Chapter 1162: Portrait

The Sect Master.

The words slipped out, and both were momentarily stunned.

They simultaneously looked at the portrait hanging on the wall of the main hall.

The painting showed only a back view: the figure stood with hands clasped behind their back, seemingly wielding a sword against an enemy, sword energy cascading like a waterfall, displaying an extraordinary aura.

On their thumb, a conspicuous iron ring was worn.

The person in this portrait was the legendary founding patriarch of the Demonic Flame Sect. Even Aunt Mei had never seen the patriarch's true face, so she could only draw a back view from imagination and offer it here for worship.

"Where is the Sect Master now, and are they well..." Aunt Mei's tone was wistful.

Zhao Shanran sighed, "The Sect Master hasn't shown up for so long; they've probably long since... Even if they're still alive, they must have completely forgotten about us. Back then, the Sect Master merely had a whim to gather a few rogue cultivators like us to establish a sect. We never even saw their true face. It's easy to imagine how the Sect Master felt about us."

"Junior brother, do not be disrespectful!" Aunt Mei's brows furrowed in anger, her rebuke merciless. "You and I were once rogue cultivators, living precarious lives with slim hopes of Foundation Establishment. It was the Sect Master who passed down cultivation techniques and elixirs, guiding us to successfully achieve Foundation Establishment. They also founded this sect here, establishing a top-tier formation, giving us a place to live in the cultivation world. Later, during the chaos of the Sinful Abyss, it was entirely thanks to the spiritual artifacts and elixirs left by the Sect Master that we were able to counter-kill that Sinful Abyss cultivator and obtain the Soul Engraving Pill. This benevolence is like a second chance at life; have you forgotten all of it?"

Aunt Mei was furious.

Zhao Shanran was startled and quickly admitted his mistake. "This junior brother misspoke; please calm your anger, senior sister."

"Go apologize to the Sect Master. Don't let it happen again!" Aunt Mei watched Zhao Shanran admit his mistake and waved her hand. "Junior brother, you may leave now and make the arrangements as soon as possible. I will send messages to a few friends to ask for their help in looking after things. As long as you don't easily leave the mountain gate, there's no need to worry too much. Even if Junior Brother Lu forms a Core, his strength won't be too formidable. The Yin Spring Sect wouldn't dare to directly attack our mountain-guarding formation."

Watching Zhao Shanran depart, Aunt Mei let out a faint, almost imperceptible sigh.

Although those words were true.

The Sect Master had burdened her with such heavy responsibilities, yet acted as a hands-off manager, completely neglecting the sect. How could Aunt Mei not harbor resentment in her heart?

However, to unite the sect's morale, she had to maintain righteousness and absolutely forbid anyone from openly criticizing the Sect Master.

Aunt Mei closed the main hall and walked towards her cultivation cave.

A moment later, Qin Sang quietly appeared inside the main hall, admiring his own portrait.

These four individuals were carefully selected by Daoist Dove-Robed from among rogue cultivators, possessing outstanding talent. However, Qin Sang hadn't expected that two of them would actually succeed in forming a Core.

It was also his first time hearing of the Soul Engraving Pill; it seemed to be an elixir used by Sinful Abyss cultivators to aid in Core Formation.

In chaotic times, some people can turn misfortune into blessings.

With Qin Sang's discernment, he naturally saw the resentment in Aunt Mei and Zhao Shanran's hearts, but this was only human nature. The key lay in their true character.

Since he had nothing urgent to do, Qin Sang decided to observe them further.

Qin Sang already had a plan in mind.

He needed to attend to matters in the Demonic Domain, making it difficult to split his attention.

The Sect Master of the Azure Sun Demonic Sect was highly renowned and not someone to be trifled with. Unless absolutely necessary, Qin Sang did not want to use special methods, to avoid making an enemy of him.

Absorbing the Ancestral Holy Fire would no longer be as easy to conceal as it was last time.

Knowing oneself and one's enemy ensures victory in every battle. It wouldn't be too late to visit the Azure Sun Demonic Sect Master after thoroughly understanding the sect's background. With the Demonic Flame Sect's allegiance to the Azure Sun Demonic Sect, Aunt Mei would have easier access to Azure Sun Demonic Sect cultivators and could gather information.

Upon receiving the command, the Demonic Flame Sect began preparing intensely.

One month later.

A whooshing sound echoed, and then several figures landed before the Volcanic Earth Mountain.

Leading them was a Daoist with a youthful face and white hair, none other than the Sect Master of the Yin Spring Sect. Beside him stood a cultivator wearing a cloak.

"This old Dong is not visiting for the first time, yet every time I see your sect's mountain-guarding formation, it's just as awe-inspiring." The Yin Spring Sect Master sent in a command token, his gaze fervent as he looked at the grand formation.

The cloaked figure spoke unhurriedly, "As long as you help me eliminate those two, the Demonic Flame Sect will be ours to command, and I will naturally act according to our agreement."

As they spoke, the mist surged, revealing a path that led directly to the mountain peak. From a distance, Aunt Mei's voice drifted out, "Sect Master Dong has arrived; please forgive this one for not coming out to greet you personally."

"It is I, Dong, who was presumptuous!" the Yin Spring Sect Master replied loudly.

Then he whispered, "Daoist Lu, Elder Wu, come with me. The others will wait outside."

The cloaked figure and another burly man followed the Yin Spring Sect Master into the Demonic Flame Sect.

At the mountain peak.

Aunt Mei personally led her disciples to greet them.

"Sect Master Dong, Fellow Daoist Wu..." Aunt Mei stepped forward, greeting each of them in turn. Then her gaze shifted to the cloaked figure, and she asked with a smile, "May I ask who this fellow Daoist is?"

"He is an old friend of mine, Dong. However, he also has quite a deep connection with your esteemed sect..." Sect Master Dong's words hung unfinished.

Suddenly, the cloaked figure said nothing and simply walked towards the Sect Master's main hall on their own.

"Stop!""How dare you!"

Zhao Shanran and the disciples of the Demonic Flame Sect were enraged. They blocked the cloaked figure, drawing their swords.

Aunt Mei's expression turned cold. She said icily, "Sect Master Dong's old friend here seems to lack proper etiquette! Or do you believe that the three of you Golden Cores can act so presumptuously within our grand formation?"

Sect Master Dong merely smiled in response.

The cloaked figure snorted coldly and suddenly removed their cloak.

Upon seeing the cloaked figure's true face, the disciples of the Demonic Flame Sect immediately gasped in shock.

"I, Lu, am here to pay respects to my master. How dare you try to stop me?" Lu Xing suddenly roared, his aura as a Golden Core expert fully revealed.

The Demonic Flame Sect disciples' expressions changed dramatically, forced back by Lu Xing.

Zhao Shanran hated him to the bone and furiously cursed, "It really is you, you heartless beast! You coveted wealth and harmed your fellow sect members, yet you have the gall to return!"

"A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator dares to bark at me." Lu Xing's face was full of disdain. "What evidence do you have? I could just as easily say that you cruelly murdered Junior Brother Hongye for the Soul Engraving Pill, then struck first and framed me. Fortunately, I was alert enough to escape your clutches."

Sect Master Dong, who had waited until now, stepped forward at the opportune moment to mediate. "The rights and wrongs of that year are likely hard to sort out; only those involved truly know the truth. It's a pity for the Demonic Flame Sect that fellow sect members have turned into enemies. Fortunately, Daoist Lu has never forgotten the kindness of his sect's nurturing. Not long ago, he personally went to the Azure Sun Demonic Sect to request a reduction of half the quota for the Demonic Flame Sect, which clearly shows Daoist Lu's sincerity. I imagine this should at least allow Daoist Lu to pay respects to his master, wouldn't you agree?"

Lu Xing's anger turned into a smile, and he said amicably, "I watched all of you grow up. How could I bear to let you go to your deaths?"

At these words, Zhao Shanran's expression changed dramatically.

Sect Master Dong and Lu Xing, with just a few words, muddied the waters of that past scandal. Then, they flaunted their supposed favor, their malicious intentions clearly revealed.

Aunt Mei remained relatively calm; she was about to speak.

Just then, the Sect Master's main hall suddenly opened on its own, and a faint voice emanated from within.

"How is it that this old man doesn't recall ever taking you as a disciple?"