Chapter 51: Unexpected Changes
Chapter 51: Unexpected Changes
On the eve of the Sect Grand Competition, a notice came to the Xuanxin Sect.
The next moment, all the Elders of the Xuanxin Sect gathered at the “Sect Hall”. The Sect Master, a white-haired dwarf, personally chaired the meeting and then conveyed the content of the notice from the Two Realms Mountain to everyone.
Two Realms Mountain Order:
The casualty list of the Xuanxin Sect’s last rotation personnel…
Ten names were all listed on it.
Survivors… zero.
The hall was silent.
Ten True Disciples, the elite of the Xuanxin Sect, had all fallen.
Although everyone had guessed the outcome, they were still deeply shocked by the brutal casualty list and remained silent for a long time.
These were the elite True Disciples that the Xuanxin Sect had spent many years cultivating…
They should have been admired by everyone in the sect, but now, at a young age, they remained forever at the Two Realms Mountain.
Many Elders, who were also teachers, had tears in their eyes and bulging veins.
“Elders, please accept my condolences.”
A deep and authoritative voice came from the Sect Master’s short body, suppressing the entire hall.
The voices ceased, and all eyes focused on the Sect Master’s wrinkled face.
“There is worse news.”
The Sect Leader sighed with a low and extremely heavy expression:
“This rotation’s notice has increased the number of personnel to be recruited from the original ten to thirty…”
“What!!”
“Thirty!”
“No! Absolutely not!!”
As soon as this news came out, the Elders in the hall erupted, all agitated and angry:
“The Xuanxin Sect only produces six True Disciples a year. We could accept ten per rotation every three years, but drafting thirty at once is equivalent to cutting off our lineage for five years. Sect Master, we cannot accept this no matter what!!”
“Exactly! Thirty at once, isn’t this like cutting off our retreat?”
“…”
Chen Ji stood among the crowd, his face dark and uncertain, but he did not speak, only silently watching the Sect Master’s hand…
That hand had been tightly gripping the armrest for some time. Clearly, the Sect Master’s heart was also very unsettled, but…
The Sect Master’s face showed no sign of resistance.
Chen Ji’s heart gradually sank.
Not good.
Senior Brother Sect Master faced the Elders’ protests so calmly without joining or expressing agreement, instead enduring it calmly. This was not like the Sect Master’s usual style.
Sure enough!
After the Elders vented their anger and protests for a while, the Sect Master spoke again:
“We are all experienced. The dangers of the Two Realms Mountain are clear to everyone… The rotation at the Two Realms Mountain is a deadly mission. Few True Disciples sent to the Two Realms Mountain return alive. However, correspondingly, everyone should know what the Two Realms Mountain means to the Human Race…”
“…”
The Elders were reminded of long-buried memories by the Sect Master’s words, as if touching a chord in their hearts. They all fell silent simultaneously.
The hall returned to silence, leaving only the Sect Master’s heavy and pained voice echoing in everyone’s ears:
“I know it is hard for everyone to accept sending thirty True Disciples at once. These children are the pillars and future of our sect!”
“But this time, not only has the Xuanxin Sect increased the number of personnel to be drafted, but almost all sects participating in the Two Realms Mountain rotation have received similar notices.”
“…”
Chen Ji was deeply shaken.
The other Elders around also showed expressions of shock and awe, as if they had guessed something.
“Eighty years ago.”
The Sect Master’s voice continued to echo, slowly unveiling a scene from everyone’s long-buried memories: “The Demon Race fiercely attacked the Two Realms Mountain for three years. During that time, the Two Realms Mountain continuously drafted high Epiphany Stage and Spirit Condensation Stage Elders from those medium-sized sects into the battle. Hundreds of Spirit Condensation Stage experts died, and tens of thousands of Epiphany Stage True Disciples were killed without intact bodies. That time, the Xuanxin Sect drafted twenty True Disciples at once. Do you all remember?”
“…”
Chen Ji finally could not hold back and asked in a deep voice:
“Senior Brother Sect Master, has something happened at the Two Realms Mountain?”
A group of Elders also suddenly realized and then became alert.
The Two Realms Mountain was the Human Race’s defense line and must not be broken.
The Sect Master slowly nodded and raised a letter.
“This is the military casualty report from the Two Realms Mountain for the past few years, sent at the same time.” Then he read word by word:
“Six years ago, our Xuanxin Sect lost eight Epiphany Stage True Disciples. The remaining two were one injured and one disabled. In the same year, the Two Realms Mountain suffered over thirty thousand casualties, including fifteen Spirit Condensation Stage experts!”
“…”
The Elders frowned and whispered among themselves.
Clearly, the casualty numbers in this battle report were much higher than in their time.
The Sect Master continued reading:
“Three years ago, the last rotation, our Xuanxin Sect sent ten people, all lost… The Two Realms Mountain suffered over forty-seven thousand casualties in these three years, including… one hundred and thirty Spirit Condensation Stage experts!”
Boom!
In the hall, the Elders all changed expressions, showing fear, anxiety, and unease.
“The loss of Spirit Condensation Stage experts is too terrifying.”
“After all, Spirit Condensation Stage experts are the true pillars of the Two Realms Mountain. Losing even one more is a severe blow to the next rotation’s defense strength.”
“The total casualties are more than half higher than the last rotation, and the loss of so many Spirit Condensation Stage personnel is… disastrous!”
“So…”
The Sect Master sighed and emphasized: “The danger from eighty years ago is repeating at the Two Realms Mountain. Everyone, think back to the brutality of those years eighty years ago, and you will understand why this rotation requires drafting more warriors to replenish the battlefield.”
The Elders all fell silent.
“But, Sect Master, our initial personnel list only had ten people. On such short notice, I’m afraid we cannot prepare many Magical Artifacts and Elixirs for the additional twenty True Disciples.”
“Vice Sect Leader Chen is right! Although the sect has over a hundred True Disciples, only a few have a full set of Magical Artifacts. Moreover, the Two Realms Mountain consumes resources heavily. There simply isn’t enough time to prepare. I’m afraid this batch will all perish…”
The Discipline Hall Head spoke for the first time.
The hall was once again filled with an uneasy and heavy atmosphere.
“This point, the Two Realms Mountain has already considered…” the Sect Master comforted: “The Two Realms Mountain has suffered heavy casualties, and there is a significant shortage of warriors. However, a large number of Magical Artifacts have been recovered from the battlefield. The Two Realms Mountain has stated that this rotation’s personnel can choose one Magical Artifact upon entering the Two Realms Mountain. Moreover, ordinary True Disciples can also exchange Military Merit for Magical Artifacts. So, in this aspect, there should be no problem.”
The Discipline Hall Head finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Many of the True Disciples were from the Discipline Hall, far more than from the Golden Jade Hall. So, a large portion of the remaining twenty spots would fall to the Discipline Hall.
“Since that’s the case, everyone consider and propose twenty more personnel…”
“Tomorrow morning, the Two Realms Mountain Chief responsible for drafting rotation personnel will come to our sect to take them. Once the Sect Grand Competition ends, this group will leave the sect.”
The Sect Master reminded.
As soon as the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the great hall grew even heavier.
The death list had expanded by two times…
No one wanted their disciples to be on that list.
But.
Out of the only one hundred and thirty-plus True Disciples, a portion had to be selected.
In the end, the list was finalized with great difficulty.
Everyone seemed drained, remaining silent as they turned and left the sect hall.
…
Above the sect hall, deep in the clouds, two figures stood side by side on flying swords, looking down at the Xuanxin Sect gradually sinking into darkness.
The person on the left carried a large sword sheath on his back, had stubble on his cheeks, and exuded a powerful flow of true energy, with an extraordinary presence.
The elder on the right appeared older but took half a step back, smiling obsequiously, subtly showing deference to the middle-aged sword cultivator.
Watching the dispersing group of Xuanxin Sect elders below, the middle-aged sword cultivator withdrew his gaze, his expression unreadable.
The elder smiled and said:
“Revered Qin has traveled a great distance to visit the Xuanxin Sect. You must be weary from the journey. Why not come down and rest, allowing Mo to fulfill his duties as host?”
The middle-aged sword cultivator finally spoke:
“The situation at Two Realms Mountain is critical. Qin does not wish to be the bad guy, but this concerns the survival of the Human Race, so I had to come in person… I hope Brother Mo will understand. Also, Qin would like to congratulate Brother Mo on finally breaking through to the Spirit Condensation Stage and achieving the status of a Venerable One.”
“What Venerable One?”
The elder was none other than Mo Li, the Supreme Elder of Xuanxin Sect who had recently broken through to Spirit Condensation. He gave a self-deprecating smile and said:
“Revered Qin has been in the Spirit Condensation Stage far longer than Mo. In truth, what is called a Venerable One is nothing but an ant in the immortal realm. Mo’s achievements in this life end here. If only I could go to Two Realms Mountain in place of those young ones and stand guard for a time, then I would have no regrets in this life.”
“My apologies.”
Revered Qin’s expression turned complicated. After gazing at Mo Li for a long while, he said:
“Aside from the thirty True Disciples from Xuanxin Sect, there is another transfer order. The target is you, Venerable Mo.”
“…”
Mo Li was momentarily stunned, then understood.
With hundreds of Spirit Condensation Stage experts having fallen in battle at Two Realms Mountain, it was only natural that they would need to be replenished urgently. This list was also known as the Venerable One List. No wonder Revered Qin had deliberately released his aura to draw Mo Li outside the sect into the clouds instead of entering the sect.
“If Two Realms Mountain has arrangements, Mo will not refuse. What does it matter if these old bones are scattered at Two Realms Mountain?”
“Venerable Mo’s dedication to the Human Race is admirable.”
Revered Qin expressed his heartfelt admiration.
“Hehe, will Revered Qin now accompany Mo into the sect for a visit?”
“Since Venerable Mo has repeatedly invited, I would be honored to accept!”
“Tonight, we shall talk by candlelight and discuss the recent years of warfare at Two Realms Mountain. Tomorrow morning, the Sect Grand Competition will take place. I ask Revered Qin to attend and witness the event.”
“Very well!”
Revered Qin’s most important task on this trip was to invite Mo Li, the Supreme Elder of Xuanxin Sect, to Two Realms Mountain. Now that he had received a positive response, he was in high spirits and naturally had to show this courtesy in return.
However, that night, many in Xuanxin Sect stayed awake, unable to sleep.
Only in Lu Hangzhi’s courtyard was there laughter and joy, completely unaware of the changes and the upheaval that had befallen the sect.
…
The next day.
Hundreds of Inner Sect Disciples gathered at the Cloud Chessboard and learned that the Sect Grand Competition that day would be personally presided over by none other than Supreme Elder “Mo Li” himself. Instantly, discussions broke out, though most were excited.
Only a few, along with some disciples who had learned inside information, felt complicated and heavy-hearted.
Just as Lu Hangzhi was noticing the strange, complex expression on his Master Chen Ji’s face, someone approached from the side.
“Lu Hangzhi!”
The one calling him was familiar—Hu Wang, who had lost the competition for the top three spots half a year ago.
“Half a year ago, in the Outer Sect Grand Competition, we missed each other. This year, I won’t lose to you again.”
Hu Wang gritted his teeth, still holding a grudge over how Wang Yu had snatched the opportunity during the last Sect Grand Competition…
But!
What does that have to do with me?
Lu Hangzhi looked puzzled and asked:
“Wasn’t it Wang Yu who ambushed you?”
“Hmph!” Hu Wang grew angry at the mention of Wang Yu:
“I already challenged Wang Yu. That troublemaker—I will definitely deal with him personally in the Grand Competition!”
“It seems you have quite a few people to deal with.”
Lu Hangzhi glanced at Hu Wang’s cultivation level—Fifth Grade early stage, not bad—then nodded and smiled:
“Well, you’d better work hard then.”
And with that, he turned and walked away.
Hu Wang and those nearby were all left stunned.