After the clamor of the day, the Qingyuan Sect appeared exceptionally quiet at night.
Especially on a certain barren peak that had been uninhabited for a long time, a group of uninvited guests had now arrived. They approached silently, almost as if just passing by, and seemed to have attracted no one's attention.
"That there is Qunyu Peak, the entrance to the Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum."
Situ Ding stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression tinged with surprise and doubt.
"Then what are we waiting for?" The seemingly frail Mo Chaozong wanted to take the lead, but was stopped by Situ Ding.
"Such an important place, why is there no guard? It's too quiet." Situ Ding voiced his suspicion.
The Qingyuan Sect was the legacy left by the tomb guardians of the Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum. Yet now, at the entrance to Qunyu Peak, there wasn't even a living soul in sight.
Had the Qingyuan Sect forgotten its roots so completely?
"Deputy Sect Leader Situ, you may not know, but this place actually is under someone's watch."
"Who?"
"Shang Wu."
"...How do you know?"
"Look."
That cult follower pointed a finger. Situ Ding followed his direction and was startled to see a sign:
[Shang Wu Inside. No Trespassing.]
Situ Ding: "...."
Yuwen Cuojin: "......"
Something seemed off, but at least it explained why there was no one else here. What was the difference between this and a 'Beware of the Dog' sign?
Well, there was a difference. A vicious dog would be more reliable and wouldn't abandon its post to go drinking like Shang Wu probably did.
But the fact that Shang Wu was assigned to guard Qunyu Peak itself revealed the problem.
Moreover, they had seen at the main peak's great hall that nearly all the sect's elders were drinking and making merry, utterly unprepared.
"To think the Qingyuan Sect would be so lax. Situ, shall we act now?"
Yuwen Cuojin's injuries were not yet healed. Originally, the two deputy leaders were on equal footing, but this time, Situ Ding was taking the lead.
"Don't be hasty. We must be one hundred percent certain this time. First, wait for the subordinates of the Upper Immortal to assemble." Situ Ding's tone could not conceal his excitement.
Originally, successfully retrieving the Cycle of Life and Death Array would have been enough to complete the Sect Leader's task.
But now, it seemed what they could accomplish might far exceed that.
This time, they might be able to wipe out the Qingyuan Sect in one fell swoop!
Thinking of this, Situ Ding couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
"Hehehe...."
"Why does the Deputy Sect Leader laugh?"
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind. The demonic cult members turned to see a line of people standing there, their faces unseen. Judging by their attire, they looked more like professional demonic cultists than the cult members themselves...
"I laugh at Li Mo's lack of wisdom, the Qingyuan Sect's lack of strategy, and its elders being nothing but a flock of worthless fowl."
Situ Ding chuckled, cupping his hands in flattery. "With your assistance, it's like using a butcher's cleaver to kill a chicken."
Shangguan Wencang: "......"
The Elders: "....."
Qian Bufan: "What kind of talk is that! What kind of talk!"
How rude!
But then again, they were a demonic cult; having no manners was normal. It was best not to dwell on such matters now.
Yuwen Cuojin said with a hearty laugh, "According to our investigation, the Qingyuan Sect's elders have all gone off somewhere to indulge in pleasures. Not a single shadow can be seen."
Mo Chaozong also gnashed his teeth and said, "Even those powerful individuals from other sects left early, who knows where. I think they simply look down on the Qingyuan Sect. They only came up the mountain out of respect for Li Mo. In the end, it's a minor sect, incapable of achieving greatness!"
After these words, all the cult followers looked excited, their low chuckles continuing without end.
I think your words carry a bit of personal resentment.
The corner of Shangguan Wencang's mouth twitched, but he didn't speak. His current identity was that of a subordinate of the Black Earth Upper Immortal, so he cast an inquiring glance at Qin Yuzhi.
"Hmm, realizing this and still waiting for us here shows a steady temperament."
Qin Yuzhi nodded approvingly. "With successors like you, how could our Divine Cult not prosper?"
"It is all because you, venerable one, laid the foundation for the Divine Cult. Throughout the cult, our admiration for you is like an endless flowing river..."
Situ Ding did not hold back his praises for this forbidden existence.
Qin Yuzhi thought to herself, what nonsense. If that's true, why didn't you release me?
She waved her hand and said:
"Enough idle talk. Let's set off now."
Situ Ding had no objections, but Yuwen Cuojin said:
"That brat Li Mo has repeatedly thwarted our cult's major plans. Since we already have Senior Qin's assistance for the imperial mausoleum mission, why don't I personally pay a visit to the Autumn Water Pavilion?"
"That... is also good." Situ Ding also felt his words made sense. Even a lion must use all its strength to catch a rabbit.
Even if not fully healed, Yuwen Cuojin was still at the Seventh Realm.
A Seventh Realm expert dealing with a Fourth Realm one—that should be foolproof, right? Even if the Martial Emperor were reborn, he would only meet his end!
"Then we split into two groups."
Having said that, Yuwen Cuojin set off.
"I will go with Sect Leader Yuwen as well." Compared to curiosity about the Cycle of Life and Death Array, Mo Chaozong now wanted to find Li Mo more.
After all, that artifact was something the Demon-Summoning Cult wanted; coveting it was useless for him.
Thus, the two headed in the direction of the Autumn Water Pavilion.
After they left, the group ascended Qunyu Peak.
As they walked, Situ Ding suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, where has the Right Protector gone? Why haven't we seen her?"
"She has other important business."
Hearing the full note of envy in Qin Yuzhi's tone, Situ Ding was puzzled.
.......
At the same time, elsewhere.
"Someone practiced martial arts here before?"
Yuwen Cuojin moved swiftly and soon arrived near the Autumn Water Pavilion. Looking at the waterfall before him, he could tell at a glance that someone had practiced external martial arts here.
And judging by the traces, it was no more than two years ago.
Anyone could guess with their toes who left these marks.
"In less than two short years, he went from the Blood and Qi Realm to his current level. If we wait a few more years for him..."
Yuwen Cuojin deeply realized that this youth absolutely could not be left alive.
Fortunately, they discovered him early, and he had come personally. He reckoned that kid wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble.
"You came quite early."
"Who?"
Yuwen Cuojin turned around and only then let out a sigh of relief.
It was actually that Right Protector.
But strangely enough, although her cultivation was between the Sixth and Seventh Realms, a level lower than his, why could she appear and disappear so mysteriously without him sensing it?
Could it be that the Dao she previously mastered was related to concealment and stealth?
"My presence here is sufficient, Right Protector. Perhaps you should go to Qunyu Peak."
"No, I was actually waiting for you here."
Shang Qinqing's tone was unfriendly. "If not for waiting for you, I should be watching rivers of blood flow by now."
Yuwen Cuojin: "?"
Before he could voice his confusion, his expression suddenly changed drastically.
Opposite him, Shang Qinqing suddenly let out a long cry. The surrounding space brightened, and an ancient Marriage Fate Tree materialized, ancient and weathered yet exuding a sense of immortal beauty.
Except, upon closer look, this tree was withered and decaying, its beauty marred by a strong sense of dissonance.
But now, its branches swayed, glowing with an amber radiance, sprouting emerald-green new leaves. It was rapidly reviving, once again emanating the aura of the Seventh Realm.
"The Dao of Marriage Fate? You are..."
Yuwen Cuojin suddenly realized with a shock.
"Sugar, come!"
Shang Qinqing took a step forward, re-entering the Palm Mystique Realm.
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
