Chapter 40: The Precious Treasure Selects Its Master

"What is it, Master?"

"Cui Cong's Dao Body has been invaded by demonic energy, and his Nascent Soul has also been corrupted by it. The Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect has sent a sound transmission, intending to hold the Southern Dao Sect accountable. Therefore, tell me in detail what happened at that time."

"Yes, Master."

Sheng Hong recounted everything from the moment they entered the island until they met Cui Cong, "At that time, the Demon Lord wanted to seal the island, and we were all anxious to leave. Junior Martial Uncle was about to advance, and although it was only to the Golden Core stage, I dared not presume, so I returned directly. I actually did not see what happened to Young Sect Master Cui. Perhaps I should go ask Ji Fu; she evacuated with them."

"In that case, take her with you to the Heavenly Sword Sect and explain it to them in person."

"This disciple will go at once."

After Sheng Hong left, Hua Qing stroked his beard and frowned slightly.

A female cultivator wearing a pale purple Dao Robe appeared beside him.

Seeing her, a faint smile appeared on Hua Qing's face, "Eighth Junior Sister has come out of seclusion."

"Mm, Eldest Senior Brother was just furrowing his brows; what happened?"

"Since the battle ten years ago when the Demon Lord ascended, many sects have suffered heavy losses. Our sect, because the abducted disciples were rescued by Junior Martial Sister, and because the Sect Master is about to undergo his tribulation, we did not send our elites to participate in this battle to ensure the Sect Master's successful tribulation."

"Could it be that someone is speculating maliciously?"

"Yes. Now there are many voices saying that our sect is secretly colluding with Mo Yu, which is why we released the abducted disciples. During the Spirit-Demon War, we did not send high-level inner sect cultivators, which led to their heavy losses."

"How unreasonable, who said that? I will go and tear their mouths apart!" Hua Yun was suddenly furious.

"Boom—" Thunderous sounds came from the direction of the Cangbaoge.

The two of them immediately stopped talking and went over at once.

Su Xi was lying on the ground, with a black mace flashing with lightning and thunder pressing on her back; the lightning light flickering upon it prevented the managing steward of the Cangbaoge from approaching.

Seeing that Hua Qing and Hua Yun had both arrived, he hurriedly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Greetings, Elder, Eighth Elder."

Hua Qing could not spare the time for pleasantries and was about to go over.

Hua Yun stopped him, "Wait, that Lightning Essence Mace does not look like it intends to harm Junior Martial Sister."

Afterwards, she looked at the managing steward.

The managing steward said, "The Young Sect Master was choosing a Dharma treasure. Just as she picked up that beautiful rainbow ribbon, the Lightning Essence Mace suddenly erupted with a very strong thunderous might, pinning the Young Sect Master to the ground."

"What is the origin of this old antique?" Hua Yun asked Hua Qing.

Hua Qing was not very clear either, "It has been a long time; it was already here when I entered the sect."

Su Xi was struggling on the ground, wanting to get up, "Eldest Senior Brother, Eighth Senior Sister, help me—"

"Choosing a Dharma treasure can also cause such a mess." Rong Shou was also attracted by the thunder.

"Sect Master." Hua Qing, Hua Yun, and the managing steward all bowed respectfully.

Rong Shou waved his hand, then looked at Hua Yun, "Lianxu Chushi Small Perfection, have you sensed the heavenly tribulation?"

"Yes, Sect Master," Hua Yun replied, "I should be undergoing the tribulation very soon."

"Master, have mercy, can we talk later." Su Xi raised her trembling hand; she was about to be crushed to death.

Rong Shou walked over, removed the mace from Su Xi's back, and then flicked the handle of the mace lightly; immediately, the body of the mace emitted a booming thunderous sound.

Su Xi rubbed her waist and stood up, "This thing attacked me."

"The Lightning Essence Mace is not attacking you." Rong Shou waved it casually, and the thunderous sound tore through space, creating a crack a finger wide.

Soon, the crack closed again.

Su Xi opened her mouth in shock, "It's that powerful?"

Rong Shou replied, "A mace is inherently a heavy weapon of slaughter. And this Lightning Essence Mace is rumored to have descended upon the Yunze Dalu along with heavenly thunder; to this day, no one has successfully claimed it as their own to unleash its true power."

"The more powerful a precious treasure is, the more it seeks its own master; it must have chosen Junior Martial Sister," Hua Qing said with a smile while stroking his beard.

Su Xi immediately denied it, "It didn't choose me; it wanted to kill me."

The body of the mace began to tremble lightly, as if it wanted to explain to Su Xi, but it had no mouth.

"Master, look, it's going to act again... no, wait, it's the mace." Su Xi held her waist, which still hurt.

Hua Yun pursed her lips and smiled, "Junior Martial Sister can subdue it. In the future, if you tell it to go east, it won't dare to go west. If you tell it to smash walnuts, it won't dare to smash stones."

Su Xi looked at the Lightning Essence Mace with disdain, "But it doesn't look good; it's all black and dull." As she spoke, her eyes looked toward the rainbow ribbon again.

As long as she could wrap it around herself, she could fly through the air; how immortal and beautiful that would be...

Rong Shou took the rainbow ribbon and hung it around her neck, "Is there anything else you like?"

"Yes!" Su Xi pointed to a snow-white jade hairpin, "I also want this jade hairpin defensive spirit treasure."

"Junior Martial Sister, this pair of red jade earrings is also quite nice." Hua Yun helped Su Xi choose.

"I want them, I want them, I like them." Su Xi collected them all.

Seeing this, Rong Shou could not be bothered to manage them.

He took a plain handkerchief from his Storage Ring, wiped the rust off the Lightning Essence Mace, and said to Hua Qing, "Is there anything going on in the sect?"

"I was just talking to Hua Yun about it; there are rumors outside that the Southern Dao Sect and Mo Yu are secretly colluding. The reason is that ten years ago, our sect did not suffer any losses from the Mo Yu side."

"Secretly colluding... Heh! Huayuan recognized a brother on the Great Evil Demon Path named Xie Guanyu," Rong Shou replied.

"Xie Guanyu? A brother?" Hua Qing did not react for a moment, but after remembering whose name this was, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

That really was a connection!

This matter had blown up, and what was fake had turned into reality.

"Even if she breaks her word, Xie Guanyu will not let her off," Rong Shou replied, "As for the rumors outside, there is no need to pay them any mind. Those whose hearts are not in cultivation will never amount to much. The most important thing right now is that Senior Brother Yuan Yu is about to come out of seclusion; prepare for the tribulation protection."

As he spoke, his gaze turned toward Su Xi.

Su Xi was holding a pile of boxes of various sizes in her arms, feeling extremely happy.

Hua Qing was shocked upon hearing this, "I will go and prepare at once."

He immediately went to the Zhanglao Ge and threw all the messy matters on hand to the outer sect to handle. He also sent a sound transmission to Sheng Hong—【If you haven't gone to the Heavenly Sword Sect yet, there is no need to go; come back to prepare for the tribulation protection.】

Sheng Hong, who had already arrived at the Waishiyuan of the Heavenly Sword Sect and was waiting to be received, looked at Ji Fu.

Ji Fu was silent for a moment, then compromised: "Let's go back, I will explain things to the Heavenly Sword Sect. But afterwards, you must spend three days with me! No refusing!"

"Mm! I'll listen to everything Ah Fu says," Sheng Hong laughed.

Ji Fu gave him a coquettish glare, "Hurry and go, or I'll regret it in a moment."

Sheng Hong looked left and right, and seeing no one, he quickly kissed Ji Fu on the forehead, then left using Teleportation.

Ji Fu looked as if she had been struck by lightning; only after a good while did she slowly break into a smile, "The blockhead has finally blossomed~ It smells so sweet."

Su Xi gazed at the Tribulation Cloud rapidly gathering in the sky, eating a sweet spirit fruit, "Master, who is undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation? This formation is coming on fiercely!"

Rong Shou said: "Senior Brother Yuan Yu, you must call him Martial Uncle. To Master, he is both brother and father, a very important person."