Chapter 965: The Spirit Altar in the Pavilion

Chapter 965: The Spirit Altar in the Pavilion

Master Zhao returned in a huff, but Master Cong stood outside the Spirit Pavilion with a beaming smile, seemingly unfazed by Zhao’s anger.

“Do you still dare to question me? Do you not see what you’ve done?”

Facing Master Cong’s grinning face, Master Zhao grew even angrier, losing all respect for his elder.

“Sigh. Sect Leader, we’re only thinking of the greater good. Why must you be enraged?”

“Nonsense! That place is off-limits! You, of all people, should know this! Zhang Yuanxu, did he lead you astray?”

“Sigh, Sect Leader. Do you still not understand? That place has reopened for the benefit of the world. What good does stubbornness do? The demon path is rampant; sticking to the old ways will lead to our doom. My master sees beyond and has the means, so stop talking to me with that so-called Sect Leader attitude.”

“Nonsense!”

Master Zhao was furious, gathering spiritual energy in his hand and launching a palm strike at Master Cong. Master Cong reacted quickly, putting up a Spirit Shield to defend, but ultimately, there was a power gap, and he was pushed back, crashing into the Spirit Pavilion.

The disciples gasped in amazement; this was a serious matter, Master Zhao had struck Master Cong.

“Master!”

Master Cong’s disciple, Xie Yu, rushed over to help him up.

“I’m fine. This old man has some skill, but he wouldn’t dare to hurt me indiscriminately.”

Master Cong claimed bravely as he stood up. Although Master Zhao’s hit had left him slightly injured, he couldn’t show weakness in front of his disciples.

“Your reckless actions will surely lead to punishment.”

Master Zhao reprimanded angrily and then entered the Spirit Pavilion to track down Zhang Yuanxu, the one who had violated sect rules.

Now Master Zhao’s attention was diverted, providing Han Fairy with a golden opportunity.

The disciples nearby were all under Master Cong and were still unaware of Master Zhao’s intention to punish her.

So now was the time.

Go.

Originally, Han Fairy was supposed to wait outside with her accompanying disciples for Master Zhao, but she turned around and left.

“Han Fairy, where are you going?! The Sect Leader wants you to stay here!”

The waiting disciples noticed Han Fairy fleeing and hurried to stop her, but how could they ever catch up? They could only watch as she ran away.

“Han Fairy has committed a wrongdoing! The Sect Leader is going to deal with her! Hurry, stop her! Don’t let her escape!”

One disciple shouted, following the usual protocol where the watching disciples would immediately rush to intercept her. Even if they couldn’t catch her, they would at least slow her down, for the Sect Leader had ordered it.

But now, they just stood by, not listening.

During Master Zhao’s absence, things had drastically changed here; they had shifted their loyalties and were not going to follow Master Zhao’s orders as they once did.

Han Fairy still escaped, leaving Tianling Mountain on her flying sword.

The few disciples were at a loss, unsure how to explain this to the Sect Leader.

“You’re still listening to that Zhao? Things have already changed; following him will lead us to a future with no hope.”

Disciples from Master Cong’s side came over to persuade them, but these few remained loyal to Master Zhao.

“Enough! The Sect Leader will solve everything, and you will surely face punishment. You’re only aiding and abetting treachery, causing internal chaos!” they replied resolutely.

“Foolish. Just look at the other elders; who still supports him? What are you disciples shouting about?”

“Don’t waste your breath on these fools. They’ll understand soon enough. Let’s see how long they can keep it up.”

The group mocked the loyal disciples, who suddenly began to doubt everything about the Xuanyun Sect.

Inside the Spirit Pavilion, an irate Master Zhao strode down the corridor, even though many magic arrays were set up as obstacles, he knew this place well and easily dispelled them.

Before long, he walked past the hall and chose one of the side paths, quickly arriving at a place known as the “Spirit Altar.”

This was a restricted area, not allowed for entry, but the sealing magic had now been broken.

Inside lay ancient spirits, including divine-level demon beasts, wayward cultivators who had perished from forbidden techniques and many malevolent spirits.

These spirits could not be purified in the short term, only contained here, and would eventually fade over time.

Moreover, hidden within were spirit tools from over a hundred years ago, some used to restrain spirits, others too laden with resentment that needed purification.

The Xuanyun Sect had maintained this tradition for generations, never allowing anyone inside until all the spirits had dissipated, and only then could the spirit tools be retrieved.

Based on the timeline, it could be unfettered in a little over a decade. Master Zhao thought he could unseal it before passing the mantle.

But he never expected Zhang Yuanxu would open it.

This was bound to cause chaos!

As Master Zhao entered, he felt a surge of powerful spiritual energy and an oppressive force that took his breath away.

What had he done? Would he be devoured by these spirits?

He pressed forward against the force, entering an icy cold realm where he could hear piercing wails resonating, sending chills down his spine.

Yet a faint blue-gray light illuminated the path ahead, allowing him to see somewhat clearly.

Gathering spiritual energy in his hand, he flashed a luminescent glow, gaining a clearer view.

Before him stood a Spirit Altar, and there was Zhang Yuanxu, waving his hands before it like a sorcerer performing a ritual, wearing the spirit items he had obtained from here.

Bat-shaped rings, serpent-shaped necklaces, these items exuded a sense of evil, utterly unfit for a place like the Xuanyun Sect. But alas, their re-emergence would spell disaster.

“Zhang Yuanxu, what are you doing?! Why are you here?! Get out now, there’s still time! If you let them out, we won’t be able to stop them!”

“Oh? You’ve come.”

Zhang Yuanxu turned with a chilling smile on his face.

Master Zhao looked at his face in horror; in that moment, Zhang Yuanxu displayed no respect for the sect, resembling a perverted sorcerer instead.

“Have you gone mad? Have you been possessed by the spirits?”

“Ha ha, how could that be?”

Zhang Yuanxu laughed heartily and said,

“These spirits will be our weapons against demon practitioners. I now have the power to control them. Why not use them?”

“You are absolutely insane! You underestimate them, there’s no way you can control them!”

“Is that so? Don’t I look fine right now? Zhao, you are too weak and timid. Under your leadership, the Xuanyun Sect will ultimately fall to the demon practitioners. The appearance of the Demon Star is a trial for us; stagnation will lead to our destruction. Utilizing these items and spirits to eradicate demon practitioners is only a matter of time!”

“Before you can use them, our Xuanyun Sect will be the first to perish!”

“Foolish old man.”

Zhang Yuanxu no longer argued with Master Zhao, gathering spiritual power in his hands to attack him.