NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: The Rising Tension
Riu Xian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The knowledge gained from the jade slip left him in awe, its depth unraveling secrets of cultivation that went beyond anything he had encountered in his previous life. With a newfound resolve, he pocketed the jade slip and began the journey back to the Cloudspring Sect.
As he approached the familiar mountains that housed his sect, his thoughts swirled. This world, with its boundless Qi and intricate cultivation paths, was a far cry from the martial world of his past life. In the Murim, power and influence ruled, but here, there was an endless pursuit of longevity and ascension.
"I don't have to be a saint, nor do I need to embrace chaos entirely," he thought. "My father's orthodox teachings and my mother's demonic techniques—together, they give me a unique edge. With the Qi abundance here, I can truly unlock my potential. This chaotic world may be dangerous, but it's also filled with wonders waiting to be uncovered."
The realization brought a faint smile to his lips. His destiny was no longer tied to petty sect rivalries or constrained ambitions. Here, he had the chance to carve a path of his own, free from the shackles of orthodoxy or demonic control.
The Cloudspring Sect's outer market came into view as Riu Xian neared the base of the mountain. The bustling hub was alive with activity, though a heavy tension underlined the atmosphere. Merchants called out their wares, but their voices carried an edge of desperation. Whispers and murmurs filled the air as groups of disciples and locals huddled together, exchanging news.
Riu Xian slowed his pace, his ears attuned to the fragmented conversations around him.
"Did you hear? The Bright Snow Sect's forces are gathering."
"They've issued an ultimatum. If the Cloudspring Sect doesn't surrender in three days, they'll wipe us out."
"Their leader is backed by someone powerful—someone the elders won't dare to cross."
Riu Xian frowned as he pieced the information together. The Bright Snow Sect, a notorious power in the region, had long been known for its ambition and ruthlessness. Their sudden aggression toward the Cloudspring Sect hinted at more than just territorial expansion.
"What do they even want from the Cloudspring Sect?" a voice nearby asked.
"I heard rumors," another replied, lowering his voice. "They're after some kind of treasure. A rare artifact, something the elders have been hiding."
"What kind of artifact could cause all this chaos?"
"They say it's a boat," the speaker continued, glancing around cautiously. "But not just any boat. It can travel underground, powered by spirit stones. With it, you can move unseen for hundreds of kilometers in an instant."
"A boat that travels underground?" someone scoffed. "That's absurd."
"Absurd or not," the first man insisted, "the Bright Snow Sect is willing to start a war over it."
Another voice chimed in, "It's said that the boat cannot be detected by anyone below peak Nascent Soul cultivation. And if high-grade or supreme-grade spirit stones are used, it can even hide from cultivators far beyond Nascent Soul level. Imagine the kind of stealth and power it offers."
Riu Xian's mind raced as he absorbed the revelation. An artifact capable of underground travel was indeed rare—and potentially invaluable in this chaotic world. It wasn't just a means of escape; it could be a tool for exploration, smuggling, or even warfare. Such an object could easily tip the balance of power in favor of whoever possessed it.
Moving through the market with calculated nonchalance, Riu Xian continued to gather fragments of information. The elders of the Cloudspring Sect were in turmoil, torn between the option of surrender and the desire to protect their sect's legacy. Meanwhile, disciples whispered about the artifact in hushed tones, though most dismissed the idea as a far-fetched rumor.
As the day wore on, Riu Xian made his way up the mountain toward the sect's main grounds. The usually serene pathways were bustling with activity. Disciples rushed about, carrying messages and supplies, their faces marked by worry. The sect's defenses were being bolstered, but the effort seemed half-hearted, as though many had already resigned themselves to an inevitable defeat.
At the central hall, a meeting of the sect's leaders was underway. Though he was not permitted inside, Riu Xian lingered near the entrance, straining to hear their heated discussion.
"Surrender is the only viable option," one elder argued, his voice laced with desperation. "The Bright Snow Sect is backed by forces far stronger than us. Resistance will only lead to our annihilation."
"And what of our honor?" another elder countered, his tone defiant. "Do you think they'll spare us if we hand over the artifact? No, they'll destroy us regardless, to eliminate any future threat."
"Then what do you propose?" a third voice interjected, weary and uncertain. "With what? Their forces outnumber us three to one. Even our strongest disciples are no match for their elite."
Another elder sighed heavily. "If we decide to surrender to the Bright Snow Sect, how can we retrieve the boat? We don't even know how to access it. The information was lost with the Supreme Elder, who descended from the upper realms 1,200 years ago after being injured by his enemies and established this sect. No one knows where he secluded himself for cultivation. And if we plan to use this artifact to retaliate, we still don't know how to retrieve it. Either way, we are doomed."
The argument continued, a cacophony of fear, pride, and despair. Riu Xian shook his head and stepped away. It was clear the sect's leadership was divided, their indecision threatening to unravel any chance of survival.
By evening, the Cloudspring Sect was enveloped in a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional murmur of disciples gathered in small groups. Riu Xian retreated to a quiet spot near the outer courtyard, where the faint glow of the setting sun bathed the mountains in warm hues.
Sitting beneath an ancient tree, he let his thoughts settle. The sect's situation was precarious, and the looming conflict with the Bright Snow Sect seemed unavoidable. Yet, Riu Xian felt no loyalty to the Cloudspring Sect—not in the way others did. He was a cultivator on his own path, and his priorities lay in survival and growth, not in preserving a sect whose leaders couldn't even agree on a course of action.
"This artifact... if it's real, it could be the key to avoiding unnecessary conflicts. A way to move unnoticed, to explore and gather resources without fear of pursuit. If the Bright Snow Sect values it so highly, then it's worth investigating."
The decision solidified in his mind. He would uncover the truth about the artifact, not for the sect's sake, but for his own. In this chaotic world, power and knowledge were the only guarantees of survival.
With the sect in disarray and war looming, the perfect opportunity had arrived. Amid the frantic preparations, no one would notice a low-ranking disciple slipping into the library's forbidden archives. Riu Xian's resolve hardened. The artifact was more than a relic—it was a key to survival, perhaps even power. Whether it was the underground-traveling boat or the enigmatic Supreme Elder who founded the sect, he would uncover the truth. "In chaos lies opportunity," he thought, stepping into the shadows