Chapter 227: A Letter
The envoy followed the two guiding disciples as he stepped into the Immortal Spirit Valley Inner Sect, and the scene before his eyes immediately changed.
Unlike the hustle and bustle of the Outer Sect, the Inner Sect was quiet and profound. Spiritual energy condensed into a thin mist, circulating among the lush ancient trees.
The stone steps beneath their feet were paved entirely with spiritual jade; stepping upon them, a warm spiritual energy rose from the soles of his feet, leaving him refreshed.
In the distance, a flying waterfall descended a thousand zhang, its sound like thunder. Yet, the moment it plunged into the deep pool, it transformed into a mystical spiritual mist.
This mist was slowly absorbed by an eight-sided jade pavilion suspended in mid-air. Vaguely, a figure could be seen sitting cross-legged in the pavilion, sword energy winding around his body, actually refining the spiritual mist of the waterfall into sword intent, which he continuously inhaled and exhaled.
Further still, nine spiritual peaks pierced the clouds like sharp swords. Atop each peak stood a palace, some magnificent and glittering, others ancient and weathered, appearing faintly concealed by the glow of the clouds.
Occasionally, an immortal crane flapped its wings and swept past, its feathers stirring specks of spiritual light that shimmered against the spiritual springs flowing through the mountains.
As the envoy was looking on in fascination, he suddenly heard a clear, soaring sword chime from the front. On a white jade martial arts platform, two figures, one male and one female, crisscrossed, their sword light like a rainbow.
The man was tall and straight; as his long sword was wielded, it carried the momentum of a mighty river surging forth. Each sword strike was heavy as a mountain, yet swift as lightning.
The woman, however, was light and agile like a butterfly. Wherever her sword edge passed, the air froze into frost, and she stepped as if walking on lotuses, actually countering strength with softness and completely dissolving the vast sword momentum.
The two exchanged no more than ten moves, yet they had already displayed cultivation and insight far surpassing their peers. The envoy watched with a tremor in his heart, thinking: "Such figures, if they were placed in the Great Zhou Era, would likely have long since ascended to the forefront of the Human Ranking and become a regional prodigy."
He could not help but ask, "These two are...?" The guiding disciple smiled slightly: "That is Senior Brother Luo He and Senior Sister Ming Yu."
His tone carried a hint of reverence. "If the sect had not recently postponed the selection for direct disciples, they would have long since been taken under the tutelage of the Sect Master or the various Elders."
The envoy was astonished: "Such figures, and they are not even direct disciples?" The disciple simply smiled and said nothing, merely continuing to lead the way.
However, a tempestuous wave surged in the envoy's heart—if even talents of such exceptional caliber had not qualified as direct disciples, just how profound was the heritage of this Immortal Spirit Holy Land?
Could a sect like this truly have only appeared ten years ago? The envoy followed the guiding disciple through the last set of jade steps shrouded in mist and cloud, and his vision suddenly cleared—a magnificent grand hall, constructed entirely of Profound Heaven Spiritual Jade, stood before them.
On the plaza in front of the hall, several carved dragon jade pillars were arranged according to the stars of the surrounding heaven. The pillars were wrapped in materialized Dao Rhyme, and merely approaching them caused one's mind to tremble.
At the end of the grand hall, a figure stood with his hands behind his back. It was a young man who looked no older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.
His simple white robe was unstained by dust, and his black hair was casually tied up with a single cyan jade hairpin. There was no oppressive aura deliberately emanating from his body, yet it instantly caused the envoy to hold his breath.
It was a mystical state nearly resonating with heaven and earth, as if every movement could draw upon the world's spiritual energy. With the keen sight gained from his background in the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, the envoy immediately judged that this Sect Master of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land was already standing on the threshold of the Heaven-Man Stage, lacking only the final step.
"Sect Master Xiao..." A feeling of awe rose in the envoy's heart.
Although the leaders of the Profound Ocean Continent's top sects were mostly great powers of the Heaven-Man Stage, he dared not underestimate the person before him. As a member of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, the man's battle records were widely known to him.
Eight years ago, in the battle of the Endless Sea, Xiao Chen, using his Longevity Stage body, cut down the Half-step Heaven-Man Stage expert, Old Ancestor Xuan Ming, with his sword. That battle shattered three hundred li of the sea area, and in the end, Old Ancestor Xuan Ming's famous magical treasure, the Nine Nether Cold Soul Pearl, was forcefully cleaved in two.
Five years ago, the Immortal Spirit Holy Land opened its doors to accept disciples from the entire Profound Ocean Continent, which caused dissatisfaction among many large sects. Thus, three early-stage Heaven-Man Stage cultivators joined forces to probe him.
Xiao Chen released only one sword strike—later, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's image jade slip showed that the sword strike actually drew down the Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation, forcing the three great powers to immediately retreat on the spot.
The most astonishing event was three years ago...
The most astonishing event was three years ago, during the struggle for the Heavenly Ripple Relic.
It is said that to protect his disciples, Xiao Chen fought a life-and-death battle against a hidden, mid-stage Heavenly Human expert. Ultimately, at the cost of severe injury, he permanently kept the opponent trapped deep within the relic.
Given the Sect Master's ability to cross cultivation realms as if drinking water or eating, the envoy dared not be negligent in the slightest.
He formally saluted: "Heavenly Secret Pavilion Deacon Mo Huaiyuan, specially sent by the Pavilion Master to meet Sect Master Xiao." He reverently presented a jade slip flowing with starlight.
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Chen had already turned around. A simple, calm glance from those seemingly gentle eyes gave one the illusion of being completely seen through.
Xiao Chen lightly tapped his finger, and the jade slip flowing with starlight automatically unfolded. Strands of golden Dao patterns rose from the slip, weaving into several lines of ancient text in the void: "The Heaven Tablet will restart on the fifteenth of next month."
"The Heavenly Secret Pavilion respectfully invites Sect Master Xiao of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land to personally attend the ceremony."
"A viewing pavilion has been prepared for your honored sect in the core area of the Heaven Tablet Pavilion."
At the end of the text, a stellar imprint unique to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion slowly rotated, exuding a profound and vast aura, emphasizing the significance of this invitation.
Xiao Chen's eyes shifted slightly, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "Please inform your Pavilion Master that I will certainly arrive in person at that time."
He lightly brushed his sleeve, and the characters on the jade slip instantly dissolved into specks of starlight and vanished.
The envoy secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Since the Great Zhou Era, the opening of the Heaven Tablet has been the foremost grand event of the Profound Ocean Continent for tens of thousands of years.
Although the rules have changed, reclusive old eccentrics and peerless prodigies from all sides will certainly gather at the Heaven Tablet Pavilion at that time. As a newly established top-tier power, the Immortal Spirit Holy Land's attitude was naturally closely watched.
Xiao Chen's straightforward agreement saved him a great deal of trouble. "Sect Master Xiao is indeed decisive," the envoy said, respectfully saluting.
"The Heavenly Secret Pavilion has prepared the best viewing position for your honored sect in the core area, offering a panoramic view of the entire Heaven Tablet Pavilion."
He paused, then added, "Hearing that this Heaven Tablet opening may bring about a cosmic anomaly, the Pavilion Master specifically instructed that Sect Master Xiao must arrive three days in advance."
Xiao Chen nodded slightly: "Convey my thanks to the Pavilion Master for his kindness."
Seeing that the matter was concluded, the envoy exchanged a few more polite words and then took his leave.
After his figure disappeared outside the grand hall, Xiao Chen stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the distant sea of clouds, a profound light flashing in his eyes.
The Heaven Tablet... How Ji Wuque managed to retrieve it from the Upper Realm remains an enduring mystery.
But this mysterious stone tablet, which has stood in the center of the Profound Ocean Continent since the Great Zhou Era, triggers a dramatic shift in the structure of the immortal cultivation world each time it opens.
The opening a thousand years ago directly established the current structure of the Five Great Holy Lands. This time, he faintly sensed that an even greater change was likely to occur.
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