Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chu Jinyun and Peng Zhen exchanged a glance, each clearly seeing the fleeting shock and horror deep within the other’s eyes.

Zheng Yuankui was a genuine, old-school Astral Force master!

From a great distance, they had felt the oppressive might of that desperate, life-or-death strike!

Had it been either of them facing such a deadly counterattack, even if they could win, it would have been a pyrrhic victory, possibly at the cost of severe injuries.

Yet, Shi Kaishan had not only met it head-on but had also slain him with a single slash!

Looking at his aura, steady as a mountain, it was clear he hadn’t suffered any injuries at all!

"The Sect Leader’s might is divine!"

Shi Zhenyue was the first to cup his fist, his voice filled with reverence.

Chu Jinyun and Peng Zhen immediately collected themselves and cupped their fists solemnly. "Sect Leader Shi, you’ve worked hard! To see this villain executed is truly gratifying!"

Compared to before, their tone now carried a much deeper, heartfelt respect and a trace of trepidation.

Shi Kaishan slowly returned Broken Mountain to its sheath, and the mountain-heavy Xuanyue Astral Qi subsided with it.

His expression was as placid as ever, as if he had merely brushed off a bit of dust.

His gaze swept over the ravaged battlefield and the few scattered Water Bandits still resisting in the distance. In a low voice, he said, "You have all worked hard as well. Zheng Yuankui, along with the first and second chieftains of Nine Waves Island, have all been executed. A pity..."

He paused. "The third and fourth chieftains saw their chance and fled amidst the chaos. A few of the Zheng Family’s undying old Elders and Tributors also escaped with that boy, Zheng Hui. The Demonic Qi on them isn’t strong, but they have indeed been tainted by Demon Skills. Leaving them alive will surely lead to future trouble."

Chu Jinyun’s elegant brows furrowed slightly. "They escaped? That is indeed a problem."

Peng Zhen’s voice was deep. "If you don’t pull up the roots, the weeds will grow again in the spring. The Demon Sect’s methods are treacherous. If these people are recruited, they will become a scourge in the future."

Shi Kaishan nodded and issued a decisive command to Shi Zhenyue, "Pass down the order! All members of the Xuanjia Sect are to pursue the remnants of the Zheng Family and the fugitive bandit leaders of Nine Waves Island with all their strength! Slay any who resist! We must pull them out by the roots and leave no future troubles!"

"As the Sect Leader commands!"

Shi Zhenyue accepted the order with a solemn expression. With a flicker, his body transformed into a streak of light and sped down the mountain.

Shi Kaishan’s gaze turned to Chu Jinyun and Peng Zhen. "Master Chu, Dean Peng, I’ll have to trouble you both to help mop up and purge the rest of the island. As for the spoils of this battle, according to the bandit suppression order and the prior agreement among the Four Great Sects, whatever you find is yours to keep."

"Sect Leader Shi, rest assured. It is our duty," Chu Jinyun and Peng Zhen replied in unison.

The two of them knew this was Shi Kaishan ceding some of the profits to the Wutai Sect.

After all, aside from the Xuanjia Sect, the Wutai Sect had contributed the most to this suppression effort.

Shi Kaishan’s gaze finally settled on the island’s interior and the vast waters beyond. He said with regret, "What a shame... This lightning raid, while it has removed the cancer that was Nine Waves Island and dealt a heavy blow to the Zheng Family, ultimately failed to draw out the big fish from the Demon Sect. We couldn’t find the exact location of the Demon Sect’s Sub-Pavilion. This old demon, ’Heart Devourer’, is hidden quite deep."

Hearing this, Chu Jinyun and Peng Zhen’s expressions also grew solemn.

The waters were no longer as tranquil as before.

On the main tributary of Qianchuan Marsh that led to Nine Waves Island, all sorts of boats scrambled over one another, surging in the same direction.

Sturdy cargo ships, lavishly decorated clan vessels, and even some modified boats flying unfamiliar flags were all packed with people.

A Treasure Ship from the Wutai Sect cut through the waves, nimbly weaving through the stream of boats.

At the bow stood Chen Qing, Song Ming, Lin Wei, and several other Fishery Stewards. Besides them, there were also a few elite disciples from the Li Fire Institute, led by Xiao Ruize.

At the very front was a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. He was the Elder leading the team this time, Shen Xiuyong.

He stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of playful cynicism on his lips. He casually swept his gaze over the group, his eyes landing on Xiao Ruize as a teasing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Ah, Rui Ze."

Shen Xiuyong said, a bit lazily, "How’s that senior martial brother seat of the Li Fire Institute treating you? Is it stable? That kid Yan Yaoyang and that little slip of a girl Nie Shanshan have both reached the Late Stage. Why are you still dawdling at the threshold of the Middle Stage?"

An awkward, bitter smile immediately appeared on Xiao Ruize’s face. He quickly bowed. "Disciple Xiao Ruize greets Junior Martial Uncle Shen. This disciple is slow-witted and has disappointed you, Junior Martial Uncle. I have... now opened Seven Orthodox Meridians. I am just one short of being able to attempt a breakthrough to the Late Stage."

His voice carried a trace of shame.

The Junior Martial Uncle Shen before him had been a man of astonishing talent in his youth, reaching the Late-stage Embracing Pill before he was even thirty. Now, he was just a single step away from breaking through to the Astral Force realm, and was widely acknowledged within the Sect as a genius Elder.

Shen Xiuyong pouted and waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, forget it. I can’t count on you. The real reason we’re out here is to rake in some tangible benefits."

His gaze shifted to the island that was growing clearer in the distance.

"That Sect Leader Shi from the Xuanjia Sect, Master Chu, and Dean Peng—that first wave of Astral Force experts—they’ve probably already swept through Nine Waves Island and cracked all the tough nuts. Hard to say if that old fox Zheng Yuankui is dead or alive, but the den of thieves on Nine Waves Island has definitely been broken this time."

"Our primary task now is to go over, secure the southern waterways of Nine Waves Island, and strictly investigate for remnants of the Zheng Family and the Water Bandits. And while we’re at it, we’ll be hauling back all the ’Floating Wealth’ that the Zheng Family and Nine Waves Island have accumulated! Understood?"

Everyone roared in affirmation, their hearts burning with excitement.

Chen Qing’s heart stirred as well. ’The Four Great Sects really are swift,’ he thought. ’To take Nine Waves Island so quickly... We’re most likely just going there to clean up the battlefield.’

The Treasure Ship accelerated, smashing through a few dilapidated boats blocking the way, and finally arrived in the outer waters of Nine Waves Island.

The scene before them was shocking.

The once-perilous entrance to the island was now a complete wreck.