Chapter 408: Chapter 305: Journey to the Nine Islands, Cloud Dream Marsh!_2

"When virtue does not match one’s position, disaster is inevitable. As time has passed and circumstances changed, the sect’s grand competition has lost its fairness."

"From this day forward, the competition will be held within the Cyan Lotus Secret Realm. Whoever can pass through the secret realm and seize the top position shall be awarded a Core Formation Spirit Object!"

The resounding voice echoed throughout the Thousand Waves Sect.

The Cyan Lotus Secret Realm possesses the effects of an illusionary killing field. Many entering together primarily tests a cultivator’s comprehensive abilities. Compared to a simple one-on-one magical combat, this method introduces many variables and possibilities.

Master Shenyi then lowered his head again, his gaze sweeping across the Golden Core cultivators standing under the Gang Wind: "Endlessly practicing without making progress, weak in external battles, aren’t you ashamed?"

These words, placed in the past, would not make everyone feel too guilty.

But with Gu Yuan’s recent feat of striking down a mid-stage Golden Core right in front of them, everyone was suddenly left speechless, unable to respond.

"The Minghuang Secret Realm, though harsh, is an excellent place for training. From now on, each of you must spend twenty years in the secret realm every century!"

Master Shenyi, with eyes like lightning, glanced down at everyone, speaking coldly.

"We will faithfully follow the decree!"

The Golden Core cultivators exchanged looks and then all bowed their heads in compliance.

"Now, go back to your cultivation!"

With a wave of his wide sleeve, Master Shenyi dismissed the Golden Core cultivators, leaving them no choice but to depart.

For a moment, only Gu Yuan and another remained above the Gang Wind.

"Our sect, established for over six thousand years, hasn’t suppressed all regions. Instead, corruption has grown rampant, becoming increasingly bloated and impotent, making us a laughingstock to you, Junior Brother..."

Master Shenyi sighed softly, seeming somewhat fatigued.

"Senior Brother is wise and decisive, and the sect’s foundations are deep. Surely, we can weather the storm."

Gu Yuan looked at the azure waves beneath them, speaking with a smile.

"In truth, this matter is my fault."

"I suggested you switch sects for cultivation, predicting that the Zhang Clan would involve themselves, giving me just the reason I needed to deal with them."

"But I underestimated your methods, which were extraordinary enough that you didn’t need my intervention to break free from confinement, defeating three Golden Cores in succession!"

"In our cultivation path, indeed, we must advance with courage and resolve. As for those Golden Core families, they are of no benefit!"

After saying this, Master Shenyi looked at Gu Yuan with both admiration and curiosity.

Could the Cyan Peak Daoist School actually cultivate such disciples?

Is this the depth of the Celestial Palace?

And Gu Yuan, at this moment, finally understood the strange behavior of the Thousand Waves Sect earlier.

It was actually Master Shenyi conducting a ’sting operation.’

To this, he could only sigh, "Why bother going through so much trouble for a mere Zhang Clan, Senior Brother? It’s hard to guard against insidious hearts that way!"

"Junior Brother speaks reason; however, the Zhang Family’s ancestors once rendered great service to our Thousand Waves Sect, boasting four Golden Cores. Even if they are foolish now, an opportunity must be awaited to shut the mouths of critics, or else how would any Golden Core dare to serve henceforth?"

Their different positions led to natural differences in their thinking.

Master Shenyi always knew the Zhang Family was greedy, cowardly in foreign battles, and tyrannized within the sect; however, such noble families hold a certain ’immunity’ within the sect context.

It wouldn’t do to suppress several Golden Core cultivators just over minor transgressions, forcibly weakening the noble family.

Such actions would inevitably disrupt people’s hearts.

Yet if this continues in the long run, it will surely lead to major turmoil.

Therefore, Master Shenyi allowed them to loosen their reins, hoping they would quickly reach the point of inciting ’divine wrath and popular indignation,’ then cut them off decisively.

Gu Yuan was the final piece of his plan.

However, Gu Yuan didn’t write back to the sect, stirring trouble between two sects and angering many Golden Cores at the Cyan Peak Daoist School.

Instead, through his own formidable power, he directly shattered the Zhang Family’s plot.

Thus, Master Shenyi did not need to personally intervene on the pretense of "quelling the Cyan Peak Daoist School’s anger" and "stabilizing the grand scheme between the two sects."

Gu Yuan himself went to the Zhang Family’s Biyun Hall to demand justice.

Upon realizing this, Master Shenyi adjusted his plan and went along with the flow, gifting the core sect array talisman to enable Gu Yuan to act smoothly.

"I’ve wronged you this time, Junior Brother, but the matter of switching sects for cultivation is not a joke. I hope you will not be upset."

With these words, Master Shenyi performed a reverent prostration toward Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan could only return the gesture.

"From today on, the Scripture Hall of our Thousand Waves Sect will be open to you, Junior Brother, allowing you freely to choose cultivation techniques."

"I also can take the liberty to permit that all the Dharma Seals you are practicing can be taught to one other person!"

Master Shenyi smiled and promised further.

"Earlier, within my Command Sword, you surely noticed the pill recipe for the True Law Form Intention Pill. This is my gift to you as an apology. This pill is a unique secret pill of our Thousand Waves Sect, designed to help early-stage Golden Core cultivators grasp the true essence of their techniques, immediately breaking through to mid-stage Golden Core, with a slight boost even for later stage breakthroughs."

"The spiritual materials within this recipe are precious, and our Thousand Waves Sect doesn’t have much surplus, otherwise, I would certainly present you a portion. But you can use this recipe as a trade item to transact once with the various alchemists in the East Mountain Realm."

"The value of this recipe is beyond measure, and it will surely not disappoint you!"

"Besides, do you happen to know the location depicted on the map on that piece of beast hide?"

Master Shenyi mentioned the items granted through the Command Sword with a smile.

"Could it be... the Sword Dao Travelogue?!"

When Gu Yuan had first obtained the map, he was somewhat puzzled. But upon Master Shenyi’s prompt, he suddenly came to a realization.

"Junior Brother is indeed clever!"

Master Shenyi laughed heartily.

"In the Scripture Pavilion, countless opportunities over thousands of years have long been exhausted."

"Only this Sword Dao Travelogue remains enigmatic, challenging to comprehend unless one’s sword light has reached a particular level, making it difficult to decipher."

"Throughout my years of cultivation, though I’m not a great master of the Sword Dao, I have practiced some Sword Seal techniques. Over a hundred years ago, I noticed something peculiar about this travelogue, initially planning to conceal this opportunity within, waiting for an outstanding disciple within the sect to unravel it, then bestow it upon them."

"But I didn’t expect, Junior Brother, that with your unparalleled talent, you’d comprehend it within a single day at the hall, deriving an array out of this insight. Since this is the case, then it is bestowed unto you!"

"Retrieve that map!"

Master Shenyi smilingly asked Gu Yuan.

Without hesitation, Gu Yuan waved his sleeve, and the dusky beast hide dropped before Master Shenyi.

"What this travelogue actually records is not a nation of the human race."

"About one hundred thousand miles from here lies a Great Marsh known as Cloud Dream Marsh."

"This marsh is vast beyond measure, connecting heaven and earth, the largest water body in the East Mountain Realm, surpassing the scope of our Thousand Waves Sect immensely. It harbors countless Loose Cultivators, Demon Races, and Spirit Monsters, along with endless heavenly materials and earthly treasures."

"Within this vast marsh lie nine Demon Islands, each hosting a Sword Order. Should you gather all nine Sword Orders, it will unlock the Realm of Yin Yang, revealing the final Chapter of this sword technique."

Master Shenyi chanted enchantments, and the dusky beast hide moved on its own without wind, revealing nine radiant points of varying colors, eventually sketching a complete map.

In the map’s center, a point where Yin and Yang converged flickered continuously.

"Is it this troublesome? Just what grade is this sword technique?"

Gu Yuan, hearing this, asked curiously.

Could it be some supreme and ultimate Sword Seal?

Upon hearing this, Master Shenyi couldn’t help but laugh heartily: "Haha, Junior Brother Gu, the path of the sword is quite distinct. This seal is not the ultimate, but if you manage to traverse the Nine Islands and enter the Secret Realm, it will greatly benefit your life-long Sword Dao cultivation—becoming a Sword Dao Grandmaster might not be beyond reach!"

A Sword Dao Grandmaster?

Gu Yuan’s heart stirred.

That is the pinnacle title for one who can create their own Sword Seals, reaching the utmost limits of sword techniques.

Is this travelogue opportunity truly so remarkable?

"Whether so or not, make the journey and you’ll understand!"

"If you’re unwilling to venture the Great Marsh, I shall reclaim this map for the destined to come, and offer compensation to you by another means!"

Master Shenyi cheerfully said.

"Since it is a gift from Senior Brother, how could I dare refuse?!"

With these words, Gu Yuan slightly smiled, no longer hesitating, and collected the beast map!

"The Cloud Dream Marsh is vast and boundless; Junior Brother, do not rush to venture there and feel free to cultivate within my Thousand Waves Sect for a while."

"You may choose any Dharma Seal you like; for required spiritual materials, feel free to visit the treasury. Whatever we have, I can decide to gift it to you!"

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