Chapter Fifty-Six: Sect Mission

The night was deep. The elder in violet robes leaned against the railing, silently rocking the wine flask in his hand. As he swayed, he suddenly murmured, “So alike, so alike.” He gazed toward the room where Su Fan resided, then continued, “Ziyun, I have found someone who resembles you closely. I will not allow him to suffer even the slightest harm.”

Suddenly, a voice rang out, “Who is Ziyun?” The elder in violet smiled faintly; he clearly recognized the speaker's identity. He replied, “Su Fan, you’re awake.” Su Fan's expression remained calm as he looked at the elder, his gaze now markedly changed from before.

Gratitude filled Su Fan’s eyes, mingled with a hint of reverence. He discovered that the elder, too, seemed weighed down, as if burdened with many sorrows. So Su Fan said, “Thank you, Master. That blood just now…?”

The elder interrupted, waving his hand. “It is the first great gift I bestow upon you. In a few days of cultivation, you will fully form your golden core.” Su Fan’s eyes brimmed with gratitude; he could sense the preciousness of that violet blood.

The bright moon hung high, insects chirped in the garden, and the two gradually fell into silence. The elder watched a cluster of small violet flowers on the eaves, though the blossoms had closed for the night. Su Fan stood quietly at his side.

Suddenly, the elder spoke, “Ziyun was one of my disciples.” After that, he fell silent again, as if recalling memories long hidden in the dust of his heart.

After a long pause, he continued, “Hundreds of years ago, the Violet Lineage, like the other six, had many disciples. Yet at every Seven Lineages Grand Tournament, the Red Lineage always claimed first place. The Violet Lineage could only follow, not because its disciples lacked diligence, but because its unique art, the Qian Violet Celestial Phenomenon, was too intricate—even the Red Lineage’s Burning Blood Heaven could not compare.

I remember one year, two children arrived at Violet Cloud Mountain seeking a master. Upon inquiry, I learned their names: Ziyun and Nameless.”

Su Fan’s eyes widened. “Nameless?”

The elder smiled. “That is the man you know as Zhao Yuanwai.”

Su Fan nodded silently.

The elder went on, “Ziyun was Nameless’s younger brother. Their father was slain by the General’s household in Luo City. They came to seek a master, hoping to cultivate immortality and avenge him. Neither possessed outstanding talent, so I told them only one could stay. In the end, Nameless let Ziyun remain; he left quietly at night, knocking his head bloody at my feet and begging me to care for Ziyun.

I had no choice but to send him back to Luo City, finding a place for him. Ziyun showed no sign of reluctance at Nameless’s departure; he simply cultivated each day, speaking to no one. Yet I could see his pain, so I lied, saying Nameless was settled in the Azure Pavilion of Luo City.

At that time, the Azure Pavilion was a significant force in Luo City, so Ziyun soon recovered. He was kind and mild-tempered, never seeking to compete, beloved by his fellow disciples. His talent was not poor, and his diligence propelled his cultivation swiftly. I took him as my final disciple, my first such, and cared deeply for him.

According to the tradition of Tianyuan Sect, each lineage head must impart their most exquisite technique to their last disciple.

Thus, I gave him the Qian Violet Celestial Phenomenon. I had little hope for him. Fifty years passed; throughout them, Ziyun secluded himself, which is what every disciple should do.

When the Seven Lineages Grand Tournament returned after fifty years, Ziyun, as I wished, defeated all opponents except those of the Violet Lineage. In the finals, he faced Hongyu, the Red Lineage’s chief disciple.

Hongyu’s cultivation had reached the late golden core stage, while Ziyun had only just entered it. In that duel, Ziyun had nearly no chance of victory; round after round, he was at a disadvantage. Yet he never showed signs of defeat, and Hongyu seemed frustrated by this outcome, being proud and arrogant by nature.

He gathered all his spiritual power to unleash Burning Blood Heaven. With his cultivation, this technique could have killed Ziyun, burning him to death.

Only a competitor’s voluntary withdrawal could end the match, but Ziyun’s temperament would never allow him to forfeit. I could only watch as the celestial fire descended, slowly engulfing Ziyun.

Suddenly, a faint violet light appeared amid the flames, then countless violet rays pierced through. Hongyu was instantly disconcerted—this was the Qian Violet Celestial Phenomenon, able to overcome all arts.

The flames were gradually devoured by the violet light; Hongyu stood stunned. Ziyun prepared to counterattack, the violet light about to envelop Hongyu entirely.

Hongyu had no strength left to resist; Burning Blood Heaven had depleted all his spiritual energy. Victory was within Ziyun’s grasp, when suddenly a red light struck, scattering the violet glow.

The red light rushed at Ziyun; I had no time to intercept it, and it exploded. When I recovered, I realized it was a golden core cultivator who had self-destructed, seemingly mad. But it was too late—the immense shock broke Ziyun’s Qian Violet Celestial Phenomenon.

Hongyu seized the opportunity to strike; beset from both sides, Ziyun could no longer wield his art. Hongyu launched a sneak attack, gravely wounding Ziyun, leaving him barely alive.

I was furious then. I sought out the sect master in red robes to investigate the self-destructing cultivator and demanded punishment for Hongyu. I also begged the elder in yellow robes for a life-saving elixir to heal Ziyun.

Yet the sect master always demurred, claiming to send people searching, and dispatched Hongyu for training elsewhere. The elder in yellow robes remained in seclusion, saying he was refining pills, but never produced one to save Ziyun.

As Ziyun drifted toward oblivion, I scoured for spirit herbs, but was powerless to save him. After a hundred days, Ziyun perished, his Dao extinguished.

From that day, I dispersed all my disciples, roaming the world, taking no more pupils. Thus, much time passed, and the Violet Lineage ceased to participate in the Seven Lineages Grand Tournament, dwindling to its present desolation.

Twenty years ago, a man in black stormed Red Robe Peak. With a wave of his hand, he shattered the mountain’s protection array; afterward, tens of thousands of disciples fell to him, slain like ants, without mercy.

Nearly all elite disciples of the Red Lineage died or were injured; of three guardian elders, two were lost. The man in black reached the sect master’s place of seclusion and tossed a bundle—it was a human head.

It was Hongyu’s. The man in black laughed wildly, then quickly engaged in a duel of energies with the sect master.

When I arrived, the man in black was at a disadvantage. Suddenly, I recognized his identity. I gave my all to spirit him away—it was Nameless. I discovered he had already reached the nascent soul stage.”

Su Fan suddenly asked, “Nameless has reached the nascent soul stage?”

The elder replied, “Indeed, he has. I have no idea how he achieved such cultivation in just a few decades.” Su Fan nodded gently.

The elder continued, “After I sent him out of Tianyuan Sect, I never saw him again. The next news of him was brought by you. I imagine he avenged his father.”

Su Fan smiled faintly. “It seems Nameless never meant me harm.”

The elder’s expression suddenly turned grave. He whispered, “Someone from the Red Lineage is here.”

As he spoke, a crimson glow streaked across the sky. Moments later, a woman in green entered through the gate. Her manners were courteous, unlike the usual arrogance of Red Lineage disciples.

Su Fan was curious about the newcomer. As she approached, Su Fan smiled; the woman smiled back. She clasped her fists respectfully toward the elder in violet robes. “Disciple Hongling greets Uncle Master.”

The elder waved his hand, smiling in acknowledgment.

Hongling continued, “Uncle Master, the sect master sent me to convey a message. Earlier, Su Fan was wrongly accused. I am here to invite him to the Red Lineage; the sect master wishes to apologize.”

The elder was surprised. “Apologize?”

Hongling replied, “The sect master said that not only will he apologize, but he will assign Su Fan a sect task.”

Su Fan asked, “A sect task?”

The elder said, “I nearly forgot. New disciples must complete tasks assigned by the sect.”

Su Fan remained silent.

Hongling said, “If it is convenient for Su Fan, please come with me.”

The elder gestured to Su Fan. “Go, obey the sect master’s instructions.”

Su Fan nodded in response, and the two departed, flying toward the Red Lineage.