Old Sage: Training Disciples

In the midst of the howling winds, there was a lone and exhausted figure standing with his back against a towering and dreadful cliff. Just beneath him flowed the turbulent and rocky Blackwater River, a river that had claimed countless lives.

This person was Chen Yunlong, an old, seemingly frail man with disheveled, long flowing hair as white as snow, a long majestic beard currently tainted with blood, deep grey eyes as calming as a pond, and a wrinkled face etched with as many lines as stories he could tell.

He clamped his hand tightly over his mouth, trying to suppress a violent fit of coughing, but it proved to be futile as he spewed out a thick spurt of blood. The excruciating pain of his injuries made him wince and grit his teeth as he struggled to maneuver his Qi to stabilize his body. His internal organs were severely damaged and threatened to fail at any moment, but with sheer willpower, he forced himself to stand firmly on his feet.

With a steely gaze, he surveyed the horizon; his eyes narrowed with a mixture of determination and apprehension. The sound of footsteps crunching on the earth was accompanied by a chorus of obnoxious laughter, signaling the approach of his enemies.

Bracing himself, he prepared for the inevitable confrontation, his muscles tense and his mind focused on the task ahead.

Despite the impending danger, Chen Yunlong could only stand vigilantly with furrowed brows. Frowning, his eyes burned with a mix of rage and sorrow as they focused on the approaching figures, imprinting their faces and names into his mind.

"Old man," a voice thick as mud sounded from a towering behemoth with rippling muscles and skin the color of molten lava. His eyes glowed with an intense orange light, and his hair was a mass of flame-like tendrils that seemed to dance in the heat. In his hand was a fearsome battle axe forged from an ancient creature's bones.

With an ominous smirk, he continued, "You are at your wits' end. Just give us the Immortal's Heart, and we might be able to let bygones be bygones."

His name was Zhanhun, and he belonged to the Chiyan Titan Tribe, a tribe of demonic titans and a formidable force to be reckoned with, feared throughout the land for their ferocity in battle. They lived in the most treacherous and inhospitable of environments, their bodies adapted to withstand the searing heat and scorching temperatures of their surroundings.

"Hurry up, I'm reaching the limits of my patience. If you hesitate any longer, I'll sever you at your waist!" A feminine voice sounded, soft and tender to the ears if not for the cruelty of their words.

It was an alluring female with entrancing peach blossom eyes. She was clad in a revealing black dress, showing off her curvaceous chest and long legs, her skin silky smooth and white as jade. Unlike the demon before her, she was a human, belonging to the Seven Springs Sect.

The Seven Springs Sect was a renowned organization of highly skilled assassins, infamous for their members' flirtatious and seductive tactics. Many of their operatives were trained in the art of deception, using their charm and beauty to get close to their targets before striking with deadly precision. The sect had a reputation for being ruthless and efficient, with a long history of successful assassinations that spanned across the land. Despite their notoriety, they remained elusive, with very little known about their inner workings and the identities of their members.

Aside from those two, there were several other demons, humans, and beasts alike.

For instance, Gui Ren, an eerie being known as the Ghost King. He was an evil cultivator, originally human before throwing away his physical body and delving into the immoral acts of consuming the lifeforce of mortals for his own gain. He even went as far as forcing their souls into his Ten Thousand Grudges Array.

There was the beast, Wu Gou, a seven headed serpent whose bloodline traced back to the ancient hydras; the devil only known as the Blood Demon from the Blood Lily Sect; Li Shan, a cold-blooded killer from the Frost Moon Palace; and a multitude of others.

Even the esteemed and noble Saint King of the Three Gardens Sect was there, donning a breathtaking robe embroiled with a white magnolia flower.

The white magnolia flower on Saint King's robe was intricately embroidered with silver threads, its petals looking almost lifelike. The heavenly robe, made of the finest silk, shimmered in the light, reflecting the colors of the rainbow as he moved. The gold embroidery on the robe was so delicately crafted that it seemed as if it was dancing along with the movements of Saint King.

The Three Gardens Sect was a prestigious and ancient cultivation sect that was known for its strict adherence to tradition and their strict code of honor. They are considered to be one of the most noble and prideful sects in the cultivation world, with a long history that dates back thousands of years.

The sect was renowned for its powerful and refined cultivation techniques, as well as their strict moral code and sense of duty. Known to be honorable and just, they always strove to do what is right to protect the innocent and punish evil.

The Three Gardens Sect was also known for its opulent and grandiose architecture, with their sect headquarters being a sprawling complex of ornate buildings, serene gardens, and glittering fountains.

"Chen Yunlong," Saint King shook his head in regret, "the Immortal Heart is the key to breaking the seal between our Mortal Realm and the Immortal Realm. Once we open Heaven's Gate, we will finally be able to break through the restraint that exists between the Demigod Realm and the Celestial Realm! Why must you make things so difficult for us?"

Chen Yunlong panted heavily as his wrinkled hand wiped the blood from his lips. He squinted and with the wave of his hands, his spear appeared with a valiant aura, "Please, just listen to me! The gate must not be unsealed. I've already told you! The images... the visions I saw... the beings that exist on the other side will bring ruin to our realm! You must not let greed deceive your eyes and deafen your ears!"

In response, the cultivators merely shook their heads in disappointment, uttering spiteful remarks.

"Hmph. A little bit of fear has you shaken up? I'm ashamed to be on the same level as you."

"What a coward. Strike him down and put an end to his nonsense."

Saint King sighed, readying his blade alongside the dozens of cultivators, all at the peak of their realm.

"Ai, Chen Yunlong, you've accomplished many great deeds—if only you had not been the one to explore that spatial rift. It pains me to see that you never severed your ties to the mundane world, plagued by such trivial worries."

Saint King spoke with a deep sense of regret, his voice resonating with the weight of years of experience and contemplation. He knew all too well the high price that would be paid by those who dared to seek the ultimate truth of the dao.

"But you must understand, my friend, that mortals perish in pursuit of food, just as cultivators perish in pursuit of the dao. The opening of the gates is necessary for the cultivation of the dao, and I will not stand idly by and let it be thwarted by the shortsightedness of mortals," he continued, his voice ringing with a fierce determination that brooked no dissent.

Despite understanding Chen Yunlong's fears, he knew the gate was a necessary step on the path to true enlightenment. And though he mourned the sacrifices that would be made along the way, he was steadfast in his belief that the ultimate goal was worth any price.

"Hmph. Fine. Since talk is meaningless, let's put an end to all this."

With a deep, measured breath, Chen Yunlong centered himself and summoned all of his inner strength. Clenching his teeth and biting down hard on his tongue, he felt the searing pain of his own blood essence igniting within him, unleashing a surge of raw power that coursed through his veins like molten fire.

"Heavenly Thunder! Give me strength!"

As he raised his spear to the sky, a brilliant blue light radiated from its surface, suffusing the surrounding air with an otherworldly energy. The sky above churned and darkened, the once clear blue replaced by an ominous grey-black hue as the clouds gathered and roiled with an unbridled fury.

Within the heart of those dark clouds, lightning began to flash and flicker, illuminating the sky with its fierce power. The rumbling and crackling of thunder echoed throughout the land, announcing the arrival of an elemental force that threatened to shake the very foundations of the earth.

But Chen Yunlong stood firm, his spirit unbroken and his will as unyielding as the mountains themselves. With a fierce determination in his heart, he channeled the full force of his power into his spear, ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead.

"Haah! Then this shall be my final strike. I cannot allow myself to become the one who brings ruin to our realm," Chen Yunlong said with a heavy heart.

"Zzz," his spear buzzed quietly, issuing a soft cry to comfort Chen Yunlong's pain. Regardless of today's outcome, it was prepared to follow its partner until the very end.

"Thank you, Longyuan," Chen Yunlong said, his voice laced with gratitude and affection. He reached out and gently stroked the gleaming surface of his spear, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into its metal.

As he did so, memories flooded his mind—memories of battles fought and won, of companionship and brotherhood, of sacrifices made in the pursuit of the dao. Longyuan had been his faithful companion throughout it all, a constant presence by his side in both triumph and defeat.

And as it followed him through his cultivation journey, facing challenges alongside him, it constantly refined itself, eventually awakening a faint sentience that marked it as a spirit weapon.

Standing tall amidst the dense clouds, Chen Yunlong faced the wrath of a raging bolt of lightning. Without a hint of fear, he stood his ground, his spear at the ready. As the lightning charged towards him with a furious energy, the spear glowed with an otherworldly radiance, absorbing the destructive force with ease.

In that moment, Chen Yunlong's aura grew even more dominant, radiating an unshakeable confidence and power as the surrounding lighting amplified the strength of his weapon. The spear hummed with an electric buzz, vibrating softly to comfort its partner's pain, and together, they prepared for the next challenge to come.

"Everyone, help me with the array. We will end things swiftly," Saint King said softly as everyone raised their hands, forming a series of characters with their hands as they chanted together.

As Saint King gave the command, Chen Yunlong knew that the fate of the battle had already been decided. No increase in power, no matter how great, could turn the tides of his fate. He could feel the weight of their combined strength bearing down on him.

But despite his sense of resignation, he did not falter. With a fierce determination burning within him, he stood his ground, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As he looked up at the sky, he saw the array taking form, its twisted and haunting shape looming over him in the form of a giant. He could feel the chill of its power radiating outwards, filling him with a sense of dread and awe. Standing hundreds of meters tall, it looked down at Chen Yunlong as if he were a mere ant, punching its fist down on him.

"The Cultivation Devouring Array! What an evil and despicable formation!" Chen Yunlong exclaimed, his eyes narrowing in disdain.

He held his spear tightly, "Yuanlong, one last battle together! Let's unleash our Dragon's Last Cry!"

As Chen Yunlong lifted his spear, a sudden burst of spiritual energy caused a spectral dragon to materialize from the tip, its long, sinuous form shimmering in the air. With a deafening roar, the dragon wrapped itself around the spear and collided with the giant's outstretched arm.

Shockwaves spread out as they collided, space itself being torn apart under the heaven-shattering force.

"Dammit! Break for me! BREAK!" Chen Yunlong shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice drowned out by the destructive forces.

Despair washed over him as he realized that the array remained unscathed, despite the tremendous effort he had put forth. Blood trickled from all seven of his orifices, a sign of the immense strain on his body.

CRICK.

However, a sudden sound of a splitting crack jolted him out of his despair, giving him a glimmer of hope. Maybe he had made an impact on the array after all—

"Bzzz," the spear rumbled one last time quietly.

"NO! LONGYUAN!"

But his hope was short-lived as he realized that the crack had appeared on his beloved spear. The fracture rapidly extended like a spider's web, causing the weapon to shatter into countless pieces that shot back at him, lacerating his body mercilessly as he raised his hands against the giant's arm, trying to hold on with his physical body alone.

Bloodied and exhausted, the pressure of the array continued to press down on his body, his skin withering at a pace visible to the naked eye as the giant opened its mouth, his Qi quickly being drained from his body. Even as he burnt his blood essence, not even the slightest ripple appeared on the formation while he continued to grow weaker by the moment.

Crick.

Another crackling sound rang out, and Yunlong felt a bursting within his chest…

To his anguish, his dantian had been drained dry and started cracking, and before he could react, it exploded into bits as he fell limply to the ground, vomiting a mouthful of blood with a blurred vision.

The Dantian Devouring Array was immediately dispelled and Saint King swiftly approached him, snatching away his spatial ring. With a wave of his hand, the old imprint left by Chen Yunlong was erased, and he began to search through the ring meticulously. After a few moments, he finally found what he was looking for—a small wooden box.

As he eagerly opened the container, a smile spread across his face as he gazed upon the treasure within. A small, but brilliantly glowing red crystal, adorned with veins that seemed to pulse with an inner energy, creating a warm aura that made his Qi stir restlessly.

And as he examined it closer, he noticed that the veins within the crystal were actually filled with a golden energy that traveled within, shimmering and pulsing with an otherworldly power.

"This is it! The Immortal Heart!" he exclaimed with fervor. "With this, we can reach the next level of cultivation!"

Saint King gazed upon the intricately designed box, marveling at the beauty and power it possessed. The Immortal Heart had finally been obtained, and their goal had been achieved. He carefully closed the lid and turned away, gesturing for his followers to follow suit.

"Let us return to our gathering and discuss our next course of action," he announced.

As they made their way back, Chen Yunlong, barely clinging to life, reached out to grab Saint King's arm. Despite his weakened state, his unyielding spirit was reflected in his unwavering gaze.

However, Saint King merely grunted and flicked his hand, sending Chen Yunlong tumbling towards the cliff's edge. Despite being on the brink of death, Chen Yunlong struggled to move and stand, refusing to give up even if he had to crawl pathetically on his hands and knees.

The titan, Zhanhun, approached him with a malicious intent, his voice as gruff as a volcanic eruption, "You are nothing but a mortal now, and yet you still dare to disrespect us?"

With each heavy step, the ground beneath Zhanhun's feet cracked and broke. A long metal pole appeared in his grasp, stabbing it down and piercing through Chen Yunlong's hand and pinning him to the ground.

Chen Yunlong's agonizing screams filled the air, but Zhanhun seemed to relish in his pain, taunting him with each turn of the pole. Blood spattered on the ground, adding to the gruesome scene.

As the cliff continued to crack and crumble, Zhanhun's laughter only grew louder, like a man possessed by madness. His eyes sparkled with a sinister gleam, as if he was enjoying every moment of this sadistic display.

"Your cultivation is ruined, and now you're nothing but trash. If I were you, I'd beg for death to take me away."

Saint King, unimpressed, urged Zhanhun to leave with a sigh, "Enough. We have more important matters to attend to."

He didn't even bother turning to see the fate of Chen Yunlong.

Zhanhun sneered dismissively. "Heh, I was doing you a favor! Rekindling your honor after a filthy mortal dared to lay his hand on you!" His words dripped with contempt as he strode off after the other immortals, leaving Chen Yunlong's battered and broken body lying on the ground.

He gave one final stomp on the ground as a crack spread rapidly, "Even cultivators struggle to survive in the Blackwater River. How tragic for you," he taunted, his voice booming like thunder.

Chen Yunlong's feeble attempts to wrench the metal pole from his hand proved futile. He lay there, barely able to keep his eyes open as the sound of splintering echoed through the air. Crumbling, the cliff quickly collapsed and Chen Yunlong found himself plummeting towards the black, churning waters of the river below.

As Chen Yunlong descended rapidly towards the ground, it felt as though time had stretched out to an eternity, each passing moment a torturous crawl. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in his conviction, his mind resolute in the face of impending doom.

'I have given my all,' he reflected, 'and despite the outcome, I have stayed true to my path. All of my years of cultivation have not been a waste.' Chen Yunlong closed his eyes and awaited the inevitable impact, his heart at peace knowing that he had lived his life to the fullest.

A deafening splash sounded and the water stirred. Like the maws of a thirsting beast, it wished for nothing more than to devour all that entered its domain, swiftly turning on the resigned Chen Yunlong.

The rush of water was violent as Chen Yunlong's body was helplessly tossed and turned by the merciless current. With each passing moment, his consciousness began to fade, and he felt his grip on life slipping away. Within moments, he disappeared beneath the surface, swallowed up by the churning black waters.