Chapter 457 (2)
Previously, when Xuankong Mountain disappeared, although he did not deny it, he conveyed through the Tower Master of Tianji Tower to other secret realms that he bore no ill will.
Yet, skepticism lingered.
After all, causing an entire secret realm, along with the mystic dimension it depended on, to vanish completely was simply too inconceivable.
None of them could fathom the kind of cultivation level or divine abilities required to accomplish such a feat.
What’s more astonishing was that the one responsible for it all was a young man who had only broken through to the Precelestial Realm two years prior.
It was so fantastical that it left everyone grappling with disbelief.
This time, however, Lu Qing, in front of all the citizens of Cold Water City and numerous Precelestial and Foundation Establishment cultivators, effortlessly subdued and killed a true Golden Core Realm powerhouse.
This feat left no room for doubt. Lu Qing had indeed risen to an unattainable height.
For a considerable time to come, it seemed the entire world would bow to his supremacy.
Given this reality, the best course of action was to learn how to coexist harmoniously with him....
In Zhongzhou, at Sacred Mountain.
The three Holy Lords sat facing one another in meditation.
The First Holy Lord’s aura was as steady as a mountain, as solid as the earth.
Clearly, after a period of recuperation, not only had his injuries healed, but his cultivation had also stabilized and advanced further.
As for the Second and Third Holy Lords seated opposite him, their auras were equally formidable.
Their presence exuded a sense of perfection and balance, with flashes of spiritual power occasionally manifesting around them.
Evidently, both had stepped into the Golden Core Realm.
“Have you both received news from our subordinates?”
After a moment of silence, the First Holy Lord spoke gravely.
“Elder Brother, are you referring to the incident in Cold Water City where that individual slew a newly advanced Golden Core cultivator?” the Third Holy Lord asked curiously.
“What’s there to discuss? That individual managed to slay those two immensely powerful outsiders from beyond the heavens.
Killing a recently advanced early-stage Golden Core cultivator should be a trivial matter,” he added with puzzlement.
“Indeed. We all sensed the strength of those two extraterrestrial beings at the time.
Even now, the three of us together might not match the young man in white robes.
For him to kill them, his methods and divine abilities must have reached an unimaginable level.
Killing a newly advanced Golden Core cultivator is far too simple,” the Second Holy Lord agreed with a nod.
Compared to the previous doubtfulness of Qingyang Temple, Sacred Mountain had long been convinced.
After all, when Lu Qing killed the two extraterrestrial beings, Lin Zhirui had witnessed it firsthand.
Since Tianji Tower operated under Sacred Mountain’s command, they naturally reported the incident.
Thus, the Second and Third Holy Lords didn’t quite understand why their elder brother brought up this matter.
In their view, if that individual had failed to kill the new Golden Core cultivator, that would have been strange.
“It’s not about the fact that he killed a Golden Core cultivator,” the First Holy Lord said.
“What I want you to pay attention to is the Golden Core cultivator who was slain.
Before the world’s spiritual energy revived, this person was merely an ordinary Precelestial cultivator with no remarkable qualities.
Yet, within just two or three years of spiritual energy resurgence, their cultivation advanced to rival ours, achieving the Golden Core Realm.
That in itself is quite unusual.”
“It must have been due to some fortuitous encounter,” the Second Holy Lord speculated. “The reports stated that a strand of origin energy descended on Everlasting Regret Mountain and was likely obtained by Li Changbo.
This suggests that the Sect Master of the Everlasting Regret Sect is someone of extraordinary fortune.”
“That’s precisely what I want to address,” the First Holy Lord said. “With the revival of spiritual energy, the world’s fate has become increasingly complex.
Many previously unremarkable individuals might suddenly find their fortunes soaring, gaining extraordinary opportunities and treasures.
In a short time, they may wield immense power and rise as formidable figures.
As a result, the world’s balance will inevitably shift.
These newly risen powerhouses, whether in pursuit of cultivation resources or status, will undoubtedly fight for their interests.
You are well aware of the destructive capabilities of powerful cultivators.
When such conflicts erupt, countless commoners are bound to suffer.”
The Second and Third Holy Lords fell silent upon hearing this.
They knew their elder brother was right.
As cultivators grew stronger, their desires grew stronger as well.
Whether for resources or renown, they would no longer settle for obscurity.
This inevitably heralded a new era of reshuffling among the world’s powers.
When these clashes broke out, the greatest victims would undoubtedly be the ordinary people.
After all, once cultivators reached a certain realm, their methods could level mountains and sever rivers.
Even the aftermath of their battles could claim the lives of countless commoners.
“Elder Brother, didn’t we discuss this before the world changed?
This is the way of the world, and we can only observe the course of events. We cannot defy the trend,” the Third Holy Lord said reluctantly.
“I am well aware that this is the way of the world and beyond our control.
However, while we cannot alter the trend, we can moderate its intensity during its evolution.
Second Brother, Third Brother, do you still remember the oath we made a thousand years ago?”
The Second and Third Holy Lords trembled, recalling events from a millennium ago.
At that time, the three brothers, gravely wounded and hunted by enemies, were forced to take refuge within Sacred Mountain.
To gain the mountain’s spirit’s approval, they swore an oath to protect the world’s people and maintain stability as their lifelong mission.
This allowed them to escape death, heal their injuries, and even turn the tables on their enemies.
Moreover, they gained numerous inheritances and embarked on the path of cultivation, eventually becoming the revered masters of Sacred Mountain.
“Elder Brother, we have not forgotten our oath,” the Third Holy Lord said solemnly.
The Second Holy Lord, though silent, wore a serious expression.
“All this time, while the spirit of Sacred Mountain has never imposed its will upon us, you should understand that if we wish to break free of our shackles and attain true freedom, we must remain true to ourselves and uphold our original oath.
Otherwise, with our minds plagued by discord, our cultivation will stagnate, and we will never escape our bonds.”
The Second and Third Holy Lords were silent once more.
After a long pause, the Third Holy Lord asked, “Elder Brother, what do you want us to do?”
“Nothing much. Now that chaos has erupted in the world, I wish to issue a decree in the name of Sacred Mountain:
Powerful cultivators are forbidden from engaging in combat or using their powers recklessly within the cities of humanity.”
The First Holy Lord spoke with a deep, unwavering voice.
The Second and Third Holy Lords were visibly shaken.
“Elder Brother, this is likely impossible now,” the Second Holy Lord said. “The world has changed. With just the three of us, it will be difficult to enforce such an order as we did in the past.”
The Third Holy Lord nodded in agreement.
Although he had confidence in their abilities, he understood that in this new era, their influence alone might not be sufficient to restrain the restless factions and ambitious individuals.
“With just the three of us, it is indeed difficult,” the First Holy Lord acknowledged. “But there is someone who can.”