Chapter 659: [Return to the Divine Martial Continent]

In the Cultivation World, there were many treasures that can help cultivators breakthrough to every realm. However, only so many treasures can do so without leaving a hint of damage to the cultivator’s body. The Perfect Realm Dan was one of them. However, it only belonged to the legends now, as there hasn’t been one found in over a thousand years.

It was a Dan that can be used on all realms below Saint Realm, to breakthrough level smoothly and without any repercussions or problems. However, it was already lost a long time ago. Its recipe had been forgotten, or perhaps had not been passed down, after the Lost Century: The War of the Gods in ancient times. Hence, it had become nothing but a Legend in the current era.

But now… there suddenly was an object that could help them break through levels without any side effects. How could the cultivators not get overly excited? It can even affect Saint Realm experts—this is truly a Heaven-Defying treasure!

Even for Heaven’s Favorites, it takes them a few months to break through every level without external help. Sometimes, it would even take a year. And the higher the realm they wanted to break through, the longer and harder it would take. Some even needed hundreds, or even thousand of years to do it. But now, if a sip of this wine could get them there, it would save them several dozen years of effort and time!

Don’t underestimate the several years they would save. Though in the later stages of cultivation, time means nothing. In the beginning stage, it could create large distances between members of the same generation. This distance determines who the Heaven’s Favorite becomes and who is capable enough to establish a sturdy foundation for the future!

It’s not about what they would become in the future but what happens in the current time is what it matters—especially in these competitive proud geniuses!

"Master said that he might not return together with us and stay here for quite a while. Therefore, he told me to give this to you. One for each of you. When you’re almost about to break through, drink it. With it, they will propel you through safely to breakthrough." Si Mulan smiled and placed each bottle in the hands of her companions. One for Lan Ling ‘er, one for Bu Fanyi and lastly… Si Mulan also gave one to Qin Han.

This was actually her own request to Allen. Since Qin Han was still her cousin and also he had treated her quite fairly, she also asked on his behalf. To this, Qin Han felt ecstatic and his expression beamed. He turned towards Si Mulan with a face full of deep gratitude. He held the small vase with only 8-10 centimeters in height, with a delicate touch as if holding a monumental treasure. Pausing a moment, Qin Han said, "Cousin, my biggest reward in this Trial was meeting you.”

He muttered solemnly. After all, he wasn’t an idiot. He knows that Allen would never give him a share of it as he was a nobody for him. But since he actually has one, it was without a doubt, Si Mulan’s credit. She should have asked for it on his behalf and this caused his heart to be moved. “… Not only did you save us and supported us to increase our strength, but you also gave me this precious treasure. In the future, when you need me for anything, if I show even the slightest hint of hesitation, I vow to be bombarded by the divine thunder over the sky for ten thousand years." he said with a serious face.

These words stunned Bu Fanyi and Lan Ling ‘er. Even Si Mulan was briefly taken aback by such a dark vow. This was an Unbreakable Vow. A very, very, very serious oath. Any breach to an Unbreakable Vow will indeed force the heavens to open up and strike down with bolts of lightning. This was not a mere rumor but the law of the heavens!

Gods inhabiting the God Continent didn’t have this kind of oath but Cultivators have…after all, their way is defying the heavens. It’s something the world itself was not fond of. The law of the world has some restrictions on them. And this oath is one of them—any oath breaker would be punished severely!

Heavenly Tribulation was related to talent, and could be said to be proportional to one's talent. For ordinary talents, they would only be able to undergo ordinary heavenly tribulation. Those with better talent might be able to attract baleful wind and thunder. That would be the worst, and extremely dangerous.

To be able to attract tribulation lightning, it was clear that this person was a genius. And undergoing this tribulation, there would be even chances of it failing, meaning he would be turned to dust and die. And to think Qin Han swear this kind of oath. If ever, in the worst case scenario of him breaking it, he would surely die without a doubt!

"Brother Han, you…" Si Mulan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This declaration of loyalty made her feel half humble, half proud. She had just done this because of their relationship as well as repaying his kindness he had given to her up until now. Especially within the despair Grieving Mountain, he still protected her despite the objections of his teammates. This is also the reason why Allen had agreed to give him one as well.

There’s nothing like debt between them now. It can even be said that they were even…

But—

"Cousin, say no more. I, Qin Han, speak the truth. Every word is a declaration of my gratitude. Even if I didn’t make such a binding vow, I would still display the same level of commitment to you," Qin Han continued with conviction.

Si Mulan could only smile wryly as she nodded, overwhelmed by an air of warmth. She sighed. "If you insist. I accept."

Qin Han smiled brightly as he put away the [Drunken God Wine]. On the other hand, the two other girls; Lan Ling ‘er and Bu Fanyi didn’t do as much ritual as him as they are both members of DAWN. They know that, even if they didn’t want it, it would still be given to them. As the code of the DAWN was family—what others have will be shared—pain, happiness, and glory. There’s no need saying thanks—

Shua! Shua! Shua! As they talk, the members of the group started vanishing in thin air.

"The aroma of this wine is truly fragrant. As expected of the young lord’s creation," Bu Fanyi sniffed the wine as she indulged herself in the wonderful smell. She then moved the wine into her storage pouch. “However, you said that he wouldn’t return with us and stay here…but why? And didn’t the young lord also possess a ‘Command Return Token’?”

“It seems like he still has something to do here so he wanted to stay here for quite a while. As for the ‘Command Return Token’ Master doesn’t seem to need it as he could leave this place whenever he wanted…”

“Well, I guess I should say as expected of that guy…” Lan Ling ‘er sigh in astonishment. One must know, just to open this Trial Ground, it was done by dozen Elders from all the Sect to open it. And now, Allen claimed that he could leave this world whenever he wanted? Isn’t that like saying, he could enter this place without any problem as well…?

If someone learned of this, they would surely be shock to their death. Perhaps, would even feel greed, even if it means angering the heavens. The treasures found in this world is just that alluring.

Not only her, even Bu Fanyi realized this point as they glanced at each other. Even Qin Han’s expression can’t help but somewhat moved. However, not one of them doubted it. After all, this was ‘him’ they are talking about. Besides, the world that they had spent several days within, no it should be, several months, was extremely miraculous and unbelievable. It was like this world, had become their own training ground. And if that happens… wouldn’t this treasure land be a good training ground solely for the DAWN members…?

As they were talking leisurely, suddenly at this moment, Si Mulan, Qin Han, and the other’s also started to glow brightly. Seeing this, they shrug as their parting was drawing near.

"Thank you for everything, big sisters" Qin Han smiled. Shifting his gaze towards Bu Fanyi and Lan Ling ‘er and then lastly towards Si Mulan, he continued, "We part here today. But we shall meet again."

"Brother Han, take care." Bu Fanyi and her companions including Lan Ling ‘er cupped their fists and bowed.

“Cousin, be careful~ and let’s meet again in the family gathering,” Si Mulan smiled sweetly.

"...I'll be waiting," Qin Han nodded.

"The Despair Grieving Mountain is closing." Si Mulan smiled. Her face not at all sad about this. She acquired enough fortune this time. The addition of everyone else’s finds together may not be as much as theirs. Therefore, she didn’t resist and embraced the ray of light.

Bu Fanyi and the others as well, did the same. They chose not to escape from the light. One was because they couldn’t resist the [Command Return Token] anyways. Second, was because they had enough profit this time. There was no more need to stay here. Whooosh! Spinning, Si Mulan and them frowned as they felt dizzy. Then, under the pull of the dazzling light, they slowly disappeared and left Despair Grieving Mountain.

In the next instant, after a period of intensifying rumble, a powerful magnetic force penetrated the world and they turned into lights, slowly disappearing.

The Despair Grieving Mountain sealed off. And the curtain on this story arc was drawn to a close.

… …

Divine Martial Continent…

Today, the eyes of the entire Divine Martial Continent were focused here because it was time for their disciples to return.

‘Command Return Token’s purpose is not only to be used to transfer the disciples out of the Despair Grieving Mountain but also to monitor each and every one of the disciples' lives. When the disciple died within the Despair Grieving Mountain, the corresponding ‘Command Token’ on their hands would be broken and crumbling. In short, it ties on the lives of the disciples holding them. In this way, they were able to monitor what was happening to their beloved disciples that they have sent in the Despair Grieving Mountain—and just like one expected, the result was a heartbreaker—

The Despair Grieving Mountain only happened once every five to six years, but this one garnered this much attention and it was nothing else but because of the tragedy that took place inside the Trial Ground. Out of those hundreds and thousands of young talented elite cultivators, only a few survived, causing many Sect to almost become crazy and insane—after all, most of the disciples they sent were pillars of their respective Sect and has not-so-insignificant status.

And so, all the Sect and Factions that participated in the Trial Ground; Despair Grieving Mountain were curious about who survived and what they encountered inside it. Especially, just what kind of treasures have they encountered and found. However, the only consolation for these grieving Sect was that the one who had managed to survived this time will surely be elites among all elites—those standing in the summit of the younger generation…!

After all, evenfools knew that the disciples that managed to survive in such a grim situation could only be the first-rate talents in the entire Divine Martial Continent who needed to be treated seriously. These young people will most likely be the future pillars of their respective Sect.

The Despair Grieving Mountain Trial was finally over. There had never been a Trial that had attracted the attention of many elders as this one. It wasn’t only the Passing Cloud Sect’s elders, but also other Sect across the whole Divine Martial Continent. Numerous pairs of eyes were fixed on the returning disciples now.

They couldn’t believe that many disciples had just died in a blink of an eye. They had even raised a quota for the people to enter to increase the chance of survival this time. But for some reason, it backfired. Many promising young generations still had lost their lives—

As for the Passing Cloud Sect, excluding the abnormal ‘youth’ out of ten people they sent, only six remained, including the Holy Son and Saintess of the Sect—making their losses one of the fewest among the Sect and Faction that had entered. When they learned about the other Sect’ news, they were jubilant and excited. Although they had lost four people, it was fine—at the very least, it seems like the young lord they trusted didn’t let them down…!

For there to be six out of ten people is already a miracle!

“However, for there to be this terrible loss…something must have gone terribly wrong with the Despair Grieving Mountain Trial this time. It has to be it!”

Countless elders were eagerly waiting for the returning disciples outside the Passing Cloud Labyrinth where the teleportation arrays were located to clear their doubts.

Shua! Shua! Shua! Shua! Teleport beams began to appear one after another on the teleportation array. Occasionally, one or two geniuses would be sent out. And then, one by one, the bright golden light slowly subsided, revealing the disciples standing on the teleportation array. Every disciple who appeared there was extremely lucky that they survived.

Leaving the Despair Grieving Mountain alive was equal to being promoted to the Core Disciples List. So, every one of these youths who walked out of the formation, either male or female, whose clothes had become ragged and had a terrifying bloody faces, had succeeded in becoming a Core Disciple.

“Eh?” To their surprise, they found hundreds of elders, namely Ancestor and Spirit Realm elders, waiting bitterly in front of them. There was even the newly promoted Saint Realm Sect Master there standing patiently. Facing this huge group of masters that emitted massive and astounding auras made the disciples who came out of the Trial somewhat nervous.

What happened? Why is every one of you gathered here?!

When the geniuses came out, all the Elders would question them about things that had happened within the Despair Grieving Mountain. However, one must know aside from one person, all of the geniuses that had managed to come and return were those who had managed to meet up with Allen and was ensured on their safety. And so, aside from any important information about the DAWN organization, in which they had already ordered to keep a secret, something they didn’t dare to violate, they answered everything they can.

However, even still, the moment they heard about what had happened on the Despair Grieving Mountain, all of the Elders felt a shiver and couldn’t help but shed cold sweat. The weakest monsters were Emperor Realm and the likes…and even these monsters are even more ferocious than normal demonic creatures! What kind of hell is that supposed to be?!

Although the mountains were filled with precious ores and herbs, treasures and the likes, encountering monsters mean death!

Is this true?

How is this even possible…?! According to all the trials up until now, monsters in that place is not that powerful! They were doubtful and so asked all the other disciples but the answer they got was still the same. Therefore, they didn’t have any choice but to agree that it was really the truth! If not for the young lord who had taken all of them into his care, all of them would have surely died—they tried asking where he was but none of them had seen Allen again after sending them out to explore on their own.

When they heard they cannot help but feel gratified. However, this is this and that is that—when they spread out their Spiritual Senses, they were once again in complete shock!

The weakest of the members of the group was actually—an Intermediate Stage Ancestor Realm…!

How is this possible?! They remembered that the disciples they had sent in the Trial were only around Emperor Realm. Aside from Bu Fanyi and Ximen Wu who were elites among elites, they are still behind by a lot. But the aura and presence of each one of them seemed to have undergone a complete change!

This was a pleasant surprise even for them!

Each and one of them can be considered an abnormal genius that all the Sect would be dying to have!

“As expected...Just as the waves of the Yangtze River behind drive on those ahead, so does each new generation replace the old one. Congratulations on all of you!” The Sect Master, Venerable Passing muttered, excited and full of happiness.

This moment can be considered the Golden Era of the Sect!

One that had not occured in the past, or will again appear in the future!

“Thank you for your praise, Sect Master!”

The disciples eagerly responded, full of pride and delight.

“Ah, right…as for the treasures you managed to find, you will be given corresponding contribution points if ever you decided to donate on the Sect. I hope you wouldn’t care about giving at least 30% of the treasures you have found within the Despair Grieving Mountain.” Venerable Passing muttered amiably.

“Not at all, Sect Master!”

As Venerable Passing was greeting the returners, a grey-clothed youth with a deathly pale face walked out of the formation caught his eyes. Venerable Passing’s eyes widened in shock and he hurriedly went over to greet him. After all, this youth was none other than the Holy Son of the Sect and was also the next Sect Master; Ximen Wu.

… …