"The Mystic Yang Trapping Array? A formation of the Azure Mystic Sacred Land?"

As soon as the words of the two Azure Mystic Sacred Land disciples fell, everyone present was immediately taken aback. Their faces filled with bewilderment and confusion.

Wasn't this formation created by the rogue cultivator Feng Bugui?

How was it related to the Azure Mystic Sacred Land?

While everyone was still puzzled, the two Azure Mystic disciples spoke again, their expressions cold and severe.

"We suspect this person must have stolen our Azure Mystic Sacred Land's formation secret manuals! Where is he? Have him come here immediately to cooperate with our investigation!"

"How dare he secretly learn our Azure Mystic Sacred Land's formations! Such audacity!"

"Although it is a formation from five hundred years ago, it is still a secret doctrine of our Sacred Land, never to be passed to outsiders. This matter must be severely punished!"

The sudden accusation from these two disciples made everyone's hearts tense up.

Feng Bugui stole a secret technique from the Azure Mystic Sacred Land?

Is that true?

However, before anyone could fully process this, Su Rumei stepped forward.

"Are you two certain that this formation is the Mystic Yang Trapping Array?"

"Of course we are certain! The structure and energy flow of this formation are exactly the same as our Azure Mystic Sacred Land's Mystic Yang Trapping Array. Could we possibly be mistaken?" one disciple replied haughtily.

Su Rumei asked again, "Then are you two certain that this formation is a secret not to be passed on outside your Sacred Land?"

"That goes without saying. Since five hundred years ago, when our Azure Mystic obtained this Mystic Yang Trapping Array, it has been a formation that all our disciples can learn," the disciple answered instantly.

The other disciple chimed in, "Manager Su, this matter involves the theft of our Sacred Land's secrets. We request the assistance of your Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion to apprehend the thief."

At this point, the staff of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion hardly dared to breathe, their minds racing.

Could it be... that Feng Bugui really stole it?

What should be done next? Hand over Feng Bugui, or try to smooth things over and protect him?

Just as everyone was lost in wild speculation, Su Rumei began to laugh.

"The tone of you two fellow Daoists is truly grand!"

"Hmm?" Her words made the two Azure Mystic disciples frown involuntarily. "Manager Su, what do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean?" Su Rumei shook her head with a faint smile. "You two said the Mystic Yang Trapping Array was obtained by your esteemed sect five hundred years ago, but it seems you didn't say your sect created it, did you?"

"This..."

"Do you two know who in your esteemed sect obtained this formation?"

"This..."

The two were stumped by the questions, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Manager Su, why are you asking these things? What does it matter?"

"Of course it matters!" Su Rumei declared, her voice sharpening. "If I remember correctly, the Mystic Yang Trapping Array had already been circulating in the Central Continent over a thousand years ago. Even now, it is still used by many sects and families there."

What?

Everyone was stunned once more.

They looked at the two Azure Mystic Sacred Land disciples, who also wore expressions of bewilderment. Clearly, this was the first time they had heard such a thing.

"Moreover," Su Rumei continued with a meaningful smile, "as for your sect's possession of this formation, it was brought back from the Central Continent by that 'Heaven's Pride Gu' from your sect back then. From the very beginning, it was never a secret exclusive to your sect."

"Nor is it something unique to your sect alone!"

She paused, her gaze piercing. "I wonder when exactly this Central Continent formation became the exclusive private property of your Azure Mystic Sacred Land?"

Whoosh!

Instantly, an uproar broke out among the crowd.

The two Azure Mystic disciples were utterly dumbfounded and instinctively retorted, "You... how do we know if what you're saying is true or false?"

"Could it be that you two have never read the Record of Heaven's Pride?"

Su Rumei shook her head. Without waiting for their reply, she retrieved an old book from her storage ring.

"This is the Record of Heaven's Pride, written by a scholar during that grand event five hundred years ago. It documents the geniuses of that era."

"Here is an entry about that Heaven's Pride Gu from your esteemed sect."

As she spoke, Su Rumei flipped through the pages to Gu Xiu's entry and pointed out a specific passage.

Everyone craned their necks to look.

They saw written there:

"Heaven's Pride Gu Xiu possessed mediocre aptitude and an ordinary background, but had astonishing comprehension and was deeply loyal and righteous. He rejected recruitment offers from multiple Sacred Lands time and again, remaining solely devoted to the third-rate Qingxuan Sect."

"Aware of his sect's weak foundation and lack of resources, Heaven's Pride Gu would always make wagers with his opponents before battles. Through these wagers, he successively won numerous formations and magical treasures for the Qingxuan Sect."

"The formations won included the Central Continent's Mystic Yang Trapping Array, the Northern Mists' Blue Lantern Illusion Array..."

A long list followed, detailing various formations and all sorts of magical treasures.

Seeing this record now, everyone couldn't help but widen their eyes in amazement.

Refusing recruitment from Sacred Lands, remaining loyal only to a third-rate sect.

Yet, knowing his sect lacked resources and foundation, he would make wagers every time he fought other Heaven's Prides to win assets for his home.

This...

"Every single formation recorded here, every ancient text, every magical treasure is accompanied by a record of Immortal Gu's battle against another Heaven's Pride—and accompanied by a great victory!"

"Looking at it this way, the Mystic Yang Trapping Array truly isn't an exclusive formation of the Azure Mystic Sacred Land. It was won for the Qingxuan Sect by the Heaven's Pride, Immortal Gu, five hundred years ago! It already existed long before in the Central Continent!"

"Immortal Gu's deeds are truly awe-inspiring!"

"Five hundred years ago... our Eastern Wastes actually had such a heroic figure! It's a pity I wasn't born in that era; otherwise, I would have certainly sought to witness Immortal Gu's brilliance!"

"The Banished Immortal who suppressed his era—this title is indeed well-deserved!"

Everyone exclaimed in admiration, one after another.

Looking at the two Azure Mystic Sacred Land disciples now, some in the crowd even felt envy.

After all, having such a figure in one's sect history... anyone would feel proud.

However...

Facing these admiring gazes now made the two Azure Mystic disciples wish they could dig a hole and disappear into it.

Because regarding what was recorded in this Record of Heaven's Pride...

They knew nothing about any of it!

Within the Azure Mystic Sacred Land, no one ever mentioned such matters.

These disciples only knew vaguely that their so-called 'useless Martial Uncle' once seemed to have some reputation.

They never imagined his reputation was actually this immense!

"You two wouldn't happen to be... unaware of your own sect's glorious past involving its Heaven's Pride?" Su Rumei asked with a mock-innocent smile.

Her words made their faces flush bright red; they stammered incoherently.

Seeing their expressions, Su Rumei couldn't help but shake her head slightly.

"Although time may scatter many things... there are also many things that should not be left covered in dust."

"It seems... regarding educating its disciples, the Azure Mystic Sacred Land has some severe shortcomings."

Meanwhile, at another location—the Azure Mystic Sacred Land.

Welcoming Pine Peak.

This was an area within the Azure Mystic Sacred Land designated for training outer sect disciples. Every disciple who joined needed to come to this peak for at least three months of foundational study.

There were many things to learn.

It included cultivation methods as well as introductory techniques related to The Six Paths. Although only superficial knowledge was taught here for outer sect disciples, it was absolutely sufficient for their current level.

However, besides these cultivation-related subjects, Welcoming Pine Peak actually had another, even more important course:

History Lectures!

"The Azure Mystic Sacred Land did not ascend to its status overnight. On the contrary... over five hundred years ago, our Sacred Land was merely a small sect with fewer than twenty members total."

"The reason we achieved today's accomplishments lies in these past five hundred-plus years, where our Sacred Land united as one."

"It is because Sect Master Xue Lan gave her all for the sect... and because several Peak Masters dedicated their minds and efforts."

"Five hundred years ago, our sect obtained vast resources and inherited ancient texts... thereafter progressing step by step, steadily developing into today's Azure Mystic Sacred Land."

"All this relies on the merits of our Sect Master and the seven Peak Masters!"

A Teaching Elder held a book titled Records of Qingxuan, swaying his head slightly as he lectured the newly enrolled disciples seated below him.

Within its pages were written all sorts of crises faced by the Azure Mystic Sacred Land since its founding—how perilous they were, and how afterwards everyone united as one, vanquishing enemies step-by-step to ascend toward becoming today’s Sacred Land.

Listening to this, the new disciples’ hearts yearned deeply, wishing they could have been born several centuries earlier to witness the rise themselves!

Of course, a curious disciple raised a hand to ask.

"Elder... you said five hundred years ago our Sacred Land obtained vast resources and various inherited ancient texts... how exactly were they obtained?"

"This..."

That Elder scratched his head slightly, glancing at the Records of Qingxuan in his hand, then back towards the questioning disciple with a slight frown.

"The sect's historical records don’t elaborate much upon the specifics. But presumably, it was simply due to the merits belonging solely to the Sect Master and the seven Peak Masters."

"However, the Sect Master and Peak Masters dislike claiming credit, thus they didn’t waste ink detailing such matters here. You all should take a lesson and learn from the Sect Master and each Peak Master accordingly."

"Not resting upon laurels, nor chasing fame and fortune."

"Understood?"

"Yes, Elder!"

The group of disciples nodded repeatedly, setting aside the doubts in their hearts.

Instead, they were replaced by a fervent worship toward their sect!