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Chapter 703: Chapter 709: Mercy
"Qing Xuan Sect’s seventy-sixth Sect Leader Qingxuanzi, greets the seniors!" 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Just as a group of Divinity Transformation Realm cultivators were about to enter the Spirit Realm to capture the remaining demon-infested Nascent Souls, a dark shadow suddenly rushed out. The once dignified Nascent Soul cultivator now prostrated himself, casting aside all his dignity.
"I am aware of my heavy sins and have violated the Immortal Sect Code; even if I were to be cut to pieces a thousand times, I would have no regrets. I only beg the seniors to spare those Qing Xuan Sect disciples who have not fallen into the Demonic Tao."
With sobs and tears, he said, "I beseech the seniors to show mercy! The thousand-year legacy of Qing Xuan cannot be destroyed in an instant!"
Bang, bang, bang—
He banged his head against the ground with all his might, and the sound echoed between the cloud-covered peaks, blood splattering everywhere.
Unfortunately, which among those who had cultivated to the Divinity Transformation Realm wasn’t firm in their Dao heart, impervious to external influence?
Even though Qingxuanzi’s behavior was deeply moving, not a single person responded, their indifference extreme.
"Ha ha!"
Qingxuanzi suddenly let out a mad laugh and said in despair, "After all, I was delusional. How rare are demon cultivators these days? How could they let a single person go!"
"So be it, so be it. Perhaps this is the destiny of the Qing Xuan Sect."
Having said that, he violently crushed his own heart and died instantly.
"Make your move! Don’t be merciful anymore."
If they had not felt a trace of compassion, how could Qingxuanzi have succeeded in committing suicide? It was simply impossible.
Now having lost a demon-infested Nascent Soul, they could not afford to lose a second one.
More than a dozen Divinity Transformation Realm cultivators made their move. The Qing Xuan Sect had no power to resist, they couldn’t even struggle or beg for death and were bound to await their demise obediently.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the once bustling Qing Xuan Sect was now utterly silent, the verdant and vibrant mountains only filled with the sound of the wind.
"Fellow Daoists, how shall we deal with these cultivators?"
This person was referring to the lower-ranked disciples.
They had not yet turned to the demonic path, but they had been implanted with a Demon Seed by their former masters. If not completely eliminated, there was a high probability they would fall into the Demonic Tao in the future.
The reason this posed a dilemma was that these cultivators were still cultivators. If they were all killed, that would incur significant karmic force!
How could those who had worked tirelessly for Ascension be willing to attract such karmic force?
But to let these disciples go, without knowing what horrendous deeds they might commit when they advanced to higher realms in the future.
That’s why they were so conflicted.
"Let those disciples who have not practiced the demonic cultivation techniques leave." Killing would affect their own cultivation; not killing might harm others, and of course, they chose the latter.
So after discernment, they drove those disciples away.
Yet, even so, there were still over a thousand demon cultivators, including twenty-one Nascent Souls—a not too numerous amount.
"It’s time to return."
Of course, before that, they had plundered the Qing Xuan Sect, including the sect’s heritage cultivation technique "Qingxuan Longevity Scripture," as well as various rare spiritual objects.
Once back at the Xuanfa Pavilion headquarters’ main hall, a fierce debate broke out once again.
However, this time, they were a bit more orderly, as people kept raising their offers. In the end, a Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator paid a hefty price for an additional demon-infested Nascent Soul!
This small auction took several hours to conclude, and everyone got what they wanted, appearing very pleased.
"Brother Dao, who shall we arrange to deliver the spiritual objects previously chosen by the Li family?"
Perhaps it was because Ning’s proposed solution had won unanimous approval, his status had risen, so whenever there was an issue, everyone would ask him first.
"Just send a Nascent Soul disciple to deliver it. These demon cultivators won’t last much longer, it’s better to deal with this quickly."
In order to obtain another Nascent Soul who had succumbed to demonic influences, he had put forth his entire fortune, but in the end, he only secured two.
Ning was eager to use the secret technique immediately, and then enter seclusion to cultivate and improve his strength, with no time to concern himself with these trifles.
"Right, someone should keep an eye on the Li family and see if anyone there is about to break through to Divine Transformation." Otherwise, why would they choose Wuye Yunqi?
Investigating this matter wasn’t because Xuanfa Pavilion planned to act against the Li family but rather to stay informed about the other party, avoiding complications in future business dealings.
----
As the Qing Xuan Sect was being destroyed, Qing Xuan cultivators training in distant lands suddenly felt an emptiness within, as if they had lost something very important.
The lower-ranking disciples dismissed it, thinking they were merely exhausted, but the higher-ranked cultivators wore grave expressions, looking in the direction of the Qing Xuan Sect.
----
After spending a few days on Wanxian Island, Li Zhirui finally received a reply from Xuanfa Pavilion.
"Have the spiritual objects arrived?" Li Zhirui’s voice couldn’t hide his excitement and anticipation.
Let’s not mention the Transmission Talisman Array purchased with Spirit Stones, the remaining four types of freely obtained spiritual objects were all extremely precious.
Wuye Yunqi was crucial for the cultivation of the Divinity Transformation Realm; the Ling Infant Fruit Tree could increase the chances of clan members’ breakthrough to the Nascent Soul; the Dragon Blood Peach could strengthen the bloodline of dragon beasts, promoting their evolution.
The seemingly unpopular Rongxi Cao was the spiritual object that Li Zhirui cared about the most. If his ideas could indeed be realized, then his cultivation speed would be much faster than others!
Most importantly, it meant he had a better chance of hitting the Void Refinement and achieving Tribulation Transcendence.
The thought alone filled him with excitement. Even without obtaining the Rongxi Cao, this didn’t delay Li Zhirui from starting to deduce the Pill Recipe.
With eight hundred thousand Spirit Stones in his possession, he returned to Xuanfa Pavilion.
This time, Li Zhirui was led by the shopkeeper into the largest and finest private room, where a Nascent Soul cultivator was already waiting for him.
"Jin Fang pays respects to the daoist friend!"
Li Zhirui returned the greeting.
The shopkeeper stood aside, ready to solve any issues that might arise promptly.
’Still in the mid-stage of Nascent Soul? Then why choose Wuye Yunqi? Does he have the confidence to break through the bottleneck and achieve the realm of Divine Transformation?’ Jin Fang speculated various possibilities internally, but his face remained impassive as he completed the transaction with Li Zhirui.
"If the daoist friend isn’t at ease, you may scrutinize these spiritual objects in detail," he said as he took out all five of them.
Li Zhirui chuckled lightly, "The credibility of your esteemed pavilion is trusted by all."
Without inspecting, he directly put the jade box with the spiritual objects into his pouch.
"Thank you for your efforts, Jin. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first."
"Please!"
Jin Fang stood up and escorted him a few steps. Once Li Zhirui left the room, he stopped, turned around, and asked, "Do you really think he’s just at mid-stage Nascent Soul?"
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper replied with a bitter smile, "Senior, you overestimate me. How could I discern his true strength?"
"Forget it, I’ve completed my task." Why bother himself with what follows? Why waste his focus on it?
