34: Chapter 34 Gathering of All Parties

That final curse of his was by no means an empty threat.

It seems that the matter of heading to the Qinglan Sword Sect must be put on the agenda.

Only by obtaining greater strength and more systematic Cultivation can I cope with the potential crisis from the Blood Fiend Sect in the future.

The night wind blew, stirring up dust and the scent of blood in the courtyard.

The Li Family's internal strife had temporarily come to an end in such a tragic and bizarre manner.

But everyone knew that a greater storm was brewing.

Millions of miles away.

Deep within a mountain range perpetually shrouded in blood-colored mist, there stood an altar.

Suddenly, a flash of emerald green fire erupted, and a phantom, painful, nearly transparent remnant soul wailed as it plunged into the blood pool at the center of the altar.

The blood pool boiled, and a low, majestic voice echoed over the altar.

"Another sacrifice..."

"Hmm?"

"The resentment and memories within this remnant soul..."

"Relics of True Lord Xuanyun... Li Changsheng..."

The voice paused, then took on a hint of playfulness and greed.

"Pass the order: keep an eye on Qinghe Town in Yunzhou Prefecture. I, the Sect Master, want that boy named Li Changsheng alive."

"As for those Relics..."

"It is time to open them completely and welcome the arrival of my Blood Fiend Sect."

The blood-colored mist churned, as if countless demonic shadows were grinning within it.

The night sky over Qinghe Town seemed even darker than before.

The winter snow melted, and the spring chill remained biting.

Qinghe Town welcomed its most "lively" spring in decades.

But this liveliness cast a thick shadow over the hearts of every member of the Li Family and the townspeople.

Over the past half year:

The destruction of the Wang Family, the submission of the Zhao Family, the Li Family becoming the sole dominant force, the demonic shadows of the Blood Fiend Sect, the Second Elder falling into the Demonic Path and fleeing...

This series of thrilling events was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake, and the ripples caused far exceeded the scope of Qinghe Town.

Especially the keyword "Relics of True Lord Xuanyun".

Through various channels, such as the peripheral eyes of the Blood Fiend Sect who managed to escape, Loose Cultivators attracted by the Demonic Technique but failing to gain anything, and even information that might have leaked before the destruction of the Zhao Family.

This news spread quietly like it had grown wings, among the bottom rung of the Cultivation world in the surrounding cities and the circles of Loose Cultivators.

True Lord Xuan Yun!

That was a legendary ancient mighty figure.

His name was sporadically recorded in many tattered ancient books and passed down through stories.

It was said that his Cultivation was heaven-defying, and he possessed the Longevity Dao Body; after his accidental fall, he left behind countless legacies.

Others said that because he possessed the Longevity Dao Body, he did not actually fall, but was hiding to recover from his injuries. His failure to re-emerge was due to the severity of his injuries and his slow recovery.

His Longevity Dao Body was a legendary special Physique, rare in ten thousand years, and held a fatal temptation for any Cultivator.

Although the rumors were vague and difficult to verify, it was better to believe they were true.

For a time, Qinghe Town, a previously unremarkable border town, suddenly became "highly sought after".

Just after the first month of the lunar year, the first batch of "visitors" arrived.

They were a group of over twenty Loose Cultivators.

Calling themselves the "Seek Truth Alliance", led by a one-armed Daoist who called himself "Wanjin Sanren", he had the Cultivation of Qi Refining Level 4, which was considered an expert among Loose Cultivators.

They set up camp directly outside the town. Although their attitude was not arrogant, their disdain for the Li Family as a "mortal Family" was undisguised in their conversation, and they demanded to enter the Black Iron Mine to "investigate the ancient Cultivator's Legacy".

Immediately following, the second and third waves of people arrived one after another.

There were joint teams from several small families from "Chixiao City" three hundred miles away, led by several clan Elders at Qi Refining Level 3.

There were outer Sect herb-gathering Disciples from the "Bai Cao Sect", using the excuse of collecting rare herbs associated with the mineral vein.

There were even two outer Sect stewards who claimed to be from a more distant Sect, the "Jinyang Sect".

Although their Cultivation was only at Qi Refining Level 5, they put on airs, opening their mouths with "Immortal Sect inspection, all idlers step aside".

Within just one month, the various Cultivators gathered inside and outside Qinghe Town had exceeded one hundred.

Their Cultivation ranged from Qi Refining Level 1 to Level 4 or 5, a mixed bag, but their goal was surprisingly consistent: the "Relics of True Lord Xuanyun" deep within the Black Iron Mine.

The Li Family was once again pushed to the forefront.

In the meeting hall, the atmosphere was so oppressive it could be wrung out like water.

"The Wang Laoliu Inn in the east of the town has been forcibly occupied by that 'Wanjin Sanren', who claimed it was a temporary stay and didn't pay a penny."

"The people from the Zhou Family of Chixiao City went to roam near the mine tunnel again today and even clashed with our guards, injuring two."

"The people from the Bai Cao Sect are still relatively polite, but they have been inquiring about Young Master Li Changsheng's situation..."

"Those two stewards from the Jinyang Sect came directly to the Town Governor's Mansion today, demanding that the Li Family 'cooperate' with the investigation, and their tone was forceful."

The clan Elders reported the headache-inducing news one by one.

The Li Family could not easily afford to offend any of these visiting Cultivators.

Although they were wary of the background of Li Changsheng, who was suspected to be favored by the "Qinglan Sword Sect", as well as the strength he displayed.

But in the face of the huge temptation of the "Relics of True Lord Xuanyun", who knew how long this wariness could last?

Li Zhenshan rubbed his throbbing temples and looked at the silent Li Changsheng beside him.

"Changsheng, what do you think?"

"Is the 'Relics of True Lord Xuanyun' that these people speak of, the place of the Seal that you and your father discovered?"

Li Changsheng nodded slowly.

"Nine times out of ten. The news has been deliberately distorted and exaggerated."

"That place is not some Relics of a True Lord, but the place of the Seal suppressing the ancient demonic thought 'Spirit Devourer'."

"My father discovered something there back then, which is why he was murdered."

"The Second Elder was seduced by it and fell into the Demonic Path."

"The goal of the Blood Fiend Sect is likely that place as well."

"Now that this news has spread and attracted these greedy people... I fear it was done by someone on purpose."

"On purpose?"

"Could it be the Blood Fiend Sect?"

Grand Elder Li Qingsong's face was solemn.

"Or perhaps it was the root of trouble planted by the Second Elder before he fled, or perhaps it was someone else with ulterior motives."

Li Changsheng analyzed.

"The goal is nothing more than to muddy the waters; either use these people to test or destroy the Seal, or... use them as path-finding stones, or even sacrifices."

"Then how should we respond?"

Li Zhenshan was full of worry.

"Forcibly blocking them will inevitably lead to conflict; the Li Family does not have the strength to contend with so many people."

"But if we let them go in..."

"The Seal has been reinforced by me previously, so it is safe for the time being."

"But if it is explored violently by many people, especially if there are those among them who Cultivate evil techniques or possess special Magical Artifacts, it is hard to guarantee that problems won't arise."

Li Changsheng pondered.

"Blocking is worse than guiding."

"Uncle, we can 'open' some outer areas, and even 'guide' them to some unimportant side paths."

"At the same time, reveal the dangers of the Seal location with some embellishments."

"Reveal it?"

"Would they believe it?"

Third Elder Li Zhenhai was puzzled.

"They will be suspicious, but they will also be wary."

Li Changsheng's eyes were slightly cold.

"Moreover, we need time."

"The envoy from the Qinglan Sword Sect will likely arrive in late spring or early summer."

"Before that, we must stabilize the situation."

The plan was set.

The Li Family announced to the outside world that they were willing to cooperate with the various "Seniors" to explore the mine.

But they declared that there were indeed ancient Restrictions deep in the mine, which were fraught with danger.

And they "inadvertently" leaked some vague information about "chilly Devilish Qi" and "devouring essence and blood".

However, greed often overrides reason.

After exploring the "safe area" designated by the Li Family for a few days, and finding nothing but some ordinary Black Iron ore and a small amount of low-grade associated minerals, some impatient Cultivators began to lose patience.

"The Li Family must have hidden the good stuff!"

"What ancient Restrictions, that's just fear-mongering! It's clearly an attempt to monopolize the Legacy!"

"I think that place of the Seal is most likely where the True Lord's Legacy is located!"

"Devilish Qi? Maybe it's a test to guard the Legacy!"

Rumors and suspicion spread among the Loose Cultivators and small Family teams.

Led by "Wanjin Sanren" and a clan Elder from the Zhou Family of Chixiao City, several stronger groups secretly colluded, deciding to bypass the Li Family's "guidance" and organize an "in-depth exploration" themselves.