Chapter 1114
A Thrilling Contest
"Yes, sir!" Mu Xue and the silver-armored guard replied in unison once again.
Soon, Mu Xue led her support team on a journey to find the Frost Temple. Meanwhile, Shi Ji and the Silver Armor Guard were busy reinforcing the Five Elements Array's defenses, preparing to deal with any fierce attacks from the Black Demon forces.
Several days later, Mu Xue's support team discovered the ruins of the Frost Temple in a desolate snow-covered mountain. After a careful search, they finally found an ancient frost magic manual in the ruins.
Mu Xue excitedly relayed the news back to Shi Ji, who was greatly encouraged upon hearing it: "Great! Mu Xue, bring the manual back as soon as possible, and we'll study together how to use this powerful frost magic."
Mu Xue replied, "Yes, Shi Ji! We will set off back immediately."
However, just as Mu Xue and the others were preparing to leave the ruins of the Frost Temple, a glint of greed and ambition flashed in the eyes of a young disciple. Taking advantage of the others' inattention, he secretly hid the Frost Magic Manual in his baggage.
This disciple, named Lin Xuan, was an ordinary disciple in the sect. He had always longed for greater power and wanted to rise to the top in one step. In his view, this frost magic manual was a shortcut for him to increase his immortal power and make a name for himself.
Mu Xue and the others were unaware of Lin Xuan's actions. They quickly left the ruins of the Frost Temple and returned to the Five Elements Formation to reunite with Shi Ji. Lin Xuan, on the other hand, was secretly delighted, believing that he was about to embark on the path to becoming a powerful figure.
Back in the Five Elements Formation, Mu Xue told Shi Ji and Qing Yangzi about her search for the Frost Temple and the good news of finding the secret manual. Everyone was excited about the new power they were about to gain.
However, when Mu Xue wanted to take out the manual to study it with the others, she discovered that it had vanished. She was immediately shocked and hurriedly checked her belongings, only to find that the manual was indeed missing.
"How is this possible? I clearly put the manual here..." Mu Xue said anxiously.
Shi Ji frowned, looking at the anxious Mu Xue, and said in a deep voice, "Mu Xue, don't worry, we will definitely find the secret manual."
Qingyangzi also stepped forward and reassured her, "Yes, Mu Xue, calm down. We'll organize people to search now, and we'll definitely find the manual."
Shi Ji immediately turned to the silver-armored guard and said, "Guard, you must immediately lead a team to search along the route Mu Xue and the others took back. You must find that Frost Magic Manual."
"Yes!" The silver-armored guard captain responded and quickly organized a search team to conduct a thorough search along the route Mu Xue and the others had taken.
Meanwhile, Shi Ji also gathered her other disciples to conduct a thorough search around the Five Elements Formation. They understood that the loss of the Frost Magic Manual was a huge blow to their battle plans, and therefore it had to be retrieved as soon as possible.
The search lasted a full day, but the manual was still nowhere to be found. Everyone's mood grew increasingly heavy, but Shi Ji remained calm and resolute.
“Don’t be discouraged, everyone,” Shi Ji encouraged. “We will definitely find the secret manual. Perhaps we’ve been searching in the wrong direction, or we’ve overlooked some clues. Think carefully again, is there any clue we’ve missed?”
Just as everyone was deep in thought, a disciple suddenly exclaimed, "I remember now! When we were in the ruins of the Frost Temple, I saw Junior Brother Lin Xuan lingering there for a long time. At the time, I thought he was looking for some treasure!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Ji and Qing Yangzi exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes. They immediately sent someone to fetch Lin Xuan to get some answers.
Faced with questioning from Shi Ji and Qing Yangzi, Lin Xuan initially tried to deny it. However, under their stern questioning, he finally revealed a panicked expression and admitted to stealing the secret manual.
"I...I was just momentarily bewitched and wanted to increase my immortal power..." Lin Xuan said in a trembling voice.
"A moment of blind faith?" Shi Ji's voice was as cold as ice. "Do you know how important this manual is to us? Your selfishness could very well render all our efforts futile!"
Qingyangzi's face also showed anger: "Lin Xuan, as a disciple of the sect, you should know to prioritize the overall situation. Now that the Black Demon King's forces are pressing in step by step, you have stolen the secret manual for your own selfish reasons. This behavior is truly unforgivable!"
Lin Xuan's face was ashen; he knew he had made an irreparable mistake. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly: "Lord Shiji, Senior Qingyangzi, I know I was wrong. Please give me a chance to reform."
Shi Ji looked at him coldly: "Opportunity? Do you know that because of your actions, we may have lost the key to fighting the Dark Lord? And who can give us that opportunity?"
The silver-armored guard also said angrily, "Lin Xuan, your usual performance is quite good, how could you do such a thing? Do you deserve the sect's cultivation?"
Faced with everyone's accusations, Lin Xuan was speechless. He lowered his head deeply, tears streaming down his face. He understood that the mistakes he had made were irreparable, and he could only accept the punishment.
Shi Ji took a deep breath and calmed herself down: "Lin Xuan, your behavior has seriously violated the sect's rules. According to the sect's rules, you should be expelled from the sect. However, considering your usual performance, we have decided to give you a chance."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. He looked at Shi Ji eagerly, waiting for her to continue.
Shi Ji continued, “Although your behavior is unforgivable, our sect also believes in repaying evil with good. You will be stripped of your disciple status, but you will not be expelled from the sect. From now on, you will perform hard labor in the sect to atone for your sins through actual work. At the same time, we will observe your performance to see if you are truly determined to reform.”
Qingyangzi nodded and added, "Lin Xuan, this is a lenient treatment from the sect. We hope you cherish this opportunity, sincerely repent, and start anew."
Lin Xuan was so excited that he kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you, Lord Shiji, thank you, Senior Qingyangzi! I will definitely live up to the sect's expectations and atone for my sins with practical actions!"
Shi Ji looked at Lin Xuan, who was kowtowing repeatedly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He was silent for a moment, then said seriously, "Lin Xuan, remember your promise today. The sect has given you a chance to reform, but this is not unconditional. If you betray us again, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Lin Xuan raised his head, looking at Shi Ji with a firm gaze: "Lady Shi Ji, I swear I will never let you and the sect down again. I will prove my determination with my actions."
However, just when everyone thought Lin Xuan had truly repented and was ready to give him a chance to start over, another unexpected event occurred.
Months later, just as the sect was busy preparing to fight against the impending attack from the Black Demon King's forces, Lin Xuan suddenly disappeared. At the same time, some important strategic materials and magical treasures within the sect also vanished without a trace.
Upon learning the news, Shi Ji and Qing Yangzi immediately summoned their disciples to investigate. They quickly discovered traces left by Lin Xuan. "That Lin Xuan, he's betrayed us again!" Shi Ji slammed her fist on the table in anger. "I was blind to have believed his lies!"
Qingyangzi frowned: "The most important thing now is to recover the stolen supplies and magical artifacts. Shiji, we must take action immediately."
Therefore, Shi Ji and Qing Yangzi personally led their disciples in a pursuit. Following Lin Xuan's trail, they ventured deep into the heart of the Black Demon King's territory.
Finally, in a fierce battle, they successfully intercepted Lin Xuan and recovered the stolen supplies and magical artifacts. However, Lin Xuan was severely injured in the battle and was on the verge of death.
"Why?" Shi Ji squatted down beside Lin Xuan, angrily questioning, "The sect gave you a chance, why did you still betray us?"
Lin Xuan lay on the ground, his face pale, a desolate smile on his lips. He struggled to open his eyes, staring at Shi Ji, his voice weak yet filled with madness: "Why? You're asking me why?"
He suddenly burst into laughter, though his laughter was broken and intermittent due to his severe injuries: "You gave me a chance? Haha, do you really think I can be content with being a handyman, working silently every day? No, that's not the life I, Lin Xuan, want!"
Shi Ji's face was ashen: "Then what kind of life do you want? Betraying your sect and joining the Black Demon King's forces, is this what you call life?"
"The Dark Lord?" Lin Xuan's smile grew even more manic. "No, I never truly submitted to him. I was merely using them to gain the power and status I desired."
Qingyangzi stepped forward and looked coldly at Lin Xuan: "Your so-called power and status are nothing more than stealing the sect's magic treasures and betraying our strategic information?"
Lin Xuan shook his head dismissively: "Those are just tactics. My real goal is to become someone who surpasses all of you. I want to make everyone who looks down on me kneel before me!"
A murderous glint flashed in Shi Ji's eyes: "Lin Xuan, you're too crazy. Do you think betraying the sect will achieve your goal?"
"Madness?" Lin Xuan coughed up a mouthful of blood, but still smiled. "In this dog-eat-dog world, only madness can take me further. You so-called righteous people will never understand."
After saying this, Lin Xuan's eyes suddenly became vacant. His body began to convulse violently, and more blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
Qingyangzi and Shiji exchanged a glance, both seeing the determination in each other's eyes. Qingyangzi stepped forward, felt Lin Xuan's pulse, and sighed, saying, "He can't hold on any longer. No amount of anger can be vented on someone who is about to leave this world."
Lin Xuan's laughter gradually subsided, and his eyes began to glaze over. Just then, he murmured, "I...I just want to...prove myself."
Shi Ji took a deep breath, her voice low and powerful: "Lin Xuan, you have gone down the wrong path. This should not have happened."
Lin Xuan shook his head slightly, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes, but more so, resentment: "Perhaps...perhaps...I was really wrong..."
As Qingyangzi watched Lin Xuan's gaze gradually lose focus, a sense of sorrow welled up within him. He turned to Shiji and said, "Shiji, this man's fate is sealed. What we need to focus on now is you. Your cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and you need to find those precious spiritual herbs to help you break through."
Shi Ji nodded, her brows furrowed: "Yes, the spiritual herb I need is extremely rare and grows in an extremely dangerous place. But it's the key to my breakthrough, so I must go."
Qingyangzi pondered for a moment, then said, "I can accompany you. Although the journey is arduous, two people are always stronger than one."
Shi Ji looked at Qing Yangzi, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes: "Qing Yangzi, thank you. But this is my personal path of cultivation, and I want to face it alone."
After hearing this, Qingyangzi nodded slightly: "In that case, you must be careful. Remember, no matter when, I will be here waiting for you to come back."
Shi Ji nodded, giving Qing Yangzi a deep look, his heart filled with gratitude and determination. He tidied his belongings, taking with him the few life-saving items the sect possessed, and prepared to set off.
"Qingyangzi, I will be back as soon as possible," Shiji said firmly.
Qingyangzi smiled slightly: "Be careful on your way, and have a smooth breakthrough."
Shi Ji left his sect and embarked on a perilous journey to find spiritual herbs. Along the way, he encountered numerous obstacles, facing not only treacherous environments but also various powerful demonic beasts. Each battle deepened his understanding of cultivation and strengthened his desire for power.
One night, Shi Ji arrived at a desolate valley. This valley was said to hold the spiritual herbs he needed, but it was also fraught with countless unknown dangers. Shi Ji took a deep breath, silently recited his goal, and resolutely stepped inside.
In the valley, the dim light and the drifting mist made it feel suffocating. Shi Ji moved forward cautiously, taking each step with utmost care. Finally, he discovered the rare spiritual herb—the Xuanqing Spiritual Herb—beneath a hidden mountain wall.
A hint of joy flashed in Shi Ji's eyes as he prepared to pick the fruit, when suddenly, a deep roar echoed through the valley. He quickly turned around and saw a huge demonic beast emerge from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with ferocity.
"It seems the guardian of this spiritual herb doesn't want to let me leave easily," Shi Ji thought to himself. He drew his sword, ready to fight.
The monster suddenly leaped up, charging towards Shi Ji with the force of a whirlwind. It was a massive monster with eyes flashing with ferocity, its sharp claws and fangs revealing its savagery.
Shi Ji remained unfazed, gripping his longsword tightly, and charged forward like the wind. He took a deep breath and unleashed his sect's ultimate technique—"Wind Sweeps Away Clouds." Sword light flashed like a dragon, spiritual energy overflowing, as he engaged the demonic beast in a breathtaking battle.
"Awooo—" the monster roared, swinging its giant claws at the rock.
"Hmph, well done!" Shi Ji snorted, nimbly dodging the attacks of the demonic beasts, while her long sword transformed into several sword shadows, pointing directly at the demonic beasts' vital points.
However, this demonic beast possessed terrifying power, seemingly inexhaustible. Its hide was as hard as iron, and each charge sent shivers down Shi Ji's spine. (End of Chapter)