154: Chapter 154 The Predestined One Appears

In the Eastern Southern Wilderness, there was a hidden valley.

The valley was not large, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only a narrow passage leading to the outside world.

The valley was shrouded in thick fog. Deep within the fog, a figure stood with hands behind his back, his face obscured by shadows, making his expression impossible to discern.

He stood on a massive blue stone, his gaze piercing through the heavy mists, looking toward the southern sky that had regained its clarity.

He had witnessed the entire scene of that figure in white suppressing Venerable Lingyun with a whisk.

He had watched with his own eyes as Venerable Lingyun went from the high spirits of breaking the Seal, to the shock and terror when his sea of blood was shattered, and finally to the desperate struggle as both his arms were severed, his chest pierced, and he was suppressed into the whisk.

Throughout the entire process, he did not intervene, nor did he even harbor the thought of doing so.

"Cultivating dozens of Laws simultaneously, shattering a sea of blood in a single strike."

He spoke in a low voice, his tone hoarse yet calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"The Lord of Kunlun truly lives up to his reputation."

Behind him, a black shadow emerged silently, kneeling on one knee with its head bowed in a respectful posture.

"Revered Master, Venerable Lingyun has been suppressed and killed. Our plan..."

"No matter." The mysterious person raised a hand to interrupt him, his voice remaining indifferent.

"Venerable Lingyun was merely a pawn; use him if you can, discard him if you cannot. His defeat may have some impact on the plan, but it is of no great consequence."

He paused, his gaze returning to the distance, a cold, dark glint flashing in his eyes. "The appearance of Kunlun has indeed disrupted our layout."

"We originally planned to use Venerable Lingyun to throw the Eastern Southern Wilderness into chaos, and then, while the Seven Great Factions were exhausted from dealing with it, we would seize the opportunity to take the Eastern Southern Wilderness in one fell swoop. Now that Kunlun is overseeing the situation, this plan is no longer viable."

The black shadow behind him was silent for a moment before whispering, "Revered Master, should we, then, deal with Kunlun?"

The mysterious person shook his head. "No need. The strength of the Lord of Kunlun is unfathomable. With our current strength, it is not advisable to have a direct confrontation with him."

He turned and walked deeper into the valley.

"Furthermore, our people have not yet fully recovered. Now is not the time to reveal ourselves. Pass down the order: everyone is to suspend operations and lie in wait."

"Understood." The black shadow bowed in acknowledgment, its figure merging into the thick fog.

The mysterious person walked alone in the shadows deep within the valley, his footsteps echoing in the silent valley.

His expression remained calm, yet deep within those cold, dark eyes, an indescribable depth churned faintly.

"Kunlun."

He murmured these two words, the corners of his mouth curling into an ambiguous arc.

"One day, we will meet again."

On the battlefield, the dust had settled.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu and the others had regained consciousness. Although their faces were still pale and their auras as weak as a candle in the wind, their lives had ultimately been saved.

Supported by the Elders and Disciples of their respective factions, they stood on the wasteland that had been eroded by the sea of blood until not a blade of grass grew. Their gazes turned in unison toward the figure in white who had descended from the sky.

Jiang Changge descended from the Void Realm, unsullied by a speck of dust.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu struggled to free himself from Dynasty Lord Zhou Shanhe's support, stumbled forward a few steps, and bowed deeply.

"Many thanks to Senior for saving our lives."

His voice was hoarse and weak, yet filled with heartfelt gratitude.

"If not for Senior intervening, this Junior would have lost his life here today."

Daoist Ziyang also stepped forward. He was no better off than Ancestor Zhou Huaixu; most of his vital essence had been drained, leaving him withered and thin like dried tree bark, but his eyes were exceptionally bright at this moment.

He bowed deeply toward Jiang Changge, his voice trembling. "Senior's great kindness, Medicine King Valley will never forget."

Daoist Yunlan, Lord Yangtian, and the other five also stepped forward one after another, bowing in salute.

Their complexions were all terrible, some even needing others' support to stand steadily, but everyone bent their waists extremely low, their posture showing the utmost respect.

"Senior's life-saving grace, Piaomiao Sect will never forget."

"Qingyang Sect thanks Senior for your intervention."

Seven voices, seven deeply bowed figures, formed a solemn and moving scene on the wasteland.

Jiang Changge swept his gaze over the seven, nodded slightly, and said in an indifferent tone, "No need for such formalities."

"You have lost significant vital essence, and your Foundation has been damaged. You will need to rest quietly for several years to recover. During this period, do not engage in combat with others, otherwise, you will be left with hidden dangers, making it difficult to Undergo Tribulation and achieve Ascension in the future."

The seven replied in unison, feeling another wave of gratitude in their hearts.

Dynasty Lord Zhou Shanhe stepped forward, supported Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, and turned to bow deeply to Jiang Changge. "Senior, this Junior will first take Old Ancestor back to the Imperial Capital to heal. Once Old Ancestor has recovered, we will pay a visit to express our gratitude."

Jiang Changge waved his hand, saying nothing more.

Dynasty Lord Zhou Shanhe straightened up, supported Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, and turned to leave.

The representatives of the other major factions also stepped forward to bid farewell, supporting their respective Old Ancestors, and turned into streaks of light, dashing off in different directions.

In the blink of an eye, only Jiang Changge, Lu Jinghan, and the three Elders—Qingxuan, Elder Cangwu, and Cang Song—remained on the wasteland.

Jiang Changge turned to look at Lu Jinghan. Seeing that although he was pale and his aura was chaotic, there was no danger to his life, he nodded slightly. "Your cultivation is still too low; do not take risks alone in the future."

Lu Jinghan nodded respectfully. "Disciple will keep Revered Master's teachings in mind."

The three—Qingxuan, Elder Cangwu, and Cang Song—also stepped forward, stood before Jiang Changge, and bowed in unison. "Many thanks to Sect Master for intervening to save us."

Jiang Changge waved his hand, his tone indifferent. "You have also worked hard. Return to Kunlun and recuperate well."

Qingxuan nodded and was about to say something when a crisp notification sound from the System suddenly rang in Jiang Changge's mind.

[Ding, detected that a fated person has appeared. Please proceed to take them as a Disciple, Host.]

Jiang Changge's brows raised slightly.

Ever since he took Lin Yanzhou as a Disciple, the System had not sounded for a fated person again.

He had traveled across the Eastern Southern Wilderness, traversing countless mountains and rivers. He had thought this thing would remain dormant for another hundred or eighty years; he had not expected it to ring today.

Jiang Changge raised his eyes and scanned his surroundings. The wasteland was empty; apart from them, there were only the backs of the Cultivators from the Seven Great Factions who were dispersing in the distance.

He closed his eyes, and his Divine Sense extended following the System's guidance, delving downward, deep into the depths of the Eastern Southern Wilderness, to the Seal where the Immortal corpse lay sleeping.

Jiang Changge opened his eyes, a slight stir in his heart. A fated person, within that underground Seal? Beside that Immortal corpse?

[Ding, Host's perception is correct. The fated person is located deep within the Seal, in the same space as the Immortal corpse.]

Jiang Changge pondered for a moment, turned to look at the three—Qingxuan, Elder Cangwu, and Cang Song—and said indifferently, "You take Lu Jinghan back to Kunlun first; I have matters to attend to."

Qingxuan was slightly taken aback but did not ask further, simply nodding respectfully. "Understood, Sect Master."

He waved his hand, and a green light enveloped Lu Jinghan.

Elder Cangwu and Cang Song also activated their Magical Artifacts simultaneously, and the three turned into three streaks of light, shooting off in the direction of Kunlun.

Lu Jinghan looked back at Revered Master's retreating figure, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he did not ask further and soon disappeared at the end of the horizon.