Chapter 176 Night Raid on Hongqi Sect: What is the righteous path, and what is the evil path...?

The Gua Sword, once owned by Jiang Chaoxing, and the Cangsheng Sword, held by Yu Tianxing, are both treasures originating from the secret realm of the Spiritual Cultivation Grand Competition prize pool.

The Hidden Life Sword can sense and destroy evil spirits, while the Divination Sword can explore the past and predict the future.

But Jiang Chaoxing, who foresaw the future, could not escape his inevitable death.

"Do you think Jiang Chaoxing knew what his fate would be back then?" Ji Mingran asked.

Yu Tianxing: "I don't know, he has never shown any unusual behavior."

The boy back then was cunning and treacherous, concealing his secrets and thoughts flawlessly.

Even after more than two hundred years, when Yu Tianxing mentions him, his eyelashes still tremble almost imperceptibly.

Although it's unclear how much sincerity was mixed in with their feigned affection, they were indeed close friends in the past.

The divination sword was a relic belonging to his fellow disciple.

Ji Mingran didn't know if Yu Tianxing would be moved by the sight of the scenery.

However, she still said, "I want the divination sword."

“Okay.” Yu Tianxing didn’t ask any further questions, as if she only wanted something ordinary: “I’ll go get it.”

Ji Mingran noticed that Yu Tianxing used the word "take".

Indeed, this was originally something from an unorthodox sect, so it was only natural for Yu Tianxing to ask them for it.

But would Hong Qizong really comply?

Ji Mingran asked, "What if Hong Qizong is unwilling?"

Yu Tianxing patiently repeated, "I'll go get it."

"Oh." Ji Mingran understood.

This means he doesn't intend to ask; he wants to go and "take" it directly.

"Shouldn't we try diplomacy first, then force?" This is unlike his usual style, as he doesn't employ a roundabout and complicated tactic.

Yu Tianxing lay in her arms, raised his hand to brush her hair, and explained, "If I go to ask, they will most likely move the divination sword. So going directly to get it is the fastest way."

He downplayed it, but Hong Qizong and the twelve elders.

Ji Mingran leaned closer, his eyes shimmering and rippling like the ripples of a summer stream: "Let's go get it together."

Now that she has reached the Nascent Soul stage, traveling to another continent is not difficult, and with Yu Tianxing by her side, it is even simpler.

That night, the two arrived in the territory of Hongqizong.

The quiet of the night makes it the perfect time to openly and legitimately reclaim what belongs to you.

As per the agreed plan, Yu Tianxing was responsible for drawing away the attention of the powerful Hongqi Sect members, while Ji Mingran was responsible for investigating the location of the divination sword.

Ji Mingran asked Yu Tianxing what he planned to do.

The hand around his waist loosened, Yu Tianxing placed a kiss on his waist, and then flew up on his sword, instantly arriving directly above the Great Hall of the Primordial World. He drew his sword and slashed downwards, the magnificent sword light illuminating the night of the Hongqi Sect.

The roof of the palace is divided into two parts.

The twelve elders of Hongqi Sect appeared instantly, and Chong Jue exclaimed in surprise, "Yu Tianxing, what are you doing!"

Yu Tianxing didn't even raise an eyebrow, continuing to draw his sword and slash.

What else needs to be said? The twelfth elder of Hongqi Sect made his move without hesitation.

A group of powerful figures were locked in a fierce battle, their chaotic spiritual energy and oppressive aura compressing the entire space. Anyone who approached was inevitably affected. The high-ranking disciples of the Hongqi Sect protected the junior disciples and evacuated urgently.

Ji Mingran stood in a quiet, deserted spot half a mile away, setting up the Vajra Formation, staring dumbfounded at Yu Tianxing, who was taking on twelve powerful beings single-handedly.

He said he was there to attract those people's attention, but I never expected him to use this method.

No wonder he wouldn't tell her no matter how she asked.

Hong Qizong's hatred level was instantly maximized by him, naturally attracting all the attacks.

Ji Mingran immediately followed his memories of visiting Hongqizong in the past and headed towards the general direction of the Treasure Pavilion.

She didn't know how long Yu Tianxing could hold on, so she needed to hurry.

She didn't know the exact location of the Hongqi Sect's Treasure Pavilion. After all, when she visited it, she only heard Zhu Shibai and others give her a brief introduction along the way before she hurriedly fled.

The sect was suddenly attacked. Entrusted by the twelfth elder, the disciples rushed to the Treasure Pavilion to retrieve a suitable spiritual weapon in order to subdue the attacker, Yu Tianxing, as soon as possible.

Ji Mingran seemed to be deep in thought. How could this be one of the reasons why Yu Tianxing launched such a high-profile surprise attack on Hongqi Sect? To lead the way so that she could quickly find the location.

Okay, there's another layer to the goal. What seems like a simple and straightforward move is not so simple. It's a roundabout but effective tactic.

Ji Mingran, with his cane and sword at his feet, concealed himself and followed closely behind the Hongqi Sect disciples.

After navigating through the intricate layout of the Treasure Pavilion, Ji Mingran followed closely behind the group of Hongqi Sect disciples and successfully entered the Treasure Pavilion.

Upon entering the pavilion, Ji Mingran removed the exquisite brocade pouch, threw out the wooden dice, and trapped all the Hongqi Sect disciples inside before they could disperse to retrieve various magical artifacts.

Just like last time, she placed the wooden dice at the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion. In this way, whenever a disciple of the Hongqi Sect came to claim a rare and precious artifact from the sect, he would go in.

As long as she is here, no one can take away the spiritual artifacts from the Treasure Pavilion to fight against Yu Tianxing.

Ji Mingran turned around and quickly entered the Treasures Pavilion.

Before she arrived, she had already inquired about the whereabouts of the divination sword from the Dingsheng Sect.

Although Fu Yin appeared with a divination sword that day, the divination sword was not her life sword.

As sword cultivators, those with higher cultivation levels have already found their own destiny sword, while those with lower cultivation levels are unable to wield the divination sword.

The Gua Sword was once the life-bound sword of a sword cultivator from a destroyed sect who fell into demonic possession. Although it is called a sword, it is more like a spiritual weapon shaped like a sword. For sword cultivators, it is not a suitable weapon, which is why it has been gathering dust in the Treasure Pavilion of the Hongqi Sect.

The talismanic sound was merely a demonstration using the divination sword to reveal the cause and future of the evil entity's appearance. After the demonstration, Hong Qizong returned the divination sword to the Treasure Pavilion.

Seeing her inquiring about the Divination Sword and the Treasure Pavilion, Zhu Shibai sensed something was amiss and asked her if she wanted the Divination Sword.

Shen Qingluo and Guan Wangzhen were eager to try.

Even Li Sanyang and Li Xiaosen became interested. After all, the person who sneaked into Dingsheng Sect more than fifty years ago, intending to break into the treasure cave on Luanfeng Peak, was inevitably connected with Hongqi Sect.

They would be happy to do it for Hong Qizong as well.

But after much deliberation, Ji Mingran felt that it was best for Dingsheng Sect not to get involved.

So she gave a vague reply and went to find Yu Tianxing.

My partner is indeed my partner; without saying a word, he brought her here immediately.

The first half of the trip went smoothly. Ji Mingran quickly swept past building after building, searching for the whereabouts of the divination sword among countless treasures.

A voice rang out from inside the massive treasure pavilion: "It really is you."

Ji Mingran looked in the direction of the sound.

Across the railing where she stood stood a disciple of the Hong Qizong sect.

It was someone she knew. Ji Mingran raised an eyebrow, his tone as casual as if he had bumped into an old acquaintance on the street: "Meng Yingyang?"

Upon hearing her call his name, the tall, handsome cultivator in brocade robes lowered his deep gaze and said, "Fellow Daoist Ji."

Ji Mingran took the initiative and asked, "What are you doing here?" He wasn't among the group of Hongqi Sect disciples who came with her, and now that the entrance was blocked by a wooden sieve, no other Hongqi Sect disciples would come later.

Was he here from the beginning?

Meng Yingyang did not respond immediately, but turned his head and looked out of the carved window frame. Ji Mingran followed his gaze.

"Seeing him arrive, I guess you should be here too." Meng Yingyang's gaze had already returned to her, and he said calmly, "If you were here, your target would be the divination sword. I'm not the only one who thought of that, but I'm the only one who dared to come."

The Treasure Pavilion was already protected by protective spells, making it difficult for outsiders to enter. If someone were to actually break through and enter, that person would certainly be a person of extraordinary cultivation. Now that the twelve great powers are temporarily unable to leave, why should these disciples risk coming to explore?

Moreover, if the person who came is Ji Mingran, her origins are unknown and her strength should not be underestimated, so why bother getting entangled with her?

So even if someone thought of this, they wouldn't come here to wait like he did.

Ji Mingran smiled and leaned out from under the railing, as if chatting with a close friend: "Fellow Daoist Meng, are you trying to stop me?"

She was able to defeat Meng Yingyang even when her cultivation level was lower, let alone now.

She wasn't worried at all, as the person waiting for her was Meng Yingyang.

In the past, her disregard for him would have angered this favored son of heaven long ago.

But Meng Yingyang's eyes flickered slightly. He stared at her for a long time before saying calmly, "I can't beat you."

Huh? You're admitting it outright?

Ji Mingran was surprised and half-jokingly said, "So you're waiting here to tell me where the divination sword is?"

She was just saying it casually, but to her surprise, Meng Yingyang actually gave a soft "hmm" and pointed to the back of his head, "Here."

Ji Mingran was genuinely surprised. For the first time, she looked Meng Yingyang up and down carefully: "You've been possessed?"

She wondered, "Or has no one told you that I am now a demon destined to destroy spiritual practice?"

Not only did they not stop her, but they even offered to help her?

Is this still the same Meng Yingyang who is arrogant, haughty, and only cares about justice?

Although she didn't really recognize his appearance, Meng Yingyang had fought with her years ago, and her impression of him remained the night he forced his way into the coffin shop and demanded she hand over the person with a sword.

He was arrogant, but she won by a narrow margin.

Meng Yingyang lowered his eyelashes, the long shadows falling on his lower eyelids, making him look listless: "Demons, what are demons? I used to think that upholding justice and slaying demons was the duty of cultivators. I have extraordinary talent, so I should use this power to repay the country."

He came from an extraordinary background, was highly favored, and was always proud of his talent.

"Yingyang, your talent is unmatched by anyone in the cultivation world; you are a rising star. Do not waste your potential." All the powerful figures who have met him say this.

In just one day, this seemingly unattainable rising star was brought down by a dusty pebble from the ground.

This pebble has been in his sight and in his heart ever since, bothering him and making it impossible for him not to notice it or pay attention to it.

He later discovered that the pebble was actually an incredibly rare and dazzling gem, so radiant and captivating that he could never catch up to it.

A night breeze drifted through the window, carrying the faint scent of a girl from the opposite bank. Meng Yingyang's eyes darkened, his mouth opened and closed, finally uttering, "My master... he..."

Ji Mingran, who had been watching Meng Yingyang warily, relaxed as soon as he realized what was happening.

No wonder he was acting strangely: "You knew?"

Meng Yingyang suddenly looked up: "You know?"

Ji Mingran's expression remained calm.

She knew. Meng Yingyang smiled bitterly, realizing how foolish he had been.

He believed he had joined the premier spiritual sect, and that he was worshipping the renowned Venerable Chongjue. But was that truly the case?

In such circumstances, rumors circulated that the person he admired and envied was the source of the world's destruction.

"What is the righteous path, and what is evil?" Meng Yingyang murmured. He stretched out his palm, and a beautiful black sword engraved with pictographic runes lay inside. "Fellow Daoist Ji, I have retrieved the divination sword for you."

"Take it." Looking at those slightly widened eyes, Meng Yingyang smiled from the bottom of his heart.

He was once confused, but now he follows his heart.