Chapter 477: Chapter 136: Xia Qinglian, the Heart Demon of Righteous Path Cultivators

Wei Shouyuan, Shi Shuhong, Tantai Mingyue, and Leng Jing—all of them elders of Zhenyang Sect and masters of their respective peaks—need not be easily fooled.

Zheng Shengmo is at the Nascent Soul Peak, just half-step from Divinity Transformation, cautious by nature; it’s improbable for a Seventh Grade Demonic Beast to kill him easily.

The four harbored doubts regarding Zheng Shengmo’s death, and as for his disgraceful deeds, Wei Shouyuan and Shi Shuhong couldn’t care less, as they shared similar inclinations.

Tantai Mingyue disliked Zheng Shengmo, but nevertheless, as a sectmate, she had to seek out the truth in the matter.

Leng Jing, the one responsible for the sect’s punishments, needed to determine whether it involved sectmate harm, thus requiring adherence to sect rules for resolution.

Faced with the penetrating gazes of these four, Jian Yue remained composed, speaking calmly:

"Zheng Shengmo assaulted Lin Qingchou, a disciple of Danxia Peak, and in his negligence, was ambushed by the Red Flame Fox. All present are aware of Li Fire’s dominance and cruelty; once injured by it, one’s cultivation becomes untenable."

"Zheng Shengmo, as a teacher, acted disgracefully; his death is well-deserved."

Jian Yue’s voice was cold and clear, cutting through the silence like a hammer, leaving the four dumbfounded, with nothing else to say.

By her account, Zheng Shengmo essentially died dishonorably; indeed, it was shameful, and no other suspicions were apparent.

Tantai Mingyue coughed lightly, queried Jian Yue, "Xiyue, matters concerning Li Fire are extraordinary, can you confirm it was the Red Flame Fox’s Li Fire?"

At these words, the expressions of the other three subtly shifted.

They undoubtedly understood the implication behind Tantai Mingyue’s question. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

There is only one other individual capable of wielding Li Fire; if it wasn’t from the Red Flame Fox that killed Zheng Shengmo, then it could only be that person.

Wei Shouyuan’s face turned pale, his body seemed to shiver, whispered:

"Isn’t that woman already dead? Junior Sister Tantai, what do you mean by this?"

Shi Shuhong chuckled, "Senior Brother Wei, the Supreme Heart Slaying Sword has reached the Realm of Profound Understanding, rivaled by few, yet I didn’t foresee you becoming this petrified."

Wei Shouyuan coldly smiled, "Senior Brother Shi, your cultivation as a Body Cultivator is unmatched, but you couldn’t even withstand a single exchange with that person, and now you speak confidently, with such temperament and cultivation, I concede."

"What are you saying?!" Shi Shuhong’s expression changed, with spiritual energy surging around him.

"Senior Brother Shi couldn’t defeat a junior female cultivator, yet dares to act against a sectmate; if so, I’ll oblige!"

Wei Shouyuan remained unflinching, powerful spiritual energy surging forth.

Tantai Mingyue hurried to stand between them, persuading, "Senior Brother Shi, Senior Brother Wei, that witch is an unparalleled talent; even the Demon Sect founder, Sheng Tanglian, five hundred years ago couldn’t measure up, what’s strange about losing to her? We must avoid nurturing heart demons."

Leng Jing lowered his head, his face darkened, seemingly reminded of a distasteful past.

Back when the Three Great Sects laid siege to the Cyan Lotus Sect—it was an ambush, not a siege.

Though the Three Great Sects had numbers, in terms of peak combat power, Cyan Lotus Sect only had a few elders, along with Sect Leader Nalan Yan and Saintess Xia Qinglian.

But just those two, Nalan Yan and Xia Qinglian, exceeded the combat strength of more than ten elders from the Three Great Sects.

It was Sect Leader Chen Qingmo of Zhenyang Sect’s strategy that lured the disciples away from Cyan Lotus Mountain, allowing the Three Great Sects a secure assault.

After slaughtering Cyan Lotus Mountain, the Three Great Sects sacrificed countless disciples to deplete Nalan Yan and Xia Qinglian’s spiritual power.

After expending significant spiritual power, the Sect Leaders and elders from the Three Great Sects jointly attacked, cornering them at Celestial Ridge Mountain in the Northern Wilderness.

To ensure success, they employed all commanding disciples to set up a Grand Array around Celestial Ridge Mountain, limiting Xia Qinglian’s Profound Ice and Fire Technique.

But when it came to action, even with such preparations, they underestimated the witch Xia Qinglian.

Three Sect Leaders and seven elders besieged Nalan Yan, while other elders hunted Xia Qinglian.

Only upon engagement, Xia Qinglian instantly killed two of them, terrorizing the rest.

If not for Chen Qingmo’s timely reinforcement, the others would have perished at her hands.

Even so, Chen Qingmo, Ye Xiyue, Su Hongling, and several elders suffered severe injuries.

Wei Shouyuan, Shi Shuhong, and Leng Jing were among those responsible for hunting Xia Qinglian.

They witnessed with their own eyes, two elders from Feiyun Sect with similar cultivation were frozen to death by Profound Ice, while another was turned to ashes by Li Fire.

Especially that Li Fire, akin to heavenly flames, unstoppable.

Back then, they utilized all their magical artifacts for defense, all incinerated instantly by Li Fire; at that moment, for the first time, they realized how close they were to death.

From then on, Xia Qinglian’s Li Fire became their lingering nightmares.

Wei Shouyuan and Shi Shuhong’s heart demons retained the heaviest impact, leaving their cultivation stuck at the eighth layer of Nascent Soul, unable to reach the ninth.

Thus hearing Zheng Shengmo’s death attributed to Li Fire, doubts echoed in their minds, fearing the return of the demonic woman.

Jian Yue found amusement in observing their disconcerted expressions, had she mentioned Xia Qinglian is now at Zhenyang Mountain, wouldn’t it frighten them to death?

Her expression remained aloof and cold, she spoke calmly, "Zhenyang Sect has hundreds of disciples, countless cultivators in Lotus City have engaged the Red Flame Fox, the Li Fire indeed came from the Red Flame Fox, are there any other doubts?"

Seeing her speaking with such conviction, Shi Shuhong and Wei Shouyuan both breathed a sigh of relief, while Leng Jing looked down, clenching his fists.

Tantai Mingyue exhaled softly, speaking with gentle composure, "Since that is the case, no more doubts remain on Zheng Shengmo’s death, his actions disgraced the sect, his clothes and monument cannot be interred at Zhenyang Mountain, what do you all think?"

All four agreed, Tantai Mingyue paused, speaking with a solemn tone:

"Yesterday, I received a message from Immortal Flying Pavilion, asking us to send someone to discuss the matter of the Immortal Ascension Ceremony."

The Immortal Ascension Ceremony, held once every twenty years, is a grand event for the cultivators of the entire Hongzhou Continent.

Those who rank in the top three have the opportunity to climb Immortal Flying Peak for a glimpse, to explore Immortal Flying Pavilion, freely peruse the cultivation technique records, and even select a treasure.

Immortal Flying Peak, located at the southernmost point of Hongzhou Continent, is the most mysterious place on the continent.

With dense spiritual energy, over thousands of years, all Great Powers have chosen this location for Crossing Tribulation and Ascension.

Upon Ascension, they leave their cultivation techniques and treasures in Immortal Flying Pavilion.

Through thousands of years of accumulation, the pavilion contains countless Immortal cultivation techniques and treasures, a paradise coveted by all cultivators.

Yet, those below the Tribulation Crossing Stage cannot approach Immortal Flying Peak, despite countless Great Power cultivators attempting entry without avail.

This Immortal Ascension Ceremony is the sole opportunity for cultivators below the Tribulation Crossing Stage to enter Immortal Flying Pavilion.

The ceremony has been held every twenty years, executed numerous times, and has gradually evolved into the grand gathering of all cultivators from Hongzhou Continent.

However, the ceremony has a rule, only allowing participation from cultivators under forty years old.

For the major sects, this event is undoubtedly a chance to demonstrate their strength and enhance prestige.

For Zhenyang Sect now, Zheng Shengmo’s disgrace has spread across the world, the sect’s reputation has plummeted.

The position of Leader of the Righteous Path is precarious; the Immortal Ascension Ceremony serves as a pivotal chance to restore their honor.