Chapter 594 - 382: Dean, I Beg Your Mercy—Help Me Attain the Golden Core Realm!
Chapter 594: Chapter 382: Dean, I Beg Your Mercy—Help Me Attain the Golden Core Realm!
Time flies like a shuttle, forty years pass by in a flash.
The grand Jiuyi Mountain, an ancient Spirit Mountain, remains unchanged through millennia.
The peaks undulate like waves, the mountains and rivers resemble paintings, amidst the swirling Spiritual Mist, streaks of Escape Light dart by, each disciple’s face filled with youthful vigor, relaxed and carefree, brimming with aspirations for the future.
"In every generation, talents emerge, and new people replace the old!"
Before a towering hall on Wangyue Mountain, a Daoist with an ancient gaze but a face of youthfulness gazed far into the distance, observing the continuous streams of Escape Light beyond the Mountain Gate Array, unable to restrain a sigh.
"Why is Senior Brother Ma Wu not cultivating in the hall, and has time to lament the changing seasons?"
Just as the Daoist finished speaking, a streak of Escape Light landed outside the hall, revealing a woman with a delicate face and a slim figure.
"Junior Sister Youling?"
Ma Wu glanced at the newcomer, slightly puzzled, and asked, "Why does Junior Sister have the time to visit my Soldier Fighting Hall today?"
Since Gu Yuan became the Dean of Jiuyi Mountain Villa, wielding immense power, the few Foundation Establishers who once followed him have risen in status as well.
Ma Wu presides over the Soldier Fighting Hall as Hall Master, in charge of battle, while Fu Youling is the Master of the Pill Furnace Hall, overseeing the villa’s pill refining.
The others also hold various positions, wielding great authority and abundant resources, living prosperously in the villa due to their past connections.
However, even though the power is great, it is but fleeting; if they do not reach the Golden Core, they have no more than four hundred years.
"One does not climb the Three Treasures Hall without cause; what brings Junior Sister to come with a request today?"
Fu Youling offered a reverent prostration with a playful smile.
Though she was not young, life had been smooth for her these years, allowing her to retain a touch of youthful innocence, and with a century-long friendship with Ma Wu, there was no need for restraint.
"Between us, where does a word like ’request’ come in, Junior Sister, speak freely!"
Ma Wu lightly shook his head.
Hearing this, Fu Youling’s smile deepened, and she said, "Does Senior Brother still remember the decree issued by the Dean decades ago, offering a reward for the mature Star Sky Soul Wood or a method to accelerate its growth?"
"Naturally, I remember. That was the only time the Dean issued a reward, causing a stir throughout the villa. Several Golden Core uncles even personally took action; saying they searched mountains and seas is no exaggeration, everyone was eager for the Dean’s reward, but in the end, nothing was found, and the matter was left unresolved."
Ma Wu’s expression showed a look of reminiscence.
He had truly witnessed the awe of the Jiuyi Mountain Dean’s order that time.
The only pity was that this wood was indeed extremely rare, and even after searching a hundred thousand miles of rivers and mountains, nothing was found.
"Could it be that Junior Sister has found a trace of this wood?"
Ma Wu’s heart turned with joy as he asked.
"Indeed, there is a trace of this reward, but it was not discovered by me."
Fu Youling shook her head and then explained, "Senior Brother should be aware of the Demon Tribulation in the East Mountain Realm these past years, correct?"
"Demon Tribulation?"
At the mention of this, Ma Wu’s expression instantly darkened.
He, of course, knew of this matter.
Just eighteen years after the Daoist School’s crusade against Jiuyi Mountain, several Demon Daoist Embryos emerged from the West Boundary of the East Mountain Realm, directly annihilating a Tier Four Sect, slaughtering countless of the Human and Demon Races, leaving a hundred thousand miles of mountains and rivers in desolation.
This matter caused a huge uproar, with several adjacent Profound Sects banding together to hunt down the Demon Daoist Embryos.
The fierce battle that ensued was extremely perilous, not only resulting in the fall of two Daoist Embryos but also the deaths of over a dozen Golden Core Cultivators, with countless Junior Cultivators perishing, leaving the mountains and rivers fractured and in ruins.
To this day, the East Mountain Realm West Boundary remains embroiled in chaos.
"Is this related to the Demon Tribulation?"
Ma Wu asked in bewilderment.
"Indeed, the Demon Tribulation’s outbreak affected a wide area, impacting various forces near the East Mountain Realm West Boundary. As such, to ensure their family’s continuation and avoid disaster, a certain family evacuated to the Southern Boundary of the East Mountain Realm."
"About twenty thousand miles from Jiuyi Mountain, a family with the surname ’Wood’ fled here, occupying a Tier Two Spirit Mountain."
"However, a strong dragon does not suppress local snakes; by this Spirit Mountain, Demon Races hover, with substantial influence, embroiled in fierce conflict with the Wood family, resulting in heavy casualties."
"Though this family isn’t strong, they have a treasure called the [Ancient Wood Essence], capable of hastening the maturity of Spirit Wood, turning decay into miraculous power, possessing unfathomable might."
By this point in the conversation, Ma Wu almost fully understood Fu Youling’s intention.
"Are you implying that this family wishes to offer this treasure in exchange for Daoist School’s protection?"
Ma Wu asked.
"Indeed, that is precisely the intention."
"The Dean is already aware of this; soon, a decree will be issued instructing the Soldier Fighting Hall to eliminate the Demon Races, escort this family into the mountain, and allocate a Spirit Mountain for their cultivation, the costs of which will come from the Dean’s Shell Field."
Fu Youling smiled.
But Ma Wu was puzzled, asking, "Since the Dean is already aware and has issued a decree, it should be directly sent to my Soldier Fighting Hall, so how is it that Junior Sister knows in advance?"
"This matter came to fruition because Junior Brother Yuann Chengfu discovered it while adventuring, and facilitated it single-handedly."
"When Junior Brother Yuann returned, he came to the Pill Furnace Hall for pills, and during our conversation, I learned of it in advance, which is why I rushed over to request your help!"
Fu Youling said with a smile.
Yuann Chengfu!
Upon hearing this name, Ma Wu’s expression shifted, his emotions mixed.
In every generation, talents emerge, and new people replace the old.
His earlier sigh was not only a reflection on the new disciples rising like the morning sun at Daoist School and his own advancing years, but also had another layer of implication.
Over the years, Yuann Chengfu resided on Qingyu Peak, enjoying the Tier Four Spiritual Land, serving beside Gu Yuan, his cultivation advancing rapidly, already at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and relentlessly striving, taking a stance of not resting until he breaks through to the Golden Core.