Chapter 729: Sect Internal War

"Isn't this the Sword Cleansing Pond I used to frequent?" Unspoken Daoist mused to himself, no wonder it seemed so familiar. In his youth, he often used the pond to cleanse himself of malevolent energy.

This was a treasure passed down through generations in the Dao Seeking Sect. Even the Child Grandmaster frequently used the Sword Cleansing Pond to purify his malevolent energy, lest he accidentally beat Unspoken Daoist to death in a fit of rage. From this perspective, the Sword Cleansing Pond could even be considered Unspoken Daoist's lifesaver.

Noticing his master's attention, Lu Yang appeared somewhat abashed: "Well, I heard the legends about you and the Grandmaster, and I wanted to emulate your examples, so I meditated on the Sword Dao beside the Sword Cleansing Pond. I suppose being too close to it caused the pond to attach itself to me."

As if to confirm Lu Yang's words, the Sword Cleansing Pond cheerfully circled him once.

"You know, the Sword Cleansing Pond is indeed a very effective offensive magic treasure."

The Sword Cleansing Pond was far more practical than the Azure Edge Sword. While the Azure Edge Sword was an immortal weapon, the Grand Senior Sister had applied numerous seals to it, limiting Lu Yang's use to a sword suitable for his current cultivation level.

The Sword Cleansing Pond was different. Not only was its quality exceptional, but it also shared a deep connection with Lu Yang, allowing him to wield it with effortless control, as if it were an extension of his own arm. Its power was immense, evident in the 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords' technique he had just witnessed, which had left the ground severely cratered.

"If you put it that way, the Sword Cleansing Pond is indeed quite formidable." As a grandmaster of the Sword Dao, Unspoken Daoist also recognized its immense power. Unfortunately, he had no destiny with the Sword Cleansing Pond; it had instead found its master in Lu Yang, and he could only offer his silent blessings.

"Come on, sword techniques require extensive practice to master. Try it a few more times."

Lu Yang nodded, obediently activating the Sword Cleansing Pond. The sky once again became dense with them, shrouding Tianmen Peak in darkness.

"'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords' — descend!"

*Boom—boom—*

Building on his previous success, the technique was executed even more smoothly this time.

"Haha, Old Ninth, I didn't realize you were capable of teaching disciples!" The Grand Elder's hearty laughter echoed from the air.

Unspoken Daoist frowned at the Grand Elder's remark: "Oh, please. What do you mean 'capable of teaching disciples'? Look at Xiao Zhi, Xiao Jin, Xiao Tian, and Xiao Yang—which one of them wasn't taught by me?"

The Grand Elder scoffed at Unspoken Daoist's assertion: "Oh, spare me. You talk as if Xiao Zhi's high cultivation has anything to do with you."

As if by prior arrangement, *swoosh, swoosh, swoosh*, elders began to arrive at Tianmen Peak—the Second Elder, the Third Elder... even the rarely seen Sixth Elder appeared. The moment the Sixth Elder arrived, everyone tacitly switched to communicating via spiritual sense.

"It's been a long time since all of us fellow disciples gathered. Why don't we take this opportunity for a little sparring?" the Grand Elder suggested with a smile.

Unspoken Daoist's face darkened: "Last time you suggested that, you all ganged up and beat me half to death, and then forced me to become the Sect Master."

"Old Ninth, that's unfair of you. So many covet the position of Sect Master. We eight, out of consideration for our easy camaraderie, reluctantly gave up the chance and let you become Sect Master, and now you resent us for it."

Unspoken Daoist let out a dry chuckle. "I wasn't born yesterday; why would I believe your nonsense?"

"Don't worry, this time it will be a fair exchange. Just like old times, a casual practice session—no teams, just a nine-person free-for-all."

"Now that's more like it."

The eight elders and Unspoken Daoist exchanged smiles, as if recalling their youthful days under the tutelage of the Child Grandmaster.

"Let's do this."

The nine renowned Integration-stage cultivators of the current era began their battle atop Tianmen Peak. Unspoken Daoist's Sword Dao, the Grand Elder's dream magic, Elder Ba's array formations, the Third Elder's body cultivation, the Fourth Elder's Confucian cultivation, the Fifth Elder's artifact refining, the Sixth Elder's Immaculate Immortal Body, the Seventh Elder's alchemy, and the Eighth Elder's talismans were all considered peerless in their fields, representing the highest attainments within their respective cultivation realms.

Although Unspoken Daoist and the Grand Elder were both at the Half-step Tribulation Crossing stage, the battlefield was unpredictable. With all nine of them engaged, it was not a situation where superior cultivation guaranteed victory.

As it was a rare occasion for the elders to engage in combat, the Dao Seeking Sect disciples quickly positioned themselves at the closest safe viewing distance. Battles between Integration-stage cultivators were truly earth-shattering; there was no need to observe directly beneath them like Lu Yang.

"Who do you think will win?"

"The Sixth Elder's Immaculate Immortal Body is immune to all spells; within the realm of an immortal body, the Sixth Elder is invincible!"

"While the Immaculate Immortal Body is powerful, it's not quite invincible."

"I'd bet on the Grand Elder. I heard he was quite a formidable character in his youth; it was only in his later years that he started cultivating self-restraint, digging holes everywhere, and illegally constructing tombs."

"Right, right, right. I've heard from the elders in my family that the Grand Elder has quite a few enemies in Imperial City, most of whom are at least third-rank officials." This was said by a senior disciple residing in Imperial City, whose family, though not as prominent as the Mengs, was still considered an influential clan there.

"If that's the case, then our Sect Master is even stronger than the Grand Elder; Imperial City is practically filled with our Sect Master's enemies."

"You're severely underestimating our Sect Master. It's not just Imperial City that's teeming with his enemies. Throughout the entire cultivation world—be it the Central Continent, the Demon Realm, or the Buddhist Kingdom—just ask any cultivator who's lived for two millennia; who *doesn't* have a grudge against our Sect Master?"

"Why do you sound so proud about that?"

"Of course I'm proud! Our Sect Master is still alive and kicking despite having enemies everywhere; that's true capability."

The nine Integration-stage cultivators engaged in a chaotic free-for-all, each displaying their unique abilities. The commotion was far greater than when Lu Yang practiced his sword techniques, as if the very heavens and earth were crumbling.

The hard ground of Tianmen Peak seemed like mere mud before the elders, easily manipulated. Trees collapsed as if swept by a hurricane, uprooted and leaving nothing but barren earth.

The elders first targeted the strongest among them, Unspoken Daoist and the Grand Elder, unleashing combined attacks of formations and talismans, alchemy and artifact refining. However, these two were no pushovers either; their Sword Dao and dream abilities each displayed formidable power, proving highly unpredictable. Yet, under the concerted assault of the seven elders, they began to show signs of fatigue, gradually revealing openings.

Just as the disciples were speculating who would be the ultimate victor, a puppet shot skyward and, like dumplings falling into a pot, swatted the elders down one by one. It only went a little easy when dealing with the Sixth Elder.

The elders and the Sect Master, despite their profound cultivation, were effortlessly defeated without a chance to retaliate, tumbling to the ground thoroughly disoriented. They looked up to see the puppet, shouldering a bundle of hoes, standing before them. Without a word, it handed each of them a hoe and pointed at the ravaged Tianmen Peak. The message was clear: no one was leaving until the mess was cleaned up.

Witnessing this, Lu Yang felt immensely relieved that his low cultivation level exempted him from such a high-stakes battle. The puppet handed the last hoe to Lu Yang. Recalling his own display of 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords,' Lu Yang silently accepted the hoe and joined the elders in their ground-leveling efforts.

Outside the Dao Seeking Sect, Clan Leader Jin was still anxiously awaiting news from Unspoken Daoist.

"A whole day has passed, and Big Brother still hasn't sent word. Is the Dao Seeking Sect too dangerous for me to enter?"

"Or has Big Brother simply forgotten about me?"