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nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nThe Grand Elder brought his disciples back to the Qian Emperor Dao Sect in a rush.

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nA day later, they entered the territory of the sect.

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nBefore these people even returned to the sect, the entire Qian Emperor Dao Sect was already in an uproar.

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nThe sect’s upper echelons had long gathered in the main hall, waiting for the Grand Elder to return so that they could hear more about the hidden sect.

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nHowever, no matter how long they waited, the Grand Elder did not return. This made them so anxious that they almost went out to find him themselves.

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nFortunately, just before they set out to find the Grand Elder, he had finally returned.

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nIn the Qian Emperor Dao Sect’s main hall…

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n“Hahahaha, is everyone waiting for me?”

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nBefore the Grand Elder even entered the hall, his laughter echoed from outside.

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nThe Elders, who were still fuming, were stunned when they heard the Grand Elder’s laughter. They rarely heard the Grand Elder laugh so happily.

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nIn their impression, the Grand Elder had always been expressionless and solemn. He rarely smiled, let alone bootlicked anyone.

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nYet today, he had actually laughed so openly for the first time.

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nWhat a miracle!

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nIt seemed that the encounter with the hidden sect’s Sect Leader had gone well.

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nThe Grand Elder walked in refreshed and nodded at the Elders as a form of greeting. Then he walked straight to the front of the throne and cupped his hands toward the Sect Leader, who was seated above him.

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n“Greetings, Sect Leader!”

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nThe Grand Elder bowed respectfully.

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nThe Sect Leader of the Qian Emperor Dao Sect waved his hand and said, “Stop wasting time. Grand Elder, do tell us, what happened during the encounter with the Daoless Sect?”

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nA smile appeared on the Grand Elder’s face when he heard this, and he said indifferently, “Don’t worry, Sect Leader! Our sect and the Daoless Sect have finally established the first step of our relationship. Listen to me…”

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nHe slowly recounted everything that had happened in the Xuantian Mountain Range. Of course, he had concealed the fact that he had given a gift to the other party, as well as the sudden drop in the cultivation realm of the peerless expert.

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nHe only chose some unimportant things to talk about.

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nAll the Elders heaved a sigh of relief when they heard that the Sect Leader of the Daoless Sect was also expressing goodwill.

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nAs for how he had expressed goodwill…

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nIf Chu Yuan was present, he would have probably questioned how he had expressed his goodwill.

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nIn any case, the Grand Elder was the one who had gone to meet Chu Yuan and was the one who knew anything. Even if the Grand Elder was faking a story, the other Elders could only choose to believe in the Grand Elder.

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nYes, they felt that the usually serious and solemn Grand Elder was not a scammer.

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nAfter discussing for a bit, the Grand Elder used the excuse that he was going back to rest to let all the Elders disperse.

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nThe Elders did not have any objections and nodded. They had only come to confirm the Daoless Sect’s attitude toward the Qian Emperor Dao Sect. Since the issue was settled, they had nothing to do in the main hall.

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n“Alright, alright, alright. The Grand Elder is tired after rushing around for so long. Let’s all go and rest…”

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n“Not bad, not bad. Thank you, Grand Elder, for the hard work.”

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n“Grand Elder, I have some Spirit Nourishing Tea over at my place, and it’s especially effective for fatigue. Why don’t I get some for you? Don’t worry. I’m just asking. I’m merely being polite. I’m not really giving it to you. You don’t have to answer me…”

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nThe Elders left the hall with smiles on their faces.

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nSoon, only the Grand Elder and the Sect Leader were left in the hall.

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nSect Leader Qian Yuan looked at the Great Elder below and frowned. “Grand Elder, aren’t you going to rest? Why are you still standing here?”

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nThe Grand Elder’s expression remained unchanged as he said, “Sect Leader, I have a piece of secret information that is related to ascension. This piece of information comes from the Sect Leader of the Daoless Sect, and it’s absolutely reliable. I asked the Elders to leave first in order to avoid unnecessary gossip and so that I could have a conversation with you alone.”

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nNo way! No way!

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nThe Grand Elder obtained a fortuitous encounter!?

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nFurthermore, it is something related to ascension!?

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nAm I dreaming!?

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nSect Leader Qian Yuan was elated. “Come, tell me…”

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nHe thought for a moment and then waved his hand, setting up a barrier to cut them off from the outside world and block their conversation. Thus, he prevented anyone from eavesdropping.

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nAfter that, Sect Leader Qian Yuan said, “Alright, you can speak now.”

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nThe Grand Elder coughed twice and rubbed his fingers together, not saying anything.

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nThe meaning was obvious—he wanted something in return!

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nSect Leader Qian Yuan was very generous. He said directly, “Tell me about it. After that, you can go to our sect’s treasure vault and take three treasures.”

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n“Erm, Sect Leader, I would like to take a look at the 18 hidden manuals…”

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n“No problem. I’ll let them know. You can go there directly later.”

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n“Sect Leader, do you still have the Spirit Gathering Elixir in your cave abode?”

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n“Here you go.”

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n“Sect Leader, I heard that your cave abode has a treasure…”

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n“Here you go.”

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n“Sect Leader, your Dao companion—”

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n“Huh!?”

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n“Cough, cough. Sect Leader, that’s not what I meant. I just wanted to say that I heard that the bead on your Dao companion’s neck has the effect of calming one’s mind. My Dao companion has been having trouble cultivating recently, and thus…”

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n“Here you go.”

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nAfter cutting off some of the Sect Leader’s flesh, the Grand Elder was finally satisfied.

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nHis old face was full of smiles, clearly very happy.

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n“Grand Elder, can you tell me what it is now?”

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nSect Leader Qian Yuan was excited.

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nHe was already at the peak of the Soul Formation stage and only one step away from the Tribulation stage.

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nHe would definitely become a Tribulation cultivator in the future.

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nHowever, he had no clue about the path after that.

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nCould one really ascend after the Tribulation stage? This was a question that puzzled him. After all, no one had ascended for the past 10,000 years.

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nYet, the Grand Elder had said that the Sect Leader of the Daoless Sect knew of the path to ascension.

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nIf this was said by someone else, he would not believe them.

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nHowever, this was said by a peerless expert in the Tribulation stage. Furthermore, he was from a hidden sect that had at least 10,000 years of heritage.

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nThis kind of news was worth pondering over.

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nWhen the Grand Elder heard this, he no longer hesitated and spoke out what he had inferred from his encounter with Chu Yuan.

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n“It’s very likely that one will have to walk down the path of cultivation once again before ascending. Furthermore, one will have to walk it in the inverse order!”

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nWhen the Sect Leader heard this, he fell into deep thought and turned to look at the Grand Elder.

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n“Are you sure this is what that existence had said?”

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nSect Leader Qian Yuan was still suspicious.

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nThe Grand Elder gnashed his teeth before nodding and saying, “I am sure!”

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nCould he say that this was all based on his inference and a bit of his imagination? If he did, the Sect Leader would definitely not give him the cultivation resources he had coveted!

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nHe could only gnash his teeth and admit that this was what that existence had said. In any case, his inference was definitely correct.

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nAfter hearing the Grand Elder’s confirmation, Sect Leader Qian Yuan dispelled his suspicion.

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nI see…

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nIf one wants to ascend after the Tribulation stage, they have to walk down the path of cultivation once again. Moreover, they have to go from the top down.

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nWell, that seems to make sense.

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nTo return to one’s origins…

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nAs expected of the information that the peerless expert provided!

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nSect Leader Qian Yuan then waved his hand and asked the Grand Elder to leave so that he could prepare to enter seclusion. He wanted to gain some enlightenment.

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nThis was a matter concerning his ascension, so he could not be careless…

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