"All of this was just a wager," Mo Tiange said gravely.
Under the solemn gazes of the three Dao Lords, Mo Tiange slowly began to recount the entire matter, though with significant alterations.
First, she truthfully told the three Dao Lords of her experiences on this journey: the battles with the sea beast armies of the Xumi Sea and the Guixu Sea, the siege by dozens of demon cultivators, the narrow escape from death, and finally successfully locating the Qilin Sacrificial Temple.
"...When we arrived at the Qilin Sacrificial Temple, we discovered it was completely different from the other four spirit temples. Not only was it perfectly preserved, but there were also restrictions preventing entry. Just as we were at a loss, laughter suddenly came from within the temple—"
"Who was it?" Dao Lord Jinghe asked impatiently.
Mo Tiange looked at the three Dao Lords and said, "It was a God Transformation senior."
"Ah!" Dao Lord Miaoyi exclaimed softly. "They actually sent a God Transformation senior?"
Dao Lord Zhenyang remained calm. "Since this concerns the fate of the world, how could the God Transformation seniors not know? We were negligent before."
Dao Lord Jinghe nodded. "Indeed. God Transformation seniors almost never involve themselves in worldly affairs, to the point where we overlooked their existence." He paused, then asked, "Has this matter already been taken over by God Transformation seniors?"
"Yes," Mo Tiange continued with a sigh. "What we feared had long been discovered by God Transformation seniors, and what we attempted, they had already been doing..."
She did not conceal that the sacrificial temples originated from ancient times and were related to a wager between two celestial deities. However, regarding the subsequent developments, she remained silent, attributing everything to the God Transformation cultivators.
God Transformation cultivators had always remained aloof from human affairs. The several Dao Lords only knew of their existence but had never met one. The Xuanqing Sect had been established for tens of thousands of years, and there had been fortunate individuals who witnessed the appearance of God Transformation cultivators, leaving behind fragments of records. In these accounts, God Transformation cultivators acted mysteriously and possessed immense power, so the three Dao Lords harbored no doubts.
"...My senior ancestor explicitly stated that this matter should not be interfered with by anyone below the God Transformation stage. After that, we were sent back."
After Mo Tiange finished speaking, the three Dao Lords each fell into contemplation. After a long while, Dao Lord Zhenyang said, "Since God Transformation seniors are involved, this is not something we can meddle in. Let this matter be erased. From now on, disciples of the Xuanqing Sect need not pursue it further."
Dao Lord Jinghe stroked his handsome short beard and sighed. "All that effort wasted."
"Perhaps not entirely wasted?" Dao Lord Miaoyi asked with a smile, looking at them. "Since you two met a God Transformation senior, did you gain any opportunities?"
Mo Tiange spread her hands, looking rather regretful. "Unfortunately, no."
"None?" Dao Lord Miaoyi was slightly surprised. "Entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed doesn't seem like your style."
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi exchanged a glance, both inwardly smiling bitterly. Upon learning the truth of the matter, they had been so shocked they didn't even think to ask for benefits. That they managed to calm down quickly and resolve to continue cultivating was already a testament to their strong will.
"Lingxi was kept by Senior Hanquan and hasn't returned yet. Could something have happened..." Dao Lord Zhenyang began to worry again.
"Senior Brother Zhenyang, rest assured. With a God Transformation senior present, Junior Brother Lingxi will be fine," Qin Xi offered comfort. "Moreover, Senior Hanquan promised beforehand to grant them an opportunity. Junior Brother Lingxi is likely delayed because of that."
Dao Lord Zhenyang nodded. "I hope so." His gaze then swept over Qin Xi, and he smiled as he asked, "Shoujing, you've been at the mid-stage for over a hundred years. As your master, I observe your cultivation has recently improved, with faint signs of a breakthrough. When will you go into seclusion to attempt the late stage?"
Qin Xi glanced at Mo Tiange and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, I will enter seclusion soon."
"Good. The sect is thriving now, and the situation in Tianji remains relatively stable. There's no need to worry about trivial matters." Dao Lord Zhenyang thought for a moment, then became happy. "If you can smoothly advance to the late stage, it will surely shake the world — reaching the late Nascent Soul stage at just over three hundred years old is something unprecedented in the Tianji cultivation world."
Dao Lord Jinghe felt both gratified and jealous. "Indeed. Even with my talent, I only formed my Nascent Soul at four hundred." Not to mention the late Nascent Soul stage, which he reached only at nine hundred.
He couldn't help but recall the past. When he took Qin Xi from the prince's mansion, he merely thought that since a descendant of the Qin family possessed spiritual roots, he, as a granduncle, should offer some support. Later, seeing Qin Xi's pure heart and exceptional comprehension, he only felt he could pass on his legacy. Centuries passed, and he watched Qin Xi's cultivation grow higher and higher, getting closer and closer to himself, and now even having the possibility of surpassing him.
The late Nascent Soul stage was a difficult hurdle, but he intuitively believed this kid wouldn't be stuck there for long. On careful thought, his mental state was unimpeded, his cultivation solid, and he possessed top-tier resources — how could he not pass this hurdle? Back then, it was precisely because he lacked opportunities that he was delayed in advancing, and only after obtaining several Wuhua Golden Fruits did he finally cross the threshold into the late stage.
Qin Xi smiled but looked at Mo Tiange. "Senior Brother Zhenyang, you're speaking too soon. I'm afraid before long, it will be a true shaking of the world."
"Oh?" Dao Lord Zhenyang looked at Mo Tiange. "Could it be Qingwei is about to advance again?"
Mo Tiange pursed her lips into a smile. "Not that fast. It will take at least several decades!"
"Several decades isn't fast?" Dao Lord Miaoyi chided. "Are you trying to provoke your senior sister?"
It must be said that Dao Lord Miaoyi also bore the name of a genius, having formed her Nascent Soul before reaching three hundred. But now nearing eight hundred, she still remained at the early Nascent Soul stage. This title of genius was somewhat undeserved. However, she smiled cheerfully, clearly not dwelling on it.
Dao Lord Jinghe said, "You were held back by your cultivation method. If not for the missing parts of your technique, and the considerable mental effort spent these years completing it, how could you have been delayed until now? Now that your technique is complete and your cultivation stable, you should be able to advance before long."
Dao Lord Miaoyi nodded. "Thank you for your auspicious words, Senior Brother. I hope that in my next seclusion, I can advance in one go."
Thinking of Dao Lord Xuanyin, who was still in seclusion, Mo Tiange asked, "What about Senior Brother Xuanyin? Did he gain anything from this seclusion?"
"That kid is attempting the mid-stage," Dao Lord Jinghe added cheerfully. "There's great hope this time."
Dao Lord Xuanyin had formed his Nascent Soul for about two hundred years. His cultivation progress resembled Dao Lord Jinghe's, always steady and seeking advancement. However, being a single spiritual root genius, even without outrageously good opportunities, he could attempt the mid-stage.
"Shoujing and Qingwei have hope for the late stage. Junior Brother Huayan has stabilized at the mid-stage. Miaoyi and Xuanyin are about to reach the mid-stage. Lingxi, not to mention the late stage, will surely reach the mid-stage. Plus, Zhifei just formed his Nascent Soul..." Dao Lord Zhenyang counted carefully, extremely pleased. "With our Xuanqing Sect so prosperous, the Ancestral Masters through the generations would be greatly comforted."
Regardless of how the several of them looked to the future, Mo Tiange's explanation had finally smoothed things over.
Not long after, Dao Lord Lingxi returned safely. Though there was a shadow of gloom between his brows, he remained relatively calm. Upon returning to the mountain, he visited the Jiyuan Pond cave abode. After exchanging words with the two, he agreed with their approach and informed them that Ling Yunhe and the others had returned safely. Concealing the truth was also their collective decision. Before Nie Wushang returned to Xiaoyang, he asked him to convey a message: "On the day of God Transformation, I shall meet you again, and we shall open the path to Heaven!"
Mo Tiange hadn't expected Nie Wushang to convey such an immensely heroic statement and couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit herself.
"Good! On the day of God Transformation, we shall meet again!"
Thus encouraged, Dao Lord Lingxi returned to cultivate. He had gained Senior Hanquan's favor and received a tremendous opportunity this time, destined to soar to great heights.
A few days later, Jing Xingzhi came to visit, still grinning cheekily, showing no sign of gloom.
His growth experiences were more arduous than most. Without a resilient heart, he could never have reached this point, so there was no need to worry about him.
As soon as he sat down, he asked, "Can you two handle it?"
Qin Xi was very composed. "There are two of us. We only need to handle half each."
"..." Blocked after just one sentence, Jing Xingzhi felt aggrieved. "I knew it. There's absolutely no need to worry about you two."
Mo Tiange smiled. "Seeing Fellow Daoist Jing like this, we are also relieved."
Jing Xingzhi's gloom lessened a bit. After thinking for a moment, he beamed again. "Forget it. I won't argue with you." He cleared his throat and said, "I came just to tell you that we've all decided: God Transformation first. What about you two?"
Mo Tiange nodded gently. "Naturally. We will not give up on the path to Heaven."
Jing Xingzhi smiled, his face blossoming like a peach flower. After a while, he stopped smiling and said seriously, "Qin Shoujing, I lost to you in Nascent Soul formation, but God Transformation might be different. Let's wait and see!"
Qin Xi smiled faintly. "Alright. In a few days, I will enter seclusion to attempt the late stage."
Jing Xingzhi was stunned and cried out, "What?! You're attempting the late stage so soon? I'm still far from it. Isn't this..."
Jing Xingzhi soon bid farewell, saying he needed to return to seclusion and absolutely could not lose to Qin Xi by too much.
Not long after, Qin Xi and Mo Tiange entered seclusion together to cultivate the Great Art of Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation. This technique, which fused four top-tier cultivation methods — the Plain Maiden Art, the Taiyuan Record, the Pure Yang Art, and the Three Origin Rotation Art — progressed at an unimaginably fast pace. In just ten years, the two emerged from seclusion. Qin Xi had smoothly advanced to the late stage, becoming a late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator. As for Mo Tiange, she benefited even more; the day of reaching the late stage was now within sight.
Upon learning this news, Jing Xingzhi beat his chest in frustration and devoted himself entirely to seclusion, never setting foot outside the Ancient Sword Sect again.
News also came from Ling Yunhe: Iron-Faced Perfected One had passed away, and Perfected One Yuanmu was injured. With no alternative, he took over the position of Chief Elder, becoming the first Chief Elder in the history of the Nine Elites Sect at the mid Nascent Soul stage.
Speaking of Chief Elder, when Qin Xi broke through to the late stage, Dao Lord Zhenyang intended to pass the Chief Elder position to him but was refused. Others thought he declined because his master was still alive. Only Mo Tiange knew he was single-mindedly focused on God Transformation and didn't want to waste time occupying the Chief Elder position in vain.
A century passed leisurely. Kuang Zhu formed his Nascent Soul, and the number of Nascent Soul cultivators in the Xuanqing Sect reached double digits, becoming an unstoppable force. Under the Xuanqing Sect's dominance, the beast tide gradually subsided. The demon cultivators retreated into the southern forests. The demon cultivators of the Xichi Continent, pressured by the powerful ghost cultivators, were forced to retreat back to Xichi. As for the demonic path, isolated and weak, they collectively moved their sects to Yunzhong, taking advantage of the chaos there to occupy the western territories and continue recuperating.
After a century of warfare, Yunzhong slowly calmed down. Many sects lost their legacies during the turmoil, leading to a reshuffling of cultivation forces. The Nine Elites Sect remained standing firm. Though its influence greatly diminished, it firmly held onto its position as the number one sect in Yunzhong.
As for Xiaoyang, Nie Wushang sent word that she had subdued the various forces there one by one. It remained a land of harsh mountains and bad waters but now held a glimmer of vitality.
Only Yang Chengji remained elusive, his whereabouts uncertain, with only occasional news of where he had passed through...
"Grand Elder Fengning of the Biyun Sect arrives to offer congratulations!"
"Spirit Beast Sect Sect Master Mu Jingliu arrives to offer congratulations!"
"Tiandao Sect Perfected One Xiaguang arrives to offer congratulations!"
"Zhengfa Sect Dao Lord Mingxia arrives to offer congratulations!"
"Ancient Sword Sect Sword Venerable Xiaohe arrives to offer congratulations!"
...
The main peak of Taikang Mountain was decorated with lanterns and streamers, more splendid than even a Nascent Soul formation ceremony. Disciples came and went, filled with joy. The congratulatory guests boasted cultivation levels higher than the last. However, among these guests, only a few familiar names could be heard sporadically, such as Fengning of the Biyun Sect and Sword Venerable Xiaohe of the Ancient Sword Sect.
Before the statues of the Ancestral Masters in the Three Pure Hall of the main peak stood a person. He appeared to be in his twenties, tall and sturdy, with ordinary features. His not-so-handsome brows and eyes carried a sharp, profound air. A magnificent feathered crown and crane-feather robe accentuated his imposing presence.
"Fellow Daoist Mo, congratulations on assuming the position of Chief Elder!" Upon seeing this person, Dao Lord Mingxia of the Zhengfa Sect immediately smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.
In the Xuanqing Sect, cultivators were addressed by their Dao titles after reaching Core Formation. This young man clearly possessed late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, yet Perfected One Mingxia addressed him as Fellow Daoist Mo, indicating a deep friendship likely formed in humble times.
The young man smiled faintly and returned the courtesy, then bowed collectively to Sword Venerable Xiaohe and the others who followed. "I am truly honored that several fellow Daoists could come. Please wait a moment; the Chief Elder inauguration ceremony will begin shortly!"
The cultivators all expressed that it was no trouble and, guided by Dao children, went to the side to wait.
Just then, a thunderclap rang out. Wind rose and clouds gathered. Countless spiritual lights appeared across the seven peaks of Taikang Mountain.
"What's happening?" Guests who hadn't yet sat down looked outside. They were either Core Formation or Nascent Soul cultivators; how could they not recognize this as a celestial phenomenon, the sign of a cultivator's advancement?
"It's not Core Formation. Could someone be forming their Nascent Soul?" Sword Venerable Xiaohe looked up and murmured to himself.
Thunderclaps, wind and clouds, spiritual lights — it indeed resembled a Nascent Soul formation phenomenon. However—
Pleasant sounds faintly echoed in the air, like immortal music. Flowers the size of bowls materialized and scattered down, as if the legendary celestial maiden were scattering blossoms!
"Whose Nascent Soul formation phenomenon is this peculiar..."
The Dao Lord Wuzhen, about to assume the Chief Elder position, frowned slightly. Following the flow of spiritual energy, he looked toward the direction of Clear Spring Peak, then suddenly felt both shocked and delighted. "Could it be..."
Without bothering to attend to the guests, he immediately transformed into a streak of light and sped toward Clear Spring Peak.
Streaks of light landed on Clear Spring Peak. At this moment, the Nascent Soul Dao Lords of the Xuanqing Sect who remained in the sect all gathered within the Jiyuan Valley of Clear Spring Peak.
Before long, the stone gate of a cave abode opened, and Sang Yushu, now a Nascent Soul cultivator, stepped out. His gaze swept around, and he clasped his hands in greeting to his fellow sect members. "Fellow senior and junior brothers, do not be alarmed. This strange phenomenon is because Master and Mistress have successfully achieved God Transformation."
"Ah!" The Nascent Soul cultivators were stunned by this news. Dao Lords Shoujing and Qingwei were the most outstanding geniuses in the history of the Xuanqing Sect, something every disciple knew without exception. These Nascent Soul cultivators knew even more that four hundred years ago, the two Dao Lords ceased appearing before others precisely for God Transformation. However, for ten thousand years in Tianji, there had been no news of cultivators achieving God Transformation. Moreover, the two Dao Lords were too young. They all thought that even if they could achieve God Transformation, it would be in the very distant future. Never did they imagine the two Dao Lords would accomplish this goal at not even a thousand years old.
God Transformation! The Xuanqing Sect now had God Transformation cultivators!
This news instantly spread throughout Taikang Mountain and, before long, would spread across all of Tianji.
Within the Shangqing Palace, the two most senior Dao Lords of the Xuanqing Sect sat opposite each other across a Go board.
One was eighteen hundred years old, the other sixteen hundred — both at an advanced age, nearing the end of their lifespans. If not for having consumed Longevity Pills that extended their lives by five hundred years, they would be close to passing away. Yet, their backs remained straight, their demeanor still possessed an immortal elegance. Only the weariness between their brows and eyes faintly revealed their age.
"God Transformation. Those two youngsters have finally achieved God Transformation," Dao Lord Jinghe said with a smile in his eyes, placing a piece.
"Indeed. The Xuanqing Sect finally has God Transformation cultivators," Dao Lord Zhenyang replied serenely, not the least bit anxious that juniors had achieved God Transformation while he remained stuck at the Nascent Soul stage.
"Shouldn't we two also make an effort?" Dao Lord Jinghe said. "Our remaining lifespan isn't long."
"Haven't we been trying all along?" Dao Lord Zhenyang smiled, stroking his beard. "It's just that those two walked faster than us."
Dao Lord Jinghe nodded gently, still smiling. "They secluded themselves for two hundred years at Tianmo Mountain and finally found the key to God Transformation from the immortal energy of the Multitude Immortal Ruins. Now that you've handed over the Chief Elder position, shall we also give it a try?"
Dao Lord Zhenyang shot him a glance and scolded jokingly, "Those two cultivated together through dual cultivation, so they went together. What would it mean for us two old fellows to go together? I don't have any special preferences!"
"Go on!" Dao Lord Jinghe rolled his eyes. "This lord appreciates beauties. I have no interest in looking at an old man like you!"
Several days later, Ancient Sword Sect's Sword Venerable Zhishui Jing Xingzhi, Yunzhong's Nine Elites Sect Chief Elder Grand Elder Ling Yunhe, Lord of Xiaoyang Nie Wushang, and the wanderer Yang Chengji, who roamed the world without a fixed abode, all received a message.
"We have achieved God Transformation. When shall we meet again?"
(End of Book)