Chapter 43: Traces of the Demonic Cult

"Senior Brother, if it were only this, you certainly would not be so serious. You should explain it to us in more detail."

Everyone looked toward Daoxuan, and True Person Cangsong asked Daoxuan with a darkened expression.

"It is indeed not that simple."

Daoxuan Zhenren looked around at the several peak masters, then spoke slowly to everyone: "It is rumored that although the high-ranking figures of the Lianxue Hall were all slain by the swords of our righteous predecessors, the 'Wanfu Ancient Cave' still remains. Hidden within it is a secret treasure vault containing countless rare treasures and evil scrolls that have yet to be discovered."

"Regardless of whether this rumor is true, according to what I know, these Demonic Cult followers are wandering about as if plotting something. They have gathered several times at the 'Wanfu Ancient Cave' searching for something; it is possible that what they are seeking is the legendary 'Blood-Devouring Bead'."

Hearing this, True Person Cangsong was momentarily surprised and puzzled, but then recovered. He stared at Daoxuan Zhenren and asked: "But didn't this demonic object disappear after the Black Heart Elder died?"

"Not necessarily. Although the Black Heart Elder was slain by our righteous predecessors, the 'Blood-Devouring Bead' may not have been buried in this world; after all, we have never seen it."

"To prevent trouble before it happens, we cannot just stand by and watch. If we truly let these Demonic Cult followers find the 'Blood-Devouring Bead', it will inevitably cause a great catastrophe for our righteous path."

Hearing this, the group of peak masters also felt a jolt. Tian Buyi, who had recently suffered a setback at the hands of the Demonic Cult, sneered: "These evil heretics, what wishful thinking!"

After hearing these words from Daoxuan Zhenren, everyone was silent for a long time, each lost in thought. After a while, the cold Shuiyue Dashi was the first to speak and ask: "What is the Sect Leader's intention?"

"After receiving Yicai's letter, I immediately sent word to the Incense Valley and the Tianyin Temple. Both sects are also extremely concerned about this matter. They sent word to me saying they will send their own outstanding disciples to Kongsang Mountain to stop the Demonic Cult followers, eradicate the evil, and restore peace to the world."

Daoxuan Zhenren said to everyone.

"Then does the Sect Leader intend for us to also send disciples to go along?"

Hearing Daoxuan Zhenren say this, the group of peak masters understood. Tian Buyi frowned and asked immediately.

"Correct!"

Daoxuan Zhenren wore a faint smile on his face and said to everyone: "Speaking of which, the last trial at Jiuyin Mountain ended without success. This time is another excellent opportunity. From what you have seen during the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament these past few days, our Qingyun Sect is full of talent and flourishing, but most disciples have not experienced much tempering."

"Especially Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu under Junior Brother Cangsong, Su Zhangqing and Lu Xueqi under Junior Sister Shuiyue, as well as Junior Brother Tian's surprisingly silent Zhang Xiaofan, and disciples like Ceng Shushu—they are all brilliant talents of our Qingyun Sect."

"Therefore, I intend to take this opportunity to send the top thousand or so disciples from the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament to Kongsang Mountain. On one hand, it can stop the Demonic Cult's secret schemes, and on the other, it can temper them and broaden their horizons."

Having said this, Daoxuan Zhenren fixed his gaze solemnly upon Shuiyue Dashi.

He said to her with utmost seriousness: "Especially Zhangqing. This child's strange Thunder Technique today, breaking through several realms in succession, is something you all saw with your own eyes."

"It would not be an exaggeration for me to call him a genius unseen in ten thousand generations."

"If he is kept trapped in our Qingyun Sect, it will inevitably be the tragedy of Zhongyong. Letting him travel the world is like releasing a dragon back into the sea, letting him roam free to forge his own Way!"

Shuiyue knitted her brows.

She was clearly aware of Su Zhangqing's uniqueness.

But personally speaking, no matter how gifted Su Zhangqing was, he was still her disciple, and she cared for him deeply. To truly let Su Zhangqing face the Demonic Cult now, she still could not set her heart at ease.

"Junior Sister Shuiyue, you need not worry."

"Not to mention that other disciples will be going along on this trip, the strength and temperament of Su Zhangqing alone are enough to protect himself. Have you forgotten that the person who helped you at Jiuyin Mountain was very likely Zhangqing?"

"Not to mention that this child likes to hide his true ability; I fear that the strength he has displayed now is not even one-tenth of his true power." Hearing this, everyone felt a hidden sense of amazement.

"Moreover, I have heard that in the last hundred years, the Tianyin Temple and Incense Valley have produced many genius disciples. If we sit idly by, I fear the position of leader of the righteous path will have to be handed over to others."

"Su Zhangqing has shaken our Qingyun Sect once; he may well be able to shake the other righteous sects once as well. By then, the world will know that our Qingyun Sect has produced a genius unseen in ten thousand years!"

Daoxuan Zhenren continued to say to everyone.

They also highly agreed with this point of view.

"Very well, this matter is settled. Junior Sister Shuiyue, you may ask Zhangqing first to see if he is willing. I believe he can make his own decision."

With this final remark, the conclusion on how to handle the Demonic Cult matter was set.

After the peak masters left one by one, Daoxuan Zhenren, sitting alone in the great hall, revealed a proud smile and muttered to himself: "Hmph! Don't you all boast to me about how many brilliant disciples your sects have produced?"

"Now that our Qingyun Sect has produced a Su Zhangqing, this will let you realize the principle that there is always someone better, and a heaven beyond our own. All the proud talents will be nothing but commoners compared to Su Zhangqing."

"Hahaha!"

As he said this, bursts of laughter echoed through the magnificent hall.

On the other side, at the residence of Xiaozhu Peak.

Su Zhangqing was sitting cross-legged in meditation. The Thunder Emperor technique he had comprehended today governed the control of the thunder pool and was focused on slaughter; he intended to use these few days to comprehend it fully.

The final battle against Qi Hao was set for three days later, and today he had shone brilliantly and amazed everyone; the name Su Zhangqing would inevitably spread.

One could imagine how many troubles would follow.

He pondered silently that after this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, he must enter the Golden Core Realm as soon as possible, then find an opportunity to leave the mountain to temper himself and seek his own fortune in the mortal world.

Unexpectedly, Shuiyue knocked on his door.

"Zhangqing, have you gone to sleep yet?"

Su Zhangqing quickly stood up, opened the door for Shuiyue to enter, and asked politely: "Master, you have come to find me so late; is there something important?"

"There is indeed something important to discuss with you."

After Shuiyue found a chair and sat down, she slowly told Su Zhangqing about what the Sect Leader had just said to the peak masters in the great hall.

"Going to Kongsang Mountain for tempering?"

Su Zhangqing was immediately pleasantly surprised.

He had not expected that just as he was thinking of leaving the mountain, the sect already had plans. It was exactly what he wanted, so Su Zhangqing agreed without hesitation: "Master, I am willing to go!"

During the last trip to Jiuyin Mountain, he had only been focused on finding the Huanglan Narcissus to break through his realm and had not properly dealt with these Demonic Cult members.

(End of chapter)