Tianjian Sect's Zongzong Spirit Soldier, Lihuo Sword!

Tiger King Territory.

Hu Xiao was on his way back to his cave abode.

He lifted the curtain, strode in grandly, tossing two Spatial Rings in his hand, feeling a wave of comfort.

He had just checked the contents of the rings.

There were indeed many good things: a large amount of spirit herbs, two or three magic artifacts, several secret manuals… and that black-robed old man’s Fire Elemental Spiritual Weapon.

A great harvest!

It just so happens that he can refine them for Luo Shuiyan later.

Hu Xiao walked into the room.

Under the beaded curtain, Luo Shuiyan and Luo Shuiyan sat in front of the dressing table, braiding small pigtails, red candles burning softly, mother and daughter quietly grooming themselves in the mirror.

“My precious daughter! Look what your father brought for you!”

“Daddy!”

Luo Shuiyan’s eyes lit up, and she quickly kicked her little legs, climbed out of Luo Shuiyan’s embrace, and immediately threw herself into Hu Xiao’s arms.

“The King is back.”

Luo Shuiyan’s willow-like brows slightly raised, and she slowly approached, fanning herself, “I saw you rush out earlier, I was quite worried.”

“It’s nothing, just a few human cultivators who didn’t know their place intruded,” Hu Xiao shook his head and laughed, bending down to pick up Luo Shuiyan with one hand, while the other hand opened the Spatial Ring, summoning the items within.

“Come, Luo Shuiyan, look what Daddy brought for you…”

With a flash of mystic light from the ring, a small and exquisite black cauldron appeared before them.

Seal script was inscribed upon it, detailing the secrets of nurturing fire dragons, which was precisely the essence of Elder Lin’s lifelong knowledge, all profound and refined.

“What is this?”

Luo Shuiyan tilted her head, her finger touching her mouth, and asked while touching the hot surface of the cauldron, “It’s so warm, Daddy, are you going to teach Luo Shuiyan how to cook?”

“Cook…”

Hu Xiao was dumbfounded and laughed when he heard this.

This Fire Elemental Spiritual Weapon was expensive.

If that black-robed old man knew… he would probably be so angry he’d come back to life.

But there was no other way.

Whatever his daughter said, that’s what it was!

Thinking of this, he stroked Luo Shuiyan’s head and said, “You’re right, if you learn it, Daddy will play house with you from now on!”

“Hmm… Really? Thank you, Daddy!”

When Luo Shuiyan heard this, she pressed her chubby face against Hu Xiao’s and gave him a loud kiss, “Then when do we start?”

“No hurry,” Hu Xiao pinched Luo Shuiyan’s face and laughed, “Let’s eat first, and after dinner, your father will teach you how to refine the spiritual weapon!”

…

At the same time.

Tian Jian Sect, pavilions stood tall.

Dong—

The evening bell echoed through the mountains, and old men in brocade robes gathered, all elders from various sects, flying in unison into the central ascending pavilion.

“Elder Qi! You urgently summoned us… What is the matter?”

An elder looked at Abandoned Heaven Soul on the main seat, raising his hand to fiddle with a floating bead, “The sect is busy now, you rang the bell to summon us, you’d better give an explanation.”

As his voice fell, the other elders all looked up, staring intently at Abandoned Heaven Soul.

“You destroyed the Listening Tide Pavilion during the day, and now all the disciples in the sect know about it.”

“What could be so infuriating?”

“…”

“What matter? Since this old man has summoned you all here, it is naturally for an important matter to discuss… See for yourselves!”

Abandoned Heaven Soul’s face was gloomy; he spread out his withered, old palm, releasing a wisp of emerald green imprint, slowly displaying it before everyone.

Buzz!

The life imprint dissipated into the air, activating mystic patterns.

Scenes of tragic deaths emerged.

In the dark and desolate mountain forest, Qi Qingshan lay tragically dead with his chest pierced, a spear having impaled his Dantian and internal organs, while under a nearby ancient tree, Elder Lin’s skull was even more shattered, splattering red and white blood…

“This is the last scene of Qi Qingshan’s life! My poor grandson…”

Abandoned Heaven Soul showed a sorrowful expression, “This time, on a sect mission, my grandson fell into an ambush and was tragically killed by a group of demons…”

As his voice fell, the people nearby widened their eyes, instantly shocked.

“Qi Qingshan is dead!?”

“Elder Qi, please accept our condolences, the deceased has passed on…”

“Don’t worry, we will erect a memorial tablet and shrine for him later!”

“For his contribution to the sect, Qi Qingshan will certainly not die in vain; future disciples will remember him.”

“…”

“Merely erecting a memorial tablet and shrine?!”

Abandoned Heaven Soul roared in anger at the words, his face suddenly turning gloomy, his sinister gaze sweeping over the many elders present: “How can you let this great demon publicly kill a Heavenly Sword Gate member just like that?”

“Then what does Elder Qi mean?”

“The entire sect attacks! Annihilate this great demon’s territory!”

Abandoned Heaven Soul’s eyes were sharp as he looked out the window at the continuous green mountains: “This old man will extract his soul and demon core, and reverse-refine his demon bone into a magical artifact!”

As his voice fell, elders from the same faction immediately voiced their support.

“The Sword Forging Hall supports Elder Qi’s decision!”

“These great demons are simply lawless!”

“A bunch of filthy beasts, once our sect’s disciples flatten their territory, we will surely eradicate them!”

In an instant, the atmosphere of discussion ignited!

“Wait, everyone, this matter cannot be rushed…”

Just as emotions were running high, another elder suddenly spoke loudly, interrupting, “It needs further deliberation, we cannot act rashly.”

“Old Zhao? What do you mean by this?!”

Abandoned Heaven Soul’s eyes narrowed into slits, and he stared unpleasantly at this elder, saying, “Could it be that you have other plans?”

“Calm down, Elder Qi, this old man understands your grief over losing your grandson.”

The elder shook his head and said in a low voice, “Qi Qingshan was a good child, loyal and righteous to his peers; I also feel heartbroken… But this expedition cannot be rushed!”

Saying that, he looked around at the other elders and said in a deep voice:

“The Ten Thousand Mountains are rampant with demon beasts. Have you ever considered what would happen if we were to send a large army without cause? At that time, the iron rule between demons and humans would be unbalanced.

I fear it would invite a backlash, and the consequences would be unimaginable!”

As his voice fell, the room suddenly fell silent.

Hearing this, the nearby elders showed thoughtful expressions, all weighing the pros and cons.

That’s right!

The Ten Thousand Mountains are filled with demons, and only humans are unwelcome!

If they rashly sent troops and provoked a backlash, all races might gather and attack.

How many people would the Heavenly Sword Gate be able to save then?

At this thought, the elders at the table exchanged glances, reaching a consensus without prior discussion, and looked at Abandoned Heaven Soul, advising him.

“Elder Qi, Elder Zhao is right! This matter indeed cannot be rushed; we need to plan carefully!”

“The demon race is barbaric and not to be underestimated…”

“Why don’t you wait a bit longer? Until everyone…”

“…”

“Wait?!”

Abandoned Heaven Soul snorted angrily, his white beard bristling, and he slammed the table, instantly exploding in rage!

A sharp sword aura swept across the entire hall!

“This old man has been in this high position for so many years, do I not know your habits? A surge of courage, then a decline, then exhaustion!”

Speaking of this, Abandoned Heaven Soul looked around, frowning, “Fine, since you are unwilling to move, this old man will not force you… In that case, this old man will go alone!”

“Hmm? Elder Qi, you must not act rashly!”

The elders’ expressions suddenly changed in shock upon hearing this, saying, “A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. If you venture deep into their territory alone, I fear there might be some risk!”

“Nonsense! Since this old man is going, he must be fully prepared!”

Abandoned Heaven Soul swept his gaze over the nearby elders, his eyes sinister as he said:

“This time, I will take the sect’s spiritual weapon, the Lihuo Sword, for protection. No matter how fierce that great demon is, he will ultimately become a soul under my sword!”