In the following days.
Lingyin Mountain remained silent, and fear gripped the hearts of cultivators in the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District. Some even considered rebellion.
A group of demon cultivators initiated a massacre, sowing discord and fear within the market.
The sound of magical battles echoed frequently through the streets.
Though all the families tried their best to suppress the chaos, in the overwhelming panic of losing contact with the sect, their efforts were limited.
Rumors spread swiftly, some claiming that Lingyin Mountain was breached, and that all Golden Core ancestors had perished;
Others said the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect army was approaching, ready to cleanse Moon Rhinoceros Lake in blood any day.
Amidst the clamor, Bai Susu cracked down with decisive action.
With the eight Foundation Establishment cultivators she brought, she initiated a thorough cleansing of the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
Even.
Even the Ji Family was slaughtered by her under the accusation of colluding with demon cultivators.
As for Chen Ye,
being the Guardian of Lingyin Sect, naturally had to participate in this purge.
"But Master, your injury..." Zhiwei hesitated after hearing this.
"My injury has mostly healed, it’s only an occasional headache."
Chen Ye explained repeatedly,
"Besides, Bai Susu’s personnel are limited. As the Guardian of Lingyin, I should follow her command. Don’t be fooled by the mere dozens of demon cultivators, every one of them is in Foundation Establishment. Moreover, there are already many demon cultivators lurking in the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District."
This disciple was sensible in every way, usually calm and cautious. But when he was involved, she tended to lose her rationality out of concern.
Upon hearing this,
Zhiwei became even more worried: "What Master says is true. Just among the demon cultivators that purged the He Family, there were several dozen in the Foundation Establishment, which is only the ones on the surface... Therefore, Master, you just recovered..."
"Senior sister! Why are you nagging like an old lady!"
The little girl was displeased, eager to show her skills.
Besides, this was not up to Master!
Thinking of this,
the little girl wanted to continue speaking, but the senior sister shot her a cold glance, causing her to shrink back and fall silent.
Darned senior sister!
She’s merely older than me... How can I become higher in rank than the senior sister?
When that time comes, it’ll be the senior sister looking at her face!
Seeing Qing Jun fall silent,
Zhiwei continued: "If Master insists on going out, then let your disciple accompany you, otherwise, Zhiwei will truly be uneasy."
Chen Ye was amused, realizing Zhiwei’s intention.
After pondering for a moment: "Alright. With Master’s current strength, even if I cannot win, I can still ensure your safety."
"Great!" Qing Jun cheered loudly.
Chen Ye glanced at Qing Jun, then said: "As for Qing Jun, don’t venture out now. You’re close to breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, focus on preparing properly."
These past days, after the last battle,
Zhiwei was already at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, very close to Foundation Establishment.
If she established her foundation within this year, her cultivation speed would even surpass the Passionate Divine Son who only had a hundred-year lifespan!
As for Qing Jun, she was progressing slightly slower.
Currently still at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, but already at the bottleneck, with a few days of seclusion, she could reach the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.
"Humph! Why can senior sister go while I can’t!"
Upon hearing that Master was going to leave her behind, Qing Jun became unhappy.
She leapt down from the bed, ran to Chen Ye, and hugged his arm, "Master is biased! I also want to go slay demons!"
"Nonsense."
Chen Ye frowned, pinching her nose.
"Your spiritual power is fluctuating, you’re about to break through. Splitting your focus now, do you intend to ruin your foundation? With the market in chaos, while your senior sister and I are out eliminating threats, staying in the Herb Pavilion to focus on breaking through is the safest."
Currently, Qing Jun was protected by three Foundation Establishment cultivators, located at the market center, and Bai Susu was stationed there, ensuring ample safety.
Zhiwei silently added: "Master’s Divine Soul is injured, I’m accompanying him to take care. If you go along, Master will have to care for you too, isn’t that more troubling? As for the Profound Scale Guard, they will only ensure your safety, not aid Master."
"I..."
Qing Jun was rendered speechless, her face flushing red.
The senior sister’s words were most piercing, making her fear becoming a burden on Master.
"Got it..." The little girl reluctantly let go, sulking back to sit on the mat, "When I break through to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, I will be more formidable than you all! Then Master won’t leave me anymore!"
...
In the dark alleys of the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, the stench of blood mixed with Demonic Qi.
The patrolling family’s cultivators looked apprehensive.
At times, one could see lifeless corpses hanging on the street trees.
These bodies were from the Liu family in the east of the district.
They were slaughtered by a certain demon cultivator, hung over the main street, spreading fear and gratifying wicked desires.
"Sigh! These roaming Foundation Establishment cultivators, what can we do to them!"
A man in tight clothes collecting the bodies sighed.
Another female cultivator gritted her teeth: "These demon cultivators are truly heartless! Why can’t the grand array of our market obliterate them?"
The man in tight clothes smiled wryly: "Easier said than done! Moon Rhinoceros Lake is vast, connecting Dragon Sleep Mountain above and Cang River below. Let alone the Moon Rhinoceros Grand Array, even Golden Core True Men struggle to locate a particular person across such expansive land."
At the side of the patrol cultivators, in the shadows.
There was a large and small figure lurking.
The larger one was a young man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, the smaller was a girl with black hair and a veiled face.
"Master... Wearing this veil is uncomfortable."
Zhiwei uncomfortably rubbed her face.
Anyway, nobody could see them, so why hide?
But since Master thought it was necessary, there must be a reason!
Chen Ye, pretending to be serious: "Since we’re out to slay demons, isn’t it fitting to have some ceremony?"
"Oh..."
Zhiwei hesitated but nodded, keeping Master’s words in her heart.