https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-61-The-Cloudy-Plains-a-Hundred-Miles-Free-of-Demons-No-Longer-Holds-True/12988722/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-63-Grandmaster-Taiwu-s-Interrogation/12988724/
Chapter 62: The Disciples' Grievances
Chapter 62: The Disciples' Grievances
In the third month of spring, the weather finally warmed up.
The Great Zhou was bustling with life and vitality.
The common folk were busy with their spring plowing, a task that kept them occupied.
Spring plowing season was also the time when vigilance against demonic creatures was at its peak.
Throughout the cities within the national borders, the bounty hunters and the army were on high alert, guarding against any demonic creature attacks.
Every effort was made to protect the people's spring plowing.
Meanwhile, at the Yunyang Sect, the demon-slaying campaign had been underway for over half a month.
In the past, the sect's direct and inner disciples would usually lead teams or serve as squad commanders.
However, this time, the sect required them to go to the frontlines and participate in demon-slaying alongside the others.
The Yunyang Sect's defensive line had already retreated significantly, but between the line and the sect, there was still a vast dense forest.
If these demonic creatures crossed the Yunyang Sect's territory, they would enter the heart of the Great Zhou.
That would be when the real trouble began.
Eradicating the demonic creatures hiding within the forest was by no means an easy task.
In the mountain forest, a six-person squad from the Yunyang Sect found a spot to rest.
Their faces were filled with exhaustion.
Since their departure at dawn, they had been searching the mountain forest for demonic traces.
To be honest, even if there were golden demons, it would be better for them to take some risks than to search fruitlessly.
"I thought that after the sect drove away Su Chen, the disciple who stole credit, it would be easier for us to gain merit.
But now, it feels like earning contribution points has become more difficult."
The speaking disciple looked disheveled and covered in dust.
After running around for so long with almost no results, it was natural for him to feel frustrated.
Recalling the previous year, earning contribution points had been so much easier.
They only needed to lie in ambush, and the demonic creatures would come to them.
"Last year, I even complained about earning too few contribution points, but in this month, I haven't earned as much as I did in those seven days last year."
"Who doesn't feel the same?"
"I wonder what happened. How did the sect suddenly become unable to hold back those demonic creatures?"
There was a hint of disappointment in their voices.
This kind of conversation had taken place among many other Yunyang Sect disciples as well.
"I heard that it's because of Su Chen.
They say that the demonic traces the sect had before were all found and reported by Su Chen.
Now that he's gone, the remaining scout disciples can't handle the situation.
The frontlines are constantly being ambushed, and even the sect has been attacked by demonic creatures."
When Su Chen's name was mentioned, the others around him clearly didn't believe it.
"Where did you hear this gossip? It doesn't sound credible at all."
"Don't be skeptical. This is the truth.
The sect has already arranged several rounds of reviews. They first reviewed the scout disciples, then the watchtower disciples, and the key person in question is Su Chen."
During their conversation, the topic turned to Su Chen.
"Now that you mention it, I seem to have some impression of him.
Su Chen's strength is average, but when it comes to finding demonic traces, he does have a unique skill.
But you're making him sound so important, and I still find it hard to believe.
Could it be that the sect's numerous scout disciples can't match up to him alone?"
As the words fell, a disciple immediately stood up to refute.
"Now, which of those scout disciples isn't a kinship disciple?
They're either close to the headmaster or the team leader; they're all there to earn contribution points."
The disciple paused for a moment, then stood up.
"Let's not talk about anything else. After Su Chen left, the contribution points I earned decreased.
If I had to choose, I'd rather have the situation from before.
Even if I'm deducted two-tenths of my contribution, I'll accept it."
"Of course, who wouldn't want that?"
"You didn't see that Fu Jianyun and Liu Xingwan didn't manage to slay many demonic creatures either."
"It's so difficult for them, and in our current situation, I wonder if we can earn even half of last year's contribution."
Their words were filled with complaints.
Without contribution points, there were no resources.
Without resources, it was as if they were stuck in place.
Under the current circumstances, it was several times more dangerous than last year's ambush against the demonic creatures.
Yet, the contribution gained was significantly less.
Who would still be motivated?
As the sky gradually darkened, the six-person squad began their return to the sect.
These disciples who participated in the demon-slaying campaign didn't need to guard the frontline.
At dusk, the crowd gathered at the Yunyang Sect's mountain gate.
Core disciples like Fu Jianyun and Liu Xingwan didn't participate, but most of the other disciples were present.
The Third Elder, who was in charge of leading the demon-slaying campaign, was currently giving instructions to the group of disciples.
Today, for the entire day, so many disciples were dispatched.
In total, they had slain twenty-two demonic creatures.
At this rate of demon-slaying, when would they be able to eradicate all the demonic creatures within the defensive line?
The Third Elder then announced the decision to increase the demon-slaying contribution by one-tenth.
If it were last year, everyone would have been extremely excited.
Last year's demon-slaying campaign felt effortless.
They simply had to enter the frontline with their weapons, locate the demonic creatures based on the intelligence they received, and slay them.
Last year's demons seemed like treasure chests of contribution points.
But this year, the strength of the demonic creatures didn't seem to have changed much.
Yet, they couldn't find them, truly couldn't find them.
When the Third Elder mentioned this plan to increase contribution points, everyone's enthusiasm was lacking.
Even with a five-tenths increase in contribution points, there might not be much improvement.
After the conversation ended, the disciples returned to their respective residences.
Tomorrow, they still had to continue searching for traces of demonic creatures in the mountain forests.
Other sects within the defensive line didn't have any issues with demonic creatures roaming freely.
If the top-ranked Yunyang Sect faced this situation, it was understandable, but if they couldn't resolve it, they would lose face.
Lying on their beds, the disciples in the same room couldn't help but start talking.
"The Third Elder spoke so confidently about exterminating all demonic creatures within half a month.
Now, almost a month has passed, have even half of the demonic creatures been eradicated?
They deduct contribution points left and right, and they make it sound like a big deal to increase it by one-tenth.
Those who don't know might think it's been doubled."
One person started to complain, and the others followed suit.
"Others are relying on core disciples to completely eradicate the demonic creatures.
Didn't you see that Fu Jianyun and Liu Xingwan have already taken action?
Giving us an extra one-tenth contribution is already giving us face."
"Hmph, Fu Jianyun only managed to slay seven demonic creatures today, right?
Liu Xingwan had even fewer, only five."
"Is their demon-slaying count really that low?
During last year's late summer purge, they casually slew hundreds of demons.
What's happening today?"
In the room, the group of disciples became increasingly heated in their discussion.
Some quickly spoke up to remind them to keep their voices down.
"Before, everyone was trying to curry favor with Fu Jianyun and Liu Xingwan.
The demonic creatures within the encirclement were all dealt with by these core disciples, so naturally, they earned more contribution points."
As the sect declined, various complaints naturally increased.
The core disciples, upon whom great hopes were pinned, didn't display any outstanding abilities or slay countless demons.
On the contrary, the results over the past few days were quite disappointing.
The demonic creatures weren't as easy to deal with as they had imagined.
(End of Chapter)
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