Chapter 74: Disciple and Wife p2
Countless cultivators shared the surname Chu, but only one clan used “Chu clan” as their official title: the renowned alchemy family from Gongzhou, located on the borders of the Radiant Realm.
Someone recognized him as the Chu Clan Head’s most prized disciple.
Chu Jingtong didn’t deny it, smiling and nodding. “Indeed. That’s me.”
He was known for his wanderlust, his unconventional nature. No one expected him to appear at the Hanshan Sect, causing trouble.
Lizhu’s expression hardened. “What’s the meaning of this, Fellow Cultivator Chu? Disrupting our competition?”
Cen Dianshuang’s face also turned cold, though the change was subtle, her usual demeanor already icy and aloof.
Only Elder Qianlian, sitting beside her, noticed Cen Dianshuang’s hand tightening on her sword hilt, Xuan Ying’s blade partially unsheathed.
She understood. This was directed at her disciple.
Chu Jingtong, his hands waving incessantly, as if embarrassed by the attention, said, “No, no, I’m simply offering a friendly warning. You have a spy from the Demonic Realm in your midst.”
His words were like a thunderclap, silencing the crowd, their expressions turning to shock and disbelief.
“A spy from the Demonic Realm? Impossible!”
“A demon in the Hanshan Sect?”
All eyes turned to Chu Jingtong, waiting for him to reveal the spy’s identity.
Only two people ignored him, their gazes fixed on the hooded figure beside him.
Tao Ning and the Demonic Realm Saintess, having infiltrated the Hanshan Sect again with a new disguise.
They shared the same thought: Xiao Haoran is surprisingly resilient.
Cultivation, whether of the spiritual or demonic path, was simply a method of achieving power. Spiritual cultivation emphasized a steady, controlled approach, a pure heart. Demonic cultivation, however, prioritized rapid advancement, often at the expense of morality, its practitioners feared for their ruthlessness.
And a demon within the ranks of the leading sect was a cause for concern.
Chu Jingtong, basking in the attention, raised his hands, silencing the murmurs. “Please, allow me to explain.”
His voice rose, carrying across the training grounds. “I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors. I won’t repeat them. Demon Lord Qingji’s Wanhun Cauldron is here, at the Hanshan Sect. Those demonic cultivators are restless, seeking to reclaim it, to reunite the Demonic Realm, and unleash chaos upon the world.”
Lizhu, who had known this wouldn’t be a peaceful day, sneered. “Baseless accusations. The Hanshan Sect’s affairs are none of your concern. Summon your master.”
Chu Jingtong: “Why so angry, Sect Leader? I’m simply offering a friendly warning. You have a demon in your midst, plotting to steal the cauldron. If they succeed, the consequences will be dire for the entire Radiant Realm. Why be so stubborn?”
Whether Lizhu acknowledged it or not, he had declared the cauldron’s presence within the sect, his feigned concern for the Radiant Realm unconvincing.
But that wasn’t important. What mattered was retrieving the cauldron.
His words found support among the crowd, their voices urging Lizhu to hand over the cauldron, to allow the other sects to seal it away.
Such a burden shouldn’t be shouldered by the Hanshan Sect alone. They wanted to help.
Their voices, a buzzing cacophony, surrounded Tao Ning, who stood at the center of the growing storm, her gaze sweeping over the assembled cultivators.
Sect Leaders, Clan Heads, all connected by a web of power and influence.
She was reminded of a bustling marketplace, its crowds of people, young and old, their voices a chaotic mix of shouts and whispers.
The only difference was the absence of clucking chickens and quacking ducks.
Humans were all the same, echoing each other’s words, seeking validation and approval.
They turned to Lizhu, their gazes expectant, waiting for her response.
Even if she refused, they would find a way. She couldn’t protect the Hanshan Sect forever.
Lizhu summoned Nanping, her spirit sword, its blade glowing with a fiery red aura. “What if I refuse?”
Nanping, the “Pacifier of Chaos,” rarely left its sheath, its appearance always a harbinger of bloodshed.
Another cultivator stood up, his voice echoing through the arena. “Will the Hanshan Sect harbor a demon? Protect a spy?”
His words resonated with the crowd, their voices rising in agreement.
An elderly cultivator, his white hair flowing around him, chuckled, his voice laced with disdain. “This isn’t surprising, considering the Hanshan Sect’s history of harboring demonic cultivators. The infamous Qingji herself was a Hanshan Sect disciple, later joining the Demonic Realm, serving Patriarch Wanhun. As far as I know, she hasn’t even been expelled from the sect.”
Basking in the shocked silence, he continued, his gaze sharp and piercing. “Surely, the Hanshan Sect won’t deny this?”
Lizhu sneered. “Perhaps you should focus on your own grand-disciple, who eloped with a demoness, instead of meddling in our affairs.”
The elder’s face darkened, his earlier bravado fading. He let out a disgruntled humph, unable to retort.
No one had made a move yet, unwilling to be the first.
“That vile demon was a Hanshan Sect disciple?!”
“You’re just finding out now? My ancestor told me stories about her. Those who knew the truth are either in seclusion or dead. It seems the secret has been well-kept.”
“A rotten tree bears rotten fruit. Even the most esteemed sects have their flaws.”
“Who knows how many other demons are hiding within the Hanshan Sect?”
“For the safety of the Radiant Realm, Sect Leader Lizhu, hand over the Wanhun Cauldron.”
Chu Jingtong, seeing his plan succeed, smiled inwardly.
A female cultivator’s voice rang out, cutting through the noise. “Fellow Cultivator Chu, you claim there’s a Demonic Realm spy within the Hanshan Sect. What proof do you have?”
It was True Person Chang Xiang of the Heavenly Heart Sect.
Ignoring the disapproving look from her own Sect Leader, she continued, her voice calm but firm. “Innocence doesn’t require proof. But if you insist the cauldron isn’t safe at the Hanshan Sect, then at least tell us who this spy is.”
Chu Jingtong smiled faintly. “I heard your disciple was rescued by a Hanshan Sect cultivator, who also helped recover your last disciple’s remains. You owe them a debt of gratitude.”
True Person Chang Xiang, seated at her table, placed a reassuring hand on Pang Xueting’s shoulder, the girl’s face flushed with anger.
Her expression remained calm. “I repay kindness. That’s my principle. But that doesn’t change the fact that I want to know if your accusations are true.”
Chu Jingtong: “You misunderstand, True Person Chang Xiang. I’m simply concerned that you’ve misplaced your trust. Your deceased disciple deserves justice.”
True Person Chang Xiang ignored his attempt to deflect, her gaze fixed on him, her message clear: Get to the point.
Chu Jingtong sighed dramatically. “My friend was attacked by a Hanshan Sect spy. He barely escaped with his life. I advised him to let it go, but…” He turned to the hooded figure beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Isn’t that right, Brother Xiao?”
The hood was pulled back, revealing Xiao Haoran’s pale, gaunt face. His dantian was shattered, his meridians damaged. If not for Chi Xiaxia’s sacrifice, losing two tails, he wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.
Not only had this imposter tried to kill him, but she had also stolen his destiny. He should be the one standing there, a respected member of the Hanshan Sect.
During his recovery, the Chi Fox King had informed him that his spies in the Demonic Realm had located the Saintess. She was at the Hanshan Sect, tasked with retrieving the Wanhun Cauldron. On the day of the disciple competition, the Demon Lord would attack, the Saintess acting as an inside agent, opening the gates for him, allowing him to reclaim his treasure.
The current situation was a result of Cen Dianshuang’s unexpected early return from seclusion, forcing Tao Ning to hand over the cauldron, temporarily entrusting it to the Hanshan Sect.
She had tried to kill him to silence him, to claim the cauldron for herself.
He wouldn’t allow this imposter to steal his destiny. He would claim the cauldron before the Demon Lord arrived.
He glared at the figure on the stage, pointing accusingly. “She’s the one who attacked me! Tao Ning!”
“Tao Ning, first disciple of Cen Dianshuang, Peak Master of Wangshu Peak.”
The accusation was beyond anything they had anticipated. Gongye Miao, defeated but still present, turned to look at Tao Ning.
Tao Ning, standing calmly amidst the shocked silence, even smiled faintly.
“…?”
Her aura was pure, untainted. A Lightning spiritual root… Sending someone like this to infiltrate the Radiant Realm? Were the demons insane?
Cen Dianshuang’s hand tightened on her sword hilt, but Tao Ning’s voice, a secret transmission, reached her ears. Don’t move, Master.
What is she doing?
Elder Qianlian, unable to contain herself any longer, slammed her hand on the table, standing up abruptly. “You accuse a Hanshan Sect disciple of being a demon spy based on a single, unsubstantiated claim? Then I can accuse you of poisoning my disciples with your useless pills and demand compensation! Will you pay?”
Elder Yaodan, however, retrieved a silver bell from his sleeve, shaking it gently.
As an alchemist, he had connections with many other alchemists, including the Gongzhou Chu clan, having exchanged communication bells with them.
The bell remained silent, and he frowned, scratching his cheek, a suspicion forming in his mind.
Xiao Haoran, seizing the opportunity, revealed the “secrets” he had learned from the Beast King. “The Demonic Realm has a secret technique to cultivate dual-natured cultivators, capable of wielding both spiritual and demonic energy. The Demonic Saintess was trained using this method. She was sent by the Demon Lord to infiltrate the Hanshan Sect. She even killed a Hanshan Sect disciple in Shadow City, Er Lan of Alchemy Peak, to silence her.”
Er Lan, standing among the crowd, her true identity suddenly revealed: …If Tao Ning is the Saintess, then who am I?
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