Chapter 27: Upheaval in the Sect

In the face of utter desperation, Qi Fei unleashed an astonishing potential, breaking through the barrier of his martial cultivation at the brink of life and death. With a heaven-shattering punch forged from the “Heaven-Slaying Sword Canon,” he turned the tables and vanquished Guo Huai, the Grand Elder of Danxia Sect.

Biting his tongue to rouse the last vestige of true energy within, Qi Fei forced himself to stand. He looked upon Guo Huai, whose flesh was mangled and life hung by a thread, and his eyes brimmed with murderous intent.

“Please… don’t kill me,” Guo Huai pleaded. His meridians were shattered, his bones pulverized; only a final thread of true energy shielded his heart, barely preserving his life.

Qi Fei’s face was drained of color, and at Guo Huai’s words, a cold smile played at his lips. “Too late.”

Seeing the killing intent in Qi Fei’s eyes, Guo Huai trembled. “No, listen to me. Months ago, the sect master vanished under mysterious circumstances and remains missing. Now, chaos reigns within Danxia Sect, and it is I who have presided over Qingyang Peak. If you spare me, I’ll yield the position of sect master to you.”

Gritting his teeth, Qi Fei sealed the acupoint on his gravely wounded right arm to staunch the bleeding and said slowly, “Do not try to deceive me. I am but an ordinary disciple of Danxia Sect—how could I be qualified to ascend as sect master?”

Sensing Qi Fei’s wavering, Guo Huai spat a mouthful of blood and hurriedly added in a feeble voice, “No matter. The sect is in chaos, but with your profound martial cultivation and my support, you could easily take the position.”

Qi Fei gave a cold laugh, lowering his voice. “Grand Elder, I appreciate the offer. I confess I envied your arrogance while you held sway. Now, with the sect in disarray, I doubt anyone would know if I killed you here and now.”

In panic, Guo Huai shouted, “No, if you kill me, Xuanzhen Temple will never let you go!”

Qi Fei was taken aback, confusion stirring in his heart, and could not help but press further, “You are the Grand Elder of Danxia Sect—what connection do you have with Xuanzhen Temple?”

Realizing a glimmer of hope, Guo Huai cast aside shame and panted, “I have long seen through the power struggles atop Cangyun Mountain. For Danxia Sect to oppose Xuanzhen Temple and the Seven Absolutes Sect is sheer folly. Years ago, Master Cangsong of Xuanzhen Temple approached me, plotting to subsume Danxia Sect, promising I would rule in his stead. Now, on Qingyang Peak, Elders of Xuanzhen Temple and their experts reside. If you kill me, Xuanzhen Temple will see you dead.”

Qi Fei could never have guessed that the Grand Elder was a traitor lurking within their midst. The disappearance of the sect master likely bore his mark as well.

Qi Fei, fully aware of Xuanzhen Temple’s power on Cangyun Mountain, was shaken to learn of Guo Huai’s collusion. Feigning horror, he asked, “Since you’ve been in league with Xuanzhen Temple, did you inform Cangsong of the secret treasure I possess? If so, I will never escape their clutches; better to kill you first.”

Guo Huai panicked, struggling to explain, “I never spoke of your secret to Xuanzhen Temple! When Lu Qingxuan and I suspected you of hoarding spirit pills, I suppressed the matter. Both Lu and I harbored our own motives—why would we share such news?”

Qi Fei studied Guo Huai’s anxious face. “You are cunning and prudent, Grand Elder. How can I be sure you speak the truth?”

“I swear to the heavens—I never betrayed your secret! My cultivation is ruined; I am no threat. Spare me, and I will recommend you to Master Cangsong if you wish for the sect master’s seat.”

Qi Fei sighed softly and said with icy resolve, “Though Danxia Sect has wronged me, I cannot forget my master’s kindness. You have betrayed the sect; I cannot let you go unpunished.”

“A wise man bows to circumstance. Danxia Sect is but a shadow of its former self. The thousand-acre medicine garden on the rear mountain is now Xuanzhen Temple’s, and most disciples serve them. Do not follow your stubborn master, or you’ll meet a violent end.”

Qi Fei’s heart clenched. “What of my master? Was he harmed by Xuanzhen Temple?”

Fearing for his life, Guo Huai explained, “No. Your master and the aged Elder Sun refused to submit and moved with their disciples to the outer courtyard, hoping to reclaim the sect’s legacy. But Mo Zhanpeng is beset with his own troubles—he will soon meet disaster.”

Seeing Qi Fei deep in thought, Guo Huai pressed on, “If you spare me, I’ll plead with Master Cangsong to spare your master’s life.”

Coughing blood, Guo Huai’s expression was bleak as he pleaded, “My cultivation is wasted; I am helpless. Please, have mercy.”

Qi Fei heaved a soft sigh and shook his head. “What a pity.”

Guo Huai was startled. “A pity? What do you mean?”

“It’s a pity I, Qi Fei, am not a soft-hearted fool.”

As he spoke, the icy true energy of his Ice-Fire Martial Soul surged from his left palm, bursting outward and piercing Guo Huai’s brow.

Guo Huai’s eyes widened in shock. His blood was frozen in an instant, his true essence dissipated, and bereft of martial energy, he died quietly in the cave beneath the Cliff of Repentance.

Qi Fei knew their fierce battle would surely draw the experts from Xuanzhen Temple on Qingyang Peak. The cave was no longer safe. Gritting his teeth, he hefted Guo Huai’s stiff corpse and leapt from the cave.

After half a year, Qi Fei finally saw daylight again. The land beyond the Cliff of Repentance was now desolate and barren.

In the chaos that beset Danxia Sect, many disciples previously trapped beneath the cliff were freed as the sect struggled against the oppression of Xuanzhen Temple and the Seven Absolutes Sect. Only Qi Fei remained, imprisoned by Guo Huai, who suspected him of harboring a secret treasure.

Qi Fei thought to himself that this misfortune had become a blessing in disguise; otherwise, killing Guo Huai would have invited endless trouble. He flung Guo Huai’s body down the sheer cliff and, ignoring his wounds, hurried to escape the mountain.

Several hours later, a Xuanzhen Temple elder, growing suspicious at Guo Huai’s prolonged absence on Qingyang Peak, led his disciples to trace Guo Huai’s tracks to the base of the Cliff of Repentance.

This elder from Xuanzhen Temple was about fifty, his hair tied in a cyan crown, clad in a black Daoist robe. His skin was swarthy, features plain and unremarkable—he looked nothing like a cultivator of immortal bearing.

Arriving before the cliff, he asked coldly, “So, this is Danxia Sect’s place of punishment for wayward disciples?”

A Danxia Sect disciple quickly bowed and replied, “Yes, Daoist Master, it is.”

With a flash of light, the old Daoist’s body drifted like a willow leaf, gliding to the battered cave entrance.

Inside, he examined the corpses of Guo Huai’s four disciples, a look of suspicion crossing his face.

The force of the strikes was tyrannical—only the Thunderclap Palm of the Seven Absolutes Sect could wield such power on Cangyun Mountain. Could it be that Seven Absolutes Sect, dissatisfied with Xuanzhen Temple’s occupation of Qingyang Peak, sent their experts to probe?

The black-robed Daoist scrutinized the fractures in the cave walls, a chilling glint in his eyes. “Who was imprisoned here?”

A Danxia Sect disciple looked uneasy. “I do not know, Master. The elders would have that knowledge.”

The Daoist pondered for a moment, murmuring, “Sword energy scars the stone. Among the Seven Absolutes Sect, those who have reached the Fifth Heaven of Martial Dao are few. If Guo Huai encountered two such experts here, he stood no chance.”

“Send word—search the area near the Cliff of Repentance for the Grand Elder of Danxia Sect. Also, increase patrols in the mountains. If anyone suspicious is found, report to me immediately.”

The Xuanzhen Temple disciples did not dare hesitate; after accepting their orders, they sped off toward the main hall of Danxia Sect.

Stepping out of the cave, the black-robed Daoist gazed into the bottomless chasm below the Cliff of Repentance, sinking into deep thought.