A Calamity of Bloodshed

The cultivators from the major sects touched down, expressions varying across their faces. Standing to one side, Qi Yuan was already well aware of the leaders from each sect. Because the Foundation Establishment spiritual item this time was of the first rank, the representatives sent by the sects were a cut above those of previous years. In past Foundation Establishment Grand Gatherings, Origin Core True Persons wouldn't attend at all. Yet this time, a full four had arrived. Two were from Floating Mountain and the Demonic Desire Sect respectively, along with the Commandery Prince of Changshan representing Great Shang, and Patriarch Baiji of the Black Mountain Sect. In truth, according to the unspoken rules of the cultivation world, apart from the three great sects and Great Shang, other sects were not supposed to dispatch Origin Core True Persons even if they attached great importance to the event. However, the Black Mountain Sect was arrogant and overbearing, constantly pushing to turn the three great sects into four, which was why they had sent Patriarch Baiji. Behind these formidable figures stood Foundation Establishment elders and Qi Refinement perfection disciples from each sect. Many of the Qi Refinement perfection disciples had sharp, eager glints in their eyes, clearly hoping to show their brilliance at this Foundation Establishment Grand Gathering. Meanwhile, some Qi Refinement disciples from smaller sects looked somewhat nervous and uneasy, evidently worried they wouldn't achieve good results. The Commandery Prince of Changshan was a handsome man with a magnificent beard. Clad in luxurious silk robes, he strode forward toward Qi Yuan with a hearty smile. "Where is your sect master? He's not in death seclusion, is he? Once the Foundation Establishment Grand Gathering is over, tell him to come have a few drinks with me!" The Commandery Prince of Changshan appeared easygoing and unrestrained. Though he was an Origin Core True Person, his speech brimmed with heroic candor. The other Origin Core True Persons present looked toward the Commandery Prince of Changshan with a touch of reverence in their eyes. After all, the Commandery Prince of Changshan was the father of Great Shang's reigning empress; he possessed the backing to be confident. "Once the Foundation Establishment Grand Gathering concludes, Your Highness may inquire with our sect's elders," Qi Yuan replied, though his mind was wandering wild. If the Commandery Prince of Changshan found out that his daughter was fooling around with the sect master, who knew if he would still be able to drink so merrily with him. After all, the sect master was considerably older than the Commandery Prince of Changshan. Qi Yuan was the head disciple of Seven Colors Peak. Though only at Qi Refinement perfection, his status was merely half a notch below that of an Origin Core cultivator, and right now, he represented the Divine Light Sect. That was why these Origin Core cultivators interacted with him as equals. At this moment, Patriarch Baiji of the Black Mountain Sect spoke up, sounding rather impatient. "Hurry up and start the Foundation Establishment Grand Gathering. I'm still waiting to go back and tend to my chicks." Hearing this, the elders from the other sects all changed expression slightly, visibly displeased by Patriarch Baiji's remarks. The Commandery Prince of Changshan merely let out a hearty laugh. "Why be in such a rush, Patriarch Baiji? Surely you don't lack this little bit of time." Seeing that it was the Commandery Prince of Changshan who spoke, Patriarch Baiji gave him face. Had it been anyone else, he definitely would have retorted with a sharp barb or two. Qi Yuan also spoke: "This way, everyone!" Patriarch Baiji was originally named Master Kunshan. Later on, he and the Black Mountain Sect Master had jointly taken Old Demon Black Chicken as their foster father, changing his title to Patriarch Baiji. The group followed Qi Yuan, slowly heading into the interior of the Divine Light Sect. The leading elders conversed as they walked. As for the others, they kept quiet. Just then, a rather frivolous voice drifted over: "Well, well, isn't this Jiang Ran? How did you end up fleeing to the Divine Light Sect?" Everyone turned to look, their gazes landing on a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a distinctly smug, insolent expression. Within the Divine Light Sect's ranks, a young woman turned pale. She was none other than Jiang Ran. Qi Yuan had met her twice before. Qi Yuan knew Jiang Ran possessed a special constitution and was regarded as a cultivation vessel by Old Demon Black Chicken. Last time, Jiang Ran and Jiang Lingsu had complained and vented about the Black Mountain Sect together. Qi Yuan looked toward the insolent man. [He is an ordinary demonic path cultivator. His face has a faint dark pallor; a calamity of bloodshed seems to await him.] The Divine Light Sect disciples also glared at the insolent man, their expressions furious and teeth clenched in anger. "Chu Tianxiong!" "How dare you come to our Divine Light Sect!" "Utterly detestable!" The insolent man was precisely Chu Tianxiong, who had committed heinous atrocities in Rong City. He had defiled several newlywed brides and slaughtered their entire families. Zheng Jianghe had led a team from Golden Light Hall and arrested Chu Tianxiong. In the end, an elder at Foundation Establishment perfection from the Black Mountain Sect intervened, injuring Zheng Jianghe and rescuing Chu Tianxiong with supreme arrogance. Hearing the shouts from the Divine Light Sect disciples, the mocking sneer on Chu Tianxiong's face only deepened. "The way you're gnashing your teeth looks just like that cultivator named Zheng Jianghe the other day." Hearing this, the Divine Light Sect disciples grew even more outraged. After all, Senior Brother Zheng Jianghe had been injured because of Chu Tianxiong not long ago. Yet the sins Chu Tianxiong committed had gone without the punishment he deserved. At the mountain gate of the Divine Light Sect, several white-haired elders were still kneeling, exposed to the sun and rain day and night; they were the maternal relatives of the victimized brides! As for the bridegrooms' families, not a single living soul remained, an utter tragedy. Right then, Qi Yuan, who had remained silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Fellow Daoist, I recently took up the art of divination. Would you allow me to cast a hexagram for you?" Chu Tianxiong froze for a second, then narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Junior Brother, feel free to divine as you please." "I see a dark cloud hanging over your brow, Fellow Daoist. I fear a calamity of bloodshed awaits you before long," Qi Yuan said softly. The moment these words left his mouth, total silence fell over the entire area. Not a single person spoke. Fury surged onto Chu Tianxiong's face. Just as he seemed about to lash out, Patriarch Baiji held him back. Receiving a voice transmission, Chu Tianxiong spat out "Good" three times in a row, before finally saying, "Many thanks for Junior Brother's kind intentions. This senior brother will remember it!" The Black Mountain Sect was not afraid of the Divine Light Sect, but they dared not provoke Seven Colors Peak. ... With the disturbance past, the Foundation Establishment Grand Gathering began. The Qi Refinement disciples from the various sects took to the arenas one after another. The Foundation Establishment Grand Gathering was simple: it was all about sparring and spell combat. Qi Yuan watched with utter boredom. After all, in the game world, he ran rampant, defying the heavens and shaking the earth; battles of this caliber bored him to tears. Had there not been so many people around, he would have loved to pull out his game jade slip and play for a while. Just then, a voice sounded by Qi Yuan's ear. "Senior Brother, it's your turn to take the stage." Seeing this, Qi Yuan finally strolled onto the arena. The Origin Core True Persons and Foundation Establishment cultivators present all fixed their gazes upon him. After all, Qi Yuan was the Eldest Disciple of Seven Colors Peak, a person of highly unique status. "Duan Tianjiao of the Demonic Desire Sect greets Senior Brother." Dressed in black, Duan Tianjiao possessed an alluring, curvaceous figure, and a beauty mark beneath her left eye made her look exceptionally charming. "Qi Yuan of the Divine Light Sect," Qi Yuan introduced himself as well. He also sized up Duan Tianjiao. [She is an ordinary cultivator, but she has a little habit: she likes picking at her feet. Don't let her kicks land on you, or you might catch athlete's foot.] Qi Yuan was taken aback. This girl was pretty enough, but she even specialized in biochemical attacks. He had to be careful. "Begin!" With the chime of a bell, the battle commenced. Qi Yuan was exceedingly cautious, keeping his eyes glued to Duan Tianjiao's feet. Seeing Duan Tianjiao flying toward him, he casually raised a hand. Yet before he even began circulating his spiritual power, an astonishing scene unfolded. "Pfft..." Duan Tianjiao flew backward through the air, spitting up a mouthful of blood. "Senior Brother is truly worthy of being the Eldest Disciple of Seven Colors Peak. Your remote acupoint-striking technique is formidable indeed. Tianjiao admits defeat!" Duan Tianjiao pushed herself up and surrendered on the spot. Qi Yuan was left utterly dumbfounded. "I haven't even used any force, and you're already down?" Wait, no—he hadn't even struck, and she had already lost? Was this Foundation Establishment Grand Gathering... rigged? Seeing this, the elders and Qi Refinement disciples from other sects below the stage showed no surprise whatsoever. Only, some disciples looked at Qi Yuan with a hint of jealousy in their eyes.