Chapter 1909: Farewell Yan Qing Gu Sheng

"Could it be that the Kunxu Realm, where the Hundred Schools of Thought are located, was not created by Master Kong?" Zhang Xuan's heart stirred.

Zhang Xuan had known before arriving that the Hundred Schools of Thought left the Master Teacher Continent to reside in a minor world created by Master Kong. Consequently, when he broke the seal and entered from Tianxuan Kingdom, he wasn't surprised. However, upon seeing the floating carvings before him, he suddenly realized that this might not be the case after all.

This minor world seemed to have existed since ancient times, not created by Master Kong.

The records of Master Kong disappeared from here. Could it be related to his ascension to the Heavens?

He continued walking forward.

After the floating carvings was an even larger room. Its walls were covered with murals depicting the numerous powerful figures from the Hundred Schools of Thought who had emerged and made significant contributions after arriving in this minor world.

As he had guessed, the Azure Bud Wheat was indeed cultivated by an Ancient Sage. However, it wasn't Ancient Sage Zichi, but one of his descendants, who, after tens of thousands of years of improvements, achieved its current effect: even without cultivation, an adult could reach the Grandmaster realm.

Their talent was higher, and their cultivation speed was also faster.

After finishing the murals, Zhang Xuan grew even more confused.

There were no further records of Master Kong after his disappearance here; it was as if he had completely departed, with no further news.

There was nothing else at the end of the room. After looking around for a while longer, Zhang Xuan felt helpless.

No further clues were found here.

Just as he was about to leave the ancestral hall to search for other clues, his body suddenly swayed. He concealed himself behind a side door, simultaneously setting up a dozen seals around himself. In an instant, his figure vanished from the spot, as if he had never been there.

As soon as he had hidden, footsteps sounded, and several figures walked in.

Peeking through the side door, Zhang Xuan quietly observed.

To his surprise, the one leading them was an old acquaintance: Ancient Sage Yan Qing!

He recognized the several people behind him as well—they were the ones who had besieged Emperor Chen Yong at the Confucius Temple.

With his current strength and understanding of space, he could remain hidden; as long as he didn't deliberately release his aura or communicate with others, these Ancient Sages would be unable to detect him.

"Their current state doesn't seem very good..."

Unlike when he had seen them before, back at the Confucius Temple, each of these individuals had an overwhelming aura, possessing the irresistible power and majesty of an Ancient Sage. Now, however, their vital energy was depleted, and both their appearance and true qi gave the impression that they could collapse at any moment.

This feeling was somewhat similar to Zhang Hongtian's earlier state, as if their lifespans were nearing their end.

"What's going on?"

He was filled with confusion.

At the Confucius Temple, when they had besieged Emperor Chen Yong, although the battle was intense and many were injured, their injuries weren't too severe. Given enough time, they should have easily recovered without major lingering issues. Why, after only a few months, were they all in such a state?

Ancient Sage Yan Qing, in particular, looked aged, his eyes dim, and he appeared to be on the verge of death, as if he could pass away at any moment.

"Cough cough!"

As he pondered in confusion, a cough sounded, and Ancient Sage Yan Qing's lips overflowed with blood.

"Yan Qing..."

An Ancient Sage behind him looked on with deep concern.

"I can still hold on!"

Shaking his head and forcefully suppressing his injuries, Ancient Sage Yan Qing turned around: "After the worship, let's begin!"

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, this is the only way. This is the mission and responsibility of our Hundred Schools of Thought."

Shaking his head, Ancient Sage Yan Qing's face was devoid of emotion. He said no more, bowing respectfully to Master Kong's statue before him and beginning the worship.

"To the Most Sage Ancient Master, I, Yan Qing, the seventy-third generation great-grandson of Ancient Sage Ziyuan, have abided by the ancient teachings and faithfully carried out my duties without a single day of neglect. Now that the Confucius Temple has opened, and the critical point spoken of in our ancestors' oral traditions has been reached, there is no turning back. We are willing to dedicate our lives to this cause. We hope that the Ancient Master, having received this news in the Heavens, will bless your descendants!"

He knelt on the ground, his expression reverent.

Master Kong's statue appeared to have no consciousness, remaining motionless and quiet.

After the worship, everyone stood up. Ancient Sage Yan Qing appeared even weaker: "Let's go!"

"Yes!"

Helplessness showed in everyone's eyes, but they said nothing, turning around simultaneously.

"Critical point? Sacrificing their lives?"

Watching them leave, Zhang Xuan removed the restrictions around his body, utterly bewildered.

Under normal circumstances, these Ancient Sages should be in slumber. Why had they come here to say such things? And what was the deal with their injuries?

Hadn't he heard that they were recovering at the Confucius Temple? Could repairing the Confucius Temple also cause injuries?

Full of curiosity, he followed closely behind them.

"Dragonbone Divine Spear, help me conceal my aura!"

With a flick of his wrist, the divine spear transformed back into a belt, enveloping his body. In the blink of an eye, he seemed to shrink, with not a trace of his aura leaking out, making him undetectable even to pinnacle Blood Rebirth cultivators.

Although Zhang Xuan's current combat power was comparable to Blood Rebirth experts, he hadn't yet broken through to the Ancient Sage realm. His control over his power was still somewhat lacking; while he could maintain an Immortal Realm grand completion without being noticed, tracking this group of the continent's most powerful experts would make him easily detectable.

The Dragonbone Divine Spear had consumed dragon blood and was only one step away from breaking through to Void Breaking. Its true combat power was considerably stronger than Ancient Sage Yan Qing's. With its help, no matter how sensitive the opponents were, they wouldn't be able to detect him.

After leaving the Sage's Ancestral Hall, he saw Ancient Sage Yan Qing and the others flying straight towards the sky, tearing through space. He followed closely behind.

After flying an unknown distance, they arrived at a high platform.

Above it was completely empty, nothing at all.

"The space here... it's flowing so fast!"

Landing on the platform, Zhang Xuan frowned.

To the naked eye, the area appeared very quiet. However, with his comprehension of space reaching the level of "True Insight," he could easily sense that this patch of sky before him was rapidly flowing and constantly changing, as if it could collapse completely at any moment under the strain.

Most crucially, behind the space, there was a chilling sensation, like a special power emanating from the soul.

"Let's begin!"

Taking their positions, Ancient Sage Yan Qing said.

Everyone nodded, gritting their teeth. Just as they were about to unleash their power, a gust of wind howled in the distance, and two figures flew straight towards them.

Seeing someone approach at that moment, everyone paused and looked over in unison. Zhang Xuan also turned his head.

The figures descended.

The first was a girl with a slender build and long, flowing black hair that reached her waist, giving her an ethereal appearance. She looked to be around twenty years old, and her beautiful eyes held a look of anxiety.

Behind her was a young man in his twenties, dressed in green robes. Zhang Xuan recognized him; it was Yan Xue, the powerful expert from the Hundred Schools of Thought who had vied with him for the Inheritance Mother Token at Ancient Sage Ran Qiu's historical site.

"Why have you come?"

Seeing the two, Ancient Sage Yan Qing's face darkened.

"As a descendant of Master Kong, how could I not come when such a situation arises..."

Taking a step forward, the girl's voice carried an undeniable authority.

"A descendant of Master Kong?"

Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned: "Could it be the legendary... Kong Shiyao?"