Chapter 136
First, one must forge oneself before forging iron; enhancing Li Qingran's strength is undoubtedly the most important task. Next, he needs to give Su Qinian a heads-up.
At present, he still doesn't know who the enemy is or where they will come from, but he can have Su Qinian notify the other sects to prepare in advance.
Though this might stir the grass and alert the snake, it’s still better than letting demonic cultivators and beast cultivators infiltrate without any warning.
Besides this, he can also use the Heavenly Mechanism to deduce the future. If the Heavenly Mechanism can reveal anything, it might help nip some dangers in the bud.
With that thought, he pressed the communication talisman and called out to Li Qingran, who was focused on making pillowcases at the table, “Qingran, go summon Sect Master Su. I have important matters to discuss with him!”
…
A moment later.
By the pool at the peak of Luoxia Peak, Su Qinian and Li Qingran sat facing each other.
However, Li Qingran was merely eavesdropping with perked ears.
Su Qinian, on the other hand, bowed to the air above Li Qingran’s head, “Old Ancestor, did you summon me for something?”
【Last night, I observed the celestial phenomena and calculated the Heavenly Mechanism. I discovered that a great calamity is approaching the Central Continent's secret realm!】
Su Qinian's lips twitched.
Great, so you’re into deductions too?
Could it be that the recent surge of powerful cultivators in the Cangyun Realm is actually you?
That thought flickered and vanished.
He believed the Old Ancestor had the ability to deduce the Heavenly Mechanism, but if the Old Ancestor could deduce the Heavenly Mechanism of the Cangyun Realm from a distant subspace and even cause disturbances in the heavens and earth, that would be a bit far-fetched.
However, Chen Huai'an's next words made him tense up.
【This calamity may result in the loss of nine out of ten disciples from my Sword Sect!】
“What?!” Su Qinian sprang to his feet, his eyes igniting with a fierce sword intent as he growled, “Which sect dares to kill my Sword Sect disciples in the Central Continent's secret realm?”
Fights in the Central Continent's secret realm were not uncommon, but overall, the atmosphere among the sects was relatively harmonious.
It’s not that there were no grudges or vendettas, but the kind of behavior that would lead to the complete extermination of a sect’s disciples was almost unheard of.
【It’s not a righteous sect, but a demonic sect!】
Upon hearing this, Su Qinian's first reaction was disbelief.
The demonic sects had nearly been wiped out in the Cangyun Realm.
Once a demonic cultivator appeared, they would surely be eradicated by the disciples and elders of the major sects within three days. How could a group of demonic cultivators suddenly emerge to threaten the Central Continent's secret realm?
“Old Ancestor, do you have any concrete information? It’s not that I don’t believe you, but there’s really no lead.” Su Qinian looked troubled.
Just knowing there are demonic cultivators isn’t helpful.
If only he knew the exact identities and locations, he could charge in with his sword and settle everything swiftly.
【Alright, let me calculate!】
Chen Huai'an directly opened the Heavenly Mechanism for deduction.
With no money, he could only make one free calculation a day.
He was also uncertain whether he could pinpoint the locations of the demonic cultivators.
However, previous deductions had always yielded good results, which gave him some confidence.
Whatever, if he couldn’t figure it out, he’d just make something up.
As long as the Sword Sect remained vigilant, that was enough.
As for the other sects, their fates were none of his concern.
“Help me deduce the locations of all demonic cultivators! Hmm… display them directly on the map!” Chen Huai'an typed in.
The Heavenly Mechanism deduction system displayed a loading circle, which spun for quite a while before popping up a bright red warning box.
【Are you sure you want to deduce the locations of all demonic cultivators and display them on the map? Note that the causal connections involved will result in a significant loss of your fortune!】
Loss is loss.
Chen Huai'an snorted coldly.
He spent every day in the Zero Containment Area; could it really explode?
“Confirm, deduce for me!”
【Heavenly Mechanism deduction in progress…】
Boom——!
The Cangyun Realm underwent a dramatic change.
Dark clouds gathered over Luoxia Peak, with thunder and lightning flashing.
A terrifying pressure descended from the heavens, and within the dark clouds, a massive golden vertical pupil opened.
In an instant, as the light from that eye swept over him, Su Qinian felt as if his very essence was stripped bare.
He stared dumbfounded at the ominous sky, his throat constricted as if a stone lodged within, only able to emit a hoarse gasp.
Infinite Heavenly Venerable!
The one who had been deducing the Heavenly Mechanism every day…
Was actually their Sword Sect's Old Ancestor!
…
…
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Chapter 145: Demonic Cultivators Everywhere! (Gang Li Feng +1)
Chen Huai'an noticed a debuff labeled 【Fortune Loss (Severe)】 appear on his character panel, but he had no time to care, as the progress bar of the Heavenly Mechanism deduction advanced, revealing more and more red dots on the map, densely packed.
Is this what they call nearly exterminated demonic cultivators?
They’re practically a common sight in the wild!
At a glance, aside from the sacred grounds and the Guixu that concealed the Heavenly Mechanism, almost every righteous sect's territory had more or less red dots.
And that wasn’t even the worst part.
The most alarming thing was that the Sword Sect had one red dot.
And it was right on Luoxia Peak!
The progress bar continued to advance, and the red dots kept refreshing on the map.
Chen Huai'an's expression darkened as he glanced at Su Qinian, who was grinning foolishly at the sky, seemingly lost in thought. Anger bubbled within him.
Damn it, he thought the Sword Sect was pure and clean.
Little did he know the enemy had already infiltrated, and Sect Master Su was completely oblivious.
After a while, the Heavenly Mechanism deduction was complete.
Chen Huai'an stared silently at the densely packed red dots on the map, gasping in disbelief.
And they thought the righteous cultivators were united like an iron wall?
Forget it! The Cangyun Realm was practically a hornet's nest!
How could they possibly eliminate so many demonic cultivators?
Moreover, once they attacked one stronghold, the other demonic cultivators would surely relocate.
He couldn’t possibly spend every day using the Heavenly Mechanism to find the locations of these demonic cultivators, could he?
The strange phenomena over Luoxia Peak dissipated.
After a moment of shock, Su Qinian had already mentally composed a grandiose compliment.
He took a deep breath and bowed to the void above Li Qingran’s head, flattering, “Infinite Heavenly Venerable, Old Ancestor, you truly are a sword master! So sword-like!”
In the Sword Sect, to describe a sword cultivator as strong, one must praise their sword.
For example, “Wow! You truly are one with the sword!” or “How splendid! You have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship!”
Or, “Your sword is truly beyond compare!” or “Alas! I am no match for your sword!”
For a powerful Old Ancestor, Su Qinian felt that too many words were unnecessary.
Simply calling him a “sword master” encompassed everything.
It was the highest praise a sword cultivator could give to another sword practitioner.
Chen Huai'an narrowed his eyes and transmitted, 【I’m helping you deduce the Heavenly Mechanism, and you don’t even express gratitude, yet you dare to insult me?】
“Old Ancestor, I didn’t!” Su Qinian’s face was a picture of innocence and grievance. He took a step back and bowed deeply, sincerely saying, “I was just praising your sword! You truly are a sword, with no other intentions.”
Chen Huai'an: “???”
Li Qingran: “…”
“Sect Master Su, maybe you should say a little less.” Li Qingran, who spent every day in the Sword Sect, naturally understood that there were some unique forms of expression within the sect. However, since her master hadn’t been around for a long time, it was understandable that he was unaware.
If Su Qinian kept talking, she genuinely feared her master would slice Luoxia Peak into Luoxia Valley with a single sword strike.
“Qingran, how can I say less? The Old Ancestor’s powers are unparalleled; this is a sign that he’s not satisfied with what I said!” Su Qinian stroked his beard and shook his head, “Today, I must properly praise you, great sword master!”
【Enough, shut up!】
Chen Huai'an had a rough idea that Su Qinian didn’t mean it that way.
But saying it like that could easily lead to misunderstandings.
Su Qinian dared not speak further, looking pitifully at the void above Li Qingran’s head, unsure why this mysterious Old Ancestor was angry.
Chen Huai'an took a breath and said:
【I have already deduced the locations of most demonic cultivators. It’s laughable that you still think they have been exterminated. Little do you know, the Cangyun Realm is teeming with demonic cultivators, some gathered together, others scattered like stars, and even within the righteous sects, they are everywhere!】
“Old Ancestor, please don’t joke with me.” Su Qinian was even less convinced.
He suspected that the Old Ancestor had made a mistake.
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