503 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 503: The Desperate Escape South Chu City, Underground Palace. The ground fire roared like a fierce beast, flames licked gracefully like a silken cloth. In the midst of them, dressed in her life-bound magical garment "Nine Heavens Indestructible Flaming Gown", the strikingly red-robed ancestor of the South Chu Sect stood calmly, allowing the fire to dance around her with a contented smile. Since acquiring this Southern Chu territory, she had practiced like this continually. Over the span of centuries, the number of times she ventured outside could be counted on one hand. In truth, she had been stuck at the initial Nascent Soul stage for a long time and had once contemplated giving up by diverting her focus towards sect construction, which eventually led to the Southern relocation of Chu and Qin. Unexpectedly, during the competition at Jun Xuan Mountain for the elixir, she fell under the 'Dream Soul Lure' cast by a little jade skeleton, which eradicated her inner demons. After advancing to the middle Nascent Soul stage, her cultivation progressed rapidly. Coupled with Lu Yunzi granting her fifteen years of access to a seventh-grade secret realm, her ambitions grew. With such aspirations ahead, she became even more diligent. "Hmm?" A ripple disturbed her serene heart lake, interrupting her circulation of energy. "Shen'er..." A faint sadness spread through her. "Summon Qi Xiu here." No longer in the mood for cultivation, she floated to a crystal throne and immediately sent out a voice transmission. "Ancestor, Sect Master Qi and Elder Qin Changfeng and his wife have already departed," reported a disciple guarding the hall entrance. "In that case..." She intended to say summon Chu Shen, but quickly realized that they might now be worlds apart. "Call Qiao Qingyu and Wu Ying here." The South Chu Sect had been thriving over the past century. Through relocations, integrating remnants from the Qi Talisman Alliance, and accepting disciples from the Qimeng Sect, their numbers grew steadily every year, with even the golden core cultivators becoming younger. However, among the new golden core cultivators were a couple of foreign names that came with broad immigration—a potential unease for major events. Despite this, she preferred trusting her own people. "Wu Ying is in seclusion," replied the disciple at the door. "Summon him all the same," Chu Hongshang ordered. Shortly after, Qiao Qingyu and the wife of Wu Ying, Gong Shu, entered the hall. "Where is Wu Ying?" Chu Hongshang inquired. "Ancestor, my husband has not returned from his travels." Gong Shu, who also had no great prospects on her path, complained tearfully, revealing their indifferent relationship since marriage due to Wu Ying's reclusive nature, "He claims to be in seclusion, but he's wandering who knows where..." "Why bother saying this now? Perhaps he has dealings with Qi Xiu, or he's out seeking fortune. Aren't we cultivators supposed to be like this? You're both grown; why are you so clingy?" Chu Hongshang reacted impatiently. This was not the time to be concerned with such matters, and she waved off Gong Shu dismissively. "Zhuang Yuan went to the Bi Lake area, so she might be worried and emotionally unstable," Gong Shu explained while sobbing as she exited. "Going there is a mistake. Your Senior Brother Chu Shen may have already suffered misfortune," Chu Hongshang sighed. "Henceforth, I leave the sect's affairs entirely in your hands." Qiao Qingyu was taken aback, "Then I'll organize a rescue right away!" He was about to leave when Chu Hongshang called him back, "Before we get a clear report from there, do not enter Bi Lake." "Not go?" Qiao Qingyu was dumbfounded. "Precisely, don't go. If your Senior Brother has faced misfortune, you must learn how to handle things yourself. Relying solely on Qi Xiu for guidance is not enough," Chu Hongshang instructed. "What do you think should be done?" "Bi Lake is currently swarming with all sorts of people, and concealing information is impossible. Among those friendly with our sect are bound to be participants," Qiao Qingyu contemplated. "Let's start by gathering intel from them. Meanwhile, the New Bi Lake Sect is currently based in the East Black River City; we can extract information using both gentle and harsh methods. We must dispatch someone reliable to scout personally." "Excellent, get to it then," Chu Hongshang nodded in approval. ... Reflection Mountain. After arranging the return of Qin Changfeng and Nangong Yanran for healing, Qi Xiu hurriedly entered his own quiet chamber, unwilling to waste even a moment of cultivation time. He took up the Five Animals physical training stance but found his energy movement faltering, rendering it impossible to complete. He pondered for a while, then exited, flying to the rooftop of the main hall, gazing towards Bi Lake. "Seems like something is happening there?" He identified the source of his unease and sent someone to fetch Gu Tan, who was in a closed-door session stabilizing his realm. "So busy all the time," Gu Tan quickly arrived, complaining with his usual candid manner. "There might be trouble at Bi Lake. Have you received any messages from the informants you sent?" Qi Xiu had grown accustomed to Gu Tan's frank style and didn't mind. "No news," Gu Tan, seeing Qi Xiu's seriousness, replied with equal solemnity. "I only heard that without anyone imposing order, due to Nangong Meng and Jiang Huan's bickering, adventurers are all acting by their own devices. Order is just an illusion." "Sigh!" Qi Xiu knew Jiang Huan's backing was Lu Yunzi, who had ties with the Heaven and Earth Peak, indeed capable of challenging the Nangong family. But regarding Jiang Huan, or rather Lu Yunzi's motives, he remained clueless, "Being in the dark feels terrible. Do you have any strategies?" "Look for Bi Lake Sect!" Gu Tan responded without hesitation, "Bi Lake Sect is a local power and deeply entangled in this matter due to their link with Jiang Huan. Regardless, they aim to return to the mountains, intending to grasp a portion of Lianshui Alliance's benefits; they'll be neighbors, wanting to maintain good relations with us and the Shuang Chu Alliance, right?" "Exactly!" Qi Xiu realized, not that he hadn't thought of it, but Wan Xuan, the guest elder of Bi Lake Sect, had secret dealings with him, leading him to inadvertently avoid directly engaging with them. "Bi Lake Sect, Sangjia, Wan Xuan, Jiang Huan... This coalition is capable of establishing themselves in the White Mountains. We should treat them as a major force." "With Bi Lake Sect's involvement, efforts at Bi Lake will be much more efficient," Gu Tan added, seeing Qi Xiu nodding. "Shall I send someone to liaise with them?" "Yes, do it," Qi Xiu concluded with a parting advice, "Send a savvy rogue cultivator; there's definitely trouble brewing there, and it won't be anything good. Safety first." ... Bi Lake Secret Realm, Qi Bingyan held a fourth-grade spirit stone to replenish her energy, recklessly driving her flying sword without stopping for a moment. She processed her situation with careful thought, deliberately not retracing her path but rather advancing deeper. Meanwhile, she recorded the events into a jade slip, especially capturing the likeness of Number Eight's deceased visage with a detailed drawing, embedding it into the slip. It was a skill she had honed when the Qi family fell from grace after Qi Wushuang's assassination, a means to seek livelihood. Although unnecessary after being accepted by the Chu Qin Sect, as the family head, she no longer needed to personally employ these tactics. Surprisingly useful now, she continually prepared a series of records, each concealed among the ruins of mechanical puppets using iron boxes from hidden reward caches. Hoping that if she couldn't survive, someone might still find these traces. Perhaps Number Five pursued the other two escapees first and hadn’t closed in yet. Still, as she was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, upon reaching the seventh floor's hall, she unexpectedly encountered two rogue Golden Core cultivators. Only then did she realize her previous unawareness. "Tsk tsk, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator making it here?" The pair awaited quarry with ill intentions. One, after a scrutinizing look covering Qi Bingyan's entire form, realized she was not only wealthy but also skilled enough to breach the seventh floor. Without hesitation, he unleashed his flying sword to attack. Earlier, cooperative efforts masked the danger, but now the Bi Lake Secret Realm became perilous at each step. Qi Bingyan unleashed a third-grade summoning talisman, barely parrying one sword strike. Unable to fall back, retreating might deliver her directly into Number Five's pursuit. With nowhere to turn, she held a single determination: to expose the conspiracy and bring justice for Chu Shen, offering revenge through others. "The black hand assassinates Chu Shen of South Chu Sect! Kills two Confucian cultivators of Tianli Sect! Slays Tu Ziru of Black Wind Valley! Also a Green Lotus Sword Sect disciple!" she screamed aloud. Her piercing cries echoed a considerable distance; the second rogue's subsequent sword strike met resistance from another's interception. A second time she survived against odds. "Any proof?" These two bore resemblance, likely kin, with the older, yellow-bearded man intervening, asking her earnestly. "Proof? There's a black hand cultivator chasing me from behind!" Qi Bingyan shouted, "Soon, you'll learn of the elders' deaths!" "Hmm?" On hearing this, the yellow-bearded man closed his eyes to sense briefly, "Follow me." He enveloped Qi Bingyan, leaving his companion on watch, darting into a path leading to the eighth floor. Within lay traps of mechanical puppets he’d likely left intentionally—avoiding them cautiously, they arrived at a makeshift illusionary formation. Knowing well the wiles of these blood-stained mercenaries, Qi Bingyan appreciated more his choosing a hideout over her blind fleeing. "Start from the beginning," commanded the yellow-bearded man. Naturally, she withheld nothing, recounting truthfully from her departure from South Chu City. "You claim the deceased include South Chu Sect, Qi Yun Chu family, Tianli Sect, Black Wind Valley, Green Lotus Sword Sect cultivators? Is the black hand mad enough to affront so many at once?" He listened in disbelief until suddenly pressing his chest in dismay, "My brother is dead..." "If you ensure my safe escape, a hefty reward awaits you!" Qi Bingyan knew avarice motivated such rogues. "A generous reward? How generous?" Indeed, his interest piqued. (To be continued.)