Ancient Gods - V1C4
Prologue: Farewell, Fourth Elder
1: A remaining mark
2: The Star Emperor Tower
3: Lingxu's Hostage
4: A Bunch of Hypocrites
5: Uninvited Visitor
6: The Duel
7: Dao of Divine Pills
8: Beauty Pill
9: Mastering Alchemy
10: Xu Xin and Su Fei Are Denied
11: No Meat, No Soup, No Cooking
12: The Extraordinary Tianxuan Realm
13: A Salted Fish Turns over
14: Those Elders Have No Shame
15: The Yangchun Pill
Chapter 4
A Bunch of Hypocrites!
At that moment, the First Elder appeared.
Upon discovering Mo Yang's cultivation, he was taken aback. However, he swiftly refocused on the current situation and spoke to Mo Yang: "Now that you’ve started your cultivation journey, you can feel secure staying at the Lingxu Sect. The sect will treat you justly, and the Fourth Elder's years of dedication to you will not be in vain!"
"Aiyo[1]. Treat me fairly? How has the Lingxu Sect treated me all these years? If it weren't for my Master's protection, would I even be here today?" Mo Yang couldn't help but let out a laugh with mockery.
After ten years in the Lingxu Sect, he had a clear understanding of who these Elders were. At this moment, they were finally recognizing his cultivation abilities. He realized that if he had only demonstrated Qi Realm skills, the First Elder would have stepped in to oppose him.
He continued, "My Master suffered a tragic fate at the hands of a Supreme Expert from a Great Dao Sect. I understand that the Lingxu Sect chose not to express their anger publicly out of fear, but it was unjust to lay all the blame on me. More than anyone, I long for my Master's return!"
The First Elder's gaze sharpened, and his expression grew icy. "You don't want to stay?" His tone now held a hint of coldness.
The First Elder’s resistance to Mo Yang's departure was rooted in more than just his grasp of the sect's esteemed combat techniques. It was driven by a profound conviction that every exceptionally gifted disciple bore a duty to safeguard the sect’s legacy and customs. The First Elder viewed Mo Yang not only as a talented individual but also as an indispensable asset in the ongoing battle against external threats. To him, Mo Yang represented a piece in a much larger strategy. He could not permit Mo Yang to leave, as it would send a message to all disciples that such actions were acceptable and empty the sect.
Mo Yang slowly shook his head in response.
"You can leave, but you must first cripple your Meridians; then, I will allow you to go!" The First Elder's words turned frigid as he witnessed Mo Yang's resolute demeanor.
"You ungrateful wretch, the Lingxu Sect has nurtured you for so long. Without the Lingxu Sect, where would you be today? Do you think you can come and go as you please?" The Second Elder chimed in, his eyes glinting with murderous intent.
Mo Yang sneered, then coldly shouted, "It seems that today, I can only betray the Lingxu Sect!"
As he spoke, the mind-cultivation technique from the First Layer of the Star Emperor Sutra activated quietly, resulting in a sudden and intense surge of True Qi within him. Both the First Elder and the Second Elder were filled with rage but couldn’t hide their astonishment. The aura emanating from Mo Yang at that moment was remarkably strong, far surpassing that of an average Qi Realm practitioner.
A crowd of sect’s disciples began to join the existing one, drawn by the commotion. Mo Yang was contemplating how to survive this situation. Despite the dramatic transformation he had undergone overnight, he was fully aware of the terrifying strength of the First and Second Elders. Engaging in a confrontation would likely lead to his defeat in mere moments.
He discreetly scanned the gathered Lingxu Sect disciples and his attention landed on a newly arrived young girl, the Lingxu Sect Master's daughter, Su Fei!
"Whoosh..."
Mo Yang unleashed the full power within him, employing the Spirit Void Step, the movement technique of the Lingxu Sect. He pretended to prepare for an attack while actually making a swift dash to the side.
The Second and First Elders, thinking he was about to engage them directly, instinctively activated their True Qi in defense. To their surprise, Mo Yang wasn’t targeting them at all; instead, he zipped past them at lightning speed, making a beeline for the disciples.
"Beast, you're seeking your own doom!" the Second Elder yelled in anger as the truth sank in.
"Mo Yang, how dare you! All disciples, fall back!" the First Elder also barked urgently.
But at such a close range, it was already too late to change anything.
Mo Yang launched himself forward like an arrow released from a bow, reaching Su Fei in an instant. He seized her, quickly tapping her a few times with his left hand to seal her True Qi, while his right hand firmly gripped her neck.
After a decade of deeply engaging with theoretical concepts, refining the techniques taught by the Fourth Elder, and participating in an intensive overnight course facilitated by the Star Emperor Sutra, Mo Yang underwent an astonishing transformation. Guided by the profound insights of the Sutra, he learned to translate theory into practical application. Filled with excitement and a sense of accomplishment, Mo Yang was eager to put his newfound knowledge to use. He was no longer the same 15-year-old boy; everything about him now exuded confidence. Never again! I will never be bullied and humiliated again!
Many disciples joined the crowd in bewilderment at that moment. They had just arrived and were completely in the dark about what was happening. Additionally, who would actually feel threatened by Mo Yang, someone widely considered useless?
"Mo Yang, you pathetic fool, how dare you lay a hand on me!" Su Fei shouted, still in disbelief, and immediately scolded him.
The First Elder and the Second Elder, who had rushed in, were taken aback by the scene. Their expressions changed dramatically as they halted in their tracks.
"I simply want to leave in peace; don’t force my hand to harm her!" Mo Yang's voice was cold and sharp as he glared at both Elders.
"Mo Yang, do you even comprehend the consequences of your actions!" the First Elder bellowed.
Mo Yang remained silent, tightening his grip on Su Fei's neck as he began to back away slowly. Su Fei emitted a sound of discomfort, "Ow."
At that moment, the newly arrived disciples finally reacted. Overcome by the intense aura radiating from Mo Yang, their faces turned pale, and they were caught off guard.
Wasn't Mo Yang supposed to be worthless? Why was his aura so fearsome now? The crucial part was that Mo Yang's actions were utterly astonishing; he was actually using the Lingxu Sect Master's daughter as a hostage to threaten the Lingxu Sect Elders.
Su Fei’s face had drained of color from fear. She felt Mo Yang's resolve and was too scared to move, worried he might act on his threat.
"Mo Yang, I won’t pick on you anymore, please..." The intense pressure around her neck caused her to panic. She had started to acknowledge her mistakes, and her voice quivered with a hint of sobbing.
Upon discovering Mo Yang's cultivation, he was taken aback. However, he swiftly refocused on the current situation and spoke to Mo Yang: "Now that you’ve started your cultivation journey, you can feel secure staying at the Lingxu Sect. The sect will treat you justly, and the Fourth Elder's years of dedication to you will not be in vain!"
"Aiyo[1]. Treat me fairly? How has the Lingxu Sect treated me all these years? If it weren't for my Master's protection, would I even be here today?" Mo Yang couldn't help but let out a laugh with mockery.
After ten years in the Lingxu Sect, he had a clear understanding of who these Elders were. At this moment, they were finally recognizing his cultivation abilities. He realized that if he had only demonstrated Qi Realm skills, the First Elder would have stepped in to oppose him.
He continued, "My Master suffered a tragic fate at the hands of a Supreme Expert from a Great Dao Sect. I understand that the Lingxu Sect chose not to express their anger publicly out of fear, but it was unjust to lay all the blame on me. More than anyone, I long for my Master's return!"
The First Elder's gaze sharpened, and his expression grew icy. "You don't want to stay?" His tone now held a hint of coldness.
The First Elder’s resistance to Mo Yang's departure was rooted in more than just his grasp of the sect's esteemed combat techniques. It was driven by a profound conviction that every exceptionally gifted disciple bore a duty to safeguard the sect’s legacy and customs. The First Elder viewed Mo Yang not only as a talented individual but also as an indispensable asset in the ongoing battle against external threats. To him, Mo Yang represented a piece in a much larger strategy. He could not permit Mo Yang to leave, as it would send a message to all disciples that such actions were acceptable and empty the sect.
Mo Yang slowly shook his head in response.
"You can leave, but you must first cripple your Meridians; then, I will allow you to go!" The First Elder's words turned frigid as he witnessed Mo Yang's resolute demeanor.
"You ungrateful wretch, the Lingxu Sect has nurtured you for so long. Without the Lingxu Sect, where would you be today? Do you think you can come and go as you please?" The Second Elder chimed in, his eyes glinting with murderous intent.
Mo Yang sneered, then coldly shouted, "It seems that today, I can only betray the Lingxu Sect!"
As he spoke, the mind-cultivation technique from the First Layer of the Star Emperor Sutra activated quietly, resulting in a sudden and intense surge of True Qi within him. Both the First Elder and the Second Elder were filled with rage but couldn’t hide their astonishment. The aura emanating from Mo Yang at that moment was remarkably strong, far surpassing that of an average Qi Realm practitioner.
A crowd of sect’s disciples began to join the existing one, drawn by the commotion. Mo Yang was contemplating how to survive this situation. Despite the dramatic transformation he had undergone overnight, he was fully aware of the terrifying strength of the First and Second Elders. Engaging in a confrontation would likely lead to his defeat in mere moments.
He discreetly scanned the gathered Lingxu Sect disciples and his attention landed on a newly arrived young girl, the Lingxu Sect Master's daughter, Su Fei!
"Whoosh..."
Mo Yang unleashed the full power within him, employing the Spirit Void Step, the movement technique of the Lingxu Sect. He pretended to prepare for an attack while actually making a swift dash to the side.
The Second and First Elders, thinking he was about to engage them directly, instinctively activated their True Qi in defense. To their surprise, Mo Yang wasn’t targeting them at all; instead, he zipped past them at lightning speed, making a beeline for the disciples.
"Beast, you're seeking your own doom!" the Second Elder yelled in anger as the truth sank in.
"Mo Yang, how dare you! All disciples, fall back!" the First Elder also barked urgently.
But at such a close range, it was already too late to change anything.
Mo Yang launched himself forward like an arrow released from a bow, reaching Su Fei in an instant. He seized her, quickly tapping her a few times with his left hand to seal her True Qi, while his right hand firmly gripped her neck.
After a decade of deeply engaging with theoretical concepts, refining the techniques taught by the Fourth Elder, and participating in an intensive overnight course facilitated by the Star Emperor Sutra, Mo Yang underwent an astonishing transformation. Guided by the profound insights of the Sutra, he learned to translate theory into practical application. Filled with excitement and a sense of accomplishment, Mo Yang was eager to put his newfound knowledge to use. He was no longer the same 15-year-old boy; everything about him now exuded confidence. Never again! I will never be bullied and humiliated again!
Many disciples joined the crowd in bewilderment at that moment. They had just arrived and were completely in the dark about what was happening. Additionally, who would actually feel threatened by Mo Yang, someone widely considered useless?
"Mo Yang, you pathetic fool, how dare you lay a hand on me!" Su Fei shouted, still in disbelief, and immediately scolded him.
The First Elder and the Second Elder, who had rushed in, were taken aback by the scene. Their expressions changed dramatically as they halted in their tracks.
"I simply want to leave in peace; don’t force my hand to harm her!" Mo Yang's voice was cold and sharp as he glared at both Elders.
"Mo Yang, do you even comprehend the consequences of your actions!" the First Elder bellowed.
Mo Yang remained silent, tightening his grip on Su Fei's neck as he began to back away slowly. Su Fei emitted a sound of discomfort, "Ow."
At that moment, the newly arrived disciples finally reacted. Overcome by the intense aura radiating from Mo Yang, their faces turned pale, and they were caught off guard.
Wasn't Mo Yang supposed to be worthless? Why was his aura so fearsome now? The crucial part was that Mo Yang's actions were utterly astonishing; he was actually using the Lingxu Sect Master's daughter as a hostage to threaten the Lingxu Sect Elders.
Su Fei’s face had drained of color from fear. She felt Mo Yang's resolve and was too scared to move, worried he might act on his threat.
"Mo Yang, I won’t pick on you anymore, please..." The intense pressure around her neck caused her to panic. She had started to acknowledge her mistakes, and her voice quivered with a hint of sobbing.
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
"Mo Yang, are you really willing to turn against the Lingxu Sect?" Just then, an elderly voice echoed.
A middle-aged man and an Elder appeared simultaneously, advancing toward them.
Two new Elders appeared simultaneously, advancing toward them. The Lingxu Sect Master and the Grand Elder[2] , respectively Su Fei’s father and grandfather, had both shown up at the same time.
Mo Yang’s heart raced, and his expression grew even graver. Not only did the Grand Elder have formidable power, but the Lingxu Sect Master’s strength surpassed his own. Which Elder is missing now? Mo Yang mused to himself, ironically.
"Mo Yang, don't act recklessly. If the Fourth Elder were still alive, he wouldn’t want you to do this!" the Lingxu Sect Master said, maintaining a calm expression.
He projected an imposing presence and regarded Mo Yang with a steady gaze. Though he appeared composed, inwardly he was anything but. He couldn’t fathom how Mo Yang had managed to tap into the Earth Realm!
Both he and the Grand Elder were already aware of the situation; otherwise, they wouldn't have approached Mo Yang with such composure. Mo Yang understood that the Grand Elder and the Lingxu Sect Master were not planning any immediate actions and instead opted for calm persuasion, all due to the impressive Earth Realm cultivation he had displayed. His cultivation level easily surpassed that of all the disciples of the Lingxu Sect, making the situation unmistakably clear. Every sect aimed to have the strongest among them, and every prodigy was nurtured. With his new abilities, Mo Yang had become incredibly valuable.
Still holding Su Fei, Mo Yang thought, A bunch of hypocrites!
"Look at what you've done!" The Grand Elder approached the First and Second Elders, a cold sneer on his lips as he glared at them, clearly displeased. Turning to Mo Yang, he said calmly, "Rest assured, as long as you are here, Wood Peak will remain independent, and no one in the Lingxu Sect will dare to give you any trouble from now on!" He shot a fierce look at the First and Second Elders before surveying the crowd of disciples, most of whom hung their heads in shame. He continued, "The Fourth Elder's memorial tomb has just been built; do you really want to leave before fulfilling your filial duties?"
These words struck Mo Yang deeply. At that moment, the Lingxu Sect Master added, "If you genuinely want to leave, I won’t stop you. But if you decide to stay, you can cultivate peacefully at Wood Peak and fully access the sect library without anyone bothering you." He sighed softly, "The Fourth Elder met a tragic end at the hands of others. Naturally, we want to seek vengeance, but you know our Lingxu Sect is too weak against the Great Dao Sect. We must consider the lives of countless disciples in the Lingxu Sect."
Silence enveloped the place, creating a peculiar atmosphere as everyone’s attention turned to Mo Yang. After a long pause, he finally sighed and said, "I will stay to observe filial piety for a hundred days[3]." With that, he released Su Fei. Mo Yang made this decision partly out of a genuine desire to honor his Master and partly because he understood his precarious situation.
Upon hearing this, the Lingxu Sect Master and the Grand Elder exchanged a subtle glance, and a hint of joy appeared in their eyes. They nodded and said, "Good. That's good!"
After regaining her senses, Su Fei quickly retreated to the Lingxu Sect Master's side, looking at Mo Yang with anger.
The Sect Master quickly said, "Fei’er[4], don't be rude. In the future, you two should communicate more; you are both the future of the Lingxu Sect!"
The First and Second Elders stayed quiet at that moment. They recognized they had made a major error in attacking him, and retaining him was the best outcome for the Lingxu Sect. Their pride, however, overshadowed their judgment, and the decade of contempt regarding the Fourth Elder's preference for an apparently useless individual weighed heavily on them. Mo Yang, despite being at only the early stage of the Earth Realm, was more powerful than any early stage of the Earth Realm practitioner they had encountered. If he could remain with the Lingxu Sect, he would undoubtedly become a valuable asset in the future.
Without saying a word, Mo Yang took his light bundle of personal belongings, quietly turned, and walked toward Wood Peak. With his departure, the tense atmosphere diminished, and the nearby disciples collectively sighed with relief, beginning to discuss the events among themselves.
Once the disciples had dispersed, the Elders stayed behind. The Sect Master frowned, turning to the Grand Elder and remarking, "I recently looked into his background, and there were no signs of True Qi fluctuations in him. How could it suddenly change?"
The Grand Elder gazed at Wood Peak from a distance and sighed, "This young man is quite exceptional. It appears that his cultivation impediment has been entirely overcome. Given his talent, he is bound to stand out in a few years!"
He continued in a serious tone, "I’m concerned that he won’t remain in the Lingxu Sect for long. His extraordinary abilities may lead to trouble for us if he decides to become our enemy in the future. He could pose a significant hidden threat to the Lingxu Sect!"
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
Upon returning to Wood Peak, Mo Yang secured the courtyard gate and promptly settled into meditation for his cultivation practice. Having been forsaken for a decade, a singular focus drove him: to cultivate diligently and make the most of every moment. He had to become stronger as rapidly as he could!
The initial layer of the Star Emperor Sutra aligned with the first four Realms of Cultivation: the Qi Realm, Body Refining Realm, Core Realm, and Earth Realm. Mo Yang had reached the early stage of the Earth Realm and intended to re-Cultivate the preceding Realms, meaning he would reconstruct his True Qi to reach perfection.
Although he was unfamiliar with the terms "Star Emperor", the title implied immense power. This became even clearer when he recalled the figure he had seen in the desolate grey expanse of the Pagoda Tower. That figure resembled an ancient deity and radiated an aura that commanded the attention of both the heavens and the earth.
When he first practiced the Star Emperor Sutra last night, nothing seemed amiss. However, as he recultivated the earlier Realms, he found his usual meridians of circulation abruptly altered. While the Star Emperor Sutra mind-cultivation flowed through him, the surrounding Source Qi was drawn in forcefully, permeating his body through his skin.
His body felt as if it were transforming; his meridians expanded under pressure, and the previously yellow core gradually morphed into a golden hue with each completion of the mind-cultivation. The most peculiar aspect was that, upon completing his cultivation, he discovered a mysterious mark in his middle Dantian[5]. However, the mark remained faint, and despite scrutinizing it for a long time, Mo Yang couldn't discern it clearly or sense anything unusual.
The cultivation of Wei and Ying energy is truly remarkable once fully assimilated. With the reconstruction of my Source Qi, my True Qi has become solidified, and my meridians and vessels are now strong and fully open. At my current level of cultivation, I can re-cultivate the first three Realms in mere days. By then, my combat strength will undoubtedly reach new heights!
Mo Yang sensed something amiss and couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh. He then stepped mentally into the stone pagoda to contemplate the runes adorning its walls.
After the string of recent events, Wood Peak had settled into a quiet calm. No disciple dared to create any more trouble or even approach Wood Peak.
[1] "Aiyo" (written as 哎哟 or 哎喲) is a common Chinese interjection used to express pain, surprise, dismay, or frustration, similar to "ouch," "oh no," or "wow" in English. It often conveys a stronger or more pained emotion than the similar phrase aiya (哎呀). It is frequently used in daily conversation to react to unexpected situations.
“Aiya” (哎呀, āiyā) is a ubiquitous Chinese interjection used to express a wide range of intense emotions, similar to "Oh my God!", "Oh no!", or "Wow!" in English. It frequently conveys frustration, surprise, exasperation, regret, or impatience, and is used to signal shock or adoration
[2] Characters :
- Sect Master (Su Fei’s father)
- Grand Elder (Su Fei’s grandfather)
- First Elder
- Second Elder
- Third Elder
- Fourth Elder (Mo Yang’s deceased master)
- Su Fei, daughter of the Lingxu Sect Master – Also named Fei’er
[3] Mourning duration
[4] ‘In Chinese, "er" is the pinyin for several distinct characters, with the most common meanings being "two," "child," or "ear," depending on the tone and character used.
In this context, "ér" (儿) specifically refers to a child or son. It is also used as a diminutive marker in names and nouns; for example, "érzi" means "son," and "nǚ'ér" means "daughter." Additionally, "er" can serve as an endearment or nickname, often appended to names as a term of affection for children or friends, such as "Ling'er."
To learn more, visit the tab ‘HONORIFICS, ADDRESS FORMS’ in the top menu.
[5] In Chinese, Dantian (丹田) translates to "elixir field" or "cinnabar field," referring to vital energy centers in the body crucial in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qigong, and martial arts, with the lower Dantian (下丹田) in the abdomen being the main energy hub for cultivating life force (qi).
There are three main Dantian, each with a different focus:- Lower Dantian (下丹田): Below the navel; refines essence (Jing) into vitality (Qi).
- Middle Dantian (中丹田): At the heart level; refines Qi into spirit (Shen).
- Upper Dantian (上丹田): At the forehead (between eyebrows); refines spirit (Shen) into emptiness (Wu Wei).
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