Chapter Seventy-Nine: A Single Stone Stirs a Thousand Waves

Within the Tianshan Sword Sect, a figure of divine majesty paced back and forth. “It seems the Demonic Sect is stirring, already seeking to establish their power by making an example of my Tianshan Sword Sect. Yet, who is this Li Ruohan, to have so single-handedly routed both Bai Shuanghe and Gao Yanzhong? Could he be the newly appointed Vajra-handed Ming King of the Demonic Sect? Otherwise, how could he possess such extraordinary skill?”

This godlike figure was Bai Moyan, the current Sect Master of the Tianshan Sword Sect. The sect viewed the matter of escorting the Deficiency Pill with utmost gravity, yet an unexpected mishap had occurred midway. This had left Bai Moyan seething with anger.

To ensure the flawless delivery of the Deficiency Pill—a rare, earth-grade elixir—to the Qingchi Sword Sect, Bai Moyan had specially dispatched Bai Shuanghe and Gao Yanzhong, two elders of the Dao Ruins stage, as escorts. In addition, ten top-tier transformation masters accompanied the mission, including the renowned Tianshan Twin Heroes, the Bai brothers. Yet despite such a formidable lineup, the mission had ended in utter failure.

Not only were the Tianshan Sword Sect’s experts driven into disarray by the forces under the Demonic Sect’s Vajra-handed Ming King, but the crucial Deficiency Pill was lost. Most galling of all, the pill was stolen away by a mere beggar boy at the Qi Refining stage, who managed to slip away even under the Twin Heroes’ pursuit, vanishing without a trace.

This forced Bai Moyan to severely reprimand Bai Hansong and Bai Xuesong. Had they lost track of formidable foes like Li Ruohan or Zhang Weida, he might have understood. But to lose a beggar boy akin to an ant at the Qi Refining stage? Such disgrace was intolerable—not only did it shame the two brothers, but it humiliated the entire Tianshan Sword Sect.

“Summon Elders Xie Changfeng and Lu Qian. Tell them I have urgent matters to discuss and invite them to Bai Mo Residence,” Bai Moyan commanded with authority after a moment’s thought in his study. This matter must be handled with utmost caution, or else the Tianshan Sword Sect would indeed be left in ignominy...

Not long after, two white-browed, white-bearded elders arrived outside Bai Mo Residence. Both radiated a healthy glow, their hair as white as snow yet their faces youthful—true images of enlightened immortals. Before they could even announce themselves, Bai Moyan welcomed them inside.

“Brothers, I have called you here today because I must ask you to undertake an urgent mission. I imagine you have already heard of the mishap with the Deficiency Pill. The arrogance of the Demonic Sect knows no bounds, daring to trample upon our sect’s honor. If we do not act now, will the world not believe that the Tianshan Sword Sect is without champions?” Bai Moyan’s gaze was grave as he addressed Xie Changfeng and Lu Qian.

“Whatever Sect Master wishes, we will obey,” the two replied quickly, seeing the rare severity in Bai Moyan’s expression.

“According to Hansong and Xuesong, the one leading the Demonic Sect this time is called Li Ruohan. He alone gravely injured both Yanzhong and Shuanghe—such cultivation is truly astonishing. I wish you two to go down the mountain at once and rendezvous with Yanzhong and Shuanghe. When the four of you unite, if possible, eliminate this demonic Li completely.” A cold gleam flashed in Bai Moyan’s eyes. “Such a deed would be a grand triumph in the crusade against evil.”

“Li Ruohan? I have never heard of this fiend—who is he, to be so formidable?” Xie Changfeng’s shock was evident. When had the Demonic Sect birthed such a force, capable of single-handedly defeating two of Tianshan’s greatest masters?

“If my suspicions are correct, Li Ruohan is the new Vajra-handed Ming King of the Demonic Sect. While I cannot be certain, it cannot be far from the truth. Those who attacked our people were all under the Ming King’s command. If Li Ruohan is not the mysterious Ming King himself, then I cannot imagine who else could wield such power.”

Bai Moyan spoke calmly. “If you two succeed, our Tianshan Sword Sect will once again shake the Southern Continent, and you will both earn rich rewards from the Alliance of Sacred Lands and Immortal Dao.”

“Very well. We will not fail the Sect Master’s trust—we shall capture this demonic Li and rid the world of his menace.” Xie Changfeng and Lu Qian’s eyes shone with anticipation. Should they defeat the Demonic Sect’s Ming King, they would not only restore the sect’s honor but become legendary heroes throughout the cultivation world, their deeds sung far and wide. Their reward from the Sacred Land would also be immense.

“Set out at once,” Bai Moyan instructed. “And if you recover the Deficiency Pill, dispose of the beggar boy as well. Anyone bold enough to abscond with our pill and challenge the sect’s authority has no right to live.” He pronounced the boy’s death sentence with indifference.

Xie and Lu were famed figures in the cultivation world; Bai Moyan’s resolve was clear in sending such men. They had studied under the same master as Bai Moyan himself, and their mystical arts were nothing short of uncanny. With them against Li Ruohan, Bai Moyan felt reassured.

Without delay, Xie Changfeng and Lu Qian took their leave and descended Tianshan that very day.

In Qingzhou, southern frontier, at the Sword Inquiry Pavilion of the Qingchi Sword Sect—

Several aged figures gazed hopefully at a striking, poised middle-aged man who was making intricate divinations in the air. At last, a bald elder could not restrain himself. “Junior sect master, have you divined the whereabouts of the Deficiency Pill?”

The man was Li Muqiu, current master of the Qingchi Sword Sect—one of the Four Great Sword Sects. Shaking his head at Xue Cheng’s question, he replied, “Eleventh Brother, I sense someone is using great power to obscure the Heavenly Will. Otherwise, with my arts, I should be able to trace the cause and effect. But now, all I see is a blur—no figures, no trace of the Deficiency Pill at all.”

“What? Damn it all! If I find out who is meddling behind the scenes, I will tear him limb from limb!” Xue Cheng roared as he leapt to his feet.

“That’s enough, you fool! You think the sect master isn’t troubled enough? Yi Qiu’s life hangs on the Deficiency Pill, and now this. If she learns it was lost en route, imagine her despair...” sighed an old man with a white beard and a face crisscrossed with wrinkles.

“Second Brother, I...” Chastened by the rebuke from his senior Mu Chen, Xue Cheng turned anxiously to Li Muqiu. “Sect master, I know I am hot-tempered, but I cannot help my worry. We had hoped this time to finally cure Yi Qiu’s illness, yet fate has thrown another obstacle in our path.”

Unable to bear the suffocating tension, Xue Cheng could not resist adding, “You all discuss a plan—I’ll go out and search for some trace of the Deficiency Pill. I refuse to believe such a rare elixir could simply vanish. With its spiritual aura, there must be some trail to follow.”

“Wait!” Li Muqiu called after Xue Cheng, who had only taken a few steps before turning back in surprise.

“You are right, Eleventh Brother. Let me go with you and bring some men. If we fail to recover the Deficiency Pill, who knows if Qiu’er will survive this ordeal. We cannot afford any further mishap.” Li Muqiu’s expression revealed a resolve born of desperation. He then turned to the remaining elders. “Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, I must trouble you to hold the fort at Qingchi while I am gone. I shall return swiftly.”

Seeing the trace of sorrow on Li Muqiu’s face, the elders could only sigh in sympathy. Mu Chen added, “Go without worry, sect master. With us old bones here, no one would dare make trouble. But as the leader of our sect, you must take care. Word is that a great figure from the Demonic Sect is moving—be cautious, and do not fall into his trap.”

“Li Ruohan, yes, I know the man. He is the chief lieutenant under the Ming King, one of the Demonic Sect’s eight branches—a formidable adversary indeed. But as for blocking my path, he is not yet equal to the task...” A hint of killing intent flickered across Li Muqiu’s sorrowful face. Were it not for Li Ruohan’s meddling, the Deficiency Pill would already be in Qingchi.

“Li Ruohan—isn’t he the Ming King of the Demonic Sect?” The elders looked at him in astonishment. They had heard the news, and had assumed the man who defeated the two Tianshan masters was the Ming King himself. But Li Muqiu’s words suggested Li Ruohan remained subordinate.

Who, then, was the true Ming King? How powerful was he? More importantly, had he appeared at all? If he had, could Li Muqiu handle him?

“Li Ruohan is not the Ming King. A century ago, I fought him myself, exchanging over a thousand blows, and only barely emerged the victor. Who knows what heights he has reached after more than a hundred years?” A trace of anticipation gleamed in Li Muqiu’s eyes as he pondered his old rival’s current strength.

“If Li Ruohan is already so formidable, who can fathom the terror of the Ming King? Sect master, you should take more men, just to be safe,” Mu Chen urged. “The Ming King is too mysterious—his fame has spread for years, but none have seen his face. Such a foe must be approached with utmost caution.”