Chapter 777 Sacrifice to Donghuang

The location of Mount Donghuang lies within the Eastern Barren Mountains.

The origins of the Eastern Wastelands mountain range were extraordinary. These mountains had once been the foremost range of the Eastern Wastelands (Location), stretching continuously for hundreds of millions of miles.

It is said that over 5,000 years ago, the Eastern Barren Mountains still radiated unparalleled splendor. In that era, these mountains were not only home to the semi-transcendent Eastern Sovereign Ancestor, but also housed over a dozen Primordial Spirit Dao Lords.

At that time, it was 1 of the 5 strongest sacred lands in the Violet Realm, rivaling even supreme powers like the Dao Palace Sacred Land.

It is said that the Eastern Barren Mountains once housed a supreme-grade ancestral leyline of the sixth rank, revered as the progenitor of all mountains within the Eastern Wastelands, where the astonishing phenomenon of 10 1000 dragons paying homage could be witnessed.

Yet in the span of a single night, the vast Eastern Barren Mountains crumbled, their earth veins shattered into 9 segments. The entire mountain range spanning hundreds of millions of miles transformed into a Spirit-Dead Land.

Today, the Eastern Barren Mountains, also known as the Spirit-Severing Peaks, stand alongside the Spirit-Severing Sea of the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm as a forsaken land even demons and monsters would shun.

At this moment, Eldrin and his 2 companions stepped into the Eastern Barren Mountains, only to discover that the spiritual energy within these peaks had nearly dried up.

Without the presence of spiritual energy, even a Golden Core Elder would not dare to cross this mountain range lightly.

For under such circumstances, should 1 become lost within the Eastern Barren Mountains, they would be trapped in a dire predicament—unable to replenish spiritual energy and ultimately incapable of flying out due to complete depletion of magic power.

Fortunately, Eldrin and his companions were not intimidated by such threats. They summoned the Pure Yang Immortal Sword, capable of flying tens of millions of miles in a single day. In just over a fortnight, they arrived at the heart of the Eastern Wilderness Mountains.

Along the way, Eldrin gazed at the nearly spirit-deprived mountain range and couldn't help but take a deep breath. "What exactly happened back then, to have reduced even the ancestral veins of the Eastern Barren 10 1000 Mountains into a spiritless wasteland?"

"Perhaps it's because of the Outer Realm Demons?" Qingji's eyes grew solemn as she spoke. "It's possible the Outer Realm Demons are far more powerful than we imagined."

"I beg to differ."

Lyra shook her head, her expression grave as she stated, "Although the Outer Realm Demonic Gods are formidable, merely striking 3 moves across the endless void in ancient times could hardly have reduced the Eastern Barren Ancestral Vein to an uninhabitable wasteland."

"Perhaps there are still some undiscovered secrets hidden within the Eastern Barren Ancestral Vein."

As they were speaking, the immortal sword had already traversed countless mountains and rivers, arriving at the location of the Eastern Emperor Mountain.

From his vantage point, Eldrin gazed upon an ancient mountain that pierced the clouds. To his astonishment, the colossal peak appeared to have been violently sheared in half, as if some immense force had torn away its upper portion. Only the majestic lower half remained, standing in solemn silence against the horizon.

Eldrin’s expression turned solemn as he descended from his flying sword. Only then did he address the 3 women beside him: “Now that we have arrived at Mount Donghuang, as a gesture of respect, let us ascend the mountain on foot.”

"Good."

The 3 nodded and followed him on foot up the mountain.

Soaring into the clouds, Eastern Emperor Mountain stood imposingly. The group traversed 10 1000 li with each step, yet unknowingly spent 3 full days before reaching its summit.

As he neared the mountain summit, Eldrin suddenly halted, his mind vaguely registering what seemed like the toll of a bell. An inexplicable surge of sorrow welled up in his heart.

It was a sorrow and agony rooted deep within his bloodline, causing him to fall into a daze.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing him halt his steps, Lyra could not help but ask.

Eldrin (Person Name) scanned his surroundings and noticed all 3 wore puzzled expressions. "Did any of you hear an ancient bell chime?" he inquired.

"Never."

Qing Ji shook her head and couldn’t help but glance toward Lila (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name).

Lila (Person Name) also shook her head before saying, "I didn't hear anything either."

"Could I have misheard?"

Eldrin (Person Name) contemplated for a fleeting moment before resuming his ascent toward the mountain peak.

After scaling the boundless cliff, Eldrin took a final step and finally reached the summit of the Eastern Emperor Mountain. The view before him suddenly expanded into breathtaking vastness.

Eldrin (Person Name) looked up and discovered a dilapidated palace standing atop the vast mountain peak.

Before the grand hall stood several ancient trees, where a white-haired elder gripped a broom, sweeping away the fallen leaves.

Someone was here, completely unexpected to the group.

Eldrin exchanged glances with several others before striding forward. He cupped his hands and inquired, "Might I ask, venerable elder, is this place the Eastern Sovereign Mountain?"

The old man also noticed the group. Trembling, he set down his broom and spoke, "This is indeed the place. Have you come to pay respects to the Eastern Wastelands?"

"Exactly!"

Eldrin nodded, then reached out to steady the elderly man as he watched his trembling frame sway unsteadily.

The moment he reached out to support the old man, Eldrin was startled to discover that while the elder’s body seemed utterly devoid of spiritual energy, his physical form possessed the weight of countless millions of jun, making even Eldrin strain with effort.

You must understand, after being tempered day and night by the 5 Thunders Body Refining Art, Eldrin's (Person Name) physical strength was no weaker than the Pure Yang True Body of a Soul Formation cultivator. Yet he could barely manage to support the other party, which demonstrated just how astonishing the other's physical body was.

Not only was he taken aback, but the old man also wore a look of astonishment, instinctively glancing at Eldrin as he remarked, "Well, lad, you've got quite the strength."

"Come with me."

The old man spoke as he led the group into the main hall.

The dilapidated hall stood empty, its worn appearance accentuating the vast, pristine space—clearly maintained through the elder's ceaseless day-and-night cleaning.

In the center of the grand hall stood an ancient memorial tablet, inscribed with the words: "Sacred Tablet of Ancestral Master Donghuang."

Eldrin had prepared several precious spiritual objects for the offering and was about to commence the ritual before the Spirit Tablet of the Eastern Emperor, when the old man stopped him.

The old man shook his head and said, "The Sun Emperor doesn't cultivate as a ghost immortal. What need would he have for these spiritual treasures of yours?"

"Just offer a stick of incense."

The old man spoke as he handed back his few spiritual creatures.

Eldrin nodded. He led the 3 in lighting 3 sticks of incense each, and only after they had bowed once more did they rise.

Seeing this, the elder spoke again, "The 3 of you, follow me out. Do not disturb the tranquility of Patriarch Donghuang."

The group stepped out of the main hall, and Eldrin cupped his hands in salute. "Might I ask which esteemed master you are, Senior? To think you would guard the late Eastern Emperor’s spirit in this Spirit-Sealed Mountain..."

"I am merely a tomb keeper," the old man said. "I remain here to guard the peace of the Eastern Sovereign, and incidentally to drive away a few flies."

"You may call this old man the Tomb Keeper."

The tomb keeper shook his head and led the group to a pavilion. He poured them each a cup of tea and said, "If you've come sincerely to pay respects like this, this old man naturally welcomes you."

"Yet there are always those who seek to scour these lands for the treasures left by Emperor Donghuang."

Eldrin nodded. Though the elderly man before him appeared to have parched spiritual energy within his body, as if he hadn't absorbed a single wisp of spiritual essence for thousands of years.

But his physical strength is truly rare in this world—he must be a peerless master walking the path of physical ascension to immortality.

Moreover, he seemed to have progressed far along this path, his physical body heavier than an ancient mountain range. Once unleashed, it could likely tear apart a true dragon barehanded and wield the divine strength to cleave even a Primordial Spirit Great Master.

At this thought, Eldrin said, "Then how can you be certain, Senior, that we are not here for the treasure?"

Chapter 1: The Prodigy's Fall The mountain mist coiled like ancient serpents, shrouding the Qingyun Sect's training grounds in an otherworldly haze. Ling Xuan stood at the precipice of the Cliff of Lost Voices, his white robes fluttering like torn pages from a celestial manuscript. "30-2 1000 spirit stones," he murmured, the number tasting like ash in his mouth. "All gone because of a single misstep in my cultivation." Below him, the endless sea of clouds swallowed the valley whole. 3 months had passed since the incident during his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm - that fatal deviation that cost him everything. His cultivation base, once rivaling the core disciples, now flickered like a dying candle. "Senior Brother Ling." A cool voice pierced through his thoughts. He turned to find Elder Ming's disciple, Su Li, approaching with measured steps. Her jade-like features remained impassive, but her eyes held a trace of something unreadable. "The sect council has reached a decision," she said, her voice crisp as morning frost. "Your monthly allocation of spirit stones will be reduced to 5 100. The Blazing Sun Pavilion is no longer yours to occupy." Ling Xuan's knuckles turned white where they gripped the railing. From 30-2 1000 to 5 100 - the fall was more brutal than any cultivation setback. "For thousands of years," he whispered, "the Ling family has served this sect. Now this?" Su Li's gaze softened momentarily. "The path of cultivation has never been fair, Senior Brother. The strong prevail, the weak fade. This is the law of heaven and earth." She produced a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve. "Elder Ming sent this. 3 Foundation Establishment Pills. Consider it his final kindness." As her retreating figure dissolved into the mist, Ling Xian's fingers closed around the cold porcelain. Suddenly, a searing heat erupted from his chest - the mysterious jade pendant left by his mother before her disappearance began glowing with an unearthly light. A voice, ancient as the stars themselves, echoed in his mind: "Foolish boy. What is a temporary setback? The true path of cultivation spans countless lifetimes. Your journey has only just begun." The world shifted. The mountain peaks around him seemed to bow, the very air humming with newfound energy. Ling Xuan's eyes snapped open, glowing with golden light. The Myriad Dao Heavenly Scripture - a cultivation art lost for epochs - now unfolded in his consciousness like an eternal scroll. "1 100 years," he vowed to the winds. "Just wait."