Sect Leader Is Under Great Pressure CH 075 The Long Night Will End, The Evil Spirits Are Boundless
In the starlit dots of white light tinged with an eerie green, the closer one got, the clearer they became. They were slightly transparent faces, twisted with expressions of pain, despair, resentment, and malevolence, ferociously rushing towards the place brimming with the vitality of the living.
These were malevolent spirits, which Feng Qingxiu had learned about in the Ghostland Compendium during his time in the lower school. They often emerged on battlefields, bound by resentment and yin energy, unable to find peace, devouring each other and, over a millennium of accumulated yin energy, becoming extremely malevolent spirits, also known as fierce ghosts. Ordinary cultivators were easily harmed by them, and looking at the seemingly endless horde of these fierce spirits, Feng Qingxiu even wondered if all the malevolent spirits from the Ghost Ruins had gathered here.
“How many people died here back then?” Feng Qingxiu’s intent urged the outer layer of Zhuiyun Peak to suddenly thicken with spiritual light, rendering the fierce ghosts’ efforts to break in futile.
“They fought here for over a hundred years, half of the soldiers of Great Xuan died here, which must be a million at least, not to mention even more from the spirit demon clans.” Black Snake looked at the fierce spirits with a sense of loss, saying, “These were the essence of Great Xuan. Anyone who entered our battlefields had to be at least at the Qi Condensation Stage.”
In those days, Great Xuan’s expedition deployed almost all the elite human cultivators, which left their own territory vulnerable, allowing minor spirit demons to exploit the situation. Although Qi Condensation was the lowest cultivation stage, it still far surpassed ordinary mortal soldiers.
“It’s a pity that they were so heroic back then, yet now they’re trapped here, even struggling to reincarnate.” Nightingale covered his eyes with his wings, adding, “We brought them here but couldn’t bring them back.”
“But why are they attacking us?” Qingnu appeared beside them silently, gazing at the countless fierce spirits in the sky with a calm expression, “Something is wrong. The energy of the flying peaks is extremely yang and vigorous; they should be avoiding us.”
“They’re converging.” You Jia swung his sword light, “Let’s go, the protective ward uses a lot of spiritual stones when thickened this much.”
Almost as they spoke, the moon reached its zenith, and the fierce spirits, as if infused with endless power, let out terrifying ghostly wails, merging into gigantic monstrous figures as big as mountains. Countless malevolent souls became parts of these ghostly constructs, their tangled hands, and endless forms of tragic death, a sight so terrifying that the faint-hearted might die of fright.
These gigantic ghostly constructs, imbued with the power of countless spirits, emitted a faint, ominous white glow as they fiercely crashed into the golden protective barrier of the flying peaks.
At this moment, the counterattack from the various flying peaks also commenced, with cultivators from each peak forming teams and charging towards the fierce ghosts.
Qingnu led her junior brothers and sisters, opening a small bottle and tossing in a bit of medicinal powder. The medicine fire within flickered with black and sparkled like dying embers. Attracted by this seemingly most beautiful thing in the world, the gigantic ghostly construct before them crumbled, rushing frantically into the small bottle.
Nearby, the Danding Peak cultivators had already produced a pill furnace, quickly gathering spirits faster than those from Qingnu Peak. Several nearby peaks’ fierce spirits even converged there.
Qiu Yuansheng even gave Qingnu a distant smile, as if saying, “It looks like I win again this time.”
The members of the Qi Peak were shouting, “Take out all the summoning soul flags. You, your technique is wrong. Look at all the ghosts running away—didn’t you each copy a hundred templates of the Hundred Ghost Night Parade Chart? Who the hell told you to copy the Thousand Ghost Divine Walk Chart? It’s not as profitable!”
“No stealing, no stealing, Juedu Peak, you’ve crossed the line!” The Qi Peak members were furious.
“We’re all simply using our skills. Besides, we just use ghostly energy to make poison fog and we'll let them go afterwards. We don’t imprison them forever like you do!”
“Nonsense! The Sect Leader said only to use fierce ghosts and vengeful spirits. We make contracts with the ghosts, only for a hundred years!” The Qi Peak people yelled angrily.
“Who's talking nonsense? That chart in your hand is over two hundred years old, right?” The Juedu Peak people mocked.
“It’s because they begged to stay!”
***
Feng Qingxiu silently controlled the ward, having nothing to say.
This expedition was not in vain; it was truly an eye-opener. Kun-Lai's presence leaves little behind.
By dawn, the malevolent and vengeful spirits around were almost completely swept away. Each peak and mountain began tallying their harvests, preparing to leave.
Feng Qingxiu received another ledger, this time brought by Guan Yuli, the elegant assistant of Qingnu. Seeing Feng Qingxiu’s slightly puzzled look, Guan Yuli explained, “She lost face to Qiu Yuansheng and is now in seclusion, studying an even better soul-attracting item.”
“Senior Sister Qingnu really is competitive,” Feng Qingxiu smiled, feeling pressured by the record of three hundred fierce spirits he had obtained.
“No,” Guan Yuli’s aloof eyes gazed at the nearby flying peak, marked with Danding's symbol, frowning slightly, “that soul-attracting item is suspicious.”
“Oh?” Feng Qingxiu looked at him in confusion.
“Excessive use leads to danger. Medicine and pills have a range, exceeding it can be very risky.” Guan Yuli’s face remained emotionless, “He made that item but only used it today. The ghostly attack tonight, that item likely contributed to it.”
This was almost directly saying those ghosts were drawn by Danding Peak.
“Maybe he just forgot to warn us?” Feng Qingxiu suggested, testing the waters.
“Others might forget, but he wouldn’t.” Guan Yuli’s gaze deepened, his delicate features showing concern, “I’m not sure what he’s planning next.”
“Are you worried about Qingnu?” Feng Qingxiu asked with a smile.
“I am worried for her,” Guan Yuli replied calmly.
“Then why do you keep a distance from her?” Feng Qingxiu asked, curious, as calling him Madam Guan would always make him bristle, attacking any who dared with his needles. Though the needles weren’t harmful, they were intimidating. Besides, he was usually also indifferent to Qingnu, maintaining an aloof distance.
“Bamboo must have integrity. Just because she likes me doesn’t mean I should agree,” Guan Yuli thought for a moment before answering, “Firm but flexible, enduring all seasons, empty-hearted, yet steadfast… that is the way of the bamboo.”
“Is that your way, or the bamboo’s?” Feng Qingxiu smiled slightly, feeling a bit of pity for Qingnu. So it was for integrity that he refused? “Does the world’s perception of bamboo’s character relate to your nature?”
“Well…” Guan Yuli frowned slightly, “But I admire this character and strive to embody it.”
"There's nothing wrong with liking someone; I admire that quality too. But cultivation is about pursuing one's true self, and suppressing your emotions is never good," Feng Qingxiu said, recalling his master's teachings. "Human nature is praised for its good qualities because they're not easy to achieve."
"Is that so? Humans are really complicated," Guan Yuli sighed softly.
"Do you like Qingnu?" Feng Qingxiu asked, not intending to counsel anyone but simply wanting to understand his fellow disciple.
"I..." Guan Yuli's face turned slightly red, but just as he was about to speak, a sudden sound interrupted him. They turned to see Qingnu accidentally breaking a handrail.
How dare you try to trick words out of me!
Madam Guan angrily walked away, throwing a needle at Feng Qingxiu's face.
Feng Qingxiu pulled out the bamboo needle and gave Qingnu a look of disdain.
He turned and left.
He didn't want to talk to her.
"I just came to show you the new bait..." Qingnu felt utterly aggrieved.
"Useless." You Jia sighed from the corner, lamenting, "What a shame, it was almost headline news again."
***
Feng Qingxiu, for the first time in his life, felt the taste of dog food. Feeling emotionally bruised, he sought comfort from his master's paper figure, sticking it to his face and rubbing against it until he finally felt at peace.
Hmm, why does the master's paper figure seem a bit red?
Tracing the small face with his fingertips, Feng Qingxiu felt puzzled.
But his master had said that the div8ne consciousness inside would only awaken in the Yuntian Domain, and moving now would consume its energy.
Feng Qingxiu then used his sword energy to craft a luxurious white robe for the figure, replacing its black clothes.
How could his master have only one set of clothes!
Yet it seemed the paper figure turned a bit redder.
He had an urge to draw eyebrows and eyes for his master—on second thought, he decided against it, fearing he might not do it well and thus disrespect his master.
Feng Qingxiu added some fur edges to the robe before tucking the figure close to his chest.
Then he stepped out, as it was time for the flying peaks to depart.
Juedu Peak had no objections; after all, they had already taken the best items from the Ghost Ruins, which would need at least a hundred years to recover.
The next stop was the Qingqiu Fox Clan.
Beyond the desolate and eerie Ghost Ruins, heading north, lay the lush and verdant lands of Qingqiu.
This was the first real trading destination.
Unlike the continuous scavenging and expanding the horizons of disciples, the local spirit demons were the true dominant forces here.
Three years prior, Kun-Lai had sent notices to them, and the Qingqiu Fox Clan had responded promptly, preparing for their arrival.
In the past three years, they had gathered a large amount of items they didn't need (such as spiritual stones, refining minerals, herbs) to exchange for Kun-Lai's treasures (like pills and elixirs, spiritual artifacts, talismans, spiritual grains).
Kun-Lai had also prepared well, bringing nearly expired pills and elixirs, outdated spiritual artifacts, numerous talismans crafted by ordinary disciples, and the spirit demon-favored pastures (?) to trade for needed items.
The journey was quite far, taking them thirty days to finally arrive.
Spirit demons didn't have cities; they formed tribes and clans. However, after several transactions, they had established a regular trading post.
From a distance, it now even resembled a small city.
As the flying peaks descended, many white, yellow, black, and gray foxes in the surrounding forests watched with curious and admiring eyes as the massive peaks landed on the plains.
The scene was beyond grand.
"Mother, can I go up and take a look?" a little fox asked.
"Yes, you can trade on the flying peaks," the snow-white nine-tailed fox holding it gently replied. "Your father is back too. He has been trading in Kun-Lai for years and brought back enough Celestial Blue Rice to last you a hundred years."
"Can I go to Kun-Lai too?" the little fox asked curiously.
"When you grow up." The older fox carried it back into the forest. "Don't go now. There are many reckless spirit demons trying to sneak attack. They'll clear them out first. We'll go later."