Severing Ties: The Sect Regrets My Departure

Chapter 217: Ten Thousand Spirit Respect Vein; The Army of Resentful Spirits

Even this… can become a Fated Chance?

The scene unfolding before him, combined with Sui Xing’s boisterous exclamations, left Gu Xiu astonished.

He looked inward, peering into his Dantian Qi Sea. There, the energy from the shattered pearl was slowly coalescing into a new form. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that this entity was fundamentally different from the original Myriad Beasts Heavenly Pearl.

The original pearl had possessed immense bloodline power, but it was tainted with overwhelming malevolence and resentment.

But this new accumulation in his Qi Sea?

It held no malice. No hatred.

It contained only bloodline power—pure, distilled, and refined to the extreme. In fact, this energy felt even more potent than what the pearl had originally held.

“This is no longer a Myriad Beasts Heavenly Pearl,” Sui Xing declared, his voice trembling with awe. “This should be called a Ten Thousand Spirit Respect Vein!”

“Ten Thousand Spirit Respect Vein?” Gu Xiu asked, intrigued.

“Yes! ‘Respect’ as in reverence!” Sui Xing nodded vigorously. “They are technically the same type of treasure, but their essence is as different as heaven and earth.”

“The Heavenly Pearl is created through coercion—forcibly extracting bloodlines and imprisoning the tortured souls of the beasts. It is a tool of slavery.”

“But the Respect Vein… that is formed when spirit beasts willingly offer their bloodline power to you. One is forced; the other is voluntary.”

Sui Xing sighed, his tone filled with professional admiration.

“To be honest, if we’re strictly talking about weaponized power for a Beast Tamer, the Heavenly Pearl is technically ‘stronger.’ It uses the scream of ten thousand resentful spirits to suppress other demon beasts through sheer terror.”

“The Respect Vein lacks that aura of terror, so as an offensive Dharma Treasure, it’s weaker.”

Gu Xiu nodded. That made sense. Fear was a powerful weapon.

“However,” Sui Xing grinned, “if you don’t use it as a weapon, but as a foundation… the Respect Vein is infinitely more valuable.”

“This vein signifies the approval of the Myriad Beast Races. In the future, if you encounter beasts sharing these bloodlines, they will feel a natural affinity toward you. They won’t attack; they might even aid you.”

“For a Beast Tamer, this is the holy grail. Some even merge it into their own soul to forge an Innate Beast Taming Sacred Body!”

“And most importantly,” Sui Xing added, emphasizing every word, “it has absolutely none of the Heavenly Pearl’s side effects.”

“Side effects?”

“Of course. Do you think you can torture millions of beasts without consequences?” Sui Xing scoffed. “The Heavenly Pearl is an abomination. Its creation incurs the hatred of the entire Demon Race.”

“A Demon Emperor once decreed that any human daring to refine a Heavenly Pearl would be hunted to the ends of the earth. Even today, powerful demons can sense the pearl’s stench from thousands of miles away.”

“Your pearl was particularly potent. If you hadn’t kept it inside the Remnant World, a Great Demon would have come for your head long ago.”

Gu Xiu came to a realization.

So that’s why Lu Qingyao kept it hidden in the Remnant World. She wasn’t just storing it; she was masking its scent from the Demon Emperors.

“So,” Gu Xiu mused, “this really was a blessing in disguise?”

“Blessing? This is a heaven-sent miracle!” Sui Xing shouted. “A Respect Vein of this scale hasn’t been seen in ten thousand years! And you… you’re using it to construct a Dao Platform? That’s unheard of!”

“Honestly, after meeting you, I really need to research what this ‘Providence’ power of yours is. It’s terrifying.”

Gu Xiu chuckled. His luck recently had been extraordinary. Perhaps it really was related to the concept of Providence.

He shook his head, clearing his mind.

Speculation could wait. The priority was strength.

His sixth Dao Platform had formed after the trip to Awakening Spirit Valley, but it was still unstable. Now, with the addition of the Ten Thousand Spirit Respect Vein settling upon the white soil and green moss of his inner world, his path was clear.

Hammer the platform. Push it to Perfection.

Gu Xiu closed his eyes and sank into deep meditation.

However, while he focused on his cultivation, he failed to notice something crucial.

The millions of resentful spirits that had been released from the pearl did not dissipate into the cycle of reincarnation.

Instead, after offering their bloodline gifts, they hovered in the sky.

Then, as one, they turned their gazes in a specific direction.

Toward the Azure Mystic Sacred Land.

They were the souls of the tortured. They had been flayed, drained, and imprisoned for centuries. They had been freed by Gu Xiu, but their hatred for their tormentor still burned.

And now, they knew exactly where she was.

…

Azure Mystic Sacred Land. Spirit Beast Peak.

Hiss—!

“What is happening? Why do I feel so cold?”

Lu Qingyao, standing alone on the peak she had just cleared of all disciples, suddenly shivered. A chill crawled up her spine, the sensation of being watched by a thousand unseen eyes.

She looked around.

The peak was empty, save for the thousands of spirit beasts she had prepared for her breakthrough ritual.

“Am I overthinking it?”

“Why do I feel so uneasy? Like a catastrophe is looming?”

Her expression shifted. “Did Third Senior Sister take the Heavenly Pearl out of the Remnant World?”

“No… no. She’s experienced. She knows the rules. She wouldn’t be that stupid.”

“Could she be coveting my Remnant World?”

Lu Qingyao shook her head, dismissing the thought. “She gave me her White Jade Fan as collateral. She wouldn’t trade that treasure just to steal my world.”

She glanced at the White Jade Fan resting on the altar.

“Speaking of which, this fan is strange. I still can’t figure out its use, but it radiates a faint power that seems to obscure heavenly secrets. I’ll ask her about it after I break through.”

Pushing aside her paranoia, Lu Qingyao focused on the massive formation arrayed before her.

The Blood Refining Grand Formation.

“Activate!”

Boom!

Instantly, the tranquil peak transformed. Fierce winds howled, and a thick, bloody mist rose from the ground, enveloping the entire mountain.

At the center of the formation, Lu Qingyao sat cross-legged.

Around her, thousands of immobilized spirit beasts began to struggle. Their eyes bulged with terror. They couldn’t move, couldn’t run. They could only watch as red tendrils of energy latched onto them.

Their blood essence, their beast cores, their very souls were being ripped out and funneled toward the woman in the center.

Screeech—!

Rooaar—!

Desperate, agonizing screams echoed down the mountain.

At the foot of Spirit Beast Peak, the disciples shuddered. The sounds were so visceral, so filled with pain, that even the bravest among them felt their scalps go numb.

But no one moved.

“Hold your positions!”

“Set up the isolation barrier! Block the sound! Block the sight!”

“The Peak Master is in critical cultivation! No one is allowed to enter! No one is allowed to disturb her!”

The elders barked orders, their faces pale but resolute. They knew their Peak Master practiced an unorthodox path. They knew not to ask questions. Their job was to guard the perimeter, not to judge the method.

So, they stood guard, deaf to the screams of the dying beasts.

What they didn’t know—what no one in Azure Mystic knew—was that a dark cloud was moving toward them from the horizon.

An army of ten thousand beast spirits.

Coming to collect a debt of blood.

…

Jade Pill Peak.

Unaware of the approaching doom, Sect Leader Guan Xuelan was all smiles as she entertained an elderly guest.

“Fellow Daoist Chen, as I said years ago, the Chen Family will always be a friend of Azure Mystic. I, Guan Xuelan, always repay my debts. If your descendants ever need help, come to me.”

The old man, Mr. Chen, was overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you, Sect Leader! Thank you!”

However, his eyes kept drifting anxiously toward the inner room, where his grandson was being treated.

“Rest assured,” Guan Xuelan soothed. “My disciple Wanqing is the best physician in the East. Your grandson is in safe hands.”

Just then, Xu Wanqing walked out. Her brow was furrowed, her expression grave.

The old man’s heart stopped. “Physician Xu! How is he?”

Guan Xuelan hid a smirk. Good acting, Wanqing.

“Wanqing,” Guan Xuelan asked, feigning concern, “How is the child?”

“The injury is… severe,” Xu Wanqing stammered, looking pained. “Disciple… Disciple is afraid…”

The old man staggered back.

Bang!

Guan Xuelan slammed her teacup down, her face turning icy.

“Nonsense! The Chen Family is my benefactor! How can a mere injury stump you?”

“Master…” Xu Wanqing tried to speak.

“I don’t want excuses!” Guan Xuelan interrupted, her voice righteous and commanding. “I want you to use any means necessary to cure him! If you fail, I will hold you responsible!”

The old man, terrified by the Sect Leader’s anger, waved his hands frantically. “Sect Leader Guan, please! Don’t blame her! If it’s fate, it’s fate…”

“No!” Guan Xuelan declared. “We cannot give up! Wanqing! Why are you standing there?”

“Go back in there and cure him!”

“No matter what… you must cure him!”