Another Cliché Cultivation Story

The Ghost?

Ji Xian and Xia Lihua glanced at each other with questioning looks. They weren’t sure if this was a name or a title and since they weren’t familiar with this Progenitor of the Graha race, it didn’t invoke too much reaction from them.

But suddenly, their expressions changed, for the moment Li Yifan finished her sentence, a great disturbance occurred that sent them into a state of incredulity.

A rare, serious look appeared on Ji Xian’s face as he quickly grabbed Xia Lihua’s waist, pulling her closer to him. She didn’t resist, at the same time, she was also on guard.

The heavenly bodies around Mortal Desolate unexpectedly dimmed. The sun and moon stopped their rotation while a soft trembling shook from the void. An overwhelmingly loud silence rang through the couple’s ears, causing them to feel great discomfort.

Ji Xian was alert, something was happening around them that he didn’t quite understand. He channeled his True Essence and his eyes glowed with a clear light. He had done this many times in the past, but this time, the light was a lot stronger than before.

This was an innate eye ability of his. It wasn’t a Divine Art that he created, rather, it was something he had gained after his “second death” in this life. When his eyes shine with a clear subtle light, it enhances his vision to a frightening degree. It also gives him an ability that’s similar to x-ray vision. It was because of this skill that he could see how other cultivators use and circulate their Essence, allowing him to copy and learn their Divine Arts and cultivation method.

Ji Xian’s eyes were bright. If one looked very carefully, one would even notice a hint of turquoise in his pupils. Unfortunately, no one was paying attention to him. He immediately spread his spiritual sense to encompass the Ardent Yin Sect. Surprisingly, it was as though time had stopped, or at least, slowed. Not a single person was moving, even Li Yifan was no exception.

Besides him and Xia Lihua, there wasn’t anyone else in the sect that knew what was happening.

Ji Xian lifted his head, moving his gaze to the sky. Maybe it was just his imagination but there seem to be a seven-colored light shining through the clouds. It was delicate, too delicate, making it almost impossible to see.

“This… is this from the Universal Will?” He muttered in slight shock.

Xia Lihua heard him, causing her eyes to narrow with seriousness. Underneath her white dress, lustrous silver scales could be seen covering her body. Although she wasn’t sure of what was happening, she was ready to explode if need be. Unlike Ji Xian, she wasn’t able to see the seven-colored light.

Promptly after, a faint throbbing reverberated in their minds, with each pulse, it became faster and louder. It felt extremely uncomfortable and unknowingly, Ji Xian and Xia Lihua’s breathing began to match its rhythm.

Then, at the height of its momentum, the throbbing stopped.

It gently faded away and was replaced by one thing, a single emotion.

Fear.

It could only be felt for a split moment before vanishing away.

Afterward, everything returned to normal. The sun and moon restored their movements. The brilliance of the heavenly bodies returned. The trembling in the void also halted.

Ji Xian quietly watched all of this as he slowly let go of Xia Lihua. The calm atmosphere allowed them to relax again.

“…Looks like we’re the only ones who felt that just now,” Xia Lihua said after exhaling a breath. She had also released her spiritual sense earlier which allowed her to see the situation in the Ardent Yin Sect.

Ji Xian nodded.

“We have already surpassed the limits of the Lower World, perhaps that was why we were able to see and feel something we shouldn’t have been able to…” he roughly guessed after a bit of hesitation.

“Maybe…” Xia Lihua was skeptical but since there doesn’t seem to be any other explanation, she stayed silent.

Ji Xian was thoughtful, he muttered quietly, “Was the Universal Will… afraid?”

“Who exactly is this Progenitor of the Graha race…?”

As the two discussed the earlier event, they were unaware that there was actually one other person in Mortal Desolate that had felt this phenomenon as well.

…

Arcane Mountain, Second Peak.

In a dark immortal cave, a gentle-looking old man wearing a bloodstained white robe with an inch-wide cloth around his eyes suddenly shuddered.

He slightly lifted his head and with a solemn tone, said, “The fear of the Universal Will?”

“How can this be?”

“There are only four existences that could frighten the Universal Wil… did someone mention one of them?”

“Their names and titles are taboo. Who would be so foolish to casually say it?”

The old man became silent. After a while, his voice sounded out again in the cave.

“The Graha race… they’re currently the only ones in Mortal Desolate that have a connection to one of those existences. It should be someone who’s a direct descendant, otherwise, it’s impossible for them to accept this karma.”

“Was a Graha of royal blood left behind?” The old man frowned and muttered to himself, “That would be troublesome… for someone of such status to be here, the Graha will definitely return.”

…

After a short period, the old man sighed, “Han Lan, I will fulfill my promise to protect Mortal Desolate, however, I’m not too sure how much longer this body will last.”

“The Chaos Tunnels are being sealed by those two experts but that’s not the only way for the Graha to come here.”

“I just hope they hadn’t found us yet…”

…

Back at the Ardent Yin Sect.

Li Yifan had a mysterious expression on her face. Unknowingly, the couple in front of her was standing much closer than before. It happened within a blink of an eye. One second they were standing a few feet away from each other, the next, their bodies were practically clinging together.

Strangely enough, she didn’t seem surprised and it was hard to say what she was thinking. Any other person would’ve had a questioning look on their face, yet she was emotionless.

Ji Xian slightly tilted his head as he observed her. The light in his eyes had long disappeared. Even Xia Lihua had reverted the scales on her body.

From how calm Li Yifan appeared, Ji Xian wondered if she had already expected something to happen the moment she mentioned her Progenitor.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt like this was the case. Li Yifan was definitely stopped in time earlier, Ji Xian was sure of this. She shouldn’t have known what had transpired, but it’s likely she was already aware of the result beforehand.

Is she warning us?

Ji Xian was thoughtful. Li Yifan’s status was definitely not ordinary. Due to her conflict with Xia Lihua earlier, maybe she felt her life would be safer if he and Xia Lihua knew what kind of force was behind her. Thus, she named her Progenitor to bring down a reaction from the Universal Will.

He exchanged glances with Xia Lihua and she slightly nodded. She has also come to a certain understanding.

Unbeknownst to the couple, while Li Yifan looked calm, she was actually inwardly shocked. She indeed knew what would happen the moment she mentioned her Progenitor but what she didn’t expect was that they could move.

In that situation earlier, as Pseudo Saints, Ji Xian and Xia Lihua should’ve at most been able to feel the Universal Will and that should’ve been it. Like her, they should’ve been frozen, yet, they were actually capable of moving.

How is this possible? All beings under divinity should’ve been affected by that phenomenon, how are they able to move?

As she thought about this question, Xia Lihua suddenly spoke up.

“Have you been spending all your time at the Ardent Yin Sect? The war ended three hundred years ago, you could’ve probably found that Legacy by now if you were searching for it.”

She didn’t mention the Universal Will or the event earlier.

Li Yifan also didn’t talk about it. As long they knew, then that was enough.

“Ignorant,” she coldly replied. “Did you really think I didn’t search for the Legacy? Naturally, I looked for it, as well as the other Grahas that are stuck here. It’s just that we’re not getting any resonance from it for some reason, so we can’t find it.”

Ji Xian raised an eyebrow, “Is there a chance that there’s no Legacy to begin with?”

Li Yifan narrowed her eyes before shaking her head.

“We received a signal from it over four millennia ago. It has to be real…”

Ji Xian was amused. It almost sounded like Li Yifan was trying to convince herself when she said this. Did she question its existence at one point? It would make sense. The Graha has been here for hundreds of years, yet they still couldn’t find it.

Over four millennia ago? Didn’t the Empress ascend during that time? Or was this before she ascended? Maybe she’s the reason why none of the Graha can feel it anymore. What did she do? Did she already obtain the Legacy?

Li Yifan told us about it but she doesn’t seem too concerned about us taking it for ourselves… looks like it shouldn’t be that easy to obtain… perhaps there’s some kind of requirement.

Ji Xian was naturally interested in the Legacy, after all, he was still looking for some kind of inspiration to simulate the next realm. If this Legacy contains the inheritance of an expert from the Upper World, then it’s worthy of his attention.

After a moment of thinking, he glanced at Li Yifan and said, “You have spent a lot of time at the Ardent Yin Sect. I guessed that you have already lost confidence in ever finding the Legacy, since that is the case, why don’t you just return home?”

“…”

Li Yifan softly bit her lip in slight annoyance. Ji Xian can read her a little too well. She hated this feeling of being exposed. However, he was correct, after all these years, she had stopped caring about the Legacy. Actually, she never cared about it to begin with. This was her father’s obsession, not hers. The war with Mortal Desolate was something she never approved of, unfortunately… her words couldn’t get through to her father and the decision was made.

“I’ve told you before.” She slowly spoke, “The Three Tongue Gist cannot be solved, therefore, it’s impossible for me to go back home.”

Ji Xian chuckled, “Well, fortunately, you’ve met me. I can solve it. I’ll let you in on a little secret, I’ve already sealed nine Chaos Tunnels. Eventually, I’ll seal all of them. By then, you won’t be able to return to your world any longer. The Legacy is a lost cause, just forget about it. You should take this opportunity and leave.”

“…”

There were no words from Li Yifan. Her mouth was slightly opened and her eyes widened in disbelief. She was dumbfounded.

Ji Xian continued, “I’m only letting you go, the other Grahas can rot here, including the one who modified the Eighteen Cyclic Hell. You won’t have to worry about him any longer and you need not worry about the Nether race rebelling. After this is over, the two races can stay separated once more.”

Xia Lihua stood beside Ji Xian and strangely looked at him. While it seems like he has good intentions, it was more appropriate to say he was trying to get rid of Li Yifan. It made sense, her status was too great. It wasn’t wise to have her in Mortal Desolate any longer. Also, Ji Xian would be able to search for the Legacy in peace once the Chaos Tunnels are sealed and no Graha would come to look for Li Yifan. There was one thing he didn’t mention, the possibility that those Grahas could still ascend but that would no longer be his business.

…

“You’ve sealed the Chaos Tunnels?” Li Yifan said in a daze, “Do you realize what you have done?”

She didn’t question whether or not Ji Xian was really able to solve the Three Tongue Gist, for some reason, she believed him.

Ji Xian frowned, sensing something was wrong.

“Tell me.”

Li Yifan pursed her lips, “The Chaos Tunnels are a result of the scars left in space created by the battle between Han Lan and my predecessor. It is connected to the Graha’s home in the Lower World and Mortal Desolate. Since the path between the two worlds can be easily used, the Graha race in the Upper World has never felt the need to take action…”

A flash of realization hit Ji Xian. He ruffled his hair and bitterly sighed.

“Well, shit, so they found it.”

Li Yifan nodded, “In the war three hundred years ago, we have already confirmed the coordinates of the Mortal Desolate World. The Graha in the Upper World could’ve come down but they decided to leave the matter of the Legacy to their forces that were in the Lower World, providing them with only a little bit of help.”

“But now, with you sealing the Chaos Tunnels, what do you think would happen?”

“The Graha race will finally descend upon Mortal Desolate!”