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Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Divinity Transformation (9th update, please subscribe)
Yuanhua City.
At this moment, the city had just experienced a fierce battle.
Emerging slowly from the Heavenly Gang Sect’s residence, now almost reduced to ruins, was Deputy Sect Master Lin Xiao, clad in a majestic cloak armor.
Moving forward for a moment, he approached a thin old man in a red robe with golden embroidery and respectfully bowed, "Elder, I have not failed in your command."
Red robe with gold trim.
Within the Purgatory Sect, only those Red Robed Elders with sufficient achievements but insufficient Cultivation could wear red robes.
Once a Red Robed Elder achieved Divinity Transformation, they could embroider the gold trim, becoming an Elder in the Elder Council.
From then on, they stepped into the real decision-making circle of the Purgatory Sect.
Determining the future and fortunes of the Purgatory Sect.
Also holding the right to make decisions regarding the appointment or removal of the Sect Master.
"Congratulations to Sect Master Lin for annihilating the Heavenly Gang Sect and seizing Yuanhua City, establishing the merit of expanding territories."
A faint smile appeared on the old man’s face.
"It was only due to Elder Shi Chen’s beheading strike that killed the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Gang Sect, allowing me to smoothly take down Yuanhua City."
In front of the Elder, Lin Xiao was extremely humble, maintaining the proper respect due from a junior.
"Being able to take down Yuanhua City, although I did play a part, it was mainly because the Lin Family had managed Yuanhua City for many years. Understanding every military placement and personnel post like the back of our hand, we were able to strike while the Heavenly Gang Sect’s elites were drawn away, capturing the city in one battle," Elder Shi Chen said with a smile.
"You are too modest, Elder."
Lin Xiao said, "It’s easy to capture Yuanhua City, but difficult to hold it. What we need to do next is find a way to ensure those from the Heavenly Gang Sect come without a way to return."
"Sect Master Lin has already suggested this grand strategy to the Sect Master, and the plan is divided into three steps. The first step is to seize Yuanhua City while Su Wen diverts the Heavenly Gang Sect’s masters to attack Lingxiao City. The second step is to use Yuanhua City as a springboard to attack Lingxiao City, striving to annihilate all of the Heavenly Gang Sect’s, and even the Meteor Star Guard’s elites, to ensure the absolute security of Yuanhua City. If conditions allow, we will also take down Lingxiao City. The third step..."
Elder Shi Chen glanced toward Baihe City in the distance: "And by now, Elder Xue, who should already be at work capturing Baihe City, forming a line with us. With these three cities supporting each other, we can carve out a territory west of Star State, allowing our Purgatory Sect to completely secure our footing within Star State."
Having said this, he looked at Lin Xiao with some admiration: "The first step of the plan has been completed smoothly. The two thousand elites of Yuanhua City were all drawn away. Less than a hundred Qi Refinement, Gang Condensation, and Hugging Pill Masters remain, and along with the remaining four thousand ordinary soldiers, they were routed by the Lin Family’s elites in one strike. Though the Lin Family has suffered some injuries, they still have enough strength to advance towards Lingxiao City and carry out the second step of the plan."
"We will need Elder Shi’s continued assistance in the days to come."
"May I request that Elder Shi continues on to Lingxiao City?" Lin Xiao asked.
Elder Shi Chen looked at Lin Xiao.
If this Deputy Sect Master, along with Xue Wuqing, could indeed accomplish the task of carving out Star State, with this merit, neither Qin Li nor Dongfang Xue among the other Deputy Sect Masters would be able to compete with him.
In other words, as long as Lin Xiao achieved Divinity Transformation, he would have a great chance of taking control of the Purgatory Sect in the future.
In such a scenario, even as a Venerable Elder, he wouldn’t mind forming a good predestined relationship with Lin Xiao early on.
With this thought, he nodded: "My main task in entering Star State is to kill Gu Jinlai and clean our Sect, to demonstrate the might of our Purgatory Sect. Since Gu Jinlai is in Lingxiao City, it is my duty to make the trip."
"Good, with the Elder present, I now have the confidence to vie for Lingxiao City," Lin Xiao exclaimed with joy. "We should not delay; I will leave two thousand men to defend Yuanhua City and take another two thousand direct lineage elites of the Lin Family and head straight for Lingxiao City."
"Agreed," Elder Shi Chen gave a slight nod.
Just then, two figures arrived swiftly.
It was the Lin Family’s Hugging Pill Peak master Lin Tianlei and the newly rising star Lin Jianfeng.
"Uncle, our scouts report that a group of people has appeared thirty miles outside of Yuanhua City. Judging by the appearance of their leader..."
Lin Jianfeng paused slightly, seemingly in disbelief: "It’s Gu Jinlai."
"Gu Jinlai?"
Lin Xiao was startled: "Why is he here?"
"It’s him. I’ve carefully investigated his information before, I couldn’t be mistaken," Lin Tianlei insisted with certainty.
"Gu Jinlai... At this moment, the Heavenly Gang Sect’s and Meteor Star Guard’s people should have already breached Lingxiao City, yet he appears outside Yuanhua City..."
Lin Xiao was also puzzled by the sudden appearance of Gu Jinlai.
After a moment, he seemed to think of something: "Wait, it’s not impossible. Faced with three Divinity Transformation Great Cultivators, more than thirty Hugging Pill Masters, and over three hundred Gang Condensation and Qi Refinement masters from the Heavenly Gang Sect and Meteor Star Guard, Gu Jinlai would surely be no match. In such a situation, his only choice would be to avoid their sharp edge."
If he wanted to avoid them, the best direction to flee was towards the Purgatory Sect.
Although Yang Kan is dead, for some reason, Su Tong and Yan Xuejian are also dead.
This would give Gu Jinlai a chance to offer his excuses.
If he were willing to hand over the formula for gunpowder and even...
The Jade Scroll that had allowed him to grow so powerful in less than a year that he nearly succeeded in dominating a city...
It wouldn’t be impossible for the Sect to accept the statements in his letter, removing the guilt of Yang Kan’s death from him and placing it on the Meteor Star Guard.
"No, we can’t let Gu Jinlai return to the Purgatory Sect. If he offers the Jade Scroll and saves his life, not only will he become a major threat to me, seeking that item afterward would require much effort," Lin Xiao thought anxiously.
However, outwardly, he scoffed: "Heaven has a path which you did not take; hell has no gate yet you break in."
He swiftly turned to Elder Shi, bowing: "Gu Jinlai has delivered himself into the trap. The Lin Family’s elites are willing to take the lead to capture Gu Jinlai for the Elder to decide his fate."
"I appreciate your willingness, but whether Gu Jinlai could destroy the Red Blood Sect and kill Yang Kan and Yan Xuejian, whatever the reasons, his strength must be significant. The Lin Family’s elites are also part of our Purgatory Sect’s strength, and shouldn’t be sacrificed so easily," Elder Shi Chen said, fondling a spiritual sabre in his hands as if it were his most treasured possession. "I’ve come to Star State to cleanse our Sect, and if Gu Jinlai seeks death, it’s only right for me to personally escort him on his journey."
Having said that, he called out, "Fang Ling."
"Master."
A young woman with bright eyes and white teeth, who seemed to be in her early twenties, respectfully saluted.
"When Gu Jinlai approaches Yuanhua City, deliver my command, let him bind his own hands within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and kneel outside Yuanhua City to beg for mercy. In doing so, I can give him a chance to live. Otherwise, once the Cold Feather Sword is unsheathed, I will grant him death with no chance of survival."
Elder Shi Chen said indifferently.
Divinity Transformation and Refining God, if flying swords are not taken into account, the difference may not be significant.
But possessing a flying sword...
Killing someone with sword control from ten miles away, for Refining God, is practically a downgrade in dimensionality.
Often, a Refining God Immortal might not even discern the source of the threat when a flying sword, shooting over at the speed of sound, has already beheaded him, killing him on the spot.
Those Refining Gods with keen perception can dodge the flying sword when they are fully alert, but...
He can avoid one sword, but not the second or third.
Even the most powerful Refining God cannot constantly stimulate their Divine Thought to guard against sudden attacks.
Once targeted by a Divinity Transformation Cultivator, the death of this Refining God Immortal is merely a matter of time.
This is the reason for the significant disparity in status between Divinity Transformation and Refining God.
Hearing Elder Shi Chen was actually willing to give Gu Jinlai a chance to speak, Lin Xiao immediately said, "Elder, if we notify him in advance, in case he is frightened by the Elder’s prestigious name and flees quickly, hiding and not appearing later, then..."
"Sect Master Lin need not worry about this point, since Gu Jinlai has already appeared before my ’eyes,’ his life and death are entirely in my hands, and no one else can change it."
Elder Shi Chen spoke faintly, "Go."
"Yes, Master."
Fang Ling looked at her master with full admiration.
To decide the life and death of Refining God with just a word.
This is the authority of my Master!
This is the confidence of a Divinity Transformation Cultivator!
She, Fang Ling, wonders when she will be able to reach such a realm.
...
Outside Yuanhua City.
Gu Jinlai and his people had long seen the thick smoke billowing at the edge of their field of vision.
That was...
The traces left by a large amount of flames burning.
Soon, Su Nanxing, who had gone ahead to scout for information, had returned with a surprisingly unexpected message.
...
"Yuanhua City has been taken? The Lin Family took advantage while Heavenly Gang Sect and City Lord Mansion’s elites were all out, initiated their long-hidden Dark Sons, coordinated from inside and outside, and occupied Yuanhua City in one fell swoop?"
When Gu Jinlai heard what Su Nanxing reported, he was surprised, but upon deeper reflection, it also made sense.
The Purgatory Sect has been eyeing Star State for more than just a moment.
This could be discerned from the manpower and resources they invested in cities like Changjun City and Baihe City.
Now knowing that Yuanhua City is undefended, brazenly entering and occupying the city is also reasonable.
"Master, while gathering intelligence, I heard a piece of news."
Su Nanxing spoke gravely, "From the time the Lin Family initiated the attack until Yuanhua City was taken down, it took less than a day. The reason for such rapid success is that the moment they launched the attack, a sword light descended from the sky, killing the Supreme Elder of Heavenly Gang Sect with one strike, leading Yuanhua City to fall into chaos without their leader and thus quickly collapsing."
"A sword light from the sky..."
Gu Jinlai’s expression turned stern, "A flying sword?"
"Eight or nine out of ten, it’s a flying sword."
Su Nanxing said, "A Divinity Transformation Cultivator has arrived at Yuanhua City."
"Divinity Transformation, huh."
Gu Jinlai turned to look at a carriage that had always been with them.
There, the Short Range Defense Cannon model 1130 was placed.
He had brought this war weapon specifically to prepare for a potential flying sword attack from a Divinity Transformation Cultivator.
At this moment...
"Even though the Short Range Defense Cannon has extremely strong defensive power, flying swords are different from missiles. Regardless of size and agility, flying swords have an even greater advantage over missiles..."
Gu Jinlai pondered for a moment and looked at the city flying its flags. In the end, he decided against seizing the opportunity to attack Yuanhua City while the Lin Family’s hold was still unstable.
It is safer to be cautious.
"It seems that our Gu family is not yet fated to occupy two cities."
Shaking his head, he ordered with a wave of his hand, "Retreat, and also, send a message to the rear army, return to Lingxiao City."
Unlike the defensive battle at Lingxiao City, he came to Yuanhua City with the intent of occupying it, naturally requiring a sufficient number of soldiers for support.
Therefore, he had Nian Buwang bring a thousand troops.
The number was not large, but it was enough to maintain the security of the city.
If there was a real battle, it would still be up to Gu Chifeng and the other one hundred and thirty people to take charge.
Gu Jinlai turned his horse around, ready to withdraw.
At this time, a delicate and lovely figure, ethereal as a fairy, came flying swiftly from the direction of Yuanhua City.
"Gu Jinlai, I carry the verbal command of my teacher, Elder Shi Chen, ordering you to bind your own hands within the time it takes an incense stick to burn and to kneel outside Yuanhua City to beg for mercy. If you disobey, the Cold Feather Sword will be unsheathed, and you will be beheaded."
