In this cultivation world, the cultivators of the Daoist sects and demonic paths all tacitly followed an unspoken rule: they were expected to play their assigned roles.
Even though they would have loved nothing more than to seize every resource for themselves, they still had to distinguish between so-called righteousness and evil, as if doing so would provide them with a grand and legitimate excuse.
Righteous cultivators could gather groups of cultivators and establish sects in the name of slaying demons and eliminating evil, then brazenly demand exorbitant protection fees from other cultivators while monopolizing the corresponding resources.
As for demonic cultivators, they did not even bother pretending. With a simple declaration of “I’m a demonic cultivator, so everything I do is only natural,” they could cover up all the evil deeds they committed, engraving the creed that “if a man does not look out for himself, Heaven will destroy him” into their very bones.
Once a lie was repeated often enough, even the liars themselves came to believe it.
Those who refused to believe it—or those who truly believed in the entire system—were instead the ones most likely to break down and fall into a disadvantageous position.
After all, if rules were obeyed only by people with a conscience, then those people were naturally doomed to struggle to survive.
Shu Xin had exposed that sanctimonious hypocrisy without the slightest restraint.
[Honestly, why did they have to provoke her? Wouldn’t it have been better to let her skulk off to the side and fish for benefits? Now look at this—everyone’s unhappy.] The Sword Spirit had also begun gloating.
Shu Xin’s words had clearly left the cultivators of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect and Busi Manor looking extremely displeased.
Pei Qiyun’s complexion, in particular, turned deathly pale.
She seemed to have thought of something, for she silently lowered her head, not daring to meet Shu Xin’s eyes again.
“Hmph. To speak such absurd words without distinguishing right from wrong!” The elder of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect wore a twisted expression. He raised his hand and struck toward Shu Xin.
In an instant, a streak of divine light shot toward her like a venomous snake.
“Elder, why are you so angry? In my opinion, she’s right.”
Before the divine technique could reach Shu Xin, it was dissolved by another Dharma manifestation of Yin and Yang.
Who else could have made that move but Situ Jian?
“If I were you, Elder, I would destroy the Blood Spirit Pearl immediately.” Situ Jian looked at the elder of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect with an ambiguous smile. “Otherwise, once that demon Cui Yuhua emerges from seclusion, the Blood Spirit Pearl’s ownership will already be decided.”
The cultivators of the Myriad Dao Sect and the Longevity Dao Sect wanted the Blood Spirit Pearl so they could profit as the third party. But at this critical moment, the people of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect were actually reluctant to destroy it. That was nothing short of sheer stupidity.
They were sacrificing the sect’s long-term interests for the sake of the temporary benefits right before their eyes. It was truly difficult to understand.
If everyone in the Profound Spirit Dao Sect was like this, then it was no wonder the sect had declined day by day, eventually becoming a dish served up for other sects to carve up.
[Let him strike. With me here, who could possibly hurt you? That little fox is getting all the attention.] The Sword Spirit muttered under its breath.
“Ridiculous!” The elder of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect argued forcefully. “The Blood Spirit Pearl has already absorbed the lives of so many cultivators. More than half of our disciples have been killed or wounded. If we simply destroy the Blood Spirit Pearl, wouldn’t that mean their deaths were completely meaningless? If we can eliminate the demon and bring the Blood Spirit Pearl back to strengthen the sect, then those disciples will have died for a worthy cause.”
“That doesn’t sound right.” Xie Xianzhi had been listening from the side, and even he felt that something was wrong. “Isn’t the fundamental principle of a sect to place its disciples first?”
“Has the Profound Spirit Dao Sect even forgotten such a basic rule?” Qu Yougu stepped forward and stood beside Shu Xin as well. “Shu Xin is on friendly terms with us. She may be rather blunt, but that doesn’t mean she’s wrong.”
Seeing Situ Jian and Qu Yougu stand beside Shu Xin, Xie Xianzhi simply and silently moved behind them.
The situation on the battlefield changed once again.
The cultivators of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect and Xi Fu were already at odds with each other, while Shu Xin and the others had joined forces.
Now, the cultivators of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect and Xi Fu’s group had instead become the weaker side.
“Well, this changes things.” Shu Xin smiled sweetly. “Daoist Situ, Daoist Qu, and Daoist Xie—we are all in the Grotto-Heaven Realm, and none of us has suffered any depletion or injuries. Dealing with these heavily exhausted cultivators should not be difficult. If we can defeat the Blood Demon Sect’s disciples and the cultivators of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect who are trying to make use of a demonic treasure in one fell swoop, then we can claim to be purifying the cultivation world and eliminating these malignant tumors.”
The moment Shu Xin said this, the faces of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect’s cultivators and Xi Fu turned green.
What was wrong with this woman? Why was she turning the tables and accusing them instead?
“I think Daoist Shu makes an excellent point,” Situ Jian added from the side.
“Indeed,” Qu Yougu followed. “That way, all disputes will be resolved.”
Xie Xianzhi felt that the three of them seemed to have an unusually close relationship, yet he could not find a way to insert himself into it. He could only say from the side, “Everything you’ve said is right.”
The Sword Spirit cast a speechless glance at the unfortunate child, Xie Xianzhi.
How could he still not understand?
The three of them were obviously working together and were deliberately putting on an act.
When was the best time to make a move? Naturally, after the other cultivators had fought each other to near exhaustion. That way, they would obtain the greatest harvest, and there would be no other cultivators left to complain.
If they directly sided with the Profound Spirit Dao Sect against the Blood Demon Sect, then once the Blood Spirit Pearl fell into the Profound Spirit Dao Sect’s hands, wouldn’t that amount to strengthening another sect? Besides, what would they gain? The gratitude of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect, and nothing more.
Making their move now was different.
Not only could they use the Profound Spirit Dao Sect’s reputation as a stepping stone to elevate their own standing, they could also wipe out everyone present in one stroke. Afterward, wouldn’t the truth of what had happened in this battle be whatever Shu Xin and the others claimed it was?
What Shu Xin had said was reasonable, but she was also an old fox in her own right!
“You… you people… you’re working together.” By this point, even the cultivators of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect had figured it out.
They had never imagined that while they and the Blood Demon Sect were fighting here, they would end up making wedding clothes for someone else.
Now that things had reached this stage, how could they fail to understand?
“Enough nonsense.”
Shu Xin gripped “Wait” and “Hold,” then charged at them without the slightest hesitation.
When it was someone else’s turn, Shu Xin would spout a few taunts to undermine their Dao hearts. But when it was her own turn, she understood the principle that villains died from talking too much. If she could attack directly, she absolutely would not waste time talking.
Xi Fu and the cultivators of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect were caught completely off guard.
Shu Xin seemed to be deliberately provoking them. Every so often, she would draw her sword and lunge toward the Blood Spirit Pearl, attempting to destroy it.
The cultivators of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect and Xi Fu had no choice but to spare time to protect the Blood Spirit Pearl. In doing so, they could only turn themselves into Shu Xin’s targets, occasionally taking a sword strike from her.
There were five Grotto-Heaven Realm cultivators in the Profound Spirit Dao Sect. With Xi Fu, who could barely borrow the formation’s power to wield Grotto-Heaven Realm strength, they had nearly six cultivators in total. Yet Shu Xin alone still forced them into a flustered scramble.
Immediately afterward, Situ Jian and the others joined the battle as well.
The cultivators of the Xuanling Dao Sect felt their eyelids twitch. They had the distinct feeling that the Blood Spirit Pearl was about to be destroyed by these people.
Xi Fu’s feelings at this moment were entirely different from before as well.
They were all cultivators of the Cave Heaven Realm, yet earlier he had been able to contend with the Xuanling Dao Sect’s cultivators for a while by relying on the formation. That had led him to mistakenly believe that Cave Heaven Realm cultivators were nothing special.
But after clashing with Situ Jian and the others, he finally understood that not all Cave Heaven Realm cultivators were alike.
These people were known as the pillars of the younger generation, and the title was unquestionably deserved. The pressure they brought him was completely different from that of the Xuanling Dao Sect’s cultivators.
Little did he know that the Xuanling Dao Sect’s cultivators felt the same way about Xi Fu.
No one knew how Situ Jian had refined his Yin-Yang Dharma Aspect. It could dissolve divine abilities and their profound radiance, and could even destroy magical treasures. Before long, the magical treasures and spirit swords belonging to Xi Fu and the Xuanling Dao Sect’s cultivators had been damaged one after another.
Qu Yougu’s swordsmanship was also peerless and exquisite, making him incredibly difficult to withstand.
As for Xie Xianzhi’s Five Elements spells, they had reached a level of perfection. No one could tell what incantation he would use next.
If nothing unexpected happened, then as long as these people continued to grow, they would certainly rule the cultivation world for the next several centuries—or even millennia.
What could the Xuanling Dao Sect possibly use to compete with them?
If they had previously only been furious and embarrassed after Shu Xin exposed their true intentions, then now they genuinely wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to kill Situ Jian and the others.
Their sect had already fallen behind the other sects. Now that the new generation was so far behind as well, the gap would only grow wider in the future.
Was this not the perfect opportunity to eliminate these threats?
The Blood Spirit Pearl was indeed a treasure, but in terms of the threat they posed, these young people before them were far more dangerous.
“Have the elders… gone mad?” Pei Qiyun stared blankly at the elders above as they attacked Situ Jian and the others with increasing ferocity. For a moment, she did not even know whether she should continue recovering her cultivation.
She had already recognized Shu Xin.
She had also more or less seen through how many people were performing in this entire farce.
The Xuanling Dao Sect was merely a pawn in someone else’s game.
Even so, Pei Qiyun had not previously felt that the elders were necessarily wrong. After all, their original intentions had been for the sake of the sect—and for her.
But now, seeing that the elders truly intended to disregard everything and kill Shu Xin and the others, Pei Qiyun sank into deep confusion.
What was right, and what was wrong?
She could no longer distinguish between them.
Xi Fu spat out a mouthful of blood, and his magical robe had already been reduced to tatters.
After only a few exchanges, he already felt he could no longer hold on.
Seeing that Shu Xin’s sword was about to slice through the Blood Spirit Pearl, Xi Fu could no longer maintain his previous composure.
“How dare you!”
All the Xuanling Dao Sect’s cultivators rushed to stop Shu Xin, leaving no one to obstruct Cui Yuhua from emerging.
Accompanied by the roar of the blood-colored dragon, the gate to the rear mountain finally shattered.
The blood-colored dragon flew forward at tremendous speed, opening its enormous jaws in an attempt to swallow the Blood Spirit Pearl in a single bite.
But how could Shu Xin possibly let it have its way?
She had deliberately held back all this time precisely because she had been waiting for that old demon, Cui Yuhua, to take advantage of the situation and launch a sneak attack.
Shu Xin abruptly swung her sword. Its sword qi was as fierce as a white rainbow piercing the sun, and the instant the blade came down, it erupted with a terrifying radiance of sword intent. In the blink of an eye, it severed the blood-colored dragon’s head.
Once severed from its body, the dragon’s head transformed back into a mass of blood mist. It quietly cleansed the stains from Shu Xin’s blade.
“Refreshing!” the Sword Spirit laughed heartily.
In that split second, while the Sword Spirit was cleaning the blade and the blood-colored dragon was turning into blood mist, a red streak of light shot out from the mountaintop, moving so quickly that it was almost impossible to track.
At the same time, the air became saturated with a thick, bloody stench. The formation suddenly accelerated its refinement of the Blood Spirit Pearl, and the speed at which it absorbed the vital essence of the numerous cultivators increased considerably as well.
“Not good.” The Yin-Yang Dharma Aspect behind Situ Jian flickered for an instant before quickly returning to normal. “Everyone, be careful. This is a unique divine ability of the Blood Demon Sect.”
Qu Yougu and Xie Xianzhi’s expressions grew solemn. They each cast spells and activated magical treasures to protect themselves.
In the blink of an eye, the red streak of light swept past numerous Xuanling Dao Sect cultivators, carving enormous wounds across their chests.
Wherever the streak passed, half of the cultivators’ vital essence vanished into thin air.
After absorbing their vital essence, the Blood Spirit Pearl instantly grew considerably larger.
A hand closed tightly around it.
“Such audacity. What an impressive young woman!”
Cui Yuhua strode out of the red light. His cultivation was as vast and powerful as the sea. Beneath his feet was another blood-colored dragon, and in his hand he gripped the Blood Spirit Pearl, which had already grown to the size of a fingernail.
The Xuanling Dao Sect’s cultivators had gone pale.
“It really is that devil, Cui Yuhua. How has his cultivation become even more formidable than before?”
“Wasn’t it said that after falling from the Immaculate Realm, he could barely maintain the Cave Heaven Realm?”
But the Cui Yuhua before them was no different from an ordinary Immaculate Realm cultivator.
At the sight of him, Xi Fu’s face lit up with delight. He immediately flew over to Cui Yuhua and bowed respectfully.
“Your disciple greets you, Master. Congratulations on emerging from seclusion.”
Because his cultivation had once fallen, Cui Yuhua’s temples were streaked with gray. He appeared to be around forty years old by a mortal’s standards. Yet his features were strangely alluring, carrying an indescribable air of wickedness.
Xi Fu knew that his master had already recovered considerably.
The last time he had seen him, Cui Yuhua had still looked like an old man.
A cultivator’s appearance and cultivation could, in certain circumstances, be considered almost directly linked.
If a cultivator could not even maintain their appearance, then unless they had some particularly unusual preference, it generally meant either that their foundation had been damaged or that their lifespan was nearly exhausted.
“Worthless.” Cui Yuhua cast Xi Fu a sidelong glance. “Your master has told you before that this world is filled with countless talents. Now you’ve finally seen them for yourself, haven’t you?”
Had Cui Yuhua not lost all his other disciples after his realm fell, leaving Xi Fu—whose innate potential was at least decent—as his only remaining disciple, he would have killed him with a single slap long ago.
Compared with the few young people before him, Xi Fu looked wrong to him in every possible way.
“The Xuanling Dao Sect’s cultivators are not bad. They’ve given my Blood Spirit Pearl quite a bit of power.” Cui Yuhua toyed with the Blood Spirit Pearl before raising his head and glancing at Shu Xin and the others. “But if I had the vital essence of a few young geniuses like you, I’m sure I could refine a Blood Spirit Pearl without equal beneath the heavens. Since I can be considered your senior, why don’t you help me out?”
“I can help you, but only if Senior Cui is willing to lend us the head on your shoulders. Otherwise, we can’t do much for you,” Shu Xin said. He absolutely refused to lose an argument. “Besides, Senior Cui, you’ve lived for so many years without obtaining any respectable status in the Blood Demon Sect. I imagine you aren’t valued there and don’t have many connections. Why not give the opportunity to us young people instead? From now on, every New Year and festival, I’ll burn three sticks of incense for you every day. I certainly won’t let you lose face in the underworld.”
Cui Yuhua’s expression changed. His face turned grim as he glared at Shu Xin. “Ignorant brat! You’ve got quite the sharp tongue!”
“If you won’t give it to me, can’t I come and take it myself?”
Cui Yuhua once again transformed into a streak of red light and charged straight at them.
Outside Busi Manor.
Cui Yuhua’s emergence from seclusion had undoubtedly left the cultivators outside unable to sit still.
“This won’t do. That devil Cui Yuhua has been famous for years and is as cunning as an old fox. My disciple will certainly suffer at his hands. How could he possibly seize the Blood Spirit Pearl from Cui Yuhua?” White Crane Dao Lord was already growing anxious.
His original plan had been to rush over in time to help Qu Yougu. Not only would that allow Qu Yougu to make a name for himself, it would also give him an opportunity to accuse the Profound Spirit Dao Sect of colluding with the Blood Demon Sect—and, while he was at it, seize the Blood Spirit Pearl.
It would have been a perfect opportunity to accomplish three things at once.
But now, the Blood Demon Ancestor’s avatar had blocked his path.
Everything had been thrown into chaos.
“Damn it. If the Blood Spirit Pearl falls into Cui Yuhua’s hands, what chance will the rest of us have?” Within the clouds, a tall, jade-like young man looked toward the other side. “Jingshu, there’s no need for us to keep fighting. Neither of our Wugou realms is stable. Once we obtain the Blood Spirit Pearl, we can split it evenly between us. How does that sound?”
“Hah. Don’t call me that. It makes me sick.” The female cultivator on the other side of the clouds snapped angrily. “I’ll take the Blood Spirit Pearl myself. I don’t need you pretending to be kind.”
“Stop putting on an act. Let’s see who’s stronger.” The male cultivator sneered. There was no need for him to keep pretending in front of Wen Jingshu.
The two had loathed each other for many years. If they ever found an opportunity to kill the other, neither would show the slightest concern for their supposed bond as fellow disciples.
But at present, neither dared to make the first move against the Blood Demon Ancestor. Dealing with an avatar would be easy enough, but if they provoked the Blood Demon Ancestor’s true body, no one could withstand the fury of a demonic cultivator in the Earth Immortal realm.
This seemingly fragile balance was exceedingly difficult to break.
“Ancestor, please move aside. I have to go save my disciple.”
Just then, another cultivator with an extraordinary bearing flew through the sky and attacked the Blood Demon Ancestor’s avatar without the slightest hesitation.
His strike was decisive and utterly resolute.
“Xu Guan? He came too?”
White Crane Dao Lord and the others naturally recognized him. None of them had expected Xu Guan, who was ten thousand miles away, to arrive at such a critical moment.
With Xu Guan joining them, the Blood Demon Ancestor’s avatar was no longer impossible to fight.
“Looks like we really have no choice but to fight.” The Blood Demon Ancestor’s avatar wore a smile. “Oh, so all of you want to seize the Blood Spirit Pearl and rescue your disciples? I’m afraid I can’t allow that. I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
“Enough nonsense!” Xu Guan was not afraid in the slightest. He might have been wary if the Blood Demon Ancestor’s true body had come, but this was merely an avatar. Why should he be afraid?
With Xu Guan joining the battle, the Wugou-realm cultivators from the Everlasting Dao Sect and the Myriad Dao Sect also attacked the Blood Demon Ancestor’s avatar without hesitation.
The force of the combined assault was so tremendous that even the cultivators inside Busi Manor felt as though their internal organs were about to be shaken loose.
Cui Yuhua could barely maintain his escape technique. He staggered several steps and glanced hesitantly at the Blood Spirit Pearl in his hand.
Someone had actually dared to attack the Ancestor’s avatar. It seemed that the Wugou-realm cultivators from the Myriad Dao Sect and the Everlasting Dao Sect had all arrived.
Rather than allowing the Blood Spirit Pearl to become even more perfect, he might as well absorb it directly and become a Wugou-realm cultivator first.
What was in his hands was what truly belonged to him.
“Wow, your bargain master came too. It really was the right choice to report to him in advance,” the Sword Spirit said in delight. “Someone is finally dealing with that huge thing.”
Cui Yuhua was equally stunned.
Someone had actually dared to attack the Ancestor?
They truly had no idea how the word “death” was written.
“Old man, don’t get distracted!” Shu Xin thrust out a sword from an utterly impossible angle, aiming straight for the Blood Spirit Pearl.
Cui Yuhua blocked it without hesitation.
“Wait.” Shu Xin suddenly smiled. “Old Cui, I have another sword.”
As Cui Yuhua froze for a moment, the other sword in Shu Xin’s hand flew in from behind and struck directly at Cui Yuhua’s back.
Crack!
No one knew what grade the sword was, but it had actually pierced the supreme-grade robe that could withstand a strike from a Wugou-realm cultivator, leaving a crack in the fabric.
Cui Yuhua laughed furiously. “Good! Very good! Xu Guan really has taken in a fine disciple!”
A tiny mosquito-like beast suddenly flew out from his chest. Its long, needle-sharp proboscis pointed directly at Shu Xin’s dantian.
Situ Jian and Qu Yougu attacked at the same time, without the slightest hesitation, attempting to block the attack that was already mere inches from Shu Xin.
“That’s exactly what I was guarding against.” Shu Xin neither dodged nor retreated. A high-grade mirror happened to be positioned before his dantian, and formations were engraved across its surface. The moment the mosquito-like beast attacked, the runes transformed into chains that bound it tightly. They even seemed intent on dragging the creature completely out of Cui Yuhua’s body.
“You’ve been feeding it your own blood, haven’t you?” Shu Xin said with a smile. “I know the methods of demonic cultivators all too well. Your injuries haven’t healed, so you ultimately aren’t a Wugou-realm cultivator.”
With that, Shu Xin swiftly retreated while gripping the chains extending from the mirror and repeatedly tugging at the mosquito-like beast embedded in Cui Yuhua’s chest.
“Ah—!”
Cui Yuhua had never imagined that he would suffer a setback at the hands of such a young junior as Shu Xin. His eyes nearly bulged with rage.
“Situ, do it!” Shu Xin shouted.
Situ Jian immediately changed his technique, turning his palm into a fist and slamming it viciously into Cui Yuhua’s right arm.
At the same time, Qu Yougu and Xie Xianzhi attacked as well. One swung his sword at Cui Yuhua’s right hand, while the other struck toward his dantian.
Under attack from all sides, Cui Yuhua had no choice but to circulate his spiritual energy to protect himself. His right hand loosened, and the Blood Spirit Pearl instantly slipped free, landing securely in Situ Jian’s grasp.
“What a fine group of heaven’s favored!” Cui Yuhua was completely enraged. He had dominated the cultivation world for years, yet he had actually been forced into such a desperate position by a handful of juniors. He had even lost the Blood Spirit Pearl!
A terrifying surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body. The space around him instantly exploded beneath the pressure of that immense power.
Shu Xin and the others had no choice but to temporarily avoid its edge.
If they were struck by this attack, they might not die—but they would certainly suffer grievous injuries.
Outside Busi Manor, Wen Jingshu spotted the Blood Spirit Pearl in Situ Jian’s hand. Her eyes sharpened, and she immediately stopped attacking the Blood Demon Ancestor’s avatar. Instead, she flew downward, intending to seize the pearl.
“Bitch, don’t even think about it!” The tall, jade-like young male cultivator also turned without hesitation and directed his attack at Wen Jingshu.
“Fu Ge, you’re courting death!”
Seeing the senior brother and junior sister of the Longevity Dao Sect actually turn on each other, White Crane Dao Lord hurriedly withdrew to defend himself and immediately went looking for his own disciple.
Xu Guan was helpless.
This was precisely why he didn’t want to act together with cultivators from these so-called orthodox sects. They were simply too foolish!
The Blood Demon Ancestor’s avatar let out a soft laugh.
With nothing more than a simple musical note, the restraining formation around Busi Manor suddenly shattered.
In an instant, everyone heard the Blood Demon Ancestor’s voice.
The blood in their bodies seemed to stop flowing at once, leaving them so stiff they could barely remain standing.
“I only intended to play with you people a little. I never expected that someone would actually dare to attack me.” The Blood Demon Ancestor smiled as he glanced at Xu Guan. “You’re quite impressive. With someone like you, the Inquiry God Sect indeed has the capital to contend with the Longevity Dao Sect. Unfortunately, this isn’t the territory of your Inquiry God Sect.”
Xu Guan appeared calm on the surface, but inside, he was thoroughly exasperated.
Heavens, his eldest disciple really was something.
He’d only come out for one trip, and somehow he had already attracted the avatar of an Earthly Immortal.
Next time, would the Earthly Immortal’s true body come in person?
“Ancestor!” Cui Yuhua’s face lit up with delight. He never expected the Ancestor to actually intervene personally to help him.
[Not good. That big fellow is really making a move.]
The Sword Spirit was stunned for a moment before becoming eager to act.
Shu Xin cut off his connection with the Sword Spirit without the slightest hesitation.
What a foolish Sword Spirit. How could a mere Blood Spirit Pearl be worth making someone like that take action?
He was probably after you!
