Chapter 384: The 5 Great Immortal Islands

Walking through the bustling city, Shen Daoxing didn’t rush to the Cyan Nether Sword Sect. Instead, he spent a hefty sum to purchase a shop. Since he didn’t have enough Gold Coins on him, he also used some Spirit Vein Ore to cover the cost.

However, back in Tianze, Shen Daoxing had stuffed an entire Space Ring full of Spirit Vein Ore, so he had more than enough and wasn’t short on them for the time being.

If he were to sell all this Spirit Vein Ore, Shen Daoxing could surely become the wealthiest man in Yunxi City.

Shen Daoxing walked through the shop, glancing at the various Artifact Refining Tools in the display cases on either side, then turned to Mu Yiheng. "What do you think? Are you satisfied, Elder Mu?"

Elder Mu smiled faintly, a kind expression on his face. "You are too kind, Young Master Shen. I am very satisfied with this place."

Shen Daoxing would be heading to the Cyan Nether Sword Sect soon, and it wasn’t possible for Elder Mu and Xin to accompany him forever. Therefore, he had set Elder Mu up with this shop.

This was the Cyan Nether Sword Sect’s territory. No matter how brazen the Celestial Profound Sacred Land was, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble here. Elder Mu and Xin should be perfectly safe, and with Shen Daoxing just up the mountain, they could look out for each other.

Over the next few days, Elder Mu began managing the Artifact Refining Shop. Shen Daoxing stayed for a little while longer to teach Xin some basic Sword Techniques and Swordsmanship. Only after seeing that Xin had a fundamental ability to protect herself did Shen Daoxing finally depart.

"Big Brother! Goodbye."

As he was leaving, Xin stood at the entrance to the shop, waving reluctantly at Shen Daoxing.

"We’ll see each other again!"

Shen Daoxing waved back. Seeing the tears welling up in Xin’s big eyes, he smiled faintly. He was only going to the Cyan Nether Sword Sect on the nearby mountain; he wasn’t going that far away. He could just visit often in the future.

Then, Shen Daoxing turned his head and looked toward the great mountain beside them, its peak soaring into the clouds.

The Cyan Nether Sword Sect was renowned for its Sword Cultivators throughout Cangzhou and the borderlands of the East Continent. They excelled in sharp, deadly combat arts, making it a place all Sword Cultivators dreamed of entering. Every year, an endless stream of aspiring disciples arrived, though most of them failed to even enter the Outer Sect.

And for the disciples of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect’s Outer Sect, their greatest desire was to enter the Inner Sect and glimpse the true Immortal Realm.

It was said to be the heart of Yun Meng Lake, and also the place where the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi of the entire Celestial Essence Spirit Lake was most concentrated.

There, one could find inexhaustible Spiritual Springs and an endless supply of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.

Among them, the Five Great Immortal Islands were the most uniquely blessed: Penglai, Fusang, Yingzhou, Tan Yuan, and Pengze.

Legend had it that on each of these Immortal Islands stood a Stone Stele. They were left behind by the Great Sword Immortal of old—the Land Immortal who had carved out Yun Meng Lake with a single sword strike. These steles were said to contain his invincible Sword Intent and Profound Mysterious Divine Techniques.

For generations, the disciples of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect had all dreamed of comprehending the mysteries hidden within them.

It was said that comprehending just one of the Stone Steles was enough to become an Unparalleled Great Power, capable of dominating an entire region.

Yet, in a thousand years, very few disciples had managed to decipher even one, let alone comprehend all five Stone Steles.

The only exception was five hundred years ago, when the legendary Dugu Sheng appeared out of nowhere. Through some fortuitous encounter, she seemingly comprehended four of the Stone Steles, attaining supreme power through her Divine Techniques.

And yet, by comprehending just four of the steles, Dugu Sheng had dominated all of Cangzhou. One could only imagine the supreme power one would gain from comprehending all five!

Thinking of Dugu Sheng, Shen Daoxing instinctively took out a small, unassuming Jade Pendant. Carved upon it was a single, small character: ’Sheng.’ It was a keepsake Dugu Sheng had given him when they parted ways in the Huangliang Secret Realm, said to allow him to sense her presence.

Speaking of which, Dugu Sheng still owed him three favors.

But as Shen Daoxing picked up the small Jade Pendant to examine it, he saw that it was dim and lusterless. He couldn’t sense Dugu Sheng’s presence at all, so how could he possibly ask her to fulfill those three favors?

Shen Daoxing gave a wry smile and put the Jade Pendant away.

With that thought, Shen Daoxing took out another item: a Jade Token. Engraved on it was the image of a cyan longsword. This was the token Bai Yi had given him.

It was supposedly a token from the Island Master of Penglai Immortal Island. Years ago, the founder of their Sword Institute, Xiaoyao Xiao, had been the closed-door disciple of the Island Master of Lai Xian Island. This made Shen Daoxing a grand-disciple of sorts. With this token, he should be able to enter the Cyan Nether Sword Sect with ease.

Lost in thought, Shen Daoxing soon found himself at the foot of the mountain bordering Yunmeng Marsh. A long flight of stone steps snaked its way up the mountain, leading straight to the peak.

Shen Daoxing chose not to use Sword Control, instead ascending the steps at a steady pace. Along the way, he saw many dejected-looking young disciples walking down the mountain—likely those who had failed the Cyan Nether Sword Sect’s entrance examination.

Without stopping, Shen Daoxing continued his ascent. After walking for some time, he finally saw a towering gateway standing before him. Above it hung a brown plaque that emanated a sharp Sword Qi, engraved with four large characters: Cyan Nether Sword Sect.

Below the gateway, two disciples in the uniform of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect stood guard.

Seeing him approach, one of the disciples stepped forward with a serious expression, blocking Shen Daoxing’s path.

"This is the sacred ground of Cyan Nether. Non-disciples are forbidden from entry," the disciple said impassively.

Shen Daoxing paused, then clasped his hands and bowed respectfully. "I am Shen Daoxing, a disciple of the Martial Kingdom’s Sword Institute. I have come to pay my respects to the senior from Penglai!"

Hearing this, the disciple frowned. "What Penglai?"

Shen Daoxing was taken aback for a moment before explaining, "The Island Master of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect’s Penglai Immortal Island is my grandmaster."

As he spoke, Shen Daoxing reached into his robes and produced the Jade Token engraved with the cyan longsword—the token Bai Yi had given him.

However, the disciple merely glanced at the Jade Token in Shen Daoxing’s hand without any reaction. Instead, he said coldly, "What Island Master of Penglai Immortal Island? The Cyan Nether Sword Sect only has four Immortal Islands: Fusang, Yingzhou, Tan Yuan, and Pengze. Who are you, and what business do you have here at our sect?"

"Go on, get out of here! Don’t come looking for trouble."

With that, the disciple moved to drive Shen Daoxing away.

???

’Only Fusang, Yingzhou, Tan Yuan, and Pengze!’

’No Penglai!’

Shen Daoxing froze.

The two Cyan Nether Sword Sect disciples before him had already drawn their longswords, their expressions turning hostile. "Why are you still here? What is it you want? The Cyan Nether Sword Sect isn’t a place you can just waltz into!"

Just then, a clear voice called out.

"What’s with all the commotion?"

Then, a man in the cyan robes of a disciple descended slowly via Sword Control.

The newcomer appeared to be slightly older than Shen Daoxing. He had a refined, scholarly air and a friendly expression.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the two disciples at the gate hurriedly bowed in respect. "Senior Brother Wu!"

The young man in the cyan robe spoke slowly. "What happened here?"

"Someone was trying to force his way into the Cyan Nether Sword Sect."

One of the guards quickly spoke up, recounting the events that had just transpired.