Chapter 1424 - 426: Utter Defeat (Part 2)

Chapter 1424: Chapter 426: Utter Defeat (Part 2)

At night, when she finally staggered and crawled up to the mountaintop, her body was already unbearably weak, and she fell to her knees, her breaths short and rapid.

After quite a while, Zhan Li finally caught her breath, but as soon as she moved slightly, her vision went dark.

She took out an elixir and swallowed it, then looked at the time.

She knew the Saint’s opportunity was rare; why would she wait precisely until midnight to arrive? She had climbed the mountain long before dark, reaching the peak with more than an hour until midnight.

At this moment, the voices from below the mountain were loud and chaotic, with tens of thousands of cultivators still gathered around the Saint’s lecturing altar, unwilling to disperse.

This Saint’s lecture had already become a grand gathering for cultivators in the Domain Realm.

The sea wind on the mountaintop was cold and desolate. Zhan Li sat on the summit, looking at the sea of lights below, her heart merely indifferent.

The Saint’s opportunity was her last chance!

If even the Saint couldn’t guide her into cultivation...

Then, her resolved decision to walk the path of scattering and rebuilding was thoroughly doomed.

Her grand gamble would indeed be a complete loss.

If such an outcome were to unfold...

Zhan Li glanced at the distant coastline.

She need not return to the Ghost Race; she might as well leap into the vast ocean and end it all.

Just as Zhan Li’s mind was occupied with thoughts of death, suddenly, a clear and gentle voice came from behind.

"You seem to carry the aura of a suicidal resolve, suggesting that your path of scattering and rebuilding isn’t going smoothly."

This voice caused Zhan Li’s heart to tremble! It was the voice of the Saint she had listened to for a full forty-nine days; how could she not recognize it?

Zhan Li turned around quickly, kneeling and prostrating herself on the ground.

"Zhan Li of the Black Wood Tribe of the Ghost Race, greets the Saint!"

Zhan Li’s face was close to the ground, her nose almost touching the soil; she dared not raise her head in the presence of the Saint.

Gazing upon the Saint without permission was a grave offense!

After a few seconds of silence, a long sigh echoed through the air.

"Little girl of the Ghost Race, stand up."

Zhan Li’s heart raced as she slowly climbed up, yet she dared not lift her head, keeping it bowed, only daring to use the corner of her eyes to glance at the Saint.

A shadow stood ten steps away, seen only in outline, as if standing under the moonlight, yet its figure was blurry and indistinct.

Zhan Li knew this was the Saint’s divine technique—if the Saint didn’t want you to see clearly, even standing right in front of you, you couldn’t see their face.

"I see your meridians are scattered within, yet the foundation seemed excellent before; was it some unfavorable encounter that led you to decide on scattering and rebuilding?"

Zhan Li had prepared a response well in advance, answering respectfully: "Reporting to the Saint, I was the Cave Maiden of the Black Wood Tribe of the Ghost Race, accepted as a disciple by the previous Ghost Race Leader, before scattering my cultivation, reaching the Celestial Human Realm."

Pausing for a moment, Zhan Li’s tone turned somber as she continued: "My mentor nurtured me with great expense, and in my eagerness for success, my foundation became unstable. Thus, my Celestial Human Realm cultivation was truly unsteady, and after reaching the Celestial Human Realm, I found it difficult to progress.

Deeply reflecting on my failures, and with guidance from predecessors, I realized if I didn’t pursue scattering and rebuilding, advancing another step in this life would be nearly impossible, so I..."

Before her, the Saint chuckled softly: "You do have great determination, to undertake scattering and rebuilding.

However, since you’re the Cave Maiden of the Black Wood Tribe, and a disciple of the Ghost Race Leader, you must be favored.

Why not seek help from that Ancestor Saint of your Ghost Race instead, and come here to listen to my lecture?"

Though Zhan Li felt helpless within, she knew she couldn’t deceive the Saint, so she honestly said: "My mentor defied the decree of the Elder Ancestor, and was severely punished and detained, so..."

"So you are an unfavored little girl of the Ghost Race." The Saint chuckled again.

Zhan Li dared not speak further, standing quietly to the side.

A sudden calmness enveloped the summit.

The Saint seemed to be pondering something, and Zhan Li felt a sudden shiver, realizing the Saint was examining her with supreme divine sense.

After a moment of silence, the Saint sighed: "Well, you... indeed are pitiable. The path of scattering and rebuilding is inherently difficult; among those who choose it, only one or two out of ten truly succeed.

Moreover, there is a secret unknown to others, which is...

The path of scattering and rebuilding may suit others, but not the Ghost Race.

Your Ghost Race’s cultivation technique is unique, created by your Elder Ancestor, pioneering ways unseen, somewhat taking shortcuts.

Ghost Race cultivators possess strong combat power, capable of challenging high-level cultivators beyond their level. But, where in this world is there such an easy advantage?

The cultivation technique inherently has flaws. Once cultivation is scattered, rebuilding becomes ten times more difficult than practicing other techniques."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Li’s heart trembled, forcing a bitter smile: "Yet... no one informed me of this beforehand."

The Saint softly replied: "Never mind, considering I have some connection with your Ghost Race’s Ancestor Saint, and since you are her people, listening to my lectures for forty-nine days, I can lend you a hand.

It’s amusing to me; on the third day of my lecture, I spotted you in the crowd.

At that time, I was curious; how could there be a cultivator able to sleep during my lecture?