by Imperfection
The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind
Outside Heaven-Mending Peak, more than a dozen official disciples had gathered together. At the head of the group stood none other than Zhao Xuhe, Fairy Qingchen, and the Scripture Pavilion's old man, Wang Bairong.
Among them all, only these three possessed mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivation.
Zhao Xuhe stood at the very front, his voice ringing out. "That so many brothers and sisters have answered my invitation today is a great honor. Zhao offers his thanks in advance."
With that, he bowed to the assembled group.
"To be honest, I discovered a cave dwelling left behind by a predecessor outside Heaven-Mending Peak. Unfortunately, its perimeter is guarded by a formation, and I am unable to break it alone."
Fairy Qingchen chimed in at just the right moment, her soft, gentle voice making everyone feel at ease. "That is why Qingchen sought all of you out. If we combine our strength to break the formation, we can split the cave dwelling's spoils evenly. Senior Brother Zhao is a member of the Three Rivers Association. Everyone knows his reputation. He certainly won't let anyone suffer a loss."
Zhao Xuhe was clearly skilled in this.
He and Fairy Qingchen played off each other perfectly, while the old man Wang Bairong served as their hype man. Before long, they had forged the scattered crowd into a unified force.
With that, the group took to their escape lights and departed Heaven-Mending Peak.
The Heaven-Connecting Sea of Clouds where the Primordial Saint Sect was located was vast beyond measure, stretching as far as the eye could see. The group flew for a full quarter of an hour before coming to a halt above a patch of clouds.
"This is the place."
With a thought, Zhao Xuhe parted the sea of clouds with his True Qi, revealing a magnificent peak with superb geomantic alignment. At first glance, it resembled an ancient dragon coiled in slumber.
"This place is called Coiling Dragon Island." Zhao Xuhe took the initiative to explain. "I've done my research. It was once the cave dwelling of a True Disciple of the sect, Coiling Dragon True Person . The feng shui formation on its perimeter was once a Foundation Establishment formation. However, after so many years, the earth veins it relied upon have dried up, and barely a tenth of its power remains."
"Everyone, please follow me in breaking the formation."
As his words fell, Zhao Xuhe charged in first, leading the way onto Coiling Dragon Island. The others naturally did not dare fall behind and flew in one after another.
A short while later, a figure quietly materialized above.
Interesting...
Lü Yang gazed down at Coiling Dragon Island below, but he had no intention whatsoever of entering. Instead, he produced four black banners and began setting them up around the island's perimeter.
The loan repayment deadline is approaching anyway. There's barely any time left in this life.
Might as well go for one big score!
But Coiling Dragon Island is treacherous and unpredictable. Zhao Xuhe has strength in numbers. I'd be a lone tree against a forest. Going in there to compete with them for opportunities would be a losing battle.
After thinking it over, Lü Yang came up with a good plan.
First of all, he did not believe for a second that there were good people within the Demonic Sect. He was certain that Zhao Xuhe's scheme to gather people for this expedition harbored ulterior motives.
However, with this many people present, and with the old man Wang Bairong among them, even if Zhao Xuhe could devour them all, he would inevitably crack a few teeth in the process. He could not possibly emerge unscathed. Since that was the case, Lü Yang could simply set up a formation outside the island, wait at his ease for the exhausted enemy, and ambush whoever came out.
This was far more profitable than going in to explore.
To that end, Lü Yang had spent his last 100 Contribution Points on a set of Bewildering Mist Formation materials.
Four "Bewildering Mist Banners" could seal off an area, inverting all sense of direction. Though the formation lacked offensive power, it could trap a person inside, making it difficult to escape in the short term.
Now, all I have to do is wait quietly... no rush. Haste makes waste, after all.
Lü Yang settled into his ambush.
"Zhao Xuhe! What is the meaning of this!?"
"If you kill us, our life lamps will go out! The Saint Sect won't let you get away with this!"
Inside Coiling Dragon Island, rivers of blood were already flowing.
The official disciples who had been working together just moments ago were now fighting for their lives, their screams filling the air as a streak of blood-red light harvested them one by one.
Far from the crowd, Zhao Xuhe and Fairy Qingchen stood side by side.
Their expressions were mocking, their bearing brazen, radiating a sinister malice. Their demeanor was utterly unrecognizable from the sincere hosts who had invited everyone just moments before.
Facing the crowd's furious accusations, Zhao Xuhe only sneered, his tone chilling. "Struggle all you like. This place has been carefully prepared by me. This Blood Fiend Soul-Slaying Saber alone cost me a full 3,000 Contribution Points. Today, not a single one of you will leave Coiling Dragon Island alive!"
As he spoke, several more lives were claimed.
The streak of blood-red light flashed through the air, draining its victims of every drop of flesh and blood before revealing its true form: a crimson flying saber.
"You! Bastard!"
Among the crowd, the only one still capable of resistance was the old man from the Scripture Pavilion, Wang Bairong. But Zhao Xuhe was in no hurry to finish him. He simply wore him down, bit by bit.
All the while, Zhao Xuhe taunted him with a cold smile. "Old Wang, did you really think you could take my money and live to spend it? The only reason I bought your Corpse Puppets in the first place was for today! If you still had a pile of Corpse Puppets on hand, taking you down wouldn't have been so easy.
"But now, I've bought every last one of them.
"Once I kill you, the Contribution Points I paid you will come right back to me. Which means I got a pile of Corpse Puppets without spending a single point.
"When you think about it, I really should be thanking you!"
Zhao Xuhe's vicious words enraged Wang Bairong to the point of nearly coughing blood. The momentary lapse gave Zhao Xuhe an opening. The flying saber flashed and buried itself in the old man's chest.
Thud!
Wang Bairong's lips moved, his face full of bitter defiance, but he could not get out so much as half a word before the saber drained every drop of his blood and qi. He collapsed to the ground.
With Wang Bairong dealt with, the dust settled.
A short while later, the wailing finally ceased.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
Fairy Qingchen was drenched in fragrant sweat. The Blood Fiend Soul-Slaying Saber consumed enormous amounts of energy. That Zhao Xuhe had managed to slaughter so many was in no small part thanks to her efforts.
"I should be thanking you, Junior Sister."
Zhao Xuhe smiled faintly and recalled the Blood Fiend Soul-Slaying Saber to his hand, then asked, "Well? With its power now, can it break through that seal?"
Fairy Qingchen studied it for a moment, her fine brows slightly furrowed. "It seems like it's still just a little short..."
Whoosh!
The saber entered and exited. Fairy Qingchen's pretty face went blank, her eyes vacant as she stared at the crimson blade buried in her abdomen. In the blink of an eye, she too had been drained into a dried husk.
"Now it's enough."
Zhao Xuhe looked at the Blood Fiend Soul-Slaying Saber in his hand and nodded with satisfaction. He then made his way to the depths of Coiling Dragon Island, arriving before a meditation chamber whose doors were firmly shut.
Without a word, he raised the saber and struck.
Boom!
A thunderous crash shook the earth. The chamber doors shattered, revealing the interior. Inside sat a single jade box.
Zhao Xuhe approached with wild elation. He opened the case and found within it a Dao Scripture with two volumes.
The upper volume was titled "Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art."
The lower volume was titled "Myriad Chariots Dragon Riding Ascension Scroll."
Looking at the two books in the jade case, Zhao Xuhe's hands trembled with excitement. "A third-grade true art! It really is a third-grade true art pointing directly to the Golden Core!"
"Master truly did not deceive me.
"Master said that I endured three lifetimes of bitter cultivation, accumulating merit for Coiling Dragon True Person . In this life, my merit is finally complete, and Coiling Dragon True Person's legacy is my destined opportunity.
"After today, as long as I devote myself to cultivating 'True Dragon Qi' and build the Myriad Chariots Dragon Riding Dao Foundation, I will surely rediscover my true self in the future and return from my tribulation in full. And with a third-grade true art, not only will the road to Foundation Establishment be smooth, but the path to Golden Core is well within sight!"
The more Zhao Xuhe thought, the more excited he became. He immediately stored the scripture.
Switching cultivation techniques requires dissipating my current cultivation. There's no time to lose. I must return to my cave dwelling and enter closed-door cultivation at once. Once I emerge, I can formally become Master's disciple...
Brimming with hope for the future, Zhao Xuhe rode his escape light and flew swiftly out of Coiling Dragon Island.
The very next instant, his expression changed violently.
"Who's there---"
Boom!
In that moment, Zhao Xuhe's eyes went wide. But all he could see was a magnificent streak of sword light, swift as lightning, slashing toward him in an instant!