I have Taoism and can understand other worlds

Chapter 669 The Thirteenth Elder

The meandering river flows on and on, but the desolate scene of the past is gone.

Jiang Wen and Jiang Su led the dozen or so surviving members of the Baixi tribe back along the route they had come from. When they arrived at the banks of the Wandering River again, the scene before them was vastly different from when they had come.

The river, which was originally murky and lifeless, has now lost its unsettling turbidity and presents a calm gray-blue color, though it is not yet completely clear.

The thick, hazy mist that had been hanging over the river had thinned considerably, allowing the sunlight to penetrate with difficulty and cast dappled, fragmented light across the surface, creating a somewhat desolate yet beautiful scene.

The Bewilderment Bridge, which spans the river, was originally a dilapidated stone bridge that looked like it could collapse at any moment. Now, it faintly exudes a warm luster, and the ancient and blurry engravings on the bridge seem to have become clearer. It no longer exudes the power to confuse the mind, but instead flows with a faint Taoist charm that calms the soul.

“The deathly power that once existed in this sacred land has dissipated, and the sacred land is being rebuilt.” Jiang Wen said to Jiang Suyan beside him as he watched the changes.

Jiang Su nodded slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her cool eyes.

The group stepped onto the Bridge of Confusion, their steps steady, no longer bearing the difficulty of concentrating to resist the invisible pressure they had faced on the way there. Reaching the middle of the bridge, they saw a familiar, slender figure standing on the opposite bank.

The person was dressed in a snow-white robe, with a tall and straight figure and a cold and aloof temperament. She was Xue Ji, the candidate saintess who entered with Jiang Wen.

However, her demeanor at this moment possessed an indescribable air of majesty and serenity compared to her usual self.

Upon seeing Jiang Wen and the others, Xue Ji was initially taken aback before a smile appeared on her face.

She stepped forward and nodded to Jiang Wen and Jiang Su: "My benefactors, how have you been? Who are these people...?"

Her gaze swept across the crowd, and Xue Ji stared at Jiang Su for a while. Then, as if realizing that her behavior was inappropriate, she looked away.

Jiang Wen's gaze fell on her, noticing the change in her aura, and he couldn't help but ask, "It seems that the Saintess Trial has been successfully completed?"

Xue Ji straightened up, a complex look flashing in her eyes, which was then replaced by a resolute light. She nodded gently, her voice clear and melodious like ice striking jade: "Thank you for your concern, Master. Xue Ji has lived up to your expectations. The trial is over, and now I am the Holy Maiden of the Baixi Tribe."

“This is Jiang Su, my friend.” Jiang Wen nodded, not surprised that Xue Ji had been able to complete the Holy Land’s trial. He pointed to Jiang Su, then looked at the group of people behind him. “These people are survivors of the Holy Land, so I brought them back with me.”

Upon hearing this, Xue Ji blinked and looked at everyone curiously, asking, "How did our benefactor find them? I waited for our benefactor here after completing my trial, but we haven't seen any sign of them yet."

Jiang Wen waved his hand and smiled as he recounted his experiences in the Holy Land. However, he omitted much of it and did not tell the whole story.

Upon hearing that Jiang Wen had repaired the large crack, Xue Ji suddenly understood. She quickly stood up and bowed to Jiang Wen.

“I never imagined that the changes in this sacred place were related to our benefactor. I was wondering why the River of Wandering had begun to flow. This is truly a change that the tribe has never experienced before. The elders will surely be happy to know this.”

Jiang Wen laughed nonchalantly, "Never mind, it's just a small matter. I wonder how the Holy Maiden's trial went?"

Upon hearing this, Yukihime's expression hardened slightly, as if she were recalling a difficult period of her life.

She parted her lips slightly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible lingering fear: "The Trial Realm is indeed somewhat dangerous. It is full of bizarre and wondrous sights, and inner demons abound. The most dangerous place is where one must directly confront the intrusion of fallen immortals."

“That is not a real fallen immortal,” she explained, “but rather the aura and pressure of a fallen immortal contained within the illusion. We must remain steadfast in our hearts, distinguish between truth and illusion, and find a glimmer of clarity amidst endless illusions and demonic sounds, in order to break free from this illusion.”

She spoke casually, but both Jiang Wen and Jiang Su could imagine the danger involved. If one's mind faltered even slightly, one could fall into the illusion forever, their soul corrupted by demonic thoughts, and become a walking corpse.

"Fortunately, my Snow Clan is born with a certain supernatural power that can purify the mind, giving us a slight advantage in resisting such disturbances." Xue Ji sighed at the end, her tone returning to calm. "After going through several layers of illusionary trials, we have finally overcome the trials and condensed the seal of the tribe's holy maiden."

She raised her hand, and a wisp of extremely cold, holy light flashed and disappeared from her fingertips. The power contained within it was indeed incomparable to that of the past.

Jiang Wen nodded in approval, saying, "With a steadfast mind, your path to enlightenment is promising. Congratulations, Holy Maiden."

Xue Ji shook her head slightly: "It was extremely dangerous before, but then for some reason the illusion changed abnormally, and all the fallen immortals disappeared. Now it seems that it was the work of our benefactor, who weakened the illusion."

"If it weren't for my benefactor purifying this sacred land and dispelling the deathly gloom that has permeated for countless ages, making our Snow Clan's supernatural powers even purer and clearer, my trial this time would probably have been even more dangerous. Xue Ji will remember this kindness in her heart."

As they talked, the group arrived at their original spot.

Upon returning to the territory of the Baixi tribe, they found guards standing watch beside the empty main hall.

When they saw Xue Ji and Jiang Wen's group, especially the dozen or so clansmen who should have been sacrificed, they were all shocked and incredulous.

Xue Ji regained her dignity as a saintess and calmly instructed the guards, "I will report this matter to the elders. You must take good care of these returning clansmen and not make any mistakes."

"We obey the Holy Maiden's command!" The guards dared not ask any further questions, respectfully accepted the order, and led the survivors, who seemed to have returned from another world, away first. Xue Ji then personally led Jiang Wen and Jiang Su back towards the towering grand hall.

They placed their hands on a stone pillar, and a shimmering light appeared. The three of them felt as if they were floating on clouds, heading towards an unknown destination.

Once he settled down, Jiang Wen saw the same grand hall as before.

The main hall remained grand and solemn, but the servants, guards, and even some tribal nobles living in the tower all bowed and addressed Xue Ji as "Holy Maiden" with utmost respect.

When their gazes swept over Jiang Wen, who was walking side by side with the Holy Maiden, they were filled with curiosity, inquiry, and a hint of undisguised awe.

Clearly, the news of the changes in the sacred site, the return of the saintess, and the return of the survivors has caused a huge stir within the tower.

After passing through numerous halls, we arrived once again at the central circular stone hall. The hall doors were open, but the scene inside was quite different from the last time.

Twelve white jade platforms, each with a different shape and exuding a powerful aura, were arranged in a ring. At this moment, more than half of the platforms were occupied by figures sitting upright.

These figures were either male or female, old or young, some were as burly as the rock people, some had wings on their backs, and some were entwined with vines.

They were all dressed in clothing representing the highest status of their respective tribes, their auras were as deep and calm as the sea, and their eyes shone with sharp light. They were none other than the true rulers of the Baixi tribe—the elders of the Cangtian Tower.

On the high platform in the center sat the old man in the hemp robe who had received Jiang Wen last time.

He still looked withered, but now his eyes seemed to hold the aura of life and death, incredibly deep. His gaze first fell on Xue Ji, and he nodded slightly, revealing a hint of barely perceptible approval.

Immediately, all the elders' gazes focused on Jiang Wen. Their gazes contained scrutiny, amazement, doubt, and a complex emotion that was difficult to describe.

The old man in the hemp robe spoke slowly, his voice still aged, yet carrying an undeniable authority that echoed in the empty stone hall.

"Outsider, distinguished guest. The sacred land has undergone a transformation, the deathly silence has vanished, the River of Wandering has cleared, and the Bridge of Confusion has been solidified. Are these earth-shattering changes your doing?"

Jiang Wen stood in the hall, facing the elders of the Baixi tribe, his expression still calm. He met the elders' gazes with composure and said indifferently, "It was just a coincidence, a chance encounter, and I only did my bit."

The old man in the hemp robe looked at him intently for a long time before slowly saying, "The Holy Land is the foundation of my Baixi, but also its shackle. For thousands of years, countless sages have tried to change its state but failed. Your contribution is beyond description. This is to save my Baixi from fire and water and to relieve my tribe from the calamity of ten thousand generations."

He paused after speaking, then raised his voice a few decibels, with a solemn declaration: "By the unanimous decision of the Council of Twelve Elders, from this day forward, you, outsider, are the thirteenth elder of my Baixi tribe. We will certainly keep our promises to you!"

"You will enjoy the honor of an elder, with free access to both the interior and exterior of the Azure Sky Tower. All forbidden areas within the Azure Sky Tower will also be open to you. All members of my Hundred Streams clan shall regard you as an elder!"

Upon hearing this, a few soft gasps were heard in the hall. Although the elders had clearly reached a consensus, such an honor was unprecedented in the history of the Hundred Streams Tribe. The Azure Sky Tower had always had only twelve elders, but now there was a thirteen.

Jiang Wen didn't care much about such empty titles, but he knew the benefits of being an elder, so he didn't refuse and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you all for your kindness."

The old man in the hemp robe nodded slightly and continued, "Now that the Holy Land has been restored, the hidden danger that has plagued our clan for ten thousand years has been eliminated, and many things need to be reconsidered. In particular, the Path to Immortality is about to open, and all tribes need to make preparations as soon as possible. Distinguished guests from Baiyi, the thirteen elders, if you are interested, you may also go together."

"The Path to Immortality is about to begin?" Jiang Wen's heart stirred, and he asked the old man. "I heard that the Path to Immortality was still ten years away from opening, why is it being brought forward this time?"

After hearing this, the old man shook his head and smiled, "It is also thanks to the help of our distinguished guest that the changes in the sacred land seem to have disturbed the path to immortality. The miracle has already been manifested, and we need to prepare in advance. Perhaps in just one or two months, the path to immortality will open."

Jiang understood and did not refuse.

Afterwards, the elders inquired about some details of the sacred land. Jiang Wenzhe told them the general information from those who could speak, but only briefly mentioned the core secrets such as the heart of the Heavenly King of Growth, divine blood, and the Deathly Silence Pearl.

Although the elders knew he was holding back, none of them investigated further.

The meeting lasted for about an hour, and the atmosphere was generally harmonious.

Finally, Xue Ji personally escorted Jiang Wen and Jiang Su away from the main hall to the guest room prepared for them in the tower.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, a brief silence fell over the hall. An elder, enveloped in flames, slowly spoke, his voice booming: "This boy is unfathomable. His actions are beyond our comprehension."

The old man in the hemp robe closed his eyes for a long time before letting out a soft sigh: "Fortune may be a harbinger of misfortune, and misfortune may be a harbinger of fortune. After ten thousand years, our Baixi tribe has finally undergone a transformation. The changes in the Holy Land were beyond our expectations. I've also heard that the Rakshasa tribe's affairs were handled by him. This kind of person is definitely not a guest from the Baiyi tribe. I'm afraid..."

"Visitors from beyond the heavens!" The elders in the main hall exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with respect and awe.

(End of this chapter)