Chapter 155: Monthly Report First Place Leaves All Parties Stunned

Chapter 155: Monthly Report First Place Leaves All Parties Stunned

The inspector dispatched to verify the incident was Du Mingjie, a Foundation Building Sixth Layer cultivator.

Staring at the six corpses before him, he felt a creeping sense of self-doubt.

"You're telling me a group of demon cultivators launched consecutive attacks on Qingyang Spirit Mine?"

Du Mingjie's face bore five unspoken words—How is this possible?

Would Qingyang Spirit Mine even warrant three Foundation Building Late Stage cultivators targeting it?

Granted, if the Divine Flame Sect had designs on Qingyang, they’d surely attack together.

Yet here they were, dying one by one within days of each other.

This defied everything he knew about demon cultivator tactics over the past year.

Xiao Chen frowned. "I know. It doesn’t make sense to me either."

"I was peacefully stationed at the mine when they suddenly attacked."

"Chang Shunping even helped defend against them. He can confirm."

Chang Shunping arrived shortly after. Though stunned to see two White Bone Gate cultivators at the Foundation Building Peak, he held his composure.

"That’s right. These demon cultivators appeared out of nowhere. No idea why."

Du Mingjie scratched his head but didn’t press further. His job was merely to tally merit points—other matters weren’t his concern.

Using a specialized magical artifact, he verified the demon cultivators’ cultivation stages and handed Xiao Chen the corresponding merit tokens, then took the six corpses for disposal.

Starting at ten points for a Foundation Building First Layer, each cultivation stage added ten points. Two Foundation Building Third Layers, one Sixth, one Eighth, and two Ninths totaled 380 points.

Xiao Chen also inquired about the requirements to become a Demon-Slaying Guard. The Spirit Origin Sect’s rule was clear: either eliminate five Foundation Building Late Stage demon cultivators or thirty total to qualify. Applicants must also complete their current assignment before promotion.

The good news? No time limit existed for accumulating these kills.

The bad news? Foundation Building demon cultivators weren’t easy prey.

Despite over a year of conflict with the Divine Flame Sect, the Spirit Origin Sect had fewer than ten Demon-Slaying Guards. The fastest was Ye Fei, who achieved it in just two missions—six months.

This alone proved how daunting the requirement was.

Yet Xiao Chen had already completed half the quota. If White Bone Gate kept "sending gifts" in the next month, he might break the record.

Of course, that depended on their cooperation.

After seeing Du Mingjie off, Xiao Chen resumed cultivation of the Binding Immortal Formula.

When the report reached the Spirit Origin Sect, Grand Elder Yao Dehai was stunned.

"Xiao Chen was attacked—three consecutive waves, three Foundation Building Late Stage demon cultivators?"

He studied the map, puzzled. "Qingyang Spirit Mine isn’t a strategic node. What’s the Divine Flame Sect playing at?"

He couldn’t make sense of it.

Chen Tianyuan, meanwhile, had also heard the news. "We pulled strings to keep him safe. Why’s he in such a dangerous post?"

His brother, Elder Chen, nodded. "These connections should’ve protected him."

The two exchanged glances, baffled.

Ye Fei, now at Foundation Building Fifth Layer, studied the monthly report with grim determination.

Since joining the sect, Xiao Chen had always been ahead—despite his inferior spirit root. Even after Ye Fei’s breakthroughs and rare herb consumption, he’d never closed the gap.

"Good I arrived in Hezhou first", he mused. "This is my chance to surpass him."

Back in Xunmei Mountain, Liu Feng tossed his Go stones aside mid-game with a laugh.

"Black and White Sage, I forfeit. Need a break."

He’d expected to see his recent kills—a Foundation Building Seventh Floor and three Sixth Layers—on the rankings.

Instead, he gaped at the report. "Xiao Chen?!"

The Black and White Sage, who’d placed no higher than tenth for months, rushed over and froze at the sight of Xiao Chen’s name.

At the Luoyan Mountain outpost, Tie Xinweng bellowed, "Zhu Hui! The monthly report’s here. I bet you’re first again!"

Zhu Hui silently scanned the list, then stood motionless.

Tie Xinweng, noticing his silence, grabbed the report. "Xiao Chen? Who’s this? Li Zhou’s Ten doesn’t include him!"

Zhu Hui smiled faintly. "The Wind-Thunder Twin Swords’ owner never disappoints."

As word spread, Hezhou cultivators buzzed with questions.

Gu Qiuling, meanwhile, glared at the report, Xiao Chen’s name burning her eyes.

"This can’t be right", she muttered. "That nepotism case I sent to Qingyang… first place?"

Her junior sect sister leaned in. "Senior, what’s wrong?"

Gu Qiuling hesitated, then sighed. "Tell me… how did he win first?"

“Ah c’mon, Senior Apprentice, what’s so confusing about this?”

Pan Qiaochun shocked everyone with her blunt reply: “If there’s no way so many demonic cultivators could’ve appeared near the Qingyang Spirit Mine, then obviously someone lied about their achievements.”

Gu Qiuling frowned. “Falsifying achievements?”

Pan Qiaochun nodded. “Exactly. They kill demons elsewhere, drag the bodies to the Qingyang Spirit Mine, and claim the mine was attacked to steal spirit points.”

“You wouldn’t believe how often these entitled clan brats pull this stunt,” she added bitterly. “They use their family connections to steal credit from others.”

Gu Qiuling’s eyes widened in sudden realization, then narrowed in fury. “So that’s how it’s been! Those parasites!”

Pan Qiaochun tried to calm her. “Forget it, Senior. It’s not worth getting angry over scum like that. Let’s just go eat our New Year’s dinner.”

But Gu Qiuling was still seething. “If it weren’t for Grand Elder protecting them, I’d send every one of these worms crawling back to Li Zhou myself!”

---

Elsewhere, discussions raged on.

Some marveled at Xiao Chen’s strength—nearly 400 points? Could he be another hidden Foundation Building peak talent? Others worried about the Divine Flame Cult’s motives, speculating what made the Qingyang Spirit Mine so special. And then there were those like Pan Qiaochun, eager to assume the worst about the “truth.”

---

Boom!

As midnight fireworks lit the sky, the New Year celebrations ended. But talk of Xiao Chen only intensified, spreading far beyond Hezhou.

In the Wanhu Valley, Yao Hua Zhenren sat in her throne, listening to reports with a raised brow. “It’s him again?”

She’d heard the name before—Lihuo Sect’s Golden Core Immortal Seedling.

Her sister, Yao Qin Zhenren, lounging nearby, asked curiously, “You know this Xiao Chen?”

Yao Hua nodded. “Remember when I visited Qianzhu Pavilion? He was there, buying a Wind-Thunder Pair Swords set for 110,000 spirit stones.”

Yao Qin recalled faintly. At the time, she’d been focused on forging alliances, not trivial details. Now intrigued, she asked, “Sister, how does Xiao Chen compare to Lixue?”

Yao Hua chuckled. “Dear Junior, I know you adore your disciple, but there’s no need to fret. Lixue’s heavenly spirit root talent is unparalleled. In this generation, only Qingxiao Sect’s Shao Mingyou rivals her. Comparing her to others? That’d be bullying.”

Their “Lixue” was Zhong Lixue, Wanhu Valley’s prized Golden Core Seedling. Though she’d always been told Shao Mingyou was her only true rival, she now noted Xiao Chen’s 380-point score with quiet interest.

---

The Divine Flame Cult, unusually quiet, had retreated, giving Hezhou a rare respite. Local cultivators returned home; outsiders explored nearby areas.

Xiao Chen received word the mine would halt operations for two days. He dismissed his team and flew to Xianghe Bazaar, Hezhou’s second-largest market.

The bazaar buzzed with Foundation Building cultivators. Sword beams crisscrossed the sky as traders hawked wares. Unlike Lihuo’s chaotic stalls, Xianghe specialized in dedicated shops.

Xiao Chen spotted a store named Zhuoyu Studio, its attendant boasting, “Each Jade Pendant here holds three permanent defense spells. Activate them with your spiritual sense—just like talismans, but reusable!”

He paused at a golden lotus pendant. “What spells? And the price?”

“Indestructible Vajra, Water Curtain Lotus Ring, and Huayang Treasure Shield. Originally 8,000 stones—today, 7,500.”

Xiao Chen paid without hesitation. The spells were practical, and the price fair.

---

Far away, Qingxiao Sect’s White Bone Gate leader Gu Weiyuan learned of his disciple Xiang Qirui’s death. His heart clenched—not from grief, but rage. Twenty-eight years cultivating the Holy Bone, ruined in two years.

He activated a jade token linked to the two Foundation Building guards he’d left behind. Nothing. Dead.

“Find the killer,” he hissed.

When silence followed, he smirked darkly. “No matter. The Spirit Origin Sect’s land, their guilt. Make them pay.”

He turned to an elder. “Yellow Spring Sovereign demands your redemption. Burn Qiqing County and Qingyang County to the ground—no survivors.”

The elder knelt, ecstatic. “Death is not an end, but rebirth!”

Others clamored for the same fate, desperate to die for their god.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end