Chapter 15. Excluding the Correct Answer

Chapter 15. Excluding the Correct Answer

Li Long fought valiantly but fell in battle, and the Demon Sect retreated, leaving the cultivators from various sects safe for the time being.

“I am truly grateful for Xuanyun Sect’s help in saving us. Once we get out, we will definitely express our gratitude with a generous reward.”

“No, I can hardly protect myself; it’s all thanks to Senior Brother Lin Nuo.”

“Miss Zhao is being modest. Xuanyun Sect truly lives up to its title as the number one sect in the world, supporting the weak and humble. If we have offended in the past, please forgive us.”

The attitudes of the disciples from other sects towards Xuanyun Sect had turned a full 180 degrees. They had previously cursed them for seizing credit but now showed immense gratitude after being saved from the assault of Li Long and the Demon Sect.

Zhao Yuedong felt quite ashamed, knowing that it was entirely the merit of Senior Brother Lin Nuo while she had done nothing to help, even dragging them down. Once they were out, she would certainly report to Elder Yuan so everyone would know of Senior Brother’s contributions.

Despite being only at the second stage of the Spirit Realm, Lin Nuo’s cultivation was lower than that of all the other cultivators present, yet it was this seemingly inconspicuous low-level cultivator who saved everyone.

Perhaps this is what a hidden master looks like? The Han Fairy’s lineage truly produces exceptional beings.

“The Wind Sea Forest is far too dangerous, with countless cultivators already perishing. Everyone, let’s hurry and retreat.”

……

The disciples of the Demon Sect lurked within the Wind Sea Forest, taking advantage of the dense fog to ambush the disciples of various sects, robbing them of their weapons and treasures, and cruelly even extracting their spirit roots.

“These self-righteous sects are nothing but fish in a barrel. This ambush will not only crush their spirits but also provide my Heavenly Grade Li Long with some delicious and nutritious food.”

A man dressed in a black robe laughed heartily, stroking his beard. The spoils collected by the disciples were countless, luring them deeper with inferior demon beasts before exterminating them. It couldn’t have been better.

The man’s name was Du Xu, the leader of this group of Demon Sect disciples, who had masterminded the Wind Sea Forest ambush. Upon returning, he could claim credit and secure a higher position, possibly even become a top figure in the sect.

“My Heavenly Grade Li Long has probably gorged itself; those weak cultivators wouldn’t stand a chance against it.”

Just as Du Xu finished speaking, a group of black-clad Demon Sect disciples rushed back.

“How did it go? Did you take care of everyone in your area?”

“Master, Master… We encountered unexpected issues along the way, and the mission failed… Also, your Heavenly Grade Li Long… it was… killed…”

“What did you say?! Killed?! Who did it?!”

Du Xu was stunned; that was his carefully cultivated Heavenly Grade Li Long! How could it have been killed?

The cloaked disciple responded, “Reporting to the Master, based on the garment, it was a young male disciple from Xuanyun Sect.”

“Xuanyun Sect? Isn’t that Yu Dong’s sect?”

Du Xu glanced sideways at Xu Yu Dong, “Yu Dong, who do you think it could be?”

Xu Yu Dong replied without hesitation, “Aside from me, there are three male disciples from Xuanyun Sect who came to the Wind Sea Forest: Guan Lei, Zhou Jianhu, and Lin Nuo. I killed Guan Lei, and Lin Nuo is a second-stage waste. The green dot on the spirit plate has disappeared, so he’s probably dead. That only leaves Zhou Jianhu; he’s at the fifth stage of the Spirit Realm, has achieved much, and is very likely.”

“Then I’ll go kill him right now!”

“Mm, Fourth Uncle can check the spirit plate to track him. Right now, all the cultivators are retreating; I’ll lead the disciples to intercept and kill as many as possible. Soon, that old fellow Yuan from Xuanyun Sect might come in, and we’ll eliminate him as well.”

Xu Yu Dong and Du Xu then split their forces, deploying all the disciples within the Wind Sea Forest. One group raced to chase down Zhou Jianhu, while the other group targeted the retreating cultivators.

Let them all come out and die!

……

“I hope Senior Sister can find Senior Brother.”

Su Kexin murmured to herself as she hurried along. She was now retreating with other disciples from the Yulin Sect and various other sects, emerging from the depths of the Wind Sea Forest, where the thick white fog had begun to thin considerably.

“Miss Su, did you ever mention that a Heavenly Grade Magical Beast would appear in the Wind Sea Forest?” a disciple from the Yulin Sect asked.

“No, I didn’t,” Su Kexin shook her head helplessly. “All I know is that there have been disturbances from demon beasts. Elder Yuan mentioned that a Heavenly Grade Magical Beast hasn’t appeared here in a long time, and we shouldn’t worry too much.”

“Same here, we thought it was just the regular demon beast disturbances. We wanted to take the opportunity to gather some soul fragments, but who knew we’d run into a Heavenly Grade Li Long?”

“This was unexpected; you did your best, don’t be too upset. It’s good that the remaining people can make it out safely.”

Su Kexin, being kind-hearted, tried to comfort the others, but she felt quite anxious inside; after all, Senior Sister went to find Senior Brother and had yet to return.

Experiencing something this serious on her first outing for trials was terrible.

As Su Kexin and her group kept moving forward, they happened to see another group of cultivators emerging from the Wind Sea Forest.

Seeing their comrades still alive, the cultivators were overjoyed and hugged each other, tears flowing.

But Su Kexin didn’t spot any disciples from Xuanyun Sect; losing her sense of hope amidst the crowd made her feel a little despondent.

Where is everyone? Are they all doing alright? We entered together, but only I made it out.

The pain in her heart was profound, yet she had to keep a smile on her face.

“Thank heavens I’m still alive. We’re going back and will never stay in this cursed place again!”

“Yes, let’s go back! I want to eat three whole pigs!”

“I’m going to confess to Xiao Fang!”

“I can sle*p with Old Zhang’s wife again!”

“???”

……

The group of cultivators linked arms and continued to walk outward; this area was a safety zone with no demon beasts in sight, likely because the Demon Sect disciples wouldn’t venture this way.

However…

Ahead lay a bridge, the boundary of the white fog. Once they crossed it, there would be little fog left.

“Everyone, hurry up and get home!”

The two lead men ran ahead with great enthusiasm, just as they were about to step onto the bridge, shadows appeared beneath their feet; two black-clad figures emerged and thrust blades straight into their hearts.

They died on the spot.

In an instant, numerous figures dressed in black appeared, blocking Su Kexin and the others.

The bridge collapsed, cutting off their escape.

“Demon… Demon Sect?!”

Everyone was stunned. They thought they would safely cross the bridge, only to find a large squad from the Demon Sect; there were far more black-clad figures than they had encountered before.

Among the disciples of the Demon Sect, Su Kexin spotted a familiar figure dressed in black, wearing the robe of the Demon Sect.

“Yu Dong Shixiong?!” Su Kexin exclaimed in shock.

“Hm? Little Kexin, what a coincidence! You’re still alive,” Xu Yu Dong said with a smile.

“Shixiong, how could you…”

“Nothing much, as you can see, I’m not on your side,” Xu Yu Dong chuckled. “Little Kexin, you are quite talented; how about joining the Demon Sect? It’ll be far better than in Xuanyun Sect.”

Su Kexin understood what he meant: Xu Yu Dong had betrayed them. No, looking at the situation, it seemed he was a leader or possibly had always been part of the Demon Sect.

“What a pity that Xuanyun Sect invested so much in you! I will never sink to your level!”

Su Kexin drew her spirit sword, shouting angrily.

Xu Yu Dong shook his head, “Alas, Su Kexin, you just don’t know the times. What era is it? Still holding on to your so-called righteous principles? Fine, then go die with them. You all, kill them all.”

“Yes!”

Immediately, numerous disciples from the Demon Sect charged forward, engaging in battle with the disciples of various sects.