Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

"The Second Proclamation of Tushan?"

Hei Louxi was taken aback—only then did she remember the information previously extracted from the interrogation of a loose cultivator.

Such individuals, loyal only to their self-interest and ignorant of devotion and filial piety, had readily offered up information without much questioning.

The captive spoke of a sword cultivator prodigy who had emerged in the Luoxu Clan, known as the Tushan Sword Cultivator, who seemed to be the same person as the City Lord of Tushan according to family intelligence.

In less than a few months' time, this individual had slain Immortal Guichi of the Iron Family, rallied many loose cultivators, and rapidly established a vast power based on The Second Proclamation of Tushan.

All of this, she had previously thought to be fantasical tales—loose cultivators often exaggerated and distorted facts, and none of the few captives had actually witnessed it.

Even if it were true, she didn't see how it had anything to do with her, born of the Hei Clan.

The enmity that loose cultivators held for clan cultivators was no secret.

The blood feud between the two parties had spread for countless years, to the point where neither could clearly articulate it.

But it was known that every loose cultivator who grew in stature had suffered oppression and killing by cultivators from local families; every one of them was a survivor who had escaped countless deaths. Relatives and family members had long since perished in the passage of years or under the slaughtering blades of family cultivators.

These family members weren't companions chosen by old cultivators through the vicissitudes of life, nor so-called concubines, nor the children born to them. Rather, they were their family during their innocent childhood, and the depth of affection was unimaginable.

In their youth, the passing of these family members, even for the most hardened veterans of diabolic paths, would leave permanent scars in their hearts.

Many elderly cultivators, nearing the end of their lifespans and without any ties, would choose to assault the territories of the clans of the Northern Plains in their final act. By self-destructing, they sought to exchange their deaths for that of a Golden Pill member of a clan, to take revenge for the mortal families they had lost and to find peace of mind.

"I am willing to submit to the Second Proclamation of Tushan!"

Hei Louxi lowered her head and said respectfully.

Regardless, the fact that these loose cultivators had ceased their attack was undeniable—they possessed the unharmed strength to kill her without resorting to any tricks.

Even if it was just to humiliate before death,

it was still a slim chance. The Golden Pill cultivators from the collateral lines of the Hei Clan could catch their breath for a while and still had opportunities.

Following her lead, the other Golden Pill cultivators of the Hei Clan's collateral lines also bowed their heads.

"Sigh..."

The moment her words were spoken, an untold number of sighs could be heard in the shadows.

"If that's the case, then follow us to meet Lord Tushan, to receive the Sword Intent and the One-Eyed Cicada."

Immortal Baimei expressed slight regret.

The Hei Clan had annihilated the Qiyu Sect, destroying the home where he had lived for more than five hundred years, where he had placed his memories of his old master, junior sisters, wife, and children.

How could there not be hatred?

It was simply a matter of biding his time.

Without further ado, Immortal Baimei continued, "Immortal Baishi, Immortal Luoyun… where are the four who fell into captivity? Where are they?"

"This..."

Hei Louxi was startled and fell silent for a long moment.

Without speaking, all the Golden Pill cultivators of the Hei Clan's collateral lines simultaneously looked towards one individual.

Clearly, without any need for pressured coercion, these mature Golden Pill cultivators of the Hei Clan had deduced from the scant words that these loose cultivators were, in fact, extremely eager to kill them.

It was only due to some constraints that they dared not to take action.

If they were to talk about righteousness and really gave them the chance, everyone present here would be dead.

"Immortal Baimei, they are here."

After a moment, a bald Golden Pill cultivator of the Hei Clan steeled himself and stepped out from the crowd. Opening his storage bag, three Golden Pill cultivators with mangled bodies were released, no longer in human form, clearly having undergone severe torture.

"Immortal Baimei, we were unaware of the heaven-sent opportunity and therefore innocent of misdeeds. Lord Tushan will surely not be so petty as to take issue with this..."

The bald Golden Pill cultivator said with a forced smile, covertly handing out a weighty storage bag.

Immortal Baimei didn't bother with him and carefully examined the injuries of the three men.

"Immortal Baishi and the other two have sustained extremely severe injuries to their meridians and Divine Souls, and it's uncertain whether they can recover... Let Lord Tushan handle them."

Immortal Baimei looked up, addressing the bald man, "Did Immortal Luoyun die?"

"This..."

The bald man broke out in a cold sweat: "It was an accident, not intentional."

"Release your Divine Soul and let me inspect it."

Immortal Baimei stated indifferently.

"But... the Sea of Consciousness is the foundation of a cultivator... how could I..."

The bald man felt a sense of foreboding, gathered his mana, and looked toward his fellow clansmen of the Hei Family for help with a pleading gaze, only to see each of them bowing their heads, or turning to look elsewhere.

"Then die."

Immortal Baimei recorded his words and deeds with the One-Eyed Cicada and took a deep breath.

Boom!

Over ten bolts of lightning suddenly struck down, blasting the bald man, who had just reacted, into pieces; his burnt flesh and blood splattered everywhere, and his Middle Jindan Stage cultivation base was utterly useless.

This was not the end.

"Fellow Daoist, the injuries and deaths of Immortal Luoyun and the others need to be investigated."

Immortal Baimei then looked toward a glamorous woman of the Hei Family, who was at the late Golden Pill stage, and asked politely, "Please release your Divine Soul and let me inspect it until I find the true culprit who killed and injured those four."

Accepting new Golden Pill monks into the fold did not conflict with seeking revenge.

"We have clearly surrendered already, yet you renege on your word, just like those despicable loose cultivators..."

The glamorous woman exclaimed in shock and anger.

However, she saw that the cultivator opposite her with white hair and beard did not get angry but instead showed a hint of anticipation.

Chills ran down her spine.

After a moment of silence, she released her Sea of Consciousness.

"It is commendable that you know the times, Fellow Daoist."

Immortal Baimei sighed, his Divine Sense rushed in, not only to review past events but also to attempt to see the Hei Family's Cultivation Methods and many secrets.

Unfortunately, he was blocked by prohibitions and did not succeed.

"Five people must be executed."

After inspecting the woman's Sea of Consciousness, Immortal Baimei looked up and transmitted his findings to the other cultivators with his Divine Sense, allowing them to confirm.

"Correct."

"Correct."

The leaders of the third team of the Zhen Department took turns to confirm, leaving their Divine Sense Brands on a piece of Spiritual Script, and copying it onto a blank Jade Slip for future audits.

This was a clearly defined system.

"Then, the five Fellow Daoists of the Hei Family involved in the killing of Immortal Luoyun, it's time for you to depart."

Immortal Baimei was not so decisive, he spoke slowly, as lightning began to converge around the surrounding cultivators.

"Kill them!"

"These vile loose cultivators are looking for excuses to kill us all one by one!"

"Can't you all see what's happening?"

The five Golden Pill monks shouted in fear, some directing their Treasures against the nearest loose cultivators, others Burning Essence Blood to flee, and some attempted to incite their fellow clansmen, but to no avail.

There was no response.

Many cultivators of the Hei Family, including Hei Louxi, bowed their heads deeply, no longer looking at the pleading gaze of their fellow clansmen.

Boom!

More than forty bolts of lightning came down together, silencing all the noise, as the Life Treasures dimmed and fell, and the black ash scattered between heaven and earth.

"Go back and report."

Immortal Baimei glanced at the Golden Pill members of the Hei Family and flew towards the sky, and after removing the excuse, he indeed did not make another move or even have anyone watch over them.

"Follow."

Hei Louxi whispered, quickly taking to the air to follow.

She knew this was yet another hidden trap.

If she and the others thought they had an opportunity and tried to flee in secret, lightning would lawfully and justifiably strike them down in an instant, killing them and leaving their Treasures and the Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures in their storage bags to be divided up among the rest.