Chapter 35: The Lone Spear Guards the Soul of China (Second Update—Votes Requested)

Chapter 35: The Lone Spear Guards the Soul of China

The theory behind the Vitality Pill Path is simple, much like how a physician prepares medicine. It involves extracting various attributes from one's vital energy, then blending them according to a prescription, uniting them as one, and ultimately refining a pill.

But the first step in practice has confounded countless extraordinary beings. In today's world, if there truly exists someone capable of separating attributes from vital energy, it would likely be the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain—a cradle of Daoism with its own unique methods. For someone as brazen as Luo Feng, who directly draws vital energy to condense pills, one might have to search through the lineage of ancestral masters to find a precedent.

After a while, Elder Jing Tian sighed softly, “I should call you elder.”

Luo Feng shook his head. “That is not right. The wise are elders, those sharing the Dao are companions. If status is determined solely by strength, distinguishing seniority and rank, then it’s no different from a den of bandits.”

An immortal cultivator stands alone upon a mountain; a true cultivator borrows the false to refine the true. Cultivating the Dao is above all cultivating the heart. If the biggest fist could turn grandfathers into grandsons and vice versa, reversing master and disciple, what difference would there be from street brawlers and bandits?

To call oneself an immortal cultivator, yet act only as a powerful brigand, gathering together merely to fight like a criminal syndicate—such a path is not cultivation, but a descent into demonhood.

Such cultivators respect only strength, ignoring all rules, trampling every moral and ethical boundary, doing as they please. This is the way of the demon cultivator.

Hearing this, Elder Jing Tian nodded with a smile, relief washing over his heart. As the saying goes, age brings wisdom; the old Daoist had just subtly tested Luo Feng. After all, a person capable of destroying his sect with a mere gesture was close at hand. He could hardly afford to be careless, simply eat and sleep without a care.

Elder Jing Tian changed the subject. “Do you know why this disciple from the Heavenly Strategy Sect was hunted by the Quanxing faction?”

Luo Feng pondered. “I was just passing by and happened to save him. As for those Quanxing cultivators, I doubt they were truly from Quanxing.”

“I captured two of them. We can interrogate them thoroughly later.”

“Not from Quanxing!” Elder Jing Tian’s expression shifted, as if struck by a realization. He abruptly stood, paced a few steps, then went to his desk and folded a paper crane. The crane flew swiftly toward the main hall of the Upper Purity Palace.

Luo Feng discerned something was amiss. “Daoist Jing Tian, has something happened?”

Elder Jing Tian sighed. “Do you know the origins of the Heavenly Strategy Sect?”

Luo Feng shook his head. He was devoted solely to cultivation, and even when reading, it was only about refining the self. His knowledge of the extraordinary community was limited to the prominent sects.

Elder Jing Tian set aside his robe, turned to gaze at the unconscious youth, and spoke with a hint of reverence. “The Heavenly Strategy Sect originated from the Heavenly Strategy Army.”

“The Heavenly Strategy Army was founded by Prince Qin, Li Shimin. Undefeated in battle, it was the Tang dynasty’s iron hand against interference from worldly extraordinary beings.”

“The army rendered great service to Tang, from the founding of the dynasty to the suppression of the An Lushan Rebellion. The soldiers of the Heavenly Strategy Army were always present.”

“For three centuries, a saying has been passed down in Tang: ‘As the sun sets over the long river and the capital of the East, armored horses guard the general’s tomb. The Heavenly Strategy brings justice to all villains; the lone spear guards the soul of Tang!’”

Even though Elder Jing Tian belonged to the Daoist tradition, reciting these lines still stirred his blood.

“Alas,” Elder Jing Tian sighed again, “prosperity leads to decline—that is the way of Heaven. During the chaos of Huang Chao’s rebellion, the Heavenly Strategy Army weakened.”

“After a hundred years, it gradually transformed into the Heavenly Strategy Sect, becoming one of the extraordinary factions.”

“Because of its military roots, the Heavenly Strategy Sect is unlike Daoist sects that pursue pure cultivation. Instead, it is fervently committed to defending the homeland and preserving the Han tradition.”

“The sect has risen and fallen many times, facing extinction and revival, sustained by their indomitable spirit and the admiration and support of prominent families and sects.”

Speaking of these cycles, Elder Jing Tian frowned and said in a low voice, “Five years ago, the Eastern Realm invaded our divine land, occupying three provinces. The secular world responded fiercely, and so did the extraordinary community.”

“The sect master of the Heavenly Strategy Sect, Li Chong’en, led his disciples and like-minded cultivators north to resist the extraordinary invaders from the Eastern Realm.”

“Now, a disciple is attacked, and the enemy disguised as Quanxing. Something must have happened in the Northeast!”

“Northeast, Eastern Realm?” Luo Feng narrowed his eyes, a cold light flickering. If he remembered correctly, another year would bring the year 1937—a pivotal time that would bring unimaginable suffering to China.

Even in another world, history repeats itself.

Though Luo Feng was cautious by nature, and this world was not the same, on certain matters he did not mind being a little less reserved, a little more indulgent. Ten years of secluded cultivation shattered; having made his move, he was determined to see it through.

“Uncle-Master, you are absolutely right!”

“The Northeast provinces are in crisis. The Heavenly Strategy Sect was wiped out overnight!”

“This is intolerable!”

The leader of the Upper Purity Sect arrived with a grim expression, accompanied by Luo Yuan, Bi Qing, and Zheng Zha. Luo Yuan’s attack had drawn his attention.

…

After the customary greeting and as the leader took his seat, Luo Feng suddenly said, “Young man, you can wake up now. This is the Upper Purity Sect, and this is its leader.”

The others looked to the youth on the bed—he was already awake! Neither the sect leader nor Elder Jing Tian had noticed.

As soon as Luo Feng finished speaking, the youth sprang up, clasped his fists in salute, and declared, “Elder, you have saved my life. Li Yan cannot thank you enough. Please accept my bow.”

He tried to kneel, but found himself unable to move, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes.

Luo Feng helped him up, speaking solemnly, “Remember, you are of the Heavenly Strategy Sect. I have never liked soldiers bowing. Besides, the lone spear guards the soul of China—I deeply respect that.”

Li Yan paused, then clasped his fists and replied firmly, “As you command!”

Traveling outside, Li Yan was not just one man, but the representative of his sect.

…

After a sorrowful recounting, the small Three Purity Hall brimmed with killing intent, dispelling its usual Daoist aura.

The Heavenly Strategy Sect had indeed been annihilated by extraordinary invaders from the Eastern Realm. Ten days ago, the main force of the Eastern Realm’s Onmyōdō, the three great shrines, gathered and launched a lightning attack on the sect. Outnumbered, the Heavenly Strategy Sect was massacred; Sect Master Li Chong’en gave his life to buy his disciples a chance.

Alone, spear in hand, he fought the three chief priests of the Eastern Realm.

That night, rivers ran red with blood. The grief of home and nation surged within their hearts.

The surviving disciples decided to seek aid from other sects, and Li Yan was chosen to go to the Upper Purity Sect. But along the way, he was pursued by a group claiming to be Quanxing.

In the hall, young Luo Yuan, inexperienced but passionate, cried angrily, “Brother Li, don’t worry! Once my skills are perfected, I’ll help you avenge your sect and destroy Quanxing!”

Li Yan clenched his fists, teeth grinding. “I fear they are not Quanxing.”

“Not Quanxing?” Luo Yuan was stunned.

“Yes!” Elder Jing Tian sighed, “It is likely not those Quanxing brats. The Heavenly Strategy Sect has its own unique skills, unmatched battle techniques. There have always been those who coveted them. It was not a problem before, but now, when the sect is at its weakest…”

With the sect master dead and disciples scattered across the land, could there be a more vulnerable target?

Luo Yuan could hardly believe it. “Not Quanxing… Who would dare?! Wouldn’t this chill the hearts of all extraordinary beings?”

“Child, you’re too young.”

The leader of the Upper Purity Sect sneered, “Since ancient times, there have always been people who are useless in foreign wars, but experts at internal strife.”

(End of chapter)