Chapter 1320
The Starry Sky General, Together Towards the Primordial Spirit
As Li Cangxuan and his group gradually disappeared into the clouds and mist along the main mountain path, Ye Yang slowly withdrew his gaze.
A maidservant was about to step forward to clean up the remaining traces of kneeling on the ground, but Ye Yang raised his hand to stop her.
"No need."
"Elder Li devoted his life to breaking through that insurmountable barrier, and his dedication to the pursuit of the Dao is worthy of respect."
He knew in his heart that Li Cangxuan's Dao foundation was already weak and his vitality was gradually fading. Even with the Thunder Yang Treasure Pill to temper his cultivation, his hope of breaking through to the Yuan Shen Dao Realm was less than 30%.
The Thunder Yang Elixir can help him surge his spiritual energy and soothe some hidden injuries to his Dao foundation.
However, he could not reverse the inevitable fate of his lifespan dwindling, nor could he make up for the deficiencies in his foundation left by more than two hundred years of arduous cultivation.
But Ye Yang did not point out this slim chance.
The encouragement he gave Li Cangxuan before parting was both a source of confidence for Li Cangxuan and an expectation for himself.
He gazed in the direction Li Cangxuan had left, muttering to himself, as if sighing, or perhaps encouraging himself.
"The path of cultivation is inherently defying the heavens; how can it be smooth sailing? Even if the hope is slim, as long as the Dao heart remains unextinguished, there is still a fighting chance."
As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't help but think of the sect leader Gu Xuan and Yan Qingying.
Gu Xuan is now a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul Realm, firmly holding the position of sect leader of the Flying Heaven Sect, in charge of all affairs of the sect, and exuding great authority.
However, Gu Xuan was of mediocre talent when he was young, even a bit duller than ordinary disciples.
Even so, he never wavered in his pursuit of the Dao, nor did he ever give up his belief in strengthening the sect.
In his later years, he entered the realm of martial arts masters and true masters, truly achieving great things late in life.
Yan Qingying's background was even more tragic than Gu Xuan's.
He wandered aimlessly in the chaos of war, relying on begging for a living. If he hadn't been saved by the former leader of the Flying Heaven Sect, he probably would have starved to death on the streets long ago.
Yan Qingying is now at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul Realm and is deeply respected by her disciples.
Ye Yang understood that the path of cultivation had nothing to do with aptitude or background; only by focusing one's mind and staying true to oneself could one live up to one's youth and one's own potential.
"Master Gu achieved great things late in life, overcoming many hardships to finally reach the Great Dao; Junior Sister Qingying came from a poor background, yet she was able to stay true to herself and grow against the odds."
"Although Li Cangxuan's foundation in the Dao is weak and his lifespan is coming to an end, as long as his Dao heart is not firm, he may still be able to create miracles. Although cultivation is arduous, there is always hope to be found, and this is the meaning of seeking the Dao."
The maid stood quietly to the side, not daring to say anything. She felt that Ye Daozu's words contained endless Daoist wisdom, which stirred her mind and benefited her greatly.
Ye Yang walked to the stone bed and sat down. He twirled his fingertips, and wisps of spiritual energy flowed through them. Gradually, the image of a person appeared in his mind.
Wang Dong.
Li Cangxuan's matter reminded Ye Yang of Wang Dong. Currently, the Flying Heaven Sect has very few experts at the Nascent Soul Dao Realm, and the one closest to achieving this is Wang Dong.
Wang Dong was the last elder of the Flying Sky Sect. He worked alongside Ye Yang, Li Bayuan, and others, making great contributions to the establishment and development of the Flying Sky Sect.
Even so, he remained trapped in the late stage of the Dharma Aspect True Person realm for decades, never managing to break through to the Primordial Spirit Dao Realm.
Wang Dong is now over 600 years old, not much younger than Li Bayuan.
His lifespan is also running out. If he cannot break through to the Nascent Soul Dao Realm, he will probably repeat the same fate as Li Bayuan, with his lifespan exhausted and his body and soul extinguished.
What Ye Yang was even more concerned about was...
Wang Dong is currently stationed in the Ziyuan Star Land, guarding the area alone and resisting the invasion of demonic beasts and foreign demons. He is unable to return to the mountain for many years.
Even when cultivating in seclusion, one must remain constantly vigilant about the movements of the starry sky, making it impossible to fully concentrate.
Located on the edge of the Flying Gate territory, Ziyuan Star Land is strategically important and serves as a crucial barrier against foreign invasion.
Wang Dong has been stationed there for decades without ever slacking off.
“Wang Dong devoted his life to the sect and guarded the border for decades. He was loyal and never complained.”
“Now that he is old and nearing the end of his life, and is trapped in the bottleneck of the later stage of Dharma Form, how can I just watch him die with regrets?”
“Li Cangxuan still has a fighting chance. Wang Dong’s aptitude is superior to Li Cangxuan’s, and his foundation is more solid. As long as we gather all the power of the sect to pave the way for him and help him break through to the Nascent Soul Dao Realm, he may not be unable to succeed.”
Thinking of this, a resolute look flashed in Ye Yang's eyes, and he had already made up his mind.
Moreover, Wang Dong is the last elder of the Flying Heaven Sect. If he were to die as well, it would undoubtedly be a huge loss for the Flying Heaven Sect.
It will also cause the disciples of the sect to lose a sense of reliance and confidence.
"Go to the council hall immediately and convey my order to summon Sect Leader Gu Xuan, Yan Qingying, and Huo Bingshuang for a meeting. Do not fail to do so."
"Yes, Dao Ancestor."
The maidservant responded respectfully, turned, and quickly left, her figure disappearing into the mist of the cave. Ye Yang straightened his robes and rose as well, heading towards the council hall.
Upon seeing Ye Yang arrive, several stewards hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Greetings, Dao Ancestor Ye!"
"No gift."
Before long, footsteps were heard, and Gu Xuan, Yan Qingying, and Huo Bingshuang entered the main hall together.
"Greetings to the Dao Ancestor."
Gu Xuan and Yan Qingying exchanged greetings together, and then sat down opposite Ye Yang.
"The Dao Ancestor has suddenly summoned us here. What important matter does he wish to instruct us on?"
He paused for a moment, then slowly revealed his thoughts.
"I'm sure you two are already aware of what happened to Li Cangxuan earlier. Elder Li's breakthrough was driven by an obsession that exhausted his energy. Although the hope is slim, he is still worthy of respect. This matter reminds me of Elder Wang Dong."
"Wang Dong?"
Gu Xuan and Yan Qingying exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes, followed by a sense of melancholy. They both understood Wang Dong's situation and knew that he had been trapped in the late stage of the Dharma Aspect realm for decades, and his lifespan was running out.
Yan Qingying said softly.
"Junior Brother Wang has been stationed in Ziyuan Star for decades and has made great contributions to the sect. Now he is old and his lifespan is coming to an end, but he still has not been able to break through to the Nascent Soul Dao Realm, which is truly regrettable."
Ye Yang nodded, his expression serious.
"The reason I have summoned you two today is to take stock of the sect's resources and discuss the specific matters of assisting Elder Wang Dong in his breakthrough."
As he spoke, Ye Yang raised his hand and waved it. A flash of light appeared, and a crystal-clear jade disc appeared in front of the three of them.
Looking at the numerous materials on the document, the two exchanged a glance.
They all agreed with Ye Yang's idea.
A hint of approval flashed in Ye Yang's eyes.
"The Purple Palace Star Land is a strategically important location and the gateway to the sect. We must not be careless. Now that Wang Dong has returned, Bing Shuang will take over from Junior Brother Wang and guard the Star Land."
"Yes, as per Dao Ancestor Ye's command!"
Gu Xuan, Yan Qingying, and Huo Bingshuang stood up together.
at the same time.
On the Purple Palace Star, the flames of war have just subsided.
Above the Purple Palace Star Land, yellow sand filled the sky, and jagged rocks littered the ground.
Wang Dong rode a magnificent, snow-white steed, standing proudly atop a pile of rocks.
This Cloud-Treading White Dragon Steed evolved from the earliest cloud-carrying horse of the Flying Heaven Gate. It was Wang Dong's powerful mount, accompanying him to guard the Purple Enclosure Star Land for decades.
Wang Dong was dressed in black armor, which was covered with scratches and bloodstains, clearly indicating that he had just been through a fierce battle.
The old man of the martial world has grown old; he is no longer the dashing figure he once was.
His face was aged, his hair and beard were all white, and there was a hint of weariness between his brows, but his eyes were still sharp, revealing a seasoned and determined air.
Just now, a group of powerful foreign demons, together with a group of high-level monsters, launched a surprise attack on the stronghold of Ziyuan Star Land.
Upon learning the news, Wang Dong immediately led his disciples stationed in Xingdi to intercept them, and a fierce battle ensued.
After the battle, Wang Dong sheathed his Heavenly Fire Sword, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and showed a trace of fatigue on his face.
Years of fighting and toil have taken a toll on his body, his lifespan is gradually being depleted, and his cultivation progress is becoming increasingly slow.
"Alas, time waits for no one."
Wang Dong sighed softly, his tone tinged with melancholy and helplessness.
"I have been trapped in the late stage of the Dharma Aspect realm for decades, and my lifespan is about to end, yet I still cannot break through to the Primordial Spirit Dao Realm. Am I destined to die with regrets?"
The white dragon steed seemed to sense Wang Dong's dejection, gently nuzzling his arm with its head and letting out a soft neigh, its eyes full of concern.
Wang Dong stroked the head of the Ta Yun Bai Long Ji (a mythical white dragon steed), finding a slight sense of comfort in his heart.
"Xiaobai, all my relatives have passed away, but you have always been by my side."
Just then, a beam of light flew down from the sky at great speed and landed in front of Wang Dong in an instant.
As the light faded, a crystal-clear jade talisman appeared in Wang Dong's hand.
It turned out to be a communication jade talisman from the Flying Heaven Gate headquarters.
Wang Dong was taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
He had been stationed on Ziyuan Star for decades, and unless there was a major change in the sect, headquarters rarely sent him messages.
Now that the communication jade talisman has suddenly arrived, could it be that something major has happened in the sect?
Wang Dong dared not delay for a moment and quickly infused a wisp of spiritual energy to activate the communication jade talisman.
"what?!"
After reading the message, Wang Dong's eyes widened suddenly, and he almost dropped the communication jade talisman in his hand.
He thought he had misheard, so he quickly channeled his spiritual energy again and listened carefully once more.
Ye Yang's words echoed clearly in his ears, each word utterly real.
Is Ye Daozu going to gather the entire power of his sect to help him break through to the Nascent Soul Dao Realm?!
A storm raged in Wang Dong's heart, and he was unable to calm down for a long time.
He had been trapped in the later stages of the Dharma Formation for decades and had long since given up hope.
But now, the sect is going to gather all its resources to help him break through.
This rekindled the flame of hope in his heart.
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor! Thank you, Sect!"
Wang Dong knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times, then slowly stood up, the weariness in his eyes long gone.
He waved his hand to put away the communication jade talisman, then mounted his horse and patted the neck of the white dragon steed.
"Little White, hurry! We must return to the mountain immediately and head to the Flying Gate."
The white dragon steed seemed to sense Wang Dong's urgency and determination.
With a loud neigh, it pushed off the ground with all four hooves, rose into the air, and sped off towards the direction beyond the starry sky. (End of Chapter)