At the beginning, Leon Nightfall was incredibly unfamiliar with the saber technique. Even though he thoroughly understood all its profound mysteries, his hands still trembled when wielding the blades. He couldn't achieve the level of perfection he sought.
However, Leon didn't become discouraged. He practiced the saber art repeatedly. As he trained over and over, he gradually became more proficient. In just one night, he practiced the technique three hundred times, slowly grasping its essence. His strikes became increasingly precise.
Though Leon possessed countless memories and harbored world-shaking secrets, his unwavering Dao heart reminded him that if he wanted to conquer the Immortal Demon Grotto in this lifetime, he had to put in ten times, even a hundred times more effort than others. Otherwise, no matter how many resources he had, it would be impossible. No one understood the Immortal Demon Grotto better than he did.
For three days, Leon didn't step outside, diligently practicing the saber art in his courtyard. He knew that his upcoming journey to the Nine Saints Demon Gate would be perilous, and he needed to be well-prepared.
Three days passed swiftly, and Leon set off for the Nine Saints Demon Gate. Accompanying him were Nan Huairen, who had been relaying messages to Leon, and Protector Mo.
The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect had six great elders, twelve protectors, and thirty-six hall masters. Yet, for this trip to a colossal sect like the Nine Saints Demon Gate, only one protector was leading the team—it was hardly appropriate.
"Just the three of us?" Before departing, Leon glanced at the modest entourage and remarked.
Protector Mo, a man of few words and Nan Huairen's master, looked at Leon but didn't bother to reply.
Nan Huairen, ever the diplomat, gave an awkward laugh. "Senior Brother, the elders have all decided to enter closed-door cultivation soon, so they won't be joining us."
Leon smiled calmly. "Closed-door cultivation? More like they're afraid of losing face. They assume I have no chance of passing the assessment. If they, as elders, appeared and we failed, it would be embarrassing for them."
Caught off guard by Leon's bluntness, Nan Huairen chuckled awkwardly. Leon was right; he hadn't even begun cultivating, and going to the Nine Saints Demon Gate for an assessment seemed ludicrous. He would likely embarrass himself repeatedly.
For the six elders, Leon's failure was a foregone conclusion. While they expected failure, they couldn't afford the humiliation that would come with it.
"You're overthinking it, Senior Brother," Nan Huairen said, attempting to deflect. "The Nine Saints Demon Gate isn't particularly friendly toward us. The elders wish to avoid conflict, so they've decided not to attend."
Leon chuckled softly. "Just the Nine Saints Demon Gate—not worth mentioning. The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect isn't what it used to be. Back then, even if Sage Nine Saints himself were alive, he would have come to pay homage to our sect."
Hearing Leon's audacious words, Protector Mo snorted coldly, casting a disdainful glance his way but remaining silent.
Nan Huairen could only offer an embarrassed smile, fearing Leon might say something even more brazen. He quickly changed the subject, introducing the two. "Senior Brother, this is my master, a protector of our sect."
"I look forward to your guidance on this journey, Protector Mo," Leon said, bowing respectfully, his demeanor composed and gracious.
Protector Mo glanced at Leon, still disinclined to speak. "Let's depart," he said, turning to lead the way. As a protector of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect, Protector Mo was among the older protectors with decent cultivation. However, his taciturn nature and lack of social skills meant his status in the sect was average, unlike other protectors. Otherwise, such a challenging task wouldn't have fallen to him.
The high-ranking members of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect understood that this trip to the Nine Saints Demon Gate would likely end in ridicule. Leon was expected to make a fool of himself, perhaps even endangering his life. This mission was doomed from the start. Not only did the six elders avoid it, but other protectors also declined to lead, leaving the responsibility to Protector Mo.
Aware that this journey would probably bring humiliation, Protector Mo was in no mood for conversation, becoming even more reticent.
Protector Mo led Leon and Nan Huairen to the sect's grand teleportation platform. The platform was enormous, capable of accommodating ten thousand people—a truly awe-inspiring sight. Few sects in the Central Territory could boast such a magnificent structure.
Ancient and majestic, the platform was built from divine stone pillars inscribed with Immortal Emperor scripts. Each character exuded grandeur and unfathomable depth; any one of them could obliterate space and time. This platform alone showcased the profound heritage of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect.
This was the very teleportation platform personally crafted by Immortal Emperor Ming Ren. He had once used it to launch expeditions across the Eight Desolaces and traverse the Nine Worlds. Such a platform was a testament to the might of an immortal sect with an emperor's lineage.
With a resonant hum, the platform was activated by sect disciples, and a massive portal materialized. The portal was forged from divine gold, engraved with intricate emperor scripts. Rows of grooves lined the portal, meant for embedding essence stones.
Essence stones, crystallized from the world's energy, had myriad uses—one being the activation of portals for spatial traversal. The more essence stones used, and the higher their quality, the farther one could travel.
Unfortunately, only a few grooves on this portal were filled, and the essence stones were of limited grade.
Seeing this, Leon sighed inwardly. The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect had indeed fallen. In the past, this portal was adorned with essence stones from the immortal lands, allowing it to traverse the Nine Worlds and reach any destination, provided one had precise coordinates.
"Let's go," Protector Mo said, leading Leon and Nan Huairen through the portal. In an instant, they were transported away.
The Central Territory was vast, spanning billions of miles. It teemed with countless cultivators and sects, with dozens of provinces alone. Provinces, upper kingdoms, and ancient kingdoms could each span millions or even hundreds of millions of miles.
To cross such distances, one couldn't rely on flying alone unless they were a True Person or a Saint Sovereign. Even heroes and marquises would take a long time to traverse a single province. Moreover, the Central Territory was just a part of the Human Emperor Realm.
The Human Emperor Realm—also known as the Emperor Realm or Emperor Domain—was expansive. To the north lay vast oceans, to the south the Redlands, the east held the Hundred Cities, the west the Wilds, and at its center was the Central Territory.
Traversing provinces or regions required portals to cross space. Few sects possessed portals capable of such feats; most were dominant forces ruling over provinces or upper kingdoms.
With a flash, Leon and his companions arrived at the Nine Saints Demon Gate, stepping out from the portal within its territory.
As soon as they exited, both Protector Mo and Leon felt the overwhelming density of the world's energy—it was almost tangible. Looking around, they witnessed a landscape befitting an immortal's abode.
The sect grounds of the Nine Saints Demon Gate spanned thousands of miles, featuring majestic mountains and rivers. Waterfalls cascaded from the skies, divine trees pierced the heavens, and ancient palaces of jade floated among the clouds. In the deepest reaches, beams of divine light shot skyward, hinting at unimaginable treasures hidden within.
Life essence flowed in and out of misty caves, exhaling radiant mists. Heavenly beasts soared across the skies, and primordial energies roiled among the clouds.
This was the grandeur of a true great sect. With such majesty, it was no wonder they could dominate a province. Compared to this, the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect seemed like an elderly figure on the brink of death—there was simply no comparison.
Witnessing such a sight, both Protector Mo and Nan Huairen couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy. They weren't visiting the Nine Saints Demon Gate for the first time, but each time they saw its splendor, it reminded them of their own sect's decline. They recalled a time when even a behemoth like the Nine Saints Demon Gate would come to pay homage to their sect.
Alas, the glory of the past was gone. Today, the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect had fallen, and they now had to look up to others.
"Ah, Protector Mo, you've graced us with your presence. It's been too long," a voice greeted them as they descended from the platform. An elder, accompanied by a disciple, approached to welcome them.
The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect had informed the Nine Saints Demon Gate of their visit, so they were expected.
The greeter was Hall Master Fu, a stern-faced elder of the Nine Saints Demon Gate. His expression was cold, rarely showing a hint of a smile. His entire body emanated a radiant treasure light, and his eyes flickered with terrifying cold glints that seemed almost tangible, causing unease in those who met his gaze.
"Thank you for coming to meet us personally, Brother Fu. I'm honored," Protector Mo said respectfully. Unconsciously, he found himself deferring to the other man's presence.
There was no helping it. Though Hall Master Fu was merely a hall master, the treasure light surrounding him indicated he possessed the strength of a regional hero. In the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect, only elders held such power. Here, even a hall master commanded that level of strength.
Protector Mo continued, "Brother Fu, we've come regarding the matter of the assessment."
Hall Master Fu managed a thin, insincere smile. "Our elders have informed me," he replied. Glancing briefly at Leon, he quickly lost interest. "This must be your sect's chief disciple."
"Yes, this is Leon Nightfall, the chief disciple of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect," Protector Mo confirmed, forcing a smile. With Leon's apparent lack of qualifications, there wasn't much to be proud of.
"The assessment is merely a friendly exchange," Hall Master Fu said, his tone dripping with condescension. "No need to force matters, Brother Mo." To him, Leon was nothing more than an ant.
"An assessment is nothing significant," Leon interjected calmly, not even sparing Hall Master Fu a glance.
Hall Master Fu snorted dismissively, choosing to ignore Leon entirely. "Please, follow me, Brother Mo," he said, gesturing for them to proceed. Speaking directly to a junior like Leon was beneath him.
Protector Mo shot a sharp glare at Leon, silently reprimanding him for his audacity.