Chapter 347: The Ziyue Sect

Chapter 347: The Ziyue Sect

While Chu Ning was astonished, his expression remained calm.

In a deep voice, he asked, "Yaochi Palace was destroyed? May I ask for more details, friend?"

At this moment, Yue Qing hesitated.

Seeing this, Chu Ning knew that he had some misgivings.

He maintained his calm demeanor and said indifferently, "You don't have to worry, friend. I'm just running an errand to deliver something to Yaochi Palace.

I don't know much about the palace itself, and if it has indeed been destroyed, I won't go there. But it would be good to have an answer for my friend later."

Hearing this, Yue Qing and Li Liquan glanced at each other.

Then, Yue Qing continued, "Actually, there's no reason I can't tell you about it. After all, it hasn't been that long since it happened.

If you're interested, you can certainly find out by asking around."

Yue Qing paused before continuing, "Yaochi Palace was mainly composed of female cultivators, and their strength was not weak. There used to be Nascent Soul cultivators in the palace.

However, something seemed to have happened to the Nascent Soul cultivator in the sect forty years ago, as they never returned.

The palace master at that time might have felt the pressure and started to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Unfortunately, fifteen years ago, an accident occurred during her attempt, resulting in her death."

Yue Qing sighed softly and said, "Although there seemed to be new Golden Core cultivators in the palace afterward, losing two of their top powerhouses dealt a heavy blow to Yaochi Palace's strength.

As they occupied a place with abundant spiritual energy, it naturally attracted the greed of other forces, especially with the recent friction between the righteous and demonic paths in the East Sacred Continent.

Eight years ago, the demonic path sect, Ziyue Sect, launched an attack on Yaochi Palace.

Not only did they occupy Mount Yao, but they also captured most of the female cultivators from the palace. It's truly a humiliating incident for the righteous sects."

As Yue Qing spoke, Bai Ling glanced at Chu Ning and said indignantly, "Didn't any of the righteous sects stand up to uphold justice?"

Bai Ling's reaction didn't surprise Yue Qing.

After all, it was understandable for a female cultivator to react strongly to such news.

Yue Qing's expression turned slightly uncomfortable as he said, "I heard that some disciples of Yaochi Palace managed to escape and sought help from the righteous sects.

However, the relationships among the major sects in the East Sacred Continent, whether between the righteous or demonic paths, are not deep-rooted.

The few righteous sects that had friendly ties with Yaochi Palace didn't immediately take action, and the rest naturally didn't want to get too involved."

Chu Ning asked in a deep voice, "What about the escaped disciples of Yaochi Palace?"

A serious expression appeared on Qiu Qing's face as he said, "Speaking of them, these female cultivators are truly admirable.

I heard that they've been hiding and evading the pursuit of the Ziyue Sect. For some unknown reason, the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Ziyue Sect seems to be in seclusion and hasn't come out.

From time to time, this group of cultivators ambushes members of the Ziyue Sect who venture out, causing them quite a few losses."

As Yue Qing spoke, he glanced at Chu Ning, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

However, Chu Ning's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't ask any further questions.

Instead, he said indifferently, "In that case, it seems difficult to find them, and I won't be able to deliver this item."

Without further inquiries about Yaochi Palace, Chu Ning changed the subject and asked about the conflict between the righteous and demonic paths in the East Sacred Continent.

The division between the righteous and demonic paths in the East Sacred Continent was clear, and while there were frictions among the righteous sects, they were mostly minor.

Major confrontations were not common.

However, conflicts between sects of the righteous and demonic paths did occur from time to time.

This was different from the West Alliance Continent, where sects formed alliances, blurring the lines between the righteous and demonic paths.

But in the East Sacred Continent, the two paths stood in opposition without forming united fronts, leading to more frequent clashes between sects.

Yaochi Palace had been occupied by the Ziyue Sect, but similarly, there were demonic path sects that had been eradicated by powerful righteous forces.

From Yue Qing's account, Chu Ning learned that Yaochi Palace was one of the recently eradicated sects.

Looking back over the past hundred years, there had been similar incidents occurring every five or ten years.

Chu Ning chatted with the two Golden Core cultivators from Dongrui Sect for a long time before leaving their sect's premises.

From start to finish, the sect leader of Dongrui Sect never showed any intention of inviting Chu Ning into their sect.

Likewise, Chu Ning didn't bring up such a request. After Yue Qing provided a general overview but declined to elaborate further, Chu Ning took his leave.

Only after Chu Ning and Bai Ling's figures had disappeared from sight did Yue Qing and the elder surnamed Li finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Despite being only at the late Golden Core stage, he gives me an extremely dangerous feeling, especially considering his powerful spiritual sense and his age." Yue Qing watched the direction Chu Ning had left in and spoke.

"Fortunately, they don't seem to have any malicious intentions. They're just inquiring about some news," Yue Qing added.

At this moment, Li Liquan's expression returned to its usual calm, but there was a hint of hesitation in his tone as he said, "It's unusual for cultivators as young as them to have such achievements.

They seem to have some knowledge about the East Sacred Continent, but not in great detail, which is strange. Could they be genius disciples who have just ventured out from a major sect after cultivating in seclusion?"

"That's possible," Yue Qing nodded and then asked, "Elder Li, do you think they might have some connection to Yaochi Palace?"

"I understand your concern, Elder Yue," Li Liquan smiled and shook his head.

That's why I agree with you, Junior Brother, for sharing what we know about Yaochi Palace."

Upon hearing Li Liquan's words, Yue Qing's tense expression eased slightly, and he offered a bitter smile.

"For a small sect to survive in the cultivation world, we have to tread carefully. Perhaps only those sects with Nascent Soul cultivators can live more comfortably."

"Nascent Soul..." Li Liquan shook his head. "Neither of us has much of a chance. If those two from earlier had the opportunity, they might."

The two elders then began to discuss the mysterious young man and woman who had appeared out of nowhere.

At that moment, Chu Ning and Bai Ling, the very subjects of their conversation, had already flown a hundred miles away.

Bai Ling, noticing the calm and collected expression on Chu Ning's face, took the initiative to speak.

"Young Master, are we heading to Mount Yao to find Cen Xianzi now?"

Chu Ning nodded. "Let's go take a look. Regardless, we should at least find out whether Cen Ziyi is alive or not. With her talent, she wouldn't have been an unknown figure within Yaochi Palace. If there are survivors from the palace, they should know something about her."

"Rest assured, Young Master. Cen Xianzi is blessed with good fortune; I believe she will be fine," Bai Ling reassured him.

"Let's hope so," Chu Ning replied, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Bai Ling understood the implication—it would be best if nothing had happened to Cen Ziyi, or else the Ziyang Sect would face dire consequences.

Even if the other party had a Nascent Soul cultivator, as long as they weren't at the mid-Nascent Soul stage or above, Chu Ning was confident he could put up a fight.

And even if they had a cultivator of that level, while Chu Ning wouldn't engage in a reckless life-or-death battle just yet, once he reached the Nascent Soul stage himself, he would settle the score with Ziyang Sect.

Two months later, in the central region of the East Sacred Continent, there lay a city called Wangshan.

It was the largest city within a ten-thousand-mile radius.

The city was home to both cultivators and mortals, the latter making up eighty percent of the population.

As for the cultivators, they were mostly low-level unaffiliated cultivators.

After all, the city was situated between four cultivation sites: Mount Yao, Star Sea Mountain, Misty Cloud Mountain, and Yellow Rock Valley.

Higher-level cultivators tended to venture into these four sites to cultivate.

Originally, there were four major sects in these areas: Yaochi Palace, Star Sea Sect, Xia Guang Zong, and Yellow Rock Valley.

The four sects coexisted peacefully, and under their joint governance, Wangshan City maintained a semblance of order.

Incidents of high-level sect cultivators bullying unaffiliated cultivators or unaffiliated cultivators oppressing mortals were rare.

However, this harmony began to unravel in recent years.

Ever since Ziyue Sect destroyed Yaochi Palace eight years ago, an increasing number of demonic cultivators and unaffiliated cultivators from the sect had been frequenting the city.

These newcomers were far less disciplined than the previous occupants, and conflicts arose frequently.

Some cultivators even treated mortal lives with contempt.

Both ordinary low-level cultivators and mortals lived in fear.

Many cultivators and mortals considered leaving the city for greener pastures.

However, leaving the city meant either passing through the territories of the four major sects or braving the Beast Chaos Mountain to the north, notorious for its rampant beast attacks.

For Qi Refining cultivators and mortals, it was an impossible choice.

On this particular day, Wangshan City was even more bustling than usual, as numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered from far and wide.

Many of the Qi Refining cultivators and mortals chose to stay indoors.

In a pavilion within the city, two cultivators sat facing each other, occasionally glancing out the window at the stream of passing cultivators.

One of them, a Qi Refining cultivator at the peak of the ninth layer, spoke up. "Brother Xu, why are there so many cultivators in Wangshan City? Is Ziyue Sect up to something again?"

The one addressed as Brother Xu was a middle-aged cultivator who had attained the Foundation Establishment stage.

He looked at his friend and shared some insider information that only Foundation Establishment cultivators would know.

"I heard that Ziyue Sect is recruiting a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators to serve as executives in the sect. That's probably why so many cultivators from other places have come here. Ziyue Sect is a demonic path sect, and they're not as strict about accepting members as the other sects. I've been told that as long as you're a Foundation Establishment cultivator and willing to agree to their terms, you can join."

Upon hearing this, the other cultivator quickly asked, "What about you, Brother Xu? Are you considering it?"

A conflicted expression appeared on Brother Xu's face. "In theory, it's a good opportunity to join a major sect now. And the cultivation technique we practice can't really be classified as either righteous or demonic. However, Ziyue Sect is notorious for their ruthless tactics, and I'm hesitant to commit fully without knowing what they might demand of me."

The other cultivator nodded in agreement. "True. It's strange that Ziyue Sect is suddenly recruiting so many Foundation Establishment cultivators as executives."

Uncertainty flashed across Brother Xu's face, but he ultimately chose not to voice his concerns, simply saying, "Who knows?"

Over the next few days, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in Wangshan City continued to grow, reaching nearly a hundred.

On the fifth day, under the guidance of Ziyue Sect representatives, this group of nearly a hundred cultivators flew towards Mount Yao.

Among them was Chu Ning.

Ever since he had learned about Yaochi Palace from Dongrui Sect, Chu Ning had rushed over without delay.

However, after spending a month in Wangshan City and even exploring the areas surrounding Mount Yao, he had failed to gather any information about Yaochi Palace survivors.

The only news he heard was that the last reported attack by Yaochi Palace survivors on Ziyue Sect cultivators had occurred three months ago.

At this moment, Chu Ning stood in the air with the other cultivators, gazing down at the former location of Yaochi Palace below.

He was currently displaying the cultivation base of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, neither too high nor too low. The robe he wore was plain and ordinary, and he had long since stored away Bai Ling, keeping her concealed within his spirit beast pouch.

Looking down from the air, Xiao Yaoshan was surrounded by towering peaks. Straight ahead was an imposing mountain gate, beyond which lay a wide road paved with blue stones.

Past the mountain gate, high walls, buildings of various sizes, winding paths, and lush bamboo groves presented a picturesque scene, filled with abundant spiritual energy—truly a rare immortal's treasure land.

However, at this moment, demonic cultivators exuding malevolent aura could be seen moving about within the sect.

Even from some of the courtyards, lewd noises and laughter could be heard, completely devoid of the ethereal aura one would expect from a sect of immortals.

"This is Xiao Yaoshan. After our Ziyue Sect occupied this place, we stationed many sect disciples here.

However, this mountain is vast, and there are plenty of resources nearby. Even if all of you enter this mountain to cultivate, there will be more than enough for everyone."

At this moment, the chubby mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator named Fan Hailai, whom they had met in Wangshan City, spoke to Chu Ning and the others.

As he spoke, Fan Hailai led the group down to the mountain gate.

"First, we will go and meet the sect's protectors. Once they confirm that there are no issues, you will officially become members of our Ziyue Sect."

Fan Hailai spoke casually, and the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators seemed relaxed as well.

Fan Hailai led them through the mountain gate and along the blue stone path. Soon, they arrived at a field where a formation had been set up.

As he entered the field, Chu Ning immediately sensed something.

"This formation faintly exudes a bloody and murderous aura. It seems to be a new formation set up by the Ziyue Sect after they occupied this place, not the original formation of Yaochi Palace."

Just as Chu Ning was thinking this, three figures appeared on the high platform at the front of the field.

On the left was an elder with a gaunt face and triangular eyes, giving off a sinister aura. He was a mid-Golden Core cultivator.

On the right was a female cultivator with a beautiful face and alluring eyes that swept over the group of cultivators, her gaze filled with seductive charm. She was also a mid-Golden Core cultivator.

In the middle stood the youngest of the three, a cultivator in his thirties with an extraordinary appearance. At first glance, he didn't seem to possess any hint of evil.

Surprisingly, this person had already reached the late-Golden Core stage.

It was this young cultivator who spoke.

"Fellow Daoists, I am Pei Jicai, one of the protectors of the Ziyue Sect. The two beside me are Wu Le and Xue Caiyun, also protectors of our sect."

As Pei Jicai spoke, his tone was very gentle, resembling that of a Confucian scholar.

However, the more gentle he seemed, the more serious the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators below became.

After all, this was a late-Golden Core protector of the Ziyue Sect, and it was clear that he was the one in charge here.

A person of his status would hardly be as mild-mannered as he appeared.

As everyone thought along these lines, Pei Jicai continued, "In recent years, our Ziyue Sect has been developing rapidly. A few years ago, we conquered Yaochi Palace and now possess two cultivation sites—Zizhushan and Xiao Yaoshan.

The cultivation of our sect members has been advancing by leaps and bounds.

With the addition of all of you joining us, our strength will surely soar to new heights."

As he spoke, his eyes swept over the cultivators in the field.

"From now on, all you need to do is focus on your cultivation within the sect. Each executive will provide you with the necessary resources.

When the sect requires your service, we will inform you.

The resources you receive will depend on your contributions."

Many cultivators in the field exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

However, some of the cultivators' faces showed suspicion, as if they didn't quite believe that the Ziyue Sect would simply offer them benefits without any strings attached.

Sure enough, Pei Jicai continued, "Of course, to ensure that none of you do anything detrimental to our sect, Fellow Daoist Wu, Xue, and I will need to place a restriction on each of you.

Rest assured, this restriction will not hinder your daily activities. As long as you don't betray the sect, this restriction will never be activated."

Hearing this, the crowd erupted into an uproar.

The cultivators had expected that the Ziyue Sect would have some requirements or restrictions for them, but when they heard that a restriction would be placed on their bodies, many became reluctant.

"Doesn't that mean we will be completely under your control from now on?"

"Yes, we can accept other constraints, but placing a restriction on our bodies is too much!"

…

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators shouted in protest.

However, their voices were quickly cut short.

Chu Ning's eyes flickered slightly before returning to normal.

At this moment, Pei Jicai, who had been standing on the high platform, suddenly appeared in the midst of the crowd.

His right hand was withdrawn from the chest of a cultivator who had just spoken, and through the hole in the cultivator's chest, everyone could vaguely see his shattered heart.

Many faces in the crowd paled in shock.

Pei Jicai had already flashed back to the high platform, his tone still mild as he asked, "Fellow Daoists, do you have any objections?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end