Chapter 1625: Transformation into Divine Dao Companions

Outside the Cloud Wall, Nascent Soul cultivators, having received the news, gradually arrived. Gazing at the Cloud Wall, the cultivators were eager to try, but in reality, the expanding Cloud Wall forced them to repeatedly retreat. Ultimately, only a very few dared to risk their lives and possessed the strength to breach the Cloud Wall. Inside the Cloud Wall, the scene was chaotic, with hidden currents surging. It was too dangerous!

"Old Ghost Chou, what should we do? If we keep waiting, the most valuable treasures in the secret realm will surely be plundered..." Old Ancestor Que Shan's tone was somewhat anxious. They had gathered allies and traveled together through the turbulent currents, never expecting to encounter such a formidable obstacle here. Although the Cloud Wall's interior was extremely chaotic, he estimated that Nascent Soul cultivators, if cautious enough, wouldn't easily die inside. However, Old Ghost Chou was absolutely unwilling to take the risk. Feeling vulnerable on his own and deeming it too unsafe, he too was held back outside.

Old Ghost Chou said unhurriedly, "Some suspect this secret realm is the Immortal Abode of the Formless Immortal Sect. I'd say it's highly likely. Who do you think has the ability to open an immortal abode? Even if you could get in, do you have the strength to compete with them for the top treasures inside? The few cultivators who just entered haven't made any noise yet. Let's wait a bit longer."

"Those cultivators are no weaker than us. If they're all forced out, then we can only wait for the Cloud Wall to dissipate..." Old Ancestor Que Shan sighed softly.

Cloud energy and turbulent currents mingled. Cultivators guarding outside the Cloud Wall either gathered in small groups, inviting acquaintances to join forces, or stood alone in the distance, waiting for an opportune moment. Some entered the Cloud Wall in groups. Soon, people continuously retreated from the Cloud Wall in a disheveled state, some even sustaining injuries, which made others even more hesitant to act rashly. It was unclear how much time had passed. The Cloud Wall showed no signs of weakening; instead, it became even more violent and appeared more dangerous.

Outside the crowd, in a concealed spot, several figures hovered. All were monks and nuns, dressed in simple grey robes, without makeup. Some wore monastic hats, having been tonsured, while others were lay Buddhist women cultivators with their hair, wearing elegant and simple miao-chang crowns. They had just arrived and observed for a while. The leading old nun's glabella faintly glowed, and a crystalline jade stone emerged, like an opened third eye. The jade stone reflected the Cloud Wall, and images from its interior seemed to flash frequently within it, revealing its mysterious depths. Suddenly, the jade stone vanished back into the old nun's glabella.

The old nun said solemnly, "The collapse of the Guardian Cloud Dragon wouldn't ordinarily cause such ferocity. The chaos within the Formless Immortal Sect and the self-activation of the grand formation — these various conditions combined have led to an anomaly. Before the Cloud Wall shows signs of weakening, entering from this place will not be easy."

"Is this truly the legendary Formless Immortal Sect?" a young nun said excitedly, "Didn't Senior Aunt say that our Hidden Moon Temple has deep ties with the Formless Immortal Sect? Is there no way for us to pass through the Cloud Wall? The Formless Immortal Sect controlled the legendary Immortal Palace and excavated countless supreme treasures. Even if we can't enter the Immortal Palace, obtaining any treasures from the Formless Immortal Sect would be an immense opportunity!"

All the nuns looked at the old nun. Unexpectedly, the old nun hesitated, then turned and flew towards the outside of the passage. The others, confused, quickly followed.

As they flew, the old nun glanced at a lay Buddhist woman beside her and said, "Junior Sister, when I took you on as a disciple on behalf of our master, I didn't tell you these things because the Formless Immortal Sect no longer existed, rendering it meaningless. Furthermore, the cultivation world completely suppressed the Formless Immortal Sect, and although we are a hidden sect, we didn't want to expose our connection to them and invite trouble. Unexpectedly, the Immortal Abode would reappear in the world, which shows that the Formless Immortal Sect's legacy has not been severed."

Although the lay Buddhist woman wore simple grey robes and had a plain face, her exquisite beauty could not be concealed. She nodded, clearly a person of few words.

A middle-aged lay Buddhist woman cultivator with her hair, standing nearby, interjected, "Not only is Junior Sister Liuli unaware, but we ourselves are also quite unclear. We are Buddhist cultivators; how are we connected to the Formless Immortal Sect?"

"In the Central Plains cultivation world, especially in the two southern barbarian states, tracing back their roots, which force dares to claim no relation to the Formless Immortal Sect?" The old nun said with emotion, "The Formless Immortal Sect, following the most common five elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, established the Five Aspects Halls. However, their legacy was not limited to these five branches; it was truly a hundred flowers blooming. They simply didn't establish separate branches, broadly categorizing everything under the five elements and their respective Five Aspects Halls. This is just within the Formless Immortal Sect itself; the number of forces that were allied with the Formless Immortal Sect back then was countless, including demonic and Buddhist factions. The Sweet Dew Zen Temple and the Eight Vista Monastery also have deep roots with the Formless Immortal Sect."

This was the first time the others had heard these secrets.

"Our Hidden Moon Temple was also once affiliated with the Formless Immortal Sect?"

The old nun nodded, "The Hidden Moon Temple's connection to the Formless Immortal Sect is deeper than others. Our founding ancestor was once the Dao-companion of a Soul Transformation Elder from the Formless Immortal Sect."

"A Soul Transformation Dao-companion!" the young nun exclaimed, "Why did the Ancestor become a monastic?"

"After Soul Transformation, there is an opportunity for ascension, but the path to ascension is difficult. Even Soul Transformation cultivators face uncertain life and death; whole-sect ascension only exists in legend. Our Ancestor failed to break through to Soul Transformation several times. Her Dao-companion was unwilling to ascend alone, but the Ancestor did not want to become an obstacle on her Dao-companion's immortal path, so she forced her Dao-companion to leave by threatening her own life. Her Dao-companion promised to return and guide the Ancestor once her cultivation was complete, but both understood that this departure meant separation between two realms, with no hope of reunion. After her Dao-companion left, the Ancestor, unable to bear the pain of longing and unwilling to see the familiar sights of the Formless Immortal Sect, entered monastic life, founding the Hidden Moon Temple, and from then on lived a life of quiet devotion..."

The old nun recounted slowly, her tone calm, but everyone could feel the profound affection between the Ancestor and her Dao-companion. How could there be a perfect solution in this world? Even Soul Transformation cultivators have moments of powerlessness and helplessness. They joined the Hidden Moon Temple to cultivate Buddhist Dharma, with the primary goal of achieving purity of mind and few desires. No wonder there were so many such methods within the sect. It turned out that the Ancestor, having experienced the full bitterness of emotional suffering, turned to cultivating Buddhist Dharma, unwilling for future generations to repeat her tragic path.

"Did the Ancestor's Dao-companion not fulfill her promise?" The young nun's expression was downcast, sympathizing with the Ancestor's plight.

The old nun recited a Buddhist chant, "Worldly affairs change, and immortal sects rise and fall. Over countless years, there must have been many Soul Transformation cultivators who ascended eastward, but none have ever been heard of manifesting from the upper realm to benefit their old acquaintances. Otherwise, why would the Formless Immortal Sect have met such a fate?"

As they spoke, they flew out of the turbulent passage, only to see a clamoring, dense crowd of people outside. Cultivators from nearby, regardless of their cultivation level, had all gathered. Nascent Soul cultivators were blocked outside the Cloud Wall, and those below Golden Core couldn't even enter the passage. All were guarding nearby, hoping the passage would fully open. Mount Taiyue was bustling with people, more lively than ever before.

The nuns secretly flew to the edge of the crowd. The old nun opened her palm, revealing a warm jade immortal pendant, shimmering faintly. It was precisely the treasure she had retrieved from the pagoda.

"Due to our Ancestor's connection, the Formless Immortal Sect treated Hidden Moon Temple with special favor. One could directly teleport from Hidden Moon Temple to the Formless Immortal Sect. During the brutal demonic calamity, which caused mountains in Southern Barbarian Lands to shift and rivers to change course, our Grand Ancestors were forced to abandon the old temple grounds and flee when the Formless Immortal Sect went silent. Later, they searched many times but couldn't find it, suspecting the temple had been affected and collapsed. This jade was a gift exchanged by our Ancestor and her Dao-companion when they first met. It was later refined again to serve as a warning treasure. With the emergence of the Formless Immortal Sect, the jade has regained its radiance. Perhaps it can help us find our temple. Instead of risking breaching the Cloud Wall, it's better to give this a try." As she spoke, she closed her hand around the warm jade.

It was unclear what spell she used, but the light from the warm jade immortal pendant began to change rhythmically, though not very clearly. The old nun frowned slightly, then suddenly flew towards the eastern side of Mount Taiyue. Even after flying beyond Mount Taiyue, the old nun showed no sign of stopping. The other nuns had no choice but to suppress their curiosity and follow her closely.

"That's Que Shan ahead." The young nun gazed into the distance and said softly. She had once traveled outside and was familiar with the terrain of Southern State. Old Ancestor Que Shan was guarding the Cloud Wall in the passage; they had no need to worry about him.

The old nun flew straight towards Que Shan. The others were prepared to forcibly breach Que Shan's grand formation, but unexpectedly, the old nun suddenly changed direction and greatly accelerated her speed! Immediately after, the nuns became confused. The old nun's figure flashed repeatedly, flying back and forth around Que Shan. It was unclear whether the jade treasure was malfunctioning or if the object they were searching for was moving at high speed. Before long, the old nun's figure rapidly descended, plummeting straight into a deep ravine in the back of Que Shan, and she uttered a low shout, "Open!"

The jade treasure flew from her hand. It flew to the center of the deep ravine and stopped in mid-air. The void trembled slightly, then suddenly erupted with brilliant light. The other nuns had already flown above the deep ravine, jointly shielding the anomaly to prevent outsiders from discovering it.

"We found it!" The old nun was first delighted, then shocked. Behind the anomaly was a scene of utter ruin, almost a complete wasteland, long past its former glory. Only a few dilapidated, crumbling old Buddhist halls remained.

Besides the monks and nuns from Hidden Moon Temple, there were also mysterious figures elsewhere, searching for something, but most returned disappointed.

At the edge of Mount Taiyue, this area was characterized by layered peaks and rugged terrain, making it the most complex part of Mount Taiyue. It was not without perilous places like poisonous pools and sinister valleys.

In a dark canyon, a wisp of black smoke suddenly emerged, revealing two bizarre figures. After a period of wriggling, they transformed into human form. However, these two were abnormally tall, reaching nine feet in height. They would undoubtedly stand out in any crowd, drawing attention. Of course, even more striking was their appearance. One had cheeks resembling fish gills, and a mouth that looked like a slit across his face, stretching from his left ear to his right ear, making him exceptionally ugly. The other had wings growing from his ribs, a long nose, a pointed beak, and pristine white wings, with every feather as translucent as jade. A few feathers were slightly disheveled, and he instinctively turned his head to tidy them, only to find he couldn't reach.

"Hiss... that old nun's gaze was incredibly sharp. We were hidden beneath the grand formation, and she almost saw through our disguise..." The Fish Demon patted his chest, still feeling lingering fear.

The Bird Demon stiffened and extended his neck, using his beak to preen his feathers, then retracted it contentedly. "I, on the other hand, think that prettiest little nun is even more formidable. Perhaps only a Great Sage personally intervening could suppress her."

The Fish Demon clicked his tongue, "The human race truly has hidden talents. And this is just the Southern Barbarian Territory. No wonder the Sage King agreed to divide the sea and rule. Human experts are increasing. Green-furred Rat and Black Lion are far away in Jinyu State; they certainly won't make it in time. The Great Sage ordered us to disperse to various places, but it's uncertain how many will arrive... We are no match for the human race."

"These nuns are a bit strange. They didn't enter the secret realm; instead, they went in the opposite direction." The Bird Demon observed for a moment, then flew high into the sky to look outwards.

The Fish Demon mused, "The old nun seems to have some treasure in her hand; its fluctuations exposed their traces. They probably have another plan. It's a pity it's only the two of us; otherwise, following them would surely yield something."

The Bird Demon turned his head to look at the passage. "Let's wait and see. Perhaps there will be an opportunity to fish in troubled waters."

The Fish Demon scoffed, "Be careful not to lose your life in there. Human cultivators are like mad dogs when they see us! Didn't those human cultivators we just captured say this might be the immortal abode of some ancient human sect? There probably won't be many treasures useful to us. It's best to just honestly guard this place and wait for the Great Sage's decision."

"I hope the Great Sage arrives quickly." The two demons exchanged a few more words, then silently disappeared into the shadows.

"Ice Grand Palace."

Qin Sang's main body was embarking on the Path of Inquiry towards the Jade Pavilion of Langhuan, while his external avatar flew for a while, arriving before the Ice Palace. Only upon getting closer did he realize the Ice Palace's grandeur. The actual Ice Palace perfectly displayed the scenes from the mysterious ice disk. Its interior was layered with platforms and pavilions, fully exhibiting the grandeur of an immortal palace. Before the entrance of the Ice Palace, there was a plaque reading 'Ice Grand Palace'! It was somewhat different from what he expected; there were no words related to the Water Aspect here. But besides the Water Aspect lineage, where else would such a grand palace need to be built? Qin Sang felt it was highly probable he hadn't made a mistake.

The external avatar glanced left and right, saw no one approaching for the time being, and walked to the entrance of the Ice Grand Palace. He found the door ajar and pushed it open effortlessly. Though it was an ice palace, there was no bone-chilling cold. What met his eyes was a small lake. A gentle breeze blew. In the lake grew a vibrant lotus, which was in full bloom. But this was the only splash of color in the desolation. The lake's water was almost dry, and weeds grew profusely.

The avatar took out the mysterious ice disk, then, after a thought, hid it back in his sleeve, using a secret art to conceal its aura. As he walked through the main gate, he immediately noticed the dilapidated fence along the lakeshore. It was overgrown with vines and withered grass. The avatar waved his hand to clear away the obscuring growth and scrutinized it carefully. Over a long period, many traces had been erased by time, but some information could still be discerned from them.

"A great battle occurred here!" Qin Sang concluded. In the past, that great turmoil had actually spread here; enemies had attacked the Ice Grand Palace. The Formless Immortal Sect was at a moment of life and death, no wonder they abandoned their sect and scattered to flee. It was no longer possible to discern the divine abilities used by both sides from these traces.

The avatar looked up and surveyed the area ahead, finding many spiritual trees growing by the lake. Some had survived and would be considered rare treasures in the outside world. However, his target was clearly not these. He flashed onto the top of a tree, saw three paths hidden in the woods, and casually chose the one on the left. After traveling for a while, the avatar returned the way he came. The end of this path seemed to be a side hall, even more dilapidated than the lakeshore. Though the ancient hall hadn't completely collapsed, it had been severely damaged and was long empty.

Unexpectedly, he had been inside the Ice Palace for so long without encountering any powerful restrictions, like those on the cliff face, blocking his way, which was clearly abnormal. He hadn't even had a chance to test the effectiveness of the mysterious ice disk.

"Surely the Ice Grand Palace wasn't completely shattered, was it?" the avatar muttered, then headed to the right. As expected, the side hall on the right was much the same. He wasted no more time, retreated directly, chose the middle path, and swiftly moved forward.