Chapter 79: A Ruse Within a Ruse

“Who is there?”

Simultaneously, the cries of Azure Ethereal Vapors disciples echoed from outside the Jade Purity Hall. Yet, a whooshing sound was heard, as if a powerful figure had arrived through the air, followed by several thuds as the disciples were thrown into the hall, rolling on the ground.

At the entrance, four figures appeared: the four Great Masters of the Demon Sect.

Poison Sage and Jade Yangzi stood in the center, while Ghost King and Three Wonders Fairy stood on either side. The four of them glanced inside the hall and slowly walked in.

The eldest, Poison Sage, clicked his tongue and chuckled, “Old friend Dao Xuan, it’s been a century. How have you fared?”

Dao Xuan Real Person’s body trembled, his pupils constricting, as he coldly spat, “Poison Sage!”

Poison Sage laughed heartily. “It is I, the old fool. A century ago, I fell to your sword at the foot of Azure Ethereal Mountain. Now, seeing you as formidable as ever, I am truly delighted!”

Dao Xuan Real Person’s gaze swept over the four of them. At the same time, dozens more Demon Sect members entered the hall, their imposing auras indicating they were likely some of the sect’s finest. Among them were familiar faces like Qing Long and You Ji of the Ghost King Sect, and Bai Du Zi of the Hundred Toxins Clan. The rest were also likely elite members of the four great sects.

In the distance, the sounds of battle grew louder, punctuated by desperate screams. Azure Ethereal Mountain, once a serene paradise, now seemed to be shrouded in a hellish bloodbath.

Dao Xuan Real Person took a deep breath, trying to steady his mind. With betrayal within and invaders without, this was the direst moment for the Azure Ethereal Conclave in a century. As the Supreme Patriarch of this thousand-year-old sect, he could not let their legacy crumble in his hands.

Suddenly, a chanting of a Buddhist mantra filled the air. It was Master Pu Hong, standing beside Dao Xuan Real Person, with a faint smile on his face. “Brother Dao Xuan, since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over righteousness. The Temple of Celestial Sound has always stood with the Azure Ethereal Conclave against dark forces. Command us as you see fit.”

Delighted, Dao Xuan nodded. Simultaneously, the people from the Fragrant Incense Valley, led by Elder Shangguan, stepped forward, standing behind Dao Xuan and Master Pu Hong.

The four Great Masters of the Demon Sect all exchanged uneasy glances. Poison Sage, looking at Master Pu Hong, asked in a low voice, “Master, which venerable monk from the Temple of Celestial Sound are you?”

Master Pu Hong smiled. “Venerable sir, your memory is short. We met during the great battle a century ago. Have you forgotten me? I am Master Pu Hong from the Temple of Celestial Sound, and this is my junior brother, Master Pu Kong.”

The renown of the Four Great Monks of the Temple of Celestial Sound was immense. Their presence was equivalent to adding several elite fighters to the Azure Ethereal Conclave, not to mention the additional power of the Fragrant Incense Valley.

Poison Sage turned to the pale-faced Pine Crooked Taoist, frowning. “How did these people get here?”

Pine Crooked Taoist replied bitterly, “These bald-headed monks and the Fragrant Incense Valley folks arrived at Azure Ethereal Mountain this morning, giving me no time to send a warning.”

Master Pu Hong and Elder Shangguan exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter. Elder Shangguan of the Fragrant Incense Valley roared, “This is the will of the heavens, where good always triumphs over evil! Today, we will see to it that all you wicked ones are vanquished on Azure Ethereal Mountain!”

“Heh,” a cold snort came from Jade Yangzi, the one elected as the leader of the Demon Sect. Arrogantly, he sneered, “A century ago, our revered predecessors fought alone against the three great sects. Do you think we fear you now?”

“Bravo!” Cheers erupted from the crowd behind the four Great Masters, including the laughing Ghost King.

“Today, we will show you whether it is we who are vanquished, or you who face death!”

His words were brimming with arrogance, striking fear into the hearts of the righteous. The final word, “death,” was emphasized, laden with mockery.

Dao Xuan Real Person sneered, but before he could speak, Jade Yangzi, the most impatient of the Demon Sect, waved his hand. Instantly, the Demon Sect fighters’ bodies were enveloped in various glows, ready to strike.

The Azure Ethereal Conclave and the Temple of Celestial Sound members immediately prepared for battle, knowing that this would be the fiercest confrontation in a century. Master Pu Hong chanted softly, “Amitabha, mercy, mercy…”

But before he could finish, a sudden change occurred. As everyone’s attention was fixed on the Demon Sect members, a dozen beams of light suddenly appeared among the righteous, two of which struck the unguarded back of Master Pu Hong!

“Boom!”

Chaos erupted. The righteous were thrown into disarray, filled with angry shouts. Master Pu Hong, blinded by darkness, felt an immense force crashing into his back. One was like a mountain collapsing, the other a sharp needle piercing his flesh.

Staggering, Master Pu Hong spat a cloud of blood. Instantly, he knew there must be traitors among the righteous. His supreme “Great Sutra of Brahma” coursed through his body, blocking the force. Without turning, he flung his sleeve back, sending out a shockwave.

Two muffled thuds, followed by cries of pain, indicated that the attackers had been repelled. The overwhelming force dissipated, but the needle-like force penetrated his defenses, embedding itself in his body.

Within moments, the Azure Ethereal Conclave members, including Tian Yixi, rushed to aid. The attackers, having struck once, leaped away, joining the Demon Sect group.

Leading them was none other than Elder Shangguan of the Fragrant Incense Valley, with the others all being his followers.

The righteous, including the Temple of Celestial Sound monks, were stunned. Dao Xuan Real Person, after a moment, managed to regain his composure, pointing at Elder Shangguan. “You… what are you doing? Has the Fragrant Incense Valley joined the Demon Sect?”

Elder Shangguan, standing with the four Great Masters and Pine Crooked Taoist, shared a look, then burst into maniacal laughter, filled with triumphant pride.

Ghost King, laughing, said to Dao Xuan, “Who told you they were from the Fragrant Incense Valley?”

Dao Xuan, about to speak, suddenly froze, his gaze turning to Pine Crooked Taoist, his face pale. “Good, very good. You’ve played your part well, indeed a master of deception!”

Pine Crooked Taoist, chuckling, said, “Thanks to the clever Ghost King. When he heard the Temple of Celestial Sound monks had arrived, he immediately thought to send skilled fighters disguised as Fragrant Incense Valley members. They were chosen carefully, and I vouched for them. It was a success!”

Dao Xuan staggered, surveying the scene. The Demon Sect attack had focused on the Temple of Celestial Sound monks, with nine out of ten suffering grievous injuries. Master Pu Hong, pale and unable to stand, was supported by his disciple Fa Xiang, his back a bloody mess. Other monks and even some elders of the Azure Ethereal Conclave were also wounded.

His heart sank, and he chuckled bitterly. “Impressive. I’ve lived long enough to be fooled. I never suspected Elder Shangguan, who never left the Fragrant Incense Valley!”

Ghost King, looking at him, shook his head. “You didn’t suspect Elder Shangguan, but you did suspect your junior brother, Pine Crooked Taoist, didn’t you?”

Another bitter laugh escaped Dao Xuan.

Silence fell over the Jade Purity Hall. The righteous, facing the Demon Sect’s advantage, saw that the sect’s numbers far outweighed theirs. The Temple of Celestial Sound monks, with only half still able to fight, and the severely injured Master Pu Hong, were in a precarious position. Even the remaining Azure Ethereal Conclave elders were no match for the sheer number of elite Demon Sect fighters.

Pu Kong, in particular, wielded a golden bowl, its light blinding and ferocious. He had already reduced a Demon Sect fighter to a pulp with his “Golden Pagoda.”

But the critical issue was that the two pillars of the righteous, Dao Xuan and Master Pu Hong, were both heavily injured. Could the righteous still hold?

The Demon Sect members, meanwhile, were elated. Exiled for a century, today they were finally triumphant.

Jade Yangzi, feeling his status rising, gloated. “Old fool Dao Xuan, hand over the ‘Ancient Sword of Immortalbane’ and join our ranks. I may spare your lives. Hahaha…”

The Demon Sect laughed, relishing their victory. From the distance, the cries of the Azure Ethereal Conclave disciples added to the bleakness.

Dao Xuan, with a resolute expression, said, “Even if the Azure Ethereal Conclave falls today, we will never kneel to you.”

Withdrawing, he returned to his disciples. Tian Yixi, Shang Zhengliang, and others surrounded him, and his disciple Xiao Yicai supported him, urging, “Master, your body…”

Dao Xuan, stern, ordered, “Hold the line. Sister Water Moon, take the Temple of Celestial Sound monks to safety. They were injured aiding us, and we must protect them.”

The disciples nodded, and Tian Yixi urged, “Brother, go. We will hold the line. Preserve the legacy for another day.”

Dao Xuan, with a grim smile, said, “I will not abandon the legacy. I will die before I betray it.”

Tian Yixi and the others were silent. Dao Xuan, looking at the gathering Demon Sect, made a decision. “We must break the founder’s rules. It is the last resort.”

Others, including the elders, were taken aback.

Dao Xuan, taking a deep breath, continued, “Time is short. I will retrieve the ‘Ancient Sword of Immortalbane.’ You must be careful, do not act rashly.”

Tian Yixi and the others, moved, watched as Dao Xuan, his steps faltering, walked away. The battle intensified, and chaos reigned.

In the confusion, Water Moon led the young disciples to assist the wounded Temple of Celestial Sound monks. Dao Xuan, his steps unsteady, headed towards the rear. Tian Yixi, seeing this, instructed Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu to protect the patriarch.

Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu, shocked but obeying, followed the order. Su Ru, fighting nearby, ordered Song Daren and Tian Ling’er to follow, sensing the treachery of Pine Crooked Taoist.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaofan, a minor disciple, stood motionless, his eyes filled with blood. Su Ru, noticing this, guided him to follow the others, unaware of the struggle within him.

In the rear, Zhang Xiaofan, holding his burning staff, felt a surge of malevolent energy. The staff, infused with dark powers, seemed to affect him, making him imagine scenes of bloodshed.

Unnoticed, Zhang Xiaofan and the others protected Dao Xuan, who led them to a secluded path. The young disciples, unfamiliar with the area, followed, leaving the chaos behind.

Zhang Xiaofan, his eyes red, followed, struggling with the dark memories of his past. He recalled the black-cloaked killer, likely Pine Crooked Taoist, who had massacred his village.

As they neared the rear, the path was ambushed by Demon Sect members. Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu, with the others, defended the path, while Dao Xuan led Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu to the “Phantom Moon Cave,” a sacred site. Dao Xuan instructed them to guard the entrance, then turned to the Ancestor Shrine.

Lin Jingyu, determined, nodded, and Dao Xuan, glancing at his “Dragon Slaying Sword,” saw the sword’s yearning. He turned, looking at the shrine, then walked away.

Lin Jingyu, watching Dao Xuan disappear, turned to Zhang Xiaofan, both of them tense. Suddenly, a roar echoed from the front, the sound of the sacred beast Water Kirin. Clearly, the beast, guardian of the mountain, had been awakened.

But the battle was far from over. As they waited, five Demon Sect members, led by the fake Elder Shangguan, appeared. Lin Jingyu, to buy time, lured them away, leaving Zhang Xiaofan to guard the cave.

Zhang Xiaofan, his eyes now a deep red, stared at the lone remaining Demon Sect member. The air was thick with tension, and the forest was silent except for the distant roar of the Water Kirin.