Chapter 243: Collapse [II]
Main Court
The main court is an unattainable place for most disciples. Some may spend their entire lives in the outer court, never reaching the main court. This was a harsh reality.
Even inner court disciples, who were closest to the main court, were far from becoming part of it.
And although Xie Qing had a rare opportunity, he could not simply become a main court disciple. For…
“To become a main court disciple, you must eternally serve the sect. Otherwise, no one will grant you access,” Tang Xun said calmly, glancing at Xie Qing, who maintained a neutral expression. “Both I and the other elders, as well as many main court disciples, have taken this oath. Therefore, our futures are limited. But there is one easy way to bypass this limitation… become the disciple of a main court elder.”
“So…”
“Yes. If you become my disciple, you can become a main court disciple, albeit not a full-fledged one,” Tang Xun nodded and smiled, continuing his explanation in a matter-of-fact tone. “But I must warn you in advance. Most will not trust you because you are an outsider. No matter how hard you try, the fact that you have not taken the oath will make others wary of you. You will be denied access to most places. This is your fate if you were to follow an ordinary elder.”
“…”
Xie Qing did not respond. He listened attentively. The fact that such a talented young man showed obedience and politeness could not help but please Tang Xun, who immediately threw out a hook.
“But… I, Tang Xun, am not the last person in the main court. You can gain access to some forbidden places. I will also ensure your future advancement,” Tang Xun said and paused briefly, showing two fingers. “Two centuries. That is how much time you will have to decide whether you want to become a full member of the main court or not… that is what this opportunity is for. You understand.”
“Yes.”
The young man nodded. Tang Xun smiled and continued walking, ending the conversation. Xie Qing himself did not initiate further conversation, only attentively observing the main court.
And, to be honest, he was surprised. This main court seemed so… lonely. There was not a single soul here. This greatly puzzled him. Shouldn’t life be bustling here?
“This is normal. Most disciples are in their caves cultivating, rarely interacting with each other. This is a small problem, of course, but the fact that they achieve good results with this lifestyle, we decided not to interfere,” Tang Xun patiently explained, seeing Xie Qing’s curiosity. He smiled and added, “Of course, there are disciples who like to take walks from time to time. But I would not advise you to talk to them for now, considering your… status.”
“Understood.”
Xie Qing satisfied his curiosity and asked no more questions. Although his current position in the main court would not be easy, he was not particularly worried. After all, he was only interested in one thing…
“The altar.”
The young man’s eyes gleamed, but even the attentive Tang Xun noticed nothing.
***
“The altar… you say?”
Xie Qing was puzzled, hearing Tang Xun’s words, who continued to smile amiably.
“Yes. I can give you a chance to experience the effects of the altar,” Tang Xun said, crossing his legs and comfortably leaning back in his chair. He said, fanning his face with a fan, “Everyone who enters the main court gets a chance to use the altar. Of course, all under strict supervision. Normally, it would be difficult for me to gain access, considering your outsider status, but a recent opportunity has arisen. Do you want to take advantage of this?”
“…”
Xie Qing did not know what to say. To be honest, he did not even expect to gain access to the altar so quickly, so he was a bit confused. However…
“If Master wants something in return… just say it, and the disciple will do it right,” the young man said and bowed.
“Hohoho…”
Tang Xun smiled contentedly, stroking his chin as if trying to feel a long beard. His eyes narrowed into slits as he looked at Xie Qing.
“A hundred years. That is how long you must serve me. Nothing more, nothing less. Do you agree?”
“…”
Xie Qing fell silent for a moment. It seemed he would have to make an agreement, but… turning his gaze away, he saw a system message.
[Shackle-Breaking Peach] | [Price: 1,456,345 Spiritual Stones] | [Description: A special type of peach that erases a Blood Oath chosen by the host. Can be used once a year].
Bingo. That was exactly what he needed. Xie Qing smiled and bowed his head, hiding his gleaming eyes.
“This disciple will follow Master’s advice.”
“Heh.”
***
While Tang Xun was preparing everything for the altar ceremony…
A special zone in the main court, accessible only to a select few. This was the residence of the sect master, Ma Lu.
“Kha-kha…”
Coughing up blood, Ma Lu clenched his hand, feeling unbearable pain. His wounds were still bleeding profusely, causing him both physical and emotional suffering.
When Xu Mei became serious, she could ignore the difference in stages. This was why she was so feared. Ma Lu gritted his teeth.
“I was reckless. That stupid bitch is too dangerous. Even Hao Shen won’t be able to recover in such a short time.”
Ma Lu looked around. He was sitting in a garden, surrounded by flowers. These were Devil’s Blood Flowers and something similar with a similar effect.
“Good, very good. Thanks to the wise actions of the elders, I’m starting to recover faster… hm?”
Ma Lu was puzzled. For some reason… there was a strange sensation in his dantian. Like a storm.
“This… DAMN IT!”
Roaring like a wounded beast, Ma Lu felt incredible bitterness. From within his dantian, a powerful Superior Qi with a distinct Yang attribute began to release. It was so pure that it was astonishing.
“AAAAAAAHHHHHH!”
The sect master’s deafening scream immediately attracted the attention of the elders, who rushed to the makeshift garden. Entering, they shouted:
“Sect Master!”
The two elders were shocked. Ma Lu was writhing on the ground, and steam was rising from his body. And with each second… his aura was weakening!
“Summon the elders of the main court! Immediately!” Ma Lu roared.
“Y-yes!”
The Superior Qi of the Yang attribute was tearing him apart from the inside, and there was no way to expel it. Ma Lu looked around in panic and noticed that five Devil’s Blood Flowers were glowing brightly with a golden light. They had been planted just two steps away from him.
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Traitors! There are traitors in the sect! Could those bastards from the Righteous Dao have planted rats here? How is this possible?!”
### ***
Such a thing cannot be. All the elders were subjected to a strict curse, and at the slightest thought of betrayal, they would immediately die. Therefore, there could be no possibility of a spy here.
“Now is not the time for this! I need to calm this Qi as quickly as possible!” Ma Lu trembled.
***
Tang Xun had just finished explaining the process when his expression suddenly became serious. He looked at Xie Qing and said in a stern voice, “Stay here and don’t move. Do not do anything until I tell you. I need to leave for a moment. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Master!”
Xie Qing bowed respectfully. Tang Xun nodded and rushed out with another elder, leaving Xie Qing alone.
The young man stood in that position for a few seconds. He then snapped his fingers.
Poof.
An unknown black gas began to rise from his body. It was a curse.
“Damn old man. He placed seven curses on me. If I hadn’t removed them, he would have been able to monitor my actions,” Xie Qing thought and smiled weakly. “But by the time you sort out your problems, I will have done what I need to do.”
Collapse. The name Xie Qing gave to his plan (he just wanted to look cool). And this plan began when the young man handed the Devil’s Blood Flowers to five elders and one disciple.
For in these Devil’s Blood Flowers… was an incredibly pure Yang Attribute with Superior Qi.
This plan had blossomed in his mind since his immersion in this place. Therefore, he had taken care to gather the Superior Qi of the Yang Attribute, knowing it would help him in future battles.
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch. You thought you were the pinnacle of the Heavenly Dao, but you forgot one simple thing!” Xie Qing’s eyes shone, and he smirked. “The higher you are, the harder you fall!”
Then he took out one item from his spatial pouch. It was a semi-transparent pill that looked extremely ordinary. The young man wiped the smile from his face and assumed an indifferent expression.
“I didn’t plan to do this so soon. But since the opportunity has arisen…”
Tossing the pill into the air…
Xie Qing smiled.
“Let there be an explosion.”
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
