God of Pets Chapter 873: A Dilemma

Before departing the Ji Family's Great Cave Heaven, Chen Guan made a specific detour to the Tear Luo Desert. He visited Grand Saint Tai Hu and Tai Lian, bestowing upon them some Liquid Elemental Energy. He also urged them to dedicate themselves to their cultivation.

Both Grand Saint Tai Hu and Tai Lian were taken by surprise and filled with joy; this caliber of pure Liquid Elemental Energy was exceptionally beneficial for their advancement.

Upon exiting the Great Cave Heaven, Chen Guan journeyed back to his residence, commencing a period of secluded cultivation, cutting himself off from the external world.

Following his generous gift of Liquid Elemental Energy to Ji Nanhong, Chen Guan soon departed his home once more.

He presented Liquid Elemental Energy to Chen Xinghe and Chen Yulian, harboring the hope that it would aid Chen Xinghe in his recovery and empower Chen Yulian to achieve a higher cultivation level.

Chen Xinghe kept a portion for Chen Yulian's use, while returning his own share to Chen Guan.

"My body is beyond repair; even such a divine item offers little hope of restoration," Chen Xinghe remarked with a gentle smile. "I've experienced both the highs and lows of life. Now, my only desire is a peaceful existence. Even if my body were whole, these treasures would hold little meaning for me. You should keep them for yourself. With these divine-quality Liquid Elemental Energy, you can reach the Ninth Awakening more swiftly."

"Son, please keep it for yourself. I have no intention of venturing into Secret Realms, so it would be of no use to me," Chen Yulian also wished to offer her share back to Chen Guan.

"Regardless of its immediate usefulness, you should hold onto it. I have an ample supply here, more than enough for my own needs," Chen Guan stated directly.

Chen Yulian attempted to voice further objections, but Chen Xinghe intervened with a smile, "What your son has given, accept it graciously."

"Very well, I shall keep it. You may take it whenever you need it," Chen Yulian conceded, beginning to put the items away.

However, Chen Xinghe stopped her once more, his tone firm. "Wife, these items are meant for use, not for storage. A simple family like ours is not meant to hoard such precious things."

With that, Chen Xinghe chuckled again. "What your son has so generously bestowed, enjoy it. It is time for us to revel in the blessings he provides."

Chen Yulian pondered his words for a moment and understood. She abandoned her intention to hoard, commencing the gradual use of the Liquid Elemental Energy while Chen Guan was home.

Chen Guan harbored a desire for Chen Xinghe's recovery, but Chen Xinghe's foundation had been irrevocably shattered, rendering any new cultivation impossible.

He had hoped for Chen Yulian to attain the level of a Ninth Awakening powerhouse, yet Chen Yulian lacked such ambition and was disinclined to pursue further advancement.

Chen Guan remained at home for a time before venturing alone to the Immortal Mountain Sect to pursue his cultivation.

Regrettably, the unique Secret Technique mastered by Ji Nanhong necessitated her continuous travels across the world for its advancement. Otherwise, Chen Guan would have dissuaded her from entering the Secret Realm and instead invited her to join him at the Immortal Mountain Sect.

Even with the abundant Primordial Energy available at the Immortal Mountain Sect, Chen Guan's progression in cultivation was not exceptionally rapid. Seven years elapsed swiftly.

During this seven-year period, Chen Guan learned the names of the four individuals: the woman was known as "Miao Shan," the gaunt man was "Gan Shan," the large-headed youth was "Duan Shan," and the stout man was "Kao Mountain."

Chen Guan suspected these were not their true names but rather titles or designations used within the Immortal Mountain Sect.

The stout man, Kao Mountain, held the position of senior among the four. The gaunt man, Gan Shan, was the second disciple, followed by the large-headed youth, Duan Shan, as the third disciple, and the woman, Miao Shan, was the youngest, referred to as the fourth junior sister.

Initially, Chen Guan was unsure if this was their original hierarchy or if, with the Immortal Mountain Sect dwindling to just these four disciples, they had reordered themselves.

After more than seven years of dedicated effort, Chen Guan finally reached level 80. He was now merely a step away from the final Secret Collection Awakening, which would pave the way for a successful Ninth Awakening.

However, the third Secret Collection proved to be the most challenging to awaken, demanding the totality of one's prior foundation, accumulated experience, and profound insights to even have a chance at awakening this ultimate Secret Collection.

Chen Guan had not yet attained this clarity. He felt a sense of liberation as he explored the summit of the colossal mountain.

Atop this immense mountain stood structures resembling palaces, testaments to the former resplendence of the Immortal Mountain Sect.

Nevertheless, the majority of these edifices lay in ruins, largely reduced to heaps of rubble.

This devastation was not a consequence of the mere passage of time. It was strikingly evident that these structures had been unnaturally damaged.

Numerous fragments of buildings bore marks as if violently rent by blades or axes, clearly indicating they had been sundered by an external force.

Chen Guan's thoughts immediately turned to Yu Guzi and the Jade Solitary Sword; this destruction might well have been their doing.

Proceeding onward, observing his surroundings, Chen Guan arrived at the mountain's peak, discovering only a scant number of intact buildings.

Yet, the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures flourishing on the mountaintop exhibited a vitality far exceeding that found on the other peaks.

Within a relatively intact side hall situated at the mountain’s summit, Chen Guan observed Miao Shan, Gan Shan, Kao Mountain, and Duan Shan gathered together.

It had been a few years since they ceased their surveillance of the Jade Solitary Sword.

Presently, the four individuals were engrossed in conversation, their faces etched with worry as they sat within the grand hall, discussing the current state of the Immortal Mountain Sect and their own precarious situation.

"The Primordial Energy within our Immortal Mountain Sect dwindles with each passing year. This year, a significant number of Primordial Energy sources have been exhausted, leaving the elemental energy pools devoid of liquid. The Primordial Energy Cloud Sea has thinned to the brink of disappearance. At this pace, continuing our cultivation here will become impossible," Duan Shan stated, his countenance shadowed by despair.

"The depletion of Primordial Energy within our Immortal Mountain Sect is undoubtedly linked to the Jade Solitary Sword. When Primordial Energy completely vanishes, that is when the Jade Solitary Sword will break free from its seal; we must take swift action," Gan Shan declared.

"The foundations of the Immortal Mountain Sect have already crumbled; what is there left to debate? Even if we could somehow prevent the Jade Solitary Sword from shattering its seal, this location will inevitably become unsuitable for our continued existence and cultivation," Miao Shan commented, her gaze drifting towards the once-dense clouds, now appearing thin and dispersed.

"What our fourth junior sister has said is accurate; it appears our sect is truly nearing its demise, no longer sustainable," Kao Mountain remarked with a deep sigh.

"If we are to abandon the sect, where else can we possibly go? The four of us possess limited strength; without the sect’s protection, we would undoubtedly be hunted by the Secret Spirits from the Celestial Secret Realm," Duan Shan expressed, his lip trembling slightly. "Have you forgotten our master’s words? Even with his formidable abilities, he could only contend with the weakest common Secret Spirit in the Celestial Secret Realm, and even then, the outcome was uncertain. With our meager skills, we would be easily vanquished by any ordinary Secret Spirit."

"I would not be so certain. We have spent years cultivating here and have experienced considerable growth in our power. While we may be weaker than the immensely powerful Sky Secret Spirits, ordinary ones might not necessarily be our match," Miao Shan countered.

"Fourth junior sister, regardless of our current strength, we are merely at the pinnacle of the Tenth Awakening. Master himself stated that even the lowest-ranking Secret Spirit in the Celestial Secret Realm is at the Tenth Awakening, with some reaching the Eleventh or even the Twelfth Awakening. We are in a completely different league; it is hardly a fair comparison."

Shaking his large head, Duan Shan continued, "That Yu Guzi, who appeared from an unknown origin, is already incredibly formidable, far surpassing our capabilities. Even our master could not withstand a single strike from his sword. This serves as a stark indicator of how truly terrifying the outer Secret Spirits are; venturing out would be a catastrophic mistake."

"How can we possibly continue cultivating if we remain confined here? Are we destined to stay forever at the peak of the Tenth Awakening?" Miao Shan scoffed, her tone sharp. "Even if we choose to stay, once the Jade Solitary Sword breaks free, it will show us no mercy."

Duan Shan fell silent once more, acknowledging the undeniable truth in Miao Shan’s words; their predicament was indeed a classic case of being trapped between a rock and a hard place.