The Founding Sect Master’s Legacy

“This is…”

After allowing Fei Miaoyun to perform ‘Mangzhong’ once more, the frenzied martial uncle finally rolled her eyes back and succumbed to sleep.

At last, Xia Yi had the opportunity to observe the world beneath the Starlight Pool.

Contrary to his expectation of a muddy bottom, the Starlight Pool concealed an independent space.

This vast space contained no starlight pool water, but rather was filled with air.

It was akin to a colossal bubble hidden beneath the water’s surface.

Above Xia Yi’s head was merely a deceptive illusion of a muddy pool bottom.

This independent space was remarkably vast, with the faint luminescence of crystal stones embedded in its dark walls barely illuminating the room-sized area.

Taking out a silk cloth, Xia Yi carefully wrapped Fei Miaoyun’s delicate form, adjusting her into a more comfortable position.

Only then did Xia Yi approach the sole stone platform within the space.

The platform held but a single item—a palm-sized, rhomboid token emblazoned with a star character, shimmering with radiant light.

Xia Yi cautiously released his spiritual energy to test it.

The moment the token on the stone platform made contact with Xia Yi’s spiritual energy, a terrifying aura of pressure instantly emanated from it.

“A Nascent Soul Venerable!”

Xia Yi had previously experienced the aura of the Star-Moon Sect Master, who was in the Core Formation stage.

However, the Core Formation stage aura was like a single leaf compared to an entire forest when confronted with this terrifying pressure.

The disparity was immense; Xia Yi, merely at the Great Perfection stage of Qi Condensation, couldn’t even conjure a thought of resistance in the face of such overwhelming might.

“Oh-ho, has someone discovered this place so quickly? My apologies, young friend, this old man just woke up and couldn’t quite rein it in.”

Fortunately, this oppressive aura vanished as quickly as it appeared, dissipating with a cheerful voice that resounded directly in Xia Yi’s mind, leaving even the sleeping Fei Miaoyun undisturbed.

“This junior presumptuously disturbed Senior’s rest; I have caused much offense and humbly request your forbearance.”

“Ohohoho, no harm done, no harm done. This old man was merely waiting for someone destined to arrive.”

As he spoke, the illusory figure of a small old man with crane-white hair and a youthful face drifted out from the token, gazing at Xia Yi with a jovial smile.

“Hmm… excellent, excellent. I didn’t expect such a promising talent to emerge after only a few thousand years.”

Under the old man’s scrutiny, Xia Yi felt as though he had been seen through completely.

“I almost forgot to mention, this old man’s name is Xinghuo, and I am the founding Sect Master of the Star-Moon Sect.”

The founding Sect Master of the Star-Moon Sect!

‘A character I have absolutely no memory of!’

In the original plot, even after Fei Miaoyun was cruelly ambushed and murdered by Zhen Aoyu, leading to the annihilation of the entire Star-Moon Sect, this founding Sect Master never made an appearance.

Moreover, Zhen Aoyu in the original story never discovered this hidden space beneath the Starlight Pool.

“Hoho, too shocked to speak?”

“Uh, I have long admired your great name, Senior, and your heroic image has always been the revered faith of us disciples of the Star-Moon Sect…”

Though he genuinely had never heard of him, as the saying goes, ‘you need to mix spaghetti with #24 concrete’ (TL Note: A humorous Chinese internet meme, implying that sometimes you just need to flatter or ‘smooth-talk’ someone, even if it’s nonsensical, to get things done.)—just flatter them and it’ll be fine.

To contradict such a powerful figure in this situation would hardly be a wise move.

“Ohohoho, young fellow, it’s not good to lie, you know.”

“…………”

“Hehe, just playing with you. Of course, this old man knows the caliber of the sect that foolish disciple established back then. After so many years, it’s truly not easy for someone to enter this place…”

As if reminiscing about the past, a glimmer of emotion flickered in Xinghuo’s profound eyes.

“Ah, hahaha…”

Realizing his flattery had been seen through, Xia Yi awkwardly scratched his head, unable to resist casting a suspicious glance at the illusion of mud above him.

‘Not easy?’

Xia Yi, for his part, found it quite effortless; had he not instinctively looked up after hitting the bottom, he might not have even noticed that illusory barrier.

As if seeing through Xia Yi’s doubts, Xinghuo let out a soft snort.

“Young fellow, do not underestimate that barrier. Anyone without the aptitude to break through to Nascent Soul, and those with ill intentions, would all be blocked from entering. You should feel proud to have been able to come in…”

“!”

Upon hearing Xinghuo’s explanation, Xia Yi finally understood.

No wonder no one had been able to discover this underground space for so many years, not even Zhen Aoyu, the protagonist of the original story.

‘So this place comes with a heart-testing array (TL Note: A formation or array that tests one’s heart, intentions, or moral character.) by default; then everything’s fine.’

Wait, Xia Yi remembered he had been dragged in by Fei Miaoyun.

Doesn’t that mean Fei Miaoyun’s unawakened Elemental Flower Enchantment also possesses Nascent Soul potential?

What an incredible feat it would be if she fully awakened it then!

Truly worthy of being one of the Heavenly Mandate Saintesses, terrifying to such an extent, he involuntarily drew a sharp breath.

“My time is running out, young friend. Are you willing to help me with something? Regardless of whether you agree, this old man will bestow upon you a great fortune. What do you say?”

In just a moment, Xinghuo’s once solid soul form was already beginning to fade, becoming translucent.

“Please tell me, Senior.”

Having awakened his memories, Xia Yi naturally understood what this situation implied.

To contend with Zhen Aoyu’s terrifying abilities in the later stages, Xia Yi had to seize every opportunity to grow stronger.

He naturally wouldn’t miss such an opportunity, even if it meant a host of troublesome side quests.

However, the more troublesome they were, the greater the fortune they represented.

A certain famous adventurer once said: ‘The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish.’

Thus, Xia Yi decided to take a gamble, trusting in Fei Miaoyun’s destiny as one of the Heavenly Mandate Saintesses.

“Ohohoho, quite decisive, young friend. Are you not afraid that I might be setting a trap for you?”

“Didn’t Senior just say so? Those who can come here not only need qualified aptitude but also a righteous and clear heart. I believe that someone capable of creating a barrier with such conditions would not be a bad person.”

Facing Xinghuo’s inquiry, Xia Yi offered his answer.

Xinghuo laughed heartily after hearing him.

“Hahaha, excellent, excellent. You are indeed clever. Since that is the case, this old man will be straightforward…”

“I am willing to serve your wishes…”

“My request is simple: take this token, keep it safe, and carry it out. I will seal its aura, and it will only unseal once you break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Even with its aura sealed, it can still utilize some of its functions; at the very least, it can recreate a space like this. As long as those few Soul Transformation stage scoundrels don’t make a move, no one will be able to discover you.

All you need to do, young friend, is to return it to the person it summons once you successfully advance to Nascent Soul.”

“Is that all?”

It was no wonder Xia Yi voiced his doubt; after all, a side quest attached to such an incredibly potent divine artifact was surprisingly simple.

He wouldn’t even need to expend extra effort, merely cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage as a matter of course.

Such a lucrative deal would make anyone suspicious.

“That’s right, that’s all. Once you advance to Nascent Soul, young friend, just hand it over to the person who comes.”

Xinghuo’s affirmative reply solidified Xia Yi’s resolve.

A trial use of a life-saving divine artifact, obtainable so simply without any additional cost.

Xia Yi found it hard not to be moved.

“Alright! I promise, Senior, I will definitely hand it over to the correct person!”

“Hahaha, then I shall trouble you, young friend. This old man’s wish is fulfilled, let me give you one last boost…”

With that, Xinghuo’s illusory figure dissolved into specks of pure soul power, enveloping both Xia Yi and Fei Miaoyun.

Under the cleansing of this powerful and pure soul energy, both Xia Yi and Fei Miaoyun felt as though they had returned to their mother’s embrace.

Their entire souls felt warm and incredibly comfortable, and their soul power visibly grew stronger at a rapid rate.

Then, Fei Miaoyun awakened amidst this soothing soul massage.

“Husband~~”

The unbloomed Primal Flower still required Xia Yi’s continued efforts.

Soon, within this highly secret space, ‘Mangzhong’ began to play once more.

Elemental Flower Enchantment (Bloom Progress): 100%