Chapter 178: Grand Development Plan

Between Qingxiao Mountain and Ziyang Peak, many Disciples gathered on the flat ground, and the number of Disciples arriving from both mountains was still increasing.

Ji Ya walked over with five Sword Sect Disciples. These five Sword Sect Disciples were the children who were imprisoned with him in the Prefectural City Underground Palace, and they have all grown up now.

Yang Lin stared at the Broken Wood resembling a small mountain ahead, widening her eyes in awe. “This is too huge.”

That section of Broken Wood stood on the grass, fully five *zhang* wide and two *zhang* high. The patterns on the tree were very clear, and the half-outline of an eye could vaguely be seen occupying the wooden surface.

It wasn’t just her; the other onlookers were also discussing it.

“I heard this is the Remnant Limb of the Qi Clan’s Demon?”

“Only three days have passed, and the Demon raised by the Qi Clan is already dead?”

“Do you even need to ask? The Sect Leader must have ridden his Divine Eagle to the Northern Territory.”

“Exactly. We haven’t seen the Sect Leader these past few days. The Sect Leader is truly formidable, always resolving the School’s great troubles alone.”

“The Qi Clan is truly foolish, insisting on sending Demons to persecute us. They are courting death! Angering the Sect Leader will certainly lead to a terrible end.”

Listening to the Disciples’ words, Yang Lin turned her Head to Ji Ya and asked, “Did the Sect Leader really go to the Northern Territory?”

Ji Ya shook his Head. “I don’t know either, but I haven’t seen him these past few days.”

Hearing this, Yang Lin felt a little worried.

Another companion laughed, “What are you thinking? Is there anyone in this world the Sect Leader can’t handle? Besides, the appearance of this section of Broken Wood indicates that the Sect Leader has already finished the battle; it just takes time to return.”

When Yang Lin heard this, she felt it made sense, and a smile reappeared on her Face.

Not far away, Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, and The Three Xiao Brothers also rushed over to join the fun. The appearance of these five people caused the Disciples to quickly make way.

Everyone knew that these five were Disciples the Sect Leader focused on cultivating, and their future achievements might not be inferior to Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning.

Yang Lin watched them chatting and laughing, couldn’t help but turn her Head to Ji Ya, and asked, “Ji Ya, why don’t you usually hang out with them?”

Ji Ya smiled, “I don’t have that much time. Just accompanying you all is enough.”

Yang Lin frowned and said, “Actually, you don’t need to come find us every time you have free time. Interacting more with them will be helpful for your future.”

Both Seven Halls and the Sword Sect have internal conflicts. As a Sect Leader’s Disciple, Ji Ya will also be drawn into Power Struggles later. They are still young now and might not have such competition, but that won’t be the case in the future. Yang Lin worried that Ji Ya, being outside the Core Inner Circle, might be targeted then.

“It’s fine. After all, we are Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers; our feelings won’t change. Besides, my personality is quieter, and I can’t keep up with them,” Ji Ya said with an indifferent smile.

He understood the temperaments of Zhao Zhen and the others, and he felt comfortable with their current way of interacting.

Yang Lin shook her Head, but as soon as she thought of the Sect Leader, she felt relieved. With the Sect Leader around, even if Ji Ya didn’t socialize, he would be safe.

In the days that followed, Xiao Ba brought back a section of demon wood every day. As the demon wood accumulated, the Disciples realized they had vastly underestimated the size of this Demon.

At the same time, they also became curious: how did the Sect Leader kill this Demon?

Many Disciples had touched the demon wood; it was extremely hard. The high-ranking members of the School even allowed them to cast spells on a section of demon wood, but no matter how they attacked, they couldn’t damage it. This gave the Disciples a deeper understanding of how terrifying the Demon was… Amidst the vast, snow-covered mountains, Li Qingqiu, Shen Yue, and Mo Jiuhong walked forward leisurely.

Mo Jiuhong carried several large Bundles on his back, yet he didn’t feel tired at all, and a smile remained on his Face.

Shen Yue walked ahead, gesturing something with one hand. He had found a Sword Technique Secret in the Qi Clan’s territory and was currently studying it.

Li Qingqiu held a book, reading as he walked. The book recorded Ancient Legends, which greatly interested him.

It is said that a long time ago, there were no humans on the earth, only various Vicious Beasts, Auspicious Omens, and Yao Beasts running rampant. It wasn’t until Immortals descended, slaughtered the Vicious Beasts and Yao Beasts, and captured the Auspicious Omens, that this land gradually became peaceful, and the Human Race began to migrate in.

Li Qingqiu had always been very interested in the Cultivation Legacy of the Nine Provinces Land. Why did the previous Cultivators leave, and what were they hiding from? These questions had to be answered sooner or later.

According to the Ji Clan’s legends, a Heavenly Calamity once appeared on this land, and all signs indicated that some kind of Catastrophe truly existed.

Li Qingqiu felt it was necessary to prepare for the Catastrophe in advance. After returning this time, he planned to focus heavily on Formations and Magical Artifacts.

He had already cut the Ancient God’s corpse into many pieces and assigned Xiao Ba to transport them. Such hard wood would definitely be suitable for refining Magical Artifacts.

Just as Li Qingqiu was contemplating the future development direction of the School, two figures, a man and a woman, ran toward them on the mountain path. The woman was wearing a Soldier’s Armor and holding a Young Boy in her arms, while the man was a Monk holding a wooden staff.

Li Qingqiu merely glanced at them before withdrawing his gaze.

Shen Yue walked ahead, focused on practicing his sword, and did not look up, but Mo Jiuhong curiously looked forward.

The Monk and the Armored Woman ran quickly all the way. As they approached Shen Yue, the Monk spoke up to warn them, “Quickly hide! The Yellow Springs Army is coming!”

As soon as his voice fell, the ground began to tremble, followed by the sound of hooves.

The Monk gritted his teeth, ready to lead the Armored Woman into the nearby woods. Suddenly, when his gaze swept over Li Qingqiu and Mo Jiuhong, he froze and stopped walking.

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing him stop, the Armored Woman asked in surprise. Her Face was tense, and as she spoke, she looked behind her, afraid that the Yellow Springs Army was catching up.

The Monk stepped forward, bowed to Li Qingqiu, and said, “Monk Xuhong of Chanding Temple pays respects to Sect Master Li.”

Li Qingqiu had an impression of him. When he went to Guzhou Prefecture to fight the Demon School, he saw Monk Xuhong fighting many opponents and suffering severe injuries. That was the Qingxiao Sect’s first battle entering the city.

“Is something the matter?” Li Qingqiu asked.

Monk Xuhong was no longer as young as he was back then, his Face showing signs of weariness. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Please, Sect Master Li, save us.”

The sound of hooves grew nearer. A group of Mounted Soldiers appeared at the end of the mountain path. They wore armor, had Yellow Scarves wrapped around their necks, and each held a long weapon, full of Killing Intent.

Monk Xuhong glanced at them, turned back to Li Qingqiu, and quickly said, “Sect Master Li, the woman beside me is Madam Xu, the wife of General Li Yuzhong of the Li Clan of Linchuan. The child in her arms is General Li Yuzhong’s son. The Li Clan once fought against Demon Emperor Zhao Zhi and is one of the few righteous Aristocratic Families in the world. The Yellow Springs Army, believing the Demonic Daoist, incited Refugees and attacked Yuling City, abducting Madam Xu and her son…”

Before he could finish speaking, the Yellow Springs Army surrounded them.

Madam Xu tightly held the child in her arms, looking around in terror.

Monk Xuhong gripped the long staff in his hand, facing the Yellow Springs Army warily.

The leading General wore exquisite and bright Silver Armor. He smiled, looked at Monk Xuhong, and said, “Monk, where else do you think you can run? I’ll give you one more chance: serve the Yellow Springs Army, or I won’t let you escape again.”

Monk Xuhong glared at him angrily and said, “The Yellow Springs Army captures cities and territories but does nothing; they only seek pleasure, commit rape and pillage, and stop at no evil! It is impossible for this Poor Monk to serve you!”

The General leaned forward and chuckled teasingly, “There are so many Feudal Lords in this world. If the Yellow Springs Army immediately seized cities and became kings, we would be passive. We should let the other lords fight first while we accumulate power. Eventually, this world will belong to the Yellow Springs Army. By then, who would dare to question our actions? Monk, you probably haven’t broken your vows yet, right? If you submit, Li Yuzhong’s wife can be provided for your pleasure. Don’t miss this opportunity.”

Upon hearing this, Monk Xuhong was enraged and was about to charge at him, but Li Qingqiu raised his hand and stopped him.

Suddenly, a figure flashed past Monk Xuhong, dragging the General off his horse and onto the ground, startling the other soldiers into raising their weapons.

The one who made the move was none other than Mo Jiuhong.

Mo Jiuhong, carrying a large pile of Bundles, looked down at the General on the ground and said expressionlessly, “In front of our Sect Leader, who allowed you to be so condescending?”

What swift Skill!

Monk Xuhong was secretly startled. Having traveled the Jianghu for so many years, he had never met Mo Jiuhong.

As expected of the Qingxiao Sect, experts truly gather here like clouds.

No one in Chanding Temple could compare to the Movement Technique Mo Jiuhong displayed.

“You…”

The General lying on the ground was furious and shocked. He tried to get up, but Mo Jiuhong stepped on his chest, leaving him unable to move.

Li Qingqiu said impatiently, “Why waste words? Kill them all.”

Hearing this, Mo Jiuhong immediately grinned. He bent down, raised his hand, used his palm as a blade, and directly chopped off the General’s Head, splashing blood everywhere.

Seeing this, the Cavalrymen’s expressions drastically changed, and those nearby immediately attacked.

For a moment, horses collided and snow mist flew, and the scene became chaotic. Monk Xuhong protected Madam Xu and her son, feeling equally terrified in his heart. He hadn’t expected Li Qingqiu and Mo Jiuhong to be so ruthless, killing without hesitation.

It seemed the rumors were true: any Martial Forest School that offended the Qingxiao Sect would be completely eradicated.

Soon, most of the Cavalrymen began to flee, but Mo Jiuhong was relentless and pursued them.

The mountain path quieted down. Monk Xuhong quickly bowed to Li Qingqiu, thanking them for their intervention.

Li Qingqiu’s expression was calm, and he casually said, “I also did this because of Li Yang’s Face.”

Madam Xu was surprised and asked, “Sect Master Li, did Li Yang truly become your Disciple?”

For some reason, she always felt that Li Qingqiu looked somewhat similar to her Husband.

“It’s not exactly becoming a formal Disciple, but he has joined the Qingxiao Sect,” Li Qingqiu replied casually.

He stepped forward, and Shen Yue followed his pace.

Monk Xuhong hesitated for a moment, then had Madam Xu follow along.

They walked onward, and the path was littered with corpses.

After Mo Jiuhong killed the last person, he waited in place. Once Li Qingqiu and the others approached, he squatted down and wiped the blood from his hands with snow.

“Shen Yue will carry your Bundles,” Li Qingqiu suddenly instructed.

Shen Yue, who was practicing his sword, looked at him in surprise. Mo Jiuhong chuckled and immediately threw the Bundles onto Shen Yue.

Shen Yue?

Sword God?

Monk Xuhong looked at Shen Yue, feeling excited. He held the same reverence for the rumored Sword God and hadn’t expected to meet him here.

Li Qingqiu did not refuse Monk Xuhong and Madam Xu from following. Having traveled all the way from Cangzhou, they had already saved many people; three more wouldn’t make a difference.

Mo Jiuhong stretched his body, feeling completely relaxed. He moved closer to Monk Xuhong and started chatting with him, asking about their previous experiences.