Despite Meng Chao Ran's vague statement, Chu Yang immediately understood that he got his message and that Tan Tan would be safe.
As they crossed the gates on the mountain, the disciples who were there saw the angry expression of Meng Chao Ran's face. It was as though someone had gravely offended him and he was keeping it all pent up inside of him with the anger just waiting to explode. As soon as they saw this, they kept silent and let both Chu Yang and him pa.s.s.
Wu Yun Liang stood at the foot of the door waiting.
Wu Yun Liang had sent all of the disciples to the Locking Clouds Peak for their evaluation. However, the main intention behind this was to keep things under wraps.
The moment Meng Chao Ran saw Wu Yun Liang, it was as though the air around them grew cold and the atmosphere around them was somewhat tense. Yet neither of them said anything to each other.
Wu Yun Liang forced a laugh and said curtly, "Come this way, follow behind me." as he led the way.
As they pa.s.sed the ancestral altar on their way to the main hall, Wu Yun Liang suddenly stretched out his arm, revealing a secret doorway and led both of them inside.
This hidden pa.s.sage was winding downwards into the heart of the mountain and as they moved deeper, all of a sudden, they were in a large majestic hall. A large carved green jade door stood in front of it.
The temperature here was extremely cold.
"Your master and I shall wait here. Only a single person can enter the Seven Shades Congregation Grounds at any given time. How much power you can gain from this is dependent entirely on you. After you move through this door, continue walking straight. You will only reach the Seven Shades Congregation Grounds after pa.s.sing through several similar doors. Remember if you are unable to bear the temperature of the cold inside, you must come out at once! You shouldn't force your body beyond its limit in order to gain even more power."
Chu Yang nodded, acknowledging his warnings as he looked up at the jade door. He sharpened his gaze as though he was gathering his courage before he entered in.
His dantian was bouncing with excitement. It was as if it had just sensed something, the Nine Tribulations Sword Spirit within him suddenly started spinning wildly. Its excitement extremely intense, so much so that Chu Yang couldn't help but feel the same way.
Both Wu Yun Liang and Meng Chao Ran watched as Chu Yang went through the door as they stood shoulder to shoulder yet neither of them uttered a single word. It was only until half the day was gone that Meng Chao Ran finally spoke saying, "Eldest martial brother, do you know who Chu Yang is?"
Wu Yun Liang remained silent without saying a word.
"I took Chu Yang in when he was only a baby, about 3 months old. I have stayed by his side, raising him as my own. It has been like that for all these years. I am more than his teacher. I am also his guardian!"
"His name was given by me… Chu Yang which referred to the early morning light and the s.h.i.+ning sunrise – the representation of my biggest hope in life! Eldest martial brother, do you understand?"
"I understand." Wu Yun Liang said as he sighed heavily.
"I don't think you actually truly understand how much he means to me!" Meng Chao Ran stood squarely as he turned without warning, shoving his palm right into Wu Yun Liang's face. Bam! Wu Yun Liang was pushed back a few steps, yet he did not let out a sound.
Meng Chao Ran jumped up, landing an aggressive kick without any inhibitions right at Wu Yun Liang's stomach, sending him into the ground. He then lunged and plummeted him with a barrage of punches.
The sound of the punches was deafening. Meng Chao Ran was releasing all of his pent-up frustration on the Sect Master!
From the beginning to end, Wu Yun Liang did not say anything nor did he fight back. After Meng Chao Ran had landed more than a hundred punches, he stopped. The master of Beyond the Heavens Sect's face was swollen and his entire body covered with bruises.
"Junior martial brother… Now, this is the real you! I've known you for twenty years and this is the first time I see you lose control of yourself. All those years, you remained cold and emotionless. It really annoyed me… hahaha.."Wu Yun Liang sprawled on the ground coughing. He continued, "That's why I let you beat me up, even if it was worse, it would have been worth it!"
"If something indeed does happen to Chu Yang, I will make sure that you will feel as happy as you feel now every day!" Meng Chao Ran stood up and said casually.
"Junior martial brother… Not only Chu Yang, but even you and I are drowning in this difficult predicament as well… no one's survival is absolutely certain! This is the destiny of our Beyond the Heavens Sect!" Wu Yun Liang tried to stand up, grimacing in pain. His entire body was sore as he struggled with every movement. He couldn't help but complain, "You, you… d.a.m.n it… you don't even have a little love."
"Humph," Meng Chao Ran expressed his dissatisfaction before turning around and looked at the green jade door. Deep inside he was extremely anxious as he slowly zoned out, sinking into deep thoughts. His gaze grew more and more conflicted.
...
Chu Yang continued walking straight forward. On both sides were rock walls with smooth pearls emitting a dim light, placed slightly apart from each other. Being deep underground made people feel as though this place was a dream.
The Nine Tribulations Sword spirit in his dantian started to become more and more agitated, as though it was unable to control itself.
As the second jade door opened, the icy air became even colder. If a normal person had walked into this place, he would have to activate his internal energy to be able to withstand the chills. However, Chu Yang did not feel any discomfort but rather he was feeling extremely at ease.
Internally, Chu Yang's mind was filled with resolute. Every step he took was steady as he tread onwards without a hint of hesitation.
The third door!
The fourth door!
Every step Chu Yang took was even; his breathing stable. He continued to maintain his alertness as he remained un-mesmerised by the rarest treasure under the heavens - the Nine Tribulations Sword.
The fifth door… opened.
Then the sixth door!
Chu Yang remain composed and continued.
Suddenly, there was a sigh from inside him. The mysterious booming voice could be heard once again, "Your personality is in line and matches the Nine Tribulations Sword! It seems that your the suffering and killing you experienced in your past life has shaped and moulded you from a rough gemstone into a precious jewel that s.h.i.+nes!"
Chu Yang's legs did not stop. He asked internally, "Who are you? Man or demon?"
This was the same voice that mentioned things previously like "destroy history" and "invert fate" before suddenly disappearing. He had tried on countless occasions to hear the voice again but to no avail.
But today, under these circ.u.mstances, it has unexpected came out of nowhere.
However, when Chu Yang asked, that voice once again quietened. A long time pa.s.sed and it did not answer his question. When Chu Yang finally pushed open the seventh door the voice said in exhaustion, "I am currently very weak, every word I say is very draining. Chu Yang, hurry up and get the second Nine Tribulations Sword fragment."
"Second fragment?"
"Yes, second fragment… the energy of heaven and earth, heaven's talent and earthly treasure, rare material, etc.… these are the things essential to Nine Tribulations Sword… They are necessary for me to gain back my strength…", that voice became more and more faint, as if it could dissipate back into the air at any moment. "… Help me and I will help you invert this fate…"
The voice disappeared as if it has just used up its last drop of energy.
Currently, Chu Yang was stood outside the last door, the door in the deepest place – the seventh door.
Inside of the room was empty, but an icy cold air that seemed capable of instantly freezing a person rushed in from all directions. It surrounded Chu Yang, and not long after formed a layer of white frost.
The Nine Tribulations Sword inside the dantian was violently agitated. The cold air was like a boundless tide cascading into Chu Yang's body. It followed through his meridians and poured itself directly into Nine Tribulations Sword spirit…
For four full hours, Chu Yang did not his body as the cold air fiercely and continuously flowed into his body.
The cold air slowly weakened after 4 hours. At that moment, Chu Yang felt his body recover its ability to move. He then carefully moved one step to the left as he observed his surroundings.
His dantian cramped up immediately as if though trying to stop him from toward that direction.
He took one step to the right and Nine Tribulations Sword emitted more excitement as it was directing him to the sword fragment. After he took seven or eight more steps and came next to the rock wall, the Nine Tribulations Sword spirit remain silent, yet was trembling with excitement!
This is the spot!