Among the Golden Core Elders, two familiar faces caught Lucian’s eye.
They were the former Core Disciples who had entered the Secret Realm with him – Zhao Xuandu and Gu Mei. Now promoted to Elders, they sat quietly observing the chaos.
Seeing Lucian, Zhao Feng and Li Mei’s expressions changed dramatically. Their faces paled and bodies trembled slightly as memories of the Secret Realm flooded back. They had personally witnessed Lucian’s terrifying power and ruthlessness.
Unconsciously, they averted their eyes from him as he looked around at all the Elders.
The Elders were visibly moved as they sensed Lucian’s Golden Core Aura. But most had confused expressions, as they didn’t recognize Lucian. And that was to be expected.
While Zhao Xuandu and Gu Mei were familiar faces, except for Elder Feng and Alisa, the others hadn’t seen Lucian before. They only knew there was another disciple from the younger generation who had achieved a breakthrough this time, but most hadn’t met him in person as the details were kept secret by Alisa.
Although Elder Gu felt Lucian’s oppressive pressure, he forced himself to calm down.
After all, this young man just had a breakthrough.
How much stronger could he be compared to him, who had been at the peak stage of Golden Core Realm for decades?
Moreover, this was the perfect opportunity – if he didn’t grab it now, he might never get another chance at becoming Sect Leader.
There were also other Golden Core elders, who supported him, were present. Surely they could subdue this arrogant junior together if needed.
Elder Gu’s face twisted in anger as he pointed at Lucian and spoke in a cold voice, “You! How dare you interrupt?! This is an important meeting for Sect Elders only. Leave now, or face punishment for your insolence!”
Several other elders nodded in agreement, their faces stern as they glared at Lucian.
Lucian’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
He silently moved to stand behind Alisa, who wanted to stand and give him her Sect Leader’s chair, but he placed a hand on her shoulder, gently keeping her seated. His fingers secretly caressed her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.
Then he calmly said, “It was me who killed the Sect Leader yesterday.”
Instantly there was an uproar. The grand hall erupted into chaos as elders shouted and jumped to their feet!
Some drew weapons, others backed away in fear. Even Elder Gu was terribly shaken!
“Impossible!”
“You dare?!”
“Traitor!”
Voices overlapped. The air crackled with Spiritual Energy as several Elders silently prepared their attack.
Lucian didn’t attack as killing them would be meaningless.
Because when he left in the future, the Azure Sword Sect would surely be targeted if there were not enough powerful Cultivators to protect it. But that didn’t mean he would do nothing now.
Noticing Lucian had more to say, the Elders looked at each other uneasily. They held back their attacks for now, waiting.
Lucian then waved his hand. Suddenly, a dark jade slip appeared. It was the demonic technique Fang Yi wanted to use on Alisa!
“This is why I killed Fang Yi,” Lucian said coldly, “Your great Sect Leader was actually a traitor working with demon cultivators.”
The Elders quickly scanned the technique inside and immediately frowned as they realized the demonic nature of the technique.
An old man with a white goatee snickered, “If you present something related to the Demon path and said the Sect Leader was a Demonic Cultivator, who would believe you? This could easily be a forgery!”
Lucian sighed, “I’ve wanted to give you guys a proper excuse to save face. But it seems some of you are too stubborn.”
He suddenly moved and appeared behind the goatee elder!
Before the old man could react, Lucian’s hand shot out like lightning, grabbing the back of the goatee elder’s neck!
His fingers dug into the skin as he injected his Spiritual Energy directly into the elder’s body, sealing his Cultivation.
The old man’s eyes widened in shock and pain. He tried to resist, but found his cultivation completely suppressed!
Lucian smirked slightly, looking at the startled faces of the other elders.
“What are you doing?!” several shouted in alarm.
“Elders, have you ever heard about the Soul-suppressing Technique?” Lucian asked calmly.
“Junior, you dare!?”
“Shit! If he dies, who will repay my Spirit Stones?”
“You’re courting death!”
Lucian ignored their shouts. His hand glowed with Spiritual Energy as he pressed it against Elder Zhao’s back.
Under the horrified gaze of the old man, a black mark slowly carved itself into the surface of his back.
Even though Lucian couldn’t directly mark his Golden Core because only a Nascent Soul Cultivator had that ability, this technique that he found from the Demon Path cultivators, could achieve the similar effect as long as the old man’s Qi Sense did not surpass Lucian’s.
Within moments, Elder Zhao’s face twisted in agony. His body trembled violently as the demonic technique forcefully suppressed his Essence Blood!
At this instant, Elder Gu’s eyes flashed with killing intent.
Thinking Lucian might be distracted, he seized the opportunity to strike. The spear on his back flew into his hand, glowing with sharp Spear Qi as its blade gleamed menacingly.
“Die, traitor!” Elder Gu roared as he thrust his spear towards Lucian’s back!
Seeing their leader make his move, the few elders who supported Gu Xian also sprang into action!
One wielded many poisonous daggers, another summoned burning vines to entangle Lucian’s legs, and a third Elder unleashed bolts of golden lightning as he rushed forward.
Alisa immediately stood up, “Fuck! Stop them…”
Those who supported Alisa quickly moved to block the attacks.
Elder Lin also stepped forward to block one of the attacking elders, and her long sword moved to intercept the poisoned daggers.
Two other elders who supported Alisa moved to intercept the burning vines and lightning bolts.
Only Zhao Xuandu and Gu Mei remained seated as they watched the chaos unfold. The trembling old man who had used the talisman earlier shrunk back in his chair, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
CLANG! BOOM!
With a thunderous boom, the ceiling of the grand hall suddenly exploded outward!
Chunks of jade stone and spiritual wood rained down as Lucian’s figure shot upwards, the Azure Sword gleaming in his hand as he took a defensive stance.
Even though he was best at using a long weapon, this was the best Spiritual Weapon he could wield now, since his Halberd was completely destroyed.
Elder Gu’s murderous aura locked onto Lucian as he emerged through the hole in the ceiling.
The spear in his hand glowed with a fierce blue light!
“Haha, brat, I’ll teach you the difference between a true Golden Core master and a newly advanced junior!” he shouted, his voice filled with killing intent, “Just because you have the sect leader’s weapon, you think you can defeat me?”
Lucian raised his eyebrow. He had to admit this guy was indeed quite strong, but not enough to threaten him.
The fight here had already alerted the entire sect. Inner Disciples were gathering below, pointing and shouting as they saw two Golden Core masters facing off in midair.
Lucian channeled his Crimson Flame into the Azure Sword. The burning blade hummed and vibrated as he took an attacking stance, waiting for Elder Gu to make the first move.
“Demon-slaying Thunder Spear!!” With a roar, Elder Gu shot forward, his spear aimed at Lucian’s heart.
The spear’s tip glowed with intense blue light, crackling with thunder energy.
CLANG!
A deafening boom echoed across the sky as the sword and spear clashed, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
The two cultivators repeatedly struck each other, exchanging blows at lightning pace!
However as time passed, Elder Gu’s face twisted in fury and disbelief!
How could this junior match him so easily!? He unleashed his most powerful techniques, channeling decades of cultivation into each strike.
“Impossible!” he thought anxiously to himself.
Lucian smirked. With a burst of strength, he pushed forward.
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Elder Gu was sent flying backwards, tumbling through the air.
“Is this all you’ve got, old man?” Lucian taunted.
***
Meanwhile,
At Crimson Sky Sect’s Meeting Hall, the Elders were having a heated conversation.
A burly middle-aged man spoke, “The spy I’ve planted in Azure Sword Sect just sent me news that their Sect Leader seemed to have been assassinated!”
Excited murmurs broke out among the gathered Elders. This was unexpected but welcome news.
“This is the best opportunity we can hope for,” said Elder Ji, stroking his long beard, “With their leader dead, the Azure Sword Sect will be in chaos. We must strike now while they are weak!”
A scholarly man in flowing red robes raised his hand and spoke in a soft voice, “I agree with Elder Ji. However, we must proceed cautiously. The Azure Sword Sect still have their Mountain Protecting Array Formation.”
Sect Master stood up and began to walk towards exit, “I’ve always been waiting for such opportunity. So of course I’d a Formation Breaking Talisman prepared long ago.”
The other Elders stood up excitedly, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Sect Master is truly far-sighted!” Elder Ji exclaimed, clasping his hands respectfully.
“When do we strike?” asked the burly middle-aged man eagerly.
Sect Master’s lips curled into a cold smile, “Right now. Gather our elite disciples. We leave immediately.”
After an incense stick of time, a majestic flying ship emerged from the Crimson Sky Sect, speeding towards the Azure Sword Sect’s mountain.