Chapter 1328: Chapter 1329: Pay Tribute

“You’re saying that all the Core Elders of the Blood Demon Sect are controlled by just one Xueshenzi? That he created them?”

Li Xiaobai furrowed his brows, feeling that the Monk’s words were becoming increasingly mystical. If it were true as the other party claimed, how immense would Xueshenzi’s energy have to be to create an entire sect himself?

“Perhaps he found a Saint Realm powerhouse and then possessed their body with the power of a Divine Soul, or maybe he had chosen a host body from the start to nurture the power of the Divine Soul. But regardless of the method, the purpose of that red glow is undoubtedly to control these Core Elders of the Blood Demon Sect; this is an act that violates the harmony of heaven,”

“Now that the blood glow has returned to the Blood Demon Sect, even if the entire Blood Demon Sect perishes, Xueshenzi is unaffected. On the contrary, as long as he is around, he can create another batch of Saint Realm Elders for the Blood Demon Sect.”

“It really is an act that violates the harmony of heaven, Amitabha, all is well that ends well,”

Master Wuyuzi pressed his palms together, feigning a sorrowful and compassionate demeanor. Li Xiaobai was speechless. You’ve been exposed and yet you’re still acting like the big bad wolf here?

However, he did understand what the other party was saying. This fellow had a superficial understanding of many things, knowing their existence but not the underlying reasons.

The return of the blood glow to the Blood Demon Sect suggested that Xueshenzi might very well make a comeback. If he could truly create Saint Realm experts through special means, then the battle today where he killed more than a dozen Saint Realm Elders would be meaningless.

He could only continuously summon Godzilla with the aid of the System due to his superpowers. What does the Blood Demon Sect rely on? He had once pretended to be Bald Qiang and had not delved deep into the Blood Demon Sect; he still knew very little about it. Perhaps if he stayed longer, he might uncover more secrets.

“Amitabha, Sect Master Li, this poor monk has recounted all that he knows. May I know if there’s anything else you require?”

Master Wuyuzi asked cautiously.

“Gather all the abbots of the temples.”

“And then?”

“Then please, Master, lead them into that Buddhist Pagoda. Without my permission, they are not to come out. Please also take on the role of the gatekeeper, staying in the cottage on the first floor of the pagoda to manage it. If any issues arise, you will be held accountable!”

Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently. These monks committed heinous acts, and they had even colluded with the Blood Demon Sect, yet they still wore the Merit Value like a badge of honor, which was the ultimate irony.

“Ah, this…”

“Sect Master Li, you must still have many unanswered questions. This poor monk is willing to clarify all your doubts. Please let this monk stay by your side; I can surely be of use!”

“Furthermore, the matters aforementioned were the individual actions of the abbots of the Blood Demon Sect and other sects and have nothing to do with this poor monk. Before, I had no choice, but now, I want to be a good person!”

Master Wuyuzi’s pupils constricted as he hurriedly said.

“There are countless latrines in my Sword Sect’s Second Peak, and we are still short of those who clean the latrines. The choice is yours: either enter the Buddhist Pagoda or join my Sword Sect’s Second Peak to clean the latrines,”

Li Xiaobai glanced at Wuyuzi sidelong, speaking in a bland tone.

“I…”

Wuyuzi was rendered speechless, and after a long pause, he squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth:

“This poor monk wishes to enter the Buddhist Pagoda to serve as the gatekeeper!”

…

Three days later.

Sword Sect, Second Peak.

Thousands come to pay homage, numerous sects from the Eastern Continent come to offer tribute, the Sword Sect bustling like a marketplace, with top officials from sects across the East, West, South, and North Mainlands all dispatched to offer congratulations.

The world admires and respects the magnificent feat of the Second Peak’s Peak Master in crushing the Blood Demon Sect and preserving the Buddhist Sect in the Western Continent, with only the top figures of the Saint Realm aware of the insider details. Ordinary people and common cultivators simply see Li Xiaobai as a hero, engaging in battle against demons and heretics to maintain the righteous path, earning their endless admiration.

In places unseen by others, specks of white light are gathering towards a statue at the mountain summit – that is the Power of Faith.

At the grand hall of the Peak Master.

Li Xiaobai sits in the center, with Ying Diao and Ergouzi along with others by his side, while the elders of the sect line up on both sides, all appearing somewhat nervous and cautious.

After all, such grandeur was something they were witnessing for the very first time in their lives. Seeing so many major forces sending Saint Realm powerhouses to offer tribute to the Sword Sect was unprecedented; they recall the last time they saw such a spectacle was when more than a dozen Semi-Saint powerhouses sat down with them to negotiate business out of respect for Senior Xiao Lao Di – that was already a remarkable achievement.

This time, it was even more outrageous with Saint Realm powerhouses coming in person. Only those of Saint Realm cultivation level could enter the grand hall while those who were not had to wait at the foot of the mountain. Despite such strict selection criteria, the hall was still overcrowded with dozens of high-ranking officials from the Central Origin Realm, all notable figures.

And these important personages would bow and scrape before them, giving off a surreal dreamlike feeling.

“Sect Master Li, Sect Master Ying, as promised, we have come. We thank the Sword Sect for extending a helping hand in assisting us to defeat those demonic heretics. To express our gratitude, our sects are willing to submit to the Sword Sect, accept its protection, and offer tribute annually to build the foundation for the Sword Sect’s eternal prosperity!”

In the grand hall, a group of Saint Realm Elders cup their hands in a salute and speak with the utmost reverence and respect.

In Li Xiaobai’s presence, not a single person dares to show arrogance. The first thing they did upon returning to their sects was to warn their Sect Disciples and members to retreat at the sight of members of the Sword Sect and the Villian’s Guild, avoiding initiating any disputes at all costs, lest they face the consequences.

This became an unspoken rule among the sects, gradually turning into a convention within the Cultivation World.

“Esteemed seniors, please rise. Your presence alone is an honor to our Sword Sect. To rely on us for protection is almost too much for us to shoulder!”

Ying Diao hurriedly waves his hand, signaling everyone to stand up. In truth, he too was astonished. Even knowing beforehand the news from the Western Continent, it was still somewhat unbelievable to see these famous figures from hundreds of years submitting before him.

He felt uneasy, with many renowned masters below who had already made their names when he had just entered the Cultivation World. He never expected that one day they would pledge allegiance to the Sword Sect. If the ancestors knew, they would probably be so happy that they’d rise from their graves.

All this was thanks to his treasured disciple. The decision to take Li Xiaobai under his wing was indeed the right one.

He is a lucky star for the Sword Sect, and Ying Diao has prepared himself – after today, he might as well step down and find an opportunity to hand over his responsibilities for a life of ease, since he was finding it harder and harder to lead the Sword Sect anyway.

With such capable disciples under him, what is there for him to worry about?

“Esteemed seniors, please stand up. Let’s hear what tribute offerings you’ve brought. The Sword Sect is not one to protect just any Tom, Dick, or Harry. If the tribute is insufficient, even the gods won’t bless you!”

Li Xiaobai spoke slowly, startling Ying Diao with a shudder. Goodness, that was fierce, not putting the Saint Realm masters down below in his eyes at all!

But the group of Saint Realm powerhouses did not take offense and instead chuckled:

“Rest assured, Sect Master Li, all the resources are well prepared, we guarantee your satisfaction!”