Chapter 1281: 神纹宗

Lu Ye often felt that learning was endless, and the deeper he delved into the path of spirit纹, the more he appreciated its vastness and profundity. In fact, every aspect of a cultivator's practice is inextricably linked to spirit纹, though cultivators often overlook this connection. Nevertheless, the influence of spirit纹 undoubtedly permeates every cultivator's life.

Bright Moon Peak housed an extensive collection of books on spirit纹, all accumulated by his Master throughout her life. Lu Ye had previously browsed many of them, but at a lower cultivation level and with less refined skill in spirit纹, he had only skimmed through much of the content without profound understanding. Re-examining them now, he gained fresh perspectives and often received new insights, which proved highly beneficial.

Days turned into weeks, and Lu Ye remained on Bright Moon Peak for two months. It was only after two months that he finally emerged from Bright Moon Peak. He had an inexplicable feeling as if time had stood still or he had been in another realm.

After two months of cultivation, Lu Ye felt that he had made significant progress in spirit纹. However, he was not eager to deduce spirit纹 again, as he subtly felt he still lacked a certain level of maturity. He knew that even if he were to attempt deductions now, the results would likely not be optimal.

He went to Shouzhen Peak and found his Second Senior Sister, Shui Yuan, who was refining elixirs while holding a medicinal gourd.

"If you wish to further your study of spirit纹, I suggest you travel to Youzhou!" Shui Yuan said, immediately understanding his intention upon his arrival.

"Youzhou?" Lu Ye asked, confused.

Shui Yuan explained, "In Youzhou, there's a Divine紋 Sect that occupies a revered location, considered a sacred site by all spirit纹 Masters across the Nine Provinces! In the past, only spirit纹 Masters affiliated with the Myriad Demon Ridge could cultivate there, as the Divine紋 Sect was part of their faction. However, circumstances have changed. Their sacred site is now open to Divine Sea Realm cultivators from the Vast Sky Alliance. If you wish to go, the Divine紋 Sect will surely not refuse."

Lu Ye was genuinely unaware of this. Truth be told, his knowledge of the Nine Provinces was limited; being young, he hadn't spent enough time exploring its vastness and knew little about the hidden lore of various sects. Had Shui Yuan not enlightened him, he would never have known there was such a sacred site for spirit纹 Masters within the Nine Provinces.

"You asked me to find the whereabouts of renowned spirit纹 Masters," Shui Yuan continued. "Many powerful spirit纹 Masters are currently gathered there, studying the path of spirit纹!"

Hearing this, Lu Ye's interest was immediately piqued. He was currently ravenous for knowledge about spirit纹, and knowing of such a gathering place for numerous spirit纹 Masters, he naturally wouldn't want to miss it.

He promptly bid farewell to Shui Yuan and set off on his journey. He proceeded directly to his sect's Heavenly Secret Hall and, using the Heavenly Secret Pillar, teleported to Youzhou. He materialized inside a Heavenly Secret Merchant Alliance, located less than three thousand li from the Divine紋 Sect, which also housed the closest Heavenly Secret Pillar to it.

As he intended to pay a respectful visit, it would be inappropriate to directly arrive within their main sect. Although Lu Ye possessed the ability to do so, such an act would be seen as an invasion, not a courtesy call.

Lu Ye took out a map, quickly oriented himself, then stepped out of the Heavenly Secret Merchant Alliance, soared into the sky, and sped directly towards the Divine紋 Sect.

In the past, the Nine Provinces were dominated by an endless confrontation between two major factions, each loyal to its own cause and inherently at odds. Youzhou, in its entirety, was under the control of the Myriad Demon Ridge, and the Divine紋 Sect was one of its affiliated sects. Naturally, their internal spirit纹 sacred site was not open to members of the Vast Sky Alliance. Similarly, the Heavenly Derivation Sect's Hundred Arrays Pagoda in Wuzhou would not be accessible to those from the Myriad Demon Ridge; each faction guarded its own prized assets.

However, the devastating insect plague that swept across the Nine Provinces, followed by the valiant expedition to the Blood Refinement Realm, had shattered the old dynamic. While the two major factions in the Nine Provinces are not entirely defunct, their relationship has significantly thawed. Many major sects, in particular, show signs of cooperation in various areas. Given this overarching trend, the Divine紋 Sect had opened its sacred site, welcoming spirit纹 Masters from the Vast Sky Alliance for study and exchange, effectively fostering goodwill.

Consequently, the Divine紋 Sect's sacred site now gathered spirit纹 Masters from across the Nine Provinces. If Lu Ye wished to engage in discussions and exchanges with other spirit纹 Masters, visiting the Divine紋 Sect was the most efficient and practical method, far better than calling on them individually. Shui Yuan had indeed sensed his purpose, which was why she offered him this guidance.

A short while later, a vast mountain range appeared before Lu Ye's eyes. The Divine纹 Sect was of a high rank; according to Heavenly Secret's assessment, it was a second-rank sect. It boasted a significant number of Divine Sea Realm cultivators and naturally commanded a substantial territory. In contrast to the current Blood Battle Sect, the Divine紋 Sect presented a far more vibrant scene. The mountain range teemed with exotic beasts and rare treasures, while spirit peaks concealed pavilions and terraces. Cultivators moved to and fro, painting a picture of a flourishing sect in a golden age. The Blood Battle Sect would one day achieve such prosperity, but not yet.

Lu Ye did not conceal his aura as he proceeded deeper into the sect. Along the way, he encountered Divine紋 Sect disciples who, upon sensing his Divine Sea Realm aura, respectfully bowed. Nevertheless, Lu Ye's youth astonished and impressed these disciples, who all realized he must be a prodigy nurtured by a top-tier sect, as such profound cultivation at his age would otherwise be impossible.

Lu Ye finally descended before the sect's mountain gate, where a welcoming disciple on duty approached him. The disciple bowed respectfully and inquired, "May I ask, fellow Daoist, your origin and the purpose of your visit to our Divine紋 Sect?"

The welcoming disciple's cultivation, at the True Lake Third Layer, was respectable for his position and a reflection of a second-rank sect's prestige. While usually, a Divine Sea Realm cultivator would be addressed as 'Senior,' Lu Ye's evident youth made that title unsuitable, so the disciple opted for "fellow Daoist."

Lu Ye produced a pre-prepared visiting card and handed it to the disciple, saying, "Please inform them that Lu Ye of the Blood Battle Sect has come to pay a visit!"

The welcoming disciple had initially been surprised by Lu Ye's youthful accomplishments, but upon hearing his name, he was visibly startled. He couldn't help but scrutinize Lu Ye, finding his face somewhat familiar. In the past, Lu Ye had caused significant upheaval in both the Spirit Creek and Cloud River Battlefields, making the major top-tier sects of the Myriad Demon Ridge suffer greatly. The Myriad Demon Ridge had even issued a bounty, promising a substantial reward to anyone who could slay Lu Yiye. It was during that period that Lu Ye's image circulated widely within the Myriad Demon Ridge faction. This welcoming disciple had indeed seen Lu Ye's image before, but several years had passed, and Lu Ye's cultivation and aura had changed, preventing immediate recognition. However, upon hearing Lu Ye's name, he quickly put the pieces together. "The Blood Battle Sect from Bingzhou?" he exclaimed.

"Precisely!"

The disciple's expression instantly became solemn, and he quickly said, "Please wait here, fellow Daoist; I will inform them right away!"

If one were to ask whose reputation shone brightest in the Nine Provinces today, it would not be the powerful cultivators who had ascended to the Star Constellation Realm, nor the long-established veteran Divine Sea Realm cultivators. It would be Lu Yiye of the Blood Battle Sect, once known as the 'Leaf of Sect Annihilation'! Whether in quelling the devastating insect plague or leading the expedition to the Blood Refinement Realm, Lu Ye had played an indelible and irreplaceable role. His contributions were largely responsible for the current era of prosperity in the Nine Provinces. Across the Nine Provinces, countless young cultivators viewed him as a role model, a living legend.

How could the welcoming disciple possibly neglect a figure of such stature, who had personally come to visit? Even the high-ranking officials of the Divine紋 Sect would not dare to show any disrespect!

Thus, shortly after the welcoming disciple departed, several powerful auras, all belonging to Divine Sea Realm cultivators, ascended from within the Divine紋 Sect. In a blink, they gathered at the mountain gate. The elderly man leading them greeted Lu Ye with a hearty laugh. "I was just wondering why the magpies were chirping joyfully on the branches today; it turns out we have such a distinguished guest!" he exclaimed. "Fellow Daoist Lu, you have traveled far, and our Divine紋 Sect has been remiss in our welcome. Please forgive our oversight!"

"Senior, you are too kind," Lu Ye replied. "I came uninvited and have caused much bother. Please extend your understanding."

Upon learning of Lu Yiye's arrival, the Divine Sea Realm cultivators of the Divine紋 Sect had initially been apprehensive. They worried that, given his youth, accomplishments, and widespread fame, he might possess the arrogance common among many young prodigies. However, seeing Lu Ye's current humble and polite demeanor, they relaxed considerably, and their attitudes became much more cordial.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Ye learned that the leading Divine Sea Realm cultivator was Pei Yuan, the current Sect Master of the Divine紋 Sect. Pei Yuan had originally been a Vice Sect Master, but the previous Sect Master had ascended to the Star Constellation Realm and departed the Nine Provinces, entrusting the position to him. Yet, judging by his aura and profound cultivation, he likely wouldn't hold the title for long; he might well encounter an opportunity to ascend to the Star Constellation Realm himself at any moment. Currently, all major top-tier sects across the Nine Provinces were facing this transition of old and new leadership. While this was undeniably a positive development for the entire cultivation world of the Nine Provinces, it also created numerous intricate arrangements for the affected sects to manage.

With Pei Yuan's introduction, Lu Ye greeted the Divine紋 Sect's Vice Sect Master and elders, after which they all proceeded warmly into the sect's interior. Once in the guest hall, after a brief rest and some pleasantries, Lu Ye went straight to the point, clearly stating the reason for his visit.

Pei Yuan seemed to have anticipated it. "I have long heard of your profound accomplishments in spirit紋, Fellow Daoist Lu, and seeing you now, it's clear you are indeed remarkably talented and young!" he said with a smile. "Our sect's sacred site is currently open to fellow Daoists from across the Nine Provinces. It would be our honor for you to observe; there's no objection. Would you prefer to go now, or would you like to rest for a while first?"

"I'll go now," Lu Ye replied. His sole purpose for coming was the revered sacred site for spirit纹 Masters; he had no inclination for idle chatter with the Divine紋 Sect members.

Pei Yuan nodded, rose, and said, "Then please follow me, Fellow Daoist."

Pei Yuan personally led Lu Ye out of the grand hall, soared into the air, and flew in a specific direction. Along the way, he briefly described the sacred site's features, while Lu Ye listened quietly. Lu Ye had, in fact, already learned about these details from Shui Yuan before his arrival. However, since Pei Yuan was kind enough to offer an introduction, Lu Ye saw no reason to be rude.

Soon, they arrived before a sheer cliff face. It was remarkably smooth and flat, as if carved by an immense, supreme power. Lu Ye presumed this was the famed sacred site.