Chapter 1357
The pitiful years, like a knife, slay the proud!
At this moment, after taking the Tribulation Dust Pill, Ye Yang tried his best to recover from his injuries.
The gloom that had been in those eyes had completely dissipated, replaced by a clear and bright look.
Within his body's meridians, the power of the tribulation lightning surged and circulated, becoming even purer and more refined than before.
The severe injuries he had suffered earlier have now been mostly recovered thanks to the effects of the Reverse Dust Pill.
Ye Yang slowly stood up, stretched his muscles and bones, and felt relaxed all over.
His cultivation level did not decline due to the injury; on the contrary, it showed signs of improvement.
"Using poison to fight poison, and wounds to heal wounds, the alchemy tradition of the Xuanwu Holy Sect is indeed profound."
He muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the pillar of demonic energy in the center of the cave, which had dimmed considerably.
Although it had absorbed 90% of the demonic energy, there was still a considerable amount of essence remaining.
Ye Yang pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and waved it, a ball of black flame appearing in his palm.
Within the flames, faint flashes of lightning could be seen.
"Since the demonic energy here is so pure, why not refine another Dust Reversal Pill for Fellow Daoist Xuanwu to heal his injuries?"
With that thought in mind, Ye Yang sat down cross-legged and began to activate his alchemy technique.
The remaining demonic energy in the cave seemed to be summoned, frantically converging towards his palm.
The black flames burned fiercely, refining, purifying, and compressing the demonic energy bit by bit.
Ye Yang immersed his consciousness in the process, carefully controlling the heat.
The most difficult part of refining the Reverse Dust Pill is maintaining a balance between demonic energy and spiritual energy.
If one is not careful, the elixir will explode and may even backfire on the person who made it.
Fortunately, having learned from his first experience, Ye Yang handled it with ease this time.
About half an hour later, as the last wisp of demonic energy merged into the pill fire, a jet-black pill with mysterious patterns flowing on its surface slowly took shape.
"It's done!"
A look of joy flashed in Ye Yang's eyes as he reached out and took the pill into his hand.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the quality of this second Reverse Dust Pill was even superior to that of the first.
After putting away the pills, Ye Yang got up and walked out of the Xuan Yin Demon Cave.
Outside the stone gate, the Xuanwu sacred beast still lay there, its aura even more listless than before.
That day, while escorting him to escape the Star Ruins Ancient Road, it also fought fiercely with Blood Fiend Venerable and others, and its injuries were also quite severe.
"Fellow Daoist, you've worked hard."
Ye Yang stepped forward and handed the Reverse Dust Pill to the Xuanwu Sacred Beast.
The Xuanwu Sacred Beast opened its eyes, stared at the pill, and a look of surprise flashed in its eyes.
"Fellow Daoist's alchemy skills are exquisite. I know about this Tribulation Dust Pill. It is difficult to refine. With the quality of this pill, even the alchemy elders in the sect may not be able to refine it."
It did not refuse and swallowed the pill.
In an instant, a powerful medicinal force erupted within its body. The old, hidden wounds began to heal under the cleansing effect of the medicine, and the cracks on the tortoise shell slowly disappeared.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Xuanwu Sacred Beast shuddered and exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Its aura had clearly improved considerably; although it had not fully recovered, it was at least no longer so weak.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist."
The Xuanwu sacred beast slowly rose up, its massive body regaining its majestic and powerful appearance.
"With the help of this pill, I have recovered at least 50% of my cultivation. If I rest quietly for a few more days, I will be fully recovered."
Ye Yang nodded and turned to look in the direction of the Black Wind Demon Palace.
"It's time for us to leave too."
The man and the beast walked out of the Xuan Yin Demon Cave and arrived at the main hall of the Demon Palace.
Black Wind Demon and the others were already waiting outside. When they saw Ye Yang emerge from seclusion, they all knelt down and bowed respectfully.
"Respectfully seeing you off, senior!"
Ye Yang glanced at them and said indifferently.
"That's enough for today. If any of you dare to reveal my whereabouts, you will bear the consequences."
"No, no! Senior, rest assured, we would never dare to say another word!"
Black Wind Demon repeatedly kowtowed, his forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud.
Ye Yang ignored him and moved, transforming into a sword light that shot into the sky.
The Xuanwu sacred beast followed closely behind, transforming into a stream of light and disappearing into the horizon.
Only after the two had completely left did Black Wind Demon and the others dare to raise their heads.
"They're finally gone."
An elder slumped to the ground, looking as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Black Wind Demon's face was gloomy as he stared in the direction the two had left, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
"Pass down the order to block the news; no one is to mention this matter."
"Yes!"
High in the sky, the wind howled.
Ye Yang flew on his sword, leaving a long trail of flame behind him, his speed astonishing.
Ye Yang sped along, crossing mountains and seas.
Although this place is a wild and uncivilized land, it is far away from the Flying Gate.
However, Ye Yang is now a cultivator at the Thunder Tribulation Dao Realm, and his speed is extremely fast. After flying for several days, the mountain gate of the Flying Heaven Sect can be seen in the distance.
Ye Yang scanned the area with his divine sense and saw that everything inside the mountain gate was normal, with disciples cultivating in an orderly manner and no signs of chaos.
He felt relieved and slowed down, gently landing on the main peak of the Flying Heaven Gate.
"I have met the Dao Ancestor!"
The gatekeepers greeted Ye Yang with delight and bowed respectfully.
"Has anything unusual happened these past few days?" Ye Yang asked.
"Reporting to Daoist Ye, everything is fine, and no enemies have attacked."
Ye Yang was finally relieved.
It seems that the alien cultivators from the Star Ruins Ancient Road have not attacked in the short term.
But Ye Yang knew in his heart that this was only a temporary calm.
The Heavenly Punishment Hall is a powerful force, and the news of the deaths of Blood Fiend Venerable and others will undoubtedly cause an even greater upheaval. At that time, even stronger beings may descend.
"I must improve my strength as soon as possible," Ye Yang secretly resolved.
Back in his cave, he settled the Xuanwu sacred beast and allowed it to continue healing and recovering.
He himself took out a cyan longsword from his storage ring.
The sword was entirely emerald green, with streaks of blue lotus patterns engraved on its blade. It was none other than the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal's natal sword, the Qingping Sword.
In that battle, the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal fought bravely against a group of enemies, but ultimately perished.
Now that man is gone, only this sword remains.
It's time to return it to its rightful owner.
Ye Yang muttered to himself as he carefully put away the Qingping Sword.
The next morning.
Ye Yang traveled alone on his sword to the Taixu Dao Sect.
The Taixu Dao Sect is located in the eastern region of the Mountain and Sea Realm, tens of thousands of miles away from the Flying Heaven Gate. Even with Ye Yang's current cultivation level, it would take him more than half a day to fly at full speed.
Speechless all the way.
As the sun sets, a magnificent fairy mountain appears on the horizon.
The mountain soared into the clouds, with mist swirling around its waist, where pavilions and towers could be vaguely seen, and cranes soaring overhead—this was the location of the Taixu Daoist Sect.
Ye Yang slowed down and arrived at the mountain gate.
Who goes there?
The gatekeeper stepped forward to inquire.
"Ye Yang of the Flying Heaven Sect requests an audience with Taoist Jin Yu."
Ye Yang took out the token of Ye Daozu of the Flying Heaven Sect and said respectfully, "I have something important to tell you."
Seeing his extraordinary bearing, the gatekeeper dared not neglect him and hurriedly went in to report.
Before long, an elderly man with white hair and beard walked out quickly.
The old man was dressed in a Taoist robe, with an air of otherworldly grace and an unfathomable aura. He was clearly close to the Thunder Tribulation Dao Realm in terms of cultivation.
It was none other than Jin Yu Dao Ren, the personal disciple of the Tai Xu Dao Sect's patriarch and the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.
"But was it in person, Ye Daozu?"
Jin Yu Daoist bowed respectfully from afar, his expression showing a hint of urgency.
Ye Yang quickly returned the greeting: "It is indeed I."
"Master Ye and his master went to the starry sky together and have now returned. However, we do not know why his master is not here. Please come in, Master."
Jin Yu Dao Ren made a gesture of invitation, but Ye Yang could tell that...
A hint of unease flickered in his eyes, as if he had already sensed something was amiss.
The two arrived at the council hall of the Taixu Dao Sect.
The hall was empty, with only wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner.
Jin Yu Daoist invited Ye Yang to sit down, but he did not sit down. He just stood there, his hands trembling slightly.
"Master Ye, may I ask... about my master?"
Before he could finish speaking, his voice choked with emotion.
Ye Yang remained silent for a moment, then slowly took out the Qingping Sword from his storage ring and presented it with both hands.
“Senior, the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal has passed away. Before his death, he asked me to return this sword to the Taixu Dao Sect.”
boom!
These words struck Jin Yu Dao Ren like a bolt from the blue.
He swayed and almost lost his balance.
"Master."
With trembling hands, Jin Yu Dao Ren accepted the Qing Ping Sword, tears instantly welling up in his cloudy eyes.
The sword that had accompanied the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal for thousands of years had now become proof of his passing.
"How could this be? How could this happen? Master's cultivation is heaven-defying!"
Jin Yu Dao Ren muttered to himself, tears streaming down his face.
He knelt down, clutching the Qingping Sword tightly to his chest, and seemed to have aged decades in an instant.
Ye Yang stood silently to the side and recounted the details of the battle that day.
From encountering the Blood Fiend Venerable on the Star Ruins Ancient Road, to being chased by Mahayana cultivators, and then to the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal's fierce battle against a multitude of enemies.
With each word he spoke, Jin Yu Dao Ren's body trembled a little more.
"Master Ye, is there anyone else who knows about this?"
"Aside from a few close friends of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, no one else knows about it yet."
Ye Yang answered truthfully.
Jin Yu Daoist nodded, took a deep breath, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.
"With our master gone, the pillar of our Taixu Dao Sect has collapsed."
He smiled bitterly, looking at the Qingping Sword in his hand, his eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.
"Over the years, the reason why the Taixu Dao Sect has been able to establish itself in the cultivation world is entirely due to the prestige of our master, which deters the villains. Now that our master is gone, those forces that have been eyeing us for a long time will probably come knocking on our door soon."
Ye Yang remained silent.
He understood Jin Yu Dao Ren's concerns.
In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak; without a strong leader to protect it, even the largest foundation cannot be preserved.
"Fellow Daoist, rest assured, the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal has been kind to me, and I will avenge him."
Ye Yang solemnly said, "If the Taixu Dao Sect encounters any difficulties in the future, please come to the Feitian Sect for help. I will do my best to assist you."
Upon hearing this, a hint of gratitude flashed in Jin Yu Dao Ren's eyes.
"Thank you, Daoist Ye."
He bowed deeply and carefully put away the Qingping Sword.
"This sword is my master's natal sword. I will enshrine it in the Ancestral Hall so that my master's spirit in heaven can see that my Taixu Dao Sect has been passed down from generation to generation and that the incense has never stopped burning."
The two talked for a long time before Ye Yang took his leave.
As he walked out of the Taixu Dao Gate, he glanced back at the immortal mountain.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, the solitary figure of Taoist Jinyu still stood before the mountain gate, gripping the Qingping Sword tightly in his hand, gazing into the distance, motionless.
That figure exuded an indescribable sorrow and loneliness.
Ye Yang sighed, transformed into a beam of sword light, and vanished into the horizon. (End of Chapter)