Chapter 755: Hidden Sects Catastrophe

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

“In that cold cave, there was a skeleton missing an arm. A manual of animal skin left behind provided answers. He was an ancient martial arts cultivator who claimed to have discovered a type of person called a truth cultivator. These individuals, he wrote, could ascend to the immortal realm with extreme cultivation. He spent decades searching for them, until he was severely injured and died.”

Li Cheng continued, “Learning this, I became excited. When my time at Taiyi ended, I left to search for truth cultivators, abandoning ancient martial arts. At fifty, I spontaneously broke through to Great Heaven. I also discovered a truth cultivation ruin containing a cultivation method. When Taiyi learned of my Great Heaven breakthrough, they invited me back. I desired a quiet place to cultivate, so I returned to Taiyi and focused my efforts.”

Ye Mo sensed something was amiss. Why hadn't Li Cheng progressed?

Li Cheng poured himself another cup. “I cultivated for twenty years and achieved nothing, not even reaching the first stage of chi gathering. In despair, I left Taiyi and searched for herbs, my lifespan nearing its end. I sought to break through in ancient martial arts to extend my life. My truth cultivation stagnated, but my ancient martial arts talent was exceptional. Not only did I reach Great Heaven peak, but I also achieved the state considered beyond Great Heaven—liquefying inner qi.

Afterward, I gained mental power and, through it, deciphered a jade slip. I realized I lacked a spirit root, rendering truth cultivation impossible. Disheartened, I destroyed everything related to it, filled the cave, and settled here. Decades of peaceful meditation taught me: if something isn't meant for you, don't force it.”

Ye Mo finally understood. He knew the stalagmite could be made into a Five Essence Pill to create a spirit root, but he remained silent, lacking the power to do so; he’d likely need to reach the Foundation Establishment state.

Rather than offering false hope, he said nothing. If he reached Foundation Establishment and Li Cheng was still alive, he would give him a Five Essence Pill.

However, a thought struck Ye Mo. If Li Cheng cultivated ancient martial arts so rapidly, he should have a spirit root. How could he lack one?

Ye Mo poured Li Cheng a cup of wine. “Li-Qianbei, I have two questions. First, being from Taiyi Sect, why didn't you stop me from annihilating Taiyi? Second, why such a vast difference in strength among Great Heaven martial artists?”

Li Cheng smiled. “I disliked Taiyi's initial treatment of me. Also, I met Master Tian Ze, possessing unparalleled fortune-telling abilities. He predicted Taiyi’s demise within one hundred years. Therefore, I knew your arrival signaled Taiyi's end.”

Ye Mo was astonished. Did such a person truly exist? Xiaoyun's fortune teller had accurately predicted her husband's surname would be Ye. That was too precise.

Fortune tellers existed in the cultivation realm, but none with such accuracy.

Li Cheng continued, “Regarding Great Heaven martial artists, many exist, but fewer than ten truly understand Great Heaven.

To be precise, I barely reached Great Heaven. Long ago, hidden sect ancient martial arts were divided into four levels: Yellow, Black, Earth, and Heaven. Only those surpassing Heaven were considered Great Heaven. However, few achieved Great Heaven in recent centuries; less than one per hundred years.

Faith in ancient martial arts waned, leading to the removal of the ‘Heaven’ level, simply calling it Great Heaven. Therefore, after surpassing Earth level peak, it's not Heaven level, but Great Heaven.”

Ye Mo finally understood; his previous conjectures were correct.

Li Cheng continued, “Searching for truth cultivation ruins, I found similar records. I realized I was Heaven level, not Great Heaven. I returned to attempt reaching Great Heaven. Different sects' methods of reaching Heaven level created power discrepancies. Some believe Great Heaven is unblocking the Ren and Du meridians; others, the formation of a qi sea.

Only attaining both constitutes true Heaven level. Liquefying inner qi and gaining mental powers is a true Great Heaven ability. However, few hidden sect Heaven levels achieve this; most only form a qi sea.”

Ye Mo nodded. Ren Pingchuan’s understanding was accurate, but he'd overlooked Heaven level.

…

Ye Mo spent the night conversing with Li Cheng, leaving the next morning. He sought to teach Mo Youshen a lesson but failed to find him.

Ye Mo then visited Gemini Sword Sect.

Three days later, news spread. Several large sects had attacked the mysterious powerhouse Ye Mo, prompting his vow to visit them individually—a vow he kept. It became the greatest hidden sect disaster of the century.

May 13th: Taiyi's annihilation became history.

May 14th: First-grade sects Gemini Sword Sect, Four Wind Valley, and Crystal Sect were annihilated. Second-grade sects Alliance Fist Hall, Extreme Weapons Sect, and eight others met the same fate.

May 15th: First-grade sects Forgery Hall and Rainbow Sect were annihilated. Second-grade sects Fusion Fist Sect, Tong Sword Mountain, and four others were destroyed, along with seven third-grade sects.

…

May 17th: Kun Qian Sect’s members greeted Ye Mo, offering countless gold coins and herbs. They expelled the missing Ling Wushui. Ye Mo accepted these gifts and spared Kun Qian Sect.

Following Kun Qian's example, other participating sects did the same. For unknown reasons, Ye Mo accepted their offerings and ceased annihilating sects.

The catastrophe sweeping the hidden sects subsided. Fearful disciples became cautious, and sect leaders breathed sighs of relief.

Surviving sects established new rules: those offending Ye Mo would be killed.

This rule proved unnecessary. Who would dare provoke the hidden sects’ supreme master? Praying he didn't seek them out was their only recourse.

…

Ye Mo stood beneath Ci Hang Jing Moque mountain. The gifts didn't halt him; the slaughter had simply exhausted him. Xiaoyun's disappearance rendered the annihilation of the entire hidden sects meaningless. He came to kill Jie Xun, not the entire sect. Knowing the nuns couldn't kill a Great Heaven master, he intended to kill her himself.

“Young Hero Ye?” an old voice called. A nun approached swiftly.

Ye Mo was startled. This title was a first! He didn't mind the nuns because of the Luo Xuan sisters.

“I am Jie Xian. Young Hero Ye, are you here for Jie Xun?” the nun asked affably.

Ye Mo knew Jie Xian's actions spared this sect from attack, filling him with gratitude.

“Yes, I came to kill Jie Xun.” Ye Mo didn't conceal his killing intent.

Jie Xian was taken aback, quickly recovering to apologize. “We failed to capture her; she escaped. I thank you, Young Hero Ye.”

Ye Mo was stunned. “I came to kill someone, and you thank me?”