For several days, the Mountain-Swaying Axe, shaped like a five-fingered mountain peak and radiating a dense, yellow light, felt as though it were pressing down on one's chest, suffocating them. Now, a small ridge, no bigger than a palm, revealed a crooked handle resembling a dragon's spine—made of a material neither metal nor iron, neither jade nor stone, its nature unknown. Simple and stark upon it was the engraving of a single, writhing divine script.
Yan Yu and Yan Luo stared intently at the writhing rune on the axe handle. They had no idea of its origin; though both possessed the cultivation of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, their experience and knowledge were paramount across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, yet they could not discern the meaning of this script.
However, when they cautiously extended their divine senses to probe the rune, the moment their consciousness brushed against the script—which felt almost alive—both men shuddered violently. It was as if their very bodies had been instantaneously displaced from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, thrust into a bizarre space choked with mountains, where even the sky was filled with floating mountains. A small, earth-yellow, five-fingered-mountain-shaped axe was moving slowly through the void, chopping deliberately. Each strike appeared incredibly clumsy, yet contained a profound and mysterious rhythm. With one heavy blow, mountains stretching for hundreds of millions of li in the void vanished silently, instantly annihilated by a terrifying gravitational force, not even a wisp of smoke remaining.
Yan Yu and Yan Luo were shaken to their very souls. They dimly felt a flicker of insight ignite within their hearts, and their own cultivation levels inexplicably increased by a minuscule amount. Though the increment was negligible, for two Mid-grade Grand Unity Golden Immortals, such a small gain was monumental. How many years of arduous contemplation of the Heavenly Dao would they need to achieve such a slight improvement?
At the level of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, any progress was precious; every shred of comprehension required countless epochs of painstaking effort.
Their bodies convulsed. Yan Luo and Yan Yu simultaneously retracted their divine senses. Yan Yu instantly tucked the Soul-Suppressing Bell into his sleeve, his eyes glowing green as he fixed them upon the Mountain-Swaying Axe.
Yan Luo's pupils constricted to tiny pinpricks. He shot a fierce glare at Yan Yu's sleeve, then abruptly snapped his gaze back to the Mountain-Swaying Axe.
The brothers’ gazes were so scorching that Gu Xechen felt his own palm was about to ignite.
Merely a single brush of divine sense had elevated his cultivation so slightly. If he could refine the Mountain-Swaying Axe, if he could claim the mysteries within it as his own, he might just ascend a full realm, joining the ranks of High-grade Grand Unity Golden Immortals.
The reason Innate Dharma Treasures were so revered, so immensely powerful, was that every one contained a sliver of the universal rule. The quality and completeness of that rule determined the treasure's might. The divine script on the Mountain-Swaying Axe's handle clearly held a complete and unique rule, entirely different from the Houtu (Earth) attributes Yan Yu and Yan Luo had previously encountered.
To refine this Mountain-Swaying Axe would indeed be a magnificent opportunity!
Yan Yu’s eyes widened, spewing forth streams of golden light from which a golden Flood Dragon, several zhang long, surged out. It lunged toward the Mountain-Swaying Axe. Yan Yu roared, “What virtue or ability does Chuai Xu possess to keep this object? Such an Innate artifact should be managed by us elders!”
The Golden Dragon was still over a zhang away from the axe when a wash of purple energy shot in from the side. A massive red hand, perhaps a zhang in circumference and trailing fiery red vapor, swooped down, grabbing the Flood Dragon and crushing it into a pulp. Yan Luo glared, not sparing Yan Yu a glance, and bellowed independently, “Second Brother speaks truly. Treasures of this Innate nature ought to be guarded by us elders.”
The giant hand reached for the Mountain-Swaying Axe. Yan Luo sneered, “As the eldest brother, it is my right to guard this treasure, which I shall claim without contest.”
Before Yan Luo’s smile could fade, three streaks of immortal light shot forth from behind Gu Xechen, slamming hard against the red hand. Only through the combined force of the three beams could the red hand be narrowly held back. The lights, spinning violently like windmills, shredded the giant hand piece by piece until they were mutually destroyed, dissolving into countless motes of light that scattered away.
The sheer fluctuation of spiritual power generated by the collision between the red hand and the immortal lights staggered Gu Xechen, forcing him to stumble backward.
A strong hand grasped his shoulder, and in the same moment, another hand snatched up the Mountain-Swaying Axe.
A strikingly handsome youth, crowned with a golden lion diadem and robed in brocade embroidered with a hundred flowers, held the Mountain-Swaying Axe delightedly, laughing towards a middle-aged man beside him. “Father! The treasure Grandfather bestowed upon Xu’er is indeed extraordinary. It complements my cultivation technique perfectly.”
Watching the prize slip through his grasp, Yan Luo’s eyes turned emerald. He roared in fury and strode forward several steps, glaring malevolently at Gu Xechen. As if overwhelmed by Yan Luo’s imposing aura, Gu Xechen frowned and retreated a few steps, letting out a soft gasp.
The middle-aged man who had supported Gu Xechen stepped in front of him, barely managing to shield him from the terrifying pressure Yan Luo was emitting. He sneered, “Eldest Brother, what are you doing? Elder Xie Long is the elder appointed by the Father. Do you dare defy the Father’s decree?”
Yan Luo paused, while Yan Yu, standing atop the jade steps, suddenly burst into laughter. “Third Brother speaks well. I watched Chuai Xu grow up; this Innate Divine Axe is most suited for him. Third Brother, congratulations! It seems Chuai Xu is about to make a great leap forward!”
The middle-aged man was Yan Ying, the youngest son of Venerable Yuan Luo. Perhaps subconsciously resisting the status of his ‘third brother,’ Yan Ying had intentionally allowed his appearance to settle into that of a middle-aged man, making him look the oldest and most mature among the three brothers.
Hearing his second brother, Yan Ying nodded repeatedly and laughed heartily, “Second Brother is right! Chuai Xu is the highest cultivated among the seven juniors. The Father bestowing this Innate Divine Axe upon him is the most fitting arrangement! Yan Ying must also congratulate Second Brother on obtaining the—” He stopped short, his words cut off by the realization that among the three brothers, Second Brother had the strongest cultivation.
The words of Yan Yu and Yan Ying struck Yan Luo like a mountain of blades and a forest of swords, tearing his heart until it bled. He, the eldest son, the strongest cultivator among the three brothers, had received absolutely nothing! Chuai Xu, a mere junior, had been gifted an Innate Dharma Treasure, and he received nothing! What was the meaning of this? What was the meaning of this?!
Seeing red with rage, Yan Luo ignored his dignity and charged forward several steps again. He roared, “Chuai Xu, are you capable of possessing such a divine artifact? Third Brother, do you truly believe this divine object belongs to a junior?”
Yan Luo glared at Chuai Xu, who held the Mountain-Swaying Axe, his teeth nearly grinding them together. “Aren’t you afraid of draining his destiny?”
This remark was not only harsh but carried a distinct curse. For an elder to speak of a junior, a blood relative at that, in such a manner—it was beyond a loss of decorum, verging on madness. Yan Ying’s face instantly shifted. He looked at Yan Luo, his complexion turning sickly green, and sneered word by word, “Eldest Brother implies that Chuai Xu bears the mark of heavenly downfall?”
Chuai Xu gripped the Mountain-Swaying Axe tightly, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his brothers behind his father. He looked coldly at Yan Luo and sneered, “I thank Great Uncle for his concern, but with the protection of Grandfather, I expect to remain safe throughout my life. Since I have safely passed seven yuanhui, I shall surely pass the next seventy, seven hundred, and seven thousand yuanhui safely.”
Just as Yan Luo was about to utter even harsher words, a cloud light suddenly surged from the direction where Yan Ying and his sons had arrived. Seven or eight young men and women trod upon the cloud light, flying rapidly toward them. From a distance, a pair of fair-skinned, exquisitely beautiful young women called out loudly toward them, “Young Venerable Chuai Xu, if there is urgent business in the Yuan Luo Palace, we shall not disturb you!”
Young Venerable Chuai Xu smiled, hurriedly turning back. He adopted the gentle, handsome, and charismatic demeanor of a young master from a powerful family, smiling toward the two young women. “I thank the two younger sisters for your concern. There is no other pressing matter in the Yuan Luo Palace; merely one of my elders has returned on assignment to deliver a message.”
Young Venerable Chuai Xu smiled slightly, displaying a perfect row of eight pearly white teeth.
The two young women immediately looked utterly entranced, gazing at Young Venerable Chuai Xu with infatuation. The other young men looked on with pronounced jealousy, seeming disheartened that they lacked his popularity.
Watching these youths, Yan Luo’s expression darkened. He shot a fierce glare at Yan Ying, then a cloud billowed from beneath his chest, and he turned to leave abruptly.
Yan Yu and Yan Ying exchanged smiles, and the two brothers shouted in unison, “Great Brother, please read the Father’s decree!”
Yan Luo blinked, suddenly remembering that he still held Venerable Yuan Luo’s letter. He looked with a gloomy expression at his two complacent brothers, then at the group gathered around Chuai Xu, and his face darkened further.
These young men and women were all direct descendants from major powers bordering the Yuan Luo Palace, holding a similar seniority to Chuai Xu. With a cultivation level of only a few peaks into the initial stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, Chuai Xu shone brightly among these juniors, clearly being regarded as their leader. Especially the pair of twin sisters, who seemed determined to marry no one but Chuai Xu.
With the assistance of these close friends, Yan Ying and Chuai Xu’s faction gained a powerful external connection. Yan Luo dared not act rashly, as the internal struggles of the Yuan Luo Palace could not be exposed in front of outsiders. He had no choice but to swallow his resentment and plan otherwise.
He clenched the letter in his hand and rapidly scanned the silk surface.
As he read, sudden, overwhelming joy flooded his heart. He hurriedly read aloud the “Decree of Venerable Yuan Luo.”
The decree stated that Venerable Yuan Luo sensed that Yan Luo’s cultivation had reached a bottleneck and was unlikely to break through soon. Therefore, he was to focus entirely on managing the daily affairs of the Yuan Luo Palace, striving to gain insight through managing the mundane tasks—the sustenance and housing of the palace’s millions of immortals.
Yan Yu and Chuai Xu, having received the Innate Dharma Treasures, were ordered to enter secluded cultivation, striving for breakthroughs in the shortest time possible so they could be utilized later. Yan Ying, who received no Innate Treasure, was tasked with assisting Yan Luo by managing a portion of the logistical duties of the Yuan Luo Palace.
In this arrangement, although Yan Luo received no Innate Treasure, he gained control over the vast majority of the Yuan Luo Palace’s actual power. Venerable Yuan Luo explicitly stated in the letter that all immortals belonging to the “War Immortal Court” under the Yuan Luo Palace were to obey Yan Luo’s commands until Venerable Yuan Luo’s return.
The War Immortal Court was the standing military force of the Yuan Luo Palace, equivalent to a nation’s standing army in the mortal realm. It comprised eight hundred Grand Unity Golden Immortals and seventy-two thousand High-grade Golden Immortals, each masterfully skilled in combat and possessing profound immortal techniques. These immortals did not cultivate their Dao essence or mental state; all their attention was focused on rigorously studying immortal combat methods, making them a group of fanatical researchers of destructive immortal arts.
These immortals were naturally aggressive and warlike. If not for the strict regulations of the Yuan Luo Palace restraining their easy mobilization, they would have long since turned the Cave Yuan Manifestation Heaven upside down. Their strength was immense, and organized like a conventional mortal army, they possessed terrifying combat power.
With the seven thousand remaining immortals of the War Immortal Court under his command, Yan Luo held more than seventy percent of the Yuan Luo Palace’s practical authority.
With these forces in hand, while the two Innate Dharma Treasures were tempting, they could not compare to the substantial authority over the Yuan Luo Palace.
Ordinarily, Venerable Yuan Luo turned a blind eye to the open rivalry among his three sons, allowing them to scheme as they wished, but he fiercely guarded the ultimate authority of the Yuan Luo Palace. Even when he sent his disciples Miao Fei and Miao Guang to the lower realm on errands, he did not allow the three brothers to meddle in the affairs of the War Immortal Court.
Now, suddenly granting command of the War Immortal Court to Yan Luo—did this signify that Venerable Yuan Luo intended to begin transferring power?
Yan Luo’s eyes narrowed to thin slits, sparkling with intense light.
The faces of Yan Yu and Yan Ying grew extremely grim. Although they had each acquired an Innate Treasure, compared to the foundation of the Yuan Luo Palace itself, this inheritance seemed far more captivating.
The decree emphasized that Elder Xie Long was a reliable individual carefully selected by Venerable Yuan Luo, carrying his personal oral command—this was what Venerable Yuan Luo truly wished the three brothers to act upon. They must show respect to Elder Xie Long and follow his instructions.
When writing this passage, Venerable Yuan Luo’s unique hidden marks were evident in the script. Yan Luo, Yan Yu, and Yan Ying all examined this line of text; clearly, it was written by Venerable Yuan Luo himself. How could anyone forge those secret marks?
Glancing at Gu Xechen, Yan Luo felt a surge of respect for him. Anyone entrusted with such a critical mission by Venerable Yuan Luo must possess unique qualities, especially since Gu Xechen had brought two Innate Dharma Treasures to the Yuan Luo Palace. If he weren't a trusted confidant, why would Venerable Yuan Luo entrust him with such matters? Innate Artifacts were not common immortal tools; how many named Innate Objects existed in the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?
Yan Luo, Yan Yu, and Yan Ying formally paid their respects to Gu Xechen, who received their bows with casual acceptance.
With the “personally written” decree of Venerable Yuan Luo as proof, Gu Xechen’s status was established. Even the arrogant Yan Yu dared not show the slightest disrespect toward him thereafter.
Glancing at the young people surrounding Chuai Xu, Gu Xechen signaled the three brothers with an eye-toss, then, chest puffed out, he entered the Hall of Gathering Immortals under their eager escort. With the supreme authority of Venerable Yuan Luo behind him, the three brothers dared not show any deviation on the surface.
In the side hall of the Hall of Gathering Immortals, Yan Luo loudly commanded the serving maids to present immortal tea and fruits, and the four settled around a circular table. Only then did Gu Xechen feign reverence, clasping his hands above his head, and stated calmly, “Xie Long is fortunate to have earned the Venerable’s appreciation and been assigned a heavy responsibility. The two Innate Dharma Artifacts have been delivered. Should the Venerable inquire later, the three Young Venerables must reply truthfully.” Yan Luo, Yan Yu, and Yan Ying all smiled—Yan Luo’s was somewhat forced, Yan Yu’s rather awkward, and Yan Ying’s cheerful yet tinged with faint worry.
The three brothers held differing intentions, resulting in a rich tapestry of expressions.
Gu Xechen ignored the thoughts of the three brothers. He simply spun a fabricated decree from Venerable Yuan Luo.
According to Gu Xechen’s narrative, Venerable Yuan Luo had encountered a massive opportunity in the lower realm—an ancient ruin allegedly connected to a Saint. Venerable Yuan Luo, along with Miao Yuan and Miao Guang, were in seclusion within that ruin, striving for enlightenment to break through their current realms.
Because the location was extremely perilous, Venerable Yuan Luo had suffered the loss of many accompanying immortals just to infiltrate it. Thus, Venerable Yuan Luo strictly forbade the three brothers from approaching that area. As for the Soul-Suppressing Bell and the Mountain-Swaying Axe, these two Innate Dharma Treasures were also obtained by Venerable Yuan Luo within that ruin.
The large number of immortals descending from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were searching for opportunities in the lower realm. Venerable Yuan Luo’s swift acquisition of this chance was entirely due to Gu Xechen’s merit. Therefore, Venerable Yuan Luo stressed that the three brothers must respect Gu Xechen as an elder and permit no slightest neglect.
Young Venerable Yan Yu, having obtained the Soul-Suppressing Bell, would enter secluded cultivation alongside Chuai Xu, who held the Mountain-Swaying Axe, striving for a short-term breakthrough so they could be effectively utilized in the future.
Yan Ying, whose cultivation ranked second among the three brothers and who was inherently cautious, would remain in the Yuan Luo Palace, responsible for overseeing the family assets, allowing for no slackening whatsoever.
Yan Luo, the strongest in cultivation but possessing the most reckless temperament among the three brothers, would lead the eight hundred Grand Unity Golden Immortals and over seventy thousand Golden Immortals of the War Immortal Court down to the mortal realm. Under the banner of the Yuan Luo Palace, they would maintain appearances, ensuring other forces did not learn that Venerable Yuan Luo had suddenly entered seclusion in the Human World and was disregarding external affairs.
With the formidable battle power of the War Immortal Court, as long as they avoided provoking the renowned veteran Grand Unity Golden Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the territory secured by the Yuan Luo Palace would be as stable as Mount Tai. Yan Luo was instructed to proceed cautiously in the lower realm and diligently gather all intelligence related to the Ancient Immortals and even the Saints.
Gu Xechen guaranteed Yan Luo that these were Venerable Yuan Luo’s exact words, promising that if new Innate Dharma Artifacts were found in the lower realm, they would undoubtedly belong to Yan Luo.
Yan Luo’s eyes immediately lit up. He eagerly prepared to take Venerable Yuan Luo’s directive and assemble troops from the War Immortal Court.
The expressions of Yan Yu and Yan Ying soured again. They suddenly wondered if Venerable Yuan Luo was being excessively partial.
In summary, driven by their disparate motives, the three brothers divided according to Gu Xechen’s dictated plan.
Yan Yu found a secluded cave abode to begin his cultivation, guarded nervously by his five sons near the entrance.
Chuai Xu entered secluded cultivation within the Yuan Luo Palace. His brother and father frequently loitered near the entrance of his side hall, terrified that someone might disturb his practice.
Yan Luo, the strongest in cultivation yet possessing the most impetuous nature, triumphantly led the immortals of the War Immortal Court, following Gu Xechen in a grand procession toward the mortal realm.
The dozen or so Grand Unity Golden Immortals of the Yuan Luo Palace had thus split into three factions.
Gu Xechen was overjoyed, already calculating how he might trap and kill a Mid-grade Grand Unity Golden Immortal!
This task would prove quite challenging! (To be continued)