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墨書 Inktalez
Human Sacrifice
Upon seeing Yunxi appear, the Sword Princess immediately sheathed her sword and said to Yunxi, "Sister Yunxi, please do not interfere in my matters. This person is disrespectful to his elders; he won't understand his place unless he is shown some consequences."
"What do you know about respect?" Yunxi coldly replied, staring at the Sword Princess. "Song Qianqiu has to call me Shifu Uncle when he sees me. Who do you think you are, calling me sister?"
The Sword Princess frowned, clearly displeased with Yunxi's words. Yunxi snorted and said, "It seems you're quite unhappy with me. Are you looking for a fight?"
"That's exactly what I intend to do," the Sword Princess retorted fiercely, glaring at Yunxi.
Yunxi dropped down from the treetops and stood in front of the Sword Princess. "Then draw your sword. What are you waiting for?"
The Sword Princess's gaze turned icy as she raised her hand to draw her sword, but Yunxi swiftly pressed her hand down. The Dao Qi around the Sword Princess surged violently, yet Yunxi showed no reaction. Fear finally flickered in the Sword Princess's eyes as she quickly said, "I did not know my place; please forgive me, Shifu Uncle Yunxi."
Yunxi released her grip and asked, "Now, why were you about to fight?"
"It was him—"
"I didn't ask you to speak," Yunxi interrupted the Sword Princess and turned her attention to me.
I said, "Yunxi, Shifu Uncle, the Sword Princess wanted to take over our position and caused a conflict with us."
Yunxi looked at the Sword Princess and asked, "Is that true?"
The Sword Princess replied, "I just wanted to arrange for someone to come over."
Yunxi said, "You're quite honest. For that reason alone, I won't punish you. The Inner Sect is not your Inner Sect; you need to recognize that. Now, go back from where you came."
The Sword Princess dared not speak further; instead, she turned to me and said, "We'll see about this."
"You can run and see," I replied as I watched the Sword Princess storm off in anger.
Yunxi said, "You are clearly only at the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet you are facing a master from the Divine Transformation Realm without any sign of panic. It seems you have quite a bit of confidence in your own abilities."
I replied, "Shifu Uncle Yunxi, with such cultivation at a young age, surpassing all peers, I wouldn't dare to compare myself to you, no matter how confident I am."
Yunxi responded, "I have merely had a fortunate encounter. You have offended the Sword Princess; I can protect you this time, but next time it won't be the same. You should take care of yourself."
After saying this, Yunxi glanced at me one more time before turning and leaving Birch Mountain.
Once she was gone, Lin Jingyu emerged from the cave. He said, "Having offended the Sword Princess means we won't have peace."
"Let them come; if they do, I'll face them. Her strength is indeed above mine, and I can't defeat her now, but next time might be different," I said.
"What if she comes after us again? Wouldn't we be in trouble?" Lin Jingyu asked.
I replied, "She doesn't have the guts to do that just yet. The Azure Cloud Sect is currently hiding dangers; I'm more worried about what unforeseen events might happen next. By the way, do you know what kind of person Yunxi really is?"
Lin Jingyu said, "She is the daughter of the Sect Leader, but it seems her relationship with him isn't very harmonious. However, he never lets her run wild."
"No wonder she acts so recklessly and looks down on everyone," I murmured. "But how can someone our age have such high cultivation?"
Lin Jingyu replied, "I don't know either; I've only heard it has something to do with the deceased Sect Leader from the previous generation."
Three days later, people from the Azure Cloud Sect were still searching for Zhang Jianzi and Song Yuan under the leadership of various elders and the Manager. Lin Jingyu had already dealt with Song Yuan's corpse, but I couldn't understand why so many were still insistent on finding Zhang Jianzi.
Although there were many mountains and caves around the Qinling Mountains and Azure Cloud Mountain, with thousands of disciples from Azure Cloud Sect sweeping through in groups, they should have found anything that was there.
Zhang Jianzi wasn't a fool; how could he possibly stay hidden around Azure Cloud Mountain? Was he seriously injured?
I gazed at the palace shrouded in mist atop Azure Cloud Mountain. Having been here for so long, I had never taken the time to visit it.
I made a list and entrusted all my wealth to Lin Jingyu, asking him to find some herbs at the Alchemist's Chamber. After Lin Jingyu descended the mountain, I followed suit and headed towards the main peak of Azure Cloud Mountain.
Atop Azure Cloud Mountain's main peak sits Azure Cloud Hall, a place where only the core figures of the sect are allowed entry; even Inner Sect Disciples cannot enter.
I walked to a nearby grove beneath Azure Cloud Hall. The trees here were towering, enveloping the entire main peak of Azure Cloud Mountain. In front of Azure Cloud Hall stood several disciples wielding long swords, each with cultivation levels fluctuating at the late stage of Foundation Establishment Realm.
I hid in the trees, observing those entering and exiting Azure Cloud Hall. Aside from a few elders, there were also several young men who had stood behind Song Qianqiu during the gathering of Azure Cloud Sect. These individuals were likely prominent figures on the Dragon-Tiger List.
It dawned on me that the Azure Cloud Sect established the Dragon-Tiger List not with ten core disciples, but rather nine; the tenth was merely a motivational figure for Inner Sect Disciples. No one had gone to Birch Mountain to inform Lin Jingyu, and I had heard earlier that Song Yuan had been almost inseparable from the Cave, possessing poor social connections and no real power.
Entering Azure Cloud Hall without permission was nearly impossible; being discovered would mean life-threatening danger. As night fell, I changed into dark clothing and donned a mask before climbing up the side of Azure Cloud Hall. The guards had just changed shifts; they were stationed every five steps and had a lookout every ten steps, even more stringent than Bai Shihou's watch.
I flicked my fingers, sending a pebble on the ground flying into my hand. I tossed it onto the bluestone path beside the hall. The nearest Guard Disciple moved toward the sound and said, "What was that noise?"
Another disciple lazily replied, "How would I know? I've been on guard for quite a while and still don't know what we're guarding against."
"After all, this is something assigned by the sect leader; we should take it seriously."
The two disciples exchanged a few words before returning to their posts. Meanwhile, I had already positioned myself above the hall and stealthily made my way toward its center along the eaves.
Inside the hall, lights blazed brightly, and torches at the entrance crackled loudly.
I gently slid down from the roof of the hall and hid beneath a window to observe. Inside, many people were gathered; at the top sat the leader of Azure Cloud Sect, with elders and nine disciples from the Dragon-Tiger List standing below. Additionally, three individuals dressed in various attires stood within the hall.
The elder with white hair spoke: "We have already stated this more than once: Azure Cloud Sect does not harbor any filth. Zhang Jianzi possesses the Martial Dao Classic; this is essentially a ticking time bomb—whoever attracts him will perish. Azure Cloud Sect is not foolish enough to covet the Martial Dao Classic for ourselves."
A rugged man draped in a black cloak replied: "Elder, you are kind-hearted; I certainly believe your words. But who among us can guarantee they have no ulterior motives? I, Yang Family Head, have clearly calculated that Zhang Jianzi is hiding within Azure Cloud Mountain. The Daoist World has been peaceful for many years; I think you should understand what is at stake."
"Even our Serpent Cult's Machine Wall indicates that Zhang Jianzi's aura is concealed within Azure Cloud Mountain. Years ago, he was marked by our leader with spiritual resonance; now that it has awakened, he will be detected wherever he tries to escape. If you continue to harbor this person or seek information about the whereabouts of Martial Dao Classic from him, you should know what awaits you." A figure dressed as an Elder of the Divine Serpent Sect spoke up.
A middle-aged man dressed in a white and blue robe spoke, "I, from the Sword Pavilion, have said all that needs to be said. A few days ago, you all sought help in the Central Plains and Western Shu regions. The situation is clear; as long as the Sword Pavilion obstructs you, no one can assist you. You, the Azure Cloud Sect, are the foremost sect among the Five Supreme Sects, but if you offend the Five Supreme Sects, you will amount to nothing."
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader replied, "At this moment, my Azure Cloud Sect is on the brink of disaster. How could we possibly offend the Five Great Sects over a dubious secret manual? We possess an ancestral sword classic that, while not on par with the legacies of the Five Great Supremes, is still formidable. What could a Martial Dao Classic possibly offer? If it were truly so powerful, Zhang Jianzi would have become invincible after practicing for over ten years; how could he ever have been imprisoned by us?"
"The leader speaks wisely. The Azure Cloud Mountain is merely the Azure Cloud Peak, home to ten disciples from the Dragon-Tiger List, as well as Yunxi and Shifu Uncle residing on Yunhua Peak, along with both Inner and Outer Sects. It would take our three envoys just three to five days to search thoroughly and prove our Azure Cloud Sect's innocence," said the refined Song Qianqiu.
"What do you think you are? When did it become your turn to interrupt when the elders are speaking?" retorted the Sword Pavilion envoy in a white and blue robe.
"How dare you insult my senior brother! Others may fear you, but I do not!" shouted a rugged young man, a master from the Dragon-Tiger List.
"Oh? A newborn calf fears no tiger. While the elders and leader remain silent, a disciple dares to speak up and thinks he can challenge us," said the Sword Pavilion envoy.
"Zhang Ming, step back!" an elder scolded.
Song Qianqiu stepped in front of Zhang Ming, signaling him to withdraw. Unfazed, Zhang Ming addressed the Sword Pavilion envoy, "I am Song Qianqiu, an ordinary disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. I merely wanted to speak a truth."
"Since you know you are just an ordinary disciple, then do not interrupt when adults are speaking," said an envoy from the Serpent Cult.
"You envoys of the Five Great Supremes are truly impressive. Relying on your leader's cowardice to avoid being killed by you while holding meetings in Azure Cloud Hall—how remarkable," came a cold voice from outside the hall.
"Yunxi, you cannot enter! The leader and elders have instructed me that if you go in there, they will kill me!" came a trembling voice from one of the disciples.
"If you block me again, I can end your life right now," Yunxi said coldly as she glared at the disciple who was trying to stop her.
"Let her in!" commanded the Azure Cloud Sect Leader.
The trembling disciple stepped aside cautiously as the Azure Cloud Sect Leader rose to look at Yunxi standing at the entrance of the hall. "Yunxi, why have you come?"
"What? Is it still not allowed for me to come to Azure Cloud Hall?" Yunxi replied sharply.
"Everyone, please don't laugh. This is my daughter," the Azure Cloud Sect Leader said, looking at the three envoys.
The Yang Family Envoy remarked, "The rules of the Azure Cloud Sect are indeed quite lax; even a daughter can ride on her father's head."
Yunxi turned to the Yang Family Envoy and asked, "Are you from the Yang Family?"
"That's right. I am the Yang Family Envoy, sent here by the family head to..."
"No need for unnecessary chatter; I didn't ask for so much," Yunxi interrupted.
"You!" The Yang Family Envoy was furious. "It seems I need to teach you a lesson, you inexperienced girl!"
"Stop!" The Grand Elder shouted, his voice booming like thunder. "Yunxi, they are merely messengers; there's no need for you to stoop to their level. If you kill them, the Azure Cloud Sect will face great calamity."
"Are you saying that I can't even handle a girl like this?" the Yang Family Envoy scoffed.
The Grand Elder replied, "You can certainly try."
Without hesitation, the Yang Family Envoy attacked, his Dao Qi erupting with power that revealed he was at the late stage of the Divine Transformation Realm. However, before he could land a punch, Yunxi's hair fluttered beside her ear, and the Yang Family Envoy felt a sharp pain in his earlobe. When he touched it, he found his hand covered in blood.
"Sorry for missing," Yunxi said coldly.
The Yang Family Envoy and the other two envoys were struck with fear; this technique had directly penetrated the Yang Family Envoy's protective Dao Qi, and they couldn't even see how she had done it.
Yunxi continued, "The Five Supreme Sects: Yinshan Yang Family, Central Plains Sword Pavilion, Western Divine Serpent Sect, Kunlun Yaochi, Nanhai Guanyin Monastery—except for the already destroyed Yaochi and the reclusive Nanhai Guanyin Monastery, all of you have gathered here under the banner of the Supreme Daoist to force my Azure Cloud Sect to hand over someone whose existence is uncertain. Do you really think my Azure Cloud Sect is afraid to fight?"
"Yunxi, this is a matter of great importance for our sect; do not make hasty decisions," the Azure Cloud Sect Leader said.
"Hmph! They are already riding on your head and have even killed your disciple Yang Sanqian. Not only do you swallow your anger but you also want to explain it nicely? I truly don't understand what your purpose in living is. If it weren't for my mother’s sake, I might have killed you long ago. I really don't know why Old Sect Leader's will would let you become the leader," Yunxi retorted sharply.
"Impudent!" The Azure Cloud Sect Leader roared in anger. "You have inherited your master's lifelong power. As the Guardian of the Mountain, you should consider the sect's safety. Any one of the Five Supreme Sects could easily overpower us. What do you intend to fight with? Can you defeat them, or even the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect?"
Yunxi's gaze shifted slightly. Ignoring the Azure Cloud Sect Leader, she turned to the Yang Family Envoy and asked, "Did you determine whether Zhang Jianzi at Azure Cloud Mountain is the current head of the Yang Family or your ancestor, Yang Kaishan?"
The Yang Family Envoy replied, "Yang Kaishan has not involved himself in worldly affairs for many years. The current head is nearly a hundred years old and has received the true teachings of Yang Kaishan. It was he who calculated this and confirmed it without error."
"And you?" Yunxi looked at the Sword Pavilion envoy.
The Sword Pavilion envoy said, "As the first among the lower sects, my Sword Pavilion is aware of all events concerning Daoist Sects. Six months ago, Serpent Cult pursued Zhang Jianzi, and we are clear about his escape route. He indeed fled to the vicinity of Azure Cloud Mountain."
"I also—"
"I didn't ask you. I don't even want to see your Serpent Cult's face. It was already merciful that my subordinate didn't kill Si Tu Nan last time. If it weren't for so many people intervening, you'd be dead by now," Yunxi interrupted the Serpent Cult envoy.
The Sword Pavilion envoy continued, "So, Lady Yunxi, as you can see, we are merely messengers here to convey a message and cannot represent our sect in making any significant decisions. What do you plan to do about Zhang Jianzi?"
Yunxi asked, "How much longer can we delay?"
The three envoys exchanged glances and stepped aside to whisper among themselves. Then the Sword Pavilion envoy said, "The maximum deadline given to us by the three Supremes is seven days."
"Fine. After seven days, I will find Zhang Jianzi and hand him over to you. Now, disappear from my sight immediately!"
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