In the frigid pool cave of the Wuji Demon Sect, Ding Hao opened his eyes, a frosty gleam flashing and vanishing in an instant. The taut muscles across his body were quivering in a rhythmic pattern, then subsided into stillness after a brief while.
After two months of strenuous cultivation, Ding Hao had fully consolidated his cultivation state. Emerging from the pool, he contemplated for a moment and then proceeded towards Chen Ling's abode.
Since the rendezvous appointed by Li Nantian was nigh, Chen Ling was no longer secluded in cultivation. Catching sight of Ding Hao's arrival, a glimmer of delight flickered across his countenance as he pronounced, "Should our sect weather this tempest, I vow that you shall partake in the Soul Refining Conclave!"
After a brief hiatus, he resumed, "I am oblivious as to why you aspire to participate in this conclave. Nevertheless, as far as I am aware, each such gathering is exceedingly savage. Our sect has endured several consecutive debacles with utter annihilation. Albeit your puissance is not trifling, there are multitudes of individuals with profound cultivation among those partaking in this conclave. If you do manage to engage, I implore you to exercise the utmost caution and refrain from any lapses of heedlessness!"
Upon hearing such remarks, a warm sentiment welled up within Ding Hao's heart as he addressed Chen Ling, "Master, I am truly beholden to your benevolence. I am not a rash and impetuous being. Absent the means of self-preservation, how could I dare to venture forth so cavalierly?"
Perceiving his resolute stance, Chen Ling knew that Ding Hao had made an irrevocable decision and desisted from further persuasion. He then escorted Ding Hao to meet Elder Ma Feng.
Ma Feng seemed to have anticipated their arrival long in advance. Scrutinizing Ding Hao for a fleeting moment, he declaimed, "Fine lad. Your cultivation has advanced yet again. Since you are resolute in your intent to participate in the Soul Refining Conclave, I shall advocate for you to the sect leader. The recent rapid strides in cultivation of both you and your master are truly a cause for jubilation. As your preceptor, I too feel a sense of honor!"
However, his tone soured as he concluded.
During his peregrinations, Ding Hao had encountered numerous eminent figures. Moreover, with Ding Hao's current cultivation echelon, although he still lagged considerably behind Ma Feng, it was a pipe dream for Ma Feng to subjugate him.
Since Ma Feng no longer posed a palpable threat, Ding Hao couldn't help but harbor a modicum of disdain for him. Were it not for his dependence on Ma Feng's assistance, how could he have tolerated his vexations?
Yet, on the surface, he maintained an air of deference and reiterated his diffidence. It seemed that Chen Ling and Ma Feng had reached an implicit understanding. Ma Feng refrained from excessive inquisition and proffered some words of encouragement before permitting them to depart.
Scarcely had they exited the doorway when Ding Hao discerned a fierce and murderous glint in Chen Ling's eyes. Noticing Ding Hao's gaze, Chen Ling elucidated, "Ma Feng is a paragon of avarice and suspicion, and bereft of mercy. Recommending you is a trifle for him. He extorted over thirty crystalline stones. Had I not devised a countermeasure, he might have slain me and ransacked my possessions long ago!"
Ding Hao inveighed inwardly, musing that you had entertained similar designs when you took me as your disciple. Now you are chiding others. Nevertheless, he uttered, "Master, quell your ire. When our strength is wanting, we must endure such indignities. The day will come when our cultivation reaches new heights and heralds Ma Feng's downfall!"
At these words, Chen Ling also emitted a sardonic chuckle and declared, "Verily. Sooner or later, he shall become cognizant of my capabilities!" Then, fixing his gaze upon Ding Hao, he added, "I shall never treat you as Ma Feng has. I trust you will not resort to similar stratagems against me."
Ding Hao proffered a hollow laugh and responded, "Master, your affection for me is profound. How could I commit such a heinous act? Master, set your mind at ease."
How could Chen Ling credit Ding Hao's falsehoods? When Ding Hao was bereft of any cultivation, he dared to slay. Now his cultivation was burgeoning daily. Were it not for his need of Chen Ling's support, how could he have heeded him? Contemplating this self-inflicted quandary, he heaved a sigh of resignation.
He murmured dejectedly, "Refrain from straying beyond the mountain gate in the ensuing days. When the sect assembly commences, Ma Feng will assuredly recommend you to the sect leader. I have also made arrangements with the sect leader. There ought to be no major impediments."
Ding Hao grasped his meaning and replied placidly, "In that event, I shall not trouble you further, master. I shall surely recompense you after the sect assembly."
With that, he took his leave without a backward glance at Chen Ling.
Just as Ding Hao was on the verge of making his way to the library, the shrill sound of a flying sword cleaving through the air assailed his ears. Ding Hao was momentarily taken aback. Although the sect did not proscribe the use of flying swords, within the sect, disciples customarily alighted and walked as a token of respect for the sect. Who was so audacious as to flout this convention? Ding Hao altered his course and strode towards the origin of the sound.
After a short interval, a disheveled figure came into view. Ding Hao immediately recognized that this individual was a disciple of Elder Zhang Heng. He was at a loss to explain the disarray. There was a smear of blood at the corner of his mouth, and he appeared to be injured. At this juncture, two additional sounds of something piercing through the air reached his ears. Observing this, the man's visage blanched, and he cried out within the sect, "Master, save me!"
No sooner had this plea escaped his lips than all the disciples engaged in cultivation were roused. Elder Zhang Heng bellowed, "Who, in the name of all that's unholy, has injured you?" As the words resounded, Zhang Heng materialized on the scene.
"Heh, it's the two of us. This wretch had the temerity to pilfer an item from our Black Demon Sect. He truly courts death!" Two hulking and brawny men, resembling black gorillas, also alighted within the precincts.
"Master, the Green Glow Stone was first espied by me, only to be wrested away by these two miscreants. I dared not even demand its return, and they sought to slay me to silence me!" The man was on the verge of tears.
"You claim you discovered it, and so it's yours? Since you have ventured hither, we shall desist from further pursuit. Should you dare to roam about again and be detected by us, we shall ensure your existence is a living nightmare!" The two men sneered derisively, oblivious to the wrath of the Wuji Demon Sect's denizens and even brazen enough to issue threats.
Although Zhang Heng was habitually choleric, he dared not manifest any ire in the presence of these two. Despite their cultivation being merely at the incipient stage of the Nascent Soul, they represented the Black Demon Sect. Thus, he could only swallow his indignation.
The two men regarded the assemblage with scorn and guffawed uproariously, "The centennial tribute convocation on the Soul-breaking Mountain is imminent. I sincerely hope that after this convocation, the Wuji Demon Sect still endures! We take our leave. No need for a send-off. Hahaha! I truly wonder how the Wuji Demon Sect has managed to survive until now..."
Though the men departed, their sarcastic jibes still carried across the distance.
The countenances of the Wuji Demon Sect's members were exceedingly unsightly, and all were seething with indignation. Even the other elders who had a feud with Zhang Heng refrained from uttering any barbs. But regardless of their ire, they were impotent. If their strength was inferior, even if they endeavored to reclaim their honor, they would ultimately be the ones to suffer. In the demonic realm, might prevails over right.
Zhang Heng consoled the man with a few words and then departed with a sigh. However, the sect leader of the Wuji Demon Sect, Li Nantian, had remained conspicuously absent from start to finish. It was uncertain whether he was engaged in cultivation or merely seeking self-preservation.
Ding Hao was deeply disillusioned with him. Even the sect leader was so pusillanimous, let alone the other disciples. The parlous state of the Wuji Demon Sect was attributable to more than just the cultivation methods.
Ding Hao shook his head and then proceeded towards the library. Ding Hao espied Hu Shuo and inquired curiously, "With such a tumult within the sect, why did you not emerge to investigate, senior brother? Are you indifferent to all affairs?"
Hu Shuo regarded Ding Hao with a bemused expression and replied, "Junior brother, you are unaware. When I first entered the sect, I too harbored lofty ambitions. My master was also solicitous of me. My master was a proud individual and loathed being bullied. Yet, in the end, he perished, and none came to his defense. Bereft of my master's protection, I have been walking on eggshells within the Wuji Demon Sect. I have witnessed far too many such occurrences and have become somewhat inured."
Ding Hao gleaned from his words that Hu Shuo bore no affection whatsoever for the Wuji Demon Sect. It was a lamentable state of affairs that the entire sect was teetering on the brink of extinction.
"From your remarks, senior brother, I perceive that you are cognizant of the current plight of the sect. Do you possess any means of salvaging it?" Ding Hao queried softly.
Hu Shuo cast a sidelong glance at Ding Hao and retorted, "Junior brother, you have already devised a scheme in your mind. Why the pretense of asking me? Naturally, I shall assist you in realizing your aspirations. It is merely that my current strength is somewhat enfeebled and may not prove overly beneficial to you. However, I am confident that with the arcane potency of the Wuji Demon Art, it will not disappoint you in the end."
Ding Hao felt no sense of embarrassment upon hearing his words. Instead, he deemed this individual trustworthy. He grinned and said, "I shall assuredly remember your kindness, senior brother. Of course, I shall not stint in rewarding you. The most crucial aspect at present is the immediate course of action."
The voices of the two gradually diminished in volume, and from time to time, a frigid chuckle could be overheard.