Cloud Mountain Sect
Zhao Yifan exhaled, the Red Gauze Sword in his hand slicing across the Poison-Tailed Scorpion's neck, severing its head, and then he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
This former Hatred Hall the Black Heaven Hall, who was known for his hatred, was quite capable. However, after stealing the Black Heaven Hall Secret Realm Map and observing it every day, his strength improved abnormally, and naturally, his mind became even more unstable.
The Poison-Tailed Scorpion fled westward to the Cloud Mountain Sect, a major sect in this area. The forces of the Black Heaven Hall and the Ancient Moon Hall had not yet reached this region. In addition, Zhao Yifan, following Lu Li's orders, intentionally allowed the Cloud Mountain Sect to take the Black Heaven Secret Realm Map.
Therefore, the Black Heaven Secret Realm Map had already been taken away by the Cloud Mountain Sect. Poison-Tailed Scorpion, after obtaining a large sum of money and resources, was stopped by the well-prepared Zhao Yifan, losing his life in the process. Recalling the contents of the Black Heaven Secret Realm Map, Zhao Yifan looked at a distant mountain shrouded in mist and sneered, "I hope you like it."
Meanwhile, Qing Yu, a disciple of the Cloud Mountain Sect, was riding at full speed, carrying a wooden box, to a secluded place at the foot of the Cloud Mountain Sect. Qing Yu was a disciple of the Qing generation of the Cloud Mountain Sect and was usually valued by the sect leader, which is why he had such a special mission.
There were four or five of them who set off together. After obtaining the items, they dispersed to avoid pursuit. As they picked up the box to head up the mountain, for some reason, an idea suddenly popped into their minds.
"This is Black Heaven Hall Secret Realm Map Black Heaven Hall. It might hold the secrets of mythical martial artists. I want to take a look while no one's around..."
The idea took root in Qing Yu's heart as soon as it appeared. Looking at the wooden box in his hand, his breathing became rapid. Once it was sent to the Cloud Mountain Sect, he would never have the chance to take over this treasure again. Even if he did, he would have to wait until his elders had finished studying it.
"Just a quick glance won't take much time." The young Qing Yu opened the wooden box, revealing a scroll of unknown material inside, and opened it with heavy breathing.
He felt countless profound martial arts information flooding into his mind, and at the same time, a voice rang in his mind, telling him to take him far away. With this picture, he might become a legendary martial artist.
"Hey, I just heard the sound of horses' hooves. It should be over here." A voice suddenly came from afar, startling Qing Yu out of his trance. He quickly put the scroll back into the wooden box and headed towards the Cloud Mountain Sect.
Then he saw a group of junior disciples patrolling the mountain approaching. After talking with them, Qing Yu took the box and went up the mountain, secretly laughing at his own lack of self-control. Cloud Mountain Sect was the place where he was born and raised. No matter how precious the treasure map was, how could he betray his sect for it?
When the wooden box was handed over, Qing Yu felt a sudden panic and confusion. He quickly returned to his residence and began to meditate and contemplate the mental techniques to calm his emotions. However, the Black Heaven Secret Realm Map, which he had only seen once, appeared clearly in his mind.
The martial arts information he had previously obtained from the diagram was gradually recalled, as if he had suddenly realized something. The Black Heaven Secret Realm Map he had been visualizing suddenly revealed dark magic power. Qing Yu instantly understood and mobilized his own life energy to begin building meridians within his body.
As the dark meridians were completed and the previously condensed acupoints were connected, Qing Yu felt himself become many times stronger in an instant. With a wave of his hand, a surge of internal energy gushed out along the meridians, easily achieving the ability of a Celestial Martial Artist to release internal energy.
"What a powerful Black Heaven Secret Realm Map!" Qing Yu exclaimed. He had only observed it for a short time and had already gained so much martial arts knowledge. If he had it with him and studied it carefully, his martial arts would probably have improved by leaps and bounds.
Qing Yu couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. If only he had taken the map of the secret realm with him when he escaped back then. "Damn it, given the personalities of the elders in the sect, it will be at least ten years before I can see the map of the secret realm again."
Qing Yu was right. Most sects in the martial arts world share a common problem: they tightly hold onto their martial arts manuals and secret techniques, ostensibly to assess disciples, but in reality, it's because those people are unwilling to relinquish their power.
In a time when Celestial Warriors lack a clear path and can only rely on their own talents, Secret Transmission Warriors are an important pillar of a sect, and most of these warriors have achieved relatively high positions within the sect.
If the secret martial arts were given away easily, in ten or eight years, the other party's martial arts strength would be similar to yours. Once their martial arts strength is high, their ambition will grow, and the power of the sect will become unstable. Therefore, how could the sect's higher-ups easily release the secret martial arts?
Except for a few people with connections, other disciples generally have to undergo "assessment" for eight to ten years before they can be taught secret martial arts at the discretion of the authorities. By the time the new generation has mastered the skills, the older generation has already made their money, and then the vicious cycle begins.
Qing Yu's eyes flickered, and the idea of stealing the Black Heaven Secret Realm Map arose in his mind. As if possessed, he rushed towards the sect leader's council hall. Thanks to his greatly improved martial arts skills, no one else had noticed him yet.
As soon as they arrived nearby, they heard the sect leader roar, "I've already said it, it's not that I want to monopolize the Black Heaven Map, but that this map is ominous and cannot be looked at!"
"Sect Leader, this is not right. You glanced at it and said it was ominous and should not be viewed. Then why didn't anything ominous happen to you, Sect Leader?" An elder's voice also came out. Qing Yu quickly held his breath and suppressed his aura, peeking through the crack in the door.
"It's obvious that you, Sect Leader, want to keep it all for yourself," the elder who spoke said in a pretentious tone, his eyes burning as he glanced at the Black Heaven Secret Realm Map held in the Sect Leader's hand.
"That's right, even if it's ominous, we should all look at it before we say anything," some of the other elders chimed in.
"Since that's the case, why not destroy this secret realm map?" The sect leader's face was ashen. He threw the map into a brazier, his hands trembling uncontrollably, whether from anger or regret.
"You..." The other elders were furious, some even standing up and shouting, "Fine, you saw it yourself and now you want to destroy the secret realm map? I..."
"Enough! I am the sect leader!" The Cloud Mountain Sect leader roared, his immense aura bringing the elders back to their senses.
The elders glanced at the Black Heaven Secret Realm Map, which had been burned to ashes, then glared hatefully at the sect leader, uttered some harsh words, and finally retreated one by one.
Qing Yu carefully concealed his presence, his mind racing. "This is the Cloud Mountain Sect? What a despicable place! Why should I risk my life for such a sect?"
Meanwhile, the leader of the Cloud Mountain Sect felt only heartache. He had advanced to the Celestial Realm and taken over the position of sect leader. He had worked hard for the sect for so many years, but he never expected it to turn out like this. The sect elders were clinging to their interests and were unwilling to relinquish power.
The Black Heaven Secret Realm Map, which had been burned to ashes in the brazier, miraculously reappeared, its surface shimmering with black light. A thought arose in the mind of the Cloud Mountain Sect Leader: "It's the sect that's dragging me down..."