73 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Qi Xiu was incessantly chattering with Yu Jing and Xiao Li about various entrusted tasks, while Zhan Yuan and Bai Muhan, Zhang Shishi and his new concubines gathered in small groups sharing private conversations. The entire peak of Black River was awash with a scene of parting and farewell. The Zhao family cultivators, specialists in beast control, exhibited unusual patience as they waited quietly on the sidelines. There were countless things left unsaid, but all gatherings must come to an end eventually. As they boarded the back of the gigantic ray, they noticed it was already occupied by numerous cultivators, either huddled in groups or sitting solo, scattered all around. Some faces were familiar—Qi Xiu vaguely remembered seeing them at Zhao Liangde's place. A Zhao family cultivator handed over a large banner with a crimson backdrop emblazoned with two golden characters: "Chu Qin." Was it really necessary to flaunt the name of the Chu Qin Sect so blatantly? Qi Xiu intended to decline but the Zhao family cultivator scowled, "Exactly, you must wave this banner to support the cause! Moving without a flag is ludicrous." He shoved it into Qi Xiu's hands without room for objection. If it was merely waving a banner, he would not mind; but was it just that simple? Qi Xiu grumbled inwardly, helplessly passing the flag to Qin Weiyu, instructing him to carry it throughout the journey. The older Qin Weiyu got, the less aware he seemed, dazed and muddled, which made him suited for this kind of task. The giant ray moved swiftly, soon entering the Beast Control Sect's territory, flying over areas frequently visited by Qi Xiu within the Zhao family’s sphere of influence, heading eastward and eventually towards the Southern Jungles’ Beast Control Sect gate. After several days of flight, a tremendous clamor faintly reached them from ahead. Qi Xiu and the other cultivators moved to the ray’s head to peer into the distance. To their astonishment, they saw an array of massive beasts in the sky forming a colossal military formation numbering over a hundred, countless smaller beasts and cultivator trails interweaving through. Roars of various beasts, booming drums, and music echoed without end. Occasionally a long whistle from a cultivator would slice through the air. Together, they forged an overwhelming, colossal wave pushing slowly southward. "Southward? Are they heading to White Mountain?" A cultivator beside him whispered tensely as their giant ray dove into the massive military formation like a bird into a forest, vanishing without a ripple. Finding Zhao Liangde’s concealed vehicle within the formation, two rays flew together. On the opposite side, a rainbow bridge was projected, bringing Qi Xiu and the others to Zhao Liangde’s vehicle. Inside the grand hall on the ray’s back, Zhao Liangde sat prominently in the main seat, cultivators lined up on either side. Some bore banners similar to those of the Chu Qin Sect, displaying various factions’ names. Outside the hall, many were seated or standing, engaged in discussions. Zhao Liangde, engrossed in lively conversation with the cultivators around him, burst into frequent laughter, showing none of the subjugation and abandonment he seemed to face in recent years, exuding a renewed spiritedness. "Brother Qi, Brother Liu, Brother Wu, you’re here too!? Come, come, sit with us." Noticing Qi Xiu and his companions, Zhao Liangde brightened visibly, inviting them into the hall with much ecstasy. Zhao family cultivators swiftly took the flags from them, erecting them behind the vacant seats. Qi Xiu’s family flag was placed near Zhao Liangde, prompting mixed feelings of both gratitude and the urge to sit promptly. Just as he intended some small talk, a disciple announced an arrival, and Zhao Liangde hurried out personally to greet a Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator. Zhang Shishi and others were left outside the hall. Inside, sat leaders from various minor sects and cultivator families—a surprising attendance of two to three dozen. Although Zhao Liangde no longer held the glory of yore, his influence was not to be underestimated. Besides, he had secured a Foundation Establishment cultivator at some undisclosed cost, exuding a venerable presence seated beside Zhao Liangde. "Brother Zhao, not being upfront isn’t quite fair. For this operation, against whom are we moving? If it’s someone I dare not offend, then I’ll walk away, regardless of how many spirit stones you offer," warned the rogue cultivator, his face rugged and imposing, exuding menace. His demeanor made it clear he was a person who only acknowledged spirit stones and lived on the razor’s edge. Zhao Liangde dared not show disrespect before him, exercising caution in his flattery. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, Elder Wei’s orders forbid disclosure. Amongst everyone present, I haven’t told a soul. Don’t believe me? Ask them," he gestured towards the others in the hall. "I’m not asking around. Forget it, as long as you know my position. As for who it is, you pay, I deliver, no funny business from anyone," the cultivator seemed disinterested, closing his eyes as if nothing else concerned him. Though Zhao Liangde felt humiliated, he couldn't afford to offend and ended up lounging idly, his usual consorts absent, wandering off into his own thoughts. More cultivators from various places filled the hall inside and out, crowding the broad back of the ray, slowly journeying southward with the military formation. With three Foundation Establishment cultivators present, Qi Xiu and the surrounding cultivators dared not utter much, resorting to exchanging knowing glances and smiles with familiar faces. The military formation indeed crossed the Death Marsh, entering White Mountain territory. Every sect they passed along the way reacted like facing an imminent threat, fearing the massive force would turn on them. Local Foundation Establishment and even some Golden Core cultivators accompanied the formation, keeping watch until it left their sect boundaries, breathing a sigh of relief. After a few days of flaunting strength, unsettling White Mountain, they finally halted before a towering peak. Over a hundred giant beasts fanned out, encircling the mountain, ensuring even a fly couldn't escape. "Huh! That’s Shandu Mountain!" A cry of recognition from within revealed the target of this operation. "Hahaha!" Zhao Liangde laughed heartily, "Indeed! We are here to annihilate Shandu Sect. Their cultivators have always been tyrannical and malevolent. Our ancestor intends to rid White Mountain of this menace! Any objections left?" Speaking, he cast a significant glance at Qi Xiu. No wonder he said the opponent might have some history with Chu Qin, Qi Xiu understood everything now. Knowing that Shandu Sect was the target, Qi Xiu was somewhat pleased. Si Wentai’s arrogance was indeed off-putting, and the enmity deepened when Si Wenxu severely injured Gu Ji, following their duel. "Hmph, 'ridding White Mountain of harm,' sounds noble. But isn't it simply that they fancy this piece of land?" The rogue cultivator with a rugged face left no room for Zhao Liangde to recover face. "Heh," Zhao Liangde didn't mind, "So what if it is? Our ancestor truly needs this territory, hence we may have to overstep this one time. Wouldn’t you be willing?" "Haha, with Shandu Sect having only one Golden Core and five Foundation Establishment cultivators, the way you’re armed, they’d be crushed to death. With such an easy task, why wouldn't I be willing?" As they spoke, the protective array on Shandu Mountain glowed brilliantly, raising a thick spiritual energy shield. The sect cultivators finally reacted, rushing and shouting in panic, resembling headless flies scurrying in a jar. "It’s a pity we didn’t storm in immediately, it would have saved us quite the effort," lamented the rugged-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator. "Being a reputable sect, we can't resort to sneak attacks," Zhao Liangde looked down on him internally. At this moment, several people flew out from Shandu Mountain’s protective array, led by a Golden Core cultivator, who proclaimed loudly, "I am Si Wenguang of Shandu Sect. Which fellow Daoist from Beast Control Sect will come forward to speak!" Facing the threatening force, Si Wenguang remained calm and composed. His voice thundered like a giant drum, clearly reaching everyone’s ears and painfully vibrating their eardrums. "Hmph! Si Wenguang! You’ve allowed your disciples to harm fellow cultivators, bully the weak, murder and rob. You’ve committed every evil under the sun! We are here to execute justice, destroy you tyrants, and cleanse White Mountain for a purer cultivation world!" said a majestic voice from atop a gigantic dragon, the renowned Elder Wei spoke righteously as if genuinely driven by justice. "Bah! Nonsense! You hurl baseless accusations to justify your attack!" Si Wenguang finally recognized Elder Wei’s intent—annihilation of Shandu Sect—but with no retreat possible, he defiantly retorted. "No need for excuses. Since I’m here, the evidence is irrefutable—leaving you speechless," said Elder Wei, whose hair and beard were white, exuding an aura of eldership long accustomed to commanding the Beast Control Sect. His authority far surpassed that of Si Wenguang, leader of a mid-sized sect. As he concluded, disciples surrounding him led some Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation cultivators from the giant dragon. "Si Wenguang! You beast, remember me? You destroyed my sect, massacred my kin, and I’ve never forgotten this hatred. Today, I’ll settle this score!" A Foundation Establishment cultivator accused loudly, narrating past grievances of how Si Wenguang slaughtered his sect and family. Once he finished, several more cultivators came forward, similarly exposing Shandu Sect’s past misdeeds. One after another, they testified against Shandu Sect’s cultivators, laying bare unequivocal accusations, supported by evidence, incontrovertible. It was evident Elder Wei had meticulously prepared for years, amassing these accounts, leaving Shandu Sect with no avenue for reprieve. As successive testimonies unfolded, Si Wenguang’s face grew increasingly ashen, his lips quivering uncontrollably—not out of fear from the exposed misdeeds, but from understanding Elder Wei's resolve. Shandu Sect was undeniably facing a challenge they could not overcome.