“You five, stay close,” Shu Xin said, her eyes gleaming. After waiting for so long, the day had finally arrived.
If things dragged on like this, she would die of boredom.
In this dull world without phones, television, movies, or even decent storybooks, the only entertainment she could count on to pass the long years of a cultivator’s life was watching the excitement unfold.
“Senior Sister, why have so many people come?” Cao Ru asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Calling me that in ordinary situations is one thing, but at a critical moment like this, you may only call me True Monarch—or Master, if you prefer.” Shu Xin flicked Cao Ru on the forehead. “If you weren’t important to me, the people sent to deal with you would be nothing more than small fry. No great cultivator would come personally to capture you. Do you understand?”
“Understood.”
“Yes, True Monarch.”
“Good. Keep your eyes open.” Shu Xin finally nodded, though she had no intention of drawing her sword and joining the fight just yet. There was no harm in observing the situation first.
Besides, Elder Hu De was still standing by and watching without the slightest hint of urgency. Why should she rush?
They might as well wait until Yuan Xinmei and that Grotto-Heaven cultivator had decided the victor.
The first to charge forward, apart from Yuan Xinmei, were the brothers Wang Zhou and Wang Quan, who had pledged themselves to the Hu family, along with the Hu family’s other guards.
Only after the Hu family’s guards had fought until they were nearly spent would the outsiders be sent into battle.
The reason was simple: the Hu family had paid these people only a certain number of spirit stones. If their own people were unwilling to take the lead, how could they expect outsiders to risk their lives for such a small reward?
To put it bluntly, the Hu family did not have that kind of influence. Anyone who had managed to cultivate from an ordinary rogue cultivator to the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage was no fool.
Apart from Shu Xin, the other cultivators had also entered a state of full alert. Even Qu Yougu, who had been in seclusion all this time, had come out and joined the others, ready to move at a moment’s notice.
Fan Jia’an even shot Shu Xin a meaningful glance, seemingly reminding her not to forget their alliance.
Elder Hu De wore a solemn expression, but he did not immediately order everyone to attack. Instead, he had the cultivators gather on the deck and protect the formation masters as they activated the flying vessel’s defensive formation. Everything else could wait.
If the flying vessel were damaged, the journey ahead would be fraught with danger.
Thus, protecting the vessel was more important than anything else.
Yuan Xinmei was also under considerable pressure. She and her senior brother had long anticipated that enemies would attack as soon as the flying vessel landed.
As a Grotto-Heaven cultivator, she would not normally take action herself. But if the enemy also sent out a Grotto-Heaven cultivator, she would have no choice but to fight.
Moreover, as the cultivator leading the charge, if she showed any sign of weakness, she would have no way to answer to the Myriad Dao Sect.
With that thought, Yuan Xinmei could only bring out her strongest abilities and fight desperately against the cultivator before her.
For a time, even the surrounding area was caught in the aftermath of their clash, forcing everyone nearby to circulate their spiritual power to withstand it.
Nascent Soul cultivators were still able to endure the impact after summoning their own magical treasures. The Core Formation cultivators, however, were in a miserable state. Several of them were sent flying by the shock waves alone.
“Get behind me!” Elder Hu De had no choice but to intervene. He summoned a shield and ordered the cultivators who could not protect themselves to take shelter behind him.
After all, they could not allow these cultivators to suffer casualties before they had even entered the battle.
Before long, only several groups led by Nascent Soul cultivators remained at the very front of the flying vessel’s deck.
Fan Jia’an naturally summoned his family’s magical treasure as well. It was an ordinary-looking fan, but Shu Xin could tell that the material used for its ribs was extremely valuable. An ordinary rogue cultivator could never afford it.
Qu Yougu merely stood there coldly, his arms wrapped around his sword. A barrier had already risen around him, shielding him completely.
Shu Xin lazily raised her sword and blocked. Every shock wave was stopped outside.
This female cultivator was certainly working hard. The Hu family’s people had not even lifted a finger yet—just how much had they paid her to make her fight so desperately?
Shu Xin’s movements were casual, and she looked completely at ease.
Her calm demeanor made Elder Hu De, Fan Jia’an, and the others look at her with even greater interest.
This female cultivator appeared to be even more powerful than they had imagined.
“What benefits did the Hu family offer you? You come from a sect affiliated with the Myriad Dao Sect, but you’re a Grotto-Heaven cultivator in the prime of your life and highly valued besides. Is there really any need for you to fight this hard?” The cultivator battling Yuan Xinmei sounded helpless. They had agreed that he would merely go through the motions, yet Yuan Xinmei was fighting him to this extent.
This was absurd. It was only a single spirit herb, wasn’t it?
After exchanging several more blows, Yuan Xinmei finally confirmed the identity of the person before her.
“You’re True Person Rongyun of the Carefree Dao Sect.”
“Ah, well, you can’t put it that way. I’m no longer a member of the Carefree Dao Sect.” True Person Rongyun waved his hands repeatedly. “I was expelled from the sect. My master said I’m not allowed to return unless I reach the Immaculate Realm. I violated the sect’s rules, so there was nothing I could do but obediently accept expulsion.”
“Heh.” Yuan Xinmei rolled her eyes without the slightest courtesy. “They didn’t strip you of your cultivation, they didn’t confiscate your protective treasures, and the Carefree Dao Sect hasn’t even publicly announced that you’ve been removed from the ranks of its disciples. Who would actually believe that you were expelled? As expected of one of the sect’s most valued core disciples. Even after committing such a grave offense, the sect still has plenty of ways to smooth things over for you.”
She was not a member of the Carefree Dao Sect, so there was no reason for her to hold back.
Rongyun had been caught red-handed after murdering thirteen disciples within the sect. Under normal circumstances, the sect rules would have demanded his execution.
But he had a high cultivation level and a powerful master.
Thus, even for such a serious crime, the punishment amounted to little more than a disciplinary measure on the surface.
As for this so-called expulsion, who would truly take it seriously?
True Person Rongyun’s expression gradually changed. “We’re fighting, so let’s fight. Why are you bringing up my disgrace?”
“Since you’re a member of the Carefree Dao Sect, stop interfering in the affairs of the Myriad Dao Sect.” Yuan Xinmei’s words were blunt and direct. “Leave, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”
“That won’t do.” True Person Rongyun smiled. “Originally, I only came to help because I owed someone a favor. But you’re so eager to make me leave, and you’re protecting the Hu family with such determination. That’s truly suspicious. Now I’m genuinely interested in staying to see what exactly is going on.”
“Then try me.”
Yuan Xinmei shook the bell in her hand, preparing to unleash her ultimate move.
But at the very instant she changed her technique, another vast stretch of dark clouds drifted across the sky. A dense mass of cultivators stood atop them.
They had clearly come prepared.
Boom!
The defensive formation being set up around the Hu family’s flying vessel suddenly exploded. Several formation masters were also stabbed straight through by their own companions in a sudden, vicious attack.
It turned out that several people hiding among the formation masters had completely dropped their disguises and were no longer pretending.
The defensive formation, which was still under construction, was thoroughly destroyed along with them.
“Damn it.” Elder Hu De immediately turned around and moved to seize the spies hidden among the formation masters.
“The defensive formation of the Hu family’s airship has been destroyed! Fellow Daoists, take whatever you want!” a cultivator shouted from atop the dark clouds with a loud laugh.
The cultivators above the clouds immediately swarmed toward the Hu family’s airship, dropping down like dumplings into a pot.
“Protect the airship!” Elder Hu De had finally lost his former composure. He shouted for the cultivators hired by the Hu family to join the battle. “If any of you can help the Hu family survive this crisis, your payment will be tripled!”
“Elder Hu, you’d better keep your word.” Tan Wanyan had originally been thinking of running away, but upon hearing that the payment would be tripled, she suddenly found herself reluctant to leave.
Three thousand spirit stones were not something one got to see every day.
She might as well stay for now. If the situation turned bad, she could always withdraw later.
“Elder Hu, I’ll help you!” Fan Jia'an shouted, then began moving rapidly toward Elder Hu De’s location.
The cultivators descending from the sky had all landed on the Hu family’s airship.
Cao Ru, Yuan Dawei, and the others immediately drew their weapons, preparing to fight.
Shu Xin took out a chain-shaped magical artifact and directly bound the five of them. With a wave of her sword, she dragged all five around and turned to flee.
“Why risk your lives? The payment Elder Hu De offered is for me. What does it have to do with you five servants?” Shu Xin lectured the five fools as she ran. “Do you five little Core Formation cultivators really think you can get involved in a battle like this? It’s still uncertain whether Hu De will survive.”
So many spies had managed to infiltrate the formation masters’ team. The Hu family’s security could only be described as riddled with holes.
As if to prove Shu Xin right, Elder Hu De’s furious roar soon came from behind them.
“You insolent brat! How dare you?!”
Fan Jia'an had approached Elder Hu De under the guise of helping him, only to quietly sneak behind him and deliver a vicious stab in the back.
Many cultivators had already surrounded Fan Jia'an, addressing him as Young Master.
“Elder Hu, you’d better hand over the secret technique obediently. Your Hu family can’t protect a treasure like this,” Fan Jia'an said, brimming with confidence. His eyes were filled with certainty that victory was already within his grasp.
“Hahaha! Do you think this is enough to seize the foundation of my Hu family?” Elder Hu De swallowed several pills to heal his injuries. His eyes fixed on Fan Jia'an like nails. “All of you will die!”
Fan Jia'an sensed that something was wrong, but he could not determine exactly what it was.
“Young Master, the cultivator fighting Yuan Xinmei over there isn’t someone we hired.” Fan Jia'an’s maid struggled to approach him. “There are others here besides us. Young Master, two more groups will arrive soon. We don’t have much time.”
“Let’s go to the top level of the airship. Yuan Xinmei’s senior brother must be protecting the spirit herb. The secret technique may be hidden inside it.” Fan Jia'an glanced at the people beside him, called over two of the family’s Grotto-Heaven realm uncles, and immediately flew toward the airship’s uppermost level.
“This is bad. Nephew, retreat at once!”
“There’s another level on this airship!”
Fan Jia'an’s two uncles rushed ahead. The moment their spiritual senses swept outward, they were attacked, and they also noticed that something was wrong with the airship.
“Since you’ve come, none of you are leaving.”
A voice entered the minds of every cultivator aboard the airship. Even more horrifyingly, countless vines suddenly sprouted from the deck and began spreading at astonishing speed.
The vines seemed to possess minds of their own. They repeatedly lashed out at every living person aboard the airship.
The first to be pierced by the vines were the attendants and low-level cultivators who possessed little ability to defend themselves.
Naturally, this included the cultivators who had come hoping to profit from the chaos.
One vine after another pierced through the cultivators’ cores. In the blink of an eye, the flesh and blood on their bodies were devoured completely.
By the time the vines cast them down, all that remained was a white skeleton dressed in clothing.
After absorbing all that flesh and blood, the roots of the vines gradually turned red. Small flower buds even began to grow from them, as if they intended to continue growing before eventually bearing fruit.
“What the hell is that?”
“Run!”
The cultivators had all realized that something was wrong. This airship was bizarre beyond belief, and the vines were man-eating monsters.
Shouldn’t things like this grow in the strongholds of demonic cultivators? Why had they appeared on the Hu family’s airship?
“Hahaha! None of you are getting away.” Elder Hu De threw out several formation flags while continuously forming hand seals. “Did you really think we hadn’t made any preparations?”
“Elder Hu, stop! We’re on your side!” A Core Formation cultivator hired by the Hu family was attacked by the vines and could not help shouting in protest.
Elder Hu De merely shifted his gaze away, pretending not to see him.
“Everyone who has seen my Hu family’s demonic vines must die!”
True Person Rongyun’s expression changed drastically when he saw this. Disgust filled his eyes as he looked at Yuan Xinmei.
“That is the demonic path’s ‘Myriad Bones Devouring Spirit Vine.’ The various orthodox sects have strictly forbidden its cultivation. Anyone found raising one is to be executed immediately. Judging by its appearance, the Hu family has been cultivating it for at least a century. You are the traitor to the Myriad Dao Sect!”
Yuan Xinmei cursed her bad luck under her breath, then turned around and shouted, “Daoist heir, the Myriad Bones Devouring Spirit Vine has appeared! The Hu family’s collusion with the demonic path has been confirmed. Please take action!”
“Very well.”
A heaven-shaking streak of sword light appeared above the airship, cleaving open a large empty section in the Myriad Bones Devouring Spirit Vine, which had intended to turn the entire airship into its hunting ground.
“Hu De, only the core disciples of a few demonic sects are granted the seeds of the Myriad Bones Devouring Spirit Vine. Which demonic sect have you allied yourself with?”
Standing before Hu De at that moment was Qu Yougu, whose cultivation had already fully recovered to the peak of the Grotto-Heaven realm.
He had restored his original appearance. Faint images of mountains and rivers shimmered across his snow-white robe.
Upon seeing Qu Yougu’s attire and the clearly high-grade magical treasure in his hand, how could anyone fail to guess his identity?
“The Daoist heir of the Myriad Dao Sect?” Elder Hu De’s expression changed. “You’ve been hiding your identity all this time?”
“Nephew, this is bad.” Fan Jia'an’s two Grotto-Heaven realm uncles were now deathly pale. “We’ve been dragged into a conflict between the Myriad Dao Sect and the demonic sects.”
They had originally thought they were merely coming to kill the Hu family and seize its treasure, with Fan Jia'an acting as their inside man. They had never imagined that they were nothing more than clowns. Not only had everything they done been useless, but they might even be held accountable afterward.
“At a time like this, we can only help the Myriad Dao Sect. Perhaps we can still atone for our crimes. We had no idea what the Hu family was really involved in.” The Fan family cultivators quickly reached a decision.
At this moment, how could any of the surviving cultivators aboard the airship still fail to understand what was happening?
Although they were rogue cultivators, they still understood how to choose between the Myriad Dao Sect and the Demon Sect.
The former might not kill them all. At worst, they would be fined some spirit stones and imprisoned to perform hard labor. Even if the sect decided to execute them, they would at least grant them a swift death.
The Demon Sect, however, was an entirely different matter. Falling into their hands meant begging for life yet being denied death.
“Daoist heir, Daoist heir, we’re willing to serve you!”
“We have no hesitation in eradicating demons for the Myriad Dao Sect!”
“That’s right, that’s right! We’ll definitely give it our all!”
…
Tan Wanyan had no choice but to join Fan Jia’an in declaring their loyalty to Qu Yougu, though deep regret filled her heart.
This was the Daoist heir of the Myriad Dao Sect!
Every cultivator who was chosen as a Daoist heir by one of the great sects was a true-blue disciple, the pride of their sect and the focus of its expectations. Sometimes, an entire generation of cultivators might not produce a single Daoist heir.
If she had managed to establish a connection with Qu Yougu earlier, wouldn’t she have benefited for the rest of her life?
Tan Wanyan regretted it even more.
She should never have been so greedy. She should have followed the example of that female cultivator Lin and run away the moment she sensed something was wrong.
As for Zhuang Lu and Monk Jiezao, perhaps they had fled precisely because they had noticed that something was amiss.
At that moment, Shu Xin was stuffing her five junior brothers and sisters into a cave.
“Take these concealment talismans. Cover the entire cave with them so that other cultivators’ divine senses won’t be able to find you. Stay here obediently and don’t move. Wait for me to come back. Understood?” Shu Xin looked at them solemnly. “The Hu family’s affairs are far more serious than they appear. I’ve already sensed the presence of nearly ten Grotto-Heaven cultivators. There are even two or three Immaculate Realm cultivators waiting in the shadows.”
“Senior Sister, then don’t go either.”
“That’s right, Senior Sister. It’s far too dangerous over there. Stay here with us.”
Her five junior brothers and sisters were well aware of how dangerous the situation was and naturally did not want their senior sister to take the risk.
“Don’t worry. I can protect myself. Even if an Immaculate Realm cultivator comes, they won’t be able to capture me. Besides, there are things I must do.” Shu Xin waved her hand. “Just wait here for me.”
With that, Shu Xin did not wait for them to voice any further objections and immediately fled into the distance.
“What’s the situation over there now?” Shu Xin asked the Sword Spirit.
【Oh, wow. There’s a lot going on.】The Sword Spirit could barely contain its excitement. 【Yuan Xinmei actually came here to protect the Daoist heir of the Myriad Dao Sect. The Hu family and that cultivator from the Spirit-Possessing Demon Sect were probably being watched by the Myriad Dao Sect long ago. They’re playing a game of luring the enemy into a trap here. Guess who that Daoist heir is?】
“Who else could it be? Qu Yougu, obviously. It couldn’t possibly be that idiot Fan Jia’an.” Shu Xin clicked her tongue in annoyance. “I knew something was off when Yuan Xinmei fought so hard. She didn’t even fight me when I pretended to be a demonic cultivator earlier. So this is the stage where she gets to perform. Her heroic battle must all be making a good impression on Qu Yougu.”
Put yourself in Yuan Xinmei’s shoes—wasn’t she simply trying to show off in front of the heir apparent and demonstrate her abilities?
【That Myriad-Bone Soul-Eating Vine is pretty pathetic. In your words, it’s malnourished. They released it after only a hundred years. The ones I used to chop down were at least a thousand or even ten thousand years old. If they couldn’t grow to a size that blotted out the sky, they weren’t even worth me lifting a finger.】The Sword Spirit began boasting again. 【Still, it’s half demonic beast and half demonic plant, so using it should help wash away some of the bloodstains on me. We can’t let someone else steal our kill.】
“Don’t worry.” Shu Xin smiled. “I’m only going to take a look. I’ll wait until they’ve fought to their heart’s content before I make a move.”
She would let them enjoy the battle first.
Otherwise, if she went straight in to seize the Mirror Godwater, she might not be able to hold on to it.
Shu Xin hovered in midair at a distance, neither too close nor too far. The Myriad-Bone Soul-Eating Vine seemed to know that Shu Xin was not to be trifled with; not a single tendril reached toward her.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, please lend us a hand!” Fan Jia’an cried out when he saw Shu Xin return. He immediately felt that this female cultivator truly had feelings for him.
Fan Jia’an’s two uncles looked at their nephew speechlessly.
“Jia’an, take a closer look. She’s a Grotto-Heaven cultivator.”
“Huh?”
Fan Jia’an was stunned. Only then did he sense the oppressive spiritual power emanating from Shu Xin, and cold sweat instantly broke out across his forehead.
If she was a Grotto-Heaven cultivator, then… then how could she possibly have failed to notice when he had tested her and her servant back then?
What exactly was going on with the Hu family?
There had only been eight Dao Infant cultivators in total. Two had gone missing, and now there were two Grotto-Heaven True Persons as well?!
“My Hu family truly has a reputation to be proud of. I never imagined that you would also be a Grotto-Heaven cultivator. You hid yourself well.” Elder Hu De’s eyes blazed with fury when he saw Shu Xin. “I suspected so many people, yet I never once suspected you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.” Shu Xin nodded with a smile. “That proves I disguised myself rather well.”
“However, Elder Hu, aren’t you going to have your backer come out?” Shu Xin sat cross-legged on her sword, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “I mean the cultivator from the Spirit-Possessing Demon Sect hiding on the upper deck of your actual flying vessel. I finally managed to meet him once before, and I’ve been thinking about him ever since. There are a few things I’d like to ask him.”
Elder Hu De froze for a moment before realizing what she meant.
“The person who triggered the array restrictions was you?”
“That would be me.” Shu Xin clasped her fists. “I’m rather surprised that you failed to discover me for so long. Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you don’t have the skill, you shouldn’t take on the job. Look at the mess things have become now. How are you planning to clean it up?”
After saying this, Shu Xin sighed repeatedly, as though she genuinely felt sorry for the Hu family.
At that moment, Elder Hu De truly wanted to swallow Shu Xin alive.
Yuan Xinmei had also returned to Qu Yougu’s side by now. Her eyes were lowered, and she was completely devoid of the arrogance she had displayed earlier.
The Myriad Dao Sect had been investigating the Hu family for some time, but they had never been able to find any evidence.
More importantly, Qu Yougu, as the sect’s Daoist heir, needed a major accomplishment to prove his worth to the sect. That was why this demon-extermination campaign had been arranged.
The Hu family believed they had concealed everything perfectly, unaware that the Myriad Dao Sect had orchestrated it all from behind the scenes.
Their goal was to forge Qu Yougu’s reputation.
They simply had not expected matters to become even larger than they had anticipated.
True Person Rongyun looked at the chaotic scene before him and could not help but rub the bridge of his nose.
What a mess.
The Myriad Dao Sect. The Spirit-Possessing Demon Sect.
And now, a person from the Carefree Dao Sect had been dragged into it as well.
Even if the Hu family were wiped out because of this, they ought to have no regrets.
“I know who you are.” Qu Yougu suddenly spoke as he looked at Shu Xin. “You’re the Shu Xin who was admitted into the Longevity Dao Sect as an exception, then left the Longevity Dao Sect to join the Inquiry God Sect. They say you broke through to the Grotto-Heaven realm in a single month and can crush all the younger cultivators from the Nine Sects and Ten Schools.”
“I’m not. I didn’t. Don’t make things up.”
The Sword Spirit: 【…At this point, denying it probably won’t help.】
