Divine Replication System

His injuries were grave. Any further carelessness could exacerbate his condition, potentially stripping him of his Emperor Level cultivation. His heart grew increasingly heavy. Whether their behavior was intentional or a result of their anxiety, it was clear evidence of a shift in how he was perceived. His status had diminished.    

Previously, as a newly advanced Martial Monarch Stage late period cultivator, he stood above them, participating in the sect's strategic decisions. They had approached him with deference and humility. Now, their respect had all but vanished.    

Clearly, he had lost the formidable power of the Martial Monarch Stage late period, leaving him teetering at the cusp of the Emperor Level Early Period, now beneath them in strength. Strength is paramount; it dictates status. Seeing him in this weakened state, their attitudes had instinctively shifted. The contrast between past reverence and present disregard was stark and ironic.    

Guo Yunfan couldn't muster a laugh; his heart felt cold. These were his fellow sect members, with whom he had shared camaraderie. What if they were strangers or, worse, enemies?    

He reflected on his past actions. His arrogance, fueled by his cultivation, had made him many enemies. His recent breakthrough to the Martial Monarch Stage late period had kept them at bay. But now, after Lin Xuan's devastating blow, his cultivation had plummeted, and recovery seemed distant. His adversaries would not miss this chance.    

Even if he sought refuge within the sect, relying on its protection for survival would be a struggle. He had rivals there too. Now, reduced to the weakest tier of Emperor Level Martial Cultivators, he could expect the Sect Seniors' attitudes to shift. It was a harsh reality dictated by human nature.    

Moreover, once word of today's events gets out, he'll be marked by a peak Emperor Level Martial Cultivator.    

Though Lin Xuan departed immediately after delivering a single palm strike, he didn't attack again.    

It seemed the feud had ended.    

But others might not see it that way.    

Other Emperor Level Martial Cultivators could attempt to assassinate him to gain favor with the powerful.    

In essence, his life from here on out would be fraught with hardship.    

He now understood why Lin Xuan spared his life.    

Surviving might mean enduring a fate worse than death.    

And survival was far from guaranteed.    

Guo Yunfan's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.    

Maybe after he returned to the sect, he should get his affairs in order.    

At the very least, he needed to take care of his significant connections and possessions.    

Otherwise, if he were to die suddenly, it would be too late.    

As for revenge against Lin Xuan...    

Lin Xuan had shattered his future, and resentment festered in his heart.    

But what of it? He was no longer capable of retaliation.    

That was the realm of peak Emperor Level.    

Even before his severe injury, reaching that level in his lifetime seemed unattainable.    

He had no choice but to endure the bitterness of his situation.    

After all, it was his own actions that led to this outcome.    

He was reaping what he had sown.    

Guo Yunfan sighed inwardly, huddled to one side.    

He quietly focused on his cultivation technique, waiting for the pain to subside and his mobility to return before considering his next steps.    

"Right, right, right. Notify the sect first!"    

"This Senior has come with malevolent intentions!"    

"Rest assured. The Elemental Spirit Sect's protective grand array is a top-tier Emperor Level High-grade formation. Not even several peak Emperor Level experts could breach it!"    

"Let's not dwell on it. We're out of our depth here; better to report this to those above!"    

"..."    

After a brief discussion...    

They produced a communication jade card.    

"To the Sect Master, the Ancestor, we report that upon arriving at Elemental Spirit City, the Senior inflicted severe injuries on Senior Guo with a single palm strike..."    

They relayed the events that unfolded in the transmission hall with complete accuracy.    

Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief and relax somewhat.    

It was prudent for them to keep their distance from the sect at this time.    

They risked being caught in the crossfire.    

The residual effects of a clash between peak Emperor Level Martial Cultivators could easily harm them, as was evident from that previous palm strike.    

Even a Martial Monarch Stage Level 7 and late period Emperor Level cultivator stood no chance against a peak Emperor Level Martial Cultivator.    

And for those at the Early Period and Middle Stage of Emperor Level, it was even more out of the question.    

They decided to wait until the battle concluded before making any moves.    

Their attention returned to Guo Yunfan, who lay on the ground, his body drenched in blood.    

Yet, nobody approached him.    

Exchanging glances, they could each discern a different implication in the others' eyes.    

This situation was tricky to handle...    

High above,    

A colossal Flying Ship sailed across the sky,    

Casting a vast shadow on the ground below.    

This was the domain of the Elemental Spirit Sect, one of the six major powers on the Dongyuan Continent.    

Someone had the audacity to traverse their airspace so brazenly.    

Did they not fear the Elemental Spirit Sect's wrath?    

The martial cultivators below watched with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.    

Feeling the ship's imposing aura, a shiver ran through them, and their eyes filled with awe.    

Even the angered Elemental Spirit Sect martial cultivators below dared not confront the ship; they could only suppress their fury and watch as it headed towards the sect's headquarters.    

After all, this was a High-grade Emperor Level Flying Ship.    

Such vessels were scarce, even for the Elemental Spirit Sect, and not to be deployed lightly.    

The presence aboard must be formidable indeed.    

They were out of their league.    

All they could do was wait and see how the Elemental Spirit Sect would respond.    

The path was clear.    

No one obstructed, nor did anyone dare to.    

Before long,    

The massive High-grade Emperor Level Flying Ship reached the airspace above the Elemental Spirit Sect.    

Lin Xuan stood on the deck, gazing down at the entire sect, his eyes gleaming subtly.    

The Elemental Spirit Sect now looked somewhat different from when he had departed.    

From his vantage point, he could take in the whole sect at a glance.    

It was enveloped by a dome resembling an inverted jade bowl.    

Lin Xuan recognized it as the protective shield formed by the Elemental Spirit Sect's defensive array upon activation.    

Clearly, Lin Xuan's behavior within the teleportation hall of the Elemental Spirit City had not gone unnoticed by the higher-ups of the Elemental Spirit Sect.    

This was to be expected.    

Lin Xuan had anticipated this reaction and remained unfazed.    

Beneath the expansive, jade bowl-like protective shield, a dense crowd of figures could be seen.    

It could be said that nearly 90% of the Elemental Spirit Sect's martial cultivators were assembled here.    

High above, near the pale green protective barrier, several individuals were suspended in the air.    

Lin Xuan didn't recognize most of them.    

Yet, he could surmise their general status.    

Their cultivation levels were nothing short of impressive.    

The least advanced among them was at the late period of the Martial Monarch Stage.    

The most formidable had reached the pinnacle of the Emperor Level.    

However, their visages were marked by age, their hair white, and their auras could not fully mask the signs of their waning years. They were no longer at their prime.    

Chapter 12 – The Elemental Spirit Sect's Top Three Experts