Grandmaster Pure Land

The Earth Pulse Impact continued, but they were only aftershocks now, limited in range and powerless against the Dragon Turtle Diagram.

After the distant mountains collapsed, crimson glow burst from the earth. Rosy light filled the sky, reflecting against the clear heavens like an evening sunset—gorgeous yet eerie—and countless people began speculating.

"Could this be some ancient ruin?"

"I think so too. It seems some ancient ruin has emerged from underground, causing such a huge disturbance."

"If it is a ruin and it's so close to Shangqing Palace, doesn't that make it ours?"

"I think so. This is near Shangqing Palace's mountain gate, so naturally it belongs to Shangqing Palace."

"I just wonder what treasures might be inside the ruin?"

"Whatever is inside, it will strengthen Shangqing Palace. Naturally, we must claim it."

Li Jiusheng spread out his domain. Within a hundred li, he could hear every discussion among Shangqing Palace's disciples and elders with perfect clarity.

"Could it really be a ruin?" Li Jiusheng wondered. He was not so optimistic. If it truly was a ruin, then judging by its aura and the force of those impacts, it clearly had an extraordinary origin. Shangqing Palace would likely find it difficult to claim it for itself.

High in the sky, the Dragon Turtle Diagram shone brilliantly, blocking the impacts. Yet as the impacts weakened, the Dragon Turtle Diagram slowly withdrew as well. This Grandmaster-level treasure required an enormous expenditure of energy. For someone below the Ancestor Realm to forcefully activate it meant draining the power of the entire sect, so it naturally could not be sustained for long. Otherwise, some of the elders would be completely drained.

As the Dragon Turtle Diagram vanished, the aftershocks also dispersed. Shangqing Palace erupted into commotion, but Li Qingshan's deep voice rang out. "All disciples, quiet down. Steady your hearts. The elders will investigate and uncover the truth. Cultivate properly, and do not let external matters disturb your true hearts."

His words carried the majesty of a venerable master, soothing the disciples' unsettled hearts and finally quieting the chaotic discussions.

Soon afterward, Li Qingshan vanished from Golden Summit Hall and headed straight to the Scripture Repository Pavilion, arriving at Li Jiusheng's side.

The moment Little Fox saw the unfamiliar man appear, she tensed from head to toe and swiftly slipped away. She had no desire to interact with anyone other than Li Jiusheng.

"Senior Brother has started keeping a pet?" Li Qingshan asked with a curious smile.

"Yes. When one gets old, one wants to raise something," Li Jiusheng said with a smile. He did not explain Little Fox's origins, merely asking Li Qingshan, "What exactly happened?"

Standing beside Li Jiusheng and gazing at the distant ruins, Li Qingshan said, "Actually, some elders noticed something unusual in that direction some time ago. I sent people to investigate. It is a ruin, and it has been emerging from the ground."

Li Jiusheng had not expected the disciples' discussions to be true. He asked curiously, "Did you find out what kind of ruin it is?"

"A Grandmaster's ruin!" Li Qingshan said solemnly. "Or perhaps the ruin left behind by someone even stronger than a Grandmaster. It is a Grandmaster Pure Land protected by a Grandmaster Formation, and no one can enter."

"A Grandmaster's ruin? Perhaps even the ruin of someone beyond the Grandmaster Realm?" Li Jiusheng was greatly surprised. "Then why had there been no sign of it before?"

"Perhaps it was hidden very well." Li Qingshan shook his head.

"It is so close to Shangqing Palace. I'm afraid it may have adverse consequences," Li Jiusheng said worriedly.

Li Qingshan nodded. "Certainly. This ruin has not fully opened yet, but it has already caused such a tremendous disturbance that it will inevitably draw many covetous eyes. I personally investigated it and found a complete Grandmaster Pure Land inside. That holds immense temptation for many venerable masters, even Grandmasters. Shangqing Palace definitely cannot monopolize it. And if Grandmaster-level experts begin fighting over it, the aftermath of their battle could affect Shangqing Palace as well."

This was what Li Qingshan had meant before: it was both an opportunity and a crisis.

"What is a Grandmaster Pure Land?" Li Jiusheng asked curiously.

Li Qingshan explained, "For a venerable master to break through into the Ancestor Realm, one must comprehend Dao Rhyme and accumulate it into the power of laws, then transform one's domain into one's own Inner Scenery, strengthening oneself. Of course, that is the Daoist term. The Buddhist Sect calls it a Pure Land, but in essence, they are the same thing."

The Daoist Inner Scenery and the Buddhist Pure Land were different names for the same thing.

The foundation of a Grandmaster.

Li Qingshan continued, "The Grandmaster foundation that Emperor Wu of Zhou had shattered one after another was his Inner Scenery. Once the Inner Scenery is broken, it takes a long time to repair. Without repairing it, it is difficult to advance again. Now, this ruin contains a complete Grandmaster Pure Land. If a venerable master obtains it and successfully refines it, he can break through to the Ancestor Realm. If a Grandmaster obtains it, he can comprehend another's Pure Land and combine it with that person's Grandmaster Dao, gaining new insights, achieving a breakthrough, or even extending his lifespan. That is why it holds such enormous temptation for so many people."

"I see. Then the former owner of this ruin was a Grandmaster of the Buddhist Sect, or perhaps a peerless expert who surpassed the Ancestor Realm?" Li Jiusheng asked.

"That is likely the case, but whether that is all there is remains unknown." Li Qingshan shook his head.

"What do you mean?" Li Jiusheng frowned.

"What I just said was only what I saw when I explored the outer edge. There is a complete Grandmaster Pure Land there. But whether there are more things deeper within the ruin, whether the owner of the Pure Land is still alive, and whether this ruin's emergence means its original owner has died—or whether it is a trap meant to lure people inside—those are all unknown." Li Qingshan voiced his concerns. The matter was grave, and even he could not make up his mind. The disturbance caused by this ruin was simply too great, while the things within it were far too tempting.

An opportunity or a crisis?

Li Qingshan could not be sure.

Li Jiusheng pondered for a moment. "Since you cannot be sure, do not explore it. You are now the pillar of Shangqing Palace. You cannot put yourself in danger."

Li Qingshan laughed freely. "Rest assured, Senior Brother. With the two sword techniques you taught me, I am confident that I can break through to the Ancestor Realm. We may observe this ruin, but we must not be the first to explore it. I have already ordered Shangqing Palace's disciples not to involve themselves lightly. At the same time, I have taken the initiative to send word to all the major factions, telling them that there is a Grandmaster Pure Land here. I fear this place will become very lively within a few days."

Li Jiusheng looked at Li Qingshan approvingly. He had not allowed the gains before him to cloud his judgment. Since the ruin contained so many uncertainties, they might as well spread the news and let those experts desperate for breakthroughs or longer lives take the lead. Whatever the outcome, Shangqing Palace would have earned a measure of goodwill, and no matter what happened, it would not spread to Shangqing Palace.

After saying this, Li Qingshan looked at Li Jiusheng. "Senior Brother, you may observe things over this period as well, but do not act rashly. You are Shangqing Palace's hidden hope for the future. If there is any new information, I will come and tell you."

Li Jiusheng smiled. "Just as you said, it is a hot potato. People could easily die over it, and Senior Brother has not lived long enough yet."

Li Qingshan said admiringly, "It has only been a short while since we last met, yet Senior Brother's cultivation has risen again. I imagine it will not be long before you become a Great Grandmaster."

"Not at all. The road is still long, and I will seek above and below," Li Jiusheng said, waving his hand. He looked toward the distant sea of crimson glow, which had dyed half the sky red. Yet in his eyes, it looked like a sky full of blood—extremely dangerous.