Chapter 4: The Grand Patterns on the Hoe

Rumor had it that this pearl vanished within the Abyss, so could it be that Leng Qianxue truly retrieved it from there? Impossible! Even their own sect master of the Scarlet Flame Sect was unable to break the Abyss's restrictions.

Leng Qianxue replied calmly, "I must thank an elder for their help." The moment her words fell, Zhuge Qi and the others' expressions changed drastically.

"Could it be that your ancestor... is still alive?" Zhuge Qi's eyes flickered with uncertainty. If the ancestor of the Fire Moon Sect was still alive, then trouble was surely brewing.

Leng Qianxue's expression turned cold, a hint of pride appearing on her face. "Do you think yourself worthy to inquire about the elder?" With Zhu Xiaoyuan's strength, Leng Qianxue might not know the depth of his power, but she could certainly look down on Zhuge Qi and his companions.

At that moment, another elder from the Scarlet Flame Sect cast a sinister glance at Leng Qianxue, his voice chilling. "Even if your ancestor lives, I fear he is half-dead—otherwise, why not simply bring the pearl back directly? Why go to such trouble?"

At these words, the surrounding Fire Moon Sect disciples' eyes changed. Could it really be as he said?

Leng Qianxue's gaze grew colder, her cultivation suddenly released. "You've reached the Ninth Layer? How is that possible? I thought you were only at the Second Layer!" Zhuge Qi exclaimed in shock.

"So young, and you've broken through to the peak of the Golden Core Realm? Is the Fire Moon Sect truly on the rise?" The Scarlet Flame Sect members were all thunderstruck.

"Qianxue, this—" Even Huang Xiantang was filled with astonishment.

"It's all thanks to the elder's guidance," Leng Qianxue replied with quiet composure.

The crowd's mouths fell open, their faces full of disbelief. The Scarlet Flame Sect members grew anxious; just what kind of terrifying figure was this elder that Leng Qianxue spoke of? In just a single day, she had advanced to the perfect Golden Core Realm?

Zhuge Qi felt his pores prickle—this situation was growing difficult.

"Hmph, consider yourselves lucky. But sooner or later, the Fire Moon Sect will be swallowed by us!" With that, Zhuge Qi led the Scarlet Flame Sect disciples away, vanishing in streaks of light.

Such a momentous event had occurred in the Fire Moon Sect; he had to inform his sect master.

Their departure brought a sigh of relief to the Fire Moon Sect.

"Qianxue, what exactly happened?" Huang Xiantang asked urgently.

"It happened like this..."

Leng Qianxue then recounted all that occurred in the valley, including the matter of Zhu Xiaoyuan.

Huang Xiantang's mouth hung slightly open, his face filled with shock. To think there was someone who could traverse the Abyss as if walking on flat ground, and with only an axe, cut down the Yang Fire Wood? And who spoke of nurturing a water pearl to break another, gifting it casually to Leng Qianxue?

He was dumbfounded.

Could such a terrifying being truly exist in this world?

"This matter is so great, I must inform the old sect master!"

Zhuge Qi was not wrong—the Fire Moon Sect's old sect master was indeed still alive, but his path was nearing its end, his oil running dry, his lamp flickering. He had remained secluded deep within the sect.

Before long, a white-haired, gaunt-faced elder emerged together with Huang Xiantang.

He was none other than Huang Xiantang's master, Yu Qiushui, the old sect master of the Fire Moon Sect.

Yu Qiushui's clouded eyes shone with excitement. "That elder is most likely our sect's ancestor!"

Upon hearing this, Leng Qianxue was puzzled. "But the elder appeared very young..."

Yu Qiushui waved a hand. "If the ancestor has broken through and undergone rebirth, he would naturally regain his former appearance! Furthermore, the water pearl accepted its master on its own—a sure sign he is the ancestor!"

"Qianxue, hurry and take us to meet him!"

Meanwhile, at the Scarlet Flame Sect.

Zhuge Qi stood outside an ancient hall, speaking in a low voice. "Sect Master, the Fire Moon Sect..."

After reporting all that had transpired, a heavy voice sounded from within the hall.

"No matter! Even if their ancestor is alive, his cultivation cannot exceed the Soul Division stage—I would like to see just how capable he truly is!"

As the words faded, a streak of red light shot forth from the hall, instantly departing the Scarlet Flame Sect.

...

After finishing with the firewood, Zhu Xiaoyuan carried the bundled wood to Old Master Huang's house.

"Little Zhu, you've worked so hard!" Old Master Huang greeted him with a kindly smile.

"It's nothing. I'll split the firewood while I'm at it."

And so, Zhu Xiaoyuan began his grand task of splitting wood.

Meanwhile, several streaks of light flashed at the village entrance, and three figures appeared suddenly.

"Qianxue, are you certain the elder lives here?"

"Isn't it a bit too run-down?" Huang Xiantang stroked his chin, full of doubt.

Within the village, there was only the aura of ordinary people—no hint of any powerful energy.

This mountain village was utterly unremarkable, nothing special at all.

"I can't be sure, but the elder said he would return to the village after chopping wood... There’s only this one village near the valley," Leng Qianxue admitted uncertainly.

"I see!" Yu Qiushui's eyes brightened. "Many masters, in search of enlightenment, often live in seclusion in the mountains, seeking the power of nature. The saying 'crouching tiger, hidden dragon' comes from just such places!"

Huang Xiantang suddenly understood. "It seems I was foolish."

Who could judge a master merely from the perspective of ordinary people?

"Come, let’s enter the village and take a look!"

Yu Qiushui and the others entered the mountain village.

"Excuse me, what brings you to our village?" Aunt Li saw them as soon as they arrived.

Huang Xiantang activated his divine sense and transmitted, "Just ordinary folk!"

But Yu Qiushui's gaze fell upon the hoe in Aunt Li's hand, his cloudy eyes showing shock.

"This hoe... is extraordinary!"

He then bowed respectfully to Aunt Li. "Auntie, may we examine the hoe in your hand?"

Aunt Li was puzzled. "What's so interesting about a hoe?"

Yet, being kind-hearted, she handed it over.

The moment Yu Qiushui took hold of the hoe, his expression became intensely excited.

"Dao patterns—this hoe is covered in the markings of the Great Dao!"

"This hoe must have been used by a mighty figure, leaving traces of the Dao upon it!"

He was astounded. "From just a wisp of energy, such rich Dao patterns are revealed. The ancestor must not only have undergone rebirth, but may have reached beyond the Void Dissolution stage!"

At this, Leng Qianxue and Huang Xiantang were both shaken.

Beyond Void Dissolution lies the Grand Ascension realm!

In the Martial World, cultivation realms progress from Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Division, Void Dissolution, Grand Ascension, and Integration!

If one breaks through the Integration realm, they can be linked to immortality.

In the vast Anluan Nation, Grand Ascension experts can be counted on one hand—each a terrifying figure ruling their domain.

If the Fire Moon Sect possessed a Grand Ascension cultivator, would the mere Scarlet Flame Sect dare to invade?

"Could our ancestor truly live here?" Huang Xiantang murmured.

"Auntie, do you know who used this hoe before?" Yu Qiushui asked nervously.