CHAPTER 221: CHAPTER 19: HEADING TO MINOR HILLOCK MOUNTAIN

"Is Shen Chumo acquainted with the calamity of Minor Hillock Mountain?"

Surprise flashed across Wei Lan’s pretty face.

She was not unfamiliar with the name Shen Changqing. In fact, as the most talked-about figure in the Capital City currently, there were few who had not heard of him.

But the problem was, no matter how renowned one might be, forging a connection with a calamity was no easy task.

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing was first taken aback before quickly regaining his composure.

"Defender Dongfang, you jest. I have merely met that calamity once; it’s hardly what one would call a connection."

"The fact that you, with the strength of the Innate Realm, could face the calamity and escape unscathed is already extraordinary. You must understand, calamities, classified as part of the Demon Evil Clan, are inherently cruel and vicious. Anyone who enters a Calamity Domain, unless they possess overwhelming strength, has no chance of emerging alive. Your survival alone speaks volumes."

Dongfang Zhao shook his head, speaking calmly.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing felt a foreboding premonition rising within him. Praise from a Defender Envoy isn’t necessarily a good thing.

So, after the other party finished speaking, he tentatively asked, "I don’t quite understand what Defender Dongfang means by that!"

"The calamity cannot be eradicated. Defender Envoys have previously attempted to destroy it themselves, but failed. I originally intended to assign people to guard the area, to curb the calamity’s growth and buy us some time. However, to my surprise, news of the calamity has already leaked. The Demon Evil Clan is clearly targeting it now. To prevent the calamity from siding with the Demon Evil camp, we must find a way to win it over."

At this point, Dongfang Zhao looked at Shen Changqing, his expression serious.

"You are acquainted with that calamity, which may make you the best candidate for persuasion. Even if you cannot get it to join our side, you must at least ensure it doesn’t defect to the Demon Evil’s side."

Shen Changqing fell silent.

Indeed. Dongfang Zhao meant exactly what I surmised. Persuading a calamity is immensely difficult.

Moreover, persuasion was not exactly his strong suit, not to mention their so-called acquaintance. To be frank, Shen Changqing didn’t feel he had any real connection with Mo Zijin. If I hadn’t run fast that night, I might have ended up as its meal.

"I understand what Defender Dongfang means, but—"

"This time, I will send Wei Lan to accompany you. Both of you are Grandmasters. According to the Demon-Subduing Division, that calamity is still in its juvenile phase. Even if the task proves impossible, retreating together shouldn’t be a problem for the two of you," Dongfang Zhao said.

"Ah, yes!"

Shen Changqing opened his mouth but could only nod in agreement.

Since it had come to this, he had no way to refuse.

Besides, while Defender Dongfang spoke politely, if he truly refused the order, things would likely become unpleasant later.

Furthermore, if Wei Lan also went, two Grandmasters venturing into the Calamity Domain should indeed not face any major problems.

A calamity in its juvenile phase generally isn’t very strong. Approximately, its strength would be around the Grandmaster level, give or take.

Dongfang Zhao nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Wei Lan. "Wei Lan, you will accompany him this time. If anything happens along the way, defer to Shen Chumo."

"Yes!"

Wei Lan accepted the order.

---

After leaving the Council Hall, the two of them made minimal preparations and headed directly toward Guangyuan Prefecture.

The matter of the calamity was urgent and couldn’t be delayed.

「On the other hand.」

Saber Blade Sect.

"Sect Leader, are we really going to ignore Minor Hillock Mountain?"

Within the hall, an Elder spoke with a grave expression.

The situation at Minor Hillock Mountain had been a major headache for the Saber Blade Sect these past few days.

It couldn’t be helped; the possibility of a forbidden area existing within Minor Hillock Mountain was already troublesome.

But a few days ago, all the Demon-Subduing Division experts guarding Minor Hillock Mountain were wiped out. This was a very serious matter indeed.

The Demon-Subduing Division’s harsh and ruthless methods were widely known in the Jianghu.

Now that the Demon-Subduing Division members on Minor Hillock Mountain had been wiped out, the Saber Blade Sect, as the local power, faced considerable pressure.

Wu Que’s expression remained unchanged as he said, "The Saber Blade Sect can no longer interfere in the matters of Minor Hillock Mountain. Whether there truly is a forbidden area there or not, we should not get involved any further."

If the Saber Blade Sect had any designs on Minor Hillock Mountain initially, now they regarded it with extreme trepidation.

The deaths of two Grandmasters were no small matter.

Despite the Saber Blade Sect’s not inconsiderable strength, Wu Que was the only Grandmaster among them. In terms of strength, he wasn’t confident he could contend with Gu Ming and Kong Ye.

Even experts as strong as those two had perished there.

If any subsequent trouble were to affect the Saber Blade Sect, Wu Que wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Therefore, staying clear of Minor Hillock Mountain’s troubles was the most practical approach right now.

Sun Guan said, "Sect Leader, if Minor Hillock Mountain truly harbors a forbidden area, our Saber Blade Sect is too close. There will undoubtedly be many problems. In the past, sects near forbidden areas either relocated early or were devoured. If the Demon-Subduing Division cannot suppress the forbidden area, we must make plans soon."

"It’s time to make preparations!"

Wu Que nodded, his tone laced with an indescribable mix of melancholy and reluctance.

The Saber Blade Sect had been established here for so many years. To abandon it now—no one would be willing.

But if the Saber Blade Sect doesn’t retreat, and the forbidden area grows, the entire Saber Blade Sect will be devoured. Then, I would become the sect’s greatest sinner.

"Make all preparations. Additionally, carefully verify once more if a forbidden area truly exists within Minor Hillock Mountain. If it does, we’ll relocate immediately. Also, send people to find a new location for our Saber Blade Sect’s future base," Wu Que said in a deep voice.

The Saber Blade Sect had no way to contend with a forbidden area. The power of a forbidden area was not something an ordinary Grandmaster could withstand. If I could obtain the Invincible Golden Body and advance to the late Grandmaster stage, I would have more confidence. However, the Invincible Golden Body ended up in the hands of the Qiyao Sect. The Saber Blade Sect’s trip to the Yuanyang Auction House had been a waste of time; they’d returned empty-handed.

With the Saber Blade Sect’s current legacy, at most, one could break through to the mid-Grandmaster stage, entering the phase of True Intent Manifestation. As for stubbornly pursuing the Spiritual System to its absolute limit, that was an unknown. Throughout the Saber Blade Sect’s history, no Grandmaster had ever reached the pinnacle of the Spiritual System.

Upon hearing this, Sun Guan and the other Elders bowed and accepted the order.

"We shall obey the Sect Leader’s command!"

Having said this, they retreated, leaving Wu Que alone in the vast main hall of the Saber Blade Sect.

Late Grandmaster stage! Wu Que murmured to himself.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

What the Saber Blade Sect currently lacked was a suitable set of Outer Techniques. With Demon’s Essence Blood on hand, entering the Physical System wouldn’t be a problem if I had suitable Outer Techniques. Without the aid of Outer Techniques, directly consuming Essence Blood could lead to death by bodily explosion from a single misstep. But now that the auction for the Invincible Golden Body had failed, the chances of acquiring Grandmaster-level Outer Techniques later were slim.

However, according to news from the Yuanyang Auction House, Shen Changqing would be auctioning Grandmaster Martial Arts again in a few months. But from what the information suggested, that martial art was of a much higher grade than the Invincible Golden Body—far beyond what our Saber Blade Sect could afford. Even the Invincible Golden Body had been beyond the Saber Blade Sect’s financial reach. That upcoming martial art was clearly on a much higher level. Never mind the Saber Blade Sect’s lack of funds; even if they somehow won the bid, they might not be able to protect such a martial art. Techniques of that caliber were an immense temptation to many sects. Unless news of it could be completely suppressed, only then might there be a chance to keep the martial art.

Therefore, Wu Que held little hope for the auction in a few months.

There are two major systems for Grandmasters. If I can’t obtain Grandmaster-level Outer Techniques, then only two paths remain: either comprehend a Grandmaster Outer Technique myself, or push our current legacy to its absolute limit. The chances of the former are very slim; I have no confidence in that. The latter, though equally difficult, is the only path currently visible to the Saber Blade Sect. The peak of the Spiritual System! If we could reach that step, the Saber Blade Sect would still be a top sect in the Jianghu.

The Physical System and Spiritual System are complementary. Advancing both simultaneously offers a greater chance of reaching the peak. If one only cultivates the Spiritual System without the Physical System, the difficulty will likely be even greater!

Wu Que frowned, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

He was contemplating the sect’s future path.

Never mind that the Saber Blade Sect is currently a major sect in the Jianghu; we are not at the pinnacle. Ultimately, it’s because the Saber Blade Sect’s current strength is too weak. Or rather, my own strength as the Saber Blade Sect Master is too weak. If I could bring one system to its pinnacle, why would I worry about lacking Grandmaster-level Outer Techniques? If I were at the pinnacle of a system, then facing a nascent forbidden area, the Saber Blade Sect wouldn’t necessarily have to abandon its foundation of so many years and retreat in dismay. All of this is due to insufficient strength.

I’ll wait and see!

If the auction in a few months still doesn’t pan out, then we’ll have to focus primarily on the Spiritual System!

Wu Que decided internally.

A few months would also be enough time for the Saber Blade Sect to determine if Minor Hillock Mountain truly concealed a forbidden area.

If it did, the Saber Blade Sect would have to prepare to retreat.

A foundation built over many years is insignificant compared to the sect’s survival.

Gradually, the sounds in the main hall faded, and everything returned to serenity.

---

Two fast horses galloped along a rocky path, one following the other, their speed like lightning.

"Another dozen or so li, and we should reach Minor Hillock Mountain!" Shen Changqing said, observing the rapidly passing surroundings.

Although he had only been to Minor Hillock Mountain once, he clearly remembered its surroundings. This road was particularly familiar, as he had taken it when rushing from Minor Hillock Mountain to the Capital City last time.

Since leaving the Capital City, they had ridden non-stop, pausing only for the horses’ necessary rests, constantly pushing onward.

After a considerable time, Minor Hillock Mountain was finally in sight.