Chapter 125: The Calamity That Destroyed the Sect (Part One)

“Master Leifeng, we are leaving now. I hope there will be another chance to see your two outstanding disciples. Although the battle between your two and my disciples ended without a decisive victor, my words still stand: as long as your Moonwatch Sect exists, the Haofeng Empire will never dare to harm a single leaf or blade of grass in the Yunhai Kingdom.” After Mo Wuxin returned to his side, the elder surnamed Rong looked up at Lei Wei with a smile and spoke.

“Of course, that premise depends on your Moonwatch Sect still existing. If your sect were to cease to exist, then my words would naturally no longer hold.” Just as Lei Wei was about to respond, the tone of the elder Rong changed abruptly. With a wave of his sleeve, his three disciples and the Tenth Prince vanished instantly from the spot alongside him.

“What exactly is that elder Rong’s background? He comes and goes at will within the Hidden Mist Peak. And what did he mean by those parting words?” Elder Xiao Peng of Spirit Sword Peak asked grimly after Rong and his group disappeared.

Lei Wei shook his head. The elder Rong’s actions were unfathomable; no one could predict his intentions. At that moment, the sect leader Leng Fengyang’s expression suddenly shifted. In the next instant, he disappeared from the spot and appeared before the mountain wall of Hidden Mist Peak, pressing his hand against it as he said urgently, “Something’s wrong—enemy forces are attacking. We must get out quickly!”

“What? Could it be that untrustworthy Rong has turned against Moonwatch Sect after leaving?” Elder Changmu Jinhong of Thunderclap Peak and Elder Xiao Peng spoke in unison, both shocked and angry.

“No, it cannot be them. Given Rong’s status and his explicit vow not to harm us, he would not break his word. But just because they do not attack doesn’t mean others won’t. Those parting words likely mean he already knows something we don’t.” Ji Mo’s face was pale as she shook her head softly.

“Junior sister, stay silent. No matter who comes, you must find a way to preserve your life.” Su Ye furrowed his brows, stepping before Lei Wei. His usually noble yet somewhat mischievous face was unusually grave. “Leave your care of her to me, Master.”

“Very well, she’s yours.” Without hesitation, Lei Wei entrusted Ji Mo to him. Su Ye’s combat prowess was no less than his own, and having him look after Ji Mo would be more effective. Ji Mo opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. She allowed Su Ye to take her away.

With a wave of his hand, Su Ye opened the stone wall, and together with the others, they dashed out of Hidden Mist Peak. As soon as they emerged, countless shouts and screams of agony reached their ears from afar. Along with the voices came an intense, bloody stench of fire, all coming from the direction of Xingwu Peak.

Xingwu Peak was currently hosting a grand martial contest. Ninety percent of Moonwatch Sect members had gathered there. The five peak masters and elders’ expressions changed drastically. In the next moment, each displayed their divine skills, becoming lightning incarnate as they sped towards Xingwu Peak.

Prince Yun, Lan Hui Sect’s Zhou Zhenren, and the three guests from the Ancient Intent Sect hesitated briefly and did not immediately follow the Moonwatch Sect members. Zhou Zhenren glanced at Prince Yun and asked, “Your Highness, what shall we do?”

“Let’s follow them. We all belong to the Yunhai Kingdom, and Moonwatch Sect is the leading sect of our realm. If something were to befall them, what benefit would there be for us?” Prince Yun replied after a moment’s thought, launching himself toward Xingwu Peak.

Zhou Zhenren and Wang Zhenren of Ancient Intent Sect hesitated but ultimately followed silently behind Prince Yun toward Xingwu Peak. After all, their disciples were still watching the contest there.

Ignoring the intentions of these three guests, the Moonwatch Sect members’ anger erupted like a volcano as soon as they reached the skies above Xingwu Peak. In the center of Xingwu Peak, the Grand Elder of Spirit Face Peak was locked in battle against a beautiful young woman clad in green. Around the peak, countless lifeless bodies lay strewn, and the dense, bloody aura was almost suffocating.

Most present recognized the green-clad girl fighting against Grand Elder Chang Fengyan of Spirit Sword Peak. She was Jiang Ping, the prized disciple of Yun Shui Lan, the master of Hidden Mist Peak. But Jiang Ping was different now; her eyes gleamed with ruthless bloodlust as she chattered madly.

Moonwatch Sect members stared in shock and fury. This Jiang Ping was clearly not the same as before. What kind of entity had taken over Jiang Ping’s body? What was its origin? How could a mere Foundation Establishment disciple hold her own against a Grand Elder at the Transformation Spirit realm?

Yet there was no time for speculation. Leng Fengyang’s voice was cold and steady as he commanded, “Form the formation!” At his command, the five peaks aligned in a straight line and charged toward Jiang Ping fighting Fengyan.

Among the five peak masters, only Leng Fengyang had reached the advanced Nascent Soul stage; the other four were at mid-level Nascent Soul. Individually, even the strongest among them, like Lei Wei or Leng Fengyang, could hold their own against peers, but could not easily contend with higher levels. Together, however, forming the Five-Star Constellation Formation, their combined power could rival and even slay ordinary Transformation Spirit cultivators.

Soon after, Prince Yun, Zhou Zhenren, and Wang Zhenren arrived, exhaling sharply. They had long known the terrifying strength of Moonwatch Sect; their Nascent Soul cultivators alone matched the combined total of their three sects. But what surprised them was that Moonwatch Sect not only had a Transformation Spirit cultivator stationed there, but the combined power of their five peak masters was enough to match one as well. No wonder the Haofeng Empire coveted them.

Clash! The five peak masters struck Jiang Ping with the formation’s combined force, sending her flying back. Hidden Mist Peak’s master, Yun Shui Lan, couldn’t help but shout, “Who are you? What have you done to my disciple?”

“Heh heh, your disciple? Don’t worry, she’s alive and well. Her body is just temporarily under my control. We’ve coexisted peacefully for years. Besides, she’s talented—I’m not about to kill her. As for who I am, you’re not yet worthy to know. Your strength surprises me, but it ends here.” The voice was mocking and cold.

“After you descend into the Nine Nether, don’t blame Jiang Ping. Blame her for the downfall of your Moonwatch Sect from the day she joined. Now, all of you, perish!” Jiang Ping cackled eerily, then suddenly blood poured from her mouth, nose, eyes, and ears, her aura surging ever higher with the spattering blood. (To be continued…)