Chapter 336 : Fierce and Ferocious
Chapter 336: Fierce and Ferocious
Upon hearing that Wei Tianxiong had the intention to submit, the expressions of the Myriad Yin Sect disciples changed. There was a trace of disdain, yet also a sense of relief.
Qi Changfeng narrowed his eyes and asked, “Is this your Sect Master’s intention?”
Wei Tianxiong replied, “Naturally. Our Clear Sky Sect only seeks longevity and has no ambition to dominate. If someone is willing to shelter us, that would be even better. If you understand the Clear Sky Sect, you would know that we do not control the secular world—we do not have such ambitions.”
Qi Changfeng was indeed aware of this. The Myriad Yin Sect also controlled dynasties under its command, and their control over them was extremely strict. The imperial palace was a place they could enter and leave at will, and the nobles were nothing more than obedient hounds beneath them.
The Clear Sky Sect was different. Although the emperor of the Xuan Dynasty had been established by the Clear Sky Sect, the sect did not interfere in court affairs, granting the dynasty great freedom.
Qi Changfeng’s people had even discovered that the Clear Sky Sect allowed small sects to emerge freely—simply courting death in his eyes.
To him, the Clear Sky Sect was full of flaws. Its Sect Master was reckless and utterly lacking in a sense of crisis. Now, upon hearing Wei Tianxiong’s words, he suddenly understood.
So that Li Qingqiu was not a great ruler at all, but a mediocre one.
Qi Changfeng’s expression softened as he said, “It’s not impossible to accept you. However, the Myriad Yin Sect must have a certain degree of control over your sect.”
Yuan Li, Chu Jing, Gu Changping, and the others did not panic. They believed Wei Tianxiong was merely probing the Myriad Yin Sect.
“No, you’re mistaken. It hasn’t reached that stage yet. Our Clear Sky Sect needs to understand your Myriad Yin Sect’s strength first,” Wei Tianxiong said calmly.
Qi Changfeng frowned. “And how do you propose to understand it?”
Wei Tianxiong stared into his eyes. “I want to hear the truth.”
Qi Changfeng snorted. “The Myriad Yin Sect is powerful. Even we disciples do not fully know its strength. I can only tell you that the Myriad Yin Sect can indeed dispatch a thousand Spirit Perception Realm cultivators—and even greater experts beyond that.”
Wei Tianxiong said, “In that case, choose one person from your side to fight one-on-one against a disciple of our sect. Let’s see if you can win.”
These words caused Qi Changfeng’s brows to knit even tighter, while the Clear Sky Sect side revealed amused expressions.
The Myriad Yin Sect disciples, on the other hand, were angered, feeling that they were being provoked.
Qi Changfeng said, “Fine. Spirit Perception Realm against Spirit Perception Realm. Who will you send?”
Before Wei Tianxiong could speak, Yuan Li stepped forward.
Qi Changfeng and the others examined Yuan Li carefully. They had heard that within the Clear Sky Sect, there was a man who could fight many alone, severely injuring several of their disciples—a man of boundless strength, fierce and ferocious.
Yet the current Yuan Li appeared calm and without any imposing aura, making it hard to associate him with that figure.
Still, Qi Changfeng did not dare to be careless. He decided to take the field personally to avoid any mishap.
Thus, Qi Changfeng stood up and gestured toward the courtyard. Yuan Li nodded, and the two walked outside. The others followed behind them.
Both the Myriad Yin Sect and the Clear Sky Sect were full of confidence in their respective fighters, each believing the other would be humiliated.
Arriving in the courtyard, Qi Changfeng took out a sword from his storage pouch. Looking at Yuan Li, he said, “Attack with your full strength. I won’t kill you—at most, I’ll cripple you.”
After all, he came from the Myriad Yin Sect, a thoroughly demonic sect. In his bones, he was bloodthirsty and cruel.
Facing his arrogance, Yuan Li merely nodded slightly and stepped forward.
Seeing Yuan Li walk straight toward him without any caution, displeasure flashed in Qi Changfeng’s eyes. He felt he was being underestimated.
He immediately raised his sword, sliding two fingers of his left hand across the blade. Sword energy spread from the tip, forming nine cyan sword shadows around him, all pointing at Yuan Li.
At that moment, Yuan Li’s figure flashed—he instantly appeared before Qi Changfeng.
Qi Changfeng’s pupils shrank. A fist rapidly enlarged in his vision, and he had no time to evade.
Bang!
Yuan Li’s punch struck Qi Changfeng squarely in the chest, sending him flying like a cannonball. He crashed through multiple courtyard walls, his fate unknown.
The Myriad Yin Sect disciples turned pale in shock, hurriedly drawing their magic implements. The Clear Sky Sect disciples also prepared for battle.
Yuan Li maintained his punching stance, his expression cold.
There was no excitement of victory on his face—it was as though he had merely swatted away an insect.
Wei Tianxiong looked at Yuan Li and nodded in satisfaction.
“This kid has grown stronger again. It seems he hasn’t neglected his cultivation,” Wei Tianxiong thought to himself. He could see that Yuan Li’s control over his strength had improved to another level—a good sign.
Chu Jing stepped beside Wei Tianxiong and transmitted his voice, “Are you planning to drag this out like this?”
A one-on-one duel would not escalate into a full-scale war, especially since the Clear Sky Sect had shown intent to submit. However, having lost face, the Myriad Yin Sect would not let the matter rest.
“Next, let the Myriad Yin Sect taste Yuan Li’s strength a bit more. You and I should also do something else,” Wei Tianxiong replied through voice transmission.
Chu Jing’s eyes flickered as his gaze landed on the group of Myriad Yin Sect disciples.
……
News of Yuan Li defeating Qi Changfeng with a single punch spread throughout Xiyu Immortal City and soon reached the Clear Sky Sect, greatly boosting morale and earning him the admiration of many disciples.
Although Li Qingqiu had allowed the news to spread, he did not place the sect on full war footing.
For the disciples, while they paid attention to major sect affairs, their primary focus remained on themselves.
In order to obtain more cultivation resources, the Cultivation Hall became a place every disciple frequented.
Time passed into October, and the stifling heat of the world gradually faded.
Southern Chu Province.
Within a forest, seven Clear Sky Sect disciples were sprinting forward with swords in hand. Among them was Duan Xiaojuan, whom Hu Yan favored.
At this moment, they were pursuing a leopard demon that had slaughtered several villages. The authorities had no way to deal with it and could only seek help from the Clear Sky Sect.
Duan Xiaojuan had already carried out several missions. Such a task was not considered dangerous for her. She was already at the sixth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, and the leader of the group had reached the eighth layer.
The male disciple at the front spotted the leopard demon—it was a blood-soaked beast, as large as a tiger.
Without hesitation, he hurled the Clear Sky Sword in his hand.
Whoosh—
The Clear Sky Sword turned into a streak of cold light, shooting through the forest, crossing dozens of zhang before striking the leopard demon.
The leopard demon let out a cry and fell, crashing into a tree.
It shook its head and tried to stand, but its body suddenly went limp, collapsing like mud, its head pressed to the ground.
The seven disciples quickly arrived and surrounded it.
One disciple threw out a talisman, sticking it onto the leopard demon to seal its blood essence and demonic power.
Duan Xiaojuan could no longer sense the demon’s aura and assumed it was dead, a smile appearing on her face.
Fifty Dao Fate points secured!
Though the reward would be divided among many, making her share small, it was safe.
This had been Hu Yan’s advice—to avoid unnecessary risks.
Although they had not formally confirmed their relationship, both knew each other’s feelings. Even now, Duan Xiaojuan was already thinking about what she would say to Hu Yan after returning.
The leading male disciple stepped forward, checked the leopard demon, and said, “This beast is dead. Mission complete.”
Hearing this, the other six smiled and began chatting casually.
Duan Xiaojuan had a cheerful personality and got along well with everyone, speaking the most.
At that moment, a cold wind suddenly swept through.
The male disciple handling the demon’s corpse changed expression and immediately stood up. “Be careful—danger!”
Before his words even finished, a figure rushed in like a gale, passing by the disciples. Duan Xiaojuan only felt a light tap on her body—and instantly lost the ability to move.
The strongest male disciple instinctively raised his sword, but two fingers were faster, striking his throat and piercing it, causing blood to burst out from the back of his neck.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Standing before him was a black-clad man with disheveled hair, his face covered in black runic patterns, exuding a sinister and ruthless aura.
Thud!
The male disciple fell to the ground. This scene terrified the remaining five, but they couldn’t even speak—only stare wide-eyed, their faces pale.
……
Inside the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was guiding Li Shouzheng in his cultivation.
Last month, Li Shoumin had already broken through to the first layer of the Spirit Perception Realm. Unable to sit still, he had taken a mission from the Tempering Hall and gone down the mountain to roam the martial world.
Li Shouzheng had yet to break through and was not in a hurry, maintaining a steady mindset as he sought guidance from Li Qingqiu on the Primordial Unity Scripture.
At that moment, a disciple hurried into the courtyard, approached Li Qingqiu, and saluted. He hesitated, glancing at Li Shouzheng before speaking.
“Speak directly,” Li Qingqiu instructed.
He treated Li Shouzheng like his own son, nurturing him as a disciple.
Recently, he had even considered using Li Shouzheng’s talents in governing the sect.
Who said Li Shouzheng had to become emperor?
Upon hearing the order, the disciple immediately said, “Reporting to Sect Master, disciples who were tempering in Southern Chu Province have met with misfortune—seven have died!”
Li Qingqiu frowned. “Send people to investigate.”
“Yes!”
The disciple turned and left immediately.
There were too many disciples in the Clear Sky Sect, and deaths did occasionally occur outside. However, the sect would never ignore such matters. No matter how weak the disciple, vengeance would be taken. Thus, few in the martial world dared to provoke the Clear Sky Sect unless absolutely forced.
Li Shouzheng frowned and asked, “Martial Uncle, could this be related to the Myriad Yin Sect? In the past, even when disciples died, it was usually individuals acting alone. For seven working together—aside from our sect, no one should be able to deal with them.”
Li Qingqiu replied, “It’s possible. Let’s wait for the results.”
Li Shouzheng nodded. At eighteen, he had begun to think from the perspective of the sect and could occasionally offer valuable suggestions.
The two continued discussing cultivation. Not long after, another person arrived—this time, Xiao Wuqing.
Xiao Wuqing’s expression was extremely grim. He approached Li Qingqiu, saluted, and knowing that Li Shouzheng was trusted, spoke directly:
“Sect Master, among the seven deceased disciples… one of them was Duan Xiaojuan.”
Li Qingqiu’s brows furrowed tightly.
Li Shouzheng was stunned. He also knew Duan Xiaojuan—she often went to find Hu Yan, and she never showed fear toward anyone. She had even chatted with him several times.