Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048
Page 969
His voice quivered slightly, but he said what countless other disciples wanted to say. Of the disciples present, over eighty percent of them came from sects that had told them to join Sha Guangyan’s side.
Some sects had even ordered them to join that side, or they would be viewed as criminals who had betrayed their sects.
However, geniuses were naturally rebellious. It was hard to change what they had set their minds on.
Not all of them chose to stand on the neutral side because they believed Long Chen was falsely accused. There was also another portion that had simply been irritated by their sect’s orders and so they deliberately went against them.
However, now they felt a burst of fear, as well as anger toward their higher-ups. Those higher-ups had almost sent them to their deaths.
Betraying one’s sect made them traitors, and others would look down on them. That was a name that they would never be able to get rid of in their life.
However, who wouldn’t want to join the Xuantian Dao Sect? They had the old patriarch, a Netherpassage expert, as well as Long Chen’s Dragonblood Legion. Who could stop their rise now?
Anyone who joined the Dragonblood Legion would instantly have their status rise. The Xuantian Dao Sect’s brilliance would surpass all expectations for sure. Joining them was definitely the wisest decision.
However, would the Xuantian Dao Sect accept them, people who had betrayed their sect?
“The Dao is endless, while love should be limitless. The Xuantian Dao Sect’s cultivation is based on cultivating the Dao. The Dao contains all things, so we naturally have room to expand. As long as your hearts remain righteous, then no matter your status or talent, my Xuantian Dao Sect will welcome you.” Li Tianxuan smiled amicably.
However, inside, he was extremely moved. His palms were sweaty. He knew the Xuantian Dao Sect was truly rising.
“Many thanks, Xuan Master! Disciple wishes to join the Xuantian Dao Sect!” A rank nine Celestial flew over and kowtowed toward Li Tianxuan.
“I also want to.”
“I also- hey, don’t push me!”
“Whose hands are those? If you dare to touch me again, I’ll kill you right now!”
Everything became chaotic as the heavenly geniuses of the neutral camp fought to fly to the front.
Tens of thousands of experts were rushing over. Sixty to seventy percent of those experts were rank nine Celestials. Liu Cang’s smile looked like a flower in bloom.
There was no way to differentiate them into inner and outer sect disciples. These people were all geniuses amongst geniuses, experts amongst experts.
The Xuantian Dao Sect had now picked up countless treasures- no, the treasures had taken the initiative to jump into their hands. It wasn’t even possible to pick them all up.
Wang Zhen couldn’t help but bitterly smile. He looked at Hua Shiyu, Zhao Ziyan, and the others. He saw a similar sadness in their eyes.
They were originally the Xuantian Dao Sect’s top geniuses. However, once these people joined, they would immediately be drowned out.
Li Tianxuan patted Wang Zhen on the shoulder. “Don’t be dejected. You will always be the heavenly geniuses of the Xuantian Dao Sect. No one will surpass you. Of course, that’s on the precondition that you don’t compare yourself to Long Chen.
“Xuan Master, disciple isn’t jealous…” Wang Zhen hastily tried to explain himself.
Li Tianxuan waved his hand. “All of you are disciples I’ve seen growing up. Other than that little monster Long Chen, I’m clear on everything in your hearts. Don’t worry. The Xuantian Dao Sect’s karmic luck is soaring into the sky. As witnesses to the Xuantian Dao Sect’s rise, you are the favorites of this generation of the Xuantian Dao Sect. Once everything’s over, I will activate the karmic luck blessing. You’ll all have a chance of becoming Empyreans,” said Li Tianxuan confidently.
His confidence stemmed from Long Chen. Long Chen had truly been ruthless during the Dragon Slaughtering Convention. Practically, all the Eastern Xuan Region’s experts had been drawn over, and over a hundred sects had been destroyed during this convention. The world was changing because of him.
Karmic luck had become increasingly turbulent. With so many geniuses joining the Xuantian Dao Sect, they would bring all the Eastern Xuan Region’s karmic luck with them.
Li Tianxuan was so excited not just because of all these genius disciples joining, but also the endless karmic luck they were bringing with them. That was the true priceless treasure.
There were even two Empyreans who decided to join the Xuantian Dao Sect after hesitating for a long time. The Elders almost went crazy with joy.
As more disciples joined the Xuantian Dao Sect, the senior experts from the other sects turned ashen. The Xuantian Dao Sect’s rise was now set in stone. No one could possibly stop them now.
The ancient race experts didn’t want to keep watching this, and they left dejectedly. The ancient family alliance’s experts also left in groups.
In the end, there were only a few experts of the Righteous path that refused to leave. Li Tianxuan knew what they wanted. He said, “My Xuantian Dao Sect cultivates the Dao. Although we can only understand the slightest fraction of the true Dao, we know how to distinguish right and wrong. This time, Long Chen really went a bit too far. When my Xuantian Dao Sect calms down, we’ll make sure to send over some humble gifts as an apology.”
Li Tianxuan was very experienced with how the world worked. He knew that these people were afraid of the Xuantian Dao Sect causing trouble for them once they grew stronger.
However, his words were humble, expressing his attitude: the things in the past were in the past. He wouldn’t bother them over it. They could all just get along.
His last sentence in particular was giving them face. After all, Long Chen had killed all their disciples. Offering some compensation was alright since they were the ultimate winners.
“We wouldn’t dare to accept. Once the Xuantian Dao Sect rebuilds, please send a message to me, Qi Yunge. I promise to come celebrate with you,” said a smiling elder.
Long Chen’s face twitched. How shameless did someone have to be to act like this? Just now, this person had been shouting to kill him. Just how fake were people?
For profit, a person’s two-faced nature would reveal itself. Even their emotions were fake. Just what was the point of their cultivation? What was the point of their life? Could it be that cultivation was not to live with dignity but so that you could do whatever you wanted?
What made Long Chen speechless was that there were even more shameless sect leaders who now went over to Li Tianxuan, exchanging conversation with him. Some people even praised Long Chen for being so talented at such a young age.
A strange smile appeared on Long Chen’s face. Yes, he supposed he really was talented to have killed all their elite disciples.
He turned away from them. These people might have smiles on their faces now, but Long Chen saw their killing intent and resentment clearer than anyone.
These people simply swayed whichever way the wind blew, but they always left themselves a path out. Long Chen dared to guarantee that if Pill Valley rose and the Xuantian Dao Sect was in an inferior position, their fake smiles would instantly transform into icy sneers. They wouldn’t hesitate to raise their butcher’s knife against the Xuantian Dao Sect. Perhaps this was simply the cultivation world. It was full of fake, dislikable people.
Liu Cang, the Tower Department Head, and the Elders were busy registering disciples, while Li Tianxuan was busy conversing with the hypocritical sect leaders. Qu Jianying, the patriarch, and the old man didn’t say anything. They just watched calmly.
After these Righteous experts were done with their fake congratulations, they departed. Some of the neutral camp’s disciples also began to leave now. The battle today had ended, and it was time for them to leave.
Due to various reasons, they didn’t want to leave their sects. After all, no matter how bad a sect was, it was still their ho
me. No one would want to leave their home.
From a distance, Long Chen watched a group of women leave. Appearing isolated and alone, Zi Yan led the Illusive Music Immortal Palace’s disciples away.
Although Long Chen hadn’t looked at her, he knew that Zi Yan had been watching him the entire time. She had wanted to say something several times, but in the end, she had merely sighed and left.
Staring at Zi Yan’s distant back, even Long Chen didn’t know what emotion he was feeling. In any case, he was feeling very unwell.
Meng Qi held his hand. She softly said, “You know, she’s a good person.”
“I know. Unfortunately, we’re fated to be enemies,” sighed Long Chen. This world was just too irritating. It had to force him to become someone that repaid kindness with enmity.
“Long Chen, I don’t think you should stay in the Eastern Xuan Region any longer. Come with me to the Central Xuan Region!” Once the outsiders had left, Qu Jianying, who had been silent for so long, suddenly opened her mouth.
Chapter 1578 The Old Man’s Secret
“Don’t even think about it!”
Qu Jianying had just opened her mouth when the old man stood in opposition to her. Long Chen was a bit befuddled, not knowing what was going on.
“I was asking Long Chen, not you. Why are you so big-mouthed?” demanded Qu Jianying.
“Long Chen is my family’s child, so I get to decide,” shouted the old man, stabbing the black staff into the ground.
“I can’t be bothered with you. Long Chen, do you want to come with me to the Central Xuan Region? That place is definitely a hundred times better than here. With me present, no one would dare to bully you. Not even Pill Valley or the Xuan Beasts have those guts,” said Qu Jianying, turning to Long Chen.
Long Chen shook his head. “Many thanks for your kind intentions, but I don’t want to leave the Eastern Xuan Region for now. I also can’t leave the Xuantian Dao Sect.”
Long Chen’s words caused the old man’s expression to improve slightly. On the other hand, Li Tianxuan’s expression was calm from start to end. He didn’t seem worried at all.
“Are you a fool? The Xuantian Dao Sect might be rising, and I’ve also made my warning, making it so people won’t directly target you, but it’s the hidden arrows that are hardest to block. Even if you aren’t thinking of yourself, what about the people beside you?” demanded Qu Jianying, disappointed with his poor decision.
Long Chen laughed, “The cultivation path is one of no return. Ever since we chose to fight for the peak of the martial path, we began betting our lives against the heavens. If we didn’t even have the courage to bet, how would we cultivate? The entire Dragonblood Legion thinks the same way. They’ve entrusted their lives to me, and my decision is their decision. Even if we fall on the struggle of the martial path, we will die together. We’ll gather in the yellow springs and continue our fight from there.”
Long Chen’s laughter was full of equanimity toward death and unstoppable drive that caused all the experts to be moved. Only a domineering person could say such domineering words.
The old man and the seven bosses all smiled. This was how grand a man should act.
“You… you really are just like that old ghost,” raged Qu Jianying.
“Hahaha, my family’s children all have this kind of temperament. What, you don’t like it?” laughed the old man as if he had won.
Qu Jianying’s angry expression suddenly transformed into a contemptuous smile. “What does Long Chen’s temperament have to do with you? He came from the Eastern Wasteland. I’ve never seen someone as shameless as you. It’s like you think Long Chen’s accomplishments are all thanks to you. People really grow more shameless as they grow old.”
“Bullshit!” The old man raged, “Long Chen was just a brat in the Eastern Wasteland, and he even killed one of my Heaven Splitting Battle Sect’s outer disciples. It was only thanks to my wisdom that we didn’t pursue that and even cleaned up a batch of disciples that didn’t fit our standards. We even gave him Split the Heavens! His accomplishments are definitely partially thanks to me. How am I shameless?”
The old man looked exceptionally infuriated. He was like a provoked lion, and even the veins on his forehead were bulging.
The seven bosses simply shook their heads with a smile, not surprised at all. Long Chen didn’t comprehend at first, but when he thought of what the seventh boss had said to him, he realized what was happening. So that’s what it was!
“Does getting angry about the truth have any use? If the Xuantian Dao Sect hadn’t arrived just now, you would either be dead or crippled. Don’t you feel shame bragging so much?” demanded Qu Jianying disdainfully.
“So what? Even if they hadn’t come, I could have cut down Yu Xiaoyun’s clone. Who would dare to look down on me?” snorted the old man.
Long Chen was startled. The old man was actually so powerful that with his half-step Netherpassage cultivation base, he could still destroy Yu Xiaoyun’s clone even when it was in possession of the Daynight Furnace? It seemed the ninth form of Split the Heavens had some kind of secret to it.
“To trade your true body with a clone, have you grown muddled with age?” asked Qu Jianying coldly.
“I was willing to do it. Does that have anything to do with you?”
The old man didn’t have the slightest air of a wise elder or a reserved elder. However, his current appearance did make him seem much younger.
As the two of them exchanged words, more and more experts came to a realization. As long as they weren’t a fool, anyone would be able to tell that Qu Jianying and the old man had some kind of relationship.
Qu Jianying ignored the old man’s reply and looked at Long Chen. “Child, let me ask you. If your women grew stronger than you, what would you do? Would you get jealous of them?”
Long Chen was caught off-guard by this question. Looking at Meng Qi, Chu Yao, and Tang Wan-er, he replied without any hesitation, “If they were stronger than me, that would be the best. It would make me overjoyed. Why would I get jealous?”
“Do you see that? That’s called a man. Hmph, not like some petty little person whose heart is narrower than a needle and doesn’t like it when other people are stronger than him.” Although Qu Jianying didn’t directly bring up the old man, her meaning was already clear.
“When did I ever get jealous of you? What a joke. I’ve already comprehended life and death, and I’m just one step away from Netherpassage. Just wait! We’re leaving!” The old man waved his hand and then left. In his fury, he didn’t even say goodbye. Boss Bao and the others hastily followed. Bao Buping and Chang Hao waved goodbye to Long Chen as they ran off as well. They knew the old man was angry and couldn’t be further provoked.
Long Chen shook his head. Clearly, the old man had some kind of relationship with the alliance head.
From Qu Jianying’s eyes, Long Chen saw a trace of remorse, but she still kept a cold smile on her face.
That made Long Chen sigh. Even at such an age, they were still like children. Could they not grow up?
Qu Jianying took a deep breath. Looking at Long Chen, she said, “You’re a good child, and a real man at that. Don’t follow in that old ghost’s footsteps and become so narrow-minded, looking down on women. For now, this matter is over. I have regained control of the Martial Heaven Alliance and cleaned up its interior. The Martial Heaven Alliance won’t be in turmoil like before. Also, Pill Valley won’t be able to find trouble for you temporarily, and the Corrupt path should cease their schemes as long as they have the slightest brains. As for the Xuan Beasts, I will personally warn them. I doubt they would dare to touch you.”
“Many thanks, senior. I’ve been tired just trying to keep up with them. I can finally take a break.” Long Chen smiled.
That smile truly contained some relief. Right after the battle of the Spirit World where he had lost hundreds of his brothers, he had returned to the continent to find that the Xuantian Dao Sect was destroyed and all so
rts of rumors were spreading. He had been surrounded by enemies this entire time.
“You really are different from that old fellow. Even when he was young and filled with drive, he refused to ever admit when he was tired. Well, that’s not important. Think of some way to give this to him, and do your best not to let him know that it’s from me.” Qu Jianying took out a jade case.
This jade case was covered in black and white lines. When Long Chen touched it, his heart pounded. There was powerful life and death energy coming from the jade case. He felt like his soul was about to be pulled into it.
“This is some of my experience when entering the Netherworld. Help me give it to that old ghost. However, if you tell him it’s from me, he won’t accept it.” Qu Jianying shook her head helplessly.
Long Chen promised, “Don’t worry, just leave it to me. I’ll handle this.”
Qu Jianying smiled. “I was rushing to come here today, so I don’t have any gifts for you. Next time I’ll have something ready. I have to go now. Things back at the headquarters are still in shambles. Be careful.”
Qu Jianying was saying goodbye to the patriarch and was about to leave when she suddenly let out a cold snort. She slashed her sword upward.
A flash of sword-light pierced the void, tearing open the sky.
A vague figure could be seen for just a moment before it vanished.
“Bloodkill Hall, listen well! If you dare to use seniors to attack juniors, then even if I have to flip through this whole world, I’ll find you and erase you from existence!” shouted Qu Jianying.
Everyone jumped in shock. None of them had even sensed someone. If it hadn’t been for Qu Jianying, they wouldn’t have even known that there was a terrifying assassin approaching.
Long Chen also praised her inside. She was truly worthy of being the head of the Martial Heaven Alliance. She had actually sensed that assassin one step before him.