nyslfriends Chapter 1945: The Announcement Takes Off!
Chapter 1945: The Announcement Takes Off!
Passing through the mountain walls conjured by the illusion array...
The view before me suddenly opened up.
A vast, boundless valley came into view; the valley floor was flat.
The spiritual energy there is several times denser than that of the outside world.
The air was filled with a faint aroma of medicine and spiritual energy.
In the very center of the valley stands an ancient and weathered palace.
The palace is built of black stone, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an aura of majesty and solemnity.
The palace was surrounded by neatly arranged stone houses in concentric circles.
Each stone house is built from solid rock, with thick walls and simple runes carved at the entrance.
Even more noteworthy is...
Above each stone house, a layer of light curtain of varying colors rippled steadily, emanating a spiritual aura of varying strength.
Obviously,
This is a protective formation set up by the owner of the stone house to safeguard the cave.
It can both defend against foreign invasion,
It can also isolate external interference and protect one's cultivation environment.
After all, the path of cultivation is defying the heavens.
Each practice session requires complete focus and cannot tolerate the slightest disturbance.
Even the slightest movement could lead to a qi deviation and the failure of all efforts.
Moreover, cultivators are mostly meticulous and value their secrecy highly.
Their cave dwellings were their safest havens, important places for storing treasures and for secluded cultivation.
therefore,
In the world of cultivation, as long as a cultivator has sufficient ability, they will not hesitate to upgrade the security level of their cave dwelling.
Even if they are not wealthy, they will still set up low-level formations to protect their cave dwellings.
Such a scene is not uncommon in the world of cultivation.
Shortly after the young cultivator stepped into the valley...
Suddenly, powerful auras erupted from the stone houses, which were surrounded by various colored array light screens.
One after another, figures moved with ghostly speed, shooting out of the stone house, their expressions a mixture of solemnity and urgency, as they raced toward the palace in the center of the valley.
These figures each possessed a distinct aura;
Some are calm and composed, some are sharp and intimidating, and some are subtle and reserved.
They were all clearly cultivators with considerable cultivation levels, and each of them had a tense expression, indicating that they had noticed something.
Or perhaps they received a summons.
Soon,
Inside the palace at the very center of the valley, dozens of figures had already gathered, standing densely packed in the main hall.
The atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Inside the main hall, the most powerful cultivator was at the peak of the late Golden Core stage, his aura as profound and unfathomable as a deep abyss.
And there is a hint of a breakthrough in its capabilities.
He was just one step away from shedding his Golden Core and entering the ranks of Nascent Soul True Monarchs, becoming a true top expert in the cultivation world.
There were as many as eight or nine Golden Core cultivators in the main hall, all of whom were only one step away from the Nascent Soul stage.
Each of them exuded a powerful aura, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.
As for the remaining cultivators, almost all of them were at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Their breaths were focused, their expressions respectful, yet they could not hide the unease in their eyes;
There were also several young Qi Refining cultivators with youthful appearances, around fourteen or fifteen years old, whose cultivation was only at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining, standing among the group of high-level cultivators.
It looked particularly abrupt.
Their little faces were full of tension and unease, and they kept their heads down, not daring to look up at all.
At this moment, all the cultivators in the hall felt a sense of unease and trepidation, their gazes fixed on the group of Nascent Soul outer sect elders leading the way at the front of the hall—
The so-called "false infant" is the peak of the late Golden Core stage, only one step away from the Nascent Soul stage.
However, his strength far surpasses that of ordinary Golden Core cultivators.
At this moment, these cultivators were terrified of hearing bad news from the elders.
After all, these few outer sect elders who had just achieved the Nascent Soul stage had summoned all the cultivators in the valley—such a grand occasion…
Since they settled in this valley and hid there, except for the first day when they made their move,
This is the second time.
The elders would never have made such a fuss unless there was something of great importance to announce, or unless it concerned the life and death of everyone.
They would not gather everyone in the main hall.
Thinking of this,
A hint of worry flashed in the eyes of some Foundation Establishment cultivators inside the main hall.
But there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes as he stared intently at the few fake infant outer sect elders.
see,
Among the leading experts at the peak of the late Golden Core stage, an elderly man in white robes with a weathered face slowly raised his hand and waved it.
The voice, deep and resonant, broke the silence in the hall:
"Please take your seats!"
As the dozens of cultivators in the main hall found their seats, the sounds of footsteps and rustling robes gradually subsided.
The white-robed elder spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity:
"Not long ago, your outer sect elder Wu went to great lengths to find out the Cultivator Association's strategy for dealing with us hidden cultivators."
This matter concerns the lives of all of us.
The reason I've gathered you all here today is to inform you of this matter.
With this remark,
The hall fell into a deathly silence instantly.
Dozens of eyes fell on the seemingly ordinary and unremarkable young cultivator beside the white-robed old man.
The young man was wearing a gray Taoist robe, had an ordinary face, and was thin.
His aura was also extremely restrained.
He looked like an ordinary monk.
If you blend into a crowd, you will definitely be instantly overlooked.
This might have given even the most observant and meticulous cultivators in the hall the illusion that it was "nothing special"...
Obviously.
This seemingly ordinary-looking elder from the outer sect is almost certainly practicing some kind of secret technique to conceal his aura and disguise his appearance.
Their true strength should not be underestimated.
At this moment, the voice of the white-robed, fake infant outer sect elder rang out again, his gaze turning to Elder Wu beside him:
"Elder Wu, please tell them in detail what you have found out!"
There's nothing to hide.
Upon hearing this,
The easily overlooked outer sect elder, Wu, slowly nodded, raised his head, and the indifference on his face faded.
Instead, a sense of solemnity prevailed.
He made no attempt to conceal anything, slowly recounting the Cultivator Association's strategies for dealing with these "rebellious remnants" of cultivation, who were hiding throughout the cultivation world.
He repeated it word for word in detail.
No detail was overlooked.
The provisions concerning monks' service of service and reduction of sentence were particularly emphasized.
When Elder Wu mentioned that "Foundation Establishment cultivators must serve on the front lines for ten years..."
The Foundation Establishment cultivators in the main hall frowned deeply, their faces showing difficulty and worry.
Ten years is perhaps just a fleeting moment for a Golden Core cultivator with a long lifespan.
But for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, that's already quite a bit of time—
The lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator is no more than three hundred years.
Ten years is one-thirtieth of their lives.
Moreover, the front lines are the main battlefield of the war between the two races, a place of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, fraught with danger.
Monsters roam freely, and battles rage on.
Don't even mention ten years...
If one is unlucky, after stepping onto the front lines, one might perish in the blood-splattered battlefield within ten days to half a month, becoming food for monsters.
Even the remains are hard to preserve.
What chilled them even more was...
According to the rules of the monks' guild, they cannot earn any combat merits during their service.
Naturally, they also cannot exchange for the treasures on the cultivator association's list.
They could only die in vain, wasting ten years of their lives.
For a time,
The Foundation Establishment cultivators inside the main hall felt a chill in their hearts.
The last vestige of hope—to "surrender to the association and seek a chance to survive"—was now completely extinguished.
Even if it means living a life of hiding and constant displacement in the future?
Even if one can no longer cultivate in peace and seek opportunities?
But compared to my own life...
So-called freedom and the path to immortality seem insignificant.
Just as the Foundation Establishment cultivators inside the main hall were all dejected, feeling lost and hopeless about their future path to immortality...
Some were even starting to plan how to continue hiding and evading the association's investigation...
Elder Wu's voice rang out again, breaking the despair:
"Gentlemen, there's no need to be overly pessimistic. Although Foundation Establishment cultivators are required to serve on the front lines for ten years, the Cultivator Association has left a glimmer of hope—"
During the war between the two races, killing ten demonic beasts of the same rank would reduce one-tenth of one's service time, which is one year.
In other words, a Foundation Establishment cultivator only needs to kill one hundred second-tier demonic beasts to gain complete freedom.
Furthermore, players can exchange their battle merits from slaying demonic beasts for treasures provided by the association.
Whether it's a panacea or a miracle cure?
Both cultivation techniques and magical artifacts can be exchanged.
He paused, then continued:
"Similarly, if we Golden Core cultivators and Nascent Soul seniors of sects want to reduce our service time, we also need to kill demons of the same level."
Killing ten demons of the same rank will reduce one-tenth of your service time.
By slaying a hundred deities, one can be completely exempted from service and regain one's freedom.
You can also exchange battle merits for treasures.
Speaking of which,
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly eased considerably.
A glimmer of hope appeared in the eyes of all the cultivators.
Their furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
The glimmer of hope seen amidst despair is often the most uplifting, especially for Foundation Establishment cultivators...
Although killing a hundred second-tier demonic beasts is no easy task, at least we have a goal.
Having hope of survival is far better than dying in vain.
Then,
Unable to contain his excitement and eagerness, a Foundation Establishment cultivator instinctively stood up, bowed to Elder Wu, and pressed for an answer:
"Elder, is everything you've said true?"
Will the Monks' Guild truly keep its promise and not go back on its word?
Upon hearing this,
Elder Wu, from the outer sect, glanced at the Foundation Establishment cultivator, his gaze calm and resolute, and slowly nodded, saying:
"This is naturally impossible to fake."
The Cultivator Association is currently the ruling power in the cultivation world, governing hundreds of millions of human cultivators, and its most valued asset is its reputation.
If they break their promises and ruin their reputation, they will never be able to convince others again.
The cultivation world will once again descend into chaos.
They would never do something so counterproductive and damaging to their reputation.
Hearing this,
The Foundation Establishment cultivators inside the main hall all showed a hint of relief in their eyes.
A long-lost smile appeared on his face.
The worries and despair in my heart have mostly dissipated.
They exchanged a glance, both seeing hope in each other's eyes. The previously uncertain path to immortality had now become clear.
As long as you fight desperately to kill the monsters, you can gain freedom.
You can then exchange them for treasures.
Then they can continue to pursue their path of cultivation.
Just then...
Inside the main hall, there were several young-looking Qi Refining stage cultivators...
One of the young men, who appeared quite composed and had clear eyes, took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and bowed respectfully to Elder Wu, saying:
"Elder, I have a question to ask you."
You only mentioned the treatment plans for Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators.
So how does the Cultivator Association deal with us junior cultivators in the Qi Refining stage?
Are we also required to serve on the front lines?
With this remark,
The cultivators in the main hall suddenly realized what was happening and all looked at the few junior cultivators in the Qi Refining stage.
Elder Wu was only focused on explaining the handling of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators, and indeed did not mention the arrangements for Qi Refining juniors.
Qi Refining stage cultivators are weak and powerless; sending them to the front lines would be tantamount to suicide.
A sense of curiosity and worry arose in everyone's hearts, and their gazes once again focused on Elder Wu.
Elder Wu looked at the few timid Qi Refining stage juniors, whose eyes held a hint of unease, especially the rather composed young man who had taken the initiative to ask a question. His gaze gradually softened.
The tone also softened considerably:
"You juniors are not within the scope of the Cultivator Association's investigation."
There is no need for them to serve on the front lines.
In a few days, I will personally escort you to the outskirts of [Linhai Immortal City]. At that time, you can report directly to the branch of the Cultivator Association without concealing your identities.
There's no need to hide what you know.
Simply answer the association's questions truthfully.
He paused, then continued:
"We will soon have to give up this valley; we can no longer remain hidden here."
However, you must remember that although the Cult of Monks will not hold you responsible...
We will not imprison you.
However, within ten years, you will definitely be secretly monitored by the Cultivator Association, and your every move will be watched.
So you shouldn't do it again in the future... Never mind, there's no point in saying more.
At that time, you only need to focus on your cultivation and improve your level. Don't think about any other messy things.
"Just live a peaceful life."
After speaking, Elder Wu waved his hand and said in a calm tone:
"Alright, you can go down now. Take some time to rest and pack your things. I'll send you off in a few days."
"Your disciple obeys!"
"Yes, sir! Thank you, elder!"
Several junior Qi Refining cultivators quickly bowed in greeting, their faces showing a hint of relief and gratitude.
They then carefully turned around and quickly left the hall, afraid of disturbing the elders inside who were discussing important matters.
As the junior Qi Refining cultivators left the main hall...
Elder Wu then withdrew his gaze, the gentle expression on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by a coldness and solemnity.
He glanced at the dozens of figures in the main hall, gave a cold snort, and said in a serious tone:
"Don't be too happy yet!"
Everything I just said was based on one premise—
"What are the prerequisites, Elder?"
"That means we must contribute all the resources of our sect."
This includes cultivation techniques, magical artifacts, elixirs, and spiritual stones.
And all hidden resources.
"···"
...(End of this chapter)