Chapter 1127: Chapter 1112: The Thing He’s Best At
Spring in April, a time when the grass grows and the orioles fly, the Qiyun Mountain within the Black Water Empire stretches for thousands of miles. The foot of the mountain was once a great place for travelers seeking tranquility and for couples to rendezvous.
Yet now, it’s bustling with activity; martial artists fly to and fro in the sky, and a continuous stream of resources flows from various mountain paths to major peak mouths.
After the great victory of the Eastern Expedition, eight years have passed, and there is a sense that the entire Qiyun Mountain and the Qiyun Sect has undergone a transformation akin to great changes in the sea and mulberry fields.
Initially, the Qiyun Sect stretched across a hundred miles. Now it spans a thousand miles, expanding over tenfold.
The Qiyun Sect originally had nine peaks, with the nine peaks standing tall, representing the strength of the Qiyun Sect.
But now, the Qiyun Sect has seventy-two peaks standing tall, or rather, eighty-one peaks, with the original nine peaks becoming the inner nine peaks. Only those who become the true core of the Qiyun Sect can enter the inner nine peaks.
The newly constructed seventy-two peaks are collectively known as outer peaks, each governing over ten thousand disciples. Currently, just the outer disciples of the Qiyun Sect number seventy-two thousand, with countless others in various roles.
Moreover, unlike the past, the Qiyun Sect is now wealthy and prestigious. The treatment of outer disciples has already caught up with the treatment inner sect disciples received during Ye Zhen’s time.
Therefore, now the outer disciples of the Qiyun Sect are also flooded with talents. As for inner sect disciples, those without cultivation at Spirit Transformation Realm can’t hope to join the inner sect; those without cultivation at Soul Sea Realm can’t hope to become inner sect elites.
In just eight years, the strength of the Qiyun Sect has multiplied several times. Regarding the Lishui Sect, which could once match the Qiyun Sect in the Black Water Empire.
Although it still exists, its strength has greatly improved compared to before. Yet, overall it only equals the strength of one or two inner peaks of the Qiyun Sect.
All these changes stem from the great victory of the Eastern Expedition eight years ago.
However, as the Qiyun Sect rapidly expanded, its regulations grew increasingly strict, especially those concerning disturbances.
Even minor infractions lead to hard labor. If there’s any unlawful violence, the punishment ranges from banishment to execution on the spot.
Of course, such strict regulations are directly enforced by the Forbidden Law Peak’s chief, Liao Feibai, who seven years ago at the establishment of the seventy-two peaks of the Qiyun Sect.
A senior disciple of one peak, seeking revenge, massacred civilians and was personally slain by Liao Feibai. Over three hundred disciples were executed, nearly exterminating the newly established peak.
However, for the past three or four years, it is said that Liao Feibai, the chief of Forbidden Law Peak, has been in closed-door cultivation and no longer manages affairs, causing a slight relaxation in the sect’s atmosphere.
Yet, Meng Xiaoyue, the chief disciple of Forbidden Law Peak and the grand deacon, executed one hundred and seven culprits, hanging their heads at the entrances of each peak. Beneath each head was a blood-written record of crimes committed.
This blood writing is said to be written by Grand Deacon Meng Xiaoyue using the fresh blood of the offenders.
Since then, every disciple entering the peaks must first see the heads of these offenders, causing them all to be in awe and greatly reinforcing sect regulations.
However, today the Forbidden Law Peak is unusually lively.
This can’t be called lively; there’s just an unusually large number of people, with a line of disciples stretching into a long dragon, numbering at least around a thousand.
The reason is simple; all these disciples come to the Forbidden Law Peak to confess their crimes.
Rumors have spread in the sect for five days saying that the chief of Forbidden Law Peak, Liao Feibai, has overcome a breakthrough after three years in closed-door cultivation and will soon come out.
Upon hearing this, the offending disciples became anxious and restless, rushing to the Forbidden Law Peak to confess.
The reason is simple; the regulations of Forbidden Law Peak offer reduced punishment for voluntary confessions.
Meng Xiaoyue, clad in white with a long sword, watched this scene with her delicate brows tightly knit in fury.
She thought that she could manage the Forbidden Law Peak in her master’s absence.
Unexpectedly, just the rumor of her master’s return led to countless disciples coming to confess, with hundreds each day. Today, the line numbers a thousand.
Although most are small infractions, the thought that so many knew of these bans yet violated them, yet rush to confess only when her master arrives, angered her.
Her suspended presence in mid-air, holding a sword standing defiantly, emits evil qi, leaving those disciples waiting to confess trembling in fear.
“Little Yue, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. These people coming forth to confess shows their fear of the regulations, marking them as decent. Besides, to err is human; we learn through mistakes.
These individuals should face minor punishments as big warnings. What truly matters is identifying those rebellious and wicked souls within the sect who show no remorse. Do you understand?” At some point, Liao Feibai appeared beside Meng Xiaoyue, clad in a light blue dress radiating coldness.
“Master, you’re back?” Meng Xiaoyue exclaimed in joy, immediately offering her respects.
“Do you understand what I said earlier?” Liao Feibai asked again.
“Yes, master!”
“Good, I just returned to the sect for urgent matters to meet the sect leader. You continue with your tasks and remember to act in accordance with sect regulations; avoid acting recklessly!” Before finishing her words, Liao Feibai’s figure had vanished.
Qiyun Peak still remains the main peak of the Qiyun Sect, unchanged. Sect Leader Guo Qijing rubbed his hands excitedly, frequently glancing at the sky.
Five days ago, he received a talisman communication from Liao Feibai, knowing she’d returned from the Outer Domain Dead Sea. She’s the first martial artist in nearly a century from the Black Dragon Domain to return alive from the Outer Domain Dead Sea.
How could Guo Qijing not be excited.
He just didn’t know how much surprise Liao Feibai, who returned from the Outer Domain Dead Sea, could bring him.
“Sect Leader!”
Silently, Liao Feibai appeared beside Guo Qijing, causing Sect Leader Guo Qijing’s expression to change dramatically.
“Feibai, your cultivation, this is the Establishment Realm… Two… Three…, no, it should be the Fourth Stage of the Establishment Realm?” Then, a look of loss flashed in Guo Qijing’s eyes, “Ah, it seems we are old and have lost our spirit of adventure. If we risk our lives to venture outside, who knows…”
“Sect Leader, this is nothing. When you see that guy, you’ll be truly shocked!” Liao Feibai said calmly.
“That guy? Are you saying? You mean you found Ye Zhen, you’ve seen Ye Zhen?” Guo Qijing’s expression suddenly became incredibly surprised, “You saw him, why didn’t you bring him back?”
“Bring him back? I don’t have the ability!” Liao Feibai said.
Upon hearing this, Guo Qijing’s face changed, “Don’t have the ability, are you saying Ye Zhen’s cultivation is higher than your Fourth Stage Establishment Realm? How…how is that possible, he only left a few years ago, this…”
Guo Qijing’s expression was as if he had seen a ghost.
“His cultivation isn’t higher than mine; he hasn’t even reached the Establishment Realm, but his combat power far surpasses mine by several times! His enemies and friends are all in the late Establishment Realm, even in the Dao Entrance Realm.”
This statement made Guo Qijing unable to help but shake his head, as if trying to clear his thoughts; these words sounded too far-fetched.
“This… This sounds impossible! Ah, let’s go to the main hall quickly and tell me everything you saw and heard about that kid! That brat, having such abilities and not even sending a letter, seeing how I’ll beat him when he returns!”
This talk lasted three nights and two days. The experiences in the Outer Domain Dead Sea were so extensive, it couldn’t be explained in a few words. Fortunately, martial artists have abundant energy; anyone else trying to exchange like this wouldn’t be able to sustain it.
Nonetheless, Liao Feibai was speaking until his throat was dry, drinking water repeatedly.
Just as Liao Feibai picked up the teacup to drink again, he suddenly raised his delicate eyebrows and stepped outside the hall, his eyes emitting substantial divine light shooting straight into the clouds.
Sect Leader Guo Qijing’s face also changed dramatically, and his vast divine sense surged towards the unusually rapidly descending clouds in the sky.
“Be careful, there’s a demon beast there!” Liao Feibai made a warning gesture.
Guo Qijing’s face immediately turned extremely pale, “This… This is the aura of a late Spirit Tier demon beast! A late Spirit Tier demon beast can be comparable to a late Establishment Realm king, and its combat power directly rivals a Ninth Stage Establishment Realm king!
If a battle breaks out here… the entire mountain gate might be…”
“My goodness, since when did the Black Dragon Domain have such a terrifying demon beast?
No, Feibai, you hold the fort, I will lead it into the deep mountains, and then…” In an instant, Guo Qijing wanted to hand over countless affairs, even considering passing the sect leader position to Liao Feibai, his face instantly turning ashen.
Liao Feibai’s expression was also tense, but after a few breaths, it turned incredibly joyful, blooming like a girl’s smile, “Sect Leader, don’t worry, maybe that guy is here!”
Then, Liao Feibai shouted at the strange cloud Qi, “Little thing, if you don’t come down right now, I’ll pluck your fur!”
The next moment, a creature that looked like a harmless little cat cautiously landed in Liao Feibai’s hands with a small mewl, a bit timidly.
Guo Qijing was secretly alarmed; this was a late Spirit Tier demon beast, but just a glance shocked him, “Isn’t this the Cloud Winged Tiger King? It, it actually…”
Amidst his shock, Guo Qijing was left speechless.
“He didn’t come back?” Perplexed, Liao Feibai picked up the Jade Scroll the little cat handed over, scrutinized it, then handed it to Sect Leader Guo Qijing.
Just a glance, and Sect Leader Guo Qijing was drenched in cold sweat. He didn’t expect that the seemingly sunny Qiyun Sect was actually on the brink of annihilation.
After reading the Jade Scroll for over an hour in the main hall, Guo Qijing finally raised his head.
“Feibai, isn’t Ye Zhen’s plan too risky? Moreover, how can you and Ye Zhen handle more than thirty mid to late Establishment Realm kings and a king at the Eighth Stage Establishment?”
“While there is still time, withdrawing to defend might still be an opportunity?” Guo Qijing suggested.
“Sect Leader, thirty-five mid to late Establishment Realm kings are enough to level the entire Black Dragon Domain to the ground, how can you defend? Follow Ye Zhen’s plan!” Liao Feibai said.
“But… but isn’t Ye Zhen’s plan too daring and risky?” Guo Qijing was still somewhat hesitant.
“Sect Leader, you haven’t met Ye Zhen, so you can’t imagine Ye Zhen’s real strength; follow his plan! There isn’t much time, preparations must be made!”
“Moreover, didn’t you understand Ye Zhen’s plan? He is being so bold just to eliminate future threats! Otherwise, if you withstand this wave, can you withstand the next?”
“Furthermore, you forget, Ye Zhen is best at bringing surprises to both friends and… enemies!” Liao Feibai said.
Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Guo Qijing’s expression suddenly became resolute, “Then I will arrange according to his plan!”