Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 143 - 132: Five Elements Secret Realm and the Past of Celestial Treasure

Chapter 143: Chapter 132: Five Elements Secret Realm and the Past of Celestial Treasure

"Since you’ve heard of it, let’s get straight to the point."

Old Peng picked up his wine cup and took a sip, then slowly spoke:

"Back when Celestial Treasure Tower issued the recruitment order, it didn’t take long before they selected a backup Realm Breaker."

"I still remember, back in the day, the Four Major Golden Core Powers were vying for the leadership role in the plan, using every possible means without holding back, giving us quite a show to laugh at..."

"Wait a minute!"

Zhang Yao abruptly interrupted him, his expression somewhat odd:

"Judging from your tone, Old Peng... could it be that you know the inside story from back then?"

"Of course."

Old Peng took another sip of wine, shaking his head as he spoke:

"This matter was also stirring up commotion all over the Da Li Cultivation Realm at that time, creating waves everywhere."

"From start to finish, it wasn’t just the Four Major Golden Core Powers, even our Haihe Association, Changshan Yin Family, Du Men Zeng Clan, Du Bu Alliance, Taihe Sect... and more than a dozen forces holding shares in Celestial Treasure Tower were drawn into it."

"You could say, back then, any Foundation Establishment Cultivator with some status and position wouldn’t find it difficult to understand the ins and outs of the matter."

As he spoke to this point, a hint of wistfulness flashed in his eyes as he sighed:

"But it’s been nearly a hundred years, and this matter has long been ignored, with only a few people remembering it."

"If it were a few days ago, perhaps only old fellows like us who lived through that era would continue to remember the matter..."

After listening to him, Zhang Yao appeared calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

For so many years, he had been tight-lipped about the Celestial Treasure Tower’s recruitment order, never discussing it with others.

Yet unexpectedly, the truth he never understood nor dared to explore was well-known as an open secret among some of the veteran Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Da Li Cultivation Realm.

"Old Peng."

Zhang Yao proactively poured Old Peng a cup of wine and said with a smile:

"You know I’m quite young, not clear on the full story behind this matter, only aware of some hearsay."

"Now Lord Haihe intends to assign me a task that’s closely related to this matter, and if I continue to have only partial understanding without knowing the insider details, I truly lack confidence..."

Old Peng caught onto his implication and pleasantly said:

"Alright then, let me tell you all about it, after all, it’s an old tale, just consider it chatting idly to pass the time."

As he spoke, he finished his wine in one go, pondered for a moment, then slowly began: 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"This matter is quite complex, so I’ll start from the very beginning."

"Around a hundred and thirty years ago, I had yet to achieve Foundation Establishment, struggling in the marketplace, when one day I suddenly heard explosive news..."

As Old Peng reached this point, a hint of reminiscence flashed in his eyes:

"A new Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Celestial Treasure Tower had incredible luck, discovering a secret realm secretly constructed by the invincible Golden Core tyrant from two thousand years ago—Five Elements Wanderer!"

"This Foundation Establishment Cultivator was clear-minded and quick-witted, immediately returning to the tower to extensively publicize the matter, and simultaneously presented the exact location and methods of entry and exit to the higher-ups of Celestial Treasure Tower."

"Celestial Treasure Tower was already a place where cultivators from all directions gathered, with such a huge incident, it instantly stirred great waves and frantically spread throughout the Cultivation Realm."

"By the time the Five Major Golden Core Powers reacted, it was already impossible to conceal the news..."

Zhang Yao nodded slightly and said:

"That Foundation Establishment Cultivator indeed made decisive and far-sighted decisions."

"Ten birds in the forest aren’t as good as one in hand; seemingly giving up huge benefits but exchanging for something tangible, while also preserving himself in the process."

"Exactly."

Old Peng looked at him appreciatively and continued:

"Back then, while the news was uncontrollable, the Five Major Golden Core Powers still monopolized the exact location of the Five Elements Secret Realm."

"According to rumors in the market, they discovered that Golden Core Realm cultivators couldn’t enter the secret realm, so they joined forces to form a specialized exploration team to uncover the secrets of the Five Elements Secret Realm."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao couldn’t help but ask:

"And then? What did they gain from the secret realm?"

Old Peng waved his hand and said:

"Their exploration wasn’t one-time; it was divided into many instances, with each exploration’s progress and gains being kept absolutely confidential."

"During this process, they also paid a considerable price, reportedly losing quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

"Originally, after several years, the heat of the matter had gradually subsided."

"Until after a certain exploration, the expedition team discovered or acquired something from the secret realm and shortly after coming out, the Five Major Sects suddenly turned against each other..."

Zhang Yao’s gaze sharpened as he exclaimed:

"The battle of five sects!"

"Indeed."

A trace of lingering fear flashed in Old Peng’s eyes:

"That earth-shattering battle swept across the entire Da Li Cultivation Realm, and the intensity still vividly lingers in my memory."

"The Five Major Golden Core Powers originally had friction with one another and weren’t on good terms; that time the fallout became a direct trigger. Once the fighting began, it was irreparable and ultimately escalated into full-blown war."

"At that time, almost nobody in the Da Li Cultivation Realm could remain unaffected. Tens of thousands of cultivators divided into multiple factions, attacking and killing each other, creating chaos, and countless sects and noble families perished, even the Human World Dynasty changed rulers."

As he finished speaking, he exhaled and shrugged his shoulders:

"The outcome later on, as you well know."