Chapter 425 - 352: Primal Saint Sect
The core area of the Xuanhuang Realm.
In the Primordial Saint Sect, clouds and mists swirl, rays of multicolored light shine forth; between floating immortal mountains, rainbow bridges formed by celestial light stretch across, immortal cranes occasionally glide over them, leaving behind clear cries.
On the peaks of the immortal mountains, rare flowers and strange herbs abound, the entire Saint Sect is enveloped by a faintly golden Sect Protection Array, within which the ancient characters for "Primordial" can be vaguely seen flowing.
Deep in the Saint Sect, a Secret Realm known as "Tai Hong Grotto Heaven" floats above the Cloud Sea.
Inside the Grotto Heaven, there are neither sun nor moon nor stars, yet brightness flows naturally, the ground is paved with Tai Hong Treasury Earth, each grain of soil contains pure Power of Origin.
On the surrounding cliff walls, countless ancient runes are inscribed—these are the Dao Principles condensed from the insights of many Celestial Venerables of the Saint Sect, where ordinary cultivators need only meditate for a day to achieve ten years’ worth of arduous cultivation outside.
At this moment, three figures clad in different Daoist Robes are standing around the Jade Platform in the center of the Grotto Heaven; on the Jade Platform, a gleaming white Jade Scroll floats, emitting a faint Spirit Light.
These three figures are all Celestial Venerables of Late-stage Divinity Transformation from the Primordial Saint Sect; on the left, clad in a White Jade Daoist Robe and with a handsome visage, is Celestial Venerable Jiucang.
Bearing an ancient long sword with an imposing aura in the middle is Celestial Venerable Lieqiong, on the right, wearing a green robe, with a withered face yet mysterious eyes, is Celestial Venerable Xuanji.
All three have their eyes fixed on the Jade Scroll, their faces full of surprise.
Celestial Venerable Jiucang was the first to speak, his voice tinged with barely concealable astonishment:
"The three Nascent Soul True Monarchs sent for investigation have returned with news."
"The world descended this time is named ’Celestial Abyss Realm,’ its level of origin is but the lowest Class Ding, yet its resources within rival those of a Class A Origin World, numerous Nascent Soul True Monarchs are present, as well as a Celestial Venerable of Divinity Transformation overseeing."
Celestial Venerable Lieqiong furrowed his brows slightly, brushing his hand over the Jade Scroll, his gaze filled with doubt:
"This defies logic, a world of lowest origin class, how can there be so many Nascent Souls, even a Celestial Venerable of Divinity Transformation?"
In a typical world of lowest origin class, it would be fortunate to birth even a few Nascent Soul True Monarchs, hence the Saint Sect dispatched three Nascent Soul pioneers, well-matched for such a level, advance and retreat with ease.
Some worlds of special periods of lowest origin class cannot even nurture Golden Core Cultivators.
For instance, five hundred years ago, the Primordial Saint Sect harvested a Ding-class origin world of waning magic.
This world was exhausted of Spiritual Qi, only a few Blessed Lands maintained Spiritual Eyes, its strongest were merely Late-stage Foundation Establishment, yet they arrogantly titled themselves ’Daoist Monarch.’
The Saint Sect dispatched only three Nascent Soul pioneers and swept through the entire realm effortlessly, raising the Celestial Sacrifice Platform to harvest the origin.
Such a world stands in stark contrast to the situation of the Celestial Abyss Realm this time.
Celestial Venerable Xuanji’s withered fingers tapped the Jade Platform, his voice low: "How should we proceed?"
The Primordial Saint Sect has always adhered to "stability first," focusing on safeguarding its own world as the foundation!
If the investigation finds strong opposition, they would decisively use the treasured ’Mirror of All Heavens’ to suppress nodes and block passages.
Even if the worlds overlap for a hundred years, they can keep the passage from forming, leaving the other side helpless.
Celestial Venerable Lieqiong suddenly gripped the sword hilt tightly, a sharpness flickered in his eyes:
"Naturally, to take it!"
"The origin may be sparse, but resources are so abundant that merely plundering the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures within would cover the costs of this action, even yielding surplus!"
"More importantly, a weak origin world can birth a Celestial Venerable of Divinity Transformation, this realm must have a remarkable background, possibly possessing a Tier Six Inheritance."
He paused, then added:
"Just like the world of waning magic five hundred years ago, though it had only Foundation Establishment cultivators, it contained a Tier Five Corpse Raising codex, benefiting many Celestial Venerables of our Saint Sect greatly."
"Our cultivation in the ’Path of Creation,’ is precisely to nourish the Xuanhuang Realm with resources from myriad worlds, such an enigmatic Small Thousand World, must not be missed!"
Celestial Venerable Xuanji slowly nodded, his withered face full of calm:
"I concur."
"Even if a world of lowest origin can birth Divinity Transformation, its strength is likely limited, possibly only comprehending High Grade Dao Principle."
"With our Saint Sect’s current foundation, it is enough to crush it, such expenditure and benefit merit action."
He turned the conversation around, a calculating look flashed in his eyes, mentioning another piece of news returned by True Monarch Li:
"That Nascent Soul Great Perfection Cultivator named Seven Kills Demon Monarch is also worth acquiring, the Saint Dao in that world wanes, for him to cultivate to this point shows his disposition and methods are quite extraordinary."
"A Tier Five Longevity Pill to win him over is also worth it, let’s bestow it upon him; at worst, we’ll plant a Demon Seed in him later."
"If he can break through the realm, he would be the seventeenth Celestial Venerable of our Saint Sect; if not, I would invite him to take a walk in the ’Creation Furnace.’
"Using the Demon Seed as a guide, refining a ’Ten Thousand Souls Returning to Origin Pill’ is no problem, Tier Five quality is no problem, enough to reclaim the Sect’s investment."
"Good!"
Jiucang and Lieqiong echoed in unison.
After the three concluded their discussion, Celestial Venerable Jiucang stepped forward with respect, looking into the gold-drenched zone deep in the Grotto Heaven:
"Since consensus has been reached, I will report to the Saint Master and request the Mirror of All Heavens to stabilize the node passages."
At the mention of "Saint Master," the faces of Lieqiong and Xuanji instantly filled with reverence.
The Primordial Saint Sect’s rise from a minor sect to a colossus ruling the entire Xuanhuang World is all due to the supreme power of the Primordial Saint Master.
Celestial Venerable Jiucang paused, his tone carrying a touch of hesitation as he slowly spoke:
"Also, in this conquest of the Celestial Abyss Realm, besides requesting the Mirror of All Heavens to stabilize the passage, another matter - the Saint Master himself might take action."
"What?"
Celestial Venerable Xuanji heard and quickly advised against it:
"Absolutely not! The Saint Master is at a crucial point in braking through to the Void Refining Realm; how can he expend effort for a minor Small Thousand World?"
Celestial Venerable Lieqiong also stepped forward, his sharp aura gathered significantly, full of reverence as he clasped hands toward the void before advising:
"What Daoist Friend Xuanji said is very true! Our Saint Sect’s current prosperity owes entirely to the Saint Master’s protection."
"Once the Saint Master achieves the status of Refining Void Great Power, he will be able to break through the shackles of longevity, attaining eternal vision. What concern is the Celestial Abyss Realm? This matter should never disturb the Saint Master’s secluded cultivation!"
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable couldn’t help but chuckle, motioning for the two to calm down:
"No need to rush, fellow Daoists. The Saint Master’s Dao Heart is so steadfast that such trivial matters would hardly affect his cultivation."
He paused, his gaze shifting to the golden light flowing within the Secret Realm, speaking with a touch of understanding:
"The Saint Master has been in seclusion for over a millennium. Though his Dao Heart is stable, it’s inevitable that he would long for activity in such stillness."
"The Celestial Abyss Realm, a world with a weakened source yet concealing mysteries, is perfect for him to stretch his muscles, serving as a diversion before his breakthrough."
His tone shifted, lowering his voice slightly:
"Besides, have you forgotten the Tier Six tome obtained a century ago from the ’Primordial Small Thousand World’?"
"It clearly records that once a Void Refining Cultivator enters a Small Thousand World, they will be severely suppressed by its Small Thousand Heaven and Earth, even triggering a world backlash if they’re not careful."
These words struck like thunder, instantly calming Xuanyi and Cracking Dome.
They exchanged a glance, understanding dawning in their eyes—the Saint Master is currently at Divinity Transformation Perfection, and entering the Celestial Abyss Realm will impose no suppression.
But once he achieves Refining Void, he won’t have the opportunity to freely roam Small Thousand Worlds.
Xuanyi Celestial Venerable nodded slightly: "I see, we have been careless in our considerations."
Cracking Dome Celestial Venerable was also filled with great pride:
"With the Saint Master personally overseeing, this descent is bound for success, allowing us to harvest all the Celestial Abyss Realm’s resources and power of origin!"
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable nodded with a smile, a hint of confidence flashing in his jade-like eyes:
"Indeed, the Saint Master leading personally will not only deter the cultivators of the Celestial Abyss Realm but also uncover its hidden secrets."
"We need only focus on subsequent deployment. Once the passage stabilizes, lead our disciples to follow suit, assisting the Saint Master in erecting the Celestial Sacrifice Platform."
Xuanyi Celestial Venerable nodded in agreement:
"If the Seven Kills Demon Monarch learns of the Saint Master’s presence, he will surely redouble his efforts."
The three Celestial Venerables reached consensus once more, and the atmosphere within the Grotto Heaven became solemn yet filled with anticipation.
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable’s figure flickered, transforming into a white light that flew into the golden light, soon appearing in a more magnificent Secret Realm—the Primordial Grotto Heaven.
...
Within the Primordial Grotto Heaven, nine vast light gates hovered in all directions, with starry runes flowing atop them.
Each light gate was guarded by a Celestial Venerable of Divinity Transformation, their aura profound as they sat cross-legged in the void, ensuring the stability of the light gates.
In the center of the Grotto Heaven, a majestic light figure sat on a lotus platform condensed by the Divine Light of the Nine Heavens. The figure was elusive, indistinguishable, with only a pair of eyes as radiant as the sun and moon.
Above his head floated a fantastically splendid Jade Mirror!
The Jade Mirror often changed forms, sometimes transforming into a Jade Ruyi, other times into a propitious cloud, or again into a Golden Bridge, each form exuding a power to suppress the universe.
This was the Saint Sect’s sect-guarding treasure, the "Universe Treasure Mirror."
Around the light figure, the power of time flowed like a river, the waters faintly revealing the scenes of the Saint Sect from obscurity to splendor, each vividly clear.
This was the "Light Yin Dao Domain," formed by cultivating the Dao Principle of Time to its extreme, granting insight into the past and perception of cause and effect.
Even more awe-inspiring was the vast heavenly intent swirling around the light figure, as if the entire Heavenly Gravitational Realm’s celestial standing concentrated upon him alone. Just sensing this aura filled one’s soul with reverence.
"Nine Skies pays respect to the Saint Master."
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable bowed in ceremony, daring not to directly gaze upon the light figure, overwhelmed by the oppressive force akin to heaven and earth, silently marveling:
"The Saint Master’s realm becomes ever more unfathomable."
The Primordial Saint Master slowly opened his partly closed eyes, his voice resonating like a great bell, yet carrying a trace of etherealness, as if transmitted from eternity:
"Have the explorers sent back intelligence from the alien realm?"
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable respectfully nodded: "Saint Master, your insight is indeed clear."
He then dutifully reported the intelligence within the Jade Scroll, detailing the level of the Celestial Abyss Realm’s origin, resource conditions, cultivator strengths, and circumstances regarding the Seven Kills Demon Monarch.
"Interesting."
The Primordial Saint Master curled a faint smile, eyes glimmering with interest:
"A realm with a weakened origin yet abundant resources, capable of birthing Celestial Venerables. Seems to be another world once glorious, now faded due to unforeseen events."
"Such a world often hides ancient inheritances or supreme treasures, with notable foundations."
He paused, a hint of anticipation in his tone:
"I am soon to breakthrough to Refining Void. Let the Celestial Abyss Realm serve as the last Small Thousand World I harvest before this breakthrough, a meeting of fate."
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable bowed in agreement: "The Saint Master’s words are most insightful."
The Primordial Saint Master chuckled softly, waving his sleeve, causing the Universe Treasure Mirror above his head to spin abruptly, golden runes flying from the mirror to shoot into the nine surrounding light gates.
The space fluctuations within the light gates immediately stabilized, and the channels in gestation expanded and solidified at a visible pace.
"Establishing this node has gone rather smoothly."
"In a few years, the passage will be capable of supporting Nascent Soul Cultivators traveling back and forth. As for us Divinity Transformation Cultivators, it will take approximately thirty years for the channel to stabilize enough for passage."
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable’s heart rejoiced, quickly saying:
"With the Saint Master’s personal intervention, the journey to the Celestial Abyss Realm will certainly be flawless!"
The Primordial Saint Master nodded gently, his eyes half-closing once more as the Time Dao Domain around him resumed its flow, seemingly diving into another enlightenment of the Void Refining Realm.
Nine Skies Celestial Venerable quietly withdrew, already beginning to plot the ensuing conquest plan—the resources and secrets of the Celestial Abyss Realm were soon to be within the Saint Sect’s grasp.