense of warmth akin to a spring breeze.
To the young Daoist’s left was an old acquaintance of Liou Yuan, Mr. Zhao, the protector Zhao Zhuoran.
The elderly protector consistently lagged a step behind the young Daoist, offering half a step’s deference, appearing courteous and humble.
To the right of the Daoist was a middle-aged Taoist nun.
Clad in a black Taoist robe with eerie dark red patterns that shimmered strangely under the light, the robe’s wide sleeves fluttered slightly with her movements, resembling wings spanning the darkness.
Her face was gaunt, her skin an unhealthy gray-blue, with high cheekbones making her expression seem sterner.
Although the characters beside the youth were remarkable, everyone’s gaze naturally gravitated toward him.
No one dared to meet his eyes directly, instinctively averting their gaze from his seemingly warm eyes.
Even the rebellious Qiu Ming became submissive and humble under the youth’s gaze.
He lowered his voice, speaking softly to Liou Yuan, "Hundred Ghosts Asura Xuanyi, that’s our Sect Leader."
Based on the positioning of the three, Liou Yuan could already surmise the youth’s identity.
Hearing Qiu Ming’s words, he scrutinized the youth once more, muttering in response, "I don’t see anything ferocious about him. Why do rumors of our Sect Leader’s fierce reputation circulate all over the Jiuli State and Jin Dynasty?"
Liou Yuan had been to Jiuli State and Jin Dynasty.
Occasionally, people would mention the title of Hundred Ghosts Asura, and upon hearing those four words, no matter the setting, the atmosphere instantly turned solemn.
"That’s because you’re ill-informed. We’re young, and when he made a name for himself, we were still nursing."
"When we were learning to walk, he was already wielding the Asura Blade, cutting his way from the Jin Dynasty to Jiuli State, making the evil cultivators in the Linlang Domain fear crossing the border."
Qiu Ming, seldom impressed by others, evidently holds Hundred Ghosts Asura Xuanyi in high esteem, his spoken words rough yet filled with respect.
"Ha, isn’t it beneficial for our Sect Leader to be strong?" Liou Yuan chuckled.
A strong sect led by an even more powerful Sect Leader undoubtedly provides assurance for its disciples venturing outside.
"And who is that black-robed Taoist nun?" Liou Yuan shifted the topic, asking Qiu Ming about the middle-aged Taoist nun beside Xuanyi.
Zhao Zhuoran was a protector of Five Extremes Mountain and had the right to stand behind Xuanyi.
Likewise, the black-robed Taoist nun’s identity must also be significant.
Qiu Ming pouted, his tone devoid of the reverence he had earlier when speaking of Sect Leader Xuanyi, carrying a tinge of hostility.
"Liou Le Yao from Xiang Mountain the Liou Family, Liou Tao’s aunt, and also one of our sect’s Protectors."
"Liou Tao’s arrogance largely stems from relying on his aunt’s background. This woman is notorious for being ruthless."
"Since we have a feud with Liou Tao, it’s best to avoid her when we come across each other."
"Liou Le Yao." As the Foundation Establishment figure of the Liou Family, Liou Yuan naturally had to pay close attention to her.
In the crowd, Liou Yuan glanced at the black-robed Liou Le Yao, fearful that his gaze might be detected by her, daring not to look any longer, he asked Qiu Ming, "How many Foundation Establishments does the Liou Family have?"
"Three, maybe four." Qiu Ming’s intelligence gathering paled compared to Xie Miaobo, and these insights were ones he overheard from his father.
Thus, his tone was uncertain.
Despite this, Qiu Ming’s information still made Liou Yuan furrow his brows.
Given the current situation, the gap between the Ice Vein and Fog Vein branches was still too vast.
The Ice Vein branch was left with only his eldest brother as the sole Foundation Establishment. How could it withstand the three or four Foundation Establishment figures from Xiang Mountain the Liou Family?
