Chapter 396: To Conceal Thoughts

Broken blades lay scattered among the dense leaves in the forest. The middle-aged Taoist priest clutched his dantian, blood seeping between his fingers. He trembled as he looked at the white-robed immortal, his heart filled with shock, confusion, and fear.

He had never imagined such a remote and desolate place would be home to a Five-Paths True Immortal.

When did such a figure emerge from the Heavenly Sword Sect?

He Guang... He Guang actually knew him?

His next question was even more baffling: "Does the Joyous Union Sect lack a good sect master?" What was he going to do? Though the Joyous Union Sect also considered itself prestigious, they knew there was a vast difference between them and truly renowned major sects. After all, the entire sect only had two Purple Court realm cultivators, neither of whom had reached the fifth level.

Why would an immortal ask such a question?

He Guang also looked at him and recognized him. It was the disciple who had chatted with him during the Four Peaks Grand Competition; a significant portion of He Guang's sword techniques had actually been taught by him. He... a Five-Paths True Immortal? How could that be?

He had already guessed the disciple who chatted with him back then was extraordinary, but he never imagined he would be otherworldly to this extent.

Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall his name.

Ning Changjiu looked at him, still awaiting an answer.

He Guang finally understood. He laboriously raised his bloodied, mangled hand, which was still tied to a sword, and cupped his fist, saying, "The current sect master of the Joyous Union Sect is tyrannical and unjust. We beg the immortal to bring justice to our sect."

Ning Changjiu nodded slightly, looked at the people behind He Guang, and asked again:

"What about you?"

The Taoist-robed disciples who had come to hunt them down lowered their hands in unison. Chi Qin also recovered from her shock and prostrated herself. She was the first to speak: "The sect master has committed perverse acts, raising female disciples as cultivation cauldrons and seizing the sect's entire fortune for his own use. We humbly ask the immortal to bring justice to our sect!"

Chi Qin's words were forceful. The other disciples already had little affection for the sect master. Under the immense pressure of fear and shock, they all trembled and chorused, "We humbly ask the immortal to bring justice to our sect!"

Ning Changjiu nodded, his voice calm. "Since it is everyone's plea, I will make a trip."

Inside the main hall of the Joyous Union Sect, the sect master sat imperiously. Several female disciples knelt in the hall. Knowing the sect master was now furious, they were all filled with apprehension and dared not speak.

The sect master had lived for nearly a century. His face didn't show his age, but he always had a sickly pallor. He wore loose robes, sat with his elbows propped up, his face stern, while two maids cautiously attended to him.

In the quiet hall, a young man of about twenty suddenly rushed in. The young man stood with his hands on his hips, an impatient expression on his face. As soon as he entered, he loudly complained, "Why is there still no news? Martial Uncle is a grand cultivator in the Purple Court realm, how can it take so long just to catch a disciple?"

The sect master's voice held a hidden authority. "Calm down. He Guang can't escape."

"Of course I know he can't escape! Hmph, Chi Qin is my Dao companion! Not only did I lose the Grand Dao Hall Competition, but my Dao companion was also abducted. It's utterly humiliating! Until he is brought to justice, I won't find peace!" The young man exploded in a fit of rage, saying, "Father, why don't you let me take my sword and chase him too? I want to kill him with my own hands!"

The sect master said coldly, "Enough, don't cause more trouble. I've ordered him to be captured alive, and then he will be handed over to you for disposal."

The young man's mood calmed somewhat. He was only speaking out of anger. After all, if he really went, and that boy forced a life-for-life exchange, he might genuinely be in danger.

The kneeling female disciples exchanged glances. They all knew that this young sect master was breaking the rules, and his sect master father not only shielded him but also intended to kill the true champion. But they dared only express their dissatisfaction with their eyes, not uttering a single word.

Yet even their subtle glances were noticed by the arrogant young sect master. He pointed at the kneeling female cultivators on the ground and sneered, "Do you have something to say?"

"This disciple dares not," the female cultivator immediately prostrated herself.

The young sect master smugly declared, "Hmph, although you are cultivators, since you have joined the Joyous Union Sect, don't think of yourselves as prestigious immortal maidens. In the future, you will all be this young master's servants and cauldrons."

The female cultivators lowered their heads, clenching their teeth in resentment. But with the sect master's oppressive aura above them, they utterly lacked the courage to draw their swords.

As the young sect master basked in self-satisfaction, a commotion could be heard faintly from outside. The delight on his face instantly transformed into wild elation; he knew it must be his martial uncle returning