Biting winds came upon Elder Yuanâs frail body, fluttering his beard. Even so, he just stood there with an indifferent gaze. It was as if he was not attacked by an Ethereal Stage expert, but by a breeze.
Venerable Shi squinted, watching filled with suspicions.
Since Elder Yuan faced the Ethereal Stage expert with such poise, Venerable Shi could tell he wasnât average. The odd thing was, when did the sect have someone like him?
Zhuo Fan watched with no intent of helping. He knew Elder Yuan was something else, maybe one that could hold down all of Demon Scheming Sect.
He was about to kill off the Demon Scheming Sectâs leader, thus forcing Elder Yuan to come out. Rather than ignore him for later, it was better to face this troubleâŠ
âHumph, a lowly laborer should stick to his duty and not meddle in otherâs affairs!â
The savage palm reached Elder Yuan as the elder mocked, âThe last time I asked you for a few laborers for my training, you came up with all sorts of excuses and even put the Labor Office venerables on me. Filthy parasite, using otherâs power, you should stick to your errands. Now no one can save you, ha-ha-haâŠâ
The people figured it out. This elder had some bad blood with Elder Yuan. No wonder he would lower himself to kill someone so weak.
Since the Labor Office gained power, he couldnât touch him. Now that the inner sect oldies saw Sect Leader about to lose, they decided to flee, yet this old thing came out and exposed their nasty plans.
Elder Yuan was respected because of Zhuo Fan, when the Labor Officeâs elders never actually gave him a second thought. Since Zhuo Fan now stood still while he was in danger, the others of course would not interfere either.
The elder saw this and grew more rampantâŠ
Elder Yuan simply chuckled despite it all, âFunny you should mention duty. With the sect on the brink of civil war, you donât care about settling the partyâs clashes, but pursue your vendetta. Is this how you plan on carrying out your duties when you seize power? Ha-ha-ha, never mind, my sect does not need an elder like you.â
Elder Yuanâs eyes widened.
Bam!
With a thunderous sound, the elder found himself flying, losing his life before he hit the ground.
Plop!
He showed no wound as he landed, nor was there blood spilled. He died as if from natural causes.
The only way for that to happen was through one means onlyâŠ
âSoul impact!â
Venerable Shiâs eyes shook, his face a mask of shock as he watched Elder Yuan and stammered, âW-who the hell are you?â
Sss~
The others gasped, looking at Elder Yuan with unprecedented amazement.
Soul impact was a perk all Ethereal Stage cultivators had. It meant using oneâs soul power to destroy the otherâs spirit and soul. But this usually only worked against cultivators below the Ethereal Stage.
Using it in the same stage, since both had formed their souls, would never actually kill the other, at most just heavily injure him.
Yet now, an Ethereal Stage expert died from a soul impact before everyone. The fact the other did not reveal his soul to do that only proved how huge the gap in. None thought this unknown elder would be such a great expert, stronger than most people here.
Even Zhuo Fanâs eyelid shook, sweat gathering on his brow.
âVenerable Qi, get ready to have young Sanzi come in.â Unsure yet on what stance Elder Yuan took, Zhuo Fan would rather play it safe and call for young Sanzi.
Venerable Qi nodded, feeling the same way. He sent some elders messages to open the barrierâŠ
Tap~
Elder Yuan took casual steps under the eyes of everyone. Now no one looked at him with scorn, but fear.
Finally, Elder Yuan arrived between the two sides. Xie Wuyue eyed Elder Yuan then bent his waist in greeting, âHigh Venerable!â
[Heâs the High Venerable?]
Venerable Shi and his party shook and stared at Elder Yuan.
[No wonder, only the rumored High Venerable could display such power. I shouldâve known.]
Zhuo Fanâs eyelid twitched. Although shocked, he had his guesses.
The rest of the crowd stood speechless at Elder Yuanâs casual demeanor. They were just dumbstruck.
Demon Scheming Sectâs best expert, the rumored High Venerable was revealed at last. Now that they knew this venerable was Elder Yuan from the Labor Office, the shock doubled.
âYes, Iâm Demon Scheming Sectâs High Venerable, Yuan Xinggang!â Seeing the dumb looks around, Elder Yuan shouted.
Everyone bowed, âGreetings, High Venerable!â
Not just the inner sect faction, but even the Labor Office elders. High Venerable, even rumored, was the basis of their pride, their confidence. Because he was the strongest in the Demon Scheming Sect. Seeing him now, even rebels as they were, they still showed respect.
Elder Yuan nodded, âLabor Office plans a rebellion while the inner sect elders want to run away, thus leaving Sect Leader all alone to be killed. Humph, how did Demon Scheming Sect become so chaotic and torn apart?â
âHigh Venerable, Zhuo Fan is undermining my authority. He roused Labor Officeâs men to rebel. He must be executed for his crimes!â Xie Wuyue clenched his fist as he pointed at Zhuo Fan.
Venerable Shi found that with the High Venerable here, the tables had turned and cupped his hands, âHigh Venerable can see that we hold the sectâs safety at heart. Please tell us what to do, High Venerable!â
In laymanâs terms.
[Zhuo Fan wants to rebel so as a High Venerable, stomp him! With you on our side, we can do it. Once theyâre dead, Demon Scheming Sect will be ours again, he-he-heâŠ]
Elder Yuan already knew their intent and smiled, then turned to Zhuo Fan.
âElder Yuan, where do you stand?â
Zhuo Fan spoke before he could, âIf sir sides with Xie Wuyue and them, then our friendship is over.â
[Cocky bastard!]
Everyone stood stunned.
[He truly is worthy to be our next Sect Leader. Facing the sectâs best expert, he uses such blunt words.]
Though they all knew that Zhuo Fan talked big like this was because he had a backup, his monstrous son.
[Not even High Venerable can take a hit from that bratâŠ]
They held High Venerable in respect, but they werenât blinded by it, clear of his strength and theirs.
It was something Venerable Shiâs side had no clue about, still sneering at them, âZhuo Fan, you dare think with higher numbers you can take the seat of Sect Leader? What do you take High Venerable for? He would not let your impudent act go unpunished!â
âShut your mouth! I speak for myself, not you!â
Elder Yuan glared at him, âVenerable Shi, youâve caused a lot of disturbances over the years. Wait there in silence.â
Ugh!
Startled, Venerable Shiâs fiery passion was snuffed out by Elder Yuan being a wet blanket. He lowered his head and withdrew, his heart filled with anger.
[Damn old coot, Iâm not the rebel here. What are you doing coming at me for?]
Ignoring his displeasure, Elder Yuan turned to Zhuo Fan with a smile, âSteward Zhuo, weâre both friends here. For godâs sake, I was the one who told you to get that wife of yours. What, now youâre going to burn bridges?â
Zhuo Fan faltered at the sudden casual attitude the great High Venerable still took. Being ridiculed like that, Zhuo Fan blushed in embarrassment. Despite that, he felt happy inside.
At the very least, even as the High Venerable, this old man was the same as ever, the Elder Yuan he expounded on Dao with for all these years.
âNow, letâs talk. Itâs not something that canât be resolved with words. Thereâs no need to always go around fighting and killing. Demon Scheming Sect didnât hold your woman either. Come with me.â
Smiling, Elder Yuan walked towards the Main Hall, then stopped as he pointed at Chu Qingcheng and Xie Wuyue. âYou two as well, come along. Since it involves three people, only you three can solve this.â