Zhong Qiu’s words immediately cooled Lin Xun’s excitement. Even though the Great Silence Unlife Calamity would threaten every Eternal being in the world in the coming years, using this window to strike against powers like the Eternal Divine Clans would still be extremely dangerous.

After all, before every epochal calamity arrived in the past, the Eternal Divine Clans would always leave behind one or more Eternal Realm existences, sacrificial guardians prepared to die for their clan.

“I’m in no rush.” Lin Xun said thoughtfully. “There are still about a thousand years before the epoch-ending calamity descends. As the Eternal Realm figures depart one by one, whether it’s the Shaman Sect, the Zen Sect, or the Eternal Divine Clan of the Ninth Heaven Domain...even if they leave Eternal experts behind, that number will be very small.” 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He paused, then added, “Besides, I’m already standing at the pinnacle of the Transcendence Realm. Before the epochal catastrophe arrives, I will try my utmost to break through and step into the Eternal Realm! Once that happens....” A cold light flashed deep within his eyes.

Zhong Qiu understood his meaning without needing further explanation. He nodded. “That’s right. The coming years truly are the best window for vengeance, but we can’t act rashly. We must move carefully, one step at a time.”

At that moment, a tearing sound cut through the air. Xuan Feiling, Dugu Yong, Fang Daoping, and the other deputy pavilion masters descended swiftly from the sky. Having learned everything that had happened in the Thousand Star Sea, they were unable to conceal their excitement and relief.

When they saw Zhong Qiu, they all bowed deeply in thanks. They all understood that had Zhong Qiu and Golden Cicada not arrived in time to shatter the deadly siege, the Origin Sect would have been destroyed. Their hearts were filled with deep gratitude.

Zhong Qiu smiled and nodded, returning each greeting one by one.

“This time, the Shaman Sect and the Zen Sect have suffered devastating losses. For a long while, they won’t have the strength to trouble us again. As for the Eternal Divine Clans of the Ninth Heaven Domain, they may be seething with resentment, but once Pavilion Master You Beihai overcomes his tribulation and breakthrough, they’ll have no chance of breaking into our sect ever again!” Fang Daoping’s voice trembled with excitement.

Once You Beihai overcame his tribulation, the Divine Rank law surrounding the Origin Sect would fully recover. At that point, even the true body of an Eternal being would find it nearly impossible to shake the sect’s foundations!

Dugu Yong’s killing intent surged. “This cannot be forgiven. Once the sect stabilizes, it will be time to take our revenge.”

This time, the Shaman Sect, the Zen Sect, and those Eternal Divine Clans of the Ninth Heaven Domain had joined forces and nearly wiped out the Origin Sect’s lineage. Such a blood-deep hatred...how could it possibly go unavenged?

“And the Ten Immortal Giants of the Eighth Heaven Domain...it’s time to settle accounts with them too.” A cold gleam flashed in Yuan Wutian’s eyes.

Xuan Feiling said, “These debts will certainly be settled, one by one. But first, our priority is to stabilize the sect first. And remember, this time, the Spirit Sect paid an immense price to aid us. Such a great kindness must not be forgotten.”

Everyone nodded. This time, the Spirit Sect had not only sent the Will Dharma Form of its founder, Xu Yin, but even dispatched two Eternal Realm powerhouses, Dongli and Zhizheng, to support them. Such kindness must be repaid.

Just then...

“Something is wrong.” Suddenly, Zhong Qiu, who had been silently watching You Beihai brave the dao-proving tribulation, spoke, his brows knitting together.

Almost the moment his words left his mouth, a world-shaking roar erupted. Beneath the blazing sea of tribulation light, You Beihai’s figure suddenly fractured apart, and even his primordial spirit was savagely torn and wounded.

“What...?”

“Is he...failing the tribulation?!”

“No! Impossible! Old You prepared for this for countless ages! How could this be happening?!”

Everyone’s hearts lurched violently, their faces draining of color all at once. Just as You Beihai’s primordial spirit was about to shatter completely, the tribulation light in the depths of the sky abruptly dimmed.

Moments later, the blinding radiance collapsed inward and receded like a fading tide. In the blink of an eye, the vast, earth-shaking eternal tribulation that filled the sky vanished without a trace.

Only You Beihai’s gravely damaged primordial spirit drifted alone beneath the heavens...

This bizarre scene left everyone dazed. Was this success...or failure?

A heavy silence fell. Below the vast sky, You Beihai’s tattered primordial spirit stared blankly upward, unable to accept what had just happened.

After a long pause, he let out a hoarse, sorrow-filled sigh. “To leave only a scrap of my primordial spirit clinging to life...Why...why did you not let me die completely within the tribulation?”

That one sentence carried a depth of sorrow that pierced straight into the heart.

Xuan Feiling and the others felt their hearts sink to rock bottom. Only now did they dare confirm the truth: You Beihai had failed to attain eternity. He had not been annihilated, but only his gravely wounded primordial spirit remained.

“A pity...” Zhong Qiu sighed quietly.

To fail at the final step, after preparing for countless years, was a blow enough to shatter even the strongest dao heart. No one knew how long he would have to wait before another chance to attain enlightenment appeared. Moreover, such a crushing setback could cause even a peerless figure to fall into utter despair.

Lin Xun stood frozen. When he first joined the Origin Sect, he had heard that the Pavilion Master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion spent all his time in closed-door cultivation, preparing for this Eternal enlightenment.

He never imagined that, despite all those preparations...You Beihai would still fail beneath the eternal tribulation...

Xuan Feiling rose into the air and called out gently, “Old You, the path of the great dao is arduous. A setback is nothing. Do not give up and lose hope!”

The other elders followed, surrounding him with words of comfort. You Beihai remained silent. His expression flickered with pain, bewilderment, and suppressed turmoil. Finally, after a long struggle, he forced a bitter smile.

“Do not worry about me. I am simply shaken. I just cannot accept it yet.

“Here, take these pills.”

Rare and precious elixirs appeared in the hands of Xuan Feiling and the others, each one an unparalleled healing treasure.

But You Beihai shook his head. “What I lack is not medicine. This failure...is a lesson I must understand. I need time to reflect and understand where I went wrong.”

“Well spoken.” Zhong Qiu stepped forward. “To walk the great dao, one must possess such courage and heart. Only with this resolve can you rise from failure and go even further the next time you seek enlightenment.”

At that moment, Lin Xun suddenly remembered something. He quickly took out the jade bottle the golden cicada had entrusted to him and handed it over. “Pavilion Master, Elder Golden Cicada left this for you.”

You Beihai froze. “Golden cicada?”

Xuan Feiling quickly transmitted an explanation to him, and only then did You Beihai’s expression change. He lifted the jade bottle and sent his divine sense inside.

In the very next moment, his entire body trembled. Joy. Confusion. Shock. Disbelief. A storm of emotions crossed his face, leaving Xuan Feiling and the others exchanging baffled looks.

“What’s inside the bottle?” Xuan Feiling asked Lin Xun via transmission.

Lin Xun could only shake his head. He was just as clueless.

After a long silence, You Beihai suddenly cupped his hands and bowed deeply toward Lin Xun. “Little Friend...thank you!”

His expression gradually steadied, as though all shadows in his heart had finally dispersed, leaving behind an unprecedented calm.

Seeing this, Lin Xun hurriedly said, “Elder, there’s no need for such formality. This was a gift from Elder Golden Cicada. I don’t dare take credit for it.”

Xuan Feiling could no longer hold back. “Old You, just what extraordinary thing was inside that jade bottle?”

You Beihai smiled. “To me, this is no different from being granted a second life. Who knows...perhaps with what’s inside this bottle, I may once again set foot upon the path of eternity.”

Everyone drew in a sharp breath, their hearts jolting in shock. What kind of treasure...could possibly hold such heaven-defying power?

“Elder Golden Cicada instructed that not even the slightest information about this item may be disclosed.” You Beihai explained. “So there’s no need for further speculation.”

After a brief pause, he continued, “Once my injuries have healed, I will leave the sect and head for Kunlun Dominion.”

The announcement was so sudden that everyone was caught completely off guard.

Xuan Feiling thought for a moment, then nodded. “Since you’ve already decided, Old You, we won’t try to dissuade you.”

The others nodded in agreement.

“Thank you, all of you.” You Beihai cupped his hands and bowed deeply toward everyone.

“If you really want to thank us, then bring out the good wine you’ve been hiding all these years,” Xuan Feiling said with a booming laugh.

“Haha! No problem,” You Beihai chuckled.

Lin Xun couldn’t help but feel relieved. He could clearly tell that whatever Elder Golden Cicada had left behind might very well grant You Beihai a renewed hope of attaining enlightenment.

“Before we start drinking, there are still matters we must set in order,” Xuan Feiling said.

Indeed, far too much had happened in a single day. You Beihai’s attempt to attain eternity had drawn forth a world-shaking catastrophe. Immediately after, the Shaman Sect, the Zen Sect, and the Eternal Divine Clans of the Ninth Heaven Domain launched their assault, unleashing a heaven-rending slaughter across the Thousand Star Sea.

Only now had everything finally come to an end. With Yan Ji, Taixuan, and the others having already departed for Kunlun Dominion, many matters within the Origin Sect now demanded immediate attention.

That very same day, the Divine Rank law of the Origin Sect was restored, once again spreading its mighty power over the Thousand Star Sea and the entire Origin World.

Xuan Feiling and the others then brought out all Origin Sect members who had been sheltered in the Heavenly Origin Secret Realm, returning them to their respective posts across the sect. Before long, news of everything that had happened spread like wildfire. The entire Origin Sect erupted with shock, awe, and excitement.

Three days later, in front of the grand central hall, the entire sect assembled.

The long-absent Pavilion Master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion, You Beihai, appeared before everyone and formally announced his resignation. He named Lin Xun, Deputy Pavilion Master of the Origin Sky Pavilion, as his successor.

At the same time, he announced that Xuan Feiling would assume the position of Pavilion Master of the Origin Sky Pavilion. Dugu Yong would become the Pavilion Master of the Origin Emptiness Pavilion.

The deputy pavilion master positions they left behind were filled by three elders from their respective pavilions, each at the pinnacle of the Transcendence Realm.

Finally, You Beihai looked at Lin Xun and laughed heartily. “Pavilion Master Lin, congratulations!”

“Pavilion Master Lin, congratulations!”

“Pavilion Master Lin, congratulations!”

A wave of congratulatory shouts rose one after another, echoing across the skies. From the veteran elders to the disciples of the nine peaks, every member of the Origin Sect was filled with excitement, their hearts pounding with awe and admiration.

A hundred years ago, Lin Xun had entered the Origin Sect as nothing more than a newcomer, a newly accepted disciple of the Ninth Peak. Now, just a century later, he was assuming command of the Origin Clarity Pavilion before the eyes of the entire sect!

This was nothing short of a miracle. It shattered every record in the Origin Sect’s long history. It was a feat no one of the past had ever achieved, and no one in the future would likely ever surpass.

A true legend had been born. Furthermore, this legend would only continue to write itself across the long river of history!