My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult-Chapter 337 - The Mystical Sects Heavenly Venerate
Chapter 337: Chapter 337 The Mystical Sect’s Heavenly Venerate Finally Appears in the World
Chapter 337: Chapter 337 The Mystical Sect’s Heavenly Venerate Finally Appears in the World
The moon shone bright, a gentle breeze blew, and in the distance, lanterns flickered amid the chirping of insects and the faint scent of grass.
The summer night on the grasslands conveyed a serene and pleasant tranquility.
The full moon hung high in the sky, spilling silver light in all directions, making the stars above seem dull in comparison.
Unlike the moon seen in the south, which, although full, seemed pitifully small and lackluster with a pale yellow glow, the moon here was large and round, bright and white like a silver platter suspended in the sky. Its clear moonlight draped over the grass like a thin veil, or like a gentle stream flowing softly, possessing a different kind of broad sanctity.
An Jing was sitting cross-legged on a mountain not far from Heavenly Water City, drawing in nature’s spiritual energy from the world around him. Due to the “Nameless Heart Scripture,” he could even directly absorb the spiritual energy from the world.
It was also because of the “Nameless Heart Scripture” that he acutely felt something was different in the world.
The aura of evil spirits pervaded, merging continuously with the spiritual energy entering people’s bodies. In the short term, there were no abnormalities, but should it continue for long, chaos would surely erupt around the world.
An Jing murmured gravely, “To solve this problem, we must cut off the strand of Earth Vein Spirit’s intent fused within Zongzheng Huachun’s body. That is the only way to eradicate the root cause.”
As the aura of evil spirits in the world increased, it became a tremendous pressure for him, since absorbing the evil spirits unknowingly could have terrifying consequences. Could he end up being assimilated by the evil spirits and become one of them?
Additionally, others were quietly absorbing the aura of evil spirits, and nobody knew what the end result might be.
At that moment, Ouyang Ping, Qiu Lun, and Jiang Renyi approached.
An Jing asked, “Have you found out Jiang Shang’s whereabouts yet?”
Ouyang Ping said solemnly, “No, it’s like he vanished into thin air.”
An Jing’s brow furrowed, “No, he hasn’t disappeared. He’s definitely hiding somewhere, absorbing Undying Blood. We can’t let Jiang Shang continue to take in Undying Blood.”
Jiang Shang’s strength was skyrocketing, from the initial Four Qi Realm to the current Five Qi Realm, and even during the battle at the Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum, his prowess surpassed Taiyin Kui’s. Now that he has acquired Undying Blood, his strength must have increased further.
His power climbed one step at a time, and no one knew if he might suddenly reach the Grandmaster Realm.
Jiang Shang was unpredictable, with unfathomable thoughts. Such a person could only be truly trusted once dead.
“Keep investigating. We must pursue his whereabouts with all our resources.”
An Jing waved his hand dismissively and turned towards the north, “The urgent matter at hand is the Houjin Royal Court. We’ll take Zongzheng Huachun’s head first.”
Hearing An Jing’s words, Qiu Lun and Jiang Renyi were both profoundly shaken.
After all, Zongzheng Huachun had been a figure to tremble the world for thirty years, the Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain, the preeminent person of the entire Houjin, and the first emperor to unify the grasslands.
Jun Qinglin died by his hand, and the knowledgeable people of the world understood that Jun Qinglin was undoubtedly severely wounded by Zongzheng Huachun and chose to die amidst the Houjin army to protect fellow Demon Sect experts.
As one of the Five Qi Grandmasters, Zongzheng Huachun was absolutely among the pinnacle of his time.
The battle at Yujing City not only boosted Zongzheng Huachun’s renown but also led him to acquire a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit’s intent, enhancing his strength further and propelling his fame to its zenith. Even the world’s mightiest martial artists shuddered at the mention of ‘Zongzheng Huachun’. With the Houjin army marching south and claiming horses, they even openly declared their intent to unify the world.
If it weren’t for Zhao Zhiwu reaching the Grandmaster Realm, then the title of the world’s number one martial artist might well belong to Zongzheng Huachun.
Such was a person who, if placed in the annals of history, would be a famously powerful Martial Arts Emperor.
Throughout history, very few have ever become Martial Arts Emperors, and even fewer have ever managed to kill one. Yet at this moment, An Jing was planning to eliminate this world-renowned Martial Arts Emperor.
Even if defeated, such an attempt would earn him a place in the annals of history.
Ouyang Ping’s expression was extremely grave as he said, “Houjin Royal Court has been quiet lately, with no signs of advancing toward the North Field either.”
An Jing said indifferently, “Zongzheng Huachun is waiting for me. He knows I will come, so he plans to wait like guarding a tree stump, waiting for the rabbit—to wait for my move.”
“Big brother, why don’t we turn our attention to attacking Jin Lv instead?”
Qiu Lun hastened to say, “Yuan City is running out of supplies, and I fear it cannot hold out much longer.”
The Great Yan is wreathed in smoke and flame, besieged by many factions; where could reinforcements come from for Great Yan now?
Yuan City is in imminent danger, and without immediate help, it will definitely face a major crisis.
An Jing turned to Qiu Lun and inquired, “Knowing a tiger lurks in the mountain yet still walking towards it, what kind of person does that?”
After pondering, Qiu Lun replied, “If it were an ordinary person, I would think them a fool, but if it were you, big brother, I’d consider them a master.”
An Jing looked in the direction of the Houjin Royal Court, “I want to see for myself just how fierce this tiger is.”
He knew that Zongzheng Huachun was powerful and had tricks up his sleeve, but since he had come to the North Field, he had compelling reasons to advance.
Ouyang Ping took a deep breath, also looking in the same direction.
Just then, a Human Sect spy dashed forth, “Tributor, a secret letter from Houjin is to be delivered to you.”
“A secret letter from Houjin?”
Qiu Lun and the others exchanged glances, curious about what this could mean.
What could be the reason for Houjin sending a secret letter at this time?
An Jing took the secret letter and opened it, his pupils suddenly narrowing before his eyes squinted into thin slits.
Qiu Lun, knowing An Jing to be a man who stayed calm in the face of anything, quickly asked, “Big brother, what is it?”
An Jing said evenly, “Zongzheng Huachun has challenged me to a battle.”
“A challenge!?”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Renyi said, “This must be some kind of scheme, right?”
Regardless of Zongzheng Huachun being the world’s second greatest master, with two hundred thousand elite Houjin troops at his disposal, there was absolutely no need for him to challenge An Jing.
“`
Or perhaps, he was absolutely confident that he could kill the Ghost Swordsman directly, as the core of the army occupying North Field was the Ghost Swordsman. Once the Ghost Swordsman was killed, this army would dissolve immediately, avoiding the warfare of the Houjin army.
Qiu Lun hurriedly said, “Big brother, this is definitely a conspiracy.”
An Jing stated emotionlessly, “I must go this time.”
To make him go, Houjin had indeed prepared a good move.
Qiu Lun’s eyebrows raised, surprised at how determined An Jing was after all.
Ouyang Ping asked, “An Tributor, where is the location of the duel?”
An Jing answered, “Yulong Snow Mountain.”
…..
Thirteen beautiful snow peaks stretched like a vigorous silver dragon, leaping among the white clouds.
Even in summer, snowflakes still fell on the extremely high peaks.
When it first began to snow, the flakes were usually not large or dense, floating lightly with the wind like willow catkins. As the wind grew stronger, the snow fell thicker, and the snowflakes became larger, weaving a white net where nothing could be seen just a few meters away, like a continuous curtain falling straight to the ground.
Atop the proud Snow Mountain, a figure sat cross-legged, surrounded by howling wind and snow, gradually being buried.
Suddenly, his body glowed with a blood-hued brilliance, melting all the drifting snowflakes and revealing his figure once more.
This person was none other than Jiang Shang, who had escaped from the Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum.
If An Jing and the Demon Sect’s masters saw Jiang Shang at that moment, they would be greatly shocked.
Because his once aged face had completely disappeared, and he had become much younger, looking to be in his forties. His appearance was not far behind that of Jiang Renyi, even with a few more traces of wild arrogance and rebelliousness.
The steep rocky mountains towered into the distant sky, with milky clouds floating by. The deep valleys were filled with boundless primitive mountains and rivers, and the majestic mountain ranges were capped with eternal snow accumulations.
Boom! Boom!
Jiang Shang emitted a powerful surge of blood essence in all directions, causing the entire mountain range to tremble, triggering an avalanche.
The sky roared with angry winds, and the violent snow surged down as if to consume everything in its path.
Below the avalanche, a barrier of True Qi formed against it, melting the snow into water under the heat of the True Qi as it moved upward towards the peak.
Even for a Grandmaster who is human, facing the overwhelming force of an avalanche proved to be too much, and as the mountains seemed to collapse, their True Qi gradually depleted.
Only then the newcomer could be seen, a woman dressed in the yellow robe of Houjin.
The newcomer was the Houjin Princess, Zongzheng Yue.
Zongzheng Yue was struggling to withstand the snow avalanche and shouted urgently, “Sect Hierarch Jiang, I am Zongzheng Yue, sent by my father’s command to visit you, Senior.”
Hearing this, a cold smile flickered on Jiang Shang’s lips, and with a wave of his sleeve,
Bang bang bang bang!
The surging Force Qi swept out, instantly causing the incoming heavy snow to explode apart.
Zongzheng Yue was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, and as she raised her head to look at Jiang Shang, she was greatly shocked. “Is Senior Jiang Shang?”
Jiang Shang casually said, “Indeed.”
Zongzheng Yue hurriedly said, “Congratulations, Senior, your cultivation has greatly improved, and your lifespan has greatly increased.”
At that moment, Zongzheng Yue’s heart was filled with shock. The last time she saw Jiang Shang, he was an old man, but he had now become a middle-aged man. Such skill was nothing short of turning decay into magic.
Furthermore, Jiang Shang’s cultivation had also increased tremendously. With the casual gestures just now, he managed to stop the momentum of the avalanche, even Taiyin Kui would not compare.
The strength seemed completely different from that of her father, could it be Separating Heaven and Earth?
Could the Undying Blood really be so miraculous?
What level had Jiang Shang reached now?
For a moment, Zongzheng Yue’s heart was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
“No need.”
Jiang Shang dismissed her with a wave of his hand, stating flatly, “What is the purpose of your visit?”
In the distance, he had already guessed the specific reason for Zongzheng Yue’s visit.
Zongzheng Yue bowed and said, “I’m here to inform you, Senior, that the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman are searching for your whereabouts.”
Jiang Shang, with his hands behind his back, looking down from above, said, “If I wish to leave, who in this world could stop me? Besides, do you think I’m not a match for that Ghost Swordsman?”
Zongzheng Yue quickly replied, “Of course not, Senior. Now that you have acquired a divine object, your strength has increased greatly. Apart from not having the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’, how many in the world could be your match?”
Jiang Shang’s eyes narrowed as he spoke, “Do you think Zongzheng Huachun is my match?”
Zongzheng Yue let out a dry laugh, not answering.
Jiang Shang stared intently at Zongzheng Yue, asking, “What does your silence mean?”
Zongzheng Yue felt a chill under his gaze, “Perhaps you are a bit stronger, Senior.”
Jiang Shang smiled, “Was this visit your idea, Zongzheng Huachun?”
Zongzheng Yue honestly answered, “Yes.”
At that moment, she was completely led by Jiang Shang.
“`
Jiang Shang continued, “Did he send you here because he wants this old man to deal with the Ghost Swordsman?”
Zongzheng Yue earnestly replied, “Releasing a tiger back into the mountains will lead to endless troubles. The Ghost Swordsman is so young, and his growth is shockingly rapid. If we give him a few more years, he will surely stir unrest across the world.”
“Senior, your deep grudge with him is irreconcilable. You should take this opportunity to eradicate the problem at its root.”
Throughout history, there has never been a Five Qi Grandmaster under the age of thirty. Yet the Ghost Swordsman is about to reach the Five Qi Grandmaster level, and he is also a swordsman.
A swordsman, primarily focused on killing, possesses strength that surpasses other experts of the same realm.
Jiang Shang nodded slightly, “You are right. The growth of the Ghost Swordsman is rapid, and he will soon reach the Five Qi Grandmaster level. When that time comes, without the Great Grandmaster stepping in, there will be no one in this world who can be his match.”
Relieved by the words, Zongzheng Yue said, “That’s why my father wishes to cooperate with Senior Jiang.”
A cold smile appeared on Jiang Shang’s lips, “But why should this old man cooperate with you?”
As Zongzheng Yue looked at Jiang Shang, who changed his face faster than flipping a page, he took a deep breath and said, “Senior Jiang, we are allies and share the same goal.”
Jiang Shang replied, “The Ghost Swordsman is highly skilled, and with the True Dragon Essence Blood he may have improved even further. He is not easy to kill. Furthermore, he cannot find this old man now, and will surely go to Houjin Royal Court seeking Zongzheng Huachun, who killed Jun Qinglin. Why should I go out and engage with him in a life-or-death battle?”
Grinding his teeth, Zongzheng Yue said, “Senior Jiang, the Ghost Swordsman won’t be unable to find you forever.”
As the words fell, the world turned cold as ice. Zongzheng Yue felt as though he had plummeted into an abyss, not even daring to take a deep breath.
A cruel glint appeared in Jiang Shang’s eyes, “Are you threatening this old man?”
After saying that, he reached out with his hand.
“Crack!” “Crack!”
Zongzheng Yue’s arm was instantly grabbed and then violently twisted, eliciting a crisp sound of breaking bones.
Zongzheng Yue didn’t expect Jiang Shang to strike without warning, and a scream of agony escaped him as large beads of sweat streamed down his face, “Senior, I meant no threat—just stating the facts. Working together to kill the Ghost Swordsman is beneficial to us both. What’s more, Houjin has more information about the Undying Blood…”
Hearing this, Jiang Shang’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked, “Where does Houjin know there is Undying Blood?”
Longevity was the only thing Jiang Shang pursued in his life.
For the sake of longevity, he had killed his wife, abandoned his offspring, and left behind the Demon Sect that he had devoted most of his life to.
Undying Blood was the key to his pursuit of longevity. Although he had already reached the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster, it was still extremely difficult for him to advance to the level of Great Grandmaster.
After all, there have been several Five Qi Grandmasters in each era throughout history, but Great Grandmasters were very rare, and sometimes none existed at all, showing the difficulty in reaching the Great Grandmaster realm.
However, having previously absorbed Undying Blood, Jiang Shang found that with it, his cultivation could keep improving without any hindrance or shackles, and he might even reach the realm of the Great Grandmaster.
He had now scavenged all the known places with Undying Blood, so the only choice left was to look elsewhere for it.
Zongzheng Yue continued, “Senior must work with me…”
Jiang Shang’s hand directly seized Zongzheng Yue’s throat, cutting off his words,
“Where is the Undying Blood?”
Zongzheng Yue, taken aback by Jiang Shang’s action, struggled with his only free arm, “It’s… in the hands of my father’s teacher.”
Jiang Shang’s eyebrows raised as he released Zongzheng Yue, “Zongzheng Huachun’s teacher?”
Could it be the Holy Master of the previous generation from the Great Snow Mountain? But the last Holy Master was only at the pinnacle of the Four Qi Realm, and rumors claimed he had long since died. It was unexpected that he was still alive.
Zongzheng Yue gasped for air, saying, “If you are willing to join forces with Houjin to kill the Ghost Swordsman, then my father’s teacher will directly give the Undying Blood to you, Senior Jiang.”
Jiang Shang didn’t speak, and seeing his expressionless face, Zongzheng Yue dared not say another word. She feared that saying the wrong thing might provoke the erratic Jiang Shang to kill her.
Because Jiang Shang was a madman, truly capable of anything.
After a long while, Jiang Shang finally asked, “Jiang Renyi is still with that Ghost Swordsman, right?”
In fear of misspeaking, Zongzheng Yue nodded, “Yes.”
Jiang Shang coldly said, “Good, this time this old man will kill them both.”
Zongzheng Yue shuddered. When discussing killing the Ghost Swordsman, Jiang Shang didn’t change at all. But the moment he talked about killing Jiang Renyi, a chilling murderous intent overflowed, sending shivers down one’s spine.
One must know that Jiang Renyi was his offspring. They say even a tiger won’t eat its cubs, but Jiang Shang seemed to be the very opposite. How could it not chill someone to the bone?
…….
Nanping Dao, at the base of Nanhua Mountain.
Nanhua Mountain, being the highest mountain in the world and once the site of the Nanhua Sect, had an extraordinary presence.
Hundreds of thousands of Southern Barbarian troops had attacked, seizing three cities and slaughtering their inhabitants, aiming to deter the people and soldiers of Great Yan. However, they found that the resistance of Great Yan’s soldiers grew fiercer.
They then gave up attacking ordinary cities and targeted Nanhua Mountain, where the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu resided.
With all their forces mobilized, they were determined to conquer Nanhua Mountain and slay the State Preceptor of Great Yan.
At this moment, the battle had been raging for a day and a night. At the foot of the mountain, flames of war and clouds of smoke arose, and the sounds of fierce combat deafened the heavens and earth.
Different from other soldiers, the Southern Barbarians nurtured bizarre Gu insects that often killed silently and unnoticed. The battle was ferocious, and with each passing moment, numerous soldiers fell dead.
Experts from the Zhenyi Sect engaged in combat with the Southern Barbarian elites, each side suffering casualties.
Bloodstained, the entire Nanhua Mountain turned red as soldiers stepped over corpses and charged toward the mountain.
On Nanhua Mountain, Luo Chongyang currently faced three Great Wizards united against him. Each of these three wielded the cultivation of Three Qi Grandmasters, putting great pressure on Luo Chongyang.
The remaining seven Great Wizards watched eagerly from the sidelines, their eyes gleaming coldly.
With ten Great Wizards present – that is, ten Grandmaster-level experts – and including Luo Chongyang and Xiao Qianqiu, twelve Grandmasters were gathered atop Nanhua Mountain.
Just then, a distant Taoist chuckled lightly and said, “Little Junior Uncle, step back and behold the way of your nephew.”
Boom!
Luo Chongyang pushed back three Great Wizards with a single palm strike and retreated next to Xiao Qianqiu, remaining silent.
The Zhenyi Sect had brought eighty percent of its experts this time, but they had left behind one top Grandmaster, the ‘Hua’ generation master Hua Lian. Despite knowing the dangers, Xiao Qianqiu had still chosen not to bring this powerful master along.
Initially, Luo Chongyang thought Xiao Qianqiu wanted to leave behind some heritage and strength for the Zhenyi Sect, but he later realized Xiao Qianqiu had another purpose for not bringing Hua Lian.
He wasn’t concerned about Xiao Qianqiu’s purpose, but he was very curious to see Xiao Qianqiu’s way.
When Xiao Qianqiu spoke, the remaining Great Wizards circled around.
At this moment, Xiao Qianqiu was dressed in a simple Daoist robe and cloth shoes, slowly standing up as he looked towards the ten Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, smiling, “Why hasn’t your Southern Barbarian lord come?”
Great Wizard Liang Su sneered, “To kill you, why would our Southern Barbarian lord need to come personally?”
Xiao Qianqiu, the top expert who had dominated the Great Yan Martial World for decades, was the most talented expert in the world in the absence of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman.
Xiao Qianqiu laughed lightly, “You wish to kill this poor Daoist? Do you know who I am?”
Great Wizard Gena answered very earnestly, “Xiao Qianqiu, stop playing tricks. The Great Yan Dynasty is on the brink of collapse, why bother dying for Great Yan? If you wish to preserve a sliver of the Mystical Sect’s lineage, swallow the Heart Hook Gu and swear loyalty to our Southern Barbarians, there might still be a slim chance.”
“That’s right, surrender.”
“Today, if you do not surrender, you’re on a path to certain death.”
….
The ten Great Wizards had icy gazes, carrying a hint of threat.
Xiao Qianqiu was one of the rare geniuses in the world who could potentially become a Great Grandmaster. If they could make him swear absolute loyalty to the Southern Barbarians, it would be a tremendous boost. Moreover, Xiao Qianqiu was the State Preceptor of Great Yan, and if he surrendered to the Southern Barbarians, it would be a devastating blow to Great Yan, killing the spirit as well as the body.
Xiao Qianqiu calmly faced the ten, “I represent the will of Heaven. Is this how you speak to the will of Heaven?”
“The will of Heaven?”
Great Wizard Cong Chu said, “You dare to frivolously speak of the will of Heaven? Do you even know what the will of Heaven is?”
Xiao Qianqiu looked at Great Wizard Cong Chu and then stretched out his hand.
As the supreme expert of the world, Xiao Qianqiu reached out from above the clouds, where the rolling dark clouds approached with thunderclouds tumbling within, lightning streaking like coiling dragons.
“I will now tell you what the will of Heaven is.”
Xiao Qianqiu stood erect on the mountain, his robe flapping wildly in the wind. At this moment, he was standing at the juncture between Heaven and Earth, the intermediary between them.
Luo Chongyang watched this scene, his heart inexplicably filled with awe, and a vague sense of familiarity.
Somehow, watching this figure, he felt as though he had seen it somewhere before.
Thunder rumbled!
As Xiao Qianqiu pointed his finger, a bolt of thunder descended from the sky, striking Great Wizard Cong Chu with a flash that illuminated the sky, who vanished in a blink as though he had never existed in this world.
Atop Nanhua Mountain, everyone was struck with horror.
The Great Wizard Cong Chu, who had just been talking a moment ago, had been struck dead by a thunderbolt.
This was a Grandmaster, an ultimate expert who had not died even when pursued by You Gai for thousands of miles.
But now, in the blink of an eye, he had perished at the hands of Xiao Qianqiu.
“It was Xiao Qianqiu!”
All eyes turned to Xiao Qianqiu.
At this moment, the Taoist priest stood at the center of Heaven and Earth, his expression still indifferent, as if the event that had just transpired had nothing to do with him.
His bearing and demeanor were like that of an exiled immortal from the heavens.
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Xiao Qianqiu looked at the nine Great Wizards and calmly said, “Today, this poor Daoist will send you all to transcendence!”
After speaking, he pointed his finger towards the sky.
Instantly, the wind surged, lightning flashed, thunder roared, dark clouds churned, and thunder reverberated throughout Heaven and Earth, echoing in all directions.
“Run, run!”
“This is bad!”
The Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, who just moments ago were full of vigor, now scattered frantically like madmen trying to escape, but their speed could not outpace the bolts of lightning.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Nine bolts of divine thunder struck down, and the nine Great Wizards vanished from this world, leaving behind a deathly silent Heaven and Earth. Even the soldiers who were still fighting looked bewilderedly at the Taoist on the mountain.
Especially the blood-soaked soldiers of Great Yan, each with eyes full of reverence, akin to that of devout followers.
Luo Chongyang gazed at that figure, feeling as if his soul had been drawn out, “Not for a thousand years of Dao in the deep mountains, but for a perpetual spring in the mortal realm…”
Today, he had finally seen the Chaos World Venerable descend the mountain to save the world.
……
