The Prodigies War

The territory of the Dao Derivation Zone was vast beyond measure, rivaling an entire heaven domain of the Eternal True Realm. Throughout its long history, four great dao lineages had stood at its apex: the Immortal Pavilion, the Divine Court, the Demonic Gate and the Yao Sect.

Each of these four great powers housed numerous Immortal figures, their foundations deep and unfathomable. Beneath them were twelve first tier cultivation forces. Though these factions also possessed Immortal experts, their foundation and authority paled in comparison to the four great dao lineages.

Below those lay countless second and third tier forces, scattered across various territories of the Dao Derivation Zone. Most of them lacked even a single Immortal cultivator. The Tianwu Sect was one such second tier force, situated in the eastern territory of the Dao Derivation Zone. In that region alone stood more than a hundred similar second tier forces.

Only one first tier power presided over that territory: the Crimson Serpent Immortal Sect. Of note, the Crimson Serpent Immortal Sect was subordinate to the Immortal Pavilion, one of the four great dao lineages.

After learning this information, Lin Xun felt more at ease. The Tianwu Sect was, after all, merely a second tier sect. If he concealed himself here, it would be near impossible for his enemies to discover him in the near future.

In contrast, had he awakened within a first tier force, or worse, within one of the four great dao lineages, the risks would have multiplied tenfold. For Lin Xun, there was only one priority now: To cultivate!

“To derive a dao path that leads directly toward Eternity using Qing Feng’s foundation, spirit, and body...” he murmured. “I must first comprehend the power of the heavenly dao laws of this world...”

Then a frown creased his brow. “At the Cyclic Derivation Stage, I can only touch the dao rhythm and dao intent within the Heavenly Cycle Dao Laws. To attempt to grasp the very essence of this world’s laws in one step would be impossible.”

He fell into deep contemplation. Cultivators within the lower five cultivation stages were constrained by their cultivation. At most, they could sense the dao rhythm and dao intent woven through the Heavenly Cycle Dao Laws.

Those who walked the Immortal Path, the Saint Path, the Emperor Path, or the Eternal Path could also perceive only the profound mysteries of the great dao that matched their own cultivation realm.

From this, it was clear that for someone at the Cyclic Derivation Stage, directly glimpsing the fundamental essence of this world’s laws was near impossible.

“Then I shall first mend the crack in this dao foundation and elevate my cultivation first. ” Lin Xun decided.

Though he now became Qing Feng, his insight and cultivation experience remained wholly intact. To others, Qing Feng’s fractured dao foundation was beyond repair. However, to Lin Xun, there were thousands of ways to resolve it!

......

Days passed. Within the Tianwu Sect, life continued as usual. Few paid attention to the movements of Supreme Elder Qing Feng. After all, who would concern themselves with the affairs of the sect’s greatest embarrassment? For most, it was already a blessing that he no longer ventured outside to make a spectacle of himself.

At first, Sect Leader Fu Yunzi remained somewhat uneasy. However, as time passed and Qing Feng continued to stay obediently within the Scripture Pavilion, he gradually relaxed his vigilance. After all, as the sect leader, he could not possibly devote all his attention to Qing Feng.

Especially now that Qing Feng had become so compliant, he was rarely seen even within the Scripture Pavilion. Even disciples who frequently came to borrow scrolls treated him as though he were invisible. This was not out of open disdain, but because they felt ashamed to be associated with him.

Lin Xun could not have cared less. On the contrary, he welcomed it. The less attention he drew, the better.

A month slipped by in the blink of an eye. Each day, Lin Xun sat quietly within the Scripture Pavilion, sipping tea and reading scrolls until dusk. When night fell, he would return to his residence to meditate and cultivate in silence.

Days became weeks. Weeks became months. No one knew that during these six months, he had already resolved the damage within Qing Feng’s dao foundation. With a secret technique, he had rebuilt his lower five cultivation stages entirely, refining each stage to a degree Qing Feng had never even imagined.

Fearing that even the slightest fluctuation in his aura might draw suspicion, he employed another secret art to suppress all signs of this transformation. To the outside world, he remained the same ‘disgrace of the sect,’ a man everyone was ashamed to be associated with.

During this period, Qing Heng also came by the Scripture Pavilion on several occasions. Though he claimed to be searching for certain texts, it was obvious he had come to check on his junior brother.

Seeing Qing Feng stay quietly within the pavilion, Qing Heng’s heart eased considerably. Before leaving, he placed several bottles of carefully prepared elixirs on the table. “These will help restore your dao foundation,” he said.

Watching him depart, Lin Xun couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Qing Feng has such a good senior brother!

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Xun later requested permission to cultivate for a time within the sect’s forbidden ground, Tianluo Cave. The request startled Qing Heng at first. Then delight overtook him. If his junior brother had finally resolved to focus on cultivation, what greater blessing could there be?

......

After six months of secluded cultivation within Tianluo Cave Lin Xun’s cultivation surged in one sweeping breakthrough, reaching the ninth level of the Longevity Tribulation King Stage. At this point, even the spiritual energies of Tianluo Cave were no longer sufficient for his cultivation needs.

Without hesitation, he departed and went to seek out Qing Heng. After all, he was now Qing Feng, a man who had been hopelessly devoted to Tian Ruojing for nine hundred years. If he suddenly moved on from her it would be far too unnatural. Such a change would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Within his cave dwelling, Qing Heng looked up as Lin Xun arrived. “Junior Brother, what brings you here?”

“Senior Brother,” Lin Xun said, deliberately revealing a trace of excitement, “the elixirs you gave me were remarkably effective. My dao foundation has recovered significantly. I believe it will not be long before I am fully restored!”

“Really?” Qing Heng’s eyes lit up with genuine happiness.

Lin Xun nodded with a smile. Then he hesitated. “Senior Brother...I was thinking...perhaps I should make a trip to the Tianling Sect...”

Immediately, the joy drained from Qing Heng’s face in an instant. His brows drew together sharply. “It has only been a few months,” he said coldly. “And you cannot restrain yourself from seeking that woman again?”

Disappointment laced his voice.

Lin Xun sensed the shift immediately, yet he had no choice but to continue the performance. Lowering his gaze, he said, “Senior Brother...if my dao foundation is repaired, if my cultivation rises...perhaps one day I may stand on equal footing with Miss Ruojing. So I...”

Before he could finish, Qing Heng’s expression darkened. “You may see her if you wish, but only after you attain the dao and step onto the Emperor Path. When that day comes, I will personally accompany you to the Tianling Sect. Until then, you will not leave this sect!”

His tone left no room for argument. Lin Xun lowered his head, outwardly helpless. Inwardly, however, he let out a quiet breath of relief. From Qing Heng’s reaction, it was clear, at least for now, that no suspicion had arisen regarding his identity.

“Junior Brother,” Qing Heng said gravely, “in my view, Tian Ruojing has become the inner demon on your path of cultivation. If you do not ever sever it, you will never achieve true accomplishment in this lifetime.”

Then his voice softened. “Now that there is hope of restoring your dao foundation, I cannot allow you to continue to remain so obstinate. From this day forward, every three months, I will personally guide you and impart my cultivation insights.”

Lin Xun quickly raised his hands in protest. “No need, no need. Senior Brother. Your time is far too precious, how could I dare trouble you over my trivial matters? I will heed your words and remain in the sect obediently.”

Without waiting for further persuasion, he bowed and retreated at once. Qing Heng stood there for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh. Helplessness weighed on his heart.

Back then Junior Brother’s talent was dazzling, but he has now fallen to such a state. It’s all because of that woman, Tian Ruojing. One day, I’ll find an opportunity to teach that woman a lesson. He gritted his teeth.

After leaving Qing Heng’s residence, Lin Xun made his way back to the Scripture Pavilion.

“I may have convinced Qing Heng but I must ensure no one else even begins to question me...”

Thinking of this, Lin Xun suddenly shook his head and let out a faint sigh.

“Martial Granduncle, why the long sigh?” Chun Ning, one of the disciples assigned to guard the Scripture Pavilion, could not help but ask.

“You wouldn’t understand.” Lin Xun sighed again.

Dai Yan hesitated, then asked cautiously, “Martial Granduncle...you’re not thinking of going to the Tianling Sect again, are you?”

Lin Xun fell silent for a moment before replying in a tone of helpless resignation. “I cannot go. Senior Brother Qing Heng just strictly forbidden me from stepping beyond the sect gates.”

Chun Ning and Dai Yan exchanged a glance, speechless. They had only enjoyed a few months of peace, but their Martial Granduncle’s old habit had already relapsed.

That very day, the two discreetly spread the news throughout the sect. When Sect Leader Fu Yunzi heard of it, the corner of his mouth twitched. He had thought his Martial Uncle had finally come to his senses. Who would have imagined he was still hopelessly stuck in his old ways?

As for the rest of the sect, no one was particularly surprised. This was the Qing Feng they knew. None of them realized that Lin Xun had gone to great lengths to stage the entire performance, all to ensure that not the slightest suspicion would take root.

Several days later Lin Xun was seated within the Scripture Pavilion, leisurely sipping tea as he turned the pages of a book, when fragments of conversation drifted to his ears.

One month ago, the four great dao lineages, Immortal Pavilion, Divine Court, Demonic Gate, and Yao Sect, had jointly issued a decree. A warrant for the capture of newly arrived Dao Derivers within the Dao Derivation Zone!

Anyone who provided credible information would be richly rewarded. At the same time, the twelve first tier forces subordinate to the four great dao lineages had cooperated fully, dispatching elites to patrol the lands and search for traces of these Dao Derivers. The news shook the entire world. The Dao Derivation Zone was in turmoil.

According to the information Lin Xun had gathered, in the eastern territory alone, where the Tianwu Sect was located, the Crimson Serpent Immortal Sect had already taken action. They had dispatched ten supreme Emperor Ancestors and they were now sweeping through the major forces of the eastern territory.

It would not be long before they arrived at the Tianwu Sect to conduct their inspection! A faint chill crept into Lin Xun’s heart. He did not need to think twice. This storm was aimed at him.

When it came to Dao Derivers, all the major forces within the Dao Derivation Zone were well aware of their existence. It was common knowledge that Dao Derivers did not belong to this world.

Among the four great dao lineages, more than ten Dao Derivers were publicly known. Every one of them stood as a towering figure on the Immortal Path. Several had already reached the Transcendence Realm.

Someone of Qing Feng’s standing also knew that among the Dao Derivers of the four great dao lineages, the seven most powerful were Heavenly Mandate Apostles of the Alpha Origin’s Gen Department. The one who led them was Zhu Cheng, the number one figure on the Immortal Path in the Immortal Pavilion.

Having inherited Qing Feng’s memories, Lin Xun naturally understood that this storm aimed at him could only be the work of Zhu Cheng and the other six Heavenly Mandate Apostles!

“Fortunately, I made some preparations a few days ago,” Lin Xun murmured to himself. “No suspicion was stirred. Even if the ten supreme Emperor Ancestors of the Crimson Serpent Immortal Sect arrive in person, they should discover nothing out of the ordinary.”

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