Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Campaign Against the Xuan Sect

Beneath the fourth Sky-Piercing Tower, Shen Wan repeated his earlier method, though the fourth stele seemed a touch cleverer—it took quite a bit of coaxing before he succeeded. In the end, Wu Xi was the one who obtained the inheritance: "Inferno of the Blazing Heart," an ancient art of the Heavenly Rank.

With memories of the previous encounter still fresh, the disciples of Owe the Profound Sect stood up to leave as soon as the inheritance was claimed. A few were momentarily bewildered, but soon followed the majority, quickly vanishing into the forest.

Disciples from the other sects frowned deeply. They had only just arrived from the first tower, barely had time to settle, and the inheritance was already gone. It was obvious, even to a simpleton, that something was amiss when a minor sect managed to comprehend three inheritances in a row.

Yet most other sects remained utterly confused, not understanding what had happened.

Shen Wan and his group raced away, the celestial spring veins in their bodies surging with energy. Their legs showed not a hint of fatigue.

At the sixth tower, the disciples didn’t even wait for Elder Xiao Jiu to speak. This time, they didn’t even approach the crowd; once out of the woods, they sat cross-legged on the ground.

Shen Wan drew a little closer, and fortunately, the little luminous figure noticed him with a wave. The sixth stele, too, fell into the trap, and Han Yuechan claimed the inheritance of the sixth tower: "Ten Thousand Miles of Cold," also of the Heavenly Rank.

Once the inheritance was obtained, everyone stood and left at once, disappearing into the woods in just a few steps. It seemed everything had become a matter of course; no one said a word.

Beneath the sixth tower, some disciples from other sects could no longer contain themselves. Even the most obtuse among them realized that Owe the Profound Sect must have used some unorthodox means to claim so many inheritances so easily.

"This is cheating! We must resist! Punish them severely!"

With only one tower left unlit, disciples of Owe the Profound Sect vanished so quickly there was no chance for pursuit. Looking toward the seventh tower, everyone knew that was the final destination.

There was no more time to hesitate. This time, they had to intercept Owe the Profound Sect; otherwise, the other sects would be left with nothing.

The distance from the sixth to the seventh tower was short. The seventh stele was already waiting at the forest’s edge.

Shen Wan, perplexed, saw the disciples already seated cross-legged and stepped forward to ask in a low voice, “Are you waiting for us?”

The seventh stele nodded, “My elder brother sent me a message. I don’t want to get beaten.”

Shen Wan gave him a thumbs-up. “A wise man knows how to adapt. Well done.”

The seventh stele shook his head happily, waiting for Shen Wan to name a recipient. But all those he was familiar with had already received inheritances. The remaining disciples, though from the same sect, were strangers to him.

Scratching his head in helplessness, he finally sniffed and said, “Do as you see fit. Give it to whoever you like.”

The seventh stele paused, glanced over the cultivators before him, and, able to sense who had already inherited, ignored them. Among the remaining dozen or so, all seemed of similar aptitude, but none felt like the fated one.

Muttering, he finally pointed, “You, there. The rest of you, out of the running.”

With that, he darted directly into Zhao Dongsheng’s mind.

Zhao Dongsheng trembled all over, his meridians surging. "Lunar Divine Thunder," Heavenly Rank.

The seventh tower hummed, shrouded in black light until it blazed with brilliance.

His duty done, the seventh stele bid Shen Wan farewell and, visibly exhausted, floated back into his stone tablet.

Thus, all eight Sky-Piercing Towers were lit.

Zhao Dongsheng, visibly moved, stood quietly, gazing at Elder Xiao Jiu’s handsome face, a wave of gratitude rising in his heart.

“I knew Elder Xiao Jiu wouldn’t forget me.”

His throat bobbed as if he were about to kneel before Shen Wan.

Shen Wan quickly raised his hand to stop him.

The actions of the seventh stele had inadvertently granted Shen Wan a favor, which he accepted with equanimity. But this was no time for sentiment. Just moments ago, he’d noticed tens of thousands at the base of the tower, weapons in hand, all charging toward them.

“Damn it!” he cursed inwardly.

Among the multitudes, most were disciples from earlier towers. Dozens of sects had formed a temporary alliance to target Owe the Profound Sect.

But they were too late; the seventh tower already shone. Many beat their chests in frustration, wishing they could devour Owe the Profound Sect alive.

Seeing the mob at the forest’s edge, the disciples of several sects lost all reason. Gritting their teeth, they soared into the air, some already casting spells.

Apart from Shen Wan, Wu Xi was the first to sense danger and quickly called for everyone to run.

Shen Wan, having foreseen the gravity of the situation ever since Lin Bufan received the inheritance, wasted no time. Grabbing his waist, he bolted into the forest, his speed astonishing everyone.

Seeing this, the rest of Owe the Profound Sect’s disciples hesitated no longer, channeling their spiritual energy to the limit and vanishing into the woods behind Elder Xiao Jiu.

Wu Xi stood his ground, intending to slow their pursuers.

Having recently received a Heavenly Rank technique, he’d already analyzed and grasped some of its workings and now had a chance to test its power.

With a faint smile, he swiftly formed hand seals, reciting the incantation under his breath. Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted.

"Inferno of the Blazing Heart, First Form: Flames Engulf the City!"

A crimson blaze erupted from his hand, sweeping forth in a tidal wave of fire that spanned thousands of meters.

The allied sects were suddenly cut off by a sea of flames. Some attempted protective spells to charge through, but as they neared, the fire began to scorch their very souls.

Screams of agony rang out, and those who attempted it retreated in terror, not daring to approach again.

“So this is the power of a Heavenly Rank technique?” Wu Xi marveled as he caught up with the others, his heart pounding as he glanced at the inferno behind him.

Given the powerful restrictions of this ancient ruin, Wu Xi’s cultivation was already at its peak. That he could subdue tens of thousands with a single move owed much to this environment.

No one wasted a word as they raced toward the entrance of the ancient ruin.

This time, it was clear how much Shen Wan was slowing them down—his speed was simply too slow.

Seeing pursuers reappearing behind them, Shen Wan grew anxious.

“Nephew! Nephew!” he called out to Wu Xi.

Wu Xi darted to his side. “What is it, Uncle?”

Shen Wan wasted no time. “You take everyone and go ahead. I’ll cover the rear. Don’t let them catch you all in one sweep.”

“No, Uncle, I can’t leave you behind. I must ensure your safety.”

“I don’t need your protection. Don’t worry about me—I have my ways.”

He reminded himself that, as someone without spiritual cultivation, he could bluff his way in front of other cultivators. And if real danger arose, the one in his mind would never abandon him.

But as for the others, he couldn’t guarantee their safety. If anything happened to them because of him, how could he face anyone as an elder?

The two argued back and forth, but ultimately, Shen Wan used his authority to subdue Wu Xi.

Wu Xi had no choice but to obey.

Lin Bufan, Zhu Qianqing, and Han Yuechan wanted to stay behind, but Shen Wan’s rebuke made it clear he was truly angry.

In the end, Wu Xi led the disciples, spiritual power surging, pushing their speed to the limit. In the blink of an eye, they were gone.

Shen Wan was stunned. These brats, when they ran, they really ran—unbelievably fast.

Seeing the dust cloud rising behind him, with pursuers likely to catch up soon, Shen Wan swallowed hard, spun around, and sprinted in another direction.

Meanwhile, Yun Yi and Gu Zhiping, after winding their way through underground passages, finally found an exit. Emerging into the dazzling sunlight, they sighed in relief.

Gu Zhiping had not planned to approach the towers—given his pitiful aptitude, the thought of obtaining an inheritance was nothing but a fantasy.

But after the Great Oracle reforged his spiritual roots, he felt suddenly capable again.

No sooner had he emerged than he considered seeking out a tower to try his luck.

But seeing all eight towers ablaze in the distance, he was thunderstruck.

“Who the hell did this?!”

He slapped his thigh and spewed a string of curses, while Yun Yi could only purse her lips at his antics.

At that moment, a figure appeared in the distance, moving purposefully in their direction.

“Hey, isn’t that Shen Wan?” Yun Yi squinted for a better look and immediately recognized him, especially with that trail of sparks behind him—a dead giveaway.

Gu Zhiping turned as well and, sure enough, it was Brother Shen.

Overjoyed, the two hurried to meet him.

Shen Wan was running at top speed, ears pricked for any sound behind him, not daring to look back.

Suddenly, two figures sprang into his path, nearly making him fall over in fright.

“Brother Shen!” Gu Zhiping called out excitedly, rushing forward.

Only then did Shen Wan recognize them.

But there was no time for words. Grabbing Yun Yi and Gu Zhiping by the sleeves, he bolted.

“Run! They’re right behind us!”