My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult-Chapter 265 - : The Five Qi Grandmaster Appears in the Wind and Sand
Chapter 265: Chapter 265: The Five Qi Grandmaster Appears in the Wind and Sand
Deep autumn presented a desolate scene; the fields after harvest stretched bare as far as the eye could see.
In the fields, livestock walked back and forth with drooping heads, and flocks of sparrows occasionally erupted from the wheat fields into the air. Crows circled low in the sky before one let out a cry of despair and flew away.
After obtaining the complete Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing visited Yu State City once more before hastily heading towards Dongluo Pass.
Zhao Qingmei’s letter mentioned that Houjin had been increasingly active recently, and no one knew when the great army might descend from the north, so he had to quicken his pace.
As a Five Qi Grandmaster, Jun Qinglin naturally was extraordinary, capable of reaching Blue Sky Island on Jinghai Road from Dongluo Pass. Although An Jing was only at the Second Qi Cultivation level, practicing the “Nameless Heart Scripture” allowed him to absorb True Qi extremely fast, nearly matching Jun Qinglin’s pace.
The two of them traveled northward through Lingnan Dao, East Lin Road, and after several days, they directly reached Yunlin City on Beihuang Dao.
...
As soon as they passed through the official road of Yunlin City, they would arrive at Dongluo Pass.
News from Dongluo Pass came incessantly. As the weather cooled, Houjin showed no further movements, like a fierce tiger yawning, which nevertheless kept Dongluo Pass extremely tense.
With tens of hundreds of thousands of soldiers poised to descend, could Dongluo Pass truly hold?
In the melancholic autumn breeze, Jun Qinglin stood atop a hill outside Yunlin City.
Since he left Dongluo Pass, there were still spots of green light to be seen, but now, there were only the barren hills and the desolate cries of crows flying past.
Jun Qinglin gazed at the drifting white clouds in the sky, feeling a sudden sense of melancholy, “I left this land over thirty years ago and haven’t returned since. This time, the departure may be even longer…”
Over thirty years was a long time indeed, but how much longer could “even longer” be?
“Great Elder.”
An Jing also gazed into the distance and asked, “How difficult is that final shackle to break through?”
There were a few Five Qi Grandmasters in the world, all top masters of the various peaks. There surely must have been some over the past few hundred years, but did none reach the Great Grandmaster Realm?
Jun Qinglin spoke slowly, “Holy relics linger amidst treacherous paths, the Spiritual Lamp emerges from chaos. To reach the Land Immortal Realm, the final step is to ignite the Spiritual Lamp and attach the longevity lock. Only then can one truly reach the Great Grandmaster level. The Spiritual Lamp is a lamp in the mind, and to light it requires insight into life and willpower, profound upon profound. The longevity lock, even more so, is tied to the laws of heaven and earth. Heavenly Human Communication and Separating Heaven and Earth are both methods to attach the longevity lock, but just the initial steps of Heavenly Human Communication and Separating Heaven and Earth are insufficient to secure it.”
An Jing knew it was not easy for a Five Qi Grandmaster to become a Great Grandmaster, but he hadn’t anticipated it would be this difficult, “To ignite the Spiritual Lamp, to attach the longevity lock…”
Jun Qinglin chuckled lightly, “There are prodigies in this world. Some are born with the Spiritual Lamp already lit, and some Five Qi Grandmasters spend decades without a chance to ignite it.”
Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn’t help but ask, “Great Elder, are you now…”
In Jianghu, one’s cultivation was taboo, and even master and disciple would not reveal their true level of cultivation, as it was the greatest secret in Jianghu.
Especially at Jun Qinglin’s level, it was something that should never be spoken of.
Jun Qinglin did not hide it, answering, “The Spiritual Lamp is already lit, but the longevity lock remains unattached.”
An Jing’s heart stirred. To have lit the Spiritual Lamp, didn’t that mean he was half a step into the Great Grandmaster Realm?
“When I reached the Five Qi Realm, my only thought was to discard all distractions and break through to the Great Grandmaster Realm. I then went straight to the Sealing Demon Platform for a closed-door retreat. Only then did I realize how difficult it was to step into the Great Grandmaster Realm. I spent ten years and still couldn’t ignite the Spiritual Lamp. Last year, my state of mind changed, and I managed to light it by chance,” said Jun Qinglin.
Seeing the spark in An Jing’s eyes, Jun Qinglin shook his head with a wry smile, “But attaching the longevity lock is the hardest step. My lifespan is not long, and I don’t know if I can succeed in the time I have left.”
At his level and age, without attaching the longevity lock, it was hard to make any progress in his realm, and he might die without achieving the Dao. Yet Jun Qinglin’s eyes showed indifference.
An Jing smiled, “Great Elder, you are a rare talent of the ages. Surely you will have the opportunity to secure the longevity lock.”
Jun Qinglin just smiled and said nothing.
Speaking of Jun Qinglin’s talent, it surely was extraordinary. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been valued by Leng Xiansheng, nor would he have reached the Five Qi Realm.
But whether he could make that final step, he wasn’t entirely sure himself.
The two looked out at the sea of clouds, saying nothing.
Jun Qinglin, being from Yan Country, had his entire life, his glory and shame, his joy and sorrow, his longing… all borne by this land.
It’s just that he himself did not know when he would next set foot on this land.
Years go by, depositing the sands of time, washing away lives. With one look back, a landscape is captured; with a single turn, a story of time is told.
Now, in this vast Jianghu, it was hard for him to find many old friends.
This Jianghu would remember him, Jun Qinglin, standing over eight feet tall, perhaps even for hundreds of years, but how many really understood him, knew him?
At sunset, the mountains and seas return to tranquility, hiding deep meanings. There is no one without regrets, just that some choose not to voice them.
Jun Qinglin turned to look at An Jing’s youthful face, his mind involuntarily recalling Ye Ding and Yu Ying, consumed by flames, and he couldn’t help but exhale a long breath.
An Jing asked, “Great Elder, what’s wrong?”
Jun Qinglin let out a sigh, “Our Jianghu has grown old.”
…..
The two continued on their journey after that, passing through Yunlin City and reaching the official road which led them to Dongluo Pass, just a few hundred miles away.
On the barren frontier, desolate and expansive, dust storms prevail.
Along the way, the two men saw several trade caravans and escorted horse carriages.
An Jing’s heart grew increasingly eager, as it had been three months since he left Dongluo Pass, and he hadn’t seen his wife in a long time.
Suddenly, Jun Qinglin halted in his steps, peering into the distance.
An Jing’s brow also furrowed deeply.
Up ahead, a wall of yellow sand swept through, looking like a soaring yellow dragon from afar, imposing a terrifying might that bore down on everything.
Under the faint sunlight, the sand carried a shimmer of broken gold.
In the vastness of heaven and earth, everything seemed to vanish except for the advancing yellow dust. And then, even the yellow dust gradually disappeared, leaving only a lone figure standing amidst it.
The dust storm enveloped the area, and with such a distance between them, the figure and their features were indiscernible.
A powerful expert!
An Jing sensed an extremely strong aura from within, a suffocating feeling, the last time he felt this was when he faced Jiang Shang at the Earth Flower Realm.
But now, his cultivation was no longer that of Earth Flower, and the person ahead was not Jiang Shang.
“I have been waiting for a long time.”
A sonorous and deep voice traveled from afar.
Transmission through the air!
While not a particularly profound technique, to dare such an act of transmission in the presence of An Jing and Jun Qinglin meant that this was no ordinary expert.
“What’s meant to come will come.”
Jun Qinglin smiled faintly, as if he had anticipated this battle all along.
An Jing’s heart jolted, and then he scowled, “Great Elder, is he…?”
“He wants to see if the Jianghu under my command still retains its warmth.”
Jun Qinglin looked at his own palm, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes, “The dust storm is too strong. You should wait here, while I go and meet him.”
With that said, Jun Qinglin, dressed in a black robe, walked toward the front. His steps were firm and steady, his clothes flapping in the gale’s roar.
His footsteps on the gravel made a faint sound, and his figure gradually faded into the dust storm, or rather, merged into it.
“The Holy Master of Houjin?”
An Jing’s expression carried a trace of solemnity.
There were not many experts in the world bold enough to clash with Jun Qinglin, and up to now, An Jing had only seen Qi Xuan Dao in action.
However, at that time, An Jing had employed Ghost Transformation, greatly enhancing his strength, so he didn’t feel the pressure facing Qi Xuan Dao as he did today. Without the Ghost Transformation, he now acutely felt the overpowering pressure exerted by the Five Qi Grandmaster.
The Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain, the lord of Houjin Royal Court.
This individual, within a span of twenty years, united the vast grasslands. Before Zongzheng Huachun emerged, the grassland tribes waged separate wars until this dominant figure appeared.
His achievements were etched into each grassland tribe, revered as the supreme chieftain of his time. Even the Martial Arts Emperor of Taiping paled in comparison concerning achievements.
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After all, the Martial Arts Emperor of Taiping had usurped the throne of Yan Country, whereas this grassland Holy Master united a land never before consolidated.
And like the usurper Taiping Emperor, he too was a Martial Arts Emperor with unfathomable power.
Now this pinnacle expert stood before them in this place.
The wind howled, and the dust storm grew fiercer, obscuring the whole sky. Then the earth itself began to tremble.
His purpose was clear and straightforward.
It certainly wasn’t a reunion because he and Jun Qinglin had no past friendship to reminisce about.
The veil was lifted on an earth-shattering battle.
The world was chaotic, dust filled the air, and An Jing felt his body swaying, as if to be blown away by the mighty force qi.
Due to the shroud of yellow sand, An Jing couldn’t see the details of the great battle but could only sense the True Qi surging tumultuously.
Time marched on relentlessly, and before he knew it, an hour had passed.
He did not approach but merely watched from a distance.
The grains of sand carried within them a terrifying force.
Darkness loomed over, sand flew, winds raged, and the sky was a dance of flying sand and rocks.
Two figures stood tall amidst the whirling sand, facing each other across the void.
Dressed in a long black robe, Jun Qinglin stood on the gravel, his left sleeve already torn, yet his expression remained as calm as still water, out of place in this part of the world. He had seemingly broken free from the bonds of heaven and earth and was no longer affected by them in the slightest.
In front of him, the wind and sand swirled, countless grains of sand building up to form a gigantic sand figure.
It blocked out the sun, casting a shadow as if it were eclipse.
Jun Qinglin smiled faintly, saying, “Your strength has now reached the pinnacle in the world.”
Zongzheng Huachun said, “Not yet, the pinnacle of the world can only accommodate one person.”
Jun Qinglin narrowed his eyes, “Do you wish to become the number one in the world?”
Zongzheng Huachun laughed heartily, “When you ask such a question, don’t you also harbor the same thought in your heart?”
The number one in the world!
Who doesn’t want to be the first in Jianghu, the first in the world?
Jun Qinglin shook his head, “You do not know what I am thinking.”
Zongzheng Huachun said, “Perhaps everyone has their troubles, but becoming the first in the world can solve most of them.”
Jun Qinglin gazed at the ‘young man’ before him, saying, “Being the first in the world is a trouble in itself.”
Zongzheng Huachun started to laugh, “Then give that trouble to me.”
“You might not be able to handle it.”
“You just don’t want to give it up.”
“The title of the world’s first is not in my hands, how can I give it to you?”
Two men, neither of whom were the world’s first, were debating over the title, a rather incomprehensible sight to behold.
People are different at times, but alike at other times.
It is because of similarities that differences arise, leading to conflicts.
Neither Zongzheng Huachun nor Jun Qinglin spoke.
They seemed to be saying their farewells, though not a single word of goodbye was mentioned in their conversation.
The yellow sand whirled up into a long dragon, covering the sky, like a vast flood, submerging both men in the brilliant grains of sand.
The swirling sand collided with each other; every minute collision was like a tumultuous upheaval to both men.
Neither made a move.
Why not move?
At such a realm, to remain still was to move.
A glimmer of deep light emerged in Jun Qinglin’s eyes, cold to the extreme, as if it could veil the entire sky.
That beam of light did not come from his eyes, nor from this world, but from another.
Zongzheng Huachun saw the light coming toward him and still did not move.
The deep light streaked across the sky, blood flowing down from fingertips to fall upon the sand.
And the moment the blood fell, the rising yellow sand exploded into action.
As the sandstorm swept across, the sun blazed high above, the tangerine sky and the earth merged into one.
“Let’s stop here,” Zongzheng Huachun said after a long while.
He finally moved, but it was to turn and walk away towards the distance.
Just as in the past, stopping at an agreed point.
…….
An Jing gazed at the flying sand and rocks in the distance, waiting with patience and urgency.
Suddenly, the swirling sand ahead halted, and a thump echoed in An Jing’s heart as she couldn’t help looking forward.
The yellow sand settled, and a figure walked towards her upon the gravel, the evening sun’s lingering light casting shadows on his shoulders.
Jun Qinglin.
The man wasn’t walking fast or slow, occasionally lifting his head to glance at the sunset in the sky.
“Great Elder.”
An Jing breathed a sigh of relief and looked toward the distance, “Has Zongzheng Huachun left?”
“He has.”
Jun Qinglin glanced at his shattered sleeves, smiling, “In my hands, he wished to pick up a bargain, to stand atop the true summit.”
Hearing this, An Jing gave Jun Qinglin a thumbs up, “Great Elder, you fought Qi Xuan Dao first and then Zongzheng Huachun. You are second to none in the world.”
It seemed that Jun Qinglin was not seriously harmed. Could it be that Zongzheng Huachun had once again retreated in defeat?
Jun Qinglin shook his head, “I am not the best in the world.”
Jun Qinglin had not become the world’s number one martial artist.
Neither had Qi Xuan Dao become the number one martial artist in the world.
Then, who could be the world’s number one martial artist?
So many people in the world, there must be someone who becomes the number one.
Jun Qinglin’s complexion suddenly turned red, and then blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
“Great Elder.”
An Jing quickly supported Jun Qinglin, his expression becoming grave.
Last time, Jun Qinglin had fought Qi Xuan Dao fiercely without getting injured. But now, bleeding indicated the extreme peril of this battle.
“Zongzheng Huachun was also injured.”
Jun Qinglin said with self-depreciation, “He can withstand an injury, but I cannot.”
Although Zongzheng Huachun had plenty of years ahead, his life limit was still decades away. However, Jun Qinglin’s life limit was nearing, and his internal organs had already lost their vitality, pushing him closer to his limit every day.
This battle had accelerated the depletion of his lifespan, leaving Jun Qinglin with even less time.
An Jing said solemnly, “Did he do it on purpose?”
Jun Qinglin took a deep breath, “Houjin’s army will arrive soon; you must prepare.”
Zongzheng Huachun wouldn’t have fought him for no reason. At his level, it wasn’t merely about regaining face from a previous defeat at Jun Qinglin’s hand.
He acted with a strong purpose in everything he did.
“I understand.”
An Jing noticed Jun Qinglin’s complexion was somewhat pale, “Great Elder, your injuries seem severe, do you need the Sect’s heavenly materials and earthly treasures?”
“My injuries are not serious; they merely hasten my life’s limit approaching, that is all.”
Jun Qinglin shook his head, speaking softly, “Having exchanged hands with Qi Xuan Dao and Zongzheng Huachun, I have had some realizations. Together with the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’ you sent, I will see if I can break through this last step upon my return.”
The final step was to achieve the Land Immortal Realm and extend his lifespan by three hundred years.
An Jing asked, “Great Elder, what are your chances?”
Jun Qinglin started to smile, “Less than ten percent.”
Less than ten percent!
An Jing was shocked, not expecting Jun Qinglin’s cultivation and strength to have such a low chance of breaking through to the Great Grandmaster level.
Jun Qinglin glanced at the tranquil sand dunes, casually saying, “Through the ages, few have dared claim they could step into it. The last Great Grandmaster was Yan Taizu hundreds of years ago, who has long since turned into a handful of dust, with no Great Grandmaster appearing for over three hundred years.”
This was also his last chance to break through his constraints, and his greatest one.
An Jing felt a heaviness within, not knowing what to say.
If he could not take this step, Jun Qinglin’s life limit would not be far off.
“Let’s go.”
Jun Qinglin patted An Jing on the shoulder, smiling, “I will not go to Dongluo Pass. Going there would only turn me into a living Bodhisattva for display, which is too uncomfortable. I have nothing to say to them, and they have nothing to say to me.”
An Jing pondered for a long while, then said, “Great Elder, let me escort you.”
“There’s no need.”
Jun Qinglin waved his torn sleeve, laughing, “Having fought the two top experts in the world this time upon leaving seclusion, I need to find Ouyang and have a few drinks. He is the only one in this world who can bear with my ramblings.”
Jun Qinglin’s figure bathed in the setting sun, gradually disappearing from An Jing’s sight.
…..
