Chapter 558: Chapter 554 Ancient Grudges, Two Immortals Shocked

After a long while, when the disciples had exchanged information for an extended period and had roughly understood the other participants in the trial, the ones who eventually returned to the Sect immediately regretted their decisions.

Among these disciples, a few had actually obtained some information in the Otherworld initially, but they felt it was not enough to stand out among the many disciples participating in the trial. Desiring greater recognition and rewards, they delayed until the very last moment in hopes of gathering more intelligence.

Little did they know that the information they could obtain was also accessible to others, and because they returned late, they ended up with nothing.

Moreover, such cases were not isolated; similar instances existed across the Sects of the Five Domains, otherwise Mituom Buddha wouldn’t have been able to retrieve so many people from the Otherworld.

Unfortunately, although they were unwilling to accept the outcome, they could only regret their decisions bitterly.

Ning Wuxu and Zhong Duanshan, the two Supreme Elders, stepped in to console these disciples and encouraged the others before dismissing everyone. They were only waiting for Gui Ling Ancestor to return before they would leave Lingxiao City and head back to their Sect in the Southern Domain, anticipating the full eruption of the upcoming great expedition era.

At that time, the Beast Taming Sect would showcase its formidable teeth, contributing to the Sect, Biluo, and the entire Human Clan Cultivation World.

“Feng, stay behind for a moment!”

Ning Wuxu saw Qin Feng about to leave the grand hall and thus called out to him.

“Yes, Master!”

Qin Feng stopped in his tracks, and after the other disciples had left, he bowed to Ning Wuxu: “Master, may I know why you have called for me?”

“This is the situation,” Ning Wuxu pondered briefly before speaking, “Someone has pleaded for a mitigation of our conflict with Taiyi Mountain and has approached Gui Ling Ancestor. The Ancestor asked me to consult you–are you willing to return the Red Lotus Sword to Taiyi Mountain?

Of course, you wouldn’t be expected to return the treasure without compensation; Taiyi Mountain would make it up to you!”

“Uh?” Qin Feng frowned upon hearing this, “Must the Red Lotus Sword be handed over?”

“Not necessarily!” Zhong Duanshan chuckled heartily, saying, “Actually, the Red Lotus Sword isn’t the main issue–it’s more about saving face for Taiyi Mountain. Some are worried that our two Sects might clash during the expedition, causing disruptions to the grand scheme.

In fact, not just our Sects but also other Sects with mutual grievances have mediators intervening, hoping to prevent major conflicts in Biluo before its restoration, so as not to waste our energy on pointless internal strife.

Other Sects may be manageable, but situations like yours, where the Inheritance Treasure of another Sect is seized, are very rare, prompting this specific mediation.

But the conflict between us and Taiyi Mountain is not as simple as just the Red Lotus Sword; even if we returned the sword, how would that ease our Sects’ animosity?

Therefore, don’t feel pressured. Just follow your own heart. What could they do if you don’t return it? If they are capable, they should rightfully train their disciples to retrieve the Red Lotus Sword themselves; otherwise, they have to bear it!”

Qin Feng nodded and curiously asked, “Master, Grandmaster Zhong, may I know the root of our grudge with Taiyi Mountain?

Throughout these years as a disciple, I knew only that our Sect had been in enmity with Taiyi Mountain for tens of thousands of years, looking at each other with hostility, yet I was unaware of the origin.”

“This, well, is a long story!” Ning Wuxu and Zhong Duanshan exchanged glances, and it was Zhong Duanshan who eventually spoke, “You are the true inheritance of our Sect, now also favored by Heavenly Dao, surely destined to become a mainstay for our Sect. You ought to know these matters sooner or later, so there’s no harm in telling you now.

During the Ancient Great Tribulation, our Biluo Clan of the Human Clan was in a precarious stage, each Sect’s existence hanging by a thread, constantly at risk of extermination by the Outer forces. To counter these formidable enemies, some Sects resorted to extreme measures, unscrupulously…

As the two spoke slowly, Qin Feng finally fully understood the longstanding grudge between the two Sects.

The Outer forces ravaged Biluo, once pushing the Human Clan Cultivators to the brink of extinction. At that time, Taiyi Mountain boasted formidable strength, even having not only Qian Yuan Ancestor the Immortal Sword Immortal stationed at the Mountain Gate, far beyond what the Beast Taming Sect could compare to at the time.

Back then, the founding ancestor of the Beast Taming Sect had already fallen, and Jue Tian Ancestor had not yet proven the Dao. Only a few second-generation Profound Immortals supported the Sect. Taiyi Mountain, to alleviate the pressure and to slay powerful enemies, laid a trap using the Beast Taming Sect as bait to lure in the Demon Clan Great Power.

As the Beast Taming Sect forcibly tamed Demon Beasts, not only using the Demon Clan as combatants but even inciting internal discord within the Demon Clan and other world forces, it had long attracted the ire of numerous in the Heavenly Demon Great World. Detecting the vulnerability of the Beast Taming Sect, they launched a massive assault, nearly annihilating the Sect in one battle.

Although Taiyi Mountain’s Sword Cultivators later triggered the trap, killing more of the Demon Clan army and containing their dominance–a great contribution to both the Southern Domain and Biluo–the Beast Taming Sect suffered severe losses, with only Jue Tian Ancestor surviving among the second generation’s several Profound Immortals, and even fewer Cultivators remained.

After this incident, Jue Tian Ancestor and the other surviving members of the Beast Taming Sect deeply detested Taiyi Mountain, a sentiment that has persisted for many years as the reason for their enduring enmity.

Had Jue Tian Ancestor not later, under immense pressure, broken through confusion and attained immortality to become a Golden Immortal Great Power, the remaining weak and sick might not have lasted much longer, leaving no one to witness the Sect’s current prosperity!

After the great tribulation, even though there was a lengthy period during which the Beast Taming Sect’s influence couldn’t compare to Taiyi Mountain’s, they never showed Taiyi Mountain any goodwill. Openly or covertly, open disputes and covert struggles, various acts of vengeance and retaliation never ceased, and over tens of thousands of years, this slowly evolved into the present situation.

This feud is not suitable for outsiders to intervene; speaking for the entire Cultivation World, Taiyi Mountain indeed renders great merit. Initially, their battle had curbed the momentum of the Demon Clan, providing a breathing space for various factions in the Southern Domain.

However, for the Beast Taming Sect, Taiyi Mountain’s actions were highly dishonorable. You, Taiyi Mountain, used us to set a trap and gained a good reputation, as well as substantial benefits. Yet, it almost resulted in the annihilation of our entire sect, which was excessively overboard.

What’s more crucial is that Taiyi Mountain has never admitted their wrongdoing. Even to this day, they still praise their actions and talk about their merits during the Ancient Great Tribulation period. As for the Beast Taming Sect, who didn’t have even one Immortal Realm Great Power at that time, they really weren’t taken seriously.

Of course, now the Beast Taming Sect has powerfully risen, and its strength has already surpassed Taiyi Mountain. However, Taiyi Mountain, with its deep foundations–being a sect existing since the relocation of the Human Clan to Biluo–still maintains relative pride. They do not feel inferior even though their current strength is less than that of the Beast Taming Sect. Instead, they somewhat look down upon such newly risen sects, believing they lack the profound heritage.

After the two Supreme Elders elaborated on the situation in detail, Qin Feng finally completely understood the origins of the feud between the two sects.

He pondered for a moment and then spoke, “Disciple is not a Sword Cultivator, nor does he overly value the Red Lotus Sword. However, there was an accident during the previous trial, and I’m afraid I truly cannot return this Sword Artifact to Taiyi Mountain anymore.”

“Oh? What accident?” Ning Wuxu was somewhat surprised.

Qin Feng had been in seclusion before, and he didn’t want to disturb him, so the two hadn’t talked before and were unaware of the anomaly with the Red Lotus Sword.

Qin Feng thought for a moment, then extended his left index finger to his brow and instantly, a tiny lotus platform floated out.

The lotus platform grew larger in the wind and swiftly expanded to nine feet wide.

At the center of the lotus platform sat a Nascent Soul, half the size of a human.

The Nascent Soul was composed of extremely pure Spiritual Energy, with traces of Law energy flowing around its body. Its opened eyes contained endless mysterious runes, like a starry sky.

Ning Wuxu and Zhong Duanshan were stunned to see such a large Nascent Soul and their expressions changed again.

Both were individuals who had achieved the Immortal Dao, with exceptional insight and far deeper understanding of Dao Principles than Qin Feng. Thus, they could immediately recognize Qin Feng’s current state and also noticed the extraordinariness of the lotus platform.

“This is…” Zhong Duanshan looked at Qin Feng’s Nascent Soul and exclaimed in amazement, “You young lad, just having advanced to the Purple Mansion, to cultivate such a formidable Nascent Soul! Not only is the power pure, but you’ve also cultivated so many Laws. It’s truly surprising.

Hmm, this lotus platform… could it be the Red Lotus Sword?

How come it’s so formidable, comparable to many Heavenly Immortal’s lifebound Immortal Artifacts, and the power of its flame is especially peculiar!”

After seeing this, Ning Wuxu’s expression was brilliant.

Ever since he knew his disciple had seized the title of Chosen Son, he had been looking forward to Qin Feng’s growth, but only now did he realize he had still underestimated his disciple.

Looking at the massive Nascent Soul, not to mention anything else, it was only a foot tall when he himself cultivated to the peak of Purple Mansion and was about to advance to Dharma Image, compared to his disciple’s Nascent Soul, it simply made him, as a master, feel embarrassed.

What sort of profound foundation had this guy accumulated to cultivate to such an extent?

Back when he hadn’t entered the Otherworld for trials, although his foundation was solid, it definitely wasn’t as profound as now. It seems this disciple encountered many opportunities during his trials, and with the added fate of Heavenly Dao, he could condense such a terrifying Nascent Soul.

However, what made him even more delighted was the Dao Rhythm on Qin Feng’s body. Looking at the Law energy that flickered on and off on his body, one could tell that this young man must have accomplished the initial plan, thus advancing to Purple Mansion and achieving his current accomplishments.

After examining Qin Feng’s Nascent Soul in detail, Ning Wuxu then focused on the lotus platform under him, his eyes flashing with shock: “What kind of flame is this, so peculiar, as if it contains various fire attributes, even perfectly merging completely opposite powers of fire? How did you manage it?”

“Hehe…” Qin Feng smiled and said, “To respond to Master, Disciple was able to refine this treasure to its current state purely by chance. Initially, Disciple fortuitously obtained a strand of the Fire Origin during the trials…”

Then, Qin Feng recounted his experience in the Fire Country. Hearing this, Ning Wuxu and Zhong Duanshan were quite amazed.

“Fire Origin, you indeed have good luck!” Zhong Duanshan couldn’t help but laugh aloud, “Taiyi Mountain’s Red Lotus Lineage initially wanted to repair the Red Lotus Immortal Sword and even ventured into the God Burying Abyss, trying to seize the treasures inside to repair this Immortal Sword, but they nearly met complete annihilation. The Red Lotus Lineage faltered and hasn’t produced any remarkable descendants since.

However, the opportunity that Taiyi Mountain sought so desperately easily materialized in your hands. The Red Lotus Sword not only recovered to the level of an Immortal Artifact in your hands but even reached a higher realm, refining such formidable fire. Although it deviates a bit from the original intent of the Sword Dao weapon, its power significantly surpasses the initial one!

Hahaha… Good, the name ‘Karma Fire Red Lotus’ is aptly chosen; I vaguely sense a great opportunity in it.

Hmm, since this treasure has already become your guarding Divine Soul’s artifact, don’t give it away. Humph, the treasures Taiyi Mountain offered are not worth exchanging for such a high-level treasure, especially with the rare and potential-rich Karma Fire Red Lotus.”