"This is the Red Soul, a rare warm jade that is extremely difficult to find in the world. Part of the Yihe Sword was forged using this material. If you keep it close to your chest, it will greatly alleviate your weak constitution."
"Thank you, Elders. You are truly kind." Han Lingsha gratefully accepted the Red Soul and immediately tucked it into her robe.
"Thank you for your guidance, Elders. We will now head to Mount Buzhou." Murong Ziying bowed once more to Elders Qingyang and Chongguang before turning to leave.
"Daniel, what are you still standing there for?" Han Lingsha, seeing Daniel still rooted in place, quickly urged him to move.
"Do the Elders have nothing else to say?" Daniel ignored Han Lingsha and instead fixed his gaze on Elders Qingyang and Chongguang, suddenly speaking up.
"What advice do you have for us, young man?" Elder Qingyang frowned at Daniel's attitude, but before he could say more, Elder Chongguang stopped him.
"Advice?" Daniel let out a cold laugh, then turned to Han Lingsha. "Lingsha, you said the Elders are kind, but do you know why they taught you their cultivation techniques the first time they met you, and why they just gave you the Red Soul? It's not because they're generous—it's because they want to atone for their sins. Though, in my opinion, it's just a way for them to comfort themselves."
If they truly cared about Han Lingsha, they should have told her the truth about Yun Tianhe and the others long ago. Hiding the truth while pretending to be kind is utterly meaningless.
"Atonement? For me? Why?" Han Lingsha looked back and forth between the two Elders and Daniel, her face filled with confusion.
"Why? Because of the Wangshu Sword, of course." Daniel turned back to the Elders and continued, "Lingsha, do you remember what Suyao said earlier? They don't need the Wangshu Sword—they need the Wangshu Sword to awaken again."
"Yes." Han Lingsha nodded thoughtfully, a hint of realization dawning on her face. With Daniel's reminder, she began to sense something was amiss.
"The Wangshu Sword awakening again means it was once dormant. Only then could it awaken. According to Qionghua Sect, the Wangshu Sword is a yin sword, so it wasn't Tianhe who awakened it. That leaves only you and Mengli. Tianhe once mentioned that the Wangshu Sword's power suddenly increased on the day you met. That means you were the one who awakened the Wangshu Sword.
"Also, your physical discomfort started around that time. You became the host of the Wangshu Sword, and from that moment on, it has been absorbing your spiritual energy. That's why you've been feeling unwell, especially when Tianhe uses the Wangshu Sword—your body's energy consumption increases drastically."
"So that's why you stopped Tianhe from using the Wangshu Sword." Han Lingsha's face lit up with understanding as she listened to Daniel's explanation.
"Exactly. But at the time, I only felt something was off. I didn't know the specifics until I heard Suyao's words earlier. I'm sorry, Lingsha. If I had figured it out sooner, maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way."
"It's okay. You didn't know before." Han Lingsha quickly shook her head.
"But I did know." Daniel sighed inwardly at Han Lingsha's words.
"So you're saying Lingsha's poor health is because of the Wangshu Sword?" Yun Tianhe finally caught on.
"Exactly. When Lingsha suddenly fainted yesterday, I suspect it was because Xuanxiao and the others used the Yihe Sword and the Wangshu Sword to trap the demon realm. And since the Wangshu Sword has been in constant use, Lingsha's condition has been worsening." Daniel paused for a moment before continuing.
"Actually, the reason the Elders taught you cultivation techniques and gave you the Red Soul isn't just to atone for their sins—it's also to keep you alive. Because if you die, the Wangshu Sword will fall dormant again, and Qionghua Sect's ascension plan will likely fail once more."
"What?" Daniel's words immediately drew the attention of Yun Tianhe and Murong Ziying, who turned their gazes to Elders Qingyang and Chongguang.
"Elders, is this true?" Murong Ziying asked solemnly.
Faced with Murong Ziying's question, the two Elders exchanged a glance but remained silent. While Daniel's explanation wasn't entirely accurate—for example, the Elders weren't actually afraid that Han Lingsha's death would cause the ascension plan to fail—their only intention in helping her was to atone for their sins.
However, in this situation, the Elders naturally chose not to explain further.
"So Lingsha's poor health is because of me?" Yun Tianhe once again fell into self-blame.
"Tianhe, it's not your fault. We didn't know about any of this before." Han Lingsha quickly comforted him.
"I'm going to find my brother and get the Wangshu Sword back." Yun Tianhe turned to leave.
"Tianhe, calm down." Han Lingsha immediately grabbed Yun Tianhe. Getting the Wangshu Sword back sounded simple, but given its importance to Qionghua Sect, it was clear that Xuanxiao would never hand it over.
There was another reason Han Lingsha stopped Yun Tianhe—she didn't want him and Xuanxiao to come into conflict over her.
"Indeed, things are as this young man said. The Wangshu Sword is crucial to Qionghua Sect's ascension plan. Neither Suyao nor Xuanxiao will give it up. Sigh." Elder Chongguang let out a deep sigh. Qionghua Sect's centuries-long ascension plan was on the verge of success. Even though Elders Qingyang and Chongguang knew it posed a great threat to Han Lingsha's life, they couldn't stop it.
In fact, if Qionghua Sect succeeded in ascending, they too could become immortals. Whether they harbored such thoughts in their hearts, only they knew.
"Tianhe, Ziying, Daniel, let's go to Mount Buzhou and find a way into the ghost realm. Compared to the Wangshu Sword, I think finding Mengli is more important. My situation can wait until after we've seen her. Didn't Daniel say that if I die, the Wangshu Sword will fall dormant? I think they're more concerned about my life than I am."
"Lingsha, but your health..." Yun Tianhe looked at Han Lingsha with concern.
"Don't worry, I'm fine for now. With the Red Soul, I feel much warmer." Han Lingsha waved her hand vigorously to show she was perfectly fine.
"Lingsha makes a good point. Let's confirm Mengli's safety first, then figure out how to talk to Senior Xuanxiao and the Sect Leader." After some thought, Murong Ziying agreed.
"You know, the previous generations of Qionghua Sect's leaders were truly remarkable. They came up with such a method to achieve immortality. Ziying, when you become an immortal, don't forget about me." For Han Lingsha, who had always sought immortality, Qionghua Sect's ascension plan was deeply impressive.
If Xuanxiao and the others had used the excuse of helping Han Lingsha's clan, they could have easily convinced her to cooperate with their ascension plan.
"Hahahaha!" Daniel suddenly burst into laughter, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Lingsha, you're absolutely right. The previous generations of Qionghua Sect's leaders were truly remarkable. They spent centuries working toward the destruction of Qionghua Sect."
"Daniel, what do you mean by that? Earlier, you told the Sect Leader that Tianhe's parents leaving Qionghua Sect actually saved it. Why is that?"
For Han Lingsha, even after the incident with the Chu sisters, the idea of ascending to immortality was still deeply alluring.
"It seems you all want to know the reason. Very well, I'll tell you." Daniel glanced around, then looked up at the sky. "Qionghua Sect's ascension plan is indeed impressive, but they overlooked one critical issue—one that could lead to the complete destruction of Qionghua Sect."
"What issue?" Elder Qingyang immediately pressed. As a former elder of Qionghua Sect, even in retirement, he cared deeply about the sect's survival.
"The issue of the Heavenly Realm. Qionghua Sect wants to ascend as a whole. Do you think the Heavenly Realm will allow it?" Daniel's face broke into a mocking smile.
This wasn't a mockery of the Heavenly Realm, but of Qionghua Sect's overreach. Whether the Heavenly Realm was ruled by Fuxi or the Goddess Nüwa, the outcome for Qionghua Sect would be the same.
Ascending to immortality requires rigorous trials. If Qionghua Sect could ascend as a whole today, then tomorrow the Shu Mountain Sect might try the same, followed by the Kunlun Sect the day after. Such a disruption of order would never be tolerated.
"This..." Elders Qingyang and Chongguang exchanged bewildered glances before their expressions turned grim.
The entire Qionghua Sect, after Dao Yin discovered the immense spiritual energy of the demon realm, became obsessed with the goal of ascending as a whole. The sect devoted all its resources to forging the Yihe Sword and the Wangshu Sword, completely neglecting other considerations.
"What does this have to do with the Heavenly Realm?" Han Lingsha seemed confused about the connection between Qionghua Sect's ascension and the Heavenly Realm.
"Lingsha, think of it this way. Imagine the Heavenly Realm as Qionghua Sect, and new immortals as new disciples. In Qionghua Sect, new disciples must undergo trials and gain the sect's approval to join. If someone tried to live in Qionghua Sect without undergoing trials or gaining approval, claiming to be a disciple, what do you think would happen?"
What would happen? Qionghua Sect would undoubtedly strike back.
"But aren't immortals supposed to be free and unrestrained?" Daniel's explanation further shattered Han Lingsha's idealized view of immortals. In her mind, immortals were eternal, unbound, and free.
"Free and unrestrained? You mean like Hu San's freedom?" Daniel's words seemed to make Han Lingsha understand.
Hu San's freedom had brought suffering to the people of Jimo.
"Lingsha, now do you understand why I said Yun Tianqing and Suyu's actions saved Qionghua Sect? But this time, I don't know if Qionghua Sect will have the same chance to be saved."
For Daniel, if he could resolve the situation without fighting, he would naturally choose that path. After all, he wasn't a battle maniac who needed to fight Xuanxiao at all costs. While he did have the desire to test his skills, that was a last resort.
Telling Elders Qingyang and Chongguang about Qionghua Sect's problem and having them persuade Xuanxiao would be far more effective than anything Daniel could do. After all, to Xuanxiao, Daniel was just an outsider.
"Hahaha! I never imagined that Qionghua Sect's centuries-long plan, the goal pursued by generations, would end like this. Qingyang, isn't this just too ridiculous?" Elder Chongguang suddenly burst into laughter, completely shedding his usual dignified demeanor.
Qionghua Sect had paid a heavy price for its ascension plan. The casualties from the battle with the demon realm nineteen years ago were just one part of it.
Countless talented disciples had abandoned their cultivation to search for materials to forge the Yihe Sword and the Wangshu Sword. The hidden cost of this was even greater than the casualties from the battle.
"Sigh."
Seeing Chongguang's near-hysterical state, Qingyang let out a deep sigh. Having his lifelong beliefs shattered, he felt no better than Chongguang.
"Elders, we must stop Senior Xuanxiao and the Sect Leader." Murong Ziying remained calm.
"Indeed, Qingyang, it seems we must come out of retirement." With Qionghua Sect's survival at stake, the two retired Elders could no longer remain on the sidelines.
"Ziying, if you want to stay, you can. We can handle Mount Buzhou on our own." Han Lingsha looked at Murong Ziying and suddenly suggested. As a disciple of Qionghua Sect, and with the sect's survival hanging in the balance, it wouldn't be right for him to continue with them to Mount Buzhou.
"Ziying, go with them to Mount Buzhou. Leave Xuanxiao to us old men." Before Murong Ziying could respond, Elder Qingyang cut him off.
"But Elders?"
"Ziying, at this point, your mission is just as important. If we can't convince Xuanxiao to abandon the ascension plan, it will be up to you to stop him. Qionghua Sect's ascension plan relies on obtaining the demon realm's special resource, the Amethyst. As long as Xuanxiao doesn't get enough Amethyst, even with the Yihe Sword and the Wangshu Sword, he won't be able to ascend."
What Qionghua Sect's ascension plan lacked was spiritual energy. While Qionghua Sect's location was rich in spiritual energy, it paled in comparison to the demon realm. The Amethyst, a high-concentration spiritual crystal unique to the demon realm, was the true target of Qionghua Sect.
As for the demon realm itself, since Qionghua Sect was planning to ascend, they had no intention of occupying it.
"I didn't know the demon realm had something like this. Isn't this what people call spirit stones?"
This was the first time Daniel had heard of the Amethyst. He had always thought Qionghua Sect wanted to absorb the demon realm's spiritual energy by trapping it with the twin swords.
It was no wonder Qionghua Sect had set its sights on the demon realm. Even Daniel, upon learning of the Amethyst's properties, felt a desire to obtain some for himself.
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