Chapter 65: Immortal Cave Mansion, Death Warrior, Path of No Return
Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Immortal Cave Mansion, Death Warrior, Path of No Return
"A major event, a major event!"
For a moment, a cloud of doubt hung over the hearts of the Spirit Plant Cultivators. However, the Pavilion Master had issued an order. Who would dare to disobey?
If their Spirit Fields were truly confiscated and they were expelled from the territory of the Cyan Yang Sect, they would have only two choices. They could either willingly fall into degeneracy and return to the mortal world, where their bodies would wither and decay within a few months, leading to death. Or, they could head into the deep mountains and old forests to fight for survival against rampaging Demon Beasts, which would still ultimately result in their death and the end of their cultivation path.
Therefore, even though Spirit Plant Cultivators held a lowly status, they at least enjoyed the protection of the Cyan Yang Sect. No matter the circumstances, being alive was always better than being dead.
Right after Niu Youliang left, some Spirit Plant Cultivators had already set off for the Marketplace. Since they did not dare to disobey, they figured they might as well arrive early to gather some information and gain a slight advantage. Even if they couldn’t find out anything, with so many Spirit Plant Cultivators gathering, it would still be good to secure a spot in the front rows.
Watching the surrounding Cultivators set off one by one, Chen Mo was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he returned to his house, first groomed the four Spirit Chickens that had grown a size larger, and then spent half an hour tidying up his room. Only when everything at home was properly settled did he set off.
He had a lingering, ominous premonition that a major event was about to occur at Purple Cloud Peak. However, given his Realm and status, he was completely unqualified to know the matters behind the scenes.
The current Chen Mo was well aware of his position—he was nothing more than a pawn at the mercy of others! And to break free from the chessboard and become the one moving the pieces, there was one and only one way—power!
To become even stronger.
Connections, sect affiliations, and everything else were mere illusions; strength alone was the sole reliance for establishing oneself and surviving.
Along the way, Chen Mo executed the Spirit Snake Body Technique and soon caught up with the large group that had departed earlier. However, he mingled within the crowd, keeping a low profile and acting entirely like an ordinary Spirit Plant Cultivator!
In less than half an hour, Chen Mo arrived at the open ground in front of the Ancient Dust Marketplace. Hundreds of Spirit Plant Cultivators had already gathered here. They were whispering among themselves, all trying to find out what had happened to the Marketplace and Purple Cloud Peak.
To think there would be such a grand mobilization! It was truly inconceivable!
Soon, the two hours were up.
Pavilion Master Niu Youliang slowly walked out from behind the towering main gates. Standing beside him was the arrogant Mo Junqing, but there was no sign of Li Shangxian. With the Pavilion Master’s appearance, the crowd instantly quieted down. Everyone craned their necks, waiting for this "major event" to be announced.
"Elder Mo, shall I be the one to announce it?"
"Nonsense, if not you, then me? Hurry up and say it!"
Clearly, Mo Junqing did not even give the Pavilion Master any face. However, Niu Youliang dared not show any displeasure. He offered a sheepish, accommodating smile before announcing:
"Purple Cloud Peak has issued an order! All Cultivators in the Marketplace at the Qi Refining Third Layer and above are conscripted. In three days, you will head to Yellow Cloud Peak to explore a Secret Realm! All Spirit Plant Cultivators in the Ancient Dust Marketplace at the Qi Refining Third Layer and above, step forward!"
An order! A blatant order!
At this moment, Chen Mo’s heart sank to rock bottom. Yellow Cloud Peak, Yellow Cloud Peak... He constantly chewed over this location. Suddenly, a passage of words and a figure surfaced in his mind!
Wang Lixia!
An Immortal Cave Mansion?
That was it!
Chen Mo was seventy percent sure that the Secret Realm the Pavilion Master mentioned was that very Immortal Cave Mansion—the one placed under a Restriction, allowing only Cultivators at or below the Qi Refining Third Layer to enter.
Two years ago, its existence was only made known to a small circle, and going there was entirely voluntary. But why had it become mandatory today? Not a single Spirit Plant Cultivator at the Qi Refining Third Layer and above could escape!
Unexpected storms gather without warning! He never expected his farming career, which had just begun to show some promise, to suddenly encounter such a drastic turn of events.
Chen Mo was very clear about his own situation. His Talent, Innate Talent, and even his luck and fortune were utterly ordinary. It was absolutely impossible for him to survive a desperate situation where death was all but certain.
His intended path was one and only one: to quietly farm, raise chickens, and perhaps even contract a Spirit Pool to raise fish in the future. Meanwhile, he would use his accumulated resources to strengthen himself bit by bit. Instead of risking his life to gamble for an illusory, pipe dream of a future!
Voices of doubt rose and fell within the crowd.
"If we’re conscripted, what will happen to our Spirit Fields?"
"They’ll be left to waste!" Niu Youliang shouted in a low voice.
They were just some Spirit Fields. They had already been left desolate last year; what did it matter if they were left to waste for another year? The only ones who would starve to death were the Spirit Plant Cultivators!
"I am a Spirit Nurturer. Can I opt out?"
"Whether you are a Spirit Plant Cultivator, a Spirit Nurturer, or even a Spirit Fisherman, as long as you are at the Qi Refining Third Layer or above, every single one of you must go!"
Niu Youliang was growing impatient. This was an absolute order issued personally by the Peak Master of Purple Cloud Peak. Unless he, as the Pavilion Master, no longer wished to live, how could he possibly defy the other party’s decision?
Chen Mo heard this clearly from the sidelines, and his last shred of hope was shattered.
"Pavilion Master, what about us?" Miao Chen, who was in the crowd, took the initiative to ask.
"Cultivators at the Qi Refining Second Layer and Qi Refining First Layer may go voluntarily."
"Thank goodness, thank goodness."
Out of the hundreds of Spirit Plant Cultivators, less than fifty were at the Qi Refining Third Layer or above. The vast majority breathed a sigh of relief.
Niu Youliang swept his gaze over the crowd below and continued, "Any Spirit Plant Cultivator who participates in this Secret Realm exploration, once the mission is completed, regardless of their aptitude or age, may join the tutelage of the Purple Cloud Peak’s Peak Master and become a Second Generation Disciple!"
GASP!
As soon as these words were spoken, a wave of commotion rippled through the crowd.
Under the tutelage of the Peak Master? What kind of heaven-defying fortune was this? For Spirit Plant Cultivators like them, this was equivalent to ascending to the heavens in a single bound!
To think there was actually such a good opportunity! The Spirit Plant Cultivators at the Qi Refining First and Second Layers who had shown no interest earlier were now practically itching to try, hoping this monumental wealth and status would fall into their laps.
However, the Spirit Plant Cultivators at the Qi Refining Third and Fourth Layers hesitated to step forward.
Being able to cultivate to the Third and Fourth Layers naturally meant they had their own channels for information. Although they had never been to the so-called Secret Realm, they were well aware that it was the Immortal Cave Mansion that had been rumored previously.
Purple Cloud Peak had already lost many disciples there! Obviously, this time, they intended to pile up human lives to pave the way! To forge an unstoppable path forward through raw sacrifice—to pave a Great Dao leading to the heavens!
Purple Cloud Peak might eventually breach the Cave Mansion and obtain the Immortal’s legacy inside, but they would be stepping on the corpses of the Spirit Plant Cultivators to get in!
"Pavilion Master, I volunteer to withdraw from the Marketplace and leave the Cyan Yang..."
Before he could finish speaking, a streak of Sword Qi tore through the air. In the blink of an eye, the speaker was decapitated, his head severed from his body. Blood splattered everywhere. The surrounding Spirit Plant Cultivators felt a sudden warmth on their faces, but their hearts ran cold.
"Anyone else want to spout nonsense?"
The one who struck and the one who spoke were both Mo Junqing. The reason he had stayed behind was precisely to monitor and suppress them!
"Anyone who disobeys, dies!"
Deathly silence. The crowd was completely silent. No one dared to bring up the matter of leaving again.
"Step forward and register!"
Niu Youliang waved his large hand, and a long scroll slowly unrolled in mid-air...