Chapter 663 - 267: Broken Soul

Seated second on the left, an old man with fiery red hair said in a deep voice, "Grand Elder, please elaborate."

This man was the Demon Sect’s Fifth Elder, Lei Hong, the ’Red-haired Mountain Breaker’.

A calculating glint flashed in Sikong Hui’s eyes. "The reinforcements sent by the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect this time are divided into two main groups. First, a group led by the second-ranked True Disciple, Ji Yunliang, and the ninth-ranked, Ruan Lingxiu, is heading straight for Soul-Breaking Gorge. The strength of these two should not be underestimated. Ji Yunliang, in particular, hides his true power, and he’s been sent to replace Nan Zhuoran and stabilize the situation. I plan to lead a team myself. You, Fifth Elder, along with the Seventh and Tenth Elders, will join me. We must ensure these two are eliminated, or at the very least, severely wounded!"

A cold glint flashed in Lei Hong’s eyes. He nodded in agreement.

"The other group,"

Sikong Hui’s tone shifted, "is heading to Dongji City. It consists of the geniuses selected from the Hundred Sects and is led by the newly promoted tenth True Disciple, a young man named Chen Qing. This boy is said to be exceptionally talented. He defeated Lu Chenming while only at Late-stage Astral Force and is currently in the limelight. If we can kill him before he fully develops, it will be a significant blow to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect as well."

"And the geniuses chosen from the Hundred Sects selection are especially important. Their value goes without saying."

Hearing this, everyone present nodded.

Dealing with a True Disciple who had yet to reach his full potential was indeed far easier than clashing with Ji Yunliang head-on, and the result might be just as impactful.

Lei Hong said slowly, "Han Kui, Hu Yuning, and Zhao Chi are all elites of our Holy Sect. They have deep foundations and reached Astral Force Perfection long ago, putting them on the verge of the True Essence Realm. Hu Yuning, in particular, is unpredictable with his ’Thousand Mechanism Rotting Poison.’ He once helped me poison a True Essence Realm opponent to death. If the three of them lead the team, supported by several Late-stage Astral Force Protectors, they can set a death trap sufficient to take down Chen Qing!"

As soon as Lei Hong finished, many of the Demon Sect experts present nodded slightly.

It was true that Han Kui, Hu Yuning, and Zhao Chi were top-tier experts at the Astral Force Realm within the Demon Sect. They had been at Astral Force Perfection for many years. While their foundations might not compare to the veteran Astral Force Perfection masters of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, each had their own unique skills. If they joined forces and used Poison Techniques for a surprise attack, their chances of defeating a disciple who hadn’t yet broken through to the True Essence Realm were extremely high in their eyes, even if he was a True Disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.

What’s more, they would have Protectors providing support.

Sikong Hui remained noncommittal. His gaze, however, shifted to a figure in the corner who had been silent the entire time, completely shrouded in a loose black robe.

"What do you think?"

Everyone’s gazes followed, focusing on the figure.

This black-robed person had only broken through to the True Essence Realm within the last two years. Though he had just reached the realm, he was held in high regard by Grand Elder Sikong Hui.

Now that the Bone-Eroding Elder was dead and an Elder position was vacant, the Grand Elder seemed to intend to promote this person to fill it.

The black-robed man lifted his head slightly and said flatly, "Reporting to the Grand Elder, from what this subordinate knows, this new tenth True Disciple, Chen Qing, may only be at Late-stage Astral Force, but he has fused Three True Astrals and also cultivates the Buddhist Sect’s Body Refining Secret Technique, the *Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body*. His strength is absolutely not something an ordinary Astral Force cultivator can compare to. Lu Chenming’s defeat at his hands is a cautionary tale. If we only dispatch those in the Astral Force Realm, I’m afraid not only will we fail to kill him, but we will also alert the enemy. It might even be... a one-way trip."

He paused before continuing, "I believe we should use the full strength of a lion even to catch a rabbit. To ensure there are no mistakes, we should dispatch a True Essence Realm Elder. Only then can we strike like lightning and eliminate this problem for good."

Everyone present felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing this.

’To kill a Late-stage Astral Force cultivator, we need to dispatch a True Essence Realm Elder?’

’This person is truly ruthless and cautious.’

But on second thought, it wasn’t without reason.

The true geniuses of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect really couldn’t be measured by common standards. The death of the Bone-Eroding Elder was the best warning.

"I also feel it’s best to succeed on the first strike this time, to avoid any unexpected complications."

Sikong Hui nodded slightly. "...Then let’s have the Ninth Elder make the trip. He excels at Concealment and assassination, and his speed is also extremely fast. He’s perfect for this task."

The Ninth Elder had an Early-stage True Essence Realm Cultivation and was an expert in the art of assassination. In Sikong Hui’s view, sending him to deal with a Chen Qing who had yet to reach the True Essence Realm was a surefire plan.

With the decision made, Sikong Hui briefly went over a few more details for the ambush on Ji Yunliang’s group, then waved his hand, dismissing everyone to make their own preparations.

Everyone acknowledged the order and rose to leave.

The black-robed man also stood up, preparing to leave with the others.

Just as he was about to step over the threshold, Sikong Hui’s voice rang out again. "Stay a moment."

The black-robed figure paused and turned. "Does the Grand Elder have any other instructions?"

Sikong Hui looked at him, a rare hint of warmth on his face. "Serve the Holy Sect well. Once this matter is concluded, I will recommend you to the Sect Leader for the Elder position left vacant by Bone Erosion."

The black-robed man bowed deeply, his voice as calm and steady as ever. "This subordinate will do his utmost and not disappoint the Grand Elder’s high hopes."

Sikong Hui nodded in satisfaction.

Only then did the black-robed man turn again and walk out of the main hall.

After leaving the courtyard and blending into the dim street, he glanced back at the small courtyard where the lights had already been extinguished.

’Wutai Sect... Chen Qing...’

.....

「Two days later, at the crack of dawn.」

Qing Dai and the other three women had already risen early to pack their belongings—a few changes of clothes, essential Elixirs, and enough dried rations for half a month—and tie them to the sides of the Golden Feathered Eagle’s saddle.

"Brother Chen! Take care on your journey!"

Qing Dai led the other three women in a respectful curtsy at the courtyard gate.

Chen Qing nodded, his gaze sweeping over the courtyard he had lived in for so long, before heading toward the meeting point on Xu Wang Mountain.

On Xu Wang Mountain, about twenty disciples who had entered the Sect through the Hundred Sects selection were already waiting.

Seeing Chen Qing arrive, everyone, whether they knew him or not, fell silent and respectfully clasped their fists. "Brother Chen!"

Though they had all entered through the Hundred Sects selection, Chen Qing had already risen to the ranks of the True Disciples. His status was venerable, and he even held the authority to command ordinary Inner Sect Disciples. Their positions were now worlds apart.

Luo Qianjue, Wang Bo, and the aloof He Shuang were prominent among the crowd.

He Shuang watched Chen Qing approach, a highly complex emotion flashing through her eyes.

For some reason, she hadn’t been able to witness the battle between Chen Qing and Lu Chenming in person. When she heard the outcome afterward, she was shocked beyond words.

Chen Qing’s expression was calm. He gave a slight nod, then handed the Sect’s mobilization order to Luo Qianjue, who was in charge of the headcount. "See if everyone has arrived."

Luo Qianjue took the order and immediately checked it against the roster. A moment later, he reported, "Reporting to Brother Chen, all disciples participating in the defense of Dongji City have arrived."

"Since everyone’s here, let’s move out," Chen Qing ordered.

Not every disciple on this trip to Dongji City had a Sect-trained Exotic Beast like a Golden Feathered Eagle.

Besides Chen Qing, He Shuang was the only other disciple who owned one.

The rest of the disciples either rode on slightly slower fine steeds or relied on their own Body Techniques to travel.

After most of the disciples had set off, just as Chen Qing was about to mount his Golden Feathered Eagle, a shadow descended from the sky with the sound of flapping wings.

The newcomer was also riding a magnificent Golden Feathered Eagle. It was none other than Elder Deng Ziheng of the True Martial Lineage.

"Elder Deng?"

Chen Qing was slightly surprised. "You are...?"

Elder Deng Ziheng’s expression was grave. He urged his eagle closer and said in a low voice, "On this trip to Dongji City, I have been entrusted by the Vein Master to act as a secret guardian and travel with you."

His gaze swept over the main group, which was already growing distant. "Just in case, this matter must be kept secret, which is why it wasn’t announced beforehand."

Hearing this, Chen Qing’s heart stirred.

’Han Guxi, the Vein Master of the True Martial Lineage, usually seems as kind and approachable as a neighborhood old man, but his actions are meticulous and foolproof. His moniker, ’Profound Turtle Carrying the Mountain,’ is truly not just an empty reputation.’

With a True Essence Realm expert accompanying them in secret, the safety of their journey was undoubtedly much greater.

The Vein Master’s arrangement was not only to protect him, a newly promoted True Disciple, but also to guard this batch of talented prospects from the Hundred Sects selection. At the same time, it was also to prevent information from leaking and to guard against any potential ambushes along the way.

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder!" Chen Qing clasped his fist solemnly.

"Let’s go. Keep your distance so no one notices."

Deng Ziheng gave a slight nod. His Golden Feathered Eagle silently soared into the clouds, trailing the main group from a great distance.

Chen Qing hesitated no longer and gently patted the neck of his Golden Feathered Eagle.

The divine eagle let out a long, clear cry. It spread its wings, kicking up a gust of wind, and carried him soaring into the sky, speeding toward the east.

.....