Chapter 132 One of Nine Secrets
Ye Fan was already at the point where Li Xiaoman was just another person to him. The only relationship they had now was being stranded within this new world.
Other than that, there was nothing else. Their past had slowly faded with time.
He had thought about it before. They couldn’t be together again, as they didn’t have their old feelings, but he thought they could still be friends. But their last encounter made him realize that that was just wishful thinking.
Ye Fan didn’t plan on going to see Li Xiaoman. Rather than that cold indifference, it was better to just act as strangers briefly brushing past each other.
Before coming here, Ji Ziyue had applied a heavy layer of makeup to her face so that she appeared completely different. Her eyes were as sharp as ever, managing to sense Ye Fan’s change in mood.
Within the endless mountains, these 108 main peaks represented 108 different kinds of inheritances. They were the main reason for the Taixuan sect’s continued prosperity.
Although some of the inheritances had declined, some of them had abruptly risen in strength. Other than the passing of dynasties and years, the Taixuan sect had always been a towering existence.
The entrance to the main gate was very wide with many people coming and going. There were definitely over ten thousand people here at the moment, but it was not in the least crowded. They were all waiting to be selected.
These people had come from dozens of surrounding nations. And this was just the first day! This selection would continue for seven more days, and this many people came every day. It was hard to imagine just how many people were gathering here.
To come from the surrounding nations, these people all had a certain amount of talent. But only a small amount of them would be selected. Their talents had to be extremely great, outstanding amongst their peers.
“It’s this extreme?” Ye Fan felt amazed, staring at this sea of people. This was even more stringent than the selection for the emperor’s imperial concubines.
Ji Ziyue glanced at him, saying, “Of course. The reputation of the Taixuan sect is very great. Back in its flourishing age, it was one of the top hundred sects within the Eastern Wastelands. It’s a rare supreme power which has been endured for tens of thousands of years.”
“Then doesn’t that mean your Ji Family is even more formidable? To be able to stably continue as such a great sect, it’s hard for me to imagine the might and wealth of your family.”
“The Ancient Desolation Noble Families and Sacred Lands have continued for an extremely long time. It’s impossible to imagine their depths. Even I, who was born there, don’t truly know.”
Hearing this, Ye Fan could only suck in a cold breath. He had no way of fathoming such a supreme ancient noble family.
“Little brat, why do I feel like you have no idea of these supreme powers? Do you know nothing about them?”
“Don’t call me a little brat.” Ye Fan felt very awkward with this appellation.
Ji Ziyue gently laughed, rubbing his black hair and saying, “A fourteen-year old like you wants to act proud of his age? Trying to act so wise, it really is…”
Just at this moment, dozens of human figures flew over from the 108 main peaks, all white-haired, hearty, and healthy old seniors. Floating in midair and overlooking the thousands of people below them, one of them spoke in a voice that clearly rang in every single person’s ear, “The first test is just to pass through an immortal gate. Without any affinity with the immortal path, it will be impossible to pass. Only by passing through the gate can one live at one of the 108 main peaks. By passing the test of any of the main peaks, it was possible to obtain that mountain’s inheritance and become a Taixuan sect disciple.
Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue were mixed into the crowd and advanced with it. They quickly arrived at that mysterious gate. It was at least a thousand meters tall, made from a natural mountain stone wall, the inside filled with mist like a deep valley.
Although many people entered, ninety percent of them were once more teleported out by the immortal gate as having no affinity for immortality.
“The Taixuan gate is made of a natural stone wall is said to have been refined by a nineteenth generation ancestor. People whose cultivation is not suitable can’t pass through,” quite a few people were quietly whispering.
The people who were sent out were very unwilling, trying to enter again, but the result never changed.
There were quite a few young disciples overseeing this place, so no one dared cause trouble. The people who were repeatedly sent out had no choice but to sadly leave.
When Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue finally approached, the two of them were very nervous, entering with hundreds of other people. Ji Ziyue walked through effortlessly, but with a flash of light, Ye Fan was sent back out.
“This guy’s body…it’s obviously extremely powerful, how could it be this useless?” Ji Ziyue’s jaw dropped, a completely disbelieving expression on her face.
Ye Fan had completely sealed his body’s divine energy fluctuations just now. His Sea of Bitterness was like divine iron, completely motionless. The result was as expected and he was sent out. He immediately understood the reason. He was not embarrassed, and once more entered. The people around him laughed, but he didn’t care in the slightest.
This time, he revealed a slight amount of divine energy, and managed to smoothly pass through. The people who had been laughing at him were all completely shocked.
“What happened just now?” Ji Ziyue was extremely curious, examining him and saying, “Your body is very special. There’s definitely some secret behind it.”
Of the tens of thousands of people that had entered, only a couple thousand remained. They split up towards the various 108 main peaks, each searching for their own immortal affinity. Amongst these people, many would be unable to stay, and only a few would be left behind as Taixuan disciples.
Deep within the Taixuan sect there were countless beautiful mountains. But there were 108 main peaks that were the most magnificent.
Some main peaks had immortal music playing, clouds veiling them, and were flashing with bright lights. Some of them were filled with vitality, with waterfalls thousands of meters long crashing down. Some of them had cranes flying in the air, Heavenly Temples floating, and appeared very auspicious, just like a holy land outside this world.
“This temples aren’t sitting on the mountain peaks, but actually floating upon clouds…” Ye Fan was deeply amazed.
“What’s so strange about that? Such a supreme power should obviously be like this. My family also has an ancient city that forever floats.”
“This…” Ye Fan could only lament silently.
“We’ll stay here low-key for a while, so that I can figure out who’s trying to hurt me. When the time comes, they’ll all be in my grasp! But we also can’t just waste our time here. The Taixuan sect has a legendary mysterious ancient technique that can only be found here. Even the Sacred Lands and Ancient Desolation Noble Families covet it.”
Hearing this, Ye Fan was astonished, saying, “Well then, what’s there to think about? Let’s pick the main peak with that inheritance.”
“Unfortunately, it’s said that the ancient technique’s inheritance has been almost completely severed, and hasn’t been seen in many years. We can only rely on luck.” Coming from an Ancient Desolation Noble Family, Ji Ziyue naturally had vast knowledge and had a certain understanding of the Taixuan sect. The two of them walked towards a very bleak and barren peak.
This mountain wasn’t very grand, only three thousand meters tall. There were dozens of surrounding ordinary mountains that were quite a bit taller than it.
This was obviously a kind of declined inheritance. This place was very quiet. Huge trees and vines could be seen, but it was extremely bleak, with no humans being visible.
“Although this is one of the 108 mean peaks and represents a powerful inheritance, it looks like it has already declined. This place is too empty and there are not even any disciples guarding the gate.” Ye Fan felt that it was difficult to obtain anything from this place.
Ji Ziyue rubbed her pretty face, before two rays of divine light shot out of her eyes, almost seeming to take physical form and sweeping across this main peak.
“Back in the day, this main peak was incomparably flourishing, but five hundred years ago, the peak’s master and a Flickering Light Sacred Land’s Grand Elder fought and both died, the inheritance was almost completely cut off.”
“Then what are we here for?” Ye Fan didn’t understand.
“None of the Taixuan sect’s 108 main peaks’ inheritances have ever been completely separated, because each peak has a heavenly scripture. Even if it declines for hundreds or thousands of years, there will come a day where it once more continues; the scripture reappears once more, and the inheritance continues.”
“What is here for you to have so much interest in it?”
“According to legends, this peak’s inheritance contains an immortal art that is inconceivable to all, an immortal art that caused all of the Sacred Lands’ eyes to turn red.”
“Immortal art?”
“Because it was too mysterious, almost demonic. The creator almost managed to achieve Immortality, so it was called an immortal art.”
“What’s so special about it?” Ye Fan was very curious, sensing this inheritance definitely wasn’t ordinary.
“If one could successfully cultivate this kind of immortal art, it could cause a person’s battle prowess to increase several times, even ten times.” Ji Ziyue sent a yearning look at the peak.
“This was a mysterious inheritance. Once it was used, it could multiply your body’s battle prowess. Although it could only do this occasionally and not every time, it was still very formidable. If an enemy were to face you when it succeeded, it would definitely be a killing blow.”
“Such a technique really exists?” Ye Fan was quite moved.
“It’s said that back in the day, there was a mysterious ancient scripture that couldn’t be completely recorded. It was only recorded as nine secret arts that were just as famous as the Dao Scripture or the Empty Void Scripture immortal canons. Unfortunately, that ancient scripture was broken into different pieces, and the nine secret arts never appeared together again. Disappearing in all directions, some of those secrets arts have probably disappeared forever. It’s said that this peak’s immortal art is one of those nine secret arts.”
“Even when split into nine secret arts, it’s on the same level as the Sacred Lands’ immortal scriptures…” For this peak’s inheritance to be one of those nine sacred arts was absolutely amazing!
“I hope that we can find that secret art.” Divine light flowed inside Ji Ziyue’s eyes.
“Does the Taixuan sect only have one of those secret arts?”
Ji Ziyue nodded, saying, “For them to obtain one of the secret arts is already incredible lucky!”
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This area was completely silent and overgrown. This main peak’s gate was covered in undergrowth, not appearing at all like an immortal mountain. On top of an old tree were a couple crows cackling, flapping their wings and flying away.
The path up towards the mountain was completely overrun with thorny bristles. The vegetation was a complete mess, and it seemed like it had been a long time since anyone had tidied this place up.
At this time, a tottering stooped old man walked out of a broken-down temple near the mountaintop.
“Are you here to take the test? In the past five hundred years, the inheritance has never appeared and is basically severed. It’s unknown just when it will ever appear again. You guys might waste years of your life by coming here.”
“We’re not afraid. We have time to wait,” Ji Ziyue sweetly smiled, going up and supporting the old man. Her words were lively and beautiful.
Around the three thousand-meter tall mountain peak were quite a few temples, but many of them had collapsed, with old trees falling and vines growing on top of them, and their courtyards were covered in weeds almost a meter tall.
“This place is practically a desolate wilderness…”
“You’re right. Now that the inheritance has ceased to appear, who would come here? It’s naturally completely empty,” the old man sighed continuously.
Just at this time, a dozen divine rainbows flew over towards a mountain peak in front of them. Ye Fan didn’t expect that he would meet Li Xiaoman so quickly. She was already a Spring of Life realm cultivator and could fly using divine rainbows.
“That main peak over there is currently flourishing very well. You should pick that one, it’s far better than this place,” the old man kindly proposed.
“We only want this peak’s inheritance,” Ji Ziyue smiled.
The old man was all smiles and nodded, saying, “Good, you’re ambitious. You must already know this peak’s inheritance is one of the nine secrets of the legends. I hope you’ll be able to have some gains.”