Chapter 143: Returning to the Sect

Chen Luo hadn’t anticipated that the war would end so swiftly.

His initial reaction upon receiving the news was one of regret, thinking he had missed out. However, no one could predict future events. At the time, Guo Mountain County seemed like the best opportunity. If he had passed it up, he wasn’t sure where else he could find Mind-Focusing Grass. The dried-up old ghost and Lu Zhaotian certainly wouldn’t have spent decades there otherwise if alternatives existed.

After confirming the accuracy of the information, Chen Luo prepared to return to his sect. Only those who had experienced the hardships as solo cultivators outside truly understood the immense value of a powerful sect’s support.

“I won’t need Soul Nourishing Pills for the curse issue anymore; seeking help from Shizun Daoist Wuwei should suffice.”

The evil curse was cast by a Foundation Establishment evil cultivator from Guo Mountain County. From the perspective of Qi Refinement, it posed an insurmountable threat. However, with intervention from a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the situation drastically changed, becoming merely troublesome at worst. If fortunate enough to catch the attention of an immortal sect leader at Core Formation stage, resolving it would be even simpler.

In preparation for his return to the sect, Chen Luo specifically sought out Zhu Jie, asking her to help him gather some gifts.

Upon learning that her alchemist was leaving, Zhu Jie’s face fell as if someone owed her tens of thousands of spirit stones. However, considering the future need for Foundation Establishment Pills, she still assisted Chen Luo with his preparations.

“Don’t forget what you promised,” Zhu Jie reminded him after handing over the bag of holding.

“Rest assured, once you gather all the ingredients, send someone to find me at the immortal sect’s market using this token.” Chen Luo handed Zhu Jie a token imbued with his aura. Additionally, he gifted her a flask containing Qi Nourishing Pills as a farewell present.

With these assurances, Zhu Jie finally felt relieved.

Before departing, Chen Luo made a special visit to the Hu Family.

When he first arrived in Woodmount City, they had greatly aided him, and now it was only proper to bid them farewell before leaving.

Knock, knock, knock.

Chen Luo gently tapped on the door.

“Senior Chen?”

Hu Qiudao opened the door; he was now the patriarch of the Hu Family, dressed in dignified black attire and sporting a neatly trimmed beard—a stark contrast from his appearance on the mountain.

“Elder Brother Hu, I’m returning to my sect.”

“Take care,” replied Hu Qiudao.

As he watched Chen Luo, ready with his belongings for departure, a hint of envy flickered in Hu Qiudao’s eyes. Once upon a time, he too had possessed such opportunities but failed to appreciate them. Only after leaving the sect did he realize the hardships faced by solo cultivators outside and understand why Old Man Hu insisted on sending him to a sect.

“In the future, if any clansmen wish to join the sect, they can seek me out. Within my means, I will do my best to assist them,” Chen Luo promised.

He could sense the reverence in Hu Qiudao’s expression; indeed, there was a significant difference between the seventh layer and the Thirteenth Layer of Qi Refinement at Perfection. Seeing his once casual Senior Brother now reserved, Chen Luo decided to lighten the mood with a jest.

“Elder Brother Hu, that attire really ages you quite a bit.”

Taken aback, Hu Qiudao then broke into a smile, the formality instantly dissipating from his face. It reminded him of their playful banter when they first ascended the mountain together. However… those days were truly gone.

After bidding farewell to the Hu Family, Chen Luo left the city alone.

Arriving solo and departing the same way.

Bathed in the evening glow, Chen Luo steered his horse-drawn carriage, swaying steadily towards the nearest market town.

“Wait, I remember Shizun assigned me some task,” Chen Luo thought, slapping his forehead. He searched through his bag of holding and quickly found the mission brief given by Daoist Wuwei when he first descended the mountain.

It was a garrison duty at a place called Burial Mountain City within the Luxury Nation.

“Never mind, I won’t do it.”

Glancing over the details, he realized it was quite far from Woodmount City. Making a special trip for such a trivial matter seemed impractical. After weighing his options briefly, he opted to directly choose ‘Garrison Failure.’

Just one measly merit point, too much hassle to earn. It would be better to return and trade medicinal pills and paper talismans instead.

Hopefully, Junior Sister Huang Ying has gone back as well; that would save even more trouble.

As Chen Luo sat in the carriage, his thoughts began to wander.

Several days later.

On the outskirts of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect, a massive flying boat sliced through the sky.

The downed flying boat had been repaired, war-torn areas restored to normal, and even Tianming Peak, devastated by the Corpse-Raising Sect’s Core Formation patriarch, had regained its stability. The malevolent qi that had engulfed the mountain was now purged.

The sky was clear, with not a cloud in sight.

A few individuals stood sparsely on the flying boat, reflecting how the impact of war could not be swiftly erased. Despite the cease-fire between the three sects, the losses were not easily recovered; the most evident being the drastic reduction in cultivators’ numbers.

Descending through the clouds, the flying boat landed upon the surface of the Divine Lake below.

Its waters churned gently, warmed by the caressing breeze.

This time, there were no Dragon Turtles chasing beneath, diminishing the aura of immortality significantly. Chen Luo stood at the edge of the flying boat, allowing the warm wind to brush against his face. His light blue robes billowed audibly, hair flowing freely, resembling an immortal descending from the heavens.

Gradually, the ten peaks of the immortal sect came into view. As far as the eye could see, these towering main peaks rose majestically like pillars supporting the sky, awe-inspiring.

“I never thought that in my lifetime, Ding Wanshan would return to the immortal sect!” exclaimed someone from within the crowd, unable to contain their excitement.

Many among them, like Chen Luo, had sought refuge off the mountain during the crisis. Those daring enough to come back now were all at Late Stage Qi Refinement or beyond. For those who hadn’t reached this stage, once the three-year deadline passed, their status as Outer Sect disciples was automatically revoked.

Buzz!!

The flying boat descended, its massive wooden claws extending to brace against the ground.

As the protective barrier of the formation dissipated, Chen Luo leaped lightly, channeling spiritual energy to soar towards Wu Dao Peak. Having achieved Perfection, his consumption while flying with spiritual energy significantly decreased. To save time, he bypassed the main gate and the bustling marketplace, directly heading for the ten peaks’ region at the rear of the mountain.

Upon entering Wu Dao Peak’s territory, Chen Luo gradually descended.

After taking only a few steps along the mountain path, he spotted the familiar pavilion. Beside it, on a peculiar rock, Xianhe Chengfeng stood dozing, its head tucked beneath its wing, motionless like a statue.

“Uncle-Master Chengfeng,” Chen Luo greeted as he approached.

Xianhe Chengfeng, roused from its nap by the voice, lifted its head and glanced at him.

“I’m back.”

Chen Luo retrieved the gift from his bag of holding, which contained Xianhe Chengfeng’s favorite foods. Having previously completed a task to feed him on the mountain, he knew well what offerings would please this uncle-master.

“Always thoughtful, aren’t you, lad? The few blockheads up here are just too clueless.”

Xianhe Chengfeng swept the bag with his beak, glanced inside, and displayed a satisfied expression.

“Head up the mountain directly and find that old man Wuwei; he’s around at the moment. This place has been unbearably dull lately.”

With these words, Xianhe Chengfeng spread his wings, took Chen Luo’s gifts, and soared into the clouds, disappearing in a blink—likely off to some secluded spot to enjoy his feast.

After crossing the cliff, Chen Luo followed his memory and began ascending the mountain.

Soon, he reached the area where the lodgings were located, similar to when he first arrived. Upon joining Wu Dao Peak, he had lived here for a time. It was also here that Hu Qiudao handed over the responsibility of guiding him to Huang Butong. However, circumstances had changed, and both positions were now filled by different individuals.

“Senior Brother! You’re back!”

As soon as Chen Luo turned a corner, he spotted a familiar face.

It was the junior disciple whom he had encountered during his descent from the mountain—the same one who joined the sect alongside him. Judging by his attire, it seemed likely that he was now serving as a reception disciple, explaining his presence in this area.

“Long time no see.”

Chen Luo retrieved a Spirit Gathering Pill from his bag of holding and casually tossed it to Ding Xiaoxia.

There was no specific reason; he was simply happy!

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Ding Xiaoxia’s face lit up with excitement as he accepted the medicinal pill. He didn’t expect such generosity, receiving a Qi Gathering Pill right away! This pill was superior even to the Qi Nourishing Pill, and despite his current means, it would still take him a considerable amount of time to afford just one.

“Senior Brothers truly live up to their reputation, always so generous.”

By the time Ding Xiaoxia regained his composure, Chen Luo had already vanished from sight.

“Ding Xiaoxia, who was that senior brother just now? We’ve never seen him before.”

“Yeah, felt incredibly strong, almost like an elder.”

The two disciples beside Ding Xiaoxia couldn’t resist their curiosity and eagerly asked. They were new recruits, having joined Wu Dao Peak only this year. After witnessing the sect battle, they now perceived nearly everyone as extraordinary martial experts.

“That senior brother is one of our long-standing members at Wu Dao Peak. He has been here since I first entered the sect. Back then, he even guided me in my training,” Ding Xiaoxia explained vaguely, unaware of Chen Luo’s name himself.

“More than three years? Then isn’t he an Inner Sect elder brother!”

“Probably…I guess.”

Ding Xiaoxia scratched his head, unsure himself, wondering whom to ask for clarification.

Passing the disciples’ courtyards ahead, Chen Luo swiftly arrived at the main hall.

Throughout his journey, he encountered not a single disciple from Wu Dao Peak.

The only living beings he saw were Ding Xiaoxia near the front entrance and two newly promoted disciples.

Now, Wu Dao Peak seemed even more desolate, with hardly anyone to be found on the mountain. Eldest Sister Bai Su had not returned, nor had Huang Ying and her close friend Elder Sister Shen. After passing the front hall area, Chen Luo was alone in the rear halls.

His footsteps echoed distinctly within the vast, empty chamber.

Daoist Wuwei’s cultivation main hall remained unchanged for millennia, preserving its appearance just as Chen Luo remembered.

As he approached, Chen Luo noticed signs that the runes on both sides of the hall had been rewritten. The foundation stones of the formation had also been replaced, likely due to damage sustained during the Core Formation battle.

“Shizun.”

Standing outside the hall, Chen Luo amplified his voice using spiritual energy.

After a moment, the bronze doors swung inward.

A wisp of spiritual energy escaped from within. Chen Luo pushed open the gates and entered. The interior of the hall looked nearly identical to before; Daoist Wuwei continued his cultivation seated in the center. The paintings on the walls, which had once vanished, reappeared anew. As Chen Luo stepped inside, the lingering ‘Xin Mo’ influence slowly dissipated from the artwork.

Daoist Wuwei opened his eyes from where he sat in the middle of the hall.

As Chen Luo entered, the influence of Xin Mo gradually faded from the paintings.