Chapter 729: Sect Master (I)
A terrifying rumble erupted as the densely interwoven restrictions blazed with dazzling light and unleashed their full power in an instant. The old man trapped within erupted with immense blood qi, forming a phantom giant tiger that threw back its head and let loose a deafening roar. The power of the restrictions crashed down on the tiger, yet it endured the entire onslaught.
"As expected of a martial artist. They truly are tough as nails," Fan Hongwei remarked in admiration at the sight.
Back then, he had joined his old friend Ling Feng and Fellow Kong Di of the Kong Family to explore these ruins. However, the three of them couldn't overcome this section, no matter what they tried. They had even suffered severe injuries while retreating, and it had taken Fan Hongwei a long time to recover.
"Senior Woo Jin is a powerhouse comparable to the Nascent Soul realm, after all. It is only natural that he possesses such strength. Let's go and keep up with him." Ling Feng smiled faintly and followed after him.
With Woo Jin clearing the way ahead of them, this expedition was much easier. Unlike last time, they would not have to expend tremendous effort only to leave empty-handed and severely injured.
"Wait. There is a Torrent Ginger Grass several thousand years old over there. Let's harvest it first," Fan Hongwei called out, stopping Ling Feng.
The Woo Family's objective on this expedition was the exotic beast that had awakened an ancient bloodline. Ever since entering the ruins, Woo Jin had headed straight toward its location. Unless the heavenly treasures and earthly wonders scattered throughout the area were exceptionally valuable, he had no interest in taking them.
Fan Hongwei and Ling Feng neither dared nor possessed the strength to compete with him for anything he wanted. Fortunately, Woo Jin was focused solely on capturing the exotic beast and paid no attention to anything else. Fan Hongwei and Ling Feng followed behind him, picking up whatever treasures he passed over.
Torrent Ginger Grass! I can't believe such a rare herb is growing here! Ling Feng exclaimed inwardly, a trace of delight flashing through his eyes.
Stop making such a fuss and control your expression. Don't let that old bastard notice anything unusual, Fan Hongwei warned him through voice transmission.
Hearing this, Ling Feng nodded slightly. He moved to catch up and asked with a smile, "What about that young fellow from the Martial Alliance? Why hasn't he arrived after all this time?"
"I sent him a message yesterday to hurry him along, but he said something had delayed him. He is probably making thorough preparations in secret because he fears we might act against him. Heh. Let him prepare all he wants. With a Woo Family powerhouse here and all the measures I have arranged throughout this secret realm, there is nothing he can do." Fan Hongwei chuckled, a trace of disdain flashing through his eyes. He had already made every necessary preparation. All that remained was to wait for Xiao Yu to walk into the trap.
𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
***
At the center of the Evilheart Sect's encampment, dense black mist churned violently, stirring up fierce gales that howled through the air.
Lin Zheyu's voice sounded from within the black mist. "Fellow friend, please activate this section so I can observe what changes occur."
He stood tall amid the black mist, his golden Heavenly Eye open as he studied Cao Hongchang's imitation Yao Demon Nest.
Cao Hongchang slowly opened his eyes and replied in a low voice, "All right!"
A trace of irritation and gloom flickered in the depths of his eyes. Someone constantly interrupting him while he cultivated in seclusion was truly infuriating, but Cao Hongchang couldn't drive the man away. For one thing, he was not confident he could defeat him. Xiao Zhe seemed mysterious and unfathomable, and the things he casually revealed never failed to astonish Cao Hongchang.
Furthermore, Cao Hongchang did not dare offend Xiao Zhe. His condition had only been alleviated, not completely cured. After Lin Zheyu's last treatment, Cao Hongchang had estimated that within ten years at most, the yao will within him would once again deteriorate to the state it had been in before he met Xiao Zhe. If he did not have Xiao Zhe's help then, he would be forced to confine himself to the imitation Yao Demon Nest as he had before. That was not an outcome Cao Hongchang wished to see.
Cao Hongchang exhaled deeply and suppressed the agitation in his heart. I just need to endure it a little longer. Li Xiang is somewhat unreliable, so cooperating with Xiao Zhe might not be a bad choice.
He turned his right hand over, revealing a crystal tinged with faint traces of blood. It was a soul crystal, a treasure with the miraculous ability to restore the soul. After the yao will within his soul and Nascent Soul had been eradicated, both had been left shattered and severely incomplete. If he had not transferred the core of his conscious mind into a puppet, Cao Hongchang would have long since become a mindless fool.
Lin Zheyu's voice once again sounded from within the black mist. "Fellow friend, please demonstrate how you use the imitation Yao Demon Nest as a nexus to control the puppet army, form a battle formation, and confront the enemy."
Cao Hongchang's eyes snapped open, and a flash of barely restrained madness and savage killing intent appeared within them. He quickly suppressed the violent bloodlust once more.
"Don't get angry, don't get angry..." Cao Hongchang muttered under his breath, but in the end, he could not resist cursing, "Damn it, this bastard is such a pain in the ass!"
Despite his cursing, he still followed Lin Zheyu's instructions and began the demonstration by controlling the hundred-or-so puppets he had refined. Seeing this, the corners of Lin Zheyu's mouth curved into a faint smile.
Heh... This fellow is becoming increasingly cooperative. It almost feels like training a pet, Lin Zheyu thought with an amused smile.
The thought passed through his mind, and Lin Zheyu once again immersed himself in studying the imitation Yao Demon Nest. Cao Hongchang's imitation Yao Demon Nest was remarkably powerful. Its only flaw was that it could not be moved freely. However, if used as a cultivation residence, it was undoubtedly a good choice.
Yet, constructing an imitation Yao Demon Nest was prohibitively expensive. Moreover, Lin Zheyu already possessed a spatial dharma treasure like the Primordial Chaos Pool, which could serve as a mobile cultivation residence, so he had little need for another one.
He was researching the imitation Yao Demon Nest solely to deepen his understanding of the Yao Dao. While he could still cross the river by feeling for the stones provided by cultivation systems such as the Yao Dao, Immortal Dao, and Shamanic Dao, he intended to make full use of them. The true difficulty would begin when he could no longer draw nourishment from other cultivation systems and had to rely entirely on himself.
***
More than three months later, in the rear mountains of the Evilheart Sect, Lin Zheyu was training with strenuous effort. After a long while, he released a deep breath. Immense energy surged from his three great divine repositories, and his extremely weakened aura recovered to its peak at an astonishing speed. With a light wave of his right hand, he put away the formation disks arranged around him, revealing Kong Yujing before him.
"What is it?" Lin Zheyu asked calmly, looking toward Kong Yujing, who had been silently waiting in the distance.
"Master, the other disciples in the sect asked me to inquire when you might be free to help them resolve the corruption caused by the yao will. They are also willing to offer their soul blood," Kong Yujing replied respectfully.
Kong Yujing was filled with fear in Lin Zheyu's presence. She kept her head slightly lowered, not daring to meet his eyes.
Lin Zheyu nodded. "Mm, have them come over."
After treating Cao Hongchang, he had immersed himself in comprehending the imitation Yao Demon Nest and forgotten all about this matter. The Evilheart Sect still had many capable members. Although it had lost a large portion of its holdings, the substantial foundation Cao Hongchang had accumulated meant its remaining assets were still considerable. If managed well, the Evilheart Sect would provide Lin Zheyu with a steady and substantial supply of spirit stones.
"One more thing. Pass down my orders for every demonic cultivator in the sect at the Foundation Establishment realm or above to mobilize and reclaim all the holdings and territory that were seized and divided among others. They are to do so as quickly as possible. Also, draw up a new set of rules for sect contribution points. Every demonic cultivator in the Evilheart Sect will receive one free opportunity for me to purge the corrupting yao will from them.
"After that, they will have to spend contribution points in exchange for my help. Set the standard for a Nascent Soul realm demonic cultivator at the equivalent of three thousand high-grade spirit stones, with weaker cultivators requiring fewer contribution points. Use the sect's previous system as a basis to determine the value of its contribution points, then devise a new set of rules for me," Lin Zheyu instructed.