Reincarnation Immortal Venerable: Starting from the Ninety-Nineth Incarnation

After Elder Chaohua and Elder Ruoxue returned, Qiyun Sect returned to its former tranquility, but the sect's security became even more stringent.

The shadow of the demonic cultivators' invasion that day still lingered in the minds of the disciples.

Every night, Li Yanzhou would circulate the "Dust Boat Technique" to use the spirit jade to simulate the heaven-defying characteristics of the root of the immortality, thus refining the foundation of the peak of the Qi Sensing Realm. The chaotic energy in his meridians became increasingly pure and profound, and the condensation of the spiritual energy around his body had long surpassed that of cultivators of the same realm.

Su Qingyao often accompanied him in meditation and cultivation, occasionally refining some healing and healing pills. The two gradually developed a deeper understanding. Shi Dazhuang remained as lovable as ever, working with the senior brothers in the chores department every day, and guarding the courtyard gate in his spare time, becoming the two's most steadfast "guardian".

Early that morning, a series of urgent bell tolls came from the gate of Qiyun Sect. Unlike the usual morning bells and evening drums, this bell tolled heavily and urgently, carrying an undeniable majesty that instantly spread throughout the entire sect.

Li Yanzhou, who was meditating in the courtyard, suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of doubt flashing in them. "This bell sound seems to be a signal for the sect to summon its disciples."

He got up and strode towards the outer hall. From afar, he saw many inner disciples and stewards hurrying towards the main hall, their voices rising and falling, their tone full of solemnity.

Li Yanzhou quietly pulled aside a passing senior brother and whispered, "Senior brother, why is the urgent bell ringing today? What happened?"

The senior brother looked serious and lowered his voice, saying, "Don't you know? The messengers from the four sects have arrived. The destruction of the Qingxuan Sect has alarmed the rulers of the Central Plains of the Myriad Paths. The Qingxuan Sect was originally one of the Five Upper Sects along with the four sects. Now, the four sects have joined forces with all the righteous sects in the Central Plains of the Myriad Paths to carry out a comprehensive purge of the Qingxuan Sect ruins and all potential demonic cultivators within its territory."

"A complete purge!" A flame instantly ignited in Li Yanzhou's eyes.

He had never forgotten what happened at Qingxuan Sect. Mo Yuan's brutality, his brother Li Yanran's strange behavior, and the tragic deaths of his fellow disciples flashed through his mind. He was no longer the useless person who couldn't cultivate. Now he finally had the opportunity to settle scores with the demonic path. How could he miss such an opportunity?

The senior brother continued, "Yes, the four sects have issued an order requiring all elders and above to gather at the Qingxuan Sect ruins within three days to jointly annihilate the remaining demonic forces and thoroughly investigate the demonic spies lurking in each sect. Our Qiyun Sect's Elder Chaohua, Elder Ruoxue, and four other elders have already set off for the main hall, ready to depart."

A bold idea suddenly popped into Li Yanzhou's mind: he wanted to secretly follow the Qiyun Sect elders' main force to the Qingxuan Sect ruins and personally deal with those demonic scum who harmed their fellow disciples!

Although he was only an outer disciple and his cultivation was only at the peak of the Qi Sensing Realm, far inferior to the elders' Transformation Realm strength, he had the blessing of the Spirit Jade and the Chaos Qi by his side, so he might not be unable to contribute.

More importantly, he wanted to return to the Qingxuan Sect in person to find clues about his brother Li Yanzhou and uncover the truth behind the sect's destruction.

He thanked the senior brother without making a sound, then turned and hurried back to the courtyard. Su Qingyao was sitting at the stone table sorting through spiritual herbs. Seeing his hurried expression, she quickly stood up and asked, "Yanzhou, what's wrong? Did something happen with the urgent message just now?"

Li Yanzhou pulled her to a corner, lowered his voice, and told her in detail about the four sects' joint purge of the demonic path and the elders of various sects heading to the Qingxuan Sect ruins. His eyes were full of determination: "Qingyao, I want to secretly follow the elders' main group to the Qingxuan Sect ruins."

Su Qingyao lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then a resolute glint flashed in her eyes: "I know what you're thinking. I'll go with you. Qingxuan Sect is also my sect. I'm partly responsible for the feud between fellow disciples. Besides, I'm worried about you going alone."

"But..." Li Yanzhou hesitated, "If we leave the sect without permission and the elders find out, the consequences will be unimaginable. Moreover, this trip is extremely dangerous, you..."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Su Qingyao's eyes were firm. "We'll dress up, wear masks, conceal our presence, and follow at a distance, without showing our faces or drawing attention. No one will notice us."

Looking into her determined eyes, Li Yanzhou's hesitation vanished instantly, and he nodded: "Okay, we'll go together! It's just that Dazhuang..."

The two looked at Dazhuang, who was squatting on the ground playing with pebbles not far away. They exchanged a glance and both showed helpless expressions. Shi Dazhuang was simple-minded and strong, but he did not know how to hide his strength. Taking him along would inevitably expose their whereabouts and might even bring danger.

Su Qingyao stepped forward, squatted down in front of Shi Dazhuang, and said softly, "Dazhuang, we're going down the mountain to gather spiritual herbs. It might take a few days. You stay in the sect, be a good boy/girl, and don't run around. When we come back, we'll buy you lots and lots of candied hawthorns, okay?"

Shi Dazhuang raised his head, his big round eyes looking at the two of them. He nodded as if he understood, stretched out his chubby hand, and tightly grasped Su Qingyao's clothes, whispering, "Dazhuang, be good."

Afterwards, Li Yanzhou and Su Qingyao quickly packed up, taking with them the jade pendant, pills, and storage bag given to them by Elder Ruoxue, and also found two masks to cover most of their faces.

Taking advantage of the chaos as the sect elders were organizing their ranks and preparing to depart, he quietly slipped out of the sect and followed the elders' group at a distance.

They sped along, and by the time the two arrived at a small town near the Qingxuan Sect, a day had passed, and dusk was approaching.

In the woods on the outskirts of the town, faint fluctuations of demonic energy could be heard, along with sporadic sounds of fighting. Clearly, the purge of the four sects had begun, and many minor figures of the demonic path scattered outside were being eliminated one by one by righteous cultivators.

Li Yanzhou and Su Qingyao exchanged a glance, quietly slipped out of the group's sight, and sneaked into the woods on the outskirts of the town, determined to personally deal with those lone demonic scum here.

The forest was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a faint smell of blood and a chilling demonic aura. The two of them kept their bodies low and moved forward slowly, their eyes scanning their surroundings warily.

Before long, a thin, dark figure appeared not far ahead, surrounded by a faint demonic aura. Judging from the aura, it was only at the early stage of the Qi Sensing Realm, clearly a minor demonic cultivator. It was crouching behind a tree, seemingly hiding from something, holding a rusty short knife in its hand, looking flustered.

Li Yanzhou's eyes turned cold. He gestured for Su Qingyao to stay where she was and wait. He then tiptoed around to the back of the demonic cultivator, using the tree trunk as cover. He knew that a sneak attack was the best way to deal with such a lone, insignificant character.

Without any hesitation, Li Yanzhou flashed forward, gathering spiritual energy in his palm, which carried a trace of chaotic energy, and struck the demonic cultivator hard on the back. The demonic cultivator didn't even have time to let out a scream before his body slowly fell down, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Li Yanzhou never expected that his palm strike would be so powerful, actually piercing through the demonic cultivator's back. Warm blood splattered onto his sleeve, carrying a pungent, bloody smell that instantly filled his nostrils.

He instinctively took a step back, his hands trembling slightly, his stomach churning, and an overwhelming feeling of nausea welled up inside him.

This was the first time in his memory, as a modern person who had transmigrated to the Qingyun Realm, that he had killed someone with his own hands. Even knowing that the other party was a wicked demonic cultivator, the shock of ending a life with his own hands was still unbearable for him.

His eyes were somewhat dazed: "I...I killed someone," his voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, and his eyes were full of confusion and discomfort, making it hard for him to breathe. He leaned against the tree and began to dry heave.

Seeing this, Su Qingyao quickly stepped forward, gently took his wrist, and asked with a hint of worry, "Yanzhou, what's wrong?"

Li Yanzhou looked up at Su Qingyao: "This is the first time I've killed someone..."

"Yanzhou, I know this is very painful for you. It's the first time you've personally ended a life, and you must be uncomfortable. But you must remember that he was a member of the demonic path, a villain who harmed our fellow disciples and whose hands were stained with blood. You killed him not to do evil, but to rid the people of a scourge."

She gently patted Li Yanzhou's back, softened her tone, and continued to comfort him: "Don't be afraid, and don't blame yourself. I'm with you. We are not bloodthirsty people, but you must understand that the path of cultivation is inherently filled with killing and conflict. It's a dog-eat-dog world where the strong live and the weak die. When facing evil demonic cultivators, being soft-hearted is like cutting off your own and your fellow disciples. Get used to it slowly. You've already done very well."

After a moment, the panic in Li Yanzhou's eyes gradually faded, replaced by determination and coldness. However, his face was still somewhat pale. He looked at Su Qingyao, nodded gently, and said in a hoarse voice, "I understand, Qingyao. Thank you. You're right."

Seeing that he was gradually calming down, Su Qingyao smiled with relief and gently released his wrist: "Okay, take your time. With me here, we'll continue to deal with these lone minor demonic figures. Be careful not to reveal your identities."

Li Yanzhou nodded, wiped the bloodstains from his sleeve, gripped his longsword again, composed himself, and walked side by side with Su Qingyao.

The two remained vigilant, and when they encountered any lone minor demonic figures, they would launch a silent sneak attack and cleanly and efficiently eliminate them.

Although Li Yanzhou still felt a little uncomfortable every time he took action, the thought of Su Qingyao's comfort made him more and more determined.

The demonic energy in the woods gradually dissipated, and those lone minor demonic figures fell to the ground one by one under the sneak attack of the two.

The setting sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on Li Yanzhou's pale yet resolute face. This was the first time he had faced slaughter directly, and it marked the true beginning of his path of revenge and growth.

The two dug a simple cave in a mountain hollow and began to take stock of their gains for the night, planning to rest for the night before heading to the ruins of the Qingxuan Sect the next day.