CHAPTER 406: CHAPTER 405 CALCULATION_1

Earth Country.

As the largest nation among the five major countries, the territory of the Earth Country was vast, nearly equaling the combined territories of the Wind Country, the Fire Country, and the Thunder Country.

The entire Earth Country was dominated by Demonic Sects. The Saint Witch Religion and the Myriad Beasts Sect were the two largest Demonic Sects. Besides them, dozens of other Demonic Sects were distributed across various regions of the Earth Country.

Demonic Path Followers revered power. Strength determined everything here. The big fish ate the small fish, and the small fish ate the shrimp. The weak could only endure bullying, some even becoming slaves devoid of personal freedom.

In the Earth Country, conflict between factions was a common sight. When disputes could not be settled, they were resolved by combat.

The strong were inherently justified; the defeated could only bow their heads in submission and endure oppression.

The law of the jungle, primitive human nature, was fully exhibited here.

In the far east, there was a place called Magic Fog Mountain.

The Heavenly Earth Energy in this area was filled with a hint of gloom, and black fog perpetually covered the mountaintop. This aura seemed capable of altering one’s mind, so no one dared to approach casually.

The areas within one hundred miles of Magic Fog Mountain were sparsely populated and extremely desolate.

A hundred miles away, there was a small town.

WHOOSH!

The sound of rushing air resonated as two silhouettes suddenly landed.

It was none other than Ling Chen and Xia Yunxin.

What surprised Ling Chen was that this small town looked very prosperous. The people here, like in other countries, were living normally.

As far as his eyes could see, there were peddlers and itinerant merchants, dignitaries dressed in lavish clothes, and Jianghu martial artists.

"So a country under the Demon Way isn’t the living Purgatory described in Jianghu rumors," Ling Chen observed, looking at the lively scenes around him with some surprise.

"Those are just slanders from your Righteous Martial World." Xia Yunxin shook her head dismissively. "If it were as you say, we would have been extinct long ago. How could we possess the power to contend with your Righteous Martial World?"

"Demonic Path Followers enjoy competition and ferocity, but not all are ruthless killers. Although there are indeed some eccentric and evil individuals, they are a minority. Besides, in your Righteous Path, aren’t there also plenty of people who appear virtuous but are actually cruel and ruthless?"

"You’re not wrong," Ling Chen said, looking around. His perception of the Demon Way began to change. It seemed the education he had received in the past did not reveal the complete truth. Joining the Demon Way was not such an unforgivable sin after all.

"Lady Xia Ji is here!"

"Greetings, Lady Xia Ji!"

The passersby seemed to recognize Xia Yunxin. They greeted her enthusiastically, some even wanting to offer her fruit.

"I often come down the mountain, so I’m familiar with everyone in this small town," Xia Yunxin explained, noticing Ling Chen’s surprise.

Ling Chen just smiled, not saying much. I didn’t expect the ruthless Xia Ji to have this side.

"Ruthless? Me?" Xia Yunxin scoffed. "That’s just a label you Righteous Sects have pinned on me. I was only ruthless once, and that was with the Fire Blade Sect."

"I didn’t want to kill those people, but I had no choice. It was the Sect Leader’s command."

Ling Chen listened, his expression unchanging. He didn’t have a saintly complex. After experiencing so much, he understood the cruelty of Jianghu.

Such matters were hard to judge as right or wrong.

"I always thought the Demon Way was cruel to the innocent and weak, even resorting to frequent Slaughter. But now, it seems that’s not entirely true," Ling Chen remarked with considerable emotion as they left the small town.

"That’s just your misunderstanding. Strength is relative. Where there are strong people, there will be weak ones."

"The strong have their ways of living, and the weak have their ways of survival."

"We in the Demon Way are not cruel to the weak. We just need useful people, those who can be put to use."

"We don’t support useless people here."

After speaking, Xia Yunxin’s gaze became much sharper. Ling Chen suddenly looked at her. "You deliberately brought me here, didn’t you?"

"I only wanted to change your perspective," Xia Yunxin smiled slightly.

"Thank you." Ling Chen nodded. He felt much better now; his prejudice against the Demon Way and his views on the Demonic Sects had changed dramatically.

"I was only following the Saintess’s orders." The corners of Xia Yunxin’s mouth lifted into a small smile. Then, she activated her Light Skill and moved ahead, her voice drifting back, "Let’s go. It’s time to head up the mountain."

Hearing this, Ling Chen’s gaze sharpened slightly. Magic Fog Mountain. The headquarters of the Saint Witch Religion. Was he finally going to set foot in the largest sect of the Demon Way?

Without hesitating for long, Ling Chen moved and followed.

...

Under the cover of thick black fog, the headquarters of the Saint Witch Religion revealed erect mountain peaks. A black palace stood atop each peak, emanating majestic and powerful energy fluctuations.

In a courtyard, several figures gathered, seemingly planning something.

"Tiange, I learned from the Saintess Hall today that the Saintess’s son will be welcomed up the mountain to join our Holy Church," said a seductive woman, graceful and charming. She was none other than Mei Ji.

"What? Ling Chen?"

Opposite her, a young man in black attire paled instantly, his expression quickly darkening.

"Xia Yunxin is already a huge obstacle for me, and now there’s Ling Chen. That damned kid stole my Treasure Sword in the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace last time, causing me to lose face. I haven’t settled that score with him yet."

Chu Tiange had long harbored resentment towards Ling Chen. Hearing that Ling Chen was going to join the Saint Witch Religion filled him with anger.

"The Saintess’s faction is growing stronger by the day. This isn’t good news."

Just as Chu Tiange finished speaking, a somewhat aged voice chimed in.

"Earth Demon Sect Master, do you have a good solution?" Chu Tiange’s eyes lit up as he looked at the old man before him.

This old man had reached the Great Master Ninth Level in his Cultivation. He was powerful and famously known as the Earth Demon Sect Master within the Saint Witch Religion.

"What good solution could there be? Kill him before he establishes a firm footing. That will prevent future trouble," a murderous glint flashed in the Earth Demon Sect Master’s eyes.

"Kill?" Chu Tiange asked, still a bit nervous. "This kid is the Saintess’s son. If she finds out we killed him, she won’t let us off, will she?"

"If I do it myself, I will definitely not leave a single trace." The Earth Demon Sect Master smiled coldly. "That girl Xia Yunxin, isn’t she with that kid too? Then eliminate them both. If an investigation occurs, the Sect Leader will protect us. Even the Saintess won’t be able to do anything to us then."

"That makes sense. Then I’ll have to trouble you, Earth Demon Sect Master."

Enlightened by the Earth Demon Sect Master, Chu Tiange’s eyes grew bright. He decided he would kill them first and deal with the consequences later. With Sikong Yi protecting them, Liu Xiling couldn’t do anything to him as long as she couldn’t find concrete evidence.

Chu Tiange was overjoyed. This will eliminate two major enemies at once, truly killing two birds with one stone! Getting rid of these two was like removing thorns from his side.

"Actually, it’s killing three birds with one stone," Mei Ji, beside him, said with a peculiar smile.

"What do you mean, three birds?" Chu Tiange was a little confused.

Mei Ji giggled. "I heard that after the Saintess returned from the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace, she went into full seclusion to cultivate. She’s aiming for the Fifth Level of Sky Apex Realm. If she hears that her son and most beloved disciple have been killed, do you think she might suffer a cultivation deviation due to her rage?"

"Not only will she suffer a cultivation deviation, she’ll probably die of anger directly! Haha..." Chu Tiange laughed heartily, feeling better than he ever had. He reached out, wrapped his arm around Mei Ji’s slender waist, and slid his right hand inside her dress, squeezing her soft breasts. "It seems leaving you in the Saintess Hall was an incredibly wise decision. Once we completely overthrow the Saintess this time, no one in the Holy Church will dare to oppose me anymore."

"From now on, this Holy Church will be my domain!"