Although the words were spoken casually, everyone could still detect the hidden, chilling killing intent and immense confidence within.
Guan Xuejiang did not decline.
At such a life-and-death moment, and among trusted comrades, there was no need for empty words or pleasantries.
"Alright, we will follow Senior Brother’s lead at that time, and I will hold the fort in the Azure Dragon Temple."
At the same time, Shen Yunshen said solemnly, "And me as well."
"In the past, I was as famous as Jingping Saint. If he hadn’t used evil techniques to take shortcuts, who knows who would be stronger now."
"So while others may fear him, I certainly do not."
"Good, Yun Shen, you will assist Senior Brother," Guan Xuejiang said, then turned to look at Zhao Ya.
"Ya, do you know why I called you here?"
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Ya replied, "The defense system outside the temple has been strengthened. Although it can’t handle a super powerhouse like Jingping Saint, it can deal with ordinary Meridian Opening practitioners."
"Especially the mechanical crossbows we seized from Separation Tower. After days of training, they can play a very significant role. If used properly, they can even injure top Meridian Opening experts."
Guan Xuejiang nodded approvingly at this remark.
"Good, well done, but that’s not the only reason I called you here."
At that, Guan Xuejiang’s expression suddenly became unusually serious.
"This crisis is different from any other; it could even threaten the very foundation of Azure Dragon Temple, so we must prepare for the worst-case scenario."
"You are among the most talented and pure-hearted disciples I’ve seen in years. To prevent the complete destruction of Azure Dragon Temple, I must advise you in advance."
"If things seem hopeless, retreat immediately. Do not act recklessly. Understood?"
As these words were uttered, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya felt a chill in his heart.
He hadn’t expected Guan Xuejiang to say something like this in public.
It was evident that, despite the lengthy preparations, Guan Xuejiang still felt pessimistic about the upcoming battle.
At this, Guo Luming spoke up: "Xuejiang is right. Ya, you have now acquired five to six-tenths of Azure Dragon Temple’s heritage. The rest will come with time, so do not act recklessly. If it seems disadvantageous, leave immediately."
Zhao Ya knew this was the best option at present, so he nodded solemnly without hesitation.
"Alright."
"Haha, there’s no need to be so pessimistic. I’m just talking about the worst-case scenario. Perhaps, if we unite as one, we might even slay this wretched Jingping Saint," Guan Xuejiang laughed.
Everyone else laughed along, and the atmosphere seemed to lighten considerably.
But Zhao Ya knew that almost everyone present was prepared to die.
Even Guo Luming, who possessed Primordial Sea-level strength, was no exception.
This only made Zhao Ya more curious about Jingping Saint.
How did this little disciple from the Azure Dragon Temple grow to this extent?
Particularly when Shen Yunshen claimed he took shortcuts using evil techniques, what was this evil technique?
Holding this question in his mind, Zhao Ya, after leaving the hall, immediately headed to the Library.
Guo Luming, seeing him follow, couldn’t help but chuckle.
"I was just looking for you. You’re just in time."
With that, Guo Luming handed Zhao Ya a small box.
"What’s this?" Zhao Ya asked, somewhat surprised.
"Inside are all my cultivation insights and techniques over the years. They should be of help to you!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ya understood that Guo Luming was entrusting things to him, unsure if he would return from this battle.
He carefully accepted the box, then asked a question that had long been on his mind.
"Elder, what exactly happened back then that caused the Azure Dragon Temple to split, and how did a mere disciple like Jingping Saint gain such power?"
Guo Luming sighed, "This matter was supposed to be an absolute taboo, but now that Jingping Saint has come down the mountain and boldly attacked Bright Moon Valley, there’s no longer much point in keeping it secret. I was planning to tell you even if you didn’t ask."
"Why the Azure Dragon Temple split and why Jingping Saint’s power surged enough to rival the Grand Elder—these two questions are essentially one."
"The fundamental reason is that Jingping Saint walked a forbidden path."
"A forbidden path?"
"Yes, he ’slayed gods to gain wishes,’ a method through which his power skyrocketed in a short period."
At this, Guo Luming’s expression turned extremely serious.
Zhao Ya suddenly understood.
This world has no Divine Spirits, at least not as traditionally conceived.
But among the sects and tribes living in the Wilderness Land, there exists a powerful will.
This will is what is contained in the root maps of each sect, amassed over centuries of meditation by countless martial artists.
Zhao Ya understood this well.
Because he had previously refined himself using the immense will within the Cliff Dragon Painting.
That was one way to utilize the root map.
But the path Jingping Saint took was entirely different.
While Zhao Ya borrowed, Jingping Saint seized.
This was why Guo Luming called it ’slaying gods to gain wishes.’
"But wouldn’t this lead to mental chaos?" Zhao Ya asked incredulously.
Having personally experienced the refining of the will within the Azure Dragon Root Map, he knew how terrifying these ancient wills could be.
Even he might have been lost in them had it not been for his strong Inner Organ Talent, becoming a walking corpse.
"Ah!" Guo Luming sighed.
"That’s why I thought Jingping Saint was a waste. If he hadn’t taken the wrong path, his intelligence and talent would have surely led him to greatness."
"What you described is indeed a consequence that inevitably occurs on this evil path. For centuries, others have had ideas about these root map wills, but they all failed without exception."
"The consequence was almost always mental chaos, becoming senseless."
"But Jingping Saint somehow avoided this risk."
"Not only that, but he also gathered a large number of talented individuals from Azure Dragon Temple. His strength and reputation made them follow his every word."
"By the time the Grand Elder realized something was wrong, Jingping Saint had already grown too powerful to control."
"If that were all, it would be tolerable. But who would have thought that Jingping Saint would go so far as to target the Cliff Dragon Painting, intending to devour it."
"This led to intense conflict with the Grand Elder, ultimately causing the split."
After hearing Guo Luming’s account, Zhao Ya finally understood the causes and consequences of that great battle.
"So his return now isn’t only for revenge, but also for the Cliff Dragon Painting?"
"Yes, and that’s why Xuejiang advised you to escape immediately if things go south. This battle is critical as it concerns the fundamental essence of Azure Dragon Temple."
When Zhao Ya left the Library, it was already afternoon.
The weather was surprisingly good, and the warm sun cast a golden glow on the cliff wall, seemingly gilding the Azure Dragon Painting.
Silently, Zhao Ya watched the scene, his thoughts churning.
Guo Luming had talked to him about many things.
Though he hadn’t explicitly said what Guan Xuejiang or he himself would do at the last moment,
Zhao Ya understood that if it really came down to it, Guan Xuejiang would likely do as the previous Grand Elder did, using a mortal body to carry Divine Spirit power.
The price, of course, would be his life.
Upon this thought, Zhao Ya let out a heavy sigh, seemingly reaching a realization. He leapt forward to stand before the Azure Dragon Painting, gently touching the outstretched massive claw, his eyes gleaming.
Faintly, he felt a tremor from the Azure Dragon Painting and whispered.
"So... are you also angry?"
At that very moment, just a hundred miles away from Southern Azure Dragon, Ye Xunhuan led a team to the roadside, finally awaiting the arrival of Jingping Saint’s entourage.