Chapter 475: The Sun and Moon Illuminate Mountains and Rivers (Thirty-Four)

Ling Daoping's arrival stirred things up somewhat within the Mountain and River Sect.
Ling Jiuxiao assumed the position of Vice Sect Master, beginning to manage the sect's affairs and expand its territory.
Gradually, the Mountain and River Sect transformed into the Mountain and River Realm, earning the reputation of a minor immortal realm. Even within the immortal realm, it was an absolute behemoth, comparable to true immortal lineages.
"The immortal energy in the world seems to be decreasing!"
Ling Jiuxiao noticed the changes in the immortal realm.
Not only was the immortal realm affected, but the Mountain and River Realm was also impacted.
Ling Jiuxiao sought out Long Jueshen, from whom he learned that the immortal realm was about to enter a cycle of rebirth—the Age of Dharma Decline.
Cultivation would be arduous, the substances for longevity scarce, and many would die, thus ushering in a new golden age of cultivation. This was the natural order, something even the high and mighty true immortals could not interfere with or go against.
However, Long Jueshen added in his mind: "Unless that one is willing to intervene."
That one, naturally, referred to Su Chen.
Although Long Jueshen didn't know the full extent of power at that realm, he knew that a True Immortal was barely larger than an ant before it.
Even the Immortal Realm was nothing more than...
Long Jueshen knew that if that person had wanted to intervene, they probably would have already done so. However, their silence meant they had long since become indifferent to everything.
Ling Jiuxiao had no choice but to find a way to face this great calamity.
........
Time flies.
Su Chen slowly opened his eyes. His figure flashed across the cliff, and the next moment he arrived at a magnificent world within the Mountain and River Sect.
This world was very familiar. The small mountains and streams were exactly what the Mountain and River Sect used to look like, only that after countless years, the Mountain and River Sect had become the Mountain and River Realm it was today.
“You’ve come?”
Han Xiyue seemed to have expected this.
At this moment, the aura of decline emanating from her couldn't be concealed even by her cultivation level.
Su Chen nodded. He naturally saw that Han Xiyue's days were numbered. Even with his good fortune, reaching this point was already an immense effort.
"Do you have any last words?"
Han Xiyue smiled. This was the first time in countless years she had truly looked at Su Chen. "You've changed a lot. Han Chen could never have done what you have. There are some things I wanted to remain oblivious to, and then die."
"But Han Chen was ultimately my father's prized disciple, and also my junior brother... Although I disliked him greatly, he couldn't shoulder the mission of revitalizing the Shanhe Sect, nor could he bring it to its current heights. Compared to you, he seemed quite ordinary."
"But I still want to know his current whereabouts."
How could she not know that since that day, Han Chen was no longer Han Chen, because Han Chen couldn't overcome the challenge posed by the six major sects?
Su Chen knew that Han Xiyue was mistaking him for a powerful immortal being possessing her, which made him feel a little strange. He then calmly said, "I am Han Chen, and Han Chen is also me, only Han Chen is just me, not entirely Han Chen."
Han Xiyue blinked: "So you, like that dragon, are a reincarnation, awakening the wisdom of your past life, which is why your personality changed so drastically and you become omnipotent?"
Su Chen nodded: "That's right, this is the answer you wanted, Senior Sister."
Han Xiyue's lips trembled slightly, her smile blooming like a flower. She placed her hands behind her back, leaned forward, and faced Su Chen. Just as their faces were about to touch, Han Xiyue's body transformed into strands of moonlight.
"Junior brother, farewell."
Su Chen could have reversed Han Xiyue's fate, but he didn't. Life and death were a blurred line; in this world, only the Dao was eternal.
Now, he had more important things to prepare.
As Su Chen prepared to leave, he turned back for one last look.
Turning back, a thousand miles away, old friends are gone forever.
Within the Mountain and River Sect, Ling Jiuxiao felt a pang of sorrow. Since the elders left, even Elder Han had departed.
When Ling Jiuxiao looked up again, a figure in a bluish-green hue appeared before him. Ling Jiuxiao respectfully said, "Greetings, Sect Master."
Su Chen looked at Ling Jiuxiao and casually tossed him a token: "From now on, you are the 139th Sect Master of the Mountain and River Sect."
"You can go to the library; perhaps there are surprises. If you encounter any major trouble, you can ask that mudfish to help you overcome difficulties."
Ling Jiuxiao was stunned.
Turning back again, Su Chen's figure had already vanished.
Only the Sect Master's token, symbolizing the Mountain and River Sect, remained floating in mid-air.
Ling Jiuxiao had many questions, but since the Sect Master had disappeared, he took the token from mid-air and slowly bowed with clasped hands towards the sky.
His hair had turned white; he was no longer young, no longer flamboyant, but possessed much more composure, and was qualified to preside over the Mountain and River Sect.
He was now the 139th Sect Master of the Mountain and River Sect.
Ling Jiuxiao also went to the library.
He used the sect leader's token to travel to that non-existent level, where he witnessed the true depth of Su Chen's legacy.
At the same time, he also discovered a tattered book, with only the last page remaining—the final fragment of the Northern Darkness Heavenly Scripture he had been searching for.
Ling Jiuxiao seemed to understand something, a bitter smile playing on his lips.
Since that day, Su Chen had not returned to the back mountain. His whereabouts were unknown. Perhaps Long Jueshen knew a little, but he hadn't told Ling Jiuxiao or the others.
Having accompanied that great man for countless years, Long Jueshen vaguely sensed that the great man possessed ambitions he couldn't comprehend. Although he didn't know the great man's purpose, Long Jueshen still felt that the great man was incredibly noble, which was why he was willing to stay in the Mountain and River Sect, willing to protect it.
The Age of Dharma Decline gradually passed, and disciples of the generation including Ling Daoping began to grow up.
Gradually, the Mountain and River Sect flourished. Ling Jiuxiao broke through to the Emperor Realm, followed by Ling Daoping, and then an unparalleled prodigy from the sect emerged, also breaking through to the Emperor Realm.
Throughout these countless years, the only thing that gave Ling Jiuxiao a headache was Long Jue Shen… He now deeply regretted his impulsive decision to agree to Long Jue Shen's request; he was now truly the sect master of the Mountain and River Sect.
He had misjudged him. This dragon, who usually appeared so upright and aloof, was actually a lecherous dragon. After Su Chen disappeared, although he still protected the Mountain and River Sect, he completely revealed his true nature, indulging in all sorts of things—flying in the sky, swimming in the sea, burrowing underground—and possessing a harem of beauties.
The existence of this lecherous dragon greatly damaged the reputation of the Mountain and River Sect, leaving Ling Jiuxiao both amused and exasperated.
However, such peace could not last forever. Greed is inherent in all intelligent beings, and the identity of the Dragon God was eventually exposed with the return of several ancient True Immortals from the Immortal Realm. Led by the Boundless Immortal Sect and the Kuntian Immortal Domain, the Immortal Realm launched a siege against the Mountain and River Sect.
They sought to sever the Dragon God's connection to the Immortal Throne.