The numerous disciples discussed for a while before slowly dispersing.
Seeing Du Tianle still deep in thought, the elder disciple continued:
“Those two Junior Martial Brothers are definitely going to suffer a loss; reporting it to the mountain will just be a wasted trip.”
Du Tianle was startled, raising his head to look at him with a confused gaze.
The elder disciple lowered his voice:
“Junior Martial Brother, let me tell you, don't spread this around.”
“This Yellow Weasel has been settled in Clear Wind Valley for almost a year now.”
“Those two Junior Martial Brothers are not the first batch to suffer.”
“Quite a few Outer Sect Senior Brothers have already had a taste of hardship.”
“It’s just that the elders in the sect have covered it up.”
Du Tianle asked, puzzled:
“Why is that?”
“Could it be that this Yellow Weasel has extraordinary strength, and even the higher-ups in the sect can’t do anything about it?”
The elder disciple shook his head and chuckled:
“That’s not it.”
“According to private discussions among everyone.”
“This Yellow Weasel has at most the strength of Qi Refining Stage Great Perfection.”
“Let alone the Sect Master, even any Direct Disciple could easily capture it.”
“The reason no one has touched it is because it is rumored to have come from Black Dragon Ridge.”
“It used to work for the Great Demons on the ridge.”
“Heh heh, with that background, the higher-ups in the sect wouldn't dare to act rashly.”
About two thousand li west of Qiyun Mountain, there was a mountain range stretching a thousand li from north to south.
It was the largest power within a radius of several thousand li.
It was rumored that there were four sworn Great Kings on the ridge, three of whom possessed Nascent Soul Realm cultivation.
Although Qiyun Sect also had Nascent Soul experts, they were still significantly weaker compared to the Demon Cultivators of Black Dragon Ridge.
Even though the Demon Cultivators were powerful, Du Tianle was still dissatisfied:
“This Clear Wind Valley is less than a hundred li from us.”
“To allow this Yellow Weasel to harm the sect disciples.”
“Aren’t they afraid of causing dissatisfaction among the disciples?”
The elder disciple chuckled:
“What does dissatisfaction matter?”
“The world is like this now; although humans are numerous, they can only barely maintain the situation.”
“We still have the reliance of cultivation sects.”
“It’s much better than the common people in the Mortal World, who don't know when they might be devoured alive by Demons, Monsters, Ghosts, and Ghouls.”
“If it weren't for the face of our Qiyun Sect, could those two Junior Martial Brothers have gotten away just now?”
Saying this, he sighed, then continued:
“Besides, we Outer Sect Disciples are those filtered out due to poorer aptitude.”
“The truly good prospects were long ago selected as Inner Disciples or even Direct Disciples.”
“They are the future and hope of the sect.”
“We can’t expect them to start fighting and killing just because of us rejects, can we?”
“That Yellow Weasel was also trying to cultivate its racial Secret Method; although its methods were a bit heavy.”
“And the aftereffects are a bit vicious.”
“But it never truly took a life.”
“This way, both sides take a step back—everyone is happy.”
“Heh heh, Junior Martial Brother.”
“Matters of cultivation aren't just about fighting; it’s more about social connections!”
Du Tianle: …
He kept his thoughts to himself, instead forming a different plan.
……
The next morning.
Du Tianle changed into the clothes he wore as a Menial Servant.
He wrapped his Scabbard in scraps of cloth and carried it on his back.
He tried his best to conceal the Qiyun Sect's insignia.
As for whether he could hide it, that would be up to fate.
Since the sect's higher-ups wouldn't intervene.
He would personally go meet this Yellow Weasel that enjoyed Asking for a Title.
It wasn't to avenge others, nor was it for any concept of 'justice.'
Rather, he was interested in the Yellow Weasel's Lifespan.
He was still aiming for Golden Core in three years and Nascent Soul in five.
Relying solely on gradual accumulation was too slow.
Moreover, he had already laid low for two and a half years.
He truly didn't want to be a coward anymore.
As for whether this would provoke retaliation from Black Dragon Ridge.
It didn't matter; it would be even better if the two sides started fighting.
After all, it’s easier to fish in troubled waters, isn't it?
……
He rushed all the way, reaching Clear Wind Valley in just over an hour.
Du Tianle deliberately slowed his pace, walking slowly on the nearby Minor Path.
Not long after, he heard a sharp, thin voice call from behind him.
“Daoist Friend, please stop.”
Du Tianle: …
Turning around, he saw a massive Yellow Weasel, as tall as a man, rapidly approaching.
When it came close, its rat-like face showed a mocking smile.
Its two short forepaws casually clasped in front of its chest.
Neither human nor beast, its form was strange.
Once the Demon Race gains Spiritual wisdom, they begin to evolve toward a human form.
The stronger their strength, the more human-like they become.
Upon reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, except for special bodily parts or features they intentionally retain.
Aside from being stronger, they are basically indistinguishable from humans.
“Daoist Friend, do I look like an immortal, or a god?”
The sharp, thin voice sounded again.
As the Yellow Weasel spoke, an inexplicable connection was established between the man and the demon.
Before coming, Du Tianle had specifically researched this Asking for a Title.
If the person being addressed answered, “Like an immortal.”
The Yellow Weasel would plunder a bit of the addressed person’s cultivation to boost its own strength.
Not much, but very disgusting.
If the answer was, “Like a god.”
It would plunder a bit of their Destiny.
Also not much, also disgusting.
And no matter how one answered, as long as it gained an advantage.
This Karma would be incurred.
In the future, blessings could not be shared, but misfortunes had to be borne together.
Some Yellow Weasels with profound cultivation could even use possession.
To transfer the Calamity they suffered onto the person they had previously addressed.
This is the legendary Yellow Weasel possession.
It could be said to be the height of disgustingness!
Regardless of race, the vast majority of cultivators deeply disliked Yellow Weasels.
And they knew they were unpopular.
So they always chose to perform Asking for a Title on those of equal or slightly weaker strength.
Although the speed of cultivation was a bit slow.
At least their lives were safe.
However, this Yellow Weasel today had misjudged the situation and met with terrible luck.
Judging by the aura, Du Tianle was indeed in the Qi Refining Stage.
But how could it know that this human before it, although in the Qi Refining Stage.
Was a freak with a cultivation level as high as the 30th layer of Qi Refining?
Du Tianle also cupped his hands and said with a smile:
“I think you look like a club.”
Upon hearing this, the Yellow Weasel became furious, baring its teeth as it prepared to pounce and attack.
Du Tianle didn't waste any more words with it.
He pointed a finger, and a pale yellow light rose from his fingertip.
It instantly enveloped the Yellow Weasel.
The smell of burnt fur mixed with an indescribable fishy stench spread out.
The Yellow Weasel was caught completely off guard.
After a miserable shriek, its Mana surged, and it extinguished the flames in a few breaths.
The Yellow Weasel, its fur patchy from the burning, became fiercely aggressive.
It spat out a gust of yellow wind, then used its four limbs forcefully.
It rushed toward Du Tianle, closely following the yellow wind.
Du Tianle sneered upon seeing this.
He formed a Sword Art with his hand.
Sword Control Art, activate!
The Cold Iron Longsword on his back shot out of its Scabbard.
Transforming into a streak of light.
Supported by Du Tianle’s extraordinarily abundant Mana.
With an unstoppable momentum.
It instantly shredded the incoming yellow wind.
Then, under the Yellow Weasel’s terrified gaze.
A chilling Sword Light flashed from head to tail in an instant.
The pouncing Yellow Weasel became a corpse before it even landed.
No, it should be two pieces of a corpse.
Split in two.
Perfectly centered, exactly even!
……