The cheeky smile on the handsome face was the last memory of the Seventh elder. He was not dead, but he was forced into deep sleep. Shi Lang intended to bring this man back to the Teixian City and have the head hunter organization deal with him.
He was sure that this guy must be aware of the other colluders. The terran intended to squeeze this guy out. He held the old man’s collar and dragged him out of the lake. Xiao Ai and Young Master Min stood at the bank. Shi Lang smiled and said, “You can have the herb now.”
The two ghosts were shocked, and Shi Lang said, “What? Did you think I would not notice that this herb is special for you?”
The terran smiled and said, “I still have some business left to deal with in the sect, so you both can proceed. I will have Elder Li come back soon.”
He did not bother to wait and vanished from the place. This herb had no significance for him; since that was the case, he did not wish to covet it. The ghosts had given him enough help in this matter. Shi Lang was not ungrateful.
After leaving the valley, he quickly trekked the mountain and came to the sect gates. The gates of the sect were left unguarded, and Shi Lang waltzed in, holding the asleep elder in his hands. He came to a place where many disciples were gathered. He stood behind and asked a disciple, “Brother, can you tell me what is happening?”
The disciple was busy looking at the drama and did not notice that Shi Lang was an outsider. And said, “Someone erected a barrier with the entire security team inside, and now these people are fighting each other. We have no idea, but they do not seem to be the people we know. I mean, look at them. Why would they kill each other?”
Shi Lang replied, “They are trapped inside a demon-bane array. This barrier will invoke the truest of their nature and bring it out for the world to see.”
The disciple was shocked and turned to look at Shi Lang. He was scrutinizing the young man beside him. However, he did not see the tattoo of the swallow on his nape. The young disciple was shocked and exclaimed, “Who are you?!”
His loud voice gathered the attention of everyone in the surroundings. They all looked at Shi Lang, who smiled and said, “Now, you do not have to feel so alert. I am from a head-hunting organization. My name is Ace. I came here looking for a colluder who has been brainwashing the disciples from your sect and using them as his tool.”
The people could not believe him. After all, the seventh elder was a gentle soul in their hearts. Shi Lang could perceive their thoughts from their doubtful gazes and said, “Can any of you go and check where the rest of your elders are?”
The people were surprised, but the disciple closest to Shi Lang said, “The elders are all indulged in seclusion. They will only come out when they have reached the Immortal Emperor realm.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “If I tell you that all of them have already been killed, would you go and check their cave dwellings?”
BOOM!
These words were like a bomb exploding in the minds of everyone around. They did not expect Shi Lang to point out something like this. Shi Lang said, “I will not move even an inch from my spot, and you can verify my accusations. All the people inside the array belong to the security faction. Why are they only killing each other and not you guys?”
One of the disciples raised shouted, “What do you mean? Did you not say that this array targets their inner emotions? How can we believe you?”
Shi Lang smiled and replied, “Big Brother if you think I am so free as to trick you all, why don’t you step inside? Do not worry. As long as your heart is not demonic or you do not have any ill-will for anyone, you can walk out easily.”
The disciples did not trust him much, but one stepped up solemnly and said, “I will go in and test. If I fail to come out, you all kill him and hang his head outside.”
Shi Lang shrugged at the people and said, “If he goes inside and has a dark heart, he will not be able to come out, and I will not stand here for you to kill me. I will retaliate, and even if you are an immortal lord, you might fail to take me down.”
His words narrowed the people’s gazes, and Shi Lang looked at the volunteer disciple provokingly. The disciple frowned but did not hesitate and stepped inside the barrier. The people inside sensed his arrival and charged at him with bloodshot eyes and bare weapons.
The disciple was not a fool and could tell that these people had fallen victim to a demonic mindset, and they have given up on the compassion and humanity in their hearts. The disciple was quick to react and retreated. He instinctively tried to cross the barrier, and to everyone’s relief, he came out safe.
The people let out a sigh of relief. They turned to look at Shi Lang, who was still standing casually, and exchanged glances. The disciple who walked out of the array cupped his fist and said, “Fellow Daoist, I apologize on behalf of my brothers and sisters. Please forgive us.”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “You do not have to worry about it. We are all the same. I have suffered at the hands of the demonic cultivators, and you must have suffered somehow, too. We should help each other. Forgive me for being abrupt earlier.”
The disciple shook his head and said, “I am Yang Niao. Thank you for saving our sect.”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Brother Yang, if you do not mind, I want to address you like that. Can you please have the disciples check the cave abodes of the elders? If any of them is alive, there is hope to save them.”
Yang Niao nodded. Shi Lang had guessed correctly. This guy had a great say among the elders. The disciples followed Yang Niao’s instructions and checked the cave abodes of the elders. The things they discovered were not happy, and the sect was gloomy. Yang Niao had issued the initial instructions, and his popularity seemed to be the highest, so everyone subconsciously looked to him to lead them in this troubled situation.
Shi Lang said, “Brother Yang, everyone. If you all do not mind, may I advise you?”
Yang Niao looked at him and said, “Please, Brother Ace, tell us what we can do in this situation.”
Shi Lang said, “You should close down the sect and hold a funeral for the fallen. Stay indoors, reform the system, and learn more about the traitors. When you finish it, try all the methods to increase your strength. You can pass this tribulation only when you are strong and standing beside each other. None of you have a place to call home other than the sect. The people beside you at this moment are your family.”
After calming the turbulent emotions of the people, Shi Lang decided to stay in the sect for a few days and help them stabilize the situation. He was thorough in his investigation for the clues left by the demonic colluders.
During this time, he had crippled the Seventh Elder, and the old man was held captive in the sect, and a week had passed like this.
…𝗈𝓋𝑙xt.𝚌𝗈𝐌
In the War Maiden sect, a disciple walked up to the courtyard. This place was one of the most heavily guarded spots inside the sect. This was the house of the sect leader or the heiress of the legacy.
As soon as the disciple appeared, the guardian elders appeared from the side. They glared at the girl with an intimidating gaze. The disciple bowed her head and said, “There is a letter for the Sect Mistress.”
The old ladies frowned and were about to deny her entry when Ying Yu appeared before them. She said, “Elder, it is fine. I will handle this matter.”
The elders exchanged gazes and nodded. Ying Yu smiled and asked the disciple, “Junior sister, what is the matter?”
The disciple handed her the letter and said, “Senior Sister, this letter arrived in the morning, and the person said it was an urgent message for Amelia. I found that Senior sister Amelia resides here, so I only came to pass it to her.”
Ying Yu was surprised and asked, “They asked for her by name?”
The girl nodded and replied, “I was on guard duty when this came.”
Ying Yu accepted the letter and rushed inside the house. She came to the innermost room of the house and found Amelia sitting on the floor, meditating. She said, “Amelia, you have a letter, I guess you would know whom it is from.”