Another Cliche Cultivation Story

Just moments before Dong Zongying activated the copper token.

Far away from the Arcane Mountain, in a domain that greatly contrasted the Ardent Yin Sect, was the Serene Region, home to the Serene Yang Sect. Instead of the bitter cold and endless snow, this place was filled with beaming rays of sunlight that brought along a scorching temperature and stuffy atmosphere,

The Serene Yang Sect sat on a large platform that looked like it was scooped out from the earth. It floated high above the clouds and was seemingly trying to be as close to the sun as possible. 

Despite being exposed to the extremity all year round, the land here was surprisingly lavish. The plants and animal life appear to thrive off of this environment as they were flourishing.

Clean marbled buildings were uniformly erected throughout the grounds. 

There was one in particular that stood out from the rest, being much grander and taller in appearance. It was located in the central part of the land and was easily distinguishable.

The courtyard of this building was quiet due to the absence of people and a sense of peace was oddly instilled into the air because of it. 

A sign was hung on top of the entrance, it read, Fervid Tranquil Hall. This wasn’t a place that anyone could just visit as this was actually the residence of the Sect Master of the Serene Yang Sect.

Two people were currently inside this building having a discussion.

“Grand Elder, is the Young Lady still in seclusion?”

A mature man asked while seated on a golden throne. At first glance, there was an obvious juxtaposition between his aura and appearance. His features can be described in one word, fierce. His black hair resembled a burning flame and his bushy brows were aggressively slanted to the point where he looks perpetually angry, and yet, the composed air he gives off made him appear quite steady.

This person was Hao Boqin, the Sect Master of the Serene Yang Sect, and if a certain couple was here, they would perhaps notice the differing qualities between this man and Shao Qinglian of the Ardent Yin Sect,

Their appearance and aura were the complete opposite of one another!

The other person in the room, the Grand Elder, clothed in his red and silver robe, nodded his head in response to the question.

“Yes, she is,” he said with a bit of hesitation. 

Hao Boqin noticed it immediately and knew the cause of it, but he still asked, “What do you wish to say?”

The Grand Elder sighed, “Sect Master, I understand Lady Hong Tian has a great background but for you to allow her to see our sacred cultivation method, the Frost Inflamed Art, it is too much. This was something created by our Founder, its importance has no equal in the Serene Yang Sect. Lady Hong Tian, in the end, is not an official disciple nor will she stay here long, so for her to see our greatest secret… sigh.  While the other Elders have not said anything, it’s obvious that they are dissatisfied with your decision.”

Hao Boqin listened quietly.

Eventually, even he sighed with a hint of helplessness, “I know all this, but unfortunately, I didn’t have much of a choice either.”

“Oh? What do you mean, Sect Master?”

Hao Boqin shook his head, “The Young Lady has a great background, but do you all know the extent of it?”

“This…” The Grand Elder was uncertain. “She was someone that the Great Ancestor of the Arcane Mountain introduced to us. At the time, he merely told us to treat her well before leaving. Not too many people knew of this and those that did suspect she was from the Mountain, after all, the Ancestor had to leave the Formation unattended because of her, she must be someone within their ranks.”

“She is not from the Arcane Mountain,” Hao Boqin assured. “Before he left, the Great Ancestor told me something… that she is very closely connected to us and also…”

“Who?” The Grand Elder hurriedly asked.

“The Ardent Yin Sect.”

“Lady Hong Tian is related to the Serene Yang Sect and Ardent Yin Sect? How can this be?”

The Grand Elder was in disbelief.

Hao Boqin nodded, “I also didn’t understand it at first. The Serene Yang and Ardent Yin simply opposed one another so how could there be someone who shares a relationship with both sects? But Grand Elder, haven’t you found it weird that she, a woman, has been able to cultivate our techniques with no difficulties at all?”

“Of course I have, and so have the other Elders. The Ardent Yin is exclusive to women while the Serene Yang is exclusive to men. For her to cultivate in our ways, we simply thought it was due to her having a special physique.”

“Perhaps she does have a special physique…” Hao Boqin wondered in a daze before quickly snapping out of it. “But in this case, that’s not it.”

“You have not yet seen it firsthand, Grand Elder. But Lady Hong Tian’s understanding of our cultivation methods greatly exceeded that of my own. I once asked her what she thought about them and she merely said that they were derivative.”

The Grand Elder was speechless, “Derivative?”

The choice of word here was rather vague, yet, there seems to be a deeper meaning behind it.

Hao Boqin nodded, “And it’s not like the two sects have nothing in common. We have fought Ardent Yin many times in the past because of the similarities between their Flame of Ice Scripture and our Frost Inflamed Art. Both of which were created by the two Founders of the sects.”

“Sect Master, are you saying…”

Hao Boqin shook his head, “The records have been lost and no one knows what happened in the past. As for Lady Hong Tian, she may be from the Upper World, otherwise, the Great Ancestor wouldn’t have acted so carefully around her as well.”

“Is that right?” The Grand Elder was surprised, “I hadn’t noticed it at the time…”

“The Young Lady has connections to us and she’s also from above, perhaps she is merely taking back what belonged to her…”

Hao Boqin sighed, “With the threat of the Graha on our head, it’s best not to offend a faction from the Upper World. I’d rather give up the Frost Inflamed Art than see Mortal Desolate face total destruction.”

“Sect Master…” 

A sense of respect welled up in the Grand Elder’s heart. It looks like he, along with the others, had misunderstood the Sect Master.

Hao Boqin suddenly roared in laughter, “Besides, it’s not like we’re the only one losing out.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Young Lady’s stay here is only temporary. After she’s done studying the Frost Inflamed Art, she will make her way to the Ardent Yin Sect to take a look at their Flame of Ice Scripture.”

Hao Boqin savagely grinned, “At that time, I will personally escort the Young Lady there. I wonder how Shao Qinglian will look when she’s forced to give up their sacred scripture!”

GURRARARA!

The Grand Elder stared at the enthusiastic Hao Boqin. Upon seeing the ugly expression he was making as he laughed, the Grand Elder inwardly shuddered.

“Uh, Sect Master, please calm down. Your spit is falling on me.”

“What!? Don’t ruin my mood, Grand Elder!”

GURARA!

“…”

As Hao Boqin was drowning the Fervid Tranquil Hall in saliva, his expression unexpectedly changed.

He took out a copper token from his spatial ring and it was at this time that a familiar red pillar shot out from it. 

In just a short moment, the sky changed color and the entire Serene Region was dyed crimson.