Qingxu Temple, Cloud Pavilion Hall.
Morning light filtered through carved wooden windows, falling on the polished as bright as a mirror blue stone floor, casting three elongated silhouettes. Sandalwood incense curled within the hall, refreshing yet unable to dispel thatsolemn'satmosphere.
Sect Master Xuan Xuan True Lord sat at the main seat, his beard and hair all white, face gaunt yet wise. His eyes, deep as an abyss, showed no end. He gentlycaressing a warm jade slip in hand, that was just urgently delivered through special channels from Tianshui City, containing more detailed intelligence about the "Heavenly Dao Palace" and "Star-falling Land."
Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng stood at the left lower position, his posture straight as a pine. His brow carried more composure and capability than before. Since after the demonic tribulation, the Sect Master purposely delegated power. The heavy burden of the sect's external and internal affairs mostly fell on his broad shoulders. Heslightly lowered his eyes, as if digesting thatenough to shake the entire cultivation world'snews.
Tang Xiao Qi sat on the right lower cushion. He had just finished a brief seclusion, his aura internalized, spiritual power harmonious, already stabilized at Golden Core late-stage. Yet at this moment, on that face increasingly angular, there was no joy from cultivation advancement, but rather a trace ofimperceptible'ssolemn. His fingertips unconsciously tapped his knee. His gazecast toward the ethereal outside the hall'scloud sea, as if he could penetrate the void and see that legendaryonce in ten thousand years'sopportunity, and behind itnecessarily accompanied by'sblood and chaos.
After a long silence, Sect Master Xuan Xuan True Lord firstbroke the silence. His voice was calm yet carried undeniable weight: "The Heavenly Dao Palace appears once every ten thousand years. According to legend, it is where ancient Dao Ancestors lectured. Inside are opportunities for immortality and countless lost inheritances. Now thestrange phenomenon at Star-falling Land has emerged, the entrance will open, the world shakes, all forces, reclusive old monsters, even exotic geniuses, have mobilized." He paused, his gaze sweeping across Mu Qingfeng and Xiao Qi. "This is amonstrous waves sweeping the entire cultivation world. No one can stand aside."
Mu Qingfeng raised his head, brow slightly knitted, speaking: "What the Master says is absolutely correct. According to intelligence from Tianshui City and various allies, this Heavenly Dao Palace's appearance scale and danger far exceed all previous records. Central Plains Royal Court, Western Buddhism, Northern Plains Barbarians, Southern Border Witchcraft, Eastern Sea Demon Cultivators, even some ancient families and sects long out of seclusion have sent their strongest inheritors. What is more troublesome," his tone turnedcarrying deep'sworry, "Shadow Snake Pavilion's destruction, its remnant forces and those believers in the demonic entity will not miss this opportunity. They will either sneak in and stir up trouble, or...at all costs to prevent Xiao Qi from obtaining opportunities."
The hall's airbecame even more stagnant because of these words. Though the demonic entity had been temporarily repelled and sealed beneath the Green Lotus, its shadowstill hung over those who knew. Everyone understood that terrifying existence from beyond the realm was not truly annihilated. It was like a venomous snake lurking in darkness,followingwhenmight bare its fangs again. And Xiao Qi, bearing the purification origin and having wounded the demonic entity, was undoubtedly itsthorn in the eye and flesh.
Xiao Qi slowlywithdrew his gaze from outside the hall'sgaze, looking at the Sect Master and Senior Brother. His voicecalm yet determined: "Senior Brother's worries, disciple understands. Star-falling Land,heroes competing, will surely bedragon's pool and tiger's den. But precisely because of this, disciple feels this is a step our Qingxu Temple must take."
He stood and walked to the hall center. His blue robesmoving without wind. "First, for fame. Though Qingxu Temple endured the demonic tribulation and has some reputation, in this vast cultivation world it stillcontent with a corner in the southeast. If we can shine at such an event, even obtain opportunities, our Qingxu Temple's prestige will truly spread to all corners, attract more talented individuals, establishfoundation for ten thousand generations. This is not for empty fame but for the sect's long-term planning."
"Second, to break the impasse." Xiao Qi's eyes sharpened. "Though disciplelucky formed Golden Core and made progress, whenever thinking of that demonic entity from beyond, disciple feels likefireflies compared to the bright moon. Conventional cultivation, step by step, unknown when we will have the power to thoroughly eliminate the demonic disaster. The Heavenly Dao Palace's opportunity might precisely be the key to breaking this stalemate. If it truly contains ancient inheritances or even immortality secrets, it would be the only hope for disciple, for Qingxu Temple, and even for the entire cultivation world against the demonic entity. This opportunity cannot be lost, cannot fall into evil hands."
He paused, his tonewith a trace of earnestness: "Third, for responsibility. Disciple received the sect's nurturing grace, teachings' virtue, and Master, Senior Brothers' and Sisters' support, only then having today's achievements. Now demonic disaster not quelled, the sectjust when people are needed. How can discipleshrinking back due to fear of risk? Protecting the sect, guarding all creation, this aspiration never changed. Journeying to Star-falling Land to compete for opportunities and increase strength is precisely the necessary path to fulfill this responsibility."
Xiao Qi's words echoed in the empty hall, each wordresoundinghavesound. He was not impassioned, merelycalmly stating the pros and cons and his determination,instead showed his determination even more.
Mu Qingfenglooking atthis person before him had long surpassed himself,become the sect's pillar'sjunior brother, his eyesshowed complex emotions. Pride, worry, deeper concern. He opened his mouth, wanted to say something, finallyturned into a soft sigh, looking at the Sect Master: "Master, what Xiao Qi says is... reasonable. Just this journey's danger far exceeds any previous time. Disciple worries..."
Sect Master Xuan Xuan raised his hand,stopped Mu Qingfeng's words. His deep gazefell on Xiao Qi body,as ifwanted to see through him from inside out. After a long pause, he slowly opened his mouth, his voicewith a trace of imperceptible'sfatigue and more'sdetermination: "Qingfeng, your worries, I understand. Xiao Qi is Qingxu Temple's future hope and also key todealing with the demonic catastrophe, cannot have accidents."
The tone shifted. The Sect Master's voice suddenly rose,carrying the sound of metal and stone: "However, at unusual times, unusual actions must be taken! Those cultivating the Dao, against heaven for life, how can westicking to old ways due to fearing danger? In years past, demonic cultivators attacked the manor, Xu Lan Mountain Manorblood flowing like a river, that was a great tribulation; Xiao Qi, your spirit root was chaotic, early in the temple yousuffered countless cold shoulders, that was a small tribulation. Through all trials you passed, only then having today's achievements. This Star-falling Land, is tribulation, also opportunity! Is crisis,even more Qingxu Temple's wind and wave for dragon transformation opportunity!"
His eyes blazed like two swords: "If our Qingxu Templeeven to compete'sdidn't have the couragehave, what talk of guarding all creation? What talk of enduring sect lineage? This decision needs no further discussion!"
Sect Master Xuan Xuan stood. A long-unseen aura of Nascent Soul True Lord faintly emanated. Thoughslightly superficial due to old injuries not fully healed, thatresolute'swill as unshakeable as a mountain.
"Tang Xiao Qi, receive orders!"
Xiao Qi's expression solemn, bowedbowed: "Disciple is here!"
"Now, I command you as our Qingxu Temple's sole representative, to proceed to Star-falling Land, participate in the Heavenly Dao Palace opportunity competition! This journey, victory demanded, defeat not permitted, must make our Qingxu Temple's name,resounded through the universe!"
"Disciple, receives orders!" Xiao Qi's voicesonoroushavepower, his eyes burning withscorching'sflame.
The Sect Master slightly nodded, aurarestrained, his toneturned gentle yet unquestionable: "The sect will prepare for you with all strength. Inside the treasure pavilion all Golden Core stage appropriate treasures, talismans, pills, are yours to take. Your Senior Brother will coordinate Alliance resources,collect as much as possible intelligence about Star-falling Land and the Heavenly Dao Palace. Additionally..."
Hepondered slightly, said: "You may personally select several capable assistants to accompany you, mutuallook after. Mu Xue, from Xuanji Holy Land, broad-minded, strong ability, may be a great ally. Ao Qin from the East Sea, your friend, dragon family's deep foundation, also strong help. Specific candidates, you decide."
"Yes, Master." Xiao Qi acknowledged. In his heart he was already planning. Mu Xue was naturally the obvious choice. If Ao Qin was free, he would definitely come. Also needed that nimble rabbit spirit sensitive to treasures. Perhaps could ask Zhao Tiezhu. His physique was strong, couldproduce miraculous effects in chaotic places.
Mu Qingfeng also suppressed his worries, stepped forward: "Xiao Qi, go ahead with peace of mind. The sect has me. I will increase personnel to closely monitor all dynamics, especially demonic remnants' movements, absolutelynotletbehind becoming your'sburden."
Helooking at Xiao Qi, his eyesfilled with trust and encouragement: "Remember, Qingxu Temple is always your backing. Whatever hardships you face outside, the sect awaits your return!"
Xiao Qilooking at Sect Master and Senior Brother, his heart warm, feeling heavier responsibility. He bowed deeply once more: "Master, Senior Brother, please rest assured. Xiao Qi will definitely notfail the sect's trust, give my all,fight for this slim chance to ascend to heaven for our Qingxu Temple!"
Decision made, no more hesitation.
Outside Cloud Pavilion Hall, cloudsrolled and unrolled, sunlightjust right. And a storm sweeping the entire cultivation world had, in these few sentences of Qingxu Temple's highest hall, begun. Tang Xiao Qi's gazecast toward the distance again,,there lies the legendary Starfall Land, is the ancient battlefield with opportunity and danger coexisting, also will beanother crucial'sturning point on his cultivation path.
Qingxu Temple's future, even the entire cultivation world's hope against the demonic entity, at this moment hung on him alone.