244: Chapter 244 Stunned? The Joyful Union Sect is a Ghost Town

"Elder Zhao, Palace Master Xuanming," an old Daoist with an immortal air and holding a jade ruyi stepped forward; he was the master of Qingjing Temple, with a Mid-Stage Saint Realm cultivation. "According to reports from scouts, the demonic evildoers have already set out, heading straight for the Hehuan Sect."

Should we also set off? Lest those wicked heretics beat us to it and defile our act of 'carrying out the path for heaven.'"

"The Temple Master is absolutely right."

Zhao Qianyi nodded, his voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable firmness.

"The Hehuan Sect, a giant of the Demonic Path, has plagued the common people for a long time."

Its Sect Master, Xiao Nianyin, is even more seductive and deceptive, burdened with heavy sins.

Now that they are in internal turmoil, it is a heaven-sent opportunity. It is precisely the time for our Righteous Path Cultivators to stand up, uphold justice, eradicate evil, and restore peace and order to the world!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and continued: "This trip serves two purposes. First, to completely destroy this demonic den, the Hehuan Sect, and sever its lineage to prevent it from harming future generations."

Second, to capture the Devil Head Xiao Nianyin and her core associates, bringing them back to the Righteous Path Alliance for a public trial and execution to deter the world's demons and manifest the brilliant heavenly might of our Righteous Path!"

Master Xuanming's cold voice rang out as he added, "The Demonic Techniques, evil methods, and mind-bewitching items hidden by the Hehuan Sect must all be destroyed."

Its spiritual nodes in the earth veins must also be sealed and purified with the Profound Ice Secret Method to prevent residual Devilish Qi from breeding future troubles."

"Elder Zhao and Palace Master Xuanming are truly noble!"

Everyone chimed in agreement.

"That Xiao Nianyin..." a middle-aged Sword Cultivator hesitated for a moment before asking, "It is said that her cultivation has been sealed by the Hehuan Sect's Ancestral Master, making her no different from a Mortal."

How should she be handled? Should she... also be brought back for public trial?"

His implication was that a Mortal woman didn't seem worth such a fuss; they could just kill her directly.

Upon hearing this, a cold light flashed deep in Zhao Qianyi's eyes, but his face showed a look of compassion and righteous awe: "Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken."

Although Xiao Nianyin has temporarily become a Mortal, her nature as a Devil Head remains unchanged. She bears countless sins and once used evil arts to bewitch our Righteous Path Cultivators, causing a terrible influence."

If we do not expose her to the public, list her crimes, and execute her according to the law, how can we completely eliminate her nefarious influence?"

How can we make those who were once deceived by her find their way back? This is the merit of moral transformation, and it is indispensable."

His words were high-sounding and flawless, as if he were entirely considering 'Righteous Path moral transformation.'

Master Xuanming glanced indifferently at Zhao Qianyi and said nothing.

He had no special obsession with Xiao Nianyin herself, merely viewing her as one of the "sources of filth" that needed to be purified.

"Elder Zhao has considered everything; we were short-sighted."

The middle-aged Sword Cultivator quickly cupped his hands.

"In that case, Fellow Daoists, follow me! Sweep the demonic den and cleanse the evil aura!"

Zhao Qianyi unsheathed his sword, pointing it toward the Hehuan Sect, and shouted loudly.

"Sweep the demonic den! Cleanse the evil aura!"

The Righteous Path Cultivators responded in unison, their voices rolling like waves and their righteous aura piercing the sky.

Immediately, hundreds of pure-colored escaping lights rose into the sky, forming a formation and speeding toward the Hehuan Sect's mountain gate! Although...

...it lacked the eerie atmosphere of the Demonic Path, that awe-inspiring and inviolable power was equally heart-shaking.

One evil and one righteous, two massive forces, like two surging torrents from different directions, carrying their respective goals and greed, swept toward the same target—the seemingly weak and internally empty Hehuan Sect!

A storm of contention surrounding the Hehuan Sect's legacy and Xiao Nianyin herself was about to begin its bloody prelude.

However, when these two expectant, blade-sharpening torrents arrived outside the Hehuan Sect's mountain gate one after another, what they saw left everyone stunned.

The Hehuan Sect Disciples they imagined, either battle-ready or panic-stricken, did not appear.

The Mountain Protection Array... was still operating, but its light was dim, maintaining only the most basic state of alert, as if it were automatically sustained by pre-set Spirit Stones with no one at the helm.

The towering archway of the mountain gate stood silently, and the mountain path was completely deserted.

Looking out, a strange silence hung over the continuous peaks and halls of the Hehuan Sect.

There were no lights, no voices, no escaping lights of flying Cultivators, and even the sounds of birds, beasts, and insects were much scarcer.

Only the occasional crisp sound of the mountain wind blowing through the bells on the eaves and the faint but constant hum of the Mountain Protection Array could be heard.

"What's going on?" Situ E, riding a Demonic Lizard, stopped in mid-air with his brows furrowed, an ominous premonition rising in his heart. "Where are the people of the Hehuan Sect? Are they all dead? Or are they hiding?"

Liu Rurao also knitted her brows, her Divine Sense sweeping across the depths of the Hehuan Sect like a blanket.

With her Early Saint Realm cultivation, her Divine Sense was enough to cover most of the Hehuan Sect.

However, the feedback she received caused her expression to change slightly.

"The interior of the Sect... is completely empty!

All the main halls, Immortal Caves, Alchemy Rooms, and Weapon Pavilions... show no trace of anyone!

Not even a hint of a living person's aura can be sensed!

Only a few scattered low-level servants or Utility Disciples are hiding in the servants' quarters, shivering in fear!"

Liu Rurao's voice carried a sense of disbelief.

"What?!"

Situ E and the other leaders of the Demonic Path were shocked and released their Divine Sense to investigate.

The results were exactly as Liu Rurao had said!

The vast Hehuan Sect, besides the Mountain Protection Array still being there, had actually become... an empty city?!

"Search! Get in there and search!

Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but find them!

Find the treasures!"

Situ E roared in shock and anger.

He had rushed here with his people, ready for a grand battle, only to end up with nothing?

It felt like throwing a powerful punch only to hit cotton—extremely frustrating!