The Path of Cowering for Longevity

Lin Dao Realm Seventh Layer!

This Daoist Xuancheng had concealed a full six realms!

He was never at Lin Dao Realm First Layer!

Daoist Xuancheng's expression was cold: "I gave you a chance earlier. You failed to cherish it. Don't blame me for this."

With those words, he swung his sword.

Daoist Guixuan screamed in terror and fled wildly.

He conjured a torrent of ghostly shadows, gathering them into a thick wall of phantoms in a desperate attempt to block Daoist Xuancheng's attack!

But under the crushing disparity in strength, his Dao arts were like paper. They were torn apart in an instant, and the Sword Light landed on Daoist Guixuan's body.

"No!"

Daoist Guixuan let out a miserable cry. Before his voice faded, his entire form shattered under the Sword Light. The Divine Infant within his body did not escape either—it was annihilated completely!

Two swords, two Lin Dao Realm experts slain!

Ghost Nether Son wailed in grief: "Master!"

In that instant, he drew Daoist Xuancheng's attention. A casual sword stroke was sent his way.

Ghost Nether Son died on the spot, his body reduced to dust.

"Martial Uncle Ancestor is incredible!"

"Too strong—absolutely too strong!"

"Is this the ultimate foundation of our Sect? Standing in the Kaoshan Sect, I feel immensely proud!"

The Kaoshan Sect disciples erupted in cheers and ecstatic shouts.

Daoist Xuancheng's overwhelming power was seared into their minds—a profound shock!

A Lin Dao Realm expert was nothing more than a single sword stroke to him!

Suddenly, a disciple bellowed: "That old bastard is trying to flee!"

Li Chunxiao shot into the sky, dragging Li Qingchang and his brother with him. He tore through space and plunged into the Void Space!

"Martial Uncle Ancestor, chase him!"

A disciple's eyes went wide as he cried out in panic.

"The other party is an elder of the Sun Moon Divine Cult. Li Chunxiao is even a Supreme Elder—his status is noble. He cannot be killed."

Daoist Xuancheng shook his head and did not pursue.

As the Old Ancestor of the Sect, he needed restraint, and more than that, he needed reason.

Li Chunxiao and his two sons—they could not be killed!

If they were killed, it would mean tearing off all pretense with the Sun Moon Divine Cult. A bloody war would surely erupt!

It might even engulf the entire Eastern Domain!

The Kaoshan Sect had no Ultimate Emperor Weapon. Facing the Sun Moon Divine Cult would put them at a severe disadvantage.

So, even though the other party had allied with the Ghost Nether Mansion to try and destroy the Kaoshan Sect, he had to endure it. He could not kill them.

That was the rule of the Cultivation World.

You could kill them—but you would bear the consequences!

Daoist Xuancheng would not gamble the entire Kaoshan Sect on this.

Now was not the time to show his hand against the Supreme Dao Holy Land.

Moreover, openly clashing with the Supreme Dao Holy Land went against the Sect's principles.

"How infuriating!"

"Damn that Sun Moon Divine Cult. I remember thirty years ago, a major Sect was destroyed, and they seemed to have a hand in it."

"Yeah. This time, they actually reached out toward the Kaoshan Sect!"

"Thank goodness Martial Uncle Ancestor came to the rescue. If Mysterious River Martial Uncle Ancestor hadn't been away, the Sect would have been in grave danger!"

The disciples were so furious they beat their chests and stamped their feet.

But the Sun Moon Divine Cult was a behemoth. It possessed an Ultimate Emperor Weapon. On the surface, the Kaoshan Sect could not contend with it.

True Lord Xiaxuan said: "Martial Uncle, what should we do with these Ghost Nether Mansion elders?"

At these words, everyone—including several Heavenly Human Realm Supreme Elders of the Ghost Nether Mansion—trembled in their legs, paralyzed with fear.

They stared at Daoist Xuancheng, terrified that he might simply strike them down on the spot.

The dozens of Blood Demons had also lost their earlier arrogance, wilting like frostbitten eggplants.

"Spare... Senior..."

"Pfft!"

One sword stroke, and all fell!

Daoist Xuancheng showed no mercy, decisively striking down every Ghost Nether Mansion elder.

Thus, the Ghost Nether Mansion invaders were utterly annihilated!

On the spot, only a few dozen Blood Demons stood frozen, their hairs standing on end. Among them, the leader—a Heavenly Human Realm fourth-layer Blood Demon—gritted his teeth and spoke:

"Our Blood Demon Clan has a Lin Dao Realm ninth-layer ancestor. If you kill us... surely..."

Pfft!

His head flew high, his Spiritual Sense extinguished, and he died horribly on the spot.

"The Sun Moon Divine Cult still has a say here, but what is your Blood Demon Clan?"

"A mere Lin Dao Realm ninth-layer, and you dare flaunt it?"

Daoist Xuancheng snorted coldly, showing not the slightest regard for the Blood Demon Ancestor at Lin Dao Realm ninth-layer.

The remaining Blood Demons trembled in fear, their teeth chattering, too terrified to utter a word.

This old man was ruthless beyond measure!

"Martial Uncle Grandfather."

Hua Yunfei drifted over to Daoist Xuancheng's side, cupping his fists and saying, "These Blood Demons still have their uses. Please, spare them."

"Oh?"

Daoist Xuancheng looked at Hua Yunfei, his eyes brightening slightly. "You, young man... are no simpleton!"

He found himself utterly unable to see through the youth before him!

Heh heh...

It seemed that on the path of the Crouching Dao, Kaoshan Sect... had a worthy successor!

Daoist Xuancheng had "passed away" into seclusion three hundred years ago and did not recognize Hua Yunfei, who was only a hundred years old.

"Martial Uncle Grandfather, I am the hundredth Peak Master of Dao Origin Peak, Hua Yunfei."

Hua Yunfei introduced himself.

"Cangqiong's son."

Daoist Xuancheng laughed heartily, patting Hua Yunfei on the shoulder, and said in surprise:

"Like father, like son! Back when I 'passed away,' he kept insisting he'd never retire this way. How is he now?"

Thinking of his carefree father, Hua Yunfei gave an awkward smile: "Father has set down his burdens and gone wandering abroad."

"Hahaha, good lad, so he actually did it."

Daoist Xuancheng wasn't the least bit bothered; in fact, he admired Hua Cangqiong's approach.

He himself had once planned to do the same.

But after a beating from his own old father, he'd fallen in line and obediently "passed away" into seclusion.

He truly envied that lad Cangqiong.

Daoist Xuancheng said, "Yunfei, you said earlier these Blood Demons have some use. What for?"

Hua Yunfei replied, "Our Sect pursues longevity through the Crouching Dao, and the core of it is the word 'crouch.'"

"If word spreads that Kaoshan Sect can both attack the Blood Demons and wipe out a peer-level force like Ghost Nether Mansion in one go..."

"Wouldn't that thrust Kaoshan Sect into the spotlight?"

"Before long, the entire Eastern Domain would know that Kaoshan Sect has hidden strength, with multiple Lin Dao Realm ancestors in residence."

"The clever ones might even guess that what we've revealed now isn't our true power either!"

"Your analysis is right. I was reckless—I nearly made a grave mistake for the Sect."

"I'll go light an incense stick for Mount Patriarch Master and beg his forgiveness."

"I've slept too long and nearly forgotten the Sect's core philosophy!"

Daoist Xuancheng's expression turned serious as he grasped Hua Yunfei's meaning.

Spare the Blood Demon Clan's wretched lives and make them the scapegoats!

Though the Sun Moon Divine Cult knew the truth of this matter, for the sake of their own face and dignity, and to keep their dark secrets from being exposed by Kaoshan Sect, they would definitely turn a blind eye!

Pretend not to know!

With scapegoats in place, Kaoshan Sect could not only destroy Ghost Nether Mansion but also claim all its resources.

More importantly, on the surface, this deed would be pinned on the Blood Demon Clan.

What does that have to do with the Kaoshan Sect?

Behind the scenes, the Kaoshan Sect, having obtained a massive amount of resources, could develop in the shadows more quickly and grow stronger fast!

The word "lay low" was paramount!

Everything must be handled with caution!

Eliminate all risks!

Wipe out all possible or potential dangers!

Hua Yunfei and Daoist Xuancheng were in complete agreement. After discussing it, they carved Slave Seals into the remaining Blood Demons, placing them under the control of True Lord Xiaxuan.