Outside the main gate of the Ancient Sword Dynasty's capital.
"Distinguished disciples, what brings you here?"
The city guards, upon seeing the disciples from the Azure Cloud Sect arrive, immediately descended from the ramparts to welcome them, their faces filled with deference.
"We act under the orders of our Elders to post this notice."
"Very well, please, this way."
The ordinary disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect then produced the sect's exclusive cyan-runed placards and began to paste them up. Once finished, they quickly entered the city and headed toward other sectors.
A crowd of passersby soon swarmed around the notice.
"The former inner-circle disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect, the head senior brother under the Sect Master, Chu Yuan, has defied the righteous path and cultivated demonic arts. He has now been expelled from the Azure Cloud Sect. All sects, dynasties, and noble families throughout the realm are forbidden from harboring him; any discovery must be reported immediately! A bounty of one million spirit crystals is offered, along with divine artifacts, divine pills, and more! His cultivation has been crippled by the Sect Master himself, so there is no need to fear that this demonic cultivator might be beyond suppression..."
The contents of the notice stunned the pedestrians, leaving them beside themselves with shock. Soon, the news spread like wildfire, passing from one person to ten, then to a hundred, and quickly rippling throughout the entire Ancient Sword Dynasty. Given the sheer magnitude of the information, many were unable to process it immediately.
Chu Yuan was a name well-known to the people of the Ancient Sword Dynasty; he had been the pride of their nation. His brilliance had been boundless. Yet now, it was suddenly revealed that he was a demonic cultivator?
Not far away, Chu Yuan stood among a group of rogue cultivators, wearing a black robe as he waited in line to enter the city. Seeing his own wanted poster, he narrowed his eyes slightly, then relaxed.
It was clear the Azure Cloud Sect was trying to stir up hatred against him. But this suited his System perfectly. Chu Yuan’s System was a Demonic Path Point System—he could grow stronger by gaining points from committing evil deeds. This notice was highly enticing; he could imagine countless cultivators going mad as they hunted for him, practically delivering themselves to his doorstep. Killing them would surely grant him evil points. In a way, the Azure Cloud Sect’s actions had actually worked in Chu Yuan’s favor.
"Heaven helps me," Chu Yuan murmured. He had already transformed his face into a different, handsome visage. He did not wish to reveal his identity just yet. He only wanted to enter the city and see an old friend.
The capital of the Ancient Sword Dynasty housed several prominent noble families. One of them, the Chu family, had a connection to Chu Yuan. Centuries ago, a prodigy from the Chu family, a woman of peerless talent, had fallen in love with a man from a different tribe. The family refused to accept him, so the woman had severed her ties, eloped with him, and settled in a small city within the dynasty, eventually founding a new, minor branch of the family.
Chu Yuan hailed from this minor branch. He had risen steadily through the ranks, his brilliance so intense that the main family in the capital took notice and sought to reclaim him as one of their own. However, Chu Yuan felt no sense of belonging toward this Chu family. He was only heading there now to see his old friend, Chu Yueqing.
***
Inside the main hall of the Chu family estate.
The Patriarch of the Chu family and several elders were gathered.
"First Elder, Second Elder, and all the elders of the Chu family, I have called you here today to discuss the matter of Chu Yueqing."
"Please speak, Patriarch!"
The Patriarch, Chu Tianlong, began to explain.
"You all know of Chu Yuan—the peerless talent who emerged from our Chu family. In the Azure Cloud Sect, he was a force that suppressed his entire generation!"
"But recently, news arrived from the Azure Cloud Sect that Chu Yuan has cultivated the demonic path. His cultivation has been crippled, and he has been expelled!"
"Furthermore, the Azure Cloud Sect no longer offers any favor to our family."
"So, I must ask: is Chu Yueqing still fit to be the Young Master of our Chu family?"
As Chu Tianlong’s voice faded, the First Elder immediately spoke up:
"The only reason Chu Yueqing became Young Master was because of her close relationship with Chu Yuan, as they both came from that same small town. Now that Chu Yuan’s reputation is ruined, she has no value whatsoever."
The First Elder’s words caused the others in the hall to nod in agreement. The Second Elder followed:
"I agree! We chose Chu Yueqing as our Young Master only to climb the social ladder through Chu Yuan! But since he has been expelled and crippled, he has no more utility, and she is simply not worthy of the title."
The surrounding elders expressed their consensus. They had heard whispers of Chu Yuan’s demonic cultivation recently, but hearing it directly from the Patriarch confirmed it was no rumor.
"Good! Since we are in agreement, summon Chu Yueqing to the hall! I intend to strip her of her position!"
At the Patriarch's command, guards were quickly dispatched to fetch her.
Meanwhile, in a cultivation area within the Chu estate, Chu Yueqing was practicing. As the Young Master, she held great power and occupied the prime location.
The cultivation grounds of the Chu family were unique, resembling a colossal ancient tree. It was nearly ten thousand meters high and several hundred meters thick. Its branches were lush, each capable of hosting dozens of disciples. Practicing on this tree allowed one to absorb richer spiritual energy and the tree's essence, which healed injuries and accelerated cultivation.
At the ten-thousand-meter mark, a woman of extraordinary beauty sat in meditation. Her light, sheer gown barely covered her body, leaving her long, shapely legs exposed, yet even more captivating were the curves of her chest, half-hidden and provocative. Unfortunately, there was no one there to admire her.
It was Chu Yueqing.
As she sank into a meditative state, her thin gown fluttered. Suddenly, she stopped.
A cold, aloof figure in black appeared out of thin air in the space before her.
Chu Yuan turned his head and looked at her. "Long time no see."
"It's you!?"
Chu Yueqing did not answer immediately. Upon seeing him, her eyes widened, her mind going blank, but she quickly regained her composure.
"How do you dare show your face in the Ancient Sword Dynasty?" she asked. "Are you not afraid of the Azure Cloud Sect? You are a demonic cultivator!"
"I am not afraid."
Chu Yuan understood her implication, his expression turning cold.
Chu Yueqing stood up and looked at him from a distance. "Why did you turn to demonic arts? You are being hunted across the entire world now!"
"Do even you believe I cultivate demonic arts?" Chu Yuan countered.
"The Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sect expelled you and denounced you to the world! You must have done it! Otherwise, given your talent, they would have begged you to stay!"
After a moment of silence, Chu Yueqing suddenly said, "Did you come to the Chu family to ask for my help?"
"I am the Young Master of the Chu family; I will surely become the Patriarch in the future. I have significant influence here!"
"If you want me and the Chu family to protect you, follow me to see the Patriarch immediately! I will persuade him to help you!"