Chapter 135: Demonic Sects
Sha Lingshan, always graceful and composed, approached, her round fan fluttering gently.
“Young Master,” she said, “Elder Shuiyue has arrived and is waiting outside.”
Shi Hao said, “Bring her in.”
Sha Lingshan left and soon returned with an old woman in a blue robe.
The old woman knelt before Shi Hao, “I greet the Young Master.”
Shi Hao said, “There’s no need for formalities, Grandmother. Please rise.”
Elder Shuiyue stood up, her demeanor respectful, and waited silently.
Shi Hao asked, “What are your thoughts on the integration of the three branches?”
Elder Shuiyue bowed, “Rest assured, Young Master. Although the sect has been divided, each faction has always desired reunification. But without a true inheritor, none would yield. Now, with you as our leader, and the three Branch Leaders having informed their respective branches, the integration will proceed smoothly.”
Shi Hao nodded. He wasn’t particularly worried about this. With the Demon Empress backing him, the three leaders would naturally obey.
And with their cooperation, even if there were dissenters, the demonic sects had their ways of enforcing compliance.
He said, “The three Branch Leaders are preparing for their advancement rituals. You will temporarily manage the sect’s affairs. Strengthening the sect is our priority. I entrust the Night Charm Demonic scriptures to you. You may impart the appropriate techniques to the disciples.”
Due to the division of the Night Charm Demonic scriptures, some techniques and their corresponding martial arts had been separated. For example, the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art and the Violet Vortex Blade Technique, the Black Jade Demonic Meteor Art and the Seven Swords of the Mystic Gates, were meant to be practiced together, but now, some factions had the cultivation method without the martial arts, and others the martial arts without the corresponding method.
This division had weakened the three factions, making them insignificant compared to larger sects like the Ghost Extreme Sect.
As the Young Master, he only needed to control the Secret Canon. The revealed canon, however, should be disseminated within the sect to strengthen their overall power.
He said, “There are two priorities. First, resisting the barbarians. Even demonic sects are still part of China. As long as the barbarians rule, we have no home. Of course, the Evil Lotus Sect is a demonic sect, so we shouldn’t openly oppose them, but we must gather intelligence and support the various rebel factions when appropriate.
“And we should also secretly cultivate our own forces, ready to strike when the barbarian court collapses.
“Second, discreetly monitor the Ancestral Altar and the barbarian court’s grand canal project, comparing and analyzing any unusual activity. Report anything you find to me immediately.”
Elder Shuiyue said, “I understand, Young Master.”
Shi Hao said, “And also, forge a sword from Moon Spirit Stone and create a Ghost Spirit Banner, inscribed with the Moon Spirit Diagram. The scriptures contain the instructions. Have them ready.” These were the materials Du Yuejiao needed for her demonic advancement.
Elder Shuiyue said, “Rest assured, Young Master. I’ll take care of it.”
Shi Hao pondered for a moment, then said, “The Ghost Extreme Sect suffered a major defeat at Dragon Head Mountain. I heard Peng Tianwang was killed by his own men while fleeing. The Ghost Extreme Sect will likely splinter.
“Tell me, what other powerful demonic sects are there?”
Sha Lingshan, waving her small, embroidered fan, said, “Allow me to explain, Young Master.
“Although the Ghost Extreme Sect is considered the largest demonic sect, that’s only because they have the most members. Most demonic sects value quality over quantity, unlike the Ghost Extreme Sect, which recruits indiscriminately. So, although they might not appear as powerful as the Ghost Extreme Sect, in terms of high-ranking experts, several sects are their equals.
“There’s the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, specializing in poisonous demonic arts. Their disciples never reveal their affiliation, so they’re not widely known in the martial world, but within the demonic sects, they’re feared for their insidious techniques. Their rituals often involve poison, causing devastating consequences.
“If you encounter a martial artist whose internal energy carries a strong poison, Young Master, be careful. They’re likely from the Poisonous Sunflower Sect.”
Shi Hao nodded. Poisonous internal energy was indeed a dangerous and troublesome ability.
Sha Lingshan continued, “The Flower Butterfly Sect. Their members are known for their beauty and seductive charm. They’re not like those despicable sects that practice dual cultivation for personal gain, but their methods are similar to our Lunar Divinity path, taken to the extreme. They have few members, but each one is exceptionally skilled and charismatic, either incredibly handsome men or beautiful women.
“They’re also very secretive and, due to their techniques and their natural charm, adept at disguising themselves, often posing as disciples of renowned sects. Only true experts can force them to reveal their demonic nature. They enjoy seducing and manipulating prominent martial artists, discarding them once they’re no longer useful. Few in the martial world know about them, but they’re a dangerous foe.”
“And the Flower Butterfly Sect’s disciples rarely appear in public before reaching the mid-ranks. So, every one of them is a formidable opponent.”
“So, both the Poisonous Sunflower Sect and the Flower Butterfly Sect are secretive, their members rarely seen, but each one a dangerous expert. And then there’s the Heavenly Evil Sect. They’re more well-known. They’re the ones who benefited most from the Ghost Extreme Sect’s decline.
“The Heavenly Evil Sect has many experts, including several fourth and fifth-rank martial artists, and even more at the sixth and seventh ranks. Their leader, the Heavenly Scorpion Elder, is said to have reached the high ranks, although few know for certain. They’re a demonic sect, and although relatively large, their true strength is hidden.”
“They’re ruthless and will eradicate an entire family to eliminate an enemy, their methods brutal, secretive, and unscrupulous. Few dare to offend them. So, although not as influential as the Ghost Extreme Sect, they’re even more feared. Many would rather face the Ghost Extreme Sect than provoke the Heavenly Evil Sect.”
“And there are also some smaller, secretive sects with only a single lineage…”
As she continued her explanation, Shi Hao realized the demonic sects were truly a collection of bizarre and dangerous factions, their methods often incomprehensible to outsiders.
“By the way,” Shi Hao turned to Sha Lingshan, “You also cultivate the Prismatic Illusion path, Branch Leader Sha. How did you complete your fifth-rank advancement ritual?”
Sha Lingshan, covering her lips with her fan, smiled, “You’re referring to the ‘Dawn Slaughter,’ aren’t you? Finding enough people to kill isn’t difficult. There’s always conflict in the martial world. The tricky part is the timing.”
“At dawn, although the sky is already light, most people, having just woken up, aren’t fully alert yet. It’s not a good time for ambushes or decisive battles. Creating a ‘dawn slaughter’ requires careful planning.”
“I knew about this ritual years in advance, so I took control of a gang and arranged for them to attack another gang at dawn, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Although you can’t directly participate in the battle during the ritual, there’s no restriction on prior arrangements.”
“Of course, you still need to find a suitable location and ensure you won’t be interrupted during the ritual. Having someone protect you is also advisable.”
Shi Hao thought, although her method was effective, it required years of preparation to gain complete control of a gang. He didn’t have that much time.
He looked at her curiously, “Branch Leaders Xuan and Yue have already left to prepare for their rituals. Why are you still here? Have you already made your preparations?”
Sha Lingshan, her face partially hidden by her fan, sighed softly, “You’ll understand when you reach the fourth rank, Young Master. For this level, there’s no preparation. It’s purely a matter of luck.”
Shi Hao felt a sense of foreboding.
Of course, that was still some time away.
The benefits of dual cultivation were obvious, but so were the drawbacks… He needed double the resources, both Daoist immortal ingredients and demonic ritual materials.
Sha Lingshan said, “This manor is just a temporary residence. Would you like to visit our Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion at Mirror Flower Lake, Young Master? We would be honored to host you.”
Shi Hao shook his head, “The world is in chaos. I don’t have much time for leisure. I plan to leave tomorrow morning with Yuejiao and Xiaoyan. I’ll visit Mirror Flower Lake another time.”
Sha Lingshan, her fan covering her chest, bowed slightly, “In that case, we await your arrival at Mirror Flower Lake, Young Master.”
Shi Hao discussed the integration of the three factions with Sha Lingshan and Elder Shuiyue. He didn’t want to get too involved in the Evil Lotus Sect’s internal affairs. Such distractions would only hinder his cultivation.
He was only sixth-rank. In this world, personal strength was paramount. Although the Evil Lotus Sect could be a powerful ally, if his own strength wasn’t sufficient, they could become a liability.
He preferred to rely on his own power and the help of Yuejiao and Xiaoyan, who were also dual cultivators now.
As long as they progressed quickly with him, they would become his wings, making him even stronger—
Leave a Reply