The Slaughterer

Fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye. Carrying a saber on his back, Zhong Shan now stood inside Kaiyang Hall, the largest palace of Kaiyang Sect.

Twenty-five third-generation disciples stood inside the great hall.

Three of them were disciples newly recruited a year ago. The other twenty-two were veteran third-generation disciples, all powerful figures at the Innate Sixth Stage or above who had formed True Essence.

Zhong Shan stood slightly toward the back beside Nan Batian, listening as Nan Batian introduced the people gathered here. As for Tian Ling'er, she had yet to appear.

There were three Grand Preceptor Chairs in Kaiyang Hall, placed at the very front in the north, east, and west.

Before long, a group of people flew in from outside and landed at the entrance of the hall. They then took their places behind the three Grand Preceptor Chairs.

There were five women in the west, six men in the east, and only four people in the north.

Nan Batian whispered, "These are all second-generation disciples. They're all at the Golden Core Stage. We may have a meeting first, and then they'll have theirs."

"Mm." Zhong Shan nodded lightly.

"The western side is from Snow Bamboo Peak, the eastern side is from Flame Mountain Peak, and the northern side is from Kaiyang Peak," Nan Batian said.

"Senior Brother." At that moment, all the second-generation disciples inside called out courteously toward the entrance.

Zhong Shan followed their voices and saw a fair-faced man in black robes. The man's brows were like swords and his eyes like stars, making him exceptionally handsome. A scarlet mole between his brows added boundless heroic spirit to his appearance. He wore a black robe, and at his waist hung a black longsword sheathed in its scabbard. He slowly walked toward the north and stood behind the Grand Preceptor Chair.

"Senior Brother, Tian Sha." Nan Batian whispered to Zhong Shan.

"Mm." Zhong Shan nodded. Looking at Senior Brother's imposing presence, Zhong Shan's heart tightened. Killing intent—a formless killing intent. Yet this killing intent was not directed at anyone. It simply radiated from him naturally, as though it were connected to his character and cultivation technique.

Senior Brother's arrival drew everyone's attention.

After taking his place, Senior Brother glanced toward Snow Bamboo Peak, as if checking whether someone had come. When he saw the worshipful expressions of the group of women, he frowned, withdrew his gaze, and clearly failed to see the person he wanted to see.

"Senior Brother, you're here." Suddenly, Tian Ling'er's urgent, delighted voice rang out from outside the hall.

The moment Tian Ling'er entered the hall, she ran straight to Senior Brother.

"Ling Er?" Senior Brother looked at Tian Ling'er and frowned.

"I've reached the Innate Ninth Stage. Soon, I'll be able to reach the Golden Core Stage. After that, I'll be able to call you Senior Brother to my heart's content." Tian Ling'er spoke happily, as though exchanging even a few casual words with Senior Brother filled her with incomparable joy.

"Congratulations." Senior Brother Tian Sha offered only a polite remark.

"Mm." Tian Ling'er nodded excitedly at once. Receiving Senior Brother's blessing seemed to make her immensely happy.

"Ling Er, where are you standing?" Tian Xingzi's shout suddenly came from outside the hall.

Tian Ling'er glanced outside, stuck out her little tongue, and immediately ran over to Zhong Shan and Nan Batian.

Outside the hall, Sect Master Tian Xingzi, Flame Mountain Peak Lord Xuan Xinzi, and Snow Bamboo Peak Lord Gu Shuangzi slowly entered.

After coming inside, the three of them walked to the Grand Preceptor Chairs, sat down, and looked at the twenty-six most outstanding third-generation disciples of Kaiyang Sect.

"Other than you three who received word half a month ago, does everyone else know the purpose of this trip? You are to venture out for experience," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes." Everyone replied. The others who had received the news alongside Zhong Shan half a month ago also answered in unison.

"Does anyone now refuse to go out for experience?" Tian Xingzi asked.

The great hall fell silent. No one answered. Clearly, everyone intended to go out, and even the other two who had learned of it together with Zhong Shan did not object.

"Good. This trip is not merely to broaden your horizons and temper what you have learned. It also has another purpose," Tian Xingzi said.

With that, Tian Xingzi flipped his hand, and an illusion suddenly appeared in his palm—a figure condensed from magical power.

The illusory figure was a handsome man in white robes. His pale face made him look somewhat weak. He held a purple fan in his hand and looked exceptionally handsome.

"Remember this person. This is also the latest information I've obtained. His name is Hao San, and his cultivation is also at the Innate Stage. He has one or two people protecting him. If possible, capture him, or kill him and bring back his corpse. The sect will reward you with one Fourth Grade treasure and one Fourth Grade Pill," Tian Xingzi said.

"Fourth Grade?" Zhong Shan was startled inwardly. Fourth Grade was no small number. The treasures used by the sect master were only around Fourth or Fifth Grade, weren't they?

"Yes!" Everyone replied joyfully.

"Whether you find this person or not, everyone must return in a year," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes." Everyone answered at once.

"Good. Go back and make your preparations. Set out once you're ready," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes!" everyone shouted in response.

Then, they all began to leave.

Just as Zhong Shan reached the entrance, he suddenly heard Tian Xingzi's voice transmitted to him: "Zhong Shan, Ling Er, Batian, wait for me at Zhong Shan's Listening Water Pavilion."

Zhong Shan stopped. The other two also paused, but none of them looked back. They left the hall and descended the mountain toward Listening Water Pavilion.

The sect master, Peak Lords, and second-generation disciples probably still had matters to discuss inside the hall.

Listening Water Pavilion.

"What kind of person is that Hao San? Why did Father say we have to kill him?" Tian Ling'er sat beside the stone table with her chin propped in both hands, watching the waterfall before her as she spoke casually.

"I'm not sure. Uncle Tian asked me to come here, so he must have something to tell us," Nan Batian said.

During this time, Zhong Shan prepared a large amount of dry rations. He also made some simple supplies for traveling from medicinal herbs he found in the mountains.

An hour later, Tian Xingzi flew down.

"Father, what took you so long? We're about to leave." Tian Ling'er immediately spoke anxiously.

"Hehe, couldn't you wait?" Tian Xingzi looked at Tian Ling'er and smiled.

"Uncle Tian." "Sect Master."

"Mm. You're about to leave, so there are some things I must explain clearly. Batian, this will be a good experience for you. Carefully comprehend the hearts of the people in this world. Do not use the treasure I gave you for self-protection unless you reach a critical moment," Tian Xingzi said solemnly.

"Yes," Nan Batian replied.

"Mm. You're traveling alone, so you'll have to rely on yourself for everything. Learn to be independent," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes." Although Nan Batian felt Tian Xingzi was making too much of it—he was no child—he still nodded respectfully.

"Mm. You may go," Tian Xingzi said.

"Mm. Then, Senior Sister Ling Er, Zhong Shan, I'll be leaving first," Nan Batian said.

"Take care." Zhong Shan nodded.

"Go on." Tian Ling'er nodded as well.

Then, Nan Batian left.

After Nan Batian departed, Tian Xingzi turned his gaze to Tian Ling'er.

"Ling Er, I have only one requirement for this trip. Stay by Zhong Shan's side and obey him in everything," Tian Xingzi said seriously.

"Father, Zhong Shan's cultivation isn't even as high as mine." Tian Ling'er immediately pouted, her face full of reluctance.

"Within Kaiyang Sect, you may do as you please. But once you're outside, you must obey Zhong Shan. I'll make this clear now: if Zhong Shan returns and says you didn't listen to him, then for fifty years, you won't be allowed to sweep your mother's grave," Tian Xingzi said in a solemn tone.

"Father, how can you do this?" Tian Ling'er immediately panicked. She did not care about other punishments, but being forbidden from sweeping her mother's grave?

"You may leave only if you agree to my demand. Otherwise, stay in Kaiyang Sect and cultivate until you reach the Golden Core Stage," Tian Xingzi said solemnly.

With a bitter expression, Tian Ling'er looked at Tian Xingzi, then at Zhong Shan. She was extremely unwilling, but after thinking about Zhong Shan, she realized that he was her friend. Wouldn't she still be able to make him do whatever she wanted when the time came?

"All right," Tian Ling'er said.

"Mm." Tian Xingzi nodded, then looked toward Zhong Shan.

"Ling Er is in your hands," Tian Xingzi said.

"Rest assured, Sect Master. In a year, I will return Ling Er to you safe and sound. Zhong Shan gives you his word," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"Good." Tian Xingzi nodded happily.

Then Tian Xingzi flipped his hand and took out another Void Spirit Pearl.

He handed the Void Spirit Pearl to Zhong Shan and said, "Consider this Void Spirit Pearl your payment for taking care of Ling Er. As long as you find Sumeru Stone and fill it into the pearl, it can be made into a storage treasure."

"Thank you, Sect Master." Zhong Shan immediately accepted it.

Zhong Shan had also learned about storage treasures from Tian Ling'er not long ago. First, a storage treasure was a magical treasure, which was why it required a Void Spirit Pearl. Then, only by filling it with Sumeru Stone could it form an internal space. The more Sumeru Stone there was, the larger the internal space would be.

However, Zhong Shan had no intention of turning this Void Spirit Pearl into a storage treasure. Instead, he planned to make it into a magical treasure for the Hidden Body.

"Then, take care," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes, Sect Master." Zhong Shan nodded.

"All right, all right, Father, you can go now. You're so long-winded." Tian Ling'er hurriedly spoke, clearly eager to set out immediately.

"All right, then I'll be going." Tian Xingzi smiled, stepped onto a white cloud, and flew away.

"All right, let's go." Tian Ling'er immediately spoke.

"Are you ready?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Here." Tian Ling'er raised her wrist, revealing a beautiful red bracelet. Clearly, she had already stored all her belongings inside.