My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 200: Chapter 200: The Heavenly Venerate Appears before the Heavenly Venerate Hall

Outside Tianbo City, at the Central Army’s camp.

Sitting at the head of the tent was a middle-aged general with a slim figure, a horse-like face, broad forehead, and an extremely ugly appearance.

This man was none other than the Marquis, Wang Shiyi.

Standing to his left was an old scholar in his fifties or sixties, while to his right was an elderly man with a head full of white hair, exuding an energetic and shrewd aura, dressed in a purple robe.

The old scholar was indeed the beggar from Yuan City, Li Qirong, while the man in the purple robe was the elder from the Five Poison Sect, Feng Lingyue.

As the number one faction of the Northern Wilderness Dao, the Five Poison Sect had to make defensive preparations for the impending invasion of the Houjin army, a matter of utmost importance. Thus, Feng Lingyue personally took charge in the Central Army to protect Marquis Wang Shiyi.

...

Li Qirong, looking at the sand table before him, murmured, “It seems that Chen Shi and Bai Ying have fallen into the trap, especially Bai Ying. After seeing Chen Shi plunder the Heaven Gate Pass and fill his coffers, his eyes have already turned red.”

In this world, people’s eyes are black and their hearts are red; once their hearts turn black, their eyes will turn red.

Feng Lingyue didn’t entirely understand the schemes of the Marquis and Li Qirong, but judging by Li Qirong’s tone, it seemed that their plans had already been partly successful.

Wang Shiyi frowned, “It’s a pity for the civilians these past few days, although we had made preparations in advance…….”

In the past few days, the armies of the Golden Eagle Banner and the Black Feather Banner seemed to be competing in a sort of contest, incessantly attacking and plundering lands, and then looting all the civilians and wealthy merchants within the cities. They did not seem like a conquering army, but rather like bandit thieves raiding Great Yan.

Though the Golden Eagle Banner moved swiftly, they still restrained themselves somewhat, whereas Bai Ying’s Black Feather Banner divided into three and began pillaging throughout the entire Northern Wilderness Dao.

Several large battles ensued, with the Great Yan army mostly losing than winning, especially when facing the ferocious and brutal Black Feather Banner. It often required a three-to-one numerical advantage to achieve victory.

This was a testament to the valiance of the Black Feather Banner soldiers.

Li Qirong said indifferently, “Marquis, rest assured, we will make them pay a blood price for their satisfaction. Not one of these one hundred and ninety thousand men, including Chen Shi and Bai Ying, will be able to leave the territory of Great Yan.”

Li Qirong’s tone was very calm, as if those two massive armies were already like turtles in a jar. One must know, we are talking about the lives of tens of thousands of people, even if they were tens of thousands of ants, it would still be a dark mass.

Feng Lingyue stared at the old scholar in front, inwardly amazed. In the Jianghu, causing the death of an entire clan usually resulted in only a few hundred deaths, yet a few words from this scholar meant that tens of thousands of people would die, turned to ash. Truly chilling to the bone and utterly hair-raising.

Wang Shiyi remained silent, but a terrifying intent to kill flashed in his eyes.

“Report!”

Just then, a loud shout resounded, and a soldier from Great Yan burst in hurriedly, “Today, the Golden Eagle Banner is stationed near You Mountain, but only a few hours after setting up camp, chaos erupted. It is suspected that people from Jianghu have rushed into the camp.”

“People from Jianghu?”

Wang Shiyi’s eyebrows raised, turning to look at Wang Ningshui behind him.

Lately, the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall sent out many experts to intercept and kill the leaders of Chen Shi’s and Bai Ying’s armies, but most of these attempts ended in failure.

After all, it’s tough for the common people of Jianghu to make a difference in front of an army of a million.

Wang Ningshui shook his head, “Ordinary Jianghu experts would hardly cause an entire camp to stir unless it’s a grandmaster-level expert.”

“A Grandmaster!?”

Wang Shiyi’s expression darkened.

When Yan Country and Zhao Country were at war, grandmaster-level experts rarely executed opposing generals because if a grandmaster intervened, the nature of warfare would be entirely changed, turning into a battle of life and death, potentially leading to the annihilation of nations.

Wang Shiyi frowned, “Which grandmaster is it? Go and find out immediately.”

“I shall go.”

Feng Lingyue interjected, “I will head to You Mountain now; it should take about half an hour to get there.”

Wang Shiyi nodded, “Then I’ll trouble Elder Feng with this task.”

For Feng Lingyue to personally investigate was not only efficient but also very safe. After all, even the army of the Golden Eagle Banner would find it difficult to detain him should he wish to leave.

“There’s no trouble.”

Feng Lingyue waved his hand and then stepped out of the tent.

You Mountain was two hundred miles away from Tianbo City. Under Feng Lingyue’s full-speed travel, it did not take him long to reach the vicinity of You Mountain.

Without getting close to the Golden Eagle Banner’s camp, he sensed the astonishing Sword Qi.

“A Swordsman!?”

Feng Lingyue pondered for a moment, “Could it be Lin Yiyang? But didn’t he return to the Yu Heng Sword Sect to enter seclusion?”

Such astonishing Sword Qi undoubtedly belonged to a top-notch swordsman. In today’s world, there are only a handful of exceptional swordsmen.

Suddenly, a figure rushed from a distance at high speed.

The man was dressed in a Daoist robe, with a tall and straight stature, a crown on his head, and an elegant demeanor.

Seeing the newcomer, Feng Lingyue’s eyebrows lifted slightly, “Luo Chongyang?”

The Five Poison Sect was known to have good relations with the Zhenyi Sect, knowledge common throughout the land. Thus, having good relations with the Zhenyi Sect inevitably meant making enemies with some of the experts antagonistic to the Zhenyi Sect.

As a traitor of the Zhenyi Sect, Luo Chongyang was indeed the primary target for elimination by the Sect back in the day, to the extent that experts from the Hidden Mountain Faction were dispatched. At the time, Feng Lingyue also participated in this operation, and the outcome of that great battle was the death of a Zhenyi Sect master from the Hua generation at the hands of Luo Chongyang.

Others may not know how formidable the masters of the Hua generation of the Zhenyi Sect were, but Feng Lingyue was acutely aware, which is why he was one of the few in the world today who knew how formidable this Taoist was.

Luo Chongyang glanced at Feng Lingyue and said indifferently, “It seems I am really fated with Elder Feng.”

Hearing Luo Chongyang speak thus, Feng Lingyue felt a ‘thump’ in his heart, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead.

To be fated with others might mean a chance to obtain fate techniques, but to be fated with Luo Chongyang could mean losing one’s life.

Luo Chongyang smiled faintly and asked, “No need to be so tense, what happened over there in the camp?”

“I do not know, so I came to check.”

Feng Lingyue still looked at Luo Chongyang with his guard up, “I wonder why Upper Daoist Qing Yang has come to this place?”

Luo Chongyang, Ye Ding, and Yu Ying were high-ranking masters of the Qing generation, and his Dharma name was also Qing Yang; however, those in Jianghu who knew his Dharma name were all old masters.

Luo Chongyang did not speak, his eyes gazing into the distance at the Golden Eagle Banner camp, seemingly sensing the surging Qi mechanism.

Approximately several dozen breaths later, the Qi mechanism gradually dissipated as if everything had returned to tranquility.

A figure in a black robe flew in from afar, landing dozens of yards away from the two men, coming to a stop. The person in the black robe was soaked as if fished out of water, their ancient longsword covered in fresh blood.

The water droplets from his robe landed on the ground, revealing a vivid red, clearly indicating that this was not water but blood.

An Jing, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, moved at a steady pace, looking at Feng Lingyue with a hint of puzzlement in his eyes.

Luo Chongyang inquired, “Where is Qi Shu?”

“He’s dead,” An Jing stated flatly.

Upon hearing this, Luo Chongyang’s lips curled with an almost imperceptible smile.

Those who dared to steal from Luo Chongyang, apart from Xiao Qianqiu, Qi Shu was the second one. Those like Qi Shu who enjoyed braving dangers were inevitably courting death sooner or later.

Wealth and riches are sought through perils; who would place their heads on the waistbands of their trousers and seek riches every day?

“Qi Shu is dead!?”

Upon hearing these words from the Ghost Swordsman, a look of disbelief surfaced in Feng Lingyue’s eyes.

Who was Qi Shu? He was the successor groomed by Qi Wushuang, the pillar of Zhao Country. At merely around fifty years of age, he had already reached the Second Qi Grandmaster realm, and it was not impossible for him to become one of the pinnacles of the world as a Five Qi Grandmaster in the future.

But now, to hear from the mouth of the Ghost Swordsman that Qi Shu was dead, how could Feng Lingyue’s heart not be shaken?

“Hm!?”

Feeling the Qi Mechanism of the Ghost Swordsman, Feng Lingyue’s heart grew even colder: This Ghost Swordsman had actually attained the Grandmaster realm, and to be able to slay Qi Shu while only in the One Qi Grandmaster realm was truly impressive.

“Let’s go.”

An Jing said slowly.

Luo Chongyang nodded slightly and then, thinking of something, said to Feng Lingyue, “The Ghost Swordsman and I intend to hunt at Dongluo Pass in half a month; if Elder Feng is interested, you are welcome to come and watch.”

An Jing said nothing; Feng Lingyue had grievances with the Demon Sect, so if he wished to come, it would also count as adding another ally.

Afterward, the two swiftly left into the distance.

Feng Lingyue watched their figures fading away, with turmoil washing over the depths of his heart.

Hunt at Dongluo Pass!?

The greatest threat to the Five Poison Sect was naturally the Demon Sect; as long as the Demon Sect existed, it was like a sword hanging over the head of the Five Poison Sect.

It was because of this sword that the Five Poison Sect had to attach themselves to the Demon Sect.

Although the Zhenyi Sect had now given Feng Lingyue a promise, he still felt uneasy in his heart; after all, the life and death of the Five Poison Sect hung in the hands of others, somewhat constrained, even gradually becoming a vassal of the Zhenyi Sect.

“Hunt at Dongluo Pass? Could they be planning to annihilate the Demon Sect?”

Feng Lingyue’s heart pounded erratically, his fists clenched subconsciously, “If that’s true, it’s indeed a grand opportunity. These two are extremely powerful, and they surely have their preparations if they dare to go to Dongluo Pass. But the strength of the Demon Sect’s Sealing Demon Platform is unfathomable; I wonder how many old monsters…”

After some contemplation, a brilliant stratagem surfaced in Feng Lingyue’s eyes, striking upon a splendid tactic.

……

South of You Mountain.

An Jing and Luo Chongyang headed towards Beili City. The Black Flood Dragon was still in a deep pool outside of Beili City.

Luo Chongyang inquired, “Since Qi Shu is dead, you must have gotten the True Dragon Treasure Blood, right?”

“I have,” An Jing confirmed.

An Jing took out the True Dragon Treasure Blood from within his clothes.

At the same time, a blue radiance emerged from the Earth Book.

“Hint two: The host possesses an item capable of enhancing Root Bone (True Dragon Treasure Blood).”

This was the blue opportunity hinted at by the Earth Book when he had approached Beili Volcano.

Luo Chongyang glanced at it and said, “Indeed, this is True Dragon Treasure Blood.”

“I’m returning it to you.”

An Jing tossed the True Dragon Treasure Blood in his hand to Luo Chongyang.

Playing with the congealed True Dragon Treasure Blood in his hand, Luo Chongyang smiled and said, “Aren’t you tempted at all? This drop of True Dragon Treasure Blood could transform your innate talent, enabling you to reach higher realms in the future.”

An Jing shook his head and said indifferently, “This is your True Dragon Treasure Blood, not mine.”

An Jing’s principle had always been to benefit himself without harming others, especially since Luo Chongyang had kept his poisonous oath and protected him completely at the base of the volcano.

Luo Chongyang slowly said, “Appearance comes from the heart; realms change with the heart. As a Taoist cultivating the Dao, I emphasize that all laws are natural; I cultivate the Dao of the heart. Such external objects are not of much use to me.”

“The reason I wanted this True Dragon Treasure Blood was to find one or two seedlings, hoping that one day they would help revive the Mystical Sect.”

Luo Chongyang’s desire for the True Dragon Treasure Blood wasn’t for his own absorption, but for another purpose.

The Dao of the heart?

An Jing gave the Taoist before him a curious glance.

It was said that long ago, most Taoists of the Mystical Sect cultivated the Dao of the heart. They were mostly pure of heart and desire, possessed profound and unfathomable strength, and were masters who resonated with heaven and earth. However, after the Mystical Sect widely opened its gates and fully integrated into the world, the practice of martial arts slowly became mainstream.

At the same time, the lineage that devotedly cultivated the Dao of the heart gradually fell into obscurity, becoming history within the ancient texts of the Mystical Sect.

Luo Chongyang asked, “Qi Shu died by your hand, leaving behind two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, right?”

An Jing patted the Evil Suppressing Sword at his waist and said, “That’s right, they’re within the sword.”

After killing Qi Shu, the two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence that had emerged were absorbed by the Evil Suppressing Sword’s blade.

Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence could dissipate at any time, so aside from being stored inside the Dantian, it had to be absorbed by special containers or suppressed.

The Evil Suppressing Sword had the effect of suppressing Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. The Spirit Essence atop Three Temple Mountain had been subdued by the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword and did not dissipate for several hundred years.

With a smile, Luo Chongyang said, “How about I exchange this True Dragon Treasure Blood for those two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence?”

True Dragon Treasure Blood for two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence?

An Jing pondered for a moment and nodded his head, “All right.”

His cultivation had just reached the Grandmaster Realm, and his foundational realm had not yet been solidified. It was impossible for him to break through to the next realm for the time being, and holding onto the two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence wouldn’t do him much good. It would be better to exchange them for the True Dragon Treasure Blood to enhance his Root Bone.

Then, An Jing slapped the Evil Suppressing Sword, causing the two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence to float out. @@novelbin@@

Luo Chongyang caught the two strands of Spirit Essence and cautioned, “You’ve killed Qi Shu, so be careful of the Black Ice Platform’s vengeance. Qi Wushuang, that old fellow, is not as magnanimous as rumors suggest. His tolerance is very, very small.”

Qi Wushuang, the pillar of Zhao Country, was also one of the highest-ranking experts in the world today.

The former Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, Ye Ding, had once dueled with him. It is said that he was defeated by Qi Wushuang, but the actual outcome was a secret as both parties kept silent about it.

An Jing nodded his head and was alert in his heart. Apart from the Zhenyi Sect, he also had to be cautious of the Black Ice Platform.

It wasn’t long before the two arrived outside Beili City. After agreeing to meet in Yunlin City in half an hour, they parted ways.

“I will first visit Xu Wang Mountain to find Xu Wang, then go to Yunlin City to seclude myself and absorb this True Dragon Treasure Blood. Once I get through this half-month period safely, I will then enter the Demon Sect.”

An Jing found the Black Flood Dragon in the pool and pondered quietly.

It had been ten years since he obtained the Earth Book, and now the restriction was about to be lifted. Even the usually composed An Jing was extremely joyful inside.

However, thinking of the profoundly unfathomable Jiang Shang and of Qingmei who was currently trapped beneath the Sealing Demon Well, a chill surged in An Jing’s heart.

This time, the experts that could join him in entering the Demon Sect included Xu Wang, Luo Chongyang, Da Yan Vajra, the two Zhao Country women, himself, and the Black Flood Dragon.

With so many masters joining forces, An Jing thought that even if the Demon Sect was as dangerous as a dragon pool or a tiger’s den, he could still make a breakthrough.

An Jing sat on the back of the Flood Dragon, gazing towards the northwest, and whispered to himself, “The skies of the Demon Sect must change.”

In half a month, he was determined to break through the Demon Sect Main Hall.

…..

The next day at the Zhenyi Sect, Heavenly Venerate Hall.

The sky was dim, with a cold blue tinge, making the peak of Zhenyi Mountain appear like a massive ice mirror.

The lingering mists of the night had not yet dissipated, and the nascent breath of dawn was just beginning to emerge, marking the merging of the two qi and the transition from night to day.

In the Heavenly Venerate Hall, Yu Ying performed his usual worship before the statue of the Heavenly Venerate.

Ling Yuanjing sat quietly beside him, waiting.

After completing the worship, Yu Ying stood up and asked, “What is it? Speak.”

“Qi Shu is dead.”

Ling Yuanjing fell silent for a long moment before dropping the earth-shattering news.

A ‘thump’ echoed in Yu Ying’s heart as he asked, “How did he die?”

Ling Yuanjing’s expression was extremely solemn as he slowly said, “Qi Shu encountered the Ghost Swordsman on the Northern Wilderness Dao. The Ghost Swordsman’s cultivation had reached the One Qi Grandmaster realm. Qi Shu was unexpectedly defeated and fled to the Golden Eagle Banner’s camp seeking refuge. Driven by a murderous intent towards Qi Shu, the Ghost Swordsman bloodbathed the Golden Eagle Banner’s camp, slaying one thousand two hundred and thirteen Houjin soldiers before piercing Qi Shu’s heart with a sword and leaving.”

A gleam of admiration flashed in Yu Ying’s eyes as he couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a Ghost Swordsman!”

Ling Yuanjing let out a long sigh.

Despite their deep enmity with the Ghost Swordsman, they couldn’t help but marvel at the news.

Facing a Second Qi opponent with only a One Qi realm, no more than three or five people in the world could achieve such a feat today, and that too amidst thousands of troops. Under such overwhelming pressure, even a Grandmaster’s mind and combat ability would be affected.

Most importantly, the man killed was Qi Shu, who was not a rootless duckweed but supported by Qi Wushuang, one of the peak masters in the world. The pressure of that fact was more than any ordinary Grandmaster could bear.

After hesitating for a moment, Ling Yuanjing said, “Uncle Master, the Ghost Swordsman’s strength is becoming increasingly formidable.”

Ever since the elderly Qingfeng was killed by the Ghost Swordsman, the Zhenyi Sect seemed to have fallen silent, no longer seeking trouble with the Ghost Swordsman.

And during this time, the Ghost Swordsman was making waves in Jianghu, becoming a worldwide sensation. His deeds, including saving a princess, slaying Houjin’s talented swordsman, and now executing Zhao Country’s Qi Shu, were all beneficial to Yan Country.

If there were no grudges between the Ghost Swordsman and the Zhenyi Sect, Ling Yuanjing would have applauded and even marveled at the Ghost Swordsman’s extraordinary demeanor. However, the Ghost Swordsman held irreconcilable differences and vendettas against the Zhenyi Sect.

Watching the Ghost Swordsman grow stronger step by step, even slaying a Second Qi Grandmaster, Ling Yuanjing couldn’t help but feel a touch of melancholy in his heart.

Do they have to watch the Ghost Swordsman grow up step by step?

“How could I not know your concerns?”

Yu Ying sighed deeply and said, “But this matter is according to the Sect Leader’s wishes.”

Originally, he had wanted to wait for the right moment, for the Ghost Swordsman’s fame to wane before taking action to cut him down. However, seeing the Ghost Swordsman’s continued rise, Yu Ying could hardly restrain himself. Just as he was about to take action, he was stopped by Xiao Qianqiu.

“Brother? Why is this?”

Upon hearing this, Ling Yuanjing frowned. Since the battle at Abyss Lake, Xiao Qianqiu had once again entered into seclusion, and it had been a long time since he was seen.

“The dispute over the Mystical Sect is not so complicated. If he can become stronger, so can I.”

It was then that a calm voice sounded from outside the hall.

Yu Ying and Ling Yuanjing looked toward the source of the voice and saw a Daoist in plain robes standing at the doorway. His countenance was handsome and elegant, his bearing ethereal as if he had become one with heaven and earth.

“Brother!”

“Sect Leader!”

The two hurriedly stood up to pay their respects.

The person was none other than Xiao Qianqiu, the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect.

Xiao Qianqiu walked into the Heavenly Venerate Hall and looked at the statue of the Heavenly Venerate. “The battle between Lou Xiangzhen and me is not over yet; the dispute over the Dao has not ended. He will one day step into Zhenyi Mountain, and I will wait for him to ascend.”

He was very clear in his heart; the dispute over the Dao was just that—a dispute over the Dao, not an ordinary grudge of Jianghu. This was also why he had agreed to the battle at Abyss Lake with Lou Xiangzhen.

Ling Yuanjing said in a grave voice, “But, a part of the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’ is still in his hands.”

Why had the Zhenyi Sect formed a grudge with the Ghost Swordsman, if not for the Mystical Sect’s secret technique, the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’?

“It is no longer needed,”

Xiao Qianqiu looked up at the towering Heavenly Venerate statue, his eyes hiding thunder, his heart holding a flame, one hand ordinary, one hand holding the universe.

At that moment, the two realized that Xiao Qianqiu, standing tall in the Heavenly Venerate Hall, appeared even more majestic than the several-zhang-tall statue, his distant and profound aura seeming to break through the hall, reaching up to the ninth heaven.

A shock ran through Ling Yuanjing’s heart as he looked at Xiao Qianqiu’s silhouette, feeling a sudden surge of emotion, “Could it be, Brother, that you have obtained the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’?”

The term Mystical Sect seemed almost on the verge of becoming a relic of the past.

Yu Ying stood up, staring in awe at the Daoist of handsome countenance and couldn’t help whispering, “Before the Heavenly Venerate Hall, a Heavenly Venerate appears.”

……

……

PS: Thank you to the Alliance Hierarch from the Sword Spirit for the reward. Even though I was quite busy today and had to end here, since the Alliance Hierarch rewarded me, I will write another chapter. It might be posted between 12 AM and 1 AM, so everyone can read it tomorrow.