Regret Came Too Late

A few breaths later, the visions of mountains and seas gradually faded, but that vast aura still lingered around Chen Qing, as steady as an abyss and a towering peak, profound and unfathomable.

"Sect Master Chen," Mo Huaiyong drew a deep breath, his tone utterly changed. The faint air of superiority from before had vanished, replaced by a trace of solemn respect. "This old man truly had eyes but failed to see. I never realized your bearing was so extraordinary!"

"This..."

Chen Qing had still been somewhat wary, but seeing that nothing else had changed besides the visions, he relaxed a little. Still, he was completely baffled. "Weren't you supposed to be testing the aptitude of the two juniors in my sect?"

When the visions had enveloped him, he had felt somewhat invigorated. But now that he had come back to his senses, he had a vague idea that the visions surrounding him had been caused by that wisp of Supreme Harmony Qi.

This qi belonged to the Second Realm, "Soothing Harmony Foundation Establishment." He had grasped it ahead of time. Though there was little of it, its essence was exceedingly high! If this stone, meant to measure Root Bone, assessed people by the standards of the First Realm, it would naturally produce an inaccurate result, revealing visions far beyond his current realm.

"This old man was careless for a moment and ended up affecting you, Sect Master Chen, though it wasn't necessarily a bad thing." Mo Huaiyong's smile grew gentler. "Fortunately, it allowed us to see just how exceptional your foundation is!"

Chen Qing froze, then shook his head. "Mine can hardly be called exceptional..."

Mo Huaiyong immediately said, "Sect Master Chen is too modest. Misty Gorge Mountain is clearly full of hidden talents and inner brilliance. Only such a place could nurture someone like you..."

His sudden change in attitude left everyone present stunned.

The hawk-nosed young man in particular had been wearing a sneer, but now his face had gone pale, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead. He no longer dared utter a word.

But Han Sha was even more shaken.

He stared blankly at Chen Qing, his lips trembling slightly, as if struck by lightning. His eyes brimmed with disbelief.

"Martial Uncle... So you really had such a deep foundation, such a Root Bone?"

He had assumed his future was bleak, which was why he had gritted his teeth and betrayed his sect to join Sea Abyss Temple. But now, Chen Qing had revealed a bearing that had moved even an elder of Mystic Chess Academy! That meant his future in the sect might not have been so bleak after all!

Regret, unlike anything he had ever known, surged through him like a tide.

If only he had never left...

If only he had waited a little longer...

Had I made the wrong choice?

The thought gnawed at his mind like a venomous snake, leaving him almost unable to breathe.

Mo Huaiyong was no ordinary figure. With one sweep of his gaze, he took in everyone's expressions. Then he smiled faintly and said to Chen Qing, "Sect Master Chen, this old man has an unreasonable request."

Chen Qing remained wary inside, but his expression stayed calm. "Please, Senior Mo."

"Mystic Chess Academy has always prized talent. Meeting someone like you today is a true delight." Mo Huaiyong spoke with sincerity. "Would you be willing to form a bond of goodwill with our academy? If you have time in the future, you could visit us and discuss the Dao with one another. Would that not be a pleasure?"

His words shocked everyone.

For Mystic Chess Academy to take the initiative and offer goodwill was an opportunity that countless small sects along the southern coast could only dream of!

Yet Chen Qing was not swept away by the sudden turn of events. He cupped his hands and said, "I am grateful for Senior Mo's kindness, and will remember it. If the opportunity arises, I will certainly pay you a visit."

Seeing that he had not agreed outright, Mo Huaiyong did not press him. He laughed heartily. "Good! This old man will await your arrival at the academy!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, he sent the green jade chess piece flying back into his palm, then said to the three people behind him, "Let's go. We shouldn't disturb Sect Master Chen's cultivation any longer."

The three respectfully agreed and prepared to leave.

A thought suddenly stirred in Chen Qing's heart. Mystic Chess Academy had a long history, and its records must contain a great deal of information about the past. Perhaps...

Once the thought came to him, he did not hesitate to speak up. "Senior Mo is widely learned. There is something I would like to ask you."

Mo Huaiyong's eyes flashed with delight. He stopped and said, "Ask away."

Chen Qing immediately asked, "I wonder whether your sect's records have ever mentioned the Primordial Immortal Dynasty?"

"The Primordial Immortal Dynasty?" Mo Huaiyong froze.

The woman behind him spoke up. "Master, I once saw that name in an ancient book about strange tales from the Central Spirit Continent. It described it as a golden age of cultivation in ancient times, perhaps tens of thousands of years ago. The details are no longer known."

"Oh, I remember now. That was the Immortal Dynasty Era, wasn't it?" Mo Huaiyong's eyes lit up. "That era followed the Dao Seeking Era!"

Chen Qing's heart jolted.

It really existed!

The Dao Seeking Era, the Immortal Dynasty Era... Judging by their names, history had seen numerous eras, each with its own divisions!

But a golden age of cultivation?

He thought back for a moment.

"If we're talking about spiritual energy, perhaps. But when it comes to cultivation techniques..."

Suddenly, Chen Qing came back to himself. What he had encountered was a peculiar dream realm, and the Immortal Dynasty had been tens of thousands of years ago. No matter how extraordinary the Grand Void Dao Evolution Record was, it couldn't reverse time, could it?

It shouldn't... right?

Mo Huaiyong watched the changes in Chen Qing's expression and suddenly asked, "Sect Master Chen, why did you ask about the Primordial Immortal Dynasty? And where did you learn of it?"

Chen Qing had already prepared an answer. "I'm very interested in the history of the past. I saw the Primordial Immortal Dynasty mentioned in a book..."

Mo Huaiyong's eyes lit up, and he smiled at once. "I see. That is a fine interest. Mystic Chess Academy has several libraries, and I have a collection of books myself. If you're interested, I can have someone send you a few books on history."

Chen Qing hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands in thanks. He did not refuse; he really needed that sort of knowledge.

Mo Huaiyong seemed quite pleased. He said his farewells once more, then led the three away. Their figures soon vanished among the mountains.

"We should go, too."

Once they had left, the people from Sea Abyss Temple were even less inclined to linger and prepared to take their leave.

Han Sha's steps were heavy. He looked toward the familiar sights beyond the mountain gate, his eyes full of conflicting emotions.

"Han Sha."

Just then, Chen Qing suddenly called out to him.

Han Sha stopped and slowly turned around. His eyes held a trace of bewilderment and struggle. "Martial Uncle, you..."

"I'm no longer your martial uncle."

By Chen Qing's way of thinking, there was no need to go to such lengths. He knew the other man was mired too deep to turn back, yet he still went through the motions, taking out the Expulsion Notice and asking as the sect rules required. "I don't like people who keep changing their minds, but you were still a disciple whom Senior Brother took into the sect. The rules of Hidden Star Gate say no one may be punished without first being given a chance to speak. So, according to the rules, I still have to ask you one more time—"

He narrowed his eyes, letting his gaze sweep over the Sea Abyss Temple disciples before finally settling on Han Sha. "Did you suffer any mistreatment in Hidden Star Gate? Or were you threatened by someone?"

The mountain gate fell utterly silent.

Han Sha trembled all over. The visions of mountains and seas Chen Qing had revealed still echoed in his mind. That bearing had moved even an elder of Mystic Chess Academy! If he had stayed in the sect, his future might have been bright...

"I..."

His lips quivered, but from the corner of his eye he caught the hawk-nosed young man's cold gaze. At once, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

"Han Sha! Think carefully! Sea Abyss Temple isn't a place you can come and go as you please!" The hawk-nosed young man suddenly sneered. "Besides, how many people are there at Misty Gorge Mountain? What's worth lingering for? Don't forget what your Martial Uncle expects of you!"

Han Sha remembered the cruelty of his "new master" and shuddered all over. His voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. "No."

"Good! Since this was your own decision, I'll grant it. From this day forward, you're no longer a member of Hidden Star Gate." Chen Qing's expression remained calm. He had worried that the other man might ask to return. "But you have your own ambitions, and the sect has its rules. You'll have to leave behind what you learned in the sect."

As soon as he finished speaking, he darted in front of Han Sha like a ghost. His fingers pressed together, striking the vital points in Han Sha's arms as fast as lightning!

"Crack!"

The crisp sound of breaking bones rang out. The meridians in Han Sha's arms were shattered. He screamed and fell to his knees, his forehead slamming hard against the stone paving as blood ran down his face.

"These injuries would be serious for an ordinary person," Chen Qing said, looking at him coldly. "But for a cultivator, they can be healed with a few medicinal ingredients. Once you've recovered, you'll have to temper your blood and qi and train your body all over again. That should give you plenty of time to focus on cultivating Sea Abyss Temple's techniques."

He stuffed the Expulsion Notice into Han Sha's collar and said indifferently, "Senior Brother saved your life. Make the most of it. If you harbor evil intentions in the future and come to Misty Gorge Mountain to cause trouble again, I'll do more than break your arms. Go."

Han Sha struggled to lift his head. His face was as pale as paper. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, all he did was give a bitter smile and stagger to his feet.

"Useless! Let's go!" The hawk-nosed young man grabbed Han Sha by the collar. He did not dare look Chen Qing in the eye and was about to lead the Sea Abyss Temple disciples away when Chen Qing suddenly appeared in front of him.

"You... What are you doing? I'm—"

"Were you the one who attacked my nephew earlier?" Chen Qing said, flicking a finger!

The hawk-nosed young man cried out as well, clutching his right hand in terror.

Chen Qing lowered his hand. "If there's a next time, I'll do more than break a finger."

"You..." The hawk-nosed man's face turned pale, but he did not dare say another word. He hurriedly led the others away.

Silence returned to the mountain gate.

"Martial Uncle, Han Sha..."

Fang Da'ao's clenched fist trembled slightly. He and Han Sha had eaten and lived together for five years, and seeing him in such a state left him with a jumble of feelings.

"He chose his own path. Now he has to bear the consequences." Chen Qing turned and climbed the stone steps. "Let's go back."

Qu Xiaoyao suddenly tugged at his sleeve. Her little face was pale as she asked cautiously, "Was that white-bearded old gentleman really here to give us guidance? And the visions around you, Martial Uncle—they looked so impressive!"

Chen Qing shook his head and said quietly, "Something about this is suspicious. We'll talk about it after we get back."

In his view, Mystic Chess Academy's attitude had changed far too quickly. They must have had an ulterior motive.

As for those so-called visions...

They were nothing more than an intimidating display, borrowing the power of Supreme Harmony Qi. They weren't real! But if this caused Mystic Chess Academy to set its sights on me, that would be a serious problem. Who knew whether it would bring good fortune or disaster?

At the thought, he felt a surge of pressure and urgency.

I have to raise my strength as quickly as possible! And build up more trump cards!

Chen Qing turned toward the mountain gate, his mind made up.

Tonight, I'll enter the Grand Void Dao Evolution Record again!

Mo Huaiyong and the others walked slowly along the mountain path.

"Martial Uncle." The young man carrying a sword case suddenly spoke. "Sea Abyss Temple seems hostile toward the sect master of Hidden Star Gate. Should we..."

Mo Huaiyong continued walking and replied calmly, "No need."

"But that man's fortune is profound. Wouldn't it be a shame if Sea Abyss Temple harmed him?" The young woman with a Golden Bell tied around her wrist could not help asking.

Mo Huaiyong stopped and gazed at the distant horizon.

"A new cycle of the Five Elements is about to begin in the Eastern Spirit Continent," he said in a low voice. "Our Mystic Chess Academy is skilled at divining the secrets of heaven and has already sensed it. That is why we sent several groups out to search everywhere for people blessed with profound fortune, so we could bring them into the sect, strengthen its foundations, and survive this calamity."

He flipped his hand, and an ancient-looking chess piece appeared in his palm. It was the same green jade piece used to measure Root Bone. But when Mo Huaiyong ran a finger over it, the green faded and purple qi began to swirl. Countless tiny runes darted through it, unfathomable and mysterious.

"The 'Heavenly Fortune Son' is a treasure derived from the Mystic Chess Celestial Disk, the treasure that guards Mystic Chess Academy. It can measure a person's fortune, Root Bone, and fate." Mo Huaiyong's gaze was deep. "The sect master of Misty Gorge Mountain may only be at the Initial Opening Realm, but he revealed the vision of 'mountains and seas resonating as one.' That means his fortune is exceptionally strong, and he may possess some great opportunity!"

"Then we should bring him back to the sect!" the young man with the sword case exclaimed urgently.

Mo Huaiyong shook his head and said meaningfully, "Those blessed with profound fortune often have to endure hardship before they can rise. If he remains peacefully as the sect master of Misty Gorge Mountain, how could he form a deep karmic bond with Mystic Chess Academy? And how could he be of use to us?"

Everyone froze at his words.

"Martial Uncle, you mean..."

"If Sea Abyss Temple truly turns against him, that would be an opportunity." Mo Huaiyong's words carried an unspoken meaning. "Once he falls into peril, we can step in and help him. Offering charcoal in a snowstorm is the way to truly win his loyalty."

"What if he doesn't make it through?" the young woman asked despite herself.

Mo Huaiyong smiled faintly. "If he can't even withstand this little tribulation, then his fortune isn't strong enough. He isn't worth Mystic Chess Academy's wholehearted support."

Everyone fell silent.

Mo Huaiyong put away the Heavenly Fortune Son and continued on. "The path of cultivation may defy heaven, but true prodigies do not fall easily. Those who have fallen were never prodigies to begin with."