Chapter Eighty-Seven: One Punch to Hold Back the Tide

“Dong Shao and Junior Sister Liu have both perished. Mo Can just sent the news!”

On the high platform, Qin Xian and the dwarf cultivator originally sat in opposite corners, refining their true qi in silence.

Noticing the dwarf’s doubtful gaze, Qin Xian stifled his cold laugh, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes:

“Junior Sister Liu, having mastered the spiritual eye technique bestowed by Flower Deity Pavilion, discerned Chen Heng’s true face. Yet, she was killed shortly after sending her message, and Dong Shao, who rushed to her aid, was also slain! Only Mo Can, who arrived later, managed to save himself. If you say these two died without any connection to that brat, I don’t believe it!”

“They’re dead? How is that possible? They were both Foundation Establishment cultivators!”

The dwarf jumped in shock, springing to his feet and exclaiming, “They weren’t just some stray dogs or commoners. How could they vanish so easily? What rogue would dare kill sect disciples?”

Ordinary rogue cultivators and sect disciples are worlds apart—their skills in qi refinement, techniques, and magical tools are all vastly different. Unless by extraordinary luck, a rogue facing a sect disciple is almost always doomed.

“I never said it was a rogue!” Qin Xian snapped impatiently, sweeping his sleeve and glaring at the dwarf.

“Chen Heng? Senior Brother Qin… Forgive me, but this is too absurd. Who could believe it?” The dwarf forced a bitter smile, bowing slightly. “He was favored by Yan Zhen, indulged in every wish, yet did you ever see him enter any immortal sect? Yan Zhen hasn’t been dead long, even if he managed to condense fetal breath and refine qi, where would he gain such powerful cultivation? Could he really slaughter two of our Blood Lotus Sect’s Foundation Establishment seniors?”

The argument did have some merit.

Qin Xian frowned, pondering for a long moment, but ultimately shook his head, clearly unconvinced.

“How many cultivators remain besides our sect in Huaiwu Cave?” he called from the platform.

“At most, fifty… The sensible ones have already left. Those who insisted on staying either got driven out or were killed by us,” replied a gaunt, colorfully dressed man below.

“Fifty?” Qin Xian paced a few steps, raising his brows. “Only two hours remain before the three-day trial ends. If anything were to happen, it would be within these two hours.”

The Huaiwu Cave trial lasts three days. Only those who remain in the magical realm after the period count towards the ranking, determined by the amount of essence in their porcelain vials. Those who leave early aren’t even included.

“Once this is done, not only will the sect reward us, but if we’re lucky enough to be noticed by Flower Deity Pavilion, our futures will be limitless!” Qin Xian swept his gaze across the gathering, raising his voice, “Victory or defeat hinges on this moment! Brothers and sisters, stay vigilant—do not let all our efforts go to waste in these final moments!”

The Blood Lotus Sect cultivators answered in unison, their qi surging forth, shaking the hills and scattering clouds, creating an impressive display.

Seeing this, even Qin Xian’s tense expression relaxed, a faint smile curling at his lips.

All present were adept in the qi refinement realm, numbering over two hundred. With such numbers united, not just Foundation Establishment, even a newly advanced Violet Mansion cultivator could be stalled! Huaiwu Cave only allows qi refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators to enter. With two hundred qi refinement disciples at his side, Qin Xian stood unassailable, assured of a top-three placement—he could walk unchallenged in Huaiwu Cave!

“We brought six Foundation Establishment cultivators this time. Though Junior Sister Liu and Dong Shao perished unexpectedly, besides you and me, Mo Can and Junior Brother Zhang remain. Send two golden arrows and summon them here!” Qin Xian ordered the dwarf.

“Senior Brother Qin, you’re being overly cautious,” the dwarf replied, shaking his head incredulously. “With over two hundred qi refinement disciples, even a Violet Mansion could be delayed. Why be so careful?”

Those who entered with Qin Xian were all seeking merit for future prospects.

Qi refinement disciples could be easily managed. Qin Xian, at the second stage of Foundation Establishment—‘Great and Small Wishes’—had refined his true qi countless times, wielding it effortlessly, easily subduing those a realm below.

But the Foundation Establishment peers were not so easily handled.

The dwarf knew, aside from himself and the late Dong Shao, the others harbored discontent toward Qin Xian, though not openly. Their willingness to assist in collecting essence was only because their fortunes were tied together—if Qin Xian succeeded, they could share some merit.

It was reluctant cooperation.

Qin Xian could command the qi refinement disciples, but summoning the other Foundation Establishment cultivators was another matter. They were only one minor stage below him.

If he tried to direct them like the others, they might refuse, and as the leader, he could earn their resentment.

“I am the chief here, personally appointed by Master Li Lian, endorsed by the sect leader’s seal, and recognized by Flower Deity Pavilion! All Blood Lotus Sect disciples must obey my commands, act as I wish. Who dares defy me?” Qin Xian stared expressionlessly at the dwarf until the latter trembled, sweat pouring from his brow. Suddenly, Qin Xian burst out laughing, his voice booming: “I know they resent me, but as long as they’re in this magical realm, all of you—all of you!—must heed my orders!”

He pointed at the dwarf sternly. “Now, send the golden arrows and call them back immediately. If you ignore my warning, don’t blame me for disregarding camaraderie!”

The dwarf could only comply, hurriedly wiping his sweat, retrieving two golden arrows and casting them skyward.

When finished, seeing Qin Xian’s expression relax slightly, he approached with a fawning smile, “Senior Brother, your caution is the mark of a true leader. I am far inferior.”

“You’re a fool, truly think this is a guaranteed victory?” Qin Xian glanced at him.

“What do you mean, Senior Brother?”

“There’s a hidden enemy in Huaiwu Cave. How else did Dong Shao and Junior Sister Liu die? Leave them outside, let them be picked off one by one?”

“Who is this enemy?”

“If I’m not mistaken, it’s likely the master of Huaiwu Cave!” Qin Xian whispered. “We bend the rules, intentionally tarnishing his reputation among the southern cultivators—would he bear it? Watch helplessly?”

“…If we can gather allies, so can he?” The dwarf, prompted by Qin Xian, finally understood.

“Seems you have some wit after all.” Qin Xian smiled cryptically, clapping his hand and sighing, “Huaiwu Cave must harbor more cultivators. I’ve guessed the master’s intentions—he’s promised great rewards to rally them against us, just to prevent us from claiming the top three and to save face… There’s bound to be a fierce battle within these two hours before we can succeed.”

The two southern giants, Flower Deity Pavilion and Five Lights Sect, had long-standing grudges, clashing often but restraining themselves to avoid mutual losses and letting others benefit.

Huaiwu Cave’s master rebuilt the ‘Golden Valley Market’ at Floating Jade Lake, aided by Five Lights Sect, angering Flower Deity Pavilion and prompting Blood Lotus Sect to intervene.

Qin Xian and his ilk were Blood Lotus Sect’s vanguard.

Huaiwu Cave’s trial was meant to benefit rogue cultivators, and previously, sect disciples never placed in the top three; they’d take their essence and leave. But this time, Qin Xian refused to leave, driving out and slaughtering all others to claim the top spots.

If word spread, it would be a humiliation for the master of Huaiwu Cave.

“Rallying the remaining cultivators against us? Do they have the courage? Aren’t they afraid of offending Flower Deity Pavilion?” the dwarf asked, half in doubt.

“We’ll see within these two hours. And, assume I’m being overly cautious—if we truly fight later, and encounter Chen Heng, you’d best be careful,” Qin Xian said, brushing his sleeve. “Take care.”

With that, he returned to his seat, unrolling a book to read, leaving the dwarf in a daze. After a moment’s confusion, the dwarf ceased worrying.

An hour passed swiftly.

During this time, the two outside Foundation Establishment cultivators of Blood Lotus Sect returned—Mo Can, who communicated via blood swallow, and a man named Zhang Zhenghan.

Mo Can was weeping quietly.

Zhang Zhenghan, on the other hand, wore an impatient expression, frequently casting hostile looks at Qin Xian.

“So, where’s the enemy? Only one hour remains, and the enemy is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps only in dreams!” As the trial neared its end, Zhang Zhenghan relaxed and couldn’t resist sneering, “A dignified Foundation Establishment, so timid—what path is this, what immortality? Better off as a wealthy landowner, wouldn't that be more enjoyable?”

Qin Xian remained impassive, as if deaf to the taunt.

The dwarf, glancing nervously at Qin Xian, tried to placate Zhang Zhenghan, “Senior Brother Qin is our leader, thinking of our safety. Dong Shao and Junior Sister Liu died mysteriously; gathering together is safer.”

“They died because they lacked skill, as if Huaiwu Cave were so dangerous!” Zhang Zhenghan retorted, but when Mo Can shot him a ferocious, red-eyed glare, he paused.

“What, upset because I mentioned your lover? Oh, right—Dong Shao was infatuated with Junior Sister Liu. You’re not involved at all with him. My apologies to Dong Shao!”

Zhang Zhenghan, startled by the glare, shot one back, sneering.

“Who says I have nothing to do with Dong Shao? You fool, we were in love!”

Mo Can nearly exploded with rage.

The two quarrelled, nearly coming to blows, while the dwarf anxiously intervened, trying to calm both sides. The platform became chaotic.

Just as the dwarf was at his wit’s end—

Suddenly, a thunderous crash erupted from the earth, like the sky breaking open!

The dwarf stared in shock as nearly fifty rogue cultivators surged forward, their qi unleashed like a tsunami, shaking the ground and scattering stones.

Leading them was a six-fingered cultivator, riding a wave of murky yellow qi, a small furnace in his hands.

“Senior Brother Qin was right! The master of Huaiwu Cave has indeed rallied these rogues against us!” The dwarf’s heart skipped. “And led by Lu Yu—trouble indeed!”

At that moment,

Qin Xian, who had been sitting quietly, stood and laughed loudly, tossing aside his book. “A flicker cannot compete with the moon’s brilliance! The cave master is out of tricks.”

He unleashed his true qi like a roaring waterfall, surging like a tide. Pointing to the Blood Lotus Sect disciples below, he shouted, “Brothers and sisters, follow me to meet the enemy!”

The crowd responded, charging forward with him.

The two sides clashed instantly, the air filled with shouts and flying magical tools. Swords and talismans flashed and collided, sparks flying like stars, fierce and chaotic.

After several minutes, the rogues—outnumbered and exhausted—began to falter.

“Fools, blinded by greed, lured by the cave master’s empty promises to their deaths. They deserve to perish!” Qin Xian laughed, pressing his palm down. Several qi refinement disciples saw a red light surging toward them like a flood—before they could react, their heads fell, bodies dissolving into mush.

Qin Xian strode calmly through the battlefield, surveying the scattered, fleeing rogues with a cold sneer.

Now, many Blood Lotus Sect disciples gathered around him protectively like guards.

“Wait!” Qin Xian’s gaze sharpened, pointing at two figures in black cloud robes approaching.

“I don’t recall any of our qi refinement disciples wearing masks. You two, remove those bamboo masks!”

His shout drew many eyes.

Zhang Zhenghan, fighting a rogue Foundation Establishment, glanced over, thinking, “Clearly their qi matches ours—just masked, and he’s alarmed? Qin Xian truly is a coward, laughable!”

Qin Xian, after the shout, secretly raised his qi, focusing intently. Several nearby Blood Lotus Sect disciples closed in protectively.

“Brother Chen, how did it come to this? Their qi is no different—Qin’s just overly suspicious!” whispered one of the masked pair.

Qin Xian’s pupils shrank.

As he moved, the speaker smiled and suddenly shot a beam of white light from his eyes, piercing through all barriers and rushing straight for him!

In a split second, Qin Xian barely managed to raise a jade talisman in defense.

But the white light, intangible and unstoppable, passed through the jade as if weaving a net around Qin Xian!

“…”

All thoughts froze. The world faded to black and white, time halted.

After an indeterminate interval, Qin Xian clawed his way back to consciousness, seeing only Chen Heng’s godlike, demonic figure.

His qi surged unchecked, rising like stormy waves, forming a dragon’s plume of essence several yards high—a celestial dragon unleashed!

With each step, his aura intensified. In a flash, as he neared Qin Xian, it crashed down like an overturned celestial river—unstoppable!

“You—”

Too late for any response. Qin Xian drew up a surge of true qi in terror, but Chen Heng already roared and struck with a single fist!

With that blow, Qin Xian’s ears thundered with chaos, unable to hear anything.

The jade talisman shuddered violently, but in an instant, its spiritual light vanished like snow beneath the sun, falling powerless to the ground.

Boom!

A mountain-shattering explosion echoed!

Both sides stared in shock as Chen Heng slowly opened his hand.

Before him,

Qin Xian’s shattered body trembled, then burst into a spray of blood, his soul extinguished on the spot.