Chapter 1518 - 441: I Was Entrusted to Lead You Away

The Taiqing Sect has seemed immensely prosperous these years!

Especially after annexing the Cangyan Daoist Palace, the sect had over thirty Divinity Transformation Perfection cultivators, with four Spirit Severing Realm masters overseeing the Eastern Domain, solidifying its position as the dominator.

However, signs of decline have been evident in the sect for over a hundred years.

First, Cyan Feather Immortal Sect’s Yun Jing, Ji Xuan, Tong Po, and Liezhen, the four Supreme Elders, exhausted their lifespans and passed away in succession.

Afterward, the powerful figures who submitted from Cangyan Daoist Palace, as well as the original Supreme Elders of the Taiqing Sect, also met their demise one by one.

Seven years ago, the last Supreme Elder, Duanmu Shu, was unwilling to await death idly and forcibly attempted to break through to the Spirit Severing Realm but ultimately failed and perished.

Thus, the era of glory for the Taiqing Sect completely ended.

These people can only support the sect for another forty to fifty years at most.

After all, the lifespan of Divinity Transformation cultivators is merely two thousand years—more accurately, the lifespan of a Nascent Soul is only a thousand years, and breaking through to Divinity Transformation extends it by another thousand.

And in these limited years, to cultivate from the early stage to Perfection is already exceedingly rare.

They have truly done their best.

Fortunately, a new generation of talents has emerged in the sect, with Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao rising spectacularly.

Especially Zhou Qing, who reached the Spirit Severing Realm before the age of fifty.

He became the youngest Spirit Slash Great Power in the history of the Holy Martial Dynasty, mastering the Level 4 Array Dao—a peerless prodigy of the Taiqing Sect, not seen in ten thousand years.

But now... Yaoyao’s Soul Lamp has extinguished, and Zhou Qing has disappeared without a trace.

No one knows what their situation is now.

While being immersed in thought, a knock echoes from outside the hall.

"Come in," Cao Zhengyang restrained his heart and spirit and said in a deep voice.

Immediately, Little Spirit Peak’s Peak Master Mo Xingjian and Golden Sun Peak’s Peak Master Gao Xuan arrive together.

Both have frost-colored hair and heavy expressions.

"How is the investigation?" Cao Zhengyang raises his eyes and asks.

Mo Xingjian and Gao Xuan naturally knew about Lu Yaoyao’s matter.

Though worried, they have never set foot outside the Holy Martial Dynasty in their lives.

And that Fifth-level Cultivation Country is billions of miles away, even if occasionally recorded in books, it remains too remote.

No matter how worried they are, it’s to no avail.

Now, they can only secretly pray for Zhou Qing’s safety.

Faced with the inquiry of the Sect Leader, Mo Xingjian waved his hand, and a Sound Insulation Restriction instantly enveloped the hall.

He whispered, "The situation is dire. In past years, the Xuanyuan Family secretly bought disciples and stole sect secrets, but now they’ve become increasingly brazen."

Cao Zhengyang furrowed his brows tightly, "What exactly are they looking for?"

Gao Xuan deliberated for a moment and said slowly, "To my knowledge, more than a hundred seventy years ago, Zhou Qing once performed a Secret Technique in the Imperial City, rapidly elevating his cultivation to Spirit Slash Realm Perfection."

"And he joined forces with that silver-haired woman from the Fifth-level Cultivation Country to assassinate a same-level assassin."

Here, he paused and said, "Old Emperor Xuanyuan Chong witnessed this event personally, and Zhou Qing admitted that this technique required sacrificing one’s lifespan."

"At that time, Zhou Qing was already a Level 4 Array Master, with the sect having three Spirit Severing Realm masters overseeing it, coupled with Zhao Muye’s support and the silver-haired woman’s intimidation, the Xuanyuan Family dared not act rashly."

"But now..." Gao Xuan’s gaze darkened, "Zhou Qing has been missing for a long time, and the Xuanyuan Family finally couldn’t hold back, convinced that the Secret Technique still lies within the Taiqing Sect."

"If they succeed, they’ll be able to mass-produce a batch of Spirit Slash Realm Perfection death warriors."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyang sighed deeply, "Forcibly elevating from Divinity Transformation Perfection to Spirit Slash Realm Perfection? That’s defying the natural order!"

"Indeed! But Old Fourth managed to accomplish it!" Mo Xingjian exclaimed, slamming the table, "My household’s Old Ghost Mastiff and Second Girl Luo Lingling witnessed it firsthand; isn’t it utterly bizarre?"

"That young fellow is truly a monster." Cao Zhengyang grimaced, "If such a Secret Technique existed, it’s either bestowed by the Second Uncle or given by that silver-haired woman. But the problem is—"

"The Xuanyuan Family simply doesn’t believe it!" Gao Xuan interrupted, "They are sure that before Zhou Qing left the sect, he left this technique with us as a precaution."

Cao Zhengyang shook his head in silence, ultimately saying, "Forget it, let them search."

He suddenly turned serious, "I called you here today for other important matters."

The two became tense in their expressions.

"The Supreme Elders have all passed away, and we old bones can’t hold on for many more years either."

Cao Zhengyang sighed deeply, "Now, among the younger generation in the sect, merely seven have entered Divinity Transformation, and Zhou Qing this child is still..."

The words remained unfinished, the three looked at each other in despondency.

After a moment of silence, Cao Zhengyang continued, "These years, our Taiqing Sect and Cyan Feather Immortal Sect, Golden Thunder Sect, Phecda Sect, Cangyan Daoist Palace have long merged into one, with vast mineral veins and store industries under our command."

"If we pass away and the younger generation is unable to secure them, they might be targeted by those with ill intentions."

Mo Xingjian and Gao Xuan listened without speaking.

A while ago, the Thirteen Peaks Peak Masters gathered to discuss the successor.

Initially, Zhou Qing was the best candidate, but how could a dragon remain in a pool?

Now, the only choices left are Divine Peak’s Li Daoxuan and Little Spirit Peak’s Ghost Mastiff.

Ultimately, everyone nominated Li Daoxuan as the next Sect Leader, the reason being self-evident.

After all, Ghost Mastiff’s Realm entails fearless rush; what if one day...right?

If not, the Taiqing Sect would suddenly be leaderless, descending into chaos.

But if you are to restrain his Dao Heart, how will he perfect his Realm, isn’t that akin to murdering him?

Cao Zhengyang continued, his voice low, "You know the situation of Master. When Nangong Xiongba attacked years ago, Master emerged powerfully and directly obliterated him, leaving only a wisp of his soul saved by others."

"But upon returning before the coffin in the forbidden zone, Master entrusted us, saying this would be the last assistance, and from then on, the life and death of the sect were up to us."