Chapter 1223: Paying a Visit

"D-Daoist Master Qingfeng..."

At Yinquan Sect, Sect Leader Dong looked at Qin Sang standing before him and felt a deep unease throughout his body.

Back then, he had supported Lu Xing in forming his Golden Core and led an assault on Devilish Flame Sect, intending to seize the opportunity to annex it.

Unexpectedly, Daoist Master Qingfeng, who had been missing for a hundred years, returned. Right before his eyes, with a single hand, he killed Lu Xing and purged the sect.

He had been standing right beside Lu Xing, yet he had not even had time to react. He could only watch as Lu Xing turned into flying ash. Ever since then, whenever he woke from dreams at midnight, he would be drenched in cold sweat.

If Daoist Master Qingfeng had come for him, Sect Leader Dong estimated that his chance of escaping would be no more than seventy percent. Fortunately, the other party seemed wary of the Devilish Qingyang Sect and did not dare to carry out a massacre.

After all, no matter how powerful Daoist Master Qingfeng was, he would not have dared to act recklessly under the rule of a Spiritual Infant cultivator.

Reality proved his judgment correct. From that day on, Daoist Master Qingfeng had kept an unusually low profile, and Devilish Flame Sect had obediently followed the orders of Devilish Qingyang Sect. There had been no sign of expansionist ambition.

This allowed Sect Leader Dong to breathe a sigh of relief. At the very least, he no longer needed to worry about the Yinquan Sect being gradually eroded or even replaced. He instructed his disciples that whenever they encountered members of Devilish Flame Sect, they were to avoid them entirely and maintain strict non-interference.

Three days later, Xiang Qing convened a meeting of the subordinate sects.

Originally, Devilish Flame Sect had only possessed a single sect leader who had barely formed a Golden Core and was not taken seriously. As long as tribute was paid, attendance at such meetings had always been optional. Yet at this moment, Daoist Master Qingfeng personally came to their door, requesting to travel together.

"What is it, Sect Leader Dong? Do you have some difficulty?" Qin Sang casually surveyed the Yinquan Sect and asked at ease.

Sect Leader Dong let out a dry laugh and quickly replied, "No, no... It is my honor to travel with you, Daoist Master! I have planned to depart early tomorrow morning and arrive ahead of time, lest Devilish Qingyang Sect think we were being disrespectful."

"That suits me. I will trouble Sect Leader Dong with my stay tonight," Qin Sang replied.

The next morning, Qin Sang and Sect Leader Dong set out with their accompanying disciples.

During this period of interaction, Sect Leader Dong realized that Qin Sang was actually quite amiable. He showed no resentment toward Sect Leader Dong’s past attempt to seize Devilish Flame Sect. Gradually, Sect Leader Dong’s fear lessened, and instead, he began to harbor thoughts of winning him over.

Devilish Qingyang Sect was only a nominal overlord and would not interfere in the open and covert struggles between subordinate factions. The two sects could very well join forces and accomplish something greater.

Unfortunately, Qin Sang had no interest in such trivial matters, leaving Sect Leader Dong’s efforts entirely wasted. Qin Sang was instead contemplating this visit to Devilish Qingyang Sect.

If he were to directly absorb and refine the Ancestral Sacred Flame, it would inevitably stir Divine Gale Peak. The method of sneaking in as he had done before would no longer be viable.

Xiang Qing was not someone to be manipulated at will.

Combining the intelligence he had gathered earlier, Qin Sang decided to pay a direct visit.

***

At the gate of Devilish Qingyang Sect. Numerous disciples stood in high spirits, awaiting guests from all directions.

Ever since Xiang Qing had broken through to the Spiritual Infant Realm, Devilish Qingyang Sect had finally regained its former glory and held its head high once more.

Now, Xiang Qing’s reputation rivaled that of Devil Lord Tongyou. His status carried immense weight, and every disciple felt honored, their faces brimming with pride.

Qin Sang and Sect Leader Dong walked up the jade steps.

Yinquan Sect held a respectable position among the devilish factions. Upon seeing them arrive, the Devilish Qingyang Sect disciples immediately stopped their chatter and stepped forward to greet them.

"Welcome, Sect Leader Dong, and..." A Foundation Building youth stepped forward and spoke respectfully. But when he saw Qin Sang, he faltered, unsure of the identity of this masked figure.

"This is Daoist Master Qingfeng, founding grandmaster of Devilish Flame Sect. He has come with me to pay respects to Senior Xiang," Sect Leader Dong introduced on his behalf.

Devilish Flame Sect... The youth searched his memory but could not recall any such grandmaster. However, this was undeniably a Golden Core cultivator, and he dared not show any disrespect. "Greetings, Daoist Master Qingfeng. The grandmaster has already given instructions. Please follow me to Guest-Welcoming Peak to rest for now."

"Thank you for leading the way, young friend," Sect Leader Dong said warmly.

The youth felt a surge of pride, knowing this was the honor brought by his sect’s grandmaster.

Passing around a massive stele, they entered Devilish Qingyang Sect.

Qin Sang revisited this familiar place. As he looked at the scenery, he suddenly called the youth over and asked, "I heard that Sect Leader Bing Han of Xuling Sect is currently visiting the mountain. Is that true?"

The youth looked confused and replied, "Please forgive me, Daoist Master. I am not aware."

Sect Leader Dong glanced at Qin Sang in surprise, wondering where Qin Sang had obtained such information.

Why is he suddenly asking about Bing Han? Is this old devil plotting something? Dong muttered inwardly. With a Spiritual Infant grandmaster overseeing the sect, unless this man has a death wish...

Guest-Welcoming Peak was the mountain closest to the inner sect. Following the youth, they flew forward slowly.

As they approached, a streak of radiant light suddenly flew toward them. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a burly man clad in armor.

"Oh? Old Devil Dong!" The man burst into laughter upon seeing them. His evasion light curved as he charged over, shouting, "Old Devil Dong! I’ve long wanted to spar with you. You got away last time, but let’s see where you can hide today!"

Sect Leader Dong’s expression darkened.

Within the devilish path, aside from the major sects backed by Spiritual Infant grandmasters, there were still many forces stronger than Yinquan Sect. This burly man’s sect was one of them.

Moreover, his cultivation surpassed Dong’s, having reached the peak of the late stage of the Golden Core Realm.

The two had long been at odds. Knowing he was no match, Sect Leader Dong had always avoided him. He had not expected this man to return from the front lines.

"He is the sect leader of the Fist Will Sect I mentioned before, calling himself Divine Mountain-Shaking Lord. His temperament is arrogant," Sect Leader Dong transmitted his voice to Qin Sang.

But Qin Sang paid him no attention. He continued flying toward the inner sect of Devilish Qingyang Sect and stopped at the entrance, gazing deep within.

His actions immediately put the guarding disciples on edge. He was far too conspicuous.

Even Divine Mountain-Shaking Lord, who had been pestering Sect Leader Dong, was drawn to look over.

Qin Sang had only used a simple spell to suppress his cultivation. It was not something Divine Mountain-Shaking Lord could see through.

The latter recognized Qin Sang as a fellow cultivator, but judging from his aura, he seemed to have only recently formed his Golden Core. He sneered at Sect Leader Dong. "That brat is a newly advanced disciple from your sect? Arrogant and ignorant. He doesn’t even know to pay respects to his seniors! Hiding his face and playing mysterious, just like your lineage."

A thought stirred in Sect Leader Dong’s mind. If this man could provoke Daoist Master Qingfeng, I could use Daoist Master Qingfeng to eliminate a rival.

He immediately rebuked, "Old Devil Mountain-Shaking, this is the Devilish Qingyang Sect. Do not act recklessly!"

Divine Mountain-Shaking Lord grinned viciously and was just about to seize the excuse to teach them a lesson. However, noticing the subtle shift in Sect Leader Dong’s expression, he keenly sensed something amiss and halted.

Sect Leader Dong inwardly lamented the missed opportunity. The young disciple from Devilish Qingyang Sect opened his mouth, about to speak.

Suddenly, a deep, resounding voice suddenly rang out from within the inner sect of Devilish Qingyang Sect, rolling forth like thunder. "Which Daoist has come to visit me, nearly causing me to neglect my duties as host?"

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