Chapter 154: Setting the Strategy

Xuanyuan Wangchen! For hundreds of years, this name had been celebrated among the disciples of the Hundred Flowers Sect as an immortal monument. It represented far more than mere strength; it stood for invincibility itself! He was the legendary peerless master of the Hundred Flowers Sect, a genius among geniuses.

The most talented youth in the history of Taoist cultivation was originally named Xuanyuan Jianzhi, implying a gradual and steady advancement in the laws of the Dao. Yet, his terrifying aptitude was a once-in-a-millennium miracle! He achieved Foundation Establishment at age ten, formed his Golden Core at twelve, attained the Nascent Soul realm at sixteen, and entered the Spirit Separation stage at twenty. His speed of cultivation far surpassed the elite of every sect. Had it not been for that catastrophic tribulation, Xuanyuan Jianzhi surely would have ascended to the immortal realm and forged a myth in the cultivation world.

Geniuses are often entangled in romance. Just as he was on the verge of stepping into the Tribulation Transcendence stage at the tender age of twenty-six, he encountered the true love of his life at Wangchen Island in Erhai Lake—Lan Jiumeng, a disciple from an obscure and unknown cultivation sect.

Lan Jiumeng was not a peerless beauty capable of overthrowing cities and kingdoms, but Xuanyuan was instantly captivated by the woman with the bright, expressive eyes. The maiden, in turn, was deeply drawn to the man carrying the "Xuanyuan Sword." Naturally, the two became inseparable and formed a cultivation partnership. A year later, Lan Jiumeng became pregnant. For the sake of the mother and child, Xuanyuan Jianzhi delayed his cultivation progress, staying by her side day and night without ever leaving.

Unexpectedly, while he returned to his sect to attend the grand ceremony for the succession of the sect leader, his wife and daughter were brutally slaughtered by villains! Consumed by rage, Xuanyuan burned Wangchen Island to ashes, killing every human and demon in his path all the way from Erhai Lake to Dayan. Drenched in blood and on the verge of exhaustion, he was fortunately rescued by the Master of Continuous Heaven Island, finally returning safely to Qiyun Mountain.

However, the matter was far from over. The overseas sects, whose members had been massacred in Xuanyuan's fit of rage, joined forces and came looking for retribution, demanding his life to appease the public outrage.

Bai Chushan, the former leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect and Xuanyuan Jianzhi's master, stepped forward to protect him at the cost of his own life, saving Xuanyuan. From then on, he lived in seclusion at Longxiang Peak, adopting the name Xuanyuan Wangchen. Yet, the generation's sword immortal, devastated by the loss of his wife, daughter, and master, ultimately succumbed to overwhelming inner demons and had to cast off his physical body to become a rogue immortal. Except for the supreme rulers of the sect, no one knew of his whereabouts until he succeeded the previous guardian, Zhou Xianqing, and became the hermit of the eighth floor of the Pavilion of Profound Collection.

A century ago, Xuanyuan Wangchen had already survived six heavenly tribulations, and his cultivation prowess was undeniably flawless. However, very few people in this world knew he was still alive, so when the disciples heard this name, they were all struck with astonishment and deeply moved by the profound heritage of the Hundred Flowers Sect.

"Senior, please accept our bow!" Cang Bailang cupped his fists respectfully. The others quickly straightened their robes and paid their respects to the legendary undefeated swordsman.

Xuanyuan Wangchen smiled faintly, his gaze bright and profound. After accepting the bow from the younger generation, he raised his head and said, "Use the opportunities you have gained this time with caution. Think things through carefully before acting, and never act for momentary pleasure only to regret it later."

"We will strictly abide by the senior's teachings." None dared to disobey; this was a lesson paid for in blood, earnest advice from a monumental senior.

Watching the young people depart in the distance, Xuanyuan sat down once more. The brilliant radiance filling the room could not mask the profound solitude on his face, but soon, he closed his eyes and let his spirit wander through heaven and earth.

Before even stepping out of the Pavilion of Profound Collection, the disciples began to discuss excitedly. Being able to meet Xuanyuan Wangchen was enough to make them immensely proud, and each possessing a unique treasure only added to their overflowing joy.

"They are coming out." Jun Wuji looked at the exceptional disciples of the sect emerging one by one with smiles on their faces, feeling a deep sense of gratification within his heart.

Yan Dongjue and the others gazed with concerned expressions, staring intently at their respective disciples, hoping to discover something.

"Bailang, what did you acquire?" Yan Dongjue asked first.

Cang Bailang replied solemnly, "Reporting to Master, this disciple obtained the Seven-Star Dragon Sparrow."

Yan Dongjue snorted coldly and turned his back.

Jun Wuji smiled slightly and looked toward Feng Yiyuan. The disciple cupped his hands in salute and answered, "This disciple was fortunate enough to obtain the Xuanjian Sword."

"Oh, the Xuanjian Sword is not bad either. Back in the day, True Person Heyang used this sword to slay countless evil demons; you must carry on and glorify its legacy." The sect leader offered brief praise, his gaze filled with gentleness. Huichun Shan, however, sighed and shook his head without a word.

Feng Yiyuan expressed his gratitude and stood quietly beside his master. Fairy Furong looked at her two beloved disciples, her tone brimming with triumph: "Yuxi, Nianhe, quickly tell your senior uncles and aunts about your harvests."

Yao Nianhe said in a spoiled, sweet tone, "Master, we didn't harvest anything rare. If we talk about who had the biggest harvest this time, it has to be Junior Brother Lin. Senior Sister, don't you agree?"

Chen Yuxi wore an extremely unnatural expression, cast a secret glare at her, and transmitted her voice: "Dead girl, just you wait until we get back, I'll deal with you!"

Qin Menglan froze for a fraction of a second. Jun Wuji chuckled and said to Lin Feng, "Junior nephew, why don't you present your sword for us all to see?"

"Yes, this is the 'Destiny-Seizing Dragon'..." Lin Feng held a broken sword respectfully before the elders.

Huichun Shan smiled bitterly, "Senior Brother Sect Leader truly has unique insight."

A strange light flashed in Qin Menglan's eyes as she looked at Lin Feng and said, "Once the Flawless Sword appears, the world will shake. You must find a way to complete this broken sword before you can achieve great and monumental feats."

Yan Dongjue also turned to look at this disciple, his lips moving as if to speak, but he remained silent in the end.

Jun Wuji nodded and said, "Obtaining this sword is a matter of destiny and fortune. You must bear in mind that a sword has two edges; it can build your prestige, but it can also destroy your body and soul."

Lin Feng nodded respectfully. Jun Wuji waved his hand and said, "Since our objective has been successfully achieved this time, everyone may return to your respective peaks. Junior Brother Yan, accompany me for a moment."

Yan Dongjue was startled, stepped forward to follow, but suddenly remembering something, he turned back and said, "Number Nine, since you have listened to your martial uncle's words, you should head down the mountain now to search for the other half of the broken sword. Once obtained, you may go to the Beichen Family to forge the Flawless Sword."

"Yes, Master," Lin Feng replied respectfully.

Dongjue said no more, flicked his sleeve, and headed toward Gentleman Peak.

Qin Menglan and Huichun Shan also departed successively. The martial brothers exchanged farewells and flew toward their respective four peaks. Cang Bailang and the other senior brothers from Heavenly Pillar Peak walked up to Lin Feng's side, offered words of encouragement, and then left with knowing smiles, occasionally turning back in mid-air to look at the three shrinking figures below.

"Senior Sister, I'm leaving first." Yao Nianhe giggled and soared into the sky, leaving only Lin Feng and Yuxi standing quietly on the massive platform.

A mountain breeze swept past, exceptionally gentle, and the warm sunlight brushed over them like a lover's hand.

"Senior Sister, I am going down the mountain to search for the broken sword. What are your plans?" Seeing that his senior sister remained silent, Lin Feng forced himself to speak up.

Yuxi smiled gently and said, "You said before that you would let me enter the Yinque Palace for cultivation—does that still count?"

"Of course it counts." Lin Feng smiled as well.

"Good then. Wait for me for a day in Lotus Town. After I report to Master, I will come find you. The matter I promised Xiaowan that day remains unfinished, and I plan to go with her to the Mengliang Kingdom to investigate. What do you think?"

"I'll follow Senior Sister's arrangement," Lin Feng said.

Yuxi nodded, "It's settled then. Don't leave without seeing each other. I'll head back first."

"Don't leave without seeing each other..." Lin Feng murmured softly.

Yuxi gave a knowing smile, summoned the Qilin Fire-Dancing Sword, and flew toward Furong Peak.

Gentleman Peak.

Jun Wuji and Yan Dongjue stood side by side on the peak amidst a sea of clouds, gazing at the rolling rosy clouds in the sky and the cranes echoing in the mist, looking like enlightened immortals detached from the mortal world.

"Junior Brother, this calamity involving both the righteous and demonic paths has ended, but as your elder, I am still filled with anxiety. Do you know why?"

"Could the Senior Brother Sect Leader be worried about Huangming Emperor staging a comeback?" Yan Dongjue asked.

"That is not my only concern. There are some things you have no way of knowing, and it is inconvenient for me to elaborate, but let us look at the present situation. Two of our martial uncles have fallen, leaving one crippled; our Hundred Flowers Sect has indeed suffered heavy losses. Of the Demonic Cult's three rogue immortals, two still survive, which remains a major hazard. I fear those madmen might lose their minds and commit atrocities, and by then, no one in the righteous path will be able to stop them."

With the destruction of the Myriad Demons Heaven, the rogue immortals were extremely likely to launch a massive retaliation, and the very first targets would undoubtedly be the Hundred Flowers Sect and the Fitu Temple.

Yan Dongjue's expression changed drastically, and he said hurriedly, "If that is the case, we should order the sect disciples to seal the mountain gates. I will go find Lin Feng right now."

"Junior Brother, do not be rash. This child possesses great fortune and is certainly not someone the rogue immortals can easily eliminate, unless..." Jun Wuji stopped right there and closed his mouth.

Doubt was written all over Yan Dongjue's face as he asked, "Since Senior Brother says so, we will let him be. But what are your plans to deal with the immediate crisis?"

Jun Wuji smiled faintly, "I plan to enter secluded life in a death closure. If I cannot break through this karmic obstacle, I will simply cast off my mortal coil and become a rogue immortal; it will at least be my contribution to our sect. In such a dangerous juncture, there is no other way."

Yan Dongjue was horrified, and only after a long moment did he say with deep grief, "Why doesn't Senior Brother consider asking Grandmaster Xuanyuan to come out of seclusion?"

"No. Until the final critical moment, Grandmaster Xuanyuan must never be revealed to the world. There are still many people brooding over that affair from back then, and the karmic ties have yet to be resolved," Jun Wuji sighed.

The two remained silent for a while longer. Jun Wuji spoke up, "Come with me. Regardless of the outcome of this closed seclusion, I will be stepping down from this position. It is time you knew about a certain matter."

Yan Dongjue said hastily, "What does Senior Brother mean by this? Among the sect, I see Yiyuan as more suited for the position of sect leader; you should carefully nurture and instruct him."

Jun Wuji smiled, walked slowly forward, and said, "Yiyuan has good natural talent, but he lacks leadership charisma and still requires much tempering. If Junior Brother passes the position of sect leader to him in the future, that would be fine, but right now, it will not do."

Understanding dawned on Yan Dongjue, and he said no more, following the sect leader down the mountain.

Half a day later, the two met at the Taste-Savor Pavilion in Lotus Town. Xiaowan, Du Songsong, Wu Zhui, and Yi Nan were all eating and drinking heartily. Yuxi was immediately welcomed to sit beside Lin Feng, and the group broke into a lively chatter, drawing countless gazes from the surrounding diners.

"I am planning to head into the desolate wilderness to search for the whereabouts of the broken sword. Back then, Senior Feng Qianya and the Monster Ancestor fought a fierce battle, resulting in one injury and one death. I surmise that the broken sword must have fallen into the hands of the demon race, or else we wouldn't be unable to find it despite searching everywhere," Lin Feng lowered his voice and said.

Yuxi was startled and said in surprise, "The five great palace domains of the desolate wilderness are swarming with demons. It would be inappropriate for you to go alone. How about we go together?"

Du Songsong chimed in, "Senior Sister makes sense. When we saw that snowy rock white tiger during the winter hunt last time, it almost cost us our lives. Why don't you realize how dangerous it is?"

Lin Feng smiled, "What is there to fear? Things are different now. I have the mirror; if I can't beat them, can't I run?"

"Then you had better run fast, and be especially careful of the Nine Dragons Palace. The grievances settled last time have not yet been cleared, and I'm afraid Teng Chong might secretly plot against you," Yuxi said, her delicate brows knitted together in deep worry.

Lin Feng said with disdain, "Hmph, Teng Chong! If I see him again, I won't let that dragon off lightly either! Rest assured, even if I can't defeat him, I still have ways to escape with my life. Yi Nan, stop stuffing your face and tell us about the relationships between these major palaces."

Yi Nan was holding a chicken leg in his hand, and mumbled indistinctly, "The Nine Dragons Palace... and the Spirit Sovereign Palace are... thick as thieves. Hmm, the Azure Ox King and the Great Ape King are as close as... brothers. The Golden Elephant King has always ignored... ignored worldly affairs. As for the others... gone."

"Ah, the Great Ape King! I might as well pay him a visit. I wonder if Che Ba returned safely." Lin Feng raised his wine cup and said, "Today we part ways here. Senior Sister, Xiaowan, be very careful on the road. If the situation in Mengliang proves too difficult to handle, return to the mountain and wait for us to head there together."

"Alright," Yuxi stood up as well, and the group raised their cups together in a toast.