AN - Stone me
Let the evil enter the body!
This was something Gu Qingfeng could not tolerate.
The first sorcerer Gu Qingfeng had ever encountered was a powerful man from the Evil Suppression Bureau. Gu Qingfeng still clearly remembered his terrifying methods. Once an evil spirit entered a person's body, that individual was no longer human, but a being no different from a demon.
"Now that we have figured out the strength of the Qingyang Sect, we can't afford to delay any longer!"
Gu Qingfeng's eyes grew cold. Striking first was always the best strategy. Hesitating would only lead to more trouble. Since they had already provoked the Qingyang Sect, it was time to completely destroy them.
Otherwise...
Things would only become more troublesome.
However, before confronting the Qingyang Sect, Gu Qingfeng had one more preparation to make.
"Someone come!"
"What does the master need?" A servant hurried in.
"Tell Meng Peng to come see me immediately," Gu Qingfeng ordered.
"I understand!" The servant quickly retreated. Less than a quarter of an hour later, Meng Peng arrived, appearing slightly flustered.
"The master summoned me, is there something you wish to instruct?" Meng Peng asked.
"I have something important for you to do." Gu Qingfeng's voice suddenly dropped to a whisper. After a few moments of conversation, Meng Peng nodded in understanding, then turned and left.
——
The next day, at the Gu family's martial arts arena, three hundred of the best guards stood assembled. The weakest among them were in the late stages of Skin Refining, and five of them had reached the Blood Refining Realm. A deadly aura filled the air, and every guard's eyes were fixed with awe upon the figure in front of them.
Gu Qingfeng spoke.
"I won't say much. You all know why I've gathered you here."
"I also know why you joined the Gu family."
"As long as we destroy the Qingyang Sect in this battle, those of you in the Skin Refining Realm will receive a mid-grade martial art. Those in the Blood Refining Realm will receive a high-grade martial art. In addition, the Gu family will provide you with corresponding training resources!"
At these words, the atmosphere in the arena changed. The guards' faces flushed with excitement.
Mid-grade martial arts!
Top-grade martial arts!
The chance to learn advanced martial arts was the very reason most of them had joined the Gu family, seeking to improve their strength.
Now, Gu Qingfeng was offering them an opportunity they had longed for, and the temptation was overwhelming.
"Swear to destroy the Qingyang Sect!" one guard shouted passionately.
In an instant, the entire arena was ignited with fervor.
"Swear to destroy the Qingyang Sect!"
"Swear to destroy the Qingyang Sect!!"
Seeing this reaction, Gu Qingfeng's eyes flashed with satisfaction. Indeed, as long as the rewards were great enough, people would willingly march through fire and water to seize them. For most of these ordinary warriors, obtaining mid-grade martial arts was something they could only dream of—high-grade martial arts were even more unattainable.
Just then, Meng Peng arrived.
"How are things going?" Gu Qingfeng asked.
Meng Peng nodded. "Everything has been arranged according to your instructions, Master."
"Good." Gu Qingfeng's eyes filled with a murderous glint. He raised his hand and gave the order.
"Set off!"
At his command, the three hundred guards mobilized.
However, just as Gu Qingfeng was about to step through the gates of the Gu family's estate, Xu Yulan appeared, two maids following behind her, each carrying a baby in their arms.
"Husband!" Xu Yulan's face was filled with worry.
Gu Qingfeng's expression softened slightly as he reassured her. "If all goes well, this battle will be swift. But if I do not return within ten days, follow the plan we discussed—take the children and leave. I will find you and join you later."
"Understood, husband. Be careful!" Xu Yulan's lips trembled as though she wanted to say more, but in the end, she simply nodded.
Gu Qingfeng glanced at the two maids. His voice turned stern. "Take good care of the lady. If anything happens to her, there will be no leniency."
"Master, you needn't worry. We will be diligent," the maids replied hastily.
Gu Qingfeng looked at Xu Yulan one last time, then turned and walked away.
Outside the city gate, Gu Yang had already prepared three hundred horses. Meng Peng led his men in front, flanked by a horse-drawn carriage in the center.
With all the guards mounted, they set off for the Qingyang Sect in a formidable display of force.
——
At the same time, within the Qingyang Sect, the news of King Xue's death and that of his companions had reached Sect Leader Ye Nanqiu, who flew into a rage upon hearing it.
"How dare a mere family like the Gu clan kill members of the Qingyang Sect!" he thundered.
King Xue's death alone wasn't enough to make Ye Nanqiu explode with fury. It was the death of his son, Ye Shi, that truly broke him. Though Ye Nanqiu's hair was graying, he appeared to be middle-aged, despite being over ninety years old.
Ye Shi, born when Ye Nanqiu was in his sixties, was the sect leader's only son, and he had doted on him endlessly. Ye Shi had shown remarkable talent from a young age, already breaking through to the mid-Blood Refining Realm. His future as a Bone Refining master seemed assured.
To Ye Nanqiu, Ye Shi was the future of the Qingyang Sect.
But now, his son was dead, and the news hit him like a hammer.
He immediately prepared to summon all the powerful warriors of the Qingyang Sect to wipe out the entire Gu family.
"What has you so enraged?" A cold voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
Ye Nanqiu looked up and saw that Patriarch Qingyang had appeared silently.
His expression changed instantly, and he stood up, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, ancestor."
"Tell me, how is the matter I tasked you with progressing?" Patriarch Qingyang asked coldly as he seated himself on the main throne.
Ye Nanqiu felt immense pressure at this question.
"When you ordered it, I immediately sent Elder Xue Wang and two true disciples to Baishidao to prepare three thousand boys and girls for you. But the Gu family dared to defy the Qingyang Sect's authority! They killed Xue Wang, my son Ye Shi, and the other disciple!"
Ye Nanqiu clenched his teeth in fury.
"The Gu family..." A green light flickered in Patriarch Qingyang's eyes, and a strange aura spread from his body. His shadow seemed to twist and elongate, creating an eerie, suffocating atmosphere.
"I remember that Xue Wang had been in the Bone Refining Realm for years. For the Gu family to kill him, they must not be as weak as they seem."
"However, this is good news. It means the Gu family likely has a warrior with silver bone skills. If we can't get the boys and girls, refining a silver-bone warrior is a decent alternative."
Patriarch Qingyang paused, then continued. "This time, I will act personally. Assemble a team to accompany me to the Gu family. I will make sure no one from their clan remains alive!"