https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-64-The-Mysterious-Grand-Array-at-the-Butian-Platform/12575117/
Chapter 65: Subduing Demons, the Azure Crane's Trembling Cry
Chapter 65: Subduing Demons, the Azure Crane's Trembling Cry
After a night had passed, more and more outer sect disciples entered the outer sect city at daybreak.
Disciples from the Demon-Subduing Peak and the Enforcement Peak began guarding each city gate, inspecting the identification badges of every disciple entering the city.
On the Compensation Peak, numerous disciples were already seated in meditation. Su Han and Zhen Qin stood at the edge of the peak, their brows furrowed as they surveyed the scene.
"Senior brother, something doesn't feel right. Should we leave?" Zhen Qin whispered.
Trained in the cultivation technique taught by Jiang Qiong, she had keen perception. The Demon-Subduing disciples standing at the edge of the Compensation Peak made her feel uneasy, and this instinctive feeling urged her to want to flee this place.
Su Han also sensed that something was amiss, so he nodded and left with his junior sister.
They went against the flow of people, and they weren't the only ones. Some other disciples also sensed something unusual and wanted to leave the outer sect city, but even more disciples chose to trust the Tai Xuan Sect.
Along the way to the city gate, Su Han and Zhen Qin were stopped by the Demon-Subduing disciples. They were allowed to enter but not to leave.
Su Han's gaze shifted to the flags standing atop the city walls, and his brows furrowed again. These flags hadn't been there when he entered the city yesterday.
"Junior sister, I'll attract their attention, and you find a chance to escape," Su Han said using the Art of Sound Transmission.
Upon hearing this, Zhen Qin subconsciously looked at him.
At that moment, Su Han suddenly drew his sword and rushed towards the city gate in one swift step.
"Audacious!"
The disciples guarding the city gate shouted angrily. Without any orders, the surrounding Demon-Subduing disciples immediately took action.
Zhen Qin wanted to support Su Han, but seeing him surrounded, she knew that if she joined him now, she would only end up captured as well. Doing so would betray his good intentions.
She immediately moved towards the city gate, but there were nearly a hundred Demon-Subduing disciples blocking the way, with more on the city walls. Escape seemed impossible.
Zhen Qin rushed towards the direction with the fewest people. At the same time, other disciples who wanted to leave the city also took action, creating chaos at the gate.
The weakest among the Demon-Subduing disciples were at the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm. Soon, Su Han was pressed to the ground, unable to move.
He struggled to lift his head and saw Zhen Qin injured and on the ground as well. This sight made his eyes redden with anger.
The one who had injured Zhen Qin was a woman dressed in the black robes of the Demon-Subduing Peak. She had come from outside the city and now stood blocking the gate, her eyes sweeping over everyone as she said coldly, "Today, we are investigating spies from the Demon Path. Anyone trying to leave is confirming their identity as a member of the Demon Path!"
Upon hearing this, the restless disciples actually breathed a sigh of relief.
So, it was an investigation of Demon Path spies. No wonder the sect was making such a big deal out of it.
They had been afraid that the Tai Xuan Sect was up to something else. But if it was just about hunting down demon cultivators, they had nothing to fear. Their consciences were clear.
Su Han, Zhen Qin, and the other disciples who had made a move were sealed by the Demon-Subduing disciples using talismans to restrict their spiritual energy. They were then escorted to the Compensation Peak.
As noon approached, the gates of the outer sect city were closed.
A loud bell rang out, and all the disciples in the city heard a solemn voice: "All disciples, immediately gather at the Compensation Peak!"
Disciples from all over the city began to make their way towards the Compensation Peak, and soon, tens of thousands of disciples stood on the vast peak.
News about the outer sect's plan to investigate Demon Path spies had already spread, and those who weren't spies felt relieved. Some even started cultivating on the peak.
Ye Lan arrived at the Compensation Peak with the Enforcement disciples. As she was about to step onto the stairs, she suddenly spotted a row of kneeling disciples in the distance. Her brows furrowed as she recognized Su Han and Zhen Qin among them, their hair disheveled and bloodstains on their mouths. It was clear they had just been through a battle.
Ye Lan did not act rashly. Instead, she averted her gaze and thought about how to rescue her two junior cousins.
After much consideration, she had to admit that the only person she could turn to was Lu Jiujia.
The Enforcement Peak had been completely suppressed by the Demon-Subduing Peak, and even the peak master wouldn't be able to retrieve anyone from their grasp.
Ye Lan couldn't help but worry about Gu An. She hoped he hadn't entered the city.
She felt that today's events were about more than just capturing demon cultivators.
As a disciple of the Enforcement Peak, she couldn't just escape because of her suspicions. Deep down, she still trusted the Tai Xuan Sect, believing that the Demon-Subduing Peak's schemes could only be carried out in secret.
Far away.
Jiang Qiong and the hunchbacked elder stood by the window of a pavilion. They weren't the only inner sect disciples passing by the outer sect city who hadn't gone to the Compensation Peak. They were just curious about what the outer sect was up to.
"Last night, a powerful divine sense checked the entire city. Their cultivation level is probably beyond the Transformation Realm," the hunchbacked elder frowned and said solemnly.
Beyond the Transformation Realm?
Jiang Qiong narrowed her eyes.
The hunchbacked elder then asked, "Miss, can you now tell me why you're here?"
Jiang Qiong looked at the distant Compensation Peak and said, "To kill a traitor."
Traitor?
The hunchbacked elder looked puzzled.
Time continued to pass.
When the number of disciples on the Compensation Peak exceeded a hundred thousand, the vast peak still looked sparse.
Lu Jiujia stood at the edge of the peak, his gaze sweeping over the disciples. The killing intent between his brows was even more pronounced, giving people a dangerous feeling.
Ye Lan approached, and upon seeing her, Lu Jiujia frowned.
"Su Han and Zhen Qin were captured by your people. Can you let them go?" Ye Lan said in a low voice.
Although she had already broken ties with Lu Jiujia, she had to swallow her pride for the sake of her junior cousins.
If she were the one captured, she could choose to die. But these two were Gu An's disciples, and she couldn't ignore them completely.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiujia's frown deepened, but he still nodded slightly.
"Thank you!"
After speaking, Ye Lan turned and left.
Lu Jiujia watched her leave, his expression conflicted. Finally, he could only sigh and then set off to find Su Han and the others.
After half an incense stick's worth of time, he returned with Su Han and Zhen Qin to the spot where he had been standing.
Zhen Qin asked cautiously, "Uncle Lu, is it really just about catching spies from the Demon Path?"
Lu Jiujia nodded slightly, remaining silent.
Zhen Qin breathed a sigh of relief and refrained from asking further questions. However, Su Han continued to observe Lu Jiujia, his intuition telling him that something was amiss.
Suddenly, a red umbrella rose from behind a tall building to the east of the Compensation Peak. It swiftly flew to the center of the Compensation Peak, attracting countless gazes.
As the umbrella opened, white jade beads tied to its tassels fell gracefully, colliding with each other in the air and emitting crisp sounds.
Boom!
The red umbrella burst forth with a powerful spiritual force, and a faint golden light circle expanded, quickly covering the entire outer sect city and connecting with the flags on the city walls.
Everyone in the city looked up, their reactions ranging from astonishment to dread.
A figure appeared out of thin air beneath the red umbrella, and it was none other than the black-robed man.
"I am Chu Xian, an elder from the main sect's city of the Tai Xuan Sect," the black-robed man, Chu Xian, announced. "I am here to purge the outer sect of spies from the Demon Path."
As his words landed, the overwhelming aura of a Void Crossing cultivator enveloped the entire outer sect, causing everyone to sense his formidable power.
Among the crowd, Ye Lan looked up at the lofty figure of Chu Xian, her eyes filled with shock.
What kind of cultivation would one need to possess to exude such an imposing aura? Not just her, but Lu Jiujia, Su Han, and Zhen Qin were equally astounded. The vast majority of the outer sect disciples gazed upon Chu Xian with reverence, as if they were beholding a celestial being.
"The Demon-Subduing Hall has been established in the outer sect for many years, and while they have captured numerous spies from the Demon Path, there are still demonic cultivators committing atrocities. Thus, we shall start by investigating the Demon-Subduing Hall!"
Chu Xian's voice was cold and detached. As his words landed, the red umbrella above him swayed, emitting an eerie sound that reverberated throughout the city.
Lu Jiujia's expression changed drastically, and he clutched his chest, falling to his knees with a thud.
He wasn't alone; the other Demon-Subduing disciples nearby did the same, some even crying out in agony.
"Uncle Lu, what's wrong?" Zhen Qin asked anxiously, her worry evident.
Lu Jiujia felt as if his body was being torn apart by countless insects, the pain excruciating. He couldn't muster the strength to reply and could only gesture for Zhen Qin and Su Han to stay away from him.
The disciples on the Compensation Peak turned their attention to the group of Demon-Subduing disciples at the edge of the peak, their voices filled with shock and confusion.
"The magic treasure above my head is the Demon Subduing Umbrella," Chu Xian continued. "Under its light, demonic energy will be eradicated, and anyone who cultivates demonic arts will turn into blood!"
The Compensation Peak erupted into chaos!
Were the Demon-Subduing disciples all demonic cultivators?
Over the years, the Demon-Subduing Hall had captured countless people, earning the disdain of many. Now that it was revealed that they were demonic cultivators themselves, how could the disciples not be furious? A chorus of curses and accusations filled the air.
Lu Jiujia endured unbearable pain, his forehead pressed against the ground as his body trembled violently.
"Damn it... As expected..."
Lu Jiujia gritted his teeth, his face contorted with anguish. He was unable to mobilize his spiritual energy, and his heart sank into unprecedented dread.
Demonic energy emanated from his body, rising into the air and surging toward the Demon Subduing Umbrella, along with the demonic energy of the other Demon-Subduing disciples.
Ye Lan stepped out from the crowd and saw Lu Jiujia's agonized state. Without hesitation, she took out a pill from her storage bag and fed it to him.
This action drew scorn and insults from the other disciples, but she remained unmoved.
However, her pill had no effect.
"Sis... Sister, run..." Lu Jiujia managed to say, each word seeming to take all his strength.
As he uttered the word "run," he spat out a mouthful of black blood.
"What's going on?" Ye Lan asked in a low voice, her brows furrowed. She paused for a moment before continuing, "I can't escape right now. Unless the truth is revealed, and the entire sect rises up in rebellion, there's little hope for us."
Lu Jiujia was too weak to respond, and he could only lift his right hand shakily, pointing towards the sky.
Ye Lan followed his finger and saw that he was pointing at Chu Xian, who hovered above.
"Next, we shall investigate the spies from the Demon Path among the disciples on the peak," Chu Xian's voice rang out, silencing the chaotic Compensation Peak. In that moment, even those with clear consciences felt a twinge of unease.
The Demon Subduing Umbrella swayed once more, its eerie sound causing everyone's hearts to palpitate.
Ye Lan seemed to sense something and abruptly lowered her head. She noticed that the ground of the Compensation Peak was covered in dense blood-red patterns, resembling strange ancient characters. Her feet were positioned right on top of these patterns, and a sinister force seeped into her body, forcibly sealing her spiritual energy and immobilizing her.
She trembled uncontrollably, and the White Spirit Sword at her waist began to emit a faint sound.
All the disciples on the peak knelt down simultaneously, like a wave crashing down. Their feet were also positioned on the intricate blood-red patterns.
"I didn't expect the infiltration of the Demon Path to be so deep," Chu Xian's voice echoed from above, as cold as ice. "Since this is the case, there is no longer a need for this outer sect to exist."
...
In the pavilion within the Xuan Valley, Gu An was in the midst of writing when the table suddenly shook, causing his brush to pause.
His gaze shifted to the side, where the Green Rainbow Sword rested on the table. At that moment, the sword was trembling violently, its blade seemingly yearning to burst out of its sheath. A faint birdcall could be heard from within.
As Gu An looked at the sword, his eyes flickered with a complex mix of emotions.
What will happen next, I'm sure you can guess. Please support me with your monthly votes and recommendations!
(End of Chapter)
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