Chapter 78: Swearing to the Heavens

“Junior Brother Lin, what urgent matter requires an audience with the Sect Leader?” Meng Yangquan asked. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Lin, but if it was something trivial, even as a disciple at the Divine Realm stage, he himself could be punished for disturbing the Sect Leader.

Although this junior brother was somewhat enigmatic, his cultivation base was far too low. What might seem like a major issue to them was likely nothing more than a minor matter to Meng Yangquan.

At this stage, the fewer people who knew about this, the better. However, Meng Senior Brother was deeply concerned about Mu Chenyu. If Lin thought it inappropriate to speak openly in front of her, it might provoke Meng’s displeasure.

“Senior Brother, during the period when I faked my death and left the Sect, I lived in the Great Yan Empire. By sheer coincidence, I overheard the Yan Emperor plotting with certain sects to attack our Sect. Therefore, I hurried back immediately to inform the Sect Leader,” Lin Fan said without holding anything back.

Mu Chenyu’s expression changed abruptly, a flash of something flickering through her eyes before disappearing just as quickly.

“That’s impossible. The Yan Emperor is only at the seventh stage of the Divine Realm. Even if he possessed ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare to act so recklessly. He wouldn’t be able to withstand the consequences,” Meng Yangquan immediately dismissed the suggestion. The Great Yan Empire had relied on the Saint Devil Sect for centuries—how could it possibly dare to resist now?

Even if the Great Yan Empire had the Tianfu Academy, in Meng Yangquan’s eyes, it was utterly insignificant. Even the academy’s strongest headmaster had barely reached the Divine Realm, let alone the students.

“You expect the Sect Leader to be informed about something so utterly unverified? If this turns out to be just a joke, it won’t matter if you two get punished—but don’t drag me into it,” Mu Chenyu said disdainfully, looking at Lin Fan and the others. “Although the Yan Emperor is at the Divine Realm, you’re merely an outer disciple. How could you possibly eavesdrop on a conversation between Divine Realm experts?”

“Junior Brother, this isn’t something to joke about,” Meng Yangquan said, shaking his head slightly.

At this point, Lin Fan grew anxious. Why wouldn’t Senior Brother believe him? Yet, upon reflection, Lin could understand. If their roles were reversed, he probably wouldn’t believe it either.

But why did they think the Yan Emperor’s cultivation was only at the seventh stage of the Divine Realm? In fact, the Yan Emperor had already reached the minor Heaven Realm.

Standing aside, Ni Mingyang couldn’t get a word in. He himself believed Lin Fan’s words, but since he hadn’t heard it firsthand, and considering Lin Fan’s cultivation level, it was indeed impossible for him to eavesdrop on a conversation between experts at the Divine Realm.

“Senior Brother, I swear upon the heavens, if even a single word I’ve spoken is false, may I be struck down by lightning and die a wretched death,” Lin Fan declared solemnly.

During the time he had rushed back from the Great Yan Empire to the Saint Devil Sect, he didn’t know whether the Yan Emperor had already taken any action. Time was pressing. It would be better for the Sect to prepare in advance than to be caught off guard when the enemy arrived at their doorstep.

Looking at Lin Fan’s expression, Meng Yangquan felt slightly startled—if this were truly the case, it would indeed be a major crisis.

“Senior Brother, if this is true, will the Sect relocate entirely?” Lin Fan asked.

“No,” Meng Yangquan immediately and decisively denied. “The Saint Devil Sect has a long and proud heritage. Even in the face of the greatest calamity, we must defend our Sect to the death. As long as the Sect stands, we stand. If the Sect falls, we fall.”

“Even if this turns out to be false, there would be no real loss. But what I just said is the absolute truth. If Senior Brother would kindly arrange an audience with the Sect Leader, I will definitely present evidence that will convince him,” Lin Fan said earnestly at this point.

Meng Yangquan fell into deep thought, his eyes fixed intently on Lin Fan, trying to discern the true intentions behind his words.

Lin Fan met his gaze without flinching. He didn’t want the only family he had in this Xuanhuang World—the Saint Devil Sect—to be destroyed by enemies.

Although he was just an outer disciple, what of it? When the Sect faced danger, even a humble servant should do their part.

If he stood idly by, what kind of person would he be?

“Senior Brother, what are you still thinking about? This is clearly just some random rumor someone picked up somewhere,” Mu Chenyu said sweetly from the side.

Meng Yangquan always listened to her and never ignored her requests.

“Junior Brother, I’ll take you,” Meng Yangquan finally said after a moment of contemplation.

“Senior Brother, how can you actually believe them?” Mu Chenyu exclaimed in frustration, though a fleeting look of alarm flickered in her eyes.

“Junior Sister, I believe Lin Brother wouldn’t joke about something like this. If it’s true and we fail to report it, it would be a catastrophe for the Saint Devil Sect,” Meng Yangquan explained.

Lin Fan and Ni Mingyang were overjoyed. “Thank you, Senior Brother, for believing us.”

“We are of the same Sect, and should not doubt each other. However, this matter is too serious to take lightly. I hope Lin Brother’s words turn out to be false. If this truly happens, it will be a disaster for the Saint Devil Sect,” Meng Yangquan said with mixed emotions.

“I hope so too, Senior Brother, but I personally heard this with my own ears,” Lin Fan replied with a sigh.

“Let’s go,” Meng Yangquan said.

Seeing Meng Senior Brother had been convinced, Mu Chenyu stomped her foot in anger before running off. Yet, as she left, her expression suddenly changed.

How could such a mere outer disciple possibly know something like this?

…

The Ninth Peak.

The central point surrounded by eight other peaks, towering into the clouds, was the place where the Sect Leader resided.

Hidden amidst white clouds, it blended beautifully with the surroundings. Much grander and more majestic than the other eight peaks, the Ninth Peak was a paradise where white cranes soared. A magnificent palace could be faintly seen, breathtaking yet elusive, exuding an aura of majesty, sanctity, and grandeur.

No one below the rank of outer disciple was allowed to approach the Ninth Peak. Even inner disciples needed proper seniority to enter. However, with Meng Senior Brother leading the way, the journey was much easier.

Even if someone tried to stop them, Meng Senior Brother would simply say a word and they would be allowed through.

When Lin Fan finally saw the scene before him, he was deeply awed. It was so magnificent—this was the heart of the Saint Devil Sect.

If such a magnificent place were destroyed, it would be an unforgivable tragedy.

“Yangquan, why have you brought two outer disciples to the Ninth Peak?” At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in gray robes approached, his expression stern and unsmiling.

“He’s at the eighth stage of the Divine Realm.”

This man’s cultivation level was at the eighth stage of the Divine Realm, significantly higher than Meng Yangquan’s.

But judging from his age, he was already middle-aged, appearing much older than Meng Yangquan. Clearly, in terms of talent, this man might be far inferior to Meng Yangquan, although he had started cultivating much earlier.

“Elder Qing Feng, I have brought my junior brothers here because one of them has urgent news concerning the safety of our Sect that must be reported to the Sect Leader,” Meng Yangquan said, bowing respectfully.

“The Sect Leader is currently in retreat. Report any matters to me,” Elder Qing Feng said, his eyelids barely lifting, clearly not taking it seriously.

“This matter must be reported directly to the Sect Leader himself. I beg you, Elder Qing Feng, please make an exception.”

“Yangquan, you’re really going downhill. Have you become foolish from staying among the outer disciples too long? Without rules, there can be no order. The Sect Leader is in retreat—do you expect him to interrupt it?” Elder Qing Feng’s expression darkened.

“Elder Qing Feng, this matter is extremely serious,” Meng Yangquan insisted.

“Hmph! Return immediately. No matter how important it may seem, you cannot disturb the Sect Leader’s retreat,” Elder Qing Feng said angrily. Yangquan had once been an inner disciple too—how could he not understand such basic protocol? Could the Sect Leader really be interrupted whenever someone felt like it?

The grand hall of the Ninth Peak was right before them, yet blocked by this unexpected elder. If they couldn’t find a way around this, they might not be able to proceed at all.

And Meng Senior Brother was being so courteous to him—unless they could somehow force the Sect Leader out of retreat, they might not succeed.