Just as Qin Xuan was about to familiarize himself further with the art of Corpse Refining Control.
The Array and Restriction outside his Cave Mansion suddenly pulsed violently.
’Another mission?’
Qin Xuan frowned slightly and deactivated the Array’s Restriction.
WHOOSH!
A streak of red light shot in from the horizon, hovering before Qin Xuan.
The light dissipated, transforming into a Talisman wreathed in flas. A commanding voice echoed through the stone chamber.
"Huaizhong Altar Master Qin Xuan, hear this order. Proceed imdiately to the Sacred Heart Hall to attend the Altar Master assembly. The Nether Fla Blood Prison Demon Monarch will be personally presiding. There must be no delays."
The voice carried the unique Spiritual Pressure of a Golden Core True Monarch, and Qin Xuan’s spirit couldn’t help but tremble.
’An Altar Master assembly?!’
Qin Xuan took a deep breath to suppress his roiling qi and blood. He glanced at the ancient corpse of Xiong Hanshan standing quietly to the side, his eyes glinting.
’What kind of trick is that old bastard Ji Boyan trying to pull now?’
Qin Xuan put away the Corpse-Control Bell, ordered Xiong Hanshan’s corpse to retreat into the shadows, straightened his robes, and transford into a streak of dark light, streaking out of his Cave Mansion.
...
Inside the Sacred Heart Hall, the Demonic Qi was thick and chilling.
Dozens of Demon Dao Altar Masters were gathered, each one exuding an aura that was either cold and sinister or violent and brutal.
However, to Qin Xuan’s surprise, the Cultivation of every single person here was, without exception, in the early or mid-stage of the Purple Mansion realm.
There wasn’t a single one at the Purple Mansion Seventh Level or higher.
Seated high upon the Cloud Bed, Ji Boyan had his eyes closed in ditation. His aura was as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea, and the crowd below didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.
Qin Xuan led a few of his trusted subordinates from the Huaizhong Altar and found a corner to stand in.
His gaze swept across the hall, landing on a few familiar figures.
"Senior Brother Qin, been keeping well?" A sowhat shrill, thin voice called out.
A small, skinny man with darting eyes sidled up to him. It was Hou Qi.
Next to him was a Black-robed Demon Cultivator dressed in coarse cyan linen. His face was gaunt, making him look like a common old farr.
Hou Qi chuckled. "Let introduce you. This is Senior Brother Wu Yuanji from the Blood Loan Money Shop. He’s an expert in divination."
"Senior Brother Wu, this is the one I’m always telling you about—Senior Brother Qin Xuan of the Huaizhong Altar."
"Junior Brother Qin’s reputation precedes him. I have long admired you," Wu Yuanji said with a cheerful laugh.
"Greetings, Master Wu." Qin Xuan gave a slight bow with his hands clasped.
This Wu Yuanji seed unremarkable, but he was skilled in Arrays and divination, with a ticulous mind. He was not to be underestimated.
"Old Hou, what’s the purpose of this suddenly convened Altar Master assembly?"
Qin Xuan asked curiously.
"No idea."
Hou Qi shook his head and lowered his voice. "But I’m afraid we’re in for a tough fight this ti. See those four up there?"
He discreetly pointed to four cultivators in purple robes standing solemnly below Ji Boyan’s position.
"They say those four are newly promoted Golden Core Departnt Masters under the command of Lord Nether Fla Blood Prison Demon Monarch. Each one of them has co down with a deadly mission."
"If this is an Altar Master assembly, why are so of the other Altar Masters not here?"
Qin Xuan asked a key question.
Hou Qi sighed.
"Senior Brother Qin, the Demon Monarch Bloodlines don’t have to take missions. And the senior brothers in the late-stage Purple Mansion realm are all seeking Golden Core Dao Fire, planning for their Core Formation."
"In the end, that just leaves us—the ones with no background and no power."
"I see."
Qin Xuan also noticed three particularly eye-catching Female Cultivators on the other side of the hall.
They were from the Miaoyin Cave Joyful Altar, and all three were stunning beauties.
The leader had her hair styled in an elegant, high coiffure and was dressed in a gown of light gauze. A natural charm flowed from her eyes with every glance, and her every frown and smile tugged at the hearts of n;
The Female Cultivator on the left held a Jade Pipa, partially obscuring her lovely face. Golden bells were tied around her exposed, snow-white ankles, tinkling with every graceful step, captivating the soul;
The woman on the right had a colder temperant, yet a hint of allure played at the corners of her eyes. Her slender hands gently caressed a zither case, and when she occasionally looked up, her gaze was like silk, threatening to ensnare one’s very heart.
Around the three beauties, many male Demon Cultivators stared with fervent eyes but dared not approach.
Once everyone had arrived, Ji Boyan opened his eyes. His gaze swept over the entire hall like lightning, and his voice, though calm, was indisputable.
"Recently, the Holy Sect has needed to display its might to the world. There are four missions here. You may choose one to complete. Those who succeed will receive double the reward. Failure will be dealt with according to Sect rules."
The mont his voice fell.
The four purple-robed Departnt Masters simultaneously took a step forward. Each unfurled a Scroll, revealing the mission details.
One of the purple-robed Golden Core Departnt Masters spoke, his voice like the clashing of tal.
"There are four missions in total for this Altar Master assembly. For the sake of fairness, you may each choose one!"
[Task One: Annihilate the Golden Core Sect, the ’Golden Radiance Sect.’ This Sect is known to have one Golden Core Cultivator, its Sect Leader, True Monarch Golden Radiance, who is at the Early-stage Golden Core.]
[According to our intelligence, they have close ties with the Golden Core Sect, ’Hao Yang Immortal Sect.’ You must achieve a swift victory. If you draw out their reinforcents, all will be lost.]
The mission Scroll unfurled.
A vision of the Golden Radiance Sect’s main gate, grand and imposing, flashed across it.
Hou Qi imdiately sucked in a cold breath. "The Golden Radiance Sect? That will drag in those hypocrites from the Hao Yang Immortal Sect... This is no easy target!"
’Don’t tell soone at headquarters is trying to kill us with a borrowed knife, or that this is a trap laid by the Hao Yang Immortal Sect, just waiting for us to jump in!’
Wu Yuanji said hoarsely, "When the nest is overturned, can any egg remain intact? This mission is almost certain death."
Another purple-robed Golden Core Departnt Master stepped forward and shouted loudly.
"[Task Two: Slay the Demon King of ’Wind-Split Gorge,’ the ’Cyan-Winged Wind Roc.’]
"[This beast’s speed is unmatched among Tier Four creatures. It commands countless avian Demon Soldiers and occupies the natural fortress of Wind-Split Gorge.]"
In the Scroll’s illusion, a massive cyan shadow could be seen weaving through the astral winds that tore at the sky, as fast as lightning.
"That feathered beast has the ho-field advantage. If you can’t beat it, even running away will be difficult!"
Hou Qi frowned. "Besides, Demon Beasts have sharp senses. A sneak attack is almost impossible. You’d have to face it head-on. And fighting it head-on in its own territory..."
He shook his head repeatedly.
Wu Yuanji added, "Even a Mid-stage Golden Core might not match the Wind Roc’s speed. A plan to trap and kill it would be difficult to execute."
[Task Three: Infiltrate the ’Ten Thousand Gu Sect’ in the Southern Border and steal the ’Golden Core Heart Gu.’]
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