Chapter 167: Turmoil

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

Five Terraces Sect.

Nie Shanshan, her clothes bloodstained and her aura slightly chaotic, quickly walked into the council hall and cupped her fists in salute to He Yuzhou at the head seat and everyone present.

Seeing her injuries, Chu Jinyun's brow furrowed slightly as she asked with concern, "Shanshan, how are your injuries? What happened with the Liu family matter?"

"Thank you for your concern, Master. This disciple is fine, just some superficial wounds. My true qi consumption was rather significant."

Nie Shanshan shook her head and clasped her fists toward the head seat, "This pursuit of the Liu family's main force was quite convoluted. They were indeed prepared. Along the way, not only were there experts from Fengle Prefecture's 'Rain Listening Tower' competing for the spoils, but Demon Sect members were also secretly providing support, attempting to help the Liu family's core descendants and their valuables escape."

"This disciple exchanged blows with them several times. Fortunately, when those from Fengle Prefecture saw the Demon Sect appear and realized the situation's gravity, they turned to join forces with me. Only then did we repel the Demon Sect, narrowly avoiding disaster. Unfortunately, most of the Liu family's wealth was divided up and taken by Rain Listening Tower's people during the chaos and couldn't be fully recovered. However..."

She paused here and took out a yellowed ancient book from her chest. On the cover were three archaic characters: "Converging Flow Force." "The Liu family's ancestral heart method, this 'Converging Flow Force' manual, was recaptured by this disciple through desperate effort!"

"Excellent!"

Hearing this, Sect Master He Yuzhou's face immediately broke into a smile, his eyes full of approval, "Very well done! That you could assess the situation in such a complex and dangerous environment, unite possible allies, and ultimately recover this crucial heart method is already a great merit! As for the wealth, though its loss is regrettable, it's secondary compared to the heart method. This achievement deserves heavy reward!"

She calmed her breathing somewhat, her gaze turning to Chu Jinyun with a trace of curiosity and doubt, "Master, you returned so quickly? What about Xiyang Mountain..."

According to the original plan, Chu Jinyun and Hong Yuandong needed to join forces with experts from Hanyu Valley and Qixia Manor to eliminate the Demon Sect stronghold in Xiyang Mountain. That was supposed to be the most dangerous part of this operation, where they would truly clash head-on with Demon Sect experts.

Hong Yuandong at the side picked up the wine gourd at his waist, tilted his head back for a gulp, and waved his hand, "Don't even mention it. A wasted trip. By the time we reached that cursed place at Xiyang Mountain, the stronghold was already empty. Only a few worthless small fry remained who knew nothing when questioned. We didn't catch a single hair of the real Demon Sect backbone."

Chu Jinyun's expression was cold as she continued, her tone carrying a trace of gravity, "The other side received advance warning. Before we arrived, they had already fled, transferring everything cleanly."

"They disappeared?"

Nie Shanshan's delicate brows knitted tightly as she thought to herself, "This operation was secretly planned by the four sects' upper echelons. Those who knew the specific targets and timing were all core members. Yet the Demon Sect could learn of it in advance and withdraw at leisure? Could it be..."

An unsettling thought rose in her mind: had the information leaked, or... were there Demon Sect spies within the four sects?

This idea was too horrifying. She didn't continue speaking.

Everyone present was far from dull. Their expressions all darkened slightly, and the council hall fell into a brief silence.

Just then, an executive disciple rushed hurriedly into the council hall and urgently said, "Sect Master, Courtyard Masters, Gengjin Courtyard Chief Disciple Yan Yaoyang and Kunti Courtyard Chief Disciple Li Lei have sent back an urgent report! The two of them encountered an elite Demon Sect assault near Blackwater Dock..."

Hearing this, Tan Yang immediately stepped forward, urgently interrupting to ask, "Encountered a Demon Sect assault? How are the two of them? Are their injuries severe?"

Yan Yaoyang was his most accomplished disciple, naturally he was concerned.

Peng Zhen also furrowed his brow.

That executive disciple hastily replied, "Reporting to Courtyard Master Tan and Courtyard Master Peng, the urgent report states that although both senior brothers were injured, their foundations weren't harmed and their lives aren't in danger. They're rushing back to the sect with all their strength, but..."

The executive disciple's tone paused and his voice lowered, "According to what Senior Brothers Yan and Li reported, Qingmu Courtyard's Chief Disciple Chen Qing... he, he fought desperately against Demon Sect experts and may have... may have already perished!"

"What?!"

"Chen Qing is dead?!"

"How is this possible!"

As the executive disciple's words fell, the entire council hall instantly erupted in uproar, like a pot boiling over.

The faces of all the elders and executives showed shock and disbelief.

Who was Chen Qing?

He was the sect's most dazzling rising star in recent years. Though his time with the sect was short, he repeatedly created miracles, defeating Hanyu Valley's Xiao Bieli with thunderous momentum and leaping to become one of the "Five Heroes of Yunlin"!

His momentum was strong, his potential unlimited. He was viewed as one of the sect's future pillars!

Such a genius had actually... died young?

The expressions of the several Courtyard Masters were also varied.

Peng Zhen first froze sharply, then his eyes revealed deep regret and heartache as he shook his head and sighed inwardly, "What a pity! Such a pity! An unpolished jade that couldn't be bought for a million taels of silver has been destroyed just like this?"

After the initial shock, an irrepressible trace of relief emerged from the depths of Tan Yang's heart.

"Yan Yaoyang is fine, that's good, that's good... Though Chen Qing is regrettable, in the end he's from Qingmu Courtyard..."

This thought flashed by and he immediately felt it was improper, hastily restraining his thoughts.

Chu Jinyun's face was grave as water, not knowing what she was pondering.

Hong Yuandong put down his wine gourd, his face also showing gravity as he murmured, "Blackwater Dock... the Netherworld Twin Guards? To actually encounter those two evil stars..."

Nie Shanshan was even more thunderstruck, her eyes widening suddenly.

Sect Master He Yuzhou's expression suddenly darkened. An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire council hall, causing all discussion to abruptly cease.

His gaze was like lightning as he looked toward the reporting executive, "Speak clearly! What exactly does the urgent report say? What exactly happened? If he's alive we want to see him, if dead we want to see his corpse. Is the information certain?"

Intimidated by the Sect Master's aura, the executive hastily bowed and recounted in detail the situation described in Yan Yaoyang and Li Lei's urgent report: how they tracked the Zhu family to the Blackwater Dock inn, how they encountered Demon Sect experts, how dark evil qi filled the inn, and ultimately how a shrill and miserable scream was heard... Yan and Li could barely protect themselves and had to flee.

After hearing the account, Sang Yanping pondered for a moment, then stepped forward, "Senior Brother Sect Master, Yaoyang and Lei didn't personally witness Chen Qing's death, much less see his body. The Demon Sect's methods are treacherous. Perhaps there are other variables. It may not be without a thread of hope."

He Yuzhou's gaze flickered as he slowly nodded.

He immediately said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Sang, this matter concerns our sect's important disciple and cannot tolerate any mistakes. You personally lead a team of elite executives and immediately depart for the Blackwater Dock area. Carefully search that inn ruins. Within a ten-mile radius, investigate everything thoroughly for this seat! You must 'handle it properly.'"

Sang Yanping solemnly accepted the order, a trace of understanding floating in his eyes, "Yes! Senior Brother Sect Master, I'll handle it immediately!"

He Yuzhou nodded slightly. His gaze briefly met Sang Yanping's, and the latter lightly nodded before turning to leave.

Sang Yanping didn't delay at all. He immediately assembled a team of capable executives and rushed to Blackwater Dock at top speed, traveling day and night.

However, when they arrived at the inn that had become ruins, all they saw was scorched earth and broken walls, dried and blackened bloodstains, and barely recognizable broken limbs.

The air was filled with a faint burnt smell, indicating the fierce slaughter that had occurred here.

Sang Yanping's expression was grave as he directed his men to search the ruins inside and out several times, even expanding the search range to conduct a meticulous carpet search of the surrounding mountain forest.

Apart from finding a few fragments of Five Terraces Sect disciples' standard uniform pieces and several Thunderbolt Fire Seed shell remnants, there were no other valuable discoveries.

No personal items belonging to Chen Qing, no remains of the Coiling Cloud Spear, not even... a complete corpse that matched his physical characteristics.

The Demon Sect's methods were brutal. They often used corpse-dissolving powder and such to handle scenes. Combined with possible scavengers from the jianghu who came upon hearing the news and looted the battlefield, the scene had been almost completely destroyed.

Facing these ruins, Sang Yanping stood for a long time before finally shaking his head.

"From the traces at the scene, the battle was extremely fierce, far surpassing the embracing elixir realm level... The Netherworld Twin Guards's fierce reputation is well-known... Though Chen Qing was exceptionally talented, he was still young after all..."

He sighed deeply and ordered the team to withdraw.

After returning to the sect, Sang Yanping truthfully reported the investigation results to He Yuzhou. Though he didn't state it explicitly, the information revealed between the lines had already allowed the Sect Master and Courtyard Masters to form their judgment.

Hearing this, He Yuzhou sighed deeply and said nothing more.

Nie Shanshan looked at the expressions of the Five Terraces Sect members, her brow tightly locked. She felt something was wrong about this matter, even strange.

For a time, rumors had already begun spreading within the Five Terraces Sect.

Li Wang returned from his mission travel-worn and dusty.

Having just finished reporting at Lihuo Courtyard, he heard this news like a bolt from the blue from a familiar junior brother.

He first froze sharply, as if he hadn't heard clearly. After that junior brother repeated it and supplemented it with Yan Yaoyang and Li Lei's testimony and Elder Sang's investigation results, the smile on Li Wang's face instantly froze.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly exhaling, "...For it to be like this... Junior Brother Chen... exceptionally talented with a steady temperament. I thought... Ai! Truly the heavens envy talent. The world's affairs are impermanent..."

When the news reached Qingmu Courtyard, it caused an even greater shock.

"The senior brother... is dead?!"

"Real or fake?! Impossible! He was fine just a few days ago!"

"Chief Disciples Yan and Li said it personally. Elder Sang went to investigate and couldn't find anyone either..."

"The Netherworld Twin Guards... those are the Demon Sect's evil stars..."

The rumors spread like wildfire, quickly propagating among the disciples.

On the training grounds and in the corridors, small groups of disciples could be seen everywhere whispering to each other, everyone's faces showing shock, regret, and a trace of fear.

Luo Xinya was guiding several new disciples when she heard the discussion and froze in place.

Xu Qi stood not far away, taking in everyone's reactions. His face was also full of shock and a trace of lingering fear.

He shook his head and sighed, "The Demon Sect is cruel, a genius has fallen... What a pity."

Good thing he hadn't returned early.

Zhao Shi also felt lingering fear.

Even Chen Qing with his skills died at the Demon Sect's hands. How could they be their opponents?

"I don't believe it!"

Just then, Yu Bao'er said with reddened eyes, "Without seeing Senior Brother's corpse, I absolutely won't believe he just died like this! Senior Brother is so formidable, how could he possibly..."

Hong Leicai at the side heard this, curled his lips, and said in a lowered voice, "Junior Sister Yu, accept reality. The news was brought back personally by Chief Disciples Yan and Li. Elder Sang investigated and found no results either. How could this be false? Aren't there few geniuses who've died outside recently? Lihuo Courtyard's Senior Brother Xiao Ruize also..."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was already clear.

Yu Bao'er bit her lip. Her expression became even more dejected, her eyes red-rimmed. She lowered her head and said nothing more.

Seeing this, the surrounding disciples also shook their heads and sighed. The atmosphere was oppressively heavy, and everyone gradually dispersed.

Xu Qi shook his head and also prepared to leave.

Having walked only a few steps, someone caught up from behind.

"Senior Brother Xu, wait a moment."

Xu Qi turned around and saw it was Hong Liangcai, a disciple with relatively senior standing in the courtyard.

This person was usually quite shrewd and skilled at networking.

"Junior Brother Hong, what is it?" Xu Qi stopped and asked.

Hong Liangcai quickly walked a few steps. His face first showed grief as he sighed, "Senior Brother Xu, Senior Brother Chen's unexpected passing is truly a great loss for our Qingmu Courtyard, truly lamentable."

Xu Qi's gaze flickered as he noticed Hong Liangcai called him "Senior Brother Chen" rather than Chief Senior Brother.

He remained impassive and said, "Indeed regrettable."

Hong Liangcai lowered his voice, his tone becoming meaningful, "With Chief Disciple Chen gone, the chief disciple position... has now become vacant. Currently in our Qingmu Courtyard, those qualified and capable of competing for this position..."

Hearing this, Xu Qi's heart involuntarily began pounding wildly.

Chief disciple!

This position meant more cultivation resources, higher sect status, greater authority!

Look at Lihuo Courtyard's Li Wang. Initially, he claimed the chief position with mid-stage embracing elixir strength. Now, relying on chief disciple resources, he had already opened eight primary meridians and was thriving within the courtyard!

Previously when Chen Qing was present, his momentum was like the blazing sun, his strength unfathomable. Xu Qi couldn't generate even half a thought of competing with him, didn't even dare think about it much.

But now... Chen Qing was dead!

To say Xu Qi had no thoughts about the chief position would be absolutely impossible.

He glanced around and, seeing no one paying attention to them, said in a low voice, "Junior Brother Hong, what do you mean by this...?"

Hong Liangcai's face broke into a sincere smile, "Senior Brother Xu, let me speak plainly. I fully support you! If you're willing, this junior brother is willing to serve you like a dog or horse, running around for you, uniting more fellow disciples... The opportunity cannot be missed, Senior Brother Xu!"

Xu Qi's expression fluctuated as he struggled internally.

He recalled his previous experience competing with Luo Xinya for the chief position and couldn't help feeling somewhat hesitant.

"This matter... is of great importance. I still need to consider it."

He pondered without immediately agreeing.

Seeing this, Hong Liangcai hastily stepped forward, his voice even lower and his tone somewhat urgent, "Senior Brother, hesitation breeds disaster! Now people in the courtyard are in turmoil. This is exactly when someone needs to step forward to stabilize the situation! The longer the chief position remains vacant, the more variables will arise each day! Senior Sister Luo's side probably won't remain quiet either..."

Xu Qi fell silent for a moment without immediately taking a stance. He only said, "Your intentions, I understand. I have my own considerations about this matter."

…

Hanyu Valley, Ice Soul Palace

Cold air filled the palace as Leng Qianqiu sat high at the head seat.

An executive dressed in Hanyu Valley attire stood bowing below the steps, urgently yet clearly reporting the latest news just transmitted from Yunlin Prefecture.

"...In the battle at Blackwater Dock, all sides engaged in melee combat with heavy casualties. Earth Origin Sect's Elder Shi Long and our Golden Sand Fortress ally Elder Yu Jiayao both unfortunately perished... According to the escaped Five Terraces Sect disciples Yan Yaoyang and Li Lei's eyewitness accounts and confirmation, Five Terraces Sect Qingmu Courtyard Chief Disciple Chen Qing encountered the Demon Sect's 'Netherworld Twin Guards's' Nether Guard in the inn. Despite fighting valiantly, he was outmatched... His death has been confirmed!"

The word "death" instantly reached the ears of everyone in the hall.

Xiao Bieli and Ye Qingyi, standing below on both sides, almost simultaneously trembled.

On Xiao Bieli's face, normally as calm as an ancient well, an extremely complex emotion instantly flashed. Shock, disbelief, and a trace of... emptiness that even he hadn't detected.

That youth who defeated him head-on at the Five Terraces Sect mountain gate with overwhelmingly domineering spear technique, causing him to taste life's first crushing defeat, that one he viewed as a formidable rival who must be surpassed, had actually just... died like this?

Died in a chaotic pursuit, died at the hands of Demon Sect protector subordinates?

An indescribable feeling surged in his heart. It wasn't joy, but rather a stifling frustration.

He had secluded himself in bitter cultivation, merging dual qi, thinking day and night about a battle to wash away this shame. Now, this opportunity would never come again.

Beside him, Ye Qingyi took a long time to recover.

She suddenly raised her head, her beautiful eyes wide and full of enormous shock.

Involuntarily, the image of that upright figure holding a spear, defeating her senior brother before countless spectators surfaced in her mind. So brilliantly talented, so resolute and steady... How could it be?

He just died like this!?

Seated high above, Leng Qianqiu listened to the report expressionlessly, as if she were merely hearing an insignificant trifle.

Only after the executive finished speaking did the hall fall into deathly silence, with only the faint hissing sound of circulating cold air.

After a long while, Leng Qianqiu finally slowly spoke, her voice as always ice-cold and flat, revealing no ripples, "Quite regrettable indeed. This person was exceptionally talented. Not only had his cultivation reached late-stage embracing elixir strength, but his external cultivation achievements were also profound with astonishing potential."

For a genius like Chen Qing to die at the Demon Sect's hands was the best possible outcome.

If allowed to grow, given time, he would certainly become Hanyu Valley's mortal enemy.

Her gaze swept over the disciples below with varied expressions, especially pausing for a moment on Xiao Bieli, "Bieli."

"This disciple is present."

Xiao Bieli immediately restrained his thoughts and bowed in response.

"Did you hear? Your obsession has been severed by another's hand. From now on, you should focus single-mindedly. Your opponents are not in Five Terraces but in the Demon Sect. Don't let a dead man's shadow obstruct your path."

Leng Qianqiu's words were ice-cold and direct.

Xiao Bieli's heart tightened. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "This disciple understands! I respectfully accept Master's teachings!"