Chapter 009: Take Everything—No Exceptions!
The speed at which they fled far exceeded everyone’s expectations. Even Liang Chuan and the others were bewildered; he had been ready to open fire moments ago, yet the man simply ran away.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the disciples of the Blood Moon Sect and others suddenly snapped back to reality.
“Senior Brother ran off!”
It was clear he had abandoned them all like pawns.
“Senior Brother fled! Run for your lives!”
“We’re doomed!”
“Damn it! I was just about to escape!”
A chaotic scramble ensued as they fled toward the back of the sect.
Even though they knew there was no way out from behind the sect, their overwhelming will to survive drove them to seek any sliver of hope.
“Stop them!” Liang Chuan’s heart eased slightly as he watched the fleeing figures. He shouted toward their backs, “Surrendering souls will not be killed!”
He wasn’t worried they’d escape, but rather feared they might fight desperately.
Fortunately, these people were nothing but a disorganized rabble.
With Liang Chuan’s command, the disciples of the White Sword Sect charged forward with fierce roars.
Seeing their enemies flee like frightened rats only fueled their fervor.
No one could have imagined these opponents to be so feeble.
Meanwhile, disciples from the Xuantian Sect and Xuangui Sect stared dumbfounded at these fierce, tiger-like figures.
“Is this the White Sword Sect?”
“It seems like it.”
“When did they get this strong? They’re even chasing and attacking?”
In years past, sect competitions were held every few years, and the White Sword Sect had long been considered the weakest.
Yet here they were, White Sword disciples relentlessly attacking the terrifying Blood Moon Sect members.
It was as unbelievable as the sun rising in the west.
What was even more astonishing was that they had taken down several Foundation Establishment stage disciples.
“Wait, does this mean we’re free now?”
“Can we get out? That means we can return to our sect!”
“This is fantastic! I never expected the White Sword Sect to be so formidable!”
Though they were in a clearing, simple formations had been set up around them, impossible to breach from the outside.
A disciple from the Xuantian Sect stood up and shouted at Liang Chuan, “White Sword Sect fellow, please help us break this confinement formation!”
Others quickly joined in the calls.
“Yes, please open it! We’ll reward you handsomely once we get back!”
“I’m starving here; hurry and open the formation so we can leave!”
“We’re from the Xuantian Sect as well, your allied sect. We were captured too!”
They shouted incessantly at Liang Chuan. The White Sword Sect had maintained good relations with their sect and exchanged visits from time to time. Since the Blood Moon Sect disciples had already fled in defeat, it was time to release them all.
Liang Chuan frowned slightly as he glanced at them but made no move.
Liu Ruyan intended to open the formation immediately but inexplicably stepped in front of Liang Chuan. “Third Senior Brother, should I release them now?”
The Fifth Junior Brother also came to Liang Chuan’s side, awaiting his orders.
But Liang Chuan shook his head faintly.
“Let them remain locked inside.”
“Ah?!” Liu Ruyan asked puzzled, “Are you worried they’ll cause trouble once released?”
Liang Chuan’s next words stunned both of them.
“No, I intend to control all of them.”
“What?! Third Senior Brother, controlling them like that isn’t right!”
The Fifth Junior Brother stared at Liang Chuan in disbelief, never expecting such an order.
“Third Senior Brother, if we had released them earlier, maybe we could have gained favors or exchanged for resources!” Liu Ruyan pleaded.
Liang Chuan snorted disdainfully. “Foolish. Even if we don’t release them, all their sect’s resources belong to us!”
Upon hearing this, the two widened their eyes in realization.
Clearly, Liang Chuan intended to seize this opportunity to swallow up both the Xuantian and Xuangui Sects!
“But if we do this…” Liu Ruyan started to object but was cut off.
“Why pass up this golden opportunity? If we don’t take it, who will? Lock them all up! Then all the spiritual veins of the Lingyun Peak Mountain Range will belong to us!”
Liang Chuan understood full well that the cultivation world was a realm of survival of the fittest. This rare gift was like meat presented on a platter—how much they could devour depended entirely on their own strength!
He took a deep breath, grounding his energy in his dantian. “All White Sword Sect disciples, heed my command. The sect leader and senior brothers’ fates remain unknown. According to tradition, I shall assume the authority of sect leader. All must obey my orders!”
Had this been earlier, the disciples might have hesitated, but since Liang Chuan led them to victory over the Blood Moon Sect, every word he spoke earned their unwavering trust.
Having bound some of the Blood Moon Sect disciples, they swiftly gathered before Liang Chuan.
When his orders were given, they paused for a moment but obeyed without question.
All non-White Sword Sect individuals were bound with bone shackles.
“Fellow cultivators, what is the meaning of this?”
“Why are you imprisoning us?”
“Speak up! Are you all mute now?”
Though the Xuantian and Xuangui disciples tried to resist, when shimmering long swords were held at their necks, they quieted instantly.
“Fourth Junior Sister, Fifth Junior Brother, arrange men to escort them to the protective sect formations of the Xuantian and Xuangui Sects.”
From the Blood Moon disciples, they learned the captives had only been brought back but the formation control was still unclaimed—this was their chance!
Even if some Blood Moon disciples remained behind, they were only a few ordinary Qi Refining stage disciples.
Following Liang Chuan’s directives, the other sects were soon firmly under their control.
After receiving the report, Liu Ruyan composed herself and approached Liang Chuan.
He sat upon the sect leader’s throne, crafted from the Blood Moon Sect leader’s blood persimmon wood.
“How is everything?”
Liu Ruyan reported, “Third Senior Brother, we have controlled the other two sects as well.”
Liang Chuan lifted his head, his gaze resolute. He inhaled deeply. “Once we confirm control over the protective sect formations of those two sects, immediately transport all treasures, spiritual instruments, and ancient texts back to the White Sword Sect.”
“Third Senior Brother, why do this?!” Liu Ruyan asked in surprise.
Since they already controlled the Blood Moon, Xuantian, and Xuangui Sects, wasn’t it unnecessary to move all their possessions?
“You’ll understand in due time.”
Liang Chuan withheld his plans.
With the immediate danger resolved, the next challenge lay in dealing with hidden threats.
Therefore, the priority now was to study the Black Box and strengthen their own power.