Mo Tiange gathered her Qi and settled her breath, concluding her cultivation session and opening her eyes.
Divine Sense was born from the Primordial Spirit. Without specific cultivation, the Primordial Spirit would slowly strengthen along with one's cultivation realm; those with profound cultivation naturally possessed powerful Divine Sense. If one's cultivation realm reached the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage, their Divine Sense could also inflict harm, but this damage was produced in conjunction with the pressure of spiritual energy, which was extremely effective against lower-level cultivators but had little effect on cultivators of the same stage.
However, the first layer of the Spirit Refining Art could inflict fatal damage on cultivators of the same stage. The second layer of the Spirit Refining Art, on the other hand, enabled the cultivator to exert pressure even on those of the same stage. If this were achieved, the opponent would be constantly suppressed by her during Dharma Combat, able to exert only sixty to seventy percent of their full capability even at their peak.
Having witnessed the power of the Spirit Refining Art, her current cultivation focus had shifted to it. After undergoing Five-Element Body Refinement, her meridians were tough and her spiritual energy stable, eliminating the risk of Qi Deviation. Cultivating this art was countless times faster for her than for others; not cultivating it would be a waste.
Over the past two years within the Xu Heaven Realm, Mo Tiange had already completed the first layer of this art and could use substantial Divine Sense for attacks. She was now beginning to cultivate the second layer. Upon mastering it, she would be able to directly apply pressure to others' Divine Sense, allowing her to seize the initiative in Dharma Combat. Simultaneously, the second layer of the Spirit Refining Art would also grant her resistance against the pressure exerted by higher-level cultivators.
However, the Ancient Sword Sect members were likely arriving soon. With the second layer of the Spirit Refining Art just begun, it probably wouldn't play any decisive, world-turning role in the upcoming battle.
As this thought settled, Mo Tiange sensed a wave of pressure brimming with intense fury spreading across the sky above Qianmen Ridge.
Mo Tiange shuddered. This was at least a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator. Had the Ancient Sword Sect members already arrived?
Summoning her White Silk Kerchief, she flew out above her residence and saw a middle-aged sword cultivator dressed in Ancient Sword Sect attire, carrying a longsword on his back, standing furiously atop the main gate of the Qianmen Ridge outpost.
At the same time, Senior Brother Kuang Zhu flew towards the main gate of the Qianmen Ridge outpost, stepping on ever-shifting white clouds.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange hurriedly steered her White Silk Kerchief closer to the gate.
Apart from Ye Jingwen and Zhan Bai, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Xuanqing Sect also converged towards Kuang Zhu.
Disciples from the other six major sects watched from a distance.
Kuang Zhu stopped before the main gate of Qianmen Ridge, clasping his hands in salute. "Perfected One Liufeng, you have come from afar. My apologies for the lack of welcome."
Perfected One Liufeng suppressed his anger and asked, "You are Kuang Zhu?"
Facing Perfected One Liufeng's pressure-laden and furious questioning, Kuang Zhu replied calmly, "Indeed, it is I."
"In that case, hand over the other accomplices who plotted against my Ancient Sword Sect's seven Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
Kuang Zhu smiled faintly. It seemed Perfected One Liufeng had come to handle this matter in his capacity as Sect Master. He said, "No such plot occurred at the Qianmen Ridge outpost. I wonder whom Sect Master Du refers to as accomplices?"
Mo Tiange was shocked nearby. The Sect Master of the Ancient Sword Sect had been personally alerted to come? It seemed today's matter could not be resolved peacefully.
Perfected One Liufeng flared with anger. "My Ancient Sword Sect had seven Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed at Qianmen Ridge. My disciples personally witnessed Wan Hong'an and four other Foundation Establishment cultivators enter the main hall and perish there. The other two Foundation Establishment cultivators are also missing. May I ask, Steward Kuang, how do you intend to account for this to my Ancient Sword Sect?"
Kuang Zhu remained composed and elegant. "It seems your Ancient Sword Sect disciples did not report this matter clearly. Otherwise, there would be no need for me to explain."
Then, Kuang Zhu pointed to the location where the main hall had been leveled. "This was originally the site of the main hall. May I ask Perfected One Liufeng, can you sense what occurred here?"
The blood-refining aura of the Myriad Phenomenon Asura Formation would not dissipate for at least three to five months. Thus, with just a sweep of his Divine Sense, Perfected One Liufeng's expression changed.
Kuang Zhu's smile faded as he asked, "If not for my magical tool happening to prevent the Myriad Phenomenon Asura Formation from taking shape, and for my junior sister being skilled in formations, using the formation's illusory beasts to execute the chief culprit Wan Hong'an within the formation, Sect Master Du would not be here to hold me accountable. You wouldn't even be able to collect the bodies of your other Ancient Sword Sect disciples."
Before Perfected One Liufeng could reply, Kuang Zhu continued, "The disciple who activated the Myriad Phenomenon Asura Formation should presumably be listed as a traitorous disciple of the Ancient Sword Sect. May I ask Sect Master Du, during this chaotic period of the Demon Beast War, how should a traitorous disciple from one of the Seven Major Sects appearing at a Kunwu Alliance outpost be handled?"
Setting aside the fact that activating the Myriad Phenomenon Asura Formation required at least three blood sacrifices, and that even if the formation master survived, they would become a demonic cultivator with greatly reduced cultivation—a formation of mutual destruction—Kuang Zhu avoided discussing why the Ancient Sword Sect disciples had activated it. Instead, he directly pointed the conflict at the consequences of the formation's activation.
Even if Perfected One Liufeng had countless accusations, Kuang Zhu had already pushed the deceased Ancient Sword Sect disciples to the opposite side of everyone at the Qianmen Ridge outpost. Perfected One Liufeng could no longer press the issue.
But then Perfected One Liufeng's face turned from red to white, then from white to green, before he finally said indignantly, "You slaughtered all my Ancient Sword Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples involved in this matter, clearly intending to silence witnesses. Who knows what despicable methods you used to lure my disciples into using the Myriad Phenomenon Asura Formation? But I will not be deceived by your bewitching words. Since words cannot clarify this, let's settle it with our skills!"
As these words fell, the Xuanqing Sect Foundation Establishment disciples present all summoned their magical tools.
Only Kuang Zhu remained unperturbed. "Setting aside the fact that it was your disciples who acted improperly, does Sect Master Du intend to slaughter all the disciples of the Seven Major Sects at Qianmen Ridge?"
Just as Perfected One Liufeng was about to argue, a majestic voice accompanied by terrifying pressure echoed from afar. "Sect Master Du might as well slaughter me too!"
The previously tense Xuanqing Sect disciples were immediately overjoyed. Some even exclaimed, "It's Patriarch Jinghe!"
Before the cries subsided, they saw a Cloud Carriage from the front mountains, escorted by eight Foundation Establishment female cultivators dressed in cloud-patterned robes holding palace lanterns, swiftly approaching the main gate of the Qianmen Ridge outpost.
This extravagant, tyrant-like display could only belong to Xuanqing Sect's Dao Lord Jinghe.
After the incident, both sides had sent their Thousand-Mile Transmission Talismans at roughly the same time. The Ancient Sword Sect was farther from Qianmen Ridge than the Xuanqing Sect. Dao Lord Jinghe must have set off immediately upon receiving the transmission talisman. That he arrived only now suggested the Cloud Carriage's speed had been hampered by these female cultivators.
Looking at the Cloud Carriage leisurely approaching amidst the female cultivators, Kuang Zhu's usually placid face seemed to darken slightly.
The magnificent Cloud Carriage paid no heed to these gazes. The eight female cultivators beside it were evidently accustomed to such scenes. Smiling, they put away their palace lanterns, retrieved identical flower baskets from their Qiankun Pouches, and, as if performing, scattered petals with a pleasant fragrance from the air under everyone's watchful eyes. Only after the ground was completely covered in petals did the Cloud Carriage slowly descend to the ground.
Everyone watched as two attendants lifted the gold-traced curtain before the Cloud Carriage. A middle-aged man wearing a golden crown and royal robes, exuding an air of nobility, sat within, casually surveying the figures before him. If anyone had previously thought the Cloud Carriage too ostentatious, seeing its owner made the display seem perfectly fitting.
Finally, Dao Lord Jinghe fixed his gaze on Perfected One Liufeng, who was on high alert, and smiled amiably. "Your Ancient Sword Sect advocates supremacy of force. Our Xuanqing Sect, after all, belongs to the Daoist tradition. The so-called Daoist tradition naturally requires reasoning."
Upon hearing this, the Xuanqing Sect disciples felt deeply embarrassed. Our Dao is the Dao of unity with Heaven, the Dao of balance... what does that have to do with reasoning?
Moreover, this Patriarch Jinghe had always been a person fond of killing. When had he ever reasoned?
Without waiting for Perfected One Liufeng's reply, Dao Lord Jinghe turned to Ye Jingwen. "Jingwen, boy, why don't you explain the whole story to me? That way, I can properly reason with Sect Master Du."
Hearing this, Ye Jingwen first glanced at Kuang Zhu, who nodded. Ye Jingwen then looked at Mo Tiange. Mo Tiange said, "Brother Ye, just report the facts."
Ye Jingwen, of course, wasn't foolish enough to truly report everything factually. He could only polish the agreed-upon account slightly, clasped his hands, and said, "Patriarch, this matter began when Junior Sister Mo arrived at the Qianmen Ridge outpost."
Dao Lord Jinghe said carelessly, "Elaborate."
"A few days ago, Junior Sister Mo, who went missing during the Dan Ding Sect battle years ago, finally recovered from her injuries and found our Qianmen Ridge outpost. Senior Brother Kuang had someone arrange a resting place for her and then assigned her outpost tasks. Because Junior Sister Mo was new and the changes over the past two years of the Demon Beast War were significant, she accepted the tasks and planned to look around. Due to the events of that year, most people at the outpost didn't recognize Junior Sister Mo. I was also out on a mission and hadn't returned, so Junior Sister Mo had to leave the outpost alone. Wan Hong'an of the Ancient Sword Sect seized this opportunity and, with two other early-stage Foundation Establishment disciples from his sect, followed Junior Sister Mo out of the outpost with ill intentions. That day, I had just completed my mission and was returning from outside the outpost. As I neared the outpost, I suddenly sensed someone ganging up on a Xuanqing Sect cultivator. When I arrived, Wan Hong'an and others from the Ancient Sword Sect were surrounding Junior Sister Mo in the field, outnumbering her..." Initially, Ye Jingwen felt slightly guilty about lying. But by this point, since he was the actual person involved—merely substituting Mo Tiange for himself—his indignation grew. Thus, his narration became more vivid and resentful, vividly describing the vile intentions of the group to first assault and then kill and plunder.
On the other side, Mo Tiange hung her head lower and lower, thinking, *Senior Brother Ye, this person being surrounded and treated like that has nothing to do with me.*
Seeing the people in the field beginning to show indignation, Ye Jingwen promptly adjusted the narrative to Mo Tiange's fierce counterattack. With his assistance, they engaged in a life-and-death struggle against the Ancient Sword Sect cultivators. He clearly recounted how Wan Hong'an sacrificed his fellow disciples and fled back to the outpost alone.
By now, Dao Lord Jinghe's face was full of anger.
Judging by Ye Jingwen's narrative style, he would likely portray the other Ancient Sword Sect cultivators who died in the main hall as utterly wicked. Kuang Zhu was quite afraid this Patriarch would embark on a killing spree, so he interrupted Ye Jingwen. "I'll take over the rest."
Everyone in the field listened as Kuang Zhu's calm and elegant voice continued, "After losing two fellow disciples, this Wan Hong'an returned and incited several other Ancient Sword Sect disciples to come to the main hall, falsely accusing Junior Sister Mo. He even proposed that if Junior Sister Mo married him, he would take responsibility for the deaths of the two fellow disciples before the Ancient Sword Sect elders. Junior Sister Mo, having been surrounded by him outside the outpost earlier, knew well of his viciousness and naturally didn't believe his words. I believe some at the Qianmen Ridge outpost also knew of Wan Hong'an's unrighteous character. After Junior Sister Mo exposed his true face, such a person who abandoned his comrades naturally lost the support of the other Ancient Sword Sect senior brothers. Seeing his scheme exposed and the deaths of his two fellow disciples about to be blamed on him, he activated the Myriad Phenomenon Asura Formation, intending to slaughter all of us along with the other Ancient Sword Sect senior brothers inside the hall."
"Because, upon entering the hall, the Ancient Sword Sect senior brothers were too impulsive and engaged in a minor skirmish with us, they were ensnared by Wan Hong'an's design as blood sacrifices. If not for my medicinal cloud happened to having the effect of preventing the Asura Formation from taking shape, the Qianmen Ridge outpost would likely be filled with wronged souls. It's just a pity for those Ancient Sword Sect senior brothers who died unjustly." After speaking, Kuang Zhu let out a long sigh, sounding genuinely regretful.
Ultimately, Ye Jingwen had never intended to let Wan Hong'an off from the start, and Kuang Zhu was no soft-hearted person either. Thus, they deliberately provoked the Ancient Sword Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators with words. However, the other Ancient Sword Sect cultivators who died in the hall did indeed perish somewhat unjustly. Kuang Zhu's words essentially restored their innocence.
Upon hearing the entire story, the usually hot-tempered Dao Lord Jinghe snorted coldly and, with a wave of his hand, blasted a huge crater into the already-leveled site of the main hall where Wan Hong'an had exploded.
The residual force caused everyone present to tremble violently. Some of the weaker Qi Refining disciples even had blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.
Simultaneously, Dao Lord Jinghe said furiously, "Is my Closing-Door Disciple someone to be casually harassed?"
Hearing this, Tian Ge looked up in extreme surprise, quickly glancing at Dao Lord Jinghe before turning her gaze to Ye Jingwen.
Ye Jingwen also looked at Tian Ge with astonishment. Although he had known early on that Mo Tiange was Dao Lord Jinghe's nominal disciple, the difference between "Closing-Door Disciple" and "nominal disciple" was like heaven and earth.
A nominal disciple received attention only when remembered. Although they naturally received more benefits than ordinary disciples, they ultimately lacked the proper care of a legitimate master, making the cultivation path much more arduous.
A Closing-Door Disciple wasn't merely about becoming an official disciple. Because the master considered this disciple sufficient, most Closing-Door Disciples were often also direct lineage disciples. Towards a Closing-Door Disciple, the master naturally focused on instruction, and all kinds of rewards were naturally the best treasures kept at the bottom of the trunk. With Dao Lord Jinghe's words, saying Mo Tiange had ascended to heaven in a single step was not an exaggeration.
And now, Dao Lord Jinghe was directly facing the Ancient Sword Sect Sect Master, unleashing pressure and angrily saying, "To think of using lives as leverage to force the marriage of my sect's female disciple—a few lives aren't enough to die for. Since the person is already dead, I won't open the killing spree today. However, this ultimately stems from your Ancient Sword Sect's lax discipline. Du Liufeng, go back and tell Old Daoist Fuling that if he doesn't want me, Qin, to slaughter my way up your mountain gate, he'd better give me a proper explanation!"
After speaking, Dao Lord Jinghe turned and gave Mo Tiange a very stern look, calling out, "Tian Ge!"
Although still in shock, Mo Tiange wouldn't expect this Dao Lord to explain things to her in front of everyone. She hurriedly lowered her head and responded, "Your disciple is here."
"Such shameless scum deserves a swift death. Two years ago, you dared to lure a fifth-rank demonic beast alone, yet you didn't dare to execute such vermin on the spot? As my, Jinghe Daojun's disciple, this is utterly disgraceful. Today, you will return to the mountain with me for seclusion." Though his words were severe, he deliberately changed "didn't" to "didn't dare," while cleverly using the fifth-rank demonic beast as a lead-in earlier, making it easy for people to believe the Xuanqing Sect had shown mercy while the Ancient Sword Sect pressed aggressively. Compared to Ye Jingwen's cumbersome narration, Dao Lord Jinghe's few words were more convincing, and his unscrupulousness was even more masterfully displayed.
Then, they heard Dao Lord Jinghe reprimand, "Ye Jingwen, you've been away from the mountain for some time now, yet you've made little progress. It's also time for you to return and heed your master's teachings."
After speaking, he grabbed one with his left hand and the other with his right, pulling both into the Cloud Carriage.
As the Cloud Carriage slowly ascended, they heard Dao Lord Jinghe sneer, "This matter has been clearly explained. Sect Master Du's several fellow brothers haven't arrived yet. I suppose they probably won't make it. If Sect Master Du doesn't want to collect bodies, you'd better hurry back to provide aid."
Hearing this, Perfected One Liufeng's face changed drastically. Initially, thinking the notoriously bloodthirsty Dao Lord Jinghe had said, "I won't open the killing spree today," he thought it was a miraculous blessing from heaven. Who knew he had already vented his fury on the way here?
He had come to handle the Foundation Establishment cultivators' matter. If he lost several Core Formation cultivators' lives over this, the Ancient Sword Sect's fate would likely be as miserable as the Dan Ding Sect, whose foundation was destroyed by demonic beasts.
Naturally, Perfected One Liufeng dared not linger. By the time Dao Lord Jinghe finished speaking, he had already vanished.
After the Cloud Carriage ascended, they heard Dao Lord Jinghe call out again, "Kuang Zhu."
Kuang Zhu hurriedly responded, "Your disciple is here."
"This item is bestowed upon you. If any ignorant Ancient Sword Sect members come looking for trouble again, drive them out without mercy." They saw a female cultivator beside the Cloud Carriage receive a medicine-mortar-like object from within the carriage, step onto a flower basket, gracefully descend beside Kuang Zhu, present the mortar, and then elegantly fly back to the Cloud Carriage's side.
Dao Lord Jinghe's now completely anger-free voice came from within the Cloud Carriage. "This mortar is called the Chaos Heaven Mortar. The pestle inside is named Earth-Splitting Pestle. One attacks, one defends, complementing each other perfectly. It also enhances the efficacy of spiritual herbs, making it most suitable for you."
Immediately after, they saw a female cultivator beside the Cloud Carriage receive a gown from within. Dao Lord Jinghe said from inside the carriage, "This Hundred-Fragrance Splendid Gown is for your Little Bai. Girls should look like girls. What's the point of dressing like a man all the time? I despise seeing pearls covered in dust the most."
Upon hearing this, the Xuanqing Sect disciples all widened their eyes. Instantly, Zhan Bai became the focus of attention in the field.
This time, everyone clearly saw the usually calm and detached Senior Brother Kuang Zhu's face turn black.
The female cultivator beside the Cloud Carriage delivered the Hundred-Fragrance Splendid Gown to Zhan Bai's hands, then followed Dao Lord Jinghe's Cloud Carriage as it departed from the Qianmen Ridge outpost.
The Xuanqing Sect disciples watched Patriarch Jinghe leave, then turned back to scrutinize Zhan Bai. Just then, they heard Senior Brother Kuang Zhu, who never raised his voice, roar loudly, "What are you looking at? All of you, get back inside!"
He then dragged Zhan Bai away.