Chapter 995: Accompanying Run

He looked into the eyes of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, then spoke, as if breaking a silent meditation.

"Pavilion Master, is it forbidden to impersonate a Bodhisattva?"

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master said gravely, "Heavenly Listener Bodhisattva already knows what you just said."

"I wonder if there will be consequences."

Heavenly Listener Bodhisattva?

Jiang Fan felt an urge to spit blood. The monks of White Horse Temple always called him "Bodhisattva." Who knew his full name was actually Heavenly Listener Bodhisattva! That's truly deceptive.

After a long moment of thought, he said helplessly, "Never mind. Anyway, I've already offended Heavenly Listener Bodhisattva beyond repair. What's the harm in forging a minor decree in his name?" Compared to what he did in front of White Horse Temple, even posing as him to swindle people was a minor matter. He already had so many problems that one more wouldn't make a difference. He had nothing left to fear. Besides, ancient giants would descend in three months, causing chaos throughout the world. How could Heavenly Listener Bodhisattva still pay attention to him then?

With his mind at ease, Jiang Fan felt his spirits lighten. He followed the Venerable Sanqian towards the Myriad Calamities Sacred Hall.

It was supposedly "inside the Sacred Hall." However, a single glance revealed an immense, boundless mountain range stretching across the land, with palaces emerging like mist within it, vast beyond measure. Above the mountain range, spiritual energy was so dense it formed a mist, swirling around the peaks. Such dense spiritual energy was something he had only encountered in the underground meditation chamber of the Nine Dynasties Ancient Capital. Yet, for the Myriad Calamities Sacred Hall, it was ubiquitous.

"Pavilion Master, how does our new location compare to this place?" Jiang Fan was curious about the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's chosen site.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master replied seriously, "It's comparable."

Jiang Fan was startled, "Really?"

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master nodded, "The Myriad Calamities Sacred Hall is a mountain range; we are a mountain. The only difference is the 'range' [脈, mài] in 'mountain range'."

Jiang Fan's lips twitched. It truly was comparable, then.

Soon after, they appeared at the beginning of the mountain range, where a spiritual vein rose towards the sky, like a dragon's head gazing heavenward, presenting a magnificent sight. Four towering palaces stood atop the dragon's head. The area between the palaces was quite lively at the moment. It looked like a grand event was taking place.

"Old Hall Master, you've slept for three months straight; are you alright?" The Hall Master of the Myriad Calamities Sacred Hall respectfully poured tea for a thin, elderly man. The old man's eyelids drooped, as if he could fall asleep again at any moment. Yet, the aura emanating from him was incomparably formidable, indicating he could step into the ranks of Nine-Aperture Nascent Soul cultivators at any time.

He was the former Hall Master of the Myriad Calamities Sacred Hall, Venerable Hanjian. Ever since he entered the ranks of Eight-Aperture Nascent Soul cultivators, he had relinquished his position as Hall Master. His path to Soul Transformation was different from others. While others became unpredictable once they went mad, he would curse himself in a mirror, then literally scold himself into unconsciousness, falling into a deep sleep. He was one of the few "safe" madmen who didn't need to be institutionalized.

Now that he had awakened, the Hall Master respectfully invited him over. The former Hall Master was one of ten disciples who had cultivated the "Black Heaven Eye" to perfection, but all the others had already advanced to the Nine-Aperture Nascent Soul stage and gone completely mad. Only he could guide the disciples. Now, he too was nearing the Nine-Aperture Nascent Soul stage. The Hall Master wanted him to properly instruct the disciples on the Black Heaven Eye one more time before that happened. Therefore, he had been specially invited.

"Is this this month's elder sparring session?" Venerable Hanjian gazed at the elders sparring on the plaza. Some were demonstrating the Indestructible Blade, others the Black Heaven Eye, and still others the Hell Lotus. Most were at the Minor Accomplishment stage, with occasional instances of Major Accomplishment. There were currently none at the Perfection stage. Firstly, lightning energy was extremely difficult to obtain. Secondly, the complete "Six Heavenly Thunder Sections" was, after all, a Heaven-tier cultivation method, making it exceptionally arduous to comprehend. As for the senior cultivators who had achieved success, they had either entered the Eight-Aperture or Nine-Aperture stage, rendering them unable to provide guidance. This led to later disciples having to explore on their own, resulting in very slow progress.

The Hall Master respectfully replied, "Yes, Old Hall Master."

Venerable Hanjian's gaunt chin lightly nodded. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon several elders who were competing in "Shadows in the Clouds." A hint of interest appeared in his eyes.

The Hall Master observed his expression. Venerable Hanjian primarily cultivated the Black Heaven Eye, but he was very interested in Shadows in the Clouds. Unfortunately, his energy was limited, so he had only cultivated it to the Minor Accomplishment stage. His eyes darted, and he said, "Old Hall Master, why don't you spar with them in Shadows in the Clouds?"

Venerable Hanjian laughed self-deprecatingly, "Some of them have cultivated it to Major Accomplishment. How could I outrun them? I won't make a fool of myself, no, I won't." Although he said so, his interest was undeniable.

The Hall Master chuckled, "Just for fun, I believe the Old Hall Master is still sharp as a blade and will surely win." Only by pleasing Venerable Hanjian could he be persuaded to guide them more seriously on the Black Heaven Eye.

Venerable Hanjian feigned modesty, saying, "Alright, then I'll make a fool of myself. It's the participation that counts!"

Joy flashed in the Hall Master's eyes as he said, "Old Hall Master, please wait a moment. I'll go arrange it now." He approached the elders who were sparring in Shadows in the Clouds, gathered them, and briefly explained the situation. The Hall Master said meaningfully, "The Old Hall Master rarely deigns to join you for a game. You all understand how you should perform later, right?"

Everyone present was shrewd. It was clear this sparring session was intended to please Venerable Hanjian. Naturally, they couldn't display their true abilities during the competition; they had to find every way to let the Old Hall Master win.

"Don't worry, Hall Master, we understand."

Just then, Venerable Sanqian approached with Jiang Fan and a few others.

"Hall Master, the Bodhisattva has sent someone over with an important message."

The Hall Master looked at Jiang Fan with a solemn expression and asked, "What is it?"

Jiang Fan glanced around the chaotic scene and said, "It's a very important matter. It would be best if the Hall Master gathered the key disciples to listen together." He wanted to use this opportunity to meet Nanyuan Shu.

The Hall Master dared not delay. However, he had already arranged a match to please the Old Hall Master. "How about waiting a little longer? There's a Shadows in the Clouds competition that will end soon. I'll gather the important members of the sect then."

Shadows in the Clouds, you say? Jiang Fan nodded slightly, "Please proceed, Hall Master."

The Hall Master immediately went back and respectfully invited Venerable Hanjian over. "Old Hall Master, I've instructed them all. Every single person must exert their utmost strength and compete with all their might."

Venerable Hanjian, being shrewd and experienced, naturally knew what the Hall Master was truly instructing them. He did not expose them. Because he also worried about truly losing to a group of juniors and losing face. Of course, he still had to put on a show. He said sternly, "Don't think that just because I'm the Old Hall Master, you can go easy on me. If I win, I must win fairly and squarely. Understood?"

The dozen or so elders who cultivated Shadows in the Clouds nodded solemnly. They understood clearly in their hearts that these were just formalities. When the time came, they would still have to yield.

Venerable Hanjian took out a Thunder Derivation Token and said, "This is the Black Heaven Eye. Whoever wins later, this Thunder Derivation Token will belong to them, and I specially authorize the winner to cultivate this technique. So, you must do your utmost."

All the dozen elders showed envy in their eyes. Unfortunately, the Hall Master had already instructed them not to win. Jiang Fan, who was standing nearby, watched with bloodshot eyes. This was the Black Heaven Eye, a technique even the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master had only obtained a partial scroll of! A minor sparring session offered a chance to cultivate the complete version?

He shamelessly said, "Although I am an outsider, I have, by chance, cultivated a bit of Shadows in the Clouds. I wonder if this junior could participate in the sparring?"

Everyone looked at Jiang Fan with slightly sharp gazes. The cultivation methods of the Myriad Calamities Sacred Hall were not casually allowed to outsiders. But upon seeing the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master nearby, they relaxed. Smaller factions protected by the Myriad Calamities Sacred Hall were exempt from such restrictions.

Venerable Hanjian glanced at Jiang Fan, smiling, "Alright, the more, the merrier." Anyway, a disciple from a minor faction was unlikely to have cultivated Shadows in the Clouds to a very profound level. Therefore, he wasn't afraid that Jiang Fan would win.