A Chance at Life in the Cracks

"The spiritual veins of heaven and earth have withered; for many years now, no one has knocked upon the gate of the Great Dao."

"Yet within the Emperor Tree Secret Realm, secret fruits still endure. Whoever obtains them may break through their barriers once more."

"The entrance to the upper level of the Emperor Tree Secret Realm has already been found. Your master will enter to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough."

"According to the divinations of Junior Brother Buyi, the lower level of the Emperor Tree Secret Realm will also open before long."

"The sect has already begun selecting candidates in secret. I hereby grant you the Evil-Warding Sword and a copy of the Profound Firmament Orthodox Method. I hope you will render great service. Your master will surely help you secure a place."

"The immortal path is perilous and steep. You must strive diligently."

As the phantom gradually faded away, Ye Xiu felt a vast flood of memories surge into his mind.

After a wave of agonizing pain, a Divine Firmament Sect secret inheritance called the Profound Firmament Orthodox Method had appeared in his mind.

Even from a cursory glance, Ye Xiu could tell that this cultivation method was far more profound than the Burning Soul Art in his possession.

"What a pity this method is not a good choice for me."

As Ye Xiu looked at the Evil-Warding Sword, a trace of regret appeared in his eyes.

Though the method was good, it did not suit him.

Leaving aside the fact that the resources needed to cultivate it would be difficult to gather within a demonic sect, even if he could obtain them, openly using such a high-profile Divine Firmament Sect secret inheritance would be as good as telling everyone that he had killed the man himself.

From the inheritance information left within the jade slip, Ye Xiu had already learned of Yun Tingxiao's origins.

As the foremost of the Six Paths within the Tianhe Domain, the Divine Firmament Sect was renowned, and Lei Xiao was likewise a celebrated figure in the cultivation world.

Not merely because, as an uncle-master, he had personally supported the current Divine Firmament Sect Master's rise to power.

More importantly, Lei Xiao was a mighty cultivator at the Void Insight realm!

Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Purple Mansion, Spirit Transformation, Void Insight, Tribulation Crossing, Dao Integration.

These were the nine realms of cultivation passed down by word of mouth throughout the cultivation world.

Dao Integration cultivators were akin to immortals, and no trace of them had been seen for many years. Tribulation Crossing cultivators devoted themselves to heavenly tribulations.

Void Insight cultivators were already the strongest force in the world capable of showing themselves.

At that thought, Ye Xiu's heart grew somewhat heavy.

By killing Yun Tingxiao, he had utterly offended Lei Xiao.

Though he had cleaned up the loose ends, cultivators possessed countless strange methods. Trying to conceal the truth from such a great power was practically impossible.

If Lei Xiao came seeking vengeance, how was he supposed to deal with it?

Ye Xiu immediately thought of the Yin Harmony Sect behind him.

Righteous and demonic paths could never coexist. If the Divine Firmament Sect wanted to kill him, then all he could do was drag his own sect into the matter as much as possible.

Only by making this affair big enough, until everyone had something to fear, would he have a chance to seek life amid the cracks.

As for how to make those cold-blooded demonic cultivators stand on his side.

The information he had accidentally uncovered about the Emperor Tree might be an opportunity.

For even a Void Insight cultivator to value it so highly, it had to be an extraordinary stroke of fortune.

Surely it would be enough to make those demonic path magnates choose a side.

Of course, Ye Xiu had no intention of foolishly blurting out the information right now.

At present, he was merely an insignificant outer sect disciple. Never mind whether anyone would believe him if he spoke of it.

Even if he wanted to speak, he first had to find those lofty great powers.

So how could he establish contact with them?

Ye Xiu already had an idea.

Unlike the wild-growing outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples could take as masters those elders who had already made their names and were qualified to establish their own lineages.

Passing the examination, entering the inner sect, and taking a master—this was currently the quickest way for him to reach high-ranking cultivators and earn their trust.

Having made his decision, Ye Xiu closed his eyes and began circulating his cultivation method to heal his injuries.

In the previous great battle, if he had not relied on the ability he had acquired, 'Silent Law,' to cancel out Yun Tingxiao's killing move, the outcome would never have come so easily.

And this ability would also be one of his trump cards for winning the inner sect examination.

Once he dealt with matters here, he still had to make a trip to that apocalyptic world as soon as possible...

Just as he was thinking this, Ye Xiu suddenly sensed that the formation he had left outside had been triggered!

He hurriedly stopped circulating his cultivation method, rose to his feet, and headed outside...

Within the courtyard.

Ye Xiu watched Fang Qiong lead a group of disciples inside.

Fang Qiong, who walked at the front, wore an indifferent expression. Beside him, a disciple holding a scroll spoke loudly.

"Outer sect disciple Ye Xiu accepted a mission and abandoned his post without authorization, resulting in the destruction of the outpost and grievous losses to the sect."

"Knowing the gravity of his sins, he fled in fear of punishment. He is hereby expelled from the sect, and all property under his name shall be confiscated."

The outer sect disciples of the Punishment Hall beside them nodded at the order and swiftly began ransacking the things within the courtyard.

They truly intended to leave him no way out.

A cold glint flashed through Ye Xiu's eyes from the shadows.

It would have been one thing for Fang Qiong to force him to serve as a sacrificial pawn before. To completely block off his retreat, he had even pinned the name of traitor on him.

Just think about it. If this matter had been made real today.

Even if someone else had luckily escaped the encirclement of the Divine Firmament Sect disciples and returned to the sect seeking justice, they would find themselves abruptly branded a traitor.

Under those circumstances, they would truly have no way to clear their name, even with a hundred mouths.

As the Punishment Hall disciples reached the front of the room where he lived.

Ye Xiu took the initiative and opened the door.

"I went out on an assignment, so how did I become a deserter?"

He looked mockingly at everyone in the courtyard, his tone ice-cold.

The disciples before him jumped in fright, and even Fang Qiong, whose face had been calm until then, widened his eyes.

"How... how is this possible..."

After returning to the sect, Fang Qiong had learned from his informant that the one leading the party to the White Cloud Sect had been Yun Tingxiao, the famed genius of the Divine Firmament Sect.

The other party was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Ye Xiu, a disciple who had only just entered the outer sect, should certainly have been dead...

Doubt churned in Fang Qiong's heart, but the Punishment Hall disciple beside him was angered by Ye Xiu's attitude.

"Insolence! Ye Xiu, you have committed grave crimes, yet you still dare act so arrogantly!"

Fang Ye, standing at the entrance, looked at the spiritual flowers and rare herbs inside the room, and greed flashed through his eyes.

He was Fang Qiong's clansman. Relying on that connection, he had extorted who knew how much wealth from the Yin Harmony Sect's outer sect disciples.

And Ye Xiu was clearly a fat sheep. How could he possibly let him go?

With a pull of his hand, an iron chain appeared in Fang Ye's grasp.

He sneered at Ye Xiu.

"Get on your knees obediently. Then you might suffer a little less later."

As he spoke, Fang Ye swung the iron chain toward Ye Xiu to shackle him.

Ye Xiu raised a brow, and a cold flash streaked past.

"Ah!"

A shrill scream erupted from Fang Qiong, both hands gripping the iron chain severed at the arms as blood sprayed forth.

The surrounding Punishment Hall disciples were stunned motionless by the sudden turn of events.

"You useless trash, what are you standing around for? Seize this traitor, now!"

Fang Ye roared.

"Enough!"

Fang Qiong's figure had appeared at the front at some unknown moment.

When Fang Ye saw Fang Qiong step forward, delight immediately appeared on his face, while his eyes filled with venom as he looked at Ye Xiu.

"You little bastard, you're dead. I'll make you suffer the pain of a thousand cuts upon your soul, until you can neither live nor die..."

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Fang Ye's hand rose high.

Slap!