After conversing with Chen Ling, Ding Hao secluded himself once again briefly to prepare for the impending Soul Refining Assembly of the sect. Although Ding Hao's current strength was not feeble, he always planned meticulously before taking any action. Moreover, the Wuji Demon Sect had always been in a relatively weak position, and only Ding Hao would participate in this sect activity this time, with no one to offer him assistance.
Ding Hao was not in the least concerned about the centennial tribute items. For some inexplicable reason, he had a hunch that Li Nantian seemed to have made preparations long ago and would never allow the Wuji Demon Sect to face the doom of annihilation.
Half a month later, Ding Hao emerged from seclusion and continued his cultivation in his chamber, paying no heed to the sect's trifles. It was not until Chen Ling came to fetch him and led him to meet Sect Leader Li Nantian.
Ding Hao accompanied Chen Ling to Li Nantian's abode. Besides Li Nantian, the four elders had also assembled. After Ding Hao entered, he noticed that apart from Ma Feng who wore a slightly smug expression, the rest of them were looking at him with a gloating air, as if they were certain that he was doomed on this trip.
Ding Hao was well aware. Judging from the strength he had demonstrated, he was barely qualified to participate. However, every session of the Soul Refining Assembly was filled with formidable experts and was extremely brutal. It was not surprising that they had such thoughts. Only his master Chen Ling showed an expectant look towards him.
"It is truly a consolation for our sect to have such an enterprising disciple as you. I will not waste more words. I hope you can seize this opportunity and perform well. Do not let our sect down." Although Li Nantian's words were encouraging, Ding Hao could tell from his expression that he did not hold much hope for him. Such remarks were merely perfunctory consolation.
"Ding Hao will surely live up to the sect leader's trust and ensure that the Wuji Demon Sect has a foothold in this assembly!" Ding Hao declared resolutely.
The other elders, including Ma Feng, all wore disdainful looks. Ding Hao did not care. Sooner or later, these short-sighted individuals would bow down before him.
"Since that is the case, we can set off. I hope that when we arrive at the Purgatory Demon Sect, all of you will act with caution and not incur more powerful enemies for our sect." As soon as Li Nantian uttered these words, it revealed his lack of confidence.
At this moment, Ding Hao began to feel a bit worried about this trip. If he encountered Feng Xingran at the Purgatory Demon Sect, it would surely lead to unexpected complications and cause endless troubles. However, some things were inevitable. Since it could not be avoided, Ding Hao did not think too much. Perhaps he would not run into that girl. After all, she had reached the Nascent Soul Stage, and this assembly did not seem to hold much attraction for her.
Sect Leader Li Nantian and the four elders flew ahead, while Chen Ling carried Ding Hao on his flying sword and followed.
After they had flown a certain distance, Chen Ling suddenly dropped Ding Hao without warning. Caught off guard, Ding Hao almost fell from the air. He quickly took out the Heaven-defying Demon Sword to stabilize his position.
Just as he was about to ask Chen Ling the reason for his action, Chen Ling's scolding and laughing voice came, "You rascal. The others have flown far ahead. Why are you still pretending? Do you think I don't know your tricks? You used to fly much faster than me."
Originally angry, Ding Hao lost his temper upon hearing his words. Unconsciously, the relationship between the master and disciple had changed and seemed more like a real master-disciple bond. Ding Hao did not reject this change. Although Chen Ling had ill intentions towards him in the beginning, his recent actions had been truly impeccable.
Ding Hao caught up with Chen Ling on his flying sword and said with a dry laugh, "Master, you are mistaken. Flying on a sword consumes True Yuan. The Soul Refining Assembly is extremely dangerous. Of course, I have to preserve my strength as much as possible. Alas, even so, I have no certainty of success. Instead of sympathizing with me, master blames me. It is truly disheartening."
"Stop that with me. The others may not know, but don't I know your devious means? If you didn't have some confidence, would you have insisted on participating in this assembly? Although I don't know your purpose, there must be something you need in this assembly. Otherwise, with your character, how could you do such a profitless thing? Don't tell me you are really doing it for the sect's honor. Only a fool would believe you have such good intentions." Chen Ling taunted.
Ding Hao grinned and said, "Master, you think too poorly of me. In fact, I do have a sincere heart for the sect."
Chen Ling pursed his lips and did not reply. Since Ding Hao was unwilling to speak, it would be useless to continue asking. Having known Ding Hao for some time, Chen Ling had gradually come to understand his temperament.
The two flew in silence for a while and finally arrived at the mountain gate of the Purgatory Demon Sect.
As soon as they stopped, Ding Hao exclaimed, "The Purgatory Demon Sect truly lives up to its reputation as a holy land of the demonic sect. What a magnificent scale!"
There was a huge plaque on top of the mountain gate, inscribed with the words "Purgatory Demon Sect", which were full of domineering and arrogance, looking down upon the heavens. Behind the mountain gate was a huge passage, stretching straight upwards. The surrounding walls were not made of ordinary blue stone cliffs but seemed to be built with Yuanhe Stones. Although this stone was not extremely precious, using it to decorate the mountain gate made Ding Hao imagine the wealth of the Purgatory Demon Sect.
Ding Hao was wondering why there were no young disciples guarding the mountain gate. At that moment, Chen Ling urged Ding Hao, and the two walked along the passage for about a thousand feet and then stopped again in front of a gate.
Two disciples of the Purgatory Demon Sect at the gate shouted when they saw the master and disciple approaching, "Who are you? Report your sect's name."
"Chen Ling, a second-generation disciple of the Wuji Demon Sect, and my disciple Ding Hao have come to participate in the Soul Refining Assembly of the Purgatory Demon Sect!" Chen Ling said respectfully.
"Oh, so you are really from the Wuji Demon Sect. Your sect leader Li Nantian arrived earlier. I thought he was lying. I never expected that after so many years, your sect still dares to participate in this assembly!" A disciple with a deep red complexion said arrogantly and then gave Ding Hao a meaningful look.
Ding Hao could tell with a single glance that the two's strength was only at the initial stage of the Fusion Realm. He was secretly astonished by the strength of the Purgatory Demon Sect. Judging from their attire, they were only third-generation disciples, but with such strength, they could only guard the mountain gate, which showed that their sect must be filled with experts. It should be known that in the Wuji Demon Sect, except for Ding Hao, no third-generation disciple had reached this level of cultivation.
"Gentlemen, you are joking. Hehe, although our sect's strength is weak, we are still a part of the Soul-breaking Mountain. How could we be absent from this assembly continuously? Could you two tell me where our sect's people are?" Chen Ling said.
"Well, in that case, you two follow my steps. Don't wander around randomly, or if you get trapped in an array, even I won't be able to save you." The disciple said and then led the two forward.
As soon as they entered the array, Ding Hao felt that the True Yuan was extremely abundant. If one cultivated in this array, it would surely bring great benefits. Everything within sight was a vast expanse of white mist, and only things within ten feet could be seen.
Ding Hao felt extremely familiar with this array but could not figure out what it was. It was not until they were about to exit the array and saw an eight-zhang cauldron that he realized it was the "Nine Cauldrons Asking Heaven Array" recorded in the Wuji Demon Art. As the name implies, nine cauldrons were required to set up this array. Although the forging method of the nine cauldrons was not overly complicated, the material requirements were extremely demanding. Only a sect like the Purgatory Demon Sect could gather the materials. However, the nine cauldrons were only the foundation of this array. Besides, there were countless auxiliary materials. The project of setting up this array was extremely huge. With this array alone, the Purgatory Demon Sect could hold a prominent position in the demonic sect.
The greatest function of the "Nine Cauldrons Asking Heaven Array" was to gather spiritual energy. This array could continuously draw in the spiritual energy from a radius of a thousand miles. The Soul-breaking Mountain itself was a holy land of cultivation with abundant spiritual energy. With the support of this array, the cultivation speed of the people of the Purgatory Demon Sect was like a tiger with wings. No wonder the Purgatory Demon Sect had always been at the peak of the cultivation sects in the Western Continent. The so-called "Asking Heaven" meant that with the efficacy of this array, transcending the tribulation and ascending would no longer be a dream.
In the center of the array, within a radius of dozens of miles, there was no more fog obstruction. This was the real cultivation site of the Purgatory Demon Sect. The houses of the Purgatory Demon Sect were built with special materials and were arranged in an orderly manner. There were thousands of houses, and among them, several were extremely magnificent and were obviously the cultivation places of those with noble status.
As soon as Ding Hao arrived here, he carefully observed his surroundings. Since he had known the strength of the Purgatory Demon Sect in advance, the two of them did not show any surprise. The disciple leading the way did not say a word and just walked forward. After a while, he led the two to a red house. Before they entered the house, they heard a cold snort, "This is all the fault of your Wuji Demon Sect. If it weren't for being guests in the Purgatory Demon Sect now, I would surely demand an explanation from Sect Leader Li. Hehe, but since your Wuji Demon Sect will also participate in this Soul Refining Assembly, don't blame our Black Demon Sect for being ruthless then!"
Just as Ding Hao and the other two entered the house, a person rushed out. This person was completely black, tall and burly, and had a haughty look. He nodded at the disciple of the Purgatory Demon Sect leading the way. When he saw Ding Hao and Chen Ling, he seemed to sense something. He gave Ding Hao a cold and arrogant smile and then left. Ding Hao thought of what the Black Demon Sect had done a few days ago and felt a faint anger in his heart. The Wuji Demon Sect had not had time to hold the Black Demon Sect accountable for the last incident, but the people of the Black Demon Sect came to find them first. It was truly too much. Black Demon Sect! Black Demon Sect! In this Soul Refining Assembly, all the participants from your sect must be eliminated!
"This is your temporary residence of the Wuji Demon Sect!" The disciple of the Purgatory Demon Sect leading the way shouted and then left.
Ding Hao and Chen Ling entered the room and saw that Sect Leader Li Nantian and the four elders all had livid faces.