Chapter 733: with translation of chapter title

733. Chapter 731 Demonic Qi Spreads Everywhere

Su Liyan's brows also knit tightly, "If it's true, we must quickly expose their identities and protect the sect."

After exchanging a few words in tacit understanding, they decided to act low-key during the assessment to avoid being discovered.

They aimed to secure victory when entering the ancient ruins, and seek an opportunity to carry out the plan to destroy the Xueying Sect.

The exploration mission was about to begin, and Lu Yuan felt his heart grow much calmer.

He gripped the Heavenly Gang Thunder Fire Sword tightly, preparing to face the impending challenge.

Lu Yuan entered the ritual hall, nervously undergoing the assessment by the Nascent Soul Stage elders.

He saw many companions undergoing the ancient bronze mirror's examination; their faces showed a faint red glow, indicating trace amounts of demonic qi within their bodies.

This made Lu Yuan feel worried and confused, knowing that demonic qi could cause cultivation power to spiral out of control, or even be exploited by evil forces.

He began to suspect whether someone inside the Lei Huo Dan Ge was colluding with the Xueying Sect.

At that moment, a sound transmission talisman flew to Lu Yuan's face.

He opened the sound transmission talisman and saw inside an urgent summons notice, sent by one of the Nascent Soul Stage elders.

The puzzled Lu Yuan hurriedly left the ritual hall and headed to the Nascent Soul Stage elder's residence.

Arriving at the door of the Nascent Soul Stage elder's residence, Lu Yuan knocked.

The door slowly opened, revealing an old man wearing a bamboo hat standing at the doorway.

"Sect Master Lu, please come in," the old man said.

Lu Yuan entered the Nascent Soul Stage elder's secret chamber.

The place was dim and secluded, exuding a mysterious atmosphere.

"Sect Master Lu, you passed the ancient bronze mirror's examination, but we discovered that almost all Foundation Establishment disciples are showing demonic qi."

The old man spoke.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan became even more puzzled and asked, "Elder, may I ask why is this?"

"This is a mystery."

The old man furrowed his brows, saying, "According to our observations, the demonic qi does not come from individual disciples, but is concentrated throughout the entire sect."

Lu Yuan's heart tightened; he increasingly felt that something was amiss.

He decided to stay low-key and halt his previous operation to hunt down hidden demonic cultivators.

The internal situation of the sect had become complicated, and he needed to understand it more deeply.

Just as Lu Yuan was pondering, he suddenly realized he had not yet found his identity token.

He began searching the room.

After several searches, Lu Yuan finally discovered the identity token hidden behind a secret manual on the bookshelf.

He held the identity token in his hand and examined it closely.

Lu Yuan closed his eyes and sat quietly in his quarters.

He recalled yesterday's assessment, and a sense of guilt and worry welled up in his heart.

Although he passed the ancient bronze mirror's examination, the other Foundation Establishment disciples all showed demonic qi, making him suspect whether someone within the sect was colluding with the Xueying Sect.

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, decided to focus on sword cultivation, and planned to learn a special sword technique—the Formation Sword Technique.

Although higher-level sword techniques were available, Lu Yuan valued the Formation Sword Technique's growth potential and adaptability.

This sword technique requires mastery of formations and artifact forging, and involves crafting magical treasures and using various attribute swords.

Lu Yuan intended to start from basic sword practice and gradually learn other skills.

He turned and walked toward the bookshelf, noticing that he still had not found the identity token.

Lu Yuan began searching the bookshelf meticulously, hoping to find the token's true hiding place.

After a search, he finally discovered that the identity token was actually hidden behind a secret manual.

Lu Yuan picked up the identity token and carefully examined its patterns and inscriptions.

This token represents his status as Sect Master of the Lei Huo Dan Ge, and is an essential credential for him to enter important occasions within the sect.

He realized that the sect's internal situation had become complicated, and he needed to understand it more deeply.

Just as Lu Yuan was pondering, he suddenly heard urgent knocking from outside.

He pushed open the study's door and saw Su Liyan anxiously standing outside.

"Sect Master Lu, I just saw Senior Sister Zi Xi'er leave the dormitory alone, as if she were going to see the Nascent Soul Stage elder."

"What's going on?" Su Liyan said, her face showing a hint of worry.

Lu Yuan furrowed his brows, not expecting Zi Xi'er to actually go see the Nascent Soul Stage elder.

He knew that Zi Xi'er's pretend marriage with him had already drawn much attention, but he did not know why she wanted to meet the Nascent Soul Stage elder.

"Miss Su Liyan, please go rest first."

"I will contact Senior Sister Zi Xi'er to see if she has any special circumstances," Lu Yuan told Su Liyan.

Su Liyan nodded, reluctantly leaving.

Lu Yuan closed the door, picked up the sound transmission talisman to try contacting Zi Xi'er, but found it had no response.

He began to grow increasingly worried.

Soon after, Lu Yuan hurried out of his quarters and rushed to the Nascent Soul Stage elder's residence.

He had a strong premonition that Zi Xi'er might have fallen into danger.

When he arrived at the Nascent Soul Stage elder's residence door, he saw the door slowly open, with an old man wearing a bamboo hat standing at the doorway.

"Sect Master Lu, please come in," the old man said.

Lu Yuan entered the Nascent Soul Stage elder's secret chamber; the place was dim and secluded, exuding a mysterious atmosphere.

"Sect Master Lu, you have finally arrived."

The Nascent Soul Stage elder said in a solemn tone.

Lu Yuan nervously asked, "Elder, is Sister Zi Xi'er here?"

"I've tried contacting her, but there's no response."

The Nascent Soul Stage elder glanced at Lu Yuan and said in a deep voice, "Zi Xi'er left the dormitory last night and hasn't returned; we can't find any trace of her."

"Recently, internal changes in the sect have been complex; we suspect someone is colluding with the Xueying Sect—you must act cautiously."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan's heart burned with anxiety.

He decided to stop hiding his identity and to uncover the truth for Zi Xi'er and the entire sect.

"Elder, please tell me everything about the Xueying Sect and those colluding with it," Lu Yuan said.

The Nascent Soul Stage elder gave Lu Yuan a deep look, sensing his inner resolve and determination.

"Alright, I'll tell you some news."

"But you must remember, this matter is of great importance and extremely dangerous."

The Nascent Soul Stage elder said in a stern tone.

Lu Yuan nodded to show his acceptance and began to listen carefully to everything the Nascent Soul Stage elder said.

As he gradually understood the full story of the incident, strong anger and determination rose within him.

"I will never let the Xueying Sect succeed!"

"I will clear my companions' names and seek justice for Sister Zi Xi'er!"

Lu Yuan clenched his fists, determined to defeat the Xueying Sect.

The Nascent Soul Stage elder looked at Lu Yuan's resolute gaze and knew he had made up his mind.

"Sect Master Lu, you must act cautiously."

"The Xueying Sect is powerful; they won't let you off easily," the Nascent Soul Stage elder warned. (End of chapter)