It was clear that the four of them, Mo Shiyi included, had each witnessed some unbelievable sights and sensed something shocking.
However, it was Shangguan WanâEr who spoke first.
In Shangguan WanâErâs beautiful eyes, an endless color of shock surged at this moment, and she could not help but say subconsciously, "Brother Nangong, Brother Eleven, that power just now...?"
Mo Shiyi took over the conversation, eyes full of shock: "Comparable to the power fluctuations of the Profound Sea Second Realm!"
Nangong Jianchen also showed a rare expression of awe: "Just breaking through the Profound Sea First Layer, yet possessing the power of the Second Realm? Brother Ye, just how many secrets do you still have unknown to us?"
The three of them were greatly shaken, deeply doubting Ye Xiaofanâs Martial Soul at this moment.
However, the terrifying senior brother was even more astonished, his brilliant eyes fixed on that figure, with a shocked voice in his heart: âThis... this is... the aura of a Profound Sea mutation?â
âHis Profound Sea has gone through a mutation?â
The terrifying senior brotherâs breathing became rapid, showing an expression of shock that clearly surpassed that of Nangong Jianchen and the others, yet he made no sound throughout.
Remarkably, this senior brother seemed to sense something that Nangong Jianchen and the others could not when Ye Xiaofan mobilized that wisp of pale golden Spiritual Liquid.
As the four of them were in utter astonishment.
Finally, the figure on the spiritual terrace slowly opened his eyes.
Ye Xiaofan slowly opened his eyes, subconsciously looking towards the four of them, only to be slightly taken aback, as the expressions on their faces seemed somewhat dazed.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Ye Xiaofan realized something and could not help but smile wryly.
The four of them, upon hearing this, snapped back to reality and swallowed hard in succession.
A quarter of an hour later.
Outside the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.
"Thank you, senior brother."
Before the four of them bade farewell to the terrifying senior brother, Ye Xiaofan awkwardly bowed slightly to the former. He could feel it without being told, that after breaking through to the Profound Sea Second Realm, nearly a third of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land was consumed.
Do not underestimate that one-third; to the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, it is already an unimaginably vast ocean of Spiritual Qi.
Although the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within each Grotto Heaven Blessed Land is incredibly abundant, it does not remain at this concentration forever, even if the Spirit Vein underground continuously supplements it. Overconsumption results in a lengthy recovery time.
The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi consumed by Ye Xiaofan this time could hardly be replenished in ten days or half a month, making him feel a bit guilty despite the excitement of his breakthrough.
After bidding farewell to their senior brother, the four turned and left.
It was already late at night, and the disciples who had also come from Beast Peak had long departed. Even the crimson mount borrowed by Shangguan WanâEr was nowhere to be seen, likely recalled by its master.
In front of the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, the terrifying senior brother stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the four slowly descend the mountain.
It was not until Ye Xiaofan and the others disappeared from sight that the terrifying senior brother transformed into a streak of rainbow light, flying towards the South Peak.
And as Ye Xiaofan and the four departed two miles from the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands.
"Alright, stop looking at me like that, Iâm about to develop a psychological shadow."
Ye Xiaofan was almost in tears as, ever since he woke up, Nangong Jianchen and Mo Shiyi had been scrutinizing him with that "monster" look. Even Shangguan WanâEr was now showing a similar expression.
The four of them finally withdrew their gazes, but each grumbled in turn, calling him "freak," "monster," "definitely not human."
It was clear that these three heartfelt complaints were an outpouring of their internal shock.
At the moment, in the eyes of the three, Ye Xiaofan was like a living monster, having consumed a third of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi of the First Grotto Heaven Blessed Land upon breaking through to the Profound Sea Second Realm. Truly outrageous.
"Alright, enough of this; you three arenât half bad yourselves. Iâm just not as lucky as you guys to witness it." Ye Xiaofan said helplessly.
Standing here now, none of them were ordinary people; everyone carried secrets "unfit for daylight." Nangong Jianchen needed no extra wordsâterrifyingly unfathomable.
As for Mo Shiyi, the Sword Saint, Dugu Nan, had once mentioned to Ye Xiaofan that this senior brother was not as simple as he appeared.
Regarding Shangguan WanâEr, Ye Xiaofan wasnât fooled by her appearance either. He always sensed a distinct side to her, as often, the seemingly most unremarkable person might be the real big shot; this little girl might even be more terrifying than Nangong Jianchen.
The three, hearing Ye Xiaofanâs words, retracted their looks. Ye Xiaofan, seeing this, instead felt more certain of his guesses. These three obviously didnât want to discuss this topic, consciously avoiding it, which was clearly a sign they didnât want to expose their secrets.
Nangong Jianchen, Mo Shiyi, and Shangguan WanâEr all knew Ye Xiaofanâs words were a deliberate attempt to prod them, so they all naturally collected their various expressions.
After a short while.
Shangguan WanâEr, as if remembering something, turned to Mo Shiyi to change the subject.
"By the way, Brother Eleven, werenât you going to tell us the identity of that senior brother after we came out? Who is he really? I always felt that this senior brother didnât seem like an ordinary disciple of the Divine Sword Sect, and those Elders seemed very respectful towards him."
Shangguan WanâErâs words successfully shifted everyoneâs attention to the terrifying senior brother, even attracting the gazes of Ye Xiaofan and Nangong Jianchen towards Mo Shiyi.
When it came to this senior brother, Mo Shiyi took a deep breath.
"This senior brotherâs name is Zhao Yi; his strength is unfathomable, and his background extremely mysterious. His identity is multifacetedânot only the master of the First Grotto Heaven Blessed Land and the apex of the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Fiends, but heâs also... of the Divine Sword Sect..."
Here, Mo Shiyi habitually paused.
Ye Xiaofan and the two others couldnât help but chuckle bitterly at the sight. Indeed, itâs hard to shake off the habits of a gossip broker.
Shangguan WanâEr was particularly speechless and immediately said in displeasure, "Senior Brother Eleven, can you not speak in halves every time? Just say what it is about the Divine Sword Sect."
Mo Shiyi, upon hearing this, showed a wave of respect in his eyes, and said word by word, "He is still the... Mountain Guardian of the Divine Sword Sect!"
"Mountain Guardian?" Ye Xiaofan and the others listened, looking utterly confused.
"Not only a Mountain Guardian, to be more accurate, this senior brother is also the First Senior Brother of the Divine Sword Sect!"
With the words spoken, Ye Xiaofan and the others were full of shock in their eyes. Although they didnât understand what âMountain Guardianâ meant, the seven words âFirst Senior Brother of Divine Sword Sectâ left them stunned on the spot.
Seeing this, Mo Shiyi no longer kept them in suspense and immediately started explaining one by one.
According to Mo Shiyiâs explanation, first is the Mountain Guardian.
"The Mountain Guardian here, guards not the various sects of the Divine Sword, but... the Seventy-Two Small Peaks and the Thirty-Six Holy Peaks."
"In Divine Sword Sect, to challenge the Thirty-Six Holy Peaks and become a candidate for Saint Heir or Saintess, one must first get through the Seventy-Two Small Peaks; that is to say, only by becoming the master of the Seventy-Two Small Peaks, can you qualify to challenge people from the Thirty-Six Holy Peaks."
"And to become the master of the Seventy-Two Small Peaks, you must first become the master of the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, and this is where the key lies."
"A disciple of the Divine Sword Sect wishing to challenge the Seventy-Two Small Peaks must first face the legendary Demon Fiend that occupies the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, and after winning and settling in the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, only then do they have an opportunity to challenge the Seventy-Two Small Peaks."
"But whether they can challenge or not depends on this senior brotherâs approval. He will take the full-power strike of any legendary Demon Fiend wishing to challenge the Seventy-Two Small Peaks, and only with his nod after taking the strike can you truly have the qualification to challenge the Seventy-Two Peaks."
"If you do not gain his approval, even if you beat up all across the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, you would not qualify to challenge the Seventy-Two Small Peaks, let alone the Thirty-Six Holy Peaks."
"Therefore, this senior brother becomes the Mountain Guardian for the Seventy-Two Small Peaks and Thirty-Six Holy Peaks; to ascend the mountain, one must gain the Mountain Guardian senior brotherâs consent."
After listening to Mo Shiyiâs description, Ye Xiaofan and the others were all left dumbfounded.
"So it means if we want to challenge the Seventy-Two Small Peaks in the future, we also need to encounter this senior brother?" Ye Xiaofan asked in astonishment.
Mo Shiyi rolled his eyes at the response: "Itâs not a fight, itâs you delivering a full-power strike to the Mountain Guardian senior brother, after he takes it, he decides whether you have the qualification to challenge the Seventy-Two Peaks."
Upon hearing this, the three of them all chuckled bitterly, and Mo Shiyiâs expression already told them that challengers of the Seventy-Two Small Peaks and Thirty-Six Holy Peaks do not qualify to fight this senior brother.
"Eleven, you just said he is the First Senior Brother of Divine Sword Sect? What does that mean?" Nangong Jianchen asked with a frown, "Does it mean this senior brotherâs strength is even more terrifying than those legendary creatures on the Thirty-Six Holy Peaks?"
"Thirty-Six Holy Peaks?" Mo Shiyi sneered upon hearing these words: "Even the one on the First Holy Peak isnât quite up to par."
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiaofan and the others were utterly stupefied.
Yet the words that Mo Shiyi followed with were even more shocking.
This Mountain Guardian senior brother isnât unable to enter the Thirty-Six Holy Peaks, but due to some reasons, he has been staying in the First Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, and the specific age of the Mountain Guardian senior brother is unknown even to countless senior disciples of Divine Sword Sect; even among the Thirty-Six Holy Peaks, few know of it.
However, according to Mo Shiyi, the Mountain Guardian senior brother has been guarding the mountain for over two hundred years now.
"Hiss â two hundred years?"
Ye Xiaofan and the others gasped upon hearing this.
Two hundred years, probably longer than the lifespan of some Elders; no wonder the Elder Council at Celestial Sword Peak is so reverential.
However, Mo Shiyi, looking at the utterly shocked trio, held back the topic.
He didnât actually reveal to them that this Mountain Guardian senior brother has another identity capable of shocking the entire Divine Sword Sect.
Being the First Senior Brother of Divine Sword Sect is by no means as simple as a Mountain Guardian.
However, after deeply gazing at Ye Xiaofan, Mo Shiyi didnât continue for unknown reasons.
The moment the four of them left the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands.
South Peak Back Mountain Peak.
Dugu Nan stood quietly in the night, seemingly waiting for someoneâs arrival.
Surprisingly, Qi Yun was also present.
The night breeze gently brushed South Peak; not long after, a long arc cut through the night, slowly landing not far from Dugu Nan and the other.
If Ye Xiaofan were here, he would be astonished to find that this person was none other than the Mountain Guardian senior brother, the First Senior Brother of Divine Sword Sect who had been guarding the mountain for over two hundred years.
"Itâs been two hundred years, you havenât been to South Peak for a long, long time." Dugu Nan looked at the slowly approaching Mountain Guardian senior brother, and an unusual affection flashed across his blade-like gaze.
This tinge of affection was only seen by Qi Yun when Dugu Nan looked at Ye Xiaofan.
The Mountain Guardian senior brother, hearing this, laughed at himself, a lonely gaze in his eyes, "I am a man already dead, itâs better for me to visit South Peak less often."
Upon hearing these words, Dugu Nan nodded slightly.
However, in the next moment, the Mountain Guardian senior brother suddenly raised his eyes, and the endless loneliness was instantly replaced by boundless desolation; he knelt on the ground with tears in his eyes and deep emotion, suddenly and deeply bowed before Dugu Nan.
This bow seemed to erupt all the emotions accumulated over two hundred years at this moment, and the words, tremulous as they sounded, reverberated across the South Peak Back Mountain Peak.
As the voice resounded, Dugu Nanâs figure noticeably trembled fiercely.