Chapter 6: The Deliberation of the Qing Lian Sect
Three days later, in the main hall of the Qing Lian Sect.
"Yesterday, an envoy from a noble in the Li Kingdom came to our Qing Lian Sect seeking assistance."
In the solemn and dignified hall, several elderly figures adorned in white robes, embellished with patterns of azure lotus, sat cross-legged. They emitted an aura subtly hinting at profound mysteries, unlike ordinary individuals.
Among them, an elder slowly spoke. His voice was indifferent and distant, as if coming from afar, instilling an inexplicable sense of reverence.
He was the Grand Elder of the Qing Lian Sect, named Xuan Hong, extraordinarily powerful and considered a top-tier expert in the territory of the Heavenly Cloud Five Kingdoms!
Throughout history, cultivators in the world of cultivation have seldom intervened in the mundane conflicts unless... faced with a genuine threat of national destruction.
"The imperial city of the Li Kingdom, with over eight hundred thousand people... now has fewer than ten thousand survivors. It has become a land of corpses and blood!"
Xuan Hong continued to speak, his words filled with emotion, and his eyes shimmered with a compassionate light.
Although the Qing Lian Sect was situated within the borders of the Li Kingdom, the two entities, generally did not interfere with each other. However, if a true catastrophe befell the Li Kingdom, the Qing Lian Sect could not simply stand idly by.
"What... has happened to the Li Kingdom?"
An elder's expression turned grave. The Qing Lian Sect had been situated in the Li Kingdom for a millennium and had assisted the Li Kingdom in overcoming major crises several times. Over the years, they had become one of the Li Kingdom's most relied-upon forces.
After all, the principle of mutual dependence was well understood. If the Li Kingdom were to fall, the stability of the Qing Lian Sect would be jeopardized.
"According to the noble from the Li Kingdom, now... the entire Li royal family has been completely wiped out. The Li Kingdom's emperor is dead... the entire kingdom has plunged into chaos."
Xuan Hong sighed, sharing some of the information he knew with the gathered elders.
"How... how could this happen!"
At these words, the faces of many elders changed dramatically, shocked to the core.
The emperor of an entire kingdom was dead!
This was an enormous event!
However, someone quickly began to analyze the situation.
"Could it be internal turmoil within the Li Kingdom?"
A senior elder put forth his speculation, looking at Xuan Hong and inquiring tentatively.
"Internal turmoil? Haha... If it were internal turmoil, I wouldn't be sitting here today discussing this matter with you elders..."
Xuan Hong gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and said:
"It is said that in the imperial city of the Li Kingdom, a true demon has appeared, excessively bloodthirsty... he will slaughter all life in his gaze!"
"And, he possesses terrifying power; a single punch can turn hundreds of people into a mist of blood. Such power... probably far exceeds the realm of mortal strength!"
As the words fell, the entire hall instantly fell into silence. All the elders furrowed their brows, their faces showing a thoughtful expression, as if reflecting on this information.
In the mortal world, there isn't a precise classification of power. The realms of martial arts are roughly divided into third-rate, second-rate, first-rate, supreme, and the Innate Realm.
Third-rate master, strength of a thousand catties!
Second-rate master, strength of two thousand catties!
First-rate master, strength of four thousand catties!
Supreme master, strength of eight thousand catties!
And those in the almost legendary realm within the mortal world, the Innate Realm, possess a terrifying strength of over twenty thousand catties!
The Innate Realm represents the pinnacle of martial arts!
But...
For real cultivators, everything in this mortal world is simply not worth mentioning!
The power levels of cultivators are meticulously organized, categorized into nine stages ranging from low to high!
Body Tempering, Spirit Condensation, Spirit Transformation, Earth Sovereign, Heavenly Extremity, Transcendence, Nirvana, Dao Fruit, Divine Altar.
The nine major realms, with each advancement, can cause a cultivator's physical body, soul, and true essence to surge several times over!
According to legend, reaching the Divine Altar realm requires climbing a nine-tier celestial ladder, and each ascent... signifies a life-altering transition!
However, the Innate Realm experts in the mortal world are merely equivalent to the Spirit Condensation realm in the cultivation world, hardly ranking among the truly powerful.
Although the Qing Lian Sect may not be a major sect, it has inherited its legacy for millennia and holds a respected position within the territories of the Heavenly Cloud Five Kingdoms!
At this moment, among the elders discussing in the sect's main hall, all are at the pinnacle of the Spirit Transformation realm. Among them, the Grand Elder Xuan Hong, as well as the Sect Master of Qing Lian, have even reached the Earth Sovereign realm!
"Could it be the people from the Demon Sect..."
Suddenly, an elder spoke up.
The matter of the Demon Sect... it was a catastrophe that occurred three hundred years ago in the Heavenly Cloud Five Kingdoms. The Demon Sect's leader claimed to be the Demon Emperor, aiming to unify the territories of the five kingdoms and use all the mortals and cultivators for his own purposes to achieve his dominance.
In this catastrophe, over ten million people perished. The Demon Sect not only slaughtered those who opposed them among the cultivators but also spared no one in the mortal world.
Despite the joint efforts of the sects within the Heavenly Cloud Five Kingdoms to resist the Demon Sect, they suffered a disastrous defeat.
In the end, a Transcendence realm powerhouse traveled here, harboring intense hatred for the actions of the Demon Sect. Taking action, this formidable cultivator obliterated the entire Demon Sect, putting an end to the catastrophe!
"Demon Sect..."
Upon hearing these words, Xuan Hong's eyes flashed with a sharp edge, and a surge of killing intent emerged!
Three hundred years ago, a Supreme Elder of Qing Lian Sect fell at the hands of the Demon Sect's leader. This history remained deeply engraved in the hearts of Qing Lian Sect members.
"If they are indeed remnants of the Demon Sect, we must eradicate them completely!"
Suddenly, the Qing Lian Sect Master, seated at the forefront, spoke with a cold and clear voice.
Despite being the Sect Master, his appearance was remarkably youthful, handsome like a young man of around fifteen. With a tall and straight figure, sword-like eyebrows, and starry eyes, dressed in azure robes, he displayed an exceptionally noble demeanor.
His name was Lu Xuan, the nineteenth Sect Master of Qing Lian. At only thirty-something years old, he had become the Sect Master and, at the same time, a formidable figure at the Earth Sovereign realm.
Upon hearing his words, everyone in the sect's main hall nodded in agreement, indicating their approval.
"Since that's the case..."
Lu Xuan slowly stood up, surveyed the crowd, and said in a deep voice:
"Elder Wu, you will lead some of the stronger disciples to investigate the situation near the imperial city of the Li Kingdom... Remember, this time, proceed with caution and do not act recklessly."
"Yes!"
A middle-aged man in a black robe bowed and accepted the order.
His name was Wu Lie, the fifth elder of Qing Lian Sect. His cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Spirit Transformation realm, and he was a formidable figure with a renowned status within the sect.
In the Li Kingdom's territory, a cultivator at the pinnacle of the Spirit Transformation realm could almost sweep through everything, fearless of anyone.
Wu Lie smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with fervor:
"Sect Master, rest assured! I will surely crush the heads of those Demon Sect remnants and avenge the deaths of the people!"
"Good."
Lu Xuan nodded, his expression calm. He waved his hand indifferently, saying:
"Go."