Chapter 165: Hey Friend, Did You Buy a Ticket?
“Hmph!”
Qin Jian snorted coldly, watching the Ninth Elder leave, muttering to himself, “The Extreme Ice Celestial Palace is out of my reach, but a mere Xuanqing Sect? It’s a snap to obliterate them!”
He was in a rush to board Shen Baixiu’s ship and had to settle for this.
Meanwhile…
After the departure of Ninth Elder Liao Qing, he returned to the decrepit Cang Peak and gathered his disciples, preparing to eliminate the Xuanqing Sect in style.
Liao Qing had little regard for the Xuanqing Sect, fearing only the elusive Desolate Heaven Emperor.
Being a Tribulation Period cultivator, and with the Thunderfire Lion beast by his side, the two of them together could easily crush the Xuanqing Sect. The various celestial mansions had already educated themselves about the Xuanqing Sect’s strengths, and the highest-ranking Grand Elder had just barely broken through to the Integration Period.
Such a sect was bottom-tier in the eyes of celestial mansions.
If it weren’t for Qin Jian’s orders, Liao Qing wouldn’t even have to get his hands dirty—he could simply give a command and watch them go bye-bye.
“The Xuanqing Sect does have some peculiarities…”
After arranging everything, Liao Qing flew off to the Sword Sect’s Sword Beast Peak.
The Thunderfire Lion, the Sword Sect’s protective beast, was right there.
Most top-tier factions liked to tame powerful bloodline beasts for their own use; it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
As soon as Liao Qing set foot on Sword Beast Peak, he felt a mighty demonic aura wave over him like a tsunami—extremely formidable.
His heart tightened, and he thought, “Though the Thunderfire Lion’s bloodline can’t level up, it has been training for many years and its demonic power is quite impressive!”
For demonic beasts, advancing their bloodline was even more challenging than cultivating.
Liao Qing scanned the area and smiled slyly, “Brother Lion, are you ready to feast?”
The Thunderfire Lion was strong yet ferocious.
Besides consuming various pills and herbs, it also had a taste for humanoid cultivators.
Previously, in the celestial mansion, the Sword Sect could only sneakily catch a few cultivators for it; it wasn’t often the lion got to indulge itself freely.
Now, heading to wipe out the Xuanqing Sect was perfect for satisfying its appetite!
“Roar—”
Moments later, a lion’s roar echoed, shaking the sky and earth, and a nearby mountain suddenly rumbled to life.
Rocks and dirt came crashing down, revealing a gruesome figure.
That towering mountain was actually the Thunderfire Lion’s body, its two eyes fixed on Liao Qing, radiating a bloodthirsty, icy gaze that sent chills down one’s spine.
Most demonic beasts would opt for transformation cultivation, yet a small fraction, like the Thunderfire Lion of the Nine Heavens Sword Sect, cultivated in their original form, making them exceptional rare giants.
Boom—
The Thunderfire Lion stretched its massive limbs and suddenly spread its golden fur-covered wings, crackling with electric fire—truly terrifying.
With a glint of ferocity in its eyes, the lion growled at Liao Qing, “Feast, you say? How much are we talking? Don’t you dare lie to me!”
It licked its lips, bloodthirsty, “If you’re not honest, I might just eat you too!”
Liao Qing’s face flashed annoyance; after all, he was an elder of the Sword Sect, being bullied by a mere beast.
However, he also knew, in a one-on-one fight, he could very well be at the lion’s mercy—this nasty beast didn’t show any restraint.
After a moment of silence, Liao Qing took a deep breath and forced a smile, “Brother Lion, if it’s not to your satisfaction, why would I disturb your peace?”
“Accompany me to the Nine States, wipe out a small sect, and eat to your heart’s content!”
In Liao Qing’s eyes, not just the Xuanqing Sect—bringing this creature out meant it could gobble up a few more cultivators from the Nine States without concern.
With the current situation being so chaotic, bloody events were bound to erupt.
The Thunderfire Lion’s aura rippled, and its astounding demonic power seeped out, saying, “Really?”
“Then what are we waiting for? I’m absolutely starving!”
Liao Qing laughed heartily, then cupped his hands, saying, “Great, follow me.”
Boom!
Even though the Thunderfire Lion was huge, its speed was nothing to scoff at. That massive body soared into the sky, whipping up a mighty tornado.
As dust and smoke billowed, the Thunderfire Lion soon vanished without a trace.
Moments later, at Cang Peak…
Liao Qing glanced at his well-prepared group of disciples, waved dismissively, and said, “Let’s go!”
The Thunderfire Lion’s gigantic form lingered in the air, saying in a deep voice, “Get on my back, you’re too slow!”
Then, with Liao Qing leading the Sword Sect cultivators, they flew onto the lion’s back, appearing as tiny ants atop it.
“Come on!”
With that, the Thunderfire Lion let out another ear-piercing roar and transformed into a golden light, zooming away.
Leaving the Purple Garment Mansion at a terrifying speed, they sped toward the southern region of Azure Prefecture.
Such a ruckus surely couldn’t be ignored by other factions within the Purple Garment Mansion.
Especially the Xiao family, Ten Thousand Immortal Sect, and Purple Garment Sect.
These factions already had a grudge with the Nine Heavens Sword Sect but had refrained from attacking further due to Shen Baixiu and Shen Tu Lie holding them back.
Though they kept a close watch and were on guard against every move of the Sword Sect.
“The Nine Heavens Sword Sect suddenly dispatches this force—what are they up to? Hmph, must be eyeing some resources!”
“Should we take action?”
In a grand hall of the Xiao family, Family Head Xiao Xinghe was analyzing various possibilities with a few clan members after reading the intel.
“Even that beast is involved; seems they are really about to go on a rampage!”
“Who knows how many cultivators will suffer from this!”
One elderly man sighed heavily, saying, “With the Three Realms about to unite, our original intention in returning was to collectively combat the Celestial Court!”
He shook his head with regret, “Yet now many celestial mansion factions seem to be relying on their strength to pillage, showing no difference from the Celestial Court!”
Another person asked, “Family Head, should we take action? After all, we’ve already severed ties with the Sword Sect!”
The hall fell silent as everyone looked to Xiao Xinghe.
After pondering for a while, Xiao Xinghe slowly said, “Azure Prefecture… they’re mostly targeting the Xuanqing Sect. That useless Qin Jian is just trying to vent his anger through them!”
He paused and suddenly commanded, “Send someone to notify the Jade Pool Sacred Land; they have some connections with the Xuanqing Sect.”
Meanwhile…
At Qiongying Celestial Mansion, in the Extreme Ice Celestial Palace.
Han Xingmian, with an icy expression, finished reading the message on her communication jade slip and said flatly, “The Nine Heavens Sword Sect is seeking d*ath!”
A chilling intent radiated from her words.
Not long after, countless ice cranes erupted from the Qiongying Celestial Mansion and surged toward the Azure Prefecture.
Ye Xi was currently in seclusion at Qiongying Celestial Mansion, and had earlier specifically requested Han Xingmian to protect the Nine States Immortal Alliance and the Xuanqing Sect during this period.
This tiny matter was something she, the Master’s Wife, wouldn’t neglect.
Moreover, if the disciples of the Xuanqing Sect saw her, they’d all have to call her “Grandma…”
This was even more reason not to let anyone bully them.
———
In Azure Prefecture, the southern region.
Xuanqing Sect.
Qing Dai arrived at the sect’s entrance, brimming with curiosity. Just as she was about to enter, a young disciple stepped forward.
“Friend, did you buy a ticket?”
Qing Dai blinked, startled. After leaving the Blue Star Celestial Mansion, she had visited the Liyue Celestial Dynasty and Jade Pool Sacred Land, and seeing there was nothing much happening, she decided to check out the Xuanqing Sect.
After all… she was now a grandma herself.
It was only right to take a look.
The young disciple smiled sunnily, explaining, “It’s like this, friend. If you want to visit our ancestor’s old abode, there’s an entrance fee. Prices range from ninety-nine spirit stones to nine thousand nine hundred and ninety!”
“Different prices, different experiences…”
“Additionally, we have a diary g*n available here. Want to buy a copy? They’re selling like hotcakes, almost sold out!”
Qing Dai was utterly bewildered, “……”
