Under One Person, your rebellious life has reached the heavens?

"Unless absolutely necessary, as a successor of the younger generation, I am unwilling to touch anything within the ruins..."

"Furthermore, an estimate is still just an estimate. The real fear is that the secret realm might be affected by the power stored in the ruins, or by some other unforeseen reason, and suddenly close down. I won't be able to come out for a while, and you... will suffer retaliation from the Taiqing Palace. That's not appropriate."

In just a few seconds, Jiang Mo, with his clear and logical mind, sorted out the important order of things.

Safety of disciples > Origin of the sect > Destroy Taiqing Palace.

In Jiang Mo's mind, the decaying ruins of the past were far less important than the living disciples before him. Although they had a lineage of inheritance, he could not abandon their safety just to explore the origins of the sect.

Jiang Mo was both aware and unsure of the true strength of Taiqing Palace's enemies. He knew he could handle them, but he wasn't sure if disciples like Chengzhen and Lu Jin could. If the threat from Taiqing Palace was left unchecked and an accident occurred during the exploration of the secret realm, the sect might suffer a catastrophic blow.

"So what are your thoughts...?" Yu Huai asked boldly.

"First destroy Taiqing, then return to the old site. It won't take much time."

Jiang Mo's gaze pierced through the pavilion, looking up at the boundless night sky, and he murmured:

"You must not reveal this to other disciples until I have investigated the reasons for the ruin of the old site."

"Zhuge, go and summon Changqing."

"You can tell him about what happened here."

"Yes, uncle."

Zhuge Yu clasped his hands and bowed his head, then quickly turned to carry out his task.

"Have you really thought this through?"

Yu Huai took a deep breath, looking both relieved and helpless.

He couldn't understand, and at the same time revealed his confusion, why his uncle had such a strong obsession with Taiqing Palace and insisted on destroying it now.

"Clear, no regrets."

Jiang Mo stared into Yu Huai's eyes and told him clearly:

"I didn't choose Taiqing Palace over the origin of the sect; I chose you over the origin of the sect."

"To me, the old site is a pile of historical tragedies. Its meaning is given and inherited by people. If the people are gone, then nothing is left."

"I sincerely respect and thank those predecessors for creating and passing on the teachings, but to be honest, you are the children I watched grow up. What could be more important than you?"

"After all, I am just an elder, and it's inevitable that I have selfish motives."

Upon hearing this blunt statement, Chengzhen, Lu Jin, and Yu Huai remained unsettled for a long time, their eyes seemingly filled with turbulent emotions.

They never dared to imagine that their importance would surpass that of the sect's origin.

Before the others could respond, they heard Jiang Mo continue:

“What worries me most is that there are people like me in Taiqing Palace who act without hesitation and kill without giving you any time to prepare. I can’t gamble your lives on something that might not even exist.”

"Uncle-Master, I am ashamed that I have failed to help you solve your problems."

Chengzhen couldn't help but blame himself. He thought that if he were currently at the third or fourth level of the Profound Fate Realm, his uncle would probably be much more relaxed and wouldn't have to worry about both things.

Yu Huai and Lu Jin, standing to the side, were even more distressed. Their cultivation was far inferior to Cheng Zhen's, and they didn't even have the right to intervene. The sense of powerlessness that seeped into their hearts swept over every inch of their skin.

Jiang Mo smiled at Chengzhen's words and gently comforted her:

"It's not your fault. I've seen all your efforts. Reaching the second level of the Profound Fate Realm and mastering the Law of Heaven and Earth is already an extraordinary achievement. Globally, you are undoubtedly the best."

As he said this, his gaze toward Chengzhen was full of admiration and pride.

"The troubles we've encountered are a bit tricky, and it's inevitable that I'll have to take the lead. But I have complete confidence in leaving the rear to you and everyone else."

"You still need time to grow, to accumulate experience over several decades, and even a full sixty years. At that time, even the immortals of the secluded realms will have to bow their heads before you."

"Uncle-Master..."

Chengzhen sighed silently, unsure how to continue.

Just then, Changqing, who had received the message, hurriedly followed Zhuge Yu to the scene. Before they could see anyone, their voices arrived first.

"Uncle-Master, I am here. Do you have any important matters to instruct me on?"

"Yes, Changqing, after I wipe out Taiqing Palace, you will come with me to the site of the secret realm."

Jiang Mo explained the arrangements.

"Uncle-Master, then... what about us?"

Zhuge Yu stared longingly, clearly wanting to go too, and scratched his head in frustration.

“Jin’er needs to stay in the Nine Provinces and cannot leave her post. Chengzhen is in charge of the sect and cannot go either. Little Zhuge, you should stay and assist the two of them so that you can take care of them.”

Jiang Mo explained the reason, but since the other disciples were all traveling, he did not want to disturb them, so he arranged for Changqing to accompany them.

"Uncle-Master, please let me go. I can scout ahead for you. Little Lu and Senior Brother don't need my help."

"They're the ones who should be helping me out."

Zhuge Yu couldn't help but mutter, glancing sideways at Chengzhen and Lu Jin, hinting that they should put in a good word for him.

“Yes, Uncle-Master, Zhuge is skilled in Qimen Dunjia and Feng Shui. Perhaps he can figure out the problem with the ruins.”

Chengzhen also offered her suggestions, hoping to help Jiang Mo as much as possible.

"No, he has something more suitable for him."

Jiang Mo smiled faintly and asked the muttering disciple:

"The dragon corpse and whale remains I captured have been placed in the back mountain. Little Zhuge, do you know what weapon your uncle liked the most in his life?"

"sword.....?"

Zhuge Yu answered uncertainly, "In my memory, my uncle's sword was made with countless expensive materials, and he even dug out some of his own hardest bones and forged it through countless hammerings."

"No, swords are too delicate and make it difficult to unleash power at will, so they are not the most suitable for me."

"Unfortunately, when we were forging Guichen back then, we didn't have enough materials, so we had to choose a sword with considerable destructive power. If we could do it all over again, I would prefer to get a giant axe."

Jiang Mo was quite moved, and took the opportunity to give Zhuge a task:

"While I'm away, you may freely dismember two corpses, use their bones and muscles to forge various weapons for me and others. Could you please handle this matter?"

"Uncle-Master, you...you're trying to get rid of me again!"

"This weapon can be reforged in the future. Please, please let me go with you."

Like a mischievous old man, Zhuge Yu grabbed Jiang Mo's arm and shook it recklessly.

"Please! When you went down the mountain to kill the Japanese devils, you didn't take me and Senior Brother Changqing with you."

"You brought your senior brother this time, you can't leave me out, Uncle-Master."

"You know, I'm the most honest and obedient person."

For a moment, Jiang Mo was amused by him, and helplessly said to this incessantly chattering disciple:

"You're still talking about something from so long ago? You're really something, little Zhuge Liang."

"Fine, fine, come with me then."

"Got it."

Zhuge Yu immediately beamed with joy. He knew this trick would work; his martial uncle was sure to spoil him.

Then, Jiang Mo looked around at his five disciples and solemnly announced:

"Yu Huai, hand over the location of Taiqing Palace to me, and then take Chengzhen, Lu Jin, Changqing, and Zhuge to the entrance of the old site secret realm."

"After I destroy the Taiqing Palace, I will teleport there. Chengzhen and Lu Jin will stay in the mortal realm, while Changqing, Zhuge, and I will investigate."

"Finally, before I return, if there are any signs that the secret realm is closing, none of you should venture in without authorization. The dangers inside are far beyond your ability to predict or resist. The palm strike that destroyed the mech was at least at the level of Xuanming 4 or above."

"No matter how much you want to find out the truth of what happened back then, you must not make me, your superior, worry about your recklessness. I reiterate, every one of you who is alive is more important than those ruins. No one may enter without my permission."

Jiang Mo's expression was solemn, and the disciples, understanding his meaning, said in unison:

"Yes! Disciple understands!"

"Set off."

Jiang Mo's eyes revealed a terrifying chill. He slowly stood up, and Yu Huai took the initiative to hand over her jade ring.

"The location inside has been adjusted and set. Please be careful."

“The people guarding the outer perimeter of the secret area are our people. I have already spoken to them on your behalf. You can show my badge to their highest-ranking officer, or you can sneak in directly.”

"Okay, see you later."

Jiang Mo took the microcomputer and attached it to his left middle finger.

Instantly, a high-definition virtual projection appeared before his eyes, with a scarlet marker falling on the inland mountains two thousand kilometers away.

"call out--!"

The instant the coordinates were locked, Jiang Mo transformed into a blazing silver light, soaring straight into the sky, tearing through ten thousand meters of void, and disappearing in an instant at the dark horizon.

This is his war alone, and it will be the most brutal and bloody war in the history of the Taiqing Palace.

Chapter 389 Gathering Qi to Nourish Spirit, Preying on Humanity, Shattering the Heavens with a Single Axe

Sichuan.

Xiling Snow Mountain, 4:36 PM.

Stars hang high in the sky, the moon shines brightly, and the hazy, rugged mountain range resembles a reclining azure dragon.

At an altitude of over 5000 meters, on a snow-capped peak that never melts, a secret infrared beam is being laid out along a continuous, undulating mountain ridge.

Nearly a hundred combat members from the nine divisions and six Class B mechs are stationed around the area, all to monitor in real time a strange vortex that is sinking into the void in the distance.

It hangs vertically on the mountain ridge, hundreds of meters in diameter, like the eye of a god reflecting on the human world, or like a special passage to another world, full of mystery.

"Boom!!!"

In the still of the night, thunder suddenly roared from the heavens, and silvery-white lightning tore through the thick dark clouds, as if announcing the arrival of some extraordinary being.

The next instant, the wind and clouds surged, and a frosty figure stood atop the clouds ten thousand meters in the sky.

Jiang Mo's eyes flashed with cold light as he looked down at the entrance to the secret realm of Daxuetang. In just a moment, he saw through the strange phenomena of Qi flow around him. The Qi of the mortal world was forcibly dragged into the secret realm like a whale sucking in its stomach.

"Wow!"

In an instant, crimson-gold Dao traces ignited deep within Jiang Mo's pupils. He pushed his true techniques to their limit, his gaze piercing through the void and descending upon the mountains to examine them closely.

Soon, a magic array covering the mountain gradually took shape.

Its power is the most terrifying magic array Jiang Mo has ever seen. It is set up at the exit of this secret realm, rooted in the ground. Hundreds of rich natural Qi flows continuously converge from the land, mountains, rivers and lakes, covering an area that is shockingly wide, reaching hundreds of kilometers in distance.

The method was extremely skillful, silently absorbing the spiritual energy of all things to nourish the secret realm.

Ordinary sorcerers and supernatural beings could not see any clues at all. Half of the Shu province had become fat meat for them to plunder at will. Moreover, every place and every thing was being plundered. Countless places and countless things, when gathered together, became a terrifying energy that was beyond imagination.

"A predator among humans? What a parasite living outside the world."

Jiang Mo seemed to be deep in thought, and his killing intent suddenly intensified. He gathered the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to nourish his sect.

He could also absorb to this extent, but the price would be the complete withering and death of all the mountains, forests, land, rivers, and cities near the sect.

Taiqing Palace, on the other hand, seemed to have no such concerns. In fact, in order to prolong the amount of Qi they absorbed, they continuously weakened the absorption power from far to near, making it more secretive and avoiding being discovered by ordinary people.

Even if a city were to suddenly perish, mountains to collapse, rivers to dry up, and the five elements to break down, even if it were thousands of miles away, the Nine Departments might not be able to trace it back to them.

"boom!!!"

Jiang Mo stepped out without any attempt to conceal himself. His figure suddenly vanished, and when he reappeared, he was already in front of the floating mountain ridge vortex. The blazing silver barrier and the blood-red barrier rose from the ground, completely cutting off the path behind him.

"Enemy attack!! Those bastards have come out!!"

“Wuwuwu!!”

A loud and urgent alarm sounded, and the personnel from the nine surrounding units ordered an attack, preparing to suppress the enemy with firepower.

The clamor behind him grew fainter and fainter as Jiang Mo walked forward alone, showing no fear.

Ancient Dao True Fire descended from his right hand, visibly forming a massive battle axe nearly ten feet long. The axe blade was thick and long, wreathed in the sharpness of the flames, radiating a power capable of overturning mountains and seas.

With a "pop!", as Jiang Mo took a step, his figure passed through the vortex, time and space were reversed, everything changed, and the dark snow mountain was replaced by the clear sky of the secret realm in the blink of an eye.

"?"

Jiang Mo discovered that he was falling rapidly tens of thousands of meters above the secret realm. He used his Qi to ride the wind, stabilized himself, and began to look down at the vast secret realm. The mountains and rivers were beautiful, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the warm sun was shining.