Chapter 147: The Legend of the Mountain God, Dao Temples Across the Land |
Chapter 147: The Legend of the Mountain God, Dao Temples Across the Land
Under the sunlit sky, the dust from the cataclysm still lingered, refusing to settle.
The leaders of the Nine Dynasties’ sects gathered atop the colossal roots of the destroyed Nightshade Mother Tree, silently taking in the devastation around them.
Even Lü Baitian remained speechless.
Though the Nightshade Sect’s upper echelon had been dead for a while now, the shock in his heart had yet to subside.
They had fought for so long without breaking through the Nightshade Sect’s defenses, yet in mere moments, their leader and every Profound Mind Realm cultivator had been wiped out?
What had just happened?
These were the most powerful figures in the Nine Dynasties’ cultivation world, and yet, in this moment, they were filled with unease.
They had survived this calamity, and while that should have brought them joy, it also filled them with fear.
Cang Heaven Sect’s Sect Master, Liang Canghai, turned toward Daoist Tianxu of Three Pure Mountains and asked,
"Daoist Tianxu, may I ask… what kind of power did this?"
Everyone’s eyes turned to Daoist Tianxu, filled with anticipation.
As the oldest sect among the Nine Dynasties, the Three Pure Mountains undoubtedly had the greatest knowledge of the heavens.
Daoist Tianxu’s expression was complicated.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "I do not know what entity acted, but… perhaps it was the will of Heaven punishing the Nightshade Sect."
The will of Heaven?
The sect leaders’ faces darkened, their emotions shifting between uncertainty and fear.
From the Absolute Mountain Sect of the Taicang Empire, Sect Master Zhong Wujin sighed as he gazed into the distance.
"If Heaven has a will… why did it wait until so many had died before taking action?"
Following his gaze, they saw countless disciples escorting survivors of the Nightshade Sect’s sacrificial ritual.
Though their numbers were as vast as the stars, they seemed so small amid the endless sea of towering trees.
No one could answer Zhong Wujin’s question.
This war had shattered their arrogance.
Having witnessed such an overwhelming power, they finally understood how insignificant they were.
Even Integration Stage cultivators were meaningless, and Profound Mind Realm experts were merely slightly stronger ants.
The Nightshade Sect’s strongest cultivators had perished without resistance.
And the horrified expressions on their faces before death would never be forgotten.
"It Was the Mountain God!"
A shout rang out, snapping everyone’s attention toward the horizon.
Xuanmiao Zhenren was rapidly flying toward them.
Lü Baitian recognized him immediately—
The second-ranked genius on the Golden Ranking, the only cultivator who had ever forced An Hao to go all out.
Xuanmiao Zhenren landed before Daoist Tianxu, cupped his hands, and greeted him respectfully.
A senior Daoist from the Three Pure Mountains hurriedly asked,
"Xuanmiao, what is this Mountain God you speak of? What do you know?"
Xuanmiao Zhenren took a deep breath, looking at the sect leaders with solemn reverence.
"The one who destroyed the Nightshade Sect… was the Mountain God.
"The Mountain God resides in the deep mountains, impossible to find.
"I was fortunate enough to meet him, and he gave me this wooden effigy, telling me to bring it to save the world.
"Everything that happened… was caused by this wooden effigy."
His face was filled with awe and reverence.
The sect leaders immediately began bombarding him with questions—their voices overlapping in excitement and disbelief.
At that moment, Liang Canghai of Cang Heaven Sect seemed to realize something.
He gestured toward the distance, and soon after, a disciple flew over—holding a wooden effigy.
Liang Canghai extended his hand, drawing the effigy toward him.
"Xuanmiao, is this the same wooden effigy?"
Xuanmiao Zhenren immediately nodded.
"Yes! This is the Mountain God’s wooden effigy. You must not disrespect it!"
Everyone’s eyes focused on the small wooden figure.
Liang Canghai suddenly felt like it was burning in his hand.
Still, some doubted Xuanmiao Zhenren's claims.
Then, Daoist Tianxu raised his hand, sealing Xuanmiao Zhenren in place.
With a sweep of his whisk, he extracted a memory projection from Xuanmiao Zhenren’s mind.
Everyone saw—
Xuanmiao Zhenren kneeling in a forest, while on the branch before him, sat a tiny, white-clad figure.
At that moment, Liang Canghai gasped and dropped the wooden effigy.
The Mountain God’s form was identical to the effigy!
From the memory projection, the Mountain God’s voice echoed—
"The Nine Dynasties are on the verge of annihilation.
If the people perish, demons will invade.
Then, there will be no one left to worship me!"
"Who says only humans can worship me?
Who told you I only protect mortals?"
"If you want me to act…
I will, but there is a price."
"What do you want?"
"I want you to serve me forever.
You will build my Dao Temple.
You will guard it for eternity.
You will never know freedom again!"
Hearing this, chills ran down everyone’s spines.
At first, the Mountain God’s intentions were unclear, but his final demand made them truly fear him.
Making a deal with a divine being came at an unthinkable cost.
And then—
They saw Xuanmiao Zhenren's response—
"I willingly become the Mountain God’s eternal servant…
If only he will save the world!"
"Take this… and save all living beings."
The Mountain God tossed him the wooden effigy, and the memory cut off abruptly.
As the vision ended, Daoist Tianxu violently coughed up blood.
His face paled, and he staggered backward, supported by fellow Daoists.
The sect leaders looked at Xuanmiao Zhenren with complex expressions.
Though they had once seen him as a rival, they now felt a deep respect.
He had sacrificed himself for the world—
A true disciple of the Three Pure Mountains.
Now knowing the Mountain God was real, the sect leaders felt relieved.
Compared to some unknown cosmic force, a divine protector was far less terrifying.
Besides, from his words, it seemed the Mountain God did not care for worldly power.
"…The Mountain God must never be investigated," Daoist Tianxu declared weakly.
Liang Canghai took a deep breath and proclaimed,
"We must not offend the Mountain God—
But we must also ensure that his deeds are honored!
"All sects shall build shrines and temples in his image!
"Let all the world sing the praises of the Mountain God’s grace!"
The sect leaders nodded in agreement.
Xuanmiao Zhenren bowed to his fellow Daoists.
"From now on, I am no longer a disciple of the Three Pure Mountains.
"My life now belongs to the Mountain God."
And with that, he departed to fulfill his oath.
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