Chapter 39

The deep, hoarse voice of the Elder Crane echoed through the grand hall.

"I know it's not easy for everyone. Our Crane Sect has survived until today, and to be honest, we can't even talk about the glory of its founding. Even continuing on is a struggle. The pressure on everyone is immense. If it weren't for our internal unity, the Heavenly Crane Seat would have changed hands long ago. We have a long history and a glorious past, but now we have fallen so far. Talking about the past only invites ridicule. If things continue like this, no one knows how much longer the Crane Sect can hold on."

"But I see the dawn of our Crane Sect's revival." The Elder Crane's cloudy eyes shone with an indescribable light.

"The Crane Body is the most crucial part of the true teachings that our Crane Sect has lost. But now, it has reappeared, presenting us with an opportunity. This might be our last chance. If we fail to bring the true teachings back to the Crane Sect, we will likely be erased in a few decades."

The Crane Hall was silent. The Grand Elder's words, filled with sighs, struck a chord in everyone's heart.

"So, I need someone to go and bring back the true teachings that our Crane Sect has lost for nine hundred years."

The Grand Elder's expression was solemn, his gaze sharp as he slowly scanned the people below. He said in a deep voice, "My perception is vague, and I cannot define a specific area. In the vast sea of people, the chances are slim. It might take ten years, or even a lifetime, to find nothing. Leaving the peaceful Heavenly Crane Seat and entering the dangerous Heavenly Path, the risk of death is ever-present. This mission is dangerous, arduous, uncertain, and unlikely. Who is willing to go?"

Everyone looked at each other. They had thought that the Elder Crane's perception would at least give them a general area, but it turned out there was no area at all.

Are we supposed to search the entire world blindly?

Many people's eyes showed fear. The Heavenly Crane Seat was peaceful and tranquil, with no conflicts. It was like a utopia. Although there was no wealth, there was also no danger. Everyone longed for the past glory but had long grown accustomed to the current ease.

The thought of searching the world for an unknown target and obtaining the true teachings from someone else sounded like a joke, an impossible joke.

No one spoke up. The elders either lowered their heads or shrank back into the crowd, afraid of being called out by the Elder Crane.

A hint of disappointment flashed in the Elder Crane's eyes.

Suddenly, a calm and steady voice echoed in the hall.

"Disciple Crane is willing to go."

A tall man stepped forward. His posture was as straight as a spear, making him stand out in the hall. His face was as smooth as jade, his expression calm, and his black, bright eyes were deep like the night sky.

His white clothes were as clean as snow, and his silver hair flowed over his shoulders like a waterfall.

A hint of relief flashed in the Elder Crane's eyes.

"Is there anyone else willing?" The Elder Crane looked around.

No one spoke.

The Elder Crane's cloudy eyes showed no emotion as he nodded. "Then it's settled."

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In a dimly lit room, a small oil lamp flickered, occasionally making a crackling sound.

The Elder Crane looked at the young man sitting upright before him. Crane's demeanor was calm, almost beyond his years. The Elder Crane sighed softly, breaking the silence. "Is there no problem with your mother?"

Crane bowed slightly and answered calmly, "Mother has agreed."

"That's good." The Elder Crane nodded, looking at Crane's face, which bore a resemblance to someone else. Another figure appeared in his mind. "Seeing you reminds me of your father. I watched him grow up. You are more outstanding than him. Your father would be very proud."

"You flatter me." Crane's expression remained unchanged, sitting as he was.

"When you were born, your father named you Crane, hoping you would revitalize the Crane Sect. I never imagined that the heavy responsibility of the Crane Sect would really fall on your shoulders." The Elder Crane sighed.

Crane bowed slightly. "Please rest assured."

"Actually, in my heart, you are the best choice, but I didn't expect... sigh..." The Elder Crane sighed, his gaze returning to the young man. "You are the most outstanding disciple of the third generation. With your talent, staying in the Crane Sect is a waste. If you were... your achievements today would be much greater. The Crane Sect has held you back. Your mother is disappointed with the Crane Sect, and so am I."

Crane's expression remained calm. "Mother deeply loves Father. She is happy that I can carry on Father's will."

"Yes, they had a hard time back then. Your mother is respectable." The Elder Crane thought of the past and quickly snapped back to reality, chuckling to himself. "Old age makes one prone to reminiscing. Your strength surpasses that of the elders. I am not worried about that. But you are young and lack experience in long journeys. This is my only concern. I have traveled the Heavenly Path, and the dangers are everywhere. Remember, sometimes wisdom is more useful than strength."

"Understood." Crane bowed slightly in acknowledgment.

"The responsibility of reviving the Crane Sect is on your shoulders. It's time to entrust this to you as well."

The Elder Crane's expression was solemn. He stood up, walked to a corner, and picked up a dusty wooden box, returning to his seat.

"Many people think that the top celestial treasure of the Heavenly Crane Seat is the Silver Rank Heavenly Crane Robe." The Elder Crane's gaze became deep.

Crane was taken aback by this statement, his expression changing for the first time since entering the room.

The Elder Crane couldn't help but smile. Crane was perfect in every way, but the only thing that made the Elder Crane feel a bit uncomfortable was his maturity. Crane's maturity surpassed his age, as if nothing could surprise him.

"Haha, even Crane is surprised. That's rare." The Elder Crane laughed heartily.

Crane felt a bit embarrassed but quickly returned to his usual composure.

The Elder Crane stopped laughing, his expression becoming solemn again. "The Silver Rank Heavenly Crane Robe has always been seen as the inheritance of the Crane Sect, almost the highest rank celestial treasure of the Heavenly Crane Seat. The Heavenly Crane Seat is considered a minor constellation, and this is an important reason. However, few people know that the strongest celestial treasure of the Heavenly Crane Seat is not the Silver Rank Heavenly Crane Robe, but the Gold Rank Crane Sword!"

Crane's body, which had been sitting like a mountain, suddenly trembled, his face showing disbelief.

The Elder Crane's face showed pride, his voice firm and resolute.

"This sword was the first celestial treasure subdued by True Man Crane when he entered the Heavenly Crane Seat. It was also his personal sword. True Man Crane's strength was extraordinary, and this sword was only unsheathed three times in his life. Almost no one knows about it, even his disciples. True Man Crane seemed to foresee the decline of the Crane Sect and kept the sword hidden to avoid attracting envy. After his death, the sword never appeared again. Each generation, one disciple is chosen to be the sword guardian. I am the current sword guardian."

Crane stared at the Elder Crane in amazement. He never imagined that his sect had such a secret.

A Gold Rank celestial treasure!

If this news spread, it would cause a storm. The Silver Rank Heavenly Crane Robe was not worth the effort for those experts, but a Gold Rank celestial treasure would likely draw the attention of legendary figures.

Each constellation has multiple celestial treasures, formed over billions of years. Celestial treasures from the same constellation are considered a series and often share certain common characteristics. However, the power of different celestial treasures can vary greatly. Therefore, these celestial treasures are divided into different ranks.

Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Sacred Treasures.

The highest rank Sacred Treasures are few and far between. The Lion Heart Fire Sword of the Leo Constellation and the Celestial Bow of the Sagittarius Constellation are both Sacred Treasures. Only the largest constellations can produce Sacred Treasures.

Gold Rank treasures are the second most powerful, each a powerful existence that martial artists dream of. No Gold Rank treasure can be traded on the market. Only top-tier constellations can produce Gold Rank treasures.

Tang Tian's Aquarius Martial Cabinet is only a Black Iron treasure, an entry-level treasure.

In a sense, the highest rank of celestial treasures represents the potential value of a constellation.

If others knew that the Heavenly Crane Seat had produced a Gold Rank treasure...

Crane's heart trembled.

The Crane Sect maintained its rule over the Heavenly Crane Seat only because the major powers looked down on it, thinking it was a barren, minor place. If they knew the Heavenly Crane Seat had produced a Gold Rank treasure...

Crane knew it would be a disaster for the Crane Sect.

"I originally intended to give this sword to your father. He was the most passionate and promising young man I had ever seen. I always thought the future of the Crane Sect was in his hands. Unfortunately, fate was cruel, and he passed away. You inherited his will, perhaps this is destiny."

The Elder Crane gently placed the wooden box in front of Crane.

"From today, it and the future of the Crane Sect are in your hands, Crane."

The Elder Crane's gaze fixed on Crane's young face.

Crane opened the wooden box in a daze. The Elder Crane's words had left him with too much to process. The shocking secret of the Crane Sect left his mind in a fog. He never imagined that the Crane Sect, where he had grown up, had such a great secret.

And Father...

Inside the open box, a simple ancient sword lay before him.

The sword had no patterns, its blade dull and unremarkable. On the scabbard, only one ancient character was written—Crane.

No one could associate this plain sword with a Gold Rank treasure.

Crane's long fingers traced the "Crane" character on the scabbard.

My name is Crane, and this sword is also called Crane. Were we destined to meet?

As if sensing Crane's thoughts, the "Crane" character on the scabbard suddenly glowed brightly. The character, like molten iron, slowly floated up from the scabbard, much to Crane's shock.

A stream of light entered Crane's palm.

Crane quickly opened his palm, and a crane-shaped mark appeared on his palm.