C39 Top-tier Talisman Cultivator

Shangguan Yue was renowned as the most gifted and exceptional Talisman Cultivator since the dawn of the Cultivation World!

His prowess was on par with that of the esteemed Sword Immortal, Senior Chen Pingsheng.

Blessed with a Celestial Spiritual Root, this prodigy stood loyally by Senior Chen Pingsheng's side, even when he bore a crippled Quinary Spiritual Root. Shangguan Yue never once scorned Senior Chen Pingsheng's abilities or status.

Together, they were the beacon of hope for the entire Cultivation World. Everyone believed that they would undoubtedly achieve Ascension side by side!

But alas, the heavens envy the gifted.

Within the Ancient Sealing Secret Realm, a place that reveals itself but once in a millennium, tragedy struck, and Shangguan Yue met his untimely end. His soul, once sheltered within the First Immortal Sect, vanished, marking the true demise of both his spirit and his path.

The Cultivation World mourned the loss of such brilliance!

The enigma of his fall within the Ancient Sealing Secret Realm consumed the thoughts of many. Yet, what baffled everyone was that nearly all who ventured into the Secret Realm had no recollection of Shangguan Yue ever being there.

Only one soul was stricken with grief, uttering in heart-wrenching sorrow, "He remains within. He's forever bound to that place! My sole confidant has perished because of me!"

That bereaved individual was none other than Senior Chen Pingsheng. From that moment on, he withdrew from the world, immersing himself in solitary cultivation.

Upon emerging from his seclusion, his cultivation had soared to the pinnacle of the Lower Realm, earning him the title of Immortal Sovereign.

Rumor has it, he attained the true essence of a Sword Cultivator overnight.

Jiang Su's demeanor shifted to one of solemn respect as he offered a bow to Shangguan Yue, saying, "My respects to you, Senior Shangguan Yue. Please forgive my earlier oversight."

Shangguan Yue gestured dismissively, "No need for formalities. Hear my tale, and afterwards, I shall grant you leave from this place. With such formidable strength at the Qi Sensing Stage, should you continue to diligently cultivate, you are destined for successful Ascension."

A tale?

Indeed, Jiang Su found himself intrigued. After all, who wouldn't be eager to listen to the saga of two legendary titans?

"Alright, then I'll extend my thanks in advance, Senior."

"Please, have a seat."

Shangguan Yue settled onto the snowy ground, seemingly impervious to the cold. His lengthy tenure on the Thousand Feet Snow Mountain had inured him to such chill.

He had recently gauged the spiritual energy within Jiang Su's body—remarkably abundant—suggesting that Jiang Su was likely unfazed by the cold as well.

Obliging, Jiang Su took a seat across from Shangguan Yue.

To anyone else, encountering a person who had lived in this locale for over a millennium would be a terrifying revelation.

Upon learning of such a person's identity, they would surely react with shock, screams, and adulation for Shangguan Yue.

Yet Jiang Su remained composed, devoid of any such reactions.

Initially, Shangguan Yue had been stunned by Jiang Su's visage; it was rare to find such a striking male cultivator in the Cultivation World.

His features appeared as though sculpted by divine hands—exceptionally attractive.

While both he and Chen Pingsheng were considered handsome, neither could match Jiang Su's allure.

Diverting his attention from Jiang Su's countenance, Shangguan Yue began to reminisce, "Venturing into the Ancient Sealing Secret Realm was an ordeal I'd never anticipated. Pingsheng and I stumbled into a Hidden Space, also known as the Thousand Feet Illusion. Initially, we roamed this boundless snowy expanse without detecting any trace of life, until we encountered an ancient Demonic Beast."

Jiang Su was taken aback. Could that ancient Demonic Beast be the Demonic Blood Kylin? What were the odds?

Seemingly oblivious to the subtle shift in Jiang Su's expression, Shangguan Yue pressed on, "It was the sole surviving Candle Dragon from ancient times."

The Candle Dragon, a deity of Bell Mountain in ancient mythology, was a colossal creature, spanning thousands of miles with a fiery red body, dwelling in Tail Mountain.

In today's Cultivation World, Candle Dragons, much like the Demonic Blood Kylin, were believed to be extinct.

"Pingsheng and I were both puzzled as to why a Candle Dragon would stand guard in a frigid place like the Thousand Feet Illusion. We also knew that defeating this Candle Dragon was our only ticket out. By then, Pingsheng and I had reached the middle period of the Tribulation Crossing Stage, capable of confronting the Candle Dragon. Yet, the Thousand Feet Illusion proved to be a formidable adversary. In the end, we only managed to fight it to a stalemate."

Jiang Su was spellbound as he listened. He had once devoured a tomb-raiding novel with his friends, which featured the Candle Dragon. His fascination with the creature spanned from the modern world to the Fantasy World.

Shangguan Yue's voice deepened, taking on a somber tone as if she were about to share a tragic tale.

"The Candle Dragon offered us freedom, reasoning that our ongoing battle would benefit neither side. It proposed a game, which we lost, condemning us to remain in the Thousand Feet Illusion as its guardians. Unexpectedly, it sought me out to propose a deal. If I accepted its ancient legacy and stayed, it would release Pingsheng," Shangguan Yue recounted, her voice heavy with emotion.

Jiang Su remained silent, the story's conclusion evident without further words.

Shangguan Yue had embraced the Candle Dragon's legacy, binding herself to the Thousand Feet Illusion eternally. Chen Pingsheng, upon his departure, had surmised why she never left, a realization that brought him immense sorrow. In response, he walled off his heart, abandoning all other aspirations.

His reaction was justifiable. Initially deemed worthless due to his Quinary Spiritual Root, Chen Pingsheng endured ridicule and shame. Only Shangguan Yue stood by him, offering support. Thus, when she met an untimely death indirectly caused by him, it was fortunate that Chen Pingsheng managed to maintain his sanity.

It was his unblemished Tao Heart that kept him from succumbing to despair.

Jiang Su inwardly condemned the Candle Dragon's cold-heartedness. He surmised it might be the last of its kind, resorting to such measures to perpetuate its lineage by coercing talented cultivators to take up its legacy.

"I became a living repository for the Candle Dragon's history. Its consciousness slumbers within me, ensuring the continuation of its lineage as long as I live. Every millennium, my memories fade. Had it not been for my unwavering desire to see Pingsheng, I might never have awakened," she said, the weight of centuries in her voice.

The snow here has finally given way to a verdant expanse that breathes life into the landscape. This burst of greenery signifies a mortal's deep fondness, hope, and admiration for the world.

Unfortunately, he remains unable to return to the realm of mortals. Consigned to solitude in the Thousand Feet Illusion, he has become a celestial body, gazing upon the human world from afar. He yearns for the day when the Ascended cultivator will return to glance his way, so they might share in idle conversation, the simmering of wine, and the savoring of tea.