Recently, the Qingcheng Sect has been peaceful with nothing unusual happening.
Ye Tian wanders around the nearby area every day, searching for an opportunity to leave the mountain.
He has only memorized the incantations of the "Annotations on Qingyang" without seriously cultivating them.
In his mind, Chen Su must have ulterior motives for bringing him to the Qingcheng Sect.
Since these evil spirits are objects of cultivation, their intentions likely lie in this cultivation as well.
Recalling the xianxia novels he read in his previous life, Ye Tian realizes that many evil paths deceive their disciples into cultivating, only to use them as medicine for their own advancement.
If he were to blindly follow Chen Su's advice and focus on cultivation, the higher his realm, the greater the possibility of being exploited!
He refuses to make such a mistake!
Fortunately, Chen Su is a hands-on sect leader who is busy handling various matters. He only comes to check on Ye Tian occasionally, offering guidance on the parts of "Annotations on Qingyang" that he doesn't understand, before returning to his alchemy room.
This significantly increases Ye Tian's chances of escaping!
One evening, Ye Tian is pretending to cultivate when there is a knock on his door.
"Junior Brother Ye! Junior Brother Ye! It's me, Zhou Yun!"
Upon hearing the voice, Ye Tian quickly opens the door to let him in.
Zhou Yun cautiously surveys Ye Tian's alchemy room, making sure there are no unauthorized personnel around. He then locks the door and excitedly says to Ye Tian, "Junior Brother, the plan you mentioned has worked out!"
Ye Tian's eyes light up with excitement. "Really?"
Zhou Yun nods. "Tomorrow, some disciples from our sect will go down the mountain to purchase supplies. The person in charge is my uncle. I've already talked to him, and he'll take you along to show you the world."
Ye Tian's heart is filled with anticipation. When the sect goes down the mountain to purchase supplies, everyone will scatter. He just needs to find an excuse to go to the bathroom in a busy area and then slip away!
Whether it succeeds or fails, it's still a chance!
Staying in this evil den of Qingcheng Mountain will eventually lead to trouble!
"Thank you so much, Senior Brother Zhou," says Ye Tian gratefully.
Zhou Yun waves his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. You're now the personal disciple of the sect leader, so you hold a尊贵position. Don't bow to your junior brother and shorten my lifespan."
"As a junior brother who has just joined the sect, it's normal to feel bored and want to go out for some fresh air. I understand," he adds with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Ye Tian feels a little guilty for deceiving Zhou Yun.
Zhou Yun doesn't know that Ye Tian plans to leave the Qingcheng Sect permanently. He thinks Ye Tian just wants to go out for some fresh air.
Otherwise, he would never have agreed to help Ye Tian.
"I wonder if Senior Brother Zhou will face punishment after this incident," thinks Ye Tian.
"With his strong connections, he should be fine..."
Zhou Yun's actual cultivation level is only at the Qi Condensation stage, but he occupies an inner disciple position solely due to his strong connections.
Regardless of what happens to Zhou Yun, Ye Tian is determined not to stay in Qingcheng Mountain!
Tomorrow, he will leave this evil den!
With this thought in mind, Ye Tian closes his eyes to meditate, conserving his energy for tomorrow's journey.
...
The next day, at dawn, Ye Tian dresses in the sect's uniform and wears his sword, arriving early at the south gate of the temple.
The uniform is that of the Qingcheng Sect, and the sword is the standard issue for all disciples.
A middle-aged man with a strong brow and big eyes, wearing the robes of a senior elder, slowly approaches and glances at Ye Tian.
"Are you the new disciple that the sect leader recently accepted?" he asks.
"Yes," replies Ye Tian, without hiding the truth.
Impressed by Ye Tian's politeness, the middle-aged man nods. "My name is Zhou Hang. I'm the person in charge of this trip. You might have seen me in the Chaoyun Hall before."
"Think of this trip as a way to see the world. Just follow the group closely, and make sure you're back before sunset," he advises.
"Understood," agrees Ye Tian, nodding along with Zhou Hang's instructions.
After all, he plans to find an opportunity to leave and never come back, so there's no need to reveal too much.
Just as Zhou Hang finishes briefing Ye Tian, he leads the group of disciples towards the foot of the mountain, flying towards the nearest city, Jian'an.
Ye Tian follows closely behind Zhou Hang, observing the changing scenery below his feet. As they approach the city, he notices the admiring gazes of the ordinary people on the road, evoking mixed feelings in his heart.
For a moment, he wonders if his decision is the right one.
But he quickly suppresses these doubts.
Having witnessed the true nature of the Qingcheng Sect disciples, he knows he cannot stay.
Just as they are about to land near Jian'an, a series of patterns suddenly illuminate the ground, forming a large array that engulfs the entire group!
Seeing this, Zhou Hang's expression changes drastically. He quickly positions himself behind Ye Tian, shouting, "Be on guard! Prepare for battle!"
Before he can finish his sentence, a chilling blade slashes through the air, instantly cutting down an unsuspecting Qingcheng Sect disciple!
The disciple, at the Foundation Establishment stage, is sliced into two halves in the blink of an eye, his blood spraying everywhere as he meets a grisly end!
Emerging from the blood mist is a shabbily dressed cultivator with a three-inch-long scar on his left cheek and disheveled hair. He wields a nine-ringed broadsword and licks the blood off his lips with a greedy expression.
Upon seeing this individual, Zhou Hang's face turns dark as he roars, "Who are you? Why are you killing innocent people?"
"Don't you know that we are disciples of the Qingcheng Sect? Why are you committing such atrocities?"
The man, however, does not respond. His eyes are filled with bloodlust and madness.
"Eat! Eat!" he chants. "This world is all about the strong devouring the weak! The greater demon devours the lesser demon!"
"The more I eat, the stronger I become!" he screams, raising his head to reveal bloodshot eyes and a twisted scar on his cheek. He stares intensely at the group from the Qingcheng Sect.
"I, Feng Bujue, will devour all of you!"
A highly demonic aura erupts from his body.
Witnessing this scene, Zhou Hang's pupils constrict.
"It's a demonic cultivator! A demonic cultivator!" he shouts.
"Everyone, follow me and attack! We must slay this demon!"