Chapter 381: The Martyr Monument on Dan Mountain

The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye, and the appointed hour of Shen arrived.

As the chatting cultivators were preparing their gear, a humming sound suddenly began to resonate across the entire mountain.

Looking up into the distance, the formation that had been covering the mountain peak like an inverted bowl slowly parted, and a boundless gale surged down along the mountain ridge.

Waves of dust surged through the vegetation, resembling grey clouds that suddenly expanded and then rapidly descended, undulating continuously until they reached the foot of the mountain.

"The mountain is open. All sect disciples, follow us up."

"Yes!"

Following the orders of their respective elders, the numerous sect disciples stood up and began to walk toward Dan Mountain.

Ji You, still wearing his Profound Heaven Sect robes, walked at the front, followed by Brother Gongshu Chou, who was busy writing and taking notes.

This detestable web-novel author—he had to shake him off as soon as they entered the Pill Sect.

Had he ever been a bandit? How dare he write his biography so casually.

He cursed inwardly, walking along the mountain path, and watched as the Pill Sect's mountain gate gradually revealed itself before them.

At this moment, countless figures had already gathered behind the gate—all disciples from the mountain, as well as the allied families who had been recuperating within the Pill Sect.

Hundreds of people stood in formation along the Nine-Fold Steps, standing in rows, their gazes deep and solemn.

And as Ji You ascended to the Pill Sect's gate, these people's eyes suddenly flickered, and then they clasped their hands and bowed deeply toward him, remaining that way for a long time without raising their heads.

As he took each step forward, those behind them also bowed in succession, looking like waves rolling in layer upon layer.

Ji You was extremely unaccustomed to such treatment, so he returned the salute with clasped hands, his pace quickening involuntarily.

As he ascended first, the sect disciples behind him couldn't help but puff out their chests.

In truth, they had been quite displeased while waiting at the foot of the mountain, feeling that the Pill Sect was putting on too many airs.

The gate hadn't even opened yet, and they were already being told they must stay in the vicinity of the Jade Balance Hall and were forbidden from wandering privately, as if they were being guarded against like thieves.

They were sect disciples who held their heads high before the families of the world; they had never encountered such treatment, so it was only natural for them to feel a bit of resentment.

However, when they saw the posture of the entire mountain bowing, their hearts instantly balanced out, and they even began to feel a sense of flattered surprise.

In their view, although the Pill Sect did not cultivate the Dao and lacked combat power, they were still one of the Seven Great Immortal Sects. Sending so many disciples out to welcome them could be considered a proper display of etiquette; there was no need to bow all the way to the ground along the path.

But soon, they discovered they had misunderstood.

Because as Ji You passed by, the Pill Sect disciples he walked by would immediately stand up, and when they looked back at the others, their faces were filled with gloom.

The sect disciples who were ascending one after another froze, then narrowed their eyes.

They suddenly realized that the bowing on the mountain wasn't for them—it was exclusively for Ji You.

He He Lingxiu, Shi Shi Junhao, Chai Ze, Yu Yu Shiliu, and the others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with confusion.

After much bustling, the people sent by the Five Great Immortal Sects all arrived on the mountain.

At this moment, in front of the imitation three-legged bronze cauldron, Dan Dan Yangzi appeared in his pill robes, leading several disciples to greet them.

Soon, everyone was brought into the Jade Balance Hall.

The vast hall was filled with round tables, already prepared with wine and food.

"You have all traveled from afar; it has been truly arduous. Please, rest well today."

"The wine and food here are at your disposal, and there are guest rooms prepared behind the hall. Once you have eaten and drunk your fill, you may go and rest, but please do not wander about privately."

"Our Pill Sect's Sect Master is currently in seclusion, and given that you have all traveled so far, it is not appropriate to meet. This is the arrangement for now; tomorrow's matters will be communicated tomorrow."

The Five Great Immortal Sect disciples had been traveling without pause, only taking short breaks, so they were indeed exhausted.

Furthermore, it was not as if one could meet a Sect Master just by asking; one needed to dress properly and be well-rested. This was a perfectly normal arrangement, so after Dan Dan Yangzi finished speaking, everyone sat down to eat.

After the instructions were finished, Dan Dan Yangzi walked from the depths of the hall toward the entrance, arriving in front of Ji You, and bowed deeply.

"Young Master Ji, it has been a long time. You are as magnificent as ever."

"Elder Yang, you are too kind." Ji You returned the salute with clasped hands.

Seeing him return the salute, Dan Dan Yangzi straightened up: "The Pill Sect has been sealed for a long time and knows little of the outside world. After seeing the post, there is a matter the Sect Master has asked me to invite Young Master Ji to clarify. Please, follow me."

Ji You nodded and moved to follow him.

However, just as the two were walking out, Brother Gongshu Chou stepped forward to follow.

Seeing this, Dan Dan Yangzi looked at Ji You: "And this...?"

"Sent by the Five Great Immortal Sects to monitor me. Every move I make must be recorded in a register."

A question mark appeared in Brother Gongshu Chou's eyes; he thought to himself, *This is slander, I'm just a novelist! *

Dan Dan Yangzi's expression changed instantly: "This fellow Daoist should just rest well in the Jade Balance Hall. If you do not follow the arrangements, do not blame the Pill Sect for being impolite!"

"Did you hear that? Eat your food properly; writing books has no future!"

"I..."

Ji You ignored his stammering and walked out of the Jade Balance Hall with Dan Dan Yangzi, heading west toward the Heavenly Pivot Hall.

The two halls were not far apart, and it would take about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea to get there, but they were delayed for a while when they passed a massive white jade monument.

At this moment, Ji You stood in the warm sunlight, looking up at the monument, and bowed respectfully.

After the salute, his gaze fell upon a statue not far from the monument: "This... it's quite a good likeness, but it's a bit too high-profile. It shouldn't be receiving such great respect."

"It was painted by Yuan Caiwei herself. She came every day to watch the disciples carve it. Although our Pill Sect is weak, we are a sect that will always remember our pain."

"Living in suffering forever is very oppressive."

"Young Master Ji is correct, but this allows us to remain vigilant..."

As they spoke, they arrived at the Heavenly Pivot Hall. Just as they crossed the threshold, a shout of "Brother-in-law!" rang out from within.

Yuan Yuanchen was in the hall, standing side-by-side with his elder sister. Seeing Ji You arrive, he was overjoyed.

Yuan Caiwei was also gazing at Ji You, her red lips slightly pursed, her eyes filled with a hint of joy.

Only, hindered by the presence of Elder Dan Dan Xingzi, who was setting up the banquet, and the Sect Master's disciples Hong Zhen, Wen Bin, and Yuan Yuan Bingqing, she did not express her longing too openly, merely calling out "Young Master" softly.

Ji You exchanged a glance with her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. He thought to himself that this girl seemed to have gained a little weight; it seemed the Pill Sect's food wasn't bad.

Seeing the two exchange glances, Hong Zhen and Wen Bin lowered their eyes, while Yuan Yuan Bingqing kept her curiosity locked on Ji You's face, staring incessantly.

"My post should have been read by the Sect Master by now. What are her thoughts?" Ji You asked after sitting down.

"To be honest, the Sect Master is currently discussing this matter with the Pill Sect elders in her bedchamber. There is no result yet, but the Sect Master is most concerned about why the Sage's Holy Land cracked, and has specifically asked me to request clarification from you."

"That is a long story..."

Dan Dan Xingzi poured a cup of wine for Ji You: "Young Master Ji also knows that our Pill Sect has had little contact with the outside world, but we have seen corpses forming tides, black light rushing into the sky, and celestial phenomena. We are very curious. Please, Young Master Ji, tell us slowly so we may know what has happened."

Ji You did not decline. He picked out the parts that were easy to describe and gave a coherent account of the entire disaster in Qingyun.

It was a very compelling story, involving ruins, and the struggle for sacred artifacts that had been unheard of for thousands of years. Anyone living in the Qingyun world would feel as if they were right there.

Sure enough, when they heard about someone using the ruins to ascend to the Approaching Immortal Realm, using the source of a sacred artifact to sever the power of the Heavenly Dao, killing the Xuan Yuan ancestor, and attempting to seize the sacred artifact, the eyes of Hong Zhen and the others widened like copper bells.

As for Yuan Yuanchen, he was filled with regret, depressed that he had been confined to the mountain during such a battle of the immortals.

"Did the Chu family really use infants to refine medicine, bring out the immortal fate of the ruins, and thus mutate into evil seeds to forcibly break through their realm?"

"That is correct."

Dan Dan Yangzi was silent for a long time: "Then the tides of corpses—were they also launched by them?"

Ji You nodded: "The tides of corpses that have appeared frequently over these years were all their handiwork. Most were to distract attention and cover their actions, in order to gain time to achieve their ultimate goal."

"So they severed the human race's destiny, which led to the cracking of the Sage's Holy Land?"

"Yes."

Yuan Yuanchen listened to their conversation and couldn't help but ask: "Brother-in-law, you said they performed the Heavenly Dao Sacrifice to sever the connection between the sacred artifact and the Heavenly Dao, but what happened afterward?"

Ji You looked at him: "The sacred artifact later restarted, and they lost everything. Except for those who were captured, the others have all been executed. But the wounds they left on Qingyun still remain, especially the Sage's Holy Land, which has now become the biggest problem, hence the need for the Pill Sect to step in and help."

In just over a year, such earth-shattering events had occurred in Qingyun. This information, once it entered their minds, became complex and chaotic, leaving them unable to react for a moment.

Thus, the wine table fell into silence, with everyone trying hard to digest the information.

"We will report this matter truthfully to the Sect Master and let her decide."

"Thank you, Elder Yang."

During the conversation, the meal at the Jade Balance Hall was nearing its end.

Some cultivators walked out of the hall, discussing among themselves.

The food provided by the Pill Sect tasted quite good, but they hadn't expected that the wine provided would not be spirit wine.

One had to know that the brewing technology for spirit wine originated from the Pill Sect. Later, through spread and improvement, an improved version that did not require the participation of pill masters was formed. Although its efficacy was greatly reduced, it could be mass-produced, and the price had fallen.

But in other words, the Pill Sect's spirit wine was actually the best; the brewing process involved the use of pill techniques and pill light, and its efficacy was far beyond that of other spirit wines on the market.

Logically speaking, when guests came to one's home, one should bring out the best wine to entertain them, yet they were served ordinary wine that could be found everywhere.

This made them feel once again that the Pill Sect was indeed harboring a vaguely hostile attitude toward them.