Cultivation Broken

In the towering mountains where the southern border of the Great Yan Dynasty meets the Great Wilderness, a colossal tower that soars into the clouds stands between heaven and earth.

This is one of the sixteen "war fortresses" jointly built by the entire sect and the world at the end of the Great Cataclysm of the Strange Ghost ten thousand years ago to prevent the Strange Ghost from making a comeback from the Great Wilderness.

To this day, traces of the other fifteen giant towers have completely vanished from the world over the millennia. Only this tower, which was transformed into the gate of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, still stands in the world, its cracks at the bottom telling the story of the devastation caused by the catastrophe.

Looking down at most of the majestic tower through the window of the flying pavilion, Zhou Bowen, sitting alone by the window sipping fragrant tea, couldn't help but reveal a hint of admiration in his eyes.

No matter how many times I've seen it, I'm still always awestruck by this masterpiece.

The tower is thick and majestic, with intricate array patterns engraved on it, and countless giant flying beasts circling around it appear like sparrows in front of it.

After gazing silently for a dozen breaths, Zhou Bowen slowly withdrew his gaze and let out a soft sigh.

He remembered that ancient books recorded that the site of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion ten thousand years ago was also once a giant tower.

A colossal tower, even more majestic and imposing than the one before us, named the Heavenly Oversight Tower.

Unfortunately, that site was reduced to ashes during the Strange Ghost turmoil ten thousand years ago, but not by the Strange Ghost themselves, but by human-caused disasters that followed.

His thoughts were swirling, but soon, Zhou Bowen's thoughts were interrupted by a telepathic message that entered the pavilion.

"Elder Zhou, you've been waiting long. The Pavilion Master wishes to see you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bowen's unfocused gaze suddenly sharpened, and the fat on his face jiggled as he looked in the direction from which the voice came.

He couldn't see anyone in sight, but on the tower body dozens of feet away from his seat, the Green Phoenix Pavilion, Fatty Zhou did see a deep passageway slowly unfolding.

The spiral-shaped stone gate contracted and opened in all directions, revealing a pitch-black passageway with a diameter of tens of feet.

As a former war fortress, the upper level of the giant tower has many "airports" for flying Demon Beast to land, and the passageway in front of us is clearly one of them.

With a thought, he extended his Will Soul, and the Azure Phoenix below immediately let out a loud cry before spreading its wings and slowly descending into the space.

The Azure Phoenix landed firmly in the vast passageway. As soon as Zhou Bowen stepped down from the pavilion, a man dressed in the uniform of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion approached him, his voice respectful:

"Elder Zhou, I will take good care of your mount. This way, please. Elder Li Yang will escort you to the top of the tower where the Pavilion Master is located."

Zhou Bowen nodded slightly and followed the other person, while his small, squinty eyes flashed with a faint light as he scanned his surroundings, revealing a hint of surprise.

The layout of this dark passageway is somewhat similar to a stable in the secular world.

Compared to the stables of ordinary people, this place was much larger, with dozens of Demon Beast used for war lying in rows within the dark iron bars on both sides.

Zhou Bowen remembered that there were dozens of such tower layers inside the giant tower.

In other words,

This single giant tower alone already houses thousands of various Demon Beast used in war.

Thinking of this, a hint of helplessness flashed in Zhou Bowen's eyes.

Having raised so many different kinds of Demon Beast, it's quite obvious what the Pavilion Master wants to do.

But upon further reflection, Zhou Bowen felt relieved.

Currently, almost all factions within the Great Yan Dynasty are engaged in military buildup. If you only focus on acquiring money and resources, you'll become their granary when war breaks out.

Lost in thought, Zhou Bowen was quickly led out of the passage by the steward of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion. After meeting Elder Li Yang, they navigated the intricate layout of the giant tower and finally reached the top after walking up a long spiral staircase.

Clouds surged atop the tower, and intricate array patterns were etched on the ground. A woman dressed in a magnificent white dress stood on the edge of the tower, gazing northwards. Her dress and long hair fluttered in the air with the cold currents from high above.

Glancing sideways at the woman's slender and graceful back, then at Li Yang standing still, Zhou Bowen asked softly:

"Brother Li Yang, aren't you going over?"

Li Yang gently shook his head:

"Since the Pavilion Master only said he wanted to see you, I, Li, will take my leave now."

Having said that,

Fatty Zhou watched as the other person disappeared from the top of the tower without looking back.

After clicking his tongue, Zhou Bowen slowly moved forward, stopping three zhang behind the woman. He took out the Spirit Heaven Instrument from his Sumeru Ring, presented it with both hands, and bowed deeply.

"Sect Master, this is what Venerable Taishi entrusted to me to return to you before his death."

"."

Upon hearing this, Tianyuan slowly turned her eyes, her divine gaze calmly sweeping over the obese Mortal Shedding Elder behind her, but she remained silent.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Bowen felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

Sometimes, a silent gaze can be more unsettling, especially when one has something to hide.

He had no choice but to come back and report.

Fortunately, Tianyuan's calm voice soon followed:

"It failed?"

"Yes."

Fatty Zhou lowered his head even further, his body remaining still, but his heartbeat was already quietly accelerating.

He was somewhat afraid that the sect leader might say to him at this moment, "Since you have failed, why are you still alive?"

After all, the entire assassination attempt can be considered a complete failure.

This not only offended the Prime Minister's Estate and caused them to lose manpower, but also, in a sense, accelerated the process of the calamity.

As the only surviving elder of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion among the five assassins, Zhou Bowen is undoubtedly the only one to be held accountable.

After a moment of silence,

Zhou Bowen suddenly felt his hand go empty; the Spirit Heaven Instrument had been snatched away from him. Then, Tianyuan's emotionless voice rang out again:

"I had anticipated this."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bowen's lowered eyes instantly relaxed.

It seems that the Pavilion Master is not planning to pursue the matter further.

However, his reply aroused a sense of doubt in his heart.

It was expected

What's the meaning?

With a slight furrow in his brow, Zhou Bowen slowly raised his eyes to look at the seemingly untouched by worldly dust before him, and asked:

"Master, are you aware that we will fail on this mission?"

Tianyuan gazed calmly at the other person, her voice light and even:

"The beginning of the calamity is already predetermined; it is very difficult to change one's fate."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bowen frowned even more deeply. After a moment of silence, he exhaled a breath of stale air and said in a low voice:

"Since you, Lord Pavilion Master, already know the outcome, why..."

"This was an inevitable attempt."

"Just for one attempt, three people who had undergone Mortal Shedding."

"."

A gaze devoid of any emotion fell upon him, causing Zhou Bowen's heart to tremble. He quickly lowered his eyes and whispered:

"Your subordinate has overstepped his bounds."

Holding the Spirit Heaven Instrument in her hand, Tianyuan slowly turned around and gazed northward once more.

"Go down."

Zhou Bowen hesitated slightly upon hearing this:

"Sect Master, I have not yet reported the specific details of this trip, nor the calamity caused by Xu Changtian."

Tianyuan looked at the distant sky and spoke softly:

"I will summon you again later; the Holy Maiden will be arriving soon."

"."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bowen instantly understood.

The Holy Maiden was ordered to go to the Imperial Capital, but she has now disobeyed orders and returned, clearly because of the assassination attempt on Xu Changtian.

If he happens to be caught in the act by one of the "murderers," it could cause quite a bit of trouble.

With that thought in mind, Zhou Bowen bowed again, and his obese figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

In an instant,

Once again, only Tianyuan's solitary and aloof figure stood silently atop the enormous tower.

Time passed quickly, and half an hour later, a golden beam of light entered Tianyuan's field of vision.

The streak of light pierced the sky and arrived above the tower in an instant.

Standing atop the giant tower in the void, the girl gazed down at her master, whose gaze was indifferent, and bit her lip tightly with her small tiger teeth.

They looked at each other for a few moments.

Tianyuan's soft, gentle voice rang out:

"Come down."

Upon hearing this, Tianyan remained motionless, still standing in the void, his golden eyes filled with complex emotions. He gritted his teeth and asked:

"Tianyuan,

"Why?"

"."

Upon hearing this address, Tianyuan's divine golden eyes remained completely devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Both the Holy Maiden and the Pavilion Master act on behalf of Heaven, and there is no distinction between superior and subordinate. One can address the Holy Maiden as Master according to secular ethics, or one can call her by her name directly according to the principles of Heavenly Oversight Tower.

After a brief silence, Tianyuan did not deny it, but asked in a clear voice:

Why do you think that is?

Tianyan's slender body trembled slightly, and his clear voice deepened:

"The calamity is only a small part of the reason; the beginning of a great calamity does not necessarily mean that it is the calamity itself."

Seeing the conflicted look on the girl's face, Tianyuan softened her tone:

I am aware of this matter.

Upon hearing this, Tianyan clenched his fist slightly beneath his sleeve.

"Since you also know about this, why did you insist on carrying out the assassination?"

"You think I did something wrong?"

Tianyuan's voice suddenly interrupted Tianyan's question. Her divine golden eyes were like sharp swords, piercing straight into Tianyan's heart. "If I'm wrong, then tell me where my decision went wrong. I will consider the Holy Maiden's reasonable proposal."

"..." Tianyan's breathing became slightly rapid, his golden eyes fixed on his master below.

"While we cannot be certain that the beginning of the great calamity is the calamity itself, as long as there is a chance, it is worth trying."

Tianyuan gazed at the girl whose chest was heaving, her voice as indifferent as snow. "Tianyan, our Heavenly Oversight Pavilion is not a place for sentimental love. Right now, your emotions are affecting your judgment. Come back to your master after you've calmed down."

Having said that,

Tianyuan slowly turned around, her flowing white dress trailing behind her, and walked slowly into the tower.

Gazing at his master's retreating figure, Tianyan stood in the void, gritted his teeth and slowly closed his eyes.

The next instant, a mysterious fluctuation spread out around her.

As the wave spread, Tianyan's trembling body and clenched fists gradually relaxed.

When he opened his eyes again, Tianyan's golden pupils were now filled with a divine indifference, like that of Tianyuan.

A surge of air rose and slowly descended to the top of the tower. Tianyan stared at the other person's back, his voice indifferent:

"Master, you just said that the calamity was only part of the reason, but are the other parts because of me?"

"You think that as long as I kill Xu Yuan, my feelings for him will gradually fade away over time?"

Upon hearing that calm voice, Tianyuan immediately paused, slightly turning to look at the golden-eyed girl behind her, without denying it:

"With that in mind, I've reminded you before that you need to resolve matters of the heart yourself; given your circumstances and his, things are destined to have no future."

"Now that our Heavenly Oversight Pavilion is rooted in the sect, if we want to survive and grow stronger, we will have an irreconcilable conflict with the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion behind Xu Changtian."

Tianyan stepped forward slowly and spoke in a clear voice:

"Now that a great calamity is imminent, there is a possibility that our Heavenly Oversight Pavilion and the Prime Minister's Mansion may cooperate."

"So, how likely do you think that is?"

Tianyuan's dress fluttered as she raised a hand to tuck a few strands of her long hair behind her ear, staring intently at the girl before her:

"Furthermore, if Xu Changtian is truly the calamity itself, what will you do?"

"It is treason,"

"Or should I kill him myself?"

"."

At the top of Haoran Tower, a cold wind howled past, and the two women looked at each other silently.

And in this silence,

A flicker of doubt gradually surfaced beneath Tianyan calm eyes.

As this wavering appeared, the mysterious fluctuations surrounding Tianyan gradually dissipated, and the calm divinity in her eyes quickly returned to its usual state.

His Divine Detachment State was broken!

Upon seeing this, Tianyuan instantly felt a sense of unease.

She realized that she had misjudged Tianyan's feelings for Xu Changtian.

This rebellious disciple's feelings for Xu Changtian have now become so intense that even the Divine Detachment State of the Heaven Derivation Art cannot be suppressed.

Reason told Tianyuan that she should immediately deal with Tianyan, this variable.

If the Heavenly Oversight Tower Maiden were to betray the enemy, it would be tantamount to the Great Yan Emperor rebelling against himself.

This would be an immeasurable loss for the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion.

Unfortunately, the current situation does not allow her to do so.

In this generation, only one Holy Maiden, Tianyan, can inherit the position of Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, and the upcoming calamity also requires a "Tianyan" to face it.

After a few breaths of silence,

Tianyuan let out a soft breath, her voice softening slightly as she changed the subject:

"Tianyan, you came back specifically for more than just to ask your master why, right?"

The Divine Detachment State caused Tianyan some backlash. Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, she stared at her master before her and asked softly with slight hesitation:

Is Xu Yuan still alive?

Upon hearing this question, Tianyuan glanced at the distant north and said:

"The operation failed; only one person survived."

Upon hearing Tianyan's eyes, but then his expression turned complicated.

Xu Yuan's survival instantly eased her heavy heart.

But this news made her feel somewhat lost about her sense of belonging to the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion.

During the assassination attempt, three Mortal Shedding died in the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion.

Tianyuan stared at the expression in Tianyan's eyes, and this time she felt slightly relieved.

At least, at least the saintess is still a long way from betraying the sect.

Thinking to herself, Tianyuan said softly:

"I had anticipated this matter."

Tianyan looked slightly surprised upon hearing this and asked, puzzled:

"Since you knew you would fail, Master, why..."

Tianyuan's voice was soft, with a hint of seriousness:

"This is an attempt to end the calamity, and also a consideration for the future by your teacher."

"For the past ten thousand years, the loose control system of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion has been built on the Yantian Art. Now that the future is no longer visible, we need an external enemy to unite the various sects below."