Ch. 207 - A Grand Sect For The Ages

Sunset Clouds Sect was once a place of serene greenery, with flowing rivers, deep pools, and an air of tranquil elegance. Now, it echoed with cries of slaughter, the green grass stained with red mist, flower petals dotted with blood, and verdant trees blooming with crimson.

One corpse after another fell, countless lives lost. Ye Fan had truly become a young demon lord, cutting down foes relentlessly, bodies piling at his feet. Not only was the Sunset Clouds Sect Master reduced to ash, but the last two Grand Elders were also turned to dust. Now, he was slaying the rest.

Fury burned in his heart. Sunset Clouds' so-called “development” was a flimsy excuse for heinous crimes. They extorted and killed without regard, their hands steeped in blood for the sake of source. Villages had seen maidens violated, miners murdered, and defiant youths subjected to brutal punishments. Sunset Clouds not only backed over a dozen bandit groups but often acted directly, causing countless atrocities, the true root of evil in the region.

To mine source, they forcibly displaced dozens of villages. One village’s slight resistance led to half its people being slaughtered, a bloody and tyrannical act. Though bandits carried out the deeds, Sunset Clouds issued the orders.

“Spare me…” A dozen young Sunset Clouds disciples collapsed, kneeling and begging for mercy. Ye Fan’s divine sense swept their minds, finding bloodstained memories. Unmoved, he struck decisively.

Pop, pop…

Blood bloomed like flowers, vivid and shocking, adding more corpses in an instant.

In the distance, others trembled, some fleeing, others realizing escape was futile and charging desperately. Ye Fan remained calm, moving as if strolling through a garden, ethereal and graceful, yet merciless. Each pointed finger ended lives, blood staining the grassy paths.

The scene was chilling, even unnerving Wang Shu and Lei Bo. Though Ye Fan’s killing was almost artistic, flowing like clouds, natural as an antelope’s leap, vibrant and mesmerizing, it was slaughter. Heads rolled, and they struggled to bear it.

“Too many dead, over a hundred! Brother Ye, aren’t you founding a sect? You’ve nearly killed them all,” they pleaded.

Ye Fan paused, looking back. The path was littered with corpses, the stone steps darkened red. His 108 banners sealed Sunset Clouds, no one could escape. “These people can’t be trusted or used. Evil must be eradicated,” he said, shaking his head.

The remaining disciples despaired. Even their leaders were guilty; most had joined bandits, their hands unclean. “Fight him! Don’t wait for death!” some roared, rushing forward with blood-soaked courage.

The outcome was inevitable. No matter their roars, screams, or curses, Sunset Clouds descended into chaos. Half an hour later, silence fell, blood mist dissipating, leaving only corpses.

Ye Fan killed 217 people, nearly wiping out Sunset Clouds, from disciples to elders, turning it into a blood-soaked land. Grass, steps, pools, and gardens were stained red. Wang Shu and Lei Bo retched, overwhelmed by the carnage. These weren’t livestock but people, hundreds of corpses, a sight to shake anyone.

Only twenty-three survived, their hearts clean, opposed to Sunset Clouds' evils. Ye Fan spared them. He also freed three elders from a stone prison in the back mountain, locked away for opposing the bandit support.

Sunset Clouds was effectively erased, with only twenty-six survivors. Ye Fan’s actions were decisive. “Bury them all, inter their sins!” he ordered the survivors, striding toward the main peak.

Sunset Clouds' treasury opened, revealing shimmering source stones, from date-sized to fist-sized, pure though not rare. The haul reached 1,600-1,700 kilos, far exceeding his estimates, a result of Sunset Clouds' plundering.

“So much source! How many mines did this take?” Lei Bo exclaimed.

Wang Shu’s eyes gleamed, touching and wiping the colorful, crystalline stones, the Northern Region’s most precious resource. The half-fan of source, radiant and captivating, dazzled them.

“Take some. You’re cultivators now; you’ll need it daily,” Ye Fan said. He stored the rest in his jade bottle, enough to break into the second stage of the Dao Palace realm.

“No wonder people turn to banditry, this is intoxicating!” Ye Fan sighed. Conquering a small sect yielded such rewards, tempting him to target another.

His combat strength was formidable, and the second stage of Dao Palace realm would elevate it further. The treasury also held weapons and sealed scriptures, all claimed by Ye Fan.

Beneath the main peak, three grand waterfalls cascaded, forming rainbows amid exotic flora and emerald trees. The twenty-six survivors, anxious about their fate, stood tense.

Sunset Clouds' highest scriptures and Dao Palace cultivators’ weapons were tossed before them. “These are yours. No doubts, no fears. Sunset Clouds was overrun by bandits, harming the region. I eradicated them, leaving the true inheritors.”

From hell to heaven, the survivors could hardly believe it. Moments ago, they feared for their lives; now, they were offered treasures and secrets. “Really?” one asked, trembling.

“Of course,” Ye Fan smiled. “Do well, grow strong, and you’ll all be Sunset Clouds’ elders.”

With the guilty gone, these would lead. “Brother Ye…” Lei Bo began.

“Meet the head and deputy head of the Mining Sect,” Ye Fan said, presenting Wang Shu and Lei Bo. “You may need their aid someday.”

“We’re sect leaders?! Founding a sect…” The two were dazed.

“Mining Sect?!” The survivors exchanged glances. The name screamed of digging, rustic and unrefined.

“As you might guess, our sect seeks peace, only searching for source in the mountains. We may need your help,” Ye Fan said, avoiding direct control to prevent rebellion.

Per the Celestial Source Tome, locking mountain and river veins during source mining required manpower. These were his chosen “miners.” “Whatever you command, we’ll obey,” they said, relieved to survive and gain control, beyond their expectations.

Their hearts were good, opposing evil, making them worthy of Ye Fan’s mercy. “Seal the mountain, cultivate quietly,” he advised, leaving with Wang Shu and Lei Bo.

“Did we really found a sect?” Wang Shu asked on the way.

“That name’s awful…” Lei Bo muttered.

“Awful? Mining Sect, a grand sect for the ages!” Ye Fan chuckled.

“Didn’t you say we’d found it at Sunset Clouds? Why leave?” they asked, confused.

“My main goal was to purge the region’s plague. Sunset Clouds’ mine to control!” Ye Fan smiled.

These were his miners, but announcing it would breed resentment. Letting them lead Sunset Clouds would make them eager, and control would come naturally. Ye Fan saw Sunset Clouds as his domain, off-limits to others, planning to cultivate there soon.

Over the next three days, he eradicated seventeen bandit groups within five hundred miles, leaving none alive. Returning to Sunset Clouds to cultivate with his source, he learned spies had been probing the sect.

“Departing Fire Sect, Falling Glow Sect, Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven, and Seven Star Pavilion have been scouting us,” the three surviving elders reported, worried. The twenty-three young disciples were uneasy.

“No matter. If they don’t overstep, ignore them. If you face trouble, I’ll help. After all, I’m borrowing one of your peaks,” Ye Fan said, smiling. He planned to retreat to the back mountain; Sunset Clouds dared not refuse but now sought his aid.

“Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven’s disciple requests an audience with Sunset Clouds’ Sect Master!” a voice echoed from the gate to the eighteen peaks.

A disciple led in a man in his twenties, ascending the steps. He scanned the area, noting bloodstains by the pool and steps, a smirk growing. “You, a mere Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven disciple, dare disturb our cultivation and demand our Sect Master? Even your elders wouldn’t be so bold,” an elder snapped.

“I’m Li Youran, ninth disciple of Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven’s master, sent to pay respects,” he said, his smirk widening at the bloodstains.

“What’s your purpose?” an elder asked, face darkening.

“Hearing of Sunset Clouds' turmoil, we wish to assist. Strong allies will come soon,” Li Youran replied.

“Insolent! You want to seize Sunset Clouds?” the three elders raged.

“Not at all. Our master and your Sect Master are close. If Sunset Clouds' in trouble, we’ll support you,” Li Youran said, sensing Sunset Clouds' weakness, his demeanor growing casual.

“Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven wants to exploit us?” The twenty-six survivors fumed.

“No, we’re sincere,” Li Youran said, fanning himself. “Our masters long discussed merging our sects for mutual growth.”

His intent was clear, Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven aimed to take over.

“You…” Sunset Clouds' elders seethed.

“Bold words,” Ye Fan said, stepping forward. “Merging’s fine. Tell your master to bring half a ton of source. He can join Sunset Clouds as deputy leader.”

“Who are you?” Li Youran snapped his fan shut, smile fading. “A mere youth, no place to speak here. I’m addressing your elders, step aside.”

Ye Fan saw Sunset Clouds as his own; he wouldn’t tolerate interlopers.

“Talking to me?” he said, descending the steps, hair fluttering, robes flowing, ethereal as an immortal. “This is Sunset Clouds. I speak as I please. Who are you, a Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven disciple, to act so arrogantly here?”

“I represent Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven. A junior like you has no right to address me!” Li Youran fanned himself, eyeing the scenery, ignoring everyone.

“Go back and tell your master to bring half a ton of source, or I’ll grant his wish and merge his sect!” Ye Fan sneered, sweeping his sleeve gracefully.

Slap. Li Youran flew a hundred yards, crashing messily. “How dare you disrespect Profound Moon Grotto-Heaven!”

Bang.

Another sweep sent Li Youran reeling, face swollen, blood spurting, teeth loosening, as if struck by lightning.

“Good, Sunset Clouds' doomed!” he spat, face ashen.

“Big talk for a nobody. Go tell your master to come see me,” Ye Fan said, standing still, sleeves sweeping repeatedly. Li Youran, trembling, face battered, was flung out of Sunset Clouds, crashing into a distant pool.

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