Chapter 762: High Venerable Yuan Xinggang
Proofreader: Papatonks
Hu~
Biting winds came upon Elder Yuan’s frail body, fluttering his beard. Even so, he just stood there with an indifferent gaze. It was as if he was not attacked by an Ethereal Stage expert, but by a breeze.
Venerable s.h.i.+ squinted, watching filled with suspicions.
Since Elder Yuan faced the Ethereal Stage expert with such poise, Venerable s.h.i.+ could tell he wasn’t average. The odd thing was, when did the sect have someone like him?
Zhuo Fan watched with no intent of helping. He knew Elder Yuan was something else, maybe one that could hold down all of Demon Scheming Sect.
He was about to kill off the Demon Scheming Sect’s leader, thus forcing Elder Yuan to come out. Rather than ignore him for later, it was better to face this trouble…
“Humph, a lowly laborer should stick to his duty and not meddle in other’s affairs!”
The savage palm reached Elder Yuan as the elder mocked, “The last time I asked you for a few laborers for my training, you came up with all sorts of excuses and even put the Labor Office venerables on me. Filthy parasite, using other’s power, you should stick to your errands. Now no one can save you, ha-ha-ha…”
The people figured it out. This elder had some bad blood with Elder Yuan. No wonder he would lower himself to kill someone so weak.
Since the Labor Office gained power, he couldn’t touch him. Now that the inner sect oldies saw Sect Leader about to lose, they decided to flee, yet this old thing came out and exposed their nasty plans.
Elder Yuan was respected because of Zhuo Fan, when the Labor Office’s elders never actually gave him a second thought. Since Zhuo Fan now stood still while he was in danger, the others of course would not interfere either.
The elder saw this and grew more rampant…
Elder Yuan simply chuckled despite it all, “Funny you should mention duty. With the sect on the brink of civil war, you don’t care about settling the party’s clashes, but pursue your vendetta. Is this how you plan on carrying out your duties when you seize power? Ha-ha-ha, never mind, my sect does not need an elder like you.”
Elder Yuan’s eyes widened.
Bam!
With a thunderous sound, the elder found himself flying, losing his life before he hit the ground.
Plop!
He showed no wound as he landed, nor was there blood spilled. He died as if from natural causes.
The only way for that to happen was through one means only…
“Soul impact!”
Venerable s.h.i.+’s eyes shook, his face a mask of shock as he watched Elder Yuan and stammered, “W-who the h.e.l.l are you?”
Sss~
The others gasped, looking at Elder Yuan with unprecedented amazement.
Soul impact was a perk all Ethereal Stage cultivators had. It meant using one’s soul power to destroy the other’s spirit and soul. But this usually only worked against cultivators below the Ethereal Stage.
Using it in the same stage, since both had formed their souls, would never actually kill the other, at most just heavily injure him.
Yet now, an Ethereal Stage expert died from a soul impact before everyone. The fact the other did not reveal his soul to do that only proved how huge the gap in. None thought this unknown elder would be such a great expert, stronger than most people here.
Even Zhuo Fan’s eyelid shook, sweat gathering on his brow.
“Venerable Qi, get ready to have young Sanzi come in.” Unsure yet on what stance Elder Yuan took, Zhuo Fan would rather play it safe and call for young Sanzi.
Venerable Qi nodded, feeling the same way. He sent some elders messages to open the barrier…
Tap~
Elder Yuan took casual steps under the eyes of everyone. Now no one looked at him with scorn, but fear.
Finally, Elder Yuan arrived between the two sides. Xie Wuyue eyed Elder Yuan then bent his waist in greeting, “High Venerable!”
[He’s the High Venerable?]
Venerable s.h.i.+ and his party shook and stared at Elder Yuan.
[No wonder, only the rumored High Venerable could display such power. I should’ve known.]
Zhuo Fan’s eyelid twitched. Although shocked, he had his guesses.
The rest of the crowd stood speechless at Elder Yuan’s casual demeanor. They were just dumbstruck.
Demon Scheming Sect’s best expert, the rumored High Venerable was revealed at last. Now that they knew this venerable was Elder Yuan from the Labor Office, the shock doubled.
“Yes, I’m Demon Scheming Sect’s High Venerable, Yuan Xinggang!” Seeing the dumb looks around, Elder Yuan shouted.
Everyone bowed, “Greetings, High Venerable!”
Not just the inner sect faction, but even the Labor Office elders. High Venerable, even rumored, was the basis of their pride, their confidence. Because he was the strongest in the Demon Scheming Sect. Seeing him now, even rebels as they were, they still showed respect.
Elder Yuan nodded, “Labor Office plans a rebellion while the inner sect elders want to run away, thus leaving Sect Leader all alone to be killed. Humph, how did Demon Scheming Sect become so chaotic and torn apart?”
“High Venerable, Zhuo Fan is undermining my authority. He roused Labor Office’s men to rebel. He must be executed for his crimes!” Xie Wuyue clenched his fist as he pointed at Zhuo Fan.
Venerable s.h.i.+ found that with the High Venerable here, the tables had turned and cupped his hands, “High Venerable can see that we hold the sect’s safety at heart. Please tell us what to do, High Venerable!”
In layman’s terms.
[Zhuo Fan wants to rebel so as a High Venerable, stomp him! With you on our side, we can do it. Once they’re dead, Demon Scheming Sect will be ours again, he-he-he…]
Elder Yuan already knew their intent and smiled, then turned to Zhuo Fan.
“Elder Yuan, where do you stand?”
Zhuo Fan spoke before he could, “If sir sides with Xie Wuyue and them, then our friends.h.i.+p is over.”
[c.o.c.ky b.a.s.t.a.r.d!]
Everyone stood stunned.
[He truly is worthy to be our next Sect Leader. Facing the sect’s best expert, he uses such blunt words.]
Though they all knew that Zhuo Fan talked big like this was because he had a backup, his monstrous son.
[Not even High Venerable can take a hit from that brat…]
They held High Venerable in respect, but they weren’t blinded by it, clear of his strength and theirs.
It was something Venerable s.h.i.+’s side had no clue about, still sneering at them, “Zhuo Fan, you dare think with higher numbers you can take the seat of Sect Leader? What do you take High Venerable for? He would not let your impudent act go unpunished!”
“Shut your mouth! I speak for myself, not you!”
Elder Yuan glared at him, “Venerable s.h.i.+, you’ve caused a lot of disturbances over the years. Wait there in silence.”
Ugh!
Startled, Venerable s.h.i.+’s fiery pa.s.sion was snuffed out by Elder Yuan being a wet blanket. He lowered his head and withdrew, his heart filled with anger.
[d.a.m.n old coot, I’m not the rebel here. What are you doing coming at me for?]
Ignoring his displeasure, Elder Yuan turned to Zhuo Fan with a smile, “Steward Zhuo, we’re both friends here. For G.o.d’s sake, I was the one who told you to get that wife of yours. What, now you’re going to burn bridges?”
Zhuo Fan faltered at the sudden casual att.i.tude the great High Venerable still took. Being ridiculed like that, Zhuo Fan blushed in embarra.s.sment. Despite that, he felt happy inside.
At the very least, even as the High Venerable, this old man was the same as ever, the Elder Yuan he expounded on Dao with for all these years.
“Now, let’s talk. It’s not something that can’t be resolved with words. There’s no need to always go around fighting and killing. Demon Scheming Sect didn’t hold your woman either. Come with me.”
Smiling, Elder Yuan walked towards the Main Hall, then stopped as he pointed at Chu Qingcheng and Xie Wuyue. “You two as well, come along. Since it involves three people, only you three can solve this.”
High Venerable then entered the Main Hall…