69: Demonic Sect

Several days later, Zhou Kaiding, who was in seclusion, opened his eyes and saw the Grand Elder of the Liu Family enter the main hall.

Upon seeing Zhou Kaiding, the Grand Elder of the Liu Family nodded at him, then found an empty spot and sat down cross-legged.

Zhou Kaiding felt somewhat puzzled, wondering why Liu Wenyan, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Liu Family, had not come.

However, this was also good; with two Qi Refining Stage Cultivators in the hall, he would not stand out too much.

After waiting a few more days, three figures swept across the sky above Xuanqing Sect, landed in front of the main hall, and entered it.

"We pay our respects to Sect Master Gu!"

Upon seeing the newcomers, the Cultivators who were meditating in the hall all rose and bowed to them.

Zhou Kaiding did the same; although he did not recognize them, he already knew who the newcomers were from the reactions of the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The three passed through the crowd of Cultivators and went directly to the seats of honor in the main hall. The leader was clad in a purple cloud-patterned glazed brocade robe. Although his Aura was restrained, at such close proximity, one could still feel the profound magical power contained within his body.

"Fellow Daoists, there is no need for such ceremony."

The purple-robed Cultivator was Gu Li, the Sect Master of Xuanqing Sect, a great Cultivator of the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. Sect Master Gu spoke softly, extended his hand, and a surge of magical power emerged.

Zhou Kaiding only felt a gentle breeze lift him, and he straightened up, looking towards the seats of honor with the other Cultivators.

"Sect Master Gu, why have you summoned us here? What is the important matter?"

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator asked with a slight hint of confusion and a barely noticeable tension.

This was everyone's question, so after this Cultivator finished asking, they all focused their minds, awaiting Sect Master Gu's reply.

Hearing this, Sect Master Gu chuckled, knowing the confusion in everyone's hearts, but did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at a young Cultivator who was following behind him.

The young Cultivator understood, took a step forward, flipped his hand to take out an item, activated his magical power, and threw it out, suspending it in front of him.

Zhou Kaiding looked at the object quietly spinning in the air, his mind shaking. It was clearly a blood-colored token, small and ancient, with the words 'Blood Sea' inscribed on it.

This was identical to the blood sea token he had obtained from Wang Xingyuan's belongings after killing him.

"This..."

Wang Xingyuan was merely a Qi Refining Cultivator, and Zhou Kaiding did not believe that a small Qi Refining Cultivator could alarm the Sect Master of Xuanqing Sect.

"This is the identity token of a Blood Sea Sect Disciple."

"I believe some Fellow Daoists have already seen this object, haven't they?"

Observing the reactions of the people before him, Sect Master Gu continued to speak, then added:

"This Blood Sea Sect was founded by True Lord Blood Sea..."

"What?!"

Before Sect Master Gu finished speaking, all the Cultivators present showed horrified expressions, and several even exclaimed in surprise.

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Kaiding's mind felt like a mayfly in the sea, sensing that a great terror could descend at any moment.

Since True Lord Blood Sea was named 'True Lord,' he must be a great Cultivator of the Nascent Soul Stage. Now, had he killed a follower of a Nascent Soul True Lord?

Zhou Kaiding's expression gradually became solemn.

"There's no need to be so alarmed."

"True Lord Blood Sea is already dead."

Sect Master Gu looked at the expressions of the people before him, but did not mock them. After all, even he could not remain calm when he first heard this news.

"This Blood Sea Sect cultivated with blood, slaughtered Mortals and Cultivators, and practiced evil techniques, incurring public wrath. Several True Lords found their mountain gate and killed True Lord Blood Sea."

"However, some remnants of the Blood Sea Sect have now fled to our sect's jurisdiction."

"Therefore, I have gathered all of you here."

Sect Master Gu explained the cause and effect.

All the Cultivators in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. If they were to be enemies with a Nascent Soul True Lord, they would never dare.

However, since True Lord Blood Sea was dead, it depended on what Xuanqing Sect had to say.

Zhou Kaiding had been badly frightened by the previous statement, but after hearing the full explanation, he finally recovered his senses and felt a little relieved.

"Our Xuanqing Sect takes it as its duty to slay demons and eliminate evil."

"Since these demonic Blood Sea Sect members have fled here, our sect cannot stand idly by and allow these demonic individuals to slaughter the common people."

Sect Master Gu paused, then continued.

"As Fellow Daoists under our sect's jurisdiction, you should align with our sect."

"Therefore, if you encounter any remnants of the Blood Sea Sect in the future, please ensure you take action to kill them."

After Sect Master Gu finished speaking, he signaled the young Cultivator to retrieve the blood sea token suspended in the air.

"It is only right."

"Please rest assured, Sect Master Gu!"

In the hall, the Cultivators all spoke up in agreement, their expressions solemn.

"That is good."

"However, if our sect discovers that any of you Fellow Daoists are colluding with the Blood Sea Sect, or even cultivating their blood-refining evil techniques..."

"Do not blame our sect for being merciless."

Sect Master Gu's tone changed, no longer as gentle as before, his voice becoming stern.

After speaking, seeing everyone agree, he then left the place with the two people behind him.

Upon seeing Sect Master Gu depart, everyone also rose and bid farewell to their Fellow Daoists before leaving.

"Patriarch Zhou, shall we travel together?"

The Grand Elder of the Liu Family had already approached Zhou Kaiding and asked him.

Zhou Kaiding thought for a moment. If Liu Wenyan were here, he definitely would not travel with him. However, since it was only the Grand Elder of the Liu Family, it was fine.

"I was just thinking the same."

The two left the main hall together and headed down Xuanqing Mountain.

Above the clouds, the silver-white Dragon was still in slumber. Zhou Kaiding wondered if it was his imagination, but he felt that the Dragon had just glanced in his direction.

However, when he looked back, he found nothing. Zhou Kaiding shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

After leaving Xuanqing Mountain, the two sped off.

Along the way, the Grand Elder of the Liu Family suddenly spoke:

"Patriarch Zhou, please be more vigilant in the future."

"Oh?"

"Why do you say that?"

Zhou Kaiding was somewhat surprised to hear this.

The Grand Elder of the Liu Family's expression was a bit hesitant, but after a moment, he continued:

"In recent years, Disciples of our Family have gone missing without reason. Our Old Ancestor Yan was unable to come here precisely because he was investigating this matter."

"After hearing Sect Master Gu's words today, I fear that remnants of the Blood Sea Sect already exist in Qingyuan Town."

The Grand Elder of the Liu Family had originally suspected that the disappearances of his Family's Disciples might be related to the Zhou Family or other Families in Qingyuan Town. However, after hearing Sect Master Gu's words, he shifted this suspicion to the Blood Sea Sect.

Thus, he offered the earlier warning.

If they could find these evil Cultivators of the Blood Sea Sect sooner, they could also seek justice for the missing Liu Family Disciples.

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Liu. If my Family finds any clues, I will definitely inform you."

Zhou Kaiding cupped his hands in thanks to the Grand Elder of the Liu Family, his mind becoming vigilant. He thought about trying to restrain the Zhou Family members from going out as much as possible after returning.

The Grand Elder of the Liu Family nodded upon hearing Zhou Kaiding's words. It was precisely for this promise from Zhou Kaiding that he had kindly warned him, doing him a favor.

Otherwise, what did the lives of the Zhou Family members have to do with him? The more who died, the better, perhaps.

The two stopped speaking and focused on their journey.

Two months later, the two returned to Qingyuan Town. Zhou Kaiding parted ways with the Grand Elder of the Liu Family and returned to Jade Moon Peak.