"The elders... the five of them lost..."
"Elder Lin single-handedly defeated the five prominent elders. Within our Ancient Origin Sect, below the rank of Martial Sovereign, these were our strongest Martial Saints. Yet, they were defeated."
"It wasn't just a loss. It was an utter rout! Elder Lin didn't even employ his full strength to overpower the five elders."
"The terrifying power of Elder Lin... he must now be the top Martial Saint of our Ancient Origin Sect."
"And, not just within our sect. Considering the entire ancient continent, at the level of Martial Saints, Elder Lin might very well be one of the strongest!"
Nobody among the disciples of the Ancient Origin Sect had ever imagined Lin Fei could defeat the five elders so decisively. Yes, his duel with Ao Yunxiao had created quite a stir, but Ao Yunxiao was not among the top Martial Saints of the sect. Later, there were rumors that Lin Fei had defeated Illusion Worry City's disciple, Jiang Tianyun. But how powerful Jiang Tianyun truly was remained speculation.
Moreover, the defeat of Jiang Tianyun had occurred in Illusion Worry City, and not many from the Ancient Origin Sect had witnessed it. Hearing is not the same as seeing, after all. But now, they had seen it with their own eyes - Lin Fei's prowess against the combined force of five top-tier Martial Saint elders. Perhaps, below the Martial Sovereign, Lin Fei was now unmatched.
"Well done, Elder Lin has won this match," the sect leader finally spoke, trying to calm the agitated crowd. "But, remember, it was only a spar. Other elders should not take it to heart."
Though the sect leader tried to downplay the situation, the five defeated elders exchanged meaningful glances. They had made up their minds. After this shameful defeat, they couldn't possibly retain their positions with dignity. It seemed they were now reminded of the original purpose of practicing martial arts - true power in the martial path was of utmost importance. They even considered resigning from their elder positions soon to go into seclusion, striving to comprehend the essence of martial arts better.
However, all these matters were now irrelevant to Lin Fei. The sect leader and Wind Sovereign had already sent him a message, asking him to return to the main hall.
Soon, Lin Fei arrived at the main hall of the Ancient Origin Sect, where only the Wind Sovereign and the sect leader awaited him.
"Elder Lin," the sect leader began, "your request has been accepted. For this journey to the immortal mansion, only you, a Martial Saint from our Ancient Origin Sect, will enter. However, you must ensure that you bring out any treasure you find within.
Even if we martial artists have no use for them, as long as they're treasures, we can exchange them with those at the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stages for precious resources. So, you have but one goal upon entering the immortal mansion. That is to plunder! Empty out the entire immortal mansion of any treasures you can find.
For this purpose, I'll lend you a storage pouch. It's crafted by a Golden Core True Person, specially tailored for martial artists like us. You can use your true essence to access it, and it should be spacious enough to store anything you need."
The sect leader then handed Lin Fei the storage pouch. Lin Fei, taken aback, channeled his saber essence into the pouch and found a vast space inside.
Lin Fei wasn't truly in need of storage space. He possessed the Sky Reaching Tower, an artifact with ample internal storage to accommodate anything. However, he could only use the spirit of the Sky Reaching Tower to access that space. This new storage pouch, designed especially for martial artists, could be accessed using saber essence, which was considerably more convenient.
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
"This pouch is only a loan. Once the journey to the immortal mansion concludes, you must return it," the sect leader reminded him with a smile.
Lin Fei nodded. He recognized that while martial artists and immortal cultivators might be equally matched in terms of combat strength when it came to crafting magical treasures or auxiliary items, cultivators were far superior. Such a storage pouch, easily crafted by a Golden Core True Person, was beyond the reach of martial artists to replicate.
Lin Fei wasn't particularly concerned about returning the pouch since he had the Sky Reaching Tower. But upon reflection, he realized the sect leader's intentions. Anything Lin Fei brought out from the immortal mansion would likely be stored in this pouch, making it easier for the sect leader to reclaim the treasures without fearing that Lin Fei might conceal anything.
Yet, it was probable the Ancient Origin Sect's leader was unaware of Lin Fei's possession of the Sky Reaching Tower. Should there be any valuable items, Lin Fei would certainly place them inside the tower.
"Sect Leader, when will we depart?" Lin Fei inquired.
"The exact time is yet to be determined," the sect leader responded. "We still need to negotiate with Profound Light Cave Heaven and Red Hades Mansion. We must ensure that Taiyi Dao Palace isn't plotting something. However, in about a month or so, we should be able to finalize the date. Wait for further information in your dwelling."
Lin Fei nodded and exited the main hall.
Watching Lin Fei's departing figure, Wind Sovereign squinted his eyes and calmly asked, "Sect Leader, what do you think of Lin Fei?"
"Inscrutable."
"Really? Even you can't see through him?" Wind Sovereign seemed taken aback.
The Ancient Origin Sect's leader slightly shook his head. "Lin Fei has been with our Ancient Origin Sect for less than a year. Yet, he evolved from an ordinary Martial Saint to nearly an invincible one. How can one see through such genius? Moreover, he is a 'Dao Seeker'. Every 'Dao Seeker' is said to achieve the Golden Core level, and it seems the rumors are true. He might become a Martial Sovereign."
Wind Sovereign mused, "Becoming a Martial Sovereign might be an overstatement. It's more accurate to say there's a high chance. After all, his Saber Momentum is not yet perfected. Even if he perfects it and forms the Spirit Flower, achieving the 'Three Flowers Converging Atop', it doesn't guarantee to break the Life Wheel of shackles to reveal it. We both have broken through the Life Wheel's shackles. If given another chance, are you confident in breaking through, Sect Leader?"
The sect leader fell silent. Indeed, even with 'Three Flowers Converging Atop', not everyone can achieve the title of Martial Sovereign. The critical step is breaking the Life Wheel's shackles. And this very step halts countless exceptionally talented Martial Saints. To break the Life Wheel's shackles is as challenging as a Foundation Establishment cultivator trying to overcome the heavenly tribulation. It's akin to defying fate and challenging the heavens — an incredibly arduous task. Regardless of how impressive Lin Fei has been, whether he can break the chains of fate remains uncertain.
"All we can do is to see how Lin Fei's destiny unfolds..." The Sect Leader's words echoed throughout the grand hall.
...
Time flew by day by day.
Lin Fei stayed in his cave, constantly refining three saber intents with the Saber Momentum. With each passing day, the cultivation progress of his saber intent increased by approximately 1%.
Several days later, the saber intent of one of the three Martial Saint-level techniques, the Flame Burning Heaven Saber, reached 100% cultivation progress. The saber intent successfully achieved Transcendence! However, once the saber intent reached Transcendence, no matter how much he honed it further, the results seemed insignificant.
Soon after, the saber intent of the Rainbow Transformation Saber Technique also achieved Transcendence. Roughly two months later, the Holy Spirit Saber Technique's saber intent reached Transcendence as well.
After two long months, Lin Fei finally received a message from the Sect Leader. He immediately proceeded to the main hall of the sect, where the Sect Leader and Wind Sovereign awaited him.
"Lin Fei, it's settled," the Sect Leader announced. "In three days, the Taiyi Dao Palace, Red Hades Mansion, Profound Light Cave Heaven, and our Ancient Origin Sect will jointly open the Immortal Mansion. By then, you will enter the mansion alongside the Foundation Establishment True Persons from the other factions."
Having waited for two months, Lin Fei finally received specific information.
"Sect Leader, I have a question," Lin Fei said, "Once inside the Immortal Mansion, are we allowed to kill?"
The Sect Leader and Wind Sovereign exchanged glances. The Sect Leader then spoke in a deep voice, "The four major factions have reached an agreement. Once inside the Immortal Mansion, anything goes. You can kill not only the members from Taiyi Dao Palace but also those from Red Hades Mansion and Profound Light Cave Heaven. Anyone who contests treasures with you can be killed!"
The Sect Leader's words were resolute and unequivocal.
"The elders... the five of them lost..."
"Elder Lin single-handedly defeated the five prominent elders. Within our Ancient Origin Sect, below the rank of Martial Sovereign, these were our strongest Martial Saints. Yet, they were defeated."
"It wasn't just a loss. It was an utter rout! Elder Lin didn't even employ his full strength to overpower the five elders."
"The terrifying power of Elder Lin... he must now be the top Martial Saint of our Ancient Origin Sect."
"And, not just within our sect. Considering the entire ancient continent, at the level of Martial Saints, Elder Lin might very well be one of the strongest!"
Nobody among the disciples of the Ancient Origin Sect had ever imagined Lin Fei could defeat the five elders so decisively. Yes, his duel with Ao Yunxiao had created quite a stir, but Ao Yunxiao was not among the top Martial Saints of the sect. Later, there were rumors that Lin Fei had defeated Illusion Worry City's disciple, Jiang Tianyun. But how powerful Jiang Tianyun truly was remained speculation.
Moreover, the defeat of Jiang Tianyun had occurred in Illusion Worry City, and not many from the Ancient Origin Sect had witnessed it. Hearing is not the same as seeing, after all. But now, they had seen it with their own eyes - Lin Fei's prowess against the combined force of five top-tier Martial Saint elders. Perhaps, below the Martial Sovereign, Lin Fei was now unmatched.
"Well done, Elder Lin has won this match," the sect leader finally spoke, trying to calm the agitated crowd. "But, remember, it was only a spar. Other elders should not take it to heart."
Though the sect leader tried to downplay the situation, the five defeated elders exchanged meaningful glances. They had made up their minds. After this shameful defeat, they couldn't possibly retain their positions with dignity. It seemed they were now reminded of the original purpose of practicing martial arts - true power in the martial path was of utmost importance. They even considered resigning from their elder positions soon to go into seclusion, striving to comprehend the essence of martial arts better.
However, all these matters were now irrelevant to Lin Fei. The sect leader and Wind Sovereign had already sent him a message, asking him to return to the main hall.
Soon, Lin Fei arrived at the main hall of the Ancient Origin Sect, where only the Wind Sovereign and the sect leader awaited him.
"Elder Lin," the sect leader began, "your request has been accepted. For this journey to the immortal mansion, only you, a Martial Saint from our Ancient Origin Sect, will enter. However, you must ensure that you bring out any treasure you find within.
Even if we martial artists have no use for them, as long as they're treasures, we can exchange them with those at the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stages for precious resources. So, you have but one goal upon entering the immortal mansion. That is to plunder! Empty out the entire immortal mansion of any treasures you can find.
For this purpose, I'll lend you a storage pouch. It's crafted by a Golden Core True Person, specially tailored for martial artists like us. You can use your true essence to access it, and it should be spacious enough to store anything you need."
The sect leader then handed Lin Fei the storage pouch. Lin Fei, taken aback, channeled his saber essence into the pouch and found a vast space inside.
Lin Fei wasn't truly in need of storage space. He possessed the Sky Reaching Tower, an artifact with ample internal storage to accommodate anything. However, he could only use the spirit of the Sky Reaching Tower to access that space. This new storage pouch, designed especially for martial artists, could be accessed using saber essence, which was considerably more convenient.
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
"This pouch is only a loan. Once the journey to the immortal mansion concludes, you must return it," the sect leader reminded him with a smile.
Lin Fei nodded. He recognized that while martial artists and immortal cultivators might be equally matched in terms of combat strength when it came to crafting magical treasures or auxiliary items, cultivators were far superior. Such a storage pouch, easily crafted by a Golden Core True Person, was beyond the reach of martial artists to replicate.
Lin Fei wasn't particularly concerned about returning the pouch since he had the Sky Reaching Tower. But upon reflection, he realized the sect leader's intentions. Anything Lin Fei brought out from the immortal mansion would likely be stored in this pouch, making it easier for the sect leader to reclaim the treasures without fearing that Lin Fei might conceal anything.
Yet, it was probable the Ancient Origin Sect's leader was unaware of Lin Fei's possession of the Sky Reaching Tower. Should there be any valuable items, Lin Fei would certainly place them inside the tower.
"Sect Leader, when will we depart?" Lin Fei inquired.
"The exact time is yet to be determined," the sect leader responded. "We still need to negotiate with Profound Light Cave Heaven and Red Hades Mansion. We must ensure that Taiyi Dao Palace isn't plotting something. However, in about a month or so, we should be able to finalize the date. Wait for further information in your dwelling."
Lin Fei nodded and exited the main hall.
Watching Lin Fei's departing figure, Wind Sovereign squinted his eyes and calmly asked, "Sect Leader, what do you think of Lin Fei?"
"Inscrutable."
"Really? Even you can't see through him?" Wind Sovereign seemed taken aback.
The Ancient Origin Sect's leader slightly shook his head. "Lin Fei has been with our Ancient Origin Sect for less than a year. Yet, he evolved from an ordinary Martial Saint to nearly an invincible one. How can one see through such genius? Moreover, he is a 'Dao Seeker'. Every 'Dao Seeker' is said to achieve the Golden Core level, and it seems the rumors are true. He might become a Martial Sovereign."
Wind Sovereign mused, "Becoming a Martial Sovereign might be an overstatement. It's more accurate to say there's a high chance. After all, his Saber Momentum is not yet perfected. Even if he perfects it and forms the Spirit Flower, achieving the 'Three Flowers Converging Atop', it doesn't guarantee to break the Life Wheel of shackles to reveal it. We both have broken through the Life Wheel's shackles. If given another chance, are you confident in breaking through, Sect Leader?"
The sect leader fell silent. Indeed, even with 'Three Flowers Converging Atop', not everyone can achieve the title of Martial Sovereign. The critical step is breaking the Life Wheel's shackles. And this very step halts countless exceptionally talented Martial Saints. To break the Life Wheel's shackles is as challenging as a Foundation Establishment cultivator trying to overcome the heavenly tribulation. It's akin to defying fate and challenging the heavens — an incredibly arduous task. Regardless of how impressive Lin Fei has been, whether he can break the chains of fate remains uncertain.
"All we can do is to see how Lin Fei's destiny unfolds..." The Sect Leader's words echoed throughout the grand hall.
...
Time flew by day by day.
Lin Fei stayed in his cave, constantly refining three saber intents with the Saber Momentum. With each passing day, the cultivation progress of his saber intent increased by approximately 1%.
Several days later, the saber intent of one of the three Martial Saint-level techniques, the Flame Burning Heaven Saber, reached 100% cultivation progress. The saber intent successfully achieved Transcendence! However, once the saber intent reached Transcendence, no matter how much he honed it further, the results seemed insignificant.
Soon after, the saber intent of the Rainbow Transformation Saber Technique also achieved Transcendence. Roughly two months later, the Holy Spirit Saber Technique's saber intent reached Transcendence as well.
After two long months, Lin Fei finally received a message from the Sect Leader. He immediately proceeded to the main hall of the sect, where the Sect Leader and Wind Sovereign awaited him.
"Lin Fei, it's settled," the Sect Leader announced. "In three days, the Taiyi Dao Palace, Red Hades Mansion, Profound Light Cave Heaven, and our Ancient Origin Sect will jointly open the Immortal Mansion. By then, you will enter the mansion alongside the Foundation Establishment True Persons from the other factions."
Having waited for two months, Lin Fei finally received specific information.
"Sect Leader, I have a question," Lin Fei said, "Once inside the Immortal Mansion, are we allowed to kill?"
The Sect Leader and Wind Sovereign exchanged glances. The Sect Leader then spoke in a deep voice, "The four major factions have reached an agreement. Once inside the Immortal Mansion, anything goes. You can kill not only the members from Taiyi Dao Palace but also those from Red Hades Mansion and Profound Light Cave Heaven. Anyone who contests treasures with you can be killed!"
The Sect Leader's words were resolute and unequivocal.
