Fengyunlu

The characters in the pool were as large as buckets, and Bai Ximo struggled greatly to decipher them: Eight hundred years ago, Grand Tutor Yin Taixu, in alliance with the Five Emperors, ended the long-standing Daoist conflict. This war was earth-shattering, lasting over a hundred years. After the war, the Xuanmen (Taoist sect) was utterly defeated. But if the war hadn't been fought, the world would have collapsed, plunging into utter ruin. Ultimately, although the royal family and the Five Emperors emerged victorious, they paid a heavy price, and the Xuanmen of the world declined from that point onward. The impact of this war was profound, leaving later generations in awe.

"My father was among the Five Emperors eight hundred years ago, but not only did he refuse to speak of the specifics of that battle, but all the participants also remained silent. Even the Grand Tutor of the Imperial Garden said that he was injured back then and could not recall the details. Such a strange situation must involve something very deep." Bai Ximo said as he read, his muttered tone seeming to be telling someone else, yet also like he was pondering the mystery to himself. This battle was like a huge enigma, hiding countless unknown secrets, waiting for Bai Ximo to uncover them.

The mysterious ancient cave was eerily quiet, so still that the entire world seemed to have fallen asleep, and time itself appeared to have frozen. Bai Ximo felt as if he were floating lightly in the air, completely unrestrained, as if freed from all worldly constraints. His eyes were fixed on the words before him, not missing a single one: The Xuanmen sect had once been in dire straits, and everyone had watched helplessly as the foundation painstakingly laid by their ancestors was nearly destroyed. In this critical situation, after much discussion, they decided to establish the Imperial Garden and the Five Great Sects. They carefully placed most of the cultivation techniques in the Imperial Garden, so that all cultivators in the world could learn and explore their mysteries.

The Cangyun Sect of the South Sea, the Qingli Palace of the Azure Sea, the Boyang Valley of the Wilderness, the Fengyun Pass of the Northern Frontier, and the Yaochi of the Western Kunlun Mountains—these renowned sects were all founded by descendants of the Great Emperors. They couldn't easily pass on their sect's cultivation techniques, just like the Imperial Garden. They offered up their most precious treasures. They also specifically established rules that any cultivator who reached a certain level could become a Great Emperor and enjoy special privileges. The purpose of this was threefold: first, to ensure cultivators followed the rules; second, to encourage them to cultivate more diligently; and third, to prevent chaos from recurring. Five hundred years later, the Xuanmen (mystical sects) slowly recovered its vitality. Talented individuals sprang up like mushrooms after rain, and numerous sects emerged, all obeying the command of the Imperial Garden. However, the remnants of the humble sects who had once sparked the Great Dao conflict began to stir again. Grand Tutor Yin Taixu, nearing the end of his life, had no choice but to choose to dissolve his body and return to heaven. The other five emperors of the Xuanmen sect also perished one after another. Although the Xuanmen sect recovered, there was a shortage of top-tier combat power, which allowed the forces of the lesser sects to rise to prominence.

The humble sect began to recruit followers, and its power grew increasingly stronger. Over two hundred years later, the Blood Sea Demon Sect, the Netherworld Ghost Path, and the Savage Holy Temple formed an alliance, plunging the world into another protracted war between good and evil. In the early stages of the war, both sides were evenly matched, resulting in a stalemate. Five hundred years later, a genius named Liao Cangsheng emerged from the Yuan Emperor Garden. He single-handedly challenged three powerful sects, inflicting a crushing defeat on the evil path. Later, Liao Cangsheng was sent to guard Hanchuan, but for unknown reasons, he transformed from a righteous sect into the leader of a demonic sect, incorporating the remnants of the Ghost Palace Holy Temple and beginning to vigorously develop his own demonic sect.

Initially, no one knew about this matter until three hundred years ago, when the Sword Hidden Sect was wiped out, and the truth gradually came to light. The Buddhist Sect was thus selected as one of the Five Great Sects, becoming one of the Five Emperors. The Five Emperors joined forces against Liao Cangsheng, sacrificing three of their own before finally forcing him to retreat with severe injuries. Later, rumors circulated that Liao Cangsheng was dead, as he didn't appear when the Demon Sect was fragmented, and he wasn't even seen when Feng Wanlin and his group stormed the Demon Sect's headquarters. It wasn't until more than ten years ago, when Feng Wanlin's Wind Sand Fortress was attacked, that people began to suspect that Liao Cangsheng might still be alive.

Two hundred years ago, Feng Wanlin, the patriarch of the Feng family in the Northern Frontier, emerged out of nowhere. He possessed extraordinary talent and exceptional cultivation ability, and was hailed as the most promising person to break through his limits. The battle between good and evil had reached a critical juncture, with the righteous path gaining the upper hand, while the demonic sect struggled to hold on. Finally, the two sides clashed in a decisive battle at the former site of the Sword Hidden Sect in the desert. The demonic sect was defeated and fled, its remaining forces escaping back to the Blood Sea. After discussion, it was decided that Feng Wanlin, Lei Gong, and thirteen others would each lead ten people into the Blood Sea, attempting to breach the demonic sect's headquarters.

Unexpectedly, they were caught in an illusionary formation upon entering and split into three teams. The people from Boyang Valley and Yaochi followed Bai Ximo, Qing Li and Yaochi followed Lei Gong, and Feng Wanlin, Xu Yi, and the Buddhist sect followed Bai Xibo. They fought bravely within the illusionary formation, each giving their all, and nothing could stop their advance. However, when the Demon Sect members escaped into Immortal Demon Island, their pursuit was thwarted. Immortal Demon Island was protected by a powerful formation, personally guarded by the Two Saints of the Clouds and the Four Spirit Saints, making their situation extremely difficult.

After being trapped on Immortal Demon Island, everyone finally reunited after a series of hardships. However, they discovered that only Feng Wanlin's group had survived; the Yaochi and Qingli Palace members from Lei Gong's group had perished in a sea of ​​blood while trying to save Lei Gong and his senior brother. The group from Boyang Valley, on the other hand, all survived. The seven of them, along with over thirty others, worked together to break through the encirclement. Afterwards, the Demon Sect was destroyed, and the evil path almost disappeared. Those seven individuals became leaders of the Xuanmen (mystical sects), revered by all.

Fifteen years after their return, a major incident occurred. The Demon-Slaying Array in the Northern Frontier, guarded by the Sword Hidden Sect, malfunctioned. Those sent by the Imperial Garden to guard the array were all killed, and the Sword Hidden Sect's most prized possession—a relic of their ancestor, Emperor Jing—was stolen. This once again strained the situation within the Xuanmen (Taoist sects)...

The strangely shaped characters vanished like smoke scattered by a sudden gust of wind, disappearing completely in the blink of an eye, as if they had never existed. Immediately following, a series of illusions, indistinguishable from reality, appeared before his eyes. These illusions varied in form and shape, dazzling and overwhelming. Although Bai Ximo knew perfectly well that these were all falsehoods, he couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly, as if something mysterious within these illusions had touched a chord deep within his heart…

The once mirror-like surface of the lake now rippled in concentric circles. As the ripples shifted and rose, vivid scenes gradually emerged, surprisingly revealing the magnificent landscape of the northern desert. After careful analysis, it became clear that this was the grand ceremony Feng Wanlin was holding to succeed to the throne in this land of shifting sands. At the imposing ceremony, Feng Wanlin, dressed in magnificent robes, looked dignified and solemn, as if he had been destined for this supreme position from the moment of his birth. Heroes from all directions eagerly awaited his arrival, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement. However, amidst this celebratory atmosphere, an invisible undercurrent seemed to be quietly surging, foreshadowing something extraordinary that was about to happen. Sure enough, just as Emperor Ze was about to solemnly announce Feng Wanlin as the Great Emperor, a sharp and piercing voice, like a sharp knife, cut fiercely into the hearts of the crowd.

"Your Majesty, please wait!"

Upon hearing this sudden sound, everyone turned around and searched for the source of the sound, only to find that it was Wu Guang, the Valley Master of Boyang Valley, one of the five major sects, speaking.

The Emperor frowned slightly, a surge of displeasure rising within him. However, considering the status of Boyang Valley in the martial world and Wu Guang's own prestige, he did not lose his temper on the spot. Instead, he spoke slowly with a hint of curiosity: "Oh? What advice does the Golden Crow Emperor have?"

Wu Guang smiled slightly and said in a very calm tone, "I was a little anxious just now, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"It's alright, Your Majesty, please speak freely." The Emperor was also filled with curiosity. The Valley Master of Boyang Valley usually had no conflict with Feng Wanlin, so why would he speak up to stop him at this crucial moment? There must be some unknown reason behind it.

Not only was the Emperor curious, but most people present also looked puzzled, all speculating about what Wu Guang wanted to say. Even Feng Wanlin himself cast a puzzled glance, seemingly unsure of Wu Guang's true intentions.

Wu Guang first bowed respectfully to the Emperor, then stood up calmly, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Feng Wanlin's face. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Feng Wanlin and said sincerely, "Brother Feng, I'm really sorry to interrupt such an important ceremony, but I do have something important to say. Please forgive me."

"Valley Master Wu, is there something you must say at this time?" Before Feng Wanlin could speak, a voice of doubt arose from below the stage. At the same time, a beautiful woman in white slowly walked out from the crowd. She stared intently at the stage with displeasure, her eyes filled with obvious dissatisfaction and doubt.

"Who is this person? How dare he defy the Emperor in public!" Someone in the crowd couldn't help but exclaim. The people around him looked at him as if he were a fool, as if they thought he didn't even recognize such a famous person.

"This is Bai Ximeng, the beloved daughter of Emperor Bai Qianyi of Cangyun, the darling of the Cangyun Sect. Who dares to mess with her?" someone kindly reminded her from the side.

"So it was her. No wonder she dared to defy the Emperor."

......

The audience immediately erupted in discussion, speculating about what would happen next, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

"If you can't give me a straight answer today, humph." Bai Ximeng stormed onto the stage, not greeting anyone, and went straight to Feng Wanlin's side. She smiled slightly at him, then turned her head and said with an angry yet threatening expression.

As soon as Bai Ximeng finished speaking, a handsome middle-aged man on the opposite viewing platform immediately showed a helpless expression. He gently touched his forehead, muttered to himself, and then flew to the Fengchan Platform. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to the Golden Crow Emperor and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. My younger sister was very rude just now. Please don't hold it against Valley Master Wu." After speaking, he turned around and respectfully bowed to the Human Emperor.

Wu Guang was about to lose his temper after being contradicted by Bai Ximeng, but then he saw Bai Ximo, the sect leader of Cangyun Sect, fly over and apologize to him in person. He couldn't afford to lose his temper any longer, so he had to suppress his anger. Just as he was about to say that it was nothing, he saw that Bai Ximo had changed from his previous gentle and refined demeanor and, like Bai Ximeng, was staring straight at him with a cold expression.

“However, as my little sister said, Brother Feng is a friend of the Cangyun Sect. Such an important moment has been suddenly interrupted. If Valley Master Wu does not have a sufficient reason, then our Cangyun lineage must demand an explanation for our friend,” Bai Ximo said coldly, her tone revealing an undeniable firmness.

These words caused an uproar both on and off the stage. Although Bai Ximeng's words were more direct, Bai Ximo's words clearly carried more weight. As the sect leader, his words and actions represented not only himself but also the entire Cangyun Sect. The Cangyun Sect held the top position among the orthodox sects of the Xuanmen. Putting aside everything else, the mere presence of the Cangyun Emperor Bai Qian was enough to silence any other sects.

"Looks like there's going to be a good show today." Someone grinned smugly, as if they couldn't wait to see the exciting plot unfold.

"It's hard to say. I think it's best to stay away and not get involved." Someone sensed something was wrong and unconsciously took a step back, seemingly wanting to distance themselves from the impending conflict.

"Haha, Sect Leader Bai is indeed a man of great righteousness, but today we must make everyone truly convinced." Wu Guang, the Golden Crow Emperor of Boyang Valley, said calmly, as if everything was within his expectations.

After Wu Guang finished speaking, he looked around at everyone in the room again, and then said loudly, "Everyone is very curious about why I suddenly interrupted the ceremony. Some of you may still be unconvinced, but if I say that Feng Wanlin is not worthy to be the Great Emperor of our Xuanmen, you will probably be even more shocked..."

"Upon careful consideration, this illusion before me seems to be just another deduction. Even I, Bai Ximo, have found myself within this illusion, and in such an unrealistic scene. Therefore, this must be another possible scenario." As Bai Ximo pondered these thoughts, he suddenly noticed the illusion shift again. And this time, it transformed into a strange spectacle of ink and brushstrokes flying like serpents...