Chapter 147: Ill Intentions

"The High Priestess has come out of seclusion," Gutian said. "How could a mere Po Zhan warrant the attention of the Sect Leader?"

Ge Qian nodded, thinking to himself, *So this is the High Priestess, Qin Chuchu. I must see her; perhaps I can glean some information about Xie Jiu.*

Just then, a tyrannical pressure surged forward with a boom, only to be met by another force that instantly rendered the arrogant pressure mild and submissive.

Po Zhan appeared, dressed in red robes, his black hair dancing in the wind. His eyes were like copper bells, and his face was covered in a bristly, unkempt beard. Behind him followed four cultivators in the early stage of the Condensation Realm and one at the peak of the late Condensation Realm.

The four early-stage cultivators were young, full of vigor, and aggressive, their eyes filled with disdain for everything around them. The cultivator at the peak of the Condensation Realm was a woman dressed in gorgeous, fluttering silks. She appeared to be about sixteen, with a slender figure and eyes that shimmered like waves; her every movement was enough to leave one spellbound.

Suddenly, a streak of light pierced the sky from the Sky Star Sect's mountain gate. An enchanting yet elegant woman appeared, bowing respectfully to Po Zhan. "I am Dai Yue, Peak Master of Fire Wave Peak, sent by the High Priestess to welcome Senior Po Zhan. Your reputation precedes you, and seeing you today, it is clear that the rumors are true."

Po Zhan’s beard twitched as he chuckled. He swept his divine sense over Dai Yue and teased, "Not bad. You speak well, and you are quite a beauty. Why not join my sect? I will personally guide your cultivation and help you reach the Nascent Transformation stage. How about it?"

Though inwardly furious, Dai Yue maintained a faint smile. "I appreciate your kindness, Senior, but please, follow me to the Sky Star Council Hall to rest. The High Priestess is waiting for you."

With that, she took flight and vanished into the sky. Po Zhan and his followers followed closely behind.

The Sky Star Sect’s Council Hall stood amidst mountains and water, spanning ten miles and rising hundreds of feet high. It was magnificent and imposing, filled with dense spiritual energy and hidden killing intent.

On the high platform of the hall, Po Zhan and the High Priestess, Qin Chuchu, sat as guests and host. Dai Yue stood respectfully behind Qin Chuchu, while the members of the Beast Taming Sect stood behind Po Zhan.

Qin Chuchu, dressed in black, her hair cascading over her shoulders, possessed a fiery and striking figure. Her expression was indifferent as she spoke: "Fellow Daoist Po, you didn't come to the Sky Star Sect just to see an old friend, did you? Speak plainly. I dislike beating around the bush; it is better if we speak openly."

Po Zhan thought to himself, *Qin Chuchu is becoming more beautiful. If I could get my hands on her, I would have no regrets in this life. That day is not far off; the Lich King will eventually wipe out the Sky Star Sect and build an altar here. When that happens, Qin Chuchu will be mine.*

With this thought, a faint smile touched his lips. "Fellow Daoist Qin is as direct as ever. I have two purposes for this visit. First, perhaps because your sect has been in seclusion, you are unaware that the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain has issued invitations. On the sixth day of the sixth month, at the Ascending Platform Peak, they will hold a tournament for Condensation Realm cultivators to select the greatest fighter beneath the Nascent Transformation stage, with rewards of a ten-thousand-year spiritual ginseng and a Nascent-Breaking Pill. It is to celebrate the ten-thousand-year anniversary of the non-aggression pact between humans and demons. Since your sect was in seclusion, the invitation was sent to my Beast Taming Sect to notify all sects in Zhao. Your sect doesn't mind, do you?"

Qin Chuchu’s expression remained unchanged. "Not at all. And the second?"

"The second is that during the last visit to the Small Dao Field, the Heavenly Confucian Sect was completely wiped out, and the blame was pushed onto my Beast Taming Sect. This is absolutely preposterous. Therefore, I must investigate this thoroughly to seek justice for my sect. You have a low-level disciple in your Sky Star Sect—what was his name? Jiuhua, you say it." Po Zhan seemed unwilling to even utter the name of an Energy Refinement disciple, as it would lower his status.

Jiuhua said shrewdly, "His name is Ge Qian, a registered disciple of Gutian. He is a treacherous person who loves to take advantage of others; he is no good. Perhaps this matter has something to do with him."

Jiuhua had been humiliated by Ge Qian, planting a demon in her heart that prevented her from attempting the Nascent Transformation stage. Desperate, she had begged the Grand Elder Po Zhan to accompany her, even serving the lecherous elder for two years, submitting to his whims, all for this day—to drag Ge Qian away and torture him to death to break her mental barrier. She believed the Sky Star Sect would not offend a Nascent Transformation cultivator of the Beast Taming Sect over a mere low-level disciple.

Qin Chuchu’s mind raced as she understood the situation. A flicker of killing intent crossed her eyes. "I’m afraid that won't be possible. Ge Qian has recently advanced to the Condensation Realm and is now a Grand Elder of our Sky Star Sect. How can I let you take him away so easily?"

The words struck like a thunderbolt. Jiuhua nearly fainted, swallowing a mouthful of blood as her face turned deathly pale. Her inner demon stirred, and a wave of killing intent radiated from her. She could not comprehend how a cowardly ant could have advanced to the Condensation Realm in such a short time—it was a legend of the ages. *Could he have encountered some miraculous fortune?*

Po Zhan moved his divine sense, and Jiuhua felt a cool sensation wash over her, suppressing her killing intent and restoring her composure.

Po Zhan frowned. If it had been an Energy Refinement or Foundation Establishment disciple, he could have used his influence and a few favors to get his way. But now that the youth was a Condensation Realm cultivator—a core member of the sect—it would be difficult. If the sect did not protect its own, it would shake the morale of its members.

However, he had already made his boast. Besides, a newly advanced Condensation cultivator would have an unstable foundation; he might still have other ways.

Po Zhan scoffed. "High Priestess, neither of us is a child. There is no such thing as a cultivator advancing so quickly. Do not make up such childish lies to protect your disciple. I only wish to understand the situation; I have no malicious intent. Call him out so I can ask him myself. Otherwise, I will unite the other three sects to act as witnesses."

Qin Chuchu’s brows arched. If this escalated, it would be detrimental to the Sky Star Sect. She sighed, "Very well. But mind your words and actions. Do not forget that he is a Grand Elder of the Sky Star Sect; he is a pillar of our sect and must not be bullied."

Seeing his scheme succeed, Po Zhan laughed. "Of course, of course. I would never bully the young. Besides, we are in the Sky Star Sect—surely the High Priestess isn't afraid I'll eat him, are you? Hahaha!"

Qin Chuchu was filled with disgust. If not for the grand plans of the Sky Star Sect, she would have slapped this repulsive fly to death. "Dai Yue, go notify Ge Qian. Tell him to come and clarify the matter. Tell him not to be afraid; the High Priestess and the Sky Star Sect will stand by him. He should speak the truth and have no concerns."

"Yes, High Priestess!" Dai Yue replied, bowing before descending the platform and taking flight.

No sooner had she flown out of the hall than she froze. Standing in the air before her was a man with a tall, upright figure, straight as a spear, looking at her with a faint smile. "Peak Master Dai, are you looking for me to come and face them?"

Dai Yue’s heart sank. She said in surprise, "Junior Brother Ge, how did you know I was coming for you? Did you hear the conversation in the hall?"

"Jiuhua came here with Po Zhan to settle the grudge from the Small Dao Field and remove her inner demon by using me as a scapegoat. Am I right? What is meant to come will come; there is no hiding from it. I might as well meet them. In the Sky Star Sect, they wouldn't dare run wild!"