Chapter Thirty-Three: Chosen by the Heavens

With a furious curse, Master Liuguang silenced the bickering voices in the space. Everyone turned to look at him, uncertain what he was up to this time.

His gaze swept over the crowd before settling back on Master Xiaoyao. With difficulty, Liuguang spoke, “What would you think if I told you that two months ago, the Pure Yang Alarm Bell also sent me a warning?”

Xiaoyao was stunned at first. “What do you mean?” Then, as understanding dawned, he exclaimed in horror, “How could you possibly conceal such a thing!”

Regardless of allegiance, the others all glared at Master Liuguang with anger.

He replied awkwardly, “I did follow the Bell’s guidance to investigate, but found nothing amiss, so I didn’t trouble you all.”

Seeing their displeasure, he tried to laugh it off. “I think everyone’s just too sensitive. Perhaps it’s all just coincidence.”

“No matter what, the Pure Yang Alarm Bell and the Book of Freedom are both part of ‘It.’ If only one gave a warning, it could be coincidence; but both at once—can you really call that coincidence?” Ancestor Youqing could barely restrain himself from striking the muddle-headed fool before him. Holding back, he said, “We’re not here to blame anyone. We just want to know what message the Bell gave you.”

Before Liuguang could answer, Xiaoyao interjected, “The Book of Freedom sent me a very vague message. It feels like something extraordinary is about to emerge.”

“My information was similar. The spirit of the Bell was afraid of that thing. The Bell pointed out its location, but nothing was to be found there,” Liuguang said.

The crowd remained silent, still staring at him.

He realized instantly they doubted him, so he raised his hand and swore, “If I, Liuguang, speak false today about the Bell’s warning, may I suffer a calamity of wind and fire!”

“There, now you believe me!” he declared.

Everyone nodded.

The Lord of Immortal Town, Mo Di, asked, “Did you break through space to investigate?”

Liuguang replied, “Of course I did. Do I seem negligent? That place is within the Pure Yang Mountains—how could I take it lightly? Not only did I break through space, I even probed the river of time, but found not a single clue.”

“That’s strange. The Pure Yang Alarm Bell shouldn’t make mistakes—so where did things go wrong? Wait... you said you entered the river of time? How is that possible? When did you attain the True Immortal Realm?” Youqing pointed at Liuguang, disbelief thick in his voice.

“I’m still far from the True Immortal Realm. I simply borrowed the Bell’s power. Why are you so excited?”

Liuguang scratched his chin, saying, “Now that I think about it, something seems off. By the way, Xiaoyao, did you bring the Book of Freedom? Perhaps if the Bell and Book are reunited, we’ll discover something.”

“The Book acknowledged me as its master, so I always carry it. But I don’t trust you,” Xiaoyao replied, flipping his sleeve to reveal a blue volume.

Liuguang recited an incantation, and at once a bronze ancient bell appeared, floating before him.

The others watched the two artifacts with curiosity.

The Pure Yang Alarm Bell and the Book of Freedom are divine items that appeared at the dawn of the Celestial Profound World. They were originally one, but for unknown reasons separated, transforming into a bell and book.

The Bell first gained sentience, calling itself the “Alarm Bell,” an all-purpose supreme celestial artifact capable of attack, defense, and divining fortune and misfortune. It contains Pure Yang True Fire, hence its name. The founder of Pure Yang Temple was recognized by the Bell, founding the sect upon it, and the Pure Yang Mountains were named after it.

The Book gained sentience later, calling itself the “Book of Freedom.” It can alter fate, temperament, and innate talent—not suited for combat or defense, but still a supreme artifact. It was the ancestral treasure of the ancient Tianyuan Sect, which was stolen by the founder of the Way of Freedom. Ten thousand years ago, Tianyuan Sect’s last disciple perished, and the Way of Freedom’s founder established his sect. Two hundred years ago, the Book passed into Xiaoyao’s hands.

Though both the Bell and Book were unparalleled, each had flaws; for example, in this warning, neither gave a clear answer.

But when united, they compensate for each other’s weaknesses, becoming the most miraculous treasure in the Celestial Profound World.

Judging by Liuguang and Xiaoyao’s actions, they intended to merge the two supreme artifacts.

Except for Master Tianmu, who had lived long enough, none of the others had ever seen the two artifacts united, and a nervous tension filled the air.

Liuguang said, “The old rules, right? Can’t people just trust one another?”

Xiaoyao shook his head. “I can trust anyone—except you, Liuguang. When I first gained the Book, you nearly tricked me out of it. I have to be cautious.”

Liuguang pouted, “That was your own foolishness, not mine!”

Seeing the sour looks on everyone’s faces, he dared not delay further. “Fine, I know the drill—a vow it is!”

He made another oath, swearing never to covet the Book of Freedom.

With the oath’s light descending, Xiaoyao finally handed the Book to Liuguang.

Liuguang took the Book, inverted the Pure Yang Bell, and placed the Book within.

Moments later, the Book transformed into a pendulum, and the Bell flipped upright. The pendulum struck the bell’s interior. A heavy chime echoed, reverberating through the space.

“Dong!”

“Dong!”

“Dong!”

After three chimes, the space was filled with visible cracks.

These spatial fissures shifted positions, and after two breaths, countless cracks converged, forming a passage of text:

A Sacred Artifact of Merit emerges, yet unclaimed; the selection of Heaven begins.

The Pure Yang Mountains open their trial grounds; those under a hundred years may enter. Transgressors face Heaven’s wrath.

The Sacred Artifact’s master will be hidden, emerging only in great calamity.

The master of the Sacred Artifact cannot be slain or destroyed; the Artifact will not fall into the cycle of reincarnation nor touch cause and effect.

All beings have their place; desire severs the path of life. You must know yourself, follow Heaven’s selection, and do not say you were not forewarned!

As the crowd read the message, the words began to fragment, vanishing in an instant.

A flash of white light, and the Bell and Book separated.

When the glow faded, everyone was astonished to see a swarm of figures filling the space.

Looking closely, they recognized familiar faces, though these people seemed to be in a state of suspended animation, floating like statues.

Most were disciples, elders, and stewards of Pure Yang Temple, along with disciples from other righteous sects, and many strangers of unknown origin.

Liuguang sensed the space—there were six or seven thousand people present.

“What’s going on?” asked Qiu Wanli, head of the East Sea Sect, and Master Lieyang of the Sacred Land of Zhengyang, voicing the question in every leader’s heart...