I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 798: Chapter 799: Joining Sword Sect
 

Within the secret realm, in the trial ground.

A group of family elders stood dumbfounded, their eyes beheld an entirely ice-capped world, a sea of deep blue that emitted an eerie and terrifying aura.

Whether it was trees or demonic beasts, all had been turned into shattered ice sculptures, their forms pitiful beyond measure.

Venturing deeper, they saw the lifeless corpses of various clans’ progeny, perfectly preserved in ice, devoid of life, like eternal statues sealed in dust, some with faces etched in terror, others in peace.

“It really was that Wu Chengjue’s doing!”

“There’s no one else so adept in the Frost Qi among the cultivators!”

“Why would she appear here, none of our clan disciples survived her poison, not a single one!”

The faces of the crowd were stricken with grief and anger, wishing they could immediately rush to the Enforcement Team outpost to confront that Wu Chengjue!

“Now that we’re sure it was that woman, swallow down any grievances or bitterness with gritted teeth!”

“Don’t provoke the other party, our Sword Sect will compensate everyone.”

Elder Chen coldly spoke, his gaze sweeping the surroundings but Chen Yuan’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

“But the treasures that burst forth from our disciples’ Dantian after their deaths are also missing without a trace, clearly someone has desecrated the bodies!”

“Do you even need to ask? Of course it was that woman who took it on the sly!”

“I disagree, would a peak power of the Heavenly Immortal Realm care about such trifles collected by juniors of the Human Immortal Realm? It must be someone else who pillaged the bodies!”

“Not necessarily, if it were me, let alone Human Immortal Realm, I would search any corpse, it’s prudent conservation, preventing wastefulness, unrelated to cultivation level.”

“Hehe, that’s why you’re still just a worthless Earth Immortal Realm cultivator.”

The group bantered back and forth as they rapidly traversed the icy plains, searching for survivors, but ultimately they came up empty-handed.

To their astonishment, they discovered that the cultivators whose Soul Lamps were still burning brightly were not within the trial ground.

“Could it be that those few disciples never entered the trial ground, and that’s how they avoided disaster?”

An elder speculated with a furrowed brow.

“No, they definitely came in, otherwise how would the gatekeeping disciples not be aware of it?”

“I recall those four notorious villains are known for kidnapping weaker cultivators to extort Immortal Stones from their families. Could it be that those surviving disciples have been abducted by them?”

When it came to the mysterious disappearance of the outstanding young disciples, what immediately came to mind was the widely known kidnapping incidents perpetrated by the four major villains not long ago.

Daringly extorting many dynastic powers and still managing to escape unscathed, considering their modus operandi, it seemed all too likely!

“Damn it, go ask!”

Elder Chen was livid; his most prideful grandson abducted?

He was having difficulty accepting it.

…

A few minutes later.

A group of enraged elders stormed out of the trial ground, glaring furiously at Li Xiaobai and the others.

“Tell us, was my grandson kidnapped by you guys?”

“Did you snag all the treasures that exploded from our disciples’ Dantian?”

“Exactly how did you manage to escape from that woman’s clutches?”

“Confess truthfully and we won’t pursue the matter too scrupulously,”

Flames of intense heat flickered in Elder Chen’s eyes as he stared fixedly at Li Xiaobai.

“Elder Chen, what does the disappearance of your grandson have to do with me? One might eat indiscriminately, but should not speak carelessly. We are all, indisputably, good citizens.”

Li Xiaobai said.

“Nonsense! In the trial area, only a few of you survived. The Immortal Stones of our sect’s disciples, along with those talented youths, must all be on you. Do you dare let us inspect your Dantian?”

A cultivator said coldly.

“Is this the Sword Sect’s way of hospitality? Keep in mind that we are the only ones who passed the trials and entered the Sword Sect this year. If Elder Chen does not wish me to join the sect, just say so directly. We are not the kind to pester and cling, and will leave on our own.”

Li Xiaobai squinted his eyes, speaking indifferently.

“Young friend, matters can be negotiated amiably. We are also worried and may have spoken too harshly, and I hope that you can understand that.”

Elder Chen’s face looked quite ugly. This year, the sect had accepted only four disciples. If these four were to leave as well, the Sword Sect would be left without any new blood at all. This would be a major strategic blunder, and he, an Outer Sect Elder, certainly couldn’t evade the responsibility for it.

Therefore, even if he disliked this rascal, he now had to cater to him. The matter of Chen Yuan could only wait until after they officially joined the sect to be slowly investigated.

“That goes without saying. We are individuals brimming with kindness, and we also deeply regret the disappearance of the sect disciples. If you are willing to offer a reward, we four villains will climb mountains of swords and descend into pots of oil to find the missing disciples for our seniors!”

“One more person means one more share of strength, worth considering.”

Li Xiaobai said.

“Heh, no need. I will look for my grandson myself. As for you four, henceforth you are Outer Sect disciples of the Sword Sect. Today, go and collect your Identity Tokens. Tomorrow, you may select Cultivation Techniques to practice in the Scripture Pavilion,”

Elder Chen said lightly.

“Why not Inner Sect Disciples?”

The old beggar asked.

“Because the materials you submitted were too few, and your contributions have not yet met the requirements for Inner Sect disciples. Whether as older or younger disciples, all are endeavoring for the sect, so please do not feel discouraged over this.”

Elder Chen said with a chuckle.

Li Xiaobai was speechless. Why did this sound so familiar?

But as long as he could enter, that was enough. His only goal was to cause trouble, amass wealth, and increase Attribute Points. He was not truly there to cultivate.

“In that case, I thank you, Elder.”

…

Watching the figures of the men walking away, the group of clan Elders was very dissatisfied.

“Elder Chen, are we just going to leave our sect disciples’ issue unresolved like this? That kid definitely knows something. If I could search his soul, it’d be a matter of minutes!”

“Indeed, to extract the secrets from him and obtain the treasure that can resist the Frost Qi—is Elder Chen truly not tempted?”

“My fellow Daoists, please be patient. My course of action is merely a temporary measure. First, we secure those four within the Sword Sect. After that, they can easily be manipulated. At that time, I will certainly help you extract the whereabouts of the talented disciples of our clans,”

Elder Chen said with a smile, then vanished from the spot with a flicker of his figure.

“Damn it, Old Bangzi wants to monopolize the treasures on that kid’s body!”

“What a sly old fox!”

“No matter, we also have disciples in the Sword Sect who have been cultivating for many years. Let them secretly make a move to kill Li Xiaobai and finding the treasures on his body will be the same!”

“An accidental death during a sparring match among the juniors is a common occurrence, and this Li Xiaobai must pay the price!”