Han Yi and Golden Cry departed from the Age Candle Immortal Court, their departure unnoticed by all.
To conceal their departure, the Formation Arts at their cultivation site continued to operate as if they were still present.
For two who had only recently broken through to the Grand Unity Immortal Monarch realm, this was entirely normal.
Some newly ascended Immortal Monarchs would even enter secluded cultivation for two or three thousand years, only considering emerging after reaching an impasse in their progress.
In the void, Golden Resonance Daoist recounted to Han Yi how he obtained the inheritance of the golden giant sword.
This occurred during his time as a Senior Golden Immortal. He had ventured beyond the Great Luo, crossing the void to reach the Penglai Immortal Realm, where he remained for nearly a millennium.
Traveling to other Immortal Realms beyond the Great Luo was considered routine for Golden Immortals of the Great Luo Immortal Realm, with most having experienced such journeys.
Advancement to the Immortal Monarch realm was exceedingly difficult. Most Golden Immortals required extensive experience to gain sufficient enlightenment of the Laws.
Therefore, Kunlun and Penglai were their top choices, with Eternal Life as a secondary option. They generally avoided Wicked Demon and Wild Desolation, and the Three Realms of Absolute Yin were too dangerous for them to even consider.
"My golden giant sword has now fused with my Immortal Spirit Realm, becoming its Heaven-Piercing Pillar," Golden Resonance Daoist explained.
In the void, Golden Resonance Daoist focused his thoughts, and above his head, an illusory world materialized. This was none other than his Immortal Spirit Realm. Within this realm stood a colossal sword, resembling a heaven-piercing peak that stretched from the earth to the heavens.
Han Yi could clearly see that, as Golden Resonance Daoist had said, the Giant Sword had fused with his Immortal Spirit Realm. In fact, it seemed the realm itself had been constructed around the sword. If the sword were destroyed, the Immortal Spirit Realm would likely collapse entirely.
"This sword is called the Golden Sparrow Immortal Sword. Before its destruction, it was a Seventh-Rank Immortal Sword. However, when I obtained it, it was already damaged, its hilt lost."
"The inheritance within it belongs to the main lineage of the Nine Sparrows Hall within the Spirit Path Sect's Artifact Refinement Branch Sect—the Golden Sparrow lineage."
"When I first acquired the Golden Sparrow Immortal Sword, I discovered that nearly half of the Nine Sparrows Hall, the seat of this lineage, had been destroyed. The perpetrators remain unknown, but they were undoubtedly another sect within the Spirit Path Sect."
"Even after ascending to the Great Luo Immortal Realm, I've continued to investigate the Nine Sparrows Hall over the years. I've learned that only the Silver Sparrow and Water Sparrow lineages remain. Over two thousand years ago, the Wood Sparrow lineage produced a Half-Step Immortal Monarch, but he met a mysterious demise."
"The Nine Phoenix Hall was enraged, but the Artifact Refinement Branch Sect's investigation ended abruptly."
"The reasons behind this are worth pondering."
"Therefore, this journey of mine is like a wolf entering a tiger's den—likely a one-way trip."
Daoist Golden Resonance spoke calmly, without any trace of trepidation. Regardless of the danger, he was determined to make this journey. He had mentally prepared himself to take risks, no matter what awaited him at the Spirit Path Dao Sect.
Han Yi, who accompanied him, listened thoughtfully.
The Spirit Path Dao Sect followed the path of "Dao for All Spirits." Its organizational structure differed from other Dao Sects, with power within the sect being delineated by "Halls."
The term "Sect" referred to "Branch Sects." The Spirit Path Dao Sect boasted nearly ten thousand Branch Sects, each a major power in its own right.
However, only five Branch Sects truly supported the Spirit Path Dao Sect. These five, each led by an Immortal Sovereign, were the Artifact Refinement, Pill Refinement, Formation Arts, Talismans, and Imperial Beast Branch Sects.
Among these, the Artifact Refinement Branch Sect was the largest, as the sect's Dao Ancestor himself had originated from this Branch Sect.
The term "Hall" referred to the subdivisions within each Branch Sect. Establishing a Hall required the strength of an Immortal Monarch.
Moreover, the Sect and Halls within the Ten Thousand Spirits Dao Sect were far from peaceful. This Dao Sect revered the natural selection of spirits, making competition a constant reality. This fierce rivalry led to the continuous downfall of existing Halls and the rise of new ones.
According to Golden Resonance Daoist, the Nine Sparrows Hall was one of the Halls under the Artifact Refinement Branch Sect.
Within the Nine Sparrows Hall itself, there were nine branches. The Golden Sparrow Sword Han Yi had obtained belonged to the main branch. Previously, the Wood Sparrow branch had produced a Half-Step Immortal Monarch, but he mysteriously perished—undoubtedly killed by an enemy of the Nine Sparrows Hall. If Han Yi appeared now, he would undoubtedly become a target for all.
"Does the Nine Sparrows Hall have no Immortal Monarch?" Han Yi suddenly asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"It does," Golden Resonance Daoist replied.
"However, the Immortal Monarch of the Nine Sparrows Hall belongs to the Silver Sparrow branch. During the destruction of the main branch—the Golden Sparrow branch—he was severely injured, damaging his Dao Path. He can barely maintain his current state, and any action would lead to his imminent demise."
"Indeed, it is precisely because this Immortal Monarch of the Silver Sparrow branch still lives that the Nine Sparrows Hall has not been completely annihilated."
Han Yi was somewhat astonished by this revelation.
From Golden Resonance Daoist's words, he sensed that the environment within the Ten Thousand Spirits Dao Sect was far from peaceful—rather, it was brutally hostile.
Such an environment was difficult for Han Yi to imagine.
"Isn't it astonishing?" Golden Resonance Daoist remarked.
"I was equally shocked when I first heard these reports," Han Yi replied.
"But this is the reality of the Wanling Dao Sect."
With that, both Golden Resonance Daoist and Han Yi fell silent, continuing their journey in wordless haste.
Six days later, the pair, traveling at full speed, arrived at the Penglai Immortal Realm. They landed in the territory of the Buzhou Dao Sect, one of the Four Great Dao Sects of Penglai.
The Buzhou Dao Sect derived its name from Mount Buzhou, its core sacred land. Among the Four Great Dao Sects of Penglai, Buzhou was indisputably the most powerful, with the widest influence and the greatest number of Dao Ancestors, rightfully claiming the title of leader among them.
The ranking of the Four Great Dao Sects, in order of prestige, was: Buzhou, Ziyang, Wanling, and Xuanxing.
Han Yi had thoroughly researched the Buzhou Dao Sect. The Mount Buzhou at the heart of the sect was not the same Mount Buzhou he had imagined. The original mountain had fractured during the late Primordial Era, before the cataclysmic collapse of the Primordial Age. The Buzhou Dao Sect was actually built upon the remnants of the mountain's foundation.
Han Yi had thoroughly researched the Bu Zhou Immortal Sect, not because it was the foremost of the Four Great Dao Sects of Penglai, but because the Qiankun Dao Ancestor had originated from this very sect.
However, thousands of years ago, Li Qiankun, still in the Immortal Monarch Realm, had offended the Kunlun Immortal Sect of the Kunlun Immortal Realm. As a result, he was expelled from Bu Zhou Mountain, and all formal ties between them were severed. Yet the truth, of course, was far more complex.
The landing site Han Yi had meticulously chosen served two purposes: it was the nearest point, and it allowed him to discreetly inquire about the Qiankun Dao Ancestor while passing by the Bu Zhou Dao Sect. If he could meet the Ancestor, several of his objectives in the Penglai Immortal Realm would become significantly easier.
Half a month later, Han Yi and Golden Resonance Daoist reluctantly departed from the Bu Zhou Dao Sect. Despite their extensive inquiries during their stay, they had uncovered not a single clue about the Qiankun Dao Ancestor.
Worse still, when they questioned Immortal Monarchs from the Bu Zhou Dao Sect about the Ancestor, these cultivators remained eerily tight-lipped, refusing to reveal even the slightest hint of information.
With no other choice, the pair had no alternative but to leave.
After departing the Bu Zhou Dao Sect, they officially entered the territory of the Wan Ling Dao Sect.
Three days later.
Han Yi remained hidden within Golden Resonance Daoist's Immortal Spirit Realm.
Only Golden Resonance Daoist ventured into the Sunburnt Mountain Range, where the Artifact Refinement Branch Sect of the Ten Thousand Spirits Dao Sect was located. He explained his purpose, and within half an incense stick's time, a pale-faced Immortal Monarch appeared before him.
"Your junior, Golden Cry, pays his respects to Immortal Monarch Silver Sparrow," Golden Resonance Daoist said, bowing in greeting.
The Immortal Monarch before him was the only one recently promoted within the Silver Sparrow Hall. As the heir of the Silver Sparrow lineage, he had inherited the Silver Sparrow Daoist Title, hence the name Immortal Monarch Silver Sparrow.
Immortal Monarch Silver Sparrow scrutinized Golden Resonance Daoist with piercing eyes, remaining silent as if confirming something. Golden Resonance Daoist could see scrutiny and suspicion in his gaze. With a thought, an illusory world manifested above his head, within which stood a Heaven-Piercing Giant Sword, soaring to the heavens and emitting a piercing aura of Sword Dao.
Sensing this familiar aura of Sword Dao, a flicker of excitement flashed in Immortal Monarch Silver Sparrow's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"Follow me," he said to Golden Resonance Daoist.
He swiftly led Golden Resonance Daoist away from the reception palace in the Sunburnt Immortal Vein towards the Silver Sparrow Hall.
After Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch led Golden Resonance Daoist away from the reception palace, a Golden Immortal remained inside, sending out a message to relay the news.
Within the Nine Sparrows Hall on Nine Sparrows Peak of the Blazing Sun Mountain Range, Golden Resonance Daoist sat in the seat of honor on the left side of the hall, while Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch occupied the seat of honor on the right.
The excitement in Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch's eyes had subsided. He scrutinized Golden Resonance Daoist and asked slowly, "Fellow Daoist Jin Ming, are you aware of the current state of Nine Sparrows Hall?"
"What I mean is, do you know that Nine Sparrows Hall is destined to perish within three thousand years?"
Golden Resonance Daoist's expression shifted slightly, the news greatly surprising him.
Meanwhile, in the Immortal Spirit Realm, Han Yi also heard the same information. A thought stirred within him: it seemed that Nine Sparrows Hall's situation was even worse than what Golden Resonance Daoist had discovered.
Back in the Nine Sparrows Hall, Golden Resonance Daoist's expression calmed, and he shook his head slightly. "I only know that Nine Sparrows Hall has only two remaining branches: Silver Sparrow and Water Sparrow. Over a thousand years ago, the Wood Sparrow Inheritance returned, but the returning Half-Step Immortal Monarch met a mysterious demise, leaving the matter unresolved."
Hearing this, Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion appearing on his face. "If Fellow Daoist Jin Ming is aware of Nine Sparrows Hall's current predicament, why would you still wish to return?"
"Are you aware that entering the Blazing Sun Mountain Range is easy, but leaving will prove far more challenging?"
Golden Resonance Daoist nodded solemnly. "I am fully aware of what I must face."
"I have come here for two primary reasons. First, I urgently need the true inheritance of the Golden Sparrow lineage. Second, to settle the karmic debt owed to the Golden Sparrow lineage and help prolong the Nine Sparrows Hall's existence."
Hearing this, Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch's eyes flickered with a complex light. After a long pause, he said, "Since you understand this, I need say no more. The main lineage's inheritance lies deep within the Nine Sparrows Hall. But once you claim it, you can never escape this great karmic debt. When you emerge from the hall's depths, you will become the Sovereign of the Nine Lineages and the Hall Master of the Nine Sparrows Hall."
"Additionally, you should be aware of the Nine Sparrows Hall's enemies. Eight thousand years ago, the Nether Luo Hall rose to power. The Nether Luo Hall Master invited the Nine Sparrows Hall Master to meet him outside. The Nether Luo Hall Master returned severely injured, while the Nine Sparrows Hall Master perished in the encounter. Six thousand years ago, the Nether Luo Hall Master recovered from his injuries and advanced further, reaching the Peak Immortal Monarch realm. With the Hall Master's demise, I became the sole Immortal Monarch of the Nine Sparrows Hall, temporarily assuming the Hall Master's duties."
"Four thousand years ago, I was ambushed during a mission. After a desperate battle, I returned on the verge of death, my Dao Foundation severely damaged, leaving me permanently weakened. The Nine Sparrows Hall, already severely injured, has since grown increasingly diminished."
"Since then, the nine branches have gradually declined. Today, only the Silver Sparrow and Water Sparrow branches remain."
"That is the current state of the Nine Sparrows Hall."
Golden Resonance Daoist narrowed his eyes, muttering under his breath:
"Hall Master of the Nether Hall, a Peak Immortal Monarch."
His expression remained unimpressed, which only deepened the confusion of Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch, who had been observing him intently.
In Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch's eyes, Golden Resonance Daoist's cultivation realm was as clear as day: he was merely an ordinary Immortal Monarch, and his aura even suggested he had only recently entered the Immortal Monarch Realm, far from profound.
Compared to a Peak Immortal Monarch, an ordinary Immortal Monarch was as different as the Land and the Heavens, a disparity that made resistance seem impossible.
Yet...
Judging by Golden Resonance Daoist's demeanor, he seemed utterly fearless.
After a moment's thought, Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch brought it up again:
"Indeed, it's Peak Immortal Monarch, Hall Master of the Nether Hall. Moreover, besides this Hall Master, the Nether Hall has two other Immortal Monarchs. One recently advanced to the Senior level, with the Daoist Title 'Star Dark.' The other ordinary Immortal Monarch is no weakling either, known by the Daoist Title 'Technique Departure.'"
"Against Technique Departure, I still have the strength to fight. But against Star Dark, I could barely hold out for three breaths—and even those three breaths would be a desperate gamble with my life."
"Fellow Daoist Jin Ming, do you understand how formidable they are?"
Golden Resonance Daoist didn't immediately respond. Instead, he sought guidance from Han Yi within the Immortal Spirit Realm.
"Junior Brother, there are three Immortal Monarchs, including a Peak Immortal Monarch. What do you say?"
Tell the truth.
This time, Golden Resonance Daoist had fully grasped his own limitations and resolved to rely entirely on Han Yi.
He had only recently ascended to the Immortal Monarch realm. While he could still put up a fight against ordinary Immortal Monarchs, facing a Senior Immortal Monarch meant certain death—let alone a Peak Immortal Monarch, against whom he would likely be instantly annihilated.
But Han Yi was different.
When Han Yi was still a Golden Immortal, he could already slay Immortal Monarchs. Now that he has advanced to the Immortal Monarch realm and several centuries have passed, his combat prowess has undoubtedly more than doubled.
He might even be capable of facing a Peak Immortal Monarch head-on.
Within the Immortal Spirit Realm, Han Yi's face suddenly lit up with a fighting spirit.
"Nether, Peak Immortal Monarch... who's stronger? We won't know until we try."
"Even if I'm no match for him, I can still get us out of there. Don't worry."
After advancing to the Immortal Monarch realm and breaking through to the Seventh-Rank Immortal Technique, Han Yi had been itching for a fight with a Peak Immortal Monarch. Even if he lost, his near-Dao technique, the Seventh-Rank Immortal Technique "Thought Realm Shift," would ensure he remained invincible.
Hearing Han Yi's words, Golden Resonance Daoist felt a jolt in his heart.
In the Nine Sparrows Hall, he slowly opened his half-closed eyes and looked at Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch, calmly stating:
"He's merely a Peak Immortal Monarch who only ascended six thousand years ago."
"What's there to fear?"
Silver Sparrow Immortal Monarch's eyes widened at these words. He deduced that Golden Resonance Daoist's confidence must stem from having a backup plan—and that backup plan must possess at least the strength of a Peak Immortal Monarch.