Chapter 120: Destroying Sects
In the Celestial Summit Hall, Li Yao sat regally upon her throne, her penetrating gaze fixed on the two sect masters standing before her. The atmosphere was thick with tension as her chilling aura filled the chamber, making even these powerful cultivators uncomfortable.
Yan Xuelian shifted her weight slightly, her mind racing. Had the young sect master somehow uncovered their ulterior motives? She forced her features into a pleasant expression, though anxiety coursed through her veins.
"Sect Master Li, I was late to greet you. I apologize," she offered with grace, bowing her head respectfully.
Li Yao remained silent, her unwavering stare boring into Yan Xuelian like a physical weight. The prolonged silence stretched painfully, making each heartbeat seem louder and louder. Just when Yan Xuelian thought she might crack under the pressure, Li Yao’s attention shifted to Zhao Tiangang.
A small sigh of relief escaped Yan Xuelian’s lips as those piercing eyes moved away from her. How could someone so young project such overwhelming presence? Li Yao wasn’t even exerting her spiritual power—just the natural authority radiating from her made them feel like mere subjects before an emperor.
Feeling the full weight of Li Yao’s attention, Zhao Tiangang hastily bowed his massive frame. "I’m also late to greeting the Sect Master. I hope the Sect Master doesn’t find this offensive," he rumbled, his typically confident voice now tinged with uncertainty.
Li Yao maintained her silence, her expression unreadable. Zhao Tiangang glanced sideways at Yan Xuelian, seeking guidance. As a man who had fought his way to his position, these diplomatic tensions were unfamiliar territory.
Yan Xuelian deliberately ignored his silent plea for help, not wanting to associate herself with whatever blunders this muscle-headed oaf might have committed. She hadn’t displayed any clear hostility herself, but who knew what tactless actions he might have taken?
"Isn’t this enough?" Li Yao asked internally, her impatience growing.
[No, you need to know how to set the mood. Just give it a few minutes,] the Empress advised from within her spiritual sea.
Though Li Yao didn’t fully understand the Empress’s strategy, the results were undeniable. With each passing moment of silence, the two sect masters grew visibly more uncomfortable, fidgeting and exchanging nervous glances.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Li Yao broke the suffocating silence. "I’m really disappointed in the two of you," she declared.
As she spoke, she released a wave of spiritual pressure, her aura crashing down upon the two sect masters like a mountain. The overwhelming force drove them to their knees, their bodies unable to resist the immense pressure.
Relief flickered through Yan Xuelian despite her humiliating position. At least Li Yao had finally spoken—though why she seemed so irritated remained a mystery.
"Sect Master, isn’t this going a little overboard? We are all..." Yan Xuelian began, trying to salvage the situation.
Li Yao’s glare silenced her instantly. When their eyes met, Yan Xuelian instinctively looked down, a primal fear overriding her pride. What was this sensation? Even though the power difference was huge, it shouldn’t be to that extent right? Why was she so terrified? It felt like facing a natural predator. Her Frost Heart Technique, though incomplete, shouldn’t have broken this easily.
"Overboard?" Li Yao echoed, her voice dangerously soft. "You want to take advantage of my Azure Cloud Sect and you call this overboard?"
"But we haven’t even done it yet," Zhao Tiangang blurted out.
Yan Xuelian shot him a horrified look. How could anyone be this stupid? What did he mean by "yet"? This muscle-brained fool was going to doom them both.
To their surprise, Li Yao’s aura lightened slightly. "That’s a good point," she acknowledged, reclining back in her chair.
Their expressions brightened momentarily, hope flickering that they might survive this encounter after all. But Li Yao’s next words shattered that fragile optimism completely.
"That’s why I’m just going to destroy both your sects," she stated with casual indifference, as if discussing nothing more significant than the weather.
The blood drained from both sect masters’ faces as the words registered.
...
In the tense silence of the Celestial Summit Hall, Yan Xuelian’s voice cut through the air, desperation evident in her normally controlled tone.
"Sect Master, please reconsider," she pleaded, her mind reeling at Li Yao’s casual threat. Destroy their sects? The very notion seemed insane. Even they had merely intended to extract some benefits from a weakened Azure Cloud Sect, not obliterate an entire lineage.
Li Yao’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Why should I? You struck first," she replied coolly. Then, as if engaged in internal dialogue, she paused thoughtfully before continuing, "Though I do agree that destroying both sects would indeed be a waste."
"That’s right!" Zhao Tiangang seized the opening, his deep voice booming with relief. "It is better to let us pay some fees yearly," he suggested hastily.
Yan Xuelian fought the urge to close her eyes in frustration. This muscle-headed fool was digging them deeper into trouble with every word. Yet, she had to admit his proposal was more reasonable than complete destruction. Annual tribute was preferable to annihilation.
Li Yao’s melodious laugh held no warmth. "What resources? Do you think my Azure Cloud Sect lacks anything?" she asked mockingly, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Both sect masters fell silent, sudden understanding dawning on them. With such a resource-rich Grand Elder at her disposal, the Azure Cloud Sect truly lacked nothing. What could they possibly offer?
The atmosphere shifted as Li Yao rose from her throne. She withdrew the Azure Cloud Sword. Both sect masters tensed, wondering if she had changed her mind about sparing them.
With measured steps, Li Yao approached and placed the gleaming sword between them, its tip touching the ground. Her spiritual pressure intensified, pressing down on them.
"From now on, I announce the Azure Cloud Sword Sect as a seventh-grade sect and appoint the Lotus Jade Pavilion and Iron Spirit Mountain as subsidiary forces. Do you agree or not?" she declared, her voice resonating with authority.
Shock registered on their faces—not because of the latter part, but at the first. For a sect to be recognized as seventh-grade, its leader must possess at least Golden Core cultivation. They had their own suspicions at first but this statement from Li Yao confirmed them; this young woman before them truly was a Golden Core cultivator.
Meeting her unwavering gaze, both sect masters knew refusal meant death.
"We greet the Sect Master," they intoned in unison, bowing their heads in submission.
"Good," Li Yao nodded, satisfaction evident in her tone as her sword vanished and she returned to her throne in a flash of movement. "Go back and bring a detailed report of your sects by tomorrow morning."
When they remained kneeling, she added dismissively, "Dismissed."
The two sect masters rose, bowed respectfully once more, then retreated from the hall.
As they walked through the sect grounds, Yan Xuelian’s mind couldn’t calm down at all. This outcome was unexpected, though not entirely unfavorable. They could view it as gaining protection from a Golden Core cultivator. Still, she would need to convince her elders and disciples to accept this new arrangement.
Glancing at her companion’s relaxed demeanor, she frowned. "Aren’t you troubled by this?" she asked, perplexed by his nonchalance.
Zhao Tiangang shrugged his massive shoulders. "Why should I be troubled? We just follow who’s stronger," he stated matter-of-factly, flexing his impressive muscles as if to emphasize his point.
Yan Xuelian could only facepalm in response. Why had she even bothered asking?
...
Author’s Corner:
I’m feeling a little unwell today. Luckily I posted a Chapter yesterday...yippee
I’ll start cooking the next arc after I get some sleep.
Also, I kinda want these two and their subordinates to be couples (my fav ship tbh). What do you guys think?
For sect classifications, it depends on the sect master’s cultivation. foundation establishment leader = 9th grade, core formation (former azure cloud sect) = 8th grade, golden core = 7th grade. And so forth. It’s about cultivation not combat power so Li Yao does not meet the qualifications, she’s bluffing.
For your info, the Wuming cult is a 5th grade sect 💀