Chapter 221
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Chapter 221: The Heavenly Sword Sect of a Thousand Years Ago
“The true secret of the Heavenly Sword Sect?”
Ye Yun’s eyes lit up, but a trace of doubt flickered across his face. This elder, whom he called the Ancestor of the Sword Path, had split his soul into three fragments, losing most of his memories. Could he truly know the Heavenly Sword Sect’s secret? Moreover, the sect had existed for over a thousand years yet never been mentioned as a powerhouse capable of shaking the Great Qin Empire. In all the sect’s records, Ye Yun had never even seen the words “Great Qin Empire” written.
“Of course! Do you think the Heavenly Sword Sect was some minor sect?” The Ancestor of the Sword Path snorted, seemingly sensing Ye Yun’s skepticism.
Ye Yun chuckled. “Can you blame me? The sect’s records never mention venturing beyond the Jin Kingdom. I only recently learned of the Great Qin Empire’s existence—how was I to know the world stretched beyond our borders?”
“The Heavenly Sword Sect has declined through the ages. In its prime, it dared challenge the Eight Major Sects! But fate turned against it, forcing it to retreat to the Great Qin Empire. Even then, it stirred storms few could imagine. Yet now, after a millennium, it hides in this tiny Jin Kingdom… Unthinkable.” The Ancestor’s voice dripped with melancholy.
“The Eight Major Sects?” Ye Yun latched onto the term.
“Indeed. The Eight Major Sects—humanity’s strongest factions, existing since ancient times. They stood as pillars during the Battle of Immortals and Demons ten thousand years ago, their power immeasurable,” the Ancestor explained.
Ye Yun’s eyes widened. “What cultivation levels did their members reach? Were Nascent Soul stage experts common?”
“Nascent Soul?” The Ancestor scoffed. “You small-minded fools treat it as the pinnacle, but it’s nothing! At the Nascent Soul stage’s peak, cultivators face a heavenly tribulation—a trial where ninety-nine out of a hundred perish. The lone survivor ascends to the Earth Immortal realm, becoming a grounded deity, still far from true immortality.”
A spark ignited in Ye Yun’s gaze. So beyond Nascent Soul lay the Earth Immortal realm—a realm never recorded in the sect’s texts.
“And above Earth Immortal?” Ye Yun pressed.
“The Heavenly Tribulation Realm.” The Ancestor’s voice turned solemn. “Each breakthrough here invites catastrophic trials. Only by surviving these can one glimpse the Ascension Stage—the final step before shattering the void to become a true immortal.”
Ye Yun stood stunned. This revelation shattered his worldview. The sect’s ancient texts claimed Nascent Soul as the peak, yet here was proof of vaster horizons. Even the Jin Kingdom was but a speck in this grand cosmos.
“What of the Eight Major Sects’ leaders?” Ye Yun’s voice quivered with ambition.
“At least Heavenly Tribulation Realm’s peak—a hair’s breadth from ascension. Such figures could topple empires with a flick of their sleeves.”
“When will I reach such heights…” Ye Yun murmured.
The Ancestor barked a laugh. “Fool! Focus on Foundation Establishment first. Refine your core until the pill breaks and the Nascent Soul forms. Only then dare you seek my second soul fragment in the Jiaoyue Dynasty’s capital.”
Ye Yun grinned. “I’m merely at the second stage of Qi refining. Reaching Nascent Soul might take a century without heaven’s favor.”
“Nonsense! With my guidance, Nascent Soul is trivial. Those ‘favored by heaven’ reach Earth Immortal effortlessly, but true ascension requires more than luck. Yet your strength already surpasses Qi refining’s pinnacle—a rare talent indeed.”
After a pause, Ye Yun circled back. “You still haven’t revealed the sect’s secret.”
The Ancestor hesitated. “The sect thrived in the Great Qin Empire. Only overwhelming strength justifies the name ‘Heavenly Sword’—a blade rivaling the heavens themselves!”
“Their strongest cultivator?”
“Heavenly Tribulation Realm! Close to the Eight Sects’ leaders—a true hegemon.”
“Then why no records? Why retreat here?”
“Rebellion.” The word fell like a guillotine. “At our zenith, two factions emerged. One knelt to the Moon Goddess Palace; the other sought to replace it. The conservatives, backed by the Palace, slaughtered the rebels. Only Golden Core survivors escaped here, spared by lingering brotherhood.”
“That’s the secret?”
“No.” The Ancestor’s voice boomed. “The rebels left a treasure trove in the Great Qin Empire—Cultivation Techniques, spirit pills, Immortal artifacts! All await the destined heir!”
