60 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

"Master Kan!" As the female cultivator departed, the restrictions on everyone’s bodies automatically lifted. He Yu rushed toward Kan Lin, sobbing. While everyone else had suffered minor injuries—mostly burns—there were no major concerns, except Kan Lin remained unconscious and unresponsive. Qi Xiu and the others gathered around with concern. After Yu Denuo checked Kan Lin’s pulse, he commented, "His life isn’t in danger, but it's unusual for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to fall unconscious. I’m not sure what the exact issue is." Zhang Shishi offered, "I’ll go fetch Wang Guan." He prepared to set off immediately. "Wait!" Qi Xiu stopped him, looked around at everyone, and commanded sternly, "No one is to speak of today’s events to outsiders!" Turning to Zhang Shishi, Qi Xiu instructed, "When you meet Wang Guan, come up with a plausible excuse; don’t reveal the truth to him for now." Everyone understood the gravity of the situation and agreed promptly. After seeing Zhang Shishi off, the mortal servants outside the hall emerged from their hiding spots, assuming it had been a rain of fire from the sky. Qi Xiu didn’t clarify, allowing them to speculate, and simply ordered them to clear away the broken bricks and stones. He Yu took care of Kan Lin while Yu Denuo approached Qi Xiu and asked quietly, "Who was that just now?" Qi Xiu sighed, replying, "If our guess is correct, she is none other than Chu Hongshang, Old Ancestor of Southern Chu, who has greatly benefited our Chu Qin Sect." "A Nascent Soul’s wrath is truly terrifying..." Yu Denuo shuddered, still shaken. "I fear for Baishan’s well-being." "Not good!" Qi Xiu suddenly recalled something crucial. Hastily, he instructed Yu Denuo, "Quickly, gather all of Zhan Yuan and the others back immediately. Don’t leave anyone behind. Those books surely aren’t from official sect channels; they’re undoubtedly from our ghost market. I’m afraid Old Ancestor might hold them responsible." "I’ll go right away!" Yu Denuo realized the severity of the situation and agreed urgently, flying off toward the Black River Market with his sword. Before long, a confused Zhan Yuan and the others returned to the sect with him. Business was booming at the market, and Yu Denuo refused to explain the reason clearly, causing Zhan Yuan to be reluctant at first. However, Yu Denuo was insistent and dragged the three away, leaving them with no choice. "Master Qi, what... what happened here?" Upon seeing the ruins of the sect, with Qin Temple's roof blown off and several halls’ wooden structures charred and half-collapsed, Zhan Yuan was heartbroken. He approached Qi Xiu to inquire about the cause. "There’s trouble within the sect. Stay here for the time being and don’t go anywhere." Qi Xiu briefly recounted the matter with Chu Hongshang. Zhan Yuan clicked his tongue repeatedly in disbelief, feeling deeply unsettled. "These Baishan cultivators are daring beyond measure to write about such matters." "You’ve dealt with them often; be extra cautious. Investigate everything sold in the ghost market thoroughly; don’t let such things circulate from our end again," Qi Xiu warned. "Understood." Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Zhan Yuan promptly agreed and dutifully stayed within the sect. As they cleaned up the aftermath, they waited for news. A day and a half elapsed; regardless of whether Wang Guan could be found, Zhang Shishi should have returned by now, yet there was no word from him. Sensing something amiss, Qi Xiu was about to dispatch someone to check when several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Southern Chu Sect arrived. “Gong… gong, gong...” These unfamiliar cultivators loudly banged a large gong three times, each time shouting, “Listen up, everyone. Gather at the Black River Market for instructions.” “Are they going to annihilate us?” Qi Xiu’s vision darkened; he almost collapsed from the shock. Struggling to gather his strength, he questioned the reason for the summons. The response was vague; they were only instructed to gather all nearby cultivators at the Black River Market. Feeling somewhat relieved that their sect wasn’t singled out, Qi Xiu steadied himself. The Foundation Establishment cultivators urged them on insistently. With no choice, they left Kan Lin, still unconscious, in the sect. Every other member was forcibly herded onto the Southern Chu sect’s flying artifact, heading towards the Black River Market. Upon arrival, the market was teeming with people. Baishan cultivators, Beast Taming Sect cultivators, and even nearby Qi Yun cultivators were all guarded by fierce, high-ranking Southern Chu cultivators. Every corner of the market street and even the rooftops were packed with people, all with anxious expressions, uncertain of Southern Chu’s intention. “Shishi! Master Wang!” Qi Xiu spotted Zhang Shishi and Wang Guan standing dejectedly among the crowd and hurried over. They had been intercepted by Southern Chu cultivators on the way and brought here early on. Famed cultivators like Chu Youmin and Zhao Liande were also unceremoniously gathered, mingling within the crowd, visibly embarrassed. “Pay attention!” A Southern Chu Golden Core cultivator's voice boomed, silencing the entire market with his authority. Two cultivators marched out from a massive Southern Chu flying spirit shuttle, dragging a man in his forties with fair skin and thin lips, exuding a scholarly vibe. However, his face was pale, eyes shut tight, and his body was battered with no inch of unblemished skin. His clothes hung in tatters, barely covering him, as he was half-dragged, half-pulled forward. In the market’s center, a stone pillar had been erected without anyone noticing. The man was dragged to its base, and two cultivators each took a sharp iron chain, piercing it through his shoulders. “Ah!” The man awoke in agony, first screaming, then turning to dry wailing. Finally, as his shoulders were penetrated and he was firmly nailed to the pillar, he fell silent, fainting once more. “Listen closely, this Baishan cultivator, Bai Xiaosheng, dared to spread malicious tales about our Old Ancestor. He shall remain nailed here for eternity, suffering daily humiliation as a warning! Anyone who dares to follow in his footsteps, his fate today will be yours tomorrow!” The Southern Chu Golden Core cultivator’s shout reverberated, sending chills down the spines of the listeners. In that moment of fearful silence, the cultivator shouted again, “Chu Youguang, step forward!” An old man shuffled out from a corner, his robes dirtied at the knees; a vivid slap mark marred his face, a testament to his recent woes. The Golden Core cultivator continued, “You are here to oversee this man’s punishment daily, ensuring he doesn’t die. Understood?” “Yes, yes!” Chu Youguang dropped to his knees with a thud, eagerly agreeing. “Good, commence the punishment!” “Understood!” The old man stood, turning to glare daggers at Bai Xiaosheng as if he were his sworn enemy, his eyes bloodshot and face twisted in anger. From his storage pouch, he pulled a foot-long iron rod and began beating Bai Xiaosheng mercilessly, cursing with each stroke, “I told you to write! Aren’t you skilled at writing? Write! Write now!” Bai Xiaosheng, long unconscious, remained unresponsive despite the vicious beating, blood and broken teeth flowing incessantly. “That Bai Xiaosheng must be the infamous author Bai Xiaosheng…” Qi Xiu dared not speak, exchanging glances with Zhang Shishi and others. Though Bai Xiaosheng was indeed despicable, his fate was overwhelmingly tragic, quelling any enmity from within the Chu Qin sect members’ hearts. Once exhausted, Chu Youguang stopped, applying some wound-healing medicine to Bai Xiaosheng’s injuries and administered a pill. Slowly, Bai Xiaosheng’s wounds began healing, clearly indicating a plan to keep him alive in perpetual torment at the market’s heart. “All of you, take heed from this. Any offense against our Southern Chu will meet the same fate! Dismissed!” The Golden Core cultivator concluded, and the gathered cultivators hastened to leave, none daring to linger a moment longer. “Let’s go. Master Kan is still lying at home,” Qi Xiu said, inviting Wang Guan to leave with them. Together, they flew away from the blood-soaked Black River Market.