Chapter 24: Righteous Sect Disciples Are the Most Law-Abiding

In the dim, cramped secret chamber, several half-melted candles stood on the tightly sealed walls.

In the small room stood a delicate round wooden table, around which two people sat, but neither could clearly see the other.

“Ahem! Is everyone here?”

The one in the lead spoke in a low voice, like a funeral bell.

“Boss, it’s just the two of us here. The others… they’ve all been caught…” the young man next to him said.

“Ahem! Did you really need to say that? All you have to do is answer ‘everyone’s here’!” Shi Yan replied irritably.

“Aiya! I was just trying to lighten the mood!” Little Stone sighed. “Besides, do we really have to hold our meeting in this dark, rat-hole of a place?”

“Can’t even light a few more candles…”

“…”

“All you do is talk! All you do is talk! Isn’t this what fits the meeting vibe for our evil cult?” Shi Yan was so annoyed he smacked Little Stone’s head a few times.

“Stop, Boss, we’re the only two left—if you beat me to death, you’ll be left commanding a one-man army!” Little Stone dodged left and right, begging for mercy.

After a while, the two finally settled down—not because Shi Yan was tired, but because the candles had burned out and he couldn’t find Little Stone.

“Boss, are we really doing all this for atmosphere? Or is it just because we’re poor?” Little Stone spoke up again.

“You…” Shi Yan let out a sigh. “Forget it. First, tell me—what kind of fish did we catch this time?”

“This time, five Qi Refinement disciples came in, and they’re all at the peak of the Qi Refinement stage!” Little Stone continued. “Seems like none of them have realized they’re in a secret realm!”

“Not bad!” Shi Yan was quite satisfied. “Usually, we only need three sacrifices, but this time, five came in at once—Heaven must be helping me!”

“Um, Boss, the one in the lead… seems to be a protector, but he’s also at the Qi Refinement stage… Do you think he might be a Qi Refiner?” Little Stone reminded.

Cultivators all have their own ways of cultivation. Generally, those in the cultivator system like to suppress their cultivation and act tough, but secret realms specifically designed for that won’t accept them.

But Qi Refiners are the sneakiest—sometimes they’ll disguise their true power and go ‘fishing’ in lower-level ponds, bullying the weak.

“So what if he’s a Qi Refiner?” Shi Yan said disdainfully. “The most powerful Qi Refiners in the whole cultivation world are few and far between—not even famous. What are the odds we’d run into one here?”

“Look at those five—dressed so shabbily. Could they possibly be someone important?”

Little Stone asked again, “What if a Great Cultivator shows up?”

“You can be even more at ease about that. Don’t let Qingshan Town’s little Qi Refinement secret realm fool you—there’s a real story here!” Shi Yan said mysteriously.

“What kind of story?” Little Stone moved closer.

“This is a Immortal Secret Realm built by the Qixian Immortal!” Shi Yan revealed.

“Immortal Secret Realm???”

This landed like a stone thrown into still water, stirring up ripples in Little Stone’s heart—he was so shocked he was speechless.

He never expected that the secret realm they were in was actually created by an immortal. These kinds of secret realms were almost always developed and protected by Da Qian, listed as Dynastic Secret Realm Material Heritage.

Too bad it couldn’t be made public. Otherwise, selling tickets could make a fortune; the ticket for viewing the Sacred Tree in the neighboring Stepping Cloud Immortal Sect is already five spirit stones per person.

Seeing Little Stone’s curiosity piqued, Shi Yan began to explain, “Ten thousand years ago, after the Qixian Immortal transcended the tribulation and left behind the One Qi Three Purities Technique, he mysteriously disappeared.”

“One Qi Three Purities Technique? Isn’t it Three Purities One Qi Technique?” Little Stone asked.

The Heavenly Vault Sect’s technique was famous far and wide. He couldn’t have misremembered the name. If his talent was better, he’d have wanted to join the Heavenly Vault Sect and study it properly.

“Heh! The so-called Heavenly Vault Sect is nothing but the Qixian Immortal’s plaything. That so-called Three Purities One Qi Technique is just for show. How could it compare to a real immortal’s art?” Shi Yan sneered. “Stop interrupting and let me finish…”

“As for the immortal’s disappearance—some say he went traveling in the immortal realm, some say he found a way to break through the world and ascended to a higher realm, but actually…”

“He has already suffered Immortal Fall!”

Immortal Fall!!!

That news was even more shocking to Little Stone. Someone had actually managed to kill an immortal.

“We don’t know how he died, but at the time, one of his incarnations helped our founding Sect Leader. Out of gratitude for the immortal’s kindness, our Sect Leader ordered us to spare no effort to revive him.”

“Now, all the other hidden secret realms have already been sacrificed—only ours is left!”

Little Stone’s spirits lifted. “The sect entrusting us with such an important mission—doesn’t that mean they think highly of us?”

“No! It’s just that Yiqi Sect has only the two of us old Qi Refinement hands left…” Shi Yan waved his hand dismissively.

Little Stone was speechless. If they couldn’t break through, they couldn’t break through—what’s with the ‘old Qi Refinement hands’ title? People might as well say they’re useless.

“In any case, this mission must not fail—whether the Qixian Immortal can be revived depends on us!”

“Then… what should we do?” Little Stone had a bad feeling.

“It’s simple. Just take down those disciples one by one, and offer them as living sacrifices during the Flower Festival in a few days!” Shi Yan grinned.

Easier said than done! Little Stone muttered inwardly.

He had already mentioned—all five were at peak Qi Refinement. Even in a group fight, it’d be tough.

Shi Yan seemed to sense Little Stone’s worry and comforted him, “Don’t be afraid. We’re an evil cult, it’s only normal to be ruthless.”

“These righteous sect disciples think they’re all justice—of course they’ll follow the rules, won’t dare to go too far.”

“So… we can use whatever means we like?” Little Stone asked, delighted.

“Anything goes!” Shi Yan grinned wickedly. “Besides! This secret realm is at least somewhat related to us Yiqi Sect—it’s completely under our control right now!”

“Don’t worry. The sect values this operation greatly and sent a Jindan Real Person to help.”

“Jindan??? But isn’t the secret realm supposed to only allow Qi Refinement level cultivators in?” Little Stone was shocked.

“This secret realm is under my control, so it can allow one Jindan level inside. The sect knows this, that’s why they sent someone to help.” Shi Yan smiled.

“All we have to do is get things done. Someone’s got our backs.”

“Boss… may I ask which Jindan Real Person is coming?” Little Stone was curious. Jindan—such a peerless expert—was rare! If he could get a pointer or two, maybe he could break through to Foundation Establishment.

“You might be shocked when you hear it—it’s Yangli Real Person! One of the few Demon Cultivators in the sect!” Shi Yan said with excitement.

Yangli Real Person!

Little Stone clenched his fists with excitement. Rumor had it this Jindan Real Person once used his powerful legs to pummel the other Jindan masters in the sect. Just one kick from those goat legs could shatter the defense of a body cultivator who had trained for a hundred years. His strength was truly terrifying.

If he took the field, this mission would be a piece of cake!

The two reveled in dreams of the future, cackling “Jie jie jie jie…”

At the stone gate outside Qingshan Town, Lin Shu looked regretfully at the spot where his little martial uncle had suddenly vanished.

“Little Martial Uncle, I can’t help you! This secret realm actually restricts cultivation…”

With that, Lin Shu took a bite of the roasted goat leg in his hand.

Tough and strong, with barely a hint of fat.

Paired with Little Martial Uncle’s unique roasting technique and the tempering of Samadhi True Fire, this goat leg could easily be considered a perfect dish.

Setting aside the 【Poison Resistance +1】 reward, Lin Shu didn’t even notice that the goat leg was poisonous…

Since he was fine, it meant he was already immune. What good news!

“I still don’t know where Little Martial Uncle managed to find a Jindan-level goat demon in a low-tier Sub-Dungeon like Qingshan Town—even in the demon clan’s territory you’d hardly find one…”

“Whatever! Better go check on Little Junior Sister and the others!”

By now it was already past noon; they should all be up and cultivating…