Chapter 263: Three Conditions

Originally, the three powerful characters for "Thousand Cloud Sect" at the top of the mountain gate had been completely shattered by the Northern Jin forces. The area now appeared to be an ownerless mountain range. However, the crucial point was that the protective arrays and other restrictions in the back mountain were still intact. Since the Thousand Cloud Sect's downfall was orchestrated by the traitorous Sixth Elder, much of its heritage remained preserved, indicating that Tuobayun and his group still harbored future intentions for the site.

If Xu Yang and his companions didn't make arrangements soon, there was a risk that this location would be seized by others after their expedition to Qilin Mountain.

Upon this realization, Xu Yang immediately decided to establish the first branch of the Heavenly Cloud Sect at this premier location within the Three Thousand Dao States.

While Qizhou was also a reputable region on the continent, its influence and recognition were several tiers below that of the Three Thousand Dao States.

With Xu Yang now a supreme expert in the Tribulation Crossing Realm, supported by the Empress and their entire team, the Heavenly Cloud Sect's name would rapidly spread across the Three Thousand Dao States and even wider regions.

This would allow the sect to develop rapidly and, furthermore, form a network with forces like the Cold Moon Empire and the Yuanyang Empire, thereby solidifying its foundation.

"Excellent idea!" they exclaimed. "The Heavenly Cloud Sect will undoubtedly replace the Thousand Cloud Sect as the foremost sect in the Three Thousand Dao States, and eventually, the entire world!"

The Five Little Flowers of Cold Moon were also visibly excited. After their time together, they had formed deep bonds, losing the sharp edge of their former battlefield rivalry and instead helping each other like a close-knit family.

More importantly, with almost the entire team being female, their interactions were much smoother.

After solidifying this plan, Xu Yang and the Empress went directly to the back mountain. Using the Dao Heart Whisk to channel more potent Dao energy, they fundamentally altered the protective array patterns across the entire Thousand Cloud Peak.

With these new arrangements, no one outside their core team, nor any being below the Tribulation Crossing Realm, could approach the mountain's peak without Xu Yang's permission. To do so would invite unimaginable destructive consequences.

Concurrently, the Empress utilized the Cold Moon Empire's exclusive communication methods to dispatch personnel from the empire to return to the Thousand Cloud Sect's highest peak alongside the Dragon Python, where they would construct ancestral halls for the fallen sect disciples.

Xu Yang entrusted the Dragon Python with the full responsibility of overseeing both the Cold Moon Empire and the Heavenly Cloud Sect matters after their departure. Through the Dragon Python, they also issued a joint announcement to the Yuanyang Empire, preempting any attempts by others to interfere.

In truth, most of the Northern Jin Alliance's genuinely top-tier talents had already been taken by Tuobayun and his group. Among those remaining, only a handful possessed the capability to threaten the foundations of an empire-level entity.

"Heh heh, don't worry, Boss," the Dragon Python chuckled. "The spiritual energy here is so abundant; it's the best place to cultivate. You couldn't make me leave even if you tried! Oh, by the way, Qilin Mountain is a legendary divine Daoist site, on the same level as hidden realms like the Dragon Domain or Phoenix Nest. There might be cultivators who have surpassed the Extreme Realm there, so you absolutely must be careful!"

The Dragon Python's advice truly came from the heart. It now completely relied on Xu Yang, and if anything were to happen to him, the Dragon Python would likely be the most grief-stricken. After all, there was no formal contract between them; for the Dragon Python, every day spent with Xu Yang was pure gain. Xu Yang was practically its benefactor.

After settling all matters, Xu Yang formally set off with his companions, heading directly for Qilin Mountain.

Earlier, when Xu Yang returned Yan's head to the old sect master Qianyun Liefeng, the old master had already divulged the general location and method for finding Qilin Mountain. This was, in fact, a great secret of the Thousand Cloud Sect, never before shared. Xu Yang had fulfilled his promise, and the old sect master had given him his final gift in return.

According to the old sect master, finding Qilin Mountain required the collection of the Three Treasures of the World. Regardless of who possessed them, anyone who gathered these three treasures would gain the qualification to enter the mountain.

Conversely, if one failed to gather them, even if the mountain gate appeared right before their eyes, entry would remain impossible.

The first of these three treasures was the Nine-Petal Heavenward Plant, an ancient flower king and an exceptionally rare, peerless immortal blossom. It grew within the Ice Domain Mountain Range, located in the western reaches of the Three Thousand Dao States.

This immortal blossom functioned as a flying artifact capable of resisting lightning-attributed power. Unlike ordinary spirit ships, it possessed sentience; plants of extraordinary age could indeed develop consciousness. Only after gaining its approval would it emerge from the earth.

However, once uprooted, its extended lifespan would begin a countdown. Without specific external experiences, it would typically wither after surviving for approximately a thousand years.

The second supreme treasure was an exceptionally defensive divine-grade protective artifact: the Nine-Colored Qiankun Bell. This artifact, currently held within the Qiankun Dao Sect in the Three Thousand Dao States, was a top-tier divine relic on par with the Dao Heart Whisk. However, this particular bell was personally crafted by a legendary figure from ancient times and was rumored to be a million years old, serving as the Qiankun Dao Sect's most revered guardian treasure.

As for the third item, it was the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart. The old sect master did not know its specific purpose or where to locate it. However, he provided Xu Yang with a clue: an individual possessing a Dao Heart would be able to sense the fluctuations of the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart. Should it appear nearby, Xu Yang would undoubtedly react. Where to find it, how to encounter it, or even how to utilize it, would then depend entirely on providence.

Upon hearing these three conditions, the spirits of those traveling in the spirit ship deflated considerably.

"Boss, I have to say, according to the old sect master, barely anyone has ever been to Qilin Mountain," one of them remarked. "Can Tuobayun and his group truly expect to gain anything by making such a grand show of force?"

Xu Yang's expression grew colder as he considered Tuobayun's group. "This is their only chance," he stated, "which is why Tuobayun didn't hesitate to stake everything. As for why there would be a dragon treasure within Qilin Mountain, that remains unknown. After all, it's a divine-level domain, and we lack more precise information than Tuobayun's group, so we cannot speculate at this moment."

The Empress nodded. "A-Yang is right," she affirmed. "Our objective isn't to covet Qilin Mountain's dragon treasure. Instead, it's to stop and eliminate Tuobayun of Northern Jin and the Sword Alliance's subordinates. Even if we don't acquire these three treasures, annihilating these individuals would still be a significant achievement."

Only then did everyone manage to compose themselves. Indeed, just as the Empress had stated, upon hearing terms like "Qilin Mountain" and "dragon treasure," they had instinctively allowed their desires to sway them from their original intent. They had overlooked the fact that stopping the Northern Jin forces was the primary objective of their expedition.

As for Qilin Mountain itself, both Xu Yang and the Empress believed that a divine-level domain was not a place they could easily venture into at their current stage. Unless absolutely necessary, it was best not to get involved.