Chapter 4: Bride Snatching

He Zhi felt this was quite a coincidence.

Earlier, when he punched and shattered a boulder, the people of Qingxuan Sect mistook it for an enemy attack and nervously activated the Sect-Guarding Grand Array.

As it turned out, by sheer luck, an actual enemy had arrived, and the Mountain-Guarding Grand Array kept them outside.

"Why are these people attacking? These dozen or so people can all fly—they look incredibly strong.

But their magical artifacts look bloody and sinister, not like proper cultivators at all."

He Zhi looked outside again in confusion, wondering why so many powerful enemies had suddenly appeared.

From He Zhi's observations, in this world, only those who reached the Foundation Establishment Stage could fly without relying on magical artifacts.

And all dozen or so people outside could fly, meaning they were all Foundation Establishment experts.

As for Qingxuan Sect, there seemed to be only five or six Foundation Establishment experts including the Sect Master. The gap was quite significant.

If not for the misunderstanding He Zhi had caused earlier, which led Qingxuan Sect to activate the array in advance, the sect might have already been destroyed by now.

In this way, the misunderstanding had actually helped Qingxuan Sect.

"Everyone, why are you suddenly attacking our Qingxuan Sect? Our sect has always focused on secluded cultivation and has never offended fellow cultivators. Is there some misunderstanding?!"

At this moment, the Sect Master shouted loudly.

It turned out he didn't know who these fierce people were either.

These people had arrived and attacked without a word.

There had been no communication at all. He'd asked several times before, but received no response.

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, the Foundation Establishment cultivators outside attacking the array slightly raised their eyelids and finally spoke lazily.

"We heard your Qingxuan Sect has a young female disciple with an Earth-Grade Spirit Root named Jiang Rong, who is beautiful and naturally gifted. It just so happens that our Blood Yin Sect's Core Formation Elder Zhao Wuxue is about to celebrate his two-hundredth birthday and is in need of a concubine.

Today, we've come to propose marriage!

Everyone from Qingxuan Sect, we are honored guests who have traveled far, yet why have you activated the array and refuse to let us enter? Is this how Qingxuan Sect treats its guests?"

These people spoke frivolously, viewing the Qingxuan Sect members inside the barrier as fish in a barrel.

Their gazes were mainly focused on a young girl—the same one He Zhi had seen earlier.

So her name was Jiang Rong, and she had an Earth-Grade Spirit Root. These people from Blood Yin Sect had set their sights on her, wanting to snatch her away to be an elder's concubine.

"So it's the cultivation world version of bride snatching? Is this world really this chaotic?"

Outside the screen, He Zhi understood what was happening and became secretly vigilant.

It seemed this cultivation world was quite chaotic indeed.

"What?"

Hearing the words of the Blood Yin Sect members, everyone from Qingxuan Sect's expressions changed.

"So it's those people from Blood Yin Sect who have set their sights on our Qingxuan Sect—they're demonic cultivators!"

"First, a Core Formation cultivator made a show of force, and now over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators are attacking!"

"They actually want Junior Sister Jiang Rong to become a concubine for their elder—this is too much!"

"Junior Sister Jiang Rong has Earth-Grade Spirit Root aptitude. She can cultivate smoothly all the way to Core Formation, and even has hope of reaching Nascent Soul. She's the hope for our Qingxuan Sect's revival—how can we let these demonic people take her!"

The disciples all discussed among themselves, filled with indignation.

The girl called Jiang Rong had a pale face, full of fear.

Qingxuan Sect Master stood at the front of the crowd, circulating his magic power to maintain the array formation, his face also dark.

They had misunderstood, thinking the commotion He Zhi caused earlier was this Blood Yin Sect's Core Formation cultivator making a show of force.

Thinking about how a Core Formation expert had brought over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators to attack, everyone in Qingxuan Sect felt a chill run through their bodies.

"Don't worry, even if I have to risk my life, I will protect Rong'er and won't let you fall into a demonic den.

That Core Formation Elder from Blood Yin Sect, Zhao Wuxue, is a demon with cruel methods who loves to harvest yin to supplement yang and extend his lifespan. Young female cultivators who fall into his hands have no way out."

Though the Sect Master was alarmed, he remained calm. Seeing Jiang Rong's fear, he comforted her.

Jiang Rong was the Sect Master's favorite disciple, like a daughter to him. There was no way he would hand her over.

"Master! Sect Master! I... I'm not... not afraid..."

Hearing how cruel Zhao Wuxue was, Jiang Rong became even more frightened and hugged her master tightly, though she tried to act brave.

"Everyone! If you bully us like this, aren't you afraid our Qingxuan Sect's Core Formation Grand Elder will emerge from seclusion and destroy you all?!"

At this moment, the Sect Master shouted loudly at the people outside, using the Core Formation Grand Elder to threaten them.

He didn't know the Core Formation Elder was already dead and still held onto hope.

"Haha! Core Formation Grand Elder?

Your Grand Elder, eighteen years ago, explored a secret realm together with our Blood Yin Sect's Grand Elder Zhao Wuxue and obtained a mysterious cultivation method. This method could use pill fire to dissolve the physical body and achieve a false Nascent Soul body, thereby extending one's lifespan.

Your Grand Elder's lifespan was already running out at the time, so he immediately treated it as a treasure. After returning to the sect, he went into seclusion to cultivate it. Unfortunately, that cultivation method was fake!

By now, your Qingxuan Sect's Core Formation Grand Elder has probably cultivated himself to death and turned to ash.

Hehe, to fabricate this fake cultivation method, our Elder Zhao put in quite a bit of effort. He's already tricked several sects' elders to death. Elder Zhao is truly a genius!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivators from Blood Yin Sect outside weren't afraid at all. Instead, they revealed this shocking secret.

"What?"

Everyone from Qingxuan Sect was immediately shocked and couldn't believe it.

Their own Core Formation Grand Elder was dead? Tricked to death by a fake cultivation method?

"So that's why... No wonder when we requested guidance from the Grand Elder several times in recent years, there was no response..."

The Sect Master's expression also turned miserable.

He had long suspected the Grand Elder's fate but didn't dare believe it.

Now he had no choice but to believe.

After all, with such a huge commotion now, if the Grand Elder still didn't appear, he was probably truly dead.

"So that Core Formation Elder was set up by these people and tricked to death with a fake cultivation method."

Hearing this, He Zhi also suddenly understood.

"Qingxuan Sect Master, your Sect-Guarding Grand Array lacks spiritual energy. It seems you don't have enough spirit stones and can't hold us off. You'd better open it quickly and hand over that little girl Jiang Rong. That way, you can still preserve your sect and your lives.

Hehe, but if you wait until we break through the array, that's a different story. This Qingxuan Mountain has abundant spiritual energy. If our Blood Yin Sect occupies this place, we'll have gained another cultivation ground."

At this moment, the Foundation Establishment cultivators outside spoke again, threatening them.

Immediately, everyone from Qingxuan Sect's expressions changed again, and many disciples turned deathly pale.

They had heard of Blood Yin Sect's cruelty. Once the array was broken, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Silence! Our Qingxuan Sect is an orthodox Daoist sect. Though we have declined, we could never hand over a disciple to survive by compromise!

Today, we can only fight to the death!"

But the Sect Master's face was full of determination, without any hint of compromise.

"Fight to the death!"

Hearing this, the other disciples were also inspired and roared.

But Jiang Rong herself turned pale and said in a low voice: "Sect Master, Master, fellow disciples.

Just let me go.

We can't let Qingxuan Sect be destroyed because of me."

Tears welled up in Jiang Rong's eyes as she actually offered to sacrifice herself.

She knew the Core Formation Elder was dead and there was no more hope.

"Rong'er, what nonsense are you talking about? How could these vicious people keep their word? Even if you go out voluntarily, they won't spare us."

The Sect Master and others immediately scolded her, thinking Jiang Rong was talking foolishly.

However, their hearts warmed. They hadn't expected that Jiang Rong, who had always been quite timid, would actively make such a decision to sacrifice herself for them. The sect's cultivation and care for Jiang Rong hadn't been in vain.

"Haha! Little girl Jiang Rong, now you're being sensible! Don't worry, our Blood Yin Sect never lies. As long as you're willing to come out, we'll definitely spare your fellow disciples."

Outside, those Foundation Establishment cultivators laughed wildly, feeling triumphant.

Hearing this, Jiang Rong shook her head repeatedly, not daring to believe them.

The other members of Qingxuan Sect now gripped their magical artifacts tightly, preparing to fight to the death once the array broke.

***

"Forget it, no need to keep watching.

This Qingxuan Sect values loyalty and righteousness. They deserve my help."

Outside the screen, He Zhi shook his head lightly. He couldn't watch anymore.

Qingxuan Sect would rather die than abandon their sect members.

And this girl Jiang Rong looked about the same age as He Zhi's younger sister.

How could He Zhi bear to watch such a young girl voluntarily enter a demonic den for the sake of her fellow disciples?

He had to act!

"Let me see just what power this so-called Core Formation strength possesses!"

He Zhi said softly, moving his viewpoint to the front of the barrier, facing those Blood Yin Sect cultivators.

Then, he thrust his upper body into the screen.

Gathering power in one hand, he fiercely punched forward.

BOOM!

Incomparably violent power erupted instantly!

* * *

Proofreader & Editor: Fat Goose 🪶