Chapter 429: Two Years Later (1/2)

In the sky precepts sect, at the grand palace.

”Has there been any new updates, head elder Han?” The patriarch questioned.

The hall was nearly empty today, and only the patriarch and the head elder were present. There was an oppressive silence spread in the hall and even the people outside it were nervous.

~Sigh~

”We've been trying to fix the star catching formation for the past two years but it is still incomplete, patriarch. The crack in the world's barrier keeps on damaging it again.” Head elder Han said.

”It's already been two years…” The patriarch muttered in a tired voice.

”How about the culprit, Lin Mu. Any news about him?” Patriarch questioned after thinking for a bit.

”No patriarch. Either he has found a really good place to hide in the northern tribes, or he is dead. We've searched the northern forest and even went till the northern mountains, but he is not there. The central, eastern, and western parts of the continent have been searched as well, but no progress. We wanted to go beyond the pear's belt as well, but that does not seem like an option considering our current condition.

The other sects are also uncooperative and with the rise of the new alliances, the power structures are changing.” Elder Han answered.

”What about that lead in the Fenlong kingdom, the Mu clan there?” The patriarch asked next.

”That was merely a disguise, as well patriarch. He was borrowing the influence of the clan there and used that as the identity. He even manipulated the second son of Mayor Wu Xun of Wu Lim City and made him back his identity.” Elder Han said.

The patriarch shook his head as he fell deep in thought.

”Also patriarch… we think someone slipped into the world, perhaps through the crack in the barrier.” Elder Han revealed.

”What?! Do you know where?” The Patriarch asked urgently.

”I'm afraid not. The lack of the star-catching formation has greatly reduced our sensing capabilities. Even with this we were only able to find out with great difficulty. Though it doesn't seem like whatever came to this world is that strong, or we would have seen more signs.” Elder Han answered.

~Sigh~

”At least that's better than the alternative,” Patriarch said with a sigh.

”Is there anything else?” He asked.

”The emperor is still sick and has shown no signs of improving. They are now likely to ask the Rainbow Pill sect for help. Also, the alliance ceremony for the Tri cauldron peony sect, the Autumn Valley sect, the Cloven Sea sect and the Zither Wind Sect will be held in the coming month.

”Should we… attend it?” Elder Han questioned.

”What other choice do we have? Even if these problems are here, we cannot give up on our reputation. We should be able to spare a few elders to go to the ceremony.” Patriarch said.

”Alright patriarch, as you command.” Elder hand said and left the grand palace.

Outside, tens of people were waiting anxiously and became even more nervous upon seeing Head Elder Han appear.

”What did the patriarch say, Head Elder Han?” Someone asked.

”Gather the elders, we shall be having a meeting in an hour. Also… call in the core disciples, I have a few tasks for them too.” Head Elder Han said with a serious expression.

***

Back at the Northern Mountains, rumbling sounds could be heard coming from a cave.

The sounds were loud enough that the beasts living there were scared to come there. In fact, an area of about five kilometers around it had become a forbidden zone for the beasts and they were too scared to approach it.

Inside the cave, pitch black darkness was there. A faint dampness could also be felt in the air and one could hear drops of water dripping down from the ceilings.

~Huu~Huu~Huu~

Rhythmic breaths could be heard coming from a particular place in the cave. These were the breaths that echoed in the cave and seemed like the troubling sounds coming from the cave. The source of the sound was a young man who was sleeping on the ground naked.

His body was covered in dust, while his hair was caked with mud and soil. His face couldn't be seen because of the long hair covering it either. Still, even now, the outlines of muscles could be seen on his body and one could even sense the potent vitality contained in it.

~groan~

Suddenly a groan escaped the mouth of the young man who was sleeping on the ground. His body twitched and his fingers moved.