Reaching the pinnacle from Doupo

Chapter 517 The Affairs of Heaven and Earth, The Beginning of Conflict

Lin Yuan slightly raised his gaze and calmly swept his eyes over the group of Tianming Sect members.

They were dressed in uniform black outfits, with blood-red badges on their chests and eerie blood-red runes embroidered on the hems of their clothes, adding to the sinister atmosphere in the gloomy environment.

This squad is quite elite, consisting of about twenty Dou Huang and Dou Zong powerhouses.

The leader was a middle-aged man with rather gloomy eyes. He held a long sword that emitted a cold, eerie light. Blood flowed faintly on the blade, indicating that it had drunk a lot of blood. His strength as a Seven-Star Dou Zong was quite remarkable.

When his gaze fell upon Feng Qing'er's stunningly beautiful face, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes, which then turned into a lewd and fiery look.

Feeling that disgusting gaze, Feng Qing'er frowned slightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, and her delicate body unconsciously leaned closer to Lin Yuan.

"An inauspicious start, we've been discovered... Should we continue our incursion?"

"This is nothing," Lin Yuan said calmly, glancing at her with a slight tilt of his head. "Little Phoenix, there's no need to worry. Just stay by my side."

Upon seeing this, the middle-aged man's gaze slowly moved up from the shoulders that were close together, landing on Lin Yuan's exceptionally handsome face.

Looking at that enviable face, he couldn't help but smile sinisterly, his lips parting to reveal gleaming white teeth. He said in a chilling tone, "Heh heh, pretty boy, your companion is quite nice. However, she will belong to my sect from now on..."

However, the middle-aged man's voice stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, as if someone had grabbed his throat.

"Medicine...medicine...Medicine Lord Lin Yuan?"

The moment he recognized Lin Yuan's appearance, his arrogant and sinister voice trembled, like a leaf falling in the autumn wind.

Thinking of his disrespectful words, the long sword in his hand clattered to the ground, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt down, his face full of panic.

At this moment, he felt extremely remorseful and wished he could slap himself a few times.

The Tianming Sect members behind him turned deathly pale the moment they heard the name "Medicine Lord Lin Yuan." Their fierce expressions vanished instantly, replaced by endless fear and awe.

Lin Yuan glanced at the group of people, a playful smile appearing on his lips, and said indifferently, "I didn't expect that my name would have some recognition in the Heavenly Nether Sect."

Before he finished speaking, he casually waved his hand, freezing the team and the space around them.

Then, Lin Yuan snapped his fingers lightly, and the leading Seven-Star Dou Zong turned into ashes with a soft "bang" in front of everyone's horrified eyes.

"I have some questions for you, so please answer honestly..."

After carefully storing away the Dou Zong's soul that he had deliberately left behind, Lin Yuan lowered his gaze and looked at the remaining Tianming Sect members, a "kind" smile appearing on his face.

The remaining members of the Tianming Sect trembled violently as they watched their companion turn to ashes in an instant, their eyes filled with despair.

It seems that Medicine Lord Lin Yuan isn't very friendly towards his own sect!
"M-My lord, please ask whatever you wish, we will answer to the best of our knowledge!" A seemingly clever four-star Dou Zong said, his voice trembling as he suppressed his fear, cold sweat rolling down his forehead like beans.

Lin Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone, and slowly asked, "Is your Sect Master Yi currently in the sect?"
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Beyond the mountains that exude an ominous aura lies another majestic mountain range.

Compared to the surrounding mountains, this mountain range, though still cold and desolate, has a more profound and imposing feel. On some of its steep peaks stand numerous majestic buildings, and the shouts and cries of disciples practicing can be faintly heard.

This mountain range is the renowned Underworld God Mountain Range, and also the location of the headquarters of the Heavenly Underworld Sect.

In the center of the Underworld Mountain Range, a towering peak rises abruptly from the ground. The peak is extremely wide, but it is cut in half at the waist, and a magnificent black palace stands majestically on it.

Inside the main hall, several figures stood quietly in two rows, each exuding an extraordinary aura, with most of them possessing cultivation levels above the five-star Dou Zun realm.

Yi Ming, the sect leader of the Tianming Sect, sat high on the throne in the hall.

He tapped the armrest of the throne lightly with his fingertips, producing a rhythmic sound. The powerful aura of a seventh-level Dou Zun resonated around him, causing the space to tremble.

At the bottom left, a pale-faced middle-aged man stood bowing, wearing a magnificent purple brocade robe and exuding the powerful aura of a peak Dou Zun. This man was none other than Liu Cang, the vice sect master of the Tianming Sect.

The person at the top right below was actually only a nine-star Dou Zong, the weakest person in the hall.

This man was young, tall, and extremely handsome, but the fierce look hidden between his brows gave his striking appearance a touch of coldness.

None of the many Dou Zun elders in the hall had any objection to the fact that the weakest youth was ranked third.

This person's name is Yi Chen, and he is respectfully known as Yi Xiuluo. He is the most outstanding disciple of the Tianming Sect in the past hundred years.

His name as a demon is extremely powerful among the younger generation in the entire Central Continent, and it is a fearsome name accumulated through killing and bloodshed... Within the territory ruled by the Heavenly Nether Sect, Yi Shura's fearsome name is enough to make people tremble with fear.

More importantly, having passed the forbidden blood trial, this young man is already the top candidate for the next sect leader of the Heavenly Nether Sect.

The Tianming Sect's methods of training disciples have always been extremely bloody and cruel.

Each generation of true disciples, after reaching a certain level in their cultivation, will enter the sect's forbidden area. There, these fellow disciples, who usually fight amongst themselves, must ultimately emerge from the forbidden area to become the sect's true core disciples.

Moreover, the Heavenly Nether Sect's techniques are extremely cruel and domineering, capable of forcibly devouring others' battle qi, provided that it is consumed along with flesh and blood.

The ability to improve by absorbing the fighting spirit of others is one of the reasons why the Heavenly Nether Sect has remained prosperous for so long.

Yi Chen is an outstanding individual in this field.

During his blood-red trial, he slaughtered all his fellow disciples of that year, devouring their flesh and blood and fighting skills. He became an extremely rare nine-star Dou Zong outside the ancient clans, and at less than thirty years old, he also became an unparalleled figure among the younger generation of the Tianming Sect.

A few days ago, Yi Chen won the runner-up title at the Tianjiao Competition and is currently enjoying great popularity in Zhongzhou.

With the combination of multiple factors, Yi Chen successfully won the position of the young sect master of the Tianming Sect. His high status in the Tianming Sect meant that even some elders had to treat him with utmost respect.

However, this renowned Yi Xiuluo was now looking at the figure on the throne with utmost respect, his eyes filled with filial piety.

On the throne, Yi Ming suddenly paused, and the sound of tapping on the armrest abruptly stopped.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and penetrating, as if it could see into people's hearts. He looked down at the middle-aged man standing bowing below, his majestic voice echoing in the hall.

"Liu Cang, does the Flower Sect Master truly have no intention of agreeing to the marriage alliance between the two sects?"

"Reporting to the Sect Master, there is no room for negotiation on this matter!" Vice Sect Master Liu Cang cupped his hands, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and said in a deep voice. "Unlike Hua Jin, Yun Yun's attitude towards this matter is extremely firm, and she is full of hostility towards our Tianming Sect. Whether it is the Sect Master's marriage alliance with her, or the Young Sect Master's marriage alliance with her disciple, she has resolutely refused, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation."

"Over the years, our sect has spent countless efforts and time to finally build up some strength within the Flower Sect, but now, she has dismantled most of it."

"I suspect that she discovered our sect's infiltration plan, which is why she was so resolute."

At this point, his face was full of resentment.

Upon hearing this, Yi Ming frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall became oppressive.

Seeing this, Yi Chen's eyes darted around, a glint of cunning flashing in them. He then stepped forward, respectfully cupped his hands to the Sect Master of the Heavenly Nether Sect, and a sly look appeared on his face.

"Godfather, I am willing to make a trip to the Flower Sect and try to challenge the Flower Sect Master's personal disciple!"

"Since the Flower Sect is so ungrateful, then my Heavenly Nether Sect should also show its strength. Let them know that, now and in the future, my sect will always be the stronger one, and no matter how they resist, they will eventually become a part of my sect."

"If the Flower Sect Master remains stubborn and ungrateful, I will use her precious disciple to teach her a lesson she will never forget."

“Yun Yun is just an outsider in the Flower Sect, with shallow roots.”

"If she fails to protect her personal disciple in this challenge, both her morale and her prestige in the Flower Sect will likely suffer a great blow."

"At that time, we will be able to contact the Flower Sect's inside agents and find a way to get rid of her."

Yi Chen became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes growing colder, and his calm voice revealing a hint of bloodlust and madness.

Upon hearing this, Yi Ming's brows gradually relaxed, and a look of approval appeared in his eyes.

"Chen'er, your plan is brilliant!" He nodded slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Heh heh, if my sect can get rid of that old hag Lian Huayu, what difficulty is it to get rid of Yun Yun, who inherited her fighting spirit?"

"Those arrogant women from the Flower Sect, it's time to let them know the power of my Heavenly Nether Sect, and let them understand... that resisting annexation is nothing but futile!"

"I entrust this matter entirely to you. I will send several elders to accompany and protect you. Do not disappoint me."

"Go and prepare. Your father awaits your good news!"

"Yes!" Yi Chen's lips curled up into a cruel smile as he cupped his hands and said, "Father, please rest assured, I will not fail in my mission."

After saying that, he flashed and disappeared from the hall like a ghost, leaving behind only a faint gust of cold wind.

Yi Ming tilted his head slightly and looked at Elder Qiu, a thin old man in black, who was as thin as a bamboo pole. He said in a deep voice, "Elder Qiu, take some people and go with Chen'er to the Flower Sect! With your peak Dou Zun cultivation, you can prevent Yun Yun from being desperate and attacking Chen'er directly at a critical moment."

"Yes, Sect Master, I will go and prepare immediately!" The old man respectfully cupped his hands and hurried out of the main hall, his steps hurried, afraid of delaying things.

Seeing that the next strategy had been decided, Yi Ming's serious expression gradually softened, and he waved to the crowd below.

"This meeting is adjourned. Gentlemen, please leave..."

"boom--"

He was about to tell everyone to leave when he heard a deep, muffled voice, silencing his words.

"Who is it?! How dare you trespass into my Heavenly Nether Sect? Don't you have a death wish?"

Sensing the change, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Nether Sect on the throne suddenly stood up, looked at the palace gate with a solemn expression, his eyes filled with anger, and shouted sharply.

However, his response was a "black cannonball" fired head-on.

Upon seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Yi Ming's eyes. He clenched his fist, preparing to unleash a punch. But in the next instant, as if he had discovered something, his expression changed drastically. He quickly transformed his hard fist into a soft palm, dissipating the fierce force and catching the "black cannonball."

The dissipated terrifying force instantly caused the throne behind him to crack and crumble, before turning to dust with a low thud.

Ignoring the pain of losing his throne, Yi Ming quickly looked down at the "cannonball" he had just caught, only to discover that it was Elder Qiu who had just left.

At this moment, Elder Qiu's face was as pale as paper, and his breath was weak, as if he would die at any moment.

Yi Ming quickly discovered upon examination that Elder Qiu's meridians had been completely shattered, like broken porcelain, beyond repair.

"Damn it, who is it?! Elder Qiu... hold on!"

He was extremely anxious and hurriedly reached out his hand, wanting to transfer his battle qi to his trusted and beloved general who had followed him for many years, but it was already too late.

Elder Qiu grabbed Yi Ming's sleeve with one hand, and with the other hand trembling, he raised it as if using all the strength he had left, pointing towards the direction outside the hall door, "Sect...Sect Master, be... careful...there's a powerful enemy, he's very..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, breathed his last, and his body slumped down limply.

"Damn it, how dare you act so recklessly!"

Slowly lowering Elder Qiu's body, Yi Ming's face was so gloomy it seemed like water could drip from it. He stared intently at the direction of the palace gate, his voice extremely cold and sharp.

The elders in the hall held their breath, their eyes filled with vigilance and fear.

"Da da da……"

The slow, unhurried footsteps, accompanied by an eerie dragging sound, drifted slowly from outside the palace gates, further intensifying the already tense atmosphere inside.

Finally, two tall, slender figures appeared one after the other at the entrance of the hall, and then calmly walked into the hall.

It was Lin Yuan and Feng Qing'er who arrived. One was dressed in a moon-colored long robe, and the other in a seven-colored skirt. Their outstanding demeanor seemed out of place in this somewhat gloomy and oppressive hall, yet they possessed an extraordinary and refined air.

"It's you... Medicine Lord Lin Yuan?!" Upon seeing the young man's unforgettable face, Yi Ming was first stunned, but after regaining his senses, he was filled with a furious rage.

"Long time no see, Sect Master Yi!" Lin Yuan smiled, ignoring Yi Ming's anger, and greeted him calmly, "Did you like the gift I gave you? Oh, and this too..."

As he spoke, he tossed Yi Chen, whom he had just casually killed, aside with a flick of his right hand.

(End of this chapter)