The matter regarding the Sublime Bright Sect has always been quite simple; a matter of trade-offs. It was something that foreign cultivators loved to do. Furthermore, they would often do it well, just as they had done in the past years.
After leaving the Sublime Bright Mountain, the Warden returned to the Divine Capital, while officials from the Divine Capital arrived. They were led by a familiar face that Chen Chao had encountered before, the vice-chairman of the Heavenly Imperial Institution. He gave Chen Chao a slight smile, displaying no ill will. Perhaps, to him, even though Chen Chao had rejected him back then, he still held no grudges against this young man. However, the true emotions hidden behind that round face were difficult for anyone to discern.
The daoist in green robes also left the place and returned to the Infatuation Daoist Temple. However, soon after, another daoist from the Infatuation Daoist Temple came over.
Many important figures had left, such as that white-browed monk from the Deercry Monastery, among others.
Some matters had been settled, while others were still pending discussion. Different matters required different people to negotiate; this was entirely normal.
Discussions between the Great Liang Dynasty and the foreign lands were ongoing.
Initially, they reached a decision regarding the new location for Sublime Bright Sect, which would be situated in a place called Floating Cloud Mountain within the boundaries of Cang Prefecture. Floating Cloud Mountain was not particularly famous, nor was it very suitable as a mountain pass gate, but it was the joint decision of the foreign cultivators and the Great Liang Dynasty. The Sublime Bright Mountain had no say in the matter and could only passively accept it.
Before this decision was made, the youths who had been trapped on the mountain were finally released. They were then brought down from the mountain by officials of the Great Liang Dynasty. Most of them were local residents of Cang Prefecture, but even before going up the mountain, they had lived a terrible life. Now that they were released, very few of them felt joyful. They were somewhat numb, or rather, was it called despair?
Chen Chao stood on the mountain path, watching the youths being brought down, and was silent for a long time. Yun Jianyue had appeared beside him at some point and asked, "What will be their ultimate destination? How will you all arrange for them?"
Chen Chao turned his head and looked at Yun Jianyue as he said, "We'll ask them what they want to do, whether it's giving them money or something else, we'll try our best to satisfy them. They've been unlucky, but compared to those who have already perished, they are already somewhat lucky. Of course, I'm not saying that they should think it's something to celebrate. They should have been living well to begin with, but in this world, living well is truly difficult."
Yun Jianyue was silent. He just watched this young man before him who did not look ordinary.
"You've been cultivating in the mountains and all your needs have been met on a daily basis. So, you may not understand that in the whole world, there will definitely be people struggling in the mire, yearning for light."
Chen Chao continued, "We martial artists also live in the mire. When we finally see a glimmer of light, we'll want to seize it. But how can you all understand us? You only criticize us martial artists, saying we shouldn't cultivate or call ourselves cultivators too."
Yun Jianyue looked into Chen Chao's eyes, understanding that this young man had more to say than just complaints. His current words surely held his own demands.
Chen Chao said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with martial artists."
Yun Jianyue said calmly, "So, you want to take this opportunity to defeat me once and tell the world that martial artists are also very impressive?"
Chen Chao said, "I don't need to talk about the impressiveness of martial artists, it has already been proven. There are so many people in the Northern Frontier, are they not impressive?"
Yun Jianyue fell silent when the martial artists killing demons in the North were mentioned. He was not in a hurry to speak. He had wanted to visit the North for years, but due to various reasons, he had never been able to make the journey.
"I agree with your statement. Those martial artists are truly remarkable. But obviously, not everyone in the world shares my perspective, so my opinions don't hold much meaning."
Humans always had a general viewpoint when it came to understanding things. But within that general viewpoint, it was natural that not everyone's view was the same. But, most people's view would be the same.
Yun Jianyue was not like most people, he had his own views.
Chen Chao looked at him and said, "You won't have any chance of winning me if you had met me inside there"
Yun Jianyue also looked at him, unsure of what Chen Chao was trying to convey. He just said, "I don't think it's really that difficult."
"But, this might be the only chance in your life to defeat me."
Yun Jianyue acknowledged Chen Chao's talent, but he himself was a genius too. He was a bit older than Chen Chao, had been cultivating for more years, and his innate talent was not worse than Chen Chao's too. In essence, it all boiled down to one fact: the two of them were currently standing at different positions on the same path. Chen Chao was behind him, even if they maintained the same pace of progress, he would never catch up to Yun Jianyue.
Chen Chao said, "You are very proud. I also have a proud friend."
He was naturally referring to Xie Nandu, who was indeed the proudest young woman Chen Chao had ever met. However, her pride was not unpleasant at all. Perhaps it was a common trait among geniuses. Yun Jianyue was also very proud.
"Actually, you're very proud too."
Yun Jianyue said, "But, I'll shatter your pride in the area that you're most proud of."
After saying these words, he did not intend to say more and turned to leave.
Inside that so-called ruins, one could not use their magic spells, and cultivation became ineffective, a martial artist's physique became Chen Chao's biggest advantage and his greatest source of pride. Yun Jianyue's words were, in a way, a provocation to Chen Chao.
Perhaps it was not provocation.
But a challenge.
For geniuses of the contemporary era like Yun Jianyue, challenges like this would only occur among individuals of equal caliber.
Chen Chao was not among the most outstanding young talents of this generation.
Yet, Yun Jianyue still treated him with utmost seriousness.
Chen Chao lowered his head, and some white mist seeped out of his mouth and nose. He murmured softly, "What's the reason behind your confidence?"
Except, no matter what, Chen Chao would not be afraid.
He was even looking forward to it.
There were many secrets in that ancient ruin.
He had always wanted to know.
The secret of that broken saber.
The secret of the white mist.
And also... that girl's secret...
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