I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 552 North Jade Mountain Opens
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
Chapter 552 North Jade Mountain Opens
“Lord Min has perished!”
“Lord Min has fallen!”
“...”
Frozen in their tracks, the disciples of the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty watched Lord Min’s demise, their faces contorted with absolute dread as they shrieked. Panic-stricken, several cultivators scattered in every direction, desperate to find a path of escape.
Nie Xiuyuan and his companions did not pursue the retreating disciples. As prominent figures from a Sacred Land, they found no honor in bullying those beneath their level.
Stepping forward with haste, Elder Huang cupped his hands in a respectful gesture toward Nie Xiuyuan and said: “Senior Brother Nie, I am grateful for your timely assistance.”
Nie Xiuyuan dismissed the formality with a wave of his hand, saying: “Old Man Huang, why the sudden stiff manners? If you have any wine on hand, let us go and share a drink first.”
A bright, joyful smile instantly lit up Elder Huang’s face. He had feared that after decades without contact, this newly titled king of the Wendao Academy might have forgotten their friendship. It was a relief to see that the man hadn't changed at all.
“Very well, we shall not stop today until we are thoroughly drunk!”
With those words, the two led the Wendao Academy disciples away from the scene.
Only after they had vanished into the distance did the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty disciples finally creep away from the battlefield, intending to report these events to the Crown Prince.
News of the encounter spread like wildfire throughout the territory surrounding North Jade Mountain.
The gathered cultivators began to fervently discuss the mysterious figure of Nie Xiuyuan.
Up until now, Nie Xiuyuan had never publicly displayed his prowess or sought fame in the world.
Before long, however, well-connected cultivators managed to unearth the details of his history.
Upon discovering that Nie Xiuyuan was a prized disciple of Great Sage Qian Kun, many began to anticipate the inevitable clash between the Wendao Academy and the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty.
Years ago, the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Great Sage Qian Kun. Although they hadn't openly pursued him since then, it was common knowledge that the Sacred Dynasty would never truly let such a grudge go.
On a small hillside, the light of a campfire danced.
The Wendao Academy disciples had established their camp here. Aside from those assigned to the night patrol, the others gathered in small groups to converse.
Inside the primary tent.
Nie Xiuyuan occupied the seat of honor, drinking jovially with the group.
After several rounds of wine, Nie Xiuyuan inquired: “Old Man Huang, did you have some prior history with that fellow Min from the North Abyss?”
Elder Huang shook his head: “There was no personal grudge. They were clearly aiming for our Wendao Academy this time, and that old man was the one who initiated the provocation today.”
“I see.”
A sharp glint cut through the drunken haze in Nie Xiuyuan’s eyes. He was far from dim-witted; he understood immediately that the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty was harassing their disciples to settle an old score from the Northern Wastes.
A slight smirk played on his lips. “It appears this excursion to North Jade Mountain will be quite lively for us.”
Elder Huang cautioned: “However, the Crown Prince of the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty has arrived in person. He is a Great Sage himself, and I fear we might find ourselves at a disadvantage if we oppose them directly.”
“How long has it been since the North Abyss Crown Prince attained the rank of Great Sage?” Nie Xiuyuan asked with an air of indifference.
“It has been over a century,” Elder Huang replied, adding, “This Crown Prince solidified his claim to the throne precisely because he broke through to the Great Sage realm.”
“Over a hundred years, then.”
A spark of excitement flickered in Nie Xiuyuan’s gaze. “I hope he proves to be a worthy opponent when the moment arrives.”
Startled by this implication, Elder Huang looked at him with shock and asked instinctively: “Senior Brother Nie, have you also grasped the True Meaning of the Great Dao?”
“I have,” Nie Xiuyuan admitted with a grin. “I am simply curious to see which of us—myself or the North Abyss Crown Prince—has traveled further along that path.”
Hiss...
Hearing this confirmation, Elder Huang involuntarily gasped, his eyes filled with nothing but profound envy.
If he were only a few centuries younger, he too would have wished to study under Great Sage Qian Kun.
While the group enjoyed their festivities, a different scene unfolded in a valley on the eastern side of North Jade Mountain.
The massive army of the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty was on high alert, forbidding any outside cultivators from approaching the area.
Inside the command pavilion, a middle-aged man radiating an aura of absolute authority listened to a report. His expression shifted into one of gravity.
“Nie Xiuyuan,” the man whispered.
“I didn't expect him to finally step out of the shadows. I wonder how he compares to Xiao Chen or Cao Youqian.”
An elder standing nearby interjected: “Your Highness, Nie Xiuyuan is merely at the Nirvana Realm. There is no need for you to soil your hands. When the time comes, I can step forward to suppress him myself.”
“How dim-witted!” the Crown Prince of the North Abyss snapped harshly. “Nie Xiuyuan is a personal disciple of Great Sage Qian Kun. The fact that he has rarely revealed his strength to the world does not mean he lacks it; it simply means he is humble.
His presence at North Jade Mountain isn't just about seeking treasures. Furthermore, he carries a relic from Great Sage Qian Kun. Do you truly believe your sacred artifact can shield you against that?”
The elder immediately dropped to his knees, trembling. “This old servant was foolish. I thank Your Highness for the correction. How should we proceed?”
The Crown Prince smiled thinly. “Before absolute power, all schemes and petty tricks are as fleeting as clouds. We will inevitably cross paths once we enter North Jade Mountain. At that time, we shall settle this in an honorable duel.”
The subordinates present exchanged strange looks.
None dared to argue; they simply lowered their heads in silence.
This Crown Prince was known for being excessively rigid and blunt, relying solely on brute force while ignoring the nuances of strategy. Had he not been so formidable, his position would have likely been usurped long ago.
Observing their silence, the Crown Prince sneered inwardly: A pack of old foxes. Do you truly think I am a mindless brute? This is all a performance for your sake.
Despite his private thoughts, he maintained his facade, declaring: “Since there are no objections, the matter is decided. No one is to provoke the Wendao Academy again until the Immortal Mountain opens.”
“As you command,” they replied in unison.
Over the following days, the two major powers avoided further conflict, much to the surprise of the smaller sects.
In their view, Sacred Lands were obsessed with their reputation. For the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty to remain passive after such a loss felt unnatural.
Many spectators began to suspect that the Dynasty was merely biding its time and gathering strength.
As the days passed, other prominent Sacred Lands arrived, pitching their camps around North Jade Mountain to await the grand opening.
Two weeks after Wang Baole and his group arrived, North Jade Mountain finally began its transition.
At dawn, as the first light of morning touched the peaks, a sudden change occurred.
The mist surrounding the mountain transformed into a brilliant violet-gold hue.
This radiant immortal light suddenly erupted with magnificent splendor, piercing the heavens. It completely overwhelmed the morning sun, staining the entire sky in shades of violet and gold.
Every cultivator within a ten-thousand-mile radius witnessed the celestial phenomenon.
Among the onlookers, those with experience cried out in excitement.
“North Jade Mountain has opened!”
“The mountain is open!”
“...”