Chapter 2 of 13
Chapter 2
20 min read4,889 words
The Blue Sea Continent, Lianyun Dao Sect, Old Tree Peak!
"Jian Sheng" Bu Yuan stood alone on the peak, holding his sword, gazing at the vast layers of clouds stretching for miles.
This man, in his forties, had a face as sharp as a knife, eyes deep like the sea, and a handsome appearance. His jet-black long hair and moon-white Daoist robe fluttered backward, exuding an imposing aura.
However, his expression was extremely desolate, with a hint of aging in his features. His pitch-black eyes revealed confusion, helplessness, and a touch of hatred.
Standing beside him was an elderly man in a black Daoist robe, with a white sash and slightly graying temples. He was Qian Hezi, the current patriarch of Lianyun Dao Sect.
Qian Hezi, whether in intelligence or Daoist cultivation, was among the top experts in the surrounding countries. His profound cultivation and leadership had brought the sect to unprecedented prosperity, nurturing many talents, and his authority within the Lianyun Dao Sect was unparalleled.
Qian Hezi and Bu Yuan were both among the Lianyun Seven, and though they had a good relationship, they rarely interacted, as cultivators spent most of their time in seclusion.
Today, the two brothers had gathered, but there was no laughter or joy, for all the disciples of Bu Yuan's Old Tree Peak lineage had perished during the sect's once-a-century trial, with not a single one returning.
Before coming, Qian Hezi had thought of many words to comfort his most valued junior brother, but upon seeing the patriarch, he found himself unable to speak.
...
"Six disciples, all wiped out, not a single one returned alive. Their era had not even begun when it ended. If I ascend to heaven one day, the Old Tree Peak lineage will cease to exist."
Bu Yuan gazed into the distance, not looking at Qian Hezi, as if talking to himself. His voice was low and hoarse, and his domineering face showed a hint of tenderness.
"The eldest was my favorite. He had extremely high talent and worked hard. Given time, his achievements would not be inferior to mine. He was the one to carry on the Old Tree Peak lineage. He had been with me for a long time, and his personality and habits were somewhat like mine. Sometimes, I even felt that he was another me, a continuation of my life. But now, he is dead."
"The second was the most mischievous. He often stole my wine when I was out. Every time I asked, he would blame it on the eldest, thinking I didn't know. This rascal practiced the Thunder Technique haphazardly but had a penchant for researching side paths, such as alchemy, talisman making, and array formations. He had some accomplishments in these areas, and I liked him too. Now, he is also dead."
"The third was a child I found when I went down the mountain. He had no parents and the most pitiful background. He often felt sorry for himself, so I told him that his parents were killed by demons. If he reached the Foundation Establishment realm one day, I would allow him to go down the mountain to avenge them. He then went crazy with cultivation, not knowing that I had lied to him. Now, he is also dead, and he will never know."
"The fourth was a girl, intelligent and caring. She knew I had a sweet tooth, so she often made delicate snacks for me. It would have been good if she had learned embroidery and other women's work, but she insisted on cultivating. I didn't want her to participate in this trial, but she begged me so much that I allowed her to go. I knew she liked the eldest and wanted to accompany him. Now, she has achieved her wish."
"The fifth was my direct descendant. He relied on my connections and was always arrogant and tyrannical, committing many evil deeds. Although I had long wanted to strike him down, I could never bring myself to do it. Now, I no longer have to be troubled by this. It's for the best, for the best..."
As Bu Yuan spoke, his tone grew increasingly cold, and his eyes showed no emotion. No one could see the turmoil in his heart, but his body trembled uncontrollably, and his hand gripping the sword tightened, as if he wanted to crush it.
"The sixth had the worst talent and was never favored by me. If it weren't for the fact that he knelt on the stone slabs of the Immortal Seeking Path for nine days and ten nights, and if I hadn't passed by and felt a moment of compassion, I wouldn't have taken him as a disciple. Although he was diligent and hardworking, his limited talent made it difficult for him to achieve much in the path of immortality. His death is not a big loss."
Bu Yuan suddenly fell silent, his eyes cold and icy, his heart dead.
After a long while, he slowly said, "My disciples were inferior in skill and died, but did you not even leave one disciple for me to carry on the Dao? Did you have to exterminate them all? Since the Lianyun Dao Sect established the trial, such a bloody incident has never occurred. How do you plan to explain this to me, Brother?"
As Bu Yuan spoke the last word, he suddenly turned around, his eyes piercing as he stared at Qian Hezi, a fierce aura bursting forth, as if he was ready to draw his sword at any moment.
"Brother, be careful with your words!"
Qian Hezi shouted, "We are brothers of the same sect and would never do such despicable things. As for the conflict among the younger disciples, I have personally investigated it. The circumstances are extremely mysterious and perplexing, but it was definitely not the work of the disciples from other peaks."
"I wish to hear more details!"
Bu Yuan's face was as calm as an ancient well, seemingly uninterested in the secrets Qian Hezi mentioned, as if he was just making a casual remark.
"The Thunderfall Abyss is extremely mysterious, and its origin is unknown. We both entered it when we were young, and even we dare not easily venture into some of its dangerous areas. If it weren't for the restriction that only those below the Foundation Establishment realm can enter, I would have explored it long ago to see what treasures it holds."
Qian Hezi's face was filled with nostalgia.
"I carefully questioned my eldest disciple, Ji Cangmang. According to him, on the ninth day of the trial, all the surviving disciples were drawn to the southern marsh, where a Qing Shuang Bamboo Orchid was blooming. Brother should know that the fruit of the Qing Shuang Bamboo Orchid has an incredible effect on breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Brother should also remember that the marsh is one of the dangerous areas we have never ventured into."
"While the disciples were waiting for the Qing Shuang Bamboo Orchid to mature, a sudden change occurred. A huge vortex formed on the marsh lake, sucking in everything around it. The disciples from other peaks used all their means, and most of the outer disciples were lost, but they managed to escape. Strangely, the disciples under Brother's command were sucked in the moment the change occurred, as if they had no resistance at all. This is indeed very strange, and I have been unable to figure it out."
Bu Yuan remained silent, his expression growing darker. After a long while, he said, "I still cannot fully trust Brother. Unless Brother allows me to use the Soul Search technique on the returning disciples."
Qian Hezi's face changed dramatically. "Brother, are you mad? I absolutely cannot agree to this. The Soul Search technique causes great damage to the mental faculties of the recipient. Disciples below the Foundation Establishment realm could easily become mindless. This is absolutely impossible. I am already heartbroken by the loss of Brother's disciples and cannot afford to lose more core disciples for this matter."
Bu Yuan, who clearly understood the most competent patriarch in the history of the Lianyun Dao Sect, glanced at him and closed his eyes, coldly saying, "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I never knew when Brother became so rigid and hypocritical. Brother just said that many outer disciples returned. Sacrificing a few outer disciples should not be a problem for Brother, right?"
Qian Hezi's eyes rapidly opened and closed several times. He sighed deeply and said nothing, then rode a cloud away, his voice faintly heard in the wind, "In half a month, I will send a group of young disciples down the mountain for cultivation. Brother, you should consider it."
Bu Yuan's expression remained cold, and he did not respond. What he did not know was that at that very moment, one of his disciples was still struggling in a desperate situation.
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