Chapter 184: Humbly, the Holy Sect Governs the World Through People

At Dragon-Slaying Pass, Daoist Yinshan had already unleashed his full magic power.

Although Lu Yang's performance had been so conspicuous that few paid attention to his strength, this absolutely did not mean Daoist Yinshan's strength was weak.

At the very least, Lu Yang would never think so.

After all, before him, Daoist Yinshan was the subordinate Master Master Chongguang relied on most heavily, and with Master Master Chongguang's discerning eye, he would naturally not value a mediocrity.

"Boom!"

Another tremendous crash rang out as the black mountain peak smashed down; this time it had shrunk to the size of a washbasin, yet the weight within it had not changed in the slightest.

As one seal fell, Zhong Xin was forced to summon his own 【Official Position】 to resist, yet Daoist Yinshan's combat style was broad and sweeping, continuously slamming down with a black mountain seal, pushing the technique of altering size at will to its extreme; at times it pressed down like Mount Tai, at other times it pierced through surfaces with a single point, making it difficult to deal with.

Meanwhile, two more streams of brilliant light rose from within Dragon-Slaying Pass.

When the light dissipated, the two revealed their true forms: none other than True Person Wuxing and Boy Duobao, though at this moment their faces were filled with solemnity.

"Did he come? Could he be lying in ambush for us?"

For a moment, neither dared to go aid Zhong Xin, instead hiding within the arrays of Dragon-Slaying Pass, cautiously scanning every inch of the space outside.

There was no choice; they were truly terrified.

With the precedent of Old Man Fishing Dragon before them, how could they still trust their spiritual sense, fearing that Lu Yang might suddenly leap out from the void and kill them?

Seeing this scene, Daoist Yinshan immediately shook his head with a wry smile, while Zhong Xin looked utterly helpless and hurriedly transmitted his voice: "Two seniors, please come quickly and assist me!"

Since Zhong Xin had spoken thus, True Person Wuxing and Boy Duobao could only grit their teeth, take out all their protective magic treasures, and charge out; immediately after, two more streams of brilliant light flew forth from nowhere, intercepting the pair mid-air, revealing themselves to be Han Xiang and the valiant woman Yu Chan, who were fighting alongside Daoist Yinshan in this campaign.

"It seems he really isn't here!"

Although the two were also at the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment, forming formidable opponents for True Person Wuxing and Boy Duobao, the latter two suddenly displayed expressions of relief.

"That fierce demon doesn't seem to be present!"

For them, the shock of Lu Yang slaying Old Man Fishing Dragon with a single sword strike was simply too great; even while in closed-door cultivation to regulate their breath, they could not help but recall the scene from that day.

Now that Lu Yang was absent, the two immediately perked up again.

Soon, six True Persons at the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment were engaged in paired duels above Dragon-Slaying Pass, yet they remained deadlocked, unable to truly determine a victor.

Beyond this, True Persons from both sides at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment also appeared one after another.

Just over half an hour passed in this manner; just as True Person Wuxing and Boy Duobao were beginning to struggle to hold on, a sword light suddenly flared brightly in the distance.

"Zeng! Zeng!"

The sword hum was earth-shaking; wherever it passed, sword intent erupted, sending a bone-chilling cold through everyone, while the sword edge, neither deviating left nor right, pointed straight at Daoist Yinshan at the very top!

"A fellow Daoist from Upper Profound Sword Sect has arrived!"

Seeing this, True Person Wuxing was overjoyed: "A sword cultivator at the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment possessing sword intent; this must be the Master of the Profound Iron Sword. This person is sufficient to break the deadlock!"

With six True Persons at the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment locked in mutual slaughter, now that their side had gained an additional member, they could naturally gain the upper hand.

Zhong Xin also revealed a faint smile upon seeing this.

On the other side, Daoist Yinshan frowned slightly but did not hesitate; waving his large hand, he ordered an active withdrawal from Dragon-Slaying Pass before the sword light even arrived.

This retreat immediately sparked confusion among many.

"Fellow Daoist Yinshan..."

Outside Dragon-Slaying Pass, Han Xiang was the first to approach, speaking softly: "Our side has suffered heavy casualties this time; may I ask why fellow Daoist actively withdrew?"

"Fellow Daoist's Blood Filth Technique is indeed exquisite, but it can only be used temporarily. We have paid such a heavy price to barely reduce the power of Dragon-Slaying Pass's arrays; however, if we give them time to catch their breath and adjust, allowing them to repair the arrays, then all these casualties will have been meaningless."

As soon as these words fell, Daoist Yinshan was stunned.

"Today was merely a test of strength to gauge the enemy's quality; we did not commit to a full-scale engagement, and not a single Foundation Establishment True Person has died. How can you claim heavy casualties?"

Speaking thus, a trace of coldness appeared in Daoist Yinshan's eyes:

"Or perhaps some True Persons are afraid to fight and no longer wish to exert themselves for the Holy Sect? Do not forget, in this great war, the True Lords are watching us from above!"

Deserting in the face of the enemy—do you wish to taste the Holy Sect's iron fist?

"This humble one was referring to the Qi Refining disciples."

Hearing this, Han Xiang also froze for a moment before hurriedly saying: "Although no True Persons have come to harm, many Qi Refining disciples have died; that is why this humble one came to inquire."

"What? Do Qi Refining disciples count as people?"

"..."

At these words, cold sweat instantly soaked Han Xiang's back; seeing Daoist Yinshan looking at her with equal bewilderment, she felt terrified yet helpless.

'Damn it, they say the Holy Sect treats people as mere materials, acting without any regard for what Qi Refining disciples think, readily using humans to refine treasures, create elixirs, and cultivate techniques. I thought that even if it wasn't rumor, there must be some exaggeration—but now it seems they've even beautified the reality! No wonder they are called the Jiangbei Demonic Sect!'

Thinking this, she hurriedly bowed and said:

"... his humble one misspoke."

Just then, the valiant woman named Yu Chan, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward and stated gravely: "Where is Yuan Tu? Where has he gone?"

Hearing this, Daoist Yinshan glanced at Yu Chan and said indifferently: "Fellow Daoist Yu Chan, this matter concerns the grand strategy of the Holy Sect and allows for no error. Now the True Lord is overlooking the entire battlefield; as humans act, heaven watches. Do not bring up those old grievances between your Zouyu descendants and the Dao Court again."

Yu Chan was a True Person within the Holy Sect and a descendant of the Zouyu.

Before this battle, she was the True Person the Holy Sect had arranged to monitor 【Qing Kingdom】, for as a descendant of the Zouyu, she shared a blood feud with the Dao Court.

However, things were different now.

This matter concerned Master Master Chongguang ascending to seek the Golden Rank; Daoist Yinshan would absolutely not allow a mere declined descendant of the Zouyu to attempt any petty maneuvers.

"I naturally understand this."

Yu Chan's expression remained unchanged as she continued: "It's just that in the situation just now, if Yuan Tu had acted, we would have had at least a seventy percent chance of breaking through Dragon-Slaying Pass."

"Dragon-Slaying Pass is not important."

Daoist Yinshan shook his head: "The Holy Sect has always governed the world through people; putting people first is the Holy Sect's philosophy. Dragon-Slaying Pass is merely a dead ground."

"What truly matters are the people guarding the pass."

"You just said yourself that if Yuan Tu were still here, there would be at least a seventy percent chance of breaking the pass; in other words, the current group of people is insufficient to hold it."

"The person truly capable of holding it has not yet arrived."

At these words, Yu Chan immediately showed an expression of surprise: "Fellow Daoist means... Upper Profound Sword Sect?"

Among the five major powers within 【Qing Kingdom】, Upper Profound Sword Sect stood at the head, solely because it had received funding from Jiangnan and had truly inherited a portion of sword cultivation techniques.

Furthermore, the sect master of Upper Profound Sword Sect, the current True Person Shangxuan, possessed a cultivation base at the peak of the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment; it was said that recently, with the support of Jiange, he had entered closed-door cultivation to prepare for breaking through to the Late Stage. Once he succeeded in breaking through, with a Great True Person personally stationed there, Dragon-Slaying Pass would immediately become impregnable.

"Correct; our task is merely to apply pressure and contain them."

Seeing her reaction, Daoist Yinshan nodded, and finally a slight curve lifted the corner of his mouth: "Yuan Tu has gone to deal with the person truly capable of holding Dragon-Slaying Pass."

(End of Chapter)