Chapter 002: The Divine Gift of the Mountain and Sea Hidden Divine Sect, the Five Elements Bring Calamity from the Heavens

Xiao Zaitian became famous after a single battle, and in just a short span of a thousand years, he ultimately gathered for a calamity! As the heavenly thunder of 9,998 struck down upon him, in a moment of near death, Xiao Zaitian rose with his sword and astonishingly withstood the heavenly tribulation, ascending to immortality! The mountains and seas trembled once more! It is important to note that over these hundred thousand years, cultivators have been as countless as the stars in the night sky. However, not a single person has been able to transcend this 9,999 heavenly tribulation and ascend to immortality! Consequently, in the end, everyone believed that ascension was merely an illusory thought. Yet, Xiao Zaitian's ascension to immortality undoubtedly opened a door of hope leading to the immortal realm for the mountain and sea cultivation world! But at the same time, it also brought about the covert scrutiny of those with ulterior motives!

Suddenly, four flying swords appeared out of thin air from a distance of twenty feet! In an instant, they pierced through the air from all directions. Yet, I had been completely unaware of this beforehand, which leaves only one possibility

As he spoke, a streak of light suddenly flew in front of the green leaf! Behind him, the mountain lord saw that it was a golden jade tablet, which must contain the ancestral decree.

Before long, he felt that this cursed weather was becoming increasingly hot

At that moment, a person suddenly thrust a sharp sword into the ground and said with frustration: "Young Master, we have been waiting here for nearly two hours, yet we have not seen a single figure from the Five Elements Sect. Could it be that the intelligence is incorrect?"

The young man in white, carrying a three-foot sword, is at this moment making his way forward with a rosy complexion and a calm demeanor

Gazing at the expressionless master at this moment, the mountain lord pondered for a moment and said: "I believe that this is highly likely a scheme by other forces to weaken our sect's strength, a desperate measure. It is even more probable that they have noticed our sect's decline and wish to spy on our sect, particularly on the ascension technique of Sect Master Xiao"

The young man known as Shan Jun suddenly heard what Qing Yezi said, and in an instant, he felt dejected. His eyes, filled with reluctance, opened wide as he gazed at his master, who still had his back turned to him under the shade of the tree. He sighed and said, "Master, I have disappointed you once again."

At this moment, Qing Yezi's expression was respectful, and with a single hand gesture, the ethereal jade slip vanished into his hand, transforming into nothingness

It seems that heaven has played a grand joke, deliberately toying with the Five Elements Sect.

Shan Jun is evidently very curious about the past of the ancestor

At that moment, amidst the flattery of the crowd, a young man, nearly seven feet tall, with fair skin and dressed in a white long gown, approached with measured steps, holding a three-foot green peak, exuding an extraordinary demeanor and charm.

Since then, a thousand years have passed to this day. The Five Elements Sect has once again transitioned from prosperity to decline, reaching a nadir. If it were not for the protective mountain formation left by the founding master, along with the Five Elements Sword Formation created by Xiao Zaitian, which deters the unscrupulous, it is estimated that countless individuals with ulterior motives would have already come knocking, 'seeking guidance' on the path to ascension

Upon hearing the words of guidance from the Master, the disciple quickly bowed and said, "Master, rest assured, I have taken note of it."

Upon hearing this, Qing Yezi was first taken aback, and then smiled as he said: "... ... What is so different about this? It is merely making a fuss over nothing"

After a while, amidst the swirling clouds and mist, a shadowy figure gradually emerged, indistinct and unclear.

The Five Elements Mountain peaks, five summits interconnected, resemble fingers or swords, towering thousands of zhang into the clouds. Amidst the strange rocks and peculiar pines, there are often water pavilions and waterfalls piercing through the clouds, cascading down three thousand feet directly into the human realm. From a distance, the peaks rise and fall in layers, with clouds and mist billowing upwards, obscuring the palatial groves in the forest. Celestial cranes dance towards the sky accompanied by clouds; the peaks, like swords, pierce through the clouds. Such forms and shapes, this extraordinary scenery is renowned throughout the world, hence it is called the Five Elements Sword Peak.

After a moment of silence, he gradually eased and said: "It seems that during my seclusion, many things have transpired, very well, very well. Mountain Lord... in your view, what is the reason for this?"

Time flows like a river, and for a hundred thousand years, those who seek the path of cultivation are as numerous as the fish crossing the river, beyond counting. Although the Divine Gift Continent is vast and boundless, the cultivation families and sects are hidden in various places rich in spiritual energy, indifferent to worldly affairs. If one were to inquire which mystical sect possesses profound heritage, one must speak of the Five Elements Sect, located at the peak of the Five Elements Mountain on the northern slope of Qingqiu, amidst the vast clouds and mist, known as the foremost sect in the world.

Clearly, the words of the man in black were quite pleasing to the ears of the young master in black

Upon hearing this, Shan Jun was immediately taken aback, and then joyfully exclaimed: "Thank you, Master...!"

As they spoke, the master and disciple gradually moved away while discussing matters concerning the foot of the mountain

Taking a moment to rest, he leaned against the pine and cypress trees, drinking water while reflecting on the matter of returning to the clan.

In the vast land of mountains and seas, the southeastern region of Zhao boasts fertile soil, a flourishing culture, and a network of waterways bustling with merchants. Legends speak of celestial beings who can traverse clouds and seas above this mortal realm. Furthermore, it is said that ancient clans from times long past still exist, hidden beyond the mountains, with lifespans that seem infinite, yet no one has the fortune to encounter them. There are also tales of a realm beyond the peaks, where the celestial sects stand tall, offering countless paths to cultivation, enlightenment, and the ultimate way to eternal life. In this world, the ancient clans continue to be passed down through generations, concealed beyond the mountains, with boundless lifespans, yet remain unseen by mortal eyes; and it is said that above those towering peaks lies a realm beyond realms, where the celestial sects rise, allowing for the cultivation of infinite methods, leading to enlightenment and the path of everlasting life.

But the young leaves gently shook their heads and interjected: "Once you enter the azure clouds, for a thousand years and every morning, how could the divine shadows and the void be mentioned in the same breath?"

The young leaf, seemingly deep in thought, remarked: "The actions of the ancestor are guided by reason; we need only to act according to the established principles and do not need to question further"

The young man in white saw an entrance to the dense forest; the heat and the blazing sun were both blocked by the shade of the trees outside. A refreshing coolness immediately surged into his heart, accompanied by gentle summer breezes that caressed his face, providing an exquisite sense of comfort

Upon hearing the master's question, Shan Jun immediately raised an eyebrow, followed by a serious expression: "Master, there is indeed nothing amiss within the sect. However, recently, a group of people has inexplicably appeared at the foot of the mountain, ambushing passersby in the vicinity."

"Young master, he has arrived. Should we take action now?" As the young man in white slowly approached, the four of them immediately felt a surge of tension, gripping the hilts of their swords, with some even having drawn their swords more than a foot out.

Looking at the ancestor who ascended into the sky, the mountain lord asked in confusion: "Master, has the ancestor not entered seclusion to break through?"

The green leaves gazed at the vast sky, shaking their heads in concern and reproaching, "Mountain Lord, your heart is already in turmoil; what use is it to force yourself into meditation?"

Young master is mighty

Listening to the Master’s intention, it is evident that the Ancestor has not yet entered the Qingyun Ranking. At this moment, he and the Master, who has just finished his seclusion, are waiting here for the Ancestor to emerge. The Ancestor’s seclusion is aimed at breaking through the shackles of the Great Perfection of the Holy Hall. Beyond the Holy Hall lies the Divine Shadow, a realm that he yearns for yet is far from reach. ... However, the Ancestor's seclusion was brief, and it is unclear why he unexpectedly sent a message to the Master to come. Could it be...

Qing Yezi immediately recognized that it was indeed their own ancestor. Upon seeing this Qing Yezi, who had always worn a smile, unexpectedly changed their demeanor, showing respect as they bowed and said: "I respectfully welcome the ancestor out of seclusion"

It is evident that, for the young disciples, the matters of plunder and robbery in the mortal realm are regulated by the secular kingdoms and have no relevance to their mystical sect. Furthermore, such ordinary acts of plunder are not particularly unusual. On the contrary, he feels that his highly valued eldest disciple is somewhat overreacting

Suddenly, the leading figure in black turned his head, and those cold, narrow eyes, piercing to the bone, seemed to emit a chilling light that pierced the heart like a needle through the twisted and cracked iron mask's eye holes

Oh? Seeing the Mountain Lord in such a manner, the green-leafed youth displayed a look of curiosity, signaling him to continue

After slowly scanning the crowd, he noticed the flickering and evasive gazes of the people. With a muffled grunt, he turned to look outside the forest and coldly reprimanded, "Matters of confidentiality are not for you to discuss recklessly based on your status"

The young man in white suddenly displayed a look of astonishment

Qing Yezi nodded slightly and then smiled, saying: "Hmm~ I know you have always wanted to make a name for yourself on the Qingyun Ranking... In fact, the ancestor also thought about it back in the day..."

Seeing the four in such a pitiful state, the young master in black let out a muffled grunt and disdainfully said: "Useless things! You need not be afraid. I was well prepared before setting out. Outside the forest, I have already set up an illusionary formation, waiting for them to enter the illusion and reach this point. At that time, I will strike from all sides, and they will surely be caught off guard!"

The ancient path leads to the present night of rest, the mysterious gate treads the sword amidst the clouds

Upon hearing the words of the black-clad leader, referred to as the Young Master, the crowd immediately displayed signs of panic. Clearly, with their mere strength at the first level of purity, facing a sword cultivator at the fourth level of purity, they were practically facing certain death.

Upon seeing the young man in white had walked not far beyond the forest, the young master in black immediately commanded everyone to halt, and the forest soon returned to tranquility

Upon seeing the young master in black, he immediately reprimanded in a deep voice: "Fools! When they let their guard down, the four of you should strike together. At that moment, I will take advantage of their unpreparedness to launch a surprise attack, and it will surely result in a swift kill. Be quiet!"

In this dense forest, at this moment, there is a group of five individuals dressed in black, wearing iron masks, and wielding sharp swords, scattered throughout the woods. Their eagle-like eyes are constantly scanning the area outside the forest, seemingly waiting for their prey to arrive

How is Xiao Zaitian? There is not much to say for now. It is only mentioned that, by chance, he encountered the great fortune of Mo Da, and from then on, he soared to great heights! Subsequently, he fought alone against the ancestors of the five major sects on the Sea of Tears. With one person and one sword, he transformed the five elements; as the five elements revolved, he battled against the heroes! The mountains and seas trembled, and the name of the Five Elements Sword Immortal became unparalleled in the world. From then on, all sects and families revered the Five Elements Sect as the number one sect in the world.

The young man holds a long sword against his chest with both hands, his narrow eyes slightly closed, appearing as if in a feigned slumber. Beneath his calm demeanor, however, his brows occasionally twitch slightly.

The Five Elements Sect is unparalleled at this moment, radiating unmatched brilliance

Through the mist-wreathed Wuxing Peak, plunging thousands of feet downwards, to the north lies a dense forest of pines and cypresses spanning a hundred miles. The pines and cypresses stand tall like peaks, and as a gentle breeze sweeps through, they appear uniform and orderly. In this sweltering summer, they indeed add a touch of coolness to the atmosphere

At this moment, Qing Yezi was not alone; behind him stood a valiant young man dressed in a blue sect robe.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The sharp sound of four objects piercing through the air suddenly resounded

Every morning, the sun rises in the east, casting its light on the clouds; the faint remnants of the moon linger over the bridge in the sky.

Seeing the young master angry, the person who had spoken earlier immediately became attentive and smiled, saying: "Young master, you have misunderstood us. It is merely that the weather is hot, and you hold such a noble status! Waiting here in the heat, we are doing this to speak up for you."

That being said, the good times were not to last. After the Elder Tianji established the Five Elements Sect, he soon vanished without a trace. Since then, the internal strife for the position of sect leader within the Five Elements Sect has been relentless, resulting in significant loss of strength and a state of stagnation. Meanwhile, various large and small sects and cultivation families in the mountains and seas have risen one after another. The Five Elements Sect has seen its decline, no longer shining as it once did, falling from prosperity to ruin. This evokes a sense of regret and lamentation, prompting one to sigh in reflection. The Five Elements Sect has seen its decline, no longer shining as it once did, falling from prosperity to ruin. This evokes a sense of regret and lamentation, prompting one to sigh in reflection

The green leaves turned back and smiled: "Disappointment?"

The Five Elements Sect has a long history, having experienced both prosperity and decline for nearly one hundred thousand years. It was once the largest sect in the world and is one of the few orthodox sects of sword cultivation. Its founding patriarch, the Elder of Heavenly Mechanisms, single-handedly turned the tide one hundred thousand years ago, leading the remnants of the righteous path to expel the evil Mo Ling clan. Hence, there is a saying that 'the Five Elements Sect emerges from all sects in the world'

... ...

Time flows swiftly, and the sea of clouds is ethereal. At this moment, outside the Hidden End Peak of the Five Elements Sect, there stands an old man with gray beard. He wears a harmonious smile, dressed in a blue robe, holding a green bamboo leaf in his hand, which he gently flips back and forth between his fingers. His crescent-shaped eyes reveal a glimmer of doubt as he gazes up at the boundless azure sky. This gray-bearded elder is none other than the current sect master of the Five Elements Sect—Qing Yezi.

He glanced at his most favored disciple, extending a finger that was holding a piece of bamboo leaf, and pointed at the latter, saying meaningfully: "Among all the junior disciples, although your talent is not the best, your perseverance is extraordinary, your cultivation is the highest, and you are also steady and capable. I have great expectations for you in my heart..."

Seeing the master shake his head and furrow his brow, the mountain lord immediately showed a look of dejection and said: "Master, is it that what the disciple said was inappropriate?"

Shan Jun, seeing that his master had misunderstood, hurriedly said: "Master, it is not that Shan Jun is overreacting, but rather that there are many peculiarities in this matter"

He then looked at his master, who was currently nodding with a mysterious smile, and hesitated to say: "Master... um... can that ancestor... ?"

Seeing the crowd reveal their admiration, the young master in black smiled with satisfaction and said: "Moreover, although he is a practitioner of the Unblemished Fourth Layer Sword, what of it? I am a practitioner of the Unblemished Sixth Layer Mysticism, and killing him is an easy task."

The senior brother has sent a message via flying sword, urgently commanding us to return to the mountain. We do not know what has happened. Could it be that something has occurred within the sect... Never mind, it is more important to hurry on our way...

The young master is truly a prodigy... Upon hearing this, the group of black-clad individuals felt a sense of reassurance, and naturally, they did not forget to shower him with a round of loud flattery. This made the leader of the black-clad group feel completely at ease, as if the sweltering weather had become a bit cooler.

Illusion Array

... ...

Less than a hundred years after Xiao Zaitian ascended, during a secret realm contention, several ancestors of the Five Elements Sect unexpectedly fell one after another. The elders and disciples suffered heavy losses, and with the sect suddenly facing such a severe blow, one can imagine the gravity of the situation

It is likely that the spirit of the Elder Tianji, in the heavens, is truly unwilling to witness the decline of the sect he founded with his own hands. The Five Elements Sect has unexpectedly produced an unparalleled 'figure'—Xiao Zaitian. One might ask, why not refer to Xiao Zaitian as an unparalleled 'genius'? The reason is that Xiao Zaitian was born a common beggar; although his comprehension in sword cultivation is extraordinary, he possesses a mixed root of five elements, which is considered a wasteful qualification! However, as the saying goes, 'A genius excels at the beginning; a figure excels at the final outcome.' Indeed, Xiao Zaitian was born a common beggar; although his comprehension in sword cultivation is extraordinary, he possesses a mixed root of five elements, which is considered a wasteful qualification! However, as the saying goes, 'A genius excels at the beginning; a figure excels at the final outcome.'

It seems that the Master had anticipated this question long ago. The Mountain Lord smiled confidently and spoke eloquently: "The disciple believes that strict orders should be issued to the disciples of the sect, prohibiting them from descending the mountain alone. As for those who have already gone out, they should be immediately summoned back. At the same time, I request the elders to lead the disciples with cultivation levels above the Innocent Stage to go out and investigate, seeking opportunities to eliminate the threat!"

Although the Five Elements Sect has declined to this extent, as the saying goes, "A skinny dead camel is still bigger than a horse," the foundation of the Five Elements Sect remains intact

A hundred thousand miles of tears, solitary as ink, cannot be fully expressed in a book that spans ten thousand years like a shuttle

The gazes of the two individuals instantly focused on the hidden peak, shrouded in clouds and mist.

What! ? '' The smile on Qing Yezi's face suddenly vanished upon hearing this

The young man wiped the sweat from his forehead, unfastened the water bottle at his waist, and took several big gulps. He then complained, "This damn weather is almost like a steamer! Huh~ It's still early in the day; let's go to the forest to escape the heat for a while."

More than a thousand years ago, the structure of the cultivation world in the Divine Gift Continent underwent a tremendous change due to one individual, and as a result, the Five Elements Sect once again welcomed the dawn of a new era

"Spare me ~ Qingye ~ The reason for my sudden emergence from seclusion this time is due to a letter from my senior brother. This is a confidential order; you must act according to the directive and absolutely must not defy it"

The Divine Gift Continent is vast and boundless, with an inner sea known as the Sea of Tears, spanning hundreds of thousands of miles, immense and limitless! Beyond the Sea of Tears, there are the Nine Provinces surrounding it, connected by land. Its mountains are layered and towering, with strange peaks and steep ridges standing like pillars reaching into the sky! Therefore, the Divine Gift Continent is aptly named—Shan Hai.

As soon as Mount Jun finished speaking, Qing Yezi reached out to stop him and shifted the topic, saying: "However! The most important aspect of our cultivation is to refine the heart, yet this has precisely been your weak point all along"

Just as he was about to rise, suddenly! He felt a chilling sensation coming from all directions around him

Suddenly hearing the secrets of the ancestors, the mountain lord raised his head in disbelief and gazed at the place on the hidden peak, shrouded in mist and clouds.

Yes, the disciple remembers

Saying this, he smiled and walked away. Upon seeing that his own master had left, Shan Jun wondered what he was still doing there. Thus, he hurriedly followed, holding his long sword.

What a good plan! Upon hearing this, everyone immediately responded with a low murmur of agreement.

Indeed, young master, could there be a mistake? ... ... " The crowd was abuzz with discussion

However, the affairs of the world are unpredictable

Glancing at the fierce expression on the face of the mountain lord, Qing Yezi furrowed his brows slightly, feeling a sense of helplessness in his heart. "My eldest disciple is good at everything, but he has a bit too much of a fierce temperament. It seems he still needs more tempering."

Having completed all of this, Qing Yezi, along with the Mountain Lord, once again respectfully bowed and said: "Qing Yezi (disciple) humbly abides by the ancestral decree"

After the two finished speaking, they looked up and saw that the ancestor had actually risen into the air, stepping on the clouds and soaring into the sky

It seems that the weather is scorching. Looking around, one can see the heat waves rolling, creating a sense of disorientation. Noticing the dense forest of pines and cypresses nearby, he turned and walked into the woods.

He merely nodded slightly and smiled, saying: "I suppose you still have some conscience, not wasting the efforts I have made to guide you in the past. Do you think I cherish this task? Let me tell you, if it weren't for that wretched fellow's recent overly conspicuous performance, I would not have come here to claim this trivial achievement... However, that being said, you all need to be a bit more astute. I have heard that the newcomer is a disciple from the inner sect of the Five Elements Sect, and their cultivation level is at the fourth stage of purity."

Thinking of the urgency of the message from the senior brother, the young man in white still decided to set off immediately

Seeing that Lord Jian Shan's thoughts coincided with his own, Qing Yezi revealed a smile of approval and nodded affirmatively, saying: "Indeed, it aligns perfectly with my intention as a teacher. So how should we respond to this?"

At this moment, Qing Ye casually asked, "What recent matters have occurred in the sect?"

Shan Jun nodded slightly, his expression grave as he said: "Master, I have inquired multiple times and discovered that the deceased are all young individuals, and the murder weapon bears the insignia of our sect! Most of the deceased are ordinary people, but, but among them, there is also an inner disciple of our sect!"

Upon seeing Qing Yezi, he instantly relaxed his furrowed brow and waved his hand, saying: "Not at all, what I am concerned about is your aura of hostility. In the future, you will need to cultivate more restraint and refinement."

Just as the Mountain Lord was lost in thought, suddenly, from the hidden peak, a deep and resonant sound of a bell echoed, long and far-reaching. Immediately after, the sound of the stone door slowly opening could be faintly heard