Wait a minute, where is my master?

Qingmu Academy, Gentleman Building, rooftop.

The Old Dean's Xuanhuang clay incarnation was seated here.

During the time the Qingmu Secret Realm was opened, the Demon Clan within the Qing State suddenly began to riot, indiscriminately assaulting various counties and towns within the state.

To prevent Qingmu Academy from falling into disarray, the Old Dean urgently dispatched his avatar to this location.

His main body, however, went to Qingmu City.

This was firstly because his main body was injured, and the academy was now almost empty. Moreover, Qingmu City had the City Protection Array, and various Immortal Sect forces' leaders were there, making it safer.

Secondly, if the academy's headquarters were truly faced with a formidable enemy, it could prevent both his main body and avatar from being captured in one fell swoop.

However, the Old Dean clearly hadn't anticipated that his main body might soon be falling into danger.

"Teacher, there's trouble!"

The Xuanhuang clay idol, in the image of a pale-faced scholar, was sitting cross-legged on a wooden cushion when it suddenly heard its disciple's voice transmission.

"Since the Demon Clan within the Qing State can't stir up the storm, has our opponent finally made their second move?"

The pale-faced scholar opened his eyes, which revealed a trace of calmness.

In order to contain the chaos caused by the Demon Clan within the Qing State, Qingmu Academy had sent out everyone who could be spared. Although these Demon Clan members fought as if they were fearless of death, most of them were Loose Cultivators. The Cultivators from Qingmu Academy could suppress them in combat at the same realm.

Therefore, the chaos caused by the Demon Clan was relatively well-controlled by Qingmu Academy.

However, the Old Dean also knew that the enemy would not create such a big mess only to destroy some towns and kill some mortals; there had to be other moves planned.

"Teacher, we can't confirm if this is the enemy's next move yet, but Jun Yan just sent a message from Qingmu City. He said that when Cultivators exited the Secret Realm, they noticed something was amiss within it."

Upon hearing Qingyun's voice transmission, the brow of the pale-faced scholar first furrowed, followed by an unnatural shudder of his body. His eyebrows then rapidly relaxed.

He had indeed considered the possibility that the target might be the Qingmu Secret Records.

But who was in the Secret Realm at the moment?

Jin Xu, the little Taoist who had nearly been struck dead by a bolt of Heavenly Thunder, was inside!

If the ultimate goal of their opponent was indeed to execute some ploy within the Qingmu Secret Realm, then that would be like...

an old lady carrying a lantern into the outhouse—seeking trouble for herself!

"No need to worry, you know who is inside the Secret Realm. Hehe, continue to monitor the overall situation of the academy's disciples within the Qing State to prevent any hidden enemies from making more moves, so you can provide support and reinforcement in time."

After speaking, the pale-faced scholar once again closed his eyes that held a hue of steadfastness.

After receiving the Old Dean's instructions, Qingyun, too, came to a realization.

"Right, the little Taoist who almost struck my teacher dead with a bolt of lightning is in the Secret Realm. According to my teacher, he's one of our own. What do I have to worry about? I should just continue focusing on the situation within the Qing State!"

With this realization, the current Dean of Qingmu Academy started to make contact with the Three Friends of Winter, who were handling the Demon Clan disturbance.

This just goes to show, no matter what cultivation one has or status one reaches, when a thick and irresistible thigh appears before them, they will subconsciously want to cling to it.

Turning back to the Old Dean, his Xuanhuang clay idol stationed atop the Gentleman Building was momentarily untroubled.

As for his injured main body, it was originally lying low in Qingmu City.

"Although that perverted little disciple of Old Celestial Star Nose is in the Secret Realm, the Secret Realm is ultimately under the jurisdiction of my Qingmu Academy. No, I should still go check on Yaner in the city."

After a few thoughts in his heart, the Old Dean stepped out of a very ordinary courtyard, which was filled with hidden formations, and had a Transmission Array that led directly to Qingmu Academy.

He headed in the direction of the City Lord Mansion.

...

Near Qingmu City.

In the high sky, fierce winds howled.

Clothed in green, with a hint of tragedy in his world-weary eyes, the Second Elder stopped midair, silently surveying a small town below.

This town had been fortunate, suffering few attacks from magical creatures, and by this point, had come under the protection of Cultivators from Qingmu Academy.

In this scene, the braver townsfolk and children curiously peeked out of their windows, staring at the three Immortals standing by the side of the town leader.

The Second Elder lingered aloft, unbeknownst to the Cultivators and townspeople below, unaware of such a dangerous person currently hovering silently above their heads, watching them.

"Second Elder! I am late, please forgive me."

As the Second Elder watched, Monster Lang, dressed in a gray robe and riding a flying centipede, hurried over from not too far away.

Before he had even approached, the Hall Master of one of the Twelve Halls had already dismounted the centipede and respectfully bowed in midair.

The Second Elder did not speak, his seasoned eyes still fixed on the small town below.

After a moment, a girl adorned with silver ornaments and wearing exotic attire flew over from one direction, and a short, repulsive-looking big-headed Cultivator from another.

"Great-grandfather."

The girl in foreign clothes called out and then stood silently next to Monster Lang without saying anything further.

The unsightly short Cultivator also bowed respectfully.

Previously inside the secret cavern of Moro Mountain, this person had left a not-so-favorable impression on the Second Elder. Seeing him fixated on the town below, he thought an opportunity to show off had arrived.

He took the initiative to ingratiate himself: "Is the Elder annoyed by the Cultivators and mortals below? I am willing to act on your behalf, ensuring not a single life remains within ten breaths time!"

As the short Cultivator spoke, his face twisted with a mix of sycophancy and cruelty, making his already ugly visage all the more repulsive.

"Elder... ah! Elder, spare me, have I said something wrong?"

After the short Cultivator had spoken his piece and noticed the Second Elder's lack of response, he grew uneasy and was about to say something else when he suddenly felt excruciating pain emanating from his Dantian.

Just like what had happened at Moro Mountain not too long ago!

The repugnant short Cultivator's face was covered with large beads of sweat from the pain as he ceaselessly begged for mercy.

The Second Elder paid no mind to the pleas for help, only after a full ten breaths did he finally speak slowly.

"This is but a minor punishment. Should there be a next time, I shall ensure you suffer for three days and three nights.

Remember, once we welcome back our Demon Lord and unify the Nine Provinces, these people will become our brothers within the sect, together basking in the Demon Lord's radiance! Therefore, do not hastily act on your killer instincts unless absolutely necessary."

When the Second Elder mentioned the Demon Lord, a flash of fanaticism briefly sparked in his experienced eyes, then quickly disappeared.

Upon hearing the Second Elder's words, the ugly, short-statured Cultivator repeated his assent.

"What the Elder says is right. I will heed the Elder's teachings and dare not forget. Thank you for the Elder's merciful punishment!"

Yet, internally he cursed: "Damn it, didn't I join the Demon Sect?

Back when I was under the Four Elders, I heard that each of the Sect Elders had eccentric personalities, but this Demon Sect Elder forbidding us to act on our murderous impulses is truly bizarre!

You son of a bitch, when you had me lead demons to strike the villages, why didn't you admonish me then?

Playing by two sets of rules, huh! Spit, if only I were strong enough to defeat you..."