Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 314: Chapter 314: The Sword Pavilion’s Mr. Nice Guy?

「Sword Pavilion, Zenith Cliff.」

This was the secluded cultivation ground of True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde. With the Perfected Lord residing here, the place had an extraordinary air, projecting an aura that seemed to pierce the heavens even from a distance.

At this moment, numerous Foundation-Stage Cultivators were gathering at this location.

Among them were the Ancestor of the Yun Family and Master Xiuxin. Even Master Xiao Hai of the Ganhai Li Clan had arrived, and it was clear neither party could stand the sight of the other.

Soon, the group surged into a grand hall.

At the head of the hall, a somber-looking Daoist stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He was gazing at a large map hanging on the wall—a map of the South.

He wore a black robe and was unshaven. An Enchanted Sword of a simple, ancient design hung at his waist, yet it showed no sign of Spirit Light, appearing like a common piece of worldly iron. He exuded no Qi trace whatsoever; at first glance, he looked like a down-on-his-luck wandering swordsman, the kind one might see anywhere in the mortal realms.

He remained there, his focus entirely on the map on the wall.

In one corner of the map, a heavily marked region was none other than the location of the Mass Grave. The implication was self-evident.

”Greetings, Demon-Vanquishing Perfected!”

The group of Foundation-Stage Cultivators landed inside the hall, immediately retracting their Splendid Light. They all offered a cupped-fist salute to the Daoist at the head of the hall, not daring to show the slightest hint of disrespect.

After all, he was no ordinary figure.

Demon-Vanquishing Perfected Ye Guangji was the foremost expert of the Sword Pavilion’s Ye Family, second only to True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde himself. He spent his years cultivating by the Perfected Lord’s side.

Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, a Great Trueman!

But it wasn’t as simple as just reaching the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. The title ”Demon-Vanquishing” was exclusive to the Sword Pavilion, and only those with immense Abilities could claim it.

Two hundred years ago, Ye Guangji had defeated all rival cultivators with his sword, claiming the ”Demon-Vanquishing” title in one fell swoop. To this day, no one had been able to take it from him. With such a high level of Cultivation, such a combat record, and his backing from a Perfected Lord, one could only imagine his status within the Sword Pavilion.

The next moment, he slowly turned around.

”Dispense with the formalities.”

His voice was calm, yet every word rang out with the clash of gold and iron. Just the sound of it was enough to make one feel a blade-like sharpness.

At that moment, Lü Yang connected to his Puppet, using the eyes of the Ancestor, Master Xiuxin, and Master Xiao Hai to survey the situation in the hall.

’Strange... there are fewer people than I expected.’

In the spacious hall, though there were more than ten Foundation-Stage Cultivators, most were only in the Early Stage. Surprisingly, only two of them had reached Mid-phase Cultivation.

What’s more, he knew both of them.

’Ye Xingfeng!’

Lü Yang followed the Ancestor’s gaze to a young man radiating a murderous aura in the corner of the hall, and was instantly reminded of the time Ye Xingfeng had hunted him down Overseas. Although Lü Yang had died a gruesome death back then, the psychological trauma he’d suffered was immeasurable.

As for the other Mid-phase cultivator, his connection to her was even deeper.

She looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, with bright eyes and pearly teeth. Her features were delicate, her skin as flawless as white jade, and her valiant, heroic bearing drew the eye.

’Ye Guyue...’

Lü Yang’s expression was calm. His gaze finally settled on the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected, Ye Guangji, who stood at the head of the hall, and the intelligence he had on the man flashed through his mind.

A moment later, a peculiar look appeared on his face.

’This Demon-Vanquishing Perfected... he has quite a good reputation in the Sword Pavilion. Everyone thinks he’s a good person. Some even find him a bit naive and dogmatic.’

It was said that despite being a swordsman, he had an aversion to killing.

As a Perfected Person of the Sword Pavilion, he had almost never participated in the Great War of Righteous and Evil, and his sword was rarely stained with blood. For this, he was criticized by many in the Sword Pavilion.

However, he was a powerful combatant with a deep-rooted backing.

Thus, this criticism remained mere whispers and rumors; no one ever dared to say such things to his face. In fact, most people still held him in high regard.

’What a familiar style.’

Lü Yang rubbed his chin. ’Ang Xiao had the same reputation back in the day—a rare, good-natured man who never did anything wrong, hailed as the last bastion of conscience in the Stain Sect.’

Now, in hindsight, it wasn’t that he never did anything wrong, was it?

Lü Yang strongly suspected that Ang Xiao had simply used the Veil of the Trees to brainwash everyone after he was done with his dirty work. No one would remember his misdeeds, and he would come out looking like a saint.

’Could this Perfected Person of the Sword Pavilion be the same?’

”Fellow Daoists.”

Just then, Ye Guangji, standing at the head of the hall, spoke. His resonant voice was devoid of emotion. ”I have decided. In three days, we march on the Mass Grave.”

The moment he spoke, the hall erupted in an uproar.

”So soon?”

”The Demon Sect has recently reinforced their defenses at the Mass Grave. I heard they even have a Great Trueman stationed there now. If we rush into battle, I fear it won’t end well for us, will it?”

”Demon-Vanquishing Perfected, please reconsider...”

Their reactions stunned even Lü Yang.

If this had been the Stain Sect, and Minor Metal had given such an order, the only response he would have received was ”As you command,” not this chaotic chorus of doubt.

But he quickly understood why. Ye Guangji, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected with his exalted status in the Sword Pavilion, showed no signs of asserting his authority as a Great Trueman. Instead, he simply nodded, listening patiently to each objection before answering them one by one.

This was simply unbelievable.

The difference in Cultivation among Foundation-Stage Cultivators was already enormous, but the gap at the threshold of a Great Trueman was even more pronounced. The gulf between them was as vast as that between the clouds and the mud.

’Communicating as equals under these circumstances?’

’When a man eats, does he consult with the ants on the ground?’

’This isn’t normal...’

It wasn’t just abnormal for the Stain Sect; it was abnormal for the Sword Pavilion, too. Lü Yang could see the impatient expressions on the faces of Ye Guyue and Ye Xingfeng nearby.

”Venerable Uncle...”

Finally, Ye Guyue couldn’t resist reminding him in a low voice. Ye Guangji paused, then changed the subject. ”I assume you have all heard about the Profound Spirit Realm.”

”There have been rumors circulating that I have set my sights on the Profound Spirit Realm.”

”And that... is not entirely untrue.”

As he said this, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected gestured with his hand. A flash of Spirit Light erupted in the hall, and from it emerged a young Daoist.

The Daoist’s Qi trace was completely different from that of the Foundation-Stage Cultivators present.

Though he had a physical body, it carried the strange scent of Sandalwood Incense. He appeared full of flesh and blood, yet for some reason, he also seemed somewhat illusory. Moreover, the aura of the mortal world clung to him with incredible intensity.

It was common knowledge that all Foundation-Stage Cultivators had forged their Dao Foundation within the Foundation Establishment Realm. They had undergone a form of Ascension to Immortality, shedding their mortal shells and rising to a level far beyond ordinary humans. Yet this Daoist, despite having a Position similar to a Foundation-Stage Cultivator, possessed the strong, unmistakable air of a mortal.

”He’s a bit like a Celestial Official from the Dao Court.”

”Who is this person?”

Under the confused gazes of the crowd, the young Daoist gave a solemn salute. ”From the Baochang Empire of the Profound Spirit Realm, the Human Immortal Yu Shao greets you, fellow Daoists.”

As his words fell, everyone’s pupils contracted in shock—including Lü Yang’s.

The Profound Spirit Realm!

’A Great Realm Heaven, suspected to be home to a Perfected Lord!’

At the same time, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected spoke again. ”There was a rumor that Fellow Daoist Yu attacked me and was taken captive... That is not what happened.”

Yu Shao gave a bitter smile. ”I’ve made a fool of myself. With Fellow Daoist Ye’s level of Cultivation, he would be considered a reigning Celestial Immortal even in the Profound Spirit Realm. How could a lowly cultivator such as myself dare to engage him in Combat? The truth is quite the opposite. If it weren’t for Fellow Daoist Ye, I’m afraid my corpse would have been torn to pieces long ago.”

’...Oh?’

Hidden in the shadows, Lü Yang’s eyes flickered at these words. He wasn’t the only one; the other, quicker-witted Foundation-Stage Cultivators also showed looks of surprise.

”That’s right.”

Seeing their reactions, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected finally revealed the whole story. ”Fellow Daoist Yu was not sent here by the Profound Spirit Realm. He is a refugee who escaped from it!”