Chapter 785: Have Violated Humanity

Over the past two months, as the Heretic Immortals sect leader scattered azure snowflakes, Xu Qing, through the soul seed's perception, had already learned the locations of many Heretic Immortal disciples outside the academy. If he wished to know their individual identities, there were naturally ways to discover them. However, he had no interest in investigating. The Heretic Immortals sect leader, on the other hand, had remained within the Grand Academy the entire time, never venturing out once. Therefore, Xu Qing knew nothing about this person's activities outside.

As for those within the Heretic Immortals who chose to leave the Imperial Capital after integrating a Dao seed, they were not limited to the three Xu Qing currently sensed; several others had done the same. After all, being a student was just one identity, not a restriction. Members of the Grand Academy often held other positions outside, so it was normal for them to depart on missions, whether for personal or public reasons.

Thus, Xu Qing merely looked up, sensed for a moment, then withdrew his perception and continued his meditation with closed eyes. He remained there until the sky gradually brightened and the first rays of sunrise scattered. Xu Qing opened his eyes, tidied his clothes, and pushed open the door to his secret chamber. The wind and snow fell on his face, gradually melting into icy water. Gazing at the snowflakes drifting against the blue sky, feeling the biting wind, and listening to the rhythmic breathing of the Sword Holders from Feng Hai County within the mansion, Xu Qing's mind gradually drifted.

The scent of winter was exceptionally strong. "It's been three months," Xu Qing murmured. He had been in the Imperial Capital for three months. It was autumn when he arrived; now, winter was in its middle.

Over these three months, apart from his initial high-profile actions, his presence had gradually faded from public view since he joined the Grand Academy. This was intentional on Xu Qing's part. His initial high-profile approach was to establish authority; after establishing it, he chose to settle down.

Others who had disappeared along with him included Zi Xuan and the captain. Zi Xuan had left a month and a half ago. Xu Qing clearly understood that, unlike Ling'er's dependence, Zi Xuan was independent. She had her own things to do and her own path to follow. So, after the theft of the Sun of Dawn, when the atmosphere in the Imperial Capital stabilized, she went to other rings within the Imperial Capital's greater domain. For her, everything here was both familiar and unfamiliar, so she wanted to seek out ancient traces. Before leaving, she didn't bid Xu Qing farewell; she only left behind a jade slip imbued with her aura. Xu Qing chose to respect this.

As for the captain, he had also disappeared since the last incident, which made Xu Qing curious about what he had stolen from the Star Emperor Sect. Furthermore, based on Xu Qing's understanding of the captain, his restless nature made it difficult for him to hide in one place for so long. It was more likely that the captain had already changed his identity. As for what identity, Xu Qing pondered, then looked towards the direction of the stolen Star Emperor Branch Sect. "Most likely," he thought, "the captain has returned there. Perhaps for him, there's more than one thing to steal."

As for Wu Jianwu and Kong Xianglong, they also had their own opportunities within the Imperial Capital. Wu Jianwu went to the Academy of Calligraphy. This academy, once established by the ancient Emperor Xuan You, had since fallen into decline and become a place for historical records. For some reason, it caught Wu Jianwu's attention, and in two months, he successfully became a general hand there. Kong Xianglong, on the other hand, went to the Sword-Holding Palace for further study, following in his father's footsteps. Each person's life was unfolding in the Imperial Capital, but compared to them, Ning Yan was much quieter.

After the Sun of Dawn incident, Ning Yan spent his days in secluded cultivation before his mother's portrait, rarely venturing out. Due to Xu Qing's early departures and late returns, the two of them didn't meet often. But Xu Qing could sense that Ning Yan's aura, within the ancestral hall, was changing. "Everyone is growing," Xu Qing murmured. He took a deep breath, stepped into the wind and snow, and walked out. He, too, needed to grow.

The wind and snow grew heavier along the way, and by the time Xu Qing reached the Grand Academy's main gate, snowflakes had already blanketed the land. This continued for half a month. Within the Heretic Immortals, four more individuals with fifty thousand soul threads appeared. Each was highly valued by the sect leader, promoted from core disciples to direct disciples, and granted the right to spread the teachings.

Disciples were divided into inner, core, and direct disciples. These direct disciples could recruit inner disciples themselves and bestow Dao seeds upon them. At the same time, the sect leader also established a rule: every three months, there would be a competition for the chief disciple position. As chief disciple, one would have the privilege of cultivating before the Old Ancestor, receiving guidance, and even being taught special techniques. Furthermore, all soul-enhancing items within the sect would be prioritized for them, along with the opportunity to replace their current Dao seeds with higher-tier ones in the future. This kind of incentive and degree of decentralization could create chaotic variables, but it could also lead to a brutal surge in the number of Heretic Immortal followers.

Consequently, white Dao seeds gradually spread among the Heretic Immortal students. Previously, due to limited numbers and regulations, not all core disciples could integrate a Dao seed; they had to meet certain requirements. But now, with the expansion of the Heretic Immortals and the emergence of white soul seeds, some of these core disciples who previously had no chance to integrate an azure Dao seed also chose to join. Furthermore, students from outside joining the Heretic Immortals grew increasingly numerous, thanks to recruitment efforts from all sides. The recruitment activities Xu Qing had witnessed when he first arrived at the Grand Academy were now frequently occurring outside the Heretic Immortals' White Pagoda. As a result, factions naturally formed among the Heretic Immortal students, and during daily cultivation, they would form their own groups.

Xu Qing and the other older disciples gradually lost their prominence. Although they were still diligent, the Grand Academy never lacked cultivation prodigies, so being surpassed was inevitable. Other core disciples whose soul threads had not reached fifty thousand became anxious after seeing the prestige of the direct disciples. Thus, their external identities and statuses began to play a role. Xu Qing observed all this but did not intervene. How to develop was the Heretic Immortals' choice, and their widespread expansion brought him distinct advantages; his divine source soul threads had already reached over 1.3 million in the past half month.

"If I unleash my full power now," he thought, "I can manifest the third layer of my divine state. I only need to form one more Secret Treasure to break through the Spirit Repository and enter the Void Return realm. As for this Heretic Immortal cultivation method, it's suitable for any cultivation realm and will allow me to perfectly integrate my divine power with my cultivation methods in the future, enhancing each other and generating even greater power." Expectation shone in Xu Qing's eyes.

He felt that the Heretic Immortals were his greatest gain since arriving in the Imperial Capital. As for the Imperial Sword, that was a mission; this Heretic Immortal cultivation method, however, was a tangible improvement to himself. Before encountering the Heretic Immortals, the divine source within Xu Qing's body was independent, and his cultivation was also independent. Although they had achieved a preliminary fusion by drawing on Secret Treasures, fundamentally, they remained distinct. The appearance of the Heretic Immortal cultivation method changed all of this. So, now it was time to await the Dao discussion. Given Old Ancestor Chen Daoze's current number of soul threads, even if the Dao discussion wasn't as profound as fusing with a deity, the momentum was set, and the Heretic Immortals were already on the path to revival.

Xu Qing was in good spirits. On this morning, he walked into the Heretic Immortals' White Pagoda, deep in thought, ready to continue his daily meditation. But just as he stepped inside, a voice echoed from within. "You few," the voice instructed, "go arrange the Dao field. Senior Brother Xuan Lin has invited several sects to be received there today. Remember to light incense, serve tea, and ensure the entire field is free of any dust." The speaker was a core disciple with over thirty thousand soul threads, currently giving instructions to a few students inside the pagoda who had not joined any factions.

Senior Brother Xuan Lin, mentioned by the core disciple, was one of the four direct disciples recently promoted. The students who had not joined any factions wanted to refuse upon hearing this, but since it concerned a direct disciple, they could only acquiesce. Xu Qing's gaze swept over them, but he paid no attention and walked towards his usual meditation spot. He was just about to close his eyes in cross-legged meditation when the core disciple who had been giving orders to others glanced at Xu Qing.

He was naturally familiar with the earliest batch of core disciples, including Xu Qing. At this moment, he spoke plainly, "And you, go with them." Xu Qing's expression remained calm; he closed his eyes and focused his mind. Seeing Xu Qing's lack of response, the core disciple's brow furrowed beneath his mask. He strode towards Xu Qing, his actions attracting the attention of other Heretic Immortal disciples within the pagoda.

With all eyes on him, the core disciple reached Xu Qing. "Xuan Leizi," he said, "I'm speaking to you." Xu Qing slowly opened his eyes and calmly looked at the student before him. With just one glance, the student's entire body instantly trembled, and his soul threads became disordered as if startled. He felt as if his body was about to explode, and his internal organs ached with a stinging pain. A sense of horror instantly rose in the disciple's heart, and he couldn't help but retreat a few steps, filled with alarm and uncertainty.

As for the others, they murmured in confusion. They hadn't felt any fluctuations, only seeing Xu Qing glance at the core disciple in front of him, and that core disciple then recoiled on his own, his eyes filled with panic. This scene led to various speculations among the onlookers. Xu Qing, meanwhile, closed his eyes again and continued his meditation. The disciple's heart trembled. In that instant, he had felt a sense of impending death, and he was still palpitating, not daring to continue. However, the gazes of those around him made it difficult for him to back down.

So, he turned and left. After reaching his faction's usual meditation spot, he took out a Grand Academy communication jade slip and sent a message. It wasn't long before a person approached from outside the White Pagoda. This person was Xuan Lin, one of the direct disciples of the Heretic Immortals. His arrival prompted many disciples to stand up and salute him. The core disciple who had just reprimanded Xu Qing quickly approached, bowed, and whispered in Xuan Lin's ear, while simultaneously pointing at Xu Qing.

Xuan Lin looked up, his gaze cold, and fixed on Xu Qing. "Interesting," he murmured. As he spoke, he strode towards Xu Qing, the fluctuations from his seventy thousand soul threads forming a potent pressure that spread in all directions. But just as he took seven or eight steps, a clamor suddenly erupted from outside the White Pagoda. The sound grew louder, instantly exploding like cold water hitting boiling oil.

"Major news!" a voice cried. "In Tianzhao Commandery, a million mortals have been sacrificed! The Tianzhao Commandery Governor personally investigated and slew the culprit. Before dying, the culprit tried to destroy himself but was suppressed by the Governor. It was discovered that the culprit's body contained a strange seed! It is said that the Tianzhao Commandery Governor's investigation revealed this object is suspected to be a Heretic Immortal Dao seed, and he has already reported it to the Human Emperor. The Dao seed he obtained is currently on its way to the Imperial Capital! Right now, within the Imperial Palace, the Human Emperor's rage is boundless!"

These external voices erupted, boiling into the Heretic Immortals' White Pagoda. The Heretic Immortal disciples within were all startled. Xuan Lin, who had been approaching Xu Qing, also paused, sharply turning his head to look outside. Xu Qing also opened his eyes, a dark glint appearing within them.