Chapter 135: A Soul-Locking Treasure, a Ruthless Abandonment

Seeing the Clear Wind Ancestor truly intend to withdraw, Qin Xiao grew anxious.

“Hey, wait! You old bastard, I’ll give you a discount. A hundred million. Just a hundred million! A Clear Wind Sect this big must have that much, right?”

Having only tricked ten million out of him, how could this be acceptable? Naturally, Qin Xiao was unwilling.

“He even told him how many Spirit Stones we have? Then he really must die.”

Clear Wind Ancestor did not answer Qin Xiao, instead entertaining his own calculations.

Only he and these two adopted sons knew the sect treasury held one hundred million Spirit Stones. Since Qin Xiao demanded one hundred million, he naturally knew his wealth. It must have been Duan Mingfei who told him, meaning this adopted son could no longer be kept.

“Well, you old bastard? Isn’t that a generous offer?”

Qin Xiao had no idea that by offering a fifty percent discount, he had just signed Duan Mingfei’s death warrant.

“Keep them. I admit defeat this time.”

Naturally, Clear Wind Ancestor would not believe Qin Xiao. After having all the unconscious disciples brought back, he intended to seal the mountain gate. He would not emerge until Chen Shunyi arrived; he refused to act as a spearhead for others. This Clear Wind Sect represented over two hundred years of his hard work.

“Finished, completely finished. Ancestor has abandoned us. We’re going to die!”

“Qin Xiao, I hate you! Once the Ancestor goes back, he’ll definitely activate the restriction. We’re all dead.”

“Such is fate. I never thought that after living so cautiously until now, I still couldn’t escape this end.”

Seeing the mountain gate close-meaning Clear Wind had completely abandoned them-the faces of the captives turned ashen.

“Is it that bad? You’re pillars of the Clear Wind Sect. Is he really that ruthless?”

Qin Xiao looked at them, somewhat puzzled.

Even if he was reluctant to spend Spirit Stones to redeem them, there was no need to kill them all, right? Weren’t there restrictions in place preventing them from rebelling anyway? Why resort to murder?

“You still don’t understand Ancestor. Our value is spent, and to prevent any mishaps, he won’t keep us around.”

Duan Mingfei shook his head. Fear of the Clear Wind Ancestor was what had made him so suspicious. He had to be careful in everything he did, afraid that a mistake would cost him his soul and life. Yet he had slipped up today.

“What a pity then. It’s not like I want you dead, so don’t blame me. There’s no way I can let you return either; who knows when a war might break out? Sending you back would just be asking for trouble.”

Qin Xiao had initially thought that even if he couldn’t extort the Spirit Stones, he might keep these people around in hopes of finding a way to lift the restrictions, giving him a clear view of both sides. He never expected that old ghost to be so vicious. Find the original chapter at novelping.com.

“Boss, I might have a way.”

Noticing Qin Xiao’s troubled expression, Zhang Zuo spoke up.

“What? You have a way?”

Qin Xiao had almost forgotten that these two bodyguards hailed from Central Province; perhaps their worldly experience would yield a solution.

“Boss, neither of us can undo this restriction, but we can keep them alive for now and find a way later.”

Naturally, Zhang Zuo couldn’t break the restriction, but he possessed a soul-locking Dharma Treasure specifically designed for restraint.

Anyone trapped by the Dharma Treasure lost all contact with the outside world. It was meant to stop others from tracing them through their souls.

“Then use it quickly! That old ghost has already gone back and shut the gate; he’ll make his move soon enough.”

Qin Xiao urged him to hurry. These were core members of the Clear Wind Sect. Useful information from them could let him bring the sect down.

Without hesitation, Zhang Zuo produced a small pagoda. It expanded instantly and descended, pulling all four men straight into its interior.

“That’s it? Done?”

Watching the effortless display, Qin Xiao asked doubtfully.

“Er, Boss, this only temporarily cuts off their connection to the outside world. Breaking the restriction will still require an expert.”

Zhang Zuo hastened to explain.

“Xiao’er, that old ghost is cunning and deceitful. Since our trick failed, let’s head back.”

With the mountain gate closed, Ye Qiuyue came directly to Qin Xiao’s side.

“True. How could a simple trick fool him so easily? Still, we gained something. We caught the Third Elder and three stewards.”

Qin Xiao knew he had been too optimistic. Men who had lived that long were shrewd.

“True. This alone will cause the Clear Wind old ghost no small amount of heartache.”

Ye Qiuyue knew how important a Soul Formation cultivator was to a Fourth-Level Force. Even among First- and Second-Level Forces, Soul Formation cultivators were part of the middle ranks.

With that, Qin Xiao and his group of five left the Clear Wind Sect and flew toward Tianyi City.

“I knew it! Ye Qiuyue, you underestimate me. Did you think such a cheap trick could fool me?” Find the original chapter at novelping(.)com.

The Clear Wind Ancestor had been watching Qin Xiao’s group the whole time. When Ye Qiuyue appeared, he finally felt relieved. Good thing he had held back.

Since they had already left, he had no choice but to make a painful sacrifice. Though losing those four was regrettable, he had to eliminate any hidden risks.

Back in his quarters, the Clear Wind Ancestor took out four jade tablets: one of blood jade and three of red jade. These were the four men’s restriction Soul Tablets. Crushing them would disperse their souls and kill them.

“Father, Da’er requests an audience.”

Before Clear Wind Ancestor could act, Duan Mingda’s voice sounded from outside the door.

“Enter.”

Clear Wind Ancestor already knew why Duan Mingda had come.

“Father, please reconsider.”

Pushing the door open, Duan Mingda caught sight of the four tablets in Clear Wind’s hand and immediately understood. He spoke in a rush.

“Mingda, Father knows you are kind-hearted, but this is all for the sake of the Clear Wind Sect.”

Fearing Duan Mingda might harbor other thoughts, the Clear Wind Ancestor offered an explanation.

“Father, leave aside the three stewards. But Mingfei… he’s your adoptive son, and he’s at Soul Formation! You know him. He would never betray the Clear Wind Sect, much less you!”

Duan Mingda pleaded further, hoping Clear Wind might spare him for the sake of their father-son bond.

“Da’er, let me put it this way: the weaknesses in the Clear Wind Sect’s Formation are known only to the three of us. We can spare the three stewards, but Fei’er must die. If we leave behind even the slightest hidden danger, our Clear Wind Sect faces total extermination. I hope you can understand Father. Do you think it doesn’t break my heart to kill Fei’er?”

Clear Wind Ancestor wasn’t lying about the heartache; after all, he had personally nurtured the man for over two hundred years. To say he felt nothing would be a lie, but he valued his own survival above all else. Even the slightest risk was intolerable, meaning Duan Mingfei had to die.

“If that is your decision, Father, I have nothing more to say. I’ll take my leave.”

At this point, Duan Mingda knew the verdict. Nothing he said could save his brother.

“Da’er, in time you will come to understand Father’s actions today. Go get some rest.”

Sensing Duan Mingda’s distress, Clear Wind Ancestor refrained from saying more, leaving him to digest the matter on his own. His immediate priority was eliminating all hidden risks.

Without an ounce of hesitation, Clear Wind Ancestor crushed the four jade tablets.