49: The secrets of heaven are unpredictable; there is more to the game!

Chu Xuanjin's gaze swept over the face of the old Daoist who called himself "Heavenly Secret Master."

The teacup in his hand remained steady, not even a ripple disturbed the tea inside.

"Opinion?"

He repeated the word, his tone devoid of joy or anger.

"When a Devil Head emerges, it is naturally up to the righteous Sects to slay the demons and eliminate the devils."

"Fellow Daoist speaks the truth." Heavenly Secret Master stroked his long beard, looking solemn.

"It is just that this Devil Head's movements are mysterious, and their methods are ruthless. I, this poor Daoist, have attempted to divine the Heavenly Dao, but I only see a sea of blood and cannot calculate their origin. That is why I wished to consult a great expert such as yourself."

Chu Xuanjin chuckled inwardly.

Cannot calculate?

That remnant soul of the Medicine King that performed the Possession, even in life, was at least at the Immortal King level. Even if only a wisp of a remnant soul remains now, how could its Heavenly Dao be something a Cultivator at the Soul Transformation stage from the Lower Realm could pry into?

He could not be bothered to meddle in this trivial matter.

He had already grown tired of the script of seeking revenge.

Furthermore, the resentment of this Devil Head was directed at the Yanxia Sect.

As a passerby, there was no need for him to wade into these muddy waters.

If that remnant soul had some desperate trump card and, driven to the edge, dragged him into a self-detonation, the loss would outweigh the gain.

His Disciples were still waiting for him to return and back them up.

However, this old Daoist before him was somewhat interesting.

Chu Xuanjin's thoughts shifted, and he quietly activated his Heavenly Dao Dharma Eye.

[Name: Zhang Xuanji (Daoist Name: Heavenly Secret Master)]

[Root Bone: Heaven Rank High Grade (Heavenly Heart Dao Body)]

[Cultivation: Late Soul Transformation Stage]

[Luck: Pale Gold (Cares for the common people, protected by the light of Karma, yet entangled with black Qi, destined to face a deadly tribulation.)]

[Recent Tribulation: Three days later, while tracking the Devil Head's trail in Luoyun Town, he will be trapped by its Blood River Grand Formation. To protect his Disciple, he will fight to the death and perish, with his Divine Soul completely destroyed.]

His gaze fell upon the delicate, jade-like little Daoist boy.

[Name: Qingfeng]

[Root Bone: immortal grade (Innate Flawless Body)]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Early Stage]

[Luck: Pure White (Unsculpted, like a blank sheet of paper, with extreme potential for molding.)]

[Recent Opportunity: Three days later, his Master will die saving him. In despair, the Devil Head will plant a Devil Seed in him, turning him into a medicine slave. However, in a life-or-death situation, he will unexpectedly awaken his Flawless Physique and escape.]

A ripple flashed in the depths of Chu Xuanjin's eyes.

An Innate Flawless Body is indeed good material.

Unfortunately, this Opportunity requires his Master's life to be exchanged.

Moreover, the process is too convoluted and troublesome.

Chu Xuanjin instantly lost interest.

He withdrew his gaze and set down the teacup.

"Old Daoist, your concern for the world is a good thing."

His voice became flat.

"Unfortunately, this world does not care about your intentions."

Heavenly Secret Master was stunned, not understanding the meaning behind his words.

"Fellow Daoist, this means..."

"You cannot calculate its origin because it does not belong to this era."

Chu Xuanjin stood up and took a Low-Grade Spirit Stone from his sleeve, placing it on the table.

"You are also no match for it."

He looked at Heavenly Secret Master's bewildered face and said one last thing.

"That Devil Head is not an existence you should provoke."

"If you insist on going, you are merely offering it more blood-food."

Having said that, he ignored the shocked old Daoist, turned around, and slowly walked down the stairs.

"Fellow Daoist! Fellow Daoist, please stay!"

Heavenly Secret Master hurriedly stood up, wanting to pursue and ask further.

But when he reached the top of the stairs, where was Chu Xuanjin's figure?

That person had disappeared without a trace, as if he had never appeared.

Heavenly Secret Master stood blankly in place, looking at the Spirit Stone on the table filled with Spiritual Qi, then looked at the endless stream of people outside the window, with confusion appearing in his eyes for the first time.

Qinghe City, South Street, three-courtyard residence.

Chu Xuanjin returned to his room and set up a sound-proof Restriction.

He sat cross-legged and focused his mind.

"Come to the Myriad Dao Hall."

Myriad Dao Divine Mountain, Sect Master Hall.

Chu Xuanjin's figure appeared on the throne hanging high above the sea of clouds.

As soon as he finished speaking.

Three rays of light lit up in the hall out of thin air.

The figures of Ye Chenfeng, Su Linger, and Wang Duojin stepped out from the light.

They all carried an aura of iron-blooded warfare, and their Cultivation had also improved significantly compared to a month ago.

"Disciple pays respects to Revered Master!" The three bowed in unison.

"Hmm." Chu Xuanjin's gaze swept over them.

"How did the matters go?"

Ye Chenfeng stepped forward, his voice steady.

"Replying to Revered Master. The Disciple has temporarily assumed the position of Branch Revered Master. All those who offended our Sect have been listed."

"The Disciple led the elites of the Qingyun Branch and, within a month, broke through seventeen islands along the East Sea coast, executed three Elders of the Surging Waves Sect, and three hundred Disciples, reclaiming the Spirit Stone mines."

"After this battle, the Surging Waves Sect has sent envoys to plead for mercy, willing to offer three market towns in exchange for our Sect's forgiveness."

Wang Duojin also hurried forward, his abacus polished to a shine.

"Revered Master! This Disciple deployed the 'Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation,' trapping those five thousand Yao Beasts of the Hundred Beasts Manor in the Black Wind Mountain Range for three days and three nights, causing them to slaughter each other, with most dead or wounded. That Xiong Kaishan was scared out of his wits and has now retreated into his Sect, not daring to come out."

Su Linger also spoke softly.

"As for those small Sects that kicked us while we were down, the Disciple has visited them one by one with the Senior Brother. Any who were stubborn had their Sect gates frozen three feet deep."

Chu Xuanjin listened to their reports, a satisfied look on his face.

Not bad, they have started to look the part.

Decisive in killing, knowing when to advance and retreat.

"Very good." He nodded.

"For those who have surrendered, let them offer sufficient sincerity. As for those who are still watching..."

His voice grew colder.

"For example, the Blazing Fire Sect."

A cold glint flashed in Ye Chenfeng's eyes.

"Replying to Revered Master, the Blazing Fire Sect knows they are in the wrong and has fully contracted their defensive lines. Their Sect Master, Lie Shan, has even closed his doors and refused to come out. Our Qingyun Branch has limited strength; a frontal assault might result in heavy losses."

"No matter." Chu Xuanjin waved his hand.

"Someone will go to deal with the Blazing Fire Sect."

As soon as he finished speaking.

On the other side of the hall, a golden light suddenly lit up.

Zhao Wuyou's figure stepped out from it.

His aura was more restrained and dangerous than it had been a month ago.

In those golden eyes, thunder seemed to be brewing.

He still carried a thick, lingering scent of blood on him.

"Disciple pays respects to Revered Master." He knelt on one knee.

"Rise." Chu Xuanjin looked at him.

"How did the matters go?"

Zhao Wuyou rose, his voice calm.

"Replying to Revered Master. The thirty-six outer peaks of the Blazing Fire Sect have been razed by this Disciple. The Outer Sect Disciples are mostly dead or wounded."

"Their mountain-protecting formation has been broken by seventy percent by this Disciple."

"The Disciple engaged three Soul Transformation Elders of the Blazing Fire Sect, executed one, and heavily injured two."

"That Sect Master, Lie Shan, is indeed at the Void Refining Initial Stage. This Disciple exchanged one move with him from a distance and was temporarily unable to defeat him."

Wang Duojin gasped from the side.

Good heavens!

The Fourth Junior Brother didn't go to fight; he went to demolish the house!

In just one month, he reduced a large Sect with a thousand-year Legacy to this state!

"This Disciple knows that with my current strength, I cannot yet forcibly kill that Lie Shan. Therefore, I destroyed his Sect gates, severed his Foundation, and temporarily retreated to find a secret place to focus on Cultivating the divine technique bestowed by Revered Master."

There was not a hint of pride on Zhao Wuyou's face; instead, there was a sense of apology.

"This Disciple is incompetent and failed to complete Revered Master's task."

"It is already very good."

Chu Xuanjin looked at him, his eyes full of appreciation.

Knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding patience.

This Dragon not only has power but also brains.

"How is the progress on the Archaic Dragon God Scripture?"

"Replying to Revered Master, this Disciple is dull-witted and has only just completed the first level of the Cultivation Technique."

Chu Xuanjin nodded.

A divine rank Cultivation Technique is not something that can be mastered overnight.

Being able to Revered Master the first level in a month is already considered a heaven-defying talent.

"Very good."

He looked at the four Disciples before him, whose auras were becoming increasingly profound.

"You have all done well this time."

"Sect contribution points will be issued to your tokens shortly."

"You may all withdraw now, return to stabilize your Cultivation, and wait for the next order."

"Yes, Revered Master!"

The four bowed in unison and turned into streaks of light, disappearing within the hall.

In the hall, Chu Xuanjin was left alone once again.

He leaned back on the throne, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest.