Chapter 671: 637: The Disappearance of the Heavenly Master

Chapter 671: Chapter 637: The Disappearance of the Heavenly Master

At the end of the Great Plague Era, most mortals had been forcibly relocated by cultivators to various pocket dimensions and small worlds.

However, the prohibition against simultaneously practicing both mortal and immortal arts grew stronger, and the cultivators couldn’t escape their fate of mutually destructive conflict. The Immortal Gate was destroyed and the cultivation civilization also entered a prolonged period of darkness.

The so-called tide turns.

The number of cultivators drastically decreased, nearing extinction. But the mortals, like robust weeds, began to spring up from all over the world.

Regarding the origin of these newly born mortals, some people said that they were the ones who slipped through the net during the great migration campaign. Others suggested they were the descendants of cultivators. Some even said that mortals from small worlds had broken through the Immortal Forbiddance Formation and returned.

In any case, as cultivators slowly disappeared from the land, the mortals of the Xuanhuang World began to flourish in the interstices.

Along with the mortals, the Xuanhuang Inner Peace Spell also appeared.

Just like an unknown popular folk song or legend, it was passed down from mouth to mouth, leading almost every human tribe to learn this method, which helped mortals free themselves from the Immortal-Ordinary Miasma and resume cultivation.

The current cultivators theorized that it was probably the work of the mysterious Eastern Supreme Celestial of the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals.

Because the Spirit Cleansing Pond, which can also eliminate the Immortal-Ordinary Miasma, was created by the Eastern Supreme Celestial. Therefore, it’s highly probable that the Xuanhuang Inner Peace Spell was the Eastern Supreme Celestial’s attempt before creating the Spirit Cleansing Pond.

But Li Fan, who now knows the true nature of the Xuanhuang Inner Peace Spell, understood that this was unlikely.

The Eastern Supreme Celestial, the nominal leader of the Immortal Alliance, only appeared a few times in the earliest recorded history of the Alliance before disappearing completely.

Instead of being a true immortal, Li Fan believed that he was more likely to have discovered the secret of the Xuanhuang Inner Peace Spell, just like he did.

Li Fan speculated that he was inspired to create the Spirit Cleansing Pond afterward.

“Could it be possible that the disappearance of the Eastern Supreme Celestial is related to the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra?” A thought crossed Li Fan’s spirit consciousness.

However, when Li Fan wanted to look for information about the Eastern Supreme Celestial, there were hardly any records, just like before.

This obviously didn’t match the identity of the leader of the Immortal Alliance.

“It’s really terrifying to think about.”

So Li Fan stopped contemplating and began to carefully perceive the Xuanhuang Immortal Heart Mantra again.

Half a month later, Li Fan once again convened everyone at the Governance Hall.

Everyone initially thought that Li Fan had some major news to announce. But it turned out he was planning to retreat and cultivate again.

“Didn’t he just come out of retreat? Now he’s planning to go back in? Is this how diligent ancient cultivators practiced?”

“The Emissary doesn’t lack contribution points, he can stay in [Spirit Awakening State] often, cultivating is simply a pleasure. If it were me, I could do it too.”

“There were rumors that the Emissary had restored himself to the Nascent Soul Realm. Could it be that he is now hoping to break through to the God Transformation?”

…

Amid the gossip of all the people, He Zhenghao was deep in thought.

“It seems that the Emissary is probably preparing for the descent of the Essence of Heaven and Earth.”

He inadvertently glanced at Zhou Qingang.

When the Emissary announced this, there was no change in his face, which clearly indicated that he had known about it in advance.

Thinking back to the beginning, he was the one who had the Emissary’s most trusted. Unfortunately, because of his greed, this youngster had stolen away the Emissary’s trust.

At this thought, He Zhenghao felt an uncomfortable surge in his heart.

Shifting his eyes, an idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.

So he sent a voice message to Zhou Qingang: “Daoist Zhou, how is your cultivation progress lately?”

Zhou Qingang was somewhat surprised to see He Zhenghao strike up a conversation out of the blue. After pondering for a moment, he quickly grasped his scheme.

With a cold smile in his heart, he went along with He Zhenghao’s words: “Haha, Brother He is joking. As you know, the Emissary doesn’t handle political affairs and entrusts all the major and minor matters to us. Initially there was Gao Yuan to help share the workload, but he too left on leave not long ago, making us even busier.”

“We spend most of our time handling political affairs, leaving no room for cultivation with tranquility.”

He Zhenghao pretended to totally agree, sighed, and lamented with him.

However, he quickly changed his tone.

“I have a suggestion, but I wonder if you’d like to hear it.”

Zhou Qingang was taken aback at first, then quickly said, “Please speak, Brother He.”

He Zhenghao solemnly said, “It’s good for you to take the burden off the Emissary with all your effort.”

“But…”

He Zhenghao continued in a solemn manner, “You should strike while the iron is hot! Even if the Emissary is very fond of you, your cultivation realm is after all just the Golden Core. Even worse, it’s the weakest stage of Golden Core. Now, you can still control your subordinates in this small Cloud Sea. But as the Emissary’s power continues to recover and rise, there will inevitably be a gathering of God Transformations and Nascent Souls under him. If you don’t move forward, how can you convince everyone?”

Zhou Qingang’s face changed slightly on hearing this.

At first, he looked like he was about to retort, but then soon fell into contemplation.

Seeing that, He Zhenghao felt secretly self-satisfied.

“Gao Yuan’s words really work wonders. If it wasn’t for my solid Dao heart, I would have almost been persuaded by him back then,” He Zhenghao thought to himself.

After a long time, Zhou Qingang seemed to have sorted out his thoughts, showing a bitter smile.

“You’re right. But I really can’t take time off as I’m too busy to concentrate on cultivation.” He looked at He Zhenghao and said.

He Zhenghao’s spirits were lifted, “Why don’t you follow in Gao Yuan’s footsteps? The Ruin of Chaoyuan Sect must hold a great opportunity. If you could secure it, you could minimally advance a small realm. Who knows, it might not be impossible to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm.”

Zhou Qingang opened his mouth and was about to say something.

But He Zhenghao interjected, “I understand what you’re worried about. You’re afraid it might delay the handling of affairs, right? Don’t worry, I’m here! What’s another assignment on top of one already?”

Zhou Qingang looked skeptical, “If so, why don’t you go, Daoist He? Since when have you become so thoughtful for your colleagues?”

He Zhenghao looked annoyed, “What are you saying? When the Emissary reminded me in the beginning, we should be united amongst ourselves. I don’t mind putting in extra effort for the sake of helping you two improve your cultivation. After all, we are natural allies; helping you is helping myself.”

He Zhenghao paused, observed Zhou Qingang’s face, and continued, “Besides, I have recently had some insights and I might be close to breaking through the Nascent Soul Realm. I don’t need any opportunity. I have confidence to advance within ten years!”

“Why don’t you make up your mind?”