Chapter 506

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Chapter 506: Madness in the End Times

Yun State, Zhonghang Sect

The realms of all cultivators dropped to the Qi Refining Period, surprising many, even catching prepared individuals like Lin Jiang off guard.

"According to calculations, the spiritual energy will completely disappear within a year. In about eight months, the spiritual energy will become so sparse that all cultivators will be unable to fly."

"Furthermore, high-level elixirs are losing their effectiveness. Even sealing them in a jade box is futile, as the effects are swiftly dissipating. At most, within a year, they will completely lose their effects, just like the spiritual energy."

"Our stored resources have become common resources, but it’s okay, even if the spiritual essence is gone from the rice paddies, it is still food, still wealth."

"The think tank suggested searching for large livestock, especially those cows, horses, and other animals with magical bloodlines, we may need them in the future."

"My advice to you is to go to sleep immediately."

Lin Jiang told Cao Ying one by one, that the world is coming to an end, the spiritual essence is disappearing faster than they expected.

"I’m leaving, what about these disciples, I am their backbone."

"Little Ying, we can’t control everything, we are not saviors."

"I know, that’s why my bottom line is to stay with them for twenty more years, let them fully adapt to human life, then I will leave."

Cao Ying, who entered Zhonghang Sect at twelve years old, has been with Zhonghang Sect for over three thousand years, Zhonghang Sect is her second home, she wants to give these disciples a chance to survive.

"Alright, twenty years then, once twenty years pass, you must go to sleep."

"I know, what about you?"

"Maybe I will also fall asleep."

Lin Jiang said that he had already set everything up; those close to him had already fallen asleep. Once Cao Ying fell asleep too, he would follow suit.

"Alright, I just wonder how those sleeping places in Qing State are doing."

"Let’s see, I am fully prepared. If anything unexpected happens, there’s nothing more I can do."

Lin Jiang mentioned that he had prepared for a situation without spiritual energy. If any issues arise, he wouldn’t know what to do as he couldn’t go to Qing State anymore.

Qing State was hundreds of thousands of miles away, and he used to be able to fly there quickly. But now, he had only perfected Qi Refining, so it would take months to fly there, not to mention the unknown dangers on the way. He wouldn’t go.

In the following days, Cao Ying and Lin Jiang appeared frequently in various areas of Zhonghang Sect. Cao Ying was the backbone of the Zhonghang Sect; wherever she went, all disciples seemed to see hope and calm down from chaos.

Under Cao Ying’s leadership, Zhonghang Sect slowly regained its composure. Lin Jiang actively communicated with Five Elements Sect and Lin family. However, the communication methods were gradually failing as the long-distance Sound Passing Talisman was a high-level spiritual talisman and could no longer be produced. They might have to resort to messengers for communication soon.

As time passed day by day, eight months later, everyone’s skills fell to the early stage of Qi Refining. They couldn’t even fly with their swords anymore. Disciples of Zhonghang Sect started settling near the mountain gate because Cao Ying was there. Being closer to strong people gave them a sense of safety.

In the early stage of Qi Refining, people could travel by using body techniques or riding fast horses. It took a day and a night to reach Yunzhong City. The control of Yunzhong City was almost about to be lost. Cao Ying had no way to handle this and could only let Yunzhong City develop freely.

"In the past decades, we neglected to build roads to control various regions. What a pity."

Cao Ying looked at the messages gathering from various places and sensed that the control of Zhonghang Sect’s mountain gate was declining continuously. After all, some remote areas were really far away and difficult to control.

The previous advisory team did suggest building roads, but they only constructed roads within the mountain gate. They couldn’t extend their influence to other places in time for planning.

Several months later, the spiritual energy disappeared completely. The cultivation world ushered in its darkest era. The esteemed cultivators, who had held a revered position for hundreds of thousands of years, now became mere mortals, being looked down upon.

The countless food and resources hoarded by Zhonghang Sect became a stabilizing tool in the turbulent last days. With these resources, Cao Ying began to stabilize the internal situation and transition through this chaotic era.

Leaving aside other matters, even hundreds of miles away from Zhonghang Sect, things were already chaotic. Many cultivators turned into mortals but still kept other ordinary people enslaved, using their strength to exploit them. No matter how the world changed, as long as they were alive, they still had to make a living. Unwilling to live in poverty, they resorted to exploitation and subjugation to maintain their superior lifestyle.

········

"Boom"

In the tenth year of the Last Days era, dark clouds covered the sky over Zhonghang Sect, with thunder and lightning. Lin Jiang and Cao Ying hurried around the sect, gathering disciples and warning them to be careful of the coming flood disaster.

The next day, a heavy rain poured down. Lin Jiang and Cao Ying met at a pavilion on the mountaintop inside Zhonghang Sect. Lin Jiang took off his coat and used it to shield Cao Ying from the wind and rain because the pavilion offered little protection from the storm.

"Cao Ying, this rain is unusual. It has been pouring for half a day with no sign of stopping."

"Maybe it will stop tomorrow."

"It doesn’t look like it. We need to prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

"Move the disciples from low-lying areas, relocate supplies to higher ground, and gather medicinal herbs…"

Lin Jiang spoke, remembering the message Xia Qingshan left for him. Among the memories was a passing mention that after the complete disappearance of spiritual energy, there would be numerous natural disasters and human calamities, signaling the end of the world.

Now seeing such a terrifying storm, Lin Jiang remembered the story of Noah’s Ark. He felt very heavy-hearted. Even though these people had no connection to him, he could not bear to see them suffer. This was his most basic conscience as a human being.

"Let’s go, gather disciples."

Cao Ying gritted her teeth and immediately set out to gather disciples from various places. Many disciples of the Zhonghang Sect used to be at the Golden Core Period and Building Foundation Period. Although they had lost their cultivation, their physical strength was still stronger than ordinary people. By mortal standards, they were all considered experts among the ordinary people.

Braving the heavy rain, the two of them used their light skills to fly around the mountain gate, gathering disciples from place to place. They went to inform the disciples living in low-lying areas and bring along the supplies stored there.

"The rain is too heavy, Sect Leader, please go back quickly."

"Sect Leader, I can’t hold on any longer. The rain is too heavy, and the water level is rising."

"Sect Leader…"

Before long, the disciples following Cao Ying were complaining incessantly. They were soaked through, their footing was slippery. If not for their martial skills, they wouldn’t have been able to hold on at all.

"Focus on evacuating people, forget about the supplies, hurry."

Cao Ying realized something was wrong and quickly gave up supplies to save people.

Thousands of people worked hard all day, finally moving everyone living in low-lying areas to the top of the hill. Although most people still had nowhere to shelter from the rain, at least they were now safe.

Lin Jiang and Cao Ying returned to the main hall of the mountain gate, changed into clean clothes, used their inner power to dispel the cold, and urgently met with the current leaders of Zhonghang Sect.

"Leader, the heavy rain has been falling for nearly two days, and the flood disaster is inevitable. This year’s harvest is all ruined."

"Leader, we need to be cautious of the coming plague…"

All the selected senior leaders were capable individuals, offering suggestions to Cao Ying one by one, and Cao Ying responded to each of them.

The heavy rain lasted for a full seven days, causing devastating floods and huge losses to Zhonghang Sect. After the rain stopped, Cao Ying sent disciples to investigate in different directions. The reports they brought back made Cao Ying silent for a long time, as they saw countless bodies and severe damage downstream.

"Leader, things are not looking good. Some disaster victims are coming towards the mountain gate."

"What disaster victims? Those are also disciples of the sect."

"They are refugees…"

Soon, a new problem arose. Downstream was severely affected by the disaster, and many refugees sought shelter at the mountain gate. These people were either disciples of the Zhonghang Sect or their descendants. Some wanted to take in the refugees, while others opposed it.

Cao Ying was indecisive and asked Lin Jiang for advice.

"We should provide relief aid, but the resources should not be given for free. Let them work for it instead."

Lin Jiang decisively stated that the severe rainstorm had caused heavy losses to the Zhonghang Sect, and they needed to rebuild after the disaster. They truly needed labor, so they should let the refugees work in exchange for aid.

Cao Ying quickly agreed, allocated resources, mobilized disciples, and welcomed the refugees, allowing them to work in exchange for aid.

The news of the Zhonghang Sect offering work in exchange for aid quickly spread. More and more refugees flocked to the Zhonghang Sect’s mountain gate. The Zhonghang Sect’s reserves of resources were rapidly depleting. In desperation, Cao Ying had to send people to intercept refugees at major intersections; they could no longer accept more refugees, as they were struggling to survive themselves.

"What is that?"

"What is that?"

One evening, a few months later, Lin Jiang and Cao Ying suddenly heard a commotion outside. They quickly went out and followed the voices of the crowd. When they looked up, they saw meteors streaking across the sky towards the north.

"Meteor Shower"

Lin Jiang exclaimed. Oh no, that’s not a meteor shower, it’s a meteorite shower, the real end of the world has begun.