Chapter 160: Immortal Sect Decree

The Immortal Sect decree was extremely simple, consisting of only a few brief sentences. It stated that the Black Wind in the neighboring countries had spiraled out of control, and a large number of Soul Beasts had invaded the human realm and even begun to enter the borders of the Great Song. Fellow Daoists of the Immortal World must work together to slay the Soul Beasts and safeguard the safety of the Great Song.

The conditions for exchanging Soul Beads obtained from slaying Soul Beasts have been raised significantly once again. Furthermore, the three major Immortal Sects have jointly decided that, in order to support the actions of the vast number of cultivators, they will specially release a large quantity of Spirit Pills and Magic Treasures. This includes not only common Qi-replenishing Spirit Pills and Flying Swords, but also a large number of rare pills that are usually difficult to obtain even with heavy gold, such as Guiyuan Pills, Descending Dust Pills, and Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pills. Moreover, there is no limit on the quantity for exchange; as long as one has sufficient Spirit Stones, Soul Beads, or even other Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, they can be exchanged according to their value.

As the news of the decree spread, the two gathering places for cultivators, Black Wind Ridge and Spirit Fox Valley, instantly erupted like a boiling pot. Groups of cultivators began to leave the vicinity of the Taiyuan Sect, traveling far to the borders of neighboring countries in the southeast, northwest, and other directions.

However, apart from the Immortal Sects with Spirit Realm Great Cultivators presiding over them, other small and medium-sized Immortal Sects and folk rogue cultivators were completely unaware of the truth behind the rampant Soul Beasts in the neighboring countries.

Of course, the stir caused by this news among the small and medium-sized Immortal Sects that hold some standing in the Great Song was much smaller.

As the saying goes, with age comes wisdom; the Sect Leaders and Elders of these sects are all old Daoists who have lived for one or two hundred years, each with a temperament as steady as an old dog. The greater the movement of the three major Immortal Sects and the fewer their words, the more dangerous this matter becomes.

Additionally, these small and medium-sized sects all have Danyuan Realm powerhouses presiding over them, so their sources of information are naturally completely different from those of the many lowly sects and folk rogue cultivators. Over the past few months, they have all more or less received some news from the neighboring countries, and thus, facing this sudden decree, they are all somewhat nervous, fearful, and uneasy.

This first wave of rogue cultivators to go will, in all likelihood, suffer heavy casualties.

Those who can truly survive will inevitably be those among them with relatively profound cultivation and stronger power.

Of course, as long as they can persist and survive, the cultivation realms of these people will certainly see a significant improvement, and perhaps in the future, the Great Song will even add a few more well-known small and medium-sized sects.

However, even if they feel the crisis is heavy, the small and medium-sized Immortal Sects dare not defy the orders of the several True Monarchs. Each sect is still rushing to mobilize personnel and prepare various supplies such as pills and Magic Treasures, preparing to follow behind the rogue cultivator teams to deploy defenses and slay Soul Beasts within their respective designated defensive areas.

If the skin does not exist, to what can the hair attach?

If the mortal realm of the Great Song were to completely rot, the Immortal World would also lose the foundation of its survival.

If there were not a sufficient number of mortals continuously providing seedlings with Spirit Roots, all Immortal Sects would be unable to exist for long.

Therefore, this is a matter where all prosper or all suffer together, a fact that all large and small Immortal Sects are very clear about.

……

A Seven-Colored Spirit Sparrow sped through the clouds and mist, racing from the northwest toward the southeast.

Xu Chen sat cross-legged on the back of the large bird, his Divine Sense sweeping over the mountains, wilderness, and towns along the way like a comb, searching for any Soul Beasts that might appear.

Fortunately, the situation within the Great Song territory was still very stable. Over the course of ten thousand li, he had only discovered two places where traces of Soul Beasts appeared, and he had then effortlessly slain them.

Seven days after departing from Yuqing Hall, the familiar, vast mountains appeared ahead.

"Hee..."

The Spirit Sparrow chirped as it swept over Nanyang City, then plunged into the still-swirling black mist. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Spirit Sparrow folded its wings and landed in Wild Wolf Valley.

Song Qingshi, Zhou Wen, and a group of outer sect deacons and disciples responsible for Wild Wolf Valley received Xu Chen's Divine Sense Transmission and hurried over to welcome him.

After a few brief greetings upon meeting, Xu Chen looked at the sparse number of people in the large valley, frowned, and asked in confusion: "Why are there so few people? Did they all go to Black Wind Ridge to kill Soul Beasts?"

Song Qingshi hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "Elder Xu has been away for over a month and may not yet know. Not long ago, several True Monarchs issued an Immortal Sect decree, summoning fellow Daoists of the Immortal World to the borders of the Song Kingdom to exterminate Soul Beasts. The conditions for exchanging Soul Beads are much higher than at Black Wind Ridge and Spirit Fox Valley, so a large number of fellow Daoists have gone to the border in groups, which is why it seems there are far fewer people here."

Xu Chen suddenly realized and nodded, saying: "So that's how it is. It seems the Flying Sword Transmissions from the several True Monarch seniors are indeed many times faster than my flight. I also rushed back precisely because I received this news. Since that is the case, you all keep watch over Wild Wolf Valley. I will first make a trip to the Yuqing Hall station and Black Wind Ridge to convey the message on behalf of the two True Monarchs, and we shall gather again when I have time!"

Song Qingshi and the others hurriedly cupped their hands. Xu Chen leaped onto the bird's back again, soared into the air, and disappeared above the valley in the blink of an eye.

"I haven't seen him for a month, but Elder Xu's cultivation seems to have become even higher. Not only is his aura stronger, but his personality has also become much more steady and imposing!" Zhou Ding said with a face full of emotion.

Song Qingshi felt the same, saying with a face full of awe: "When I first met Elder Xu, he was only at the entry level of the Kaiyuan Realm, couldn't even control a Flying Sword, and didn't understand anything. In less than a year, he has actually cultivated to the Great Perfection of the Kaiyuan Realm. I imagine that upon returning to the mountain this time, he will soon undergo Foundation Establishment and advance."

Beside them, another young cultivator who had just entered the Kaiyuan Realm said with a face full of envy: "Ever since True Monarch Xuan Chen succeeded in Spirit Transformation, the Taiyuan Sect has soared into the sky. Not only did True Person Xuanhe succeed in Golden Core, but in the last month or so, I've heard that three disciples in the sect have successively succeeded in Foundation Establishment. At this rate, it is only a matter of time before the Taiyuan Sect stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Yuqing Hall and Longmen Mountain."

Song Qingshi patted the young cultivator's shoulder and laughed: "You're being too formal by saying that. We are all Taiyuan Sect disciples now. Although we are in the outer sect, as long as we do our best to complete the sect's tasks, we can receive Spirit Pills on time every month. If our contributions are sufficient, we can even exchange for Magic Treasures and cultivation arts. With such good conditions, as long as you cultivate diligently, Foundation Establishment in the future is not a delusion."

The young cultivator immediately pulled a bitter face and said: "Deacon Song, please don't joke. With my Spirit Root aptitude, it would be good enough to reach the mid-stage of the Kaiyuan Realm; I don't even dare to think about Foundation Establishment."

Zhou Ding said from the side: "Eh, Daoist Friend Lin, don't be discouraged. Don't forget, the Taiyuan Sect has the exclusive secret Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pill. It is said that this kind of pill can greatly improve one's aptitude. If you can get one or two to improve your aptitude, Foundation Establishment in the future is not impossible."

Upon hearing this, the young cultivator's eyes suddenly lit up, but then he shook his head in disappointment: "A Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pill costs two hundred Spirit Stones per pill. Even if I didn't eat or drink for ten or eight years, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to save up that many Spirit Stones."

When Song Qingshi heard this, he looked left and right, then lowered his voice and said: "Daoist Friend Lin is new here and may not know yet: if we outer sect disciples buy them, we get a fifty percent discount."

The young Daoist was stunned and exclaimed: "Really?"

Song Qingshi nodded, took a Jade Bottle from his bosom, and chuckled: "Would I lie to you? This is a Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pill I just exchanged from the Danyuan a few days ago. It cost me seven Soul Beads and half a year's salary. Elder Chen of the Danyuan said my aptitude is passable; if I can take two or three Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pills, I can reach the aptitude for Foundation Establishment. At that time, as long as I find a way to get a Guiyuan Pill, perhaps I will be able to undergo Foundation Establishment too."

"Wow, so there's such a good deal for outer sect disciples! Then I must hurry to kill Soul Beasts and earn Spirit Stones. No, I can't waste my time here. I'm going to Black Wind Ridge right now..."

As the young cultivator spoke, he threw out his Flying Sword, soared into the air, and headed straight for Black Wind Ridge in a wobbly fashion.

Watching the Escape Light disappear into the Black Wind, Zhou Ding said with a face full of worry: "Deacon Song, his cultivation is so low; I'm afraid he won't come back if he goes!"

Song Qingshi stroked his beard and said: "Wealth is sought in danger. The Taiyuan Sect has already given us such a good opportunity; waiting for a pie to fall from the sky won't work. We outer sect disciples in Wild Wolf Valley don't have good aptitude. If we don't fight with our lives, how can we seek longevity? If he can survive in Black Wind Ridge for half a year, his temperament will be tempered and mature. Added to that the Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pill, Foundation Establishment is not a pipe dream. This appearance of Soul Beasts can be said to be the best opportunity for us rogue cultivators. Besides, with the backing of such a powerful force as the Taiyuan Sect, if we still don't seize the opportunity and work ourselves to the bone, then why continue on this path? It would be better to go home, play with our grandchildren, and be a wealthy old man."

Zhou Ding nodded earnestly: "Daoist Friend Song is right. Many people have left recently, so I imagine the competition at Black Wind Ridge has decreased a lot. I will also go to Black Wind Ridge tomorrow to try my luck and strive to exchange for a Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pill as soon as possible."

Song Qingshi laughed: "Brother Zhou, no rush. Since there is much less to do in Wild Wolf Valley now, why don't we form a treasure-hunting team? You and I can take turns leading the team to Black Wind Ridge. Whatever we gain, we will exchange it for Spirit Stones and distribute them according to the number of people. Although it seems like we won't get much each time, the accumulation will be very considerable. In a year or two, perhaps you and I will both have saved enough for the Taiyuan Soul-Entering Pill to improve our aptitude."

Zhou Ding was overjoyed upon hearing this and nodded repeatedly to show his agreement.

As for the thoughts of these recruited rogue cultivators, the inner sect disciples of the Taiyuan Sect would not care in the slightest.

Ever since the Array at Black Wind Ridge was stabilized again, everyone in the Taiyuan Sect, from Elders down to disciples, had fallen into a frenzy of cultivation and leveling up.

The first to break through was the Second Elder, True Person Xuanhe, who succeeded in Golden Core.

Next were Fifth Senior Brother Cao Yang, Seventh Senior Sister Qu Mei, and Ninth Senior Brother Lu Yuan, who all successively succeeded in Foundation Establishment within a month.

Such successive breakthroughs in the Taiyuan Sect naturally caused a great shock to all the cultivators exterminating Soul Beasts at Black Wind Ridge and Spirit Fox Valley.

Xu Chen had been out for over a month, so naturally, he did not know that several of his senior brothers and sisters had successfully advanced.

After pausing for a moment in Wild Wolf Valley, he went to the Yuqing Hall station on a nearby mountain to inform the Yuqing Hall cultivators stationed there about the arrangements and news from the two True Monarchs and the Elder Council regarding the plan for all sect disciples to descend the mountain one after another to clear out the Soul Beasts.

Then he went to Black Wind Ridge to pay a visit to the Sixth Elder of Yuqing Hall, True Person Yiyun, who was left guarding Black Wind Ridge, and reported in detail about the mutation of the Soul Beasts and the situation of the Soul Beast plague in the Eastern Wasteland and several neighboring countries of the Great Song.

Upon hearing this, True Person Yiyun naturally felt terrified and expressed that he would definitely guard Black Wind Ridge carefully and was willing to watch over and help the Taiyuan Sect, determined not to let the Soul Beasts at Black Wind Ridge spiral out of control.

After helping to convey the message and instructions, Xu Chen rode the large bird without stopping and headed straight for the Taiyuan Sect.

While still a long distance away, looking at the array light flickering on the uniquely prominent Zhaoyang Peak, he could not help but be filled with astonishment.

(End of chapter)