Chapter Seventy-Five: The Spark of Legacy

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Sun Yougong’s nascent soul regained consciousness. Recognizing the three people beside him, his emotions surged, his beard quivering as he opened his mouth and declared, “The Sect Master is lost.”

Ding Chunxue and the other two, who had searched for most of the day, were already mentally prepared for such news. Yet, hearing their Grandmaster confirm it in person, all blood drained from their faces. In a single day, Dan Cliff Sect had lost its two greatest experts, and with their Grandmaster now in this state, these younger disciples were left utterly distraught.

Sun Yougong continued, “The three from the Talisman Diagram Sect set up a formation specifically targeting the Sect Master. Not only did they unleash the ‘Heart Sword’, but they had also thoroughly studied the ‘Accumulated Essence Scripture’. Seeing defeat was inevitable, the Sect Master dragged their Nascent Soul Grandmaster down with him in mutual destruction. My physical body was caught in the aftermath, and just then, Xing Wuyai’s soul avatar arrived. I should have perished, but the scent of blood drew a pack of Arrow-Toothed Sharks. I left my body, attached my nascent soul to one of them, and after several changes of host, finally escaped.”

As he spoke, his agitation gradually eased. Seeing things more clearly now, he raised a hand to stop Ding Chunxue from expending any more spiritual power to heal him. “Chunxue, don’t waste your energy. With the three of you here, what’s the situation at the sect?”

Ding Chunxue, contrary to his instruction, did not cease casting the spell. Instead, Hongjian gave a brief account of how she had stealthily returned to the sect to gather information and related it to Sun Yougong.

Having grown used to his current appearance, the three no longer felt any difference between seeing Sun Yougong’s nascent soul and facing his living self.

Sun Yougong asked, “Where are you headed now?”

Although Chen Zaizhi was piloting the Brocaded Sail Flying Boat, the route followed Ding Chunxue’s wishes. Thus, Ding Chunxue replied, “We’re taking a detour, quietly returning to the sect. Grandmaster, don’t worry—with me here, we’ll find you a suitable new body. As for the rest of our troubles, we’ll find a way to resolve them in time.”

Hongjian and Chen Zaizhi did not quite understand, thinking Senior Brother made it sound far too simple. Sun Yougong, however, knew that whether seizing a new vessel or reconstructing a body, neither was an easy feat. Brow furrowed, he sat up and instructed Chen Zaizhi, “Turn around. First, find us a secluded, safe place.”

With the Grandmaster’s command, Chen Zaizhi hurried to comply.

Hongjian asked, “Grandmaster, are we not returning to the sect?” Up till now, Sun Yougong had not mentioned Dai Mingchi’s personal arrival at the Huahua Hall. The sect was now leaderless; even Sun Yougong’s own disciples, alongside a thousand others, remained in the dark. How should they face this calamity? An ominous feeling crept over her.

Sure enough, Sun Yougong said, “Not yet. Before he left, the Sect Master entrusted me with the Ancestral Jade Slip. I lost everything else while escaping, but thankfully, I did not lose the slip. The two from Talisman Diagram Sect didn’t get it, but Dai Mingchi may already know and be searching for me. I won’t last long—thank heavens you three found me. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t be at ease. Chunxue, I entrust the Ancestral Jade Slip to you. It holds the legacy of countless generations. As long as our heritage survives, Dan Cliff Sect will one day rise again.”

His tone was both desolate and helpless, heavy with the sorrow of a hero at the end of the road. Ding Chunxue’s eyes reddened, and he knelt before his Grandmaster. Hongjian and Chen Zaizhi, realizing that the Grandmaster was making his final arrangements, also knelt behind Ding Chunxue.

Sun Yougong separated the jade slip from his nascent soul, holding it out to give to Ding Chunxue.

He knew this grand-disciple well, his favor for him had long surpassed that for his own disciple, Yan Changqing. Though he felt a tinge of regret, it was not directed at Ding Chunxue’s character.

With a sigh, Sun Yougong continued to instruct, “You must be careful. Dai Mingchi and Xing Wuyai are after more than any one person’s life—they want the entire Dan Cliff Sect. Ji Youyun is merely their pawn. He incited hostility between the Water and Wood branches, slandered your Senior Uncle, and used that to draw Elder Shui away. I’ve thought it over—Chunxue, after I’m gone, let Dai Mingchi do as he wishes for now. Don’t interfere with Mu Fengshan and his Wood-root disciples. Most importantly, avoid Ji Youyun’s Insight Technique. Live well.”

A nascent soul cannot survive long outside the body. As Sun Yougong spoke, his strength waned. Fortunately, he had said most of what needed to be said. Gazing at Ding Chunxue, he waited for him to take the Ancestral Jade Slip.

Yet Ding Chunxue, rarely, hesitated.

Looking into his Grandmaster’s earnest eyes, he suddenly made a decision and bowed deeply. “Grandmaster, limited by my aptitude, my cultivation is ill-suited for combat. I am not the best candidate for such a heavy responsibility. My junior brother and sister both far surpass me in talent; their future achievements are limitless. Please do not let my age bias your choice. No matter whom you select, I will devote myself to assisting them and ensuring our sect’s legacy endures.”

Sun Yougong was stunned. Ding Chunxue had voiced the very regret in his own heart. Though Ding Chunxue’s cultivation had not reached its limit, Sun Yougong saw clearly that his grand-disciple’s potential was fixed; no matter how hard he tried, he would never surpass himself. Achieving the culmination of Nascent Soul, let alone the Divine Transformation stage, was impossible. That was why Sun Yougong had willingly yielded the position of Sect Master to his junior brother Ling Xuzi years ago. He did not expect Ding Chunxue to make the same choice.

With a sigh, Sun Yougong said no more, only raising his hand to gently pat Ding Chunxue’s shoulder.

Hongjian and Chen Zaizhi felt the Grandmaster’s searching gaze. Knowing he was making a momentous decision, the two young people held their breath, hearts heavy. The atmosphere aboard the Brocaded Sail Flying Boat grew stifling.

Sun Yougong’s gaze settled on Hongjian. He sighed, “Little Hongjian, I didn’t expect you to form your foundation at a time like this.”

Thinking of all the elderly man had done for her, Hongjian’s heart ached. She whispered, “Yes, Grandmaster.”

As if sensing her impending tears, Sun Yougong managed a smile. “If only I too could use that ‘Insight Technique’, I’d see what your future holds. But alas, I have no such chance. Since you’re a girl, I must leave the Ancestral Jade Slip to your junior brother. Bear me no grudge, and get along well with Zaizhi. Help him as much as you can.”

Choking back tears, Hongjian vowed, “Grandmaster, you can rest assured!”

Sun Yougong smiled. “You’re both still children—Zaizhi is only twenty-five and just formed his foundation. How can I rest easy? Even in death, my eyes won’t close. I know you suffered much when Ying Jiang returned last time, but she had a good idea: the two of you are of similar age and both exceptionally talented. If you find it suitable, forming a Dao partnership in the future would allow you to support each other.”

His strength waning with every word, he pressed the Ancestral Jade Slip into Chen Zaizhi’s hands.

Chen Zaizhi, at a loss, hesitated before solemnly accepting the slip, prostrating himself and trembling as he said, “Grandmaster, I will devote my life to fulfilling the sect’s trust.”

Looking up, he saw the anticipation on Sun Yougong’s face. Without thinking, tears in his eyes, he added, “I will find a way to show our disciples Dai Mingchi and Xing Wuyai’s true colors. I will care for them, and for… Senior Sister.”

Hongjian felt a lump in her throat. Though Grandmaster had always treated her well, in this critical moment, he still valued Chen Zaizhi’s being a man more. Though this left her somewhat resentful, she respected his choice. Like Senior Brother, she would support Chen Zaizhi’s path, but as for forming a Dao partnership, she would never agree. Seeing Grandmaster’s life ebb away, she could not voice her opposition. Hearing Chen Zaizhi’s promise to care for her, she remained silent.

Ding Chunxue, watching Sun Yougong’s nascent soul shrink and fade, grew desperate. His life-spell could quickly replenish spiritual energy, but prolonging a nascent soul’s life outside the body was beyond him. He spared no effort, hoping for a miracle.

Sun Yougong closed his eyes for a moment, then urged, “Dan Cliff Sect has kept five peaks brimming with spiritual energy for thousands of years because there is an ancient spiritual spring beneath the main peak, Chiron. Over tens of thousands of years, the spring has become a force in itself. Our founding ancestor made a pact with it for mutual protection. Because of this, only our sect’s secret realm can confront a cultivator’s inner demons directly. Many Water-root experts have arisen, and the Wood-root disciples believe it's because the Water-root ones monopolize the sect’s resources. But that’s not the case.”

After a pause to catch his breath, he continued, “Every generation, the Sect Master keeps the spring's existence secret to avoid attracting powerful enemies. The Ancestral Jade Slip holds the method for communicating with the spring. Once one of you attains Nascent Soul, you can use its power to activate the sect’s grand protection array. Even a Divine Transformation cultivator would have to retreat. Do you understand?”

These last words were infused with power. The three, shocked by the secret of the spiritual spring, remembered that there were still many Nascent Soul cultivators in the sect. Why did Grandmaster not entrust the Jade Slip to one of them, or order them to deliver it directly to Elder Shui? Sun Yougong’s forceful words snapped them awake, and they saw his form already fading into nothingness.

Stifling their grief, all three responded in unison, “We understand!”

Chen Zaizhi murmured, “Grandmaster, don’t go!” As a man, he should not cry, but at this moment, he could not help it—tears streamed down his face.

Sun Yougong, still clear-minded, barked, “Enough! The path of cultivation is long—do not act like children. Zaizhi, I have nothing left to give you but a few insights from centuries of cultivation. Watch carefully.” As he finished speaking, the last vestige of his form became a long stream of light, which flowed directly into Chen Zaizhi’s mind, circling for a long time before dissipating.

Chen Zaizhi was left dazed. Ding Chunxue and Hongjian, realizing their Grandmaster was truly gone, sat in exhausted silence. Before them, the emptiness was overwhelming—a mighty cultivator in the late Nascent Soul stage had vanished from existence, leaving a heavy sorrow in their hearts.