NOVPUBTianyang Sword Sect.
When the news of Elder Duan Ping’s death made its way back, the vast Tianyang Sword Sect was shaken to its core.
After all,
any elder of the Tianyang Sword Sect was an Innate-level powerhouse.
Such mighty beings had not fallen for a long time.
And now,
the death of an elder brought forth an impact that could be well imagined.
Instantly,
many powerful figures within the Tianyang Sword Sect left their seclusions and gathered in the main hall of the sect.
Right at that moment, 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
on the empty Sect Master’s throne, a figure suddenly appeared out of thin air, and an eerie, cold aura began to permeate the hall.
All the powerful members of the sect hastily rose to their feet and bowed deeply toward the figure.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
"Dispense with the formalities,"
the voice of the Tianyang Sect Master was hoarse, and his face, bizarre and pale without a trace of blood, featured a pair of eyes slightly tinged with red. They seemed to hold endless bewitching power, making it impossible for one to hold his gaze.
"Elder Duan Ping has fallen, what are your thoughts?"
The Sect Master’s crimson gaze fell upon the crowd, and everyone felt an immense pressure weighing upon them.
After a long silence,
a powerful member of the sect spoke with a heavy voice, "Reporting to the Sect Master, Gu Qingfeng brazenly killed Elder Duan, treating our Tianyang Sword Sect with utter disregard. In my opinion, we should annihilate Gu Family Manor with thunderous force to uphold the reputation of our Tianyang Sword Sect!"
"That’s right, Gu Family Manor must be destroyed!"
"By killing an elder of our Tianyang Sword Sect, Gu Qingfeng has sought his own death!"
"What Domineering Blade, a mere Martial Artist dares to be so rampant, truly oblivious of life and death—"
As one person began speaking out, others joined in berating, their words utterly dismissing the significance of Gu Family Manor.
Indeed,
the Tianyang Sword Sect had every right to do so.
As the true hegemonic power of the entire Qingyun State, the Tianyang Sword Sect had been thought to be indestructible for all eternity, while Gu Family Manor and its predecessor, the Gu Family, had only been established for a mere decade or two.
Thus, it was natural for the Tianyang Sword Sect to not take Gu Family Manor seriously.
The Tianyang Sect Master said indifferently, "The Divine Fist Sect had a figure who was a Master hundreds of years ago, later undergoing Evil Refining to become a Spirit-controlling Realm Magician. Even if he hasn’t broken through to God Fusion, it would not be much different.
In terms of strength, Shen Wudao is a match for a True Intent Master.
Since Gu Qingfeng was able to slay Shen Wudao, it shows that his power is at least at the level of a True Intent Master, and he might even be comparable to a half-step Great Grandmaster!"
"Such a powerful figure, even if a God Fusion Realm Magician personally took action, might not necessarily be subdued."
"Among those present here, how many of you have reached the peak of the God Fusion Realm, and how many can be confident in slaying Gu Qingfeng?"
With these words,
the great hall fell into a heavy silence.
The speech of the Tianyang Sect Master thoroughly shattered the modest pride remaining in their hearts.
The peak of the God Fusion Realm was only equivalent to a half-step Great Grandmaster after all.
If that Domineering Blade truly had the strength comparable to a half-step Great Grandmaster, it would indeed be difficult to predict the outcome of a fight to the death.
"Furthermore, Gu Family Manor is located in Guangyang Prefecture. If our Tianyang Sword Sect were to mobilize in great force, the court might not sit idly by.
In the past, since Gu Qingfeng hadn’t shown enough value, the court might have ignored it.
But now, a suspected True Intent Master, even possibly a half-step Great Grandmaster, the court would probably take the opportunity to pull Gu Family Manor into their camp."
"So let’s set aside the matter of Duan Ping for the moment."
"Within a hundred years, I will personally take action and go to annihilate Gu Qingfeng!"
The words of the Tianyang Sect Master brightened everyone’s eyes.
"Is the Sect Master about to break through?"
"After all these wasted years, it’s about time for a breakthrough. Within a hundred years, I will definitely break through and completely suppress that Evil Spirit!"
The eyes of the Tianyang Sect Master carried a hint of bloodthirstiness, and his entire demeanor became more ghastly and fierce.
Such a feeling was akin to a person having two different faces.
Moments later,
The Sect Master of Tianyang’s expression returned to normal; however, the crimson within his eyes seemed to deepen a bit.
In the next breath,
The Sect Master of Tianyang vanished from the great hall.
At the same time,
In a certain secret chamber,
A cold, eerie aura suddenly erupted from the Sect Master of Tianyang’s body, with shadows behind him writhing and struggling fiercely, as if something was trying to crawl out. His eyes were as red as blood, resembling the ferocious ghosts of hell.
"Get back!" he growled.
A powerful force exploded, forcibly suppressing the strange power back into submission.
A long time passed.
The Sect Master of Tianyang’s visage was sullen.
"The Evil Spirit is reviving faster and faster; I must rush to make a breakthrough. Once I step into the Divinity Realm, I can truly suppress this Evil Spirit.
At that time, who in the whole world could stand against me? The Taixuan Dynasty has ruled for three thousand years; now, it is time for my Tianyang Sword Sect to take its place!"
The Sect Master of Tianyang muttered to himself.
If a Magician were to fight beyond their limits, it would make it possible for the Evil Spirit within their body to reawaken. Once the Evil Spirit is revived, it is difficult to truly suppress it again.
Now,
That was the situation for the Sect Master of Tianyang.
Therefore,
He had to break through.
Break the limit of transformation and ascend to even greater heights.
Only by doing so,
Could he suppress the Evil Spirit that had awoken inside him once again.
"Gu Qingfeng actually has commendable talent, stepping into a realm on par with a half-step Great Grandmaster in less than a hundred years. Within a century, this child might indeed have the potential to become a Great Grandmaster!"
"Hehe, grow, for the flesh and blood of a Great Grandmaster are far tastier than that of an ordinary Martial Artist. If one day I break through to Divinity and swallow a Great Grandmaster, it will save me a great deal of effort to consolidate my realm!"
This was another reason why the Sect Master of Tianyang did not act immediately.
He saw the potential for Gu Qingfeng to break through to a Great Grandmaster.
Under the heavens,
Great Grandmasters were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
To swallow a newly risen Great Grandmaster would bring unimaginable benefits.
So,
The Sect Master of Tianyang was waiting.
Waiting for a genuine opportunity to strike.
Afterward,
The Sect Master of Tianyang closed his eyes again, surrounded by a sinister aura. The evil, chilling presence surged ceaselessly.
---
While Tianyang Sword Sect temporarily made no moves, on the other side, Pei Jing learned of the annihilation of the Divine Fist Sect, as well as the death of Duan Ping, and was infuriated.
At this moment,
He utterly abandoned any thought of recruiting Gu Qingfeng.
If he could not be used for his own benefit, then he had to be destroyed.
However,
Since Gu Family Manor was located in Guangyang Prefecture, despite Pei Jing’s fury, he was powerless to act.
Given that Gu Qingfeng was capable of slaying Shen Wudao and Duan Ping, his strength must be at least on the level of a True Intent Master; the difficulty of crossing several prefectures to kill a True Intent Master could be imagined.
Therefore,
Pei Jing could only temporarily suppress the rage in his heart, focusing instead on ordering an aggressive assault, aiming to capture Liuyun Prefecture as quickly as possible and then use it as a foundation to gradually consume all of Taishan County.
Once the entire Taishan County fell into his control, dealing with Gu Family Manor would be effortless.
