The situation inside the Four Elephant Killing Array is unknown to outsiders. However, some cultivators discovered that the original buildings in this area had vanished. Upon investigation, it was indeed found that the array had sealed off the area, leaving them unaware of what had occurred.
Word spread, attracting many curious onlookers who wanted to break the array's blockade and see what was happening inside. Among them were Di Feng's subordinates. It was clear that Di Feng couldn't have set up this array, so they encouraged other cultivators to join forces.
However, there were three Golden Core stage cultivators, including Gu Yao, maintaining the operation of the array from within. Even if the cultivators outside joined forces, it would take some time to decipher the array. After a while, those outside heard a thunderous roar coming from within the array, followed by a surge of purple sword qi illuminating the entire sky. Then, the sword qi struck back, causing a violent explosion that temporarily impaired the visual and auditory senses of the cultivators outside. It took some time before they could see the scene clearly in front of them again.
The array disappeared, leaving the buildings inside in ruins. Among the several bodies lying horizontally, one corpse in particular shocked onlookers. It was Di Feng, his eyes bulging, his body severely injured, and his dantian pierced by the sword qi. Thunder-infused sword qi still lingered around his wounds.
"Isn't this Senior Di Feng from the Tailemon Sect? How did he die? Who was the assassin? So ruthless!" They hadn't even caught a glimpse of the killer's face, causing some to feel fear. Fortunately, they hadn't broken the array; otherwise, the killer could have easily dealt with them.
"Come and see what's here!" Several cultivators exclaimed loudly from another place. At the same time, a few cultivators quietly ran away. As Di Feng's subordinates, they were well aware of the situation here, and those places were not meant to see the light, as it would tarnish Di Feng's reputation.
Many cultivators were drawn to the commotion and, after seeing the scene, were once again shocked. After Chang Ye dealt with Di Feng, Gu Yao and the others didn't waste any time. In their final move, they not only destroyed the original buildings but also exposed everything hidden underground, turning the ground upside down.
So now, the cultivators saw a blood pool emitting a strong stench of blood. Hanging near the blood pool were several desiccated corpses, clearly drained of blood and subjected to torture in their previous lives.
Many cultivators knew that it was Di Feng who had lived here, so it was impossible for someone else to frame the blood pool and corpses.
"Isn't that Li Xian, who went missing in town? I thought he was in danger outside, but I didn't expect him to be captured here. Li Xian met such a tragic end!"
"Big brother!" One cultivator suddenly rushed out and hugged one of the corpses, crying in pain, "So, you were here, big brother. We searched so hard for you."
The monk carried his eldest brother's corpse and ran to Di Feng's body. He unleashed a powerful blast towards the corpse, nearly obliterating it. After being persuaded to stop, he quickly took his eldest brother's body away, fearing that someone would target him in secret. The monk left with a bitter heart.
Di Feng had only been in this town for a short while, yet he managed to create such a place. There was no one present who dared to challenge him. Di Feng was a complete evil cultivator, and it was unbelievable that the Tai Luo Sect would tolerate his existence. Though it was unknown who killed him, the people could only say that he deserved it!
Gu Yao and his group quickly left during the night. They couldn't afford to wait here for someone to come and deal with them. Besides, they believed that news of the situation would spread quickly. Even if the Tai Luo Sect wanted to control it, they couldn't, as this place was not under their jurisdiction.
The cultivators heading to Baihe City were still unaware of Di Feng's death. Holding Di Feng's identity token, they went to the Lord's Mansion and arrogantly demanded that Baihe City assist in capturing several fugitives. This angered Lord Liu, who didn't think much of Di Feng. Even if Baihe City wanted to show face to the Tai Luo Sect, they wouldn't cater to Di Feng's whims.
Lord Liu immediately had the cultivators thrown out. However, a steward named Leng arrived in haste with astonishing news.
"Di Feng is dead! And he actually used fellow cultivators to practice forbidden techniques!"
"Di Feng is really dead?!" Steward Qi and Lord Liu exclaimed in surprise.
"He's dead! Someone said that the last purple sword qi illuminated the entire sky above the town. By the way, there was also the sound of a dragon's roar coming from the formation. Some believe it's possible that the cultivator had a spirit beast with dragon bloodline by his side." Steward Leng had dispatched people to the town, so they immediately reported the news upon its occurrence.
"A spirit beast with dragon bloodline?" Steward Qi shook his head. "It's unlikely. They only had a black cat-like beast and a crystal snake by their side. I think it's more likely that Chang Ye's sword qi cultivation has reached a high level."
Upon hearing this, Lord Liu was greatly impressed. "Should we help spread this news?"
"No need to do too much. Trust that without our intervention, the Tai Luo Sect won't be able to cover this up. If they take any action, it will easily lead them to suspect our Baihe City, as we are the most influential nearby."
"Good, I'll listen to Uncle Qi."
Several days later, Gu Yao and his group appeared in a tavern in a small town. While enjoying their meal and spirit wine, they listened to conversations among other cultivators. Most of them were discussing the matter of Di Feng being an evil cultivator under the Tai Luo Sect. Similarly, this place was not under the jurisdiction of the Tai Luo Sect, indicating that its efforts to suppress the spread of this news were in vain.
"If you ask me, compared to Di Feng being killed and him being an evil cultivator, shouldn't we talk more about the cultivator who made a move? Who do you think that cultivator is? Di Feng wasn't weak, so it's rare to find someone who could eliminate him so silently."
"No one saw that cultivator at all. All we know is that he was a lightning attribute sword cultivator. Just think about who Di Feng was—a powerful evil cultivator. A lightning attribute sword cultivator would specialize in countering him. It's fair for him to die like that."
"I heard another thing: the Tai Luo Sect is currently searching for a lightning attribute sword cultivator and a pill master. They are wanted individuals listed in the Changxian Sect's jurisdiction as well. Geez, if they really fall into the hands of these two major sects, will that lightning attribute sword cultivator have any chance of survival?"
"Forget it. If they really end up in the hands of those two major sects, that lightning attribute sword cultivator won't have a way out."
"Have you eaten? Once we've eaten, we can continue on our way." After Gu Yao received the response from others, he called the waiter to settle the bill. After settling the bill, he walked past the table of enthusiastic cultivators and flew away on his flying instrument.
The western part of Qianhao Continent is quite unique. The ones who hold the power of speech are not human cultivators, but demonic cultivators. It's also quite chaotic, but often it's the place where cultivators who have offended major sects seek refuge.
They stopped near the western region for a while and rested in a cultivator settlement, while also gathering some information.
Shortly after sitting down in the tavern, they heard a startling piece of news. Tian Fei Rong spoke up and asked the cultivator beside him who was discussing the matter, "Excuse me, fellow cultivator. Is it true that Di Feng from the Ta Luo Sect has been expelled by the sect? What happened? Wasn't he a disciple of the Nascent Soul Elder?"
Even if someone dies, it would be considered blasphemous to bring up their sins. The Ta Luo Sect didn't make any official announcement regarding his expulsion. After all, when a person dies, it's like a lamp extinguished. It's best not to dwell on past matters.
"Haha, so you know about Di Feng's situation, little brother. But I'm sure your information is outdated. The latest news is that Di Feng is actually the one who killed another disciple of the Nascent Soul Elder's direct bloodline. The bounty is still on him in the Ta Luo Sect. Who would have thought that the culprit would be none other than Di Feng himself? He is audacious, to say the least. He dared to offend the Nascent Soul Elder when he had only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Not only that, but he openly walked around the sect after harming someone."
Now that the truth has been exposed, do you think the Nascent Soul Elder would spare Di Feng? I guess he probably wishes to dig up Di Feng's body and whip it, then torment his soul. I have also heard that the Nascent Soul Elder even fought with Di Feng's master in the sect."
"Tsk tsk! Wow, Tian Fei Rong was shocked to hear this. This guy is truly ruthless. Fortunately, he died at the hands of Brother Chi, otherwise who knows what he would have done. Compared to him, Yan Yuanjing from the Changxian Sect can be considered a good person. "No wonder the Ta Luo Sect expelled him. If this person didn't die, who knows what kind of crazy things he would have done within the sect."
"Haha, that's right. That's why many disciples of the Ta Luo Sect are applauding. By the way, even the disciples who were hunting down the Thunder Sword cultivator have been recalled. The sect has canceled the wanted order on their territory. But that Thunder Sword cultivator really embarrassed the Ta Luo Sect. They might secretly hunt him down."
"The Ta Luo Sect has no shame!" Tian Fei Rong gritted his teeth.
"Who told these major sects to value their reputation more than anything else? If it weren't for that Thunder Sword cultivator, the truth about Di Feng being a demonic cultivator who harmed his fellow cultivators wouldn't have been exposed, causing the Ta Luo Sect a great loss of face."
Another cultivator, with a joyful expression, came running in. It was one of the companions at the table with Tian Fei Rong. He took out a jade bottle and happily exclaimed, "Look, I finally managed to snatch a bottle of Spirit Refining Pill. Don't snatch it, everyone has their share."
"Oh, it's really a miraculous elixir. Let me tell you, the person who auctioned off the recipe for this elixir behind our backs really helped us a lot. Otherwise, we would never have the chance to purchase such a pill. I heard that the ingredients used in the recipe are not particularly rare spiritual herbs, but the method of refinement is somewhat special."
"So, it's those major sects who are the most unscrupulous. Otherwise, outsiders wouldn't be able to obtain even a single spiritual stone no matter how much they begged. But, do you know what? I just heard a piece of the latest news in that store."
"Really? What is it?"
The four individuals, Gu Yao and others, glanced at each other. The news here is really well-informed. It's probably related to those major commercial houses. Their stores are spread all over, and they have their own channels for spreading news, which is why it spreads so quickly."