Chapter 78 — Six
劍問蒼天 · Page 1 of 8
"Who goes there?"
Outside the gates of the Yuheng Hall, several Qingyun disciples shouted at once, but there came only a few sharp swishes, as though masters of high cultivation were descending through the air; then a series of heavy thuds, and several Qingyun disciples tumbled backward through the doorway, rolling across the floor.
At the entrance, four figures flashed into view—none other than the Four Great Sect Masters of the Demonic Cult.
Yuyang Zi and the Poison God stood in the center, with the Dark King and the Fairy Sansiao flanking them on either side. The four surveyed the great hall briefly, then strode slowly inside.
The eldest of them, the Poison God, clicked his tongue in a series of tutting sounds and said with a smile, "Old friend Daoyan, a hundred years it has been—how have you fared?"
Daoist Daoyan's body gave a shudder; his pupils contracted, and he said coldly, "Poison God!"
The Poison God laughed heartily. "The very same old cur who refuses to die. A hundred years ago I was defeated beneath your sword at the foot of the Canglan Mountains, and now I see you in all your former glory—truly, I am deeply gratified!"
Daoist Daoyan's gaze swept over the four of them one by one. Meanwhile, from beyond the gates of the Yuheng Hall, dozens more of the Demonic Cult filed in one after another; judging by their bearing and manner, not one of them was likely to be a pushover—most likely the Demonic Cult's strength of the past century and more was gathered here in full. Among them the crowd recognized the Dark King Sect's Qinglong and Yousi, the Myriad Poison Gate's Baiduzi, and others. As for the rest, most were surely masters of the four great sects.
And in the distance, the cries of battle grew ever louder, mingled now and then with despairing howls. The Canglan Mountains, once like a paradise on earth, seemed now to be shrouded in blood and savagery, transformed into a very hell.
Daoist Daoyan drew a deep breath and forced his mind to steady itself. Today disaster had arisen from within his own household, and now foreign enemies had driven straight in—needless to say, this was the most perilous hour the Canglan Sect had faced in a hundred years. As the supreme sect master of this thousand-year-old great sect, he could never allow its foundations to be destroyed in his own hands.
At that moment, a Buddhist invocation was suddenly heard, and there stood Master Pucheng, though when he had come to Daoist Daoyan's side, none could say; a faint smile lingered on his face as he said, "Brother Daoyan, since ancient times evil has never triumphed over good. Our Fanyin Temple lineage has always stood with the Canglan Sect against the demons and heretics. If there is any service you require, pray command it."
Daoist Daoyan was overjoyed. And almost at the same moment, those of the Fenxia Valley also came forward, led by that Elder Shangguan, and ranged themselves behind Daoist Daoyan and Master Pucheng.
The faces of the four Demonic Cult masters changed slightly. The Poison God looked at Pucheng and said in a low, heavy voice, "And which divine monk of the Fanyin Temple might this master be?"
Pucheng smiled faintly. "The old benefactor has a poor memory indeed. In the great war between the righteous and the demonic a hundred years ago, we had occasion to meet once—how is it you have forgotten this old monk? I am Pucheng of the Fanyin Temple, and this beside me is my junior brother Pukong."
The Four Great Divine Monks of the Fanyin Temple were of what renown! With these two present, it was as though the Canglan Sect had gained several masters of its own—and what was more, beside them stood the masters of the Fenxia Valley.
The Poison God turned his head and said with a frown to Daoist Cangyan, whose face had gone slightly pale, "Why are these people here?"