Ch. 88 - Zimo Must Die

The origin of the Sacred Spring Sect carries a touch of legend.

It’s said that long ago, a sage passed through the Western Region and discovered a spiritual spring, a natural treasure formed by the dense concentration of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy.

It was the ideal place to establish a sect.

This sage, benevolent by nature, began preaching and spreading his teachings around the spring, attracting villagers from several nearby towns.

Everyone who came was allowed to drink from the spring.

Over time, the sage’s name spread far and wide, and the number of cultivators gathering around the spring grew steadily.

Eventually, they suggested formally founding a sect, naming the sage the Sacred Spring Sage, and naming the sect after him, Sacred Spring Sect.

Several hundred years later, when the sage was preparing to leave, he passed the position of sect master to his eldest disciple.

At that time, the Sacred Spring Sect was just a small force hovering between third- and second-tier status.

A few centuries after that, one disciple of the sect accidentally saved a man’s life.

The man promised to repay the favor someday, but no one took it seriously, thinking it was just polite words.

No one could have predicted that a century later, the man’s voice would echo across the entire Primordial Heartlands:

“Today, I bear the Mandate of Heaven and ascend as Grand Emperor, titled Wu Chen. I shall rule over the Eight Desolates, and dominate the universe!”

That man had become the Grand Emperor of his era.

From that moment on, the Sacred Spring Sect entered a golden age. The disciple who saved him was made sect lord.

With the protection of Grand Emperor Wu Chen, the Sacred Spring Sect rose rapidly, becoming a first-rate power.

It’s said that Grand Emperor Wu Chen's wife was Wind Ancestor, which also strengthened the ties between the Sacred Spring Sect and the Immortal Spirit Sect.

…

The Sageship slowly descended at the entrance of the Sacred Spring Sect.

From above, the sect didn’t quite match the grandeur of the True Martial Sacred Ground, But it was still majestic: ancient trees towered skyward, rivers hung like waterfalls from the cliffs, mist curled like silk.

Mountains loomed like prisons, towers stood like blades. Giant beasts over a thousand meters long roamed near the sect, dragging mountains behind them.

Some disciples released sword auras like seas, while others struck with lightning, splitting the sky in half.

Most incredible of all were the springs scattered throughout the sect: some bloomed like flower fields, some roared like beasts, others turned into a rain of swords or shot hundreds of meters into the sky, merging with the clouds.

“Grand Elder Tianzhen, Grand Elder Fanyun, it’s been a while,” the Sacred Spring Sect’s master, Luo Changhe, arrived with a group of elders to welcome them.

“Sect Lord Luo, it seems your cultivation has improved again since our last meeting,” Grand Elder Tianzhen smiled.

“Not at all. Please, come in. The feast is ready. The inner court competition will begin tomorrow morning,” Luo Changhe said, inviting them inside.

…

By the time they arrived, it was already late afternoon.

After dinner, the sky darkened as dusk set in.

With the competition scheduled for the next morning, rooms had already been prepared for the guests.

Back in her room, Nie Xingqing took out Wind Ancestor’s painting and began studying it.

The woman in the painting looked incredibly lifelike, dressed in a light blue gauze gown, so realistic it seemed she might step out of the canvas.

She resembled a celestial maiden descending from the heavens, a testament to the painter’s astonishing skill.

Just as Nie Xingqing was pondering the painting’s meaning, a knock came at the door.

Startled, she quickly hid the painting and opened the door.

“You?” she frowned at the figure standing outside.

Little Gui smiled. “I’ve come to discuss a deal.”

“Not interested,” Nie Xingqing said, trying to shut the door, but Little Gui stopped her.

“Don’t you want to know who killed your adoptive father?”

Nie Xingqing hesitated, then opened the door.

“Let’s talk business,” Little Gui said as he walked in. “Help me kill Xu Zimo, and I’ll tell you who the murderer is.”

“That’s impossible,” Nie Xingqing shook her head. Xu Zimo was the son of the Vice-Lord of the True Martial Sacred Ground.

If she killed him and enraged Xu Qingshan, a war between the two sects could break out, and she would undoubtedly be sacrificed to appease his wrath.

Even as the Saintess of the Immortal Spirit Sect, she wouldn’t be protected. That much was certain.

…

“What if I told you the destruction of the Heavenly Sword Sect was ordered by Xu Zimo?” Little Gui said calmly.

“That’s not funny,” Nie Xingqing stared at him coldly.

“I have no reason to lie,” Little Gui said. “I’ve been by his side all along, I know many of his secrets.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Nie Xingqing frowned.

“Though I’m technically his subordinate, he’s never treated me like a person. He’s cruel and vicious. I want him dead,” Little Gui said, eyes burning with hatred.

“You don’t need to worry. If we succeed, no one will ever know. And since we’re in the Sacred Spring Sect, we can blame them.”

“Let me think about it,” Nie Xingqing said after a pause.

“You may be the Saintess, but your position isn’t unshakable,” Little Gui said, lips curling into a smile. “As I understand it, the reason Xu Zimo wiped out the Heavenly Sword Sect had to do with a Grand Emperor’s legacy. If you kill him, the legacy becomes yours. And we split all his resources fifty-fifty. Think about it. As Xu Qingshan’s son, he’s definitely carrying immense cultivation resources. With them, you’d solidify your role as Saintess, and even have a shot at claiming the Heaven’s Will one day.”

“What do we do?” Nie Xingqing asked, eyes burning with resolve.

Her foster father’s death left her torn. But the lure of a Grand Emperor’s legacy and vast resources pushed her over the edge.

“Tonight is our best chance,” Little Gui said. “Once the competition ends tomorrow, and he leaves the Sacred Spring Sect, we won’t get another opportunity. From what I’ve seen, he’s a womanizer. You just need to seduce him a little, then slip this into his wine, and everything’s done.”

Little Gui pulled out a small pouch of powder.

“What is it?” Nie Xingqing frowned.

“Meridian-Sealing Powder,” Little Gui replied. “Anyone below the Paragon Meridian Realm who consumes it will have all their meridians sealed, reduced to a mere mortal. After that, he’ll be at our mercy.”

“Why not just kill him outright? Wouldn’t that be safer?” Nie Xingqing asked.

“Death would be too easy,” Little Gui said, his expression twisted. “I want to torture him slowly, make him repay every bit of suffering I’ve endured.”

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