Chapter 26: Kou Zhong, the Holy Lord of Xiyue Takes a Disciple, The Curtain Rises!

Inside the Su family estate, blood flowed like a river, and headless corpses were laid out in neat rows. It seemed the entire Su clan had been wiped out.

"The Su family didn't magnanimously let the Li family off the hook; it was the Li family who never intended to spare them!" someone muttered, their mind in a state of utter confusion. The entire Su family had been annihilated at the hands of the Li clan!

It was terrifying—truly horrifying. This was the Su family, after all.

"The Su family didn't fail to come to the Li family to pay their respects because they were rude; it was because they were all dead!"

They felt ridiculous for ever thinking the Li family had come to offer an apology. How laughable! The Li family hadn't come to apologize; they had come to exterminate the lineage. Now, the only one left of the Su family was likely Su Wan, the eldest young lady, currently at the Xiyue Holy Land.

Apologize? A life for a life? They had paid with the lives of the entire Su clan!

"Good heavens, something massive is about to happen! The eldest lady of the Su family is a disciple of the Xiyue Holy Lord!"

"The Li family was too clean and ruthless—they went straight to the Su estate and wiped it out! Are they not afraid of the Xiyue Holy Land's retaliation?"

"Hiss, terrifying. Simply terrifying!"

They whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with shock. They knew that with Su Wan becoming a disciple of the Xiyue Holy Lord, the Su family had been on the cusp of immense glory. Surely, the Li family's arrival should have been to offer an apology? Even if Su Wan had been in the wrong for her actions during the grand wedding, no matter how aggrieved the Li family felt, they should have bowed their heads before the Xiyue Holy Land. Yet, they hadn't. Instead, they had gone directly to the Su estate and slaughtered everyone! Who could have anticipated this?

"Do they not even hold the Xiyue Holy Land in their eyes? What gives the Li family the audacity to be unafraid?" someone asked, puzzled.

Suddenly, someone gasped and pointed to a spot in the Su estate, their expression horrified. "The Li family doesn't hold the Xiyue Holy Land in their eyes? No, it's that they have directly killed an elder of the Xiyue Holy Land!"

Everyone's gaze sharpened, focusing on two blood-stained tokens hanging above the Su family gate. One was the token of the Xiyue Holy Land, and the other was the personal token of a Xiyue Holy Land elder.

Someone stepped back, nearly collapsing to the ground. "The Li family... they actually killed an elder of the Xiyue Holy Land?!"

Afraid of the Xiyue Holy Land? Not a chance! If they dared to kill an elder, that was hardly fear. Everyone looked on with complex expressions. Should they call the Li family brave, or simply ignorant?

"Let’s leave quickly. This is not a mess we should get involved in!"

"The Su family is finished! So what if Su Wan is a disciple of the Xiyue Holy Lord? The Su family is cursed!"

"Indeed. For Su Wan to do such a thing, it’s no wonder the Su family was implicated and wiped out!"

"If such a disciple appeared in my family, we would be finished! Whoever wants her can have her!"

No one lingered, and as they prepared to leave, someone asked in confusion, "Why do you think the Li family took the heads of the Su family members?"

They looked at each other, speechless.

...

At the Tailong Sect, Li Xuan arrived. In the grand hall, someone was already waiting—a man dressed in yellow.

Kou Zhong stared at Li Xuan, his expression grim. "Do you know where that trash is?"

At the mention of "that trash," a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes. He had wasted too much time pursuing that wretch. Years ago, that scum had destroyed a precious medicinal herb of his, stolen a Dao scripture, killed many of his subordinates, and even murdered one of his sons. He could never forget such a grudge; the mere thought that the wretch was still alive filled him with boiling rage.

Kou Zhong glared fiercely at Li Xuan. "Tell me where he is, and I might spare your life." He had started as a bandit and risen all the way to become a Saint.

Li Xuan glanced at him. Instantly, Kou Zhong collapsed to his knees, breaking into a cold sweat. In that single look, he felt a weight of boundless majesty.

"Spare me, Senior! I beg you, spare my life! I, Kou Zhong, am willing to do anything!" Kou Zhong shouted immediately. Having started as a bandit, he knew how to read the situation. He knew who could be provoked and who could not. This time, he had been blinded by rage—it was all that damn trash’s fault. If not for being consumed by his quest for vengeance, he never would have been so reckless. He truly had been a fool. How could it be simple to find someone who knew his secrets regarding that trash? Kou Zhong regretted it so deeply his guts were twisted. He had never felt such power, not even from the old monsters of the Holy Lands. He was a Saint, not someone who knelt easily, but that look had terrified him to his core.

Li Xuan tapped the table, looking down at the kneeling man. "I do have something for you to do."

Kou Zhong kowtowed immediately. "Senior, please command me! I will do my utmost."

Li Xuan chuckled. This fellow was quite interesting—seemingly spineless, yet capable of surviving for a long time. A slippery character. Li Xuan explained the task, and Kou Zhong understood instantly, patting his chest. "Senior, that will be no problem at all!"

Demanding someone from the Xiyue Holy Land? What was there to fear? He had brothers, and that wretched trash was hiding in the Xiyue Holy Land. He would make the trip!

"Senior, I thank you. I have searched for that trash for thousands of years. Finally, I can use him to pay respects to my son's spirit."

"Kou Zhong thanks you."

Kou Zhong knelt with a solemn expression. He had spent his life fighting to become a Saint, living as he pleased, but this one matter had been a thorn in his throat—something he could neither swallow nor spit out. His son had died at the hands of that trash, and now he could finally have his revenge. It had to be washed in blood to honor his son's spirit!

"Senior, just give the order, I am at your command!" Kou Zhong’s eyes were bloodshot as he kowtowed again.

Li Xuan reached out and helped him up, laughing. "What would I want with your life? I only want you to expose Sikong Shen's true colors, ruin his reputation, and drive him away from Ye Bufan. As for what you do to Sikong Shen, that is up to you."

Kou Zhong thanked him again and strode away. Li Xuan sat comfortably in his chair, pondering for a moment, and checked the system. There was a fair amount of villain points now, gained from earlier.

[You stirred Ye Bufan's heartstrings, gaining 999 villain points and +1 year of lifespan.]
[You stirred Su Wan's heartstrings, gaining 999 villain points and +1 year of lifespan.]

Li Xuan shook his head; it was too little—not even worth a single Ginseng Fruit. Still, he was in a pleasant mood. He had prepared gifts for Su Wan, Ye Bufan, and the Xiyue Holy Lord. How could he not send gifts for a master-disciple ceremony? Not only would he send them, he would send them in abundance, enough to make them roar with fury.

Li Xuan narrowed his eyes, a flicker of mischief passing through them. He was a man who held grudges and was quite petty, he mused leisurely. Regarding the Xiyue Holy Land and Chen Xiyue, Li Xuan was certain she wasn't dead; she was plotting something against him. He was curious—what exactly did she hope to gain? Regardless, since the Xiyue Holy Land had chosen Ye Bufan and moved against him and the Li family, their previous promises were void. Li Xuan didn't care if they knew his true identity or not. "The ignorant are innocent?" That rule didn't apply to him.

When everything settled, he wanted to see if Chen Xiyue would show herself. After all, this play was written specifically for this old acquaintance.

Li Xuan crossed his legs. The system was inconvenient—it couldn't display the destiny values of Ye Bufan and Su Wan. When would he be able to hang Ye Bufan up and beat him? He wondered if such methods would generate villain points, or if he killed him directly, would destiny punish him? Of course, it would be best if Ye Bufan remained a "destiny-powered generator" for his life and strength. With Ye Bufan, he could become invincible!

He was still a long way from true invincibility. During the dark war when the Emperors rose, there were too many powerhouses who appeared. He stood up. He didn't intend to deal with Ye Bufan personally; it was time to watch the show. The Ye family had already been handled; Ye Bufan had been raised by them, only to steal their supreme treasure before leaving. The Ye family had no choice but to swallow their grievances. Now that Li Xuan had found them and offered to back them, they were more than happy to comply!

Li Xuan walked out of the hall. In this play, everyone who deserved to die would die. Showing mercy? The corners of Li Xuan’s mouth curled upward.

...

At the Xiyue Holy Land, Leng Yanshuang and Mo Yao had settled in. Neither mentioned Li Xuan’s demand that they betray Ye Bufan. *I would never betray him anyway,* they thought. Why bother telling Ye Bufan? Wouldn't that lower their image in his eyes?

The Xiyue Holy Land was filled with guests. Above, auspicious clouds drifted and colorful cranes danced. Powerful carriages appeared, each emitting a formidable aura—the mounts of the masters of various sects and holy lands arriving for the grand ceremony. In the cities surrounding the Xiyue Holy Land, people crowded the streets. They weren't on the invitation list and couldn't get inside, so they could only watch from afar.

In the back mountains of the Xiyue Holy Land, Ye Bufan leaped out from the depths, wearing a set of golden armor.

"Master, I have reached the middle section of the Demon Cave. I have seen the demonic barriers and even a quasi-Emperor weapon!" Ye Bufan said, his expression vibrant as he addressed Chen Qing.

Chen Qing was shocked. "Good, very good! Excellent, Bufan, you are truly excellent! Haha, is this the power of the Double Pupils? Bufan, take this Dao scripture."

Nearby, the elders and supreme elders of the Xiyue Holy Land offered their praises one after another. Ye Bufan’s appearance had far exceeded their expectations. He had walked through the Demon Cave as if it were his own backyard; with the help of his Double Pupils, the demonic fog had no effect on him. Moreover, he had unexpectedly resonated with a quasi-Emperor weapon and was already close to mastering it.

Ye Bufan listened to the praise, showing a shy smile as he accepted the various rewards.

"Alright, Bufan. Today is your big day, go and prepare," Chen Qing said with a smile, clearly very satisfied with him.

Ye Bufan bowed and left, quickly returning to his palace. "Master, thank you," he said silently to the remnant soul of the Saint.

Sikong Shen smiled. "You are my disciple; of course I would step in."

Ye Bufan breathed a sigh of relief. He had nearly had an accident earlier—the power of his Double Pupils had become unstable, and it was fortunate his master had intervened. Thinking of his eyes, a dark glint flashed in his heart. His Double Pupils might be having problems! During this trip to the Demon Cave, he had not only obtained a mysterious egg but had also resonated with a quasi-Emperor weapon. A flicker of heat crossed his eyes—that was a quasi-Emperor weapon! Perhaps... which was why his master was so important to him.

Soon, Ye Bufan finished preparing and met up with Su Wan. The Xiyue Holy Lord's disciple-acceptance ceremony had begun.

"These are the two disciples the Xiyue Holy Lord is taking in? One with the Dragon-Voice Physique, the other with the Violet-Qi Physique. What extraordinary constitutions!"

"They are a perfect match, truly a handsome couple."

"I hear this Ye Bufan also possesses a pair of Double Pupils. His future is limitless!"

The guests chatted and marveled. The two disciples were truly exceptional.

"Holy Lord Xiyue, why not give one of these disciples to me?" a powerhouse joked.

The Holy Lord smiled and shook her head, listening to the praise with great satisfaction. Ye Bufan stood on the high platform, full of vigor. "I must thank my master. Without him, there would be no Ye Bufan today." At the same time, he whispered in his heart, *Thank you, Master!* He was referring to Sikong Shen, though he was also grateful to Chen Qing.

Sikong Shen laughed. "Why the thanks between us?" He was very satisfied with Ye Bufan. Double Pupils, Dragon-Voice Physique, and now a mysterious egg. In the future, he might even be able to wield that quasi-Emperor weapon! To think there was a quasi-Emperor weapon within the Xiyue Holy Land... he, too, wanted it.

The ceremony proceeded step by step. Ye Bufan and Su Wan knelt to offer tea to Chen Qing.

"Today, I, Chen Qing, Holy Lord of the Xiyue Holy Land, take Ye Bufan and Su Wan as my disciples. Let this be known to our ancestors."

Chen Qing lit an incense stick in the central censer of the Holy Land. She turned to the guests and said, "My disciple, Ye Bufan, was slandered by the Li family and that Li Xuan. The Xiyue Holy Land will certainly see justice done!"

This was the declaration of the Xiyue Holy Land—they were backing Ye Bufan! The guests were puzzled. Was the Li family really that bold? To provoke the Xiyue Holy Land? They noted the names Li family and Li Xuan, wondering if they could curry favor with the Xiyue Holy Land later.

Ye Bufan felt moved and offered the tea with Su Wan. Chen Qing accepted it and took a sip. The ritual was complete; from this moment on, they were the official disciples of the Xiyue Holy Lord.

Just then, a voice rang out, audible both inside and outside the Xiyue Holy Land.

"Tsk, tsk. You Xiyue Holy Land folks aren't very proper, are you? Taking on disciples without notifying me, and even trying to stop me when I come to visit. How disappointing—I even prepared a gift for your Holy Land."