Supreme of the Heavenly Realm
Chapter 199 - 196: The Traitor

Chapter 199: Chapter 196: The Traitor

Cultivating the Hidden Dragon Skill, Ye Xuan’s Cultivation Technique level had naturally ascended to Heavenly Grade along with each advancement in the realm. Having now broken through to Martial Sect, the level of Hidden Dragon Skill had also naturally risen to Heavenly Grade.

The Hidden Dragon Skill itself is a Divine Grade Cultivation Technique, featuring the unique characteristic of leveling up with the increase of cultivation. What attracted Ye Xuan the most, however, was its ability to cultivate various attributes of Martial Arts. The True Qi of the Hidden Dragon could contain multiple attributes. Currently, Ye Xuan’s True Qi was temporarily of the Thunder Attribute and Water Attribute. After advancing to the Martial Sect level, the Hidden Dragon Skill reached the Third Level, allowing for the possession of a third attribute.

This third attribute was the Fire Attribute.

The increase in attributes meant that there was also a wider variety of Martial Arts to choose from, greatly enhancing his strength.

After solidifying his Cultivation Technique, Ye Xuan began to continue his cultivation of the Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture.

His Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture had already been cultivated to the Second Level, and the Third Level was not yet comprehended. However, now that Ye Xuan had broken through to Martial Sect, the Third Level of the Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture had finally begun to loosen up.

In the courtyard, Ye Xuan toyed with a wooden sword in his hands, constantly performing sword-swinging motions. Threads of lightning coursed over the surface of the wooden sword. Although extremely bright, they did not damage the wooden sword in the slightest.

After swinging the sword countless times without knowledge of how many, Ye Xuan seemed to finally grasp the pattern. Suddenly, his wooden sword swept out vigorously, with Sword Qi thundering and flashing, forming a cutting plane that slashed fiercely into the air.

Hiss!

The sound was very subtle, as the sword light seemed to permeate through the tree trunk noiselessly, seemingly devoid of any lethality.

Crack!

The wooden sword remained unscathed, but the large tree in front of it had toppled over, with an extremely smooth cut surface and not a single uneven mark.

Had anyone been standing nearby and seen this scene, they would have been dumbfounded. Clearly, Ye Xuan only had a wooden sword in his hand, yet he could cut down a large tree silently, and the wooden sword remained completely undamaged. Such a sword technique could truly be called inscrutable and ghostly.

"This is the Martial Arts from the Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture after reaching the Third Level. Indeed, there’s some trick to it."

Ye Xuan looked at the Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture with newfound respect. Truly worthy of being touted as the number one Miracle Scripture in the world. Although Ye Xuan had read countless Martial Arts, it was extremely rare to find Heavenly Grade Martial Arts capable of achieving such a level of mystery.

"The name of this move is ’Thunder Cut,’ using thunder as the edge to slice through all things. The power is extraordinary, indeed vivid and fitting."

Pleased with the power of Thunder Cut, a smile appeared on Ye Xuan’s lips. This move, compared to the previous two, placed more emphasis on skill. It had immense killing power when directed at a single target, and in the silence of its execution, it could dispatch someone to death—truly a secret weapon.

During those days of cultivation, Tang Xiaoyan’s assessment had also concluded. With Ye Xuan’s careful guidance, she had passed the assessment without danger and had become an Inner Hall Disciple of the Yin Hall.

With Tang Xiaoyan becoming an Inner Hall Disciple, Ye Xuan could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Inner Hall Disciples were considered upper echelon within Heavenly Martial Hall disciples. He did not need to worry about her anymore, unless someone deliberately sought trouble. However, most people knew of Tang Xiaoyan’s close relationship with him, so it was unlikely anyone would court disaster.

As for Ye Xuan himself, he was awarded the identity of the fifth True Disciple two days ago and became a True Disciple of Yang Hall.

This news was but an embellishment for Ye Xuan, yet it was exhilarating for the many disciples of Yang Hall. After decades of decline, Yang Hall could finally breathe freely again. Although Ye Xuan had always been talented, he was not a True Disciple before. Now that he had naturally become a True Disciple, those disciples of Yang Hall could finally hold their heads high.

In fact, their prominence in Yang Hall could even surpass that of Kun Hall, since now, only Ling Qianxue and Long Zhiyang could compete with Ye Xuan among the True Disciples.

However, a few days after being promoted to True Disciple, a new storm brewed in the Tiannan Region. A large number of Black Demon Sect disciples appeared in the southern end of the Tiannan Region, at a place called Wangyue Corner.

At Wangyue Corner, there was an area known as "Blood Marsh," located at the remote southern end of the continent, where human footprints were rarely seen. Even the upper echelons of the Six Great Sects did not understand why the Black Demon Sect would appear in that place.

Moreover, this time it was not merely ordinary disciples at work. Many veteran powerhouses of the Black Demon Sect were also revealing their traces.

But the Black Demon Sect’s movements meant that the Six Great Sects had to be vigilant. In recent days, they had dispatched their disciples and Elders to Wangyue Corner, ready to thwart any conspiracy of the Black Demon Sect at all costs. Ideally, they would annihilate all remnants of the Black Demon Sect and eradicate future troubles permanently.

Within Heavenly Martial Hall, not only were four True Disciples dispatched this time, but Hall Masters Zhang Wuchen of Qian Hall and Murong Yun of Yang Hall went in person, indicating the gravity of the situation.

As for Ye Xuan, because of the close brush with danger in Wanxiang Mountain last time, he was not assigned to participate this time. However, Ye Xuan was not the type to seek trouble. He did not need to be involved in every conflict between the righteous and the demonic paths, with a compulsory life-and-death struggle against the Black Demon Sect.

And so, while those dispatched went on their missions, Ye Xuan remained in the Sect, calmly cultivating and honing his martial skills.

After three days of such cultivation, Ye Xuan received a letter delivered by homing pigeon.

Ye Xuan scrutinized the letter—it seemed to be sent by Mu Yan. The gist of the message was that there was a great conspiracy at Blood Marsh and warned him to be careful. It was best not to get involved in this tumultuous matter.

But the more Mu Yan said that, the less choice Ye Xuan had but to go, because among those heading to the Heavenly Martial Hall this time, many were people he knew well, such as Murong Yun and Ling Qianxue. He couldn’t possibly stand by and watch these people fall into the Black Demon Sect’s conspiracy.

After contemplating for a long time, Ye Xuan finally took the initiative to volunteer to Ling Jingtian and then rode the Gale Eagle towards Wangyue Corner in the southern part of the continent.

Three days later, Ye Xuan arrived at his destination.

However, upon arrival, he didn’t immediately join up with the other members of the Heavenly Martial Hall. Instead, he acted alone in the shadows; after all, blatant attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden ones are hard to guard against. Hiding in secret was more advantageous for him.

Atop a mountain at night,

"What’s the situation here?"

Under the moonlight, Ye Xuan’s face became visible. In front of him was an extremely graceful figure dressed in black, who revealed themselves in front of Ye Xuan. It was Mu Yan, the enchanting Witch he had parted with at Wanxiang Mountain.

"Skirmishes are ongoing, but no major battles have broken out yet. However, I believe it won’t be long. This time, aside from the Yama Ghost General and the Bone Demon General you killed, nearly all of the eight Demon Generals have mobilized. Even the Blood Demon King from the Bloody Marsh has reached an agreement with the Heavenly Demon General to cooperate with us temporarily," Mu Yan said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan’s expression tightened slightly, "With such a large force mobilized by the Black Demon Sect this time, what is your goal? Are you searching for another Holy Object like the Yin Spirit Ghost Pearl?"

"I don’t know."

Mu Yan directly shook her head, "Only the Heavenly Demon General knows the plan. Everyone else has their tasks, each with different responsibilities."

"What is your task?" Ye Xuan asked.

"To harass, to attack the outstanding disciples of the major Sects, to bind their hands, and to kill as many of them as possible. That’s my task."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan fell silent. The last time at Wanxiang Mountain, even for the Yin Spirit Ghost Pearl, only three Demon Generals were mobilized. This time, almost all forces were deployed, which made this operation seem even more significant than before.

The Black Demon Sect was indeed relentless in its actions.

"By the way," Mu Yan spoke again as Ye Xuan was deep in thought, "Among the key figures from the Six Great Sects that have come this time, it seems there is a spy from the Holy Sect."

"What?"

Ye Xuan’s expression shook. Compared to the previous information, this news was the most shocking. The Black Demon Sect’s power had already infiltrated other Sects to such an extent that even their key figures had become spies. Didn’t that mean that if there was any movement on the righteous Sects’ side, the Black Demon Sect would know in advance?

This was too dangerous.

No wonder they told him not to get involved in this murky situation. Now it seemed that this operation was indeed perilous.

Compared to powerful enemies, the presence of traitors was even more fatal.

After being astonished for a moment, Ye Xuan’s gaze fell on the woman in front of him. It seemed that she was truly willing to honor their agreement and shift her allegiance to his side. The information she had provided was crucial, enabling him to mentally prepare for what was to come.

"If there’s nothing else, I should leave. Being away for too long can arouse suspicion," Mu Yan said.

"Yes, you should go back. If there’s anything, I’ll find a way to contact you."

Ye Xuan nodded. If Mu Yan was discovered, it would bring him no benefit. With her inside the Black Demon Sect, it was like having an extra pair of eyes, which greatly reduced the risks he faced.

"By the way,"

Just as Mu Yan had taken a few steps to leave, Ye Xuan suddenly spoke up, "I haven’t forgotten the promise to remove the Soul-devouring Curse from you. After this matter is resolved, I’ll go and find the necessary ingredients to completely remove the curse mark from your body."

Mu Yan paused for a moment, seemingly nodding slightly, and then with a single move, she skimmed away like a dragonfly touching water, disappearing into the night.

After Mu Yan left, Ye Xuan furrowed his brow. According to Mu Yan’s words earlier, the lineup of the Black Demon Sect this time was unprecedentedly strong. Coupled with that Blood Demon King, it was likely that even many of the masters from the major Sects gathered here might not gain any advantage.

The key point was the presence of a Black Demon Sect spy among them, like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment, and once it did, the consequences would be seriously grave.

Who could this betrayer be?