Chapter 135 Soul-Sealing Dharma Treasure, Merciless Abandonment
Seeing Clear Wind Ancestor truly intend to withdraw, Qin Xiao grew anxious.
"Hey, wait a moment, old ghost. Alright then, I'll give you a discount-one hundred million, just one hundred million will do. Such a large Clear Wind Sect, you must have one hundred million, right?"
Having only tricked ten million out of him, how could this be acceptable? Naturally, Qin Xiao was unwilling.
"He actually told him how many Spirit Stones the sect has? Indeed, he cannot be kept."
Clear Wind Ancestor did not answer Qin Xiao, instead entertaining his own calculations.
Only he and these two adopted sons knew the sect treasury held one hundred million Spirit Stones. Since Qin Xiao demanded one hundred million, he naturally knew his wealth. It must have been Duan Mingfei who told him, meaning this adopted son could no longer be kept.
"Old ghost, how about it? Enough sincerity, right?"
Qin Xiao had no idea that by offering a fifty percent discount, he had just signed Duan Mingfei's death warrant.
"The people are yours. This old man admits defeat this time."
Naturally, Clear Wind Ancestor would not believe Qin Xiao. After having all the unconscious disciples brought back, he intended to seal the mountain gate. He would not emerge until Chen Shunyi arrived; he refused to act as a spearhead for others. This Clear Wind Sect represented over two hundred years of his hard work.
"Finished, completely finished. Ancestor has abandoned us. We're going to die!"
"Qin Xiao, I hate you! Once Ancestor goes back, he'll definitely activate the restriction. We're all dead."
"Such is fate. I never thought that after living so cautiously until now, I still couldn't escape this end."
Seeing the mountain gate close-meaning Clear Wind had completely abandoned them-the faces of the captives turned ashen.
"Is it really that dramatic? You're the Mainstay Pillars of the Clear Wind Sect. Is that old ghost really so merciless?"
Qin Xiao looked at them, somewhat puzzled.
Even if he was reluctant to spend Spirit Stones to redeem them, there was no need to kill them all, right? Weren't there restrictions in place preventing them from rebelling anyway? Why resort to murder?
"You still don't understand Ancestor. Our value is spent, and to prevent any mishaps, he won't keep us around."
Duan Mingfei shook his head. His suspicious nature stemmed from an absolute terror of Clear Wind Ancestor, causing him to tread carefully in everything for fear of meeting a violent end. He never imagined he would still slip up today.
"What a pity then. It's not like I want you dead, so don't blame me. There's no way I can let you return either; who knows when a war might break out? Sending you back would just be asking for trouble."
Qin Xiao had initially thought that even if he couldn't extort the Spirit Stones, he might keep these people around in hopes of finding a way to lift the restrictions, giving him a clear view of both sides. He never expected that old ghost to be so vicious.
"Boss, I might have a way."
Noticing Qin Xiao's troubled expression, Zhang Zuo spoke up.
"What? You have a way?"
Qin Xiao had almost forgotten that these two bodyguards hailed from Central Province; perhaps their worldly experience would yield a solution.
"Boss, while we brothers cannot undo this restriction, we can temporarily preserve their lives and figure something out later."
Naturally, Zhang Zuo couldn't break the restriction, but he possessed a soul-locking Dharma Treasure specifically designed for restraint.
Anyone bound by this Dharma Treasure would be entirely severed from outside connection, preventing anyone from tracking them via soul threads.
"Then use it quickly! That old ghost has already gone back and shut the gate; he'll make his move soon enough."
Qin Xiao urged him urgently. These individuals were the core members of the Clear Wind Sect. If he could extract useful intelligence from them, he could crack the Clear Wind Sect wide open.
Without hesitation, Zhang Zuo produced a small pagoda. It expanded instantly and descended, pulling all four men straight into its interior.
"That's it? Done?"
Watching the effortless display, Qin Xiao asked doubtfully.
"Er, Boss, this only temporarily cuts off their connection to the outside world. Breaking the restriction will still require an expert."
Zhang Zuo hastened to explain.
"Xiao'er, that old ghost is cunning and deceitful. Since our trick failed, let's head back."
Seeing the mountain gate shut tight, Ye Qiuyue walked over to Qin Xiao's side.
"Indeed. How could such a simple trick easily fool that old ghost? Still, it's not a complete loss-at least we captured a Third Elder and three managers."
Qin Xiao realized his expectations had been a bit too optimistic. An old monster who had lived for centuries was bound to be shrewd.
"True. This alone will cause the Clear Wind old ghost no small amount of heartache."
Ye Qiuyue knew full well how valuable a Soul Formation cultivator was to a fourth-tier force. Even among first- or second-tier factions, Soul Formation experts formed the backbone of mid-tier strength.
With that, Qin Xiao and his group of five left the Clear Wind Sect and flew toward Tianyi City.
"I knew it. Ye Qiuyue, you underestimate this old man far too much. How could such a crude trick ever fool me?"
Clear Wind Ancestor had been keeping watch over Qin Xiao's group the entire time. Seeing Ye Qiuyue finally depart put his mind at ease. Good thing he had exercised restraint.
Since they had already left, he had no choice but to make a painful sacrifice. Though losing those four was regrettable, he had to eliminate any hidden risks.
Returning to his quarters, Clear Wind Ancestor produced four jade tablets-one blood-red jade and three crimson ones. These contained the restriction Soul Tablets of the four men; crushing them would cause their souls to scatter and their lives to end.
"Adoptive Father, Da'er requests an audience."
Before Clear Wind Ancestor could act, Duan Mingda's voice sounded from outside the door.
"Enter."
Clear Wind Ancestor already knew why Duan Mingda had come.
"Adoptive Father, please reconsider."
Pushing the door open, Duan Mingda caught sight of the four tablets in Clear Wind's hand and immediately understood. He spoke in a rush.
"Mingda, Father knows you are kind-hearted, but this is all for the sake of the Clear Wind Sect."
Fearing Duan Mingda might harbor other thoughts, Clear Wind offered an explanation.
"Adoptive Father, those three managers are one thing, but younger brother Fei-he is your adopted son and a Soul Formation cultivator to boot! Moreover, you know his character; he would never betray the Clear Wind Sect, let alone betray you!"
Duan Mingda pleaded further, hoping Clear Wind might spare him for the sake of their father-son bond.
"Da'er, let me put it this way: the weaknesses in the Clear Wind Sect's Formation are known only to the three of us. We can spare the three managers, but Fei'er must die. If we leave behind even the slightest hidden danger, our Clear Wind Sect faces total extermination. I hope you can understand Father. Do you think it doesn't break my heart to kill Fei'er?"
Clear Wind Ancestor wasn't lying about the heartache; after all, he had personally nurtured the man for over two hundred years. To say he felt nothing would be a lie, but he valued his own survival above all else. Even the slightest risk was intolerable, meaning Duan Mingfei had to die.
"If Adoptive Father is determined to do this, then Da'er has nothing more to say. This son takes his leave."
At this point, Duan Mingda knew the verdict. Nothing he said could save his brother.
"Da'er, in time you will come to understand Father's actions today. Go get some rest."
Sensing Duan Mingda's distress, Clear Wind Ancestor refrained from saying more, leaving him to digest the matter on his own. His immediate priority was eliminating all hidden risks.
Without an ounce of hesitation, Clear Wind Ancestor crushed the four jade tablets.
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