Chapter 198: Heavenly Demon Sect's Might

Qin Mu smiled bashfully. "It's a bit much, but there are barely nine of them."

"Nine such powerful figures?"

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor felt a chill in his heart. Were these nine people all like the mute figure? If so, then the background of this Demon Master of the Tianmo Sect was truly terrifying!

"And there are nine more figures like me. My path is not a lonely one."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor smiled with relief and murmured, "I thought I was the only one who had reached this stage. Now, my heart suddenly feels at peace..."

Qin Mu looked at him curiously, then suddenly wondered if using his Azure Heavens Divine Eye to examine the Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor at this moment would get him killed. He really wanted to see if the Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor was the same kind of being as the Village Chief.

Of course, the Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor was inscrutable to him; his cultivation and temperament were beyond Qin Mu's comprehension. There were many seemingly contradictory aspects about the man. Rashly using the Azure Heavens Divine Eye on him could very well anger him.

"Imperial Preceptor, the Palace Mistress is speaking to you. Why don't you answer?"

Qin Mu looked towards the sound and saw the speaker approaching from below the platform. He wore a bronze mask, which was unlike any other. It featured exaggerated facial features: long, wide ears, an aquiline nose, a large, exaggerated mouth, eyes like two pillars, broad eyebrows, and a hole in the forehead, as if prepared for an eye. Then, Qin Mu indeed saw an eye beneath the mask's forehead. There was an eye growing between this person's eyebrows!

"What kind of cultivation art is this?" He was slightly startled.

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor looked at the man with the bronze mask, then his gaze moved past him to Qiu Dieyi, the Palace Mistress of Liqing Palace. He said, "Palace Mistress Qiu of Liqing Palace. Her cultivation art is the Sword Art of Hatred and Separation, said to be a sword art passed down by a divine being, symbolizing separation and parting sorrow."

His gaze fell on the next person. He said, "Chariot Master Che Zhenli of Three Wonders Fortress, Jade Master Yu Qingsheng, and Li Master Li Fei. Chariot Master Che's cultivation art is the Profound Forbidden Demonic Arts, a forbidden demonic path art from the Dao Sects. Jade Master Yu's cultivation art is the Five Gu Transforming Dragon Art, which involves raising Gu worms to become dragons. Li Master Li cultivates poison, but I am unsure of her specific cultivation art."

Li Master Li chuckled. "Even the Imperial Preceptor has cultivation arts he doesn't know? My art is called the Three Immortals Poison Transformation Profound Art; it specializes in converting poison into cultivation power."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor's gaze then rested on another person. He said, "Daoquan True Man has always healed the sick and saved lives. Why are you also involved in this rebellion? More than ten years ago, when the Yongjiang River flooded and plagues ran rampant, spreading across Jiangnan, True Man treated villagers and dispensed medicine, earning widespread renown. I wanted to invite you to serve as an official in the Grand Academicians, but you declined, and in the end, you were only granted the title of True Man."

Daoquan True Man said solemnly, "Those whose paths differ cannot work together. Imperial Preceptor, when I refused to become an official back then, you should have realized that our paths diverged. What you are doing is too extreme; you want to eradicate all Dao Sects under heaven. I had no choice but to come and stop you."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor fell silent, then said, "I eradicated the Dao Sects of the world to treat more people. How do you view my actions over these years?"

Daoquan True Man replied, "You've done well. Originally, there were very few apothecaries in the world, but now they are as numerous as ox hairs. Even warships are equipped with apothecaries and apprentices, making it difficult for plagues to spread unchecked. However, the Grand Academicians have only produced mediocre doctors over the years; not a single one can be called a divine physician. For this, you bear unavoidable responsibility."

"It seems our paths truly do diverge."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor looked at another person and said, "Lord Ma Lianshan, the Minister of the Grand Secretariat."

"I am unworthy."

Ma Lianshan said solemnly, "Imperial Preceptor, you were the one who promoted me, but I also have my sect. I originally belonged to the Zhongnan Mountain lineage, cultivating the Southern Radiance Five Separations Sword Scripture."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor said, "I asked His Majesty to appoint you as Minister of the Grand Secretariat, in charge of the Grand Secretariat, because you are upright, impartial, and an excellent military commander. I had thought you would abandon sectarian prejudice. Your becoming a rebel deeply saddens me. As Minister of the Grand Secretariat, you were originally a good official, and the common people held you in very high regard."

Ma Lianshan shook his head. "I am not the only good official who has betrayed you. The Imperial Preceptor should reflect on his own actions."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor said impassively, "The old and corrupt must be removed. If people's hearts are old and corrupt, how can they be reformed? Only through revolution. Without revolutionizing the lives of the corrupt, the world cannot truly be peaceful. Although you are a good person, you stand in my way."

He looked at the others and said, "Qi Dayou, Sect Master Qi of the Beggar Sect, who cultivates the Hundred Poverty Profound Art; Luo Xinghe, Sect Master Luo of the Starry Sky Net Sect, who cultivates the Starry Sky Net Profound Art; Zen Master Zhikong of Daxiong Temple, who cultivates the Four True Word Seals of Creation, Sustenance, Decay, and Emptiness; Grandmaster Hongfa of Daputuo Temple, who cultivates the Dharma Propagation and Beneficence Bodhi Art; Grandmaster Huiyin of Nanhai Jiayin Temple, who cultivates the Invincible Vajra Art. There is also the Hanging King, formerly the ruler of the Hanging Kingdom; Duan Yan, the ruler of Southern Liang; and Nunu Huer, the ruler of Western Fan. And these three seniors from the old era."

His gaze fell on the two old men and one old woman. He said, "The three of you are from the old era, advanced in age. You must be seven or eight hundred years old by now, correct? To live past eight hundred years is to reach your fated lifespan. How many more years do the three of you have left?"

The short, thin, and dark old man chuckled. "I am the Hermit of the Mountains and Fields, known as Hermit Li. I have sixteen years of life left. Actually, I am not truly a hermit; the tiny Xuanyun Kingdom that the Imperial Preceptor destroyed was founded by me."

"I am True Monarch Tian." The old woman grinned. "I enjoy raising some insects, which the Imperial Preceptor should have already seen. Jade Master Yu of Three Wonders Fortress is my son."

The fat old man said, "I don't have as grand a background as they do. I am Qiong Fuzi, the Poor Scholar. Don't let my size fool you; I ate myself poor. Our school is called the Qiongli Art, which means 'the poorer you are, the more reasonable you become.'"

"Poor Scholar, you jest."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor said solemnly, "To exhaust principles to gain knowledge, to reflect on oneself to practice truth, to investigate things to exhaust their principles, to gain knowledge through investigation—I understand these doctrines. Since you are a scholar, why do you oppose me?"

Qiong Fuzi shook his head. "When poor, one cultivates one's own virtue; when prosperous, one benefits the world. Imperial Preceptor, your power is too great and brings no benefit to the world. I oppose you not for my own interests like they do, but for the sake of Yan Kang. I see your overwhelming power; removing you now is still possible. If we wait a few more years, you will be the emperor."

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor stood at the peak of the mountain, his voice calm and level, spreading in all directions: "Who else opposes me?"

Immediately, voices rose one after another from within Daxian City: "I do!"

"Liao Yinzhi of the Heavenly Immortal Gate dares to oppose the Imperial Preceptor!"

"Qiu Zhiming, Grand Master of Guanglu, dares to oppose the Imperial Preceptor!"

"Shan Mu, Marquis of Wuling, dares to oppose the Imperial Preceptor!"

"Qing Mingyue, Chief Scribe of the Protectorate General's Office, dares to oppose the Imperial Preceptor!"

"Chen Yao, Magistrate of Wuyin County, dares to oppose the Imperial Preceptor!"

Voice after voice echoed from Daxian City, each belonging to a grand master of the Life-and-Death realm or Heavenly Human realm. As one voice faded, another rose, a continuous chorus, one after another, growing increasingly mighty and heart-stirring, making blood boil.

The man with the bronze mask was also filled with fervent emotion, his blood surging. He declared loudly, "Imperial Preceptor, do you see? How unpopular you are! Everyone in the world wants to execute you. How can you still have the face to live in this world?" His voice was firm and resounding!

The Yan Kang Imperial Preceptor remained expressionless, calmly saying, "Everyone in the world? Do these mere hundreds of thousands of people in this city deserve to be called 'everyone in the world'? They are just insignificant commoners. If they are annihilated, they are annihilated. Only when you are dead will the world truly be at peace."

"If that's the case, then one side must be utterly annihilated."

The man with the bronze mask said, "This mountain has already been sealed by the Heavenly Prison Seal. Within these eight hundred acres, we can fight without worrying about the conflict spreading outside and harming the soldiers stationed there. This time..." He said coldly, "We will not observe the codes of chivalry or the rules of the jianghu!"

Qin Mu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Si Yunxiang. "Then I can rest easy."

Monk Yun Que's face turned ashen. He stammered, "Rest easy about what? We're within the seal; we'll be the first to be shaken to death. Do you remember Tianbo City? This battle will definitely be several times more terrifying than Tianbo City!"

Yue Qinghong and the others also turned pale. The battle at Tianbo City involved only a portion of the Dutian Demon God's magic power, fighting against the Dragon Rider Sect Master and another sect-master level expert. Yet the destruction caused was already unimaginable; even a powerful creature like the Dragon Qilin couldn't withstand such an impact. If a great battle broke out here, the destruction would be several times worse than that caused before! Furthermore, with eight hundred acres sealed off, it meant that the fluctuations caused by these powerful individuals would only reverberate and churn within this confined space! By then, even the Dragon Qilin might be torn to shreds by the aftershocks of their combat!

Just then, outside the city, massive banners suddenly fluttered, stretching for dozens of miles from east to west, forming a continuous line. The man with the bronze mask and the others stood at a high vantage point, looking out. Their expressions changed drastically as they saw banners rising, over ten zhang high, obscuring the enemy camp opposite them. And beneath these banners, hidden from view, were countless soldiers and horses!

The man with the bronze mask was about to shout a warning when suddenly, the banners violently rolled up. Immediately, three hundred sixty more banners appeared within the city. Beneath these banners, strange figures wearing straw hats and carrying long cloth bags shook the banners vigorously, and tens of thousands of Yan Kang Kingdom's vast army, previously outside the city, suddenly appeared within Daxian City! It was only then that the bronze-masked man's voice finally reached them: "Prepare for battle—"

But it was already too late.

As the three hundred sixty strange figures furled their massive banners, murderous faces appeared beneath them, wielding sabers, spears, swords, and halberds, their killing intent soaring. Beneath the banners, golden-armored giants appeared along with cloud chariots. From the sterns of massive warships, bronze beasts began spewing fierce flames, and giant birds flapped their wings, stirring up violent winds. When the large banners were fully retracted and transformed into small flags, the battle cry had already erupted. The sound of sharp swords being drawn from their scabbards blended with earth-shattering roars.

This moment seemed to unfold incredibly slowly, so slow that one could observe every change in expression: from murderous intent to ferocious grimaces, from bewilderment to terror. The blood spatter from flying swords cutting through bodies also seemed to erupt slowly from within, scattering into the air. The moment heads flew from necks appeared strangely tragic and beautiful.

"Elephant Transformation!"

A roar broke the brief stillness. An infantry general shouted furiously, and thousands of infantry soldiers roared, their bodies swaying as they transformed into elephant-headed giants, charging violently into the rebel forces, scattering them. Meanwhile, the cavalry had already soared into the sky and began to dive down, countless flying swords raining onto the ground.

"Fire Gourds!"

On the warships, a command flag waved. The soldiers on the warships took down the red gourds, more than half their height, from their backs, pulled out the stoppers, and immediately, raging true flames spewed down from the ships, incinerating the defenders on the city walls, turning an untold number of them into burning figures!

Boom—

A squad of golden-armored warriors dragged cloud chariots, crushing countless soldiers along the way, and slammed fiercely into the city wall, collapsing hundreds of zhang of it. The burning figures on the wall fell one after another. Outside the city, the Grand General of Champions and the Grand General of Huaihua raised their spears and halberds, pointing towards Daxian City. Behind them, innumerable Yan Kang Kingdom soldiers roared their battle cries, surging forward like a tide from both the air and the ground.