Chapter 497: The Spiritual Technique is Easy to Obtain, but Leaves Endless Trouble

"The *Blood Sea Massacre Sutra*, passed down by Seven Kills Zhenren, has already led to numerous massacres in various regions. What are your thoughts?" Xu Ziyang, the Sect Leader of the Yanghuang Sect, was the first to speak.

Zuo Fan remained calm and composed, not saying a word.

As for the matter of him slaughtering his fellow disciples before, it had already been classified as "cleansing the sect."

However, because of this incident, Zuo Fan's position as the Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak was firmly secured.

What he lacked in seniority, he made up for with strength. Everyone knew Zuo Fan had come across some fortuitous encounter, allowing him to transform into a Flame Giant Demon and unleash indiscriminate slaughter.

"Left Peak Master, what do you think?" Xu Ziyang's gaze fell on Zuo Fan. He had repeatedly hinted before that he wanted the Spiritual Technique that allowed Zuo Fan to transform into a Flame Giant Demon.

However, his hints seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Zuo Fan consistently played dumb.

He was certainly displeased, but if the other party refused to give it, he couldn't force the issue.

On the contrary, he had to continue to win over and appease the man. After all, he was one of his most capable subordinates.

Aside from not handing over the Spiritual Technique, Zuo Fan was practically his number one enforcer, daring to do anything.

"Sect Leader, you jest. I've only been a Peak Master for a short time and still don't have a firm grasp on many affairs. What opinion could I possibly have on this matter?" Zuo Fan's words weren't entirely an excuse; there was a good deal of truth to them.

Seeing this, Xu Ziyang could only turn to someone else.

After some discussion, they finally reached a conclusion: they had to eliminate the group of Spirit Masters cultivating the *Blood Sea Massacre Sutra* as soon as possible. Otherwise, their killing sprees would soon cause problems everywhere.

If they were killing other Spirit Masters, that would be one thing—nothing more than normal casualties.

But the Spiritual Technique they cultivated, the *Blood Sea Massacre Sutra*, was indiscriminate. It worked on ordinary people just as well as it did on Spirit Masters.

Therefore, every one of them chose to target ordinary people, who were not only easier to kill but also far more numerous.

Once too many ordinary people died, how could it not affect the major sects?

"Left Peak Master is a skilled warrior. Why don't we entrust this matter to him?" a Peak Master suggested.

Once a decision was reached, they naturally needed someone to carry it out.

Zuo Fan, the prominent new Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak, became the one pushed forward to execute the mission.

With one person speaking up, others naturally chimed in to agree.

"Left Peak Master, what are your thoughts?" Seeing the consensus, Xu Ziyang could only ask tentatively.

He actually wanted Zuo Fan to handle it as well. It would be a perfect opportunity for him to build seniority and prestige, further solidifying his position as the Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak.

"Fine. I'll go."

"It's just... the affairs of Azure Flame Peak are demanding, and Stone Peak Master passed away from illness just yesterday. If I leave now... well..." Zuo Fan sighed as he spoke.

In reality, his intentions were simple. He wanted something out of it.

'I can do the job, but they can't just use me as free labor.'

'I need resources for my own cultivation, and I need all sorts of resources to cover the peak's expenses.'

'You can't just assign me a mission and give nothing in return, can you?'

If Zuo Fan were still just a disciple instead of a Peak Master, it wouldn't matter; he'd get a mission reward anyway.

But not now. He had much more to consider.

"This matter will be counted as a top-grade mission for you. And don't worry about the peak's affairs; the sect will provide support." Xu Ziyang actually understood Zuo Fan's intentions.

He also understood the man's reasoning. After all, Azure Flame Peak was a complete mess right now, which made it the perfect time for Zuo Fan to consolidate his power. Making him leave would naturally set him back.

If they wanted him to do the job, they had to offer sufficient benefits.

No other Peak Master jumped out to object. If they dared to cut off Zuo Fan's compensation today, then tomorrow it wouldn't just be Zuo Fan cutting off theirs—all the other Peak Masters would join in.

After all, if you're willing to shortchange the Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak, who's to say you wouldn't do the same to the others?

Besides, this was a public expense for the Yanghuang Sect. It wasn't coming out of their own pockets, so why object?

Objecting would get them nothing, and they'd only make an enemy. Harming others without benefiting themselves—who would do something so pointless?

"Then I shall trouble the Sect Leader to look after things. I will handle the matter of the *Blood Sea Massacre Sutra*." With a clear offer on the table, Zuo Fan readily agreed.

With the person chosen, they moved on to discuss other matters of the Yanghuang Sect. However, these were all quickly passed, with very little deliberation.

After the meeting ended, the Peak Masters all departed.

But Zuo Fan alone was asked to stay behind.

"I asked you to stay behind. I'm sure you know why," Xu Ziyang said directly. Since the other party didn't understand hints, he would just ask outright.

"I have an inkling. The Sect Leader wants my Flame Demon Body Refining Technique, doesn't he?" Seeing that Xu Ziyang was ready to lay his cards on the table, Zuo Fan decided to stop playing dumb.

"That's right. Name your conditions, or state your price. As long as I can accept it, I will grant it," Xu Ziyang said. He truly wanted it.

He suspected that this *Flame Demon Body Refining Technique* was a Spiritual Technique that complemented the *Pure Yang Wuji Heart Method* and the *Innate Li Fire Sword Technique*.

"Sect Leader, there is something you don't know. It's not that I don't want to give it to you, but this Flame Demon Body Refining Technique is far too malevolent."

"When I used it before, I was controlled by a lust for slaughter. A moment of carelessness led to the deaths of several of my colleagues. The Sect Leader should not cultivate such a mind-altering Spiritual Technique," Zuo Fan said, finding a reason to refuse.

But Xu Ziyang just shook his head. "You are young and hot-blooded. It's only natural that you couldn't control your own mind."

"But I am different. I have been tempered through long years of hardship. My willpower is of the highest order. You cannot compare to me."

In his view, so what if the Spiritual Technique created a lust for slaughter? It was all because Zuo Fan was just a young man with poor self-control.

'If it were me,' he thought, 'I'd be able to control it with ease.'

Hearing this, Zuo Fan felt helpless. The Sect Leader hadn't experienced it, so of course, he wouldn't know that this kind of bloodlust was simply not something human willpower could resist.

One might not even realize their actions are being controlled by the lust for slaughter.

"This technique was a gift from the owner of Tang's Candy Shop. It would be improper for me to pass it on to the Sect Leader," Zuo Fan could only add.

As for whether this would expose Qi Suian? Xu Ziyang had already guessed, but he hadn't acted out of consideration for Zuo Fan. Otherwise, he would have sent people to force the issue long ago.

Now that Zuo Fan was leaving Azure Flame Peak to deal with the *Blood Sea Massacre Sutra* affair, it created an opening.

If Xu Ziyang were to make a move, Zuo Fan would have no way to stop him.

Fortunately, the Sect Leader hadn't stooped so low. Instead, he had asked him to stay and negotiate.

'If I give it to him, everyone's happy. If I don't, Xu Ziyang has other ways of getting his hands on it.'

"I don't think Boss Tang would mind me learning this Spiritual Technique."

"Why don't we each take a step back? You give me the Flame Demon Body Refining Technique. Due to its malevolent nature, it will not be entered into the Yanghuang Sect's records. Afterward, I will personally visit Boss Tang to offer compensation."

"What do you think?" Xu Ziyang was making it clear that only he would learn it, and afterward, he would even act as a patron for this candy shop owner.

Zuo Fan thought it over. He knew Xu Ziyang would not give up. If he truly refused, Xu Ziyang would only target Qi Suian later.

"Alright, we will do as the Sect Leader wishes. But this matter must not be spread." Inwardly, Zuo Fan was extremely displeased with Xu Ziyang's actions.

'To me, this is no different from coercion and bribery. But I'm no match for him right now, and I can't afford to offend him. Besides, the Yanghuang Sect has been good to me, so I just have to endure it.'

Hearing Zuo Fan relent, Xu Ziyang's face lit up with joy. "Of course, of course! This matter stems from my own greed. How could I dare let it be known?"

"The Sect Leader jests," Zuo Fan said, smoothing things over. Then he added, "But there is one more thing the Sect Leader should know."

"This Spiritual Technique affects people differently. Different people who cultivate it will experience different effects."

"If the Sect Leader is unable to master it, or if problems arise during cultivation, it might be due to the differences between you and I, not a problem with the technique itself."

"And rest assured, Sect Leader, I will not be teaching you verbally. I will give you the original text to peruse." As he spoke, Zuo Fan took out an old, worn book with the words *Flame Demon Body Refining Technique* written on it.

Xu Ziyang hurriedly took the book, the joy on his face deepening.

He hadn't expected Zuo Fan to be so straightforward.

"Rest assured, I am well aware of this. It was the same with the Pure Yang Wuji Heart Method and the Innate Li Fire Sword Technique before. Techniques from the same lineage are bound to have similarities." Xu Ziyang was indicating that Zuo Fan shouldn't worry; if he couldn't master it or made a mistake, it would be his own problem.

"As long as the Sect Leader understands."

"Furthermore, do not use the True Flame Demon Form lightly. It is best to wait until you have reached great mastery. Otherwise, the effects on your mind are not something I'm just making up," Zuo Fan instructed one last time.

This time, Xu Ziyang took it to heart.

'Before, I could have suspected that was just an excuse not to give me the technique,' he thought. 'But now that he's given it to me, the warning must be real.'

「 」

'He actually gave it to him just like that? I thought they were going to have a nasty falling out.' Qi Suian's eyes narrowed. The turn of events had indeed surprised him.

'But it doesn't matter that he gave it away. It just draws out the timeline of the conflict.'

Compared to the *Pure Yang Wuji Heart Method* and the *Innate Li Fire Sword Technique*, this *Flame Demon Body Refining Technique* was fundamentally flawed from the very beginning.

Zuo Fan possessed a Pure Yang Fire Seed and the protection of a Yang Flame Spirit, so the influence of the True Flame Demon Form is only temporary for him.

However, Xu Ziyang only has a Yang Flame Spirit. The bloodlust from the True Flame Demon Form will be fully inherited by him, twisting his mind bit by bit.

He won't even need to use the True Flame Demon Form. Just by cultivating the *Flame Demon Body Refining Technique*, his mind will be subtly demonized, transforming his personality into one that craves slaughter.

Until, in the end, he completely loses his sanity and becomes a Flame Demon.

The Spiritual Power and Spiritual Techniques of the Yanghuang Sect are especially well-suited to the properties of the *Flame Demon Body Refining Technique*.

A crazed Sect Leader will absolutely lead the entire Yanghuang Sect astray.

Then, if Zuo Fan wants to turn the tide, his only option will be to kill Xu Ziyang and become the Sect Leader of the Yanghuang Sect himself.

Through these coercive methods, Zuo Fan's 'protagonist halo' will advance even further, allowing Qi Suian to obtain more data.

'Zuo Fan is going to handle the events sparked by the *Blood Sea Massacre Sutra*. This must be replacing the original Shen Family affair.'

'His power level has increased and his original mission was intercepted, so he's been given a much harder one instead.'

'But resolving it won't be so easy, I'm afraid.'

'The rage born from all the injustice in the world is immeasurable.'

Although Spirit Masters were said to be close to the common folk, class and privilege still existed. That is why the copies of the *Blood Sea Massacre Sutra* that Qi Suian spread have not only continued to circulate, but the number of its practitioners is still on the rise.