Today, the Misty Cloud Sect was draped entirely in white. Pale decorations cloaked the mountain in mourning.
The funeral of the former Sect Leader, Yun Shan, was a momentous event for the entire Misty Cloud Sect.
After years in seclusion, Yun Shan had finally broken through the barrier of Dou Emperor to reach the Dou Ancestor realm, just as he was preparing to lead the Misty Cloud Sect to a resurgence. Yet he had died unexpectedly. This tragedy struck the sect harder than anything in recent memory.
Yun Shan had dedicated his entire life to the Misty Cloud Sect. Though his death was sudden, his efforts had transformed the sect into the most powerful force in the Jia Ma Empire, even capable of standing against the imperial family. His contributions were immense.
A slow breeze stirred the white veils, and the wind echoed mournfully through the peaks. The sound blended with the cries of grief that rang across the mountain.
From the summit of Misty Cloud Peak to its valley, the sect was immersed in stillness. Every disciple and elder bore expressions of solemn grief.
The vast plaza had been draped with white fabric symbolizing pure mourning. The disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect, all dressed in white mourning robes, watched the center of the plaza with sorrow.
At the center of the solemn Tenfold Altar lay a coffin crafted from spiritual wood. Yun Shan's visage within was peaceful, as if he had not departed, still overseeing the land he had raised.
Surrounding the central coffin were twelve more, belonging to the elders who had perished in the same tragedy.
A mournful melody rang into the sky.
The sect disciples stood silently with white lotuses in their hands, eyes fixed on the altar. On the other side of the plaza, powerhouses from all major forces of the Jia Ma Empire had come to pay their respects.
"Yun Shan is dead, and twelve elders perished with him. The Misty Cloud Sect has lost nearly seventy percent of its strength. Aside from Yun Yun, they only have a few left."
"So many elders and even a Dou Ancestor dying at once… it must've been an ambush or a targeted strike by a powerful enemy."
"Highly likely."
"Either way, from today onward, the Misty Cloud Sect will fall from its pedestal."
"Don't forget, they still have Yun Yun at peak Dou Emperor. And… has everyone forgotten about Gu He?"
At the mention of Gu He, several people winced.
Everyone in the empire knew Gu He was hopelessly infatuated with Yun Yun. Now that the Misty Cloud Sect was severely weakened, if Yun Yun accepted his pursuit, Gu He would certainly join them.
A sixth-tier alchemist joining their ranks, combined with Yun Yun at peak Dou Emperor, would mean their foundations hadn't weakened as much as people assumed.
All eyes turned toward the high platform at the center of the plaza where all the sect's core members had gathered—and Gu He stood among them.
But what was most notable was that Yun Yun, the current Sect Leader, had yet to appear. This caused a stir.
Yun Yun wasn't just the Sect Leader; she was Yun Shan's direct disciple. Her absence from his funeral was an extreme breach of propriety. But everyone knew Yun Yun's character—this wasn't like her at all.
Could she have been delayed by something important?
With the host absent, the guests could only wait silently while the mourning melodies played on.
As the sun climbed to its peak, whispers began to rise.
"What is Yun Yun doing? Her teacher's funeral is underway and she hasn't shown. If this drags on too long, things could get messy."
"I don't know… wait!"
Someone suddenly sensed something and looked toward the main hall.
Hai Bodong's eyes widened with disbelief. Elder Xing, representing the imperial family, grew visibly grim. The leaders and representatives of the major clans all had shocked and incredulous expressions.
"This can't be…"
As Hai Bodong's voice echoed in disbelief, a vast, overwhelming aura surged from within the Misty Cloud Sect's main hall. It was like a dragon awakening from the ancient past, bringing with it a might that could not be resisted.
As this pressure radiated out, all eyes turned toward the hall—some stunned, others ecstatic.
The majestic force engulfed the entire mountain.
A powerful and yet unfamiliar aura expanded from the main hall and swept across the plaza.
Instantly, every Misty Cloud Sect disciple knelt under the weight of the aura. Even the elders, though they didn't kneel, bowed respectfully.
"This aura…"
Nalan Yanran's eyes locked on the hall, her delicate face full of shock. "Master… has broken through to Dou Ancestor?!"
"Impossible! Yun Yun can't have broken through! That's not possible!" Hai Bodong's face twisted in disbelief.
"That aura… it's Yun Yun?!"
Elder Xing was aghast. So were the other clan leaders: Mitteltengshan, Nalan Jie—all wore identical expressions of shock.
Hai Bodong nodded grimly. "Judging by the pressure, Yun Yun has indeed broken through to the Dou Ancestor level."
"Dou Ancestor…"
The clan leaders exchanged looks, each one stunned.
Just three days ago, Yun Yun was only at the peak of Dou Emperor. Now she had actually crossed the threshold? This was too ridiculous. First Yun Shan broke through, and now, right after his death, Yun Yun also broke through. Was fate truly favoring the Misty Cloud Sect?
Most of them hadn't come to mourn Yun Shan. They wanted to gauge the sect's strength—whether they still had a foundation, or just Yun Yun and possibly Gu He.
Now it was confirmed. They had only Yun Yun… but she was a Dou Ancestor!
As everyone reeled from the shock, a woman in white slowly stepped out of the hall. With each graceful step in the air, she left ripples in the void.
In moments, she appeared atop the central platform. Her gaze swept across the crowd before settling on Yun Shan's coffin.
"Sect Leader… you've broken through?!"
Great Elder Yun Ling, one of the survivors, asked excitedly.
"A lucky breakthrough, not worth mentioning," Yun Yun replied softly. "Luckily, I made it in time for my teacher's burial."
She nodded briefly to Nalan Yanran and completely ignored Gu He, then stepped forward to perform the burial rites.
When the incense burned out, she clasped her hands into seals and gave a gentle shout.
"Gate of Life and Death—open!"
A small rift split open in the ground. It wasn't large, but it swallowed all the coffins, then quietly sealed itself shut.
"That's the Gate of Life and Death—the burial ground for Misty Cloud Sect leaders?"
"I've only heard rumors. Never thought I'd witness it myself."
"Still, how did Yun Yun manage to break through in just three days?!"
Although the gate drew attention, everyone was far more focused on Yun Yun.
A sect without a Dou Ancestor was strong. With one, it was dominant.
The ceremony ended without incident. Yun Yun stood before the crowd and spoke calmly, her voice echoing across the mountain.
"My teacher gave his life for this sect. Because of him, we are here. His dream was to lead us to true glory. But before he could realize that dream, he perished."
She inhaled deeply. "The nation is at war, enemies surround us. I should not say this now—but the Jia Ma Empire is corrupt and incompetent…"
"What?!"
"Wait, what is she doing?"
Shock swept through the crowd. Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, Nalan Jie, Elder Xing—all stared in disbelief.
They couldn't believe these words were coming from Yun Yun's mouth.
She was always gentle, soft-hearted, uninterested in power or killing. Even the major clans had always preferred her over the ambitious Yun Shan.
But now…
While they were stunned and alarmed, Misty Cloud Sect disciples felt a rush of excitement.
They had always believed themselves superior, but were shackled by ancestral rules that forbade political involvement.
Now…
Elders like Yun Ling were trembling with exhilaration. The dawn of the sect's rise had finally come.
'It's because of Sect Leader…' Nalan Yanran bit her lip, staring at Yun Yun.
She knew—if not for Lin Ran, Yun Yun would never say such things. He had changed her.
What this meant, only time would tell. But the Misty Cloud Sect was undeniably on the rise.
"From this day forward, all elders and enforcers will march to the front lines to repel the invasion. Disciples who have been with the sect for three years or more shall follow to support supply chains and reinforcements."
"From this day forward, all entrance restrictions are lifted. Any youth who desires to cultivate may come to the summit of Misty Cloud Mountain to join us."
"From this day forward, our Misty Cloud Sect…"
Her cold voice rang across the mountain, her decrees shocking everyone present.
What was her goal?
Was she trying to sacrifice the sect's interests for the empire?
With anyone else, maybe not. But with someone as kind as Yun Yun—it was possible.
"I grew up on this land. I cannot ignore its suffering. But I refuse to be a weapon for war. Our sect fights not for empires, but for the people of this soil."
"And so, I make this decision."
"From this day forward, the Misty Cloud Sect officially secedes from the Jia Ma Empire!"
The words were like thunderclaps.
Gasps erupted, especially from Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, Nalan Jie, and Elder Xing.
But the Misty Cloud Sect disciples were elated. They could hardly contain their joy.
"Yun Yun! Do you really intend to sever ties with the empire?!"
Elder Xing clenched his fists. The Misty Cloud Sect stood just opposite the imperial capital—mere miles apart. If they left the empire, what would happen?
Darkness. Chaos. A future none dared imagine.
"You cannot protect your own land or your people. Why should the Misty Cloud Sect bow to you?"
Yun Yun stepped forward, appearing directly in front of them.
The pressure of a Dou Ancestor suffocated the crowd.
"I don't care why any of you came here today. Whether it was to mourn my teacher or something else, it matters little."
"Tomorrow, I will go to the Tager Desert to settle things with Queen Medusa. If by then, this land still isn't safe or peaceful…"
"Then secession will be the least of your problems."
"Yun Ling, see the guests out."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
…
From behind the ceremony, Lin Ran smiled as he watched Yun Yun shine atop the mountain.
To mold the gentle Yun Yun into this version of herself… this was intoxicating.
"You want the Misty Cloud Sect to replace the imperial family? To take the empire?" came a hoarse voice.
A translucent white figure floated behind Lin Ran—none other than Yao Chen.
"I thought you weren't interested in power. And yet…"
"I'm still not. Royal authority means little in the grand scheme," Lin Ran said as he sipped tea. "But having a strong force like this under my command will be useful later."
"You're already a Dou Venerate. What use is this backwater empire to you?"
"Then tell me—what is useful to me? The ancient clan I can't return to? The sects of old friends? Or your old flames in the Flower Sect and Pill Tower?"
Yao Chen flinched. Even his spectral form trembled slightly.
"Yao Chen… sometimes we need to leave ourselves a way out. Not just for ourselves, but for those around us."
"You've lived so long. Don't you get it by now?"
"What good is understanding…" Yao Chen slumped. "If you're keeping me alive just to humiliate me, you might as well kill me or hand me over to the Hall of Souls."
"You, Yao Zun-zhe? Such a waste. And as for giving you to the Hall of Souls—why would I give away such a fine treasure?"
Lin Ran toyed with his teacup, grinning.
"Your prized disciple is already working under my sect. Why not join her?"
"W-what?" Yao Chen stared at him, stunned.
"Yao Chen, I want you to be the Pill Hall Master of my sect."
(End of Chapter)
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