Chapter 661 - 266: Dongji 3

The two chatted for a few more moments about the situation in the Sect before parting ways at a fork in the road, each returning to their respective peak.

Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard on True Martial Peak. Inside the Quiet Chamber, he sat down cross-legged.

’The Infinite Demon Sect...’

Chen Qing repeated the name in his mind.

He knew full well that one of the core purposes of the so-called Hundred Sects genius selection at Xu Wang Mountain was to counter the increasingly rampant Infinite Demon Sect and replenish the Sect with fresh blood.

Now, his batch of disciples had been in the Sect for nearly three years. Having received resources from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, their Cultivation had all improved to varying degrees.

’The experts from the main headquarters are completely different from those in the various sub-pavilions.’

Chen Qing mused, recalling the relevant files he had read.

Most of the sub-pavilions lay dormant and hidden, acting secretively. For the Infinite Demon Sect’s main headquarters to be able to contend with the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect head-on and remain entangled with them to this day, its strength must be unfathomable.

Even a True Disciple like Nan Zhuoran, who had gone to suppress them personally, had frankly stated the situation was complex. This showed just how difficult they were to deal with.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Qing took out a Jade Bottle from his robes and tipped out an Elixir, which he then consumed.

The moment the Elixir entered his stomach, it transformed into a scorching torrent that rushed through the meridians in his limbs and torso.

Chen Qing immediately began Concentrating and Calming the Mind, circulating the Primordial Five Elements True Astral Spell to guide the potent medicinal power and begin a new round of Cultivation.

For the next two days, the Sect was far from calm; the atmosphere grew even more restless than before.

A detailed report of Senior Brother Nan Zhuoran’s victory on the front lines was finally announced officially by the Steward Hall, its contents sending shockwaves throughout the Sect.

Not only were the rumors confirmed, but the details were even more astonishing—outside Soul-Breaking Gorge, Nan Zhuoran had routed an elite Demon Sect force head-on and had personally slain the Bone-Eroding Elder, the eighth-ranked of the Infinite Demon Sect’s Ten Elders!

The fall of a Demon Sect Elder at the Mid-stage True Essence Realm, who had been famous for many years, was a rare and major victory in the recent conflicts with the Infinite Demon Sect.

For this, the Sect Leader personally summoned him and bestowed a vast amount of resources upon him. Such a reward could only be described as exceedingly generous.

The prestige of the Nine Heavens Lineage soared to an all-time high.

「On the morning of the third day」

Elder Deng Ziheng personally came to Chen Qing’s small courtyard.

"Elder Deng." Chen Qing welcomed Deng Ziheng into the reception hall and bowed respectfully.

Deng Ziheng’s expression was serious. Without much pleasantry, he directly took out a dispatch order. "The Sect has issued an order, Chen Qing. You and the other disciples from the Xu Wang Mountain batch must prepare immediately to head to Dongji City and assist in its defense."

Chen Qing had already expected this. He accepted the dispatch order with both hands. "I understand."

He glanced at the order, his eyes pausing briefly on the names Ruan Lingxiu and Ji Yunliang.

The two of them were being sent to the more fiercely contested Soul-Breaking Gorge, while he was headed to Dongji City.

’It seems the Sect took individual strength and the current situation into account when making assignments.’

His gaze shifted down to the Contribution Point rewards.

Slaying an Early-stage Astral Force Demon Sect member: three hundred Contribution Points.

Mid-stage Astral Force: eight hundred Contribution Points.

Late-stage Astral Force: one thousand five hundred Contribution Points.

Astral Force Perfection: two thousand Contribution Points.

True Essence Realm: eight thousand Contribution Points!

The amounts left Chen Qing secretly speechless.

The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect was really sparing no expense to motivate its disciples this time.

He recalled how back at Luoxing Slope, dealing with a Stone Lion and obtaining that Meteorite Iron Core had only earned him three hundred Contribution Points.

In comparison, hunting Demon Sect disciples, especially their upper echelons, was a much faster way to earn Contribution Points.

’Perfect...’

Chen Qing’s mind raced. ’I was just worrying about the huge deficit in my Contribution Points. With the tens of thousands needed for Master Li’s list, I don’t know how many years it would take to save up relying solely on my monthly stipend and guard duty earnings.’

’To complete Old Deng’s list within two years, time is tight. It’s simply impossible through conventional means.’

’This trip to Dongji City could not only solve the Contribution Point problem for the materials on the list, but I might also be able to use this opportunity to temper myself and earn even more points to accelerate my Cultivation.’

"The situation over at Dongji City is still fairly stable. It’s not a primary battlefield against the Demon Sect."

Deng Ziheng’s tone softened slightly as he advised, "It’s mainly some petty crooks from the Infinite Demon Sect causing trouble, stirring things up, and plundering merchant caravans. If you’re careful and cautious on your trip, there shouldn’t be any major problems."

"Thank you for the advice, Elder. I’ll be sure to remember it," Chen Qing said solemnly.

Deng Ziheng gave a few more instructions regarding travel arrangements and coordinating with the disciples stationed there, then rose to leave.

After seeing Elder Deng off, Chen Qing pondered for a moment before instructing Qing Dai, who was waiting outside, "Go and retrieve all the information the Sect has on Dongji City and the Infinite Demon Sect’s recent activities in the eastern region."

"Yes, Senior Brother." Qing Dai acknowledged the order and hurried away.

As a True Disciple, Chen Qing now had the authority to access a great deal of internal information.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qing Dai returned with a stack of scrolls.

Chen Qing first picked up the scroll about Dongji City.

Dongji City, located at the easternmost end of the Qiu Long Path, was the largest city within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s territory closest to the Boundless Sea.

The city’s location was unique, situated at the border between the spheres of influence of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, the Cloud Water Upper Sect, and the Overseas Celestial Star Seventy-Two Islands. Consequently, its maritime shipping was well-developed, and trade was extremely prosperous, making it a massive port city practically flowing with wealth.

The five great thousand-year Noble Families, as well as many small and medium-sized families, all had industrial bases here for acquiring rare overseas treasures and selling inland products.

However, precisely because it was somewhat distant from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s core region and its overlapping spheres of influence made it difficult to manage, it also gave the Infinite Demon Sect plenty of opportunities to exploit.

The scrolls recorded that in recent years, there had been multiple incidents of Infinite Demon Sect experts infiltrating the city, plundering the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s materials and Treasure Ships, and even assassinating important members of merchant guilds, making the situation along the eastern coast quite tense.

Putting down the information on Dongji City, Chen Qing picked up another scroll about the Infinite Demon Sect, focusing on its power structure.

The Infinite Demon Sect had a tight structure. While the strength of its various sub-pavilions was uneven, the power of its main headquarters was truly astonishing.

The scroll clearly recorded that the main headquarters had ten Elders, all of whom were experts in the True Essence Realm. The few ranked at the top were said to have unfathomable strength.

The eighth-ranked among them, the Bone-Eroding Elder, had already been slain by Nan Zhuoran, which had become one of the True Inheritor Chief’s most brilliant achievements.

Above the ten Elders were four Protectors, whose status was revered. They were the true core leadership of the Demon Sect.

And the Demon Sect’s Sect Leader, Qi Xun Nan, was even more mysterious and unfathomable, his strength having reached an extremely high level.

’Ten Elders, four Protectors, and the Sect Leader, Qi Xun Nan...’

Chen Qing committed this key information firmly to memory.

.....