Chapter 281: Ascending the Mountain

The situation proved even simpler than Chen Luo had anticipated. Upon witnessing the Grand Void Sword Seal, the Qiong Hua Sect elder grew exceedingly cautious. After posing a few questions, he promptly abandoned his current duties to escort Chen Luo back to the sect.

The elder’s name was Jiang He. Once an Inner Sect disciple of Qiong Hua Sect, he had failed to secure True Inheritance status and instead became an elder. Currently serving as the Sword Cleansing Elder on Grand Void Peak, his cultivation level stood at Late Foundation Establishment. Through Elder Jiang, Chen Luo gained a clearer understanding of the sect’s inner workings.

Excluding the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity at the pinnacle, the remaining members were True Inheritance disciples. These positions were exceedingly rare; even the peak with the most True Inheritance holders boasted no more than ten members. The main peak’s position remained vacant, with not a single True Inheritance disciple to be found.

The number of True Inheritance disciples depended on the Founding Ancestor’s temperament.

Elders were slightly more numerous, with each peak hosting ten to twenty members. Taiyuan Peak boasted the largest contingent of twenty elders. These elders maintained the sect’s operational framework, including roles such as Demon Sealing Elder, Sword Cleansing Elder, Merit Transmission Elder, and Guardian Elder.

The elders’ cultivation levels varied greatly depending on their positions.

Their return to the sect utilized a regional teleportation formation, with costs borne by Medicine King City. After exiting the formation, they continued flying for some distance. Upon entering Qiong Hua Sect’s territory, no other factions remained in sight - the sect’s domain stretched across thousands of miles in all directions.

The two of them flew on their swords, surrounded by mountains below. The valleys between the peaks were densely forested, with exotic flowers and rare herbs blooming everywhere. Occasionally, spirit birds would fly by, making the place seem like a sacred land of immortals.

Qiong Hua Sect was composed of seven towering peaks that reached toward the sky. The mountain tops were shrouded in mist, with golden and jade palaces above, resembling a celestial cultivation ground. Within the depths of the clouds, figures could occasionally be seen flying on swords, like beings from a transcendent realm.

“Beyond Heavenly Sword Peak lies the heart of the sect,” Elder Jiang He said as he guided Chen Luo. “This area is protected by the Fourth-Tier Myriad Ages Evergreen Formation. No one would dare cause trouble here.”

Elder Jiang He led Chen Luo down from the sky.

Azure Stone Town.

There had originally been no settlement here. Over time, as more people gathered, a small town had formed. Most of the residents were immortal cultivators, though occasionally one might spot ordinary people who had connections to the mountain dwellers.

The cultivators guarding this place all sought to join Qiong Hua Sect.

As the premier immortal sect in Southern Heaven Domain, Qiong Hua Sect opened its gates every decade. During these periods, anyone from outside could ascend the mountain to seek qualification for membership. This practice set Qiong Hua Sect apart from God Lake Immortal Sect, where elders actively recruited disciples. At Qiong Hua Sect, disciples came knocking themselves. Those with poor aptitude or bad luck didn’t even qualify for the mountain climb.

Beyond the mountain gates lay azure stone steps.

The stone steps totaled nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, winding upward like a serpentine path. Every returning Qiong Hua Sect disciple passed through these stairs. Most were Qi Refining realm cultivators, with occasional Foundation Establishment cultivators—though the latter remained rare. Descending disciples typically traveled alone, with those in groups ignoring their companions.

This was Chen Luo’s first visit to Qiong Hua Sect. Though he possessed a Sword Seal Token, he still needed to abide by the sect’s rules.

Elder Jiang He led Chen Luo through the staircase.

As Chen Luo stepped upon the stones, he clearly sensed faint waves of Demonic Heart emanating from below. Though weak, these fluctuations could significantly affect ordinary Qi Refining disciples. A momentary lapse in focus could draw them into illusory realms.

This method proved ideal for assessing disciples. Those who could ascend the staircase possessed strong mental fortitude. Thus, Qiong Hua Sect’s overall standards remained elevated.

“The Heart-Questioning Stairway is the mandatory test for admission.”

With Elder Jiang He’s guidance, Chen Luo swiftly completed his registration. While the Sword Seal Token couldn’t exempt him from sect rules, it did save time. What others required ten days or more to complete, he finished in half a day.

“The third peak is Grand Void Peak.”

As Chen Luo arrived at the third peak, he felt an even greater sense of desolation. Contrary to his imagined scene of white-robed swordsmen practicing their arts, Grand Void Peak lay completely barren. Not only were there no people, but he could scarcely see two buildings.

“Elder Jiang He, is this the direct disciple of Martial Uncle Gu Yue you mentioned?” A figure descended from the sky and landed before them. It was a female cultivator dressed in a long green skirt, her cultivation at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Yet the identity token at her waist bore the words ‘True Inheritance’, indicating she was a true disciple of Grand Void Peak.

“The City Lord of Medicine King City has already verified this person’s identity,” Jiang He nodded, introducing the newcomer to Chen Luo. “We still need to report to the Founding Ancestor for confirmation.”

Jun Yao, true disciple of Grand Void Peak. She had reached the mid Foundation Establishment stage within a hundred years, making her a prodigy of the Qiong Hua Sect with the potential to achieve Core Formation within another century.

“Follow me,” Jun Yao said, leading Chen Luo to a secluded courtyard. Three thatched huts stood within, their entrance adorned with chickens and ducks, presenting the appearance of a peasant’s courtyard rather than a scene from a major Immortal Sect. When she pushed open the bamboo gate, two pheasants startled and flapped their wings, while a large rooster crowed from its perch on a stone block.

“Martial Uncle Huaqing, I’ve brought the person as requested,” Jun Yao called out respectfully from the doorway. Her demeanor here was completely different from when she faced Elder Jiang He.

This was the residence of the Guardian Elder.

On the way here, Chen Luo had learned that the Qiong Hua Sect’s elders were divided into four categories: Guardian, Demon Sealing, Sword Cleansing, and Merit Transmission. The Merit Transmission Elders were the most numerous, followed by the Sword Cleansing Elders. The Guardian Elders were the least in number, with only one stationed at Grand Void Peak - this very old man scattering chicken feed before them.

The Guardian Elder was advanced in years, his beard streaked with white. He appeared somewhat dazed, only snapping out of his trance upon hearing Jun Yao’s voice. His clouded eyes examined Chen Luo from head to toe.

“No problem. Arrange it as you see fit.”

Having spoken these words, the old man turned back to feeding his chickens and ducks. His expression was that of a simple-minded elder, his thoughts wandering who knows where.

Chen Luo had already observed the chickens and ducks the Guardian Elder kept. These were truly ordinary fowl, a fact proven by the chicken and duck droppings littering the courtyard.

This individual was the first Core Formation True Person Chen Luo encountered after ascending the mountain. He felt even more formidable than an Immortal Sect Leader, likely having progressed beyond the initial Core Formation stage. It was hard to imagine such a powerful Core Formation cultivator residing in this humble place.

“Indeed.”

After receiving confirmation from the Guardian Elder, Jun Yao finally relaxed.

She led Chen Luo back to the Front Mountain and arranged lodging for him in the Outer Sect Disciples’ quarters. Since his status had not yet been acknowledged by the Founding Ancestor, this was the only place he could stay.

“The Founding Ancestor remains in seclusion,” Jun Yao explained. “He won’t emerge for several months. Cultivate here until he reappears. I’ll come for you then. If urgent matters arise, use a Communication Talisman to contact me.”

After giving these instructions and reviewing the mountain’s rules, Jun Yao departed.

Chen Luo settled into his thatched hut in the Outer Sect Disciples’ district. With the recruitment period still months away, he stood as the sole occupant of the entire area.

Days passed like water through cupped hands.

Since Jun Yao’s departure, no one had come to see him. The rigorous scrutiny and divine soul tests he’d anticipated never materialized.

The mountain dwellers had already forgotten him.

This also indirectly demonstrated the Qiong Hua Sect’s confidence—specifically, their faith in the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity. They refused to believe anyone could deceive their founding ancestors.

The Stay Mountain disciples were few in number.

The mountain’s atmosphere was so serene it felt like another world entirely.

Everyone focused intently on cultivation. When two figures were occasionally glimpsed, they sat meditating atop massive boulders at mountain peaks, only to vanish completely when next observed.

Chen Luo reveled in this solitude.

Before ascending the mountain, the City Lord of Medicine King City had provided him with abundant resources sufficient for years of cultivation.

Qiong Hua Sect, Grand Void Peak’s rear mountains.

Night.

Clouds obscured the sky, leaving only darkness.

A narrow path wound through jagged rocks, strewn with loose stones. Weeds flourished along both sides, while gray boulders protruded like sword blades, emitting mournful whistles as cold winds gusted through the gaps.

Crunch.

Footsteps on gravel whispered through the night.

Chen Luo, clad in black robes, pressed forward against the wind. His long hair streamed behind him, the dark fabric billowing in the cold air.

Almost there.

Withdrawing his divine sense, Chen Luo continued his journey. After maintaining composure on Grand Void Peak for half a month and confirming no one would interfere, he began scheming against the senior figures of the mountain. With True Person Gu Yue’s brain at his disposal, Chen Luo felt confident in his chances of success.

As he proceeded further, the cold intensified. Frost mingled with the air, coating the surrounding vegetation in a crystalline sheen. Even in the moonless night, the landscape remained eerily visible.

Chen Luo halted, scanning his surroundings.

True Person Gu Yue’s brain provided the crucial information. Following the mental prompt, Chen Luo discovered a stone chamber carved into the mountainside—a tomb unlike the scattered mounds elsewhere. Its surface bore a Restriction of the type only used by those entering death-defying seclusion.

“It exists!” Chen Luo muttered, treading across loose rubble. The hidden entrance blended seamlessly with the rockfall. As he reached out to touch it, the Restriction activated with a faint glow. Dark golden threads of energy connected, slicing his index finger as they shot forth to strike Chen Luo’s body.

The bone pattern flashed momentarily, emitting a metallic clang.

The External Brain, containing knowledge of familiar restrictions, quickly surfaced.

If not for his body refined by the Demon Bone Array Sigil Art, this restriction would have easily sliced through his skin and injured him.

“Even after so many years, this restriction still maintains its effect.” Chen Luo had done his homework before coming. The City Lord of Medicine King City had provided him with much information about Grand Void Peak to assist him.

The approximate location of the graveyard was one such piece of information.

Chen Luo withdrew his hand, the wound on his index finger visibly healing. As his cultivation progressed, the Demon Bone Array Sigil Art grew increasingly potent. This technique, pioneered by Zhu Chungan, possessed extraordinary potential.