Chapter 106 – This Tragic Cultivation Genius – “Trust me, trust me.” (03/06)
Ji Hong sheathed his Soul-Probing Whip. “Qi Xiangyang, do you have anything else to say?”
No matter what tricks you use, they’re nothing in the face of a true powerhouse.
“Grand Elder~” Xie Chenyang hid behind Yun Xuefeng, reaching out to pinch the back of his robe with two fingers and gave it a little shake. “Trust me—every word I’ve said comes from the bottom of my heart.”
Yun Xuefeng looked at Ji Hong, whose heart skipped a beat. He had anticipated that Yun Xuefeng might see through him.
However, he reasoned that since his father and Yun Xuefeng had a decent relationship, and he was the Sect Master while Qi Xiangyang was merely an ordinary disciple who had fallen into the path of evil, Yun Xuefeng would surely side with them even if he did see through him.
They’d known each other for such a short time—could it really be that they’d met too late?
“Soul-Guarding Pearl.”
“Great-Uncle…”
Yun Xuefeng showed no intention of sparing his feelings, his voice icy. “Continue.”
Faced with the Soul-Probing Whip, the Soul-Guarding Pearl could only withstand it five times at most.
Facing the stares of the others, Ji Hong said with a pained expression, “He’s just a demon cultivator…”
Yun Xuefeng: “He is human; he has never done evil.”
“But he is a demon now…”
“Even after cultivating the demonic path, he is still human.”
Yun Xuefeng said no more. With a flick of his wrist, the Soul-Probing Whip in Ji Hong’s hand fell into his own.
Before Ji Ran could even attempt to flee, the Soul-Probing Whip snatched his soul.
Yun Xuefeng: “Did you attack Qi Xiangyang while he was undergoing his tribulation?”
Ji Ran: “……”
With Yun Xuefeng present today, there was likely no escape. Rather than wait for the Soul-Protecting Pearl to shatter and make a humiliating confession, it was better to end it decisively.
Whispers from the disciples rose around them.
Yun Xuefeng: “Why did you lure Qi Xiangyang to the Demon-Suppressing Cliff and knock him off the cliff while he was undergoing his tribulation?”
Ji Ran remained silent for a moment before saying, “I envied him.”
Yun Xuefeng: “What did you envy?”
Ji Ran closed his eyes and clenched his fists. “I’m jealous that he’s more gifted than I am. I’m jealous that he’s been cultivating for less time than I have, with fewer resources, yet he’s advancing faster than I am!”
A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.
Yun Xuefeng tossed the Soul-Whipping Whip to Ji Hong and said coldly, “Ji Hong, you’ve made quite the Sect Master of yourself and raised quite the son.”
Ji Hong took a deep breath. “Great-Uncle, this disciple’s love for his son runs deep. Ji Ran has erred, but now that Qi Xiangyang has become a demon cultivator, he should be dealt with first!”
Xie Chenyang poked his head out. “Does the Sect Master not consider why I became a demon cultivator? Of course, the Sect Master surely hoped I would die at the foot of the Demon-Suppressing Cliff, so you and your son could continue to enjoy the sect’s admiration with a clear conscience.”
In recent years, the cultivation world had been peaceful, and the Wuji Sect had never had any friction with other sects. With Grand Elder Yun Xuefeng presiding, other sects were very friendly toward the members of the Wuji Sect. After his father’s passing, Ji Hong succeeded as Sect Master and gradually became arrogant. And with Ji Ran as his only son…
It was only now that he realized just what a formidable figure stood before him.
“Great-Uncle… what do you think?”
“I have said it before: even if he practices demonic arts, he is still a human being. He has committed no grave crimes. Even if his path of cultivation differs from ours, it is not your place to exterminate him here.”
“But…” But he practiced the Way of Demons!
The human, demon, and spirit races had been locked in endless conflict since ancient times, harboring deep-seated hatred. How could a mere difference in path possibly erase that?
“No need for further words.” Yun Xuefeng raised his gaze, his eyes darkening slightly. “I ask you: what is the punishment for harming one’s fellow disciples?”
Ji Hong dared not answer.
In the Wuji Sect, harming fellow disciples was a grave offense, punishable by the stripping of cultivation and expulsion from the sect.
One of the Peak Masters, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward and said, “Great-Uncle, Ji…”
Yun Xuefeng turned his head to look at him.
“N-Nothing. This disciple spoke out of turn.”
Help! Great-Uncle’s gaze is terrifying!
Yun Xuefeng raised his hand. Xie Chenyang pressed it down from behind. “He isn’t worthy of your intervention.”
The next moment, he vanished from where he stood, and black mist surged across the field.
Ji Ran cried out in pain. In the blink of an eye, before he could even summon his protective artifact, his cultivation and spiritual roots were both destroyed.
Xie Chenyang left a massive amount of demonic energy within his body and laughed heartily. “Now you get to taste what it’s like to be consumed by demonic energy!”
[Dad, I feel like I’m laughing just like a villain.]
“Ran’er!”
Xie Chenyang dodged Ji Hong’s attack and returned to stand behind Yun Xuefeng.
“Ran’er! Are you okay? You…”
“Father, save me!” He didn’t want to become waste!
“Qi Xiangyang!” Ji Hong glared at Xie Chenyang with bloodshot eyes.
Yun Xuefeng stood before Xie Chenyang, meeting his gaze with an impassive expression. “Obey my order. Expel Ji Ran from the Wuji Sect immediately.”
“Great-Uncle! Ran’er has been crippled. If the demonic energy within him isn’t purged, it might–”
“From this moment on, Ji Hong is no longer the Sect Master. The position of Sect Master shall be assumed by”–Yun Xuefeng pointed to a Peak Master who looked vaguely familiar–“you.”
The disciples had long since stepped back and bowed their heads, not daring to make a sound.
The Peak Master who had been pointed at froze in surprise.
Yun Xuefeng: “Or perhaps, I should leave the Wuji Sect.”
Several Peak Masters immediately knelt. “We will obey the Grand Elder’s command!”
After the great war, the cultivation world entered a period of recuperation and renewal, with prodigious disciples emerging from every sect. Though the Wuji Sect had some, they were few and far between.
If not for Yun Xuefeng holding the fort, the Wuji Sect’s standing in the cultivation world would be…
Those from Yun Xuefeng’s generation had either ascended or perished in battle.
For Yun Xuefeng to leave the sect at this moment… It simply could not happen!
Having spoken his piece, Yun Xuefeng turned, grabbed Xie Chenyang by the collar, and flew away.
Upon returning to the cave residence, Yun Xuefeng said, “Before I ascend, no one in the sect will dare to cause you trouble. I will now enter seclusion; you might as well do the same. In the future, when I am gone, only by becoming powerful will you be able to protect yourself.”
Xie Chenyang grabbed his hand.
Yun Xuefeng: “Is there anything else?”
“Once you enter seclusion, you won’t emerge until you’ve ascended, will you?”
“Yes.”
“Then I have something to say.” Xie Chenyang turned their hands so their fingers interlocked, then lowered his head to kiss them. “I’ve come to love you. I hope you ascend soon.”
“We’ll meet again.”
A red glow flashed briefly in Yun Xuefeng’s eyes, and his voice grew slightly deeper. “We’ve known each other for no more than ten days.”
“That doesn’t affect my feelings for you.”
Yun Xuefeng closed his eyes, released his hand, and walked inside the cave. “After cultivating demonic arts, ascension is no easy feat. Do your best.”
Xie Chenyang smiled as he watched him walk inside and set up the restrictions.
[I’m so torn. I want him to delay his seclusion and stay with me a little longer, but I also feel that if he ascends sooner, we’ll be able to meet in person.]
You Huang: “I’m afraid that won’t be easy.”
You Huang: “His heart demon hasn’t been eradicated.”
[I know. He just got back, right? He’ll be able to eliminate it after seclusion.]
Xie Chenyang turned and left the cave residence. He returned to the Main Peak, radiating a flamboyant aura of demonic energy.
Ji Hong and several Peak Masters were trying to find a way to purge the demonic energy from Ji Ran’s body.
“You dare show your face here!”
“Hey, hey.” Xie Chenyang spread his hands. “Don’t you dare lay a finger on him. Don’t forget, I’m the Supreme Elder’s man.”
The Peak Masters hadn’t intended to attack in the first place; upon hearing this, they stood their ground with a clear conscience.
Ji Hong: “I don’t know how you managed to sweet-talk my Great-Uncle, but–”
“No ‘buts’,” Xie Chenyang interrupted with a smile. “I have a way to save your son. Do you want him to be saved?”
By now, Ji Ran had lost consciousness, his breath as faint as a thread.
“How could I possibly trust you?”
“Why not?” Xie Chenyang said gently. “I struck a bit too hard just now. I simply couldn’t contain my anger. Now that I’ve vented my frustration, we are, after all, fellow disciples. I still can’t bear to see him die so young.”
Ji Hong truly loved his son, Ji Ran. He suppressed the murderous intent and rage boiling within him. “Do you mean what you say?”
“Of course. The demonic energy within him is my doing; removing it would take no time at all.” Xie Chenyang walked over to them, “But his ruined spiritual roots and cultivation—those cannot be restored. I have another solution here, one that will prevent him from becoming a mere mortal, subject to birth, aging, sickness, and death.”
Ji Hong couldn’t help but ask, “What is it?”
“To become a demon cultivator, just like me. Look, even the Grand Elder said that demon cultivation is merely taking a different path; in the end, it all leads to the Great Dao. The Grand Elder allowed me to return, which means he tacitly approves of my approach. Otherwise, do you really want to watch your son, now a mere mortal, get expelled from the sect? He can’t hold on much longer.”
Ji Hong stepped aside. “Qi Xiangyang, I’ve treated you well all these years and have always held you in high regard. Ran’er was wrong to hurt you, but now that you’ve avenged yourself, I hope you’ll keep your word.”
“Rest assured, Master.”
Seeing him address him as “Master” once more, Ji Hong breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Xie Chenyang crouched down and began to truly channel the demonic energy within Ji Ran, taming the once-raging energy until it became docile. “A demonic cultivator doesn’t require a spiritual root.”
Just as everyone thought the matter had been resolved, Xie Chenyang suddenly let out a cry of alarm.
Ji Hong: “What’s wrong?”
“I’m running low on demonic energy.” Xie Chenyang frowned. “Transforming a mortal into a demonic cultivator consumes a lot of power. How about we go to the Demon-Suppressing Cliff and draw on the demonic energy there?”
Ji Hong looked skeptical.
Xie Chenyang withdrew his hand. “If you don’t trust me, Master, you can check for yourself. The demonic energy I’ve infused into Senior Brother Ji Ran’s body is already circulating and cultivating on its own, but… it’s still a bit short.”
Ji Hong probed and found it to be true.
The new Sect Master cleared his throat. “Since there’s no other option, we might as well give it a try. Of course, if you’re still uneasy, Senior Brother, we can leave things as they are. I see that Xiao Ran’s life is no longer in danger; we can send him to Mortal City…”
Xie Chenyang interrupted, “But he won’t be able to conceal his demonic energy. If a cultivator happens to pass by…”
Ji Hong picked up Ji Ran. “To the Demon-Suppressing Cliff.”
Demon-Suppressing Cliff.
Xie Chenyang instructed Ji Hong to place Ji Ran at the cliff’s edge: “Like this, I can absorb the demonic energy from below while helping Senior Brother Ji Ran cultivate his demonic energy.”
Ji Hong frowned. “There’s a seal set by our Great-Uncle here; the demonic energy can’t rise up.”
“I’ve already sent a mental message to the Grand Elder. He’ll be here shortly.”
Xie Chenyang sighed softly. “Master, what are you still hesitating about? Do you think I’d dare to joke with the Grand Elder? Besides, there are so many of you here. How could a mere Nascent Soul-stage demon cultivator like me possibly defeat all of you?”
Upon hearing this, Ji Hong placed Ji Ran at the cliff’s edge and whispered, “Xiangyang, don’t let your master down.”
Once Ji Ran is healed, he’ll find a way to eliminate this menace!
Xie Chenyang curled his lips. “Rest assured, Master.”
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
