Outside Heaven Mending Peak, more than ten Formal Disciples had gathered. The ones leading them were none other than Zhao Xuhe, Fairy Qingchen, and the old man from the Scripture Pavilion, Wang Borong. Among everyone present, only these three had cultivation levels at the middle stage of the Qi Refining Realm.
Zhao Xuhe stood at the forefront, his voice loud and clear.
"That all you senior and junior brothers could accept my invitation this time, I, Zhao, feel deeply honored. I thank you all in advance."
After speaking, he bowed to the crowd.
"To be honest, this senior brother has discovered a cave residence left behind by a predecessor outside Heaven Mending Peak. Unfortunately, its periphery is protected by a formation, and I truly lack the strength to break through it."
Fairy Qingchen spoke up at the right moment, her soft and gentle voice making one's bones tingle.
"That is why I, Qingchen, have sought out all you senior and junior brothers. If we all work together to break the formation, we can split the gains from the cave residence equally. Senior Brother Zhao is a member of the Three Rivers Society. Everyone is very clear about his reputation; he definitely won't let anyone suffer a loss."
Zhao Xuhe clearly had some tricks up his sleeve. He and Fairy Qingchen coordinated with each other, while the old man from the Scripture Pavilion, Wang Borong, chimed in at the right moments to support them. Very quickly, they managed to unite the scattered crowd.
Immediately after, the group flew off on streaks of light, leaving Heaven Mending Peak. The Heaven-Linking Cloud Sea, where the Primordial Saint Sect was located, covered a vast area, so vast it was almost impossible to see its end.
The group flew on their light streaks for a quarter of an hour before stopping over a particular patch of the cloud sea.
"This is the place."
With a thought from Zhao Xuhe, his True Qi parted the sea of clouds, revealing a magnificent mountain peak with excellent feng shui. At first glance, it resembled a coiled ancient dragon.
"This place is called Coiling Dragon Island," Zhao Xuhe took the initiative to explain.
"I have investigated it. It is the cave residence of a former True Disciple of the sect, Daoist Master Panlong. The large feng shui formation on the periphery was once a Foundation Establishment level formation, but after so many years, the spiritual vein it relied on has dried up, and its power is less than a tenth of what it used to be."
"Everyone, please follow me to break the formation."
As his voice fell, Zhao Xuhe took the lead, being the first to enter Coiling Dragon Island. Seeing this, the others naturally did not dare to fall behind and flew in one after another. A moment later, a figure silently appeared.
"Interesting."
Lu Yang looked down at Coiling Dragon Island, but he had no intention of entering it. Instead, he took out four black banners and began to set them up outside the island.
"The repayment deadline is approaching anyway, and there's not much time left in this life."
"I might as well go for a big score!"
"However, this Coiling Dragon Island is strange and unpredictable, and Zhao Xuhe's group is large and powerful. I'm just one person, unable to stand against them. If I go in and fight them for opportunities, I'll have no chance of winning."
After thinking it over, Lu Yang came up with a good plan. First, he thought the notion that there were good people within a Demonic Sect was utter nonsense, so he was certain that Zhao Xuhe's plot to gather people to explore the cave residence was ill-intentioned.
However, with so many people present, including the old man from the Scripture Pavilion, Wang Borong, even if Zhao Xuhe could handle them all, he would surely suffer some losses in the process and couldn't possibly emerge unscathed.
Since that was the case, he could just set up a formation outside the island first, waiting at ease for an exhausted enemy, and specifically ambush whoever came out. Wasn't this much more profitable than going inside to explore? For this purpose, Lu Yang even used his last 100 contribution points to get a set for a Bewildering Tracks Formation.
The four "Bewildering Tracks Banners" could lock down the area and confuse one's sense of direction. Although they had no offensive power, they could trap people inside, making it difficult for them to escape in a short time.
"All that's left is to wait quietly... No rush, good things come to those who wait."
Lu Yang patiently lay in ambush.
"Zhao Xuhe! What is the meaning of this!?"
"If you kill us, our life lamps will be extinguished! The Saint Sect will not spare you!"
Inside Coiling Dragon Island, a river of blood was now flowing. The group of Formal Disciples, who had just been working together in unison, were now fighting for their own lives, screaming desperately as their lives were continuously reaped by a streak of blood-red light. And far from the crowd, Zhao Xuhe and Fairy Qingchen stood side by side.
Both wore mocking expressions, their brows arrogant, and they exuded a sinister, evil aura. Their words and actions were so different from their sincere invitation earlier that they seemed like completely different people. Facing the furious accusations from the crowd, Zhao Xuhe sneered and said in a chilling tone, "There's no need to struggle.
I meticulously arranged this place. This 'Blood Demon Soul-Slaughtering Blade' alone cost me a full 3000 contribution points. Today, not a single one of you will escape this Coiling Dragon Island!"
As he spoke, several more people lost their lives. The streak of blood-red light flashed through the air, instantly sucking their flesh and blood dry. Then, its form was revealed—it was a crimson flying dagger.
"You! Bastard!"
In the crowd, the only one still able to resist was the old man from the Scripture Pavilion, Wang Borong. However, Zhao Xuhe was in no hurry to kill him, merely wearing him down continuously.
While wearing him down, Zhao Xuhe continued to sneer and taunt, "You, surnamed Wang, did you really think you could take my money and still have a life to spend it? The reason I bought those Death-Substituting Yin Skeletons from you back then was for this very day!
Otherwise, if you had a pile of Death-Substituting Yin Skeletons on hand, it wouldn't have been so easy for me to take you down."
"Now, I've bought all of your Death-Substituting Yin Skeletons."
"Once I kill you, I can take back the contribution points I gave you. It's like I got a pile of Death-Substituting Yin Skeletons without spending a single point."
"Looked at this way, I really should thank you!"
Zhao Xuhe's heart-piercing words made Wang Borong so angry he almost vomited blood. This gave Zhao Xuhe an opening. The flying dagger flashed and instantly plunged into Wang Borong's chest.
Thump!
Wang Borong's lips moved slightly, his face filled with unwillingness, but he couldn't even utter half a word before the flying dagger sucked all the qi and blood from his body. He collapsed weakly to the ground. With Wang Borong dealt with, the dust finally settled.
Another moment passed before the wails of agony gradually ceased.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
At this moment, Fairy Qingchen was also drenched in fragrant sweat. The Blood Demon Soul-Slaughtering Blade consumed a huge amount of energy, so Zhao Xuhe's ability to kill so many people was naturally thanks to her contribution as well.
"I have you to thank as well, Junior Sister."
Zhao Xuhe smiled faintly and took back the Blood Demon Soul-Slaughtering Blade. He then asked, "How is it? With its current power, can it break that restriction?"
Fairy Qingchen studied it for a moment, her lovely brows furrowing slightly.
"It seems like it's still missing a little something..."
Shing—!
The dagger went in and came out. Fairy Qingchen's pretty face was blank with confusion as she stared dazedly at the crimson flying dagger buried in her lower abdomen. In the blink of an eye, she too was sucked into a dried corpse.
"Now it's not lacking anymore."
Zhao Xuhe looked at the Blood Demon Soul-Slaughtering Blade in his hand and nodded in satisfaction. He then proceeded to the depths of Coiling Dragon Island, arriving before a tightly sealed Cultivation Chamber. Without another word, he raised the dagger and slashed.
Boom!
With a tremendous, earth-shaking sound, the door to the Cultivation Chamber shattered, revealing what was inside. A jade casket was sitting there. His face ecstatic, Zhao Xuhe walked over and opened the jade casket.
Inside lay a Dao Scripture in two volumes. The first volume was titled "Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art". The second volume was titled "Myriad Chariots Dragon-Riding Ascension Precious Scroll".
Looking at the two Dao Scriptures in the jade casket, Zhao Xuhe's hands trembled with excitement.
"A third-grade true art! It really is a third-grade true art that points directly to the Great Dao of the Golden Core!"
"Master truly did not lie to me."
"Master said that I have cultivated arduously for three lifetimes, accumulating merit for Daoist Master Panlong. In this life, my merit is finally complete, and the inheritance of Daoist Master Panlong is my destined opportunity."
"After today, as long as I cultivate diligently, refine the 'True Dragon Qi,' and build the 'Myriad Chariots Dragon-Riding' Dao foundation, I will surely rediscover my true self and complete my reincarnation cycle in the future. Moreover, with this third-grade true art, not only will the path to Foundation Establishment be smooth, but the Great Dao of the Golden Core will also be within reach!"
The more Zhao Xuhe thought about it, the more excited he became, and he immediately put the Dao Scripture away.
"Switching cultivation techniques requires me to disperse my current cultivation. There is no time to delay. I must return to my cave residence at once and enter seclusion. When I emerge, I will be able to formally become Master's disciple..."
Filled with hope for the future, Zhao Xuhe summoned a streak of light and quickly flew out of Coiling Dragon Island. However, in the next second, Zhao Xuhe's expression changed drastically.
"Who's there—" Boom!
At that moment, Zhao Xuhe's eyes widened, but all he could see was a magnificent sword light, as powerful as a thunderclap, slashing toward him in an instant!
(End of Chapter)