I Am the Source of Darkness, Causing Chaos in the Eternal Heavens

Chapter 18 The Few at the Top of the Pyramid, Ancestor’s Regret

“Someone, investigate everything about Qingxu Holy Land over the past fifty thousand years, down to the smallest details.”

“Including how many elders and disciples remain, where they are now, the whereabouts of elders and disciples after the decline, and any descendants. Investigate all of this thoroughly.”

Jiang Minghan lightly shook his head, crushed the jade slip in his hand, and issued his orders.

He had a feeling that Qingxu Holy Land might have unearthed the Book of Death, which caused their misfortune.

Based on the black-robed elder’s memories, the area where the Book of Death was located was within the mining area once controlled by Qingxu Holy Land.

Later, that mining area collapsed for some unknown reason, and no cultivators dared to venture there again. All major forces also regarded it as ominous and did not send anyone to take over.

“Yes, Master.”

A tall being with green scales covering his body nodded and quickly left.

Given the power and influence of the hidden immortal clan, investigating everything about Qingxu Holy Land over the past fifty thousand years was just a matter of a few words.

They could uncover every secret of Qingxu Holy Land, including the lives and deaths of past elders and the Holy Master, as well as any notable ancestors.

“Interestingly, eighty thousand years ago, Qingxu Holy Land faced a major calamity, but that should have nothing to do with the Book of Death.”

Jiang Minghan recalled relevant memories and clicked his tongue.

Eighty thousand years ago, three life-forbidden zones on this ancient life star erupted in a dark turmoil.

The beings in the forbidden zones emerged, devouring the surrounding star regions’ life to extend their own.

That dark turmoil led to the destruction of many forces and left many life star regions desolate overnight.

The ancient Daoist sects, with deep foundations, either chose to withdraw from the world or watched coldly.

Eventually, an ancient figure from Qingxu Holy Land, holding a sacred artifact, emerged to confront the three forbidden zone beings and tried to quell the dark turmoil.

The outcome was tragic and inevitable.

Facing three beings from the forbidden zones, even ancient figures from other Daoist sects were fearful and reluctant to provoke them.

The ancient figure from Qingxu Holy Land, said to be on the verge of becoming a quasi-supreme, was ultimately torn apart in the starry sky, with blood staining the heavens and his form completely destroyed.

However, his selfless act bought time for several immortal Daoist sects.

They sent their strongest to finally quell the dark turmoil, minimizing losses and saving countless lives.

If Jiang Minghan remembered correctly, one of the supreme beings who quelled the turmoil was an ancestor of the hidden immortal clan.

“Five thousand years later, Qingxu Holy Land declined, and various forces on this life star quickly seized its resources, even occupying its ruins…”

Jiang Minghan shook his head slightly, feeling a bit amused.

Such is the cruelty of the Xuanhuan world. Even if one saves countless lives, who cares after eons? (tln :”eons” refers to extremely long periods of time, often spanning thousands, millions, or even billions of years.)

Thus, only by becoming truly powerful and achieving immortality can one attain true eternal peace.

“Master, the third young master Zhao Hao seeks an audience.”

At this moment, a voice reported from outside the hall.

“The son of Nanque Sacred City’s Lord?”

Jiang Minghan raised an eyebrow and said, “Let him in.”

As a city that had existed for over a million years on this life star, Nanque Sacred City had a deep foundation, surpassing some ancient Daoist sects.

Thus, the city lord’s status was, in some ways, more prestigious than the leaders of ancient great sects.

Many years ago, the city lord of Nanque Sacred City broke through to the Saint Realm, his cultivation now unfathomable.

His son’s status was comparable to the saint sons and heirs of ancient Daoist sects.

Of course, compared to the hidden immortal clan, he was still far inferior.

Even some of Jiang Minghan’s followers held higher status than him.

Soon, a tall, handsome man in golden clothes entered from outside the hall.

He radiated golden light, even his hair emitted a glow, indicating the success of his cultivation technique.

“Greetings, Young Master Minghan.”

Zhao Hao looked at Jiang Minghan, who was dressed in white, exuding an extraordinary aura. His eyes showed deep respect and reverence, and he was very humble.

In Nanque Sacred City, his status was extremely prestigious. Even heirs of ancient Daoist sects would greet him.

But before the young master of the hidden immortal clan, he was nothing, not even qualified to be a follower.

In this world, the clearest distinctions between forces and Daoist sects lay in whether their ancestors had ever produced an immortal.

Next came whether their ancestors had produced a Daoist achiever.

Nanque Sacred City ranked third or even fourth in this hierarchy.

The hidden immortal clan undoubtedly stood at the top of the pyramid, overlooking all.

Zhao Hao’s visit to Jiang Minghan was actually his father’s idea.

They didn’t know Jiang Minghan’s purpose for visiting, fearing any actions might displease him.

If Jiang Minghan wanted to remain low-key, Zhao Hao, as the city lord’s son, would visit. If Jiang Minghan didn’t mind attention, the city lord would visit personally.

“No need for formalities.”

Jiang Minghan nodded slightly, putting down the jade slip in his hand. His gaze, calm and gentle, fell on Zhao Hao. “Why have you come to see me?”

Seeing Jiang Minghan’s approachable demeanor, contrary to the aloof rumors, Zhao Hao felt relieved and respectfully said, “Young Master Minghan, my father sent me to visit you. He wasn’t sure of your purpose here and feared disturbing you…”

He quickly explained his purpose.

Jiang Minghan nodded, gaining some appreciation for the unseen city lord of Nanque Sacred City.

Age brings wisdom; such tact in handling matters far surpasses many others.

“I came to Nanque Sacred City for Qingxu Holy Land.”

Jiang Minghan thought briefly and decided to use Nanque Sacred City to gather the remaining elders and disciples of Qingxu Holy Land, facilitating his search for the Book of Death.

“What, Young Master Minghan came for Qingxu Holy Land?”

Hearing this, Zhao Hao was stunned, unable to believe it.

Qingxu Holy Land had faced misfortune fifty thousand years ago and had long been destroyed.

Jiang Minghan wasn’t surprised by Zhao Hao’s reaction and shook his head slightly.

“Actually, it’s to resolve an unresolved matter for my ancestor. He always felt responsible for not arriving in time eighty thousand years ago, which led to many subsequent events. He felt indebted to Qingxu Holy Land. If he had arrived earlier, perhaps the senior figure from Qingxu Holy Land wouldn’t have perished…”