Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 404 - 229. The Opportunity to Achieve Immortal Body (Two-in-One Chapter)_3

Chapter 404: 229. The Opportunity to Achieve Immortal Body (Two-in-One Chapter)_3

It was precisely because of the existence of the Ancestral Altar that other branches could be dismissed or relocated, but this place could not even be moved.

Given the current overall situation of the Yellow Sky Sect, the location of the Ancestral Altar had to be classified as a top secret, with very few within the sect aware of it.

Zhao Zongjie, one of the few remaining Upper Three Heavens Elders of the Yellow Sky Sect, was on the island, gazing at the Ancestral Altar in silence.

An old Taoist in a red robe, with white hair and beard, approached from behind Zhao Zongjie, who was dressed in a purple Taoist Robe, and said, "News has come from Dragon Tiger Mountain. We’ve been discovered by the Tang Court and those heretical traitors on the mountain. They are currently tracing our whereabouts."

Zhao Zongjie replied calmly, "Alerting them was sufficient. No further action is needed for now. Withdraw anyone who can be withdrawn."

The old Taoist performed a Taoist salute and acknowledged, "Yes."

After a pause, he asked softly, "Junior Brother Qi’s injuries seem to be mostly healed, but what about the Sect Leader?"

Zhao Zongjie frowned slightly. "The Sect Leader still hasn’t emerged from seclusion."

It had been over ten years since Taoist Taiping, the Sect Leader of the Yellow Sky Sect, was injured by Xu Yuanzhen and Li Hongyu during the attack on Dragon Tiger Mountain. He had entered seclusion to recuperate shortly thereafter and had not emerged since.

During this period, constant friction and compromise occurred among others within the Yellow Sky Sect.

To this day, they were largely divided into two factions: one supporting Qi Shuo, the other Zhao Zongjie.

Qi Shuo’s recent injury had further allowed Zhao Zongjie’s influence to eclipse his.

Zhao Zongjie had reached the zenith of his personal power within the Sect.

However, Taoist Taiping’s prolonged silence easily reminded people of the former Celestial Master Li Qingfeng, who had similarly spent an extended period in seclusion on Dragon Tiger Mountain.

"Junior Brother Zhao..."

The old Taoist hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking again, his voice barely a whisper, "...how much longer can the Ancestral Altar hold?"

Indeed, over the years, the Yellow Sky Altar had begun to show signs of weakening, a trend that was intensifying.

The reason was bitter to contemplate.

The establishment of this Yellow Sky Altar was, in essence, rooted in the sacrifice of a founding Elder who had transformed his own body into the altar.

The Ancestral Altar had helped the Yellow Sky Sect maintain its footing to this day. However, as it was formed from a person, it faced the same problem humans do: lifespan.

The Yellow Sky Altar, too, had a lifespan.

About two hundred years had passed since the founding of the Yellow Sky Sect.

For an Upper Three Heavens expert, this was not a short period, accounting for perhaps a quarter of their lifespan.

Considering the original age of the Yellow Sky Elder who had transformed his body into the Altar, its decline and frailty were inevitable as time went on.

Under normal circumstances, this trend was irreversible and would only worsen.

Now, with Taoist Taiping in long-term seclusion at the Ancestral Altar, drawing upon its power—to a greater or lesser extent—for his healing, it was highly probable that this would further reduce the Altar’s "lifespan."

"It will remain secure for another hundred years," Zhao Zongjie stated, his tone unwavering.

The old Taoist said softly, "But we need to prepare for a rainy day..."

Zhao Zongjie did not reply.

However, there was no anger on his face, nor did he reprimand the old Taoist.

He knew the old Taoist wasn’t thinking of the Sect Leader, Taoist Taiping, as the solution. As the Yellow Sky Sect’s sole Eighth Heavenly Layer expert, if a sacrifice were truly needed, it wouldn’t be Taoist Taiping. The old Taoist had his sights set on Qi Shuo from the rival faction...

"It’s true we should prepare for unforeseen circumstances, but unless we are truly at wit’s end, do not entertain such ideas," Zhao Zongjie said calmly. "No matter how intense the internal struggles within the Sect, our foremost enemy remains outside."

The old Taoist lowered his head. "I misspoke."

He bowed to Zhao Zongjie and then withdrew.

With no one else around, Zhao Zongjie’s expression grew somber and complex.

He turned to gaze at the boundless ocean stretching into the distance.

He looked towards the land, towards the Central Plains.

Both he and Qi Shuo knew full well that each had accepted aid from external sources. This assistance had helped the Yellow Sky Sect navigate through perilous times. But there was no such thing as a free lunch. Both Qi Shuo and he himself would have to pay a price. This cast an even greater uncertainty over the Yellow Sky Sect’s future.

「...」

The spies lurking outside Dragon Tiger Mountain were quickly eliminated by Shangguan Ning, who led a group of True Inheritance disciples from the Celestial Master Mansion. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

However, the Crown Prince’s sightseeing tour on Dragon Tiger Mountain had to be suspended.

Of course, the Eastern Palace entourage maintained their full trust in the Celestial Master Mansion. Crown Prince Zhang Hui continued to stay on Dragon Tiger Mountain, but he no longer moved about freely. All arrangements were kept simple, and he exercised extreme caution, with Prince Xun’an Zhang Mu constantly by his side.

As long as the Celestial Master Mansion itself was secure, the safest place in all of Xinzhou was undoubtedly this Ancestral Courtyard of the Taoist Talisman Sect.

With the Celestial Master personally presiding, it was more effective than any other current form of protection.

Word was also relayed back to the Capital City without delay.

Although this incident was merely a small disturbance, the Capital City treated it with utmost importance and immediately dispatched someone.

The person sent was none other than Chu Yu, one of the Empress’s current right-hand confidants.

After his previous visit to Dragon Tiger Mountain to congratulate the New Heavenly Master on his ascension, Chu Yu had traveled to the Southwest and the Southern Wilderness to investigate reports concerning descendants of the Former Sui. After achieving some results, he returned to the Capital City and subsequently entered seclusion to cultivate.

This was why Chu Yu had not participated in the recent turmoil in the Southern Wilderness.

It wasn’t until the unrest at the Great Void Temple erupted again in the South not long ago that word spread of Chu Yu emerging from seclusion.

However, due to the unexpected developments involving Prince Zhao’s Heir, there was no need for Chu Yu to proceed to the South again; he went to Suzhou instead.

Now, Yellow Sky Sect rebels were reportedly plotting against the Eastern Palace. Regardless of the incident’s scale, its implications were extremely dire.

Therefore, upon receiving the report in the Capital City, Chu Yu departed immediately and rushed to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

"Your Highness has been alarmed," Chu Yu said, greeting Prince Xun’an Zhang Mu and Crown Prince Zhang Hui.