Chapter 481 - 217: The Big Six

Chapter 481: Chapter 217: The Big Six

And so, the great battle to vanquish evil came to an end.

When the disciples of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect returned to the Sect, back to Baichuan Plaza, their spirits were low...

For this was no complete victory. Many of their fellow disciples... had lost their lives.

On Baichuan Plaza, many disciples who had not participated in the battle gathered around.

They were stunned to see that while three to four hundred people had set out, only just over two hundred had returned.

And of those who returned, almost every single one was wounded and stained with blood.

A towering, murderous aura emanated from them, causing the faces of the non-combatant disciples to turn pale.

Yue Shan came to a halt. He turned his head and saw the downcast faces of many disciples who had fought. His brow furrowed, and he spoke in a deep voice, "What war is without death?"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly across the silent plaza. The disciples subconsciously stared at him, stunned. ℴ

"We Martial Artists protect the common people, slay demons, and purge evil. We live our lives walking on a razor’s edge. Our fellow disciples who died today fell in battle on the righteous path against evil. It can be said they died a worthy death, and it is the glory of our Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect!"

His gaze was as cold and sharp as lightning, sweeping across faces that were pale, grief-stricken, or lost.

"Instead of wallowing in grief, I want you to remember this pain! Remember the cruelty of the demonic heretics! Remember the price of insufficient strength! Then, channel that pain and hatred into your cultivation! Let it make your next sword strike faster! Let it make your Body Protection True Gang thicker! Let it help you, and the comrades still living beside you, survive longer! ...That is the best way to honor their memory!"

This True Inheritance disciple, with his military background, was stern and domineering. But his words struck everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer.

Some of the disciples who had been hanging their heads in sorrow looked up. Their lips gradually tightened, and their grip on their weapons grew firmer.

Qin Fang listened quietly, his expression still neutral, but a silent understanding surfaced in the depths of his eyes.

Seeing the change in everyone’s expressions, Yue Shan’s tone softened slightly. "Now, all who are injured, head to the Pill Pavilion for treatment immediately. All expenses will be waived. The rest of you, return to your respective peaks to rest and restore your True Essence."

"In the days to come, the Sect will naturally provide compensation for the fallen and reward those who performed meritorious deeds. But before that, I want all of you to pull yourselves together!"

His gaze was firm, carrying a sharpness unique to soldiers. "Though Jiulian Island has fallen, Venerable Huoxin has retreated, the Three Religions have not been exterminated, and the evil miasma has not been cleared! We of the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect, along with our allies from the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect, must remain ever vigilant."

"Yes, sir!"

The disciples who had fought in the battle took a deep breath and responded in unison.

Though their voices were hoarse with exhaustion, they held more strength than before.

The spectating disciples who had not fought watched and listened in silence.

As they looked at the many blood-stained figures on the plaza, a hint of reverence gradually appeared in their eyes.

Soon, the stewards and disciples from the Pill Pavilion began to orderly guide the wounded away.

Those with minor injuries left silently on their own.

Qin Fang watched for a moment, then turned, broke through the air, and headed for Guiyuan Valley.

He would wait for his Master there.

Upon Qin Fang’s return, the disciples of Guiyuan Valley hurried to greet him.

"Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother, what was the outcome of the battle? Was the Path of Non-Birth destroyed?"

The Sect’s large-scale expedition was naturally no secret to the disciples within its walls, and all of them were very concerned.

Qin Fang was not in high spirits. He said calmly, "Mostly. One got away. The Sect Leader and the others are in pursuit. The outcome is still unknown."

Hearing this, the disciples’ eyes immediately lit up.

"I knew it! Even though the Path of Non-Birth is one of the Three Religions, with all our Sect’s experts mobilized, success was guaranteed. A complete annihilation!"

"A pity I’m only at the True Essence First Realm, or I would have gone too..."

"Senior Brother..."

Someone wanted to ask Qin Fang something else.

But Qin Fang was already walking calmly toward Guiyuan Hall.

They stared after him, momentarily stunned.

After a moment, someone whispered, "Senior Brother doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood lately... We shouldn’t bother him."

"Let’s go, we’ll head to Baichuan Plaza. There must be more senior brothers and sisters back... We can ask them for details about the battle!"

Many of the disciples, now buzzing with excitement, set off for Baichuan Plaza.

Qin Fang heard their words.

One moment, he was on a brutal battlefield, awash with blood and gore.

The next, he was back in the pleasant, sun-drenched landscape of Guiyuan Valley.

And now, he was seeing these disciples who knew nothing of the battlefield, who were even full of hopeful excitement...

’Qin Fang couldn’t quite put a name to his feelings.’

"Martial Uncle."

He entered the main hall, where Fan Zhengchu was present.

Hearing the voice, Fan Zhengchu opened his eyes. Seeing Qin Fang, he visibly relaxed and gave a slight nod. "You’re back?"

"Yes."

Qin Fang replied, then found a meditation cushion and sat down.

"The battle... how did it go?" Fan Zhengchu asked, looking at Qin Fang.

Qin Fang paused for a moment before giving a simple reply. "We won. The Path of Non-Birth on Jiulian Island should be eradicated. But a Venerable Huoxin escaped. The Sect Leader and the other elders are still in pursuit."

"Venerable Huoxin?" Fan Zhengchu’s brow furrowed deeply, and he murmured, "I never expected him to be the one causing trouble here in Canglan."

"You know of him, Martial Uncle?" Qin Fang looked up at Fan Zhengchu.

"I’ve heard of him." Fan Zhengchu nodded slightly.

"Venerable Huoxin is one of the Seven Dust Demon Venerables of the Path of Non-Birth. He is ranked third among them."

Fan Zhengchu’s expression grew more solemn, and his voice deepened. "This man made a name for himself very early on, roaming the Northern Domain about a hundred years ago. His specialty isn’t direct combat, but manipulating the hearts of men... He is especially adept at inciting the emotion of ’rage,’ making him almost impossible to defend against."

Hearing this, Qin Fang’s expression darkened... ’A single sentence from that man today nearly caused the disciples to start a civil war!’