Chapter 30: Stirring the Daoyan Sect

Just as Lu Changfeng was carefully studying the artifact, a low hum resonated through the air.

*Hum—!*

Pure, refined spiritual energy began to emanate from the stone monument. Lu Changfeng understood immediately that the Dao Ancestor God Furnace was refining the energy itself.

"This is just the overflow from the God Furnace’s refinement, yet for me, it is more than enough!"

He sat cross-legged on the ground, a faint smile playing on his lips. This was the perfect opportunity to use this pure energy to make a breakthrough into the Zhou Tian realm.

He began to absorb the surrounding aura.

*Hum—!*

Lu Changfeng’s internal energy shifted abruptly. Because the spiritual energy was already refined, it did not require further processing; it only needed to circulate through his meridians before being absorbed by his dantian.

In an instant, a cataclysmic transformation occurred within his body. The spiritual energy surged toward his dantian, widening its capacity with every wave. The purity of a cultivator's internal energy directly correlated to the strength they possessed within the Zhou Tian realm; this was precisely why Lu Changfeng had been suppressing his own growth until now.

***

At that moment, the entire Yuehan Peak began to tremble.

"What is happening?"
"Why is the peak shaking?"
"Could there be some strange phenomenon occurring within the Yuehan Spirit Pool?"

The disciples stared in alarm, frantically searching for the source of the tremors. High above, Yue Qingshuang furrowed her brows. With a wave of her hand, she unleashed a massive surge of energy that stabilized the surroundings, bringing the quaking of the peak to an abrupt halt. She hesitated no longer, descending from the sky to hover over the depths of the Yuehan Pool, waiting in silence.

*Whoosh—!*

Three brilliant rays of light, bright as the sun, streaked across the sky toward the pool. Powerful spiritual senses swept over the area, searching for the source of the disturbance. As the three figures descended and landed around the pool, they bowed slightly to Yue Qingshuang.

"Peak Master Yue! Has there been an anomaly at Yuehan Peak?"

Their eyes naturally drifted toward the pool. They discovered that the freezing aura within the water was churning violently, as if a profound transformation were underway. The water appeared to be boiling, bubbling incessantly.

"The disturbance is indeed within the pool," Yue Qingshuang replied calmly after a moment of thought. "But as for exactly what is happening... I do not know."

***

"The Yuehan Pool trial should have concluded long ago. Why are you still gathered here?" one of the elders asked, noticing the disciples of Yuehan Peak.

Every peak was aware of the trial's duration, and they knew exactly how long disciples could typically endure the cold. Past experience had set the standard.

"Lu Changfeng is still inside. He has not emerged," Yue Qingshuang replied with a calm shake of her head.

The elder paused, his brow furrowing. "The boy who triggered the Nine Stars Alignment? He... he is participating in the trial this year? And he actually achieved a ranking?!"

He was stunned. Upon realizing something else, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Today is the seventh day since the pool opened! That boy... has he really been inside for seven days?!"

The other elders exchanged shocked glances. It was already surprising that a new disciple had earned a spot in the pool, but to endure for seven full days was beyond comprehension.

The head elder understood the gravity of the situation. "Peak Master Yue, this matter is of great importance! Please wait a moment. We must go and summon the other peak masters to investigate."

Both the Yuehan Pool and Lu Changfeng were of vital importance to the Daoyan Sect. With that, the three elders vanished in a flash of movement.

Moments later, the masters of the five peaks descended upon Yuehan Peak with overwhelming presence. The leader among them radiated an aura that seemed to suppress the very heavens, making the entire sect feel a sense of heavy urgency.

Yue Qingshuang nodded slightly to the Sect Master. "Have you reached the God Repository realm?"

The Sect Master smiled faintly. "Almost." He then turned his gaze toward the pool. "Is the boy, Lu Changfeng, still inside?"

"Yes," Yue Qingshuang replied.

"It seems this anomaly is inseparable from him," the Sect Master noted. "Whatever is happening, we must do everything in our power to protect his safety."

"I have already taken precautions; Lu Changfeng’s state is currently stable. There is no cause for alarm," Yue Qingshuang assured him. She had placed a fragment of her own soul upon him before he entered the pool.

The Sect Master looked at her closely, his expression turning solemn. "You tore away a piece of your own soul? You are only at the Dao Palace stage; the damage to you will be severe!"

"It is of no consequence," she said calmly. "He is, after all, my disciple."

The Sect Master sighed, choosing not to press the matter further. He studied the environment, calculating silently. "I understand the formation here; breaking it is not difficult, but it will require all of us to strike at once."

Yue Qingshuang’s eyes flashed with intensity. "Thank you, Sect Master."

"He is not merely your disciple," the Sect Master replied, waving his hand. "He is a once-in-a-century genius of our Daoyan Sect."

He signaled the elders, who nodded in understanding. "All disciples, retreat from this area!" the elder commanded, his voice amplified by spiritual energy, echoing across the peak.

The lower-level disciples covered their ears and fled down the mountain. They knew the elders meant them no harm, but the pressure in the air was more than they could withstand. Those who were too curious to leave were swept away by a wave of the elder's hand, deposited safely a thousand feet down the slope.

The Sect Master, Ying Xuanji, rose into the air, his spiritual aura erupting outward. Even from a thousand feet away, the disciples felt as though they were about to be crushed by the sheer weight of his presence.

"How terrifying!"
"Is the Sect Master truly only at the half-step God Repository realm? It feels like his mere presence could shatter us!"

The disciples watched with fervent eyes, some even struggling against the crushing pressure to move closer, desperate to witness a master of such caliber in action.