Lingzhi Ruyi

The senior disciple caught the jade slip, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Master, you mentioned earlier that the Palace Master of Xuantian Palace might no longer be able to take action. With so many experts gathered on this ship, couldn't we tie down Xuantian Palace and create an opening for ourselves?" Old Man Hunmo seemed to be in a good mood. He replied unhurriedly, "A behemoth like Xuantian Palace is not something a rabble can shake, even if they have lost their Palace Master. And that Grand Elder is no pushover either. "We cannot be certain of the Palace Master's true condition, nor how much control Xuantian Palace holds over the Sacred Ground, so we must be on guard. "Had we persuaded that fellow who knows the Thunder Escape, we might have had a chance. Alas, that man is timid as a mouse. He showed himself once in Hundred Flowers Valley and vanished without a trace again. "Nevertheless, we still need the power of the demon race to pin down Xuantian Palace from the outside and dilute their forces inside the Sacred Ground." The senior disciple took the lesson to heart and said with some concern, "Great Sage Tianpeng's confidants are all seasoned old demons—powerful, shrewd, and calculating. Master invited Great Sage Tianpeng; aren't you afraid they harbor treacherous designs?" Old Man Hunmo was unconcerned. "That is precisely why this old man permitted only Great Sage Tianpeng to accompany us, allowing him only to borrow a few subordinates from Great Sage Jiutou to put on a grand show and exert pressure on Xuantian Palace. The initiative remains in my hands. A single demon Great Sage cannot stir up much trouble." "Master is wise!" His doubts resolved, the senior disciple bowed respectfully in full conviction and returned to the cabin. Old Man Hunmo's expression grew stern as he frowned and gazed toward the storm belt. Though he felt quite confident, his failed probe at the Myriad Demons Assembly had inevitably planted a few seeds of doubt. Yet things had come this far; he could only continue to wait. Suddenly, Old Man Hunmo's expression shifted slightly. He tapped his mustard seed bag, and a beam of white light flew out—it was the lingzhi ruyi. The instant it left the mustard seed bag, a faint white halo rippled across the lingzhi ruyi. Seeing this, a look of profound delight flashed through Old Man Hunmo's eyes. His worries dissolved, and he laughed heartily. "It truly is so! It truly is so!" Old Man Hunmo grasped the lingzhi ruyi and stamped hard. The Black Dragon Treasure Ship set sail, heading straight into the storm belt. The others on board were instantly alerted. *Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!* Streaks of light flew to the prow. Primordial Lady Yuyi, the Ghost General, Moon Demon, Realized Master Chijie... Notorious fiends rarely seen on ordinary days emerged from their cabins one after another, alongside several Nascent Soul cultivators who lived in seclusion in the Boundless Sea, walking the line between righteous and unorthodox. There were even several experts from the Crescent Moon Realm. Yet so many Nascent Souls were nothing more than a rabble in Old Man Hunmo's eyes. Just then, a formidable aura that surpassed everyone present surged forward with overwhelming force. Those in its path paled and scrambled to make way. A golden streak flashed forth and landed boldly on the prow, standing shoulder to shoulder with Old Man Hunmo. *Boom!* Just as Great Sage Tianpeng appeared, the Black Dragon Treasure Ship entered the storm belt and was immediately besieged by gales. His gaze swept over and settled upon the lingzhi ruyi in Old Man Hunmo's hand. "Old Devil, is this the ruyi that can guide us to Xuantian Palace's Sacred Ground?" "Indeed!" Old Man Hunmo said with spirited vigor, "This old man acquired this treasure by chance and unexpectedly discovered its connection to Xuantian Palace's Sacred Ground. The Sacred Ground is the blessed land that sustains a colossal sect's enduring prosperity—something I have long yearned for!" Old Man Hunmo raised his voice intentionally when uttering the final sentence. Everyone else heard it loud and clear. The various Nascent Soul cultivators grew eager. Just as Old Man Hunmo had said, Xuantian Palace's Sacred Ground was known to all and recognized as the premier blessed land of the Three Realms of the North Sea. Unfortunately, Xuantian Palace possessed immense power and had monopolized the Sacred Ground for ages; none dared to covet it. Xuantian Palace's secrecy had also been impeccable. Over the years, countless people had attempted to locate the Sacred Ground and sneak inside, yet all had returned empty-handed. Countless plausible rumors flooded the markets—perhaps spread deliberately by Xuantian Palace to muddy the waters. For this voyage, the Nascent Soul cultivators had not come alone; each had brought along their prized disciples. For the vast majority of opportunities within the Sacred Ground were meant for low-level cultivators. That was the true secret behind Xuantian Palace's endless stream of prodigies. Legend had it that starting from the Foundation Establishment stage, similar opportunities covered every minor realm, extending even up to the Nascent Soul stage to form an astonishingly comprehensive system. People had long suspected this place was the remnant ruin of an ancient immortal sect, designed specifically for nurturing disciples. Gaining information regarding the Nascent Soul stage was no easy task, but rumors concerning stages below Nascent Soul were plentiful. From this, one could infer that Nascent Soul cultivators would also reap considerable benefits. The jade slips Old Man Hunmo had handed them moments ago were extraordinarily rich in detail, far more comprehensive than anything they had managed to discover themselves. One could only wonder how long the old devil had spent gathering it all. Great Sage Tianpeng caught a flaw and countered, "This Great Sage has long heard of Xuantian Palace's Sacred Ground. However, even if this lingzhi ruyi had fallen into my hands, I wouldn't have known where to wait for them. By the time I followed the ruyi's guidance here, Xuantian Palace would have long since closed the Sacred Ground and departed. Prior to this, how did you know the Sacred Ground would open nearby? Did you bribe someone, or have you been plotting this for three hundred years—or even longer?" Old Man Hunmo smiled without answering. Great Sage Tianpeng gave a snort, but did not press further. Though the Black Dragon Treasure Ship appeared colossal, it was remarkably agile and moved at astonishing speed. Not long after entering the storm belt, Old Man Hunmo abruptly altered course, heading straight to the west. Before long, everyone on board felt a sudden premonition. Simultaneously, they raised their heads and looked into the sky above. Directly overhead, a gigantic rift stretched across the void, continuously devouring the surrounding gales as it slowly widened. It was like a primordial behemoth opening its massive maw, gazing down at this flock of ants. The startling spectacle shook everyone to their core, leaving them utterly dumbfounded. At the same time, Old Man Hunmo and Great Sage Tianpeng both sensed something. Following the direction the rift extended, they looked straight ahead into the depths of the gale. *Whoosh!* Old Man Hunmo brought the Black Dragon Treasure Ship to a sudden halt. Great Sage Tianpeng frowned slightly and pointed ahead. "The fluctuations there are very strange. The entrance to the Sacred Ground should be up ahead. Why stop here?" Old Man Hunmo looked up and replied calmly, "If we charge straight through the entrance, Xuantian Palace will be fully prepared. They are bound to use the terrain to block us. Even if we force our way through, it will waste a great deal of time. If Xuantian Palace fights to the death at all costs, the outcome will be unpredictable. Look at those dark clouds..." As he spoke, Old Man Hunmo pointed toward a section of the rift. Great Sage Tianpeng looked in the direction he indicated. Amid the thick dark clouds, several spots appeared sparse, noticeably thinner than the rest. In all likelihood, one could also enter the Sacred Ground from there, though the resistance encountered would still be substantial. Old Man Hunmo glanced back. "If we unite our strength, it shouldn't be difficult. Once we enter the Sacred Ground, it will be too late for Xuantian Palace to stop us." Once proposed, the idea met with unanimous approval. Old Man Hunmo stowed the Black Dragon Treasure Ship. The various Nascent Soul cultivators shielded their respective disciples and took up formation.