bookandnovel Chapter 14680 Arrogance and Complacency
Chapter 14680 Arrogance and Complacency
Chapter 14680 Arrogance and Complacency
More than ten powerful auras, enough to shake the heavens and earth, rose into the sky from various forbidden areas and secluded cultivation sites of the sect, converging like streams of light in front of the "Inquiry Hall" on the main peak.
In the center of the square in front of the hall stands an ancient stone sculpture.
The statue depicts a middle-aged man standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the starry sky. His face is blurred, and his clothes seem to be fluttering in the breeze. Although he has no imposing aura, he exudes a sense of freedom and harmony with the world.
On the statue's shoulder crouches a strangely shaped stone beast, resembling neither a lion nor a tiger, so lifelike that it seems ready to awaken and roar at any moment.
This is a portrait of the founder of the Sword Star Sanctuary.
As for the patriarch's name and his specific cultivation level, due to the vast antiquity of the era, they have long been lost to the river of time, and even the sect's oldest records are vague on the matter. Later generations of disciples only have a vague yet profound reverence for this patriarch.
Inside the Hall of Inquiry, candlelight flickered.
Gu Cangming's true form sat upright on the jade throne at the head of the table, his face as solemn as iron, and his body was surrounded by an impenetrable chill.
Below, on both sides, stood twelve figures, all of them elderly men with profound and imposing auras, exuding authority without anger. They were either highly respected elders of their sects or reclusive elders who had lived in seclusion for many years. Each of them was a top-tier expert capable of intimidating a region.
"Junior Brother Yun Yin... has fallen."
Gu Cangming spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a hint of barely perceptible sorrow and killing intent.
"what?!"
The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly. The twelve elders all paled, their eyes filled with disbelief and shock. Yun Yin was one of the sect's top combatants, a cultivator at the third level of the Realm Lord realm. How could he have perished?
Gu Cangming closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment. When he opened them again, his eyes were filled with chilling coldness and determination: "This grudge must be avenged! The blood of the Sword Star Holy Hall cannot be shed in vain!"
An elderly man with red eyebrows and red hair stepped forward, nodded solemnly, and his voice boomed like thunder: "What the Holy Lord says is absolutely right! Blood debts must be repaid in blood! Whoever dared to kill an elder of my Sword Star Holy Hall, no matter who he is, we will grind him to dust and annihilate his soul!"
The other elders echoed their sentiments, and the killing intent inside the hall was so intense that it almost seemed to burst the building apart.
Gu Cangming said in a deep voice: "From today onwards, all elders shall suspend all non-essential matters and focus on preparations for war, standing by at any time. Issue the order that the entire sect enter a state of high alert and closely investigate the whereabouts of Ling Xiao and those behind him!"
After speaking, his figure slowly faded from the throne, turning into a wisp of blue light and disappearing without a trace.
The people in the hall remained silent for a long time, their faces shrouded in gloom. They knew Yun Yin's strength all too well; to be able to kill him, even to the point of annihilating his body and soul, meant that he was no easy opponent.
However, the Sword Star Holy Hall has a long history and profound heritage, with many powerful figures. It is by no means a pushover to be bullied!
……
After leaving the Hall of Inquiry, Gu Cangming did not return to his secluded cultivation place, but went straight to the "Cliff of Repentance" at the deepest part of the Suspended Mountain.
There is a simple stone cave on the edge of the cliff. The entrance is overgrown with weeds and covered with cobwebs, and it seems to have been abandoned for thousands of years.
He stood quietly in front of the cave for a moment, straightened his robes, and then slowly knelt down, his posture extremely respectful, not daring to even breathe loudly.
After a long while, an old and peaceful voice came from inside the cave, as if it had traveled through time: "Cangming, do you still remember the first words I said to you and Yunyin when you first joined my sect?"
Gu Cangming lowered his head, his voice respectful and heavy: "Master's teachings, I dare not forget... 'The path has no end, there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens. Remember to guard against arrogance and impetuosity, only then can you go far and steady.'"
The voice inside the cave sighed softly: "But you... in the end, you still didn't really listen."
Gu Cangming lowered his head silently, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
As the Holy Lord, he bears an undeniable responsibility for Yun Yin's death due to negligence. If he hadn't been so arrogant and had personally gone to the scene instead of sending only a projection, perhaps Yun Yin wouldn't have perished.
"Humans are most prone to complacency." The aged voice carried a hint of melancholy. "Once they feel they have reached the top, they easily become arrogant. Once they become arrogant, their hearts will be clouded, their path ahead will be lost, and they will ultimately fall into the hands of those they consider 'inferior'."
As soon as the words were spoken, a figure emerged from the cold rock wall as if passing through a curtain of water, despite the fact that there was no entrance to the cave.
The newcomer was dressed in faded gray linen clothes, with his white hair casually draped over his shoulders. He had a gaunt face with deep wrinkles and casually held a dry twig in his hand.
He exuded no imposing aura whatsoever, as if he had completely blended into the rocks, breeze, and clouds of the Cliff of Contemplation, inconspicuous yet impossible to ignore.
Upon seeing this person, a flash of excitement and awe crossed Gu Cangming's eyes, and his voice trembled slightly: "Master! You...you have already reached the legendary 'Sword Breaking' realm?"
"Broken sword?" Upon hearing this, the gray-robed elder's gaze flickered slightly as he looked into the endless void and sighed softly, "How easy is that? That is the ultimate goal for sword cultivators. Throughout history, very few have even been able to touch the threshold."
Gu Cangming was puzzled: "But I can tell from Master's aura that he has completely returned to his original state, becoming one with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, far surpassing what he has experienced before..."
"It's just the passing of time that has brought me a few more insights." The gray-robed elder shook his head, interrupting him. He then looked at Gu Cangming, his tone becoming more serious. "The person who killed Yun Yin, did he directly 'erasure' his existence using the laws of the Dao?"
Gu Cangming nodded heavily: "Yes. The opponent's strength is unfathomable. My projection is no match for them at all, and I don't even have the courage to make a move."
The old man in gray nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed: "In that case, I will go and meet this person."
After speaking, he moved without any earth-shattering phenomena, disappearing quietly in front of the cliff like a gentle breeze, as if he had never existed.
Gu Cangming remained kneeling, not rising. His master hadn't told him to get up, clearly still dissatisfied with his previous decisions. As the senior brother, he did bear responsibility for Yun Yin's death due to negligence and overconfidence.
After a moment, Gu Cangming slowly stood up, his eyes gleaming with a cold light that seemed almost tangible. He uttered the name, word by word, in a low voice:
“Lingxiao…”
These two words, as if tempered with ice, carried a deep-seated killing intent and dread.
……
Breaking the Boundary Mountain.
The news of Yun Yin's demise has swept through all the high-ranking members of Pojie Mountain like a storm, causing a huge uproar.
Inside the Cloud Pavilion, Wang Xuanying hurried to Qi Tian's side, her face filled with barely concealed excitement and her voice trembling slightly:
"Brother Qi! Big news! The mysterious figure behind Ling Xiao has made a move! The Sword Star Holy Hall has suffered a major setback this time, losing its top general Yun Yin!"
Qi Tian sat upright by the window, toying with a jade slip in his hand, his face calm and expressionless, as if he already knew everything: "I already know about this matter."
Wang Xuanying leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of schadenfreude, "The Sword Star Holy Hall has always been arrogant, but this time they've suffered a great loss! That old bastard Yun Yin's death was truly gratifying!"