Chapter 327: An Uninvited Guest
Greenwood Sect, Myriad Forest Hall.
A dignified cultivator dressed in a green long robe sat upright in the main seat. His aura was restrained yet profound, his cultivation unfathomably deep.
This person was none other than the Sect Master of the Greenwood Sect, True Monarch Qinghuai Zhao Cang!
“The news from the Mirror Moon Sect—presumably all of you are already aware of it.”
Zhao Cang set down the jade slip in his hand and looked toward the eight Golden Core elders below. “The Heavenly-One Northern Abyss Mirror has stirred, manifesting a phenonon between Heaven and Earth. Even our sect’s Supre Treasure has resonated in response.”
“All signs indicate that within the Mirror Moon Sect, there is very likely a Golden Core True Person who has forged a Taiyi Golden Core!”
As soon as Zhao Cang finished speaking, the already solemn atmosphere within Myriad Forest Hall grew even heavier.
Several Golden Core elders revealed contemplative expressions.
The Taiyi Golden Core was a supre Golden Core. Without great destiny and exceptional aptitude, it was impossible to achieve.
Over the years, countless prodigies of cultivation within the Greenwood Sect had studied the Taiyi Pill Forging thod of the Five Great Emperors of the Five Directions, yet not a single one had attained great success.
Even soone as gifted as Sect Master Zhao Cang had only forged a Second-Grade Golden Core back then—utterly incomparable to a Taiyi Golden Core.
However, compared to the grade of the Golden Core, what worried the Golden Core elders present even more was this: the ancient texts recorded that those who obtained a Taiyi Golden Core had hope of achieving Divine Transformation and Void Refinent, and could also trigger resonance with a sect’s foundation.
To put it plainly, a Golden Core True Person ant nothing by itself. The reason the Golden Core elders of the Greenwood Sect had gathered here was the terrifying growth potential of a Taiyi Golden Core.
If the Mirror Moon Sect were to produce a Nascent Soul True Monarch capable of wielding the power of a Primordial Dao Artifact, then although the Greenwood Sect would not face existential danger, the balance of the entire Earth Proliferation Territory would be completely overturned.
“Has it been confird? Which Golden Core of the Mirror Moon Sect is it?” a sinister-looking Golden Core elder suddenly asked.
“According to the report from our planted informants within the Mirror Moon Sect, the prodigy who triggered the anomaly of the Heavenly-One Northern Abyss Mirror is most likely the Mirror Moon Sect’s Dao Child, Chen Zi’ang.”
The Grand Elder of the Greenwood Sect said, “But Chen Zi’ang may rely be a target placed in plain sight. The true bearer of the Taiyi Golden Core could be soone else.”
As these words fell, silence descended upon Myriad Forest Hall.
“This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Even if it ans our alliance with the Mirror Moon Sect collapses, it will be worth the cost.”
Zhao Cang’s gaze flashed like lightning as it slowly swept over the Golden Core elders below, his tone resolute.
“How do we confirm it?” an elder asked.
“The Dao Child represents the sect’s public face. The Mirror Moon Sect will certainly invite guests from all directions to hold a Core Formation Ceremony.”
Zhao Cang’s expression was solemn. “Our sect has long maintained relations with the Mirror Moon Sect. Under the pretext of offering congratulations, we may send soone there and conduct a test openly and aboveboard.”
“Sect Master speaks wisely.” The Grand Elder nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, “But an ordinary Golden Core may find it difficult to probe the depth of the Mirror Moon Dao Child in full public view.”
“Send Zhao Muyu,” Zhao Cang said calmly.
At these words, the Golden Core True Persons present all revealed subtle changes in their expressions.
Zhao Muyu had cultivation at the peak of the Golden Core Realm. He was of the Patriarch’s direct bloodline, possessed an Yimu Spirit Physique, and displayed astonishing talent in Wood-attribute techniques. He had the strength to fight across realms and was the undisputed number one among the previous generation of Golden Core True Persons of the Greenwood Sect. He was also a strong contender for the next Sect Master.
Even the elders present who had reached Golden Core Great Perfection did not have much confidence in defeating Zhao Muyu in single combat.
“Martial Nephew Muyu has sufficient strength and a ticulous mind. He is indeed the best candidate,” one Golden Core elder nodded.
“If the Mirror Moon Dao Child has earned the favor of a Dao Artifact, his strength must be extraordinary. Though Martial Nephew Muyu is powerful, he may not be able to force out his full strength,” another Golden Core elder said with hesitation.
“It does not matter.” Zhao Cang smiled faintly. “For this Core Formation Ceremony, I have decided to place the Myriad-Wondrous Green Lotus in Muyu’s hands.”
Upon hearing this, several Golden Core elders’ pupils contracted.
The Myriad-Wondrous Green Lotus was not only a Heaven-reaching Mystic Treasure, but also the natal magical artifact of True Monarch Qinghuai.
If the Sect Master were willing to pay a great price to leave certain True Monarch thods within the Myriad-Wondrous Green Lotus, then Zhao Muyu—wielding a Heaven-reaching Mystic Treasure—might contend against an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, perhaps even attempt suppression and slaying.
…
Heavy Gold Sect, Yuanmagnet Hall.
Within the grand hall, Yuanmagnet power surged magnificently.
Anyone below the level of a Third-Tier Golden Core Body Refiner who stepped into this place—even a Golden Core True Person—would feel their body grow sluggish, as if burdened by mountains.
Wu Shijie, Sect Master of the Heavy Gold Sect, stood shirtless in the center of the hall, his expression cold and stern, several communication jade slips in hand.
“Our sect intends to join forces with the Greenwood Sect, the Blazing Fla Sect, and the Profound Sword Pavilion to probe the Mirror Moon Sect. What do you think?” Wu Shijie said bluntly.
“Probe?” a Golden Core elder said in a hoarse voice. “If it is confird that the Mirror Moon Dao Child poses a great threat, then the sect should spare no effort to eliminate him in advance.”
“It is not that simple.” Another Golden Core elder shook his head. “As long as the Mirror Moon Dao Child does not leave the Mirror Moon mountain gate, and with the Heavenly-One Northern Abyss Mirror guarding it, who can eliminate him? Such an aggressive approach would amount to a direct declaration of war. That does not align with our sect’s strategy!”
“And what of declaring war?”
A sharp-eyed Golden Core elder said, “It would be the perfect chance to force the Mirror Moon Dao Child out and cut the weeds at the root, lest he rely on the foundation of the Heavenly-One Northern Abyss Mirror to break into the realm of True Monarch and True Venerable, leading the Mirror Moon Sect to rise in power.”
“Second Elder, your thinking is too radical. Divine Transformation True Venerables are not so easily achieved.” Wu Shijie snorted coldly. “As for elimination—either we do not move at all, or we strike with thunderous force and kill with a single blow.”
“If the Mirror Moon Sect chooses to shrink back, ceding the lands between the two realms, fortifying their mountain gate and waiting for the Mirror Moon Dao Child to grow—Second Elder, do you have confidence in breaking through the Mirror Moon mountain gate?”
At these words, the Second Elder’s eyelids twitched slightly.
Opportunities could be created.
Assassinating the Mirror Moon Dao Child and attacking the Mirror Moon mountain gate could be two entirely different matters. Only a fool would charge head-on.
But regardless of his inner complaints, the Second Elder showed no intention of openly contradicting the Sect Master.
Sect Master Wu Shijie was of the Patriarch’s direct bloodline, and his cultivation was unrivaled—even among Nascent Soul True Monarchs, he ranked among the very best.
With the Sect Master’s inclination already made clear, he dared not continue pressing a radical stance.
There was a saying: great matters are discussed in small etings; small matters in large assemblies.
Compared to the will of a True Monarch, Golden Core elders like them—though seemingly powerful and influential—were in truth only responsible for handling the sect’s routine affairs.
The sect’s true strategic direction was determined by the Nascent Soul True Monarchs; they rely carried out the orders.
“Killing is a ans, not the end. The sect’s interests are the foundation.”
Wu Shijie spoke with unquestionable authority. “For this Core Formation Ceremony of the Mirror Moon Sect, I will personally lead the delegation. Li Feijue will accompany .”
Hearing this, several elders revealed expressions of surprise.
The Heavy Gold Sect and the Mirror Moon Sect had always been hostile toward each other.
Judging from the Sect Master’s attitude, he seed more inclined toward cooperation with the Mirror Moon Sect rather than joining the other three sects to suppress it.
…
Ti passed like a shuttle, fleeting as ever.
The Core Formation Ceremony began as scheduled.
Above the Mirror Moon Sea Region, streams of escaping light converged from all directions of the Earth Proliferation Territory, descending upon the seats that the Mirror Moon Sect had long prepared.
Before long, the Mirror Moon Plaza was filled with cultivators, and powerful figures from the great sects gathered together.
“Buzz!”
At that mont, the flying swords carried by the Mirror Moon disciples all emitted a soft hum in unison.
Shu You raised her head and, following the resonance of her flying sword, extended her divine sense toward the southeast. She discovered streaks of incomparably sharp sword light sweeping across the horizon.
“It’s cultivators from the Profound Sword Pavilion!”
Beside her, Bai Zhi’s gaze sharpened as she looked toward the foremost figure within the sword light.
The newcor wore a plain white Dao robe. His brows were like swords, his eyes like stars, and his bearing was extraordinary. He was one of the candidates for Pavilion Master of the Profound Sword Pavilion, a Golden Core Great Perfection Major Cultivator—the Heavenly Sword, Gu Wuji.
“The Vice Pavilion Master of the Profound Sword Pavilion congratulates the Mirror Moon Dao Child on successfully forming his Core—presenting one Third-Tier High-Grade Magical Artifact, the Fish-Dragon Sword.”
After the Mirror Moon Sect cultivator finished announcing the gift, he directly led the cultivators of the Profound Sword Pavilion to their seats.
“Those who co uninvited are seldom benevolent,” Gu Chun murmured.
For the Core Formation Ceremony of the Mirror Moon Dao Child, the Profound Sword Pavilion—an ally—had rely sent a Vice Pavilion Master to lead the delegation and offered only a Third-Tier High-Grade Magical Artifact. This undoubtedly conveyed a certain signal of dissatisfaction.
Gu Wuji maintained a calm posture, ignoring the interested gazes of the cultivators from the Five Great Sects as he took his seat unperturbed.
At present, he was not yet the Pavilion Master of the Profound Sword Pavilion and could not represent the entire sect.
Whatever words or actions he took today could be interpreted as personal conduct, leaving room for maneuver in the Profound Sword Pavilion’s subsequent strategic decisions.
With that thought, Gu Wuji slowly closed his eyes, like an old monk entering ditation, completely restraining his sharp edge as he waited for the true protagonist of the Core Formation Ceremony to appear.
Soon, powerful figures from the various cultivation forces took their seats one after another. The appointed hour had arrived.
The Grand Elder of the Mirror Moon Sect, Zheng Qianwei, flashed into view before the main seat of the high platform and spoke loudly, “The auspicious hour has arrived—invite the Dao Child to take his seat!”
As her voice fell, the Golden Bell sounded four tis.
Regardless of cultivation level or sect affiliation, all present instinctively restrained their auras, ceased conversation, and turned their gazes toward the high platform bathed in boundless霞光.
In an instant, the entire Mirror Moon Plaza fell silent.
Under the watch of tens of thousands of cultivators, a tall and upright figure slowly stepped out from the depths of the radiant glow.
His features were handso, his aura calm and profound. His steps were unhurried, and he exuded an indescribable noble bearing that caused the vast majority of cultivators present to hold their breath, solemn awe rising in their hearts.
‘So he is the Mirror Moon Dao Child, Chen Zi’ang?’
‘What astonishing bearing!’
A female cultivator from the Greenwood Sect covered her lips and sighed softly, her eyes shining with brilliance. ‘Truly, like jade upon the roadside—no equal in the world.’
Her companion also seed montarily entranced and transmitted via divine sense, ‘Have you noticed? The Mirror Moon Dao Child is clearly standing there, yet he seems fused with Heaven and Earth. There is not the slightest trace of aura to be sensed. Is this truly soone who has only just entered the Golden Core Realm?’
At the Profound Sword Pavilion’s seating area—
Gu Wuji slowly opened his closed eyes, a trace of wariness flashing in his gaze as he looked at Chen Beiwu.
‘What terrifying foundation.’
As a Golden Core Great Perfection Major Cultivator, he could not discern the depth of a prodigy who had supposedly just entered the Golden Core Realm.
It seed the sect’s intelligence was accurate. The one who triggered the Heavenly-One Northern Abyss Mirror was most likely the Mirror Moon Dao Child, Chen Zi’ang.
‘Sothing is not right!’
Wu Shijie, Sect Master of the Heavy Gold Sect, frowned slightly, inwardly surprised.
According to the ancient records of his sect, although the Taiyi Golden Core was formidable, it did not possess any profound ability to conceal one’s aura.
At most, Chen Zi’ang was rely a Golden Core cultivator. How could he conceal his strength and obscure his aura before soone like him—a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?
Could it be that his speculation was mistaken—that Chen Zi’ang had not rely resonated with the Heavenly-One Northern Abyss Mirror, but had gained its recognition and possessed the hope of becoming the wielder of a Primordial Dao Artifact?
If that were truly the case, then for the sake of the sect’s interests, the Heavy Gold Sect could just as well turn enemies into allies and beco aligned with the Mirror Moon Sect.
‘This is bad. Martial Nephew Muyu is no match for Chen Zi’ang!’
Elsewhere, although Zhao Cang, Sect Master of the Greenwood Sect, maintained a smile on his face, his heart sank.
Had the Mirror Moon Sect gone mad?
He could not discern the true strength of the Mirror Moon Dao Child, yet he could sense faint threads of threat emanating from him.
If his guess was correct, the Mirror Moon Dao Child only appeared to have just entered the Golden Core Realm. In truth, over these years he had refined nurous precious pills and great elixirs, and was now very likely already at the Late-Stage Golden Core—or even a Golden Core Great Perfection Major Cultivator.
Sensing the gazes of the assembled cultivators, especially the divine senses of the Nascent Soul True Monarchs, Chen Beiwu walked calmly to the center of the high platform, faced the guests from all directions, and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Chen Zi’ang of the Mirror Moon Sect thanks all seniors and fellow Daoists for attending as witnesses.”
As his voice fell, the banquet officially began.
Immortal music drifted ethereally as host and guests exchanged pleasantries.
At the banquet, various treasured brews and spiritual fruits circulated endlessly. So cultivators, their spirits stirred, even began discussing the Dao while seated.
“Boom!”
At that mont, the spiritual resonance pervading Heaven and Earth suddenly stagnated.
A terrifying pressure—like a vast ocean overturning—slowly descended from the heavens. The Mirror Moon Sect’s mountain-protecting grand formation activated in response, forming a light barrier capable of withstanding a full-force assault from a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
“Hm?”
“What a vicious aura!”
“The Five Great Sects’ experts are gathered here—who dares act so recklessly?”
The guests present all revealed slight changes in expression, their gazes uncertain as they looked beyond the mountain gate.
“Which petty scoundrel dares trespass upon the mountain gate of the Mirror Moon Sect!”
The Golden Core True Persons responsible for vigilance and security were both shocked and enraged, shouting sternly.
Chen Beiwu’s gaze sharpened as he looked toward the heavens.
Above the Ninth Heaven, within the sea of clouds, a colossal warship—vast as an island—slowly erged, stirring the winds and clouds.
The warship had been refined from the skeleton of an unknown gigantic beast. Upon its bones were densely inscribed nurous Dao-affirming talismanic patterns, radiating a desolate and vicious aura as terrifying as the descent of a True Monarch.
At the center of the prow, a pitch-black battle flag snapped violently in the wind. Upon its surface was embroidered the totem of an Eight Desolations Giant Dragon, roaring toward the sky as though seeking to swallow mountains and rivers.
At the sight of that banner, many guests present—including cultivators from the Profound Sword Pavilion, the Greenwood Sect, the Blazing Fla Sect, and the Heavy Gold Sect—furrowed their brows, their expressions darkening.
There was only one reason: this was the Earth Proliferation Territory.
Yet the banner hanging from that Fourth-Tier warship bore the emblem of the hegemon of the Southern Evolution Territory—the Eight Desolations Sect.
‘What terrifying montum!’
Chen Beiwu’s pupils contracted slightly as he looked toward the several figures standing at the forefront of the warship’s deck.
The leader was a gray-robed cultivator of eight-foot stature, slender in build.
His appearance was utterly ordinary. Not the slightest aura leaked from his body, yet all present felt a dreadful artistic conception—as though sun and moon rose and fell, the Eight Desolations crumbled, and life itself lay beyond one’s control.
This was not the oppression of cultivation, nor the locking of aura—it was the absolute gap brought about by differing levels of life and dinsion.
A Divine Transformation True Venerable!!!
Seeing the wisps of indescribable Purple Qi lingering around the gray-robed cultivator—neither cloud nor霞光—Chen Beiwu remained calm.
But Grand Elder Zheng Qianwei’s expression changed drastically.
“The Mirror Moon Dao Child’s Core Formation is cause for celebration.”
The gray-robed cultivator spoke calmly, his voice resounding through Heaven and Earth. “This seat is Ning Xuanji, Patriarch of the Eight Desolations Sect. I have brought our sect’s Dao Child, Ning Wujiu, to observe the ceremony.”
Behind Ning Xuanji, the youth nad Ning Wujiu stepped forward at the appropriate mont. His gaze passed over the multitude of cultivators and locked onto Chen Beiwu.
“I have long heard that the Mirror Moon Dao Child’s talent is peerless, capable of triggering phenona between Heaven and Earth upon forming his Core. I am Ning Wujiu. Having gained so minor insights in my cultivation, I wish to spar with a peerless talent of my generation and mutually verify our understanding.”
“Today, I am willing to present a Knocking-Dao Battle as my congratulatory gift, to celebrate the Mirror Moon Dao Child’s successful Core Formation. I hope Fellow Daoist Chen… will not be stingy in granting instruction!”
Upon hearing this, all cultivators turned their gazes toward Chen Beiwu, their expressions varied.
Under the pretext of congratulation and seeking instruction, yet carrying out domineering actions—this was the customary thod by which the Eight Desolations Sect subdued the various cultivation sects of the Southern Evolution Territory.
How would the Mirror Moon Dao Child respond?
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