Compared to the usual hustle and bustle, the Xuanming Sword Sect was much quieter today.
The fact that the newly appointed Sword Master, whom everyone had been eagerly anticipating, was crushed and tormented in such a way was an extremely heavy blow to the entire Sword Sect.
The atmosphere inside the main hall of the Sword Sect was oppressive.
"..."
The Sword Sect's Old Ancestor returned from the Forbidden Grounds, his face ashen, and sat high in the main seat.
Having cultivated the Tao for ten thousand years, I have never suffered such a humiliating disgrace!
He tried every method imaginable, even summoning the poetic form left behind by the first patriarch, but still could not recall the Primordial Abyss Divine Sword that had defected to the enemy on its own.
This is truly a reversal of the Heavenly Order! Even the departed former master is no match for a mere outsider?!
A heavy, revered aura emanated from him, causing the apothecary who had come to report below to tremble and could only whisper:
"Old Ancestor, Sword Master Zhou has shown signs of awakening... but her internal energy is still chaotic, and she won't let anyone near her... It's unlikely she'll fully recover in the short term!"
"It's alright, just stabilize her life force first." The Sword Sect Old Ancestor waved his hand somewhat impatiently.
It wasn't that he had lost patience with Zhou Qingyan. A sword master at the late stage of the seventh level of the Dao Evolution Realm was a thousand times stronger than him back then. How could he give up so easily because of a single gain or loss?
What bothered him more was the outcome of the Sword Manual; instead of helping Zhou Qingyan gain fame, it only fueled Ye Li's formidable power!
Throughout the entire Xianjing Continent Realm, every major power that hasn't severed ties with the outside world knows that the Jade Mountain Nine Luminaries Division has produced a Retainer General capable of crushing the Sword Sect Master!
Even ordinary civilians, and even the common people of the continent who love a good spectacle, have now learned of Ye Li's name through his spectacular victory in the [Jade Mountain Refinement] competition!
So many obstacles, plus the betrayal of the divine sword.
It would be strange if the Sword Sect's Old Ancestor were in a good mood.
"Step back. Since the Sword Master doesn't want anyone to approach, then do as he says."
Having said that, the Old Ancestor stood up from his chair, just about to return to the Forbidden Grounds to think of a solution, when another hurried figure rushed in from outside the door:
"Reporting to the Old Ancestor!"
A red-robed monk from the foot of the mountain came to visit, saying he absolutely had to give this item to you!
As he spoke, the disciple who came to report raised his hands, revealing a well-sealed Wooden Box.
"A monk?"
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor frowned slightly, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.
Buddhists have historically had little direct contact with the Sword Sect, especially at such a sensitive time.
He raised his hand and swept the Wooden Box through the air, a slight Sword Qi emanating from his fingertips, easily breaking through the not-so-top-level restriction on it.
However, the moment the lid was opened...
A chilling and violent demonic aura, yet perfectly contained, burst forth!
Inside the box lay a gleaming, exquisite Crystal Core, within which lay a lifelike, miniature black wolf with bared fangs and claws. It seemed that with just a little Magic Power to activate it, the black wolf could instantly break free from the Crystal Core's restraints and begin its bloodthirsty rampage!
Beside the Crystal Core lay a note, the blood-red handwriting so neat it was almost rigid, yet exuding a chilling casualness:
"I would like to trouble you, Sword Ancestor, to lend me three superior [Demonic Seed]."
"Perhaps we can regain our old sword."
The moment he saw these two items, the Sword Sect Old Ancestor's pupils contracted to needle size, and a chill ran from his tailbone straight to the top of his head!
This [Black Wolf Demonic Seed] is no ordinary thing; it is a "seed" cultivated and bound by secret methods at great cost by their Xuanming Sword Sect.
Not only can it trap the Great Demon it cultivates within the Crystal Core, but it can also, under specific conditions, catalyze, guide, and even temporarily control the Great Demon sealed within!
This is one of the core secrets of the Sword Sect, specifically used to enhance the reputation of members of the Sword Sect. Outsiders would never know of its existence or purpose!
Just who is this monk?!
"Bring him in!"
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor suppressed his shock, his voice low and solemn, carrying an unquestionable authority.
He waved his hand to dismiss all the disciples in the hall, leaving only himself.
The palace doors opened silently, and a heavy, oppressive aura seemed to freeze all the air inside the main hall.
A moment later, a figure slowly stepped into the main hall.
The newcomer wore a faded, bright red monk's robe, had a mole between his eyebrows, and possessed a youthful and handsome face, even exuding a sense of compassion and peace.
We approached from the front and back.
The eerily-looking red-robed monk clasped his hands together and nodded slightly.
"This humble monk, Kamala, greets the Sword Ancestor."
The calm voice echoed in the main hall, giving people a sense of peace and relaxation.
However, when the Sword Sect Old Ancestor's gaze fell upon him, his heart suddenly tightened—
This seemingly calm red-robed monk's clothes were not of the original style, but rather soaked in the Treasured Blood of a martial artist!
Even from a great distance, he could smell the incredibly strong, pungent stench of blood emanating from it! The profound aura emanating from it was so powerful that even ordinary Venerables could hardly possess it!
Such cultivation is far beyond that of ordinary Buddhist practitioners!
"Kamala ..."
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor murmured unconsciously, feeling a sudden flash of inspiration in his mind. Then, a name that the people of Immortal Xianjing Continent kept to themselves came to mind!
His expression changed drastically, and his tone was filled with disbelief as he shouted sharply:
"That Vajra Buddhist Disciple of the Great Brahma Palace?! My Sword Sect has a clean record throughout the ages, what are you doing here with a Crystal Core of unknown use?!"
That exceptionally talented young Buddhist Disciple of the Great Brahma Palace, however, was bloodthirsty and fell into demonic ways, incurring the wrath of the supreme Buddhist authority in the Heavenly Palace. He has been on the run ever since, and who in the entire Great Sheng Dynasty doesn't know this!
What the old man didn't expect was that this fugitive Buddhist Disciple would actually appear in the main hall of his own Xuanming Sword Sect!
Upon hearing this, the Vajra Buddhist Disciple's lips curled into a faint smile, but this smile did not reach his eyes; instead, it appeared even colder behind his slightly closed eyes.
"The Sword Ancestor's discerning eye."
"But this explanation is somewhat unwise."
"Since this humble monk has brought this item, he must have been absolutely certain of success."
He raised his head, a warm smile appearing on his face, which was still closed, and slowly said, "Therefore, Sword Ancestor, there's no need to play dumb."
"I have come here today with great difficulty, only to request three Demonic Seed. After that, I will have a way to return the Primordial Abyss Divine Sword to the Sword Sect."
"What use do you have for the Demonic Seed?" The Sword Sect Old Ancestor suppressed the turmoil in his heart and asked in a deep voice.
Even if the Vajra Buddhist Disciple of the Great Brahma Palace is on the run, his identity and the karmic connections that may be involved behind him are enough to drag the entire Sword Sect into an unimaginable vortex!
The Vajra Buddhist Disciple's gaze swept calmly over the black wolf phantom within the Crystal Core, his tone as indifferent as if discussing a trivial matter:
"This humble monk needs the power of your sect's Demonic Seed to select a suitable location within the Xianjing Continent and orchestrate a flawless 'Demonic Calamity'."
"The scale doesn't need to be too large, but it must alarm someone of sufficient importance, such as... the Nine Luminaries Division, so that he has to spare some attention."
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor's eyelids twitched, and he vaguely guessed what was going on. "And then?"
"And then?" The smile on Kamaloka's lips seemed to deepen slightly. "Then this humble monk needs some private time without being disturbed. I cannot disclose the specifics to you."
Seeing that the Sword Sect Old Ancestor was about to press further, he shook his head slightly, his voice suddenly turning icy:
"Does the Sword Ancestor truly believe that he has any room to refuse?"
"Once the matter of the Demonic Seed is exposed, the Xuanming Sword Sect's past acts of chivalry will truly become a joke."
"When that time comes, the governor will be furious. How will you handle the situation then?"
"Besides..."
He paused slightly, and his crimson monk's robes fluttered without wind. Instantly, a dazzling Buddha Light, as heavy as a mountain, filled the entire hall, and a terrifying pressure descended upon him!
"If this humble monk intended to seize it by force, even you, Venerable One, might not be able to stop him alone...!"
As his voice echoed, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor's breathing quickened slightly, and after a moment, he gritted his teeth and asked, "After this matter... will Ye Li die?!"
"Meeting."
The Vajra Buddhist Disciple's voice was calm and even, but the aura of Buddha Light from his body grew increasingly terrifying.
"..."
The Old Ancestor stared intently at the red-robed monk before him, who appeared compassionate but was in fact more terrifying than any demon.
Without a doubt, the name Ye Li is now the biggest thorn in his side!
The immense temptation and the unknown risks clashed fiercely within him.
I don't know how much time passed.
Inside the main hall of the Sword Sect, the deep, calm voice of the Vajra Buddhist Disciple finally rang out once more, carrying a clear hint of satisfaction:
"Good."