I Might Be a Big Shot — Chapter 38
Within the Dark Yin Bloodthirst Formation, countless demonic energy was trapped, and once released, it would ravage the human world. Just the demonic energy released by a dozen or so demonized ones was enough to devour a grand sect like Heaven-Shaking Peak — one could hardly imagine the devastation if all three seals of the demon realm were broken.
Changkong Zhuoyu was indeed strong, but no matter how strong, he was still just one person. Facing a few demonized ones was no problem, but if the demon realm invaded on a large scale, along with those demonic creatures formed by condensed demonic energy, even Changkong Zhuoyu could at most protect himself. This battle with the vice sect master and others gave Changkong Zhuoyu a visceral glimpse of how terrifying such a calamity would be; even if he gave his all, he could not allow the entrance to the demon realm to open.
Looking at the thirty-six Bloodthirst banners fluttering, Changkong Zhuoyu sighed heavily and said to Li Xinglun, “Disciple, my days of leisure have come to an end.”
Li Xinglun nodded gravely. Such a human calamity had to be stopped, even at the cost of their lives.
“I originally planned to recover my identity, untie the bonds of my past life, then take you to roam the entire cultivation world. Once you reached the Great Ascension stage, I would ascend first, scout the immortal realm for you, and then live carefree there. But with the human calamity approaching, as the Kunlun sect master, the leader of the righteous sect, I must stand forth to unite both the righteous and demonic sides, and organize all cultivators to resist the enemy together. No, not just the righteous and demonic — also the Mystic Fog Yao Valley and the Jade Pool Paradise. This isn’t just a calamity for cultivators; it is a calamity for the entire human world, and only by uniting can we survive it.” Changkong Zhuoyu sighed. “I truly… bear a heavy burden.”
Xuan Minglie: “???”
Some self-proclaimed leader of the righteous sect was saying right to his face — as the demonic sect master — that he wanted to unite the righteous and demonic paths… Was this the start of a righteous-demonic war? Should he surrender, or… surrender, or… surrender?
Xuan Minglie looked at the Dark Yin Bell clanging in the sky and thought surrendering seemed the better choice.
Only then did Changkong Zhuoyu seem to notice Xuan Minglie, standing proudly with hands behind his back: “Sect Master Xuan Minglie, I have already cleaned up your sect for you. How do you plan to thank me?”
Xuan Minglie: “…”
When Changkong Zhuoyu arrived and said he would clean up Heaven-Shaking Sect, the demonic cultivators all thought it was provocation. Who knew he really did clean it up!
“Well…” The usually temperamental and violent Xuan Minglie lowered his head like a little lamb and said respectfully, “Naturally we thank the venerable for his help. The entire Heaven-Shaking Sect owes the venerable a great debt. I wonder if the venerable has any further instructions — perhaps… you would honor us by coming into the demonic palace to talk?”
The Heaven-Shaking Peak demonic cultivators: “…”
Didn’t expect the sect master could bow and bend like this. Truly impressive.
In truth, Xuan Minglie didn’t want to bow either, but what choice did he have? Changkong Zhuoyu’s fist was too big!
Clad all in black, cold and aloof, Changkong Zhuoyu said, “I don’t presume to instruct. I came here for another matter. Heaven-Shaking Sect has really fallen far. I’ve only been away a thousand years, and it has become like this — even your mountain-protecting formation was tampered with, and none of you noticed?!”
What did he mean by being away a thousand years? Wasn’t Xue Qianjie the sect master a thousand years ago? Xuan Minglie was confused but still answered respectfully, “I’ve studied formations myself and led my subordinates to investigate, but found nothing. The venerable is a formation expert — what insights do you have?”
“Hmph,” Changkong Zhuoyu snorted coldly. “The baleful energy here at Heaven-Shaking Sect is so heavy it suppresses the spiritual veins, and yet you still don’t know where the formation went wrong?”
“Baleful energy? That’s from the vice sect master’s ferocious sword Longge — it has an innate sword spirit and was forged with baleful blood energy. In a little while longer, the sword will even take form,” Xuan Minglie answered.
“Take me to that ferocious sword,” said Changkong Zhuoyu.
Xuan Minglie quickly led Changkong Zhuoyu to the vice sect master’s cultivation palace, with the demonic cultivators supporting each other and following — none dared run.
In front of the vice sect master’s palace was a protective formation, but that didn’t trouble Changkong Zhuoyu. With a casual wave, the formation collapsed. Back when Xuan Minglie and the vice sect master fought, he’d thought of setting a trap inside the palace, but the formation was so exquisite that without making a big scene, he couldn’t get in. And if he forcibly broke the formation, it would mean direct confrontation with the vice sect master — something he dared not do without a sure plan. But now this mysterious Changkong Zhuoyu dismantled it as if it were nothing. Xuan Minglie glanced at the Dark Yin Bell floating above, his face calm, utterly unsurprised.
They entered the palace, and in the center of the main hall was a ferocious sword radiating intense baleful blood energy. The sword was so ominous that those with slightly weaker cultivation had their eyes turn red just looking at it, unable to resist lunging forward to claim it.
“This sword has demonic nature and can lead people astray. Those with weak will are controlled by it. Though so powerful, the vice sect master rarely used it and always kept it here,” Xuan Minglie explained.
Li Xinglun looked at the Chang Ge Sword, his eyes reddening slightly, but when he glanced at Changkong Zhuoyu, the blood in his eyes gradually faded.
Changkong Zhuoyu grasped the sword hilt, letting the baleful blood energy enter his body. He quietly closed his eyes, and before long the energy floated out of him, all absorbed back into the sword, leaving no ominous aura in the hall.
This was the sword acknowledging its master. Who would have thought that the Chang Ge Sword, so ferocious even in the vice sect master’s hands, would behave so docilely in Changkong Zhuoyu’s?
“This is a fine sword,” Changkong Zhuoyu sighed. “Clearly forged from blood and soul, yet meticulously refined — its blade full of ferocity, yet its sword spirit upright. It tempts people with baleful blood energy, but if one succumbs, it will never recognize them. It has shed blood, yet only to protect. With such a nature, no wonder it was able to nurture a sword spirit.”
He pulled the sword free, and the spiritual energy over Heaven-Shaking Peak grew denser as the Chang Ge Sword quivered and let out a mournful cry.
Changkong Zhuoyu patted the hilt lightly and said softly, “I know you never wished to suppress the spiritual veins or harm lives, but were controlled against your will.”
“Don’t worry. Though you’re stained with baleful blood energy, your sword spirit remains righteous. You won’t become a ferocious sword. One day, when you take form, be sure to bring blessings to the world and not be blinded by power, so as not to waste my intentions today.” As he spoke, he picked up the scabbard the vice sect master had casually tossed in a corner. “This scabbard is already dead. Even if it weren’t, it couldn’t seal your baleful energy. So, let me help you.”
With that, he infused spiritual energy into the scabbard, which immediately revived. Changkong Zhuoyu sheathed the Chang Ge Sword, flew out of the palace, stood atop the clouds, and casually flung the sword into the human world.
“When you’ve absorbed all the spiritual energy in this scabbard, it will be the day you take form. At that time, do good for the human world. Don’t be seduced by power and fail my intentions.” Changkong Zhuoyu sighed.
As the Chang Ge Sword fell, the spiritual energy over Heaven-Shaking Peak grew thicker. Everyone felt lighter, the oppressive hostility that had long weighed on them dissipating. Surrounded by spiritual energy, even the wounded demonic cultivators felt much more comfortable.
“So the sword was suppressing the spiritual veins all this time — that’s why the formation would fail on new moon nights,” Xuan Minglie sighed.
Changkong Zhuoyu landed atop the palace, looking down at the people below. Under everyone’s gaze, his black clothes gradually turned blood-red, and the sight of that blood-red hue confused some of them.
He lightly swung the Dragon Scale Saber, and a dragon’s breath erupted from the blade, its flames pouring into the Dark Yin Bloodthirst Formation. The rampaging demonic energy within was completely burned away, not a wisp escaping.
Once the demonic energy was gone, Changkong Zhuoyu casually tossed the Dragon Scale Saber to the Azure Dragon Protector, then waved again, and the Dark Yin Bell and Bloodthirst banners rose into the air before landing back in Xuan Minglie’s hands.
Xuan Minglie: “…”
Silent all this time, Xuan Minglie finally had a bold thought and said to Changkong Zhuoyu, “Could the venerable perhaps be… Sect Master Xue?”
Changkong Zhuoyu’s cold face softened slightly, his eyebrows lifting faintly. He didn’t reply at once but first glanced at his disciple Li Xinglun.
Those eyes, so full of killing intent and chill toward the demonic cultivators, blinked when they met Li Xinglun’s, as if saying, ‘This time it wasn’t me saying it, they figured it out on their own.’
Li Xinglun closed his eyes in pain and nodded.
Forget it. Since Master was so fixated on the identity of Sect Master Xue, even with irrefutable evidence, he insisted on assuming it. What could he do? As long as Master was happy!
Still, a faint bitterness rose in his heart. Li Xinglun could tell that for some reason, Changkong Zhuoyu was deeply attached to the identity of Xue Qianjie — so deeply that even after forgetting his past life, he hadn’t forgotten those feelings. Li Xinglun knew the tears Changkong Zhuoyu shed before Xue Qianjie’s portrait weren’t feigned.
In truth, the one who really wanted to become Xue Qianjie was Li Xinglun. To have such intense feelings from Changkong Zhuoyu — even if it meant falling into the demon realm, even dying — what did it matter?
At that moment, oblivious to his disciple’s feelings, Changkong Zhuoyu leapt down from the palace. “I’m tired of being sect master. You’re good — though slow, you did at least manage to set up the Dark Yin Bloodthirst Formation. Fine, you continue as sect master of Heaven-Shaking Sect. But you must unify the demonic path and join forces with the righteous sect to face the human calamity. After the calamity, you can fight however you like, but before then, if anyone dares start an internal war in the cultivation world, I will ensure they never find peace!”
Xuan Minglie: “…”
“Does anyone object?” Changkong Zhuoyu stepped forward.
Everyone took a step back in fear, shaking their heads.
Seeing their agreement, Changkong Zhuoyu nodded to himself. That’s the thing about the demonic sect — efficient. Not like the righteous sect, where everything’s a hassle. See? He didn’t even have to draw his sword to resolve Heaven-Shaking Sect.
~ Chapter End ~
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