C28. The Gravel Beach
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Several days ago, the inheritance of an ancient demonic sect had been unlocked.
A column of light rose up from the gravel beach, stretching all the way to the sky, and the demonic cultivators and those from the Great Snowy Mountain encountered it directly. Just as Liang Qianshan arrived on the scene after hearing of this, and was laughing coldly, about to destroy the column of light from the inheritance, his chest suddenly felt constricted.
The flow of his true essence was not as smooth as it should be.
The demonic cultivators led by Ji Hong hid twisted smiles behind their masks.
—as someone who had been reborn, Ji Hong had of course planned everything carefully before going in so fearlessly to retrieve the treasure.
Firstly, Ji Hong had carefully chosen people on the same path. Seven to eight years ago, he began consciously swaying these demonic cultivators in his favour, devising solutions for them and helping them survive crises. From time to time, he would also show that he was a cut above the rest in terms of strategic planning. They eventually became one of the stronger factions among the Venerable Grandmaster’s subordinates. Every time they clashed with the other factions, they would always reap some benefits, which made these demonic cultivators believe wholeheartedly in Ji Hong’s plans.
There was only one female among these demonic cultivators.
Ji Hong had also done that on purpose. He had been eyeing the Secret Beixuan Treasure for a long time, but in order to obtain the treasure, he had to activate the demonic sect inheritance that was in the way—the people of the Beixuan Sect had been so clever, in that they did not make a show of guarding the treasure with layers of traps, nor had they used thousands of Nascent Soul-level dummies and beasts’ spirits to guard it like the legends suggested.
All they did was place the treasure in a box and bury at the entrance to the crypts.
Then they set up a demonic sect’s inheritance on the outside.
One day, when the inheritance was activated, people would rush far into the crypts to search for cultivation manuals, magic items, or even the bones of the ancient demonic cultivators. Who would look at the crypt entrance twice?
The Beixuan Sect recorded information about the treasure on a bronze cauldron, and this information was only uncovered by Grandmaster Huanjian many years after this secret treasure was revealed to the world. Before that, this bronze cauldron, which had been passed down for millennia as a symbol of the emperor’s power, had always been placed in the temple where sacrifices were offered.
Not only did Ji Hong know the secret of the bronze cauldron, he also knew what that demonic sect’s inheritance was—the ancient Baizhang Sect of the Southern Lands. As the name suggested, they were skilled in the use of miasma. When the column of light appeared, the miasma secretly began to spread, concealed by the brilliant light.
In the previous life, it toppled a crowd of cultivators who had been attracted by the column of light. Fortunately, the miasma’s efficacy had been reduced after many years, and after lying on the ground for a few days, everyone gradually became able to move again.
—there were few poisons which could affect Immortalisation-level cultivators, but miasma was not among them. Being haughty and prideful, Liang Qianshan would never be prepared for such a thing.
Seeing how the high-and-mighty Divine Master’s face changed, and he sat cross-legged in mid-air, struggling to regulate his breaths, the demonic cultivators who had followed Ji Hong laughed without restraint.
By the time the Great Snowy Mountain’s people realised something was wrong, it was too late. One by one, they stumbled, falling to the ground.
“Sir Ji Hong, shall we cut them all down?”
What fun it would be, to cut down all the Great Snowy Mountain’s people from weakest to strongest!
No one was silly enough to suggest cutting Liang Qianshan down. A half-decent master was still stronger than an average person; those Immortalisation-level master cultivators aside, if even a Nascent Soul-level cultivator got mad and decided to detonate their own true essence rather than expel the poison, they would be grieving instead of celebrating.
“Hahaha!”
Since they had nothing to fear, the demonic cultivators did exactly as they suggested. A dagger flashed past, followed by a spurt of blood; a cultivator writhed in agony, but could not even scream due to the miasma.
“Do not be like that.” Ji Hong smiled as he stopped his companions. “Our fellow cultivators have been struggling with cultivation for many years. Today, killing a few Qi Fostering-level and Foundation Establishment-level disciples will be enough. I do not like causing trouble, so if you have a master, tell me and I will let you off. I am afraid they will come after me for revenge, you see!”
Several demonic cultivators gave twisted smiles. They picked up a few nearby cultivators in the assigned attire for lower-level disciples, holding daggers to their throats and hearts.
“I…I have a master.”
“So do I.”
These poor souls sounded off weakly. Some of them had to be lying, but some were telling the truth.
Ji Hong smiled and watched as someone who was calling non-stop for their master had his throat slit.
“Do not lie to me, why is your master not responding to you?”
More people were dragged out. Some of the Golden Core-level and Nascent Soul-level cultivators could not bear it and stopped what they were doing. They opened their eyes and reached out towards their crying disciples. Ji Hong kept his word, immediately throwing these people back. But there were more cultivators who pretended not to hear, focusing on expelling the miasma from their bodies.
“Sir Ji Hong.” One of the demonic cultivators eyed Liang Qianshan cautiously, seeing as the latter was not making a single move.
“No need to worry. During the Great Calamity Wars, not even the immortals could withstand the Baizhang Sect’s miasma. It is impossible to suppress the miasma’s effects within such a short time.”
Ji Hong said it casually, but he was growing suspicious.
—he did not believe that Grandmaster Huanjian, who held the treasure in high regard, had not sent anyone after them.
The miasma covered a wide area, and the ones on their tail should have collapsed as well. Why was there still no movement from them?
Without warning, Liang Qianshan suddenly opened his eyes, his expression fierce. He waved his hand lightly.
A ray of green light pierced through several demonic cultivators. Astonished, Ji Hong stepped back, but it was too late. An icy sword aura reached him in an instant. The mask on his face split in half, a dash of red appearing between his brows.
The edge of the blade was centimetres away from his face.
A hand grasped the edge of the blade, making the blade twang as it trembled.
A wound appeared in the middle of Ji Hong’s face. Without the mask, he too collapsed to the ground as the miasma entered his body.
Only then did the demonic cultivators’ stiff bodies explode into blood mist, scattering on the gravel beach.
“Grandmaster Huanjian!” Liang Qianshan uttered.
The people of the Great Snowy Mountain were shocked: it was the second greatest grandmaster of demonic cultivation! The sworn enemy of their sect, the one who had chased Qiankun Abbey out of the central lands three hundred years ago?!
Most of the people lying on the ground were unable to lift their heads and could not see what this demonic grandmaster looked like.
Ji Hong looked fearfully at the demonic grandmaster’s back.
—Grandmaster Huanjian had not sent anyone after them, for he himself had come!!
In his mind, Ji Hong quickly reviewed his words and actions from the past few days, fearing that he had accidentally let something slip.
“Liang Qianshan, you have already absorbed the miasma. Although you secretly studied the Beixuan Sect’s practices, you only have a shallow understanding of it. You will not be able to suppress the poison’s effects and fight me.”
Grandmaster Huanjian was dressed in long black robes, his face covered.
His low, hoarse voice stirred Liang Qianshan to fury.
“I will not kill your sect’s members, and you should not waste your effort either. Why not join me in waiting here, until the inheritance procedure ends and the secret treasure is revealed,” Grandmaster Huanjian said in a leisurely tone.
“Are you insane?” Liang Qianshan burst out.
Being indignant with rage, he could not figure out why Grandmaster Huanjian mentioned the Secret Beixuan Treasure in front of everyone.
Ji Hong looked at Liang Qianshan as if he were looking at some fool: If Grandmaster Huanjian obtained the Secret Beixuan Treasure, would Liang Qianshan not spread the news immediately, making the whole world know about it? In that case, why would Grandmaster Huanjian need to keep this a secret?
To ensure the safety of the Secret Beixuan Treasure, the demonic grandmaster could not kill Liang Qianshan yet—if he were to drive the latter to the brink and cause this Immortalisation-level cultivator to detonate his own true essence, it would be no laughing matter.
Furious, Liang Qianshan put his sword away, pouring all his energy into expelling the miasma.
A full day passed by quickly. The column of light shrank and eventually disappeared without a trace.
Liang Qianshan and Grandmaster Huanjian transformed into flashes of light at the same time, disappearing through the entrance.
As soon as they went in, they saw Baiwu rubbing her forehead as she stood up. As for Li Zan, the female cultivator Ji Hong had chosen, she knelt on the ground, holding a red box in her hands as she muttered non-stop, “How could it be, how could the Secret Beixuan Treasure be this…”
***
Days later, in Yuzhou.
The sky brightened. The last wisp of spiritual energy returned to Chen He’s body, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Outside the courtyard, a dummy dressed like a maid waited faithfully, carrying hot water and silk towels. After a while, the doors were pushed open; Chen He, who had just finished reading his memories and little black book of grudges, dashed out excitedly, only to find that his senior brother was not around.
Chen He swallowed his excitement, carefully tiptoeing up to Senior Brother’s window to sneak a peek.
The crack in the window was enough for Chen He to see Shi Feng sitting on his bed with his gaze low.
Chen He could not help but feel guilty. He had only thought of improving his cultivation base and healing his meridians, but he had almost forgotten how Senior Brother had suffered inner demons and broken his own Silence Meditation. Most likely he would have to recuperate for quite a while.
He slipped out of the courtyard, turning to ask the dummy which had been following him all along, “Does Senior Brother have any orders?”
The dummy shook its head stiffly.
“I’ll go guard Senior Brother.” Chen He sat down under the large tree in the courtyard.
After wiping his face carelessly with a silk towel, he continued to study the hand seals for the Hundred Points Circulation.
But even as he sat perfectly still, his feelings calm and collected, there were no changes in his body. He felt nothing even after making numerous hand seals.
Chen He stood up, tiptoeing to sneak another peek into Shi Feng’s room.
“What are you looking at?” Before he knew it, Shi Feng was already standing behind him.
Chen He subconsciously tucked his hands behind his back, saying honestly, “Looking at Senior Brother.”
“You might as well go out for a walk. Do I look like I need you to guard me?” Touching his junior brother’s head only to find his hair in a mess, Shi Feng sighed quietly, taking a comb out of his mustard seed storage treasure.
The youth’s slightly shorter height made it just right for him to have his hair tied while standing.
Chen He turned around obediently, closing his eyes and enjoying the feel of the comb’s teeth against his hair. Mm, Senior Brother’s skills were really good.
“They were honed on your head.” Shi Feng tapped his junior brother’s head with the back of the comb.
“Aiyo.” Only then did Chen He realise he had inadvertently spoken his mind aloud.
Thinking about this reply, Chen He closed his eyes once more, feeling happy. Senior Brother treated him well, but once he thought about how Shi Feng used to have two disciples, it soured his mood.
Those arms which embraced him had shielded others, too.
That cold-looking face had contorted in worry for others, too. Perhaps he had even combed another person’s hair, bought food for someone else, gone to the markets together…
Chen He shook his head, feeling a little dejected.
—why would he have such thoughts when Senior Brother’s disciples were no longer in this world.
“Mn?” Shi Feng looked at him, confused.
“It’s nothing, I’ll be going!” Not daring to look back, Chen He dashed out of the courtyard.
Shi Feng stuffed the comb back into his mustard seed storage treasure. After his junior brother left, he resumed his usual frigid appearance, summoning two dummies.
“Follow and defend him. Do not expose yourselves.”
The dummies bowed and stepped back, dissolving into shadow.
Shi Feng cast a firm look towards the north, then returned to his room—he had to let his wounds heal properly if he was to steal the Ten-Millennium Clambeast Pearl from Grandmaster Huanjian.
Grandmaster Huanjian was known as the second greatest grandmaster of demonic cultivation, but in reality, he was the strongest demonic cultivator of all.
C28. The Gravel Beach
separator
Several days ago, the inheritance of an ancient demonic sect had been unlocked.
A column of light rose up from the gravel beach, stretching all the way to the sky, and the demonic cultivators and those from the Great Snowy Mountain encountered it directly. Just as Liang Qianshan arrived on the scene after hearing of this, and was laughing coldly, about to destroy the column of light from the inheritance, his chest suddenly felt constricted.
The flow of his true essence was not as smooth as it should be.
The demonic cultivators led by Ji Hong hid twisted smiles behind their masks.
—as someone who had been reborn, Ji Hong had of course planned everything carefully before going in so fearlessly to retrieve the treasure.
Firstly, Ji Hong had carefully chosen people on the same path. Seven to eight years ago, he began consciously swaying these demonic cultivators in his favour, devising solutions for them and helping them survive crises. From time to time, he would also show that he was a cut above the rest in terms of strategic planning. They eventually became one of the stronger factions among the Venerable Grandmaster’s subordinates. Every time they clashed with the other factions, they would always reap some benefits, which made these demonic cultivators believe wholeheartedly in Ji Hong’s plans.
There was only one female among these demonic cultivators.
Ji Hong had also done that on purpose. He had been eyeing the Secret Beixuan Treasure for a long time, but in order to obtain the treasure, he had to activate the demonic sect inheritance that was in the way—the people of the Beixuan Sect had been so clever, in that they did not make a show of guarding the treasure with layers of traps, nor had they used thousands of Nascent Soul-level dummies and beasts’ spirits to guard it like the legends suggested.
All they did was place the treasure in a box and bury at the entrance to the crypts.
Then they set up a demonic sect’s inheritance on the outside.
One day, when the inheritance was activated, people would rush far into the crypts to search for cultivation manuals, magic items, or even the bones of the ancient demonic cultivators. Who would look at the crypt entrance twice?
The Beixuan Sect recorded information about the treasure on a bronze cauldron, and this information was only uncovered by Grandmaster Huanjian many years after this secret treasure was revealed to the world. Before that, this bronze cauldron, which had been passed down for millennia as a symbol of the emperor’s power, had always been placed in the temple where sacrifices were offered.
Not only did Ji Hong know the secret of the bronze cauldron, he also knew what that demonic sect’s inheritance was—the ancient Baizhang Sect of the Southern Lands. As the name suggested, they were skilled in the use of miasma. When the column of light appeared, the miasma secretly began to spread, concealed by the brilliant light.
In the previous life, it toppled a crowd of cultivators who had been attracted by the column of light. Fortunately, the miasma’s efficacy had been reduced after many years, and after lying on the ground for a few days, everyone gradually became able to move again.
—there were few poisons which could affect Immortalisation-level cultivators, but miasma was not among them. Being haughty and prideful, Liang Qianshan would never be prepared for such a thing.
Seeing how the high-and-mighty Divine Master’s face changed, and he sat cross-legged in mid-air, struggling to regulate his breaths, the demonic cultivators who had followed Ji Hong laughed without restraint.
By the time the Great Snowy Mountain’s people realised something was wrong, it was too late. One by one, they stumbled, falling to the ground.
“Sir Ji Hong, shall we cut them all down?”
What fun it would be, to cut down all the Great Snowy Mountain’s people from weakest to strongest!
No one was silly enough to suggest cutting Liang Qianshan down. A half-decent master was still stronger than an average person; those Immortalisation-level master cultivators aside, if even a Nascent Soul-level cultivator got mad and decided to detonate their own true essence rather than expel the poison, they would be grieving instead of celebrating.
“Hahaha!”
Since they had nothing to fear, the demonic cultivators did exactly as they suggested. A dagger flashed past, followed by a spurt of blood; a cultivator writhed in agony, but could not even scream due to the miasma.
“Do not be like that.” Ji Hong smiled as he stopped his companions. “Our fellow cultivators have been struggling with cultivation for many years. Today, killing a few Qi Fostering-level and Foundation Establishment-level disciples will be enough. I do not like causing trouble, so if you have a master, tell me and I will let you off. I am afraid they will come after me for revenge, you see!”
Several demonic cultivators gave twisted smiles. They picked up a few nearby cultivators in the assigned attire for lower-level disciples, holding daggers to their throats and hearts.
“I…I have a master.”
“So do I.”
These poor souls sounded off weakly. Some of them had to be lying, but some were telling the truth.
Ji Hong smiled and watched as someone who was calling non-stop for their master had his throat slit.
“Do not lie to me, why is your master not responding to you?”
More people were dragged out. Some of the Golden Core-level and Nascent Soul-level cultivators could not bear it and stopped what they were doing. They opened their eyes and reached out towards their crying disciples. Ji Hong kept his word, immediately throwing these people back. But there were more cultivators who pretended not to hear, focusing on expelling the miasma from their bodies.
“Sir Ji Hong.” One of the demonic cultivators eyed Liang Qianshan cautiously, seeing as the latter was not making a single move.
“No need to worry. During the Great Calamity Wars, not even the immortals could withstand the Baizhang Sect’s miasma. It is impossible to suppress the miasma’s effects within such a short time.”
Ji Hong said it casually, but he was growing suspicious.
—he did not believe that Grandmaster Huanjian, who held the treasure in high regard, had not sent anyone after them.
The miasma covered a wide area, and the ones on their tail should have collapsed as well. Why was there still no movement from them?
Without warning, Liang Qianshan suddenly opened his eyes, his expression fierce. He waved his hand lightly.
A ray of green light pierced through several demonic cultivators. Astonished, Ji Hong stepped back, but it was too late. An icy sword aura reached him in an instant. The mask on his face split in half, a dash of red appearing between his brows.
The edge of the blade was centimetres away from his face.
A hand grasped the edge of the blade, making the blade twang as it trembled.
A wound appeared in the middle of Ji Hong’s face. Without the mask, he too collapsed to the ground as the miasma entered his body.
Only then did the demonic cultivators’ stiff bodies explode into blood mist, scattering on the gravel beach.
“Grandmaster Huanjian!” Liang Qianshan uttered.
The people of the Great Snowy Mountain were shocked: it was the second greatest grandmaster of demonic cultivation! The sworn enemy of their sect, the one who had chased Qiankun Abbey out of the central lands three hundred years ago?!
Most of the people lying on the ground were unable to lift their heads and could not see what this demonic grandmaster looked like.
Ji Hong looked fearfully at the demonic grandmaster’s back.
—Grandmaster Huanjian had not sent anyone after them, for he himself had come!!
In his mind, Ji Hong quickly reviewed his words and actions from the past few days, fearing that he had accidentally let something slip.
“Liang Qianshan, you have already absorbed the miasma. Although you secretly studied the Beixuan Sect’s practices, you only have a shallow understanding of it. You will not be able to suppress the poison’s effects and fight me.”
Grandmaster Huanjian was dressed in long black robes, his face covered.
His low, hoarse voice stirred Liang Qianshan to fury.
“I will not kill your sect’s members, and you should not waste your effort either. Why not join me in waiting here, until the inheritance procedure ends and the secret treasure is revealed,” Grandmaster Huanjian said in a leisurely tone.
“Are you insane?” Liang Qianshan burst out.
Being indignant with rage, he could not figure out why Grandmaster Huanjian mentioned the Secret Beixuan Treasure in front of everyone.
Ji Hong looked at Liang Qianshan as if he were looking at some fool: If Grandmaster Huanjian obtained the Secret Beixuan Treasure, would Liang Qianshan not spread the news immediately, making the whole world know about it? In that case, why would Grandmaster Huanjian need to keep this a secret?
To ensure the safety of the Secret Beixuan Treasure, the demonic grandmaster could not kill Liang Qianshan yet—if he were to drive the latter to the brink and cause this Immortalisation-level cultivator to detonate his own true essence, it would be no laughing matter.
Furious, Liang Qianshan put his sword away, pouring all his energy into expelling the miasma.
A full day passed by quickly. The column of light shrank and eventually disappeared without a trace.
Liang Qianshan and Grandmaster Huanjian transformed into flashes of light at the same time, disappearing through the entrance.
As soon as they went in, they saw Baiwu rubbing her forehead as she stood up. As for Li Zan, the female cultivator Ji Hong had chosen, she knelt on the ground, holding a red box in her hands as she muttered non-stop, “How could it be, how could the Secret Beixuan Treasure be this…”
***
Days later, in Yuzhou.
The sky brightened. The last wisp of spiritual energy returned to Chen He’s body, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Outside the courtyard, a dummy dressed like a maid waited faithfully, carrying hot water and silk towels. After a while, the doors were pushed open; Chen He, who had just finished reading his memories and little black book of grudges, dashed out excitedly, only to find that his senior brother was not around.
Chen He swallowed his excitement, carefully tiptoeing up to Senior Brother’s window to sneak a peek.
The crack in the window was enough for Chen He to see Shi Feng sitting on his bed with his gaze low.
Chen He could not help but feel guilty. He had only thought of improving his cultivation base and healing his meridians, but he had almost forgotten how Senior Brother had suffered inner demons and broken his own Silence Meditation. Most likely he would have to recuperate for quite a while.
He slipped out of the courtyard, turning to ask the dummy which had been following him all along, “Does Senior Brother have any orders?”
The dummy shook its head stiffly.
“I’ll go guard Senior Brother.” Chen He sat down under the large tree in the courtyard.
After wiping his face carelessly with a silk towel, he continued to study the hand seals for the Hundred Points Circulation.
But even as he sat perfectly still, his feelings calm and collected, there were no changes in his body. He felt nothing even after making numerous hand seals.
Chen He stood up, tiptoeing to sneak another peek into Shi Feng’s room.
“What are you looking at?” Before he knew it, Shi Feng was already standing behind him.
Chen He subconsciously tucked his hands behind his back, saying honestly, “Looking at Senior Brother.”
“You might as well go out for a walk. Do I look like I need you to guard me?” Touching his junior brother’s head only to find his hair in a mess, Shi Feng sighed quietly, taking a comb out of his mustard seed storage treasure.
The youth’s slightly shorter height made it just right for him to have his hair tied while standing.
Chen He turned around obediently, closing his eyes and enjoying the feel of the comb’s teeth against his hair. Mm, Senior Brother’s skills were really good.
“They were honed on your head.” Shi Feng tapped his junior brother’s head with the back of the comb.
“Aiyo.” Only then did Chen He realise he had inadvertently spoken his mind aloud.
Thinking about this reply, Chen He closed his eyes once more, feeling happy. Senior Brother treated him well, but once he thought about how Shi Feng used to have two disciples, it soured his mood.
Those arms which embraced him had shielded others, too.
That cold-looking face had contorted in worry for others, too. Perhaps he had even combed another person’s hair, bought food for someone else, gone to the markets together…
Chen He shook his head, feeling a little dejected.
—why would he have such thoughts when Senior Brother’s disciples were no longer in this world.
“Mn?” Shi Feng looked at him, confused.
“It’s nothing, I’ll be going!” Not daring to look back, Chen He dashed out of the courtyard.
Shi Feng stuffed the comb back into his mustard seed storage treasure. After his junior brother left, he resumed his usual frigid appearance, summoning two dummies.
“Follow and defend him. Do not expose yourselves.”
The dummies bowed and stepped back, dissolving into shadow.
Shi Feng cast a firm look towards the north, then returned to his room—he had to let his wounds heal properly if he was to steal the Ten-Millennium Clambeast Pearl from Grandmaster Huanjian.
Grandmaster Huanjian was known as the second greatest grandmaster of demonic cultivation, but in reality, he was the strongest demonic cultivator of all.
