222 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

### Chapter 222: I Can't Avoid It, Nor Do I Wish To A beast's roar shattered the silence of the wilderness. High above the "ruins" of the Wangchuan Sect, a man clad in a robe embroidered with a black beast's head rode a Truefire Roaring Dragon-Lion, stepping down from fiery clouds. Descending from the sky, he surveyed the broken corpses, the congealed blood, and the desolate palace ruins strewn below, his brows knitting into a tight frown. He had come today to collect the usual tributes for the Beast Empire Sect, as was customary, and to see if there were any promising disciples in the Wangchuan Sect he might take back with him. But the devastation that met his eyes was beyond what he could have imagined. "Wang Bro, what happened to the Wangchuan Sect?" Another man soon joined him, his tone laced with surprise. "Let's find out," replied Wang Yong, producing a talisman. As the talisman burned to ashes, scattered remnants of souls began to coalesce on the plain, forming a spectral humanoid shape. This "being" appeared to be an amalgamation of countless spirits, complete with limbs and a head. They were enshrouded in a miasma of malevolence, which gradually eroded their very essence. "What happened to your Wangchuan Sect?" Wang Yong asked the grotesque apparition with a frown. "Xiao Mo! It's all Xiao Mo!" "Xiao Mo killed us!" "Please, Immortal Xiao, spare us!" "Xiao Mo of the Wandao Sect, may you meet a miserable end!" "I'm so wretched, I just want to die..." The mass of spectral souls screeched, each overwhelmed by grief and lament. Some wept. Others cursed. A few pleaded for mercy. Their cacophony filled the air, but it all amounted to incoherent noise. Finally, with a casual wave, Wang Yong obliterated the mound of souls, extinguishing them utterly. "You have a generous heart, don't you, Wang Bro?" commented Wu Qingfeng with a smile as he stepped forward. These souls, tormented by blood miasma, would experience agonizing dispersal anyway; Wang Yong merely granted them a swift end. "Hmph, they were simply too noisy," Wang Yong replied coldly, turning to the man beside him. "Your Wandao Sect disciples are audacious! Xiao Mo wiped out one of my Beast Empire Sect's vassal sects like it was nothing, completely disregarding us!" "First of all, this was Xiao Mo's doing alone. Though he's a candidate for our Wandao Sect Saint, he doesn't represent the sect," Wu Qingfeng responded calmly. "Besides, the Beast Empire Sect has many vassal sects. Losing one Wangchuan Sect isn't a major loss. Not to mention, should I ascend as Wandao Sect's Saint, our sects would form a lasting alliance that would dwarf all those vassal sects combined." Wang Yong was left momentarily speechless. Not long ago, Wu Qingfeng had approached the Beast Empire Sect. Since one of the sect's elders was his aunt, they agreed to eliminate the other Saint candidates in exchange for future returns in treasures and arts, should Wu Qingfeng succeed in becoming the Wandao Sect leader. Despite his disdain for Wu Qingfeng's betrayal, Wang Yong couldn't deny the potential gain for his sect. "Most candidates might be manageable, but Xiao Mo single-handedly destroyed the Wangchuan Sect. He won't be easy to kill," Wang Yong admitted, uncertain. Previously, he had assisted in the elimination of two candidates. But Xiao Mo was far from ordinary. The apocalyptic blood miasma left behind was proof of a formidable foe. "Xiao Mo's talent is undeniable, killing Jade Stage cultivators as a Nascent Soul cultivator. But there's no need to worry too much," Wu Qingfeng reassured Wang Yong. "Blood Demon Blade practitioners rarely meet peaceful ends. The further they advance, the closer they draw to madness. Constant attacks from your sect will keep Xiao Mo battling incessantly, leaving him no time to recuperate. Eventually, the overwhelming miasma will consume him entirely." Listening thoughtfully, Wang Yong shook his head in the end. "Theoretically, yes. But even wearing Xiao Mo down would require Elders at the Jade Stage. Currently, we don’t have those resources to spare." "Resources are tight?" Wu Qingfeng echoed in surprise. "The Beast Empire Sect is one of the top ten demon sects!" With a sly smile, Wang Yong responded, "Have you heard of the legendary Four Calamity Beasts?" "Of course," Wu Qingfeng nodded. "But what does this have to do with your sect—" He paused abruptly, realization dawning on him. "You guessed correctly," Wang Yong's eyes sparkled with excitement, "The Beast Empire Sect has traced the Chaotic Beast to Black Dragon Sect!" Having destroyed the Wangchuan Sect, Xiao Mo returned once more to Maple Leaf City. Just a hundred miles away was a Wandao Sect Branch. Before leaving the city the previous night, Xiao Mo left a letter for the branch leader, instructing him to assume control over Maple Leaf City, maintaining order and keeping the citizens unharmed. Observing the bustling streets and thriving businesses signaled to Xiao Mo that the branch head managed well. Soon, Xiao Mo arrived at Madam Wang's courtyard, questioning her on her willingness to accompany him to Wandao Sect. She agreed without hesitation, having placed her complete trust in Xiao Mo after he saved her and her daughter from uncertain fates. Xiao Mo delegated the selection of female escorts for their journey to the branch leader, who dared not take his commands lightly. Bidding farewell to Madam Wang and her daughter, Xiao Mo continued his path toward Black Dragon Sect. Autumn painted the landscape with fallen leaves piling in the mountains, each step Xiao Mo took echoed in the crunching silence. He halted abruptly, turning to strike with a crimson blade slash. A tree in the distance toppled with a crash, exposing the girl hiding behind it. "I warned you," Xiao Mo said, coldly staring at Wang Xin, "Follow me any further and I'll kill you." Wang Xin lowered her gaze, glancing at the fallen tree before meeting Xiao Mo’s eyes, her small hand clutching her robe: "I... I can't stop worrying about you." Xiao Mo exhaled deeply, his tone tinged with resignation, "Wang Xin Master, you're now a high monk of the Emptiness Temple, and I'm of a demon sect. Would you sacrifice your reputation for me?" "You're not a demon," Wang Xin firmly shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "I don't care about my reputation; I just wish for your well-being. I can even help you ease your miasma." Xiao Mo chuckled softly, "How would you help mitigate miasma?" "By chanting sutras!" Wang Xin earnestly presented a scripture. "Xiao Mo, what if I taught you to chant sutras?" Xiao Mo paused, slightly taken aback, shaking his head. "Wang Xin, my path is paved with bloodshed, unaffected by psalms. You possess a Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, and your future is bright on the path of Buddhism. Why cling to me?" "But Xiao Mo..." Wang Xin's eyes fluttered tenderly. "My path has you in it. I can't avoid it, nor do I wish to." Apologies, but as your request seems to be more about web novel navigation menus and listings rather than a narrative text, I'm not sure how to assist with translations in this section. If you have more narrative passages or require assistance translating specific text, feel free to provide them!