Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 365: Chapter 206: Wu Gui’s Ascension_2

”That would be for the best! If you dare ruin my plans, I’ll make sure you envy the dead!”

After witnessing the methods of the Skyfire War General, Wu Gui had no doubts about this threat.

”My lord, rest assured! I will execute your orders beautifully! But... I wonder if I might have the chance to advance further in the future?”

The Skyfire War General grinned broadly. ”Of course! Our sect is known for clear rewards and punishments. If your contributions are great enough, not only one step, even two or five steps forward wouldn’t be impossible!”

The Skyfire War General produced two jade bottles and handed them to Wu Gui. ”These are weaker versions of the Bloodfire Spirit Pill, which can raise a Bone Refining Realm cultivator’s power by one level. Select a few individuals with mediocre talent and distribute the pills to them. Prepare for battle in advance! Rest assured, once you retrieve what I desire in the Red Cloud Secret Domain, I will allow you to wage war against the Holy Pill Sect! At that time, not only the Holy Pill Sect but the other sects and even the Governor’s Mansion will survive only under the shadow of your Thousand Poison Sect!”

After leaving the pills, the Skyfire War General performed a cultivation technique and departed gracefully.

It was only a long while after the Skyfire War General had left that Peng Xiong finally exhaled heavily, as if releasing a massive burden.

At this time, Peng Cheng and Peng Yu had also fully stabilized their internal energies. When they opened their eyes, the lifeless haze in their gaze had vanished, replaced with vibrant clarity and vitality indistinguishable from that of normal people, despite no visible changes to their bodies.

Peng Yu, while pleasantly surprised, maintained his composure. Peng Cheng, on the other hand, was overwhelmed with joy—his consciousness, almost completely corroded by the dead energy, had now been miraculously restored to lucidity, leaving him ecstatic.

”My mind is clear! My mind is clear again!”

Peng Cheng was so moved that tears streamed down his face as he shared his joy with Peng Yu and Peng Xiong.

Seeing his grandfather so elated, Peng Xiong couldn’t help but chuckle. ”Grandfather, this is just the beginning! Lord Skyfire promised that if we help him fulfill his great plan, he can completely eliminate the dead energy in your body in the future!”

”Is that true?”

Hearing this, Peng Cheng and Peng Yu’s eyes lit up with uncontainable excitement.

”It shouldn’t be false! The dead energy in your bodies earlier flared up, and it was he who suppressed it. Moreover, the Fire Worship Sect has vast power and many exceptional talents. They even possess talismans, an art thought long lost. Removing dead energy should be no challenge for them!”

”The Fire Worship Sect?”

When Peng Cheng heard this name, his expression turned grave.

”Hmm? Grandfather, you know of the Fire Worship Sect too?”

Back when Peng Cheng utilized a secret technique to refine his own body, he was already over two hundred years old. Now, another century had passed. As far as Peng Xiong knew, the Fire Worship Sect had only emerged in recent years. Considering that Peng Cheng had mostly been in a deep slumber underground, he logically shouldn’t know of the sect. Yet his serious expression suggested not only awareness but also some deeper understanding.

Peng Cheng fell into contemplation, and after a long silence, he exhaled deeply with a wry smile. ”In fact, three hundred years ago, when I was still in the Blood Refining Realm, I was merely a low-level member of the Fire Worship Sect.”

”What?!”

Peng Xiong’s eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom that the Fire Worship Sect had such an ancient origin!

”The Fire Worship Sect’s heritage is far deeper than you can imagine! When I joined the Fire Worship Sect, it was still in the Imperial City. Though I was a mere underling, I picked up bits of confidential information here and there. The Fire Worship Sect is not a faction originating from our region! They hail from a mysterious place teeming with powerful beings! Their techniques are so extraordinary that they appear godlike, even to us and the Da Liang royal family!”

”Grandfather, but according to my knowledge, the Fire Worship Sect only appeared in recent years. Are you certain it’s the same one?”

Peng Yu chimed in, ”When I was Sect Master, I never heard of such a faction within Da Liang.”

Peng Cheng chuckled. ”That’s understandable! When I turned sixty, the Fire Worship Sect suddenly disappeared without a trace. Even someone like me, a member of the sect, couldn’t establish contact with them anymore. It’s no wonder you’re unaware. I have no clue what happened back then, but the entire leadership of the sect vanished overnight. It was under those circumstances that I returned to the Red Cloud Prefecture and founded the Thousand Poison Sect. Speaking of which, our sect’s foundational poison techniques originated from what I had learned in the Fire Worship Sect.”

Hearing this, Peng Xiong’s previously lingering doubts were dispelled. He had been wondering why there were so many factions in the Red Cloud Prefecture, and why the Skyfire War General chose them specifically. Now, the reasons were clear.

”I never expected that after so many years, the Fire Worship Sect would resurface. Xiao Xiong, follow Lord Skyfire well. From what I know about the sect, as long as you accomplish the tasks assigned by the lord, the rewards will be generous! You’re still young. With the Fire Worship Sect’s backing, you might even one day surpass the Four Realms of External Cultivation!”

”Although the dead energy within our bodies has been temporarily suppressed, we must continue to rely on hibernation to stabilize ourselves until it is fully eradicated. Summon us only when necessary. The next time the lord visits, try to obtain more of those talismans he used on us. If we had extra talismans to suppress the dead energy, we might even live somewhat normal lives like you.”

After Peng Cheng and Peng Yu departed, Peng Xiong sought out Wu Gui.

For now, the Skyfire War General clearly placed greater trust in Wu Gui, prompting Peng Xiong to adopt a more deferential tone toward him. ”Second Elder, we will all be working under Lord Skyfire’s leadership in the future. I hope we can look after one another.”

Having served in the Thousand Poison Sect for many years, Wu Gui had always been respectful toward Peng Xiong. Seeing the once-aloof Sect Master speak to him so humbly brought him a surge of satisfaction.

”Naturally. The misunderstanding earlier was unfortunate. I hope the Sect Master won’t take it to heart. In the days ahead, your support will be greatly appreciated.”

”Come, let’s address the other elders together so you’re better situated to act moving forward.”

The two descended from the mountain peak and returned to the council hall.

The atmosphere in the hall, once tense and chaotic, had been brought under control and was now filled with unease.

When Peng Xiong and Wu Gui entered the council hall simultaneously, the elders’ expressions became peculiar.

Peng Xiong raised his hands in a calming gesture. ”Everyone, take your seats! I have an announcement to make!”

Neither Nie Jian nor Wu Gui could match Peng Xiong’s influence within the sect, prompting the elders to quickly comply, sitting silently in their places.

”I will be entering secluded cultivation soon. During this period, Second Elder Wu Gui will act as acting Sect Master and hold full authority over sect affairs. His decisions will reflect my will, and you must follow them without contest. Should anyone defy him, they shall be executed without mercy!”

Peng Xiong swept a cold gaze across the elders. Knowing the Sect Master’s temperament, they dared not voice any objections.

The Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder, and Eighth Elder exchanged puzzled glances at Nie Jian.

Although Nie Jian harbored doubts, he dared not question publicly. Still, he had his own troubling suspicions, and his demeanor appeared utterly dejected, like a defeated rooster.

”Nie Jian, come with me. I have something to discuss with you!”

Outside the council hall, Peng Xiong addressed the despondent Nie Jian. ”Nie Jian, you must fully assist Wu Gui in the days to come. Ensure that you diligently execute every task he assigns, or I will hold you solely responsible!”

Summoning his courage, Nie Jian replied, ”Sect Master, surely you understand the Holy Pill Sect’s deep foundations even if Wu Gui does not. If we rashly wage war, it could lead to our demise! Are you truly willing to see your life’s work destroyed?”

Before witnessing the overwhelming strength of the Skyfire Warlord, Peng Xiong might have shared Nie Jian’s concerns. Now, however, his perspective had shifted entirely.

With the intervention of the Skyfire Warlord, even a powerhouse like the Holy Pill Sect—or tougher forces like the Haoyang Sect or the Governor’s Mansion—would pale in comparison. Should the Skyfire Warlord lend his full support, these factions would eventually grovel beneath the Thousand Poison Sect’s feet!

Peng Xiong had no intention of explaining further. Offering a cryptic smile, he said, ”Nie Jian, you’ve been in the Thousand Poison Sect for years. Have I ever miscalculated? Rest easy, I recognize your loyalty. You won’t go unrewarded. Consider Wu Gui—if you cooperate with him well, I guarantee that before long, you’ll reach the Ninth Layer of Bone Refinement, just like him!”