Chapter 66: Itching for Trouble, Begging for a Beating!

The Fallen Leaf Sect surged forward with an imposing momentum. Upon witnessing this, the people of Xuantian Town were first astonished and then quickly became curious. For a moment, speculation ran rampant among them.

The Fallen Leaf Sect advanced with great power, their numbers filling the broad avenue. At the head of the procession was Ye Qing once again. Yet, it was clear that something about him had changed, though pinpointing the difference was elusive—after all, one must guess at such things.

Ye Qing’s robes now differed from those worn a few days prior when he set out for the Profound Transformation Sect. He donned the elder’s azure robes, symbolizing authority.

“Heh, it seems the Sect Leader holds Elder Ye Qing in great esteem, even bestowing the Grand Elder’s robes upon him. Perhaps after this expedition, it will be official!” remarked an elder, Zheng You, a steward of the Fallen Leaf Sect. Among all the stewards, he possessed the greatest combat strength, nearly reaching the level of an elder, though he had yet to break through.

Ye Qing was inwardly pleased at Zheng You’s words, but outwardly he responded, “Steward Zheng jests. Thanks to the Sect Leader’s favor, it’s just the Profound Transformation Sect. With the demise of the Emperor Ermine, only a few restless monkeys remain. Destroying them is hardly a great feat.”

A hint of malice flickered in Ye Qing’s eyes as he spoke. Had it not been for Night Nine Demon’s interference, perhaps he would have already confirmed whether the Emperor Ermine of the Profound Transformation Sect was truly dead, sparing him the risk.

He had thought his strength could sweep through the Profound Transformation Sect, but his underestimation, combined with the presence of Xuantian Tavern and the Heavenly Sword Sect, had made him wary and led to his defeat at Night Nine Demon’s hands.

Who could have imagined Night Nine Demon’s swordsmanship would dazzle the world, injuring him with a single stroke? The hardest blow to his pride was being suppressed by a rising star, wounded with one sword.

Ye Qing, an elder of the Fallen Leaf Sect with such distinguished status, had been wounded by a junior—how could he bear such humiliation? The blow was substantial.

His reputation had already suffered; if he did not destroy the Profound Transformation Sect, the tale of his defeat would spread throughout Xuantian Town. Only by eradicating the Profound Transformation Sect could he silence the petty gossip. From then on, only the Fallen Leaf Sect’s voice would echo in Xuantian Town, preserving his reputation, and any who dared speak against him would pay with their lives.

“But the three sects have endured for so long. I hear there is a guardian demon within the Profound Transformation Sect, possibly of the Virtuous Lord realm.”

“Hmph, let’s hope their sect still possesses it. If it appears, all the better.” Ye Qing’s face was filled with disdain as he fiddled with his ring.

Zheng You was startled by this, realizing the Sect Leader had long planned and prepared for this, or Ye Qing wouldn’t display such boldness. Clearly, the sect was making a significant investment this time.

Yet, what exactly was the sect leader’s trump card?

After half a day’s march, the army of the Fallen Leaf Sect finally arrived at the gates of the Profound Transformation Sect. But upon seeing the scene before them, they were struck with bewilderment.

A youth lay sprawled on the steps, propped on his right hand, resembling a sleeping Buddha, his eyes heavy with drowsiness, seemingly on the verge of sleep.

When the youth noticed the arrival of the Fallen Leaf Sect, his sleepy eyes suddenly snapped open, a flash of brilliance passing through them.

Throughout the Profound Transformation Sect, only this youth reclined on the steps. The sect’s grand array was inactive, the main gates wide open, and not a soul could be seen within.

“Night Nine Demon!” Ye Qing’s face twisted with rage as he stared at Night Nine Demon, grinding out the name word by word.

Yet Night Nine Demon ignored them, continuing to lie there with indifference, his heart unmoved, watching the members of the Fallen Leaf Sect.

“Come hit me, I’m itching for a beating!”

“Has the Profound Transformation Sect given up resistance, leaving him behind as an apology?” Those who had accompanied Ye Qing previously were puzzled, offering their analysis.

“It’s possible. The Profound Transformation Sect knows the Emperor Ermine is dead, and those left are like tigers without fangs. Perhaps they fear they cannot quell our wrath, so they left him behind.”

“And he knows survival is hopeless, so he’s abandoned resistance, waiting for us to slaughter him.”

Their analysis seemed logical, but Night Nine Demon remained calm, his disdainful smile apparent as he called out again.

“Come hit me, I’m itching for a beating!”

His attitude was downright provocative, eyes closing lazily. Ye Qing and the others became unsettled.

“He’s gone mad, seeking death!”

Someone spoke as if understanding, and Ye Qing’s gaze sharpened.

“If you want to die, it won’t be so easy!”

A shadow passed through Ye Qing’s eyes as terrifying power erupted from him. With a command, the crowd surged forward.

“Kill! Whoever seizes the spoils by skill, it’s theirs!”

His words sent the group into a frenzy, though the steward Zheng You hesitated briefly.

“Yes, just like that! Come hit me, I’m itching for a beating!”

Night Nine Demon spoke calmly, but his arrogance was unmasked, his shout echoing.

“Kill! Any resistance will be met with death!”

Ye Qing’s voice brimmed with murderous intent, and the crowd charged forward. Night Nine Demon watched them enter, then suddenly sprang upright.

He drew several stones from his robe and flicked them out. Instantly, the world shifted; vital energy swept across like a tidal wave, murderous intent surging like stormy seas.

Ye Qing’s pupils contracted as he shouted, “Retreat! It’s a trap!”

But it was too late!

Those who had stepped into the formation were thrown into chaos, routed and disarrayed. Night Nine Demon watched with a smile.

“Come hit me, I’m itching for a beating!”

He looked at the crowd with a swaggering arrogance, his demeanor as irritating as a buzzing fly.

Bang!

The stones in Night Nine Demon’s hand landed among the crowd, and suddenly gale winds erupted, thunder roared, lightning flashed, and bolts rained down.

A destructive aura descended!

Boom!

Boom!

...

Violent explosions resounded, the cacophony like bombs, and within moments, over a hundred corpses littered the ground.

Yet the Fallen Leaf Sect had come in overwhelming numbers; though over a hundred had perished, many more still stretched for miles outside the gates of the Profound Transformation Sect.

“How can it be? The Profound Transformation Sect’s formation is this powerful now?”

Who could have guessed that Night Nine Demon’s digging and stomping were not random, but methods of carving and strengthening the array?

Night Nine Demon’s every action seemed so bizarre that no one could have suspected he was fortifying the formation.

But now, it was too late for the Fallen Leaf Sect to regret.