204 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 204: Welcoming the Sect Master from Seclusion! On the vast Wan Dao Plains, a crimson blade light extended for ten miles, casting a bloody hue over the heavens and the earth. The entire plain trembled violently, and the sound of the booming echoes lingered without end. Even the protective barrier of the Wan Dao Sect was startled by this force, activating on its own to absorb the residual force of the fierce blade aura. Had it not been for this, the whole Wan Dao Plains might have been cleaved with an abyssal crevice by Xiao Mo's sword. As the blade light gradually dispersed, the onlookers saw that the massive cauldron—a top-tier magical artifact—along with Xia Yu was split cleanly in two, with even his soul annihilated in an instant, leaving no trace behind. "This... how could this be?" "Senior Brother Xia... is dead?" "With just a single slash?" "Isn't Xiao Mo only at the Nascent Soul stage?" "A Nascent Soul cultivator killing a Jade Pure stage? Am I dreaming?" It took quite a while for the surrounding cultivators to snap out of their shock. They had always thought they understood how astounding Xiao Mo's talent was. But today, defeating Xia Yu, who was at the Jade Pure stage, with just his Nascent Soul sense, felt like a dream—hard to believe. How could someone be so gifted in this world? Is this truly something a mortal can achieve? "Yuer!" A sorrowful cry tore through the skies as Xia Kong descended from above, rushing into the formation, tremblingly holding his son's body, devastated with grief. "So, he was your son." Xiao Mo looked at Xia Kong, still speaking with indifference, “I actually remember now.” "Xiao Mo! I will have your life for this!" Xia Kong, consumed by rage, threw a punch. The punch wind formed into the shape of a giant dragon, carrying a mighty, resonant aura of the Grand Dao, aiming directly to kill Xiao Mo in a single blow. Yet Xiao Mo responded with just another slash. The crescent moon-shaped blade energy collided with the dragon of the punch wind, shattering it instantly, causing a violent wave of mixed killing intent and spiritual power. “What!?” Xia Kong was shocked that his full-force strike was so easily deflected by Xiao Mo with a single blow? Could he really just be in the late Nascent Soul stage? Just as Xia Kong's mind was reeling, a blood-red long blade already cleaved down from above! Xia Kong hurriedly dodged, but the long blade slammed into the ground, creating a massive pit, and Xia Yu's corpse was caught in the impact, bursting into a mist of blood. But there was no more time for grief. The woman in the red dress pulled out her long blade, her eyes gleaming with a crimson light, slashing again toward Xia Kong with chilling intent. Xia Kong dared not be careless, instantly summoning his life-bound artifact. A massive cauldron rose into the air, enveloping the Blood Fiend from above. Though this was a replica of the Immortal Weapon "Eight Desolation Cauldron," it was of a semi-immortal grade. Xia Yu's cauldron was also one of the replicas, but it was crafted from inferior materials. Xia Kong had originally intended to pass down his life-bound artifact to his son after this martial contest. But alas, that chance was gone forever. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The Blood Fiend relentlessly struck the cauldron with her blade, the clash of semi-immortal weapons creating shockwaves that left lower-tier cultivators nearby spitting blood, struggling to stand. "Enough, cease this." Just as Xia Kong was succumbing, with the Blood Fiend ready to deliver a final blow, a voice echoed from the heavens. The Blood Fiend's brows knitted slightly, but she did not hesitate, striking down with her blade! Unable to evade, Xia Kong could only brace for the hit— The residual shockwave from the clash reverberated once more, claiming the lives of some low-level cultivators standing too close. Xia Kong was sent flying backward, but a sturdy hand pressed gently against his back, helping him stabilize and land safely. When the crowd saw the attire of the man who had appeared, save for the master and disciples of Bloodpeak, all cultivators present bowed deeply, loudly heralding: "Welcome, Sect Master, from seclusion!" Xiao Mo scrutinized the man, appearing no older than his years. He had heard of the Wan Dao Sect's Sect Master. Sect Master Ding Jingyi, a cultivator who had achieved Ascension, had lived for over nine thousand years and had once participated in multiple battles between Buddhas and Demons. Ding Jingyi used to be deeply involved in the affairs of the sect, overseeing everything personally. The disciples held quite a good impression of him. But after a trip to the Forbidden Grounds of White Bones and his return to the sect, he seemed to change entirely. He became distrustful, secluding himself in a stone chamber. Following a bloody conflict for several blessed lands against the Ten Demonic Sects, half of the senior elders, peak leaders, and hall masters were lost. The Blood Fiend's master perished in that battle. Afterwards, the two sects entered a truce, and Ding Jingyi retreated into seclusion, leaving the sect’s affairs to the Vice Sect Master and Elder Assembly. For most disciples, this was their first time seeing the sect master in over a millennium. "Blood Fiend Elder, you're as impulsive as ever. You're much like your master." Ding Jingyi sighed, standing between the Blood Fiend and Xia Kong. "It's this old scoundrel who can't accept defeat," the Blood Fiend said coldly, gripping her long blade. "By the way, I didn’t expect the Sect Master to emerge after a thousand years." "Yes, a thousand years passed in the blink of an eye." Ding Jingyi's eyes seemed unfathomably deep. "Never did I anticipate, after such time, seeing such excellence among the disciples of Wan Dao Sect." As he said this, his gaze fell on Xiao Mo. "You are called Xiao Mo, yes? Remarkable." "Thank you for your praise, Sect Master." Xiao Mo offered a courteous bow. But for some reason, Xiao Mo had a feeling. This sect master, Ding Jingyi, was like a person, yet unlike one. And as Ding Jingyi spoke, a steward approached, presenting a list respectfully: "Master Sect, the Son of Dao competition has concluded. This is the list of ten candidates. Please have a look." Ding Jingyi glanced at the list and nodded: "No issues, announce it to the entire sect." "Yes, Master Sect." The steward tossed the list skyward. Instantly, ten names appeared in the sky, visible to all within the Wan Dao Sect, regardless of distance. Then, Ding Jingyi's voice resonated throughout the sect, shaking each heart: "Xiao Mo of Bloodpeak, Wu Qingfeng of Sunflower Peak, Si Li of Thousand Flower Peak, Cheng Yunshang of Art Peak, Xi Tianqi of Asura Hall, and Lü Lingfan of Book Peak. From today onwards, you ten are candidates for the Son of Dao in the Wan Dao Sect. In the name of the Wan Dao Sect’s Sect Master, I issue the Sacred Flame Order— Among you, the first to claim the head of Kong Nian Temple’s Wang Xin shall be the Son of Dao, and thus the next Sect Master of Wan Dao Sect!"