At the Sword Pavilion, atop the Extreme Heaven Cliff.
This place served as the secluded cultivation site of the [True Person of Inherited Heaven's Upright Virtue]. With a True Person residing here, the atmosphere naturally differed from the ordinary, exuding an aura that seemed to pierce the heavens even from a distance.
At this moment, numerous Foundation Establishment True Persons were converging upon this location.
Among them were the Ancestor of the Yun Family and True Person Xiuxin; even True Person Xiao Hai of the Li Clan of Sea Harvesting had arrived. The parties harbored mutual disdain for one another.
Soon, the crowd surged into a grand hall.
At the head of the hall stood a Daoist with a shadowy countenance, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at a map hanging on the wall, which depicted the landscape of Jiangnan.
Clad in a black robe, his beard unkempt, and a simple, ancient sword hanging at his waist, he emitted no discernible spiritual light, resembling an ordinary piece of mundane iron. No aura emanated from his body, making him appear like a fallen wanderer commonly seen in mortal realms.
He stood there, wholly absorbed in the map on the wall.
In one corner of the map, he had prominently marked a region labeled the [Ten Thousand People Pit], the implications of which were self-evident.
"Greetings, Daoist Dangmo!"
The assembled Foundation Establishment cultivators landed within the hall, immediately retracting their radiant auras, and respectfully cupped their hands toward the Daoist at the head, their words devoid of any hint of disrespect.
After all, this individual was no ordinary figure.
[Daoist Dangmo] Ye Guangji was the foremost member of the Ye Family in the Sword Pavilion beneath the [True Person of Inherited Heaven's Upright Virtue], having long accompanied the True Person in cultivation.
A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, a Grand True Person!
Moreover, he was not merely a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator; the title [Dangmo] was exclusive to the Sword Pavilion, bestowed only upon those with formidable divine abilities.
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Since Ye Guangji had defeated numerous cultivators in sword duels two hundred years ago and claimed the title [Dangmo], no one had been able to wrest it from him. With such cultivation, battle achievements, and the backing of a True Person, his status in the Sword Pavilion was self-evident.
The next moment, he slowly turned around.
"Please, no need for formalities."
His calm voice resonated with a metallic clang, as if iron striking iron. Even hearing his voice alone imparted a sense of sharpness akin to a blade's edge.
At this moment, Lu Yang connected to the [Puppet on Strings], observing the hall through the eyes of the Yun Family Ancestor, True Person Xiuxin, and True Person Xiao Hai.
'Strange... there are fewer people than expected.'
Within the spacious hall, although there were more than ten Foundation Establishment True Persons, most were at the early stage, with only two at the mid-stage.
Moreover, he recognized both individuals.
'Ye Xingfeng!'
Following the Yun Family Ancestor's gaze, Lu Yang looked toward a young man exuding intense killing intent in a corner of the hall, recalling the time he was pursued by this individual overseas. Although the man had ultimately perished without a trace, the psychological trauma inflicted upon Lu Yang was immeasurable. RＡŊ∅βƐ𝒮
As for the other person, he shared an even deeper connection.
This individual appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, with bright eyes, white teeth, delicate eyebrows, and skin like congealed jade. Her heroic demeanor drew frequent glances.
'Ye Guyue.'
Lu Yang's gaze remained calm as it finally settled on the Daoist Dangmo Ye Guangji at the head of the hall, his mind recalling information related to him.
Soon, a peculiar expression crossed his face.
'This Daoist Dangmo... has a rather good reputation in the Sword Pavilion. Everyone considers him a good person, some even deeming him pedantic.'
It was said that although he practiced swordsmanship, he disliked slaughter.
As a True Person of the Sword Pavilion, he had scarcely participated in any righteous-demonic wars, and his sword was rarely stained with blood, leading to criticism from many within the Sword Pavilion.
However, his formidable strength and deep background rendered such criticisms mere gossip; no one dared voice them to his face. Most people still praised him.
'This style feels familiar.'
Lu Yang stroked his chin, recalling that [Ang Xiao] had a similar reputation back in the day—a rare good person who never committed evil, the last conscience of the Saint Sect.
But in hindsight, was he truly innocent?
Lu Yang strongly suspected that after committing misdeeds, Ang Xiao used cognitive barriers to erase memories, leading everyone to forget his wrongdoings and regard him as a good person.
Could this Sword Pavilion True Person be the same?
"Fellow Daoists."
At that moment, Ye Guangji spoke, his resonant voice devoid of emotion: "I have decided to proceed to the Ten Thousand People Pit in three days."
This declaration immediately caused an uproar.
"So soon?"
"The Demon Sect has recently bolstered its defenses at the Ten Thousand People Pit, reportedly stationing a Grand True Person there. If we rashly initiate a battle, it might not be prudent."
"Daoist Dangmo, please reconsider..."
The crowd's reaction left Lu Yang momentarily stunned.
Had this occurred in the Saint Sect, if Chong Guang had made such a statement, the only response would have been "As you command," not the current cacophony of objections.
However, he quickly understood the reason. Ye Guangji, despite his high status in the Sword Pavilion, did not display any of the typical Grand True Person's authority. Instead, he nodded patiently, attentively listening to each objection, and responded to them one by one.
This was truly astonishing.
The disparity in cultivation among Foundation Establishment True Persons was vast, especially at the Grand True Person level, where the difference was akin to that between clouds and mud.
In such circumstances, equal dialogue?
Do humans consult ants about what to eat?
'This is abnormal.'
Not only was this behavior abnormal in the Saint Sect, but it was also unusual in the Sword Pavilion, as evidenced by the impatient expressions of Ye Guyue and Ye Xingfeng nearby.
"Uncle."
Finally, Ye Guyue couldn't help but softly remind him, prompting Ye Guangji to pause and shift the topic: "You all should be aware of the matter concerning the Mystic Spirit Realm."
"Previously, there were rumors suggesting that I had set my sights on the Mystic Spirit Realm."
"Those rumors are not entirely unfounded."
As he spoke, Ye Guangji gestured, causing spiritual light to flash within the hall. A young Daoist emerged from the light.
This Daoist's aura differed significantly from the other Foundation Establishment cultivators present.
Though possessing a physical body, he exuded an unusual sandalwood fragrance. His flesh appeared full, yet inexplicably ethereal, and he carried a strong aura of the mundane world.
It was known that all Foundation Establishment True Persons had established their Dao foundations within the Foundation Establishment Realm, transcending their mortal shells and existing on a different level from ordinary people. However, this Daoist, despite having a similar status to Foundation Establishment True Persons, bore a strong mortal essence.
"Somewhat resembles a Heavenly Official from the Dao Court."
"Who is this person?"
Amidst the crowd's puzzled gazes, the young Daoist solemnly bowed and said, "Mystic Spirit Realm, Great Nation of Baochang, Human Immortal Yu Shao greets fellow Daoists."
Upon hearing this, even Lu Yang's pupils contracted sharply.
[Mystic Spirit Realm]!
A realm suspected to house a True Person!
Simultaneously, Ye Guangji spoke again: "Previously, there were rumors suggesting that Fellow Daoist Yu attacked me and was captured by me. That is not the case."
At this moment, Yu Shao also forced a bitter smile: "I apologize for the misunderstanding. Daoist Ye's cultivation is formidable; he is considered a reigning Celestial Immortal even in the Mystic Spirit Realm. As a humble cultivator, I wouldn't dare to engage him in combat. The truth is quite the opposite. Without Daoist Ye's assistance, I would have perished without a trace."
'Oh?'
Hidden in the shadows, Lu Yang's gaze flickered upon hearing this. He wasn't the only one; other quick-witted Foundation Establishment True Persons also revealed expressions of intrigue.
"Indeed."
Ye Guangji finally revealed the backstory: "Fellow Daoist Yu was not dispatched by the Mystic Spirit Realm but escaped from there seeking refuge."