The Formidable Cult Leader Dongfang

Rumble-

A muffled peal of thunder rang across the desert amid the howling wind.

Raindrops the size of soybeans spilled from the heavens, striking the Dragon Gate Inn's weathered roof tiles with a crisp, rattling patter.

Holding the Three-Pronged Sword, Yu Huatian vaulted out from the inn's second floor and skimmed along the eaves to the rooftop. His Sunflower True Energy formed body-protecting astral energy, a thin, transparent membrane that kept the rain out and his clothes dry.

Ding Xiu and Zhao Tong had yet to reach the Grandmaster realm and could not project their true qi outside their bodies. They were drenched like chickens fallen into soup, but neither cared.

Weapons in hand, the two reached Yu Huatian's side one after the other and looked out at the chaos below.

Several hundred uninvited visitors with sun-and-moon emblems embroidered on their chests had surrounded the inn and were battling the martial artists outside in the rain.

These intruders had clearly come to kill. Their attacks were vicious, and dozens of corpses already littered the ground.

The bloody commotion had also alerted the various sects inside the inn. With their experts lending a hand, the martial artists temporarily held back the intruders' assault and had begun to counterattack.

"The sun and moon in the sky? Commander, they're from the Sun Moon Holy Cult!"

By the faint moonlight, Zhao Tong made out the emblems on the intruders' chests. His gaze sharpened as he spoke in a low voice.

Yu Huatian's expression remained cold. He was not surprised. After sweeping his gaze over the surroundings, he looked straight toward a stretch of dunes to the north.

Several powerful auras raged there amid the curtain of rain, and many experts from the various sects were rushing in that direction.

Clearly, that was the main battlefield!

"Move!"

Without hesitation, Yu Huatian flashed away, soaring like a powerful white eagle. After a few flickers through the night, he vanished into the wind and rain.

Ding Xiu and Zhao Tong did not hesitate either. Tightening their grips on their weapons, they darted after him.

Rumble-

The rain grew heavier, thunder roared overhead, and brilliant bolts of lightning streaked across the night sky, illuminating the dark earth.

Amid the curtain of rain, dozens of experts from the major martial sects clashed with the Sun Moon Holy Cult's experts. Screams rang out as people fell, their blood mingling with the rainwater and staining the yellow sand red.

At the center of the battlefield, seven experts-three Daoists, two monks, one layman, and a middle-aged Daoist nun-were surrounding a figure in red.

"Dongfang Bubai, to think you truly dared to come! Today, this old monk will rid the people of your scourge!"

An elderly monk in a red kasaya had a ruddy complexion and a powerful, steady aura. He struck at the red-clad figure with his palm, shouting with righteous conviction.

Bang-

Dongfang Bubai swept his sleeve, surging true qi blocking the old monk's Shaolin palm force. At the same time, two flying needles shot from his cuff and forced back two attackers beside him. He instantly withdrew from the clash, looked at the seven before him, and curled his lips in a mocking sneer.

"What's righteous and what's demonic-isn't it all decided by you? If we're being honest, have you so-called righteous sects killed any fewer people over the years than my Sun Moon Holy Cult?"

"A pack of hypocrites, and you dare call yourselves righteous!"

Dongfang Bubai's cold eyes brimmed with disdain.

"Demon, no matter how glib your tongue, you will die today!"

The middle-aged Daoist nun in Daoist robes shouted sharply. Holding a three-foot sword, she moved with her blade, circling behind Dongfang Bubai like a flash of lightning. Her sword struck before her feet had settled. Even Dongfang Bubai dared not underestimate that fierce sword qi. He immediately circulated his true qi and blasted her back, not daring to meet her blade with his bare palm.

The other six did not hesitate. They surged forward together and surrounded Dongfang Bubai once more, the terrifying collisions of true qi ringing out without pause.

Nearby, the Sun Moon Holy Cult's four elders and three hall masters led its experts in holding back the various sects, preventing them from joining the attack on Dongfang Bubai.

Among those held back were Shaolin's Eighteen Arhats, Song Yuanqiao of the Wudang Sect, and the Five Elders of Kongtong.

Only the Money Gang remained still.

A longsword without a guard hung at Jing Wuming's waist. He stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching the fight in the center with a cold gaze and no intention of intervening.

The rest of the Money Gang stood behind him, quietly observing.

Seeing that they were not interfering, the Sun Moon Holy Cult's members did not provoke them needlessly. They even tried to avoid the Money Gang's section of the battlefield during their fights.

Jing Wuming's gaze was fixed on the keen longsword in the middle-aged Daoist nun's hand. As a swordsman, swords alone interested him most.

Supreme in the martial world, the precious Dragon-Slaying Saber; it commands all beneath heaven, and none dare disobey. Unless the Heavenly Sword appears, who can contend with it?!

The keen longsword in the middle-aged Abbess Miejue's hand was none other than the Heavenly Sword, renowned throughout the martial world alongside the Dragon-Slaying Saber.

Abbess Miejue was merely at the peak of the Innate realm, yet with the Heavenly Sword and the Emei Sword Technique, she could make even Dongfang Bubai hesitate to meet her attacks head-on. Clearly, the Heavenly Sword's reputation was not empty; it truly could enhance a swordsman's strength.

"What? Interested in that old nun's sword? Why not snatch it during the chaos later?"

Beside him, Xiang Song, holding a meteor hammer, noticed Jing Wuming staring at the Heavenly Sword in Abbess Miejue's hand and could not help teasing him.

Jing Wuming's expression did not change. "For a swordsman, only a sword nurtured with his own heart truly belongs to him. A sword that does not belong to him will only become an obstacle on his path of the sword."

Xiang Song curled his lip. "Then why do you keep staring at it...?"

Jing Wuming said nothing and continued watching the Heavenly Sword.

Even if he had no intention of claiming the Heavenly Sword for himself, that did not mean he had no interest in it.

He wanted to know how the Heavenly Sword differed from an ordinary sword. Why could someone who was not a pure swordsman wield it with such tremendous power?

Wasn't a sword strong because its swordsman was strong?

Jing Wuming was puzzled.

Whoosh-

Just then, the sound of someone cutting through the air came from afar, and a white-clad figure sped through the heavy rain.

Jing Wuming looked toward the sound, his eyes narrowing slightly. The Money Gang members beside him also turned, and a trace of cold hostility surfaced in their eyes.

Yu Huatian landed on the battlefield without a drop of the torrential rain touching him. With his white robes and longsword, he resembled a sword immortal descending to the mortal world. His graceful yet cold bearing and handsome, dignified features were breathtaking.

Glancing at the Money Gang members watching him like hungry tigers, their eyes full of hostility, Yu Huatian remained calm. He walked forward slowly and looked straight toward the central battle.

"Kong Jian and Kong Zhi, two of Shaolin's Four Divine Monks; Yu Lianzhou, Daoist Chongxu, and Wooden Daoist of the Wudang Sect; Zuo Lengchan of Mount Song; Abbess Miejue of Emei..."

Yu Huatian recognized all seven righteous experts at a glance and felt somewhat surprised.

Apart from Abbess Miejue, all six were Grandmasters. Although Abbess Miejue's internal energy was only at the peak of the Innate realm, the Heavenly Sword allowed her to display Grandmaster-level combat strength as well.

What surprised Yu Huatian most was the figure battling within their seven-man encirclement.

Clad in red and possessing such formidable strength, this man could only be Dongfang Bubai, leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult.

Yet although he was also at the peak of the Grandmaster realm, Dongfang Bubai could hold his own against seven Grandmaster experts, including long-established veterans such as Kong Jian, Kong Zhi, and Wooden Daoist of the Wudang Sect.

Yu Huatian knew he could never accomplish that himself.

But Dongfang Bubai had done it!

Moreover, the Sunflower Manual he practiced was incomplete, yet his combat strength was still this formidable?

Yu Huatian's gaze grew grave. This towering figure of the demonic path truly deserved his fame throughout the martial world. His terrifying strength more than lived up to his reputation!

Whoosh, whoosh-

Ding Xiu and Zhao Tong arrived as well. They first cast wary glances at the Money Gang members watching them like hungry tigers nearby, then went straight to Yu Huatian's side.

"Commander, should we take this chance to...?"

Zhao Tong surveyed the chaotic battlefield, a vicious glint flashing through his eyes. He made a downward cutting gesture and quietly sought Yu Huatian's instructions.

Yu Huatian looked around as well, then frowned slightly and shook his head. "The Sun Moon Holy Cult is about to lose. Wait a little longer. This isn't the best time to act."

He had not expected the Sun Moon Holy Cult to attack the martial sects before the treasure had even emerged.

But the Sun Moon Holy Cult had already suffered heavy casualties. Though Dongfang Bubai was formidable, he was fighting seven opponents alone. Unless he found a way to withdraw soon, his true qi would eventually be exhausted, and that would be the hour of his death.

If Yu Huatian intervened now, the martial artists would regard him as an accomplice of the Sun Moon Holy Cult. Once his identity was exposed, it would inevitably spark a conflict between the martial world and the imperial court. The court might not protect him then, either.

That would undermine his future plans.

Even if he were to act, he would have to wait until the treasure emerged, then move in the imperial court's name.

"Yes."

Zhao Tong cupped his hands and answered quietly, forcibly suppressing his urge to attack.

The three turned their attention back to the central battlefield.

Sure enough, Dongfang Bubai was beginning to falter against his seven opponents. He was someone the righteous sects would rejoice to see dead. Now that Kong Jian and the other six saw a chance to slay this demon, how could they let it slip? Their attacks grew even fiercer, every ruthless move aimed at killing Dongfang Bubai.

Under their powerful assault, Dongfang Bubai was driven back again and again. Caught off guard, he took a Shaolin Great Strength Vajra Palm from the divine monk Kong Zhi. A trace of blood instantly seeped from the corner of his mouth, but he forcibly drew it back.

"This demon is almost finished! Don't give him a chance to breathe! Kill him!"

Abbess Miejue shouted, tightened her grip on the Heavenly Sword, and thrust swiftly at Dongfang Bubai.

Kong Jian and the others did not hesitate either. Seizing the opportunity, they unleashed their signature techniques and attacked Dongfang Bubai from every direction.

"Damn it!"

Dongfang Bubai clenched his teeth, retreating as he fended off the seven Grandmasters. He roared, "Heavenly Venerable! If you don't act now, I'll withdraw my men at once!"

"Heavenly Venerable?!"

Everyone was startled.

Just then, a cool voice suddenly rang out. "Cult Leader Dongfang, the Heavenly Venerable also keeps its word. Naturally, we would never betray your trust."

Before anyone could recover, soul-snaring sounds rose, and masked figures in all manner of clothing drifted in through the downpour from every direction.

At the same time, eerie voices that seemed to come from hell sounded beneath those masks:

"Heaven and earth are heartless; ghosts and gods are blind;

All things are powerless; the mighty people are ignorant;

Life and death are fickle; calamity and fortune have no gate;

Heaven and earth lie in netherworld darkness; I alone reign supreme."

(End of chapter)