Chapter 393 - 215: Tai Su Xu Village

Chapter 393: Chapter 215: Tai Su Xu Village

On this day, an inexplicable celestial phenomenon occurred. A fine, misty rain unexpectedly began to fall across the entire Profound Yellow, as if heralding some impending change.

Atop the Central Pillar of the Divine Continent, at a height where one could look up and see the Gang Layer, a dashing Daoist in a plain, open-collared robe lay nonchalantly on a mountain rock. He seemed to be sound asleep, his breaths thundering like snores from his mouth and nose.

As he inhaled, Gang Ying rained down from the heavens. It swirled like a vortex in the air, instantly transforming into multicolored mists that gathered into a long stream and were drawn into his nostrils.

When he exhaled, a burst of pure white vital energy erupted forth. It transformed into a lingering Smoke Mist that only dispersed after a long while, becoming a current in the sky.

Lying there at ease, with every breath, he seemed to breathe in unison with heaven and earth. He was truly a man among immortals.

A little girl climbed the stone steps, and upon seeing this, couldn’t help but feel a little helpless. Her short legs flew as she ran to the Daoist’s side. She reached out to push him, calling, "Master, Master, Master Xuanlan is here."

The girl called for quite some time before the Daoist slowly lifted his eyelids. His eyes were heavy with sleep, and a soft "Hmm...?" escaped his nose.

This time, however, the girl’s announcement was unnecessary. A handsome Daoist with a silver mark between his brows—what looked like a Celestial Eye—had already walked up. He smiled. "Martial Uncle Xuan Ying, you seem to be in high spirits. I wonder where your spirit journeyed?"

"Ah, it’s Xuanlan." Master Xuan Ying lazily propped his head up with one arm and asked, "Is there anything important?"

Master Xuanlan pointed downward and asked, "Martial Uncle, have you noticed the unusual celestial phenomenon?"

In truth, this place was high above the layers of clouds, but a Primordial Spirit True Man is in communion with heaven and earth, so it was naturally not difficult for him to perceive the change.

"Oh—"

"So that’s what it is." Master Xuan Ying’s eyes were half-open, his gaze fixed on some unknown point. Unhurried and unconcerned, he even had the leisure to add his praise. "The current Sect Leader of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect... not bad."

He suddenly remembered something and asked with a smile, "Xuanlan, you and he are from the same generation, aren’t you? Have you ever fought?"

"There’s an age gap of one or two hundred years between me and Daochen. I’ve heard of him, but we’ve never met," Master Xuanlan replied coolly, then changed the subject. "I didn’t expect the Tai Su Orthodox Sect to be the first to open up Nanzhan. How should our sect respond?"

Unlike the Tai Su, the Upper Profound Sect usually selects its Sect Leader from among the sect’s Nascent Soul Cultivators. Therefore, for truly important sect matters, they must consult the ancestors within the sect.

For thousands of years, Master Xuan Ying had been known as the foremost Venerable of the Xuan Sect. After refining his Primordial Spirit, his cultivation continued to advance with no signs of slowing down. He had gradually become the most powerful among the masters of the Upper Profound Orthodox Sect who still made public appearances. As such, he naturally held the power to make all final decisions.

However, perhaps Master Xuan Ying had no mind for such worldly affairs. He simply said coolly, "You can decide with the Sect Leader."

Master Xuanlan was not surprised. "And what if I wish to compete with the Tai Su for the first move?" he asked.

Master Xuan Ying waved a hand, seemingly too lazy to say more. His form began to dissolve into vital energy, starting from his feet. Just before he vanished completely, he seemed to remember something and added, "Remember the Ancestral Master’s decree."

The moment his voice faded, he was gone without a trace.

Master Xuanlan did not seem annoyed. He just frowned slightly and shook his head.

He stood there alone, watching the clouds gather and disperse. Before long, a streak of light flew toward him, revealing a gentle and refined middle-aged Daoist who looked to be in his thirties. The man clasped his hands in a salute. "Greetings, Master Xuanlan."

"Yu Zhenren, there is no need for such ceremony." Master Xuanlan returned the salute. Although the Sect Leader of the Upper Profound Sect was not a Primordial Spirit True Man, he was addressed with the honorific "Zhenren" both inside and outside the sect to show respect for his position.

Sect Leader Yu clasped his hands and asked, "Regarding the matter of Nanzhan, has a decision been made, Master?"

Master Xuanlan was about to speak when his expression suddenly shifted. He inexplicably looked south. "So that’s how it is."

A Primordial Spirit True Man can perceive the past and future. Although the Tai Su Orthodox Sect had previously obscured the heavenly secrets regarding their plan for Nanzhan, there was no longer any need to do so for their subsequent actions.

He suddenly had a realization and understood the choice the Tai Su had made. He couldn’t help but shake his head, thinking, ’Dao Chenzi... he is truly magnanimous.’

In truth, Master Xuanlan already knew the Tai Su Orthodox Sect would never try to monopolize Nanzhan. However, he had not expected them to merely take a slight head start, placing no obstacles whatsoever for their fellow Daoists who would follow.

Now that the situation was settled, there was nothing left to compete for.

"So be it." He pondered for a moment, then said, "The Nanzhan Treasure Continent is now open. The Tai Su will not prevent fellow members of the Xuan Sect from entering. Yu Zhenren, you may dispatch our disciples as you see fit."

Sect Leader Yu was slightly surprised, but he clasped his hands and agreed.

At almost the exact same time, reactions were taking place not just within the Upper Profound Sect, but among the Three Sects and Six Schools, from the Three Mountains Immortal Sect overseas in the East to the Taixuan Orthodox Sect in the West, and even in places as remote as the Beiming Sword Sect and the Arctic Profound Ice Pavilion.

Naturally, the four great Demon Sects were among them.

—

The South Sea Coast had never been as prosperous as the East Sea. Amidst a slanting, fine rain, two Daoists boarded a tower ship at an abandoned port. The one in the lead was tall and handsome, while the one following him was portly and had the face of a man of means.

"Brother Gongyang, is this sea vessel to your satisfaction?" the portly Daoist asked, gesturing to the brand-new tower ship beneath their feet. "I can give you a detailed tour."

Gongyang Daoist laughed. "Brother Tan, you and I are the closest of friends. Do I really need to inspect a sea vessel you personally built for me?"

Daoist Tan did not feign modesty. "The sea vessels built by the Tan Family are praised by everyone in the East Sea Territory," he said. "Brother Gongyang, you spent your entire fortune to have me build this ship. How could I possibly not give it my all?"

"That settles it, then." Gongyang Daoist nodded slightly, then strolled to the bow of the ship. Gazing at the bank of thick fog in the distance, he murmured to himself, "I hope this treasure ship... can bring me good fortune..."

"Sigh." Daoist Tan let out a long breath. "Brother Gongyang, if you had only agreed to become an honored guest of my Tan Family, the clan would surely have procured great medicines for you. With your talent, forming a mid-grade elixir would have been no trouble at all. Why must you go to Nanzhan and risk it all on a one-in-ten chance of survival?"