Chapter 676 - 272: Old Ancestor (Part 2)
"Yes, True Inheritance Chen." Huang Mei accepted the order and hurried away to make the arrangements.
Only Chen Qing and Deng Ziheng remained in the room.
Chen Qing looked at the perpetually silent Elder Deng and asked, "Elder Deng, what are your thoughts?"
Deng Ziheng pondered for a moment before uttering a single word: "Tricky."
He elaborated, "Black Profound Island is no longer an area under our Sect’s direct control. Venturing in rashly would be extremely unpredictable. Not to mention, we don’t even know if the Demon Faction is truly entrenched there. Even if they are, what would Yanzi Dock’s attitude be if we were to storm Black Profound Island to eliminate them? Would they tacitly approve, obstruct us, or engage in direct conflict?"
"Yanzi Dock is a considerable power with extensive connections. If we mishandle this, it could trigger a dispute between our Sect and others. In my opinion, the most urgent task is to first verify the intelligence. If the information is true, we must still report the matter in detail to the Sect and let the Sect Leader and the Elders decide on a course of action."
Deng Ziheng had always been known for his steady and prudent approach, always considering every angle.
Chen Qing nodded in agreement. "What the Elder says is absolutely right. We’ll proceed with this plan for now: verify the intelligence and report to the Sect."
Yanzi Dock was the leader of the Celestial Star Seventy-Two Islands, by no means an ordinary small power.
Moreover, the various powers of the Seventy-Two Islands were intricately intertwined. They had always stood together and were extremely exclusive.
Whether to antagonize them was a major strategic decision that concerned the entire Sect, one that would have widespread consequences and had to be made by the upper echelons Within the Sect.
If he acted rashly now and suffered a setback, not only would he fail to achieve his goal, but he would also be caught in an impossible dilemma. The consequences would be unimaginable.
In the following days, Dongji City seemingly returned to its usual order.
The disciples from Xu Wang Mountain were dispatched in groups to patrol the port, help defend key locations, and maintain security around Dongji City, all while secretly watching for any subtle clues related to the Demon Faction or Black Profound Island.
Chen Qing, meanwhile, spent most of his time at the Martial Arts Arena.
After receiving Luo Zhixian’s meticulous guidance, his understanding of the Spear Path had deepened, and he now had a clearer direction for his Cultivation.
Every day, the sound of his spear whipping through the air echoed across the Martial Arts Arena.
The magnificent Righteous Qi of the True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear and the elusive, unpredictable nature of the Biluo Jinghong Spear were displayed alternately in his hands, each complementing and verifying the other.
At times, he was like the True Martial World manifest, his Spear Momentum immense and heavy, suppressing all evil.
At other times, his body moved like a Startled Swan, his spear striking like lightning with an unpredictable trajectory.
In his constant practice and comprehension, the two vastly different Unparalleled Spear Skills gradually showed signs of merging and integrating.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success is Inevitable]
[True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear Perfection (17,841/20,000)]
[Biluo Jinghong Spear Minor Achievement (155/3,000)]
On his status panel, the progress of his True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear was astonishingly fast.
This was certainly boosted by his [Heaven Rewards Diligence] Fate Plate, but the core reason was Luo Zhixian’s meticulous teaching and that sliver of True Martial Demon-Vanquishing intent he had personally demonstrated.
Only by grasping its true intent could one achieve a commanding perspective.
Because of this, Chen Qing came to realize that even among Unparalleled Martial Arts, the True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear contained an awe-inspiring Righteous Qi and a magnificent Momentum bent on sweeping away all evil. Its concept and power far surpassed those of ordinary Unparalleled Martial Arts.
Not only that, but Chen Qing could feel his understanding of the spear and his control over his Power constantly improving amidst this high-intensity Cultivation.
With a clear target of investigation—Black Profound Island—the spies under Steward Huang Mei’s command had a definite direction, and their efficiency increased significantly.
Half a month later, Huang Mei came to report again.
"True Inheritance Chen, Elder Deng, after extensive verification from multiple sources, we can confirm that traces of Demon Faction villains have been found on Black Profound Island! It should be an important stronghold, a Sub-Pavilion established by the Demon Faction. Those entrenched there are all Demon Faction elites."
She presented a more detailed file. "According to our investigation, this Sub-Pavilion is currently led by three Demon Faction masters. The first is named Fang Cheng, at Astral Force Perfection Cultivation. He is brutal by nature, and his ’Blood Evil Palm’ is astonishingly powerful. A month ago, he caused the ’Lin Family Town’ massacre along the Qiu Long Path, slaughtering over a hundred innocent people to advance his Evil Skill."
"The second is named Guo Pingling, at the Late-stage Astral Force. He is skilled in disguise and once infiltrated a vassal family of our Sect. He poisoned and assassinated three Astral Force masters in that family, including its patriarch, causing the family’s strength to suffer a great loss."
"The third..."
Huang Mei paused, her tone growing heavy. "This person is named Zhao Yuandou. He was once... an Inner Sect Disciple of our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. He betrayed the Sect three years ago and defected to the Infinite Demon Sect! It is said that his Cultivation had stagnated for years, and he was tempted into depravity by the Demon Faction. This man is quite familiar with our Sect’s internal affairs. His strength was at the Late-stage Astral Force when he defected, and it has likely improved since then. After his betrayal, he led an ambush against one of our Sect’s teams on an external mission, resulting in the deaths of several Outer and Inner Sect Disciples."
"However, according to the reports from our embedded informant, ever since True Inheritance Chen and Elder Deng arrived in Dongji City, these few on Black Profound Island have been like birds startled by a drawn bow. They’ve recently curbed their activities and kept a low profile, and even their subordinates have gone into hiding, acting with extreme secrecy."
With a True Essence Realm master like Deng Ziheng nearby, the Demon Faction villains on Black Profound Island were long since scared into silence, not daring to make the slightest move.
Chen Qing thought for a moment before asking, "Have you thoroughly investigated Black Profound Island’s background?"
"We have."
Huang Mei said slowly, "Black Profound Island’s own Island Master is named Jiang Kui, also known as ’Overturning River Ao’. He has an Astral Force Perfection Cultivation, a violent temperament, and controls Black Profound Island and its surrounding waters. This man has acknowledged a True Essence Realm master from Yanzi Dock as his adoptive father. It is precisely because of this connection that Black Profound Island can gain a foothold within Yanzi Dock’s sphere of influence and even harbor the Demon Faction."
After listening, Chen Qing nodded silently.
The Demon Faction’s crimes were numerous, and the traitor Zhao Yuandou was especially culpable.
He said in a deep voice, "Send this intelligence report to the Sect immediately, by the most urgent means!"
"Yes!"
Huang Mei accepted the order and left.
After the report was sent, Chen Qing continued to immerse himself in his Cultivation while quietly awaiting the Sect’s response.
Several days later, the Sect’s orders finally arrived—and they were personally approved by the Sect Leader himself!
The content of the order was concise and to the point.
"The Demon Faction runs rampant. All disciples of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect are to kill them on sight, without mercy! Regardless of where they hide or who shelters them, any confirmed Demon Faction stronghold may be struck down with thunderous force as a warning to others! Should any dare to obstruct, they will be treated as part of the Demon Faction and eliminated all the same! By order of Jiang Lishan."
Seeing the Sect Leader’s harshly worded, decisive, and ruthless order, Chen Qing’s heart settled.
He now had the strongest possible backing for his subsequent actions and no longer needed to worry too much about Yanzi Dock’s attitude.
Chen Qing handed the Sect Leader’s order to Deng Ziheng. The latter took it and swept his gaze over it, a rare look of gravity appearing on his placid face.
"Since the Sect Leader has given the order, the arrow is already on the bowstring and must be fired,"
Deng Ziheng stroked his beard in thought. "However, you must be mentally prepared for this trip to Black Profound Island."
The most difficult opponent on this trip to Black Profound Island might not be the members of the Demon Faction, but Yanzi Dock.
"This disciple understands."
Chen Qing paused briefly before giving Deng Ziheng a solemn fist-and-palm salute. "If anything unexpected happens, I may have to trouble Elder Deng to take action and hold the line for us."
Having a True Essence Realm master present would save a lot of trouble.
Deng Ziheng waved his hand. "It is no trouble, merely a part of my duty. Since you already have a plan, just do as you see fit. This old bag of bones can still move around a bit."
"This disciple understands!" Chen Qing replied with a solemn expression.
He delayed no further, immediately summoning Steward Huang Mei, Luo Qianjue, He Shuang, and other core personnel.
.....