Sage of Humanity

The fierce battle at Golden Light Peak came to a close, witnessed by thousands of cultivators from both camps. Lu Yiye, a disciple of the Righteous Blood Sect, combated opponents from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge in forty-three battles with his Spirit Stream Level 5 cultivation, not losing a single one.

In his final battle, he even slew a saintess of the Sacred Fire Order who had crippled her own spiritual orifice, plummeting from Level 7.

The news spread rapidly across the entire Spirit Stream battlefield and toward the Nine Provinces.

The world was shocked!

Merely a Spirit Stream Level 5 in cultivation, he was hardly regarded by the grand figures, but the deeds he accomplished at this level forced them to take notice.

The good news, however, was that although Lu Yiye had triumphed in the end, he was also gravely injured and on the brink of death, and it was unknown if he could survive this ordeal.

In Cangming Mountain, Veteran Thang, who had been waiting at the sect headquarters the whole time, was stunned upon hearing the news. He recalled the unimpressive youth, filthy and dusty with only one opened orifice, whom he had taken under his wing half a year ago. Comparing that boy to the staggering feats he had now achieved, he almost doubted they were the same person.

Half a year to reach Level 5 was already extraordinary, though certain fortuitous encounters could explain it.

Indeed, the Spirit Stream battlefield was full of such encounters.

But to kill so many at Level 6 with a mere Level 5 was inconceivable.

He had never seen such great potential in the lad when he first brought him into the fold.

However, it couldn't be denied that the battle at Golden Light Peak had thrust the long-dormant Righteous Blood Sect of Bingzhou into the limelight again. Ten Thousand Demons Ridge had assumed this flag would soon collapse, but now, it seemed there was a resurgence.

How could this be allowed to happen?

Therefore, less than two hours after the news of the battle at Golden Light Peak broke, many sects from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge relayed an order to their disciples; if Lu Yiye did not survive, it was moot, and the Righteous Blood Sect would still be abolished.

However, if he survived this ordeal, then whenever they encountered him on the Spirit Stream battlefield, under permissible battle rules, they must use every means to eliminate him.

Such individuals must be dealt with early, or it would become problematic once they matured.

Having suffered a similar humiliation decades ago, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge was determined not to make the same mistake.

Bingzhou, Loyal Heart Sect headquarters.

As a prominent 2nd grade sect, Loyal Heart Sect's foundations were undeniably strong; it even had the potential to aim for 1st grade decades ago, but suffered heavy casualties in a significant battle, causing its status to fall. It had only managed to just regain some of its former power in recent years.

At that moment, in the council hall of the Loyal Heart Sect, many high-ranking members gathered, most of them silently meditating, except for a middle-aged man speaking of the events at the Golden Light Peak battle. This speaker was Yooi Guanjia, a vice sect leader of high standing and a Divine Sea cultivator. He spoke evenly, describing the situation objectively in short, succinct statements.

Everyone present had their own sources, so even though they couldn't enter the Spirit Stream battlefield on a whim, they were well-informed about the uproar caused by the battle at Golden Light Peak.

After Yooi Guanjia finished speaking, he continued, "In this battle at Golden Light Peak, our sect also had two disciples participate: Li Baxian and Feng Yuechan! These disciples were the Governor and Deputy Governor at our sect's station in the Spirit Stream battlefield. They left their posts without orders, disregarding the sect's foundation and breaching our regulations.

The Sect Leader is currently in seclusion, so we need to discuss and establish how to handle this situation."

An elder frowned and said, "The Governor and Deputy Governor leaving their posts together is a serious transgression. If rival sects took advantage of this, wouldn't our Loyal Heart Sect's centuries of accumulation be jeopardized? If other disciples followed their example, what future would our Loyal Heart Sect have? We must strictly punish them!"

Several people quickly agreed.

Another person added, "Concerning Righteous Blood Sect, Li Baxian has shown he cannot stay calm. It appears he can never truly be trusted. As for Feng Yuechan..." He paused to look up at a dignified woman across from him, "Yuechan has been brought up before our eyes.

She's always been an obedient and sensible girl, unlikely to err under normal circumstances—probably influenced by Li Baxian's instigation!"

"Indeed, Yuechan has always been obedient, and with her endeavours, our sect's station has been safe from invasions for over a decade. It's only natural for children to occasionally make minor errors."

"Still, she did violate the sect rules. Let's have her enter seclusion immediately to advance to the Cloud River Realm sooner—she has already stayed too long in the Spirit Stream Realm. It benefits neither her future prospects nor our sect to keep a potential pillar of the community held back."

"That would be wise!"

"Regarding Li Baxian... have him return to the sect headquarters to account for his actions without delay. We will decide on his punishment based on his attitude."

The discussion continued with each person contributing their thoughts, effectively determining the disciplinary actions for the two rule-breaking disciples, though there was a marked difference in how each was treated; Feng Yuechan was protected, whereas Li Baxian was treated as the black sheep.

Yooi Guanjia turned to the dignified woman, "What do you think, Junior Sister Qiu?"

The woman stood up, her hands clasped in front of her, and walked towards the exit of the hall without uttering a word.

Rushing, Yooi Guanjia said to the others, "Please continue the discussion." He quickly followed her out.

A moment later, in midair, he walked alongside Junior Sister Qiu, his expression troubled. "Sister, don't be upset. The Sect Leader is in seclusion, and as the Seal Envoy and co-manager of the Spirit Stream battlefield affairs, I couldn't overlook the breach of discipline by Li Baxian and Yuechan. One is your own child, and both are equivalent to our kin.

We've both seen the affection Yuechan has for Li Baxian, and given their generation gap, it wouldn't be proper for them to be together. Let's take this chance to separate them. You, as Yuechan's mother, could persuade her to ascend to the Cloud River Realm sooner. It does her no good to remain in the Spirit Stream Realm for so long, and our Loyal Heart Sect would also lose a future powerhouse."

Junior Sister Qiu halted, turned her head to glance at Yooi Guanjia, and said indifferently, "Seniority? I recall half a year ago when Brother took a new concubine. If we consider the hierarchy, that young girl could even call you 'grandfather,' couldn't she?"

Yooi Guanjia's face turned red, "How can these be equated?"

The woman's expression chilled, "With the Sect Leader absent, you have the final say on matters within the sect. I don't care what you intend to do, but if I find anyone daring to harm Li Baxian behind the scenes, don't blame me for disregarding our fellow disciples' camaraderie!"

With those words, she swept away.

Yooi Guanjia watched her departing figure with a calm look, his hands under the large sleeves clenched tightly, his expression gradually turning stern.

One hour later, the Loyal Heart Sect headquarters issued an order demanding the immediate return of the Deputy Governor Li Baxian to the sect without error.

However, news quickly spread that Li Baxian was currently embroiled in an intense battle with Yanh Xing, who ranked second on the Spirit Stream Ranking, and could not extricate himself.

Elsewhere, at the Righteousness Sect headquarters, a group of cultivators from the Cloud River Realm, with nothing better to do, were engaged in gambling.

The plump Pang Dahai was the dealer, with a group of brothers keen on gambling placing bets on all sides, the table piled high with sparkling Spirit Stones.

Especially in front of Pang Dahai, where the largest pile was, his expression one of delightful pleasure, clearly showing he had won quite a bit.

He suddenly turned his head to look at a small-mustache cultivator, "Fellow Daoist Yue Shan, something big happened at the Spirit Stream battlefield these past days, have you heard?"

The small-mustache Yue Shan, focused solely on the cards in his hands, hardly cared for anything else and casually responded, "What big event could possibly happen at the Spirit Stream battlefield?"

Pang Dahai then spoke about the battle at Golden Light Peak; the cultivators from Cloud River Realm, who had been gambling here for days, listened in stunned amazement, exclaiming in awe.

Pang Dahai chuckled, "It's quite interesting, actually. That Level 5 cultivator, you should know him, Brother Yue Shan."

Yue Shan's eyebrows raised, "I know him? Who is he?"

"Half a year ago, in Evil Moon Valley, taken in by the Righteous Blood Sect's Veteran Thang."

The small-mustache Yue Shan recalled briefly, greatly surprised, "Lu Yiye?"

"Exactly that person."

"Impossible, right?" Yue Shan frowned, "Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

He still had some impression of that young fellow Lu Yiye, especially since he was taken in by Veteran Thang, and also because of Yiye's talent. The title of Yiye originated from him; but how could this be? Yiye's talent, a Level 5 cultivation in half a year, and managed on Golden Light Peak to slaughter competitors from forty-three sects of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge without breaking a sweat…

"The man has been taken back to the Righteous Blood Sect. Whether he is alive or not, I don't know, but as long as he's breathing, with Sister Shui Yuan's skills, he's surely savable."

Pang Dahai looked meaningfully at Yue Shan, "And that kid seems to really care about the title 'Yiye.' I heard some guy from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge called him 'Fellow Daoist Yiye,' and he chopped him clean off! With the potential this young man is showing now, once he advances to the Cloud River Realm… hehe, Brother Yue Shan, you better take care!"

Yue Shan's face turned slightly unsightly, yet he scoffed, "A joke, am I afraid of him? Let him survive first, deal the cards…come on…"

Pang Dahai said no more, just about to deal the cards, when suddenly, a powerful surge of spirit force attacked from outside, the cards were not yet dealt, the roof was blown off.

A group of Cloud River Realm cultivators stared agape, looking up to see more than a dozen figures encircling them from midair, led by a True Lake Realm Master Uncle, his gaze fiery as he looked at them.

"Discipline Bureau!" someone yelled, and the people scattered in all directions.

The True Lake Realm elite ground his teeth, "Open gambling, the moral fabric of our Righteousness Sect is being ruined by you guys, arrest them all!"

A massive net fell from the sky, sealing off heaven and earth. Every gambler gathered there was caught, not a single one escaped, all tightly ensnared by the net.

One hour later, inside the Discipline Bureau, one after another, screams echoed, unbearably sorrowful. Righteousness Sect cultivators passing by shivered in fear upon hearing them.

Newly joined disciples turned pale while more senior brothers advised, "If you encounter someone plump like that in the sect in the future, make sure to keep your distance. He is the cancer of our Righteousness Sect, don't let him corrupt you."

A group of new disciples nodded vigorously.