Chapter 16: Head Elder Confronts The Assembly Of The Unknown?
Bai Zian did not return to the sect but instead ventured out of the Outer Sect. After reaching a considerable distance from the sect, he stopped and turned around, his gaze fixed on the silhouette of the Azure Sky Sect.
Soon, figures cloaked in shadow began to appear—one, then two, until twenty figures had gathered. Although none were in the high layers of the Nascent Soul realm, there were many cultivators in the lower layers, with five in the middle layers of Nascent Soul.
Bai Zian stood calmly, his eyes scanning the cloaked figures.
"Your organization holds enmity with the Elders' Council and the Sect Leader in the Inner Sect. Why are you targeting innocent disciples in the Outer Sect? They are not even the true pillars of our sect, merely stepping stones for the Inner Sect disciples." Bai Zian's piercing gaze swept over the assembly.
"...."
No one responded to Bai Zian's query. The cloaked figures remained tense, clearly uneasy in the presence of a Peak Nascent Soul realm cultivator.
"Do not resent us in the afterlife, Head Elder. We are merely doing our job." With that, all the cloaked figures launched an assault on Bai Zian.
Are they not sent by that organization? Bai Zian's robes fluttered in the air as he effortlessly dodged each attack directed at him.
"Are you hired by the clan that previously funded the former Head Elder?" Bai Zian grabbed the wrist of an attacker. Hearing no answer, he killed the assailant and moved to the next, repeating the process until only the five middle-layer Nascent Soul cultivators remained, hovering in the air.
Fifteen bodies lay strewn across the ground below. Bai Zian's sword gleamed, coated in blood. With a flick of his wrist, he shook off the crimson droplets and addressed the remaining five.
"Who sent you?" he demanded once more.
"We were just hired by some cultivators. We don't know who's behind them," one of the five stammered. They backed away as Bai Zian's sharp gaze bore into them.
"Go back and tell them to send someone in the same realm as me." Bai Zian’s voice was calm but carried an undertone of menace.
He was not a cold-blooded killer. However, if they still refused to leave after two minutes, he would have no choice but to send them to eternal rest.
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The five cloaked cultivators exchanged hesitant glances.
"What should we do?" one murmured.
"Let's just run. We're respected Nascent Soul realm cultivators. We can find work as elders or tutors in another sect," another suggested.
Bai Zian observed their whispered deliberation.
"Hurry up. I don’t have all day."
Sensing Bai Zian's growing impatience, the five turned and fled into the night.
"You still did not answer." A hidden smirk played on Bai Zian's lips as he swung his sword.
Swoosh!
Phantom Horizon Cleave!
The five Nascent Soul realm cultivators were sliced in half, their bodies falling lifeless to the ground. Yet, something flew out of their bodies—chains shimmering with ethereal energy.
Soul-Binding Chains.
These chains, formed from pure Nascent Soul energy, wrapped around their souls, suppressing their spiritual essence and temporarily severing their cultivation base. The chains were unbreakable unless the user willed it or the target's cultivation exceeded the user's.
The souls wailed in torment, but Bai Zian remained unmoved. He tightened the chains further.
A faint breeze carried the stench of blood, rustling the grass around the fallen bodies. Bai Zian stood motionless, his sword glinting under the moonlight, its blade pristine despite the carnage. The Soul-Binding Chains pulsed with rhythmic energy as the trapped souls struggled in vain.
“Pitiful,” Bai Zian muttered, his tone devoid of emotion. His eyes flickered to the struggling souls. “Even in death, you cannot escape the consequences of your actions.”
The chains absorbed the spiritual essence of the souls, reducing them to faint wisps before dissipating entirely. Sheathing his sword with a deliberate motion, Bai Zian scanned the battlefield. Something felt... off. Despite their obvious inferiority, the group had attacked him with unusual confidence, as though they had expected a different outcome.
Elsewhere...
Qing Chen was idly playing with Little Fur to pass the time. The days often felt like years.
He had completed a week's worth of work when news reached him that the new Head Elder was arriving.
Qing Chen looked up, noticing a glimmer in the dark sky. Slowly, it descended toward him. Spreading his divine sense, he recognized the figure—it was Tan Bao. Like Qing Chen, Tan Bao had started as a servant but, being more talented, had risen to become an Outer Sect disciple. In contrast, Qing Chen remained a servant in the Herb Valley.
"Senior, what can I do for you?" Qing Chen asked respectfully, his tone subservient. The robes Tan Bao wore set him apart, drawing a clear boundary that Qing Chen dared not cross. Hierarchy in this era was absolute. Though equality was preached within the sect, it only applied within one’s own rank.
No one batted an eye if an Outer Sect disciple killed a servant. However, if an Inner Sect disciple killed another Inner Sect disciple, punishment would follow through the Judgement Hall.
"Here. This is an invitation to the celebration for the coming of age of the eldest Miss of the Liang Clan." Tan Bao handed him a scroll.
"What? The eldest Miss still remembers me?" Qing Chen asked, surprised.
"Don't think too highly of yourself. Every member of the Liang Clan is invited, including servants. That day, the lady was in a good mood and decided to save your life. Don’t harbor any feelings for her—they’ll only make your life harder," Tan Bao advised, his tone arrogant yet firm.
"I understand. I’m just a servant, and I hold no feelings for her—only gratitude for saving my life, which I wish to repay someday," Qing Chen replied earnestly.
He had no lingering feelings for the eldest Miss. However, the same could not be said for the previous Qing Chen.