The Sect Rules Turn One into an Idiot

Yuan Shanxiang's gaze towards Qin Haoxuan was so fiery it seemed he could spit flames. If looks could kill, Qin Haoxuan would have died thousands of times over. He roared, "Heaven's wrath can be survived, but one's own actions are unforgivable! No matter what demonic arts or magic treasures you used, today I will tear you to shreds as atonement!"

He reached into his robes and pulled out a Spirit Talisman. It was a piece of greenish jade, about two fingers wide, emitting a faint blue glow, etched with mysterious and profound runes.

A wave of heat emanated from the Spirit Talisman, spreading throughout the not-so-spacious Lava Cellar.

This Spirit Talisman sealed a spiritual law attack called Blazing Flames. The power of Blazing Flames was countless times greater than the most basic spiritual law, the Fireball Technique. As long as enough spiritual energy was input, it could be activated. Its explosive power was equivalent to the full-force strike of a cultivator at the Immortal Seedling Realm Sixth Leaf, enough to blast a tree half a person's width into powder. Even a cultivator like Yuan Shanxiang, at the Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf, could not escape unscathed from this Spirit Talisman's attack. Qin Haoxuan, even with skin of iron and bones of steel, would undoubtedly be unable to withstand its power.

The value of a Spirit Talisman was crystal clear to everyone present, except for newly initiated disciples like Qin Haoxuan. This single Spirit Talisman, equivalent to the strike of an Immortal Seedling Realm Sixth Leaf cultivator, would require an ordinary Menial Disciple to save for at least two years to afford, and that was under conditions of favorable weather and a bountiful harvest.

In the eyes of less powerful Menial Disciples, possessing a Spirit Talisman was like having an extra layer of protection for their lives. To use it so casually was truly extravagant and wasteful!

Even the two enforcement disciples hiding outside the iron gate couldn't help but show a flicker of reluctance in their eyes, lamenting inwardly that the man surnamed Yuan truly harbored murderous intent. He had likely spent more than half his net worth on this.

In his rage, Yuan Shanxiang no longer felt any regret. If he had more Spirit Talismans, he would have used them all without hesitation, wishing he could blast Qin Haoxuan into smithereens.

Just as he was about to channel spiritual energy to activate the Spirit Talisman, a strong sense of crisis washed over Qin Haoxuan. He refocused his attention, staring intently at Yuan Shanxiang, intending to launch another Spiritual Sense attack. However, Yuan Shanxiang was prepared this time, his mind at full alert as he desperately poured spiritual energy into the Spirit Talisman.

Qin Haoxuan seemed to see the spiritual energy flowing within Yuan Shanxiang, about to reach the level needed to activate the Spirit Talisman. In a moment of desperation, he let out a roar. A golden light flashed in his mind, and another beam shot towards Yuan Shanxiang. Although Yuan Shanxiang had some preparation this time, he still faltered for a moment, his intense focus slightly broken.

Qin Haoxuan waited for this momentary lapse. He charged forward, fearless of death.

The sense of danger from the Spirit Talisman was even more intense than when Yuan Shanxiang used the spiritual law Thousand Cuts. He had to destroy it, no matter what.

As long as this Spirit Talisman was gone, Yuan Shanxiang, with one broken hand and two broken legs, wouldn't be able to do anything to him for the time being. Although cultivators had strong self-healing abilities, at most, he could beat him up every day, adding new pain to his old wounds, and then he wouldn't be able to get revenge!

Yuan Shanxiang snapped back to attention from his momentary daze, only to see Qin Haoxuan lunging at him. His hand was already very close to the Spirit Talisman; any slower and it would be snatched away! Yuan Shanxiang, who had held the advantage both in strength and psychologically, finally panicked!

At this moment, his murderous intent intensified. He had to secure the Spirit Talisman, even if it meant facing severe punishment like expulsion from the sect. He had to eliminate Qin Haoxuan, otherwise, the future consequences would be endless!

Unable to move from his broken legs, and with Qin Haoxuan's fierce charge, he didn't even have time to activate the Spirit Talisman. He could only throw himself backward, abandoning any pretense of being a master. He rolled on the ground several times, the pain from his broken limbs excruciating, further solidifying his resolve to eliminate Qin Haoxuan.

Qin Haoxuan was not the strongest opponent he had ever faced, but he was the most terrifying. This person was ruthless; he had broken his own legs and one hand. If he had been a moment slower to regain consciousness, his right hand would have been broken as well.

He could imagine that if they were in a deserted wilderness, Qin Haoxuan wouldn't have stopped at just breaking his limbs; he would have slit his throat to eliminate any future threat.

Qin Haoxuan's desperate attempt to snatch the Spirit Talisman, along with his "demonic arts" that could briefly stun people, made Yuan Shanhu tremble with fear.

Qin Haoxuan was still a mortal, only two days past Seed Breaking, yet he had defeated Yuan Shanxiang, who was at the Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf.

In the cultivation world, regardless of the means used, victory proved strength! But no matter what, a mortal who had just broken his seed defeating and injuring an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf expert was an incredibly terrifying thing in itself!

Unfortunately, even the heavens seemed to pity Qin Haoxuan, the "weakling."

In front of Yuan Shanxiang as he rolled, a sharp rock jutted out, hitting his broken bones directly. The intense pain from the wound caused his rolling speed to momentarily falter. In that brief pause, the relentlessly pursuing Qin Haoxuan surged forward, pinning Yuan Shanxiang down and focusing his attacks on his broken legs and arms.

Even though Yuan Shanxiang was an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf expert, he was still human with a physical body. Under the intense pain, Qin Haoxuan snatched the Spirit Talisman clutched in his right hand.

Having lost his last resort, Yuan Shanxiang was filled with both rage and fear. He gathered all his spiritual energy and slammed a palm into Qin Haoxuan's chest and abdomen. With a few muffled thuds, Qin Haoxuan, who had been hit, had several ribs broken, and his body flew backward, a mouthful of blood spraying from his lips.

Under everyone's gaze, Qin Haoxuan, a mortal with a flesh and blood body, had fought to a mutual injury with an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf expert in an extremely brutal manner. This scene deeply shocked everyone!

Looking at the severely injured Qin Haoxuan lying in the distance, Yuan Shanxiang, with two broken legs and one broken hand, possessed all his spiritual energy and a heart full of resentment, but his current crippled body could not move. He was completely unable to do anything to Qin Haoxuan. His only hope of killing Qin Haoxuan now was that Spirit Talisman, but that Spirit Talisman had been taken by Qin Haoxuan in such a brutally tragic manner!

It hurt! But the price of the pain was taking the item!

"Ptooey."

Qin Haoxuan spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the ground with a rogueish air. Gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, he smashed the Spirit Talisman onto the ground. Although it was a valuable treasure, it was also the only thing in the Lava Cellar that could threaten him. Destroying it was the safest course of action.

Watching the Spirit Talisman shatter into pieces, whether it was the seasoned veterans in the Lava Cellar or the two enforcement disciples hiding outside the iron gate, they all felt a sense of fear towards Qin Haoxuan, who acted decisively and was not blinded by immediate gain!

A thought flashed through their minds simultaneously: Never offend Qin Haoxuan!

At this moment, Yuan Shanxiang also noticed the group of old-timers in the corner. A spark ignited in his mind, and he shouted, "Whoever kills him, I'll give them three Spirit Talismans when I get out!"

Three Spirit Talismans!

With such a reward, there would surely be brave souls! Three Spirit Talismans were a huge fortune for anyone here.

Then, the group of old-timers looked at the severely injured Yuan Shanxiang, then at Qin Haoxuan, who had several broken ribs. They exchanged glances, but not a single one dared to move.

He had beaten an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf cultivator to such a miserable state. Although he was injured now, who knew what other trump cards he had?

Compared to three precious Spirit Talismans, their own lives were more important!

Qin Haoxuan merely sneered, "Kill me? You still have the leisure to think about me at this time? Think carefully about how you're going to explain to the sect entering this place to kill me later. According to sect rules, your cultivation will be crippled, you'll be turned into an idiot, and thrown out of Taichu."

Hearing this, Yuan Shanxiang felt a chill rush straight to his forehead. If he had killed Qin Haoxuan, he could have easily framed the deceased for whatever he had done. But now that Qin Haoxuan was alive... this time, he was probably...

At the thought of the strict sect rules, Yuan Shanxiang's vision went black. The previous injury, coupled with the mental blow he just received, caused him to faint.

The news of Qin Haoxuan, a mortal, overpowering stronger opponents in the Lava Cellar, making over a dozen Immortal Seedling Realm disciples cry for their mothers, and fighting to a mutual injury with an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf disciple, was vividly spread by an old-timer who was released that afternoon.

"Did you hear? Qin Haoxuan, in the confinement room, fought with Yuan Shanxiang who went in to cause trouble, and they actually fought to a mutual injury, with Qin Haoxuan even having a slight advantage!"

"How is that possible? Yuan Shanxiang is an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf disciple! Among us Spirit Field Valley disciples, his cultivation is considered outstanding. It's said that in three months, he might participate in the final selection and have a chance to become a true sect disciple."

Injuring Yuan Shanhu, an Immortal Seedling Realm Third Leaf cultivator, had already made Qin Haoxuan famous. Everyone in Spirit Field Valley knew him and marveled at him! Now, even more shocking news had spread: he had defeated Yuan Shanxiang, an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf cultivator! This left everyone stunned and speechless.

The Taichu Sect was usually quite peaceful. The sudden emergence of such gossip made it the top news, spread through word of mouth.

This news quickly reached Xu Yu and Li Jing.

A mortal who had just dabbled in cultivation fighting to a mutual injury with an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf cultivator?

If something like this happened to someone else, Li Jing wouldn't have believed it. But hearing that the mortal was Qin Haoxuan, he completely believed it. Seeing Zhang Kuang, who was also furious and stomping his feet after hearing the news, he immediately guessed that this matter must have something to do with him.

"It must have been Zhang Kuang!" Xu Yu said anxiously, "No! I have to go to the Lava Cellar to check on Brother Haoxuan..."

Li Jing stopped Xu Yu, who was anxiously preparing to immediately investigate the Lava Cellar, and said with a gentle smile, "Junior Sister Xu, going there now won't help anything. Why don't we make a plan?"

Although she felt no goodwill towards Li Jing, considering he had helped her in the Enforcement Hall and she truly had no good solution herself, Xu Yu stopped and patiently listened to him.

"I believe this matter is definitely related to Zhang Kuang. Otherwise, why would an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf cultivator pick a fight with Junior Brother Qin for no reason? I've also heard some rumors that Zhang Kuang was looking for someone to deliberately cause trouble a couple of days ago, to get Qin Junior Brother punished in the Lava Cellar."

Li Jing's words made Xu Yu even more anxious. She had only suspected Zhang Kuang before, but now Li Jing's words confirmed her guess. Given the animosity between Zhang Kuang and Qin Haoxuan, he wouldn't rest until Qin Haoxuan was dead. He might even send people to the Lava Cellar to deal with Qin Haoxuan. The anxiety on her face grew heavier.

Seeing Xu Yu take the bait, Li Jing was secretly delighted. As long as he could pull her to his side, Zhang Kuang, even with his Purple Seed, wouldn't be able to cause much trouble. Although Xu Yu was indifferent to fame and fortune and disliked forming factions, she was still a Supreme Purple Seed, with boundless potential for the future. With her support, his path to becoming Sect Master would be much smoother. His smile immediately became even more gentle and radiant.

Li Jing paused and deliberately said, "I don't think Zhang Kuang will give up easily! The best course of action now is to do as Zhang Kuang did. Junior Sister Xu, you can also find a powerful helper, deliberately cause trouble, get sent to the Lava Cellar, and personally protect Junior Brother Qin."

Li Jing's suggestion was good, but ever since Xu Yu's Supreme Purple Seed was discovered, people flocked to curry favor with her. However, she ignored these sycophants with ulterior motives, so she remained alone. Unlike the other two Purple Seed disciples who were surrounded by countless followers, she had no one.

Although she wanted to find someone to send to the Lava Cellar like Zhang Kuang, she had no one to use. Moreover, she didn't know anyone in the Enforcement Hall. There were thousands of confinement rooms on Solitary Confinement Mountain, making it difficult to guarantee that someone would be assigned to the Lava Cellar.

Li Jing, who was adept at reading people, could see through Xu Yu's thoughts. He immediately smiled and said, "Don't worry, Junior Sister Xu. Your matters are my matters. You've been busy cultivating recently, and your social connections aren't as extensive as mine. I have a few warm-hearted friends, one of whom works in the Enforcement Hall. If I ask them for help, they can definitely send a reliable person to infiltrate the Lava Cellar and protect Junior Brother Qin."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Li, for your righteous help. If Hao Xuan Gege can come out safely, Xu Yu will definitely repay you." Xu Yu's worried expression eased slightly. She gave Li Jing a polite smile, her charm captivating. For that moment, the unique feminine allure in her eyes moved even Li Jing, who had seen many beautiful women. She wasn't the type of woman who was stunning at first glance and even more so at the second. Her average looks were endlessly pleasing to the eye, and her serene temperament was something many women lacked.

Li Jing couldn't help but blame himself. Why hadn't he realized she was a woman back then? And to have offended her of all people! Otherwise, he wouldn't have to go to such lengths now. With her constantly calling him "Hao Xuan Gege" and her relationship with Qin Haoxuan being so close, his plan to deal with Qin Haoxuan had to be put on hold. After he brought Xu Yu to his side, he could make further plans.

"Don't worry, Junior Sister Xu. Leave this matter to me." After agreeing, Li Jing hurriedly took his leave. He had to implement this matter as soon as possible. If Qin Haoxuan had any accidents in the Lava Cellar, his plan to win over Xu Yu would be delayed again.

Xu Yu watched Li Jing leave, then turned towards the Enforcement Hall. What the Yuan family had done this time was something even Zhang Kuang couldn't openly defend. Since the Yuan family dared to cause trouble like this, they should prepare to face the sect's rules – their cultivation would be abolished, and they would be turned into imbeciles! The rules of Taichu were never just for show.