Chapter 76: Sect Scrutiny and a Flight of Fancy

Since Yongning City was attacked by the beast tide led by the Demon King, the number of Tianfeng Sect disciples performing patrol missions in Yongning City had significantly increased.

The Demon Race had been dormant for many years, and the Tianfeng Sect had not expected their first sudden large-scale attack to be so fierce.

However, it only caught the Tianfeng Sect slightly off guard; in terms of combat power, the Demon Race that attacked the city this time was nowhere near even a tenth of the Tianfeng Sect’s strength, so they were easily suppressed by the Tianfeng Sect.

Of course, this also included the factor that the leading Huang Cang Demon King was killed by an unknown powerhouse.

If they had to face the Huang Cang Demon King head-on, the Tianfeng Sect would have needed to put in more effort.

Once the situation in Yongning City stabilized and the lives of ordinary people returned to normal, several elders who had descended the mountain returned to the Tianfeng Sect.

At the same time, summoned by He Yundan, the elders of the various peaks held a meeting to discuss this demonic beast attack.

If one were to summarize this demonic beast siege, it would largely be “a scare with no real danger.”

“The Huang Cang Demon King’s corpse has vanished without a trace; I fear similar incidents may occur in the future.”

He Yundan’s face was grim as he spoke seriously.

“To prevent this from happening again, the Tianfeng Sect will conduct more intensive patrols and reconnaissance of surrounding towns.”

“Everyone is very clear about why the demon race attacked Yongning City.”

He Yundan’s gaze swept across the faces of the peak elders; most of them looked down, their faces expressionless.
But an expressionless face was also the easiest face to read.

“Also, on the night of the demon attack, someone attempted to break into the Forbidden Mountain, which might also have been the work of the demon race.”

Speaking of something known to all, He Yundan also brought up the matter of someone attempting to break into the Forbidden Mountain.

“That person fled very quickly; the mountain guarding steward failed to capture them, and the Forbidden Mountain needs increased vigilance.”

“Of course, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of an insider within the Tianfeng Sect, which will require a thorough investigation later.”

After clarifying the matter of the Forbidden Mountain, He Yundan returned to the main topic of the demon attack.

“The Tianfeng Sect can block demon attacks, but the common people in the surrounding towns cannot.”
“While eradicating demons, our Tianfeng Sect must also ensure the safety of ordinary people.”
“With great power comes great responsibility.”

“In spiritual cultivation sects, perhaps cultivators are as numerous as cattle, but these people are merely a drop in the ocean among ordinary folk.”

Across the Nine Provinces of Zongtian, there are countless demonic beasts and cultivators, but even more are the ordinary people found everywhere.

“Cultivators may be superior, but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily above ordinary people.”
“Achieving enlightenment and ascending, eradicating evil, and protecting a corner of the world for the common people to live in peace is the primary mission many cultivation sects give their disciples.”

“As one of the prestigious righteous sects, the Tianfeng Sect naturally adheres to the same principles.”
“Allowing demonic beasts to invade the city this time was due to the Tianfeng Sect’s carelessness and lack of preparation.”

“I think it’s also important to note that when the Huang Cang Demon King’s corpse was discovered, Meng Yingxing was by its side.”

Elder Han Linlu of Tianya Peak frowned, his words subtly laced with worry.

“Do you think the Huang Cang Demon King could have something to do with that Meng Yingxing kid?”
“Absolutely not.” Mu Xin immediately stood up, definitively replying to Han Linlu.
“Meng Yingxing is merely a low-grade Star realm cultivator; he couldn’t possibly contend with a Huang Cang demon.”

“It’s an undeniable fact that an unknown powerhouse defeated the Huang Cang demon.”
“Furthermore, after a period of observation, we are also very clear that Meng Yingxing is a pure cultivator.”
“Like Lu Tianzhao, he possesses a unique talent in swordsmanship.”
“Perhaps… he can become an excellent cultivator in the Tianfeng Sect.”

Mu Xin said, her eyes showing no emotion.

Hearing Mu Xin’s words, He Yundan pondered for a moment, then gave Mu Xin a clear answer.
“If that’s the case, then keep him and have him serve our Tianfeng Sect.”
‘Though they had once ignored Meng Yingxing.’

These past few days, Meng Yingxing had noticed that Elder Mu Xin had become much more cordial towards him, even mentioning that due to his unexpected performance in the Divine Weapon Trial, the Tianfeng Sect had increased his benefits as encouragement.

As far as Xiu Qingcheng was concerned, the biggest part was merely adding to Meng Yingxing’s disciple stipend.

“How come the Tianfeng Sect suddenly raised your benefits? Are they afraid you’ll run off?”
“Have they finally realized your importance?”
“Too late! Listen to me, disciple, once we’ve nearly stolen all the Tianfeng Sect’s martial arts, we’ll immediately run away!”

“Then we’ll go out and sell Tianfeng Sect martial arts secret manuals, a thousand spirit silver each, how’s that?”
“Isn’t that more enjoyable than staying in the Tianfeng Sect?”
‘This sword, Xiu Qingcheng, could be said to be full of mischief.’

Meng Yingxing remained silent, offering no comment.
Xiu Qingcheng realized that whenever she said something detrimental to the Tianfeng Sect, her disciple would remain silent.

‘You can’t be so biased towards the Tianfeng Sect just because they took you in when you were young, you foolish disciple!’

‘No, she had to thoroughly correct Meng Yingxing’s mindset of dependency on the Tianfeng Sect!’

‘The Tianfeng Sect had once ignored Meng Yingxing, and now that he had just begun to show his talent, they immediately came to fawn over him—how despicable!’

‘Xiu Qingcheng thought that the people of the Tianfeng Sect were all hypocritical sanctimonious pretenders!’

“My sixth sense tells me the Tianfeng Sect isn’t anything good! In the future, you must question things related to the Tianfeng Sect, then question them again! Did you hear me, you foolish disciple?”
Xiu Qingcheng said, looking as if everyone else was evil, and only she truly cared about him.

Meng Yingxing nodded hesitantly.
Indeed, Xiu Qingcheng’s previous advice to maintain vigilance towards everyone, he felt, was correct.

“Master, speaking of a thousand spirit silver… counting the time, the custom-made scabbard should be almost ready. I plan to go check today.”

‘A thousand spirit silver… Meng Yingxing thought of the custom scabbard he had ordered earlier.’
That blacksmith shop was fortunate; it hadn’t been damaged in the demon attack, so Meng Yingxing’s order would still be delivered as scheduled.

Meng Yingxing decided to pick up the goods today.
Although today wasn’t a day for the sect gates to open, among the special privileges Mu Xin had told Meng Yingxing about, he had one extra opportunity to descend the mountain each week.

This now suited Meng Yingxing perfectly.
He wanted his Master to use the new custom scabbard right away.
Meng Yingxing greeted Mu Xin and then descended the mountain with the Ting Tian Sword.

On the way, Xiu Qingcheng watched Meng Yingxing walk down the Tianfeng Sect’s long mountain steps, step by step, and began to feel tired for him.

She had seen Meng Yingxing go up and down the mountain road several times now, and she was long since tired of it.

“Disciple, do you know? If your travel speed were ten times faster, you could save ten times the time to improve yourself.”
Xiu Qingcheng suddenly began to earnestly instruct Meng Yingxing, as if to teach him the importance of time.

Meng Yingxing paused, a hint of confusion in his eyes, “Master’s meaning… I should run down the mountain?”
In Meng Yingxing’s view, the only way to travel faster than walking was to run.

“Foolish brain!”

Xiu Qingcheng flew out of the scabbard, habitually tapping her foolish disciple’s head.
Then Xiu Qingcheng circled Meng Yingxing halfway and stopped horizontally in front of his feet.

“Quickly get on the sword, I’ll take you flying!”
“This thing is much more useful than walking!”

Looking at the Ting Tian Sword stopped horizontally in front of him, Meng Yingxing’s mind seemed to get stuck, unable to process it for a moment.

Riding the Ting Tian Sword to fly?
‘This act of disrespecting the immortal masters… was he going to do it now?’