Chapter 1083: A Sword Trial for Mr. Bai
But years of trials had long since forged his will, and he quickly regained his composure.
He methodically commanded the demonic beasts under him to suppress and subdue the out-of-control members of the Imperial Beast Sect.
"Hahaha! We've been itching for this! Finally, a chance to get some payback, fair and square!"
"It's time to stretch our legs. We've been cooped up on this little mountain for so long we were about to go mad from boredom."
"Put your backs into it, brothers! We can't have anyone looking down on us!"
...
In an instant, the tens of thousands of dormant demonic beasts of the Imperial Beast Sect surged forth like dragons bursting from the sea, their presence blanketing the entire region like a dark, ominous cloud.
The terrifying demonic aura and killing intent were so potent that they momentarily overshadowed even the threat of the great calamity itself.
"I said it before! 'Those not of our kind are bound to have a different heart.' Not subduing them with the True Beast-Taming Technique has brought nothing but disaster! Curse the sect master for not listening to me!"
"This is the end for me!"
Under the calamity of incompatible laws, the Imperial Beast Sect was already struggling to survive. They were no match for these demonic beasts, who had been conserving their strength for many years.
In just three days, the humans were utterly subdued.
Though the beasts may have been a bit heavy-handed in the process, with Xu Ke overseeing them, no human cultivators lost their lives.
"Boss, what do we do next?" a crimson, nine-headed beast asked, its expression grave.
The great calamity of incompatible laws naturally had some effect on the demonic beasts as well.
Within each of their clans, there was often only a single inherited cultivation technique.
However, the demonic beast clans maintained a strict hierarchy, allowing them to preserve stability for the time being.
"I never imagined Lord Di Yi's prophecy would come true. If I'd known, I would have left with him back then," You Xuanhuang lamented with a sigh.
"As things stand, we have only two options," Xu Ke replied, his voice calm and unhurried. "First, we can try to reverse the principle of incompatible laws. Second, if that proves impossible, we must adapt to the changes of the world."
"If we can't cultivate the same law, then everyone will simply cultivate a different one! But the Imperial Beast Sect doesn't have enough techniques..."
"Then let's go 'borrow' some from the surrounding sects," Xu Ke declared, his expression turning cold and sharp.
The demonic beasts nearby stared blankly for a moment, not quite grasping his meaning. But realization soon dawned, and their faces broke into wide, vicious grins.
After all, plunder was in a demonic beast's nature.
"Lord Black Bird, must we really do this?" Internally, Xu Ke was not as resolute as he appeared. He was still conflicted, unable to fully commit.
"This is no time for sentimentality. When the great calamity descends, not even one in ten cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm may survive. As the nominal leader of the Imperial Beast Sect, you are now responsible for their very existence."
"It is better that others die than us," Li Fan's voice stated, laced with ice.
A deathly silence followed.
After a long moment, Xu Ke finally made his decision. "I understand."
He raised his head, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve.
Half a day later, under Xu Ke's command, the demonic beast army swept through the surrounding lands with the force of an avalanche.
Annihilating sects, gathering resources and techniques.
They bypassed the powerful sects, preying only on the weak and aiming for swift, decisive battles.
Tens of thousands of demonic beasts, united as one.
In the midst of the calamity of incompatible laws, they were an absolutely unstoppable force.
In just half a month, they had wiped out over a hundred sects, large and small.
In normal times, a beast rampage of this scale would have immediately drawn the attention of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, who would have rallied countless human cultivators for a joint encirclement.
But now, the Ten Great Immortal Sects were too busy fending for themselves. They had no time to worry about the fate of other sects.
All the cultivation techniques plundered by the demonic beasts were handed over to Xu Ke.
Seeing that they had collected a sufficient number, Xu Ke promptly ordered them to halt their campaign.
After decisively executing several dozen beasts that had gone berserk with bloodlust and defied orders, Xu Ke issued the command to retreat.
"Are we running away?"
"Retreat? Where to?"
The cultivators of the Imperial Beast Sect, along with all the demonic beasts, were confused.
Only after Xu Ke's explanation did everyone have a flash of insight.
It turned out that Xu Ke, always one to plan ahead, had dispatched scouts to find a hidden, habitable small world long ago, right after returning from the Nanming Sacred Mountain.
"The calamity in the Xuanhuang Realm will likely rage for thousands of years. If we wish to survive, our only choice is to retreat into a small world for now and slowly plan our resurgence," Xu Ke announced with a long sigh.
Over the past weeks, everyone had witnessed the tragic spectacle of the outside world, where sects tore each other apart in brutal conflict.
In comparison, the death toll within the Imperial Beast Sect was pitifully low.
And it was all thanks to Xu Ke's profound foresight.
"I originally thought our future was uncertain after Lord Emperor Sanmo's mysterious disappearance. I never expected the boss's foresight to be in no way inferior to his."
"Of course! If he wasn't, why would Emperor Sanmo and Di Yi have so easily entrusted the Ten Thousand Reincarnation Beast Wheel to him?"
"I told you, stick with the boss, and you'll eat well."
This series of maneuvers by Xu Ke finally won over everyone, from top to bottom, dispelling any lingering dissent.
Soon after, under Xu Ke's command, the entire sect began its migration toward the unknown small world.
Just before leaving the Xuanhuang Realm, both Xu Ke and Li Fan cast one last look at this world. "One day, we will return."
Then, their figures slowly faded from sight.
At the same time, the scene in the Fallen Immortal Realm began to freeze.
The light drained away, and the surroundings were plunged into pitch-black darkness.
"I wonder if this counts as passing the Xuanhuang Great Heavenly Venerate's trial?" In truth, Li Fan wasn't sure.
Still, he had managed the harmonious coexistence of humans and demonic beasts.
And in the face of calamity, he had used any means necessary to ensure his group's survival.
This was the most perfect solution Li Fan could devise at that moment.
If not for his several previous run-throughs, Li Fan doubted he could have conceived of such a plan in so short a time, no matter how hard he thought.
The trial illusion seemed to be evaluating Li Fan's actions.
The wait was much longer than it had been after the first act.
Fortunately...
Streaks of white light suddenly sliced through the darkness.
After a dizzying spin, a new scene materialized!
Li Fan had successfully passed the trial and arrived at the third act: the Heavenly Sword Sect's Sword Forging!
"This time, what is being tested?"
Li Fan hadn't experienced the Heavenly Sword Sect's Sword Forging scene many times.
So, in truth, he wasn't entirely confident.
However, during his years in the Imperial Beast Sect, Li Fan had made ample preparations.
He quietly followed the predetermined script, playing the role of the character he now inhabited.
Until the cultivator, an imposter played by Mr. Bai, arrived at their gates to issue a challenge.
Not a single disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect was a match for Mr. Bai.
As shock and fear rippled through the crowd, Li Fan stepped forward, his head held high.
"I would be honored to witness your masterful skills!"
Li Fan declared, cupping his hands in a formal salute.
"Pray, sir, take a look at my swordsmanship."
With a clear voice, Li Fan casually snapped a branch from a nearby tree.
It was the exact same motion Mr. Bai had made earlier!
Such an act sent a wave of shock through the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
And for the very first time, a flicker of genuine interest appeared in Mr. Bai's eyes.
(End of this chapter)
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