Ascending the Devil Dao Kill List

Su Yun received the summons and stepped into the Azure Cloud Hall right on time.

He habitually scanned the vast, empty hall, his gaze landing on Li Mofan in the main seat, and bowed in salute.

"Disciple Su Yun greets Master."

"Master, you summoned me—is there an urgent matter?" Su Yun straightened up and took the initiative to ask.

Li Mofan remained silent for two breaths, skipping the pleasantries to get straight to the point.

"I called you here today because there is a major matter concerning your life."

"You have been placed on the Devil Dao Kill List by the devilish forces of the Nine Provinces."

Su Yun's pupils constricted, and his brows furrowed instinctively.

"The Devil Dao Kill List? What is that?"

Li Mofan leaned forward, patiently explaining the stakes to Su Yun.

"The major Devil Dao factions have an unwritten rule."

"The Devil Dao Sects share intelligence to compile a top-secret list: the Devil Dao Kill List."

"Everyone who makes it onto this list is a top-tier genius within the righteous path who possesses heaven-defying potential and the future capability to threaten the Devil Dao."

At this point, Li Mofan's tone grew heavier.

"To put it simply and bluntly."

"Once you are on this list, all Devil Dao disciples, rogue cultivators, and assassins will spare no cost to strike at you the moment they encounter you."

"Assassinations, ambushes, poisonings, encirclements—they will use every means at their disposal."

"The Devil Dao has been dormant for a century, and what they fear most is not the established powerhouses of today, but the endless stream of emerging young prodigies."

"Strangling prodigies in the cradle to eliminate future threats is their consistent modus operandi."

Su Yun felt a jolt of alarm in his heart.

He had dominated his peers during the sect tournament, and his reputation had spread throughout Spirit Province; it seemed like boundless glory.

In reality, however, he had completely exposed himself to the hunting sights of the Devil Dao.

A tall tree catches the wind—that was exactly the case here.

Su Yun pondered for a moment before asking, "Master, is my priority on the list very high?"

Li Mofan nodded, his expression growing increasingly grave. "The highest priority."

"With your Metal-element Heavenly Spirit Root and your heaven-defying talent, in the eyes of the Devil Dao, you are a future Nascent Soul seed, perhaps even with the chance to challenge the Spirit Transformation realm."

"They will absolutely not allow a genius of your caliber to grow up safely."

"In the days to come, you must put away all ostentation in your actions."

"Whenever you leave the Azure Cloud Sect, you are to travel in disguise."

"If you can avoid going out alone, then never go out alone."

Su Yun solemnly agreed, "This disciple understands."

He knew full well that Li Mofan was not fear-mongering.

The Devil Dao's style of conduct was vicious, overbearing, and unscrupulous.

With his current strength at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining, he was invincible within the Foundation Establishment Realm.

But if he were to encounter a Golden Core old monster, he would undoubtedly die.

Li Mofan raised his hand and brushed his storage ring.

Four items appeared out of thin air, floating slowly toward Su Yun.

There was a palm-sized black iron jade pendant, along with three square jade talismans of a crimson hue.

"Keep these four items well."

Li Mofan pointed to the black iron jade pendant. "This treasure is called the Mystic Suppression Life-Protecting Pendant, a mid-grade defensive magical tool."

"I have personally reinforced its formation patterns; when activated at full power, it can withstand a full-force strike from a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator."

"At a critical moment, it can save your life."

He then pointed to the three crimson jade talismans.

"These are three lethal jade talismans I crafted myself."

"Each talisman contains thirty percent of my Golden Core spiritual power, imbued with my signature killing technique."

"Once a talisman is unleashed, its destructive power approaches a full-force strike from a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator."

A flicker of shock passed through Su Yun's eyes.

He knew all too well just how terrifying the value of thirty percent of a Golden Core cultivator's spiritual power was.

Li Mofan continued to urge him, "If you encounter a dead end you cannot resolve, crush the talisman immediately."

"On one hand, it can unleash spell attacks against enemies; on the other, the moment the jade talisman shatters, I can immediately lock onto your location."

"As long as a Nascent Soul old monster doesn't appear on the spot to kill you instantly, I have full confidence that I can rush over to save you anywhere within the Spirit Province."

These words were equivalent to providing Su Yun with three layers of life-saving insurance.

Su Yun caught the jade pendant and the three jade talismans, tucking them into his storage bag. "Many thanks for your deep affection, Master. This disciple will keep it in mind."

Li Mofan waved his hand, his expression returning to seriousness as he shifted the topic.

"I won't say anything redundant; you know what to do."

"Additionally, I am notifying you of one thing."

"Six days from now, the Magneto Secret Realm will officially open."

"You will be in command of all the Qi Refining disciples entering the secret realm this time."

"I appoint you as the captain."

Su Yun was taken aback.

Li Mofan looked straight into his eyes and commanded in a deep voice, "Inside the secret realm, there are not only the talented disciples of the four great sects, but also hidden exotic beasts, restrictions, and competition for resources."

"I have only one requirement for you."

"Opportunities can be contested, and resources can be taken, but you must never act recklessly."

"Once you encounter a fatal crisis, prioritize self-preservation."

"Bring all the Azure Cloud Sect disciples back safely and in one piece."

Su Yun composed his mind and straightened his back.

"This disciple obeys!"

"Rest assured, Master. This disciple will prioritize everyone's safety, never act rashly, successfully complete the secret realm trial, and return with everyone safe and sound!"

Li Mofan nodded.

"Go down and rest. Make preparations in advance, conserve your energy, and wait quietly for the secret realm to open."

"Yes."

Su Yun bowed once more, turned, and exited the great hall.

Stepping out of the hall, the cool mountain breeze blew against his face.

Su Yun looked up toward the distant, cloud-shrouded mountains.

A thousand thoughts swirled in his mind.

Just as he descended the white jade steps, preparing to return to Cloud Abode to rest.

A light, cheerful female voice suddenly came from his side.

"Junior Brother!"

Su Yun turned his head instinctively.

Ye Yurou, dressed in a goose-yellow gown, walked with a light gait, jogging all the way to his front.

She looked Su Yun up and down and said with a grin, "So you were here; you were hard to find."

Su Yun stopped and cupped his hands. "Second Senior Sister. Do you need something from me?"

Ye Yurou stepped forward directly and took hold of Su Yun's arm.

"Don't just stand here. Senior Sister will take you to a good place; it will definitely be a surprise for you."

Su Yun was stunned for a moment, then said helplessly.

"Senior Sister, tell me clearly where we are going first. I still need to go back to my courtyard to organize my things later."

"Oh, just come with me, you'll know once we get there."

Ye Yurou didn't give him any chance to press for answers, pulling Su Yun as she turned and headed toward the back mountain.

Su Yun had no choice but to let her pull him along, following behind her.

The two walked along the bluestone path of the main peak, heading all the way toward the back mountain.

The further they went toward the back mountain, the more disciples they saw on the road.

Most were outer sect disciples, walking in twos and threes, each with an expectant look on their faces.

Casual chatter between disciples could be heard everywhere along the way.

"Hurry, hurry! If we go late, the front-row spots will be snatched up."

"I must charge to the fifth level this time and earn more sect contribution points."

"It's been a long time since I fought a demonic beast; I'll use this opportunity to hone my practical combat skills."

Hearing the conversations of the disciples around him, Su Yun grew increasingly curious.

"Senior Sister, stop keeping me in suspense. Where exactly are we going? And why are so many other disciples heading there with us?"

Seeing the curiosity on his face, Ye Yurou decided not to tease him any further.

"The place we are going is the Trial Tower behind the Azure Cloud Sect."

"The Trial Tower?"

Su Yun raised an eyebrow, looking completely bewildered.

Ye Yurou patiently explained the details to him.

"It's no wonder you don't know about it."

"You haven't been in the sect for very long, and you've been so focused on your cultivation that you hardly ever step outside."

"The Trial Tower is our Azure Cloud Sect's exclusive ground for practical combat trials. The sect opens it once every two years, and each session lasts for a fixed duration of one month."

Su Yun listened quietly.

"You should understand that when you're out in the world cultivating, having a high cultivation realm alone is useless."

"A true powerhouse doesn't just possess vast spiritual power; they must also have real, hard-earned combat experience."

"However, the deep mountains and wilderness are crawling with demonic beasts, and the danger level is far too high. If low-level disciples go into the mountains alone to hunt them, the mortality rate is extremely high. One slip-up, and they'll end up dead in the jaws of a beast."