There are many ways to send messages across vast distances, but they all share one commonality: they require a third-tier Inscription Master with a cultivation of Void Return or above!
Inscription Masters are existences second only to Alchemists in this world. In terms of identity and status, they are already comparable to those in the True Human realm. It’s surprising that Su Yan has such individuals willing to risk their lives for him.
“That’s right, a message across a thousand miles.”
“The message states that the Tianyu Kingdom is extensively conscripting troops within their borders, and concurrently, outer disciples of the Qingyue Sect are also entering the various legions of the Tianyu Empire in units of tens of thousands.”
“And the news you just heard was from a week ago. The Tianyu Kingdom has now conquered our Beixue Kingdom, and half of the Beiling Kingdom’s territory has also been swallowed. What do you think, by the time our outer disciples arrive, will those two affiliated sects still exist?”
“Most importantly, they are not just using outer disciples now; even inner and core disciples have been deployed. Tell me, if we don’t act, how many affiliated sects and subordinate kingdoms will our Beikui Sect lose?”
Su Yan’s eyes burned with anger, but also a sense of schadenfreude. In the past, he had to appease these people with great care and even dared not fall out with them. He had even tied his own interests with theirs to keep them united. Now, they wanted to break free? Impossible.
The sect leader of a fifth-rank sect is equivalent to a封疆大使 (Feng Jiang Da Shi - a high-ranking official governing a territory) of the Kui Mei clan, and the benefits derived from such a position are considerable. If he hadn’t hitched himself to a true disciple with enough influence within the sect, he might not have gotten this position.
“How could it be so fast? Weren’t they just slowly encroaching on the territories of surrounding kingdoms before?” He Lin asked with confusion.
“How would I know? Perhaps they also realized that if they don’t go all out now, they won’t have another chance?” Su Yan stood up, cast a cold glance at the few people, and then left the main hall.
…
In the forbidden area behind the Qingyue Sect, Sun Xiaoshan sat cross-legged on a large boulder. In front of him, three fist-sized spirit stones floated before a black vortex with a diameter of over three meters. The spiritual energy within the spirit stones was being devoured by the black hole at a visible rate, and even the spiritual energy within a five-mile radius was being swept in by the terrifying suction.
*Dong…*
A muffled sound echoed within Sun Xiaoshan’s body, followed by a surge of energy that swept outwards. The three fist-sized spirit stones were pulverized by this surge of energy, and boundless spiritual energy erupted from them, only to be instantly devoured by the black mass.
Sun Xiaoshan’s aura surged instantly, and his clothes were torn apart by the violent energy, revealing his strong, well-built muscles. A faint halo enveloped him, then sank into his skin.
“Mid-stage Mahayana realm. Even my physical body has reached the corresponding level. With my current abilities, I can even contend with those at the peak of the Heavenly Sovereign realm.” Sun Xiaoshan was overjoyed. He hadn’t expected that the Tianyu Kingdom’s outward expansion would yield three spirit stones. This was an unexpected windfall.
With the help of these three spirit stones, Sun Xiaoshan’s cultivation broke through in just over ten days, and even his physical strength increased significantly.
Spirit stones!!
A brilliant light flashed in Sun Xiaoshan’s eyes. Within the Dao of Heaven, a single spirit stone could instantly turn countless ordinary people into powerhouses. And in this place, which was still being reclaimed, there was a spirit stone mine!!
That’s right, during the empire’s conquest, a spirit stone mine was unexpectedly discovered in the back mountain of the Thunder Sword Sect, an eighth-rank sect three thousand miles away from the Qingyue Sect! Although it was only a low-grade spirit stone mine, it was enough to make hundreds of surrounding sects, large and small, covetous. Many conflicts had already erupted over this small mine.
The spirit stones that Sun Xiaoshan had just used for his cultivation were from that spirit mine. Although they were low-grade spirit stones, the spiritual energy contained within them was enough for an入门 (Ru Men - beginner) cultivator to reach the Nascent Soul stage!
However, Sun Xiaoshan also understood that this world did not lack spiritual items; it lacked methods to absorb spiritual energy quickly. And coincidentally, Sun Xiaoshan possessed the terrifying devouring technique, ‘Great Nirvana Art’. It could be said that as long as there were enough spirit stones, Sun Xiaoshan’s strength could break through continuously in a short period.
Because he carried Ye Yun’s memories, he had no bottlenecks in his breakthroughs, nor did he need to consolidate his true qi or temper his mind. Therefore, for Sun Xiaoshan, as long as he had sufficient spiritual materials, he could devour endlessly.
With all the commotion outside, it was time for me to go out.
Sun Xiaoshan retracted his aura, his figure flashed, and he quickly moved towards the grand hall at the mountaintop.
At this moment, in the grand hall, Dongfang Dao, twelve elders, and thirty-three true disciples were seated, all immersed in their cultivation. Suddenly, as if sensing something, they awoke from their meditative states one after another.
In just over ten days, not only did Dongfang Dao achieve the True Human realm from the peak of enlightenment, but all the elders and true disciples also saw their strength improve. If not for the three spirit stones obtained being given to Sun Xiaoshan, their overall strength would be even higher.
“Greetings, Sect Master!” Sun Xiaoshan’s figure appeared in the grand hall, and everyone quickly stood up and bowed.
The world of cultivators is very realistic. No matter how good the relationship or how old one is, as long as the other person’s cultivation surpasses yours, forget relationships and age; even one’s own father would show respect.
“Greetings, Esteemed Elders.” Sun Xiaoshan sat down in the seat belonging to the Sect Master.
“Sect Master, you have come out of seclusion?” Dongfang Dao asked Sun Xiaoshan with a puzzled look.
“I’ve broken through, so I’ve come out of seclusion. Furthermore, upon emerging from seclusion, I intend to take down the Thunder Sword Sect first. We have numerous disciples, and you have all cultivated the ‘Lesser Nirvana Art.’ As long as we seize the Thunder Sword Sect’s spirit mine, our sect can rise at the fastest possible speed.”
As he spoke, Sun Xiaoshan scanned the hall.
At this moment, everyone was still in a daze. In just over ten days, he had broken through again? Mahayana stage, mid-stage? And mid-stage Mahayana capable of crossing an entire major realm?
Their expressions ranged from excitement and joy to a hint of dejection. Each of them was an old monster who had cultivated for over a hundred years. Yet, their centuries of cultivation were far inferior to a junior who had only cultivated for twelve years. This was enough to shatter one’s Dao heart.
“What are your thoughts, everyone?”
“Sect Master, are you planning a full-scale war?” Dongfang Dao pondered. The Qingyue Sect’s foundation was too shallow, and the overall strength of its disciples was generally low. Moreover, many disciples had not yet comprehended the techniques passed down by Ye Yun.
“You are mistaken. It is not a full-scale war, but a complete conquest! I do not seek to coexist with those alien races. What I desire is a world where only my human race exists! And it can only be the human race!” Sun Xiaoshan declared domineeringly.