NOVPUB"The heavens shrank tens of thousands of zhang, the earth condensed a million li... This world has become small," he mused.
Yan.
The Primitive Demonic Sect.
Deep within a bright yet subtly shadowed Great Array.
An elder’s spectral figure stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky.
His eyes slightly glazed over as he muttered to himself.
Beside him, several Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Demonic Sect stood in line behind him, hands bound and heads bowed.
Even knowing that only a remnant soul remained before them, they all held their breath and were on tenterhooks, not daring to make a sound.
The elder came back to his senses, swept a glance over the tense Demonic Sect Cultivators around him, and suddenly cracked a slight smile:
"Why is no one talking? Compared to your masters and grandmasters, you all fall short by far. Be more lively..."
Upon saying this, he seemed to recall something, and a wistful look crossed his face:
"Speaking of which, Ren’er was far more sensible than all of you. It’s a pity he keeps things to himself and isn’t willing to confide in this old man. Sigh, if this old man were to ascend, could I refrain from lending him a hand?"
"He had to slip away on his own... If the outside were really that easy to navigate, would this old man have remained here all these years?"
He rambled on, like someone approaching the twilight of their life.
And he didn’t care whether the Cultivators around him wished to listen or not.
But none of them dared to show even a hint of disagreement.
The events that had transpired had thoroughly squashed any rebellious thoughts they had.
As Cultivators of the Demonic Sect, there was no shortage of master-slaying.
The Nascent Soul Cultivators who had been summoned believed that this Supreme Elder of the Sect had been reduced to a mere wisp of a soul and struck without hesitation, only to then... perish.
The Supreme Elder of the Sect hadn’t even made a move.
A Nascent Soul Perfect, Great Cultivator of the Demonic Sect, who had slain countless lives and, after the Heaven and Earth Decline, had stood atop the Little Cang World, instantly suffered from a backlash of his Cultivation Method, screaming in torment as he died agonizingly.
All the surviving Cultivators of the Demonic Sect felt a chill in their hearts!
They didn’t dare show the slightest negligence.
The elder mumbled on for a while longer, then his gaze softened as he looked towards a cold, black-clad youth not far ahead:
"Shen Fu, how is the task I entrusted to you progressing?"
Shen Fu turned towards the elder with a respectful look and bowed:
"Responding to the Supreme Elder, disciple has just recently located the Blood Qilin. This creature seems to be suppressed by the heavens and the earth as well, currently hiding deep within the geographical veins, dispersed and scattered..."
Hearing Shen Fu’s report, the elder nodded in satisfaction:
"You’ve done quite well, investigated thoroughly. Liang Qiuyu has indeed taken on a good disciple."
He then inquired further:
"How is the situation with the Three Sects over in Jin?"
Shen Fu’s face remained placid as he relayed the information he had gathered:
"The Holy Sect’s various arrangements within Jin fell apart along with the Metamorphosis of the Elders. For now, we can only faintly ascertain that there are probably not many Immortal Ascension Cultivators left within the Three Sects, but we might need more time for a clear picture."
The elder’s brows furrowed ever so slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with such an answer.
But he immediately asked another question:
"Youxian Temple… Were you able to find out about Tai A and Xi Lingbo?"
A rare difficulty appeared on Shen Fu’s usually expressionless face.
Before he could speak, the elder shook his head:
"Nevermind, if they really wish to hide, you all won’t be able to find them."
Shen Fu closed his mouth and respectfully retreated back into the crowd.
However, at that moment, the elder flicked a porcelain bottle into Shen Fu’s hand.
Shen Fu looked up in slight bewilderment.
But the elder said nothing, only indicating for Shen Fu to open the bottle.
After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Fu gently uncorked it.
Immediately, an exceedingly pure drop of black liquid emanated from the bottle.
Sensing the refined power contained within the black droplet, the surrounding Demonic Sect Cultivators looked at Shen Fu with mixed feelings of shock, envy, and jealousy.
Shen Fu, too, was overwhelmed and stammered:
"This, this... Supreme Elder, this item is too precious..."
The elder showed a gentle smile, gesturing dismissively:
"What you have done, though for the Sect, has also aided this old man. This contains the Soul Power I have accumulated since my Cultivation Base could no longer progress. It is of considerable use, whether for Cultivation or crafting magic treasures."
"But, but..." 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
"Consider it a small token of appreciation."
The elder gently raised his hand to stop Shen Fu from speaking further, then turned to address everyone:
"As this old man has said from the start, if you serve the Holy Sect diligently, the Holy Sect will not treat you unfairly."
Hearing the elder’s words, the Cultivators below showed signs of being moved.
A middle-aged Cultivator hesitated, then respectfully addressed the elder:
"Supreme Elder, a slave Cultivator I left behind in Jin mentioned something that might be of use, though I’m not certain."
The elder didn’t speak, just looked at him.
And all Cultivators turned their attention to him.
The middle-aged Cultivator’s heart skipped a beat, but he still pressed on firmly:
"Recently, within the Three Sects and One Clan of Jin, there has been a massive turnover of leaders and key positions. The Sect Master of the Longevity Sect has been replaced by the Elder, an Immortal Ascension Cultivator Liang Qiaosong, but in actuality, it is An Changshou, the first personal disciple of the Longevity Sect, also known as the ’Sword God’, who is in control."
"Liang Qiaosong?"
The elder frowned slightly.
