Chapter 407 - Shocking Conspiracy

Chen Fan lurked quietly, careful not to reveal even a whisper of his aura.

Young Master Xue Yi, Yin Yang Scholar, Wanderer Hundred Poisons, and the recently arrived Sword Venerable Ling Yun all possessed formidable cultivation, each at the very least at the third level of the Core Formation realm. None of them was someone he could deal with given his current strength.

This is a tough mission—no, it’s actually impossible to complete the mission. They are all way stronger than me. Even escaping unscathed would be a feat in itself if they were to detect me.

Moreover, their conversation had made it apparent that more experts were about to arrive.

Suddenly, the sound of something cutting through the air rose again.

Swoosh, swoosh!

The crimson mist in the air churned violently as a dark figure tore through the air, hurtling toward them at incredible speed. In an instant, he arrived.

This person was dressed in a black cloak, streaking across the sky like a bat. He had a high nose, his eyes were like stars, and his eyebrows were like swords. He looked extremely handsome, but a thick evil qi emanated from him.

Chen Fan could even see vengeful spirits and resentment swirling around him. This person had unjustly killed many.

Looking at this person’s appearance alone, one would never think he was a vicious, merciless, fiendish person who killed people like flies. Instead, he looked more like a martial artist of the righteous path who meted justice on heaven’s behalf and upheld chivalry.

“Black Fiend Bat, you’re finally here as well.” Young Master Xue Yi, Sword Venerable Ling Yun, and the others immediately looked at the newcomer. He was another demonic path expert.

Black Fiend Bat smiled and said, “I came across two fine cauldrons on my way here and couldn’t help but make a move on them. That’s why I came a little later. I hope I haven’t missed the party.” [1]

“Very well, now that most of us are here, Yin Yang Scholar, Wanderer Hundred Poisons, explain the situation to us,” Young Master Xue Yi said.

Yin Yang Scholar said, “Everyone, we all hail from the same sect in a way. In ancient times, our holy cult dominated the world, with a total of nine palaces, thirty-six halls, and a hundred and eight branches. Our influence spanned across the Tianwu Continent.

“Unfortunately, in the aftermath of that great war, the holy cult fell apart. Our members were forced into hiding, becoming targets of persecution and hunted down.

“But, let’s not dwell on the past. Times have changed, yet the flame of our cult still burns bright. We are bound to make a return to seize control of the world. When that day comes, our cult members will rise above all, with those self-proclaimed righteous warriors groveling at our fee—”

Sword Venerable Ling Yun interjected, interrupting Yin Yang Scholar's speech. “Enough of the history lesson, Yin Yang Scholar. We all know that. Get to the point. The orthodox path must already know that we have gathered here. So, hurry up and get to the serious business.”

“Alright, then. Since Sword Venerable Ling Yun has spoken up, I’ll be direct.” Yin Yang Scholar nodded and said, “I presume everyone is aware that this location was a battleground in ancient times. During that war, both our cult and the orthodox path suffered heavy losses, turning the world upside down."

“You all know that I belong to one of the holy cult’s thirty-six halls, the Corpse Spirit Hall. Back then, the Corpse Spirit Hall was located in Hong Domain.

“During that great war, the Corpse Spirit Hall’s Hall Master, Daoist Corpse Spirit fought a huge battle at this place, killing and striking fear into many warriors of the orthodox path.”

Yin Yang Scholar's voice carried a touch of pride.

Young Master Xue Yi said, “Yin Yang Scholar, from what I know, their fight was indeed so grand the sky collapsed, the earth split, and the rivers evaporated. He was undoubtedly powerful, killing many of the orthodox path’s Heavenly Star realm experts. However, many Heavenly Star realm powerhouses joined forces and killed Daoist Corpse Spirit. What’s the point in bringing all these up?”

Yin Yang Scholar smiled coldly and said, “Daoist Corpse Spirit’s cultivation was incredibly high back then, having reached the peak of the Heavenly Star realm, even touching the threshold of the Nature Manifestation realm. Had the great war not broken out, he would have undoubtedly advanced to the Heavenly Manifestation realm, becoming the tenth palace of our holy cult. [2]

“In the ancient eastern continent, the might of the Hong Domain rivaled that of the current four great domains, but after that war broke out, many of Hong Domain’s Heavenly Star realm experts were slain by Daoist Corpse Spirit, causing the current Hong Domain to decline to be one of the weaker domains.”

“Enough reminiscing about Corpse Spirit Hall's past glories. Let's get to the point. Why have you called us all here?” Black Fiend Bat said, losing his patience.

Yin Yang Scholar said with a straight face, “That reason is precisely Daoist Corpse Spirit.”

Young Master Xue Yi, Sword Venerable Ling Yun, Black Fiend Bat, and the others’ eyes immediately narrowed.

“What? Did you find Daoist Corpse Spirit’s legacy and intend to share a piece of the pie with us?” Young Master Xue Yi questioned skeptically. "You wouldn't be that generous, would you?"

Yin Yang Scholar smiled sinisterly and said, “Hehe, did you all just assume that Daoist Corpse Spirit died in the ancient war?”

“What?”

Young Master Xue Yi, Sword Venerable Ling Yun, and the others’ expressions changed drastically.

“You mean... Daoist Corpse Spirit is alive? How is that possible!”

A surge of astonishment also rippled through Chen Fan.

He did not know much about that war during the ancient era. Through Young Master Xue Yi, Yin Yang Scholar, and the others’ conversation, he had learned quite a bit of its history. He didn’t expect that the Hong Domain's power in ancient times rivaled the current four great domains’.

Furthermore, he didn’t know that it had weakened due to the Corpse Spirit Hall’s Hall Master, Daoist Corpse Spirit. Their fight had led to a decline in the Hong Domain's strength, relegating it to its present status. The magnitude of Daoist Corpse Spirit's might during that era was beyond imagination.

Peak of Heavenly Star, touching the threshold of the Nature Manifestation realm...

Chen Fan couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cold air. Suppressing the shock in his heart, he continued listening in.

These demonic path cultivators were indeed plotting something huge, as expected. And it seemed it had something to do with Daoist Corpse Spirit.

“Nothing is impossible!” Noticing the astonishment on Young Master Xue Yi and the others’ faces, Yin Yang Scholar chuckled and continued, “Daoist Corpse Spirit’s cultivation had reached a high level. Would it be that easy to kill him?

“In that battle, no one was a match for Daoist Corpse Spirit’s ferocious might. Those orthodox Heavenly Star experts had to ultimately ignite their life energy to heavily injure Daoist Corpse Spirit. Then, they joined forces to suppress Daoist Corpse Spirit under the Myriad Deaths Mountains!”

Young Master Xue Yi, Sword Venerable Ling Yun, Black Fiend Bat, and the others were stunned at Yin Yang Scholar’s revelation.

Daoist Corpse Spirit did not die, but was suppressed under Myriad Deaths Mountains?!

“This time, I called you all here to rescue Daoist Corpse Spirit. When Daoist Corpse Spirit recovers from his injuries, we’ll sweep across Hong Domain, heralding the resurgence of the holy cult in the Tianwu Continent," Yin Yang Scholar declared.

Heaven and earth fell silent as soon as his words settled in.

1. Here, cauldron refers to other humans who have qualities suitable for acting as vessels to advance his cultivation. Probably the standard virgin beautiful woman with high Yin properties or martial talent. ☜

2. I’m not trying to be inconsistent here, the author uses different words for Nature Manifestation realm(万象境) and Heavenly Manifestation realm(天象境). Might be another Qigong/Qi Gathering realm situation, the same but different. Hopefully, we’ll find out more in the future. ☜