Chapter 249: Chapter 238: A Head, a Swift Blade
"Hmm?"
Though just a soft "Hmm," the sound struck Xun Chen’s ears like a clap of thunder.
His entire body trembled violently. As if his spine had been ripped out, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground with a THUD.
His face was ashen, and his lips trembled, unable to form a single complete sentence.
"Guards!"
Qi Yun no longer looked at him. His voice was placid, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
The Holy Sect Cultivators accompanying him were already prepared. At the command, they immediately strode forward, their cold gazes locking onto the crumpled form of Xun Chen.
"Drag him away. Execute him."
"Ex-execute him?!"
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Xun Chen jerked his head up and shrieked in terror:
"No! You can’t kill me!
My adoptive father is a Foundation Establishment Master!
If you dare kill me, my adoptive father will never let you get away with it!!"
He played his biggest trump card, trying to intimidate Qi Yun.
"Adoptive father?"
Qi Yun chuckled softly, looking down at Xun Chen, who was like a pile of sludge on the ground. The gentle smile on his face abruptly vanished.
"Even if your real father were here, he couldn’t save you today.
Drag him away!"
"Yes, sir!"
The two Holy Sect Cultivators no longer hesitated. Their figures flashed like lightning. Two dark iron rings had appeared in their hands, and they shot out as fast as a gale!
PFT! PFT!
With two muffled sounds, the iron rings pierced through Xun Chen’s clavicles and his Dantian’s Qi Sea with pinpoint accuracy!
A bloodcurdling scream, one that barely sounded human, erupted from Xun Chen’s mouth.
Like a punctured balloon, he completely lost all ability to resist.
The two Cultivators, expressionless, flanked him. As if dragging a dead dog, they hauled the wailing, struggling Xun Chen to the very front of the crowd.
So that every Cultivator present could see clearly.
A hand raised, a blade fell!
SHLIIICK—!
A frigid gleam of light flashed, accompanied by a teeth-grating sound of slicing.
Blood splattered five feet high as a head, filled with terror and indignation, rolled to the ground.
The headless body twitched twice, then fell silent.
In that instant, the entire Abyssal Canyon plunged into dead silence.
Only the whistling of the mountain wind and the thick stench of blood filled the air.
Every Cultivator, regardless of their Sect, turned pale. Their scalps tingled, and they didn’t dare to even breathe loudly.
They stared at the figure in the deep blue Daoist robe, who stood with his hands behind his back, their eyes filled with an unprecedented level of fear and awe.
This Qi Master’s methods were so cruel!
He killed at a word, without a shred of mercy!
He didn’t even give face to a Foundation Establishment Master from the Yellow Springs Netherworld!
Qi Yun slowly turned, his calm gaze sweeping over the crowd, who were as silent as cicadas in winter. It was as if he had just swatted a fly.
"Ning Feng, find out where we can most quickly fill the gap for the Nine Pillar Sunken Gold Stone owed by the Yellow Springs Netherworld."
Ning Feng, who had been specially transferred from the Holy Sect by Qi Yun to serve as his personal attendant, skillfully produced a Jade Scroll and quickly replied:
"Reporting to you, Master. Approximately eight hundred miles west of here, there is a large Marketplace called ’Cold Taste Workshop,’ which was established directly by the Yellow Springs Netherworld.
Their treasury contains a large reserve of high-quality Nine Pillar Sunken Gold Stone."
"Cold Taste Workshop?"
Qi Yun’s brows twitched slightly. He feigned exhaustion, rubbing his temples and letting out a sigh.
"Sigh. These are supplies they were supposed to deliver themselves, yet now I must go and retrieve them personally...
So be it. To avoid delaying the construction schedule, I suppose I’ll have to make the trip."
With that, Qi Yun waved his wide sleeves, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness.
"Gather our men. We will follow me to the Cold Taste Workshop to ’requisition’ supplies!"
"Yes, sir!"
Ning Feng and the other Holy Sect Cultivators responded in unison, their voices echoing through the valley.
The next moment, Qi Yun’s figure drifted upward. An auspicious cloud formed beneath his feet, lifting him and the Holy Sect Cultivators. They transformed into a streak of Flowing Light, shooting directly west toward the Cold Taste Workshop and vanishing over the horizon in a flash.
Only after Qi Yun and his entourage had completely disappeared...
...did the suffocating pressure within the Abyssal Canyon finally ease slightly.
The Junior Sect Steward, who had been sweating profusely with anxiety just moments before, now came to his senses.
He looked at the still-wet pool of blood on the ground and the decapitated corpse.
Then he glanced at the surrounding Cultivators, Warriors, and servants. Moments ago they were lazing about, but now they trembled like quails. He couldn’t help but sneer and shout harshly:
"Still standing there dazed? You want your own heads to go rolling on the ground?!"
The rebuke was like a whip lashing their bodies.
All the Cultivators jolted, instantly snapping out of their terror.
Seeing the Steward’s icy gaze and recalling Qi Yun’s decisive and brutal execution, how could they dare to slack off in the slightest?
"Get to work! Get to work, now!"
"Clear the site! Prepare to lay the foundations!"
"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"
Shouts rose and fell, one after another. The previous scene of laxity and chaos was swept away.
In its place was a bustling scene of feverish activity, with everyone scrambling to get ahead.
No one dared to be lazy or shirk their duties, and no one dared to feign compliance while acting otherwise.
One head, one swift blade.
And just like that, the job was done.
...
For a Foundation Establishment Master traveling by cloud, a distance of eight hundred miles was but a moment’s journey.
The Cold Taste Workshop was situated in a valley perpetually shrouded in a faint Yin Sha Qi. Built upon an Earth Vein, its buildings were mostly constructed from black stone, giving them a grim and ancient style.
When Qi Yun, riding his auspicious cloud and leading a group of formidable Holy Sect Cultivators, appeared above the Marketplace like celestial soldiers descending from the heavens, the pitifully small guard force was rendered instantly useless.
"Is that the manager of the Yellow Springs Netherworld’s Cold Taste Workshop down there?
I am Qi Yun of the Wuji Holy Sect. Under the order of the Four Sects, I am overseeing the construction of the Northern Defense Array and have come to requisition urgently needed supplies.
Open the Array at once and come out to speak!"
Qi Yun’s voice was not particularly loud, yet it rolled like thunder, carrying an irrefutable authority that pierced directly through the Marketplace’s defensive light barrier, making the eardrums of the Cultivators inside buzz.
The Marketplace was immediately thrown into chaos.
Soon, an elderly man in the robes of a Yellow Springs Netherworld Steward, with a terrified expression and cultivation at the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm, hastily flew into the air surrounded by a group of disciples. From behind the Array’s light barrier, he bowed to Qi Yun, his voice trembling:
"G-Ghost Vulture, Steward of the C-Cold Taste Workshop, gr... greets Master Qi!
I was not aware of Master Qi’s visit and failed to welcome you from afar. I beg your forgiveness!
It’s just... regarding the Master’s requisition of supplies, might you have proof or a written order?
We... we need something to report to our superiors..."
This Ghost Vulture Steward was old and shrewd. Although he feared Qi Yun’s reputation and power,
he still braced himself and tried to follow procedure, attempting to stall for time.
Hearing this, a smirk played on Qi Yun’s lips. He slowly raised his hand, and the Chaos-colored Four Extremes Derivation Order appeared in his palm.
Four-colored light swirled around its sharp edges, emanating a boundless pressure that contained the fused will of the Four Sects.
"This is the Four Extremes Derivation Order, jointly forged by the Acting Sect Leaders of the Four Sects. For any need related to the Array Formation, the resources of any Sect may be requisitioned first."
Qi Yun’s tone was level, but it carried a mountain-like pressure.
"Ghost Vulture Steward, are you trying to verify the authenticity of this Token, or are you questioning the decision of the four Great Masters?"
Feeling the majestic aura emanating from the Token, the Ghost Vulture Steward’s face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat streamed down his back. He quickly bowed his head low, almost bending his waist to a ninety-degree angle.
"I wouldn’t dare! I wouldn’t dare! This humble one would never dare!
Master Qi, please!
Quickly, open the Array!"
The defensive light barrier rapidly dissipated.
Qi Yun rode his auspicious cloud and slowly descended into the largest square in the center of the Cold Taste Workshop.
Like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, the Holy Sect Cultivators behind him immediately and systematically fanned out, subtly taking control of the Marketplace’s various entrances, exits, and key locations.
Their sharp gazes swept over the silent Yellow Springs Netherworld Cultivators and the visiting Loose Cultivators who had come to trade.
"My primary purpose in coming here is to requisition Nine Pillar Sunken Gold Stone to meet the urgent needs of the construction site at Abyssal Canyon." Qi Yun’s gaze swept over the Ghost Vulture Steward, his tone still placid.
"However, since I’m here, I might as well see what else in this workshop can be used for the Grand Array’s construction.
Ghost Vulture Steward, lead the way. Let’s take a look at the storeroom."
The Ghost Vulture Steward cried out in silent misery but dared not show any defiance. He could only brace himself and obsequiously lead the way:
"Yes, yes, Master Qi, please follow me."
The storeroom was located deep within the Marketplace, protected by heavy Restrictions.
But under the light of the Four Extremes Derivation Order, those Restrictions melted away like snow in the sun.
When the heavy stone door opened, it revealed mountains of various Spiritual Materials, Ores, Spirit Grasses, and even finished Magical Artifacts and Array Discs.
Even the well-traveled Holy Sect Cultivators behind Qi Yun couldn’t help but click their tongues in amazement.
The supplies the Yellow Springs Netherworld had stockpiled here were far greater in quantity and higher in quality than what they had officially reported!
Qi Yun swept the area with his Divine Sense and instantly took stock. Standing with his hands behind his back, he began to "call the roll."
"The Nine Pillar Sunken Gold Stone. Load it all up and transport it to the Abyssal Canyon immediately."
"This Yin Marrow Jade is pure in quality. It can be used to stabilize the Array Hub nodes. Take it."
"Centennial Soul Nourishing Wood? Hmm, incorporating some when making Array Flags can increase their spiritual nature. Take it away."
"Oh? This batch of Profound Nether Heavy Water is of good quality. It’ll be perfect for tempering the Earth Vein Yin Sha Qi. Move it all."
"And that Ghost-faced Vine and Bone-Eroding Sand... a bit unorthodox, but they might be useful in certain special Array Patterns. Ning Feng, make a note. Requisition them as well."
With each item he named, the Holy Sect Cultivators behind him pounced like hungry wolves, using Transportation Techniques to haul away piles of the corresponding materials.
Their movements were swift and rough.
They gave the people from the Yellow Springs Netherworld no chance to take inventory or make records.
The Ghost Vulture Steward and the nearby Yellow Springs Netherworld disciples watched with hearts bleeding. Their faces were deathly pale, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.
That was the wealth their Sect had painstakingly accumulated!
Many of those items were rare treasures prepared for other secret plans or for tribute to the Sect’s upper echelons!
Someone couldn’t resist the urge to step forward and argue, but he was held back firmly by his sect brother, who shot him a look, gesturing toward the terrifyingly powerful Token in Qi Yun’s hand and the predatory Holy Sect Cultivators surrounding them.
They were furious but dared not speak!
In the face of absolute power and the pretext of a "righteous cause,"...
...all their anger and grievances could only be swallowed back down.
Qi Yun seemed not to notice their expressions, as if their parents had just died. He continued his leisurely stroll through the storeroom, his gaze scraping the place clean like a rake.
"This crate of Earth Vein Stone Marrow... hmm, not bad."
"Take that Netherworld Iron as well."
"Oh? Is that a small jar of Thousand-Year Corpse Moss? This is rare. It might have a great use."
The foundation that the Cold Taste Workshop had accumulated over many years was disappearing at a rate visible to the naked eye.
In less than an hour, the once-packed storeroom was nearly half-empty.
Only some truly useless or undesirable scraps were left behind.
Only then did Qi Yun seem to nod in satisfaction. He looked at the ashen-faced Ghost Vulture Steward and consoled him in a gentle tone:
"Ghost Vulture Steward, you understand the greater good and have been generous with your assistance. I will be sure to remember this and record a merit for your workshop and your Sect in the ledger.
It’s all for the Northern Defense Array, for the people of the Northwest, after all."
The Ghost Vulture Steward’s mouth twitched. He forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace and bowed.
"It is our duty... our duty... Master Qi is in charge..."
"Mm," Qi Yun replied nonchalantly, flicking his sleeve.
"Since the supplies have been ’requisitioned,’ I will not trouble you any further."
With that, he turned and left, leading his group of Holy Sect Cultivators, their haul plentiful, and soared away on his auspicious cloud.
He left behind a nearly empty Cold Taste Workshop and a group of Yellow Springs Netherworld Cultivators who wanted to cry but had no tears, cursing Qi Yun a million times in their hearts.
Atop the auspicious cloud, Ning Feng was taking stock of their "haul." Unable to hide his excitement, he said in a low voice:
"Master, the supplies we requisitioned this time far exceed what’s needed for the Nine Pillar Sunken Gold Stone. There are many rare treasures among them of incalculable value..."
Qi Yun stood at the edge of the cloud with his hands behind his back, looking down at the rapidly shrinking Cold Taste Workshop below. The meaningful arc of his lips reappeared.
"This is just the beginning.
But I am only one man, and my strength is limited.
Happiness is better when shared, after all.
If my martial uncles find out I’m keeping all the spoils for myself, they’ll surely grumble endlessly.
Alas, what can I do? Qi is just too generous.
Ning Feng, take my order and return to the Holy Sect at once.
I need to have a... nice long talk with my martial uncles."
...
Comments