Chapter 23
Naturally, Cheng Suxi did not know that Elder Jingming was colluding with the demons.
What she could not understand was how someone who had spent several centuries in the Qianyuan Sect could act so absurdly.
If it were exposed that he had been selling magical artifacts belonging to fallen cultivators, the reputation of their entire sect would be destroyed.
Yanshuang sneered.
“Of the four Peak Masters of your Qianyuan Sect, three died in the great war, while he alone survived. Do you really think that was a coincidence? That old bastard is a coward who clings desperately to life. What integrity could he possibly have?”
Hua Ling could not help wanting to applaud Yanshuang’s words.
Could anyone who colluded with demons possibly be a good person?!
Cheng Suxi’s expression immediately turned cold.
The great war had always been a knot in her heart.
Her master, Perfected Jingyang, the former Peak Master of Xianmiao Peak, had perished. Her senior and junior brothers and sisters had died in battle. Cheng Suxi herself had nearly lost her life after suffering backlash from the Lotus Heart Iceflame.
Meanwhile, Suhui Peak, which had been entrusted as the sect’s final line of defense, had scattered and fled when the demons attacked. Their retreat left the entire sect exposed, resulting in the slaughter of countless low-level disciples, the destruction of innumerable precious scriptures, and the near-total ruin of the Qianyuan Sect’s centuries-old foundations.
Yet Elder Jingming, who had emerged entirely unharmed, had still shamelessly coveted the position of Sect Master.
Even at the risk of worsening her injuries, Cheng Suxi had refused to allow him to succeed.
But she had still underestimated Elder Jingming’s greed and stupidity.
Cheng Suxi tightened her grip around the sword in her hand.
Rather than wait for the other sects to discover the matter, she might as well eliminate this hidden danger herself.
For an instant, Hua Ling sensed an icy killing intent radiating from her caretaker, causing her to shudder involuntarily.
Her caretaker was…
“Yanshuang, continue having someone watch Hele Workshop for me. I am returning to the sect immediately.”
“Understood.”
Yanshuang had an old grudge against Elder Jingming. Even without Cheng Suxi’s request, she would have done everything possible to uncover evidence against him.
Cheng Suxi scooped up Hua Ling, who still looked completely confused, briefly bade Yanshuang farewell, and summoned her flying sword.
Their return journey was clearly much faster than the trip there. The wind was so fierce that Hua Ling did not even dare poke out her head and could only remain hidden inside her caretaker’s robes.
With nothing else to do, Hua Ling searched through the knowledge recorded within her bloodline inheritance and began studying it carefully.
The reason divine beasts were more powerful than ordinary spiritual beasts was not merely because of their formidable natural talents. It was also because they possessed relatively complete bloodline inheritances.
Generally speaking, divine beasts had to pass through three stages before reaching adulthood: infancy, growth, and maturity.
Furthermore, the higher a divine beast’s rank, the longer each stage lasted.
If Hua Ling were a pure-blooded Ice Luan, the process could take several centuries.
Conversely, however, divine beasts could assume human form earlier than ordinary spiritual beasts.
A divine beast’s bloodline inheritance was too vast for a young body to withstand all at once. Therefore, rather than transmitting everything immediately, it gradually released information according to the young beast’s cultivation progress.
Thus, even without the guidance of her biological parents, Hua Ling could still learn every skill belonging to an Ice Luan and successfully grow to adulthood.
……
After returning to the Qianyuan Sect, Cheng Suxi went directly to the main peak and happened to find Qin Jian receiving a guest.
Upon seeing Cheng Suxi, Qin Jian immediately approached her.
“Senior Sister, you’re back.”
Cheng Suxi nodded.
“I just returned.”
She looked toward the green-robed cultivator behind Qin Jian and greeted him.
“Junior Brother Ye.”
The cultivator smiled.
“Senior Sister Lingxi, it has been a long time.”
Qin Jian explained, “Senior Sister, Junior Brother Ye came to remind us that the Canglan Secret Realm will soon open. There may be changes to the allocation of entry slots this year.”
Cheng Suxi replied calmly, “That is inevitable. The major sects of the Yuezhou Continent suffered severe losses and have yet to recover, while many small and medium-sized sects have risen in prominence. Since the Canglan Secret Realm has limited places, they will naturally fight to obtain them.”
The Canglan Secret Realm was a spatial realm located deep within the Sea of Oblivion.
It was said to connect simultaneously to the Immortal Realm and the cultivation world. Consequently, cultivators who entered had a chance of obtaining treasures from the Immortal Realm.
For example, the Primordial Heaven Mirror, one of the Qianyuan Sect’s three great sect treasures, had come from the Canglan Secret Realm.
Cheng Suxi’s bonded flying sword, Ningshuang, had also been forged from a piece of ore obtained there.
Ye Zhen said, “Master said that our two sects have always formed an alliance in the past, so naturally this time will be no exception. However, he is concerned that there are too many uncertainties and hopes to find another trustworthy ally.”
After considering the matter briefly, Cheng Suxi suggested, “What about the Tianling Sect?”
Ye Zhen hesitated.
“The Tianling Sect usually keeps to itself. Would they agree to an alliance? Furthermore, the Canglan Secret Realm has never distinguished between humans and demons. Their guardian disciples might…”
Cheng Suxi understood his concerns.
“Precisely because they do not yet have an ally, they may be willing to join us. As for their guardian disciples, once they have entered the sect, they no longer belong to the demon race.”
During her visit to the Tianling Sect, Cheng Suxi had discovered that the guardian disciples possessed an even stronger sense of belonging to the sect than many ordinary disciples.
Sect Master Tang had also mentioned that most guardian disciples were children abandoned by the demon race.
Ye Zhen replied, “I cannot decide this myself. I must return and report it to Master.”
“Naturally.”
Because the matter was important, Ye Zhen did not remain for long. After bidding them farewell, he departed.
Qin Jian, who had appeared hesitant to speak earlier, finally asked, “Senior Sister, what is the Tianling Sect’s situation? Can they be trusted?”
“We can try.”
The Tianling Sect itself was not weak. Otherwise, it could never have developed to its present level while being excluded by so many other sects.
More importantly, when choosing an ally, the most essential quality was that they would not betray you.
Sect Master Tang’s temperament and character were trustworthy, making the Tianling Sect the best choice currently available to the Qianyuan Sect.
After thinking it over, Qin Jian also found Cheng Suxi’s reasoning sound.
In any case, whether the alliance succeeded would still depend on the Cangyuan Sect’s response.
Temporarily setting the matter aside, Cheng Suxi told Qin Jian everything she had discovered in Jiangyong City.
“The reason I left the sect this time was to investigate something…”
After listening, Qin Jian immediately became furious.
“Elder Jingming is placing our sect in a dishonorable position! We absolutely cannot tolerate this!”
“When striking a snake, one must hit its vital point. This evidence is insufficient to convict Elder Jingming. Since the Canglan Secret Realm is about to open, we might as well…”
Qin Jian immediately understood what Cheng Suxi had left unsaid.
He asked worriedly, “The Canglan Secret Realm is already exceptionally dangerous. If internal conflict erupts as well and other disciples become involved… Would that not be far too risky?”
Cheng Suxi’s voice gradually turned cold.
“Failing to act decisively when a decision must be made is the greater taboo.”
Qin Jian hesitated.
“Allow me to think about it some more…”
……
After leaving the main peak, Hua Ling could clearly sense that her caretaker was in a poor mood.
Truthfully, she also felt that Qin Jian was far too indecisive for a Sect Master.
In the cultivation world, the strong were supreme. Whether they could obtain evidence was not truly important.
Continuing to delay might instead create even more hidden dangers.
Had Elder Jingming not been publicly executed in the original novel after the male protagonist obtained evidence against him?
Therefore, in Hua Ling’s opinion, it would be better to do exactly as her caretaker suggested—eliminate him quietly inside the Canglan Secret Realm without anyone knowing.
Perfect!
“Chirp, chirp, chirp!”
Don’t be sad. I understand you!
Cheng Suxi stroked the head of the little divine beast in her arms and sighed.
“Qin Jian is too upright. Because of that, he easily becomes overly cautious and indecisive.”
Hua Ling thought inwardly:
He was still too inexperienced!
“Forget it. I will allow him to decide this matter…”
Cheng Suxi’s gaze turned cold.
“And if that fails, what would be wrong with fighting my way directly onto Suhui Peak?”
Author’s Note
Hua Ling: It will take me a very long time to grow up. Will you dislike me?
Cheng Suxi: I am more than a hundred years older than you. Will you dislike me?
Transformation should not be too far away, but adulthood will still take some time…
Anyone eager to get into bed with them should go take a cold shower and recite the Heart-Clearing Mantra several times!
P.S. I am guilty of posting later and later!!!!
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