"Se-Senior Disciple Brother?"
All the cultivators present, whether watching the show or involved in it, were stunned.
Sickle Tiger's smug expression froze instantly. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. Dazed, he muttered, "S-Senior Disciple Brother? He's Qingyuan, the legendary Inner Sect Senior Disciple known for his decisive slaughter?"
The Registered Disciples who had followed Tiger Cultivator
also turned pale, terrified and at a loss for what to do.
"Immortal Dingguang, what authority you wield, ordering sect members to plunder other disciples' possessions?"
There was no emotion in Qingyuan's voice, yet Immortal Dingguang's legs trembled. Shaking, he said, "N-No, Senior Disciple Brother! I truly never did such a thing. He robbed them all himself—I never ordered anyone to do anything. If you don't believe me, I can swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao!"
"Gather every Disciple of the Jie Sect beneath Shangqing Peak."
Qingyuan gave the order coldly. How could Immortal Dingguang dare question him? He hurriedly called in people through his connections.
Qingyuan turned to Qiushou Xian, Piluxian, and the other cultivators, then said flatly, "Please make the trip, Junior Brothers. Tell them Qingyuan invites Duobao, Jin Ling, Wudang, and the others here."
"Yes!"
Faced with such a commanding Senior Disciple Brother,
the immortals did not dare question him and hastily departed.
Gradually,
more and more Registered Disciples gathered outside Shangqing Peak.
Several Inner Sect Disciples arrived one after another.
When Daoist Duobao and the other Inner Sect Disciples saw Qingyuan standing amid the crowd with a dark expression, their hearts inexplicably began pounding. Feeling an indescribable pressure, they quickly stepped forward to bow.
"Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother."
"Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother."
"Senior Disciple Brother!"
"Mm. Greetings, Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters."
Qingyuan nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "I wonder what my Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters have been busy with these past years?"
"I've been studying a Divine Ability these past years."
Daoist Duobao answered softly, and Jin Ling and Wudang responded in turn.
"Reporting to Senior Disciple Brother, I felt inspired some years ago and traveled abroad. By chance, I obtained Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which advanced my Daoxing. After that, I entered Secluded Cultivation."
"Senior Disciple Brother, I went to cultivate the laws."
"Keeping busy is good. Then Qingyuan congratulates you all on your greatly improved Daoxing."
Qingyuan smiled warmly and cupped his hands.
None of them knew what Qingyuan was up to, so they answered cautiously.
Then they stood beside Qingyuan,
waiting to see how matters would unfold.
As time passed, most of the Interception Sect disciples gradually gathered. Thousands of people clustered beneath the mountain, all watching in confusion, unsure of what had happened.
This incident within the Interception Sect
also drew the attention of Human Sect and Chan Sect disciples, who were all curious about what had happened in the Interception Sect
to gather so many disciples.
Seeing that most of the sect members had arrived,
Qingyuan suddenly bowed respectfully toward Shangqing Hall and said, "Disciple Qingyuan wishes to purge the Interception Sect of its vile customs, corrupt discipline, and those steeped in evil. I ask for Teacher's permission!"
After a long while,
a voice finally came from Shangqing Hall.
"Granted~"
The scene fell silent.
The entire place was deathly quiet, save for the hurried breathing of most of the disciples.
Those who knew themselves to be steeped in evil and ruthless felt their scalps go numb. Without another word, they fled outward. Some burrowed into the earth, others flew into the sky, and the scene quickly descended into chaos.
"Silence! I have yet to speak. What are you all moving for?"
Suddenly, an angry and imposing voice echoed between heaven and earth.
The ground abruptly became as unyielding as steel, forcing out every cultivator who had tried to flee underground.
As for those who flew into the sky,
they were all forced back to the ground by sword qi formed from the Qiankun Twin Swords.
"Senior Disciple Brother, what are you doing?"
"We are all Saint's disciples—you cannot do this!"
"If he wants to kill us, then we'll fight him! We only have one life anyway, so what is there to fear?!"
"Charge out together! There are so many of us that he won't dare kill us!! He can't kill us all!"
For a time,
the scene was chaotic.
Though the Registered Disciples who had joined the Interception Sect later had heard of Qingyuan's deeds,
they did not believe Qingyuan would dare slaughter people before a Saint. They were also arrogant and unruly by nature, and without another word, they charged out.
Pfft!!
The sound of sword qi piercing flesh rang out.
Then chunks of flesh rained onto the ground. Every disciple who dared make a move was slain by the Slaughter Sword Dao. Boundless killing intent bloomed from Qingyuan, frightening all the disciples into numb silence as they trembled.
Sickle Tiger and the other Registered Disciples who had offended Qingyuan
were so terrified that they dropped to their knees.
"Heaven and earth have rules and order to sustain their operation. Our Interception Sect likewise has sect rules to uphold discipline and law. Have any of you heard Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters Duobao, Jin Ling, and Wudang speak of the sect rules?"
Qingyuan's voice boomed like a great bell.
The surrounding disciples answered in scattered groups, most saying they had heard of them.
But hearing of them was one thing.
Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters Duobao and the others were kind-hearted. Moreover, they were occupied with cultivation and had little time to tend to the sect's disciples. Over time, no one cared about the sect rules anymore.
Yet they had not expected their Senior Disciple Brother to bring this matter up again.
"Sickle Tiger, what crimes have you committed, and how many fellow disciples have you harmed? Tell me every detail!"
Qingyuan barked.
Sickle Tiger, kneeling on the ground and filled with terror, stammered out everything in full detail. The hundred or so fellow disciples who had suffered because of him emerged in fear and shock, reclaiming whatever belongings they could from Sickle Tiger.
During this time,
Immortal Dingguang took out several items from his Storage Artifact to apologize and compensate the sect members he had harmed.
Qingyuan then severed one of his arms.
Only then was the matter settled.
"Sickle Tiger, you would not even spare your fellow disciples. You bullied and humiliated your fellow sect brothers within the sect itself. If I spare you, how could I answer to the one hundred and eighty-five Junior Brothers you bullied for so long? Die!"
Qingyuan shouted furiously.
One slash severed the tiger's head, and his Primordial Spirit was annihilated!
Everyone present trembled in terror.
Afterward,
those who stole fellow disciples' treasures and crippled fellow disciples, killed!
Those who violated fellow disciples, killed!
Those who oppressed fellow disciples and forced them to risk their lives for treasure, killed!
Those who threw their weight around to bully others, killed...
For a time,
heads rolled beneath Shangqing Peak, and bloodshed soared into the heavens, sending chills down everyone's spine.
Qingyuan coldly investigated every injustice within the Interception Sect. The lightly guilty were expelled from the Kunlun Mountains, while the severely guilty were beheaded on the spot. The First Disciple of Intercepting Sect's authority was so imposing that even the Human Sect and Chan Sect disciples watching the spectacle wore grave expressions.
After all matters had been investigated,
and fairness and justice had been restored to the many sect members,
Qingyuan turned and knelt toward Shangqing Hall. "This disciple has purged the sect of its disorderly and evil deeds. Thank you, Teacher, for granting special approval!"
"Well done." Sect Master Tongtian's imposing voice came from Shangqing Peak, revealing neither pleasure nor anger.
"Thank you for your grace, Teacher. This disciple wishes Teacher blessings as vast as heaven and ever-greater progress upon the Saintly Dao." Qingyuan respectfully pressed his forehead to the ground, then said again, "Heaven and earth have laws; a sect should have rules. This disciple wishes to establish an Inspection Department to maintain the Interception Sect's conduct and discipline. I ask for Teacher's approval."
"Handle this matter yourself. There is no need to ask me."
"Thank you, Teacher!!"
Qingyuan expressed his gratitude respectfully and only rose after Sect Master Tongtian's voice had faded.
Inside Shangqing Hall,
a trace of helplessness appeared on Sect Master Tongtian's handsome and imposing face.
Sigh.
This disciple just loved causing trouble.
Hadn't he been quiet for hundreds of thousands of years? Why had he suddenly started loving trouble again lately?
Forget it, forget it.
For millions of years, he had kept them company, greeted them daily, and brought gifts whenever he went out.
Only after this kid appeared had the dull, monotonous days of the three brothers gained a little amusement.
Their days had finally become somewhat different.
Besides, it was during one of this kid's so-called "Brainstorms" that he, his eldest brother, and his second brother had gained insight and attained the Dao to become Saints. This disciple was precious—he could do whatever he wanted.
As long as he did not tear down the Interception Sect...
Before you continue