Urban Martial Saint

”The method of attracting external forces of the Demon Sect?” Luan Ping asked curiously, ”What kind of method is that?”

”Hmph, what else could it be?” Corpse Ghost Dragon said, ”All cultivation techniques of the Demon Sect come at the cost of people’s lives. The formations of the Demon Sect draw on external forces by absorbing the lives of creatures to replenish the formation’s energy. If I’m not mistaken, this little grove needs to absorb a few people every year to maintain its energy.”

If anyone in the village heard Corpse Ghost Dragon’s words, they would be greatly shocked. Because everything Corpse Ghost Dragon said was true—every year, a few people mysteriously disappear in this small grove. In fact, the strangeness of Medicine King Mountain is known to people nearby, and most people avoid it. Yet, every year, some still die, which only makes the legends about Medicine King Mountain more bizarre.

Who would have thought that the primary reason for the disappearances was the core of this formation? A formation operating with the Demon Sect’s methods must absorb lives to preserve its function.

”The appearance of the Taoist Sect, the core of the Demon Sect.” Corpse Ghost Dragon laughed, ”Such a formation would never be discovered unless encountered by a true expert. Furthermore, this expert must be proficient in both Taoist and Demon magic; knowing only one would still leave the formation’s secrets hidden!”

Upon hearing this, Luan Ping immediately flattered him, saying, ”In the entire world, there’s no genius like you, Grand Master, who is equally adept in Buddhist, Taoist, and Demon arts. This formation placed here indeed deceives many people!”

This flattery was well-received by Corpse Ghost Dragon, who threw his head back and laughed aloud, ”That’s true. Besides me, no one else could see the problem with this formation. However, I don’t know who set up this formation. Using a Demon Sect formation isn’t just about learning their secret techniques—it’s likely set by a key figure in the Demon Sect!”

If Ye Qing and his companions were here, they would be astounded. According to Bai Li Xi, the outer formation was established by Wanyan Hongfeng years ago to keep outsiders away from Medicine King Mountain. This implies that Wanyan Hongfeng is part of the Demon Sect?

It’s fortunate that Ye Qing and his companions are not here, as such news would shock them immensely. The Wanyan Family, being descendants of the royal family, is well known to be seeking an opportunity to establish a kingdom in Fusang Country. Previously, when Prince Wanyan assembled eight top-level masters, it was already astonishing to all. But compared to this, those events are trivial.

If it turns out that Wanyan Hongfeng is a figure of the Demon Sect, and this news spreads, it would shock the whole world. After all, how long has it been since a Demon Sect member last appeared? People have nearly forgotten the existence of this sect. Although a few, by circumstance, practiced the Demon Sect’s martial arts, they can’t be considered its members. The emergence of a genuine Demon Sect member changes everything, proving the sect hasn’t vanished over decades!

”Was all of this left behind by An Shiping? Does that mean An Shiping is part of the Demon Sect?” Luan Ping cautiously asked.

Corpse Ghost Dragon was silent for a moment, then shook his head slowly, saying, ”This formation wasn’t set by An Shiping.”

”Ah?” Luan Ping was stunned, asking, ”If it wasn’t An Shiping, then who could have set it up?”

”Thirty years ago, when I entered Huaxia, I visited Medicine King Mountain, and this great formation didn’t exist at that time,” Corpse Ghost Dragon said. ”This means the great formation was set up later; it wasn’t left by An Shiping.”

Thirty years ago, when Corpse Ghost Dragon visited Medicine King Mountain, Bai Li Xi hadn’t fallen into Wanyan Hongfeng’s hands yet, so this great formation wasn’t in place. From this point alone, Corpse Ghost Dragon deduced that An Shiping wasn’t involved with the Demon Sect.

”So, does this mean...” Luan Ping paused and whispered, ”That the Demon Sect really still has members in the world?”

”Hmph, of course, the Demon Sect still exists!” Corpse Ghost Dragon looked at Luan Ping and said, ”Do you remember the group you intercepted outside the Demon Hideout Cave last time?”

Luan Ping certainly remembered. Last time, Prince Nalan invited him, hoping to gain benefits when Ye Qing and his companions entered the Demon Hideout Cave. However, before they could enter the cave, they encountered eight great sect masters of the South Ridge Sect. Prince Nalan wanted to recruit these people and attempted to block them. During the ensuing chaos, Corpse Ghost Dragon suddenly appeared, controlled Luan Ping, and absorbed a significant amount of his inner strength. If Luan Ping hadn’t been quick to beg for mercy and become Corpse Ghost Dragon’s subordinate, he likely would have died. Naturally, he could never forget that incident!

”Grand Master, that group of people was rumored to be the eight great sect masters of the South Ridge Sect,” Luan Ping hesitated and whispered, ”Do they have any connection to the Demon Sect?”

”Hmph, if I’m not mistaken, they probably are members of the Demon Sect.” Corpse Ghost Dragon took a deep breath. He remembered how these individuals could control the Devouring Demon Flower within the Demon Hideout Cave.

To know, despite Corpse Ghost Dragon’s long stay in the Demon Hideout Cave, he never mastered controlling the Devouring Demon Flower. Yet, this group could control it, which undeniably links them to the Demon Sect.

”Ah?” Luan Ping widened his eyes in shock, ”They... they are Demon Sect members?”

”It’s highly likely!” Corpse Ghost Dragon nodded and then looked at Luan Ping, saying, ”By the way, I told you to capture them, haven’t you found them yet?”

”This...” Luan Ping was quite embarrassed and whispered, ”These eight are very slippery, and it seems there’s another force assisting them secretly. So we... we’ve never been able to find them.”

”What!” Corpse Ghost Dragon’s expression shifted, scaring Luan Ping into a shiver, who quickly said, ”Grand Master, please give me another chance, I... I will definitely capture them all!”

”Hmph, I’ve given you enough chances. Last time at Shen Family Manor, I put you in charge, yet you couldn’t hold onto a single person, and instead, you lost so many.” Corpse Ghost Dragon glanced coldly at Luan Ping and said, ”This time, I’ll give you one more week. If you can’t capture this group, you can imagine the consequences yourself!”

Though Corpse Ghost Dragon didn’t state the consequences, it scared Luan Ping into a frenzy, and he hurriedly promised, ”Grand Master, don’t worry, don’t worry. In one week’s time, I... I will definitely capture them all...”

Corpse Ghost Dragon ignored Luan Ping and looked up at the small grove ahead. After a long silence, he spoke softly, ”Who would’ve thought, after so many years, the Demon Sect still has such figures. The person who set this great formation is not weak either, probably having ten percent of my strength!”

”Ah?” Luan Ping widened his eyes once more. Although he had no idea of Corpse Ghost Dragon’s exact strength, he knew that once Corpse Ghost Dragon recovered thirty percent of his power, he was practically invincible under the heavens. When Corpse Ghost Dragon fought two peak masters, he defeated them almost instantly, proving how formidable his power was.

Luan Ping wasn’t sure about the details, but he could be sure that possessing ten percent of Corpse Ghost Dragon’s strength would be enough to surpass all peak masters. This person from the Demon Sect, having such strength, suggests the Demon Sect’s power is genuinely not weak.

”Grand Master, with your power, these people from the Demon Sect are no match for you at all!” Luan Ping flattered him eagerly, ”Once I find those eight from the South Ridge Sect, you can uncover the secrets of the Demon Hideout Cave from them. By then, after cultivating the Demon Gate Secret Techniques, no one under the heavens would withstand even a single move from you!”

Luan Ping’s flattering words hit the mark, and Corpse Ghost Dragon smiled complacently. In truth, what Luan Ping suggested was exactly what he had in mind. The reason he was so eager to capture the eight from the South Ridge Sect was precisely this; he wanted to uncover the secrets of the Demon Hideout Cave from them. Corpse Ghost Dragon’s only thought now was to increase his lifespan. The Heaven Earth Man Three Gates could increase lifespan, and so could the Demon Hideout Cave. For Corpse Ghost Dragon, he certainly wanted to possess both!

”Grand Master, something’s wrong!” At this moment, a man ran over hurriedly, exclaiming, ”The group of our brothers who just entered the small grove has all suddenly disappeared, and no matter how we call, there’s no response. Also, we sent people in, but couldn’t find them anymore. Grand Master, this grove seems to be strange.”

The man wasn’t even aware of the great formation inside this grove.

”Hmph, a mere child’s trick!” Corpse Ghost Dragon snorted coldly, saying, ”Have everyone step back, and watch me break this great formation!”

Luan Ping immediately went along with the man to instruct everyone to clear out, making way for Corpse Ghost Dragon.

Facing the small grove, Corpse Ghost Dragon appeared completely unbothered as he strode straight into it. Luan Ping watched clearly as Corpse Ghost Dragon entered the grove, and shortly afterward, disappeared without a trace, as if he had never been there.

”Just like that! Just like that!” the man beside him exclaimed anxiously, ”That’s how our people went in just before and disappeared. And now, the Grand Master is gone too. Isn’t this grove just too eerie? Protector Luan, shouldn’t we send someone in to find the Grand Master?”

”What are you blabbering about?” Luan Ping glanced at him, saying, ”No matter how eerie this grove is, it can’t trouble the Grand Master. You all just stand and watch, soon you’ll witness the Grand Master’s abilities!”

The man beside him didn’t know what was happening within the grove, so upon hearing Luan Ping’s words, he dared not make a fuss and quickly stood to the side, nervously watching the small grove ahead.