It’s just that Qi Xiu couldn’t quite pinpoint where this unease was coming from.
Silently, he formed a spell from within the wide sleeves of his robe.
Qi Xiu’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of purple slowly emerged from the depths of his pupils.
In an instant, everything before his eyes transformed into a special black-and-white vision.
Qi Xiu slowly turned his gaze toward the tall and upright figure of Dong Xingzhou.
His complexion subtly changing, Qi Xiu, through the vision of the Observing Qi Skill, clearly saw a broken sword standing erect behind Dong Xingzhou.
The sword was entirely black, as if it devoured all light, and its body exuded a dense demonic aura, making one feel as if they could hear sinister whispers emanating from within.
The blade was fractured in the middle, its broken edge jagged and uneven.
A dark, cold, and exceedingly sharp hint of bloody light faintly circulated along the heavy, angular edge of the sword.
And at the hilt, a golden vertical pupil was embedded, tightly closed.
It was unknown if it sensed Qi Xiu’s gaze, but the golden vertical pupil suddenly snapped open.
A strange gaze fiercely met Qi Xiu’s own.
Gazing directly back at that strange golden vertical pupil, Qi Xiu neither dodged nor flinched, his expression somber.
Today, there were more than twenty Dao Experts from the Shenxiao Sect present.
They were currently within the Shenxiao Sect Gate.
And Patriarch Dongfang Qing, the Supreme Sect Leader and a Primordial Spirit Boss, also presided.
A mere broken sword couldn’t possibly turn the world upside down, could it? If you’ve got the guts, strike at me in front of my Master!
Noticing Qi Xiu’s calm demeanor showed no change, the golden vertical pupil flickered twice before slowly closing again.
Having discovered that the source of the vague unease came from this eerie broken sword, Qi Xiu was about to explain the situation to Daoist Yunxiong.
However, he saw the old Daoist raise his hand slightly.
"Let’s talk when we return."
Perceiving Daoist Yunxiong’s composure, Qi Xiu slowly nodded.
The ceremony of forming a Dao companion was not complex. Under the guidance of Yun Xiang Daoist, Dong Xingzhou and a female cultivator named Ye Qing’er recited the Union of Luan and Phoenix Scriptures together.
Afterward, Patriarch Dongfang Qing also sent a congratulatory letter.
The entire process concluded in just half a day.
It seemed this so-called Dao companion ceremony was held merely for the sake of receiving gifts.
After the ceremony ended, the Peak Masters from various peaks gathered, conversing in hushed tones.
Disciples like Qi Xiu, of a similar rank, formed small groups with those they knew. After all, everyone was usually busy with cultivation and seldom met.
This ceremony was a good opportunity for them to interact.
"It must have been over a decade since we last saw each other after parting on Lake Heart Island."
Dong Xingzhou slowly walked over to Qi Xiu’s side.
Glancing at the spiritual wine Dong Xingzhou offered, Qi Xiu casually accepted it, "Congratulations. Ye is lovely, gentle, and serene. Junior Brother Dong, you must treat her well in the future."
Although Dong Xingzhou had entered the sect at the same time as Qi Xiu, his name was ranked after Qi Xiu’s during the official registration.
Therefore, according to seniority, he had to address Qi Xiu as Senior Brother.
Chuckling lightly, Dong Xingzhou didn’t respond directly but brought up another matter, "Senior Brother Qi, three years ago when you ventured deep into the Divine Sorrow Ridge, you must have keenly sensed the intentions of those Demonic Evil Cultivators to entrench themselves deeply within Dianchuan Province, right?"
"Isn’t that common knowledge?"
"But not everyone wishes for this situation to end."
Sensing there was more to Dong Xingzhou’s words, Qi Xiu turned to scrutinize this son of King Slaughter.
As the son of King Slaughter Dong Yinhai, he shouldn’t have appeared in the Shenxiao Sect.
As one of the five great generals under Xiang Chu Jiedushi Zhu Shanhe, Dong Yinhai wielded immense power in Xiangchu Province.
He himself was also a Dao Body Realm Leader.
Although it was said that Dong Xingzhou joined the Shenxiao Sect to use its supremely yang Thunder Magic to suppress the backlash from his family’s inherited Life and Death Demon Sword Dao, Qi Xiu found this reason unconvincing.
First, Dong Yinhai was a Dao Expert. Whether Thunder Magic could suppress the flaws of the Life and Death Demon Sword Dao was uncertain. Even if the Life and Death Demon Sword Dao had flaws, Dong Yinhai wouldn’t let his own son be a guinea pig, paving the way for him.
Secondly, Dong Yinhai served under the Xiang Chu Jiedushi. This high official was reputed to be the foremost among the Twelve Directives Enforcers. Some even speculated that Zhu Shanhe’s cultivation realm might have already broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, making his strength unfathomable.
The Life and Death Demon Sword Dao was merely a sword cultivation method from the Sword Sect. As Zhu Shanhe’s favored general, it shouldn’t have been too difficult for Dong Yinhai to ask his old superior for help in rectifying the flaws in his cultivation technique.
Therefore, the reason that Dong Xingzhou joined the Shenxiao Sect to use Thunder Magic to suppress the backlash of the Life and Death Demon Sword Dao didn’t hold water. Thus, his true purpose for joining the Shenxiao Sect was thought-provoking.
However, the Shenxiao Sect was not opposed to disciples joining with pre-existing skills.
Once you entered the sect, you were considered family.
But if you harbored thoughts of internal rebellion, the Shenxiao Sect, having stood firm since the Middle Ancient Era, had ten thousand ways to make you understand the meaning of regret.
"The world has fallen into chaos, and the original shackles have been broken.
Some believe these shackles were a form of protection.
Yet, others see these shackles merely as restraints.
Once you’ve tasted freedom, it’s difficult to willingly put those shackles back on.
Do you understand what I’m saying?"
Watching Qi Xiu, Dong Xingzhou enunciated each word, his meaning implicit.
Frowning, Qi Xiu tilted his chin up and lowered his voice, "Junior Brother Dong, your words... are rather out of line."
"Senior Brother Qi possesses great talent. If you find my words reasonable, how about we have a thorough discussion at Linlang Inn three days from now?"
Giving Dong Xingzhou a deep look, Qi Xiu didn’t reply. He put down the spiritual wine and slowly walked away.
Standing rooted to the spot, Dong Xingzhou watched Qi Xiu’s retreating figure, his eyes profound, a strange light flickering within them.
At this moment, Ye Qing’er, dressed in a sunset-red long robe, walked over and gently took Dong Xingzhou’s arm, "What’s wrong, Xingzhou?"
The look on his face instantly vanished, replaced by his usual warm smile. Dong Xingzhou took Ye Qing’er’s hand, "It’s nothing. Let’s go sit over there."
After returning to Yunti Peak, Qi Xiu didn’t go to his own courtyard but followed Daoist Yunxiong directly to Guanlan Cliff.
"It seems your Observing Qi Skill has improved again."
Upon returning to Guanlan Cliff, Daoist Yunxiong took a register from his sleeve and handed it to Qi Xiu.
"When you were on Yunli Peak, you saw the broken sword behind Dong Xingzhou, didn’t you?"
Taking the register, Qi Xiu was stunned by the words, "Master, you knew?"
"HEH HEH HEH, our Shenxiao Sect is, after all, an ancient and great sect, and your master is somewhat of a Dao Expert.
Dong Yinhai and his son believe their actions are flawless.
But he never considered that while Zhu Shanhe’s methods are formidable, our Shenxiao Sect possesses a foundation no less profound than his.
This world isn’t as fragile as he imagines."
With a faint smile, Daoist Yunxiong waved his wide sleeve. Instantly, light and shadow flowed in the air before them, revealing vivid scenes.
The content of these scenes depicted Dong Xingzhou’s every move within the Shenxiao Sect.
Among them were numerous instances of him privately contacting Inner Sect Disciples, personal disciples, and even Sect Elders. The source of this content ɪs novel•fire.net
However, all these images had distinct cracks, as if a painting had been torn to shreds and then pieced back together.
"This register in your hand lists everyone Dong Xingzhou has privately contacted within the sect, from Sect Elders down to Outer Sect servants.
Over the past ten-plus years, this son of King Slaughter has certainly kept himself busy."
Looking at the thick register in his hand, which contained at least several hundred names, Qi Xiu was somewhat astonished, "Is this Dong Xingzhou truly so silver-tongued that he could even connect with Sect Elders?"
"He couldn’t, but he has a friend who is quite adept at such things.
You’ve met him too; he entered the sect at the same time as you.
The image of the young man on Lake Heart Island, who had single-handedly rallied all the candidates to resist the onslaught of the otherworldly beings, surfaced in Qi Xiu’s mind. His gaze flickered. "The actions of these two within the sect have all been under the scrutiny of the higher-ups, yet no one has stopped them. Could it be that their activities are not detrimental to our Shenxiao Sect?"
"Benefit or harm, it’s hard to say for now.
However, almost all major sects and clans in Dianchuan Province now have individuals like Dong Xingzhou among them.
This is a tide that cannot be stemmed by one or two people, or even one or two factions.
The significance of Dong Xingzhou and those like him is that they represent the crest of a wave, a direction.
We are observing quietly now so that when the tide truly arrives, we can choose whether to ride it or to stand firm on the shore.
I saw Dong Xingzhou approached you today as well. This is an opportunity. If you’re willing, you can try.
However, the risks are also significant. You must consider it carefully."
Daoist Yunxiong’s words slowly dispelled the unease that had persistently lingered in Qi Xiu’s heart.
Dong Xingzhou and Li Guanqi thought their methods were a perfect deception. In reality, they had been acting under the vigilant gaze of the Shenxiao Sect’s higher-ups all along.
It was just that, so far, their actions hadn’t touched the Shenxiao Sect’s interests. Furthermore, their appearance also represented a choice regarding a generational opportunity.
That was why the Shenxiao Sect had tacitly allowed their actions, essentially humoring them.
And this was the terror of an ancient, great sect—the accumulated foundation of eons and the wisdom of its leaders were beyond estimation and imagination.
What you thought, what you saw, what you did—it was all what they wanted you to think, see, and do.
Without lifting a finger, they controlled the entire situation. That was what was truly terrifying!
"Perhaps it’s best not to. This disciple only wishes to cultivate peacefully and not get overly involved in other matters."
Qi Xiu had no intention whatsoever of accepting Dong Xingzhou’s invitation.
He possessed the protection of Human Path Merit, which would subtly warn him of potential crises.
Dong Xingzhou’s appearance had filled him with a strong sense of unease. Therefore, forget cooperation; he didn’t even want to lay eyes on him.
This wasn’t fear. Rather, he worried that if he couldn’t restrain himself, he might directly act to extinguish this unstable flame.
After all, killing a fellow sect member within the sect was a grave offense!