Chapter 369

Chapter 369: The Five-Year Deadline

A simple incense burner rose with curling green smoke in front of the dao observatory.

The green smoke ascended vertically, transforming into images of mystical cranes, divine phoenixes, unicorns, and azure dragons. As Li Hui inhaled a whiff of the sweet fragrance, he felt his thoughts drift away with the wind, memories of past joys and sorrows flooding his mind—bloodshed, perseverance—all ultimately flowing into his heart as profound insights.

Guang Jin thought, “My goodness! The legendary Dao Enlightenment Mystic Incense! The Jin Tian Sect is extraordinary. If only I could get some ash from that incense burner, it would instantly bring me back to the Bosa stage and also lessen Yao’er’s transformation tribulation.”

In this solemn moment, Li Hui was far too preoccupied to respond.

More disciples arrived, reaching a total of three hundred sixty. They rang the bronze bell once more, and a booming voice echoed from within the dao observatory: “Our Jin Tian Sect has no extravagant formalities. Please, sit down on the ground.”

Chuchu and Ruan Xingxing gracefully sat down, and the other practitioners followed suit, all eyes focused on the observatory.

“Children, calamities come every year, and this year seems particularly numerous. It seems that those from the evil and demonic sects can’t stand still without creating chaos,” the Old Daoist said. Hearing this, Ruan Xingxing burst into laughter, “Old Daoist Xuan Zhen, if you’ve got something to say, spit it out quickly! I’ve been so busy lately.”

Li Hui found the old daoist amusing, but he also felt it inappropriate to laugh at a serious moment. As for Ruan Xingxing, her boldness in calling out the Daoist’s title surprised him, making him secretly remark, “She’s even wilder than Chu Chu!”

“Hey! It’s you again, wild girl, laughing out of turn every time; yet there’s some sincerity in you.” An old daoist, scruffy and unkempt, sat on a high chair, easily visible over the incense burner. His robe had holes from moths, which he paid no mind to, and he scratched his back with the handle of his whisk while admonishing Ruan Xingxing.

Entering the main gate, Li Hui would never have imagined such a scene. As the number one sect of the Wutu Continent, there were no gold-adorned palaces, no Yaochi peaches, and not even a lot of spiritual plants—just a low hill and a shabby dao observatory that barely sheltered against the wind and rain.

No question, the old daoist was the sect leader of the Jin Tian Sect. However, that was merely an outside title; disciples addressed him as the Master of the observatory or simply as Old Daoist Xuan Zhen.

Of course, only a few, including Ruan Xingxing, dared to call him by his name. Out of respect, others, including Chuchu, referred to him as Master of the observatory.

“Ha! You kids are always in such a hurry, never taking the time to appreciate being back,” the old daoist chuckled nonchalantly. “Fine, to keep it brief, after much effort from our true disciples and the strong support of two elders, we can now bask in the sun for half the month. However, the other half will be engulfed in darkness, with dark energy increasing, and ghosts growing even more rampageous.”

“Er, in summary, none of this is an issue!” The old daoist patted his robe and continued, “I called you back for something more important! The dark court is becoming increasingly difficult for the Great Xia royal court to suppress the demon lair. It’s raining even more heavily on a leaking roof, and Zhuang Mountain isn’t quiet either. The Ghost Emperor Zhao Yuxi, who previously established a dark court, hasn’t completely perished. Ever since the appearance of the dark moon, he has begun to stir trouble. Now, listen closely!”

Li Hui found the old daoist’s speech entertaining yet exasperating.

“Children, people from other continents have arrived,” the old daoist continued, shaking his robe sleeve and holding his whisk. “Jia Yi in the eastern wood, Bing Ding in the southern fire, Wu Ji in the central earth, Geng Xin in the western metal, Ren Gui in the northern water, plus the distant Nine Maangs, the mysterious Extreme Huans, and the long-vanished Heavenly Realm. This is what is currently known in the cultivation world. The eastern Jia Mu Continent and the southern Ding Fire Continent have sent messages…”

Oh great, you’re panting again. Just say it already!

The old daoist slowly surveyed the group and said, “Jia Mu and Ding Fire Continents have also been experiencing the dark moon phenomenon—it’s even more terrifying than our Wutu. Who knows about the conditions in other continents? According to the estimates of the elders, the dark moon is related to the Heavenly Realm, possibly stemming from a great calamity there. Disciples must prepare in advance for an even larger disaster on the horizon. Remember, you have only five years. Within these five years, the main gate will no longer accept new disciples. In the end, the three hundred sixty remaining will all be true disciples. Elder Hongmeng will distribute treasures on Baoyan Peak to help you face the tribulations!”

“Wow…” The disciples gasped in surprise.

Chuchu took a moment to process this and transmitted to Li Hui, “Baoyan Peak is where our Jin Tian Sect stores its treasures. It doesn’t keep regular treasures; they are all spirit treasures with cave traits. Legend says there are ultimate treasures, and even other valuables have considerable levels, unmatched in the world!”

Ruan Xingxing suddenly turned around and said, “You silly girl, do you think those old tightwads will really open up Baoyan Peak? This disaster can’t be small, so you’d better find a man to marry! At least you can experience being a woman before you fall!”

“Senior Sister, do you think you’ll have a son? What if I give birth to a daughter?”

“Uh? You’re right. I just thought it was a loss. Now, I feel like I’ve gained. If my son is born amid the great calamity, wouldn’t such a tiny baby be so vulnerable? If Mother fell, who would take care of them?”

“Do you think you’ll have a son? I think daughters are cuter.”

“I like boys; they’re lively and mischievous. If I have a daughter, should I abort it or let it be born?”

Li Hui felt dizzy, thinking he was completely disconnected from these two crazy women. You couldn’t find such characters across all of Daxia, yet here in Jin Tian Sect, there were two of them.

“Alright, off you go to do what you need to do! By the way, anyone who goes to the demon lair or Zhuang Mountain to kill malevolent ghosts will receive triple accomplishments,” the old daoist waved his whisk and vanished.

Was that an offhand comment? For the sake of triple accomplishments, most disciples would rush over there. However, Chuchu didn’t care; she took out the exquisite treasure tower, unleashing strong ghosts that couldn’t be extinguished with time. Once that was dealt with, she grabbed Li Hui and hurried away.

“Wait, aren’t we going to Zhuang Mountain together?” Ruan Xingxing asked, glaring.

“Busy! I’ve got things to do.”

“Ha! Little Sister is so playful. I took a quick look, and your accomplishments have skyrocketed recently—it must be related to this guy!” Her laughter was coarse, and her voice grating, making it hard to imagine such words coming from such a pretty girl.

“Senior Sister, stop with the nonsense! Are you going to Zhuang Mountain with us, or will you choose for yourself?” Chuchu pulled Li Hui as they sped off, and the other practitioners hurriedly followed, fearing that if they were a moment late, they wouldn’t become one of the three hundred sixty true disciples.

“Are you testing me?” Ruan Xingxing stomped her foot.

“Senior Sister Chuchu, do you know a disciple named Su Qing’er?” Li Hui felt frustrated! He hadn’t even had a good look around the main gate, and here they were dragging him along.

“Oh! Who cares about her? Accumulating accomplishments is more important. If you enter the sect, you’ll meet her sooner or later.” Chuchu ran off quickly, seemingly trying to avoid Ruan Xingxing, but the wild girl stubbornly followed, her laughter echoing behind them!