Chapter 47 Red

In a room closed off from the rest of the outside world, more than a dozen Peak Rank 5 Gu Masters sat, waiting for a single old man with white bushy eyebrows to speak. All of the Elders which made up the Elder Soul Hall were Peak Rank 5 Gu Masters, so even those talented disciples from previous generations were not permitted here.

This was the foundation of the Ancient Soul Sect beneath the realm of Rank 6. The Central Continent boasted the strongest foundations throughout all of the Five Regions. The Sect system, founded by Primordial Origin, allowed for all talented Gu Masters to try their hand at cultivation, rather than the select few who were apart of a certain bloodline. 

The Ancient Soul Sect was one of the stronger Sects within the Ten Great Sects. Being the closest of the Ten Great Sects to the Western Desert, their was always an abundance of trade between the two regions. 

The Eastern Sea possessed an abundance of Gu and Gu materials, so only a minor Clans traded with the other regions. The Southern Boarder was semi-united under the banner of the Wu Clan, but promoted trade and interaction between the other three regions. 

If these individuals gathered were to storm a minor Sect or a small Clan throughout anywhere in the Five Regions, there was little that they could do to stop them.

There was Elder Fang from Wood Soul Hall.

Elder Bing from Light Soul Hall.

Elder Tai from Water Soul Hall.

Elder Li from Burning Soul Hall.

Elder Chang from Strength Soul Hall.

Elder Song from Dragon Soul Hall.

Elder Hu from Dark Soul Hall.

Elder Gong from Refinement Soul Hall.

Elder Luo from Earth Soul Hall.

Elder Ji from Sword Soul Hall.

Elder Ran from War Soul Hall.

Elder Huo from Golden Soul Hall.

And Elder Shu from Phantom Soul Hall.

These thirteen Soul Halls were the foundations of the Ancient Soul Sect. Not only did each represent a clear Path for disciples to walk, but also the inheritances passed down from the Sect's Gu Immortals.

There were thirteen lineages of Gu Immortals within the Ancient Soul Sect. Even if they were not true inheritances left behind by Rank 8 powerhouses, or even Rank 9 Venerables, each of them left behind some sort of knowledge which allowed new Gu Immortals to rapidly increase their strength.

Of course there were Gu Immortals like Immortal Li who the Sect hoped would leave behind a proper inheritance, but remained calm in the event that such a thing did not happen. Including the Limitless inheritance, there were fourteen possible inheritances for future disciples and Gu Immortals to explore.

While Elder Luo and Elder Ran did not possess the same Path as the progenitors of the Earth Soul Hall and War Soul Hall, their cultivation as Peak Rank 5 Gu Masters allowed them to take the position of Elder. 

These thirteen Peak Rank 5 Gu Masters watched as Elder Kong entered the room, a soft smile marring his face. The Wisdom Path Gu Master glanced towards Elder Luo for a moment before sitting down in his chair, pausing for a moment.

"... The other Gu Immortals whom have remained indecisive until now have placed their bets behind Xuanyuan. Including the five Gu Immortals who had already backed Xuanyuan, there are now a total of nine who support his claim as Abyssal Child. The next candidate is Kong Jiu, who is still supported by Immortal Gong and Immortal Wu. After that is Huo Fei, who is supported by Immortal Yan".

Elder Kong's eyes swept over his fellow Peak Rank 5 Gu Masters. Elder Huo and Elder Song both showed an expression of distaste, while Elder Bing, Elder Chang, Elder Li all just remained unmoving, as if the information didn't matter that much.

Each of these Elders had disciples who had received the recommendation to become the Abyssal Child. If their personal disciple became this generations Chosen of the Ancient Soul Sect, the treasury contained within the Sect would be open to them, allowing them to transcend Ranks in an instant, and potentially share the wealth with their Master.

Elder Huo's adopted daughter Huo Fei, and Elder Song's grandson Song Pei were both candidates, but after hearing the words leave Elder Kong's mouth, the hope in the heart was suddenly extinguished, faced with the pressure of almost ten Gu Immortals.

Elder Huo glanced at Elder Luo, showing an unpleased expression.

"The Abyssal Child candidate is chosen by Gu Masters. But the Abyssal Child themselves are chosen by Gu Immortals. If that is the will of the Heavens, when who are we to reject the Chosen decided by our Sect's Gu Immortals".

Everyone in the room could tell that Elder Huo wasn't happy, but it wasn't as if the competition was close. Xuanyuan alone had more recommendations from Gu Immortals that all the other candidates combined. 

He was sixteen years old, and was a Master in the Shadow Path. He had been evaluated by Immortal Chu personally, so there was no need to worry about him being some reincarnated old monster who wanted to infiltrate the Ancient Soul Sect.

There was however... only one thing to worry about.

Elder Song looked at Elder Luo, his gaze piercing and his expression serious. There was something lingering in the back of everyone's mind, and while most didn't want to ask, there was always the possibility.

"Luo Yu. I am not questioning your loyalty to the Sect, but your disciple... He seeks to comprehend Truth? He seeks answers to questions that most Gu Immortals will never solve even throughout their lifetimes".

Elder Luo raised an eyebrow.

"Is there a question coming, Elder Song?", he asked.

Elder Song didn't smile, but everyone could hear the accusatory tone in his voice.

"Your disciple bears remarkable similarities to Limitless Demonic Venerable. As someone who seeks to comprehend the Dao, can you be sure that his desires will not stray from the Righteous Path?".

The other Elders in the room, those with no stake in the matter raised an eyebrow, hearing the accusation. Some of them had attempted to go through Limitless' inheritance, and had interacted with the True Will he left behind. 

It might have been just a sentence, or even just a word for some, however, those that did, had experienced the might of a Rank 9 Gu Immortal, even if it was only for a single moment.

Not much was known about Limitless Demonic Venerable, however, he was publicly known as the most cunning and intelligent of all Venerables. While he did not rampage throughout the Five Regions like Reckless Savage or Spectral Soul, he did not hesitate to annihilate Sects and Clans for his experiments, researching the Dao and seeking the limits of the Gu World.

He left one inheritance within each of the Five Regions, and the inheritance that the Ancient Soul Sect had claimed was perhaps the most intriguing.

The furthest that someone had gone allowed them to reach the Quasi-Grandmaster level in the Rule Path in a single day. Not only that, but that had received immortal level Dao Marks relating to their main path, despite being only a Rank 4 Gu Master.

While they had not received the method to do such a thing themselves, that Gu Master eventually grew to become a Gu Immortal, and to eventually found the Dragon Soul Hall

Elder Luo didn't seem phased by the remark, instead glancing at Elder Kong. 

The Peak Rank 5 Wisdom Path Gu Master seemed hesitant to say anything, before the latter just shook his head, letting out a loud sigh.

"Elder Song, Xuanyuan has been evaluated by Immortal Chu, saying such a thing would be like going against the words of a Gu Immortal. Please refrain from suggesting such a thing, lest we push him into the embrace of the demonic path".

The Enslavement Path Gu Master looked at Elder Kong, suppressing a grimace before leaning back in his chair. Everyone had seen the look that Elder Kong and Elder Luo shared, and wondered when exactly did these two become close?

Elder Li tapped the table in front of her, staring directly at Elder Kong.

As the Leader of the Burning Soul Hall, in charge of cleansing demonic path Gu Masters within the territory of the Ancient Soul Sect, Elder Li possessed a wide network of Gu Masters, some even hidden within demonic Gu Master camps, waiting to strike.

Out of all the Elders present, she had the largest number of powerful Gu Masters under her command. Because of this, her ability to obtain information was the largest, even without a Wisdom Path Gu Master.

The woman smiled, showing the cards in her hand.

"Is this because of the Prophecy Elder Kong? An Era of Five Venerables? Do you actually believe Xuanyuan to be the supposed White Shadow Immortal Venerable?".

Every Elder in the room, including Elder Kong raised their eyebrows, hearing the words come out of Elder Li's mouth. Elder Luo, Elder Hu and Elder Gong all turned towards Elder Kong, while others, like Elder Huo and Elder Song just smacked the table, not bothering to suppress their laughter.

"A prophecy? Is that why so many Gu Immortals are backing that child?".

"Has the claim been verified? Immortal Yi Yan predicted the birth of Spectral Soul, Paradise Earth and Great Dream, has another Wisdom Path Gu Immortal foreseen the birth of the Venerables following Great Dream!?".

"It is more than likely nothing but a hoax, a rumor created by Gu Immortals from the other Continents in order to scare the Ten Great Sects. And besides, there has been no word from the Heavenly Court themselves, so why are we even bothering to entertain the possibility that this is true?".

Another Elder interjected.

"But what if it is true? I don't understand what this may be, but it must be quite widespread if Elder Li has heard about it. We are talking about a Venerable here, if the possibility is there, no matter how slim, we should try and grasp it!".

Another Elder rolled their eyes.

"How can you even suggest that? If the Heavenly Court themselves do not take the prophecy seriously, then why must we? I agree that this boy, Xuanyuan, is talented enough to become the Abyssal Child, but there is no guarantee that he can become Venerable. So long as he can become a Gu Immortal, that should be enough right?".

The existence of this prophecy caused the Elder Soul Hall to break out in arguments and yelling, unbecoming of their Rank and stature within the Sect. Elder Kong watched as his fellow Rank 5 Gu Masters squabbled over possibilities and percentages before he slammed his fist on the table, causing a distinct crack to appear down the middle.

His expression was emotionless, but his gaze burning.

"Silence! You all squabble over matters that you are not qualified to discuss!", Elder Kong stared directly at the Burning Soul Hall Elder, causing her to raise her head but not daring to look Elder Kong in the eyes.

"The validity of this prophecy is not for us to discuss. However, for whatever reason Gu Immortals from the other four regions are taking it seriously, and as a result, the Central Continent cannot be idle. This goes beyond what our Ancient Soul Sect or Elder Hall believes. Even if Xuanyuan is not the future White Shadow Immortal Venerable, he still an extraordinarily talented Shadow Path Gu Master".

"His legacy could perhaps be what allows the future White Shadow Immortal Venerable to rise to power. There is no guarantees in life, so we must hope for the best, and subsequently prepare for the worst".

"Xuanyuan will be given the first opportunity to enter Limitless' inheritance. After another ten years, one of the others will be given the chance. The Sect Leader is preparing for his own Immortal Ascension, so instead of bickering with each other, your attention is better served on finding a new Rank 5 Gu Master to become our Sect Leader. And unlike the Abyssal Child, we decide on who will become next Ancient Soul Sect Leader".

"Is all of that understood?".

Everyone in the room calmed down, all of them discussing potential candidates to become the next Sect Leader. While the Ancient Soul Sect was discussing who should best represent them as the next Sect Leader, countless undercurrents were stirred throughout the rest of the Gu World.

Gu Immortals in the other four regions nurtured Gu Immortal seeds themselves, trying to find individuals were best suited the positions of potential Venerables.

In the Northern Plains, a gentle downpour shrouded the vast plains in a faint and misty fog. A young girl clutched at the figure of her dying mother, her eyes widening as she whispered sinister truths into the ears of her daughter...

In the Eastern Seas, a figure slowly walked through the cold, every step they took cutting deep into the freezing snow beneath them. Staring up at the faint rays of sunlight in the distance, they gathered the perseverance in their heart, trudging forward towards the light of tomorrow...

In the Central Continent, the love between fairy and a man with the heart of a demon gave rise to a beautiful young girl. They watched tenderly, as their little girl babbled and crawled over the floor of their home, a mysterious butterfly landing on the windowsill...

In the Southern Boarder, a pair of twins were born, one already showing signs of maturity and intelligence. Their family praised the heavens thanking them for blessing their Clan with a talented descendant, forgetting about the other child.

Unbeknownst to them, unbeknownst to any of the Gu Immortals in the Ancient Soul Sect. Unbeknownst to anyone in the Heavenly Court, individuals similarly gathered, phantoms from all over the Five Regions.

"... Any luck in discovering which Wisdom Path Gu Immortal created the prophecy?".

"Not yet. The Eastern Seas are too difficult to traverse while remaining hidden. I have narrowed that the Gu Immortal who deduced the prophecy was at least born in the southern regions of the Eastern Sea. It is possible that they might have escaped to the Southern Boarder, but I will have to continue following the traces that they left behind".

"... Good. The existence of this prophecy was not foreseen by Yi Yan, but its existence was felt by every Wisdom Path Gu Immortal across the Five Regions. For whatever reason, Fate had been changed that day".

"Any justifications as to why such a thing occurred?".

The phantom paused for a moment, his expression hazy and unable to be discerned.

"... The Heavenly Court seem to think that something influenced Fate Gu. Wisdom Path Gu Immortals can discern the intentions of Fate Gu, however, something must have influenced it dramatically, to the point where it has changed the Fate of countless living beings".

"Influenced it? But how can such a thing be possible?".

The other figure let out a small sigh.

"... The main body seems to think that someone with future knowledge influenced Fate Gu. Using their experiences, knowledge and grasp of what the future holds, Fate Gu used its powers to correct something, leading to these deviations".

"For whatever reason, Fate Gu chose to deviate from its designated future, and instead, decided on a future ruled by Five Venerables".

"... I take it that the main body isn't happy with that?".

"... Not in the slightest Red... Not in the slightest".