Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************
Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 76 (331): [The World's Situation]
(76th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
***********************************
This silver bow, as tall as a person, was Si Kong Qin's Spiritual Artifact, possessing immense power.
"Bang!"
The arrow shot into the sky like a beam of light.
The twang of the bowstring shook the snow from the surrounding trees.
The Azure Feather Crow, being highly intelligent, dodged the direct hit. However, it was still injured by the Spiritual Qi emanating from the arrow's tip and began plummeting to the ground.
"Should we just fight them head-on and eliminate this threat?" Tuoba Butuo, having condensed his Dao Lotus, no longer feared Yi Zhouxue.
"Yi Zhouxue is a cautious man. If he dared to ambush us, he must have a strong backing. Moreover, the Withered Flourish (Kurong) Hall might have sent experts to deal with us. Staying here is extremely dangerous and not the right time. Ultimately, in the eyes of most Twin Rice Sect members, we three are outsiders, who could betray them at any moment. At the Headquarters, various factions only refrained from acting rashly out of respect for Venerable Nan and Palace Master An."
Li Weiyi kept his eyes fixed on the Azure Feather Crow's descent, calculating the distance.
His expression tightened as he slapped a Divine Swiftness Talisman onto Qi Xiao: "Go, now!"
Hiding and fleeing all the way, half a day later, the three of them reached Jin County.
They removed their masks and immediately boarded a passenger ship bound for Thunder Mausoleum (Leiling) City.
Compared to traversing the desolate, empty snowfields, hiding on the ship was far less conspicuous.
Inside their cabin, Qi Xiao transmitted a chuckle: "With my arrangements in Jin County, they'll definitely assume we're hiding in the city. That should buy us at least an hour. And in an hour, there are countless watercraft and land vehicles departing from Jin County!"
This was a large, luxurious ship, equipped with defensive Formation. It had three levels - upper, middle, and lower - all filled with long-distance travelers, each with formidable cultivation.
After all, In this chaotic era, who would dare travel far without sufficient strength?
The stern of the ship carried seven massive Exotic Beasts, majestic and imposing, radiating Spiritual Qi and divine light.
Clearly extraordinary, they likely belonged to some wealthy patron.
Li Weiyi used the Disguise Technique to alter his appearance, adopting a simple gray linen outfit and a slightly plump face with kind eyes.
While dining on the first floor, he casually gathered information from the other passengers.
As for Tuoba Butuo and Qi Xiao, both possessed Pure Immortal Physiques. Even with the Disguise Technique, they still stood out like sore thumbs, so they kept a low profile, remaining in their cabin to cultivate.
They didn't possess Zuoqiu Hongting's lifelong mastery of disguise, nor did they have the skin texture of a Pure Immortal Physique.
This courier ship had departed from Long Prefecture, carrying mostly local elites, gang leaders, and scions of powerful clans. They were headed for Lingxiao City, either to join relatives, enlist in the military, or seek their fortunes.
Long Prefecture was renowned throughout the world for the Ten Thousand Sects and the Dragon Sect. It was a prosperous state in the Lingxiao Realm, with a population of tens of millions.
Of course, that was in the past.
For the past two years, the Human Clan and the Demon Clan had been at war, and Long Prefecture had borne the brunt of the conflict.
The Imperial Court, the Snow Sword Tang Court, the Thundercloud Sect, and various righteous armies from the Eastern Territory had launched offensives that the prefecture simply couldn't withstand.
The Dragon Sect suffered a crushing defeat, retreating from Long Prefecture and retreating to the East Sea, where they allied with the Three Island Barbarians to continue their desperate resistance.
The Demon Clan's power was concentrated in the Western Territory, with only limited influence in the Southern Territory.
The Eastern Territory was simply too far for them to reach.
After the Dragon Sect's withdrawal, the smaller factions that had once relied on them, as well as the sects, gangs, and families that had ties to them, naturally became targets of retribution and attack.
Those with connections managed to escape with their families, while those without were left to perish in the chaos, their ashes scattered to the winds.
"Long Prefecture (Longzhou) and Qing Province (Qingzhou) were once densely populated, with a combined population of over 170 million. The Martial-Mystic Path flourished, and the land was fertile for thousands of miles. After two years of war, at least ten million people were brutally killed, and tens of millions more were displaced. Everything was destroyed, and the plains were covered in white bones, a scene of utter desolation. It was truly tragic!"
"Exactly! Dragon Sect deserved to die, but over ninety percent of those who perished were innocent civilians who had nothing to do with the conflict."
"When war erupts, right and wrong cease to matter. The conquerors may claim to be righteous, but those who die from the aftermath of battle or are killed by their looting are just as dead. Once Law and order collapse, even good people turn into villains. Everyone is killing, and no one steps forward to maintain order or uphold justice. Who will those innocent victims turn to for justice?"
"In the end, it all comes down to the fact that weakness is the ultimate crime."
"Fleeing to Lingxiao City should be safer. At least we won't die anonymously in the chaos. I hear the Imperial Court is recruiting soldiers. I'm thinking of giving it a try."
As dinner time approached, the sky outside the window grew dim. The wind had died down, but the snow continued to fall.
In the spacious dining hall, over twenty square tables were arranged. Passengers who had been resting in their cabins gradually emerged and took their seats in small groups.
Nearly all of them were Martial-Mystic Cultivators from Long Prefecture and Qing Province, along with their families.
Some were discussing the state of the world, brimming with ambition.
Others were filled with resentment, deeply disillusioned with the current era.
Still others sat in silence, having lost the energy for grand pronouncements.
Seated beside Li Weiyi were two middle-aged men, the Gang Leader and Vice Gang Leader of a Long Prefecture gang.
Both were top-tier experts in the Fourth and Fifth Seas of the Five Seas Realm, exuding the ruthless aura of those who had lived by the blade.
Gang Leader He Qian, an Aberrant Humanoid with a pair of wings on his back, sighed: "The entire Liang Prefecture is being consumed by something strange. The Imperial Court has assembled a massive army to destroy tombs and monuments, but for every one they destroy, another rises. I don't see much good coming of this. Sooner or later, Lingxiao will be swallowed by the Nether Realm of the Dead, turning into eternal darkness and silence."
The Vice Gang Leader added, "Everyone says the Nether Realm of the Dead is to blame, but a new theory has emerged recently. A month ago, an earthquake struck Fu Prefecture, and a Transcendent burst forth from an Underground Immortal Mansion. Rumor has it that the Underground Immortal Mansion is a Heretical Sect's lair, and the Ricefolk are plotting something big."
He Qian's expression hardened: "Who told you this?"
"The Tai Shi Clan's people said it this morning. They're well-informed and know many secrets," the Vice Gang Leader replied.
Beside them, Li Weiyi raised his cup, a smile playing on his lips as he offered a toast, "This humble one is Si Kong Jingyuan of Qing Province. May I ask how you two are addressed?"
He Qian and Guo Zhensheng exchanged glances before raising their cups in return, each introducing themselves.
After a round of flattering and polite conversation, Li Weiyi asked, "Vice-Gang Leader Guo mentioned a Transcendent force erupting from the Underground Immortal Mansion. That's quite strange. As far as I know, even Immortal Realm Giants can't enter."
Guo Zhensheng replied, "The matter is likely true. The Tai Shi Clan members said the entrance to the Underground Immortal Mansion was completely destroyed, and a Transcendent-level force swept across the heavens and earth. Many people witnessed it firsthand. Oh, and they said it might have been a Buddhist cultivator. The Buddhist light was so intense that golden light filled the sky for thousands of miles across the Fu Prefecture."
Li Weiyi nodded in understanding. It was most likely that Monk Corpse who had escaped. Its combat power was truly terrifying, capable of breaking through the Twin Rice Sect's Cultivation Headquarters and blasting its way out.
No wonder the Twin Rice Sect had joined forces with the Demon Clan to attack Lingxiao City.
After this incident, many secrets could no longer be hidden and had to be brought into the open.
He hoped Zen Hai Guanwu and his three Masters had seized the opportunity to escape the Underground Immortal Mansion.
Li Weiyi then asked, "I noticed the Sui Sect flag flying at the bow. This official courier ship we're on... isn't it under the Sui Sect's banner?"
"Naturally, it's a Sui Sect ship," He Qian replied.
Li Weiyi was secretly astonished. He hadn't realized the Sui Sect's influence had already spread to the Qu River.
'Could they reach almost the entire world?'
Guo Zhensheng said, "After the Sui Sect pledged allegiance to the Imperial Court, they gained the Second Palace Master's favor and formed multiple alliances with the Jiang Clan, firmly establishing themselves within the court. The Imperial Court controls the core Eight Prefectures, including the current Long Prefecture and Qing Province, and the Sui Sect has taken over all water transport operations in those areas."
He Qian added, "The Sui Sect has been incredibly fortunate. After they joined the court, a historic, transcendent battle erupted, forcing the Human Clan's major powers to unite against a common enemy. This allowed the Sui Sect's ships to sail freely throughout Lingxiao, rapidly expanding their influence. Rumor has it that the sect's disciples and affiliated gangs now number in the hundreds of thousands, all skilled in the Martial-Mystic Path."
Guo Zhensheng continued, "Tang Wanzhou died in the Underground Immortal Mansion, and after Zuoqiu Ling issued the Jiazi Register, Yao Qian achieved a breakthrough into Immortal Realm. He's now ranked first in the Jiazi Register and has been appointed Junior Secretary of the Attendant Hall by the Second Palace Master. His future is limitless."
He Qian sighed, "The entire Sui Sect exudes a spirit of ambition and upward momentum. With Yao Qian, they now boast three Immortal Realm Giants and a Holy Spiritual Master. Once Yang Shenjing achieves a transcendent breakthrough, there's no telling whether they might one day become one of the Ancient Myriad Sects."
During their subsequent conversation, Li Weiyi learned that the two men were heading to Fu Prefecture to join the Sui Sect.
This was the influence of the Jiazi Register:
Yao Qian alone could draw countless heroes and Martial-Mystic Cultivators to his side.
Night had fallen completely, and villages dotted both banks of the Qu River, their scattered lights visible in the darkness.
Li Weiyi picked up his meal box and prepared to return to his cabin.
Before he could leave the dining hall, he suddenly stopped, hearing a commotion.
The next moment, a deafening roar erupted from the deck outside, as the formation barrier was torn apart.
"Shatter!"
The massive ship shuddered violently, and waves churned around it.
Heavy footsteps thundered across the deck, one after another.
Li Weiyi sensed the spiritual qi fluctuations of Yi Zhouxue.
He quickly set down his meal box and returned to his seat.
Panic erupted in the dining hall, and chaos reigned.
Several Martial-Mystic Cultivators, confident in their superior cultivation, rushed out to investigate.
The next moment, screams echoed from outside.
All the Martial-Mystic Cultivators who had charged out lay dead on the deck.
"Are we under attack by the Three Island Barbarians? They dare to raid even the Sui Sect's ship?" Guo Zhensheng's face paled with terror.
He recognized some of the fallen Martial-Mystic Cultivators; they were renowned experts from Long Prefecture, yet they had been killed without even a chance to fight back.
Two Dao Seed Realm experts from the Patrol Guard entered the dining hall.
Both wore wide black robes and masks bearing the Blood Valley emblem, wielded scythe-shaped Spiritual Artifacts, and their eyes glowed with an eerie green light as they scanned the room, searching for something.
"It's the Heretical Sect... ah..."
A young woman in purple whispered a phrase, only to be killed instantly by one of the black-robed experts, whose gaze pierced her skull.
The green light in his eyes could condense into a tangible Flying Sword, capable of killing at a distance.
The dining hall fell silent, a scene of utter desolation.
Everyone was terrified, heads bowed, legs trembling, too afraid to even breathe.
Li Weiyi, like the others, kept his head down, but cold light surged in his eyes. He knew these men were after him, and the woman had died because he was hiding on the ship.
Everything had happened too quickly. Li Weiyi had underestimated their ruthlessness and hadn't been able to stop them.
Moreover, while Yi Zhouxue and the Patrol Guard experts were searching for him, they might have killed many others on other ships.
They didn't see humans as equals, but as mere weeds and livestock.
_______________________
END OF CHAPTER
Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
**********************************