The Azure Pool Sect's shattered mountain gate resembled ruins.
The four peaks of the inner gate are leaning to the east and to the west, the mountain range is broken, and it has lost its former glory.
The Spiritual Qi in the air was leaking out at an alarming rate.
Even with the protective array activated, it still couldn't stop the Spiritual Qi from leaking out.
The surviving Foundation Establishment True Person looked blank and numb.
The outer disciples who Qi Refinement were even more terrified.
Their bodies trembled uncontrollably as they stood frozen in shock on the devastated ruins of their sect.
The only remaining Supreme Origin Peak, True Lord Yuanhao, slowly descended from the clouds with an embarrassed expression.
Looking at the messy mountain gate below, a bitter taste rose in my mouth.
He wasn't lamenting the great upheaval that had befallen the Azure Pool Sect, but rather...
"Four of the five True Lord are gone, leaving me to clean up this mess alone."
"It's difficult!"
"It's all that damned... damned swordsman's fault! How did he manage to infiltrate my Azure Pool sect?"
His gaze swept over the area, and Yuanhao's expression grew even more unpleasant.
The mysterious swordsman used some unknown method to cause a sudden and drastic change in the third-tier Spirit Vein of the Azure Pool Sect, which exploded and scattered in all directions.
The Spiritual Qi is far less than before; even if he is the only True Lord left, it probably won't be enough to sustain his cultivation in the future.
Moreover, there are still all these disciples to fool and appease, which is quite troublesome.
Damn it!
He gritted his teeth, despite his reluctance.
Yuanhao still dared not make any move, looking at the chaotic sect below, his figure slightly floating in the air.
Standing atop everyone's heads, he channeled his Spiritual Power and shouted loudly.
"Disciples, do not panic!"
"When the wicked villains vandalized my Azure Pool, the Supreme Ancestor intervened in time and thwarted their schemes."
"Now that the sect is in trouble, you should all work together to overcome this difficulty."
"Because the Xuanyu Leader was tragically betrayed by traitors, I hereby proclaim the Supreme Emperor's decree that I, Yuan Yuanhao, shall take charge of the Azure Pool and assume the position of Sect Leader."
"From this day forward, disciples of the sect are forbidden from wandering around or going out. Qi Refinement disciples must tidy up the mountain gate, and those who cultivate the Dao of Artifact Refinement and the Dao of Formations must come to the inner sect immediately to repair their Spirit Vein!"
The True Lord's Law Power is vast and resounding.
Its sound resounded throughout the entire Azure Pool Sect.
The sound could be heard, but no one moved or uttered a sound.
Everyone stared blankly at the sky, at Yuanhao's figure, their eyes filled with confusion and panic.
They saw exactly how the sect leader died.
What was on the sky was something they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
Supreme Ancestor?
What? Their Azure Pool Sect's Supreme Ancestor is a dark green toad?
A giant demon that eats people like chewing beans?
The crowd was filled with mixed emotions and fear, and they ignored what Yuanhao said.
Upon seeing this, Yuanhao was slightly angered.
He's already a servant to a powerful demon, but how come even the lowest-ranking disciples dare to disobey him?
If he doesn't handle things well, he won't survive.
The oppressive aura dissipated, and the tone became vicious.
What are you all standing there for?
"Didn't you hear what I, the sect leader, said?!"
"All disciples of the sect who have not moved for three breaths... die!"
The cold words, accompanied by the oppressive aura of True Lord, sent a chill down everyone's spine.
His consciousness returned, and he realized they were serious.
Despite the turmoil in his mind, he dared not delay any longer.
He quickly got up and started busily working, somewhat dazed.
The surviving cultivators of the Artifact-Making Dao of Formations all lowered their heads and headed towards the inner sect area.
Upon seeing this, True Lord Yuanhao flashed away.
When she reappeared, she was already in front of Lu Li.
"Come with me."
Yuanhao's tone was crisp and decisive, devoid of emotion.
Before Lu Li could answer, he waved his sleeve and led him to a luxurious cave abode.
"This is my usual secluded cultivation cave abode; I never expected it would be the perfect place to escape disaster this time."
"However, with the decline of Spiritual Qi in the sect in the future, this cave abode will probably be of no use."
True Lord Yuanhao stood at the entrance of his cave abode, his back turned, looking at the chaotic Azure Pool gate in the distance, his words indifferent.
He showed none of the affected anger he had just displayed.
It was as if he wasn't the one who had just lied in the sky in front of the entire sect.
This caught Lu Li guard for a moment.
As if sensing Lu Li's emotions, True Lord Yuanhao remained silent for a moment before posing a question without turning his head.
What do you think... this world is like?
Upon hearing what the other person said, Lu Li slowly raised his head.
His voice was slightly hoarse. "I... I don't know."
"So what do you think spiritual practice is like?"
"It can't be like today, can it?"
"Hmm, that makes sense, but cultivation is definitely not something you can do however you want!"
Yuanhao's emotions seemed to explode all at once.
He turned around abruptly, his features contorted, his eyes bloodshot, and he almost growled.
Do you think I'm despicable and shameless? Do you think I have no dignity?
"Did they think I was talking nonsense to their face, treating the whole clan like fools, all just trying to curry favor?"
"No, you're wrong, I'm not wrong, I just want to live..."
"I know that spiritual practice shouldn't be like this, but what else could it be like?"
"Who still remembers what cultivating immortality is all about? It took me five years to Qi Refinement, but seventy-eight years to Foundation Establishment, and I was still one hundred and twenty-eight years old when I attained the Golden Core!"
"But the Nascent Soul... seems so far away. Is it because I can't cultivate it? Is it because I can't cultivate it? It's because they won't allow me to cultivate it!"
Yuanhao's words were slightly incoherent, or perhaps he didn't even know what he was saying.
Today's changes are nothing short of a nightmare for him.
He was of average talent, born and raised in the three prefectures. In his youth, he dreamed of becoming a swordsman in the martial world, worked as a farmer in his young adulthood, and only in middle age did he have the good fortune to embark on the path of cultivation.
He later joined the Azure Pool, believing he had entered a major sect and would be able to roam the world freely thereafter.
But who knew... a single Foundation Establishment Pill would expose him to the wickedness of human nature.
In order to Foundation Establishment, his master, fellow disciples, senior and junior brothers, and senior sisters all showed no trace of their former care and concern.
You kill me, I'll steal from you.
They snatch Cultivation Method, magical Law Artifact, spirit medicine, cave abode, fortuitous opportunity, and even dao companion; they also... scramble to be the lackeys of powerful cultivators!
Cultivators... Cultivators... entrusting themselves to blades, amidst trivial killings.
After experiencing numerous trivial matters and vicissitudes, he finally Foundation Establishment.
Because of his mediocre aptitude, he was not qualified to consume Dao Fruit and was therefore not considered a tonic.
Only later did he have the chance to miraculously Core Formation.
Upon reaching the Golden Core, he said, "Surely I should be feeling better by now?"
At least we can have some peace and stability, at least we can maintain some dignity, right?
But reality... at this point, the road ahead is blocked!
Only after entering the Golden Core did he realize what the world was like.
All talk of living a carefree and immortal life is a lie.
He was born in three counties, but his offspring were merely fish.
His efforts, his luck, his fortuitous opportunity, his past—it's all a joke.
What cultivation, what sects? To put it bluntly, the entire three prefectures are nothing more than a spice jar in a demon's lair...
But what can he do now that things have come to this?
He can't just cry out in despair and kill himself, can he?
He had no choice; he could only eke out a living, and all he wanted was to live.
Even if... like a dog.
The low growl of True Lord Yuanhao, almost in despair, echoed in the cave abode.
Centuries of repression and resentment were finally released.
The bloodshot eyes and madness slowly faded, leaving only exhaustion and numbness.
He silently turned around and looked once more at the ruins of the mountain gate, his back view desolate.
Now that four of the five True Lord of Azure Pool are gone, the only person he can confide in about his bitterness and the nightmares of today is Lu Li.
because...
Yuanhao's indifferent voice suddenly entered Lu Li's ears.
"From this day forward, the responsibility of nurturing the immortal seedlings and making offerings to the ancestral master will be shared by you and me."
"Junior Brother Lu, from now on we will be colleagues."