Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 777 - 772: Prestige IV

Chapter 777: Chapter 772: Prestige IV

Green Lake Mountain Main Sect.

By the Jade Pool at the mountain summit, one by one, Heavenly Venerates in their incarnations slowly descended, heading toward the platform at the top of the mountain.

The Jiuqu Dragon Serpent was also descending slowly, looking toward the platform at the summit.

"One wonders what matter has led the Taoist Ancestor to summon us this time?"

"With the opening of this time-space veil, the Taoist Ancestor became trapped, but the Shadow Demon Army Master of Shadow City and the Abyss Realm Master are also ensnared.

It may very well be the best opportunity for us," said the Dragon Serpent in a deep voice.

"Your cultivation practice must have advanced further, hasn’t it?" Jiuqu glanced at his friend, slightly envious. "You truly have unparalleled foundational strength, old fellow, having remained in the Life Candle Realm for ten thousand years."

"It’s just the beginning; from here on out, it will slow down," said the Dragon Serpent, shaking his head. "Let’s go, better to speak after we’ve ascended."

Jiuqu nodded, and the two stood side by side, walking slowly toward the mountaintop.

"Congratulations, congratulations."

Two nearby Heavenly Venerates, both beaming with smiles, moved close to extend their felicitations to the two.

"Dragon Serpent Daoist, you have taken a fine disciple. Truly, this is a great fortune for our Green Lake Mountain."

Jiuqu and the Dragon Serpent had yet to respond, still slightly puzzled, when they saw another two Heavenly Venerates approaching to greet them.

There were only so many people on the mountain; aside from one that had perished, there were twenty others, each quite familiar with one another.

Yet, in such a short time, there were already five or six coming over to congratulate the Dragon Serpent.

"Dragon Serpent, congratulations!"

"Looks like with this great calamity, our Green Lake Mountain may be able to preserve more of its strength, hahaha!"

"You’ve taught a fine disciple! This old man certainly must visit you sometime to learn a thing or two."

One after another, the Heavenly Venerates all with amiable smiles, congratulated the Dragon Serpent.

The two of them were both at a loss, unable to understand what had transpired. As for their disciple, only Lieshan had been commendable.

Could it be due to the Chanting Star Cult Saint Heir?

But that seemed unlikely; Green Lake Mountain held vast power, and one of its division leaders even had some conflicts with the Chanting Star Cult. It was unlikely for them all to congratulate the two just because of that.

Besides, even if it was because of that, this assembly seemed rather too grand.

With the Dragon Serpent being congratulated, Jiuqu, who was closely associated with his fellow disciple, also received occasional congratulations.

The two of them wore bewildered looks, with no clue what had caused such an event.

They ascended to the top of the mountain.

"The Fourth Taoist Ancestor summons the Immortal Elder Jiuqu and the Heavenly Venerable Dragon Serpent!"

Suddenly, from the golden clouds in the sky, a sonorous and peaceful voice was heard.

Instantly, all the Heavenly Venerates and important Green Lake Mountain elders turned their gazes toward Jiuqu and the Dragon Serpent.

Those in the dark were taken aback, while those in the know were somewhat envious.

Being personally summoned by the Taoist Ancestor, especially at such a grand occasion, signified that there was likely to be an important matter to be entrusted before all the elders.

Moreover, such an entrustment was definitely a decision reached by consensus among the Taoist Ancestors.

"We shall respectfully comply with the Taoist Ancestor’s (Honored Master’s) decree!"

The Dragon Serpent and Jiuqu bowed respectfully.

In the pale golden clouds above, an opening slowly parted, revealing a pale golden staircase that quickly unfolded from the gap, forming a complete ladder stretching out in front of Jiuqu and the Dragon Serpent.

Without hesitation, they stepped onto it.

Both of their minds, up to this moment, were still unclear about what matter had arisen.

Even the Taoist Ancestor had been alerted!

Following the golden staircase upwards, amidst the envious gaze of the other Heavenly Venerates, they slowly stepped into a mass of golden light within the clouds.

A glint of golden light flashed.

Above the clouds, a Taoist with countless gear-like silver wheels on his back was sitting amidst the vapors, his body surrounded by bright, dazzling golden light.

The Taoist had a kind and benevolent face, with long eyebrows and a long white beard.

It was just that his figure was astonishingly enormous.

It was Dragon Serpent’s first time seeing the Taoist Ancestor, and at this sight, he was momentarily stunned.

Not for any other reason, but because this Taoist Ancestor, seated with crossed legs upon the clouds, had a single finger hanging down where merely one fine line of skin’s texture was taller than both of them combined.

The overall height of his body was at least several thousand kilometers.

"Disciple Dragon Serpent pays respects to the Fourth Taoist Ancestor."

"Disciple Jiuqu, greets the Honored Master."

Shoken by Jiuqu, Dragon Serpent quickly returned to his senses and respectfully gave his salute.

The Fourth Taoist Ancestor was also the Dean of the Green Lake Mountain Academic Institution, the supreme leader wielding control over one of the six divisions.

"Dispense with the formalities."

The Fourth Taoist Ancestor smiled. His voice like thunder, it made the two’s ears ring.

"I summoned you two this time due to a matter concerning the disciple Lieshan of Dragon Serpent."

Dragon Serpent’s body slightly trembled.

"May I inquire as to what matter involving Lieshan has caught the attention of the Taoist Ancestor?"

At the Taoist Ancestor’s realm, he was just one step away from reaching an invulnerable and indestructible state against all dharmas and calamities,

a Taoist Ancestor could already represent some incredibly vast groups of star clusters and star domains in the great cosmos, compared with Heavenly Venerates.

Once, a Taoist Ancestor perished during a great cosmic calamity. His body disintegrated, transforming into a massive galaxy with billions of planar stars. The terrifying level of such an existence could be somewhat perceived.

In the eyes of such beings, even those on the level of an Earth Immortal are mere slightly stronger ants, easily crushed at a whim.

How could they possibly pay attention to their disciple Lieshan?

With confusion in his heart, Jiuqu dared not exhibit the slightest disrespect.

The Taoist Ancestor naturally saw Jiuqu’s confusion.

He smiled faintly.

"Your disciple Lieshan has surpassed ten points of Immortal Light in his destiny. He has been confirmed as one of the vital opportunities in this great calamity. Just before, he repelled the Shadow Demon Great Sage Xing Pengfei head-on. Xing Pengfei...perhaps you don’t yet understand."

The Taoist Ancestor continued.

"He is one of the three future City Lords whom Shadow City has cultivated with all its might, a being who embodies a vicious and tyrannical origin. He is also an essential point in this great calamity."

"Are you saying all three Shadow Demon Great Sages are the final hope cultivated by Shadow City with all its might this time?"

Jiuqu asked with a deep voice.

"Indeed," the Taoist Ancestor nodded. "Our powers are trapped by the temporal and spatial curtain. If you can defeat Shadow City, the Abyss Realm, and the core of the great calamity under the command of the Heavenly Demon Army Master, then you can also twist the crisis points of the great calamity and determine the outcome of this war."

"What if we, the Heavenly Venerables, join hands to besiege the Great Sages?"

Jiuqu asked in a deep voice. The few Shadow Demon Great Sages were only at the Earth Immortal level. If Heavenly Venerables took action to besiege them, they would surely achieve twice the result with half the effort and preemptively annihilate them.

"Useless," the Taoist Ancestor shook his head slightly. "Great Sage after Great Sage, Saints among Immortals, possess extremely terrifying abilities to seek advantage and avoid harm. Unless they are contended by those of equal levels, they could escape thousands of miles at a hint of danger. Throughout history, those who could be called Great Sages and listed on the Star Ranking are all extremely troublesome beings whose cultivation rises rapidly. If not confronted by peers, they end up being stepping stones instead, accelerating their own growth."

"Is it truly that dreadful?"

Jiuqu and the Dragon Serpent both felt a slight sinking in their hearts.

"It is so," the Taoist Ancestor nodded. "Great Sages are beings that this vast universe has converged to give life’s last bit of opportunity to creatures in the great calamity. They often grasp that slim chance from the impossible, turning the tide.

The contention between Great Sages is for that last bit of opportunity."

"So, the ten points of Immortal Light in the Earth Immortal fate are one of the foundations for selecting a Great Sage?" Jiuqu followed up.

"Yes."

The Taoist Ancestor affirmed.

"May I inquire, Taoist Ancestor?" Dragon Serpent also asked. "If so, why not let these Great Sages fight it out directly, instead of us doing our utmost to annihilate the Heavenly Demon Army Master?"

"It’s just one more chance at life, nothing more," the Taoist Ancestor did not answer directly.

Dragon Serpent and Jiuqu seemed to have an epiphany after listening.

A great calamity is not so easily navigated to find an opportunity for survival. In other words, the Great Sage allows for more people to survive the calamity. After the great calamity, these surviving cultivators are key to determining the rise and fall of their future sects and denominations.

Thus, the Taoist Ancestor asking Jiuqu to find a Great Sage is for him to use the Great Sage’s fate to avoid a calamity and preserve the strength of Green Lake Mountain.

"Disciple understands."

Having understood everything, Dragon Serpent bowed respectfully.

"Your disciple has begun to cultivate the Supreme Jiuyue Divine Wind Sword," said the Taoist Ancestor, lightly snapping his fingers. Instantly, a beam of golden light shot out and landed in front of Dragon Serpent, slowly rotating.

The golden light quickly dispersed, transforming into an irregular white, bizarre fruit.

"This is the Primordial Spirit Fruit. After consumption, one can briefly enter the Sword Hall, where all the Sword Cultivators who have practiced this sword technique have left behind traces of their cultivation practice.

You may give this to your disciple Lieshan," instructed the Taoist Ancestor.

"Many thanks for your generous gift, Taoist Ancestor!" exclaimed Dragon Serpent, bowing once again.

"However, the previous Sword Cultivator who entered the Sword Hall to practice the Supreme Jiuyue Divine Wind Sword..." Jiuqu hesitated with some confusion. The former Sword Master had committed suicide.

"No need to worry. That sword technique is infinitely powerful, created in primordial times by several mighty beings working consecutively on its perfection, only revealing its hidden dangers at later stages. But in the early to mid-stages, there are only benefits, which are perfect for dealing with the great calamity. If worried later, he can also be made to switch to other arts," the Taoist Ancestor said with a smile.

"Yes," the two said in unison, bowing.

"Now go," a shower of golden light fell, and both felt a warm sensation throughout their bodies. Their cultivation surprisingly advanced slightly, equivalent to a hundred years of arduous practice, causing them both joy.

Particularly for Dragon Serpent, he was now of astonishing battle prowess, severely lacking only in the accumulation of Star Force for his embodiment. This surge of golden light was truly timely aid.

"Many thanks, Taoist Ancestor (Honored Master)!"

The two slowly retreated, making their way back by the path they came.

*********************

Lin Xin, leading the Array Spirit, headed straight for the Teleportation Formation, first teleporting away from the North-western Star Domain, and then traversing the Central Star Region through dozens of teleports.

After crossing countless planar worlds, they finally arrived at the Crystal Passage of the Heavenly Alliance’s external defense lines.

The Crystal Passage to which Lin Xin arrived was near a semi-plane suspended in the void, within the Central Star Region.

This semi-plane was known as Feixin Port, and unlike other worlds, a large part of its planar land lacked a membrane shield and was exposed directly in the void.

When Lin Xin arrived, it was already mid-month, more than four months later.

****************

Feixin Port.

In the pale green sky, three pale yellow planets arranged in a triangle rotated slowly, emanating an immense amount of soft light halos.

In the vast port, kilometers-long void warships were continuously boarding and disembarking passengers.

There were also larger freighters, with many huge giant Taoist warriors assisting in moving the cargo boxes.

There was a dense crowd on the port, and all kinds of races from the Human Race could be seen here. Apart from them, many transformed Demon Race cultivators were also frequently entering and leaving the void warships.

This was the largest external port in the entire Central Star Region. It not only undertook support transport for the defensive lines against the void Demon Spirits, but every day, it saw a vast number of cultivators coming and going, using this port as a transit station for void travel.