Archfiend

Chapter 48: Faction Showdown (5) 

 The cat fight had already arrived at a most fiery stage. Fortunately, there weren’t any cultivation reporters present, since the Heavens Law graduation ceremony’s talent selection didn’t allow such a thing. Nonetheless, the people below had already witnessed the roughness of the recruiters’ breathing. 

The audience now clearly recognized what the Big Three was. They didn’t need money to recruit someone. Their resources, information, methods, and connections, these were all their conditions! These conditions… were something that the other cultivation clans didn’t possess by any stretch of the imagination! 

However, they had finally understood something! It wasn’t because the Featherwood Guard was special did Xu Yangyi make an inquiry to them, but rather they put forth that they would help him find his assailant! 

Everyone had forgotten… What was the death of Xu Yangyi’s parents in concerns to their own trifling matters? At this instant, the expression in a few people’s eyes finally cooled down from a mad heat and changed into a kind of distant… perseverance! 

With a Core Formation arcane effort in his grasp, his own fiendish aptitude, and tempting conditions, Xu Yangyi surprisingly didn’t care for his future status or resources, but the blood hatred of his mother and father?

“However, our Bountiful Treasures Pavilion’s demon locator is capable of sweeping through all directions as long as the perpetrator is still in China! Hehe… Lilac, you should know that the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion has the ‘Clairvoyance-1’ microsatellite outside of China’s atmosphere. It can’t monitor all of China, but as long as Fellow Daoist Xu’s enemy shows sign of either hide or hair, headquarters will be able to lock down on it for Fellow Daoist Xu in a day!” Vulture sneered. 

“Even if the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion doesn’t put out, our Featherwood Guard only needs the guild leader’s command, and all 40,000 of the Featherwood Guard’s registered cultivators will keep an eye out for Fellow Daoist Xu! A real massive manhunt! Fellow Daoist Xu, all you have to do is agree, and once our signing is completed, the guild master’s command will be immediately issued!” Hibiscus continued to speak. 

Lilac shook angrily! How could this venomous pair gang up together?! A killing gaze?!

Vulture and Hibiscus’s eye contact just now was unexpectedly to collude together! This was the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion and the Featherwood Guard’s plan to throw her off rhythm?

However, her thoughts weren’t even close to finished! This was because she wouldn’t bear with their control any longer! 

Since the beginning that Moonchaser vapidly said that the prize this time was the Burning Heavens Revelation, the current atmosphere was like a detonator primed for any moment, ready to blow up a gunpowder warehouse!

“This Throne is untalented.” Before Liliac’s and Hibiscus’s voices even fell, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man stood up within the crowd. Just as he stood up, a fierce tsunami-like spiritual pressure abruptly swept overhead in the sky! 

The Great Circle of Foundation Establishment!

The eyes of Firecloud, Shadowslay, Moonchaser, and a few Foundation Establishment cultivators who hadn’t spoke suddenly flashed.

“I am the Riverheart Isle’s isle master, Wang Buzhi…” 

Before the man even finished speaking, Firecloud and Shadowslay roared furiously in unison, “Old fool, you still dare to come out?!”

Within the qi walls, Xu Yangyi’s eyes stirred. His mood fluctuations were already under control, but this person’s name was somewhat familiar. He seemed to have heard it from somewhere before. 

“Why would I dare not to?” Wang Buzhi laughed grimly, “105 years ago, old me chanced upon the world-shaking Hinayana Pill formula. If it weren’t for all the Foundation Establishment cultivators coming to rob me, I wouldn’t have had to live in secrecy for the past century.”

Xu Yangyi recalled who he was!

These days, medicinal pills ought to have been called pill elixirs. This art declined terribly, and any ancient pill formula was a priceless treasure. The branch had vaguely explained that within the past century, there was an extremely famous pill formula known as the Core Formation Pill, the world-shaking Hinayana Pill formula. An initial-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator named Wang Buzhi, the Featherwood Guard, and a few other registered agents had searched together and discovered an ancient remnant. However, they had attracted all kinds of pursuers from the light and dark afterwards. From this ancient remnant to civilized regions, no less than 300 Foundation Establishment cultivators had died along this path. 

It wasn’t until the very end did the law enforcement of Nantong Province’s Cultivation Court act to settle this matter. Nonetheless, the item in question that could increase the success rate of a cultivator making pills by an additional 10% had disappeared without a trace, Wang Buzhi nowhere to be found as well. The only result that had come out of this was the registration of the “world-shaking Hinayana Pill” in the cultivation property rights protection court.

Based on Firecloud’s and Shadowslay’s expressions, the ones who had searched together for the ancient remnants from that time were them. 

“Originally, I wasn’t planning on accepting a disciple. In the past century, I’ve seen that human nature is cold and indifferent…” Wang Buzhi glanced at Firecloud and Shadowslay with an incomparably derisive expression. “But even under the circumstances of this child’s bright future, he has surprisingly put the vengeance of his mother and father first. I feel it would be better to accept him as a disciple than some of the gathered wild dogs.” 

“Junior, join my sect, and I, Wang Buzhi, will assist you in crafting pills so long as you can take this step! In the entire world, only I possess this pill formula!”

“Hehe, what pretty words. I’m not sure who it was that year who said to split things evenly, but in the end robbed us and ran off. Fellow Daoist Xu, this old fox’s words cannot be trusted. Besides…” Firecloud glanced scornfully at the old man. “Aren’t you unable to produce pills at the Great Circle of Foundation Establishment?”

“If Fellow Daoist Xu enters my Cloudwind Valley, I swear to use my full strength to search for his parents’ enemy!” 

“Although my Zhao Clan cannot be considered a top clan, and our clansmen number several hundred, all Fellow Daoist Xu has to do is say the word and his nemesis will be our Zhao Clan’s!” 

“Fellow Daoist Xu, my Wu Clan has a secret treasure that can locate traces within a thousand miles…”

The scene had boiled up again. They knew their opportunity wasn’t great, but didn’t they have one even though their chances weren’t substantial? 

As long as Xu Yangyi didn’t sign a contract here, they would try to find him tonight! At that time, everyone would be face-to-face, holding a candle and conversing at night. The only things they were investing were their good faith and time. Their gains might be a future “possible” Core Formation master!

Sometimes, the entrance would still be tightly sealed off, but perhaps there would be a slight crack revealed where a person could charge through with their utmost effort!

No one knew how arduous the path of cultivation was, but in comparison to a Heavens Law branch at least there were no life-threatening concerns. The path of cultivation was such that the price of a single misstep could possibly be one’s own life! 

This was regardless of whether or not you were a genius, normal person, or had some kind of treasure in hand. 

In the several millenniums of China’s developments, structural transformations, and terrifying demons, one could only step carefully as if they were walking on top of thin ice, and strengthen their patience. This was the only existing path. 

But now, they still continued to charge out, replacing each other one after another for a heavy once-in-a-century promise, and it was all only for this “possibility”. 

“I have two conditions that I wish everyone to consider.” 

Suddenly, Xu Yangyi’s voice rang out again, and Firecloud’s lip quirked. In fact, the boy could come out whenever, but wouldn’t it be a slap to himself if he let Xu Yangyi out ahead of time when he had said an hour?

Everyone quieted down. In their minds, these words were clearly directed towards the Big Three, but several hundred voices echoed on the spot. “Fellow Daoist, please speak!”

“First, it must be investigated who my assailant is within ten years.” 

“Not a problem!” The special envoys of the Big Three didn’t even consider it for a moment before agreeing. This request would be no easy matter… Not one bit!

Heavens Law comprised all of China’s richest and broadest network. Searching for the unfound killer of Xu Yangyi’s parents would be no simple task for anyone!

“Second…” Within the qi walls, Xu Yangyi paused and his mouth faintly twitched, yet he was ultimately silent. 

His second request—he wanted to know who had caused him to fail his advancement. He wanted revenge for this slight. However, this goal couldn’t be given voice. At the very least, he couldn’t say it so frankly right now. 

Besides, the current him still wasn’t strong enough. He still didn’t have the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and as for the people in the VIP section… 

His gaze faintly brushed through them. To clarify his own status, he wasn’t a Foundation Establishment senior, and he still didn’t exactly understand how great the power was of each special envoy’s organization. In addition, the few people who had remained silent were mortals. Nonetheless, their statuses to sit in the VIP section already demonstrated that their identities were by no means ordinary!

It was already clear that his enemy wasn’t a student, while he was sending out kick after kick. The only possibility was that his failure had come from someone in the VIP section because there just wasn’t anyone else that had the qualifications to access the arena’s qi-severing mechanism. He had a premonition that this person couldn’t be questioned. 

But!

He suddenly clenched both of his fists. The person who had shattered his chances at breaking through as it was right before him was here, yet was he was helpless to do anything? 

No! If that’s how matters would stand, his convictions would be unrealized! In the future, he would remember the cruel fact that as he had once stood before that door, someone had ruthlessly pulled him away! 

Was overwhelming power capable of deceiving the masses of the truth? He would not be obstructed here! 

Xu Yangyi considered the situation for a while. The area beyond the qi walls was quiet for a period of time, as well. After a long moment, Xu Yangyi’s voice, full of hidden meaning, finally echoed, “I failed to break through, yesterday. Originally, I should’ve advanced to the middle stage of Qi Condensation, but someone severed the worldly qi at the most critical moment.” 

Clatter! Simultaneously, a crisp noise resonated throughout the entire arena! Wobble… A teacup lid was rolling on the floor, but no one went to pick it up.

Chu Tianyi’s expression was blank, unreadable. He was drinking his tea as usual. No one knew, though, that the full length of his back was already drenched in cold sweat!

How dare he?! How dare Xu Yangyi speak of this now?! As Xu Yangyi had spoke just now, Chu Tianyi was so scared that his spirit had almost rose to the heavens beyond!

He was absolutely certain that there weren’t just five Foundation Establishment cultivators here. There were definitely others. No, not to even mention Foundation Establishment cultivators, if even the thousands of Qi Condensation cultivators presented a petition with the name of a Foundation Establishment cultivator attached, perhaps even he, the deputy minister, would really have to chug down a pot of tea!

And what of the Department of Energy? There were two explanations. One was for Earth’s cornerstone—an explanation to the common masses. The other was an explanation for cultivators!

No one paid attention, but his hand holding onto his teacup was shivering. He was terribly shaken. He truly was in a dreadfully panicked state. Right now, even fear had taken his heart. If this Xu wanted to get to the bottom of this matter, what would he do?!

Wasn’t Xu Yangyi scared he had countless methods to make things hard for him later on? Was Xu Yangyi not afraid that he was offending a true big shot? Xu Yangyi had to know that the person who had done this was an absolute elite!

“Deputy Minister Chu.” Amidst the silence, Firecloud gently said, “Steady yourself… If you don’t, perhaps you’ll scald your hand…” 

Chu Tianyi smiled, his expression the same as always. Merely, his vest was terribly cold. 

From the awkward silence, everyone had guessed that the identity of someone capable of accomplishing such a thing was by no means simple. After ages, Vulture gritted his teeth. “Although the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion doesn’t know who caused Fellow Daoist Xu to fail his advancement, we shall investigate with no stone left unturned. In case it’s discovered, the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion will cease services with that person for half a year!” 

“Hehe, the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion is still so narrow-minded as ever.” Wang Buzhi sneered, “A cultivator’s first failure to break through has a huge effect. It’s no exaggeration to say that to hinder another from breaking through is a blood feud. In the end, who could be so… despicable?” 

“Junior, join my sect, and I guarantee I will bring that person by their toes to you!”

Wang Buzhi’s gaze firmly swept over Deputy Branchmaster Qi. Perhaps Qi Condensation cultivators wouldn’t be able to guess who was able to do such a thing, but Foundation Establishment cultivators like them could guess through a process of elimination! How many people in a Heavens Law branch were capable of such action? What kind of position did these few people have?

“Wouldn’t you say? Deputy Branchmaster Qi?”

The spiritual pressure of Great Circle Foundation Establishment was like thick, sticky blood wrapping around Deputy Branchmaster Qi’s body. His forehead was covered in a cold sweat, and he gritted his teeth and laughed, “Of course, that’s…”

Xu Yangyi’s voice echoed out again, “I’m just speaking casually. No need for everyone to take it so seriously.” 

Chu Tianyi painfully shut his eyes, wishing to slap Xu Yangyi to death within his heart!