Chapter 505: blood stone

“Name, Realm, and origin.”

The Demon Shadow Sect member in charge of registration asked.

“Name: Lin Bei. Local from Longming Continent. Early Stage Dragon Gate Realm.”

Lin Xun thought for a moment before making up a name and answering.

The Demon Shadow Sect Disciple responsible for recording didn’t say much. He simply noted it down in a ledger and tossed a wooden plaque onto the table.

“In four days, gather at this location. We will take you to the selection.”

This Demon Shadow Sect Disciple sounded extremely impatient.

He was even more arrogant than the Disciples of Zilin Holy Land.

But it was normal; after all, small Sects of this ‘nouveau riche’ type were basically all like this.

“Alright, thank you for the trouble.”

Lin Xun smiled slightly.

After accepting the token, Lin Xun found an inn to stay in.

While waiting for the Demon Shadow Sect’s selection over the next few days, Lin Xun continued to inquire about recent news regarding the Dragon Cry Holy Land.

The conflict between the Soul Faction and the Technique Faction of the Dragon Cry Holy Land had basically spread across the entire Longming Continent.

After all, the Dragon Cry Holy Land was the number one sacred land of the Longming Continent.

Everyone kept a close eye on even the slightest disturbance.

It would be difficult not to attract attention.

Therefore, it was relatively easy for Lin Xun to gather information about the Dragon Cry Holy Land.

After two days of investigating, the overall situation could be summarized as the Dragon Cry Holy Land being on the verge of a split.

The clashes between the Soul Faction and the Technique Faction were becoming increasingly intense, even reaching a boiling point.

Casualties on both sides were rising, and it was even heard that two Yupu Realm Cultivators from each faction had died in the fighting.

It could be said that the conflict between the Soul Faction and the Technique Faction had reached an irreconcilable stage.

The efforts previously made by the Dragon Cry Holy Lord, Long Ming, had basically all vanished into thin air.

Ever since Long Ming’s cultivation was crippled and he returned to the Dragon Cry Holy Land, he had been imprisoned.

No, it should be said he was under house arrest; Long Ming was still being served with fine food and drink.

But at this moment, Long Ming was merely a Puppet, the Sect Master in name only.

After all, Long Ming no longer held any real power.

The reason Long Ming hadn’t died was because both sides previously fantasized about unifying the Dragon Cry Holy Land.

To do that, they needed Long Ming as a figurehead.

But now, the conflict had reached such a point.

Long Ming being alive was now equivalent to a stumbling block.

Whether it was the Soul Faction or the Technique Faction, aside from a very small number of Holy Lord supporters, it could be said they all wished Long Ming would die in the next moment.

However, the Dragon Cry Holy Lord couldn’t just die for nothing; his death had to have value and meaning.

So, both the Soul Faction and the Technique Faction had actually attempted several assassinations on the Dragon Cry Holy Lord.

The goal was to frame the other side for Long Ming’s death.

But the problem was that each side’s assassination attempts were neutralized by the other.

Until now, the Dragon Cry Holy Lord was still perfectly fine.

Neither side wanted the other to gain an advantage by letting them pin the crime on them.

Yet, they no longer wanted Long Ming to live.

Because as long as Long Ming lived,

The Dragon Cry Holy Land could not achieve a true separation.

Thus, the Soul Faction and the Technique Faction actually reached a ridiculous consensus on this matter.

That was: Long Ming must die! And he had to die for the sake of ‘righteousness’; he absolutely could not just be disposed of in secret.

Consequently, Lin Xun received some news.

In two months, on the day of the Dragon Cry Holy Land’s annual grand ceremony, Long Ming would be executed.

As for the reason for the execution, it was that the Dragon Cry Holy Lord had colluded with members of the demonic cult and emptied the coffers of the Dragon Cry Holy Land.

Therefore, the Dragon Cry Holy Lord would be dealt with according to the rules.

The news of the impending execution of the Dragon Cry Holy Lord, while not yet having spread to the point of being known by the entire Dragon Cry Holy Land, had been circulating for two or three days.

He believed that before long, everyone in the Myriad Laws World would know.

Actually, seeing the Dragon Cry Holy Land reach this state, Lin Xun felt he bore some responsibility.

After all, he was the one who had completely crippled Long Ming’s cultivation, turning him into an ordinary person.

Once the Dragon Cry Holy Land lost its top-tier, invincible suppression, it began its descent into division.

But if one were to say Lin Xun should compensate them, or take all the responsibility upon himself,

Or if one were to say Lin Xun regretted it,

Then Lin Xun would definitely not think that way.

Back then, the Dragon Cry Holy Lord had teamed up with others to kill him; by sparing his life, he had already given him enough of a chance.

So even though he crippled his cultivation, Lin Xun didn’t feel he was in the wrong at all.

One could only say: who told Long Ming to seek death back then?

Furthermore, Lin Xun felt that even if he hadn’t crippled his Realm, the situation of the Dragon Cry Holy Land would still be very difficult.

As soon as the Dragon Cry Holy Lord’s cultivation was crippled, the conflict immediately erupted.

This showed that the conflict between the two factions of the Dragon Cry Holy Land was already extremely intense.

Even if it hadn’t been shown on the surface, both sides were already extremely dissatisfied in their hearts.

They were just waiting for a fuse, and this fuse would have been ignited sooner or later; it was merely a matter of time.

Long Ming’s previous methods of handling the Soul Faction and the Technique Faction weren’t entirely wrong and had some effect.

But they mostly treated the symptoms rather than the root cause.

Therefore, this current outcome was actually inevitable.

Lin Xun was merely one small factor in it.

But regardless, Lin Xun still didn’t want Long Ming to die like this.

After all, if the Dragon Cry Holy Lord died, it meant the Dragon Cry Holy Land would definitely split.

And if the Dragon Cry Holy Land split, who would be left to guard that Forbidden Land?

Besides, if the Dragon Cry Holy Land split, how would their assets be divided?

Someone would surely take advantage of the situation.

And in such chaos, what if that Seal key was unlocked?

Although Long Ming gave Lin Xun the impression of being the type of person with a violent temper, almost no brains, and who would resort to violence at the drop of a hat,

This kind of person was also relatively principled and understood the greater good.

Lin Xun felt that as long as he spoke with him properly,

Regarding the guarding of that Forbidden Land, Long Ming would surely cooperate fully.

In fact, even if Long Ming died, he wouldn’t let the things inside come out.

But if the Dragon Cry Holy Land split and its power weakened, then everything would be hard to say.

Thinking about how that guy teamed up with others to kill him, then he crippled his cultivation, which finally led to the current situation,

And in the end, he had to go save him.

For some reason, Lin Xun couldn’t help but feel a sense of frustration.

But then again,

Thinking of the Dragon Cry Holy Lord reminded Lin Xun of the two Dragon Cry Saintesses.

Lin Xun didn’t know if the pair of sisters knew the news that their father was about to be executed.

After all, this news was still only spreading within the Longming Continent.

It hadn’t reached other places yet.

After all, how should one put it?

Even Long Ming surely had some friends in other places over all these years.

When his life wasn’t in danger, these friends naturally wouldn’t personally head to the Dragon Cry Holy Land to step into this muddy water.

But if they knew Long Ming’s life was in danger, the possibility of these friends heading to the Dragon Cry Holy Land to save him wasn’t non-existent.

This was why the Soul Faction and Technique Faction of the Dragon Cry Holy Land wanted to execute the Dragon Cry Holy Lord as quickly as possible.

Once it was a done deal and the ‘wood was made into a boat,’ it would be too late for anything, and it would save a lot of trouble.

Actually, this was also quite good.

Rather than having the two sisters, Long Yaner, worry about their father’s safety and eventually walk into a trap at the Dragon Cry Holy Land, it was better that they didn’t know.

After all, with the strength of the two sisters, it was impossible for them to save Long Ming; instead, they would be in mortal danger themselves.

Three days later, on the day of the Demon Shadow Sect selection, Lin Xun arrived at the registration point.

At this time, the registration point was already crowded with people.

The Cultivators of the Demon Shadow Sect brought out dozens of immortal ships and took away the Cultivators who had registered for the selection.

Everyone was sent to a small plain.

At the other end of the small plain was a vast forest.

To prevent being recognized and causing any accidents, Lin Xun had already used a disguise when he registered.

So Lin Xun was now using a fake face, and truly no one could recognize him.

Upon arriving at this plain, Lin Xun saw some of the Elders of the Demon Shadow Sect.

Lin Xun felt a bit of regret.

Because he hadn’t expected that the Genius Sect Master of the Demon Shadow Sect hadn’t actually come, which was a bit disappointing for Lin Xun.

But it wasn’t a big deal.

In any case, they would meet sooner or later; there was no rush.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoists, for traveling from afar, and for your trust and regard for our Demon Shadow Sect.”

An Elder of the Demon Shadow Sect stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to everyone, and gave an opening speech.

“Although my Demon Shadow Sect was a small Sect before,

After this period of development,

Especially since our Sect Master is destined to achieve Ascension in the future,

The Demon Shadow Sect will surely become a top-tier Sect!

Therefore, for the better development of the Demon Shadow Sect in the future,

We have decided to invite more Fellow Daoists to join the Demon Shadow Sect and create a great undertaking together!

However, I ask for your understanding.

A total of three thousand Cultivators have registered for the Demon Shadow Sect this time.

But in the end, only three hundred will be selected.

Among you, Fellow Daoists in the Golden Core Realm may leave first; you do not need to participate in this selection and can directly enter my Demon Shadow Sect.

Furthermore, Fellow Daoists of the Golden Core Realm do not take up the slots for joining the Demon Shadow Sect.”

Following the announcement by this Demon Shadow Sect Elder,

The Cultivators on the plain whispered among themselves, and then a total of eight Golden Core Realm Cultivators flew out, stepped forward to sign their names, and were led toward the Demon Shadow Sect by a maidservant.

There were over seventy Cultivators in the Dragon Gate Realm.

Barring any accidents, the Dragon Gate Realm Cultivators would also certainly be selected.

But the others felt a bit uneasy.

Among the remaining Cultivators, most were in the Sea Gazing Realm or the Cave Mansion Realm.

There were over a thousand Sea Gazing Realm Cultivators; how were those in the Cave Mansion Realm supposed to compete?

“Alright, now I ask all Fellow Daoists to work hard.

Our selection method is also extremely simple.

I believe you have all seen it.

In the wild forest ahead, there are three hundred blood-red stones called blood stones.

As long as you get hold of one blood stone and walk out of that forest,

Then you can join our Demon Shadow Sect.

Good luck to everyone, let us begin now.”

As the Demon Shadow Sect Elder’s voice fell, people immediately began rushing toward the forest, wanting to gain an early advantage.

More and more people rushed in.

Lin Xun glanced at the Demon Shadow Sect Elder standing on the high platform and then withdrew his gaze.

Only then did Lin Xun unhurriedly walk toward the forest.

Although doing this was a bit troublesome, having to participate in a trial,

Lin Xun’s goal was very simple:

That was to secretly approach the Sect Master of the Demon Shadow Sect and then find out his true identity.

If the other party was that Blood Demon, he would find an opportunity to eliminate him.

Of course, if possible, Lin Xun also wanted to use the Demon Shadow Sect as a good cover to infiltrate the Dragon Cry Holy Land.

After infiltrating the Dragon Cry Holy Land, he could then find out where Long Ming was being held and rescue him.

Otherwise, all of this would be quite troublesome.

If Lin Xun were to just recklessly rush into the Demon Shadow Sect right now, that Blood Demon would probably have fled long ago.

And if he wanted to rescue Long Ming, he had to act with a bit of caution.

Although Lin Xun’s strength was indeed extremely formidable, and taking on an entire Holy Land wasn’t impossible,

If it really came to that point and a real fight broke out, even if he won, he would still suffer significant injuries.

After all, that was an entire Holy Land, not just a small Sect.

It wasn’t impossible that the Soul Faction and Technique Faction would unite first to resist an external enemy.

Upon entering the small forest, many people began searching for the mentioned blood stones.

Then, as they searched, everyone began to fight.

Regardless of whether they had found one or not, they would first eliminate a few competitors.

After all, the fewer competitors there were, wouldn’t their own chances be greater?

Then Lin Xun heard the miserable screams of many Cultivators.

Once their lives were gone, their Storage Pouches and other such things were naturally all seized.

Lin Xun found a stone and was soon subjected to a siege.

But those Cultivators were merely seeking death; Lin Xun sent them on their way.

Holding this stone, he felt that it was a bit strange.

Lin Xun looked it over carefully.

Then he sent a wisp of Divine Sense into the stone to investigate.

Only then did he discover that there was another Divine Soul inside this blood stone.

If one were to inject spiritual power and Divine Sense into it without any precautions, the Divine Soul inside would be activated.

Then your own Divine Soul would very likely be devoured.

In other words, the Demon Shadow Sect originally intended to control everyone.

Sure enough, barring any accidents, the identity of that Demon Shadow Sect Master was indeed that Blood Demon.