Three Elements Dao Sect, one Nascent Soul cultivator after another returned, True Monarch Chong Xu, True Monarch Zhenyue, True Monarch Cloud Talisman...
On this day, in the teleportation array filled with spiritual light, the runes lit up one after another, and the power of space surged like a tide. As the light gradually faded away, a figure as upright as a sword emerged clearly.
It was Chen Xihua, who had traveled the Western Regions for many years.
He wore a green robe, appearing dusty and weary, yet unable to conceal the condensed aura honed through numerous battles.
He seemed to be surrounded by a faint ripple of the void. When his gaze swept over, it gave the illusion that one's sight would be absorbed and cut apart.
"Fellow Daoist Xuan Zhao!"
"Xuan Zhao, you're finally back!"
The several Nascent Soul True Monarchs waiting in the Teleportation Hall immediately clasped their hands and stepped forward to greet him. Their attitude was not merely one of sect brotherhood, but bore an evident respect.
The illustrious achievements Chen Xihua made in the Western Regions had already spread throughout the Great Wilderness.
Comprehending the true intent of Void Sword Dao, he had slain the notorious Nascent Soul True Monarch Red Flame with his sword, and had even independently killed two Tier Four Demon Emperors equivalent to Nascent Soul early-stage...
Each of these feats was enough to make any Nascent Soul cultivator take notice.
Although Chen Xihua's cultivation was still at mid-stage Nascent Soul, everyone present, including several veteran mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, unconsciously regarded him as a higher-level existence.
Moreover, Chen Xihua had cultivated for only over six hundred years. Achieving such accomplishments at this age made his future breakthrough to late-stage Nascent Soul seem almost certain, and even attaining Divinity Transformation might be possible. He was destined to be a pivotal figure of Three Elements Dao Sect in the future.
Among the crowd, the newly promoted Nascent Soul True Monarch, True Monarch Profound Sword, whose aura was still somewhat unstable, felt this intensely.
Er komt 's morgens een stukje worm uit je. Probeer hetOpen
He was also a sword cultivator, hence most sensitive to Sword Dao aura. At this moment, he felt that Chen Xihua, simply standing there, was like a peerless divine sword hidden in the depths of the void, seemingly calm, yet containing terrifying power capable of tearing everything apart.
The extremely condensed Void Sword Stance made this newly advanced Nascent Soul True Monarch's sea of consciousness feel stinging, and he felt a sense of lethal threat.
True Monarch Profound Sword sighed inwardly, a complex smile appearing at the corner of his mouth:
"I thought this breakthrough would allow me to narrow the gap with him somewhat, but unexpectedly... this gap not only did not shrink, but has become even more like an abyss."
Faced with everyone's enthusiasm, Chen Xihua calmly clasped his fists in return, maintaining a humble demeanor, showing no trace of arrogance.
His gaze quickly scanned the crowd but did not see that familiar figure, causing his brows to slightly furrow, with a hint of surprise he asked:
"Thank you, fellow Daoists, for your welcome. However... has my father not yet returned?"
He had hurried back from the distant Western Regions, traveling overnight, needing to cross the Great Wilderness. His father, True Monarch Micro-Image, was also traveling in the Great Wilderness and should have returned to the sect before him.
The leading True Monarch Chong Xu, with white hair and a kind face, lightly stroked his sleeve upon hearing this and explained with a smile:
"Fellow Daoist Micro-Image has not yet returned to the sect, he is the only one missing from this summons."
Hearing this, Chen Xihua's brows furrowed deeper, as the faint unease in his heart began to magnify. The Great Wilderness was full of dangers and variables, and he could not help but worry.
Beside him, True Monarch Profound Sword saw his worry and spoke to comfort him:
"Brother Xuan Zhao, there is no need to worry. True Monarch Micro-Image is highly skilled and experienced; perhaps some matter has temporarily held him up, and a delay of a few days is common."
At this moment, the acting True Monarch, True Monarch Dragon Dragon, dressed in a white robe, laughed heartily upon hearing this and said affirmatively:
"What Fellow Daoist Profound Sword says is true. After the sect issued the emergency summons a while ago, I specifically checked the records in the Soul Hall."
"Fellow Daoist Micro-Image's life soul jade is intact, its luster is bright, and its aura is stable, with no danger. Rest assured, he might be on his way back right now and will arrive soon."
Hearing True Monarch Dragon Dragon mention that his father's soul jade was unharmed, Chen Xihua's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.
The soul jade is linked to the cultivator's divine soul, so its intact state at least indicated his father's life was not in danger. Taking a deep breath, he forcibly suppressed the sense of unease and nodded to True Monarch Dragon Dragon and True Monarch Profound Sword:
"Thank you, fellow Daoists, for the information. With this, I am relieved."
...
Shortly thereafter, faint ripples of the void rose around Chen Xihua, and his form quietly disappeared beside the teleportation array, like ink merging into water.
The next moment, the void at the summit of Yunlan Mountain trembled slightly, and his figure suddenly appeared.
Amidst the mist, ancient pines thousands of years old lined the path paved with green stones, and the air was permeated with the faint fragrance of pine needles.
Just as he stabilized his step, a slightly hunched figure came into view—it was his elder brother Chen Xixing.
Chen Xihua quickly stepped forward, his gaze falling on the other person, and his brows immediately furrowed slightly:
"Brother, how have you become so haggard?"
Now over six hundred years old, Chen Xixing had only a few decades left before the lifespan limit of a cultivator. The traces of time were particularly evident on him.
Originally black hair had turned gray at the temples, his spine was more hunched than remembered, and his face was covered in fine wrinkles. However, his eyes still held a trace of past gentleness.
"Xihua, you've returned."
Seeing his younger brother, Chen Xixing's eyes lit up instantly, and a genuine smile appeared on his weary face. He quickly stepped forward and patted Chen Xihua's shoulder:
"We haven't met in almost two hundred years. Master Xuan Zhao, your illustrious reputation, I've already heard about even in Yue Country. A few years ago, that Old Ghost Xu even sent someone to deliver apologies."
Chen Xihua, upon hearing these words, showed a faint smile: "That Old Ghost Xu knows when to stop."
In the Great Wilderness, Nascent Soul Cultivators from the same country could be considered fellow countrymen, mostly uniting against outsiders.
As Chen Xihua's cultivation progressed, earning a formidable reputation, Old Ghost Xu also invited a True Monarch from the Myriad Swords Sect to mediate and held a banquet in Xuanxing Palace to apologize, giving him enough face.
...
The two brothers, reunited after a long separation, had so much to say yet didn't know where to begin. They could only look at each other and smile, the air filled with the warmth of reunion.
Over the years, Chen Xihua had been traveling and cultivating outside, comprehending the sword in Broken Sword Valley, to confronting foes in the Western Domain, witnessing the vastness and peril of the Great Wilderness, and his cultivation had soared to the mid-stage Nascent Soul.
Meanwhile, Chen Xixing stayed on Yunlan Mountain, managing family affairs and instructing the younger generation in cultivation. Day after day of toil, coupled with the blow of failing to reach the Nascent Soul stage, had caused his body and spirit to decline.
Chen Xixing sighed, a hint of bitterness in his voice:
"A few years ago, I tried to reach the Nascent Soul but failed at the last moment."
"Fortunately, Father left a few life-saving elixirs in his early years, which saved my life, but... I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to achieve Nascent Soul in this life."
As he spoke, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes, but it was soon replaced by acceptance — compared to those cultivators who failed to reach Nascent Soul and perished, he considered himself lucky.
Chen Xihua, hearing this, felt a pang of bitterness in his heart but didn't know how to comfort him. He could only pat his elder brother's hand:
"Elder Brother, there's no need to regret. Now that the family is stable, you should take good care of yourself."
The two brothers sat beside a stone table under the pine tree, chatting about their experiences over the years, from the growth of the younger family members to the changes in the Daoist Sect. The conversation gradually turned to Chen Sheng.
Chen Xixing picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and asked:
"You've returned this time, will Father also arrive soon? I heard you came back from the Western Domain, passing through the Great Wilderness, where Father has been traveling."
Chen Xihua nodded softly:
"Perhaps Father is still on his way."
Chen Xixing nodded, but could not hide his anticipation, a faint smile on his lips:
"That's good, as long as he can come back in time, looks like I can still see Father one last time."
These light words hit Chen Xihua's heart like a heavy hammer — he was well aware of his elder brother's dwindling lifespan.
The regret and anticipation in these words made him truly feel the weight of the phrase "parting in life and death" for the first time.
...
Time passed quietly, and several years went by.
Two major events took place in the Three Elements Dao Sect — the funeral of Han Lou True Monarch and the ascension ceremony of Profound Sword True Monarch.
At the funeral, Daoist Sect cultivators dressed in mourning clothes, their expressions solemn, bidding farewell to this highly respected Grandmaster of Longevity.
At the celebration, Profound Sword True Monarch wore a brand-new magic robe, accepting the congratulations of many cultivators, full of vigor.
Yet after these two ceremonies ended, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Daoist Sect realized a serious issue — Micro-Image True Monarch had not appeared at any point.
"Messages were sent to Fellow Daoist Micro-Image days ago, but there has been no response to this day."
True Monarch Chong Xu frowned, his tone full of worry:
"Fortunately, the soul jade in the sect's treasury remains intact, indicating he is temporarily safe, but given the delay, could he be trapped somewhere?"
True Monarch Zhenyue also spoke:
"The Great Wilderness has been unstable lately, with movements from the Demon Race to the west, and intensified space turbulence to the north. Could Fellow Daoist Micro-Image be in danger?"
The Nascent Soul cultivators gathered in the Assembly Hall, discussing endlessly, yet unable to deduce the reason for Chen Sheng's disappearance.
Chen Xihua sat by the side, his brow tightly furrowed, anxiety growing stronger within him. He suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice:
"Fellow Daoists, time is of the essence. Please lend me Father's soul jade, so I may immediately head to Wuji Immortal Palace and seek out Celestial Venerable Wuji. Perhaps he has a way to find Father's whereabouts."
Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
...
Before setting off, Chen Xihua made a special detour back to Yunlan Mountain.
Chen Xixing, having not awaited Chen Sheng's return these years, was already anxious.
Standing under the ancient pine on the mountain peak, his face looked even more haggard. Upon hearing Chen Xihua's intentions, he merely patted Chen Xihua's shoulder and said softly:
"Be careful on the way. If you find Father, remember to send me a message."
Without any extra words, yet full of concern.
Chen Xihua nodded heavily, turning into a stream of light, disappearing into the sky, leaving Chen Xixing alone under the pine tree, gazing into the distance, his figure appearing particularly solitary amidst the clouds and mist.