Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Heretic Cultivators: A Plot Lying Dormant for Years?

Shen Sang Ruo guessed: “Could it be that he knew he could not escape, so he said that on purpose to confuse us?”

But when she remembered what that Heretic Cultivator had done, along with his tone and expression, she thought, [If it was fake, he hid it too well.]

At the words “Heretic Cultivator,” everyone who had lived through the Ninghua Sect disaster felt hate rise in their chests. If not for those Heretic Cultivators, how would the Ninghua Sect have ended so bloody, with only a few survivors left? Just hearing “Heretic Cultivator” made their eyes fill with anger.

Daoist Wu Wei grew solemn as he recalled the past: “Back then, we did everything we could and worked with other sects. We only managed to wipe out most of the Heretic Cultivators, and the rest were merely forced to retreat.”

After that upheaval, the Cultivation World was reshuffled. The world that followed was rebuilt from those ruins. That is why, so many years later, Shen Sang Ruo and most people in the Cultivation World had never even heard the name Ninghua Sect.

Daoist Wu Wei continued, “There were at least twenty thousand Heretic Cultivators still alive. Even if they were badly hurt, they should not have faded from the Cultivation World the way they did.”

Twenty thousand Heretic Cultivators would be enough, after some rest and recovery, to throw the Cultivation World into chaos again. How could they vanish without a trace? [Did they all suddenly grow a conscience and turn over a new leaf?] That was impossible.

Daoist Wu Wei’s words circled in Shen Sang Ruo’s mind for a long time. Then a thought flashed through her. She widened her eyes, her face turning very serious: “Sect Master Wu Wei, are you saying they did not disappear, but went into hiding to wait for a chance, still plotting against the Cultivation World?”

That would explain why that Heretic Cultivator dared to speak so boldly.

Daoist Wu Wei said nothing, which was as good as agreeing.

Even so, Shen Sang Ruo felt something was off, though she could not tell what it was.

Su Xi Yu asked in confusion, “But there are so many of them. How could they avoid everyone’s eyes and hide inside the Cultivation World?”

Ye Huai met her gaze and said in a low voice: “Fourth Junior Sister, do you remember that place?”

Su Xi Yu’s words trailed off: “Eldest Senior Brother, you mean…” They all knew.

Shen Sang Ruo had also heard of that place: a spot of extreme yin and evil where no one set foot. She could not help but frown.

Song Wei Yan asked in a rush, “Doesn’t that mean the Cultivation World is in grave danger right now?”

Daoist Wu Wei waved his hand: “I do not think they will act right away. After the Ninghua Sect was nearly destroyed, that would have been their best time to strike again.”

Yet in these tens of thousands of years, they had done nothing. If they had wanted to act, they would have acted long ago. Their eagerness now might be a warning.

“Forget it, let us keep watching,” he said.

“This cannot be rushed, but we cannot ignore it either,” Bai Ruo An added. He had to admit: “The Ninghua Sect is not the Ninghua Sect of the past.”

Their strength was far too small.

“In the end, we must first restore the Ninghua Sect to a real place in the Cultivation World,” Shen Sang Ruo said, “so we have a voice and can join with others to handle this.”

Round and round, the matter came back to the Sect Grand Tournament. Everyone sighed. After a long silence, they tucked the danger into their hearts and steered the conversation away.

Daoist Wu Wei stroked his beard and changed the topic: “By the way, Sang girl, you have already found the Heart Core of Myriad-Change Wood. I can help you remodel your weapon right now.”

Shen Sang Ruo had already decided. She bowed slightly and said: “Thank you, Sect Master Wu Wei, but I would like your guidance while I try to remodel the Luan Feather Fan myself.”

She already knew what she wanted her fan to become. A life-bound weapon must match her heart. If she remade it with her own hands, it would fit her better.

Daoist Wu Wei nodded, approving: “That is fine. You have a Fire Spiritual Root, so you are well suited for Artifact Forging. I will assist and guide you from the side.”

“You may come to my Artifact Forging hall tomorrow,” he said.

“Thank you, Sect Master,” she replied.

Remodeling a weapon cannot be interrupted. It is like Closed-Door Cultivation. Daoist Wu Wei purposely left her half a day, both to let her rest from the journey and to give her and Ye Huai’s group more time together.

As for the treasures she gained from the Phantom Mirage Domain, the Secret Realm, and the Old Shaman, she did not plan to tell them yet. [When the Ninghua Sect returns to the public eye, these will be my surprise for them, and the capital for our sect to stand in the Cultivation World.]

As usual, Su Xi Yu and the others begged her to tell all that happened in the Phantom Mirage Domain, and she told the stories one by one.

When she mentioned meeting Fang Yu from the Joyous Union Sect, their faces turned wary, and for the first time they felt a real sense of crisis. [Here it comes, our outstanding Junior Sister is finally being eyed by someone, and from the Joyous Union Sect no less. We must be careful.]

They pressed her, one after another, about Fang Yu’s background and what exactly happened between them, asking every detail.

They looked so tense, as if they feared someone would kidnap Shen Sang Ruo, and they meant to guard her closely.

If Fang Yu had heard them, he would have sworn on the spot that he was a loyal follower of Sister Sang Ruo, that his honest heart was clear to the heavens, and that he had no hidden thoughts. If he were not already a Disciple of the Joyous Union Sect, he would have happily joined the Ninghua Sect for her sake.

After confirming that Fang Yu was just a well-meaning fool, much like Song Wei Yan, everyone finally relaxed. Shen Sang Ruo could only smile helplessly.

She then brought out the Fish Mint and the mushrooms she had prepared, and a piece of Bloodtear Jade Bamboo for Bai Ruo An’s Talisman Crafting.

Su Xi Yu’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the ingredients, while the others looked as if they faced a great threat.

Song Wei Yan pulled a bitter face and pleaded: “Junior Sister, please do not.”

Su Xi Yu rolled her eyes and said, “Out of my way. I am preparing a welcome feast for Junior Sister. I have no time to think about how to poison you, so stop flattering yourself.”

“That is good, that is good,” Song Wei Yan said, patting his chest in relief.

A flash of light crossed in front of Ye Huai, and You You appeared out of thin air. Today it wore a little blue dress that, unsurprisingly, Ye Huai had sewn by hand. The small white cat stepped with proud paw pads, its nine tails swaying slowly as it walked toward Shen Sang Ruo.

“It missed you,” Ye Huai said, then added, “It rarely chooses to come out on its own.”

Shen Sang Ruo had learned from hugging Zhu Miao in the Phantom Mirage Domain. She scooped You You into her arms with practiced ease.