C8 A Breakthrough in the Face of Danger

Duan Rou hastened her steps toward the martial arts field, spotting several figures in the distance.

At the center stood an elderly man with an aura of a sage, sword in hand and a grave expression on his face.

Upon seeing the old man, Duan Rou finally exhaled in relief.

This man was her father, Duan Tongxuan, the head of the Duan family, and the pillar of their clan.

At that moment, a middle-aged man knelt before Duan Tongxuan. "Patriarch, the clan has been evacuated..."

Duan Tongxuan nodded. "The Duan family's presence in Gorge Ridge will soon be no more. Sun Zhong, you and the others should hurry and leave as well."

The man known as Sun Zhong shuddered, his voice breaking with emotion. "You took me in as your disciple when I was eight. I will not abandon you. I'm willing to risk my life; I refuse to believe we stand no chance at all!"

Duan Tongxuan offered a wry smile, shaking his head. "After Duan Tonglee was expelled, he joined the Demonic Sect. The characters he etched into the black crystal stone were done with his own fingers, something I could never replicate. How could I ever hope to defeat him?"

Duan Tonglee, Duan Tongxuan's cousin, had been banished for his debauchery.

Unexpectedly, he found enlightenment in the way of the sword within the Demonic Sect, his power growing exponentially.

Now, he had surpassed Duan Tongxuan.

His arrival was ominous.

A man who counted every slight, he would not easily forget such a deep-seated vendetta.

The mark left on the black iron gate was a clear sign; he would surely come within three days. With his level of power, no one in the Duan family could stand against him. A bloodbath was inevitable.

The Duan family members had seen the mark; it was not one made lightly. His power was indeed formidable.

From the moment Duan Tongxuan saw the mark on the gate, he knew the fate of the Duan family was sealed, and their end was inescapable.

"Sun Zhong, leave with the others," he urged.

But the man, resolute as if facing his last stand, replied, "Master, I will not go!"

Duan Tongxuan shook his head, his heart filled with unspeakable pain.

"Staying would only mean another death. Why bother?"

"Father, what's happened?"

Duan Rou looked at Duan Tongxuan with deep concern.

Duan Tongxuan gave Duan Rou a complex look. "Ah... I had hoped the marriage to the Qian family would be a lifelong support for you, but with this turn of events, we must call it off. I cannot allow others to suffer because of us. Now, you must leave. Hide your identity and never return."

"Leave? What's going on, Father?"

Sun Zhong interjected, "Miss, that villain Duan Tonglee has come back for vengeance. The Patriarch is dispersing the clan members as we speak."

"I won't go!" Duan Rou declared firmly. "How could I abandon my family in their time of need? And I might even be of some help this time."

"Foolishness! I'm no match for him, and neither are you. Your staying won't help! Enough with this nonsense, you need to leave now!"

Ignoring Duan Tongxuan's words, Duan Rou clung to his arm. "Father, why won't you believe in me? I've had an incredible stroke of luck while I was away."

Sun Zhong, thinking Duan Rou was acting rashly, urged her, "Miss, please, you must leave quickly. Don't distract your father any further."

"Father, I met a venerable master who bestowed upon me a spirit tea. I've already advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage," Duan Rou revealed.

"Spirit tea? We have plenty of that in the Duan family. That's hardly a stroke of luck. Come now, we must leave."

Seeing her father's indifference, Duan Rou grew anxious. "The man is truly formidable. The tea he brewed contained the hidden essence of the Spirit of The Tao."

The Spirit of The Tao?

Duan Tongxuan shook his head in bitter resignation.

His daughter hadn't matured at all, her naivety was a cause for concern.

The Spirit of The Tao wasn't something just anyone could produce. Only those who had mastered the Great Dao and understood the universe could do so.

And such individuals were not ones you just happened upon.

Sun Zhong cautioned, "Miss, the outside world is treacherous. Don't be deceived."

Duan Rou pleaded, "Why won't any of you believe me?"

He carefully extracted the cherished Qiu Lai character from his chest.

The xuan paper appeared plain, with no discernible features.

"Miss, please, this is no time for commotion. The Duan family is facing a life-or-death situation."

Sun Zhong couldn't help but interject.

Duan Rou delicately unfolded the xuan paper, presenting it to Duan Tongxuan.

"Father..."

Duan Tongxuan gave it a cursory glance.

"How can this be..."

At just a glance, he was overcome with a shudder.

He felt an irresistible force emanating from the character, which instantly transported him into a profound state of mind.

"The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name."

Each stroke of the calligraphy carried an inexplicable emotion.

It was both sorrowful and joyful, yet neither. It was elusive and unattainable.

Duan Tongxuan was startled; it mirrored his current predicament perfectly.

He was a cultivator of great insight, but despite having reached the ninth level after his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage, he had been unable to advance further.

This had been his constant struggle.

Suddenly, he was drawn into the essence of the calligraphy. The environment felt serene and otherworldly, and as he hovered, he seemed to merge with his surroundings.

Then, he sensed a sliver of the Spirit of The Tao. It was this very essence that sparked a revelation, as if everything had suddenly become transparent.

"The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao..."

Duan Tongxuan's eyes flew open, revealing a web of red veins.

Boom!

A formidable presence erupted, as if to eclipse the heavens.

The entire mountain seemed to tremble with the force of it.

Sun Zhong, filled with elation, shielded Duan Rou.

"Junior Sister, Master has... broken through!"

The extraordinary signs of the breakthrough were felt for miles around. Many disciples who had left the mountain could not contain their exclamations.

"Master has broken through!"

"The heavens have not forsaken the Duan family! With this breakthrough, we still stand a chance!"

"Master has reached the Transcendence Stage. We can now fully engage in battle with our opponents."

The stages of cultivation include the Qi Cultivating Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, Transcendence Stage, Divine Stage, Integration Stage, Tribulation Passing Stage, and Great Perfection Stage...

Duan Tongxuan is a cultivator who has attained the Nascent Soul Stage, which is a key reason the Duan family has established a foothold here.

While there are cultivators above the Nascent Soul Stage, they are exceedingly rare to encounter.

Such individuals are often either immensely gifted or have dedicated themselves to intensive study. Despite reaching such heights, they seldom reveal themselves, so many cultivators go their entire lives without ever meeting one.

Who among the ordinary could endure the overwhelming presence of a Transcendence Stage powerhouse?