Chapter 170: Li Zun's Rebirth, the World in Trouble
The vision of the two saints descending upon the world was like a universe-shaking boulder dropped into the seemingly tranquil waters of the spirit world. The mighty pressure of the Saint Realm, sweeping across countless realms and races, lasted only a dozen breaths before receding like a tide. However, the shock and aftermath it created, far exceeding the speed of any information transmission, resonated deeply within the hearts and souls of all living beings, lingering for a long time.
The Xuanyun Sect, once a dominant sect in the Northern Territory but not a top-tier sect in the spiritual world, suddenly became the center of the cosmic maelstrom. Countless divine consciousnesses, some subtle, some awed, some inquiring, converged from all directions like a spiderweb, cautiously hovering outside the Xuanyun Sect's territory, daring not to cross even a tiny sliver. Forces that had previously held grudges against the Xuanyun Sect were now utterly silent. The sect leader personally prepared lavish gifts and journeyed day and night, seeking only to apologize. Even a simple kowtow outside the mountain gates would avert the impending catastrophe.
However, there was a strange tranquility inside the Xuanyun Sect.
Upon their return, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan didn't immediately summon anyone, instead spending a day in seclusion with their parents and master. For Ye Feng and Su Wan, their daughter's safe return, now possessing the power to pierce the heavens and earth, finally lifted a heavy burden from their hearts, their joy and pride washing away days of worry. Lay Buddhist Mu Yun, observing his disciple's aura as profound as the ocean, far beyond his comprehension, was overwhelmed with emotion and immense comfort. The Palace Master of Yaoguang and Arhat Huijue were also heartfeltly delighted by Qin Yixuan's achievements.
After a brief period of warmth, it is time to face reality.
Three days later, the sun rose, and the rays of light made the main peak of Xuanyun Sect look like a fairyland.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan stood side by side at the summit of the main peak, atop the eaves of the "Sky-supporting Hall," the symbol of the sect's supreme power and glory. Below them, countless figures swarmed densely, stretching from the summit plaza to the foot of the mountain and even into the sky beyond. All the disciples of the Xuanyun Sect, both inner and outer, stood in awe, their eyes fixed on the two figures atop the hall. Further away, the core members of the Youge, led by Sun Xiaohou, exuded a solemn and murderous aura, along with representatives from allied factions like the Jiuxiao Heavenly Palace, the Bishui Pavilion, and the Dajue Zen Temple.
The entire Northern Territory, and even the giants from the spiritual world who were watching the ceremony from afar through special spells, water mirror techniques, and other means, all focused their attention on this.
There was silence between heaven and earth, with only the faint sound of the mountain breeze blowing through the treetops.
Ye Li's gaze swept calmly across the countless faces below, across the land where she was reborn and rose to prominence. She slowly stepped forward, her black robes fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. While she didn't emanate a powerful aura, she possessed a natural, breathtaking majesty.
She spoke, her voice not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone present, even by all the powerful people who were spying on this place through magic, as if it was speaking directly to the soul:
"Today, I would like to take this opportunity to announce something to the world."
Her voice paused, as if she was recalling the distant and tragic past. A deep vicissitudes of life flashed in her eyes, but was immediately replaced by a more determined light.
"My name is Ye Li. I am also the Supreme Being of the Spirit World, Li Zun, from ten thousand years ago!"
The moment the word "Li Zun" uttered, it seemed to resonate with the mysterious heavenly laws. Above the sky, the wind and clouds suddenly changed, the rosy clouds intensified, and the faint shadow of a golden lotus blossomed in the void! A will far more ancient and majestic than the previous arrival of the Twin Saints, carrying the aura of endless reincarnation, briefly enveloped heaven and earth!
Boom!!!!
Although there had been speculations for a long time, when this earth-shattering identity was confirmed by the person involved, the shock it brought was still devastating!
The crowd below erupted in excitement! Exclamations, gasps, and cries of disbelief merged into one! The Xuanyun Sect disciples trembled with excitement. They were actually from the same sect as a reincarnated Supreme Being—no, now a Saint Realm powerhouse who had reached even greater heights! The Youge members were so fervent that they nearly fainted. Their faith, their leader, had such a shocking origin!
The leaders of various factions, who had been observing through their magic, were horrified, nearly losing their grip. Li Zun! That name, in the spirit world of thousands of years ago, was a legend like a bright moon in the sky, dominating an entire era! Her sudden demise was an eternal mystery. Who could have imagined that she would return in such a manner, even more powerful than the legends claimed?
"Everything in my past life is like yesterday's death. Only through my actions in this life can I see my true heart." Ye Li's voice rang out again, suppressing all the noise. "I will resolve the cause and effect of the past. I stand here today, not for the empty reputation of the past, but for the present purpose - to protect this world, slay the evil, and give all living beings a chance to transcend!"
Her declaration was concise and direct, yet it carried undeniable strength and resolve. She didn't dwell on past glories or dwell on past grudges, but instead focused on the future, on the imminent crisis that threatened everyone's survival.
The news, at a speed faster than the speed of light, swept across the entire spiritual world like a destructive spiritual storm.
"Li Zun is reborn! The two saints have arrived!" These ten words became the only topic of discussion in the spirit world for the next few months, triggering a huge wave.
Former subordinates have surrendered: Upon hearing the news, those former followers of Li Zun, disheartened by her death, who had hidden their identities or fled far away, all burst into tears, overcome with emotion. They emerged from every corner of the spiritual world, even from hidden secret realms and small worlds, desperately converging on the Xuanyun Sect of the Northern Territory. Some were already aging, some had fallen significantly in cultivation, and some had established considerable power. But now, they were all just one identity—former followers of Li Zun! They wanted to witness their master's return with their own eyes, to follow that banner once again and conquer the lands! Outside the Xuanyun Sect, a force that could not be underestimated quickly gathered. They were strictly disciplined and organized, awaiting Ye Li's summons.
Enemies retreated: In contrast to the jubilation of former members, those sects and individuals who had participated in the betrayal, held grudges against Li Zun, and, after his fall, had sought to divide his power and resources, were plunged into extreme panic. The descendants of the betrayers and their associated factions were particularly uneasy, unable to sleep or eat. Some sects sealed off their mountains overnight, activated their highest-level protective formations, and declared a state of death in an attempt to evade reckoning. Others hastily packed their belongings and prepared to flee the spirit world, seeking refuge in unknown star regions. Even worse, fierce internal conflict erupted, with those advocating for absolution and those refusing to resist clashing endlessly, threatening the very edge of a sect's schism. Suddenly, undercurrents surged through the spirit world, and countless forces lurking in the shadows began to reassess their positions.
Various factions expressed divergent views: many other factions remained on the sidelines, waiting and weighing their options. The combined might of the Saint Realm, Li Zun's status as a reborn being, and the Xuannv Sanctuary alongside them—this combination was overwhelming. The ancient dynasty began to reassess its relations with the Xuanyun Sect, Youge, and Jiuxiao Heavenly Palace, sending envoys of increasing stature and bringing gifts precious enough to purchase a small sect. Powerful neutral factions, such as the enigmatic Tianji Pavilion and the profoundly influential Wanxiang Tower, also offered goodwill, expressing a willingness to cooperate in intelligence and resources. The power structure of the entire spiritual world was being reshuffled and reshaped at an astonishing pace.
Against this background, the reputation of Youge and Jiuxiao Palace reached an unprecedented peak.
Youge, this initially somewhat mysterious new organization, instantly became etched with legend thanks to its leader being the reincarnation of Li Zun and the Sanctuary of Samsara. Countless independent cultivators, talented individuals from smaller factions, and even core disciples from major sects, eagerly sought to join Youge, even as a peripheral member. Sun Xiaohou demonstrated remarkable management skills. With Ye Li's tacit approval and support, he quickly integrated the defected Li Zun's former followers, standardized the promotion process, and extended Youge's reach to every corner of the spirit world. Its intelligence network, resource channels, and battle array expanded rapidly, transforming it into a truly formidable behemoth, revered as the "Youge Holy Land" on par with the ancient holy lands.
Jiuxiao Palace, already renowned for its legacy as the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, has now reached a new peak of divine power thanks to Qin Yixuan's achievement of the Mysterious Lady Sanctuary. Countless believers have journeyed from vast distances to make this pilgrimage, seeking the Mysterious Lady's protection. The decrees issued by Jiuxiao Palace wield unprecedented influence in the spirit world, with the authority of the Yaoguang Palace Master even surpassing that of past Palace Masters. Together with Youge, one bright, the other dark, one sacred, the other profound, they form the new polar opposites of the spirit world, becoming the core force for stabilizing the situation and combating future crises.
However, amidst this seemingly flourishing scene, some subtle and strange changes are quietly taking place in some unknown corners of the spiritual world.
In the Arctic ice field, beneath a thousand-foot layer of ice: a forgotten ancient altar, on which black ice that had been frozen for who knows how many tens of thousands of years suddenly cracked without any warning, and a faint but extremely pure ancient cold evil energy diffused out, causing a riot of ice energy within a radius of a thousand miles.
In the ancient battlefield of the Western Desert, deep in the yellow sand: a thousand-foot-tall skeleton of an unknown god or demon was half-buried in the quicksand. Two clusters of ghostly blue fire suddenly lit up in its empty eye sockets, and hoarse and indistinct whispers drifted in the wind, as if calling out some ancient name.
In the endless forests of southern Xinjiang, in the forbidden land of the Ancestral Witches: in the ancient cave where the stone carvings of the twelve Ancestral Witches are enshrined, a tiny light flickered between the eyebrows of one of the stone carvings representing the "Ancestral Witch of Time and Space", and extremely subtle wrinkles and ripples appeared in the surrounding space.
The Eye of Guixu in the East China Sea, the edge of the vortex: the terrifying vortex that swallowed everything, its rotation speed accelerated by an insignificant amount without anyone noticing, and a trace of an even more ancient and desolate aura faintly emerged from the depths of the vortex.
These unusual movements were extremely subtle, scattered throughout the spirit world. Compared to the grand spectacle of the arrival of the Twin Saints and the return of Li Zun, they were insignificant, failing to even attract the attention of any mainstream forces. Yet, like delicate strings being gently plucked by an invisible hand, they signaled that certain beings, slumbering for eternity, were being awakened by this unprecedented upheaval.
Ye Li stood atop the Xuanyun Sect, her gaze seemingly piercing the endless void, resting on the areas of unusual movement. The mark of the Samsara Mirror between her brows heated slightly, conveying a subtle warning.
Qin Yixuan seemed to sense something and gently held her hand, with a questioning look in her star-like eyes.
"The wind is blowing." Ye Li said softly, his eyes as deep as the abyss, "and there is more than one wind."
The real storm may have just begun to brew. And their ship, which has been upgraded to a towering giant, is about to sail into an even more magnificent, more dangerous and unknown deep sea.
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