Humanity's Great Sage

Chapter 928, The Hidden Realm’s Collapse

Translator: Jon

Translation Checker: Silavin

“The foundation of this Hidden Realm is the workshop, and the foundation of the workshop is the Earth Fire,” Kong Kong said.

Lu Ye stiffened in an instant as he recalled what had happened to the three Hidden Realms run by Humans in the Peerless Continent.

The three Hidden Realms had been stealthily wandering around the Void. However, when the Divine Opportunity Columns fully absorbed the power of the ley lines, the three Hidden Realms were no longer able to move around the Void. That was because their foundations had been damaged. It was just like what was happening now.

“I thought this place could hold on for a while longer. At the very least, it wouldn’t disintegrate before you graduated. I didn’t expect… Well, I guess it’s all down to fate.” Kong Kong looked at Lu Ye with a gratified expression. “Fortunately, you’re gifted. Even if I’m not around to give you some guidance, you’ll still surpass me one day. This wisp of willpower is supposed to dissipate now.”

“Sect Master…” Lu Ye was at a loss for words. It wasn’t like he could tell him the Hidden Realm was disintegrating sooner than expected because of him.

He didn’t expect this to happen. His intention was to store more fuel for the Tree of Glyphs, so it surprised him when he learned that he had damaged the Hidden Realm’s foundation.

For the past two months, he had been activating the Tree of Glyphs’ power to absorb the Earth Fire. Now, the tree contained a massive amount of energy.

“There’s no need to be sorrowful. I passed away long ago. Only this wisp of willpower has been around for thousands of years. The Heavens have been kind to me as I’ve witnessed a good outcome.”

As he spoke, he fished out an ancient jade slip. “Although I’d love to see you graduate, I’m powerless to stop the Hidden Realm from disintegrating. This jade slip contains our Sect’s insights on the Way of Artification and the Way of Swords. When I’m no longer around, you can go through it.”

“Yes.” Lu Ye took the jade slip and carefully kept it.

Kong Kong turned his hand over and produced a 30-centimetre bottle gourd. Abstruse patterns crisscrossed each other on the bottle gourd’s surface. It looked like a natural item instead of a Human-made one. As for its Grade, Lu Ye couldn’t identify it at first glance.

“The Sword Gourd is the token of every Sect Master of the Sword and Tool Sect. This thing was born and nurtured by nature. The ninth Sect Master found it in a dangerous place, and the thirteenth Sect Master refined it. This amazing item has been passed down over the generations. I’ll give it to you now, and I hope you’ll make the Sword and Tool Sect proud one day.”

Lu Ye took it and found it heavy. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Sect Master, can you leave with me?”

Although Lu Ye already knew that Kong Kong was merely a wisp of willpower, the latter could be considered his Master. Moreover, Kong Kong was terrifyingly powerful. If Lu Ye could bring him out of the Hidden Realm, he would have a mighty protector.

Kong Kong was able to drive off Nian Yuexian with a Sword Light. There was no doubt he was more powerful than the Divine Ocean Realm Masters in Jiu Zhou.

With a smile, Kong Kong shook his head. “The Heavens have been merciful as I’ve been allowed to exist for thousands of years. Considering the current affairs in Jiu Zhou, a wisp of willpower like me can’t show up in the outside world.”

There seemed to be some underlying meanings behind his words, which made Lu Ye fall deep in thought.

Kong Kong waved his hand. “It’s time we parted ways. You should leave now.”

A gentle force came right at Lu Ye. He was powerless to resist it as he was easily sent flying away. When he came to his senses, he was already at the valley entrance.

Ying Wuji was there as well, and Amber remained on his head. Nian Yuexian, who had been hiking up Sword Mountain, returned as well. She asked Lu Ye, “What did the old man say? What’s going on?”

“The Hidden Realm’s foundation has become unstable. It’s going to disintegrate soon,” Lu Ye reported briefly.

Nian Yuexian frowned. “We have to come up with a way to leave this place quickly.”

Everything would be destroyed when a Hidden Realm collapsed. If they couldn’t leave in time, they would be dragged into it and killed.

As they spoke, a voice was suddenly heard coming from the hut. “This way!”

Sword Cries were heard as Sword Mountain started buzzing. The flying swords flew out of the mountain and turned into rays of light before shooting towards the hut.

During this period, Nian Yuexian had been trekking up the mountain. Although she had passed many tests and acquired a lot of flying swords, there were even more on Sword Mountain. Following Kong Kong’s order, all the swords flew towards him.

In front of the hut, Kong Kong’s figure suddenly expanded and turned into a 30-metre-long phantom. Countless rays of light formed a gigantic sword as he held it in his hands.

He looked in Lu Ye’s direction and guffawed. “All is nothing but emptiness. This is Kong Kong!”

As he wielded the sword, the world seemed to have come apart.

A huge crack appeared in the sky. At the same time, the 30-metre phantom contracted. In front of the hut, Kong Kong remained standing there, but his figure had become translucent.

The colossal sword broke apart as the flying swords formed a Dragon and engulfed the three of them before shooting towards the crack like a tornado. They were soon out of sight.

After the three of them were gone, the space inside the Hidden Realm collapsed suddenly. The Earth Fire spurted out of the workshop and set everything in this Hidden Realm aflame, including Kong Kong, who was seated in front of the hut.

The Dragon formed from countless flying swords shot out of the crack and kept moving upwards, destroying everything in its way.

The Hidden Realm’s entrance was deep beneath the ground, and above it were solid rocks. But at this moment, as the Sword Dragon drilled upwards, the rocks seemed to be as soft as tofu.

There came a moment when the Sword Dragon finally penetrated all obstacles, which allowed the three of them to see the Sunlight again.

At the same time, the Sword Dragon fell apart and turned into countless rays of light before dispersing.

Nian Yuexian frowned because the noise was loud, which might attract the attention of nearby cultivators.

Just as she was ready to take Lu Ye and Ying Wuji to leave this place in a hurry, she saw some fire racing after them from below. The Earth Fire from the Hidden Realm had spurted out.

As the fire spread, even the Void seemed contorted. Lu Ye and Ying Wuji felt as if it was the end of the world.

It was too late for them to flee at this point. Nian Yuexian stood in front of them before she activated her Spiritual Power and wielded the Willow Catkin.

A ferocious Sword Light split the fire into two as the flames moved in two directions. The three of them were unaffected by the fire.

Nian Yuexian fully activated her power to protect the two of them.

Ying Wuji was moved. If Nian Yuaxian had decided not to protect him, he would’ve gone to Hell. Although he knew it was mainly thanks to Lu Ye, he was still well-protected, after all.

More than ten breaths of time later, the fire coming from below finally subsided.

Lu Ye and Ying Wuji breathed a sigh of relief. With a solemn expression, Nian Yuexian turned around and told Lu Ye, “We should part ways. You’ll go back to Blue Flame Mountain in secret.”

Upon finishing her words, she took Ying Wuji’s collars and shot into the distance as Ying Wuji appeared flustered. She never concealed her majestic aura and Spiritual Power as a Divine Ocean Realm Master.

Lu Ye’s expression changed as he quickly kept Amber inside the Spirit Beast Bag and moved in a different direction.

Nian Yuexian didn’t bring him with her because her whereabouts had been exposed.

The mighty slash earlier must’ve alerted nearby Divine Ocean Realm Masters. She was a famous figure among those from Thousand Demon Ridge, and it was their hinterland.

In such a situation, once the Divine Ocean Realm Masters from Thousand Demon Ridge found out she was here, they would do their best to besiege her.

Therefore, it would be unwise for her to bring Lu Ye with her. Once Lu Ye was dragged into the fight between the Divine Ocean Realm Masters, he would be doomed.

This was unlike the time when they dealt with Wan Zhanggang. At that time, the other party only had three Divine Ocean Realm Masters. Since there were few enemies, Lu Ye was able to fend them off by activating Phoenix Wings and joining forces with Nian Yuexian.

But this time, no one knew how many Divine Ocean Realm Masters from Thousand Demon Ridge would come.

Nian Yuexian had deliberately exposed her aura and power when she left to attract the attention of powerful cultivators from Thousand Demon Ridge so that it would be easier for Lu Ye to flee.

She had taken Ying Wuji with her because she was worried the man would expose Lu Ye’s identity when she wasn’t around. In such a situation, it would be best for Lu Ye to take action on his own.

Nian Yuexian had no idea how Lu Ye even safely snuck into Lone Cloud City Pass. Since he was capable of achieving that, it showed that he had some unique skills.

Therefore, upon analysing the situation, she decided to part ways with Lu Ye.

She was concerned about Lu Ye’s safety, but Ying Wuji’s life didn’t matter to her. If she was besieged by Divine Ocean Realm Masters, she might make use of Ying Wuji to save herself.

Regardless, Ying Wuji was the core disciple of Yama Temple of this generation. Those from Thousand Demon Ridge might not want to offend Yama Temple.

After Nian Yuexian was gone, Lu Ye didn’t dare go too far away. Upon moving across 30 kilometres, he landed on the ground and found somewhere secretive. Then, he activated Glyphs to restrict his aura and conceal his presence.

This was giving him a headache. He couldn’t help but think that Kong Kong had put them in a tight spot. The move Kong Kong had used to send the three of them away from the Hidden Realm was too powerful. The flying swords that had dispersed in all directions would prompt the cultivators of Thousand Demon Ridge to snatch them away. Also, the Hidden Realm’s collapse would attract the attention of nearby cultivators.

Coupled with what Nian Yuexian had done, many cultivators must’ve been alerted as they were rushing over.

That was indeed the case. Lu Ye soon felt the auras of Divine Ocean Realm Masters moving past him in the distance. They seemed to be in a hurry. It was a wonder if they were running after Nian Yuexian.

A moment later, sounds of breaking through the air were heard. Some cultivators from Thousand Demon Ridge must’ve come over to look into the matter upon hearing the news.

For the next half a day, things unfolded just like what Lu Ye had expected. Many cultivators from Thousand Demon Ridge came together and looked into what had happened. Also, the ownerless flying swords prompted the cultivators’ enthusiasm to get the treasures.

This made the Desolate Plain bustle with noise.

Nian Yuexian never sent him any messages, so it was a wonder how she was doing. Lu Ye didn’t dare to disturb her.

Naturally, he could choose to contact Ying Wuji, but the two of them came from opposing sides, after all. Even if he got a reply from Ying Wuji, he wouldn’t easily believe him.

Left with no choice, he could only keep waiting.