Chapter 414: Spirit Tomb Sect
Shi Xuan fell silent. He naturally knew the rules of the Inquiry Academy. Moreover, as merely a True Life Realm cultivator, how could he qualify to take disciples?
Seeing this, Chu Feng smiled and said: "As long as you're willing, leave the rest to your master."
"Thank you, Master."
Having received Chu Feng's approval, Shi Xuan said to Liang Yi: "Since we are both fellow wanderers, I shall accept you as my disciple."
"Disciple Liang Yi pays respects to Master."
As Liang Yi spoke, he immediately bowed to Shi Xuan.
Shi Xuan slowly helped Liang Yi up and said: "My name is Shi Xuan. This is your grandmaster, the Qiankun Great Sage."
Hearing this, Liang Yi froze completely. He never imagined that the two he happened to encounter in Frostwind Valley were actually the two most renowned powerhouses of recent times.
He knelt again and said: "Grand-disciple Liang Yi pays respects to Grandmaster."
Chu Feng casually raised a hand, lifting Liang Yi from afar. He then took a sword from his storage ring and tossed it over.
"No need for such formalities. This is This Seat's gift to you."
"Thank you, Grandmaster."
Liang Yi accepted the treasured sword respectfully.
Chu Feng said: "Enough. The formal apprenticeship ceremony will wait until we return to the Inquiry Academy. Hereafter, you shall cultivate in the outer court of the Miscellaneous Dao Academy. For any daily questions, seek guidance from Xiao Xuan."
"As you command."
Both answered respectfully.
The trio continued onward. By evening, they arrived before the mountain gates of the Spirit Tomb Sect.
The sun was setting in the west, its lingering rays still casting a trace of warmth upon them.
All major and minor forces of the Boundary Establishment Mountains had already gathered here.
The Spirit Tomb Sect was now deathly silent.
It was a silence like that of the grave, where even the slightest rustle of wind or movement of grass could be heard with absolute clarity.
Because of this silence, no cultivator from any faction dared to enter rashly, fearing treachery.
After all, the Spirit Tomb Sect was a top-tier power within the Boundary Establishment Mountains.
For such a sect, regardless of its circumstances, it would never remain this quiet when faced with the arrival of numerous forces—not even sending out a single person.
Clip-clop-clip-clop...
The sound of hoofbeats shattered the atmosphere outside the Spirit Tomb Sect.
All cultivators present turned their gaze toward the direction of the sound.
Many sharp-eyed cultivators in the crowd instantly recognized the trio.
"Look! It's those two fiends who slew the Myriad Laws Sect Elder. Can't believe they actually dared to come up the mountain."
"Correction: it was one. The other's existence remains unknown."
"..."
Every word of the crowd's discussion reached Chu Feng's trio and the Myriad Laws Sect members without omission.
The Myriad Laws Sect cultivators unsheathed their weapons. If those two made another provocative remark, they wouldn't mind slaying them to make an example.
Chu Feng naturally sensed those hostile gazes, but paid them no mind.
Seeing everyone gathered outside the Spirit Tomb Sect, Shi Xuan turned to Liang Yi beside him: "Xiao Yi, didn't you say everyone came to the Spirit Tomb Sect for a share of the spoils? Now that they're all here, why does no one dare enter?"
Had Liang Yi heard this days ago, he would have told his master to be silent. But now, knowing his master's identity, he acted with newfound confidence.
"Master, not everyone can go wherever they please in this world like you and Grandmaster."
The moment their conversation ended, everyone's gaze turned toward the Complete Truth Sword Sect.
Sure enough, all the high-ranking members of the Complete Truth Sword Sect had ashen faces.
Although Liang Yi had lost to Liang Wuxin before, the sect hadn't intended to abandon him.
But now, Liang Yi had betrayed his sect first, bringing disgrace upon them.
Within the Complete Truth Sword Sect, a young man dressed as a true disciple saw the elders' dark expressions and spoke up: "Brother Yi, it's only been a few days. Why have you committed such an act of betrayal?"
"If Father knew his carefully nurtured son had become like this, he would be heartbroken."
Hearing this, Liang Yi's mouth curved slightly: "So it's Junior Brother Wuxin. My affairs need not concern you. If Father knew my choice, he would be overjoyed."
???
Liang Wuxin never expected Liang Yi to say such a thing. His intention had been to force Liang Yi to admit his betrayal before all sects in the Boundary Establishment Mountains.
At that moment, Liang Yi would lose his standing in the Boundary Establishment Mountains, allowing Liang Wuxin to become the future leader of the Complete Truth Sword Sect and prove himself to his mother.
Of course, he also planned to kill Liang Yi's birth mother to avenge years of humiliation.
But now Liang Yi not only admitted it openly but also acted as if perfectly justified, leaving Liang Wuxin bewildered.
"Xiao Yi, you've gone too far."
An elder from the Complete Truth Sword Sect glared at Liang Yi with eyes full of anger at his failure to meet expectations.
"Ancestor, this matter is difficult to explain briefly with so many eyes and ears present. I shall clarify it to you another day."
As Liang Yi spoke, he bowed respectfully to the elder.
"You!!!"
The elder from the Complete Truth Sword Sect violently flicked his sleeve before ignoring Liang Yi.
Under normal circumstances, he would have seized Liang Yi and taken him back to the sect for severe punishment under clan law. But the current situation was delicate—acting rashly might provoke chaos.
"Thank you for your understanding, Ancestor."
After speaking, Liang Yi turned and asked: "Master, shall we proceed?"
Shi Xuan smiled: "Having come this far, how could we not enter? Besides, I wish to see what surprise my senior brother left for me in the Spirit Tomb Sect. I hope he doesn't disappoint me."
Though his words were casual, no one present was foolish—they instantly grasped the implication: treasures existed within the Spirit Tomb Sect, and they were connected to this young man.
However, the leaders of the major forces were all prudent veterans who wouldn't act impulsively now.
The first to charge forward would gain no treasures and instead become a target for all.
"Your senior brother?"
Puzzlement appeared on Liang Yi's face.
"That's all in the past. When we return, I shall explain it to you in detail."
As Shi Xuan spoke, he flicked his whip.
But the Wind-Chasing Steed beneath him took only one step up the stairs before halting.
Shi Xuan smiled and stroked the horse's head: "So you sensed danger. Very well, you may leave now."
With those words, Shi Xuan dismounted first. Chu Feng followed suit, releasing his steed. Liang Yi stored his Green Lion in his spirit beast bag.
The trio leisurely ascended the stone steps toward the Spirit Tomb Sect.
Unlike other sects, the Spirit Tomb Sect's exterior resembled the entrance to a tomb.
After a few steps, Chu Feng sensed death energy coiling through the mountains—as if a fierce battle had occurred here, yet no traces of fighting remained. This puzzled him greatly.
The stationary forces behind them watched in disbelief as the three walked safely into the Spirit Tomb Sect. Unable to restrain themselves any longer, they flew toward the sect.
Smaller forces followed, unwilling to be left behind.
Chu Feng's trio paid no attention to the factions behind them.
Seeing the mountain gate tightly shut, Shi Xuan gave it a casual push, swinging it open.
The three were immediately assaulted by corpse qi and a foul stench.
Fortunately, cultivators had spiritual energy shielding them, completely blocking out these corpse qi and odors.
The forces trailing behind froze at the sight of corpses strewn haphazardly beyond the gate.
Many cultivators in the crowd began murmuring.
"What happened to the Spirit Tomb Sect? Why are all their disciples dead?"
"Not necessarily all dead. These are just outer disciples. Let's go inside and see."
"..."
Amid the discussions, Chu Feng's trio entered first. Shi Xuan began examining the corpses.
Moments later, he frowned deeply: "Master, something is wrong here. These fellows show no injuries at all, yet their pupils are dilated with expressions of terror and despair—as if they witnessed something horrifying before death."
"To make these cultivators feel such terror and despair would require at least a Marquis-level entity."
At these words, the cultivators behind them instantly stopped, straining their ears to hear the response.
Chu Feng smiled: "Whatever caused this, we're only here to find something. Even if that old ghost in Zhao Wuji revives, what can he do to me?"
"Master speaks truly."
Shi Xuan said no more, casting another glance at the corpses before continuing forward. This left the crowd of cultivators utterly bewildered—it seemed the two had said something, yet perhaps nothing at all...
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