Tianling Sect did not know, but since Gao Chunqiu had returned, they were naturally willing to keep the last child of the Qiu Family.
Gao Chunqiu changed his name. On one hand, he cultivated diligently; on the other, he inquired relentlessly about Nine Spirits Sect.
But he never imagined that before he could act, Nine Spirits Sect would first be annihilated by Silent Night Palace.
At that time, Gao Chunqiu lacked the qualifications to participate in the matter. He could only beg Shizun unwillingly for details.
After a thorough investigation, Tianling Sect Master found Gao Chunqiu and told him three things.
First, Nine Spirits Sect was utterly destroyed.
Its sect grounds, storehouses, and underground palace had all been blasted into chaotic space by immense magical power. No one knew why Nine Spirits Sect had fallen out with Silent Night Palace; the two had clearly been close allies before.
Second, after years of investigation, Tianling Sect Master had a rough idea why Nine Spirits Sect had targeted the Qiu Family.
“The Nine Spirits Sect’s secret art, the Nine Spirits Totem, requires gathering nine powerful demon beast spirits and refining them into one’s own totem, thereby gradually enhancing one’s strength. Though Nine Spirits Sect also raised demon beasts, the power and abilities of those nurtured beasts paled far in comparison to true demon race members.”
Tianling Sect Master spoke these words with an indifferent and icy expression, like an immortal aloof above the masses.
“But great demons of the demon race are formidable, relying on their demon bodies and divine abilities to even contend with cultivators a stage higher. Moreover, demon race members are savage by nature. Extracting their souls to refine into totems easily provokes resentment and hatred, leading to backlash. Thus, in recent years, Nine Spirits Sect has targeted human race cultivators possessing demon race bloodlines.”
Gao Chunqiu was young and ignorant at the time. Hearing Tianling Sect Master say this, he felt bewildered and lost.
“Human race cultivators with demon race bloodlines? You mean… the Qiu Family has demon race bloodline?”
“Correct.”
“B-But the Qiu Family has no such records.”
“Antiquity was divided into several great eras.” Tianling Sect Master ignored Gao Chunqiu’s confusion and continued mechanically, “After Great Xia’s fall, the human race rose, and the demon race gradually withdrew into hiding. But before Great Xia, demons blanketed the continent, living alongside many human race cultivators and leaving behind numerous bloodline descendants.”
“Your Qiu Family is likely such a bloodline descendant. Over the long passage of time, the bloodline thinned to the point of showing no divine abilities or signs. But if stimulated by similar or opposing bloodlines, it could trigger atavism.”
Tianling Sect Master stared at Gao Chunqiu. “Do you know Pei Ji of Jiuxia Mountain?”
Gao Chunqiu had cultivated in Tianling Sect following his father and was not well-versed in family relations.
“…Who is that?”
“Pei Ji’s mother was your father’s cousin. You and Pei Ji are relatives. Pei Ji joined Jiuxia Mountain…”
When mentioning Jiuxia Mountain, the ever-impassive Tianling Sect Master’s expression shifted slightly, as if in awe of the heavens’ karma and karmic obstacles. “Jiuxia Mountain is merely a second-rate sect, but it inherits the lingering glory of ancient Great Xia. Even though Great Xia has fallen, the remaining merits can still shelter a small sect.”
“Pei Ji’s bloodline was stimulated, and he cultivated the most orthodox Boxia Lineage Technique of Jiuxia Mountain. By a twist of fate, his bloodline underwent atavism. Ironically, he himself never noticed, but Nine Spirits Sect cultivators detected the clues.”
Tianling Sect Master said flatly, “Thus, the Qiu Family became one of Nine Spirits Sect’s totem candidates. All your family members had their blood essence drained by Nine Spirits Sect, attempting to artificially produce more great demon descendants.”
Gao Chunqiu listened as blood surged through him, his entire body aflame with rage and hatred.
“Nine Spirits Sect…”
“But now that you know all this, it’s already too late. Nine Spirits Sect was annihilated by Silent Night Palace.”
“…You just said Silent Night Palace and Nine Spirits Sect were allied sects?”
“Indeed. Your mother said you were inexplicably teleported to the Demon Domain and then pursued by demonic cultivators—undoubtedly Silent Night Palace’s doing.”
Tianling Sect Master finally looked at Gao Chunqiu. A glint of calculation and mockery flickered in his previously calm eyes.
“What? Do you want revenge against Silent Night Palace?”
“This vengeance unavenged would make me unworthy as a son!”
“With your current strength and cultivation speed, it’s utterly impossible.”
“Please teach me, Sect Master!”
“Since your Qiu Family possesses ancient demon race bloodline, do you wish to awaken it?”
Tianling Sect Master appraised Gao Chunqiu and revealed his final intent: “The demon race has a longer lifespan than human race cultivators and can awaken innate divine abilities. If you become a demon, even seeking revenge in the Demon Domain won’t draw other demonic cultivators’ attention.”
A True Realm cultivator might attract notice, but a great demon in the Demon Domain would blend right in.
Without hesitation, Gao Chunqiu agreed: “Yes! I want to awaken my demon race bloodline! I want to avenge my family!”
The corners of Tianling Sect Master’s lips curved slightly, revealing an inscrutable smile. “Very well.”
…
“Are you an idiot?”
Pei Jiye exploited Gao Chunqiu’s surging rage, supplemented by secret arts like demon race bloodline suppression within, to effortlessly glimpse this memory from Gao Chunqiu’s mind.
He could not help but curse: “Tianling Sect Master cultivates the Emotionless Dao, yet you actually believed he was helping you? He merely wanted to use you as an experiment—to master how to detect great demon bloodlines, how to activate demon race bloodlines, and to experience demon race divine abilities and inheritances firsthand!”
Gao Chunqiu refused to hear Pei Jiye’s words. His mind held only one thought.
“Pei Ji! You brought ruin upon the Qiu Family. My parents died because of you, our home destroyed—yet you became a Silent Night Palace cultivator and colluded with them. You are despicable and shameless!!”
Pei Jiye snorted lightly: “What does it have to do with me? You should hate Nine Spirits Sect and your own powerlessness. Oh, you hate me only because you’re certain I won’t kill you?”
“No way, right? No way, right? Did your dear Shizun never tell you he knew I was still alive long ago?”
Pei Jiye looked pityingly at Gao Chunqiu, struck as if by lightning. “Fool, he deliberately sent you right to me.”
