Chapter Fourteen: The Grotto of Inheritance

The endless demonic energy painted the heavens and earth in shades of gray. Though the Sword Sect of Divine Command did not possess the overwhelming sword intent capable of dispelling all traces of this miasma, the grand protective array of the sect kept the corruption at bay. Thus, not a single wisp of demonic energy penetrated the sky for a thousand miles.

At the very heart of this domain, four towering peaks rose, each crowned with one of the four main halls. Nestled at the center of these summits was a narrow, enigmatic valley—home to the sect's most sacred inheritance grotto.

The inheritance grotto was the foundation of the sect and was guarded with utmost vigilance by the four halls; outsiders could not hope to approach, let alone enter.

Xiao Cangtian was led by Covering Heaven’s Secret through mountain after mountain, finally descending into a secluded valley. As they landed, several disciples of profound cultivation approached and saluted, “Greetings, Elder Secret.” Covering Heaven’s Secret nodded and ushered his curious disciple inside.

At the entrance to the valley stood a grand stone stele, upon which was inscribed: “Forbidden Ground. Death to Trespassers.”

Within the valley, thanks to his formidable spiritual strength, Nuotian could sense the lurking dangers beneath the calm surface. As soon as they crossed the threshold, several spiritual probes swept over him—powers akin to his own, sparing not even his master.

“Don’t be alarmed,” said Covering Heaven’s Secret, noting his disciple’s wary glances. “Those are the guardians of this place—elders, each one. Their sole task is to protect this ground. Even as my disciple, you count as a core member, but entry to the inheritance grotto requires the approval of several elders. I’ll take you to meet them now; they are already waiting.”

Without waiting for further questions, he hoisted Nuotian by the arm and flew deeper into the valley.

Soon, they arrived before a humble thatched cottage. Though they had yet to enter, Nuotian could already sense the formidable presences within. His master strode inside alone, still clutching his wine jug.

As Nuotian entered, he immediately felt several powerful wills focus on him. His master, unbothered, settled into an armchair near the door, drinking in silence.

Nuotian’s eyes were quickly drawn to the man seated at the head of the room. Dressed in white brocade with a golden dragon-embroidered belt, his black hair draped casually over his shoulders. Though his face was that of a mature man in his prime, his demeanor was approachable and gentle. Nearby sat another man, whose gloomy gaze, black hempen robe, and jagged scar etched across his face radiated a chilling aura of killing intent.

The rest were elderly—five men and three women—each with hair like snow, faces impassive and eyes closed, seemingly lost in cultivation.

The man in white rose and approached Nuotian. Without waiting for permission, he seized Nuotian’s wrist and sent a current of true energy into his meridians, inspecting his dantian. Throughout the examination, the man’s expression did not change.

“Secret, you approve?” he asked, turning to Covering Heaven’s Secret, who nodded. “Very well, we grant him access to the inheritance grotto.”

At this, Covering Heaven’s Secret rose. “Come, little one. Let us go.” Nuotian bowed deeply. “Your junior takes his leave!” With that, he departed.

As the pair left, the elders who had feigned indifference opened their eyes. One old woman spoke: “Chief, what do you make of this youngster?”

The man in white surveyed the room and sighed. “We must concede, my junior’s judgment is uncanny. He has found another gem for our sect.”

Hearing this, the black-robed man snorted. “Hmph, is this boy truly another prodigy?”

“If nurtured well, he could become the next Feihong,” the white-robed man said, after careful thought.

At these words, the elders were all taken aback.

As they walked, Covering Heaven’s Secret suddenly asked, “Don’t you have any questions, little one?”

Nuotian pouted. “What’s there to ask? You’re only the head of one hall, not the Supreme Chief. If any disciple could just walk into the inheritance grotto, the place would have been overrun long ago. All you had to do was introduce me to those big shots. I suppose those old folks are the strongest in the sect. But I do have one question.”

Covering Heaven’s Secret chuckled inwardly at his disciple’s perceptiveness, but was surprised that the boy still had doubts. “What is it?”

“I’m guessing that white-robed man is the Supreme Chief, the White Dragon Sovereign, right?” Covering Heaven’s Secret nodded. “That’s correct. He is our Supreme Chief, the White Dragon.”

“What puzzles me is, if you’re fellow disciples and he’s your senior brother, why does he look like a man in his prime, while you look so ancient?” Nuotian widened his eyes, making his curiosity obvious.

Covering Heaven’s Secret sighed. “My senior brother cultivates the sect’s supreme manual. Not only does it grant immense power, but it also slows aging.”

“What kind of manual is it?” Now Nuotian was truly intrigued.

Seeing through his disciple’s intentions, Covering Heaven’s Secret warned, “Don’t get your hopes up. That manual is said to be the most wondrous in the sect, yet in ten thousand years only my senior brother has cultivated it. Even after nearly five centuries, he has yet to unravel its deepest secrets. You, little one, should not dream too big. Once inside the inheritance grotto, everything depends on fate. If you obtain a top-level technique, consider yourself fortunate.”

By the time he finished, they stood before a cave mouth, luminous arrays shrouding the entrance in shifting light.

“Here is the inheritance grotto. It may seem like a simple cave, but once inside, you’ll find another world. Just sit and meditate; the rest depends on your fortune. Do not force it,” Covering Heaven’s Secret instructed.

Nuotian nodded and stepped through the shimmering barrier. As he entered, two figures appeared at the mouth of the cave.

“Junior brother, which manual do you think your disciple will obtain this time?” asked the White Dragon Sovereign.

“Even I cannot tell,” Covering Heaven’s Secret replied, taking a swig of wine.

The White Dragon was surprised. Hidden Dragon, who stood nearby, couldn’t help but ask, “Drunkard, aren’t you supposed to be infallible? How come you can’t predict it this time?”

“I tried everything I know, but all I got was four words,” Covering Heaven’s Secret said dejectedly.

“What four words?” Hidden Dragon pressed.

Covering Heaven’s Secret hesitated, then replied, “Fate cannot be foretold.”

The White Dragon silently pondered those words. If even his junior brother could not divine this fate, then no one on this continent could. Still, he harbored no doubts—his junior brother had never failed the sect in times of crisis, and their master would not have entrusted him with the Divine Dragon Hall otherwise.

As Nuotian stepped into the array, the scene changed abruptly. Gone was the cave mouth; before him lay a vast, boundless expanse of white, brimming with the primal energies of heaven and earth—a perfect place to cultivate.

Surveying the endless white, Nuotian decided to follow his master’s instructions and sat in the center. Sensing the dense spiritual energy, he wasted no time and entered into meditation.

Time slipped by as torrents of energy surged into his body. With a sound like thunder, his dantian expanded and his true energy condensed further. Nuotian had broken through to the late Human Hero stage. Opening his eyes, he realized he had advanced, but felt somewhat aggrieved—he had come to seek a new cultivation method, yet after all this time, not even a basic technique had appeared.

Nevertheless, he did not lose heart. With the Dragon Path that Senior Xiao Cangtian had bestowed upon him, he was not about to give up. Sensing the abundance of energy, he resolved to continue meditating, merging his spirit into his brow.

As Nuotian entered his spiritual world, he was shocked. The Dragon Path, a legacy from Senior Xiao Cangtian, had always existed in his mind as a single book. Now, beside it, another manual had appeared.

When had this happened? Could this be the fortune awaiting him in the inheritance grotto?

Nuotian focused his consciousness on the newly appeared manual. Two golden words shone on its cover: Dragon Code.

Nuotian was stunned within his spiritual world, unaware that outside, the three giants were equally shocked.

Nuotian had been inside for a long time. According to the rules, once a cultivator entered, a technique would appear within half a moment; upon receiving it, they would be ejected immediately. The entire process never exceeded the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

Yet Nuotian had lingered far longer, to the elders’ amazement—but the true shock came when the mysterious treasure mirror in the White Dragon Sovereign’s hand revealed two words: Dragon Code.

At this, the three giants were utterly astounded.