Mountain-Sea Hidden Sword Style!
This move was a modified version of the "Mountain-Sea Sword." It was created by Meng Bai after his return from the dreamscape. Although it lacked the long-term nourishment of the original Mountain-Sea Sword, its power was equivalent to ten years of that technique!
Once the sword was drawn, mountains and seas followed in its wake.
It was as if one were standing amidst the true mountains and seas!
The demonic blade shattered in an instant, and the mountain-sea manifestation pierced through Situ Xiao’s body.
A look of disbelief appeared in Situ Xiao’s eyes.
"Impossible! This sword technique is divine!"
Having spoken, Situ Xiao’s body slowly crumbled.
Meng Bai let out a long breath. Though the Mountain-Sea Hidden Sword Style possessed peerless power, it consumed a tremendous amount of energy. Even with his deep and incredibly pure mana, he felt a momentary sense of collapse.
With Situ Xiao’s death, the grand formation of the Fragrant Pavilion dissipated automatically.
Meng Bai immediately crushed the Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman in his storage ring.
This talisman was precious; though named "thousand-mile," its range far exceeded that distance, capable of covering a thousand miles in a single breath! Moreover, the Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman was extremely covert, making it impossible for ordinary cultivators to detect. It was one of the life-saving items the sect issued to disciples stationed abroad.
The appearance of a Demon Sect disciple in Qingya Town was a matter of utmost gravity, so Meng Bai notified the sect without delay.
Taixu Sect, Enforcement Hall.
Elder Xiao An was on duty again today. He reclined on a grand armchair, leisurely sipping spirit wine, feeling entirely at ease. Suddenly, an Enforcement Hall disciple burst in.
"Elder, it is bad! A stationed disciple has used a Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, reporting that he has discovered traces of the Heavenly Demon Sect."
The leisurely expression on Xiao An’s face vanished. He asked sternly, "Is the report true?"
The Enforcement Hall disciple replied, "The message came from Meng Bai, who is stationed at Qingya Town."
Xiao An raised a brow slightly. "That kid again. Bring the Thousand-Mile Teleportation Array; I shall head to Qingya Town myself."
...
On the other side, after Meng Bai consumed a medicinal pill to restore his mana, he stepped out of the Fragrant Pavilion and headed toward the Zhao family estate.
The fact that a Heavenly Demon Sect disciple appeared at the Fragrant Pavilion certainly had to be related to the Zhao family. He intended to see how the Zhao family would explain themselves.
Zhao Family Estate.
The Zhao family ancestor was currently attending to a man in black robes—this man also wore black, with a wolf-patterned mask.
The Zhao family ancestor flattered him obsequiously: "I am filled with trepidation at your honorable arrival, Excellency."
His fear was genuine, for the man before him was Situ Hao, the uncle of Situ Xiao—a Silver-Plated Blood Killer of the Blood Slaughter Hall, and a Spirit Nourishing monster!
Spirit Nourishing cultivators usually lived for five hundred years. Although this Situ Hao looked young, his true age was far greater than that of the Zhao family ancestor.
A muffled voice issued from beneath Situ Hao’s mask: "Do not be nervous. I simply came to look for little Xiao. I heard he happened to be nearby executing a mission, and since I happened to be in the vicinity as well, we uncle and nephew haven't seen each other in a long time, so it was a good opportunity to meet."
Suddenly, Situ Hao rose abruptly, staring toward the direction of the Fragrant Pavilion, a chilling aura radiating from his body.
The Zhao family ancestor was so frightened he knelt at once. "Excellency, please calm your anger. I do not know what I have done wrong."
Situ Hao said coldly, "The sealing formation at the Fragrant Pavilion has been lifted, but little Xiao’s aura has vanished."
The Zhao family ancestor was drenched in cold sweat.
Situ Hao’s words meant that Situ Xiao was dead and the mission had failed. However, the Zhao family ancestor could not fathom how Meng Bai, a mere Level 1 Foundation Establishment cultivator, could have killed a Level 9 Foundation Establishment Bronze-Plated Blood Killer.
The terrifying pressure of a Spirit Nourishing Realm expert bore down on the Zhao family ancestor. Situ Hao asked coldly, "Who was little Xiao’s assassination target?"
The Zhao family ancestor kowtowed frantically on the ground, trembling with terror. "Excellency, spare me! The target was clearly only a Level 1 Foundation Establishment cultivator; I do not know why the Demon Envoy’s mission failed."
Situ Hao did not believe for a second that the target was only a Level 1 Foundation Establishment cultivator. He struck out at the Zhao family ancestor in a rage.
"Reporting false information—die!"
How could a Level 9 Qi Condensation cultivator possibly withstand the attack of a Spirit Nourishing Realm expert?
The Zhao family ancestor fell on the spot. Without their Level 9 Qi Condensation cultivator, the three great cultivation families of Qingya Town were all destined to decline—though that is a story for another time.
After the Zhao family ancestor died, Situ Hao did not leave, for he sensed Meng Bai’s arrival.
The moment Meng Bai stepped through the Zhao family gate, he was locked onto by Situ Hao instantly.
In a flash, Meng Bai felt a chill run through him.
*Spirit Nourishing Realm!*
*I was too arrogant,* Meng Bai thought to himself.
Meng Bai wanted to turn and run, but Situ Hao had already appeared before him.
Situ Hao said with mild surprise, "It really is a Level 1 Foundation Establishment. Regardless, go to hell!"
Although the Zhao family ancestor had not lied, Situ Hao felt no remorse for killing him; those of the Heavenly Demon Sect were always like this—brutal even to their own.
Watching Situ Hao’s palm descend, Meng Bai mobilized all his mana and unleashed the Mountain-Sea Hidden Sword Style.
*Bang!*
Meng Bai was sent crashing into a nearby house, vomiting blood.
Although it was merely a casual strike, it still left Meng Bai severely wounded.
Situ Hao remarked with faint admiration, "A tyrannical sword technique, almost approaching a Divine Ability. It is a pity you must die today!"
Situ Hao raised his hand, preparing to finish him with another palm strike.
Just then, an angry roar echoed out.
"Demon Sect evildoer, stop!"
The voice rumbled like heavenly thunder, striking at the soul.
Situ Hao’s expression changed drastically.
*A Golden Core True Person!*
The person who had arrived was none other than Elder Xiao An.
Elder Xiao An had originally been idle, and since the message came from Meng Bai, he had wanted to see these supposed clues regarding the Demon Sect. He had not expected that, under the sect’s rule, there would actually be a Spirit Nourishing Realm demon lurking about.
Situ Hao did not linger; he turned and fled.
But the gap between the Spirit Nourishing Realm and the Golden Core Realm was vast.
Elder Xiao An teleported in front of Situ Hao, his mana surging like a vast ocean, subduing Situ Hao instantly.
Elder Xiao An arrived at Meng Bai’s side and channeled a strand of pure mana into his body. Meng Bai’s injuries were seven or eight parts healed in an instant.
"Many thanks to the Elder for your timely intervention."
Meng Bai was still shaken, having nearly died just moments before.
Elder Xiao An smiled slightly. "You did well this time. There will be rewards upon your return to the sect."
Meng Bai replied modestly, "This disciple was merely lucky."
Elder Xiao An said, "Luck is also a part of one's strength."
Looking at the unconscious Situ Hao, Elder Xiao An thought to himself that he had caught a big fish this time. A Spirit Nourishing Realm expert was a pillar of the Demon Sect, no longer among the lower ranks; he could surely extract much useful information from him.
Shortly thereafter, the Enforcement Hall disciples arrived.
Because of their connection to the Demon Sect, the entire Zhao family estate was confiscated, and all family members were demoted to slaves. As for the Sun and Qian families, they were released without charge after the Enforcement Hall confirmed they had no ties to the Demon race. However, because their own ancestors had died and the pillars of their families had been harmed by the Zhao family ancestor, their eventual decline was inevitable.
As for the duel between Meng Bai and Situ Xiao, the Enforcement Hall examined the scene and confirmed the presence of a Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator. However, because only remnants of demonic energy remained, they could not verify the exact level of power, so the Enforcement Hall concluded that perhaps the demonic cultivator’s cultivation was not high, allowing Meng Bai to counter-kill him.
About seven days later, the Enforcement Hall finished investigating all incidents and departed Qingya Town.
Meng Bai returned to his cave dwelling.
The Heavenly Demon Sect incident in Qingya Town had come to an end.