Chapter 197 – Gathering Immortal Bell Rings, Hundred Ships Race, Ancient Moon Grotto, Void…

One year and three months later, at Azure Cloud Sect’s Danyang Peak.

“Master…”

Lu Chen arrived at the cave where his master, Spirit Fire Daoist Jing Gong, resided.

At this moment, Spirit Fire Daoist Jing Gong had already been waiting for him for a long time.

Upon seeing Lu Chen appear, Spirit Fire Daoist Jing Gong said seriously, “Little Lu, are you prepared?”

Hearing these words, Lu Chen calmly nodded.

As for what this preparation entailed, it went without saying.

Naturally, it was for the upcoming True Immortal Trial.

Although there were still three months until the True Immortal Trial began, no one would wait until it officially started to depart.

It was customary to set out some time in advance.

Though Lu Chen said nothing, Jing Gong, observing his cultivation at the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage, knew that he had been diligently secluding himself in closed-door cultivation over the years, with remarkable results.

After all, the last time Lu Chen broke through, he immediately went to the Great Yan Dynasty.

At that time, Jing Gong had felt that Lu Chen was somewhat impatient, not waiting for his cultivation to fully stabilize before seeking revenge on his ‘enemies.’

But now, it seemed that Lu Chen’s urgency back then might have been related to the peculiar nature of those ‘Immortal Fiends.’

Thinking of this, Jing Gong spoke, “Today, I called you here for two reasons. First, with the True Immortal Trial approaching, I was worried you might miss the timing, so I asked you to end your closed-door cultivation early.”

“Second, regarding the Giant Spirit Gate you mentioned last time… we have some findings.”

Indeed, after Lu Chen’s previous reminder, Sect Leader Gu Liqing had discreetly sent people to investigate the Giant Spirit Gate in the Eastern Divine Continent.

Although those sent were unable to enter the Giant Spirit Gate and investigate the sect’s complete situation, walls have ears.

Though the Azure Cloud Sect had only dispatched some of its subordinate forces, these forces each had their own specialties.

For instance, the Azure Cloud Sect had an organization in the mortal world specifically for gathering intelligence, called the Misty Rain Pavilion.

The cultivators in Misty Rain Pavilion were generally composed of those who had failed the Azure Cloud Sect’s entrance examinations or other former Azure Cloud Sect disciples with ordinary aptitude.

Though their strength was average, they were first-rate experts when it came to intelligence gathering.

Through Misty Rain Pavilion’s investigations, the Azure Cloud Sect had learned that the current Giant Spirit Gate seemed to have undergone significant changes.

Not only had the atmosphere within the sect become highly peculiar, but many of the original Giant Spirit Gate cultivators had been replaced.

For a sect, this was undoubtedly very strange.

After all, cultivating a single cultivator often took decades.

Even a sect like the Azure Cloud Sect would not casually put its disciples in danger.

Yet the Giant Spirit Gate had managed to replace so many disciples in such a short time, which was undoubtedly abnormal.

At this point, the investigation was sufficient.

To avoid alerting the enemy, Sect Leader Gu Liqing did not allow Misty Rain Pavilion’s agents to continue probing the Giant Spirit Gate’s situation and instead recalled them.

After hearing all this, Lu Chen asked, “What does the Sect Leader plan to do?”

Jing Gong did not answer directly but instead asked, “What do you want to do?”

Lu Chen thought for a moment and said without hesitation, “Lure the snake out of its hole and expose it to the public.”

“Sect Leader Senior Brother said the same thing.”

The two looked at each other, both understanding the other’s thoughts.

Although it would not be difficult for the current Azure Cloud Sect to annihilate the Giant Spirit Gate…However, making all the Central Province Sects take the Immortal Fiends seriously is extremely difficult.

Because fundamentally, the current Immortal Fiends aren’t much different from ordinary Demonic Path sects.

Take the current Giant Spirit Gate for example – if the Azure Cloud Sect simply dispatched a few Nascent Soul Stage Elders, that would be enough to eradicate them from top to bottom.

And within the Azure Cloud Sect, there are at least over ten Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

If we count those traveling abroad and some old Nascent Soul Stage cultivators who have been in seclusion for centuries, this number might even double.

Even if other top ten sects in Central Province don’t have as terrifying foundation as Azure Cloud Sect, they can still produce several Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

Facing such circumstances, in the eyes of most sects, a mere Giant Spirit Gate is nothing but a wild dog that can bite – not difficult to kill at all.

After all, they don’t know the true nature of the Immortal Fiends, so naturally they cannot understand their threat.

The only solution is to capture a few Immortal Fiends alive and thoroughly expose them before all sects on some important occasion. Only then can other sects recognize their importance.

And what kind of occasion would gather the attention of all sects while ensuring the Immortal Fiends’ inevitable appearance?

Undoubtedly, it’s the upcoming True Immortal Trial.

Jing Gong stood up and revealed their plan: “Regarding the Giant Spirit Gate matter, the Sect Leader plans to take action personally to see if he can capture an Immortal Fiend above Nascent Soul Stage.”

“And his target is set on the Giant Spirit Gate in Eastern Divine Continent.”

“Sect Leader Senior Brother’s thinking is that while this True Immortal Trial attracts most sects from across the land, it will also temporarily reduce their attention to other Divine Continents.”

“This applies not only to us, but also to those Immortal Fiends you mentioned.”

“They would never expect us to strike at them at this moment, allowing us to catch them off guard.”

“However, Sect Leader Senior Brother also said we must always prepare for the worst scenario.”

“Although we have encountered the Immortal Fiends you described and understand their danger, we cannot guarantee other sects won’t have different opinions.”

“Therefore, he must prepare for the pressure we’ll face if we cannot prove Giant Spirit Gate is an external force.”

“If such situation truly occurs, we must have corresponding countermeasures.”

“You don’t need to worry about what these countermeasures are – it’s temporarily unrelated to you. Just focus on dealing with this True Immortal Trial.”

“Actually, we’ve considered taking action against those Immortal Fiends during the True Immortal Trial, but compared to those small fish participating in the trial, capturing the big fish at Giant Spirit Gate is more crucial.”

“That said, if suitable opportunities arise, don’t hesitate to find ways to capture them alive.”

“I believe you have such capability, Little Lu.”

“And to ensure our information doesn’t leak, thus giving those Immortal Fiends time to prepare, currently within our sect, only you, me, and Sect Leader Senior Brother know about the Immortal Fiends’ situation.”

“Do you have anything to add?”

Regarding Sect Leader Gu Liqing’s arrangements, Lu Chen felt that even if he were in charge, the outcome would be similar – seize the main contradiction while temporarily letting go of secondary contradictions.Wanting to have both fish and bear’s paw often results in gaining neither.

Therefore, seizing the Nascent Soul Stage Immortal Fiends within the Giant Spirit Gate while temporarily letting go of the minor Immortal Fiends in the True Immortal Trial.

Lu Chen felt Gu Liqing’s plan was sound.

Of course, this temporary leniency toward the minor Immortal Fiends only applied before entering the True Immortal Trial.

Once inside the True Immortal Trial…

For a trial that only allowed Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators to participate, Lu Chen could practically roam unimpeded within it.

Even if there were other sect prodigies among this year’s True Immortal Trial participants…

These prodigies posed no real challenge to his current self.

Lu Chen undoubtedly belonged to a category of his own.

He could openly execute those Immortal Fiends who had secretly infiltrated the True Immortal Trial right before these prodigies’ eyes.

After all, Lu Chen had learned from Gu Liqing that the True Immortal Trial’s suppression of cultivators operated at the level of ‘Dao’.

Apart from some secret techniques and special Divine Abilities, items like Deity Transformation Talismans or Fourth Realm Dao Artifacts couldn’t be used within the True Immortal Trial.

Otherwise, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator wielding Nascent Soul or Deity Transformation Talismans could dominate the entire trial.

This would defeat the purpose of the trial itself.

As for how to detect the Immortal Fiends hiding within the True Immortal Trial – this naturally relied on his Classic of Mountains and Seas Mythical Beast… Diting.

With Diting present, even if the Immortal Fiends could conceal their auras, they couldn’t hide their distorted hearts.

One could say that once encountered by Diting, these Immortal Fiends would have nowhere to hide.

While all sects’ attention was focused on the True Immortal Trial, seizing the high-ranking Immortal Fiends within the Giant Spirit Gate.

This formed the core of Azure Cloud Sect’s current strategy.

Though seemingly simple, sometimes the simplest plans are most likely to succeed.

The Great Dao returns to simplicity – nothing more need be said.

“Alright, you needn’t worry too much about the Immortal Fiends. If the sky falls, taller people will hold it up – we’ll properly entertain these extraterrestrial guests.”

“For now, just focus on the True Immortal Trial. Take this and keep it safe.”

As he spoke, Jing Gong gave Lu Chen a special Third Realm Magic Treasure.

[Name: Icesilk Robe]

[Quality: Third Realm Spiritual Treasure]

[Effect 1·Dustless: Automatically removes dust, bloodstains, etc. from the robe]

[Effect 2·Spiritual Light: Activates the robe’s spiritual glow to form a special spiritual shield, partially offsetting spell and Divine Ability damage]

[Special Effect·Ice Condensation: Condenses millennium profound ice, freezing all objects within one kilometer]

“I’ve observed carefully – ordinary Spiritual Treasures offer you limited benefits, but protective robes serve you well. This should provide significant assistance in your True Immortal Trial.”

“Additionally, I’ve asked Senior Sister to refine various Elixirs for you. Although the ‘True Immortal Domain’ in the trial restricts usage to below Fourth Realm Elixirs, even among Elixirs there are quality differences.”

“Senior Sister refined perfect quality Third Realm Elixirs for you. With these, as long as you still draw breath, they can pull you back from death’s door.”

“You might find me tedious, but I must say this: never push yourself too hard. When facing danger, strategic retreat is the best policy.”

“With the sect behind you, unless they’re Immortals wandering the Mortal World, we can always reclaim your honor.””So remember, running away isn’t shameful – dying is, understand?”

Seeing Jing Gong’s serious expression, Lu Chen nodded earnestly.

“Alright, head to the Main Peak now. Many of our sect’s True Disciples are already waiting there.”

“In three days, you’ll accompany them to the Ancient Moon Grotto.”

“Yes.”

After bidding farewell to Jing Gong, Lu Chen set off for the Azure Cloud Main Peak.

Three months later, at West Sea Pass in the southwest of Central Province.

West Sea Pass was a port city located near the Drunken Cloud Sea west of Central Province.

This sea area was called Drunken Cloud Sea mainly because of the True Immortal Secret Realm that appeared here every century… the Ancient Moon Grotto.

Legend had it that the master of Ancient Moon Grotto, Gu Yue True Immortal, was someone who loved alcohol as much as life itself.

The Ancient Moon Grotto’s predecessor was merely a ‘wine cellar’ left behind by Gu Yue True Immortal in the mortal world.

But for some unknown reason, this wine cellar was later transformed by Gu Yue True Immortal into a trial ground specifically designed to test Legacy inheritors.

Even so, over years of accumulation, those immortal wines still had significant effects on the surrounding sea area.

One of the main effects was that every time the Ancient Moon Grotto opened, patches of ‘drunken clouds’ would appear over the western sea.

Not to mention mortals, even Cultivators would find it difficult to resist the astonishing ‘drunkenness’ when entering these drunken clouds.

During each True Immortal Trial, many Cultivators would fall from the sky into the sea due to ‘drunkenness’.

Those with good luck would be washed by waves to the nearest islands or shores.

Those unlucky would become nourishment for the sea Yao Beasts.

However, as Central Province Cultivators studied the Ancient Moon Grotto more extensively, the current ‘drunken clouds’ only affected Rogue Cultivators who came to Central Province for the first time and were unaware of them.

The Central Province Sects each had their own methods to resist the drunken clouds.

As the True Immortal Trial approached, West Sea Pass, once an ordinary mortal city, now gathered numerous practitioners.

Including a pair of Rogue Cultivators who had come from Southern Divine Continent.

“Master, look at the sky!”

In a tavern at West Sea Pass, a plain-looking youth dressed simply couldn’t help but exclaim while looking at the massive Celestial Ark appearing overhead.

It was a hundred-meter Nine Luminaries Celestial Ark, appearing from afar like a great mountain looming over everyone.

Such scenes were rarely encountered in Southern Divine Continent, known as the cultivation wasteland.

The old man beside the youth looked up while chewing on a chicken leg.

When he saw the sect flag hanging from the Celestial Ark, the old man narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Spirit Sound Valley, I didn’t expect them to come too.”

Hearing the old man’s words, the youth named Ye Hao couldn’t help asking: “Master, is this Spirit Sound Valley very powerful?”

“Powerful?”

The old man seemed to recall something amusing and sneered: “Xiao Hao, if Spirit Sound Valley were in Southern Divine Continent, they would indeed be considered powerful.”

“But placed in Central Divine Continent, they’re merely decent.”

“The entire Spirit Sound Valley has only about five Nascent Soul Stage cultivators and just over ten Golden Core Stage cultivators.”

“It’s only because their Deity Transformation ancestor still survives, plus the fact that Spirit Sound Valley consists entirely of female cultivators who maintain good relations with several other sects, that they haven’t been kicked out of Central Province’s top ten rankings yet.”

“Ah?”Upon hearing that Spirit Sound Valley, which had a Deity Transformation cultivator and multiple Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, was actually about to be pushed out of the Central Province’s top ten sects, Ye Hao was shocked.

After all, in his view, let alone Deity Transformation cultivators, even Golden Core Stage cultivators were already lofty existences beyond his reach.

Because his master Mohe Daoist Fang Mo, whose strength seemed unfathomable to him, claimed to be merely at the Golden Core Stage.

By comparison, cultivators like Fang Mo numbered over a dozen in Spirit Sound Valley.

He had no idea where his master got such audacity, speaking of Spirit Sound Valley with utter disdain as if looking down on them.

Thinking this, Ye Hao couldn’t help but say: “Master, you’re just a Golden Core Stage cultivator. How can you look down on a sect with a Deity Transformation patriarch? Are you at the Deity Transformation Stage?”

Hearing Ye Hao’s words, the old man’s face darkened. Just as he was about to speak, a colossal shadow blotted out the sky above West Sea Pass.

It was a massive Celestial Ark, fully ten times larger than Spirit Sound Valley’s Celestial Ark, appearing like a moving island.

Not only that, but this Celestial Ark was surrounded by five smaller ones.

Though called “small,” this was only in comparison to the enormous central ark.

Seeing this ark, the old man’s expression turned extremely solemn.

Meanwhile, Ye Hao beside him was completely dumbstruck.

He had never seen such an island-like giant Celestial Ark and was utterly awestruck.

“Xiao Hao, listen carefully,” the old man said. “After you enter the True Immortal Trial, if you encounter problems you cannot solve, seek out the disciples on this Celestial Ark.”

“Ah? Master, didn’t you say Central Province cultivators are not only highly skilled but also increasingly scheming, and warned me not to trust disciples from major sects easily?”

Fang Mo replied expressionlessly: “Though I hate to admit it, this sect’s disciples are different from others.”

“Do you remember what I told you?”

Ye Hao nodded: “I remember. ‘Stay close to true villains, keep away from hypocrites.'”

“True villains are dangerous, but their danger is written on their faces, making them easy to guard against.”

“Hypocrites appear safe, but their danger is hidden in their hearts, making them impossible to defend against.”

“Correct, but there’s one more thing I haven’t told you.”

Hearing this, Ye Hao asked curiously: “What is it?”

“True gentlemen.”

“True gentlemen?”

Fang Mo looked up at the Celestial Ark flying the Azure Cloud Sect’s banner, his tone complex: “Generally speaking, those who cultivate to the Golden Core Stage are either true villains or hypocrites, but this sect is an exception.”

“Most of their members… are true gentlemen.”

“Because they’ve reached a level where they can ignore most rules and simply be themselves.”

“Azure Cloud Sect – this is Central Province’s undisputed number one sect.”

“It’s also the only sect that values a cultivator’s Heart-Nature more than their Aptitude.”

“They select disciples first by Heart-Nature, then by Aptitude.”

“If one’s Heart-Nature doesn’t meet standards, no matter how good their Aptitude, they won’t be accepted.”

“And because of this, all formal disciples of this sect are generally outstanding in Heart-Nature, with few who commit crimes.”

“Occasionally, some might stray from the path due to special circumstances, but no matter how high their cultivation or how great their Aptitude, the sect never tolerates it.””Initially, some questioned whether they were merely putting on a show, but when something has been upheld for over ten thousand years, the notion of it being a performance becomes irrelevant.”

“Actions speak louder than intentions, for no one is flawless in motive. Through ten millennia of perseverance, the Azure Cloud Sect has solidified its position as the foremost leader in the Central Province.”

“Thus, if you encounter danger during the True Immortal Trial, try to seek help from members of the Azure Cloud Sect.”

“Within their capabilities, they generally won’t refuse, unless you yourself are tainted by wrongdoing.”

Hearing this, Ye Hao seemed to recall something and instinctively asked, “But what if they cause trouble for me?”

After a moment of silence, Fang Mo replied, “Then I’d have no choice but to sever ties with you, as if I never had you as a disciple. After all, if you provoked any other sect, your other masters and I might find a way to protect you. But if you offend them, there’s truly nothing to be done.”

“Also, remember, aside from what I’ve taught you, do not use any other methods in front of Azure Cloud Sect disciples, or they might mistake you for a demonic cultivator and cut you down.”

“Yikes!”

Ye Hao gasped sharply, glanced up at the massive ‘Seven-Essence Immortal Boat’ overhead, and instinctively shrank his neck.

Even he, foolish as he might be, understood that any sect capable of making Fang Mo—who usually disdained even the Spirit Sound Valley—treat it with such seriousness was absolutely not simple.

“Alright, now that even the Azure Cloud Sect has arrived, the Drunken Cloud Sea is bound to get lively soon.”

As if in response to Fang Mo’s words, a bell toll suddenly echoed in everyone’s ears.

This bell seemed audible only to cultivators; mortals could not hear it at all.

At the same time, Lu Chen, who had been meditating aboard the Seven-Essence Immortal Boat, abruptly opened his eyes.

He then stepped onto the deck and gazed toward the Drunken Cloud Sea.

Deep within the sea, a colossal phantom of an ancient bell emerged above the water’s surface.

As all watched curiously, the ancient bell began to slowly rotate.

With each turn, myriad immortal scenes materialized on its surface.

These patterns were not only vivid and lifelike but appeared not carved into the bell, as if they had always been part of its form.

As light shifted, the once-static designs leaped from the bell’s body, transforming into shimmering projections of Immortals.

Among these visions were Immortals astride Immortal Beasts, traversing the starry skies.

There were great masters wielding Divine Abilities, moving mountains and filling seas, adorned with stars and moonlight.

And there were celestial banquets, with feathered robes and ethereal music and dance.

With each rotation of the bell, these scenes shifted endlessly, never repeating.

After nine rotations, a magnificent palace materialized around the ancient bell.

Within it stood many Immortals, their faces indistinct yet imposing, as if overlooking all living beings from the pinnacle of heaven and earth.

Witnessing this, Lu Chen sighed in awe, “This must be the Gathering Immortal Bell Master spoke of. Truly, the methods of Immortals are awe-inspiring…”

The Gathering Immortal Bell was an ancient Celestial Artifact that appeared only when the Ancient Moon Grotto emerged.

Its tolling indirectly signaled to nearby cultivators that the Ancient Moon Grotto… was about to open.

‘Twelve tolls of the Gathering Immortal Bell, leaving behind shadows of True Immortals.’

After its appearance, the Gathering Immortal Bell would toll twelve times in total.

This was the first; henceforth, it would ring once each month.And the twelfth time was when the Ancient Moon Grotto emerged into the world.

It was also at this moment, as the first chime of the Gathering Immortal Bell faded, that countless Celestial Arks appeared from all directions, tearing through the skies as they headed toward the Drunken Cloud Sea.

In an instant, the skies surrounding the Drunken Cloud Sea were filled with hundreds upon thousands of Celestial Arks, blotting out the sun.

The sight of hundreds of vessels vying for dominance in the Striving Flow was truly a spectacle rarely seen even once in a century within the Immortal Cultivation World.

(End of Chapter)