Chapter 278 - 204: The Might of the Altar Master (Part 2)

Wu Qiaomei and the other Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators swallowed hard. Standing to the side, they kept their heads bowed, not daring to utter a single word.

They looked at Qin Xuan, who sat on the high seat with a wide smile on his face. They would sooner die than believe this was a coincidence.

’In the end, high cultivation is what matters. He’s not the man he once was. To be so thoroughly vindicated in just twenty short years... just thinking about it is exhilarating.’

Wu Qiaomei thought to herself.

However, for Wang Jian and Sunx Yuan, this scene was worse than death.

The pressure radiating from Qin Xuan’s Purple Mansion Realm felt like a colossal Demon Mountain, crushing them until they could barely breathe.

Shock, vexation, regret, fear, terror... a torrent of complex emotions surged through them.

Back then, Qin Xuan’s terrifying speed in achieving Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment within a single year had already shocked them, making them lament their own shortsightedness and stupidity.

Who could have known that now, after twenty years, Qin Xuan’s cultivation would have reached an even higher level, making him a Purple Mansion True Demon!

’Heavens, what a monster... an absolute monster...’

’When he was in the Qi Cultivation realm, I was at Foundation Establishment. When he reached Foundation Establishment, I was *still* at Foundation Establishment... Now he’s become a Purple Mansion True Demon, and I’m still a fucking Foundation Establishment cultivator!’

Sunx Yuan cried endlessly in his heart. ’My whole fucking life of cultivation has gone to the dogs!’

Wang Jian was even more terrified than Sunx Yuan.

Although he had sent a gift when Qin Xuan reached Foundation Establishment, who knew if Qin Xuan would decide to settle old scores...

If that happened, all his years of effort would go down the drain. Having his body destroyed and his dao obliterated would be getting off easy.

’He wouldn’t make me sign a Yin Yang Contract, would he? A loan with compounding interest that I couldn’t repay in nine lifetimes...’

Wang Jian’s heart turned to ash. In an instant, dozens of ways he could die flashed through his mind.

A faint smile played on Qin Xuan’s lips, his gaze calm.

His gaze swept over the humble, fawning figures of his old acquaintances below, and he slowly shook his head.

He suddenly felt there was no point in killing them.

The most satisfying thing, in fact, would be to let them live and have them serve him well.

"Steward Wang, Elder Sunx, the past is like smoke. I am establishing my altar and am in dire need of talent. Since you have passed the assessment, you are now people of my Huaizhong Altar. I can let all past matters go."

Qin Xuan spoke slowly. His voice wasn’t loud, yet it entered every person’s ears with perfect clarity.

Hearing this, Wang Jian and Sunx Yuan felt as if they were listening to heavenly music. They let out a long breath of relief and immediately kowtowed.

"Thank you for sparing our lives, Altar Master! Your magnanimity is boundless! We are willing to die for you!"

"However, from this day forward, you must be absolutely loyal and perform your duties to the best of your ability. If you show any signs of disloyalty, or pretend to obey while secretly defying me... my Huaizhong Altar’s Ten Thousand Souls Banner happens to be lacking a few Foundation Establishment primary souls for decoration."

"We shall obey the Altar Master’s decree!"

Wang Jian, Sunx Yuan, and the others trembled, burying their heads even lower as they answered in unison.

At that moment, however, a telepathic message from Zhao Youliang suddenly sounded in both their minds.

"Heh heh heh... Steward Wang, Elder Sunx. Master Qin stands on high and sees the bigger picture. He’s magnanimous. To him, past grievances are just clouds in the wind."

"But me? I can’t be like that. Ever since I possessed this Monkey Demon, I’ve become as petty as a pinprick. Heh heh heh... you two have a real treat coming your way."

Zhao Youliang laughed viciously.

Wang Jian was scared out of his wits.

Sunx Yuan was so frightened he wet his pants.

Qin Xuan watched with a smile as Zhao Youliang dragged the two men away. He didn’t intervene, finding the whole thing rather amusing.

Power truly is intoxicating.

...

「In a Demon Disciple Dormitory in the Outer Sect.」

Duan Ning lay paralyzed in his Cave Mansion as a Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer Demon Cultivator sneered, "Instructor Duan, to think you’d see a day like this. Now die!"

Duan Ning struggled to open his eyes. Scenes from his past flashed before them like a revolving lantern.

In over twenty years of memories from this life, the ones that left the deepest impression were the years he had spent as a Steward under Qin Xuan.

’Master Qin... if only you hadn’t perished at the East Sea Dragon Palace...’

After Qin Xuan had entered the Star Ruins, Heart Rot Valley was seized by Lv Hexsong and his Demon Cultivators.

He, a mighty Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment cultivator, had most of his Foundation Establishment Cultivation crippled and was demoted to the Outer Sect as a mere Instructor.

Duan Ning had been overjoyed when he heard of Qin Xuan’s safe return, but the very next day, news came that Qin Xuan had departed for the East Sea Dragon Palace.

After that, there was no news of Qin Xuan, and Duan Ning’s own situation deteriorated daily.

Now, he had fallen so low that he’d failed an ambush on a mere Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer Demon Cultivator. A master capsizing in a ditch, his life was about to end.

’In my next life, I doubt I’ll be able to awaken my Innate Wisdom and return to the Purple Mansion Realm...’

On the verge of death, Duan Ning closed his eyes in despair.

Yet at that very moment, in the nick of time, the distinct sound of a sword sinking into flesh reached his ears.

SQUELCH!

The Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer Demon Cultivator let out a piercing shriek, drew his last breath, and died.

A spray of warm blood spattered across his face.

A woman’s voice, like a sound from the heavens, rang out. "Junior Brother Duan, you have suffered!"

Dazed, Duan Ning opened his eyes to see a strikingly beautiful Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator standing before him, her figure graceful and voluptuous.

"I am Wu Qiaomei, Vice Chief Incense Master of the Purple Extreme Yin Altar, the third branch of the Huaizhong Altar. By order of Master Qin, I have come to recall the former members of Heart Rot Valley. Junior Brother Duan, your days of suffering are over!"

"S-Senior Sister... what are you saying?"

Hearing this, Duan Ning’s lips began to tremble. The excitement in his heart was like an erupting volcano. Fat tears streamed down his cheeks, though he was completely unaware.

An excited flush appeared on Duan Ning’s face. "Master Qin... he’s not only alive, but he’s been promoted to Altar Master?"

"That’s right, Junior Brother Duan. You are the very first person Master Qin ordered me to recruit. After you, it’s Junior Brother Tan Fu, and then Junior Brother Yu Qi..."

"Every former member of Heart Rot Valley will be promoted three ranks and officially integrated into the Huaizhong Altar!"