Chapter 1208: A Message From the Holy Land; Hundred-Li Green River (II)

Unlike the many minor forces in Skypiercing Pass with no home to return to, the Luo Tian Sect had its own territory, even though it wasn't an upper sect.

This territory had been arranged by Windflower Palace; it was not too large, but it couldn't be considered cramped. Spanning a hundred li, it featured a massive mountain and a long river, with rare flowers and exotic plants growing everywhere.

Of course, it didn't come for free. Within this spirit land known as Hundred-Li Green River, most of the flowers and plants were spirit herbs. The Luo Tian Sect's rent was to tend to these herbs, harvest them, and deliver them to the Windflower Palace on a regular basis. The sect was more than up to the task; after all, it had been built on alchemy and growing herbs in the early days.

On the cloud carriage, Qu Lingjun was kneeling before Luo Chen with his forehead pressed against the ground. He had stayed in this position for a while without a word.

Luo Chen, after hearing his account of the past events, had also gone quiet. Only after a long silence did he somberly say, "So, what you were saying is that after I left, you abandoned your wife and child, betrayed your sect, and defected to another?"

Each word was like a knife to the heart and soul of the kneeling man. Qu Lingjun shuddered and knocked his head hard on the ground.

"It is all true. I have been unfilial and have brought shame upon Luo Tian. I beg you, Master, to punish me with death!"

Gu Caiyi, standing nearby, hurriedly interjected, "Luo Chen, you cannot!"

Luo Chen looked at her.

Gu Caiyi sighed. "Lingjun is not to blame. When we were fleeing from the demons, our morale was very low. Just then, Fairy Moonbreeze happened to be passing by with her followers and offered to take Lingjun with her. While it shocked us that Lingjun agreed and insisted on following her at the time, we found out later that he was merely doing that to try to secure a path to survival for our sect.

"Over the years, he has secretly provided us with great amounts of cultivation resources, especially in the form of pills. The fact that we've been able to cultivate a steady stream of talented disciples despite a century of hardships is mostly due to his contributions. And above all, he helped secure Hundred-Li Green River for us, so that we wouldn't have to live under someone else's roof."

Although the Luo Tian Sect still operated under the oversight of an upper sect, it was different from the situation in the Five Elements Domain. Here, in the Windflower Domain, they got to be self-sufficient and enjoyed a certain degree of independence. In the scenario that they became fugitives again in the future, they wouldn't find themselves in a passive situation like how the Five Elements Divine Sect had blackmailed them to repay its favor.

In the face of Gu Caiyi's plea, Luo Chen turned back to Qu Lingjun and asked, "Is that true?"

Qu Lingjun choked back a sob. "Yes, it is true. But it's also true that my action further demoralized our members while we were fleeing. I know they criticized me in their hearts, and many even left Luo Tian. Master..."

"We'll discuss your situation later." Luo Chen waved his hand, and a surge of mana lifted Qu Lingjun to his feet. Then, Luo Chen also rose and walked out. "We have arrived."

***

The Luo Tian Sect did not possess long-distance communication methods like the Nether Origin Sect, so the members who had remained inside the sect had yet to learn of Luo Chen's return.

When the cloud carriage raced through the sky of Hundred-Li Green River and reached the sect's base, its speed sharply decreased. One by one, the junior cultivators working in the herb fields looked up curiously at the vessel as it slowly flew by.

The Six Restriction Cloud Carriage was the definition of extravagant. On one side, long curtains of blue, black, and white unfurled, balanced by purple, gold, and red curtains on the other—three plain tones interwoven with three brilliant hues, completed by cloud patterns. The roof was lined with bead strings, with tassels hanging like flowing sleeves, and above it all rose a five-colored canopy. The walls were inlaid with white jade and gleamed with golden light. Even the six wheels were extraordinary; each had eighteen spokes gilded with gold.

The vessel's divine majesty was further highlighted when it was in operation. The image of three flood dragons manifested around it and looked as though they were roaming through the clouds.

"Whose vehicle is this? So magnificent! It probably belongs to some big shot."

"Everybody knows Windflower Palace people love luxury, so maybe it's someone from there?"

"It could be someone from the Five Elements Divine Sect, too!"

"I hope not. The fourth day of the Ten Decisive Duels is almost over. Don't tell me it's already concluded, and they are here to announce the results?"

As the last speculation was voiced, everyone's hearts leapt into their throats. Some of the more hot-tempered members even drew their weapons, looking ready for battle. But just then, a figure shot out from the cloud carriage like an arrow leaving the bowstring, flying toward the only mountain of the territory.

A person he passed by asked him, "Yilong, what's going on?"

Zeng Yilong didn't slow down in the slightest as he replied, "Dao Uncle Li, the Supreme Elder has returned!"

The middle-aged cultivator froze, disbelief filling his eyes. But soon, doubt gave way to ecstasy, and without a care for his depleted mana, he rushed toward the cloud carriage. When he came near it, however, he seemed to hesitate.

Fu Jiusheng, standing on the edge, smiled at him. Just as he was about to say something, a gentle chuckle rang out.

"Yingzhang, is that you?"

Hearing this familiar voice, Li Yingzhang instinctively swallowed. He smoothed out his robes and stepped onto the cloud carriage. "Welcome back, Supreme Elder!"

***

DUUMMM! DUUMMM! DUUMMM!

The tolls of a bell reverberated through the clear, bright sky.

Outside a cave residence on Verdant Mountain, a woman pounded excitedly on the front door, her face red in excitement.

"Master, he is back!"

The eyes of the woman inside snapped open—they were the only visible part of her face under the heavy black scarf. She rushed to the door like a shooting star, yet just as she was about to open it, she subconsciously stopped and asked, "Is it really true?"

"It has to be. Zeng Yilong told me himself, and he's even ringing the great bell. All the disciples have been summoned to welcome him. Master, you..."

"Mingyue, go on your own. I won't be joining you."

"Uhh... Master, you're his Dao companion. How can you not be there?"

The woman lifted her hand and touched her cheek under the scarf in an almost instinctive manner. In the end, she shook her head.

"It's just not a good time for me right now. You go ahead. As the leader of the Luo Tian Sect, you must be there. Don't keep everyone waiting."

Yao Mingyue was bewildered, but under the tolls that were getting more urgent by the second, she finally left.

After she was gone, the woman inside the cave residence let out a quiet sigh and murmured, "It's all good now. So long as he's back, that's all that matters."

.***

Amidst the ringing of the great bell, figures gathered like a river from all directions across Hundred-Li Green River.

Yao Mingyue donned her most ceremonial outfit and stood before the crowd. Under the puzzled gazes of the three hundred disciples, she bowed.

"I humbly welcome the Supreme Elder!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd went into an uproar. Almost at the same instant, a colossal pressure spread. It was vast yet forbearing, imposing yet infinitely gentle. Such an aura resembled the majesty of heaven, yet it also felt like a warm spring breeze, like the gaze of a benevolent senior.

The disciples seemed to realize something. They craned their necks at once and opened their eyes as wide as they physically could, staring intently at the glowing cloud carriage. Then, everyone saw cultivators walk out one by one, form two lines, and salute respectfully toward the vehicle.

Among the lines, there were Fu Jiusheng, a senior known for his virtue and prestige; Min Longyu, who had worked himself for the sect to the point his hair grayed; Chu Kui, who was renowned for his countless military merits; and Yang Pingdu, the sect's rising star. At some point, Li Yingzhang, whose fame had recently skyrocketed, had also boarded the cloud carriage and stood respectfully to one side.

Finally, a tall man slowly stepped out, his posture as straight as a drawn sword.

No one even noticed Gu Caiyi and Qu Lingjun, who were standing on either side of him. All the attention was fixed on him and those eyes of his, which seemed to hold the sun, moon, and stars in them.

A portrait of Luo Chen had always been enshrined in the Founder's Hall. Every single member knew every single detail of that face. Even though a hundred years had passed since he was last seen, it remained etched in their memory.

It's him! It's really him!

As this thought crossed every mind, Yao Mingyue spoke again, "The Luo Tian Sect welcomes the Supreme Elder!"

This time, everybody echoed her in unison, hundreds of voices combined into a shout that resounded like rolling thunder. "THE LUO TIAN SECT WELCOMES THE SUPREME ELDER!"

Luo Chen watched this scene and gave a slight nod. "I am back."

With just this short announcement, the waves of voices from below instantly ceased. Luo Chen, however, inwardly lamented the state of the Luo Tian Sect. It had once boasted thousands of disciples at its peak, but now, there were only around three hundred. Truly, his departure back then could hardly have come at a worse time.

Suddenly, his gaze turned sharp. "Where is Huiniang?"

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