Chapter 118: Killing Spies
A large crowd had gathered in the clearing, their murmurs creating a gentle hum of anticipation. The conversations quieted instantly as a figure approached the stage—Elder Guo, his weathered face solemn as he took his position.
From her seat among the audience, Yan Xuelian stared at him, her beautiful features betraying nothing of her inner thoughts. Elder Huang, who had been watching her former rival closely, looked away with a slight shake of her head. "Maybe I’m overthinking it," she thought to herself.
Elder Guo cleared his throat, the simple sound cutting through the remaining whispers like a blade. "Members of the Azure Cloud Sect," his voice resonated across the gathering, "it’s no secret that our sect has been through some rough times these past days. Before we look forward, let us take a moment of silence for Sect Master Wei, who gave his life protecting what we all hold dear."
His words hung in the air as he paused, bowing his head respectfully. The entire assembly followed suit, the silence growing deeper and more profound with each passing second. For nearly two minutes, not a sound disturbed the collective remembrance.
When Elder Guo finally raised his head, his eyes seemed to burn with renewed purpose. "The situation before us remains dire, with threats both seen and unseen gathering at our gates. Yet in this darkest hour, I have witnessed a light that burns with unmatched brilliance." With a graceful gesture of his hand, he beckoned toward the side of the stage.
Li Yao emerged, her steps measured and confident as she joined Elder Guo. Though young, her posture radiated a natural authority that commanded attention. Elder Guo turned to face her, his expression softening with unmistakable pride.
"Li Yao, your strength has proven worthy of this mantle, and may your leadership guide our sect to prosperous days that even our ancestors could not have envisioned." With reverent care, he placed the sect master token in her outstretched hands.
Li Yao bowed slightly to her master, her eyes reflecting gratitude and determination in equal measure. Elder Guo returned the gesture before making his way back to his seat, leaving her standing alone at the center of the stage.
At the sidelines, Zhao Tiangang’s massive frame tensed, his confusion manifesting as deep furrows across his brow. "That’s the new sect master? That kid?" he muttered incredulously.
His bewilderment only deepened as cheers erupted throughout the gathering—not just from eager disciples but from the elders as well, their voices joining in wholehearted support of Li Yao. Zhao Tiangang wondered briefly if he had simply grown too old to understand this new generation.
Standing tall before her sect, Li Yao lifted her voice above the cheers. "First, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all elders and fellow disciples who have supported me throughout my cultivation journey. Each of you has contributed to the strength I wield today. And most of all, to my master—thank you for your guidance and care. I vow before everyone present that I will not let you down, nor will I allow our sect to falter under my watch."
She completed her words with a respectful bow, but when she straightened, something had changed. Her gentle expression hardened into one of resolute determination. "And I will begin that now," she declared, her sudden shift in tone causing many to straighten in alarm.
In the next heartbeat, Li Yao’s aura flared spectacularly, spiritual energy swirling around her in visible currents. Her physical form began to transform, crackling with blinding electricity as lightning strikes punctuated the air around her every few seconds. The very atmosphere seemed to bend to her will as power radiated from her as she entered her elemental form.
"That is—" Yan Xuelian began, her composed façade finally cracking.
"—no way, right?" Zhao Tiangang finished, his massive arms uncrossing as he leaned forward in disbelief.
Before anyone could recover from the initial shock, an overwhelming aura spread throughout the sect grounds, pressing down on everyone gathered like an invisible mountain. "So strong," Zhao Tiangang thought, genuine awe replacing his earlier skepticism.
Yet what followed was even more shocking. Above Li Yao, massive storm clouds materialized, dark and pregnant with power, crackling with concentrated lightning that illuminated the gathering with an ethereal blue glow. With a single, elegant motion of her hand, Li Yao commanded the heavens themselves. The lightning descended...
...
The lightning cloud hovering above Li Yao began to discharge, crackling with blinding energy that arced across the sky. Suddenly, blinding bolts descended upon the gathered crowd, and terrified screams filled the air as person after person was struck. Each devastating blast left nothing behind—not even ashes—just scorched ground where cultivators had stood moments before.
Witnessing the chaotic scene, Elder Guo sighed deeply. This girl was truly unpredictable. "Everyone, please calm down," he called out, his voice cutting through the panic. "The Sect Master is simply eliminating the spies within our sect. Stay calm, you have nothing to fear."
As understanding dawned, the initial terror transformed into righteous fervor. The crowd began to chant in unison, their voices rising with each thunderous strike: "Kill the traitors! Kill the traitors!"
The purge lasted only minutes, but its results were catastrophic—over a hundred spies had been eliminated. Disciples and elders alike stared in shock at the charred ground where their supposed comrades had stood just moments ago.
In their seats, Sect Master Zhao Tiangang and Yan Xuelian trembled visibly. They had come hoping to capitalize on the Azure Cloud Sect’s vulnerable state, perhaps securing resources or concessions in their time of need. Now they questioned whether they would leave with their lives intact. Though they were Core Formation experts like the previous Azure Cloud Sect Master, they recognized that that lightning would reduce them to nothing if it touched them. Since when did the Azure Cloud Sword Sect harbor such a monster?
Yan Xuelian surveyed the devastation, maintaining a better facade than Zhao despite her inner turmoil. "Dammit," she thought bitterly. "I assumed I could torment Guo Shantian now that his cultivation is damaged. With a disciple this monstrous, wouldn’t I simply be digging my own grave?"
On stage, Li Yao finally released her elemental form, the crackling energy dissipating as she returned to her normal appearance. The sudden absence of that overwhelming pressure made many release breaths they hadn’t realized they were holding.
"Those are all the people who have colluded with outsiders to harm our sect," she announced, her voice carrying effortlessly across the now-silent gathering. "There might be some still hiding among us, but don’t worry—when I find them, they won’t fare any differently."
Internally, Li Yao scoffed at her own words. How could anyone possibly remain hidden? With the Empress’s assistance, she had identified and eliminated every single traitor. Yet the Empress had instructed her to make this claim, though Li Yao didn’t understand why. Wouldn’t this make her appear incompetent?
[Not necessarily,] the Empress’s voice resonated within her spiritual sea. [Although we know those who are spies, we don’t know those who have the potential to become spies. By saying this, you ensure they abandon the idea completely. It’s not the most elegant method, but it works.]
"Oh," Li Yao thought, finally grasping the strategy.
Addressing the assembly once more, Li Yao’s voice rang with authority. "I’ll also be announcing another matter today." She gestured toward the side of the stage.
Xiang Yu appeared, climbing the steps gracefully despite the countless eyes fixed upon him. His blue robes with cloud patterns marked him clearly as someone of importance, yet many disciples appeared confused by his presence.
"Who’s that?" whispered one disciple to another.
"Don’t you know? That’s the Mountain Heart Pavilion’s senior brother," came the reply.
Another disciple snorted dismissively. "Isn’t he a cripple who can’t cultivate?"
Those surrounding him immediately leaped away as if he’d suddenly burst into flames. "Don’t take us with you if you want to be struck by divine thunder!"
Unperturbed by the murmurs, Li Yao continued with unwavering conviction: "From now on, Xiang Yu will serve as the Azure Cloud Sect’s Grand Elder."