Watching Yao Chen's dazed expression as he absorbed the influx of information, Lin Ran smiled faintly.
The six Halls of the Sacred Sect… and Yao Chen's title: Pill Hall Master.
It was official.
Despite his weakened state, Yao Chen's soul remained formidable. He quickly digested all the contents stored in the golden token, gaining a clear understanding of the Sacred Rain Sect—and of his own position within it.
"To think I would one day end up serving under someone else." Yao Chen sighed with mixed emotions. "This title of Pill Hall Master… it's not just for show, is it?"
"Not at all," Lin Ran said with a peculiar grin. "Though the Sacred Sect is newly established, the Pill Hall is already fully operational. In fact, it's the only Hall currently established with a sizable number of members. Its headquarters is located in Feng City, within the Black-Corner Region—your precious disciple's city. And currently, he's the acting leader of the Hall."
"A hundred alchemists already… wait, Feng City?!"
Yao Chen's face froze.
"That's right. The very same city founded by your beloved disciple. What's more, he's been temporarily running the Pill Hall. I'm quite looking forward to the scene when you two finally meet again…"
Lin Ran gave a mischievous smile. "Now, get used to your position and go ahead and absorb that Soul-Nourishing Nectar. Stabilize your soul first… honestly, I need that stuff too."
Glancing at the plaza below, Lin Ran rose and was soon swallowed by a ripple of twisted space.
Yao Chen twitched slightly.
With a sect master so full of mischief, what else could he do but sigh?
Still, since he had joined Lin Ran's ranks, it was time to settle things with that traitor, Han Feng.
Meanwhile, Yun Shan's funeral had reached its end. After Yun Yun firmly declared the Misty Cloud Sect's new stance, the many powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire departed in grim silence.
The disciples of Misty Cloud Sect continued to mourn the passing of their old Sect Master, while the elders looked on with emotion and admiration at Yun Yun's figure.
"Sect Master has truly made a righteous choice. Though our ancestral code forbids involvement in secular power, with the Empire in such chaos, doing nothing would only lead to suffering and disaster!"
"Indeed. Her decision is for the people, and for the future of both the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Empire!"
"Sect Master is wise!"
The elders were moved. Though Misty Cloud Sect traditionally avoided politics, that limitation had left them weak in influence despite their strength.
Yun Yun's move was bold, breaking that tradition—and opening a new path for the sect's future.
"Teacher…"
Nalan Yanran approached the platform, voice soft.
"You're sure about this? Every trial within the Gate of Life and Death is different. I can't help you in there," Yun Yun warned gently. "Without the strength of a Dou Spirit, your survival rate is very low."
"I understand," Nalan Yanran said firmly. "But I can't stay like this. I need pressure. I need something to push me forward."
"…Very well," Yun Yun sighed. "Follow me to the back mountain."
"Yes, Teacher!"
"Yun Yun—" Grandmaster Gu He called from the side, stepping forward anxiously.
Yun Yun paused and turned slightly, her cold profile visible.
"Master Gu He, do you need something?"
Seeing her calm face, Gu He clenched his fists, but could only smile awkwardly. "No, it's nothing. Just… I hope you're not too saddened by the old Sect Master's passing."
"Thank you for your concern, but I have matters to attend to. Please excuse me."
With that, Yun Yun turned and flew away with Nalan Yanran, leaving a dumbfounded Gu He behind.
"Master Gu He," Elder Yun Leng hurried over. "Today is a heavy day for the sect. Please don't take her words to heart."
As the Grand Elder, Yun Leng had high hopes for a match between Gu He and Yun Yun. She was a rare talent, and now a Dou Ancestor; few in the empire could match her—perhaps only someone like Gu He, a top alchemist.
Such a union would be ideal… but alas, only one side had feelings.
If Yun Yun weren't the Sect Master and a Dou Ancestor, Yun Leng might've scolded her for being too picky.
"Thank you, Elder Yun Leng."
Gu He sighed and walked away, figure dim.
He wasn't blind. Ever since Yun Yun returned from the Magic Beast Mountain Range, she had become increasingly distant. The gap between them had grown into a chasm—one he couldn't cross.
"Why…?"
Gu He muttered, dejected, as he left the sect grounds.
Watching him leave, Yun Leng cursed him inwardly as a blockhead who only knew alchemy—but didn't bother pursuing the matter further.
Now that Yun Yun had broken through to Dou Ancestor, even a Tier Six alchemist like Gu He had fallen behind. To match her now… only someone stronger would do.
Suddenly, the image of Lin Ran flying through the air a few days ago flashed in Yun Leng's mind.
'If only the Sect Master could pair with a powerhouse like that… now that would be a match made in heaven!'
…
Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran soon arrived at the back mountain of the Misty Cloud Sect.
This place was unique—aside from a small palace, it had nothing else.
That palace was a forbidden area, where generations of Sect Masters had secluded themselves.
But more importantly… it was the gateway to the sect's greatest secret and treasure:
The Gate of Life and Death.
This place housed the final resting sites of every Sect Master who passed. It held not only their inheritances, but also countless cultivation methods, Dou Techniques, weapons, pills—even Dou Qi-infused opportunities.
The weakest inheritances started at Dou Emperor level. There were also those like Yun Shan's, at Dou Ancestor level—and possibly higher.
Every Sect Master had entered. Or rather, only those recognized by the gate could become Sect Master at all.
The two women stepped into the palace. Lin Ran was already waiting.
"Sect Master… you're here?" Nalan Yanran was surprised.
"I'm just curious about the gate. Don't mind me," Lin Ran said calmly.
"Oh… okay."
She nodded cautiously. Yun Yun gave Lin Ran a meaningful look before stepping into the palace's center.
With a deep breath, she slit her palm. As crimson blood dripped, her hands formed a series of rapid seals.
Dou Qi surged, and Lin Ran immediately sensed the space within the hall shift.
Moments later, a spatial rift appeared.
This one was more stable than the tear Yun Yun had opened earlier in the plaza. Its solid spatial energy clearly defined it as a "gate".
'This density of spatial energy… this Gate of Life and Death is definitely a pocket dimension,' Lin Ran mused. 'And creating such a space requires a Dou Saint at minimum… That means Yun Potian was extremely fortunate to acquire it.'
Only Dou Saints could manipulate space to this extent. Though Yun Potian, founder of Misty Cloud Sect, was powerful, he was only a Dou Venerate. He couldn't have created this on his own.
It must've been the creation of a Dou Saint—one that Yun Potian stumbled upon. Likely the reason he built the sect here to begin with.
"Teacher, I'm going," Nalan Yanran said, approaching the rift.
A faint glow emanated from the rift, scanning her body.
Moments later, the gate emitted a suction force and swallowed her.
'Interesting…'
Lin Ran squinted. He sensed a strange power in the light—some sort of judgment mechanism. Once it accepted someone, it actively brought them inside.
Thankfully, the force wasn't very strong—not even at Dou Venerate level. This meant the space was weakening over time.
But that suited Lin Ran just fine.
If it were still at peak strength, breaking in might trigger a collapse.
Now, with its weakened state, he could interfere without much trouble.
"Spirit!"
As Nalan Yanran vanished, Lin Ran's eyes gleamed. A vast soul force surged from his body and pierced into the twisting rift.
In the next moment, his vision shifted.
He found himself in a dark, barren realm—more like a graveyard. Coffins stretched as far as the eye could see, above which floated a pale green stone sword.
Below the sword lay a formation surrounded by bones. Nalan Yanran stood inside, eyes blank, dazed.
'An illusion?'
Lin Ran understood immediately.
No wonder Yun Yun had said the trials varied. They were illusion-based challenges tailored to each entrant.
'This formation gathers Dou Qi… ah, so that's how it works. The Gate of Life and Death tests the heart through illusions. Those who pass are deemed strong enough to inherit power, no matter how sudden.'
'Then, based on their traits, they're granted appropriate techniques, weapons, or items.'
'Using the strength of ancestors to nurture the future. What a remarkable system.'
Lin Ran was impressed.
No wonder Yun Potian treated this as the sect's treasure. The pocket space was made exactly for this.
'If Yanran passes, she'll receive a fitting inheritance.'
'That can be arranged.'
His spirit's gaze sharpened. Just as he prepared to act, a white light burst from the sword and shot toward him.
Lin Ran's brows furrowed. With a cold snort, his soul force thundered out like a storm.
Sensing his power, the light froze mid-air. A few breaths later, it morphed into a translucent figure—a vague old man.
"You're not of the Misty Cloud Sect. Why have you entered the Gate?" the ghostly elder asked, then glanced at Nalan Yanran. "Is she… yours?"
"She is," Lin Ran replied, eyes narrowed. "Judging by your soul strength… are you Yun Potian?"
According to records, Yun Yun was the ninth Sect Master. Of the previous eight, only Yun Potian had undocumented strength.
The rest were mostly Dou Ancestors—some even mere Dou Emperors. Only Yun Shan had barely broken through thanks to the Hall of Souls.
Given that Misty Cloud Sect practiced wind-based Dou Qi, they rarely cultivated soul power.
Yet this spirit's soul force matched Lin Ran's own. Only Yun Potian could be this strong.
The old man's eyes glinted with pride. "I am Yun Potian. Some also called me Yun Zunzhe."
So he was a Dou Venerate at least—perhaps more.
It made sense. To build a sect known even to the ancient clans, Yun Potian had to be powerful. Misty Cloud Sect might have once rivaled the Four Pavilions.
Still… how was his soul so strong?
Lin Ran's gaze sharpened.
"This gate is a clever concept, but without a Dou Venerate to maintain it, this space is crumbling."
The sect's disciples mostly bore the Yun name, but the system was sect-based, not family-based. Many were orphans or renamed recruits—talent was inconsistent. Over generations, the strength gap widened.
If it had been a family-based system, perhaps Yun Potian's descendants would have inherited his strength, preserving the space.
But Lin Ran had already seen the truth.
Yun Potian's face darkened briefly but calmed. "Their aptitude is beyond my control. I am but a fragment of soul. If this place must fade… then so be it."
"Oh?" Lin Ran looked intrigued. "A fine sentiment. Let the future take care of itself… Yet why build this gate at all, if you're so detached?"
"And then wait here for centuries? Even as the space decays? That's not detachment. That's obsession."
"Tell me then—what's hidden in that sword?"
Yun Potian's face turned cold, but he forced a smile. "You jest. That sword only channels Dou Qi. Nothing is hidden."
"Oh really?"
Lin Ran smiled, then unleashed a soul shock.
BANG!
Yun Potian's illusion rippled, but wasn't destroyed. His voice turned icy.
"Foolish brat. Do you think this is the outside world?!"
With a flick of his sleeve, the sword in the air condensed wind into a deadly blade that sliced toward Lin Ran.
Lin Ran smirked. His body shimmered with golden light and vanished, dodging the strike. He reappeared beside Nalan Yanran, grabbing her shoulder.
His soul force surged, snapping her from the illusion.
"Zong… Sect Master? What are you doing here…?"
"No time. We're leaving."
He wrapped an arm around her waist and disappeared in golden light.
"You think you can leave?" Yun Potian sneered. With a grasp, countless wind blades shot from the sword, weaving a net to trap them.
But a shining golden palm slammed through it.
BOOM!!
Under the surging Dou Qi, Lin Ran and Nalan Yanran's figures emerged from the void—expression grave.
(End of Chapter)
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