Chapter 517 - 223: Demon-Vanquishing
Profound Sun Peak, one of the Inner Nine Peaks. Unlike the ethereal grace of Nine Heavens Peak, its terrain was imposingly majestic and treacherous.
Atop the peak, the Profound Sun Hall stood, towering and majestic.
At that moment, an elderly man was seated at the head of the great hall.
The man was exceptionally tall and powerfully built. Even while seated, he exuded an oppressive presence as immense as a mountain.
His hair and beard were a dark red, as if they held molten lava within, and they fell loosely over his shoulders.
This was none other than the Vein Master of the Mystic Sun Lineage, Ke Tianzong!
Below him, two people stood respectfully to his left and right.
On the left was an elderly man dressed in the robes of a Mystic Sun Vein Elder. He was the Instructor Elder of the Mystic Sun Vein, Gongyang Ming.
On the right was a young man in his early thirties with a calm and steady demeanor. His features weren’t handsome in the conventional sense, but they were sharp and distinct.
He was none other than Ji Yunliang, who ranked second among the Ten Great True Disciples of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.
"Vein Master!"
As Ke Tianzong’s gaze swept over them, Gongyang Ming and Ji Yunliang bowed in unison, respectfully clasping their fists in a salute.
Ke Tianzong gave a slight nod. "There is no need for such formalities."
Gongyang Ming took a step forward and asked with concern, "Vein Master, you journeyed to the Northern Border to probe the Tide Level Old Monster of the Cloud Water Upper Sect. What was the outcome?"
Ke Tianzong waved a hand dismissively, his expression serene as if he were discussing a trivial matter. "It was nothing. That old fellow certainly has a few tricks up his sleeve, slippery as an eel. We exchanged a few probing moves, but neither of us could gain the upper hand, so we both withdrew."
Though his tone was casual, both Gongyang Ming and Ji Yunliang knew deep down that the encounter must have been exceptionally perilous.
Then, Ke Tianzong’s gaze fell upon Ji Yunliang. "Yunliang, you have been in seclusion within the Grotto Heaven for several months. Have you made any gains?"
Ji Yunliang bowed and replied in a steady voice, "Reporting to the Vein Master, I gained some new insights into the Mystic Sun True Understanding during my seclusion, and my Mystic Sun Momentum has also improved. It’s just that..."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Regarding the matter of the Ancestor’s inheritance, which you previously tasked me to secretly investigate... I have scoured nearly every known region of the Grotto Heaven and exhausted my spiritual senses trying to find it, but still... I have found not a single clue."
The moment the two words "Ancestor’s Inheritance" were spoken, a ripple went through the hearts of both Gongyang Ming and Ji Yunliang.
This matter was considered a top secret, even among the highest echelons of the Mystic Sun Lineage.
Upon hearing this, Ke Tianzong said slowly, "No matter. This is not something that can be rushed. The Ancestor was a peerless genius. If his inheritance were so easy to obtain, it would not have fallen to us, his descendants, to find it."
Ji Yunliang hesitated for a moment before asking, "Vein Master, forgive my bluntness, but this Ancestor’s inheritance... what form does it even take? Though rumors persist within the Sect, they have been nothing but vague legends for millennia. While I searched, I felt I had nothing to go on."
The truth behind the Ancestor’s inheritance was nebulous and unprovable.
Ji Yunliang had always been skeptical about it.
Ke Tianzong’s gaze grew profound as he said in a deep voice, "The Ancestor’s inheritance must be real. It doesn’t refer to the Four Great True Scriptures that have been passed down, but rather... the supreme mystery that unifies their core principles. It might even contain... Divine Secret Techniques that far transcend the scope of any True Scripture!"
"Divine Secret Techniques?"
Gongyang Ming couldn’t help but let out a soft cry, and even Ji Yunliang’s breath caught in his throat.
Divine Secret Techniques that surpassed the True Scriptures... that was a Realm of near-mythical status!
"That’s right."
Ke Tianzong affirmed, "According to the speculations of our predecessors, whoever obtains this core inheritance will have grasped a key. A key that allows one to glimpse the mystery of the Four Great True Scriptures’ shared origin and fundamental laws! It’s truly unimaginable!"
He paused, then looked at Ji Yunliang, his tone turning grave. "For thousands of years, many within the Sect have searched for this inheritance, both openly and in secret, but all have come up empty-handed."
"However, according to the scattered records and speculations of our predecessors, the inheritance most likely exists in one of three places. First, the deepest level of the mysterious Celestial Treasure Tower, which is said to house the Ancestor’s will. Second, the forbidden top floor of the Scripture Repository on Ten Thousand Laws Peak, which has never been opened to the public. And third, within the Secret Realm Grotto Heaven, an isolated world created by the Ancestor himself."
The two men exchanged a glance.
Gongyang Ming said slowly, "It seems that whoever obtains the Ancestor’s inheritance will be able to completely change the current balance of power among the Four Veins."
Ke Tianzong began to pace slowly. "Correct. Whoever obtains the Ancestor’s inheritance would indeed be able to alter the Sect’s entire structure, perhaps even upset the balance of power in all of Yan Country. But that is precisely what makes this matter so thorny. Do you think we in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect are the only ones with our eyes on this prize?"
"The Court, the other five major sects, and even some old recluses who never emerge from their seclusion—who among them doesn’t want a piece of the pie? My Mystic Sun Lineage and the True Martial Lineage have sought it tirelessly for centuries. It’s not just for the Sect’s continuation; it’s also a preemptive move to prevent the inheritance from falling into enemy hands, which would surely lead to the Sect’s ruin."
"But such a thing is a matter of destiny, not effort."
Ji Yunliang’s expression grew solemn, and he bowed deeply. "I understand your lesson, Vein Master. Only by becoming powerful myself will I be able to seize such an opportunity. Otherwise, even if the inheritance were laid before me, I would be unworthy to receive it."
"Good. As long as you understand." Ke Tianzong nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction on his face. "You are dismissed. Go and properly consolidate the gains from your seclusion."
Ji Yunliang and Gongyang Ming saluted once more before respectfully exiting the Profound Sun Hall.
The hall doors swung slowly shut, leaving Ke Tianzong alone in the vast, empty space.
He gazed out from the hall and muttered to himself, ’The Ancestor’s inheritance? How difficult it is to find! Can such a heaven-blessed prodigy truly exist in this world?’
...
「Xu Wang Mountain. A small courtyard.」
For the next several days, the usual tranquility of Chen Qing’s small courtyard was shattered as it became as bustling as a city market.
Stewards and young masters from the great Noble Families of Celestial Treasure City, and even some senior Inner Sect disciples hoping to build a connection, arrived in an endless stream to pay their respects.
Some presented calling cards and lavish gifts, extending sincere invitations to banquets. Others were more direct, openly stating their intention to recruit him and making all manner of promises regarding resources.