Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
For every 5 new paid members I get I will release fifteen chaps in total before 15 August.
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
*****
Haotian Sect stood majestically atop the vast, verdant mountains, like a towering giant guarding the mist-shrouded peaks beneath its feet. The outline of the sect was clearly visible, resembling a magnificent city, imposing and grand, commanding the surrounding landscape with its majestic presence.
Shui Wuya and Shui Bing'er moved silently like phantoms on the main peak of Haotian Sect, blending seamlessly with their surroundings.
The main peak was shrouded in clouds and mist, and there were far fewer disciples guarding it than usual.
A group of idle disciples sat together, their faces brimming with excitement and anticipation.
One disciple exclaimed, "I have big news! The ancestor Tang Chen, who returned not long ago, is said to be in seclusion to become a god!"
"Pfft, I knew that already."
"Wow, if Tang Chen becomes a god, won't we become a sect of gods?"
"Absolutely! After so many years of oppression, Haotian Sect will finally see its glorious moment!"
"Hmph, when our Haotian Sect rises, it will spell the end for the Spirit Hall!"
Their voices intertwined with the sound of the mountain wind, making their conversation particularly clear.
In a secluded alley, Shui Wuya held an unconscious disciple, gently touching the disciple's forehead to scan his memories, hoping to find the location of Tang Chen's seclusion.
To his disappointment, the disciple's memories contained only trivial information, with no clues about Tang Chen's seclusion.
Shui Wuya frowned.
It made sense; such critical information wouldn't be known by an ordinary disciple. Only the elders of Haotian Sect would possibly have such knowledge.
"Seems I need to catch a bigger fish," Shui Wuya thought.
He then began searching the memories of the Haotian Sect elder's residential area.
The main hall of Haotian Sect stood tall, its peak reaching into the clouds, with a dazzling pagoda gleaming like a giant pearl embedded atop the mountain.
The hall's flying eaves and intricate carvings exuded an ancient and mysterious aura, with flickering candlelight reflecting in the deep eyes of the sect leader, Tang Xiao.
Tang Xiao sat in the main seat, his posture straight, his expression solemn, with a slight frown on his brow.
The elders sat on either side of the hall, each with a serious expression.
Tang Xiao looked at them, his face grave.
Although Haotian Sect seemed to be in a favorable position, as the sect leader, he remained deeply worried.
Currently, his grandfather was in seclusion, consolidating his divine position. However, almost all the elders had been sent out to fight against the Spirit Hall, leaving few people to guard the sect.
Even with the powerful protective formation his grandfather had set up around the main hall, ensuring that no one could intrude, he couldn't guarantee that no one with ill intentions would disrupt their plans.
Moreover, whether Tang Chen could successfully consolidate his divine position and become a god was still uncertain.
And his brother Tang Hao had not yet returned.
"Tang Hao, where on earth are you?"
Thinking of his brother made Tang Xiao's blood pressure rise. His grandfather had returned, and Tang Hao should have known, so why hadn't he shown up?
However, the urgent task at hand was to protect the forbidden area in the back mountain. No one must be allowed to interfere with his grandfather's ascent to godhood, especially not the Spirit Hall.
After contemplating for a moment, Tang Xiao cleared his mind of distractions.
He stood up, his voice steady and authoritative: "Issue my command to immediately strengthen the protection of the forbidden area in the back mountain! No one is allowed to intrude. If anyone is found, they are to be killed on sight!"
"This is crucial for Haotian Sect's unification of the continent. The Fifth Elder will personally oversee this. Report any anomalies to me immediately!"
"Understood, Sect Leader. We will complete the task at all costs!"
Led by the Fifth Elder, the senior members accepted the orders.
Tang Xiao's gaze swept over the high-ranking members present, his voice deep: "The future of Haotian Sect is in our hands. We must remain vigilant at all times."
"Alright, quickly go and tighten the security."
With Tang Xiao's command, the hall burst into activity.
The high-ranking members swiftly left their seats and hurried out.
"If Ancestor Tang Chen successfully attains the divine position, our Haotian Sect will undoubtedly become the number one sect in the world!" one of the leaders exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"At that time, our lifelong wish of unifying the continent will be fulfilled," another elder chimed in.
"We will have proven our loyalty and dedication."
"Once Ancestor Tang Chen becomes a god, we will crush the Spirit Hall!" They all spoke with fervor.
However, while they spoke casually, Shui Wuya listened intently, hidden nearby.
"So, it really is the forbidden area in the back mountain?" Shui Wuya thought.
He had already suspected that Tang Chen was most likely secluded in the forbidden area, and now it seemed his guess was correct. However, without knowing Tang Chen's exact situation, he couldn't act rashly. If Tang Chen were alerted and escaped, it would be impossible to catch him.
He needed to catch a big fish to confirm the exact location.
"Silence! This is a critical moment. How can you be so lax? Hurry and strengthen the security!"
"Yes, Fifth Elder."
At this moment, the Fifth Elder appeared, displeased, and dispersed the chatting group.
Shui Wuya's eyes lit up. He had seen this stern elder in the memories of the disciple he had scanned earlier. Known for his strictness, the Fifth Elder held a high position in Haotian Sect and was a trusted aide of Sect Leader Tang Xiao. He definitely knew Tang Chen's location.
"Alright, you're the one."
Shui Wuya fixated on the Fifth Elder, quietly following him like a predator stalking its prey.
The Fifth Elder returned to his room, unaware that Shui Wuya was tailing him.
"Ha ha!"
Suddenly, the usually stern Fifth Elder burst into laughter, startling Shui Wuya who was hidden in the shadows.
"Ha ha, with Ancestor Tang Chen becoming a god, our Haotian Sect will be unstoppable!"
"I, the Fifth Elder, will finally get my due recognition!"
He spoke to himself excitedly, his eyes gleaming with joy.
As a veteran of Haotian Sect, he imagined himself being rewarded handsomely once the sect unified the continent. He fantasized about a king's treatment, not to mention an abundance of cultivation resources.
However, just as he was lost in his dreams, a mysterious force suddenly pulled him into an illusion.
In front of him appeared several towering soul beasts, their majestic and imposing figures exuding an overwhelming sense of dread.
(End of Chapter)