Chapter 145: Master of the Vermilion Bird Meridian

"Could such a thing be? Then why are they still staying at Emperor Dragon High School? The high-level bet between the Daoist and Demonic sects concluded after the Nine-Directional Ghost Soul-Depriving Grand Array was broken last time. Now, Emperor Dragon High School is under the control of the Daoist sect. Why are these fellows from the Mighty Demon Sect still lingering here? I simply cannot believe that the high-ranking figures of the Daoist sect are completely unaware of this."

Zhang Shouzhen's expression was incomparably gloomy. What troubled him particularly was that Zhong Zimo was actually associating with these people from the Demonic sect. He wondered whether Zhong Zimo was aware of their true backgrounds; if he knew who they were and still chose to stay with them, that would be truly terrifying.

Jiang Puti, standing nearby, chimed in, "Of course the high-ranking figures of the Daoist sect know, but they let them stay here anyway, likely wanting to see what kind of game they are trying to play. In fact, this time, in order to travel to Mount Qingluo, these disciples of the Mighty Demon Sect spared no expense, offering heavy bribes to the higher-ups of the Daoist sect."

"Bribes? Who are the current high-ranking Daoist figures in the school?"

Zhang Shouzhen was momentarily stunned, then asked immediately.

"Zhang Jiundao, an elder of the Dragon-Tiger Sect; Gao Kai, an elder of the Primeval Sword Sect; and the last one is Shangguan Xianyun, the master of the Vermilion Bird Branch of your Heavenly Dao Sect. Originally, there were also three Demonic sect elders here at Emperor Dragon High School, but they have all withdrawn. Now you know why it was so easy for you to enter Emperor Dragon High School, don't you? After all, entering Emperor Dragon High School requires not only being a disciple of the aristocratic and powerful families of Dragon Capital, but also having a Dragon Capital household registration—that is the bare minimum. None of you possessed these, yet you still managed to get in."

Jiang Puti chuckled, staring intently at the contemplative Zhang Shouzhen.

It was only then that Zhang Shouzhen understood the truth. So there was actually a branch master of his own Heavenly Dao Sect within this school. However, there was still something he could not quite figure out, so he asked again, "Why didn't these high-ranking Daoist figures come forward when we broke the Nine-Directional Ghost Soul-Depriving Grand Array back then?"

"That was because we needed to keep the other two Demonic sect elders pinned down, which is why we were unable to come. Hello, Master of the Azure Dragon Branch."

A hearty voice drifted in from outside the classroom. Zhang Shouzhen looked up to see a slender woman wearing a fiery red long dress walking in. Her hair was coiled up, her features were dignified, and her earlobes bore two ruby-like rings. In addition to this, her fingernails were polished with a bright crimson nail polish.

"Greetings, Branch Master Shangguan Xianyun."

Zhang Shouzhen stood up, offered a polite bow, his tone gentle, unhurried and calm.

Shangguan Xianyun nodded, her expression turning serious. She glanced at the Azure Dragon thumb ring on Zhang Shouzhen's finger, sighed, and said, "Litian has already told me about Qingxu. I am deeply saddened by this. After all, Senior Brother Qingxu failed to return to the Azure Dragon Branch before his death. As for the matter concerning Meng Shiniang, the sect has already dispatched an Elder of the Enforcement Pavilion to apprehend her personally."

"Thank you very much, Branch Master Shangguan."

The corners of Zhang Shouzhen's eyes turned slightly red, and his voice choked as he spoke.

"You don't need to thank me. Even without me, Yan'er would have reported this news to the sect, and the Sect Master would have dispatched the enforcement elders all the same. I came this time to notify you of a few things. However, seeing how familiar you are with the disciples of the Jiang family, you must already have some understanding of the Daoist tombs on Mount Qingluo."

Shangguan Xianyun looked at Jiang Mingyue and her younger brother with a half-smile.

"However, it seems that Branch Master still has some special news to convey to us this time?"

Jiang Mingyue revealed a sweet smile, her eyes sparkling with shrewd intelligence.

Shangguan Xianyun nodded in deep approval and said, "That's right, indeed I do. I came this time because going to Mount Qingluo is exceptionally dangerous. Since Shouzhen is the master of the Azure Dragon Branch—don't blame me for being blunt and speaking harsh truths—even though you are a branch master, your cultivation has not yet reached the Concealed Yin realm. Furthermore, with the opening of the Daoist tombs on Mount Qingluo this time, the people of the Demonic sect know about it, and besides them, various other eccentric cultivators and strange adepts will also rush to Mount Qingluo. With so many people, the situation will be complex and chaotic... Therefore, I am here to seek Shouzhen's opinion."

Zhang Shouzhen pondered for a moment, let out a light laugh, and said, "Danger and opportunity coexist; I will not back down. Even if I am in danger, our Azure Dragon Branch still has Jiang Litian. If I die, the position of the Azure Dragon Branch Master will be passed on to him. Of course, I will strive hard to live and will not die, because... because I have yet to fulfill my master's dying wish. Which branch it was that usurped our Azure Dragon Branch, I will take it back. The grievances my master suffered back then, I will demand restitution for them all together."

Shangguan Xianyun stared at Zhang Shouzhen in utter astonishment, a complex expression filling her face as she said, "Shouzhen, your master's affair is not as simple as you think. Very well, since you have made up your decision, I have nothing more to say. There is one more matter: Jiuer from the Yin-Yang Ghostly Yin Branch is currently staying with you, right? The enforcement elders will arrive here within the next two days and will interrogate Jiuer concerning the matter of her master, Meng Shiniang."

Zhang Shouzhen felt a slight jolt in his heart. If the enforcement elders came, would they discover that Jiuer was a corpse?

"Did Senior Sister Yan'er not inform the sect of the specific situation? This matter has nothing to do with Jiuer. How do the enforcement elders plan to interrogate her?"

"Although it may not directly involve Jiuer, she is, after all, a member of the Yin-Yang Ghostly Yin Branch, and it is very likely that she has inherited Meng Shiniang's legacy, making her the master of the Yin-Yang Ghostly Yin Branch. As for the interrogation, to prevent disciples within the sect from concealing the truth, I imagine the enforcement elders will employ the Soul-Searching Technique."

Shangguan Xianyun said with a helpless expression. Even though she was the master of the Vermilion Bird Branch, her actual status was still slightly lower than that of the elders of the Enforcement Pavilion.

"The Soul-Searching Technique? Your Heavenly Dao Sect actually uses such a cruel art? If used on an ordinary person, the Soul-Searching Technique would turn them into an idiot!"

Jiang Puti nearby showed no restraint and spoke in utter shock. Jiang Mingyue glared at her younger brother, the unconcealed shock in her beautiful eyes matching his. Upon hearing this, Zhang Shouzhen was instantly consumed by fury! He knew very well what the Soul-Searching Technique was; this was nothing short of a demonic art—how could it possibly be used on disciples of the righteous path? He gritted his teeth and said,

"The Soul-Searching Technique! If the enforcement elder makes even the slightest mistake and Jiuer's spiritual sense is damaged, who will take responsibility for that? I am utterly opposed to this! If the enforcement elders insist on using the Soul-Searching Technique to resolve this matter, then they needn't trouble themselves with it!"

"Shouzhen, you are still too young. The enforcement elders will not show leniency, and none of us can resist their orders. Although you are a branch master, you have no right to interfere in the affairs of other branches. Do not act so recklessly. The enforcement elders have attained supreme mastery over the Soul-Searching Technique, and coupled with the fact that Jiuer is also a Daoist disciple, nothing major should go wrong."

Shangguan Xianyun pursed her lips and looked at Zhang Shouzhen.

Zhang Shouzhen let out a cold sneer and said, "Branch Master Shangguan, if the Soul-Searching Technique is used on Jiuer, all her secrets will be exposed, leaving her with no personal privacy whatsoever. Furthermore, even if the other party's mastery is supreme, if the soul of the person being searched is powerful and instinctively resists, the enforcement elder's mastery probably won't seem so supreme anymore. When that happens, it will be Jiuer who suffers misfortune. You don't need to try and persuade me any further; I will never agree to this. If they insist on acting recklessly, then don't blame me for turning hostile and showing no mercy."

Hearing Zhang Shouzhen's resolute and uncompromising words, Jiang Mingyue's eyes widened in profound shock, a trace of tenderness ultimately replacing it.

Shangguan Xianyun's expression turned somewhat unsightly. Recalling something unknown, she shook her head and turned away, walking out of the classroom.