"Congratulations, Brother Chu Yun."
Outside the Purgatory Hall, Shi Hongyi approached Xi Chu Yun, who had just emerged after completing his trial, and said.
Xi Chu Yun had now successfully passed the twenty-second trial, earning a place among the twelfth Holy Sons of the Xuan Sect.
Upon hearing this, Xi Chu Yun smiled and replied, "It's taken me five years to achieve this breakthrough. Compared to Brother Li, I'm still far behind."
Shi Hongyi was momentarily stunned at his words, then looked towards the distant Holy Son Mountain, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness. "Over the past five years, Senior Brother Li Xuan hasn't emerged at all. I wonder how he's doing now."
Xi Chu Yun's gaze also turned towards the Holy Son Mountain. "Brother Li Xuan must be in seclusion. Nothing serious would have happened. For us Spirit Masters, seclusion lasting decades is not uncommon."
"Brother Chu Yun speaks the truth," Shi Hongyi said with a relieved smile. Then, with a thought, he turned to Yue Mingchi and the others approaching them. "Greetings, Senior Brothers and Sisters."
"Junior Brother Hongyi, no need for such formalities. You've already broken through in your state of mind. I believe you'll be one of us before long."
Yue Mingchi waved his hand with a smile and then looked at Xi Chu Yun. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Chu Yun."
"Thank you, Senior Brothers and Sisters," Xi Chu Yun replied, bowing respectfully.
Yue Mingchi nodded with a smile. "Currently, Master and several Martial Uncles are in seclusion. Although you haven't been officially bestowed the title of Holy Son by Master, your ability to reach the twenty-second trial is sufficient proof of your strength. Once Master and the others emerge, a cave mansion will be prepared for you, Junior Brother Chu Yun."
Xi Chu Yun nodded and then said to Shi Hongyi, "The matter of the cave mansion isn't urgent. Everything can be decided after the Sect Leader and the Peak Masters emerge. By the way, it's been quite some time since we heard from Senior Brother Li Xuan."
"Speaking of which, Junior Brother Li Xuan has been in seclusion for five years now. Compared to him, we senior brothers and sisters should truly feel ashamed," Yue Mingchi continued after a pause. "Before Junior Brother Li Xuan entered seclusion, he had already reached the advanced stage of the Fusion Dao realm. Who knows how much his strength has progressed in these five years."
"Senior Brother, you are currently managing all affairs of the Xuan Sect, leaving you no time for cultivation, which is understandable. It is we who should truly be ashamed. However, with the current unrest in the Great Sacred Mountain Range, I fear our Xuan Sect will not be able to remain uninvolved." Zhou Wenlun said with a wry smile, his eyes revealing a trace of worry when he mentioned the Great Sacred Mountain Range.
Shi Hongyi and Xi Chu Yun exchanged glances at his words. The Great Sacred Mountain Range was a forbidden area. Hearing Zhou Wenlun's tone, it seemed as if something had indeed happened there.
"Senior Brother Zhou, the Great Sacred Mountain Range is a sealed forbidden zone. I wonder what kind of change has occurred?" Shi Hongyi asked anxiously, looking at Zhou Wenlun.
Fu Yaojin and the others also turned to Zhou Wenlun, their expressions clearly showing curiosity.
Yue Mingchi looked at Zhou Wenlun. "Junior Brother Zhou, you returned from Xuandu earlier, and we didn't have a chance to ask you what happened. Then it happened that Junior Brother Xi Chu Yun finished his trial. From what you're saying, is there some development?"
Zhou Wenlun's expression turned serious, and he nodded. "If Junior Brother Xi Chu Yun hadn't emerged, I would have reported to you earlier, Senior Brother. The seal of the forbidden zone seems to be loosening."
"And as I was returning, I received news that many nearby forces are already heading towards the forbidden zone."
"The forbidden zone is loosening? This matter, I'm afraid we must report it to Master and the others," Yue Mingchi's expression changed instantly.
More than twenty years ago, the Great Sacred Mountain Range was an accessible place. But for some unknown reason, an extremely powerful sword intent suddenly appeared within it, causing many ferocious beasts to flee, resulting in significant casualties for many surrounding forces. Even the Xuan Sect and the Sacred Sect at the time each lost a peak expert in the Fusion Dao realm. Now that it was loosening, there must be a change.
Shi Hongyi and Xi Chu Yun, upon hearing Zhou Wenlun's words, also changed their expressions.
"Junior Brother Zhou, you will accompany me to see Master. Junior Sister Fu Yao, you and the other junior disciples will make arrangements. After Master discusses this, I fear our Xuan Sect will also have to head to the forbidden zone." Yue Mingchi pondered for a moment, then said to Zhou Wenlun and Fu Yaojin.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother," Fu Yaojin nodded immediately. With that, she led Wan Yuquan and the others to fly off into the distance.
Xi Chu Yun and Shi Hongyi bowed. "Senior Brother, we will also take our leave."
Yue Mingchi nodded with a hint of apology. "I had planned to celebrate with you, Junior Brother Chu Yun, but now it's impossible. I hope you don't mind, Junior Brother Chu Yun."
Xi Chu Yun smiled and waved his hand. "The situation is urgent, Senior Brother. You don't need to worry about these trivial matters. We will take our leave."
Watching Shi Hongyi and Xi Chu Yun fly towards Langya Peak, Yue Mingchi withdrew his gaze and said to Zhou Wenlun, "Junior Brother Zhou, let's go."
Dong!
A quarter of an hour later, a bell chimed from the Shangqing Palace.
Xi Chu Yun and Shi Hongyi had just arrived outside Li Xuan's cave mansion. Upon hearing the bell, they glanced towards the direction of the Shangqing Palace. They had intended to check on Li Xuan, but unexpectedly, a summons was issued at this moment. It was likely that Xuan Yi Xian and Leng Feihong, along with the other five, had emerged from seclusion, given the nature of such a bell.
"Senior Brother Chu Yun, this is a summons for disciples of the Chief level and above. Should we wait for Senior Brother Li Xuan, or proceed first?" Shi Hongyi asked Xi Chu Yun.
"This..." Xi Chu Yun also hesitated.
Weng!
As Xi Chu Yun and Shi Hongyi were still deliberating whether to head to the Shangqing Palace, a buzzing sound also rang out. The two looked up at the cave mansion before them, and saw the tightly shut entrance slowly opening.
"Senior Brother Li Xuan!"
Shi Hongyi's eyes lit up at the sight. Without any hesitation, he moved and rushed into the cave mansion. Xi Chu Yun followed closely behind.
"Junior Brother Hongyi, Brother Chu Yun, how did you manage to come to Holy Son Mountain?" Li Xuan, who had already emerged from Zhenyu, asked curiously as Shi Hongyi and Xi Chu Yun entered.
Shi Hongyi replied, "It's been five years. Brother Chu Yun has now become a Holy Son, which is why we were able to come to Holy Son Mountain."
Li Xuan was surprised. "Has it been five years since I entered seclusion? It feels like only a few months... By the way, Brother Chu Yun, why have you come to find me? I just heard the bell. It seems the Sect Leader and the others are summoning us."
Shi Hongyi didn't waste any words and directly explained the reason.
"The Xuan Feng Forbidden Zone?" Li Xuan's expression grew serious upon hearing Shi Hongyi's account.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then a resolute look appeared in his eyes. "An extremely powerful sword intent... It seems I must make a trip to the Xuan Feng Forbidden Zone."