Chapter 43 : Yun Lian

Ziyang Peak, summit.

Near the entrance gate to the secret realm, two girls stood side by side—one tall, one short.

Both wore bamboo hats and light veils that concealed their faces, making their features indistinct.

After a long silence, the taller woman finally spoke:

“Cloud Lian, you must join the Hehuan Sect.”

Those words startled the other girl, whose voice beneath the veil trembled slightly.

“Sister, you’re insane. I’m a sword cultivator—why should I join the Hehuan Sect?”

“There are three reasons,” the tall woman said calmly, raising three fingers one by one.

“First, our current plan has failed. We need to remain hidden for at least three more years, waiting for the next opening of the Ziyang Secret Realm.”

“Second, the Hehuan Sect was once a demonic cult. Tai Lingxuan was their last sacred maiden and has now reached the Consolidation Realm. She’s someone worth recruiting.”

“Third, that kid Chen Yuyang is the one who killed Anyu, causing our plan’s failure.”

“What?! He killed Anyu? Sister, you must be joking. That kid is only at Foundation Establishment Fourth Stage. How could he possibly kill Anyu, who’s at Nascent Soul Realm?” Cloud Lian exclaimed in disbelief.

She could understand the first two reasons, but this last one was hard to accept.

“He’s not at Foundation Establishment Fourth Stage; he just entered the Golden Core Realm.”

“I don’t know what method he used to advance so quickly in one month, but you should be aware of my divine ability.

Using blood as a medium, I can see the thread of a person’s cause and effect—and Anyu’s thread was severed by that kid’s hand.”

“You’re to join the Hehuan Sect not only to try and recruit Tai Lingxuan but also to investigate that kid’s peculiarities.”

“I don’t care what methods you use—seduction included—you must find out what’s really going on with him!”

The tall woman’s voice was stern and unyielding.

Cloud Lian bit her lip, disgruntled.

“I have no intention of pleasing any man!”

“Cloud Lian! Then do you not intend to avenge our father, our mother, and the one hundred forty-two members of the Yun Family who were slaughtered?”

“What does that have to do with revenge?!” Cloud Lian snapped back, anger flashing in her eyes.

“Everything is connected. I clearly saw that your thread of cause and effect will be cut three years from now. In other words, if things continue as they are, we will most likely fail, and you will die.”

“But oddly enough, I also saw a strand of your cause and effect reaching toward him, stretching endlessly.”

“Though I don’t yet know the secret behind that kid, cause and effect predicts one clear outcome—your future survival and our revenge plan are inseparable from him.”

The tall woman sighed helplessly.

“What!”

Cloud Lian was even more shocked.

But she understood.

Her sister’s divine ability had never been wrong.

The threads of cause and effect she had seen had saved the two sisters countless times in critical moments.

At least, never so far had her sister missed anything.

“I… understand.”

“For revenge, for you, sister… then seduction it shall be, but my swordsmanship…”

Cloud Lian’s face flushed with grievance.

Seeing this, the tall woman softened, shaking her head and placing a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder.

“Joining the Hehuan Sect doesn’t mean you can’t pursue your swordsmanship. How about this, Cloud Lian—if you agree, when your mission is accomplished, that Fifth-Grade Purple Maple Sword of mine will be yours.”

“Purple Maple Sword!”

Cloud Lian’s head shot up, her eyes brightening.

“Really?”

“Foolish child, have I ever lied to you?”

“Okay, then I accept!”

Cloud Lian bit down hard and finally made her decision.

“Good. Since that’s settled, go register… but don’t let anyone suspect anything. I should be heading back too, so the elders won’t get suspicious.”

Cloud Lian nodded slightly as the tall woman quickly left the scene.

Watching her sister disappear into the crowd, Cloud Lian took a deep breath and gazed toward the Hehuan Sect, where a circle of people had gathered.

Her eyes fixed on the black-haired youth in the crowd.

“Chen Yuyang, huh?”

“I want to see what makes you so special!”

…

After Nie Qi left with Yan Luo, the area erupted in commotion.

The cultivation world always valued strength above all.

Moreover, most of those who had yet to join a sect so far lacked outstanding talent.

Even if they were lucky enough to join large sects, they would likely only become disciples of Crossing Tribulation or Refining Void realms and wouldn’t receive much attention or resources.

But Tai Lingxuan was a genuine Consolidation Realm expert.

To be accepted as her disciple was enough to excite anyone, even without additional benefits.

“Excuse me, what are the requirements for joining the Hehuan Sect?”

Soon, a male cultivator approached nervously, rubbing his hands as he asked.

“The requirements…” Tai Lingxuan was about to answer when a voice cut in first:

“Attributes: primarily Water and Wood, at least Fifth-Grade spiritual roots, under twenty years old, female, with a cultivation foundation not lower than Foundation Establishment Fifth Stage.”

Chen Yuyang worried that Tai Lingxuan’s conditions might seem too lenient, so he spoke up ahead.

The conditions made Tai Lingxuan and Gu Qiushui both frown.

Fifth-Grade spiritual roots…

Yuyang was bold to say that.

Spiritual roots are graded on nine levels.

First and second grades are mortal spiritual roots—the worst. Even with all effort, one’s cultivation would rarely progress beyond Foundation Establishment Realm.

Third grade is called mediocre spiritual roots, where most cultivators fall.

Fourth grade spiritual roots are already outstanding.

Fifth grade, rare spiritual roots, are considered one in ten thousand talents—Gu Qiushui herself belonged to this level.

Sixth grade, extraordinary spiritual roots, are even rarer—like the deputy sect master of Sword Gate Mountain.

Seventh grade, profound spiritual roots, are incredibly rare.

Having one would cause the Seven Great Sects to compete fiercely.

Tai Lingxuan possessed this seventh-grade root, marking her as a top genius.

That was why she had reached Consolidation Fifth Stage before turning fifty.

Eighth grade spiritual roots are immortal roots, indicating potential for ascending to the upper realms.

Ninth grade divine spiritual roots are absolute prodigies who can dominate for ages.

In the history of the cultivation world, those with ninth-grade roots were extremely rare.

So, when Chen Yuyang announced the condition of Fifth-Grade rare spiritual roots, Tai Lingxuan and Gu Qiushui were stunned, and other cultivators who were about to inquire hesitated and backed away.

If they had such roots, besides the less competitive Seven Great Sects, wouldn’t other sects be fighting over them?

For a third-rate sect like Hehuan to set such conditions—didn’t they know their own status?

“You’re just a measly Hehuan Sect. Why such high demands?”

The questioning cultivator felt insulted and snapped back.

Chen Yuyang sneered arrogantly and stepped forward:

“Do you think the Hehuan Sect is like those third-rate sects?”

“We’re taking an elite route. Look at my senior sister—she’s under thirty and already broken through to Nascent Soul Realm.”

“She only has Fourth-Grade spiritual roots. Could such talent in other sects reach Nascent Soul Realm at this age?”

“Now look at me. Fourteen years old, Fifth-Grade rare spiritual roots, and already at the early Golden Core Realm. My future is limitless.”

“Our sect is small, but because of that, our master can personally train each disciple and provide the best resources and treatment.”

“Can other sects do that? Besides, my master is only fifty and has reached Consolidation Fourth Stage. Given time, reaching Great Ascension Realm or even Half-Step True Immortal is not impossible.”

“You mediocre cultivators with Third-Grade spiritual roots—do you think you’re worthy to be disciples of my master?”

Chen Yuyang’s words were arrogant and earned him a lot of resentment.

But…

There was no denying he spoke the truth.

Tai Lingxuan had reached such a terrifying height at her age.

No one thought this was her limit.

If someday Tai Lingxuan reached Great Ascension Realm, even the Seven Great Sects would have to respect her.

At that time, who would dare to become her disciple?

A Fifth-Grade rare spiritual root would then be considered low.

Being her disciple would be an investment not only in the present but in the future.

To put it bluntly, even if you’re worthless now, when Tai Lingxuan becomes a Great Ascension cultivator someday, would she not promote her disciple?

Of course she would.

Taking on disciples is a very solemn matter in cultivation.

It carries great karmic ties.

Once you take on a disciple, that disciple is yours.

No matter their ability, you are responsible for them.

If they cause trouble, it’s your duty as master to clean up.

With Chen Yuyang’s explanation, the surrounding cultivators understood.

Yet inside, they felt bitter.

Fine words—but so what?

Who really believed there were many cultivators with Fifth-Grade rare spiritual roots or above who would choose to join Hehuan Sect?

That thought was mostly born of jealousy.

Jealousy of not having that qualification.

Just then, a beautiful figure swiftly stepped out from the crowd and approached the registration area.

A girl about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in white, with an oval face and delicate features.

When she smiled, two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks.

“Um, may I register?” she raised her hand, blinking.

Though a simple blink, Chen Yuyang felt a chord in his heart being plucked.

His pupils contracted slightly in surprise.

With his broad experience, he immediately noticed something.

This girl appeared pure on the outside, but was born with natural charm.

“Oh, you want to register. You must have heard the conditions my junior brother mentioned,” Gu Qiushui looked at the girl curiously and asked.

The girl propped herself up on the table and nodded repeatedly.

“Mm-hmm, I heard.”

“Then your spiritual roots…” Tai Lingxuan’s eyes brightened as she finally saw something extraordinary in the girl.

“Sixth-Grade, extraordinary spiritual roots, dual attributes of Wood and Water!”

The girl smiled gracefully, confidently stating her talent.

For a moment, the entire venue erupted in astonishment.