Chapter 71

Chapter 70: Strategic Planning (Part 2)

Seeing the other elders remain silent, Cao Xiong pressed his advantage and said, "Since it was a misunderstanding, we won't impose a severe punishment. Let's have Li Qiyi face the wall in the Ghost Tower for half a year to penalize his rash actions and poor handling of the situation!"

"Ghost Tower?" Elder Sun frowned upon hearing Cao Xiong's words and said.

Cao Xiong replied, "Although the Ghost Tower is gloomy, it is not dangerous. Our senior brother has already experienced it firsthand, so there's no need for me to elaborate. If we were to have Li Qiyi face the wall elsewhere, it might make the disciples laugh at us for being too lenient. I believe the Ghost Tower is most suitable."

At this point, Cao Xiong looked at Li Qiyi and said, "Moreover, since Li Qiyi is protected by the patriarch, the Ghost Tower is the most suitable place for him. The Ghost Tower is where the patriarch suppressed evil spirits, and it would be fitting to borrow the patriarch's divine power to suppress the Ghost Tower once again!"

"This, this isn't right," Elder Sun, who supported Li Qiyi the most among the elders, said with a frown.

Before Gu Tieshou made a decision, Li Qiyi looked at Cao Xiong, smiled, and said calmly, "Since I am protected by the patriarch, what do I have to fear? The Ghost Tower is fine. I, the disciple, am willing to accept the punishment!"

After looking at Li Qiyi for a while, Gu Tieshou finally nodded and said, "Very well, since you are willing to go, it will be the Ghost Tower. You will face the wall in the Ghost Tower for half a year, and Law Enforcer Mo will supervise the execution of the punishment!"

Gu Tieshou's arrangement was excellent. It was more about having Law Enforcer Mo protect Li Qiyi rather than supervise him.

After making the decision, Gu Tieshou said solemnly, "Li Qiyi's actions were rash, and he indeed deserves punishment. As the instigator of the entire incident, Hall Master Zhou also deserves severe punishment. If not for Hall Master Zhou's ignorance and foolishness, Hu Law Enforcer and the others would not have died! Therefore, Hall Master Zhou's position will be revoked, and he will no longer hold any position within the sect."

Upon hearing this decision, Cao Xiong's heart bled. He had lost two disciples and three hall masters loyal to him. Now, with Hall Master Zhou's position revoked, he had very few loyal followers left. This was a significant loss for him, but he had to endure it, as small sacrifices were necessary for greater plans.

"Hall Master Zhou's ignorance and foolishness, I agree with Senior Brother's decision," Cao Xiong gritted his teeth and agreed with Gu Tieshou's decision.

With Cao Xiong's agreement, the other elders naturally had no objections, and the decision was unanimously passed.

The elders' decision was quickly announced, and soon, every disciple of the Xianyan Ancient Sect heard the news. Many disciples were stunned by this news, finding it utterly unbelievable.

When Li Qiyi first joined the Xianyan Ancient Sect, many disciples mocked and looked down on him. Now, Li Qiyi had killed three hall masters and one law enforcer, and even He Yingjian, whom all the disciples considered the sect's top genius, had died at his hands. This was simply unbelievable.

More shockingly, despite committing such a grave offense, Li Qiyi only received a light punishment. This left both the disciples and the hall masters deeply moved. At this moment, many disciples, especially those at the hall master level, sensed an unusual atmosphere.

As for the elite disciples of the Xianyan Ancient Sect, they received warnings from their masters or law enforcers not to discuss this matter lightly. The elders and law enforcers had issued a strict gag order regarding Li Qiyi's dream visitation by the patriarch. No one except the elders and law enforcers had the authority to inquire or know about it.

The elders and law enforcers of the Xianyan Ancient Sect took this matter very seriously. Li Qiyi's dream visitation by the patriarch meant that the Xianyan Ancient Sect had a chance to revive. From Li Qiyi, they might recover the lost imperial techniques of the Xianyan Ancient Sect.

In fact, the five elders had privately discussed this matter. This discussion took place after the decision to punish Li Qiyi and excluded Cao Xiong.

The meeting was not officially convened but held privately, with all five elders attending secretly.

"Elder Li Qiyi should be allowed to practice the Daytime Power!" Elder Sun suggested during the private discussion.

Elder Qian, the third-ranking elder among the six, nodded in agreement and said, "This is a good idea. The patriarch protects Li Qiyi and imparts teachings in dreams. If he practices the Daytime Power, we might recover the Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique!"

Emperor Mingren, who bore the Heavenly Mandate, created the unparalleled Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique. This technique was the highest achievement of a generation of emperors, far more powerful than other imperial techniques. The Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique was said to carry the divine power of the Heavenly Mandate!

Emperor Mingren had once left the Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique in the Xianyan Ancient Sect, but unfortunately, this supreme technique was later lost by the sect.

Now that Li Qiyi had received the patriarch's dream visitation, Qian and the others hoped to recover the Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique through him. If they could recover it, it would undoubtedly be a great boost for the declining Xianyan Ancient Sect.

"I believe that Li Qiyi is now the most precious treasure of our Xianyan Ancient Sect. He should be allowed to learn any imperial techniques within the sect. If he can receive the patriarch's dream visitation, we might recover all the lost imperial techniques!" Elder Wu also said.

"Indeed, Li Qiyi should be allowed to practice the Daytime Power. Perhaps we can recover the Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique," Grand Elder Gu Tieshou nodded and said thoughtfully. "However, we must not be too hasty. As the saying goes, 'too much to chew, not enough to digest.' If we force Li Qiyi to practice the Daytime Power now, he might not understand it. If he doesn't understand it, he won't be able to summon the patriarch. Therefore, we should let Li Qiyi practice the 'Purple Sun Ten Days Power' first, and once he is stable, he can practice the Daytime Power."

In fact, Grand Elder Gu Tieshou did not know that Li Qiyi had not practiced the 'Purple Sun Ten Days Power' at all. He had already practiced the 'Peng Kun Six Transformations' and the 'Moon Vortex Sun Wheel Power,' making it unnecessary for him to practice the 'Purple Sun Ten Days Power.'

"Senior Brother is right. Li Qiyi is our Xianyan Ancient Sect's treasure. We must develop his potential gradually. If we are too hasty, we might push him to the brink of madness. That would ruin the future of our Xianyan Ancient Sect," Elder Sun agreed.

After the private discussion among the five elders, they reached a conclusion. They decided to let Li Qiyi systematically practice any imperial techniques of the Xianyan Ancient Sect.

On another main peak of the Xianyan Ancient Sect, Cao Xiong secretly met with Dong Shenglong. In the grand hall, only the two of them were present. Today, Cao Xiong was not as composed as he was the last time.

"Dong Brother, the plan has been executed. This time, there must be no mistakes!" Cao Xiong said coldly, unable to remain calm.

The last plan had been a significant loss for him. Two of his disciples were killed, and three hall masters loyal to him died. He wanted to tear Li Qiyi to pieces.

"Dong Brother, rest assured. From now on, we are in the same boat. This time, there will be no mistakes. In three days, Lord Lietzhan will arrive. I have already requested the emperor's permission, and the situation will be greatly in your favor," Dong Shenglong said confidently with a smile.

Hearing this, Cao Xiong was shaken. Lord Lietzhan was a formidable general of the Bao Sheng Upper Kingdom, personally appointed by the emperor of Bao Sheng.

"Dong Brother, if the emperor's decree is issued, this will be a good opportunity for you to become the sect leader of the Xianyan Ancient Sect. You must seize this opportunity," Dong Shenglong said with a smile.

Cao Xiong fell silent. Becoming the sect leader of the Xianyan Ancient Sect had always been his ambition, but he had never wanted to achieve it in this way. However, today, he had no choice. His hope, He Yingjian, had been brutally killed by Li Qiyi, a heavy blow that also shattered his hope of making He Yingjian the sect leader.

"Dong Brother, can you guarantee that after the plan succeeds, Lord Lietzhan will withdraw his troops and the emperor will not attack our Xianyan Ancient Sect?" Cao Xiong asked solemnly.

Dong Shenglong smiled and said, "Dong Brother, rest assured. Think about it. With the current strength of the Holy Heaven Sect and the Bao Sheng Upper Kingdom, destroying your Xianyan Ancient Sect would be easy. Isn't that true? However, the emperor is merciful and has never taken action. What does this mean? The emperor only wants the Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique. As long as you can obtain the Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique, everything else will not be a problem."

"Dong Brother, rest assured. The Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique is my responsibility," Cao Xiong said solemnly. He did not want to betray the Xianyan Ancient Sect's Heavenly Mandate Secret Technique. This made Cao Xiong think a lot. If he could control the situation and have the patriarch's portrait in his hands, even if Lord Lietzhan did not withdraw, he would have nothing to fear!

As for Li Qiyi... Cao Xiong's eyes flashed with a terrifying killing intent.

Dong Shenglong, of course, did not know what Cao Xiong was thinking. He was also unaware of the Xianyan Ancient Sect's patriarch portrait. However, with the support of the Holy Heaven Sect and the Bao Sheng Upper Kingdom, he had nothing to fear. Even if Cao Xiong could cause a stir, it would be insignificant before the massive Holy Heaven Sect.

On the other side, Nan Huairen was shocked when he heard the news.

"Senior Brother, are you really going to face the wall in the Ghost Tower for half a year?" Nan Huairen's face changed, and he shouted at Li Qiyi.

"Is it not true?" Li Qiyi smiled and said, "Since the elders have decided, what can I do?"

Seeing Li Qiyi's relaxed demeanor, Nan Huairen could not help but say, "Senior Brother, do you know what the Ghost Tower is?"

"Haven't you mentioned it before? It used to be the Music Pavilion," Li Qiyi said calmly.

Nan Huairen could not help but jump up and say, "That was a long, long time ago. It was indeed called the Music Pavilion back then, but it was renamed the Ghost Tower thousands of years ago! It can scare the wits out of the timid. Now, not only the Ghost Tower, but the entire main peak is a place no one dares to go."

Today is the first day of the three rivers, so there are three updates today. If you have any votes, please cast them.

Page break for ads starts

Page break for ads ends