20demayo Chapter 125 The Appearance of a Demonic Artifact
Chapter 125 The Appearance of a Demonic Artifact
Chapter 126 The Appearance of a Demonic Artifact
"Master, of the Sunset Palace in the Hidden Moon Sect, why have you emerged from seclusion? Have you already recovered?"
Upon entering the Sunset Palace, seeing her master's restored complexion and gentle smile, Nangong Wan smiled sweetly and inquired.
"Wan'er, I have come out of seclusion this time only to tell you something."
Seeing this, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect shook his head slightly, his voice soft and weak, making people feel extremely weak.
When these words reached Nangong Wan's ears, the smile on her face vanished, and her heart sank. She quickly stepped forward to her side and whispered softly.
"Master, please speak, Wan'er is listening?"
"Yes! I was besieged by many powerful enemies, which severely damaged my vitality and shortened my lifespan. It is almost impossible for me to recover now. And you have not yet formed your Nascent Soul. Therefore, I have no choice but to pass on the position of Grand Elder to your uncle. I hope you can forgive your master."
The bright eyes of the Hidden Moon Sect member revealed a mixture of guilt and affection, and she spoke softly with apology.
She had originally intended to pass it on to Nangong Wan, but now she couldn't.
"Master is joking. Wan'er is only at the Core Formation stage now. Even if she condenses her Nascent Soul, she will only be at the early Nascent Soul stage and will not be able to compete with Senior Sister at all. Moreover, it is indeed necessary for Martial Uncle to take charge of the overall situation now. How could Wan'er blame Master?"
After listening to the words of the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect, Nangong Wan shook her head slightly, forced a smile, her eyes misty and rising, tears welling up but held back in her bright eyes without falling, truly a tearful sight that evoked pity!
She didn't care about the position of Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect; what she cared about was her master.
These words were clearly her last words; how could she not be heartbroken?
"Silly girl, even a Nascent Soul cultivator only has a lifespan of a thousand years. They will all pass away eventually. It's just a matter of time. You don't need to be too sad and let it affect your mental cultivation. It won't do you any good."
The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect offered gentle words of comfort.
"Disciple understands."
Nangong Wan's last glimmer of hope vanished.
In a way, becoming a cultivator is a tragedy.
Although he possesses unparalleled supernatural powers and magic that ordinary mortals dream of, he also has an extremely long lifespan.
However, if one cannot break through the realm before their lifespan ends, they cannot extend their lifespan in pursuit of that almost impossible hope of immortality.
If someone is born with immense perseverance, it's easier for them; they won't find cultivation particularly tedious, boring, or painful.
However, for most cultivators with mediocre talent, this truly puts them in a dilemma.
If I continue cultivating, the path to immortality is extremely distant and uncertain. I really don't want to spend my life in such a boring meditation and seclusion. If I don't cultivate, it's equivalent to giving up the path to immortality. After all, the temptation of lifespan increasing with each level of cultivation is something that no cultivator can resist.
As a result, cultivators in the cultivation world today are polarized.
On the one hand, those mid-to-low-level cultivators with low aptitude and cultivation level, once they have made some progress in their studies, and feel that the hope of advancing to the next level is not great, will no longer be willing to go into seclusion to cultivate. Instead, they would prefer to live a carefree life of taking concubines and making friends. Some of them simply return to the secular world, establish their own families, and become local tyrants.
For example, the Golden Light Master, or the ancestors of many immortal cultivation families.
On the other hand, those high-level cultivators, feeling that they were closer to the path of immortality, were unwilling to waste a single moment and focused all their attention on cultivation, becoming indifferent to everything else.
Although the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect is of the first type and possesses exceptional talent—otherwise he could not have become a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and the number one cultivator in the Yue Kingdom's cultivation world—he will soon turn into a pile of yellow earth and be forgotten.
Centuries later, no one will remember her.
"It's good that you understand. Your aptitude surpasses mine, so before I pass away, I intend to impart all the remaining essence and insights from my nascent soul to you. Do not refuse, for these essence and insights will dissipate into the world when I pass away."
Giving you this empowerment isn't a waste; these insights are enough to save you decades of arduous cultivation, giving you more time to condense your Nascent Soul and advance to the Nascent Soul stage.
"However, receiving the empowerment is not an easy task. It is a secret technique that you need to master first in order to refine as much of the essence power as possible from the empowerment."
The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect took out a blood-red jade slip and handed it to Nangong Wan, giving her instructions.
"This secret technique isn't difficult. With your aptitude, you should be able to master it in three to five months at most. When that time comes, just come to my cave. I will then impart this essence to you and help you one last time."
"Wan'er understands, thank you for your great kindness, Master."
Nangong Wan knelt down, her beautiful face filled with gratitude and sorrow, her eyes brimming with tears as she bowed and expressed her thanks.
"Silly girl, our relationship is like that of a mother and daughter, there's no need for such formality. Get up!"
The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect gently patted Nangong Wan's head, offering words of comfort.
"There's one more thing, about you and that fellow Daoist Panwu—"
"This person's origins are mysterious, and his strength is unknown. You should avoid having too much contact with him, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."
"Wan'er obeys. From now on, Wan'er will have absolutely no connection with this person."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan agreed without hesitation.
Before he could finish speaking, a beam of red light shot into the Sunset Palace and headed straight for Nangong Wan, who was kneeling beside the Hidden Moon Sect and had not yet risen.
Seeing this, before Nangong Wan could react, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect raised his hand and put it into his hand. It was a sound transmission talisman. Then, he used his divine sense to examine it.
"What a coincidence, that fellow Daoist Panwu has arrived. Wan'er, go and see him! Make it clear to him that you should not have any further involvement with him."
The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect handed the communication talisman to Nangong Wan and instructed, "Wan'er obeys."
Seeing this, Nangong Wan obediently agreed, but she was secretly delighted.
Because she felt that Lin Yue had truly brought a miraculous elixir or a divine medicine for prolonging life.
"What, is there something going on between you and him?"
Although Nangong Wan tried her best to hide it, a hint of joy was still revealed in her tone, which the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect could still hear. He frowned slightly and asked her.
"Wan'er once asked Fellow Daoist Panwu for help in finding elixirs of immortality, the elixirs of heaven and earth. Now that Fellow Daoist Panwu has come, he must have some news. Wan'er is naturally happy."
Nangong Wan answered truthfully, without hiding anything.
"Essential elixirs for prolonging life, rare medicinal herbs of heaven and earth, have been nowhere to be found in the entire Tiannan cultivation world for hundreds of years. However, since this fellow Daoist Panwu has come, let's meet him!"
Upon hearing Nangong Wan's answer, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect, who had originally been resigned to death, brightened up and a look of surprise appeared on his face. He then gave instructions.
"Yes, Wan'er will invite Fellow Daoist Panwu here immediately."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan breathed a sigh of relief and left Sunset Palace full of hope.
Upon seeing Lin Yue again, his gaze burning with passion and his smile beaming, Nangong Wan blushed, curtsied, and asked nervously.
"Wan'er greets Fellow Daoist Panwu. May I ask if you have brought it?"
"If I hadn't brought it, how would I have dared to come to your esteemed sect to find Wan'er?"
Seeing Nangong Wan's tense and worried expression, Lin Yue's face lit up with even more joy, and he said something that made Nangong Wan feel relieved and at ease.
"On behalf of my master, Wan'er thanks Brother Panwu. After this matter is over, Wan'er will surely repay you handsomely."
Nangong Wan, her face flushed with gratitude, bowed to Lin Yue in thanks.
Such a charming and beautiful face was truly captivating, and Lin Yue's gaze naturally became even more intense and burning, causing Nangong Wan to lower her head shyly and whisper.
"Brother Panwu, please come with me."
"Then I'll have to trouble Wan'er."
Lin Yue laughed and said.
Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan led the way, guiding Lin Yue toward the Sunset Palace.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two entered the Sunset Palace side by side, like a pair of celestial beings.
"Panwu greets the Grand Elder."
"Wan'er greets Master!"
"No need for formalities. Fellow Daoist Panwu, Wan'er told me that you were entrusted by her to help me find elixirs of immortality, the most precious medicines of heaven and earth. I am extremely grateful."
The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect rose and bowed gratefully to Lin Yue, expressing his thanks.
"Elder, you are too kind. I have a close relationship with Wan'er. Since she has asked, I will do my best. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to obtain a Longevity Nether Sun Fruit, which is enough to extend the life of a Nascent Soul cultivator by a hundred years."
Seeing this, Lin Yue chuckled and said with a hint of smugness.
"The Longevity Netherworld Fruit, I never imagined that Fellow Daoist Panwu would obtain such a precious wild spirit fruit. I am truly grateful. In the future, I will never refuse any request you may give me."
Upon hearing the words "Longevity Netherworld Fruit," the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect paused for a moment, then blushed and blurted out his promise.
Given the chance to live an extra hundred years, who would willingly choose to perish and die?
"If we propose marriage to the Grand Elder, it's not clear whether he will agree."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Lin Yue spoke directly.
Before she could finish speaking, Nangong Wan, who had been overjoyed, suddenly blushed, her face turning as red as fire, her neck even turning blood red, which showed how shy she was.
"A marriage proposal? Fellow Daoist wishes to become Wan'er's Daoist partner?"
The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect seemed to have expected this, and without surprise, he also asked the question.
"That's right, that's exactly what I meant."
Lin Yue nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan disregarded her rudeness and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "Wan'er takes her leave. I leave everything to Master's discretion." With a flicker of her body, she transformed into a streak of light and left the Sunset Palace, unwilling to linger for even a moment longer.
In such matters, even if the woman is a Core Formation cultivator, she is not much different from an ordinary woman.
After Nangong Wan left, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect also showed a look of hesitation.
After all, she didn't think Lin Yue was a good match, but the Longevity Netherworld Fruit was something she needed.
This applies to both her and the entire Yue Kingdom.
She knew the temperament of the other mid-Nascent Soul cultivator from the Hidden Moon Sect all too well.
Valuing power and interests, if the Hehuan Sect promises sufficient benefits, they might actually return to the Hehuan Sect.
"If I were to refuse and instead offer other treasures in exchange for this Longevity Netherworld Sun Fruit, would you agree?"
After a long silence, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect parted her red lips slightly, stared at Lin Yue with her bright eyes without blinking, and asked in a deep voice.
She was unwilling to trade her disciple's entire life for the Longevity Netherworld Fruit.
After all, even with the Longevity Netherworld Fruit, she could only extend her life by a hundred years at most, while Nangong Wan had the hope of forming a Nascent Soul and would inevitably become one of the pillars of the Hidden Moon Sect in the future. The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect could still distinguish between what was important and what was not.
"If that's the case, Wan'er will probably resent me for the rest of her life. Even if the Grand Elder doesn't agree, I will still give the Grand Elder the Longevity Netherworld Sun Fruit. As for the marriage proposal, the Grand Elder can take his time to consider it. After all, the current Hidden Moon Sect is indeed not suitable for holding dual cultivation ceremonies."
Lin Yue shook his head and smiled.
"Then I thank Fellow Daoist Panwu. I will not ask any more questions about your relationship with Wan'er in the future. However, I hope that you will not take concubines casually in the future. Otherwise, you should take back this Longevity Netherworld Fruit! I do not want Wan'er to suffer a lifetime of sorrow."
The Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect pondered for a moment before explaining.
"Ahem! Elder, you misunderstand. I do not take concubines casually, and I have no concubines to date."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yue looked embarrassed and quickly explained.
"Oh! That's my niece Hong Fu from Yellow Maple Valley—"
Upon hearing this, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect smiled meaningfully.
"Well, Fairy Hongfu is my confidante, not a concubine. Besides, does the Grand Elder think that, given Fairy Hongfu's personality, she would agree to become someone else's concubine?"
Lin Yue wasn't too embarrassed and explained his relationship with Hong Fu directly.
"A beautiful woman, not bad."
Upon hearing Lin Yue's explanation, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect smiled more.
"Very well! Since you're so sincere in proposing marriage, then I'll accept your offer first. Whether you can win Wan'er's heart depends on your own abilities. As for the Longevity Netherworld Fruit, I'm willing to exchange it for a magical artifact: the Demon Sword. What do you think, fellow Daoist?"
"A demonic artifact? The old man actually possesses a demonic artifact."
Lin Yue was shocked.
This demonic weapon, ever since its bizarre appearance in Tiannan, has remained a mystery; whether it is an ancient treasure or a magical artifact remains unknown. This is because while it can be stored within the body like a magical artifact, it cannot be refined and bound to a master like a magical artifact. Therefore, whoever obtains this sword can unleash astonishing power with unbridled courage.
Faced with this sword's slash through the void, there is virtually nothing that can stop it except to flee in advance.
She only appeared once more, as Nangong Wan's senior sister, who would later become the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect.
Then, the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect opened his mouth and a small, dark-colored sword shot out.
This sword is only a few inches in size, but it is entirely red and crystalline, radiating a dazzling light. Within the sword's body, a wisp of black energy moves motionless, making it even more eerie.
As soon as the small sword appeared, it began to tremble and hum on its own without anyone urging it, and a fishy smell immediately filled the entire hall.
"I never expected this demonic sword to be in the hands of Elder Da Shi. It truly surprises me."
Upon seeing this, Lin Yue exclaimed in surprise.
It seems that the eldest son of the Hidden Moon Sect left behind a considerable legacy and treasures for the sect.
This demonic sword was given to the later members of the Yan Yi Yan Yue Sect by the eldest son.