While Xie Qingyun summoned Lin Yao to Qingyun Palace and was making final preparations for the Sword Sect's Western Expedition, a story was also happening on the other side, extremely far away from the Eastern Region.
Zhongshan spiritual vein.
The main hilltops of the Candle Dragon Temple are crowded with people day after day and are extremely lively.
The recent war between humans and demons has not only brought a tense atmosphere to this sect, but also made this sect more lively than before, with frequent exchanges of monks and transfer of supplies.
The more lively the main mountain is, the more deserted the back mountain where Master Wang Daode is located seems.
If this ancestor had not accepted a disciple a few years ago, which barely added a little popularity to the back mountain, it would have been really deserted.
However, this bleak scene seemed to be of no concern to Wang Daode.
He has always been regarded as a "weirdo" by everyone. He doesn't like to make trouble and it seems that the only things he cares about are those citrus trees.
Wang Daode stood quietly in front of the citrus trees, staring in a daze at the small trees he had taken care of for many years.
"Master." At this time, a gentle voice came from behind him.
The old man nodded and sighed, "I heard from your Patriarch Zhao that the Central Spiritual Realm is gone?"
"Yes, the Taoist Sect Huanling in Zhonglingyu is actually a sect of the demon clan, and the high-level cultivators are all demon cultivators. With their internal and external cooperation, the thousand-year-old pass Longcheng Pass was lost overnight." The owner of the voice was Wang Daode's only disciple, Mo Yan, who was dressed in black.
He reported the situation with great respect and solemnity.
“I also heard that except for the Sword Sect which is going to come to the aid of the Central Spiritual Realm, the other sects are preparing to temporarily give up the Central Spiritual Realm?” Wang Daode’s eyelids kept twitching and his heart was trembling even more.
Mo Yan lowered his head slightly, "This is their decision."
“Stop losses in time.”
Wang Daode laughed for no apparent reason, but the meaning of his laughter was unclear.
"Do you know which of the seven major Taoist sects is the strongest?" he suddenly asked.
Mo Yan was stunned, not understanding why his master suddenly asked this question. He thought about it carefully and asked cautiously, "Is it Taiqing Palace?"
The Faxiu school of thought has always had the loudest voice in the world of cultivation.
Logically speaking, Taiqing Palace, as a sect of Dharma practitioners, should be the most powerful, right?
The old man shook his head and asked, "Do you know how many people there are in the Sword Sect?"
"More than 3,000 people." Mo Yan replied quickly.
The Sword Sect has always been the most unique sect in the entire cultivation world.
"Then do you know which sect in the entire human domain is the one that you should not mess with the most?"
"Sword Sect." Mo Yan answered without hesitation.
"Why?"
"The Sword Cultivation Sect was founded on killing, so every disciple of the Sword Cultivation Sect is vindictive and murderous, and the most 'unreasonable'. The sect's style is simple, but people love bravery and ruthlessness." Mo Yan said.
"It means being the most willing to take risks." Wang Daode summed it up in one word.
Mo Yan nodded slightly, feeling that the four words "dare to risk everything" were the most appropriate to describe the Sword Sect.
Generally speaking, not to mention the Dao Sect, even if it is a top-level sect, when faced with various disputes, they will begin to be "timid", calculate various gains and losses and interests, and act rationally.
But the Sword Sect is not like that.
No matter when, the Sword Sect always acts on impulse.
The most famous example occurred during the Chang'an period.
At that time, the human race had just ended the first war between Taoism and Demons and was in the ascendant stage. The Sword Sect was also seriously injured and was recuperating and accumulating strength.
At that time, there was an extremely powerful barbarian witch tribe on the western grassland of the Eastern Region. There was even a ninth-level wizard in the tribe. At that time, it was considered one of the most powerful forces in the human domain.
In order to practice magic tools, the ninth realm wizard ordered his people to slaughter the surrounding tribes, and accidentally slaughtered a family of cultivators under the command of the Sword Sect.
At that time, the Sword Sect sent an envoy to question the barbaric witch tribe, demanding that they hand over the murderer and apologize.
However, the Savage Witch Clan has always been unscrupulous, and the massacre of the tribe was ordered by the Ninth Realm Wizard himself. If he hands over his men like this, how will the tribe members look at him?
Not only do I not get any reward for helping you, but I also have to pay with my own life?
Wouldn't he lose all prestige among the tribe?
Moreover, the Sword Sect was in an unprecedented state of weakness at the time. How could it possibly go to war just for a small subordinate?
On the contrary, he could greatly increase his reputation by contradicting the Sword Sect.
With these considerations in mind, the Ninth Realm Wizard made a decision that he would regret for the rest of his life.
He drove away the Sword Sect's envoy and sent back a message, "A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated."
So Jian Zong fulfilled his wish.
The Sword Sect mobilized its entire forces and dispatched most of its forces to expedition into the wilderness.
The barbaric tribe was terrified upon hearing the news, and the Ninth Realm Wizard quickly sought peace.
But it was too late.
Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back; once the sword is unsheathed, it will be stained with blood.
The Sword Sect cultivator fought for half a month, killing his way from the edge of the wilderness to the center, and finally arrived in front of the Ninth Realm Wizard and replied to him with a word.
"You can have dignity, but you have to pay with your life."
Then, the ninth-level wizard was beheaded by a three-foot sword.
The once prosperous barbaric tribe was completely ruined because it accidentally killed a small cultivation family under the Sword Sect.
Of course, behind such a glorious ending was a huge price paid by the Sword Sect.
The expedition when the sect was at its weakest further weakened the Sword Sect's power and even caused the Sword Sect to fall into a precarious situation for the next thousand years, almost causing it to fall from the position of Dao Sect.
But along with it came the idea that "whoever offends our Sword Sect must be punished, no matter how far away they are" which was completely imprinted in the hearts of cultivators all over the world after that incident, forcing everyone to think carefully when facing a Sword Sect cultivator.
What really chilled the hearts of cultivators all over the world was that, during that expedition, not a single cultivator from the Sword Sect raised any objection.
The whole family is talking about war.
There will never be another sect like this in the world.
…
"But being able to risk one's life is not enough. Even if a five-year-old child is not afraid of his own life, will he scare a grown man?" Wang Daode asked in return.
Mo Yan was startled, and seemed to understand something. "Master, what do you mean?"
"The Sword Sect has only 3,000 members, and yet it is so domineering, yet it can still make all the sects in the world fear it like a tiger," Wang Daode said leisurely, "In the final analysis, it is because the Sword Sect is the strongest sect in this land of the human race."
"Among the seven great Daoist sects in the world, there must be one that is the strongest. However, the world has never heard of the strongest Daoist sect. This is because the strongest Daoist sect is the Sword Sect."
"If any other Taoist sect had this strength, they would vigorously promote this title."
"But the sword cultivators of the Sword Sect have always only had swords in their eyes. They never care about these false names, nor do they need them, so they naturally won't take the initiative to publicize them. As for the other six Taoist sects, it is even less likely that they will take the initiative to boost the prestige of their sects, which led to this situation."
"However, even though it has not been publicized, everyone knows the strength of the Sword Sect."
"So that's how it is..." Mo Yan let out a long breath, feeling deeply moved.
Wang Daode turned around and looked at Mo Yan, his eyes full of emotion never seen before, "Since our first ancestor Wang Puxian, our biggest goal in the Candle Dragon Hall has been to lead the Candle Dragon Hall to become a Taoist sect."
"But due to various factors, the position of Dao Zong is full, there is suppression from Taiqing Palace, our lack of strength and regional disputes... In short, the matter of Dao Zong has been far away."
He chuckled and said, "But this time, the opportunity has come."
Mo Yan was shocked, and immediately understood what Wang Daode meant. He exclaimed, "Master, are you going to... rush to help Zhonglingyu?!"
"The Huanling Sect is a sect of the demon race, so it is naturally no longer a sect of the human race. In this case, there is a vacant position in the sect of the human race."
"The Central Spiritual Region is also lacking a Dao Sect now."
"Since they have all chosen to give up the Central Spiritual Realm, if we can support the Central Spiritual Realm and repel the demons, then our Candle Dragon Hall will become the dominant sect in the Central Spiritual Realm."
"Shanhai Pass in the Western Regions chose to give up the Zhongling Territory, but we in the Zhulong Palace will not let go!" Wang Daode's voice became more and more excited.
"Can we really repel the demons?" Mo Yan asked subconsciously: "That's a region of demons. Our Candle Dragon Palace may not be able to withstand this force."
"Isn't there still the Sword Sect?"
"Sword Sect?"
"There must be a reason why the Sword Sect can become the strongest Taoist sect in the world. If we follow the Sword Sect, even if we cannot become the Taoist sect, we will definitely not be wrong!" the old Taoist said in a loud voice.
"And..." The old man paused, his eyes wandering, a trace of extremely faint confusion and worry flashed across his face, and he murmured: "I must consider whether this will be the only chance for our Candle Dragon Palace in this lifetime."
It's been too many years.
Their Candle Dragon Palace had been standing still or even moving backwards. Dao Zong was right before their eyes, on the other side of the river, yet it seemed so far away that they could not find a bridge to cross the river.
Now, there is a bridge in front of him. Even though he is not sure whether the bridge will collapse halfway, he has no choice but to go up.
Because, if you miss this bridge, no one knows whether there will be another bridge.
"Master has already discussed with Zhao Yuding and Yan Hanqing. The three of us will stay in the Western Regions and Shanhaiguan. As for the rest, they will follow the Sword Sect to support the Central Spiritual Region."
"The reason I'm telling you this is because our Candle Dragon Palace and the Sword Sect are in the Western Region and the Eastern Region respectively, and we have never had much interaction. But this time when we support the Central Spiritual Region, we must be led by the Sword Sect and follow its dispatch. We need to establish a connection with the Sword Sect."
"And you have a very secret relationship with Sword Sect's Young Master Lu Qingshan."
"So, the matter of making the connection will be left to you."
"In addition..." Wang Daode's voice suddenly stopped.
Still in shock, Mo Yan raised his head and looked at his master blankly.
The old Taoist in green robes closed his eyes slightly, as if he was in deep thought.
The next moment, Wang Daode put two fingers together and tremblingly wiped them towards his forehead.
Then, a faint flame mark appeared between his eyebrows, gradually outlining a golden light.
The golden light gathered and condensed into a point, slowly leaving the center of Wang Daode's eyebrows and floating in the air.
After a moment, the golden light dissipated.
A gray, black seed the size of a mung bean appeared in front of Mo Yan.
Wang Daode waved his hand, and the black seed floated towards Mo Yan. After a moment, it merged into Mo Yan's forehead and disappeared.
"What is this?" Mo Yan was puzzled but not worried.
He knew that Wang Daode would not harm him.
"The fire, the fire of immortality," Wang Daode said, his eyes still slightly closed, "I'll give it to you."
"Eternal Fire?!" Mo Yan was shocked.
Among the monks of the Candle Dragon Palace, who doesn’t know about this fire?
This is the strange fire mastered by Wang Puxian, the first ancestor of the Candle Dragon Hall. It is the Heavenly Fire that ranks among the top three on the Strange Fire List.
However, the Eternal Fire disappeared along with the death of Patriarch Wang Puxian, and has never appeared in the world again.
Most people in the world thought that the Eternal Fire had disappeared, and Mo Yan thought so too.
However, he did not expect that the fire of immortality would appear before him. What he did not expect was that Wang Daode would actually give him this extremely precious fire.
"You are my only disciple. The Eternal Fire is something my father left me. It is only natural for me to give it to you. There is no need to make a fuss." Although Wang Daode did not open his eyes, he noticed his disciple's surprise and spoke.
"When Patriarch Wang Puxian passed away, the Eternal Fire lost its immortality, so it suddenly went out and has not been lit for ten thousand years," the old Taoist said slowly: "In recent years, I have re-refined this fire, and its vitality has been restored. The Eternal Fire may be rekindled at any time."
"Your burning body can refine the strange fires in the world, and use the power of the strange fires to feed back to your body."
“Once the Eternal Fire, which ranks third on the Strange Fire List, is rekindled, if you refine it, you will surely rise to prominence and reach the sky in one step. This is your fortune and opportunity.” Wang Daode added.
He had already explained everything that needed to be explained, turned around, waved his hand, and said slowly: "Go away."
"And come back alive."
Mo Yan felt that Wang Daode's voice and expression today were full of fatigue, and his whole state was extremely strange, as if... as if a dying old man was giving his last words to a younger generation.
"Okay." Finally, he nodded vigorously, his throat a little dry.
He clasped his fists and bowed to his master, then stepped back and turned to go down the mountain.
The moment Mo Yan left, the old Taoist's arms suddenly drooped, limply and weakly resting at his sides.
He was lost in thought, not knowing what he was thinking about.
"I, your teacher, cannot learn the ability of Li Qiubai to open the gate of heaven with his sword and pave the way for all the sword practitioners in the world. Even paving the way for you alone is so difficult."
"Don't blame me for being incompetent."
Wang Daode finally opened his eyes.
Blood flowed from his eyes like a waterfall, dripping and terrifying.
In order to rekindle the Eternal Fire, the Eternal Point must be obtained.
I will exchange my immortality for its immortality.
…
At some point, a Taoist in green appeared silently beside Wang Daode.
Candle Dragon Palace, the ninth realm monk Zhao Yuding.
"Uncle, is it worth it?"
"There is no such thing as worth it or not. The Sword Sect can become the strongest Dao Sect in the world because they are willing to risk their lives. So why not let me risk my life once when I learn the Sword Sect today?"
"But what if this is a dead end?"
“I’d rather make a mistake than do nothing.”
“…”
Rustle, rustle.
At this time, the citrus trees in front of the old Taoist, which were planted on the energy channels of the Candle Dragon Palace, suddenly moved without wind, making rustling sounds.
The two Taoists quickly looked towards the citrus tree.
At this moment, the shriveled branches and leaves of the tree seemed to be accelerated by time, and they completely withered and fell off at an unimaginable speed.
But at the same time as the old leaves fell off, the new buds that had just grown out not long ago were also growing and becoming more lively at a speed visible to the naked eye, changing from tender green to bright green.
A rich fragrance wafted from the bright green leaves.
The old Taoist in green robe felt a tremor in his heart, and he raised his right hand with little strength left, pushed aside the bright green leaves, and looked inside.
His eyes were still bleeding, and tears were streaming down his face at this moment.
There, a small white flower is blooming.
The cliff is a hundred feet of ice, but the flowers are still beautiful.
She laughed in the bushes.