Sky Soul Hall! . . .
"This place... it gives me a peculiar sensation," Cha Eun Xiao expressed his curiosity. "It's as though I'm rapidly improving in this location. My soul... I can sense it rejuvenated. Is it merely my perception, given that I've just recovered from a near-fatal injury?"
"No, your feelings are correct," Yue Changtian affirmed. "This is the most significant site within our sect."
"I see," Cha Eun Xiao responded. "This place is truly remarkable. I can imagine it required a substantial effort to construct this place in days of old."
His words revealed his desire to learn more about this place. As the most vital figure in Cold Moon Palace, the sect's future hinged on him. Furthermore, his return from the brink of death had profoundly shocked the four men. Additionally, the story of the Human Realm Upon Heavens had deepened the shock.
They had no reason to withhold any secrets from him, nor did they doubt his intentions.
Yue Changtian sighed and disclosed, "Indeed, it required a substantial investment, far more than you could imagine. Unfortunately, I believe that Sky Soul Hall is doomed from now on."
Cha Eun Xiao expressed surprise, asking, "Why? This is such an extraordinary place. Why would it be destroyed? Did it expend too much energy to save me just now?"
Yue Changtian wanted to provide an explanation but was only able to release a deep sigh.
Lei Dadi appeared despondent. With a sigh, he stated, "You know nothing, kid. Your survival was entirely your good fortune. Sky Soul Hall didn't truly save you. The reason this place is set to be destroyed... It was a collaborative project among the three factions. It serves as our most closely guarded secret. Now that we've decided to sever ties with those factions, I suspect no one will adhere to the rules anymore... Ah."
Before he could elaborate further, Yue Changtian emitted a lengthy sigh.
Cha Eun Xiao's heart raced as he sensed that he might finally be on the verge of uncovering something he hadn't understood and despised the most in his previous life.
Lei Dadi appeared to wish to halt the conversation by displaying a pained expression. Cha Eun Xiao, however, persisted.
He inquired with inquisitiveness, "Top secret? Is there a story behind the construction of this place?"
Lei Dadi looked tormented as he heaved a deep sigh. "It is more than just a story... It's a... harrowing epic... of countless drops of blood and tears..."
"Millions of heroes... met their end in this tale."
Lei Dadi shook his head and added, "Among those millions were many cultivators at the ninth level of Dao Origin Stage. The most sensational event in the narrative is about a man who posed the greatest obstacle to this endeavor... the Xiao Monarch, Cha Eun Xiao!"
Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback.
[I was right!]
[Sky Soul Palace!]
[The three factions committed numerous unforgivable deeds in the past, all for this Sky Soul Hall!]
"It appears that Sky Soul Hall is of tremendous importance to the sects," Cha Eun Xiao remarked with curiosity.
"Absolutely," Lei Dadi confirmed. "I forgot that you're new to this world and unaware of the resounding name of the Xiao Monarch..."
Cha Eun Xiao nodded and inquired, "Hmm... Who is the Xiao Monarch? Which sect does he belong to? And what makes him so formidable?"
Lei Dadi massaged his temples, as though battling a headache. It seemed that Cha Chongxiao was steering the conversation further away from its original point, and he realized that it would take an entire day to fully explain everything. However, since ChaChongxiao was his beloved disciple, and the information was vital for him as he ventured into the martial world, Lei Dadi decided to provide a comprehensive explanation. [I have a significantly longer lifespan now, allowing more time to guide you. Perhaps by informing you today, your future in the martial world will be brighter...]
"It's a lengthy narrative," Lei Dadi began, "Allow me to explain..."
Yue Changtian expressed, "Master, I believe it would be best if I leave you to instruct Cha Chongxiao. The disciples outside haven't seen me in quite some time, and they must be concerned. I need to make arrangements for our confrontation with the two factions. Moreover, I must convey the news of Cha Chongxiao's demise. These tasks must be completed expeditiously."
Lei Dadi emitted a snort and replied, "Indeed, there are numerous responsibilities for you to fulfill outside. Wu Huitian has taken the lives of numerous of our disciples within our own realm. You must provide an explanation to everyone. If you can't reassure them, some may begin to question their loyalty to the sect. A sect that fails to guarantee the safety of its disciples will never garner loyalty. Furthermore, you mentioned earlier today that Cold Moon Palace is no longer affiliated with the three factions. Thus, we must consider the future of Cold Moon Palace, how we shall present ourselves to the martial world, and our actions in the world. We must establish goals. You should address all of these matters as swiftly as possible."
"One more thing," Yun Piaoliu added, "You must summon all ten of the senior elders without delay. This should be your first priority. Like an arrow once loosed, it cannot be recalled. Cold Moon Palace must rise. The fate of the sect now rests upon you, Prime Master."
Yue Changtian suddenly felt the weighty responsibility he carried. He adopted a grave expression and departed the hall, summoning the elders waiting outside for a meeting.
Meanwhile, the three old men sighed. Their expressions revealed lingering anxiety.
The two factions were resolute in their quest to eliminate Cha Eun Xiao. They deemed him a more dangerous adversary than Jun Yinglian. Fortunately, he possessed the Nine Creating Dan; otherwise, he would undoubtedly have perished.
If he had died, the extended lives of the three old men would have felt meaningless.
Lei Dadi's anger flared each time he recalled that their cherished disciple had been assassinated within their own domain.
After venting his frustrations, he realized the necessity of revealing the full story of Sky Soul Hall to Cha Eun Xiao.
"Sky Soul Hall is the most closely guarded secret of the three factions, a tradition passed down through the ages. To activate the Sky Soul Hall, certain conditions must be met. Firstly, each of the three factions must maintain a disciple count exceeding two hundred thousand. Only when the collective will of that many people is harnessed can the Sky Soul Hall be activated.
"For centuries, the three factions collaborated. The Sun, Moon, and Star sects joined their lights together to activate the Sky Soul Hall. Through this, they discovered the true potential of the hall, the most precious legacy of their ancestors. It was a relic requiring a billion human souls to unite with the three lights, invoking the soul of a great ancestor from the afterlife. This would render the three factions unbeatable and ensure their everlasting dominion over the world.
"Firstly, the great ancestor would return to the Sky Soul Hall from the afterlife, imparting his profound wisdom to us. Secondly, the hall's power would accumulate the willpower of the world's inhabitants. Thirdly, it would gather the power of souls. Once the hall is complete, it would condense the soul power into a soul plate. Each level nine Dao Origin Stage disciple would contribute a fragment of their soul power to create these plates. All soul plates would be stored within the Sky Soul Hall.
"When a disciple met their end outside, their soul plate would shatter, and their soul power would be released. Under the hall's influence, the soul power would coalesce into a spirit with the ability to reincarnate. This spirit would retain the memories of its past life and experience rapid progress in martial cultivation, a thousand times faster than others. It was a more efficient way to elevate oneself compared to seizing another's body.
"The soul plate offered disciples the opportunity for rebirth. Furthermore, should a disciple reach the limitations of their present life, they could choose to end their existence. The soul plate would grant them a second lease on life, with the capacity to return to their former strength within a span of no more than a hundred years. The Sky Soul Hall was truly a marvel of the universe!"
Cha Eun Xiao was horrified. At last, he grasped the true purpose of the three factions.