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Chapter 156: Chapter 153 Friendly
"Is this the Slaughter Spirit Artifact forged by Elder Gu? It’s truly astonishingly powerful."
Lu Zhenbei, the Hall Master of the Conquest Hall, watched the scene where Gu Jinlai shot and killed Lin Xiao, his pupils contracting slightly.
Even though Lin Xiao had been severely wounded by Lu Dengxian and had little power left to resist, each beam of light that burst from the Slaughter Spirit Artifact was equivalent to a heavy crossbow bolt, with hundreds firing in one second...
The Protective True Qi of a Refining God Immortal simply could not withstand it.
If it were them, being targeted for more than a second would also lead to certain death.
"This is a powerful Spiritual Artifact that can even intercept flying swords."
Lu Dengxian let out a remark.
He glanced at the two Spiritual Artifacts beside Gu Jinlai as well as similar ones carried by Demon God Warriors behind him, and couldn’t help but wipe the sweat off his forehead.
At this moment, Gu Jinlai, who had casually shot and killed Lin Xiao, looked up.
His gaze turned towards Lu Dengxian and the others.
Lin Xiao did not have any Forbidden Techniques hidden on him, and the Purgatory Sect did not seem to truly intend to fight to the death with him either. Thus, they were willing to admit their mistakes, and even to hand over this Deputy Sect Master for him to deal with, sparing no expense.
This approach left him unsure of how to proceed next.
All his contingency plans were disrupted.
"Elder Gu, you have awaited the resolution regarding the persecution among sect members by Lin Xiao for a long time. This is a lapse on my part as the Sect Master, and I apologize to Elder Gu here and now," Lu Dengxian said with a bow.
Since they had already forsaken Lin Xiao, the Deputy Sect Master, he did not mind appearing a bit more amiable.
After all, faced with Gu Jinlai who had brought several Slaughter Spirit Artifacts, he did not have much confidence in emerging victorious.
He dared not maintain a supercilious attitude that would infuriate Gu Jinlai. A volley from a few Slaughter Spirit Artifacts could result in his own life being lost here as well.
"Sect Master Lu, what act are you putting on?" Gu Jinlai inquired.
"It is just as Elder Gu has seen," Lu Dengxian said with a smile: "Regarding Elder Gu’s issue, the sect has already sorted it out. Even Venerable Daoist Liu Jingtiao personally inquired about it and made important comments. The issue with Elder Tan Qingquan is indeed self-inflicted by him, something we have always failed to address, is that Tan Qingquan took the initiative to target Elder Gu first."
He spoke with an air of justified righteousness: "Such conduct that harms fellow sect members is inexcusable, not to mention that after the event Elder Gu even offered up Taihe City, enabling our Purgatory Sect to expand its territory in Star State by another city."
"Supreme Elder?" Gu Jinlai quickly guessed something.
He led his troops into Red State, and indeed, Lu Dengxian had gone to seek out the Supreme Elder.
The Supreme Elder’s status was transcendent, they did not have so many petty thoughts.
Seeing that the whole incident was instigated by Lin Xiao from the start, and that he had been a victim throughout, the Supreme Elder immediately made a determination.
That’s why it came to Lu Dengxian personally capturing Lin Xiao, handing him over for disposal, and offering an apology.
Looking at Sect Master Lu’s manner...
He intends to mend fences with me seriously.
But he was still contemplating using the matter of Lin Xiao as a pretext to draw out the Purgatory Sect’s Supreme Elder, and then to bomb him with a Heavenly Sword Missile...
At the very least, to severely wound him and then to extort the Devas Technique from the Purgatory Sect.
Now Lu Dengxian had directly handed over Lin Xiao...
It was difficult for him to act.
"In recent times, Elder Gu has expanded our territory for the Purgatory Sect multiple times, with outstanding merit. I have already reported to the Elder Council to promote Elder Gu to a Red Robed Elder," Lu Dengxian announced: "Furthermore, although Elder Gu is not a Divinity Transformation Cultivator, his combat power is not inferior to any of them. In special cases, special measures are taken. When the annual Elder Council meeting is convened, I will directly submit an application for Elder Gu’s Elder Council seat. At that time, you will step into the real decision-making body of our Purgatory Sect, becoming one of those steering the course of the sect’s development."
"Elder?" Gu Jinlai was stirred internally.
Elders of the Purgatory Sect were part of the decision-making body, entitled to peruse all the sect’s records and Secret Techniques.
The Sect Suppressing Technique, the Devas Technique—both were within what he could access.
If he truly could become an Elder of the Purgatory Sect...
Wouldn’t that mean his mission this trip was indirectly completed?
"To be promoted to an Elder, I am, of course, overjoyed. However, Elder Tan ultimately died because of me, and I have also injured Elders Sha and Shi. It seems things might not be so easily settled, right?" Gu Jinlai hesitated as he spoke.
Hearing Gu Jinlai’s words, Lu Dengxian’s heart nodded slightly.
Elder Gu was indeed leaning towards our Purgatory Sect.
Thereupon, he replied with a smile: "Our Purgatory Sect has always been quite united internally; such a small matter will be easily brushed aside once I explain it to the two Elders. Furthermore, with the reputation you, Elder Gu, have now established in Star State, if you really join the Elder Council, the Elders will only be happy that our Purgatory Sect has gained another strong leader."
"That may be so... but I always feel somewhat restless in my heart."
Gu Jinlai spoke, and after a brief moment of thought, he said, "How about this, every time I take a city, the sect bestows upon me a scroll of secret techniques, and moreover, once I am promoted to an elder and enter the decision-making level of the sect, I will also qualify to peruse all the classics. Therefore, could I request the sect to bestow upon me the Purgatory Reincarnation Technique in advance?"
"The Purgatory Reincarnation Technique?"
Lu Dengxian pondered briefly.
The Purgatory Reincarnation Technique was the Sect Suppressing Technique of the Purgatory Sect.
At the same time, it was one of the three major techniques of the Purgatory Sect that could be comprehended to reach an understanding of the momentum of heaven and earth, and cultivate to the level of Devas.
If Gu Jinlai truly became an elder...
He indeed had the qualifications to peruse this technique, and considering the attitude he had learned from the Supreme Elder, he intended to improve relations between the Purgatory Sect and Gu Jinlai, hoping that he would represent the Purgatory Sect at the upcoming Divine Sword Conference to claim the Heavenly Sword.
Therefore, it seemed there wasn’t really a problem in teaching him this technique in advance.
Right then, Lu Dengxian readily agreed, "No problem. Since Elder Gu requests it, I will have someone send the technique to you after a while."
Having said that, he added, "However, Venerable Daoist Liu Jingtiao wishes to meet with you. When would you be able to visit our Purgatory Sect? After all, it has been quite a long time since you last returned."
"Sect Master Lu is unaware that the very reason for my haste to the territory of Red State is due to worries that Lin Xiao might stir up trouble again, causing the rift between us to widen and eventually prompting the Purgatory Sect to attack Lingxiao City, facing us with a situation where those close to us would be pained and our enemies pleased. Only after resolving the issue with Lin Xiao do I need to face my true significant concern," Gu Jinlai said.
"Significant concern?"
Lu Dengxian was taken aback.
For someone of Gu Jinlai’s strength, likened to several Divinity Transformation Cultivators, to refer to something as a significant concern...
"Whether what I am about to say is true or false, with the Purgatory Sect’s intelligence capabilities, all you need to do is inquire to distinguish," Gu Jinlai said, slightly lowering his voice and using a technique similar to whispering to transmit his words secretly: "The State Lord Mansion is planning to launch an attack on Lingxiao City soon. It is said that Meteor Star Lord Xin Tianqi intends to make a move personally, aiming to put me to death. Therefore, before this crisis is resolved, I truly cannot afford to abandon the Gu Family Disciples and leave Lingxiao City."
"Meteor Star Guard Xin Tianqi making a move personally!?"
Lu Dengxian’s expression changed.
He quickly recalled a piece of news he received half a month ago.
That news claimed that the reason why the State Lord Mansion’s plan to unify the Star State forces in cooperation with Dragon Sparrow Manor had failed was precisely because of Gu Jinlai’s interference.
If that piece of news was true...
For Meteor Star Lord Xin Tianqi, the top master of Star State, to personally deal with him would be entirely reasonable.
"Wait, this seems to be an opportunity... Perhaps we can have the Sect’s Supreme Elder intervene and save him when Xin Tianqi makes his move. Then..."
Lu Dengxian quickly came up with an idea and solemnly transmitted his message, "Such a matter? Elder Gu, as the Red Robed Elder of our Purgatory Sect, and soon to be promoted to an elder, at this critical moment, our Purgatory Sect will certainly not stand idly by. I will report back to the Supreme Elder upon returning and request the Supreme Elder personally intervene, deter the Meteor Star Guard, and let them know that you, Elder Gu, also have strong backing."
"Then I must thank Sect Master Lu," Gu Jinlai said, clasping his hands in gratitude.
"It’s only right, only right..." replied Lu Dengxian courteously.
For a moment, the atmosphere became exceedingly harmonious, nothing like the tension when Gu Jinlai had first intruded into Star State.
...
This large-scale invasion, which caused the Purgatory Sect to bow its head and personally deliver Lin Xiao to Gu Jinlai for disposal, thus came to an end.
After maintaining a warm and friendly exchange with Lu Dengxian for half an hour, Gu Jinlai then led his troops out of the Red State territory.
Lu Dengxian also promised to send the Purgatory Reincarnation Technique over as quickly as possible and to have the Supreme Elder make a trip to Starlight City to intimidate the Meteor Star Guard, preventing them from acting rashly.
Both parties parted ways immensely pleased with the outcome.
After Gu Jinlai led his army back to Yuanhua City, leaving behind a Short Range Defense Cannon, he returned to Lingxiao City with Su Nanxing.
During this period, Gu Jinlai, who now commanded the territory of Five Cities, spared no effort in piling up various resources, including the Nourishing God Pills, and Gu Changfeng, as the Family Head of the Gu family, had already stepped into the Refining God Realm.
With the Purgatory Sect seemingly intent on reconciling with Gu Jinlai, Yuanhua City no longer needed to station two Refining God warriors. 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
After returning to Lingxiao City, he put aside the practice of Spiritual Sense for a while and focused on operating the Eternal Furnace, attempting to condense a Middle Level Demon Body before the Divine Sword Conference began.
...
Gu Jinlai’s grand military expedition into Red State territory did not escalate into a major battle that might have involved Primordial Spirit Monarchs because the Purgatory Sect conceded, preventing any fighting from occurring.
This outcome was rather unexpected to other forces.
The Cold Moon Sect and Netherworld Sect fared somewhat better, merely feeling that they missed out on an exciting event.
After all, with the Divine Sword Conference being the main event in all matters, even if Gu Jinlai truly clashed with the Purgatory Sect to the death, they were not necessarily able to reap many benefits.
However, Dragon Sparrow Manor and the State Lord Mansion were somewhat discontented.
Especially the State Lord Mansion.
Xin Tianqi secretly visited Lingxiao City and came back empty-handed.
Though he claimed that Gu Jinlai’s location was heavily guarded, and even if he made a move, there was no guarantee he could assassinate Gu Jinlai, to Xue Yue and Qi Fenglei, and others, it was unsatisfactory to hear.
Under these circumstances, they reconnected with Dragon Sparrow Manor, and a plan that had been in the offing was put into motion by them.
