Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 203 Xia Gucheng is enraged!

Upon hearing this, the disciples' expressions changed, and they glared angrily at him.

"Qi Xinghai, you were once a true disciple of the Xuantian Sect, have you forgotten the sect rules?"

"If the sect leader finds out, he will surely have you executed by slow slicing!"

"........"

But Qi Xinghai remained calm and composed, sneering disdainfully, "Go ahead and curse. The more you curse now, the more painful your death will be later!"

After saying that, he calmly ordered, "Someone, throw them into the formation. Remember, don't let them die too easily."

"Yes!"

Several men in black robes stepped forward and skillfully broke the hands and feet of several disciples, then threw them into the pulsating, boiling pool of blood as if they were firewood.

"what!!"

Instantly, green smoke rose from the disciples' bodies, and their robes and flesh melted away visibly.

Accompanied by agonizing screams, it turned into a pool of blood within a few breaths, becoming nourishment for the formation.

"He Shun, Xiao Chen... No!"

Seeing this horrific scene, Zhou Bai trembled all over, his eyes bloodshot, and he shouted, "Qi Xinghai, if you have any tricks up your sleeve, come at me! Let them go!"

"Fool, you can't even take care of yourself, what right do you have to make demands of me?"

Qi Xinghai scoffed dismissively.

"Tsk tsk, isn't this Senior Brother Zhou who used to always outshine me? How did he fall to such a state, even worse off than a beggar...?"

He strode forward, stomped on Zhou Bai's hand, and ground it hard, feeling extremely pleased with himself as he watched the latter's hateful expression.

The next moment, Qi Xinghai's face contorted in pain.

Looking down, he saw Zhou Bai biting his calf hard, tearing off a piece of flesh.

"Fuck! I'll kill you!"

Qi Xinghai's expression was ferocious. He kicked Zhou Bai repeatedly, causing him to spit blood from the corners of his mouth and become weak.

"If it weren't for the fact that you still have some use and might attract that bastard Li Wudao, I would have already torn you to pieces!"

He spat and, still feeling unsatisfied, said coldly, "Someone, loosen his bones. As long as you don't kill him, then torture him to death!"

Soon, Zhou Bai was stripped of his shirt and chained to an iron pillar.

Two men in black robes stood in front, each holding an iron whip with spikes, one dipped in salt water and the other in chili water.

With each lash, a horrifying wound appeared on Zhou Bai's body, tearing out many bloody bits of flesh, causing him to almost faint from the pain.

At this moment, the eldest prince, Li Zheng, revealed a somewhat perverse smile and said, "Young Master Qi, could you let me experience it too? I wonder what it feels like to be struck by the true disciple of the Xuantian Sect?"

"Of course, Your Highness, please make yourself at home."

Qi Xinghai was extremely pleased.

"I'm sorry, I hurt everyone."

Zhou Bai opened his eyes, barely alive, and looked at the five remaining fellow disciples, a deep sense of self-reproach on his face.

"Senior Brother Zhou, how can this be blamed on you? It's all that traitor Fan Chuan's fault!"

"Yes, we have never blamed Senior Brother Zhou. No one expected that the demons would be so cunning, having infiltrated the sect many years ago."

"We only regret that we couldn't take them down with us before we died!"

Several disciples bit their lips until they bled, their eyes filled with hatred and resentment.

"You'll never have the chance to kill me in this lifetime!"

Not far away, Fan Chuan chuckled, "Let's send them on their way."

..........

Xuantian Sect, at the bottom of Misty Peak Valley.

Xia Gucheng sat quietly by the small lake, fishing peacefully.

His back was thin and slightly hunched. He was still wearing that faded cotton and linen robe, and at first glance, he looked no different from any other ordinary old man.

However, his movements were exceptionally steady, unhurried, and carried a unique rhythm and sense of power.

Especially his eyes, which at first glance appeared as murky as an old well, but occasionally a faint golden light would flash across them, exuding a sharp aura, as if countless tiny sword blades were contained within them, appearing and disappearing.

Suddenly, a ripple appeared on the calm lake.

A middle-aged man dressed in black and wearing a straw hat suddenly appeared by the lake.

He wore a silver Rakshasa mask, its ferocious appearance giving off a cold and murderous aura. He bowed slightly and said, "My lord, there is news of the young master."

"Speak." A slight ripple appeared on Xia Gucheng's calm face as he continued fishing.

"During this period, the young master has truly shone brightly in the Great Yu Imperial City, his prominence unmatched by anyone..."

The middle-aged man with the Rakshasa mask seemed somewhat agitated; one could sense his unease even through the mask.

"Oh? Tell me in detail."

Xia Gucheng also became somewhat interested and quietly put down his fishing rod.

Luo Hou was one of his most powerful generals, a top-notch assassin from Tingxuelou. Even when facing an expert three minor realms higher than him, he had never lost his composure like this.

Seeing that Luo Hou could show such emotions, he couldn't help but wonder what his cheap disciple had done.

"My lord, please allow me to explain in detail..."

Luo Hou took a deep breath, organized his words, and tried his best to calm himself down.

Immediately, he recounted in detail the news that Li Wudao had made enemies with several major families in the capital, caused a disturbance at the Imperial Treasure Pavilion, killed the Second Prince, seriously injured the senior disciple of the Li Huo Sect with a single blow, and forced the Duke of Shen to retreat with a single punch.

After hearing this, Xia Gucheng fell silent, and asked with some doubt, "Are you sure that kid did all of this?"

He was puzzled. Not long ago, Li Wudao only had the combat power of the early stage of Martial King. How could he suddenly become so much stronger?

Even if he has the Pure Yang Holy Body, this shouldn't be the case. Could it be that the brat was hiding his true abilities?

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. The young master's current strength is probably comparable to that of a high-level Martial King!"

Luo Hou nodded solemnly, his eyes shining brightly.

To be honest, he was also incredulous when he learned of this news.

Li Wudao was too young. As far as he knew, the other party was a useless person who couldn't cultivate just a year ago.

In such a short time, at only sixteen or seventeen years old, he has acquired strength that even the older generation of martial artists could only dream of. How can this not make people feel ashamed?

"Good lad, you haven't let me down... It seems the trial can begin a little earlier."

Xia Gucheng stroked his beard, grinning with his uneven, yellowed teeth, in a great mood.

"I believe that with the talent and combat strength that the young master has shown so far, he may well have a chance to compete for that position in the future."

Luo Hou laughed.

Xia Gucheng nodded noncommittally, "It's too early to talk about this now. Let's wait until he has gained some experience in two years."

"The most urgent matter is the Heavenly Demon Heart. It is expected that it can be extracted without damage in another two months."

The old man's expression hardened slightly: "I have waited for so many years, and there must be no mistakes. Recently, you should send more people to keep a close eye on things."

"Rest assured, my lord, I have handled this matter properly. As long as there are no unforeseen circumstances on the Xuantian Sect's side, everything is under control."

Rahu's words were resolute and unequivocal.

After saying that, he suddenly remembered something and hesitated slightly before saying, "By the way, my lord, there's another piece of news. Fei Han, whom the young master injured, has the master 'Chai Yan,' the third peak master of the Li Huo Sect..."

"This man is quite strong, but he has a violent temper and is extremely protective of his own. I'm worried he might take the opportunity to retaliate against you, young master. Do you think we should strike first?"

As he spoke, Luo Hou's eyes turned cold, and he made a throat-slitting gesture.

He dared to offend the young master of Tingxuelou, a mere peak master of a second-rate sect. He could kill him without hesitation.

Xia Gucheng frowned slightly, then relaxed and shook his head: "No need. Give him more opportunities to hone his skills. Without life-or-death battles, it's difficult to cultivate the heart of a strong person, which will benefit him in the future..."

"In this critical moment, we just need to keep him alive. Time is running out, and he must grow up as soon as possible."

After saying that, he sighed softly, his cloudy eyes gazing at the horizon, lost in thought.

Just then, a dark shadow flashed by.

A bronze-faced man in black appeared, knelt on one knee, and respectfully said, "Greetings, Lord of the Tower, greetings, Venerable Luo."

"But what went wrong with the young master?"

Luo Hou stared at him, vaguely realizing something.

"We just received a message from 'Blade One'. While protecting the young master, they unexpectedly discovered traces of the demon race..."

The man in the black robe and straw hat nodded emphatically and said in a solemn tone:

"Those remnants of the demon race are currently hiding in the abandoned City God Temple in the northern part of the Great Yu Imperial City. Every day, large numbers of people are sent to the temple and never come out again. The smell of blood is very strong, so they have probably been killed."

"Ren Yi and the others suspect that the Demon Clan is carrying out some kind of secret plot and are worried that the young master is in danger, so they request the Lord to make a decision."

Upon hearing this, Luo Hou's expression changed slightly beneath his mask, and he said in a deep voice, "My lord, these damned demon beasts are very likely performing some kind of blood sacrifice ritual on the people!"

Immediately, something occurred to him, and he said in a somber tone, "This is bad. The demons are cunning and treacherous; that blood sacrifice ritual might be aimed at the young master..."

He had thoroughly investigated the feud between Li Wudao and the Demon Clan, and naturally knew that Cheng Yuanliang's son had been killed by his own young master.

"Click——"

With a crisp crack, the fishing rod in Xia Gucheng's hand shattered into pieces, and his turbid eyes instantly cleared, flashing with a cold light.

"Luo Hou, you go there yourself to ensure the boy's safety, and if necessary... wipe out those remaining demons."

The old man's words were slow and calm, yet they carried a chilling, bone-deep sense of dread.

"Yes, my lord!"

Luo Hou's eyes flickered.

He knew very well that whenever his landlord showed this expression, it meant he was truly enraged, and someone was bound to suffer a great misfortune.