My Journey to Immortality Begins with Hunting-Chapter 599 - Hierarchy - Part 1

The Arcane Supreme Sect lay shrouded in celestial mist.

Between the mountains, sword riding Immortals streaked through the sky like shooting stars.

In a land so saturated with spiritual energy, even a mere fifth rank cultivator could travel effortlessly using a spirit weapon, barely expending any power at all.

Now, many powerful cultivators from the Central Plains had arrived here as well. The once ethereal and serene Eastern Sea had grown noisy and crowded. And with the local beasts gaining intelligence from prolonged exposure to the ambient spiritual aura, the place had only become livelier.

But alas, this was only a fleeting glimpse, a final flourish before the end.

Even so, one thing was certain. Long, long ago, this world had basked in an age where spiritual energy flowed endlessly, a golden era that must have lasted for centuries, or even millennia, perhaps.

One needed only to see the present scene to imagine how glorious that age must have been.

And yet...the more glorious it was, the more it inspired dread.

After all, where had all those mighty beings of that bygone era gone?

Deep in the mountains, two sword-bearing martial artists sat in a pavilion, gazing out at the breathtaking landscape. But their faces were clouded, their expressions grim.

“Zizhuo, we’ve been deceived,” one man muttered.

His companion, slightly plump and smiling faintly, was named Liu Zizhuo. But at those words, the smile slipped from his face. He sighed. “Yes. We have.”

The first man continued, “Still...I find it hard to believe. How could someone from the Central Plains have created such a technique? The Tyrant Blade, Phantom Blade, Final Blade, and then later the Jade Seeding Method...

“After we arrived here, it all became clear. Every cultivation technique traces back to the secret art steles. Even the Arcane Supreme Sect and Five Spirits Institute all practice techniques derived from the steles. None of them are original.

“As for that man, I’ve done some digging. He was once known as the Blood Blade Patriarch in the southern lands. Then he became Master Li. Later, he supposedly disappeared into the Western Extremes, and the rumors dried up.

“Some say he was the first Khagan. Others claim he led the Tang Sect. Still others whisper that he can be male or female, young or old, a mystery beyond comprehension, neither truly alive, nor quite dead.”

Liu Zizhuo replied, “Our future path lies entirely in his hands. In a way, we are already his disciples, just lured here under false pretenses. The heart longs for the Dao. That we came here was not a mistake. We simply didn’t know he was still in the Central Plains.”

The first man frowned. “The spiritual energy here is rich, yes, but our cultivation’s next stage lies in the Central Plains. What do we do now?”

Liu Zizhuo said calmly, “He’ll come to the Eastern Sea sooner or later. Besides, even if we wanted to return, we can’t. Before we came, we all thought the Eastern Sea was some sacred, celestial realm. But now? Haven’t we all realized the truth? When he comes, we follow him. Simple as that.”

The first man fell into a thoughtful silence. Then he said, “So the one who helped us overcome the madness at sixth rank...that must have been him too. Unbelievable. That someone like him...created the Bladeseekers from the shadows.”

He paused, then suddenly narrowed his eyes. “But...what if it’s all a lie?”

Liu Zizhuo slowly shook his head. “No. This time, I truly believe it’s real.”

He stood up, hands clasped behind his back, looking out across the misty peaks.

“These past few days, I’ve been thinking it over. In the hundred years of the Great Zhou’s recent history...it’s as if countless invisible hands have been subtly pulling the strings. Whether it was the rise and fall of the Lotus Cult, the Grand Union of Yin and Yang, or the waxing and waning of the Ice Folk, all of it bore traces of deliberate manipulation.

“And the appearance, then disappearance, of the Human Emperor? That too felt like a move in some grand game of chess. We’re too low on the ladder to see the whole board. But I believe one of the hands moving the pieces...must belong to Master.”

“Master? Li Yuan doesn’t even know who you are,” the first man said.

Liu Zizhuo chuckled. “Brother Shi, haven’t you figured it out yet? From the moment he created the Jade Seeding Method and passed it down...we were already his disciples. A heart as clear as polished jade, as pure as starlight, how could such a heart tolerate students turning their backs on their teacher? That would be unforgivable. We’ve cultivated his teachings. Whether we’ve met him or not, whether we’re near or far, we are all his students.”

Shi Ce, the first man, narrowed his eyes. “Then why did you call me here today?” 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Liu Zizhuo smiled. “Now that the Master has stepped out from the shadows...don’t you think the winds are about to change?”

Shi Ce frowned. “What are you getting at?”

Liu Zizhuo said plainly, “Protect the Master’s family.”

At that, Shi Ce burst into laughter and pointed across the table.

“The Master’s family? You mean Cui Huayin? Sure, she’s beautiful. Plenty of male cultivators have their eyes on her. But she’s under Elder Li’s protection, safe and sound. Now that the Master’s returned, she’s safer than ever. Why would we need to protect her? And let’s be honest. You and I are both fourth rank, but in the Eastern Sea, that doesn’t exactly make us heavyweights. What gives us the right to protect her?”

Liu Zizhuo said calmly, “It’s not just her. There are others. But she’s definitely at the center of it all.”

Shi Ce laughed again, but this time, the laughter faded quickly. His expression sobered. “Wait, you’re serious?”

Liu Zizhuo nodded, solemn and resolute. “Just wait and see. Everything’s about to be turned upside down.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

“Ping’an, go now. And during this trip, bring your father with you. If you return a few days late, it’s fine. Let the flying ship wait a while longer for your father. If your father has any special requests, send the flying ship to him, no need to make him come to the shore,“ the sect master spoke with a gentle smile.

Ping’an’s expression tightened slightly, but he said nothing more. He only replied, “The Arcane Supreme Sect has shown me kindness beyond measure. I will do all I can to persuade my father to join us in exploring the ancient halls.”

The Sect Master smiled and nodded. “Every extra hand helps. And with someone like your father, a man of wisdom and strength, his presence would be invaluable. I suspect his journey here is for the ancient hall, anyway.”

“Go now. Oh, and stop by the sect storehouses. Bring some of our finest spirit brew and celestial herbs for your father. It’s a modest gift, but it carries the sincerity of the Arcane Supreme Sect. And tell him that once he arrives, his status will be on par with a hall master. I’ll make arrangements to grant him an abode of his own.

“As for attendants, if I recall, quite a few disciples from the Bladeseekers have joined us over the years. I’ll have them gathered to serve under his command. Disciples following their master, that’s just the natural order of things, isn’t it? Haha.”

Ping’an bowed deeply, his expression filled with gratitude. “On behalf of my father, I thank the Sect Master for your kindness.”

The Sect Master waved a hand dismissively. “Go on, quickly now.”

Ping’an withdrew.

The Sect Master stared at his retreating figure for a long moment, then finally turned away.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

Some time later.

A disciple came to report that the Hall Master of the Arcane Fire Hall had arrived.

“I’m not seeing guests,” the Sect Master replied curtly. Then he added, “I’ll be entering closed-door cultivation for a while. I need to improve my strength before Ping’an returns, so I can better explore the ancient halls with him.”

The disciple obediently left. But of course, how could he possibly stop the Fire Hall Master?

Before long, a man in red robes stormed into the great hall, practically steaming with impatience.

But what he found was exactly what he’d been told. The Sect Master had already shut himself away in seclusion.

The door to the abode was tightly sealed, and even the Fire Hall Master wouldn’t dare try to blast it open.

Over the years, their party had reaped much from the ancient halls. But stepping into second rank was still like reaching for the heavens.

The higher they climbed, the more they realized how distant that sky truly was.

Still, among all of them, the strongest remained the Sect Master of the Arcane Supreme Sect.

And that meant even the Fire Hall Master didn’t dare overstep his bounds.

He exhaled heavily, forced to swallow his frustration, and turned to leave.

But instead of returning to his own dwelling, he headed straight for the abode of the Hall Master of the Arcane Earth Hall.