C1 Losing All His Cultivation

At the Cloud Soaring Sect.

"Let's not discuss this matter any further!"

Atop the main peak of the Cloud Soaring Sect, an elder gazed at the young man before him with a detached expression, yet his words were firm and final.

"Xiao Feng, as my final disciple, have I taught you nothing beyond cultivation techniques?"

The bitterness in Xiao Feng's heart far exceeded the sorrow on his face. "Master, I have lost all my cultivation. I can no longer connect with the Great Dao. Now, I am merely an ordinary person, truly incapable of bearing the weight of the Cloud Soaring Sect."

"Hmph! Xiao Feng, if you believe that only those with high levels of cultivation can lead a sect, then why would we even need enforcers? Moreover, your significant achievements for the Cloud Soaring Sect over the years have given us an advantage in the contests among the younger members of various sects. The Cloud Soaring Sect would never be so ungrateful as to cast you aside after crossing the river!"

Despite his words, Xiao Feng felt as if he were merely being consoled.

The young man fixed his gaze on his master, earnest and serious. "Master, the accomplishments you speak of are not solely mine. Senior Brother Gongye Zhen is also exceptionally gifted. Why must I be the one to succeed as the head of the sect? Besides, the idea of a sect's successor being a cripple would be laughable to others!"

Nevertheless, Xiao Feng's desire to shed his identity was met with the elder's unwavering stance.

"You are the last disciple of Qing Yutang. Even if you have lost your cultivation, it does not change who you are. Your fate is to guard the Cloud Soaring Sect!"

Confronted with his master's adamant attitude, Xiao Feng could only sigh in resignation. Was it really so difficult to escape this fate?

As Xiao Feng walked away, Qing Yutang sighed deeply. Xiao Feng's condition had been examined by all the renowned physicians, yet no cure was found. The pressure on him was even greater than on Xiao Feng himself.

...

Xiao Feng, as the final disciple of the current sect master of the Cloud Soaring Sect, was expected to succeed as the next sect master, a role for which he had shown great promise, becoming an expert of the Desolate Nine Realms at a young age.

But due to a bizarre accident, Xiao Feng had now lost all his cultivation.

Descending from the main peak, Xiao Feng caught sight of his fellow disciple Gongye Zhen and another elder's disciple, Yi Jie, in the distance.

"Hello, Senior Brother. Have you achieved Great Perfection in the Dao Realm? And Senior Brother Yi Jie, you've reached Level Nine of the Dao Realm as well. Congratulations!"

Gongye Zhen and Yi Jie nodded in acknowledgment. Both were Xiao Feng's senior brothers and boasted the highest levels of cultivation among their contemporaries. Given Xiao Feng's current predicament, they were the most likely candidates to succeed him.

"Senior Brother, please speak to Master for me. I truly cannot take on the role of sect master!"

"That's out of the question!" Gongye Zhen echoed the master's sentiment. "You are the beacon of hope for our Cloud Soaring Sect. Even though you've lost your cultivation, there's not a single anomaly in you. Surely, there must be a way to resolve this!"

With the sect's heir apparent facing such a crisis, it was unthinkable that none of his fellow disciples would be stirred to action.

Whether Gongye Zhen and Yi Jie were putting on an act or genuinely advising Xiao Feng was unclear, but Yi Jie offered his counsel.

"Junior Brother, your cultivation may be gone, but when one door closes, another opens. Perhaps this will enable you to guide the Cloud Soaring Sect even more effectively."

"But if I were to become the sect master, how could I defend the Cloud Soaring Sect against invaders without my cultivation?"

Xiao Feng was resolute in his decision to relinquish his position as the heir to the sect master.

Gongye Zhen simply patted his shoulder, "Should a formidable enemy invade, we will be there to confront them head-on. Junior Brother, your role will be to strategize behind the scenes."

Xiao Feng departed, feeling resigned. Watching his retreating figure, Yi Jie murmured,

"I've heard that the Second Elder has begun to make moves to secure that position for his own disciple."

Gongye Zhen remained stoic, his voice cool and detached, "Let them vie for the position if they must, but if anyone dares to harm my junior brother, they'll find I'm not one to watch from the sidelines."

Despite his junior brother's loss of cultivation, Gongye Zhen's resolve was unshaken.

As a former top Prodigy of the Cloud Soaring Sect, Gongye Zhen commanded immense respect. With those words, his demeanor transformed, exuding an unmistakable air of authority.

After leaving the Cloud Soaring Sect, Xiao Feng headed straight for the city, intent on purchasing some spiritual medicine.

The townspeople couldn't help but sneer at the sight of him. What did a man who had lost all his cultivation have to do to still draw attention?

"Shopkeeper, do you carry the Five Transformations Herb?"

The Five Transformations Herb was known for its divine properties, replenishing vitality and warming the Spiritual Force, making it ideal for Xiao Feng's condition.

"Absolutely, we have it!" Despite being aware of Xiao Feng's recent misfortune, the shopkeeper was careful not to alienate him. "Please hold on, I'll fetch it for you right away."

"Xiao Feng?"

He recognized the familiar female voice behind him without needing to look. "Xianyu, it's a surprise to see you here."

Xianyu, the Saintess of the Neon Glow Sect, was also Xiao Feng's childhood friend.

She approached quickly, concern in her voice. "I heard about your loss of cultivation. How are you holding up? I've been meaning to give you this. It's fortunate I've run into you. Here, take it."

Xianyu extended a small box to him, and even before opening it, Xiao Feng could sense the tremendous Spiritual Force contained within.

"Saintess, this isn't right!" protested Xianyu's guard. "That's the Purple Qi Spiritual Pill the Sect Master gave you for your breakthrough to the Desolate Eight!"

The Purple Qi Spiritual Pill?

Pills, like herbs, were categorized into mortal, divine, saint, and immortal grades, each with upper, middle, and lower tiers.

The herb Xiao Feng had just purchased was of the lower divine grade, but this Purple Qi Spiritual Pill was of the upper divine grade, nearly touching the immortal grade in potency!

"Silence! It's mine to do with as I please since the Sect Master has given it to me," Xianyu chided her attendant, placing the pill in Xiao Feng's palm. "We'll tackle your cultivation issue together. There's bound to be a solution, so never lose hope. I'm here for you, always."

Her cheeks flushed with emotion as she spoke.

That night, Xiao Feng took the pill, and an immense Spiritual Force burst forth within him, only to be absorbed in the blink of an eye.

A suit of fragmented armor materialized before him, from which a voice unexpectedly emanated.

"Youngster, do you wish to take up my mantle?"

Xiao Feng was clearly no stranger to such occurrences and remained composed.

Since discovering the armor some time ago, it had drained his cultivation. It promised Xiao Feng a significant boon of Spiritual Force, hinting at a grand opportunity, but had since fallen silent.

"Elder, you must first restore my cultivation..."

"So, you accept?"

The armor's voice vanished, and simultaneously, Xiao Feng found himself in an unfamiliar place that resembled a battlefield, strewn with numerous corpses and shattered swords.

At the heart of the battlefield stood a black spear, exuding an aura of power that seemed to pierce the heavens and earth.