Xiao Chen Had Already Attacked the Mountain Gate

One of the most painful things in life is being forced to make choices about the future.

At least for Wen Suo Ruo, she had never felt so pained and so lost.

On the one hand, her success today is inseparable from the nurturing she received from the Heavenly Sound Sect.

Now, her senior sister wants her to cultivate with You Zhong True Monarch, and she's already hinted at it very clearly.

Although she was somewhat resistant to it, she didn't know how to refuse.

If nothing else were to interfere, she might convince herself to agree, considering it a way of giving back to the sect.

However, on the other hand, it involves other people.

That person I keep thinking about ever since I met her on Heaven Star Island.

At that time, both of them were facing Dai Tian Rui's malicious oppression.

She chose to tolerate it for the time being, but the other party chose to fight back bravely.

At that moment, watching Xiao Chen speak so confidently about what she wanted to say but ultimately didn't, and doing so cleanly and decisively what she had long wanted to do but ultimately didn't, was incredibly moving.

Wen Suo Ruo felt a surge of admiration well up within her at that moment.

How can someone be so brave?

The key point is that this wasn't just reckless courage; in the end, he nonchalantly left right in front of the Nascent Soul Nascent Soul True Lord of the Yin Corpse Sect.

From then on, she would recall those scenes whenever she had free time.

Therefore, from her heart, she had absolutely no desire to become Xiao Chen's enemy.

Even after learning of the other party's whereabouts, they wanted to help him face the Yin Corpse Sect together.

But when she mustered up her courage, she went to find Shu Yu True Monarch and expressed her thoughts.

But she retorted, "Junior Sister, isn't it a bit too heartless of you to say such things?"

"Junior Sister, you can decide for yourself regarding dual cultivation. If you really don't want to, then let it go."

"But now that your Zhi Qin Junior Sister, who plays the zither, has been murdered, don't you have even the slightest bit of fraternal affection for her?"

"Secondly, that kid is already doomed. If you go and join him in his evil deeds now, where will that leave the sect?"

"Anyone who doesn't know the situation might think that our Heavenly Sound Sect is also going to be enemies with the Yin Corpse Sect."

"If Fellow Daoist Yang Jiu misunderstands, even if I had a thousand mouths and ten thousand tongues, how could I explain it?"

Wen Suo Ruo fell silent.

It wasn't because she had nothing to say.

Firstly, there's the fact that Zhi Qin True Monarch did things Heaven Star Island back then, as well as many similar little actions he takes on a daily basis.

This had long since chilled the hearts of many Heavenly Sound Sect disciples, including her; there was no longer any sense of camaraderie among them.

Secondly, in Wen Suo Ruo's view, Shu Yu True Monarch has already embarked on a wrong path.

Completely siding with the Yin Corpse Sect, forming secret alliances, and expanding outwards is tantamount to seeking a deal with a tiger.

Continuing down this path will only lead to the destruction of the entire Heavenly Sound Sect.

Perhaps someday in the future.

Or perhaps it's right now.

Wen Suo Ruo really wanted to loudly refute Shu Yu True Monarch's words.

But as the saying goes, it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature.

When the time came, she ultimately lacked the courage to truly stand up and resist.

"Should we... escape?"

Back in her room, after pondering for a day and a night, Wen Suo Ruo suddenly had this idea pop into her head. "Take those promising young talents from the sects with me."

"Just find a secluded place to hide."

"In this way, at least in the event of future troubles, the sect's lineage can be preserved."

She was the Chief Disciple not long ago, and she also has several close friends in private.

If they could find a place to hide away from the obsessed Shu Yu True Monarch, they could preserve a spark for the Heavenly Sound Sect.

Yes, that's what we'll do!

Wen Suo Ruo's eyes gradually brightened. "Senior Sister has been bewitched by the Yin Corpse Sect; she's leading the entire sect on an adventure!"

"If I take Shan Shan and the others with me, it will actually be more beneficial for the sect's survival."

"This isn't running away; it's doing the right thing."

As one of the only two remaining Nascent Soul True Lord of the Heavenly Sound Sect, she quietly left the mountain that night with five friends without activating any formations.

"Traitor!"

The next morning, after learning what had happened from her disciples, Shu Yu True Monarch was furious. "How could she leave at this time? How dare she leave on her own!"

"This is blatant betrayal!"

"And those five heartless bastards, the sect would have been better off keeping dogs with them!"

"Starting today, they will all be officially expelled from the ranks. Not only will they be expelled, but Wanted Notice will also be issued, and those who commit treason will be richly rewarded!"

After his initial outburst of rage, Shu Yu True Monarch managed to regain some composure.

But she still couldn't calm down. "Hmph, it's better that they're gone."

"My Heavenly Sound Sect has never needed such a disloyal and unjust person."

"Guards! Inform all the major sects: From this day forward, I am sworn enemies with Wen Suo Ruo, this traitor!"

After shouting those words, Shu Yu True Monarch finally calmed down a bit.

Only then did he begin to seriously consider how to appease the Yin Corpse Sect and how to explain this unexpected turn of events to them.

"Oh no!"

Suddenly, Shu Yu True Monarch shuddered. "That vile woman even has the Formation Flag from the Sect Warehouse!"

She rushed into the warehouse to check the stored supplies, only to find to her surprise that nothing seemed to be missing.

"Could it be that you left in such a hurry that you didn't have time to grab your things?"

After thoroughly checking all the important spiritual items, Shu Yu True Monarch finally felt relieved and began to ponder the reason.

Hearing the commotion, the warehouse manager rushed over and reported, "Reporting to Your True Lord, Fairy Su Ruo came to the warehouse last night and said she had some things to hand over to you."

"However, she specifically instructed before she left that she should wait until you arrived before reporting this."

After saying that, he presented a tray with a Storage Ring, a jade flute, and a letter on it.

Shu Yu True Monarch recognized it at a glance; it was the Storage Ring that Wen Suo Ruo had once worn.

The jade flute was also a transitional Spirit Artifact she selected from the sect's inheritance after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Upon unfolding the letter, I found a list and a few words of message.

It turns out that just last night, Wen Suo Ruo made a special trip to the Sect Warehouse to put all her spiritual items back into her Storage Ring.

Apart from a Spare Array Flag for controlling the Mountain Protecting Grand Array, they did not take away even a single Spirit Stone.

Finally, the letter stated, "There are some things I really don't know how to say in person, so I have to convey them in this way."

"Senior sister, I always felt that those people from the Yin Corpse Sect were all wicked and didn't seem like good people."

"If we follow them, I'm afraid something bad will happen sooner or later."

"That's why I took Shan Shan and the others with me, in order to preserve the sect's flame."

"Perhaps what I'm doing isn't right, but I'm truly doing it for the continuation of the sect."

"No matter where we go in the future, we will remember that we are disciples of the Heavenly Sound Sect, and we will tell future disciples that they belong to a branch of the Heavenly Sound Sect."

"I only hope that if, one day in the future, the younger generation of disciples meet, they will not turn against each other with weapons."

"Written by my Junior Sister Su Ruo."

However, upon seeing this letter, Shu Yu True Monarch was once again enraged. "Absurd! Utter nonsense!"

All that talk about the continuation of the sect or belonging to a branch is utter nonsense!

They clearly feel they've grown too big for their britches and want to go out and start their own business, establishing their own school of thought.

They always have to find a high-sounding excuse for themselves; it's all talk and no action.

She would never forgive such a traitor, nor would she ever acknowledge any so-called branch.

There is only one Heavenly Sound Sect in the Cultivation World, and that is the orthodox lineage of Wonderful Sound Mountain led by Shu Yu True Monarch!

Wonderful Sound Mountain is the Main Peak of the Heavenly Sound Sect, where the most important Sect Hall, Scripture Pavilion, Ancestral Hall and warehouse are all located.

Therefore, Shu Yu True Monarch also sent a formal notice to the other major sects.

We hereby declare that we absolutely do not acknowledge anyone acting under the name of the Heavenly Sound Sect. If anyone claims to be a branch, please treat them as imposters.

The two announcements were quickly delivered to the major sects.

This naturally caused quite a stir.

Outsiders had no idea what the Heavenly Sound Sect was doing, so various speculations immediately arose.

Some people suspect that Shu Yu True Monarch may have received some kind of advance warning.

Some people suspect that the Heavenly Sound Sect is putting on a show to hedge their bets.

Inside the Yin Corpse Sect, You Zhong True Monarch couldn't help but feel indignant upon hearing this. "I even thought they seemed quite sincere before."

"I didn't expect it to be just a trick, simply trying to whet my appetite."

"Wen Suo Ruo can't possibly travel fast with Golden Core Disciple like this. I'll go and demand an explanation from her!"

The Fiend Refining True Monarch thought a step further, "Wait a minute!"

"I feel like something's not right about this!"

"Why did they have to make a fuss right when Xiao Chen had already arrived at the Cloud Pool Sea?"

"In my opinion, this might be another trap to lure the snake out of its hole."

"Fourth Senior Brother, if you chase after them, you might just fall into their trap."

His speculation immediately surprised the other three.

"What?"

You Zhong True Monarch was first surprised, then his eyes widened in disbelief. "Could it be that the Heavenly Sound Sect has been deceiving us all along?"

"So, does this mean our visit here to discuss the Marriage Alliance was also part of Xiao Chen's pre-planned scheme?"

"This is how we can separate ourselves from our second and third senior brothers."

Upon hearing this, Bone Offering True Monarch was stunned. "No way, Zhi Qin True Monarch also died in the Lightless Sea? Are they really so willing to do this?"

However, the Fiend Refining True Monarch had a clear mind. "Perhaps it was a fake death?"

"Anyway, there are only two True Lord in the Lightless Sea right now. As long as Xiao Chen and Hidden Ice True Monarch stick to the same story, it won't be difficult at all to fool the Golden Core cultivator watching."

"Of course, this is just one possibility that I've come up with over the past few days."

"The truth may not be so, but I believe it's always wise to be cautious!"

"When dealing with someone as cunning and treacherous as Xiao Chen, it's always wise to be cautious."

You Zhong True Monarch and the others thought about the previous 'borrowing strength' scheme.

I suddenly realized that such a possibility did indeed exist.

In their minds, Xiao Chen had now become a cunning and ruthless strategist, like a poisonous spider, who loved to plot and scheme.

They are always plotting all sorts of schemes.

"So, does that mean we can no longer stay at the Heavenly Sound Sect?"

Bone Offering True Monarch suddenly realized, "What if Shu Yu True Monarch turns against us? This Defensive Formation could become a trap."

All three of them wore solemn expressions.

Only Yang Jiu True Monarch remained calm and composed. "Take it easy."

"While this is a possibility, it wouldn't change the outcome."

"I'll take care of everything."

"They will soon learn that in the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are nothing but illusions!"

"I will use facts to tell Xiao Chen and those scoundrels behind him, and also to tell all those who covet our Yin Corpse Sect."

Even the most intricate spider web cannot stop a tiger.

"No matter how ingenious the strategy, it cannot restrain the Azure Dragon."

The Yang Jiu True Monarch spoke with great passion and fervor.

However, Heaven can bear witness that Xiao Chen did not engage in any open schemes or devise any elaborate plans.

It's entirely their own inner darkness that leads them to perceive everyone else as bad, seeing everyone as a treacherous villain, and everyone as having ill intentions.

Of course, on the other hand...

In the Cultivation World, there are indeed some people who enjoy scheming and plotting.

Inside the Demon Subduing Sword Sect, the old sect master, carrying a pot of Spirit Wine and a roast chicken, skillfully made his way to the forbidden area in the back mountain.

This place was originally built to imprison the Demon True Lord and extract information from them.

But now, a young man is imprisoned in Demon Imprisonment Cage, surrounded by layers of restrictions.

Probably no one would have guessed that this young man was the current Sword Child of the Demon Subduing Sword Sect, or rather, the previous generation's Sword Child.

Because he had actually broken through to the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

However, the news was kept secret and not leaked to outsiders.

"Your teacher's wife was worried you wouldn't be comfortable staying in this place, so she specially asked me to bring your favorite foods this time."

The old sect leader placed the Spirit Wine and roast chicken into the Demon Imprisonment Cage: "If you want to hold a grudge, just hate this old man. Don't blame your master's wife in the future."

Ling Tianyi remained silent.

The Ink Flood Dragon that had been curled up asleep behind him immediately poked its head out.

Its nose twitched, and instantly its large eyes locked onto the roast chicken.

However, as Spirit Beast, it could only look at its master first, hoping that the other party would be sensible and quickly tear off a chicken leg and put it in its mouth.

The one on the right is better; it looks a bit fatter.

Of course, the one on the left is fine too; it's better than not having anything to eat for three months in a row.

Although it no longer needs to eat to survive, it still has a natural appetite.

Seeing that its little owner didn't react, it rubbed against him, almost as if it was about to speak.

"You good-for-nothing, why don't you just choke on your food!"

Ling Tianyi grabbed the whole roast chicken and shoved it into the Ink Flood Dragon's mouth in a fit of rage. "Get out of here, I hate seeing you!"

Ink Flood Dragon didn't mind, and happily turned around to hide behind him and began to enjoy her food in small bites.

Since it's a Spirit Beast with an owner, it only needs to use its brain when fighting; otherwise, it doesn't need to worry about anything.

Ling Tianyi was different; having already spoken, he didn't remain silent any longer.

Instead, he looked at the old sect leader and said, "Master, what you're doing will really kill many innocent people!"

"According to the information sent back by my junior brother, the entire Yin Corpse Sect, from top to bottom, is clearly practicing Devil Cultivation Method."

"We should immediately Exterminate Demons and Defend the Dao!"

"Every day of delay means more innocent people will suffer."

The old sect leader remained silent. They had argued about this many times already, and there was no point in saying more.

"Fine, I'll let it go if you didn't want me to go before."

Ling Tianyi, however, argued vehemently. "But the day before yesterday... anyway, I already know that some righteous people couldn't stand by and watch, and have taken the initiative to stand up and attack the Yin Corpse Sect."

"I heard that Daoist Xiao has already arrived at the Flying Crossing Sea and will be reaching the Cloud Pool Sea soon."

"If we don't go with them now, it will be too late!"

"By then, forget about being a pillar of strength; people might not even remember that the Storm Sea once had the Demon Subduing Sword Sect."

Upon hearing this, the old sect leader's expression finally changed slightly.

Instead of answering, he questioned, "This is a forbidden area of our sect. No one may enter or leave without my permission."

"Who told you about the situation outside?"

Ling Tianyi didn't answer, "Never mind that, I just know."

"Just tell me, do you still want to revitalize the Sword Sect?"

"If you keep me locked up here, others Exterminate Demons and Defend the Dao while we won't even get a sip of soup."

However, the old sect leader already had a plan in mind. "The person who could get here without triggering the restrictions is either one of those three brats, or they all knew about it but didn't report it."

"It seems I haven't been assigning them enough homework lately, leaving them with too much free time."

But despite saying that, he didn't seem very angry.

Instead, he changed the subject and began to answer his eldest disciple's question, "I have my own reasons, why should you say more?"

"Didn't that little brat tell you while he was at it?"

"The virtuous and righteous person you mentioned is actually just a Newly Promoted True Monarch has only been in power for less than six years?"

"At most, they'd just add another Nascent Soul Middle Stage Hidden Ice True Monarch. To think they could shake the Yin Corpse Sect is like an ant trying to shake a tree!"

However, upon hearing this, Ling Tianyi's eyes practically lit up.

He immediately pressed on, asking, "Wouldn't that be even better?"

"In addition to my slaying of the Bone Offering True Monarch, Master, you also personally dealt with that Yang Jiu True Monarch."

"Let's go together and wipe out the Yin Corpse Sect!"

"I've long wanted to experience the true power of the Demon Subduing Sword Art!"

"Moreover, everyone says that the Yang Jiu True Monarch is a top-tier True Lord."

"Once Master slays the Devil Lord with his sword this time, he will surely become famous throughout the world in an instant!"

"At that time, the name of my Demon Subduing Sword Sect will naturally spread throughout the world."

"Why don't you agree to such a win-win situation, Master?"

Ling Tianyi became excited as he spoke.

However, the old sect leader remained calm and simply asked, "And then?"

Um?

"And then what?"

Ling Tianyi was a little confused.

A look of weighing options flashed in the old sect leader's eyes before he slowly asked, "And then what happens after we kill the Devil Lord?"

He did not wait for Ling Tianyi's reply.

Instead, he answered himself, "Then, in terms of the sharpness of Sword Qi, we cannot compete with the Star Plucking Sword Pavilion; in terms of the subtlety of Swordsmanship, we cannot compare with the Soul Division Sword Pavilion."

"And then, even in the Secret Realm, he couldn't defeat the Mysterious Sound Technique; and even in the ruins, he couldn't overcome the Five Thunder Secret Method."

After the old sect leader finished speaking, he looked up and gazed into the eyes of his prized disciple.

Their eyes met.

He slowly added the last sentence, "Tianyi, it has been far too long since a fully formed demonic cultivator has appeared in the Eastern Domain."

"I've waited my whole life, and I'm ten times, a hundred times, more anxious than you are!"

"Do you think I'm so old and frail that I've lost my passion for Sword Cultivator, and that I don't even want to experience the benefits of the Demon Subduing Sword Art from the Devil Lord?"

"But this way, the Yin Corpse Sect can be killed directly."

"Besides getting a few superficial compliments, what other benefit does it serve?"

"Will it make others look at my Demon Subduing Sword Sect with more respect in the future?"

"Can it make others, upon discovering a spiritual object in the soon-to-open Vast Sea Secret Realm Inner Realm, readily hand it over to us without any competition or snatching?"

These three consecutive questions completely baffled Ling Tianyi.

He never imagined that the reason his master had always opposed him and even locked him up here was actually this.

Many words seemed to suddenly rise to the tip of my tongue.

But he didn't know what to say.

"Tianyi, you are the most promising disciple among the recent twenty generations of disciples."

The old sect leader continued, "I know you are a good child with clear likes and dislikes, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to progress so rapidly in cultivating the Demon Subduing Sword Art."

"But a good child like you, I've waited six hundred years to find one."

"If this continues, the Demon Subduing Sword Sect may not even need external enemies to intervene; it will die out due to a lack of successors."

"Tianyi... I've only just come to understand a truth."

The old sect leader suddenly looked up, gazing at the sky with a deep, melancholic air. "The way of heaven and earth is inherently the interplay of yin and yang, and the mutual dependence of good and evil."

"You are in me, and I am in you!"

"Only when the demonic path flourishes can my Sword Sect be revived!"

"The day when the Demonic Sect sect sweeps across the Storm Sea will be the day when my Demon Subduing Sword Sect once again takes the lead in upholding the righteous path."

His voice grew lower and lower, yet each word seemed to strike Ling Tianyi's heart.

"Sigh!"

After saying this, the old sect leader sighed deeply, "Originally, I didn't intend to tell you these things."

"But after thinking it over, your master's wife is right about one thing: sooner or later, the Sword Sect will be handed over to you."

"Since I'll have to tell you the truth sooner or later, I might as well be upfront about it now to avoid us growing apart."

The main reason was that they suddenly received a message from the Heavenly Sound Sect in the morning, saying that their Newly Promoted True Monarch had betrayed the sect.

The old sect leader was surprised, but also suddenly realized that some things needed to be discussed openly to avoid truly hurting anyone's feelings.

The lessons of the past are right before our eyes.

Even if their relationship is more like that of father and son than master and apprentice, they shouldn't intentionally test their feelings for each other.

Ling Tianyi remained silent for a long time before looking up at his master. "This disciple will dedicate his life to revitalizing our Demon Subduing Sword Sect."

"In a different, more honorable way!"

His eyes clearly radiated youthful vigor.

"Sigh!"

The old sect leader waved his hand to release the restriction, then turned his head and waved impatiently. "Remember to bring the Demon Slaying Sword to the Ancestral Hall; it could save your life in a critical moment!"

Ling Tianyi immediately jumped out of the Demon Imprisonment Cage excitedly. "Thank you, Master!"

Then he turned and kicked the Ink Flood Dragon: "Eat and then sleep!"

"Get up and come with me."

They rushed as fast as they could, but they were still a little bit late.

When they were still more than 10,000 miles away from the Heavenly Sound Sect.

Ling Tianyi sensed an exceptionally powerful fluctuation of Spiritual Power coming from afar.

at the same time.

The True Lord who were originally enjoying tea Dao Discussion Daoism in the Wonderful Sound Pavilion were also taken aback.

Immediately, a disciple rushed in to report to Shu Yu True Monarch, "Reporting to True Lord!"

"Xiao Chen has breached the mountain gate!"