Chapter 290: Descending the Mountain

“Hold steady!”

Elder Yu Si finally stabilized Cai Rikun’s condition. Unlike the supreme ruler depicted in the Demonic Illusion, the real-world Cai Rikun was just an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple, not even formally recognized as Elder Yu Si’s disciple—at best, a nominal disciple merely listed under his name.

“Decades of arduous cultivation, all for naught.”

Watching Cai Rikun’s wretched state, someone couldn’t help but sigh.

Collapsed on the ground, Cai Rikun’s face was as pale as gold leaf, his cultivation level plummeting from the Perfected Qi Refining Realm back to the Early Qi Refining Realm.

“Let this serve as a lesson to you all,” Elder Yu Si said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Cultivation requires nurturing the heart. Without cultivating the heart alongside your techniques, you’ll never overcome the Foundation Establishment threshold.”

He paid little further attention. The path of cultivation was never smooth. Every step required battling one’s inner demons, and the Foundation Establishment threshold alone had burned countless aspirants. Not everyone was like Chen Luo, whose primary cultivation technique was the Demonic Heart Art.

“A Qi Refining disciple implanted with a Demonseed can yield such gains? They’re treating people like crops to be cultivated.”

Chen Luo turned and returned to his Cultivation Chamber, beginning to understand the Foundation Establishment methods of the demonic cultivators in Guoshan County.

Treating humans as raw materials to plunge an entire city into demonic corruption, the sheer scale of Demonic Heart energy generated could not only replace a Foundation Establishment Pill but, if properly managed, even propel one directly to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Unfortunately, the rogue cultivators lacked the vision to see beyond the Foundation Establishment realm.

“Based on this rate of advancement, condensing a Perfect Golden Core should take no more than…”

Seven years.

The Mummified Brain within the External Brain, still calculating Chen Luo’s path to perfection, provided a precise figure.

Half a month later, Patriarch Guhe of the Great Void returned from the Blackbird Clan. Chen Luo didn’t ask about his trip, but Guhe brought back several small gifts, including the prayer beads from the Ghost Temple.

“These are a Third-Tier Magic Artifact, perfect for your current level,” Guhe said, handing them over. A faint trace of blood still clung to the beads.

The origins of the Ghost Temple remained shrouded in mystery, its influence spreading across many regions.

Yet within the Southern Heaven Domain, any manifestation of the Ghost Temple was immediately suppressed. The Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity refused to entertain any negotiation, and the Three Great Immortal Sects followed suit. No matter how powerful the Ghost Temple grew, it had to abide by the rules set by the Four Great Immortal Sects in this land.

Transgress and be slain!

This time, the Ghost Temple heretic who had emerged to target the Blackbird Clan was nearly invincible, backed by the Ghost Temple itself. The Blackbird Clan had been crippled by this individual, their most talented disciples devoured by the Ghost Temple and transformed into Yin Souls.

Upon arriving, Gu He first visited Xuan Su, the current clan leader of the Blackbird Clan and his former Dao Companion. After healing her injuries, he wielded the Great Void Sword and ventured to the Ghost Temple ahead. The newly established Ghost Temple in the Southern Heaven Domain was swiftly suppressed, and any minor sects that had harassed the Blackbird Clan along the way were effortlessly eliminated.

This demonstrated the limitations of small sects. With histories spanning only a few decades or centuries, they couldn’t possibly know of the Blackbird Clan’s connection to the Grand Void Ancestor. They mistakenly assumed the clan was merely currying favor with some disciple or Elder, never imagining they would provoke one of the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity.

“Martial Uncle, I wish to descend the mountain for worldly training. I’ve recently gained some insights into the Worldly Immersion Method you taught me.”

Chen Luo had decided to leave the mountain.

With the Demonic Heart Ancestor’s brain at his disposal, Chen Luo considered human minds the finest cultivation material. While mountain life offered convenience, it no longer suited his path.

He needed to find new brains, constantly upgrading and replacing them.

He also needed more Demonic Hearts. The mountain was filled with fellow disciples, and if he practiced openly, he would surely drive those around him mad. A previous attempt had already caused one disciple to fall into demonic possession, though their own weaknesses had contributed. The Demonic Heart Art had undoubtedly fanned the flames.

“Very well,” Gu He nodded, seeing Chen Luo accept the prayer beads.

“Let Jun Yao accompany you down the mountain. You can ask her about any cultivation questions you have. While her cultivation level is lower than yours, she practices the core techniques of our Great Void lineage. Her cultivation system is orthodox, and her dao path has been personally guided by me. Many Core Formation cultivators’ inheritances pale in comparison to hers.”

Jun Yao was the Grand Void Ancestor’s disciple and the sole True Inheritance of Grand Void Peak. Yet compared to Chen Luo, the Ancestor’s nephew, her treatment was vastly inferior. In the blink of an eye, the Grand Void Ancestor had assigned her to serve as his nephew’s attendant.

“Understood,” Chen Luo replied.

He knew Gu He would never let him descend the mountain without supervision. Rather than have some unknown person assigned to him, he preferred Senior Sister Yu Junyao, whom he was relatively familiar with. At least he could see through her cultivation level, which would make certain actions easier.

Gu He didn’t force Chen Luo to change his cultivation technique, but he often discussed the importance of a solid foundation with him. Cultivation wasn’t just about fixating on a single realm to reach the pinnacle; one had to grasp the bigger picture. Like building a house, the foundation might seem unremarkable at first, but it ultimately determined how tall the structure could rise and how much weight it could bear. Rogue cultivators, like those who built their own homes, might appear similar with one or two stories, but the differences would become glaring by the ninth or tenth floor. A well-planned foundation could support further expansion, while a haphazard one would reach its limit at that point, leaving no room for upward progress.

Fortunately, Chen Luo had the Mummified Brain to guide him, allowing him to avoid such pitfalls from the very beginning.

Half a day later.

Chen Luo descended the mountain with the Pouch of Holding prepared by Patriarch Gu He and his Senior Sister Yu Junyao. Accompanying them was Xuan Ji, a Core Formation cultivator from the Blackbird Clan and the clan’s Second Elder, second only to the clan leader, Xuan Su.

Having resolved the Blackbird Clan’s troubles, Gu He had casually retained Xuan Ji as a hidden guardian for Chen Luo.

Yu Junyao wasn’t surprised by her assignment. By now, everyone on Grand Void Peak knew Chen Luo was the Founding Ancestor’s kin. This unique status set him apart from all others.

“Actually, descending the mountain is good for you.”

Chen Luo and Yu Junyao sat aboard the Flying Boat. After leaving the mountain, Yu Junyao seemed much more relaxed and shared many details about the internal conflicts within the Qiong Hua Sect. As a True Inheritance disciple of Grand Void Peak, she knew far more than even the Core Formation cultivators of the Blackbird Clan.

The Southern Heaven Domain was home to hundreds of clans and thousands of sects. Regardless of their development or conflicts, all were bound by the rules set by the Four Great Immortal Sects: the Qiong Hua Sect, Spirit Pool, Golden Light Cave, and the Millennial Ancient Kingdom. Their growth could not exceed these boundaries.

The Qiong Hua Sect dominated the entire southwestern region and comprised seven major peaks. Grand Void Peak ranked third among them.

The three foremost peaks were Great Profundity, Great Purity, and Grand Void. The Founding Ancestors of these three peaks clashed with those of the four rear peaks over the sect’s future direction.

As the Southern Heaven Domain’s resources dwindled, the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity sought solutions. Led by Ancestor Great Radiance, the four rear peaks advocated for external expansion to address the immediate crisis, arguing that their cultivation should not be disrupted. However, the Founding Ancestors of the three foremost peaks believed the sect should focus on unraveling the path to Divine Transformation. They argued that achieving this breakthrough would naturally reveal new avenues for survival.

At this level of cultivation, each patriarch had forged their own dao path and viewed the others’ choices as misguided.

The One Hundred and Eight Peaks Plan was approved under these circumstances. Both sides used the plan to test the waters. As it progressed, the one hundred and eight peaks, initially intended for external expansion, had split into two factions.

This internal conflict grew increasingly apparent as the Qiong Hua Sect developed.

The Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity at the sect’s apex could still sit serenely above the fray, but the disciples below faced different realities. Each faction pursued its own interests, convinced of its own righteousness.

And indeed, they were!

In the struggle for the dao path, there was no right or wrong.

As a “relative” of the Grand Void Ancestor, Chen Luo would inevitably be drawn into these disputes if he remained in the sect.

This wasn’t unique to the Qiong Hua Sect; the other Three Great Immortal Sects also harbored their own internal conflicts. Sects were like nations, and Immortal Sects, composed of Immortal Cultivators, were destined to face contradictions when diverse individuals gathered. A sect truly united in purpose might exist—the Puppet Sect, where only one master controlled the entire organization, the rest being mere puppets.

“Do you have a specific destination in mind for this trip down the mountain?”

“I’m not familiar with the Southern Heaven Domain, Senior Sister. Do you have any recommendations?” Chen Luo had descended under the guise of worldly immersion, and before his departure, the Grand Void Ancestor had briefed Yu Junyao on the general purpose of his journey.

Since the Founding Ancestor had provided ample cultivation resources, Chen Luo decided to use this opportunity to avoid the brewing storm. The Millennial Ancient Kingdom had grown increasingly restless lately, with several Elders already missing in that region. Staying in the Sect now might result in being assigned a mission by Ancestor Tai Su’s faction.

Within the Sect’s rules, everyone had to abide by the regulations.

“What do you think of Medicine King City?” Yu Junyao suggested.

The Grand Void Ancestor had mentioned this place before. Medicine King City was now a subordinate territory under Chen Luo’s control, and its City Lord, Yan Qiuming, was a Core Formation expert. With him and the Blackbird Clan’s Core Formation cultivator present, Chen Luo’s safety wouldn’t be a concern.

“Then let’s go to Medicine King City.”

Chen Luo’s question was casual; to him, any place would do as long as there were enough people for him to cultivate. His recent progress had been remarkably steady, the golden hue on his Pseudo-Dan growing increasingly vibrant, now covering over seventy percent of its surface.

A seventy percent chance would have sent any Rogue cultivator scrambling for their life.

But Chen Luo remained unhurried. Why risk everything when he could lean on a powerful backer? What was the point of clinging to this lifeline if he still had to fight tooth and nail?

Medicine King City wasn’t far.

The Interdomain Flying Boat reached the Earth Realm in just three days. Chen Luo’s arrival naturally caused a stir, with the elders of Medicine King City welcoming him from afar.

After the usual meaningless pleasantries, he finally settled in.

An ancient-style courtyard.

At Chen Luo’s request, the City Lord of Medicine King City had personally arranged for a secluded courtyard for him. Apart from a few key personnel, no one knew his exact location. Rumors of a great figure’s arrival in Medicine King City circulated, but few knew where this esteemed guest was staying.

An empty courtyard with artificial mountains and a pond.

Chen Luo fed the fish by the pond.