Chapter 391 - 214: Decisively Launching the Tribulation

Chapter 391: Chapter 214: Decisively Launching the Tribulation

Yu Du was granted an audience with Daochen Zhenren and remained in the Cloud Palace for an hour before departing.

After only the two of them were left in the great hall, Mingjing Zhenren’s expression relaxed. He stretched lazily. Daochen Zhenren smiled and said, "This trip to the Yuxiao Sect must have been troublesome for you, Junior Martial Uncle Mingjing."

"It was no trouble at all." Mingjing Zhenren was on very good terms with Daochen Zhenren privately. With no outsiders present, he dropped the honorifics and waved his hand, saying, "But while Lady Yuxiao agreed, the people the Yuxiao Sect sent seem a bit perfunctory."

"There’s something you may not know, Junior Martial Uncle," Daochen Zhenren said with a faint smile. "I originally thought the Yuxiao Sect wouldn’t get involved in this matter at all. After all, the calamity from centuries ago nearly broke their momentum and caused a gap in their ranks that lasted for hundreds of years. The Yuxiao Sect’s current strength is indeed a bit lacking."

Mingjing Zhenren stroked his chin, saying thoughtfully, "I seem to recall something about that..."

Before Daochen Zhenren succeeded the sect leadership, Mingjing Zhenren had long been absent from the sect. He had only heard occasional rumors about major events in recent years, like the great turmoil that seemed to have occurred within the Yuxiao Sect.

This calamity not only led to the Yuxiao Sect’s centuries-long generational gap, but even cost them a Primordial Spirit True Man. However, the Yuxiao Sect was extremely secretive and didn’t let the slightest bit of news leak out, so the world knows few details.

After that, the Yuxiao Sect vanished from the public eye for a time. It wasn’t until Yu Du began to travel the Divine Continent and single-handedly upheld the reputation of a Yuxiao Sect True Disciple that their fortunes gradually began to turn.

Mingjing Zhenren’s interest was piqued, but since it was all in the past, Daochen Zhenren didn’t elaborate. He just said, "Even though there are fewer of them, it’s enough for them to guard the Tai Su Mountain Gate for a while."

"Oh?" Mingjing Zhenren asked doubtfully, "With just these people, isn’t that too thin of a defense?"

Daochen Zhenren smiled faintly. "Junior Martial Uncle Mingjing, you worry too much. I am aware that this child, Yu Du, has received the guidance of a Primordial Spirit True Man and been acknowledged by a Yuxiao Sect Dharma treasure. Once he forges his Primordial Spirit, it will follow him..."

"A figure who can single-handedly bear the reputation of a generation’s True Disciple for the Yuxiao Sect cannot be underestimated."

"Oh," Mingjing Zhenren said with a grin. "And how does he compare to your precious junior brother?"

"Haha," Daochen Zhenren laughed loudly. Just as he was about to say something, his expression shifted. He pondered for a moment, then called out, "Zhi Xing!"

Zhi Xing had already escorted Yu Du out of the Cloud Palace and returned to wait outside the hall doors. He entered at the call and bowed, saying, "This boy greets the Zhenren."

Daochen Zhenren nodded slightly and said slowly, "Tomorrow at this time, wait outside the Cloud Palace."

Zhi Xing was long accustomed to such predictions and was not surprised. He kowtowed in acknowledgment and then slowly retreated from the hall.

—

The moon set and the sun rose. According to the Celestial Hall’s schedule, there should be a light rain this morning, followed by clear skies in the afternoon.

Thus, rain clouds gathered, casting a rare, overcast sky above the Tai Su Mountain Gate. A flood dragon soared through them, feeling a sense of ease and comfort. It let out a long cry, freely expressing its delight.

"Huh? Isn’t that Junior Martial Uncle Xu’s flood dragon?" Nangong Ji, walking before a hall, looked up and said in surprise.

"Oh?" a faint voice came from behind him. "That lazy beast’s progress is quite fast. Junior Brother Xu is truly generous in raising it."

Nangong Ji’s face lit up with joy. He turned to look and, sure enough, saw Sun Suzhen walking out slowly with her hands behind her back. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Congratulations on coming out of seclusion, Master."

Sun Suzhen nodded slightly and glanced at the sky. She saw Lieyun flying toward Chongyun Peak, but then a rainbow-hued streak of light shot up from it, heading straight into the cloudy heavens. A faint smile appeared on her face as she murmured to herself, "That’s Junior Brother Xu. It seems I’m not too late."

Twenty to thirty years ago, Sun Suzhen and Sword Step Master were summoned by Daochen Zhenren and told to cultivate diligently in preparation for the great Nanzhan plan. Thus, they both entered seclusion. They both succeeded in forging their Nascent Souls six or seven years ago and have only just emerged, having spent the remaining time consolidating their cultivation.

"Junior Brother Xu has had quite the spectacular century," Sun Suzhen remarked with a faint smile. Ever since accompanying Xuzhuang on that trip to the Dharma Origin Grotto Heaven, she knew he was extraordinary. Now it seemed he had indeed started later but arrived first, pulling ahead of everyone.

’But the Great Dao is long and winding; it’s not a matter of who is temporarily ahead or behind,’ Sun Suzhen thought leisurely. ’Junior Brother, you must not grow complacent.’

...

Lieyun’s progress was indeed swift, but it wasn’t because Xuzhuang was sparing no expense in raising it. Rather, it was because Dan Yangsheng’s medicinal pills were simply too miraculously effective. Although they were meant for spirit beasts, their value was clearly substantial, a testament to his sincere desire to form a friendship.

After leaving the Taixuan Sect, Xuzhuang made a special trip back to the Jianxia Mountain Range. Unfortunately, it seemed Dan Yangsheng was no longer at his private residence there. Xuzhuang had no intention of visiting the Danxia Sect’s mountain gate, so he came up empty and returned directly to his own sect.

Having been away from the sect for ten years, Xuzhuang thought for a moment, then ordered Lieyun to return to the mountain gate on its own while he went to the Cloud Palace alone. Arriving outside the palace gates, he saw that, sure enough, Zhi Xing was already waiting there.

Xuzhuang landed his escape light and exchanged greetings with Zhi Xing. He was led into the main hall, where he was surprised to see that besides Daochen Zhenren, Mingjing Zhenren was also present. Xuzhuang greeted both Zhenrens one by one.

Mingjing Zhenren nodded slightly, but Daochen Zhenren responded with a smile, "Just as the ten-year period is up. You’ve arrived at the perfect time, Junior Brother."

Daochen Zhenren’s grand plan was imminent, so Xuzhuang had naturally informed him before leaving. At the time, Daochen Zhenren had smilingly given Xuzhuang a ten-year deadline. Xuzhuang had figured his trip to the Taixuan Sect wouldn’t involve any major incidents, so he had agreed without a second thought.

Looking back now, there was clearly a deeper meaning to Daochen Zhenren’s words. Xuzhuang shook his head and said with a laugh, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, your foresight is truly god-like."

Daochen Zhenren laughed heartily and asked, "My Tai Su Orthodox Sect has its own arts of innate divination. Would you like to learn them, Junior Brother?"

In truth, the arts of innate divination were not part of the curriculum for True Disciples. But Xuzhuang was no ordinary disciple, and Daochen Zhenren believed he would be able to grasp them. If he were willing to learn, Daochen Zhenren would certainly not be stingy.