Chapter 572 - 572: Sun Moon Sacred Cult Trial
" Old bastard, you are alive, huh?"
" Heh, I didn't expect to see you here."
" Heh, It's the Thousand Demon Summon after all."
A man wearing an iron mask crossed his arms, " To think it's true. Cult Leader attained the great dao."
" Do you think Song Mingwu will be the new Cult Leader?"
" Don't forget, the Qin Family still has power in the cult. For the last thousand years, it's been the Qin Family who stepped up to become the Cult Leader of Sun Moon Sacred Cult."
" Hmph, so what? Don't forget, the rules are the same as before. As long as one proves their qualification and makes all the demons submit, they will be the Cult Leader."
The Sun Moon Sacred Cult was bustling with activity. With the Thousand Demon Summon, all major disciples, elders, and associates of the cult gathered in a single place.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
Suddenly, the crowd turned silent as the sound of the drum echoed. The sound was very mysterious, akin to the distant noise of echoing thunder. The drum beat seemed to by syncing with the heartbeat of present people, making their blood burn from excitement and madness.
Slowly, above the Rising Sun Pavilion, Six Elders and Five Hall Masters appeared
" Hmph, Third Elder, you came right on time." Wang Erhu chuckled, seeing the Blood Poison Hand.
" After all, how could I not? Thousand Demon Summon isn't something I can ignore." The Third Elder smiled.
Suddenly, a man wearing a clean white robe and a man wearing a blazing crimson robe appeared.
" Heh, looks like your seclusion is broken, Sword Demon."
" Well, looks like your little scheme succeeded, Blazing Demon." Sword Demon spoke in a placid voice.
" Let's not waste any more time."
Suddenly, a burst of silver brilliance appeared as an old lady stepped forward. All the six elders nodded and showed their respect to the old lady.
The crowd gasped, talking among themselves as they were also surprised by her appearance.
" Everyone, Greet the Bright Moon Maiden!"
The old woman showed no reaction as she stood, clenching both her palms together.
She stood in the air, as if there was an invisible floor under her feet. Even without any terrifying aura, her presence alone dwarfed the Six Elders and Five Hall Masters.
Because the presence of Bright Moon Maiden is a step below that of Sun Moon Cult Leader. She herself doesn't possess any significant martial strength. However, the Bright Moon Maiden has a mystical talent that makes her invincible within the cult.
One touch and the mystical moon fire will burn someone's soul away, leaving behind a perfectly fine physical body. Though she needs to recover later, someone who isn't more powerful than Six Elders is nothing more than a mortal before her.
But of course, the Bright Moon Maiden never participates in any of the cult affairs, unless it's truly significant.
The Bright Moon Maiden stood, her white hair gently fluttering in the wind. Her voice was mellow, yet resounding across the pavilion.
" The Cult Leader of Sun and Moon Cult has perished."
" The mourning begins!"
*GONG! GONG!*
A bell rang, making everyone lower their head. Other than the sound of the bell, there was nothing, only grave solemnity.
After a while, the Bright Moon Maiden spoke again.
" According to the cult rules, only the descendant of the Cult Leader, along with recommended candidates of the Six Elders and Five Hall Masters, can step up to compete for the Cult Leader's seat."
" The candidates, please step forward."
Song Mingwu stepped forward, wearing a pitch black robe. A giant broad sword was hanging on his back, almost the same height as him, with a thicker blade wrapped in clothes.
" Song Mingwu of War Demon Hall greets Bright Moon Maiden." Song Mingwu's voice echoed.
" What? Song Mingwu is stepping up? Where are the others?"
" Shouldn't Gao Yingchang and Qin Yuyue appear?"
" Haven't you heard? Gao Yingchang got injured in an assassination attempt? He lost a leg and now couldn't get out of bed for a year."
" As for Qin Yuyue, I heard she went to the Heavenly Ascension Cave, but there is no information regarding her."
" Hiss! Heavenly Ascension Cave? She isn't even at the level of an Elder, yet she went there?"
" Could it be…she is already…"
The name of Heavenly Ascension Cave is enough to strike fear into the heart of any unorthodox faction practitioner. It's akin to a forbidden zone, with an extremely high mortality rate. Let alone the cave, the surrounding forest can easily kill a Martial Grandmaster Realm martial artist.
" Greetings, I am Song Mingwu from the War Demon Hall. I wish to participate in the Sun Moon Trial." Song Mingwu's voice echoed. The Bright Moon Maiden didn't flinch as she spoke again, " is Song Mingwu the only one taking the trial? Anyone else?"
' Heh, who would dare to stand before me? Even though Gao Yingchang is crippled.' Song Mingwu chuckled inwardly.
He was initially worried about Qin Yuyue, but he had already deployed guards and assassins around the cult. Even if Qin Yuyue isn't dead, as long as she is late, she will lose her qualification.
Alas, Song Mingwu's smile didn't last for long.
" Heavens! What's that!"
" Is that a Flying Ship?!"
The Elders and Hall Masters were alarmed when they saw a giant shadow blocking the sun. The Bright Moon Maiden's expression flickered, also shocked inwardly.
" Wait for me!"
A voice echoed as someone descended through the sky. Song Mingwu's expression stiffened when he saw the person landing on the ground.
*BOOOM!*
A raging demonic aura erupted as Qin Yuyue patted her sleeves, " Qin Yuyue of Qin Family, greets Bright Moon Maiden. I wish to participate in Sun Moon Trial as well."
" Yo-you!!"
Song Mingwu clenched his fist as he couldn't believe Qin Yuyue actually appeared. " Qin Yuyue, how dare you bring a Flying Ship into the sacred cult? Do you wish to rebel against the demonic code?!"
Qin Yuyue didn't even glance at Song Mingwu," I don't believe bringing my own method of transportation is forbidden here. Besides, rather than wasting time, shouldn't we proceed for the trial?"
The Fourth Elder stood up, " Song Mingwu is right. Qin Yuyue violated the rules of Sun Moon Sacred Cult. We should…"
" Quite."
The Bright Moon Maiden's voice echoed, shutting up the Fourth Elder at once. The old lady looked at Song Mingwu and Qin Yuyue.
" The Trial begins."
With a snap of her finger, a giant bronze brazier appeared before everyone, burning with silver white flames.
" Step forward and pour your aura into the flames. The grade will determine your affinity with the demonic path."
Without hesitation, Qin Yuyue stepped forward, standing before the burning flame. A crimson aura surged from her palm as she touched the edge of the brazier.
*WROONGGGGG!*
The silver flame flickered as it shot into the sky. It instantly turned into a dragon made from dark flames, with a single eye on its forehead. The dragon gave off an incredible oppression, making the demonic martial artists suffocate.
" The Yin Dragon Phenomenon. Affinity to the demonic path, Excellent!" The Bright Moon Maiden's voice echoed.
The dragon swirled through the sky as it dove down to the brazier, melting back into the silver flames.
Qin Yuyue smirked as she turned around, her eyes taunting Song Mingwu.
Song Mingwu's face turned dark when he saw it. Without any hesitation, he raised his hands and placed them on the brazier.
*HISSSS!*
The silver flames sizzled as it shot to the sky. Suddenly, a cloud made from smoke and dark mist appeared. Everyone shivered as they heard noises, as if hundreds of insects were crawling together.
Through the cloud, one could see a demonic centipede, a giant serpent, a pitch-black scorpion, red and yellow venomous toad; every sort of creepers flowed through the cloud.
" The Hundred Venom Gu Phenomena. One grade lower than Yin Dragon. Demonic Affinity is very good." The Bright Moon Maiden spoke.
" Damn it!"
Song Mingwu almost punched the brazier, but he pulled himself back. The silver flame before him was no ordinary flame. He didn't want to die a gruesome death.
" Song Mingwu, you'd better wash your neck." Qin Yuyue spoke in a cold voice, " The moment I get to that seat, you will be the first one I will kill. And I will kill very…Very slowly."
" Hmph, Qin Yuyue, don't celebrate early. There is still one round left." Song Mingwu snorted as he looked at the Bright Moon Maiden.
' Looks like I have to use the treasure of the Martial Court.'
