Chapter 145 Defection

On the Wind God Continent of today, every existing spirit artifact was inherited from the era before the Wind God. No one had heard of a spirit artifact being unearthed for more than ten thousand years.

Thus, although Gu Xiaopang appeared calm, he was actually under immense pressure.

If word truly spread that he had luckily forged a spirit artifact, anyone could imagine what the consequences would be.

Not only would every faction in the Southern Region set its sights on him, but countless formidable forces from the other regions—including the Central Region—would do the same.

Even the Supreme Hall, which was guarded by the strongest cultivator on the continent, would very likely abandon all concern for its reputation and resort to despicable methods.

To them, anyone capable of forging a spirit artifact would be their greatest enemy. If such a person ruthlessly detonated a spirit artifact in an attack, even the Hall Master of the Tyrant Hall would probably have no choice but to retreat, to say nothing of forces weaker than the Supreme Hall.

Their objective was therefore obvious: if they could bring Gu Xiaopang under their control, so much the better. If they could not, they would certainly kill him as quickly as possible. If he could not be used by them, then he absolutely could not be allowed to serve any other faction.

When that time came, it would hardly be an exaggeration to say that Gu Xiaopang would be hated by the entire world.

Even those individuals and factions on friendly terms with him would immediately sever their ties, terrified of being dragged into the disaster.

The same applied to his own Misty Sect. If the sect tried to protect Gu Xiaopang, it would inevitably be subjected to the combined assault of every faction in the world.

Even if Gu Xiaopang sincerely tried to explain that he had received a blessing from Heaven’s Might, that he had happened to enter a state of enlightenment, and that the Supreme Grand Elder had possessed a small piece of Heavenly Star Sand by sheer coincidence—meaning that his ability to forge a spirit artifact had been nothing more than a stroke of luck and that he would never be able to do so again…

Would all those envious factions truly listen to him? Would they believe his explanation?

Naturally, they would not.

Because only a dead man could make them feel completely at ease.

After racking his brains, the only way out Gu Xiaopang could think of seemed to be the Mysterious Beast Forest.

Yet to the countless great demons of the Mysterious Beast Forest, he was no more than a stranger. Apart from the Earthshaking Demon Bear King, he had no real ties with any of them.

And the Earthshaking Demon Bear King was merely at the early fifth rank. In the entire Mysterious Beast Forest, he was unquestionably an insignificant figure, one who barely possessed any right to speak at all.

Therefore, how to borrow the strength of the Mysterious Beast Forest and make it his shield had become the question Gu Xiaopang most urgently needed to consider.

For ten thousand years, the human race had always clung to the belief that those who were not of their kind could never truly share their hearts.

Gu Xiaopang, however, was a rare exception.

To him, dealing with mysterious beasts was far more comfortable than dealing with humans.

Once he had formed a rough plan, Gu Xiaopang opened his eyes. The two women, who had been chatting merrily, immediately turned their attention to him with concern.

“Xiaopang, how are you? Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?”

“Don’t worry, Wan’er. This boy is as tough as they come.”

“That’s right, Wan’er, don’t worry. You and Sister Ling’er keep talking. I have to go see the Sect Master.”

“All right. As long as you’re fine, that’s what matters. Go on, then. Remember to come by later. The three of us will eat together.”

…

“Oh? All the old fellows are here.”

“You little brat. You’ve only just recovered, and already you’re looking for trouble again?”

“How touching. The moment this boy woke up, he came scampering over to pay his respects to all the grandmasters.”

“You? Possess such filial devotion? Only if the sun rises in the west.”

“By the way, brat, put away your spirit artifact, the Five-Spirit Bracelet. That thing has been making quite a commotion.”

“All right.”

The Five-Spirit Bracelet had long since formed a spiritual connection with Gu Xiaopang and had even acquired the faintest trace of intelligence. Feeling his summons, it rapidly shrank to its normal size. The instant it rose from the Spirit-Artifact Arena and flew back, it vanished and reappeared around Gu Xiaopang’s wrist.

“Boy, I’ve already ordered the entire Misty Sect to seal itself off. What do you intend to do next?”

Hearing the Supreme Grand Elder’s words, Gu Xiaopang immediately understood what he meant.

“Ancestor, Seniors, I believe the best course would be for you to remove me from the sect and expel me from the Misty Sect.”

The grandmasters had long known that Gu Xiaopang possessed a mind as cunning as a demon’s. Upon hearing this, they all fell silent for a long while.

Even Gu the Fifth did not speak at once. His old eyes were clouded with mist as he stared at Gu Xiaopang, his face filled with reluctance and sorrow.

“Do you truly mean this?”

“My accidental forging of a spirit artifact cannot remain hidden from the outside world for long. Once the matter comes to light, I believe all of you know perfectly well what it will mean.”

“The best solution I can think of is this. The Misty Sect will remain safe, and I will have no more reason to hold back. I’ll be free to act as I please.”

“Alas…”

“Master, please don’t sigh. It’s only expulsion in name. I’ll still be one of the Misty Sect’s own, won’t I? Once I grow strong enough, I can return whenever I wish. And if any faction or individual dares to jump out and gossip then, I guarantee I’ll slap them into the ground.”

“Also, leave the Five-Spirit Bracelet here in the sect. That way I’ll feel more at ease.”

“No. I refuse. You must carry this spirit artifact with you. The road ahead will certainly be perilous, and this thing could save your life.”

“Rest assured, Seniors. I’m not speaking without reason. As for using a spirit artifact to attack—at my current level, I can’t even unleash its full power.”

“If it cannot attack, then keep it to protect yourself!”

“I already have something better for protection.”

“You’re spouting nonsense again. Do you really think a dozen old men like us are so easy to fool? What weapon in this world could be better for protection than a spirit artifact?”

Seeing that he could not persuade the stubborn old men, Gu Xiaopang knew they were only concerned for his safety. With no other choice, he rolled up the sleeve of his left arm, revealing skin even more delicate than a young woman’s.

The grandmasters had no idea what he intended. Then Gu Xiaopang stirred the spirit artifact concealed upon his arm, causing its invisible form to emerge.

A strange and overwhelming pressure instantly filled the entire hall.

The grandmasters stared wide-eyed, their mouths hanging open. For a long while, not one of them could utter a word.

“So that’s how it is. I never imagined that you, boy, actually… Hahahaha! Good, good! Now your grandfather and your other grandfathers and great-grandfathers can finally feel much more at ease.”

Feeling up close the power of a spirit artifact that was far stronger than even the artifact in their own arena, Gu the Fifth had no idea when or where Gu Xiaopang had obtained it. Nevertheless, his old heart swelled with comfort, and much of his worry vanished.

Afterward, when Gu Xiaopang decided to leave the Five-Spirit Bracelet in the sect and even transfer control of it to Nangong Hongbo, no one objected.

Gu Xiaopang then laid out his entire plan in detail.

First, the Sect Master would urge the sect disciples to continue forging weapons. He had spent more than forty million spirit stones acquiring those materials, and they absolutely could not be wasted.

If the molten materials were put to good use, forging several thousand magical weapons and tens of thousands of treasure weapons would pose no difficulty. That would be enough to arm most of the Misty Sect’s elite disciples.

Though Gu Xiaopang felt extremely pained, he still gave the materials to the sect free of charge, knowing that he might otherwise bring a great disaster upon it. The grandmasters all nodded with smiles.

Second, the plan was set for the following morning. Gu Xiaopang would be declared a traitor to the sect, hunted down by the Misty Sect, and forced to flee into distant lands.

From that day forward, he would sever all ties with the Misty Sect and cut off every bond with those who loved him, until his strength was sufficient to overlook the entire continent and fear nothing.

Hearing this plan, the grandmasters gazed at Gu Xiaopang with aching hearts for a long while.

Sect Master Nangong Kang then told him that the Misty Sect would provide covert assistance in times of danger, depending on the circumstances. Gu Xiaopang, however, rejected the offer with stern resolve.

How could the grandmasters fail to understand his thoughts? No matter how secretly they helped him, other powerful cultivators might still discover the clues. At that point, the Misty Sect would remain implicated and would inevitably bring disaster upon itself.

The grandmasters sighed repeatedly. Gu the Fifth, in particular, could not hold back his tears. Two large drops slid down his cheeks.

The atmosphere in the entire hall grew unbearably oppressive.

In the end, the Misty Sect was simply not strong enough. Otherwise, how could it fail even to protect its own dignified Young Sect Master?

…

It was already deep into the night, yet the main peak’s council hall remained brightly lit.

Mu Wan’er, who had intended to eat with Gu Xiaopang, had long since prepared several simple dishes herself. She was now chatting with Bai Ling’er as they waited.

“Honestly, couldn’t those old fellows have discussed whatever it was after dawn? Why insist on keeping him there in the middle of the night?”

“Hmm? Sister Ling’er, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing. I’m just feeling a little restless.”

“Could it be that you haven’t rested well?”

“Perhaps.”

“Grandfather, why have you come back? Xia—”

After grumbling, Mu Wan’er looked up. She had vaguely sensed that something was strange about Bai Ling’er’s expression and was about to ask another question when the solemn figure of Elder Mu Huo suddenly appeared.

Before she could say anything else, he flashed behind her and struck the back of her neck lightly with his hand. Her vision went black, and she collapsed unconscious.

“Little Ling’er, there’s no need to ask more. With your intelligence, you have probably already guessed some of it.”

“Leave the sect through the mountain gate now and go to South Yan Commandery. Gu Xiaopang will join you there tomorrow.”

“All right.”

Bai Ling’er answered with a grave expression before turning and departing. With nothing obstructing her along the way, she headed toward South Yan Commandery.

As the sky began to brighten, countless elders and disciples throughout the Seven Peaks had already begun their various duties.

The Alchemy Pavilion, Weapon Pavilion, Herb Pavilion, Scripture Repository, cultivation chambers, and martial grounds were filled with figures, some alone and others gathered in groups.

“Impudent!”

“Gu Changqing! You dare betray the sect? Kill him without mercy!”

A furious roar shattered the tranquility of the Misty Sect.

Countless elders and disciples instinctively looked up.

They saw their idol, the Young Sect Master Gu Xiaopang, racing toward the exit of the sect-protecting formation. Behind him, led by Gu the Fifth, the peak masters and several pavilion masters were pursuing him with inexplicable fury.

The tens of thousands of sect members had no idea what had happened. Questions filled their hearts, and bewilderment was written plainly across their faces.

“Boom!”

While fleeing, Gu Xiaopang unleashed the full power of his Golden Core cultivation. He abruptly raised a hand and hurled several Five-Element Spirit Dragons behind him.

The dragons exploded among Gu the Fifth and the others, forcing some to halt and others to stagger backward repeatedly. Gu the Fifth seemed to have received special attention. Several mouthfuls of old blood burst from him as his trembling body crashed to the ground.

At that very moment, the aura of one Tribulation Transcender and several Transformation Gods surged into the heavens from the main peak’s hall. The Supreme Grand Elder Nangong Hongbo and the other grandmasters appeared one after another, preparing to pursue Gu Xiaopang personally.

“You bunch of rotten old fossils will never be able to hold me! Hahahaha!”

Gu Xiaopang was already close to the exit of the great formation. Under the gaze of countless spectators, he suddenly burst into laughter and casually hurled the spirit artifact, the Five-Spirit Bracelet, at the Sect Master and the other highest-ranking elders.

“Bind it! Hold it down!”

Nangong Hongbo and the others, who had intended to pursue him personally, instantly changed expression. They forced their cultivation to its limits and moved to restrain the Five-Spirit Bracelet as it came crashing toward them, crushing everything in its path.

While some of the grandmasters were blasted back by Gu Xiaopang and others were held up by the Five-Spirit Bracelet, Gu Xiaopang had already forcefully shattered the formation at the exit. Amid peals of laughter, he fled into the distance and vanished.

“Spirit… spirit arena… suppress it!”

The Sect Master Nangong Kang was the last to arrive, stumbling forward with two rhino-horn magical weapons embedded in his chest and blood spraying everywhere. His face was deathly pale, and his command was feeble.

Once again, the artifact from Limitless Mountain appeared. It slammed down upon the Five-Spirit Bracelet, which had been suppressing the grandmasters, and struck it to the ground.

“The sect’s supreme decree!”

“Gu Changqing has betrayed the sect! He must be executed!”

“From this day onward, he is no longer the Young Sect Master of the Misty Sect. Spread the word throughout the world!”