As Logo delved into the myriad scriptures of the Myriad Poisons Sect, the name of the Azure Emperor spread like wildfire, generating immense influence and beginning to alter the landscape of the Mingguang Realm.
Qing Province, Xuanhu Black Tiger Mountain, one of the Six Sects of Mingguang of Mingguang.
Black Tiger Mountain Range!
Amidst the rolling mountains, the main peak soars into the clouds, shrouded in mist.
Compared to other places, the vegetation here presents a peculiar state: on one side is a primeval forest with towering ancient trees, abundant medicinal herbs, and vibrant life, while on the other side are various strangely shaped, dark brown, low-lying trees that exude a sense of silence.
The two are clearly distinct, half withered and half flourishing, like a Tai Chi diagram, exuding a profound Daoist charm.
Azure Nether Peak.
The core of the Black Tiger Mountain sect is located at the summit, where the sect's main hall stands majestically, and in front of the hall, a huge statue of the Azure Nether Dark Tiger stands tall in the square.
This tiger is entirely black with blue cloud patterns, and its eyes are one blue and one yellow. It is in a roaring posture, exuding a strong spirituality, making people feel that it might come to life at any moment.
Streams of light flew in from all directions and entered the sect's main hall, taking their seats on the left and right sides with solemn expressions, but their eyes occasionally glanced at the middle-aged Daoist sitting in the main seat.
This Daoist was none other than Qingmingzi, the sect leader of Black Tiger Mountain. He had a gaunt face and deep-set eyes. His eyes, like the Azure Nether Dark Tiger standing outside the hall, were one blue and one yellow. He had a calm and composed demeanor, exuding an aura of authority without anger.
'Master Brother's Azure Nether Life and Death Covenant has reached an increasingly profound level!'
Feeling the wisps of energy emanating from the main seat, many elders of Black Tiger Mountain felt a sense of awe.
"You should already know why I summoned you here today," Qingmingzi said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
A spiritual cultivator, with a withered appearance like an old tree and skin cracked like tree bark, stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "It must be because of that Innate Holy Spirit, who calls himself the Azure Emperor!"
The moment the words "Azure Emperor" were uttered, the atmosphere in the main hall froze. The elders and protectors of Black Tiger Mountain all wore angry expressions, as if some taboo had been violated.
"What kind of thing dares to call itself the Azure Emperor? Just because he's Innate Lifeform being? How utterly laughable!" A beautiful, gentle-looking spiritual cultivator slammed her hand on the table, her delicate face contorted with anger.
It's no wonder that the elder of Black Tiger Mountain reacted this way.
Black Tiger Mountain, a Daoist lineage of the Upper Realm Azure Radiance Palace, reveres the Great Emperor Azure Radiance as its patriarch.
The Great Emperor Azure Radiance is also known as the Azure Emperor.
Therefore, for Black Tiger Mountain, anyone who dares to call themselves the Azure Emperor is blaspheming their ancestor and cannot be forgiven.
"We deeply sympathize with Junior Sister Baicao's indignation, but how to deal with this ignorant child requires careful consideration. After all, he may very well harbor the karma of that God of Realms being from ten thousand years ago, a decision beyond our control!"
The spiritual cultivator, whose appearance resembled a withered old tree, spoke again. He was the Transmission Elder of Black Tiger Mountain, with the Daoist name Kumu, and his prestige in Black Tiger Mountain was second only to the sect leader Qingmingzi.
Despite hearing what Perfected Kumu, the beautiful woman still frowned and looked up at Qingmingzi.
"What does Senior Brother Headmaster think?"
All eyes turned to the person in the main seat.
A thoughtful look appeared in Qingmingzi's eyes. After thinking for a moment, he said, "This matter is of utmost importance, and I find it difficult to make a decision. However, one thing is certain: this fiend is most likely an enemy, not a friend."
"Don't forget what happened to the lineage that ruled Black Tiger Mountain ten thousand years ago. The heavens of the upper realm have long since changed; otherwise, our ancestors would have had no chance to rise to prominence."
Upon hearing this, the elders in the hall immediately changed their expressions. After exchanging bewildered glances, they simultaneously stood up, bowed, and said, "We are willing to obey the sect leader's orders!"
"Alright, then let's report this to the Divine Realm. There are still a few Translucent Crystal left in the library. Kumu Brother Kumu, go and fetch one!"
"Yes!" Perfected Kumu acknowledged the order and withdrew. Not long after, he returned, holding an exquisite jade box in his hands.
"Come, follow me to the Ancestral Hall!"
Led by Qingmingzi, the group arrived at the back of Black Tiger Mountain, a place where the Incense Votive Power were extremely concentrated, even swirling into a cloud-like mist.
After pushing aside the lingering incense smoke, a magnificent hall, hundreds of feet tall and lavishly decorated, came into view, housing numerous statues of deities.
In front of the Ancestral Hall, a mysterious figure wearing a gray-brown cloak, whose face was obscured and who exuded a deathly aura, sat cross-legged. Upon seeing the arrival of a group of high-ranking members of Black Tiger Mountain, he did not get up and continued to cultivate on his own.
Qingmingzi and the others did not take this to heart. Instead, they respectfully bowed as they passed the cloaked man before entering the Ancestral Hall.
After burning incense and offering prayers, Qingmingzi took out the Translucent Crystal, an irregularly shaped crystal about the size of a fist, which exuded a rich spatial Daoist aura.
He placed the crystal on the altar, lit incense again, and prayed, "... This junior disciple, Qingmingzi, the 121st generation head of Black Tiger Mountain in the Mingguang Realm, humbly beseeches the Ancestral Master to manifest and connect with the Divine Realm!"
Buzz!!
As the voice faded, the most majestic ancestral statue trembled slightly, and a ray of light descended from an unknown place, majestic and sacred, as if carrying the weight of a mountain.
"Can!"
A grand sound resounded in the ears of everyone on Black Tiger Mountain. The Translucent Crystal then vaporized and disappeared. At the same time, amidst the swirling incense smoke, a phantom figure draped in a robe of rosy clouds and surrounded by divine light was outlined.
"Greetings, Your Excellency!"
The moment the hazy figure appeared, Qingmingzi immediately led the way in bowing.
"Disciples from the lower realms, what is the purpose of your burning incense and prayers?"
Under the divine light, a blurred face emitted a divine voice that echoed endlessly within the Ancestral Hall.
Qingmingzi, not daring to raise his head, reported back, "Reporting to Your Excellency, there is a matter that Black Tiger Mountain cannot decide on its own, therefore we burn incense and pray for your guidance!"
"What is it?" Shenying remained calm as ever, as if he were dealing with official business.
Qingmingzi remained respectful and devout, bowing again before daring to speak, "Reporting to the Venerable God, a month ago, a Innate Azure Lotus Holy Spirit was born in the Azure Wood Mountain Range of Jiao Province in the Mingguang Realm where we reside. It was born with knowledge, and within a month, it has Manifestation combat power, causing a great uproar."
"Oh? Innate Holy Spirit? Or a Wood-attribute Azure Lotus Body? He displayed Manifestation combat power from birth, could he be a genius at the Divine Body level? This is a cause for celebration, he should rightfully join the ranks of my Azure Radiance Palace!" Shenying clapped his hands and laughed, showing great interest in the Azure Lotus Holy Spirit that Qingmingzi had mentioned.
Upon seeing this, Qingmingzi was stunned and quickly reminded him, "But Your Excellency, this Azure Lotus Holy Spirit is suspected to have been conceived from the essence and blood of that deity from the Azure Radiance Palace in the lower realm ten thousand years ago. She may have a huge karmic connection with the lineage of the Carefree Longevity!"
"What?"
Upon hearing Qingmingzi's words, Shenying's laughter immediately ceased, and under the divine light, his previously joyful expression turned extremely gloomy.
"A remnant of the Carefree Longevity lineage? Are you sure?"
"It's uncertain, but according to ancient records, the immortals of the Carefree Longevity lineage descended to the mortal realm and fought a great battle with the immortals of the Golden Radiance Palace, suffering heavy casualties in the Azure Wood Mountain Range."
"However, in the divine war ten thousand years ago, the Heavenly Heart of my Mingguang Realm suffered severe damage. It took ten thousand years of recuperation to finally recover. Where would we find the extra primordial power to support a Innate Lifeform? Therefore, the possibility that this Azure Lotus Holy Spirit is a remnant of the Carefree Longevity lineage is extremely high!"
Qingmingzi analyzed the situation logically and with evidence.