Chapter 758: Seizing the Sha

Chen Qing, however, was relatively calm. He looked at Shi Xuan and asked, “Junior Brother Shi, since you’ve long been in charge of intelligence here, do you know if there’s more to this? The Cloud Water Upper Sect’s actions probably aren’t just simple arrogance, are they?”

He had a feeling it wasn’t that simple. ‘The people from the Cloud Water Upper Sect aren’t fools. There must be a reason for their terrible attitude.’

Shi Xuan nodded and lowered his voice. “You have a discerning eye, Brother Chen. The truth is, this matter is a point of contention within the Cloud Water Upper Sect. Regarding the alliance with our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect against the Demon Sect, they are roughly split into two factions. One believes the Demon Sect’s power is too great, and they should form a temporary alliance. The other faction is staunchly opposed, believing the grudges with our Sect run too deep for us to be trusted. After all, the two Upper Sects have never had a harmonious history. Border skirmishes and resource disputes are frequent, and there have been numerous private conflicts where both sides have lost experts.”

“In a past conflict, Ke Tianzong, the Vein Master of our Mystic Sun Lineage, personally killed two True Essence Realm Elders from the Cloud Water Upper Sect. That grudge has been simmering ever since and has never been resolved. This joint operation was likely forced through by the Cloud Water Upper Sect’s Sect Leader against the majority’s opinion. The True Disciples under him, especially those from lineages with old grudges against our Sect, are naturally resentful and only feigning compliance.”

Chen Qing had a sudden realization and nodded. “I see. An alliance in name only. It’s fragile indeed.”

The grudges and feuds between Sects often spanned several generations and could by no means be resolved overnight.

After hearing the explanation, Ruan Lingxiu’s expression softened slightly, but her tone was still cold. “Since they’ve chosen to act separately, that works out perfectly. It saves us the trouble of getting in each other’s way. We’ll just go our own way.”

Chen Qing agreed, then asked Shi Xuan, “In that case, we’ll act alone. Junior Brother Shi, have you uncovered any concrete, useful information about the Demon Sect’s movements in this area?”

“I have!”

Shi Xuan’s spirits lifted; he was clearly prepared. “My fellow disciples from Lingfeng Peak have been investigating from all angles these past few days and have filtered out some very valuable intelligence. It’s true that quite a few Demon Sect experts have appeared near Longze Lake. The movements of two individuals in particular warrant our focus. One is Lü Hanyin, one of the Demon Sect’s Ten Elders. The other is rumored to be Qi Yu, the daughter of the Demon Sect Leader, Qi Xun Nan.”

“Oh? The Demon Sect’s Tenth Elder and Qi Yu?”

Ruan Lingxiu’s brow furrowed. “The last time Brother Ji and I were ordered to investigate Soul-Breaking Gorge,” she said slowly, “we were ambushed by this very Lü Hanyin and his men. After a brief clash, we found his methods to be bizarre, and he ultimately used the terrain to escape.”

“What’s his Cultivation level?” Chen Qing asked. This was his main concern.

“Three Times of True Essence Refining. He’s been at that stage for many years and is likely on the verge of the Four Times of Tempering. His strength is not to be underestimated. He’s especially skilled in a vicious Palm Power that corrodes True Essence and must be handled with care,” Ruan Lingxiu recalled, her brow furrowed and her tone grave.

Chen Qing considered this inwardly.

‘Three Times of True Essence Refining, nearing the Four Times of Tempering. A tough opponent, indeed. But with my current strength, my Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body at the Fifth Layer, and my various trump cards… he’s not that big of a threat.’

Shi Xuan continued, “Qi Yu has only been spotted once, and that information was interrogated from a Demon Pup we captured, so its authenticity is questionable. However, we have a relatively firm grasp on Tenth Elder Lü Hanyin’s whereabouts.”

“Where is he?” Chen Qing asked.

Shi Xuan walked over to the table, spread out a simple hydrographic map of Longze Lake, and pointed to a region to the southeast. “About three hundred li from here, there’s a treacherous stretch of water known as Ghost Cry Ravine. The water is deep, the ravines are perilous, and the undercurrents are violent. It’s said to connect to a subterranean Yin River. Our eyes in a nearby fishing village, as well as a fellow disciple disguised as a fisherman, both confirmed a day ago that a powerful Demonic Qi has been gathering in that area without dispersing. Its signature matches the Cultivation Technique practiced by Lü Hanyin.”

“Based on our intelligence and analysis, he’s likely discovered a spring of Nine Nether Yin Fiend there and is in the process of absorbing it. It’s already been a day and a half since we received the report. We estimate that in another day or two, he will have completely absorbed and refined all the Nine Nether Yin Fiend from the spring.”

“Elder Gong Nansong got the news and has already rushed ahead.”

At this, a flicker of shock flashed in Ruan Lingxiu’s eyes. “Ghost Cry Ravine… actually has a spring of Nine Nether Yin Fiend? Brother Chen, do you have any idea how rare this ‘Nine Nether Yin Fiend’ is?”

“This is no ordinary Earth Vein Evil Qi. According to the Sect’s ancient scriptures, it is a wisp of primal Yin fiend that can only be birthed in a Land of Ultimate Yin over millennia, at a specific convergence of terrestrial ley lines and celestial timing. It is extremely cold in nature, yet it contains a trace of the true intent behind the world’s destruction. It’s a peerless treasure for refining certain Supreme Divine Techniques and condensing True Essence of the Extreme Yin Attribute!”

“For us, this is also a heaven-sent opportunity! If we can seize it, whether for cultivating certain lost, forbidden Divine Techniques or for turning it over to the Sect, its value… would likely far exceed that of the Cyan Profound King Snake we just acquired! The Sect contribution points are secondary. The crucial part is that a treasure like this is a once-in-a-lifetime find, not something one can actively search for!”

Nine Nether Yin Fiend!?

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed through Chen Qing’s eyes, gone in an instant!

‘This is one of the key external components required to cultivate the “Void Annihilating Divine Light,” the trump card technique in the Taixu Scripture—and another of my major objectives for this trip.’

‘But I have no idea what trump cards this Tenth Elder of the Demon Sect might be holding. There could be unforeseen dangers.’

“Is the source reliable?” Ruan Lingxiu hurriedly asked for confirmation.

“It’s ironclad!”