Chu Zhiyuan said, "You practice the Evil Emperor's lineage of techniques, which focuses on devouring. But there must be aftereffects after devouring, right?"
"It's just taking the essence and discarding the dross," Xu Haode said proudly. "Unlike those evil sect demons, who mix everything together indiscriminately and without any refinement."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Even evil sect demons must have methods to purify power, right?"
"They want to borrow the power of outer demons," Xu Haode shook his head and said, "and then take the opportunity to be tainted by the outer demons, becoming slaves and puppets."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "It is said that the Evil Emperor's lineage devours Qi, true Qi, astral Qi, and spiritual Qi."
"That's right."
"Having practiced until now, how many people's Qi have you devoured in total?"
"... I can't remember, countless. These evil sect demons devour other people's essence and blood, and I devour their true Qi and astral Qi. This is retribution, and the cycle of heaven is good!"
Chu Zhiyuan laughed.
To be able to speak of reaping without sowing so confidently is truly a talent.
This is also the source of the Evil Emperor's lineage's arrogance, feeling that they are acting on behalf of heaven, repaying others in their own coin.
"Do you only devour evil sect demons?" Chu Zhiyuan asked with a smile.
"Mostly evil sect demons," Xu Haode shook his head, "but there are also some evildoers. The world isn't only evil in evil sect demons; some people are even more evil than evil sect demons."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded.
This should be the truth. If he said he only devoured evil sect demons, it would be unbelievable.
Chu Zhiyuan curiously asked, "After becoming a Grandmaster, can you continue to improve with this cultivation method?"
"Of course, with this inheritance, I can continue to improve endlessly," Xu Haode said. "Could it be that after your cultivation methods reach the Grandmaster level, you can no longer improve?"
Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "It becomes extremely difficult to improve further."
"That's true," Xu Haode solemnly nodded. "If entering the Grandmaster realm requires devouring a hundred Masters, then reaching the second level of the Grandmaster realm would require tens of thousands of Masters, which is almost impossible to achieve."
Tens of thousands of Masters—where would he find so many Masters?
In the era of his ancestors, everyone was like a dragon, and Masters were as numerous as clouds, so it might have been possible.
In this era, it is almost impossible.
Therefore, the evil sect's lair is where his hope lies, containing formidable power.
If he could devour it, he might be able to step into the second level.
But he alone cannot break into the evil sect's headquarters; he couldn't withstand the siege of the evil sect's experts.
With Chu Zhiyuan, it would be different.
Chu Zhiyuan himself is incomparably powerful, and behind him is the Great Jing Dynasty, which can mobilize even more Grandmasters.
Cooperating with him has only benefits and no harm.
As for whether he would turn his back on him and seize the evil sect's inheritance, he didn't think Chu Zhiyuan would be so unscrupulous.
This is also a gamble.
He is betting on Chu Zhiyuan's character. If his character is good, he may be able to step onto a higher level. If his character is bad, he can escape at any time.
"Then we can be considered to be getting what we need. I want to destroy the evil sect's headquarters, and you want to devour the power of the evil sect's headquarters," Chu Zhiyuan said. "When do we act?"
"The sooner the better," Xu Haode couldn't wait to start now, and said in a deep voice, "I have found three headquarters in your Great Jing and four headquarters in Great Meng. The evil sects in the world are one family, and they all need to be wiped out."
"It seems you really know a lot about the evil sects," Chu Zhiyuan threw the golden jade heart contract from his sleeve to him. "Take this and go ahead. I can find you with it."
"As expected," Xu Haode revealed an expression of expectation.
He knew that this jade pendant was distributed by Chu Zhiyuan, so he had expected that something must have been done to it.
To be able to sense it, it must be a treasure, and it's quite an investment.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Zou Fang, bring the Venerable statues."
Zou Fang turned and left, and after a moment, brought the sandalwood box and placed it on the table.
Chu Zhiyuan gestured with his mouth.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Mr. Xu, do you have these Venerable statues?"
"I have acquired some," Xu Haode nodded. "Are they important?"
"I can sense evil sect demons with these Venerable statues."
"... Then I'll go back and get them," Xu Haode said. "I'll be back soon."
"Thank you for your trouble," Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fist.
Xu Haode cupped his fist in farewell, turned around, and left.
Chu Zhiyuan waited for him to leave for a while, then his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.
His super-sense observed his every move, every subtle expression.
He didn't completely trust Xu Haode. What if it was a conspiracy? It's always good to be cautious.
Under the super-sense, his pupils dilated, his eyes shone, and his breathing became rapid, showing an eager appearance.
After leaving Yujing City for twenty miles, he pushed his Qinggong to the limit, becoming faster and faster, surpassing galloping horses.
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.
This Xu Haode's Qi channels are long and steady, far surpassing ordinary Grandmasters.
He doesn't plan to rely on horses, but rather to make a round trip between Great Meng and Great Jing with Qinggong.
This one has obviously suffered hardships and isn't so delicate.
Chu Zhiyuan returned to the front hall of Qing Wang Manor.
Zou Fang said, "Your Highness, should I follow him?"
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "No need, collect... wait."
He suddenly stared intently at these Venerable statues, his expression slowly darkening.
He flashed and disappeared, and the next moment he appeared by the lake in the back garden.
In the small pavilion on the lake, Chu Qingyan was reading a book, looking leisurely and content.
Chu Yi and Li Suyue were playing the zither.
Each of them had a spiritual cat perched on their shoulders, squinting their eyes as if they were asleep.
The two's zither sounds, one high and one low, complemented each other, like two birds flying wing to wing.
Chu Qingyan was lazy, looking extremely comfortable.
Chu Zhiyuan flashed and appeared in the pavilion.
Chu Yi and Li Suyue's jade hands pressed on the zither strings, and the zither sounds stopped abruptly.
Chu Qingyan looked at Chu Zhiyuan with dissatisfaction, "Disturbing my peace!"
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Uncle, something happened."
"What is it?"
"Some evil sect Grandmasters and Masters are heading to the Flying Heaven Sect."
"Flying Heaven Sect? They're courting death," Chu Qingyan snorted.
The Flying Heaven Sect has Grandmasters and Sky Blades, enough to protect the sect.
No matter how many evil sect Grandmasters there are, they cannot possibly take down the Flying Heaven Sect.
None of the four major sects can be captured by external enemies unless the imperial court personally takes action.
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Who knows what sickness they've caught, actually wanting to besiege the Flying Heaven Sect—could it be a secret realm?"
"The news was leaked?"
"It should have been leaked."
"Those damned guys!" Chu Qingyan said resentfully.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "It's no use saying this now; let's help the Flying Heaven Sect first. There are four Grandmasters joining forces, and sixteen Masters—most of the evil sect's forces around the entire Yujing have gathered here."
Evil sect Grandmasters are easier to become than famous orthodox sects, so there are more Grandmasters.
Most of them have now been cleared by him. Apart from these four, there are no others according to these Venerable statues.
He thinks they haven't been completely eliminated and needs more Venerable statues to sense them.
It depends on how many Venerable statues Xu Haode has.
"Four Grandmasters—a dozen Masters—" Chu Qingyan thought for a moment, "You go. You're the only one who can spare the time now."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Am I just looking for trouble for myself?"
"You're the only one free now. We can't go to the four major secret realms and four major grotto-heavens to find Grandmasters, and there's not enough time anyway."
"... Alright."
"I'll definitely give you a reward this time, I guarantee you'll like it."
"Then I'll have to see," Chu Zhiyuan smiled.
