Chapter 137
How could there be so many demonic cultivators?
If there really were that many, why hadn’t any of them made a name for themselves in recent years?
【Don’t believe it?】Chen Huai'an scoffed.
Su Qinian didn’t dare to say he didn’t believe it; he simply lowered his head in silence, waiting for the elder’s next words.
【Just right, your Sword Pavilion has a demonic cultivator right here on the Luoxia Peak. I’ll find him for you!】
Chen Huai'an paid no mind to Su Qinian’s shock.
He zoomed in on the map, stretching it out until every blade of grass and tree on Luoxia Peak was visible.
There, nestled halfway up the mountain, was a cave dwelling where a sword cultivator was sitting cross-legged in meditation.
However, aside from the sword energy surrounding him, there was a faint, elusive wave of demonic energy.
Usually, if this disciple concealed his demonic energy, it would indeed be hard to detect.
But now, in his own cave, how could he have anticipated that Chen Huai'an would pinpoint him with such precision?
Once the target was confirmed, Chen Huai'an transmitted a message to Su Qinian:
【At the cave halfway up Luoxia Peak, there’s a peach tree in front, and the wooden sign reads ‘157’. You go and capture this disciple. If he’s not a demonic cultivator, I dare say I’d like to ask the elder for a bit of opportunity for him.】
“Wooden sign 157, wooden sign 157…” Su Qinian pondered the elder’s words, envisioning a square-faced disciple with a kind demeanor, known for his honesty and integrity. This disciple was named Tu Xinghe, and he was from the Xuanwu Peak. Although his talent wasn’t the most outstanding, Su Qinian had personally vetted him when he joined the sect.
This disciple was usually polite to his peers, diligent in his cultivation, and completed sect tasks as required. He had a moderate presence, regarded as a good disciple by all the elders. How could such a person be a demonic cultivator?
Su Qinian was filled with a hundred thousand questions.
But since the elder had spoken, he could only grit his teeth and bow, saying, “Alright, I’ll bring that disciple here right away. If he’s not a demonic cultivator, I’d like to humbly request the elder to grant him a bit of opportunity.”
Su Qinian treated all the Sword Pavilion disciples equally.
He understood how much of a blow and humiliation it would be for an honest and upright righteous sword cultivator to be falsely accused of being a demonic cultivator.
He wouldn’t dare let the elder be mistaken, nor would he do so.
He just wanted to give that disciple a bit of compensation.
Other sect leaders would certainly not offend a powerful elder over a single disciple.
But Su Qinian dared to fight for a small right for his disciple.
He hoped that every Sword Pavilion disciple would leave the sect with their heads held high and return the same way.
In this Cangyun Realm, even ants struggle to survive.
He was just a slightly larger ant.
No different.
【Alright!】
Chen Huai'an didn’t take Su Qinian’s request seriously; instead, he regarded this sect leader with newfound respect and promised loudly:
【If that disciple is not a demonic cultivator, I will take him as my disciple! I will personally teach him!】
…
…
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Chapter 146: Your Investigation Doesn’t Count, Let Me Handle It!
After a while, the disciple from Xuanwu Peak was brought to the mountaintop by Su Qinian.
Chen Huai'an got a good look at the disciple’s appearance.
How to put it?
He gave off the impression of a taller version of Wu Dalang.
Even without knowing why he was brought up, he wore a silly, endearing expression on his face.
“Junior Sister, the view from this mountaintop is really nice.”
Tu Xinghe clasped his hands in greeting to Li Qingran, glancing around the mountaintop with a hint of envy in his eyes.
Though Li Qingran was the youngest junior sister in the Sword Pavilion, she was undoubtedly treated the best.
This was not only because of her outstanding talent but also because she had a formidable master.
Her master seemed to be one of their sect’s elders?
Truly enviable.
Chen Huai'an looked at Tu Xinghe and felt he didn’t resemble a demonic cultivator at all—he didn’t look like one, didn’t carry himself like one, and the demonic energy around him was completely repressed, so much so that even he couldn’t detect it. It was no wonder Su Qinian was fooled.
“Tu Xinghe, do you know why I brought you to the top of Luoxia Peak?”
“Reporting to the sect leader, the disciple does not know.”
Su Qinian turned around, fixing a piercing gaze on Tu Xinghe, and coldly asked, “Do you practice any demonic arts?”
Tu Xinghe shivered slightly, his face filled with confusion, and his complexion turned pale.
“Sect leader, I—I don’t understand what you mean… Since entering the Sword Pavilion, everything I’ve learned has been the orthodox teachings of our sect. I’ve never come into contact with any demonic arts!”
“Are you willing to let me investigate?”
“The disciple obeys.” Tu Xinghe extended his hand toward Su Qinian.
Su Qinian placed his fingers on Tu Xinghe’s wrist, channeling his spiritual energy and consciousness into it. After a thorough examination, he found nothing.
“Elder.” He turned to the void above Li Qingran’s head, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect, the meaning clear.
【Hmph! Your investigation doesn’t count; let me handle it!】
A cold snort echoed from the void.
Both Su Qinian and Tu Xinghe felt a sudden tightening in their hearts.
One was frightened, the other equally so.
But after that, there was no further response, and the void fell silent.
Li Qingran looked up in confusion, wondering if her master had gotten busy again or perhaps had fallen asleep?
Little did she know, Chen Huai'an was staring blankly at his phone screen.
【Recharge 6 yuan to obtain a mirror that reveals Tu Xinghe’s demonic identity.】
【Recharge 66 yuan to obtain a righteous aura talisman that exposes Tu Xinghe’s identity.】
【Recharge 666 yuan to instantly refine the demonic energy within Tu Xinghe and reveal his identity.】
Three options in total.
He couldn’t even choose the cheapest one.
He had no money.
In fact, he owed 680,000.
This game was ultimately revealing its naked malice.
He couldn’t play at all.
But now, several people were waiting on Luoxia Peak; he couldn’t just do nothing. He had already boasted, and if he didn’t handle this well, his identity as the Sword Pavilion’s elder would take a serious hit!
What kind of look would Qingran give him then?
A nobody?!
Facing the imminent danger of becoming a nobody, Chen Huai'an’s mind raced, and the mechanism of the Thunderfire Talisman flashed in his mind.
The Thunderfire Talisman sealed the thunderfire condensed from the righteous aura of heaven and earth.
While it wasn’t as powerful as the Zixiao Divine Thunder, it was still of the same origin.
Moreover, the higher the grade, the denser the righteous aura within it. Any evil presence that came into contact with the talisman would trigger the righteous aura and cause the thunderfire to explode. Demonic energy certainly belonged to the category of evil presence; otherwise, how had that man-faced spider been blown to bits?
With this thought, Chen Huai'an felt reassured.
He pressed the communication talisman and said to Li Qingran:
【Qingran, take out the top-grade Thunderfire Talisman I made for you and place it on the table!】
Li Qingran complied.
Su Qinian looked at the Thunderfire Talisman on the table, still puzzled.
Tu Xinghe had no idea what was about to happen, but he felt an uneasy premonition in his heart.
【The Thunderfire Talisman I crafted is designed for Qingran’s convenience; it can be triggered even without spiritual energy. It can automatically identify demonic energy, evil energy, murderous intent, and so on… You just need to touch this talisman, and if you have no demonic energy within you, it won’t activate the righteous aura.】
Ah, so that’s why Master crafted such a talisman for her convenience?
Li Qingran’s ears perked up, her heart warming, and a gentle smile graced her lips.
Her master was truly so considerate.
She decided that since her master liked it, she would use that kind of fabric to make tea bags for him in the future!
Su Qinian reached out to touch the talisman.
Hmm, it didn’t explode; it was very safe.
Of course, the elder could also intentionally trigger it when Tu Xinghe touched it.
However, as the elder of the Sword Pavilion, there was no need to do such a thing.
Su Qinian had complete trust in the elder, so he said to Tu Xinghe, “Go ahead and touch that Thunderfire Talisman. Today’s event is just a random check; every disciple of the Sword Pavilion will go through this process, and it’s not targeted at you… If you’re not a demonic cultivator, the elder will grant you an opportunity.”
Tu Xinghe’s face grew paler as he stared at the talisman.
Didn’t he know whether he practiced demonic arts himself?
Just looking at that talisman made him feel the righteous thunder energy locking onto him.
He steeled himself and took two steps forward, just reaching out his hand.
He hadn’t even touched the Thunderfire Talisman yet.
But arcs of electricity were already flickering on the talisman.
If he truly touched it, the next second he would be engulfed by the thunderfire!
Thud.
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