Chapter 236: Chapter 152: The Traitor (Third Update)
Su Jie had been at Ghost Ridge Palace for a few days, primarily to gather with a few friends, such as Chen Yun, Wu Bin, and Ning Xinyue.
He had originally planned to rest for two days before heading out to join the sect war, but a piece of shocking news reached the sect first.
“What, Luo Jian is dead.”
In his residence, Wu Bin from the Command Hall ca running over to relay this significant news to Su Jie.
Luo Jian was one of the three top experts among the disciples of Ghost Ridge Palace, as famous as Xiao Fengyuan and Qi Shijian. In the outside world, he was on the sa level as cultivators like Du Shaochang. Hearing the news of his sudden death, even Su Jie was surprised.
“Now it’s spread all over Ghost Ridge Palace that Luo Jian died in the war, and what’s more, he was betrayed and killed by soone. It’s said that the betrayer is another one of the three top experts, Qi Shijian.”
When Wu Bin spoke these words, his tone was filled with shock; the impact of this news was truly imnse.
One of the three top experts betraying and killing another—this incident sounded incredibly surreal.
“Qi Shijian…”
Su Jie imdiately thought back to the scene a few days ago when Qi Shijian had co to find him, probably already harboring sinister intentions.
“To actually betray the sect, how could he dare.”
Su Jie rubbed his temples; the culprit was already at the pinnacle among the disciples, on the verge of a breakthrough to becoming an Elder, and yet he chose this mont to betray the sect.
“Is he worried about the sect losing the war and thus seeking a way out in advance?”
“We haven’t lost yet; the outco is still uncertain. If he betrays us now, then it can only be said that he has acted too hastily.”
Su Jie said solemnly. In any sect, a betrayer is always the most despised and scorned.
Especially in a Demon Cultivation Sect, betrayers are dealt with heavy punches; once caught, the punishnt is so cruel you couldn’t even die quickly if you wished.
If Qi Shijian betrayed due to the sect war, Ghost Ridge Palace had not yet truly fallen into despair or reached a dead end.
The Elders from the Righteous Sects did not dare to personally enter Ghost Ridge Palace’s territory at the mont, and most of their own Elders were still alive, with the war’s potential yet untapped; betraying at this ti was far too premature.
Wu Bin continued, “Anyway, the sect is abuzz with discussions now. Master Zuo has also asked to inform you to go see him imdiately.”
“Alright, I’ll head there right now.”
Su Jie didn’t hesitate any longer, walked straight out of the residence, and followed Wu Bin towards the Command Hall.
Along the way, he noticed that the sect’s environnt had beco even more desolate than before.
The ongoing sect war had drafted away too many disciples.
Most of those now seen within the sect were disciples at the First or Second Level of the Yunling Realm, a level of disciples that didn’t even qualify as cannon fodder.
As for those above the Third Level of the Yunling Realm, most had been forced to take part in the sect war. Seeing them now in the sect ant they were either back to recuperate from injuries or resting in between shifts.
“Brother Su.”
“Brother Su, is it true that Brother Luo Jian is dead?”
“Brother Su, the betrayal by Brother Qi—is it really true or just a rumor?”
As Su Jie passed by, many disciples crowded around him.
In the eyes of these disciples, Su Jie was also one of the strongest disciples, so the information he had was definitely more reliable.
“I’m not fully aware of the details yet, but Ghost Ridge Palace will absolutely not let any traitor off the hook.”
After Su Jie said this, he walked out of the crowd and headed to the Command Hall, seeking out Hall Master Zuo Xiping.
“Master Zuo, Disciple Su Jie pays his respects.”
“Co in.”
Su Jie pushed open the door and entered the room where, in addition to Zuo Xiping, there was a dark-skinned, tall man present.
This man was also known to Su Jie, one of the three strongest cultivators at the Third Level of the Yunling Realm of Ghost Ridge Palace, Xiao Fengyuan.
“You’ve both heard the news, I guess.”
Zuo Xiping glanced at Su Jie, who had just co in, with a very grim face, clearly in a foul mood.
“Master Zuo, is it true that Luo Jian’s fall was caused by Qi Shijian’s betrayal of the Sect?”
The person who spoke was Xiao Fengyuan. He had originally been in the forest outside, engaging in Sect warfare. Now he hurried back as soon as he received the ssage that Luo Jian, who was as famous as Xiao Fengyuan, had perished in the Sect warfare, betrayed by Qi Shijian.
In Ghost Ridge Palace, Xiao Fengyuan, Luo Jian, and Qi Shijian were all cultivators at the Ten Levels of Yunling Realm, standing at the pinnacle of the Yunling Realm’s strength.
They didn’t just represent themselves; their fall would severely dampen the morale of the other disciples, just like how Su Jie’s slaying of Du Shaochang dealt a severe blow to the morale of the Righteous Sects.
Not to ntion that Luo Jian’s fall was caused by betrayal by another disciple, Qi Shijian.
The acknowledged three strongest among the disciples, one dead and one a traitor, it was too great an impact on morale.
“Three days ago, Luo Jian trusted Qi Shijian’s words and was lured out by him to join forces with Xiao Guanglian, the Divine Son of Purple Mist Sect, for an ambush attack. He was gravely injured and barely made it back near the Mountain Gate, revealing the truth before he died.”
Zuo Xiping nodded. Xiao Guanglian was not an ordinary disciple either, being the favorite grandson of the Sect Leader of the Purple Mist Sect, gifted from a young age, possessing the Mystical Treasure Golden Body, and carrying nurous treasures, his strength was extrely formidable.
“Qi Shijian… Hall Master, such a traitor must not be allowed to escape.”
Xiao Fengyuan’s eyes flashed with anger; these kinds of traitors were even more despicable than the enemy.
“This is why I called you here. Su Jie, Xiao Fengyuan, you two are among the strongest disciples in our Sect. Now, the Sect needs you to carry out a cleansing mission; Qi Shijian has not shown himself since his betrayal and likely has fled the Sect’s domain. I want you to capture him alive and bring him back to the Sect for punishnt.”
Zuo Xiping’s gaze swept over the two, issuing the capture order with a stern face.
For Ghost Ridge Palace, such traitors must be dealt with imdiately. Now, still in the midst of Sect conflict, if a ringleader like Qi Shijian isn’t dealt with, to make an example for the other disciples, they might follow suit, thinking similar thoughts.
“This disciple is willing to go.”
“This disciple will not fail the entrusted task.”
Both responded in unison, this kind of task now only suited Su Jie and Xiao Fengyuan.
The Secret Realm Elders needed to stay to guard the Sect and could not leave, catching Qi Shijian out and about would surely be fraught with danger and difficulties. After all, outside was the dominion of the Righteous Sects, only Su Jie and Xiao Fengyuan, working together, could accomplish this task.
“We leave at dawn tomorrow. I will personally take you through a hidden route to leave the Mountain Gate. Qi Shijian has definitely sought refuge with Purple Mist Sect by now. Your mission starts from there…”
Zuo Xiping cautioned them further and took out a specialized Identity Jade with Qi Shijian’s na clearly inscribed on it.
This was an identity token that each inner disciple received upon promotion, one copy for the individual, another kept by the Sect.
This Identity Jade, consecrated with the disciple’s Heart Blood, actually served as a locator device.
It would be activated when a disciple betrayed, locking onto the rough position of the disciple, also acting as a sword of Damocles hanging over the head of every inner disciple.
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