Chapter 185: A New Beginning
Chen Chang'an slowly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the field.
"This battle, Xiao Chen is victorious."
His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone.
The junior brothers and sisters watching from the side showed not a trace of jealousy in their eyes, only sincere blessings.
Jiang Che was the first to jump up and applaud, even tossing his wine gourd aside.
Ji Lingxiu's lips curved slightly, a hint of relief flashing in her cool, clear eyes.
Although Han Yu had lost, his smile was more sincere than anyone else's.
Chen Chang'an watched this scene and sighed secretly. Xiao Chen was indeed the best choice, and his victory in the sect competition was truly well-deserved.
"Effective immediately," Chen Chang'an stood with his hands behind his back, his voice steady, "Xiao Chen, in the position of Great Senior Brother of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land, will act on behalf of the Sect Master."
Xiao Chen cupped his fists in a salute: "This disciple will definitely not fail the trust you have placed in me, Master."
"The next matters will be arranged by you." Chen Chang'an began to act as a hands-off manager without hesitation.
"Yes, Master." Xiao Chen turned around to face the three junior brothers and sisters who were looking at him.
"Junior Sister Ji will continue to serve as the City Lord of Xianling City."
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
"Han Yu, Jiang Che, you two will assist Elder Yao and Uncle Wu in establishing the Outer Sect to widely recruit talented individuals," Xiao Chen continued.
Han Yu and Jiang Che looked at each other and cupped their hands in unison: "We obey."
The embryonic form of a sect was thus established.
After everyone quieted down, Chen Chang'an's expression suddenly turned grave.
"There is one more matter." he said in a deep voice, "Recently, traces of the Buddhist Sect have appeared near Xianling City. This matter is no small matter."
He recounted what he had heard from Ah Li at Ping'an Fang about the "Grand Supreme Salvation Profound Chapter". When he spoke of the Buddhist Sect creating calamities under the name of a "Reincarnation Buddha Son", everyone's expressions changed.
"Consider this the final test for the four of you." Chen Chang'an's gaze swept over the four disciples. "Investigate this matter and stop the Buddhist Sect's conspiracy."
As soon as the words fell, Jiang Che eagerly raised his hand: "Master! Leave this matter to me! I'm best at gathering information!"
Everyone knew full well that this fellow clearly wanted to avoid sect affairs, but seeing his eager-to-try appearance, they couldn't help but smile.
Xiao Chen nodded: "Junior Brother Jiang is exceptionally quick-witted, he is indeed suitable."
"Then it's settled." Chen Chang'an made the final decision. "Jiang Che will be responsible for investigating the Buddhist Sect's movements. The rest of you will attend to your own duties. Remember, this matter concerns the safety of a region, so you must be cautious."
The four of them agreed one after another.
"Oh, right!" Xiao Chen suddenly remembered something and took out a small, simple cauldron from his storage ring. Its body was carved with mysterious runes, and a faint spiritual light flowed within it.
"When you are out traveling, you can keep an eye out for such a treasure cauldron," he said. "This was something I won from Zhou Xuanxiao, the Saint Son of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, when I went to fulfill an appointment last time. According to him, there are four of these cauldrons in total—the Zuntian Cauldron, Baotian Cauldron, Xuantian Cauldron, and Miaotian Cauldron. After collecting all four, you can open an Immortal Venerable Secret Realm."
"An Immortal Venerable Secret Realm?!" everyone exclaimed in shock.
At their level, they had long known many cultivation secrets and were aware that above the Saint Realm, there was the legendary Immortal Venerable Realm.
But an Immortal Venerable Secret Realm, even in the Upper Realm, was an opportunity that could be encountered but not sought.
Han Yu's eyes flashed with a gleam of light: "If we can truly open the Immortal Venerable Secret Realm, we might be able to find many opportunities."
Jiang Che asked curiously: "But, haven't there been no Immortal Venerables in the Lower Realm for a long time?"
As soon as the words fell, the few of them suddenly fell silent at the same time, their gazes simultaneously glancing at Chen Chang'an.
—The Dao rhyme that had enveloped the entire Immortal Spirit Valley a few days ago, that vast aura like the might of heaven, still made their hearts palpitate.
The phrase "There are no Immortal Venerables in the Lower Realm" seemed somewhat unconvincing in front of their Master.
However, since that day, their Master had also refused to mention the events of that day, and they had no way to ask, so they could only guess in their hearts.
Ji Lingxiu suddenly spoke: "Speaking of this... I seem to have seen a record in the Imperial Archives." Her eyes sparkled as if recalling something.
"Many epochs ago, when the last Immortal Venerable of the Lower Realm left, it was indeed said that he left behind four treasure cauldrons, which are said to contain the Great Dao he comprehended throughout his life."
"The last Immortal Venerable?" Xiao Chen frowned. "Did an Immortal Venerable really exist in the Lower Realm?"
Ji Lingxiu nodded: "In any case, that's what the records say. However, it's mysterious... an elder once told me that one epoch is one 'Yuanhui', which is exactly one hundred and twenty-nine thousand six hundred years."
"Many epochs ago is an ancient time so remote that it cannot even be traced."
Everyone's hearts trembled.
That would mean it was something from a million years ago.
But if they could truly gather the four cauldrons and open the Immortal Venerable Secret Realm, perhaps they could glimpse the secrets of the Immortal Venerable!
Thinking of this, the four of them couldn't help but glance at Chen Chang'an, who was looking as calm as ever (in a state of being free of all debts and feeling light and unburdened). Perhaps the mystery of the Immortal Venerable didn't need to be so troublesome.
But since their Great Senior Brother had brought it up specially, it was still worth paying attention to.
Just then, Chen Xingcai, who had been listening quietly, suddenly pulled out a small bronze cauldron from her sleeve. The patterns on its body were identical to those on the Baotian Cauldron in Xiao Chen's hand.
"This Zuntian Cauldron you're talking about..." she blinked. "Is it this one?"
Xiao Chen took the small cauldron and examined it carefully, his fingertips gently stroking the ancient patterns on its body that were identical to the Baotian Cauldron's. The cauldron's body was slightly cool, and he could vaguely feel the thick spiritual power contained within.
"It really is the Zuntian Cauldron." A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes as he turned to look at Chen Xingcai: "Little Junior Sister, where did you get this cauldron?"
Chen Xingcai blinked and said crisply: "Master gave it to me last time when we were at the Hong Family's place." As she spoke, she pointed in the direction of the other end of the valley.
Everyone looked enlightened upon hearing this.
They all knew that a mysterious Saint Realm expert was indeed living in seclusion on the other side of the valley, their little junior sister's other master.
Moreover, that senior had an extremely detached personality, staying behind closed doors all year round, and rarely interacted even with their own master.
Xiao Chen nodded thoughtfully and returned the Zuntian Cauldron to Chen Xingcai: "In that case, the Xuantian Cauldron is in my Xiao family's ancestral land. Now, only the whereabouts of the Miaotian Cauldron are unknown."
Han Yu gently stroked his chin, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes: "Three of the four cauldrons have already appeared. It seems there is hope to explore the opportunity of this Immortal Venerable Secret Realm."
"This will be fun now." A ripple appeared in Ji Lingxiu's cool, clear eyes as she said softly, "When we find the Miaotian Cauldron, let's go to that Immortal Venerable Secret Realm together to broaden our horizons."
Everyone looked at each other and smiled, nodding in unison.
The opportunity to gather the four cauldrons was right before their eyes, and it was left behind by an Immortal Venerable from a million years ago. Even for these prodigies who were used to great storms, their hearts couldn't help but surge with excitement at this moment.
The sun set in the west.
The four young people stood in the valley, their eyes shining with a firm light and their yearning for the future.
In this Age of Great Contention—
The legend belonging to them, belonging to the Immortal Spirit Holy Land, had only just begun.
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 14 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 3 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 42 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise