The Hehuan Sect Was Squeezed Dry for Ten Thousand Years, but It Became a Sacred Ground?

Chapter 91

The spatial rift was only open for two and a half days, yet the battle between human cultivators and the Blood Demons had already concluded.

Among the events, the cultivators of the Qinglian Sect collectively advanced and crushed the Blood Demon territory. A mysterious giant cyan cauldron apparition forcefully suppressed and killed two Blood Demon ancestors at the Divine Transformation stage. A woman clad in golden battle armor even beheaded the Blood Demon clan leader.

Humanity achieved a complete victory.

The Qinglian Sect sent a total of 984 cultivators into the spatial rift, with 951 returning. Unfortunately, 34 perished, including two Golden Core cultivators, while the rest were at the Foundation Establishment stage. These casualties were largely due to encountering Blood Demons two major stages higher, leaving them with no chance of survival.

Despite this, the Qinglian Sect suffered the least casualties among all factions. In contrast, dozens of first and second-tier sects saw their disciples and even their sect leaders wiped out entirely. Survivors were left severely weakened, many only managing to cling to life by following the Qinglian Sect’s forces.

Only the other sects among the Twelve Great Sects were able to protect themselves. Even the prestigious Yuan Tan Academy lost two Nascent Soul elders and over 500 disciples. The weaker sects among the Twelve suffered even greater losses.

As for the Great Xia Dynasty’s 40,000-strong cultivator army, their losses were catastrophic. Less than 3,000 returned. With the dynasty’s total military strength being 500,000 cultivators, including those guarding the borders who couldn’t be easily mobilized, this loss amounted to nearly a tenth of their available forces, a devastating blow.

The genius strategist, Crown Prince Duanmu Cheng, who had advocated for an offensive approach, was privately cursed by many. When it was revealed that his actions were driven by personal ambition to harm his brother, Crown Prince Duanmu Yan, only to be killed in the process, people couldn’t help but spit in disgust and mutter, “Good riddance.”

While most factions suffered heavy losses, the Qinglian Sect stood out as an exception.

“Sect Leader Liu, the Qinglian Sect and my Heavenly Sword Sect are both part of the Twelve Great Sects of the Great Xia Dynasty. In the face of demons, our disciples should have stood united. Yet, my surviving disciples claim that when they were being hunted, your sect’s direct disciples passed by without offering aid! Today, you must give me an explanation! No, you must also compensate my Heavenly Sword Sect for our losses!”

The Heavenly Sword Sect’s leader, Ziyang Swordmaster, stood righteously in the path of Liu Ruyan and her surviving female cultivators as they returned to their sect. Everyone had suffered heavy losses, yet the Qinglian Sect emerged almost unscathed. Who wouldn’t be envious?

Many other sect leaders were also tempted to demand compensation, but they chose to observe how Liu Ruyan would respond before making their move.

However, three sects were exceptions: the Tianxin Sect, Bixiao Pavilion, and Seven Stars Sect, whose leaders had been humiliated by Liu Ruyan in a one-versus-three battle over a decade ago. Recalling that unpleasant memory, the three leaders quickly led their remaining forces away, as if fleeing from a great terror.

Before they could get far, a bone-chilling cold enveloped everyone except those from the Qinglian Sect. At this moment, Liu Ruyan no longer concealed her cultivation level.

All Divine Transformation stage cultivators present were shocked, especially the Yuan Tan Academy’s leader and grand elder, whose pupils constricted in disbelief.

Divine Transformation… sixth layer!!!

How was this possible? Just over a decade ago, she was only at the first layer of Divine Transformation! Reaching Divine Transformation within 200 years was already extraordinary, but how could her cultivation progress even faster after reaching Divine Transformation? Was there no justice in the world?

Beside Duanmu Yao, a blue-haired girl shivered, feeling a sense of unease. Had she been discovered? Was this the sect leader she wanted to join? Were human powerhouses always this terrifying?

Li Yiya glanced at the woman with black silk wrapped around her eyes to her left and felt a wave of relief. Fortunately, her blood disguise had been detected by this woman’s divine ability. Thanks to her tenacious vitality and quick repentance, she had severed ties with the Blood Demon clan and avoided death. Otherwise, the terrifying solar flames would have burned all her essence away.

Perhaps the sect leader had only issued a warning because of some unspoken communication between them.

In contrast to Li Yiya, Ziyang Swordmaster was far less fortunate. Despite also being at the Divine Transformation stage, he was utterly powerless against the cold that invaded his meridians, instantly turning him into an ice sculpture.

“Sect Leader!”

“Sect Leader!”

The surviving disciples and elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect were terrified, wanting to act but lacking the courage. While the three previously humiliated sect leaders knew how ruthless Liu Ruyan could be, the others hadn’t expected her to make a move in front of everyone—and a lethal one at that!

“An explanation? Heh.” Liu Ruyan scoffed, leisurely walking toward the ice sculpture. Seeing the fear and anger in Ziyang Swordmaster’s eyes, she spoke softly, her voice carrying across the entire area.

“My disciples, why should they delay saving their own to help your trash?

“My Qinglian Sect lost 34 lives this time. I now suspect that your trash’s desperate clinging delayed the best time to save them.

“Thirty-four lives for one of yours. You should be satisfied.

“You care so much about your trash? Then go down and continue being their sect leader.”

Liu Ruyan’s tone was calm, but her matter-of-fact delivery sent chills down the spines of everyone present except those from the Qinglian Sect. They already knew what she was about to do.

Inside the ice sculpture, Ziyang Swordmaster, still barely alive, watched as Liu Ruyan’s jade-like hand approached, nearly scared out of his wits. Overwhelming regret filled his heart.

No, no!

He screamed silently.

Ziyang Swordmaster wanted to beg for mercy, but his meridians were sealed, and he couldn’t even muster a trace of spiritual energy. He prayed in his heart that other sects wouldn’t stand by and do nothing, but no one moved.

He tried to plead with his eyes, but unfortunately, Liu Ruyan’s hand blocked his view. She couldn’t see.

“Break.” A soft voice echoed in everyone’s hearts.

In an instant, the ice sculpture disintegrated into particles, scattering into nothingness. Ziyang Swordmaster was utterly annihilated, his soul erased from existence.

Liu Ruyan retracted her aura, and the bone-chilling cold gradually faded. Yet, the entire area remained silent, with only faint breaths breaking the stillness.

Those who had previously eyed the Qinglian Sect? A joke. Were they seeking death?

Finally, the Yuan Tan Academy’s leader spoke up, his voice filled with anger, his aura spreading.

“Sect Leader Liu! How dare you! You actually attacked a fellow comrade in the fight against the Blood Demons!”

He had wanted to intervene earlier, but for some reason, even he had been trapped in the icy domain. But could he admit such a shameful thing? Of course not. As the leader of the top sect, he had to maintain inter-sect relations and stand up.

Unfortunately, he overestimated his own importance.

Liu Ruyan turned around, giving him a cold, dismissive look. She raised her hand and casually snapped her fingers.

Her voice was soft but carried an eerie tone. “I can take on two at once while also sending all your disciples away.”

“Ah! My legs!”

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