Chapter 5
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This chapter is edited by Farouq Omileye. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 5: A Master’s Growth
People are always in high spirits when happy events unfold.
On Qiongming Peak, Bai Lian congratulated her Shifu for taking a significant step forward in her relationship with her master. Meanwhile, Jue Yunzi was silently celebrating in the valley where the former Duxian sect leaders were buried.
“Master, we have slain the ancient demon. The East Divine Land will now enjoy a period of peace, and the Duxian sect can develop steadily,” he said, his voice full of joy.
Jue Yunzi laughed heartily. As he sat down, he raised a wine bottle towards the tombstone.
“Master, let’s drink!”
Ton Ton Ton—
Downing the spirit wine in one gulp, Jue Yunzi slammed the bottle onto the ground, his face flushing with excitement.
“But that’s a story for another day. Master, do you recall when I mentioned that Martial Sister An Lan has been behaving differently lately?”
Jue Yunzi’s thoughts wandered to the changes in An Lan over the past year.
“Hiss—”
He shook his head and took a deep breath.
This is absolutely incredible!
For a moment, he thought that An Lan’s body might have been possessed.
Jue Yunzi murmured to himself, “Martial Sister An Lan, who used to hide behind us and avoided involvement, not only refrains from causing trouble now but also stepped forward to kill the ancient demon at the last meeting.”
Such awareness was truly remarkable.
But when Jue Yunzi heard Gao Yi’s report, tears filled his eyes—unthinkable for a man who had lived for 500 years.
Could anyone believe that An Lan fought like a hero against the remnants of the Youming Ghost Clan?!
That day, in the deep, dark pit dug by the Youming Ghost Clan, An Lan acted decisively. When the two Taoist sects questioned why the leader of the Ghost Clan spared members of the Wushan Holy Palace, it was An Lan who first uncovered the leader’s disguise, breaking her spirit at a critical moment and ensuring she couldn’t flee.
Without An Lan’s intervention, it would have been impossible to eradicate the Ghost Clan’s lingering evils. As a result, even the Taixuan Taoist Sect granted the Blood Tree Patriarch free reign to celebrate.
Jue Yunzi clenched his fists.
“This is likely because Martial Sister An Lan has developed a strong sense of responsibility toward her disciples. She fears that the ancient demon might one day harm the Duxian sect!”
He smiled faintly. Taking responsibility was a sign of growth. He believed that as long as An Lan persisted, her cultivation base—which had stagnated for two centuries—would advance once more.
“I am grateful to Bai Lian,” Jue Yunzi said.
Who would have thought that in just four years, Bai Lian could transform An Lan from a “girl” into a “woman”? Perhaps this was the power of the Natural Saint, effortlessly identifying An Lan’s weaknesses.
“I feel it!”
Jue Yunzi stretched his arms wide, closed his eyes, and let the evening breeze wash over his face.
The starry sky was dim, but this was only temporary. Everything the Duxian sect had lost would be restored in Bai Lian’s generation.
Jue Yunzi’s greatest joy was witnessing the sect’s rejuvenation. Thinking of Bai Lian leading the sect filled him with clarity and peace. The spiritual energy flowing through his meridians surged, and in that moment, Jue Yunzi ascended into the sky.
By manipulating the laws of the small world, he merged with the subtle crevices of the Great Tao.
His eyes snapped open.
The Guafeng Disaster was coming!
Realizing the significance, Jue Yunzi sent a message to all of the Duxian sect’s top leaders.
Those who received the news immediately began their journey to Yunluo Peak. The sect leader was about to face the Guafeng Disaster—an event critical to the Duxian sect’s future.
On the path to Immortal Ascension, cultivators inevitably face three calamities: the Sky Thunder Disaster, the Yin Fire Disaster, and the Guafeng Disaster. Known collectively as the “three calamities,” these trials are perilous, with the Guafeng Disaster being particularly deadly.
Failure often leads to the destruction of one’s soul and body. Few, like Zhi He, manage to leave behind a fragment of their soul and reincarnate—she became Si Yunshang after failing her Guafeng Disaster. But such fortune is rare.
Successfully surviving the Guafeng Disaster marks the pinnacle of a cultivator’s strength in the small worlds. Upon reshaping their soul and body and reaching the Mahayana Stage, they can ascend to the Immortal World at will.
For the Duxian sect, Jue Yunzi was the first cultivator in a thousand years to face this trial. His success would not only elevate his own status but also solidify the sect’s position above the Biluo sect.
Thus, the elders convened in a lengthy meeting to determine the best time and place for Jue Yunzi’s trial.
As dawn broke, Jue Yunzi declared, “I will give my utmost effort to prepare for the Guafeng Disaster. Gao Yi will oversee the sect’s internal affairs in my absence.”
“Understood!”
Gao Yi solemnly accepted the leadership token. Though it was merely an iron plate, it felt as heavy as a mountain—a symbol of immense responsibility.
…
An Lan sat through the meeting, bored and restless.
Absentmindedly, she traced the word “Bai Lian” on the table with her fingers, suppressing a yawn. She realized recently that observing others’ expressions had its uses—at the very least, it allowed her to appear more dignified in front of Bai Lian.
When the meeting finally ended, she let out a sigh of relief and quickly left the room. Passing by Jue Yunzi, she stopped.
She could sense his tension, like a rusty machine barely functioning.
“…”
An Lan rolled her eyes.
“The Guafeng Disaster is simple. Why are you so nervous?”
She recalled her own trial.
Ah, yes.
She had shattered the thundercloud with a single punch, extinguished the Yin fire with one palm, and dispersed the Guafeng wind effortlessly. It hadn’t even made her break a sweat!
She glanced at Jue Yunzi.
He was different.
If everyone possessed her talent, the Immortal World would not have so few Heavenly Lords.
Clearing her throat, An Lan addressed him, “Sect Leader, there’s no need for such nerves.”
Jue Yunzi was stunned.
An Lan, comforting someone?
Forcing a smile, he replied, “You are right, Martial Sister An Lan.”
An Lan shook her head. “You are over 500 years old. Shouldn’t you be as calm as Bai Lian?”
“…”
Jue Yunzi opened his mouth but said nothing.
An Lan continued, “You broke through to the Transcendency Stage 200 years ago. After such a long time, even without external forces, your chances of success exceed 80%.”
“…”
Was she comforting him or scolding him?
An Lan added, “Rushing cultivation isn’t always better. Persistence is key.”
She clenched her fists within her long sleeves. Young cultivators often prioritized speed, neglecting their foundations.
“I’ll take my leave now,” An Lan said, waving a hand as she walked away.
Jue Yunzi smiled faintly.
Though Martial Sister An Lan had grown, she still had much to learn from Bai Lian.
…
Back at Qiongming Peak, An Lan initially planned to invite Bai Lian into her cave but hesitated, recalling last night’s incident.
Instead, she decided to visit Bai Lian’s room.
“Master?”
Bai Lian, arranging flowers, looked up in surprise.
An Lan stood by the wall adorned with paintings, her gaze lingering.
Her own painting hung at the top. Bai Lian truly was a dutiful disciple.
Turning to Bai Lian, she said, “I have something to tell you.”
Bai Lian straightened up. “Please, speak, Master.”
An Lan advised, “Don’t focus solely on cultivation. Avoid squandering your potential and risking your future.”
Bai Lian nodded politely but didn’t fully absorb the advice.
She couldn’t slow down.
How else could she help her Shifu ascend to the Immortal World?
An Lan smiled.
Yesterday had been an accident. Bai Lian still respected her as her master.
In time, the incident would fade into obscurity, and everything would return to normal.
An Lan said softly, “The second thing is that the sect leader will soon face his Guafeng Disaster. For now, Gao Yi is handling all internal affairs. You don’t need to worry, as long as you’re aware of it.”
What?
Hearing that Jue Yunzi was about to face his Guafeng Disaster, Bai Lian’s eyes flickered briefly with unease.
No way.
This wasn’t right. According to her memory, this event was supposed to happen two years later. Why was it suddenly happening ahead of schedule?
If Jue Yunzi’s Guafeng Disaster was indeed occurring prematurely, did that mean the hostile cultivator—an enemy of the former sect leader—would attempt to intervene this time?
Bai Lian was uncertain.
The game’s information was limited and biased. It left her with more questions than answers.
But none of that mattered now.
Regardless of whether the hostile cultivator appeared or not, it was always wise to prepare thoroughly for any possibility.
Bai Lian spoke firmly, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “We must take this matter seriously!”
An Lan waved her hand casually, her voice calm. “Don’t worry.”
To her, this was an adult’s problem—not something a child should concern themselves with.
Still, Bai Lian pressed on, feigning innocence. “Master, does our Duxian sect have any enemies?”
“Of course,” An Lan replied without hesitation.
“In that case,” Bai Lian said, her tone sharpening, “we need to be extra vigilant. If these enemies show up during the sect leader’s Guafeng Disaster, the consequences could be catastrophic.”
An Lan dismissed her concerns lightly. “All of that has already been taken into account.”
Bai Lian nodded in agreement, even though her mind was racing with plans of her own.
The most important thing now was ensuring that Shifu stayed within the sect during this crucial period. She could not let her leave.
If Shifu remains here, Bai Lian thought, then even if the four major sects attack together, the Duxian sect will remain safe.
Yes.
The solution was simple: she would frequently seek Shifu’s guidance under the pretense of encountering difficulties in her cultivation. That way, Shifu would have no time to leave the sect.
Wasting no time, Bai Lian declared earnestly, “Master, I’ve hit a bottleneck while cultivating the ‘Thousands of Flowers’ spell.”
An Lan raised her hand. “Put your hand out.”
“Yes.”
The peak of Qiongming was alive with the fragrance of blooming flowers—roses, lilies, apricot blossoms… a myriad of vibrant colors and intoxicating scents filled the air.
…
On the day of Jue Yunzi’s Guafeng Disaster, the cave where he prepared was still ablaze with an intense blue fire.
Amidst the flickering flames, the brightest one suddenly let out a sinister laugh.
“This is our chance!”