"It’s unnecessary to force the issue concerning the Evil Venerable; the key is still the Undying Evil Venerable," Huang Zhengyang said. "Once we eliminate them, the world will be at peace."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Huang Zhengyang sighed deeply, "To be honest, Brother Chu, I never thought we would see such a day."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Neither did I. I never expected we’d truly be able to deal with the Undying Evil Venerable. It seems there are truly capable people within the Court."

He had studied the Ascension Technique but didn’t see its subtleties and didn’t discover anything even after mastering it.

It wasn’t until he personally clashed with the Undying Evil Venerable and destroyed the projection of the Undying Evil Venerable that he suddenly realized the ingenious use of the Ascension Technique, thus managing to kill the true body of the Undying Evil Venerable.

Huang Zhengyang said, "I guess it was said by that expert of the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

"I think someone in the Court has mastered this technique," Chu Zhiyuan said.

Huang Zhengyang laughed, "If someone truly mastered this technique, how could the Undying Evil Venerable be so rampant?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Would the Court truly believe in it just based on the words of that expert from the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

Huang Zhengyang laughed, "It might have been a straw for a drowning man, whether it works or not, we might as well try."

"Hmm, makes sense." Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

It’s not impossible, moreover, the Court wasn’t necessarily relying solely on someone mastering it. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

After all these years, many talented individuals have tried, the Court is not short of such geniuses, none have succeeded, thus it was deemed impossible to master.

"Brother Chu, regardless of everything, now that you can destroy the Undying Evil Venerable, there’s hope to end the calamity of the Undying Evil Venerable’s emergence, and this is a great joy."

"Indeed."

"So, Brother Chu, take good care of yourself," Huang Zhengyang said solemnly, "Be cautious of their underhanded tricks!"

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, "Understood."

"Those Undying Evil Venerables will definitely try everything to eliminate you once they know," Huang Zhengyang said. "I feel they might not act directly but through the Evil Venerable, through Evil Demons to kill you."

Chu Zhiyuan grinned, "I wish they would come to court their deaths."

"Brother Chu, don’t underestimate those Evil Demons," Huang Zhengyang replied. "They have many underhanded tricks, defenselessly frequent; more frighteningly, they have numerous Death Soldiers unafraid of death."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Huang Zhengyang said, "Be careful, they might not only target you but also the Heavenly Sword Sect."

"Understood," Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly. "If they dare show their faces, we’ll eliminate them directly!"

Huang Zhengyang said, "I will arrange for people to secretly protect the Heavenly Sword Branch."

"Good." Chu Zhiyuan did not refuse.

He knew what Huang Zhengyang said was right; the next step is not only the siege of him by the Undying Evil Venerable but also by the Evil Demons.

Following this, he would face assassination, sieges, and ambushes repeatedly.

Huang Zhengyang said slowly, "Brother Chu, there is another way."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at him.

Huang Zhengyang said, "Brother Chu, you can stay at the Evil Extermination Department and let our experts protect you constantly."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Brother Huang, with my Qinggong, it’s not that easy for them to kill me; having guards would instead be more trouble."

"... Indeed." Huang Zhengyang nodded.

The cultivation and Qinggong of the guards are inferior; indeed, they are a burden.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I wish they would come and seek death, as long as the Heavenly Sword Branch is protected, that’s enough."

"Rest assured." Huang Zhengyang solemnly nodded.

If Chu Zhiyuan is distracted by concern over the Heavenly Sword Branch, causing him not to employ the Ascension Technique, it would be a major loss for the Court.

...

A bright moon hung high, its soft glow showered the Heavenly Sword Peak.

Inside the Sect Leader’s Hall, the candles were brightly lit, resembling daylight.

Chu Zhiyuan and Lu Wanshan sat inside the hall.

Zhou Chongming, Meng Xusheng, and Xu Qianfan were all accompanying them.

Everyone lowered their heads, drinking tea.

The hall maintained silence for a while.

Lu Wanshan sighed and shook his head, putting down his teacup, "I didn’t expect that you truly mastered it, and you can really deal with the Undying Evil Venerable."

Chu Zhiyuan put down his teacup and smiled, "Sect Leader, neither did I. When I first mastered it, I thought it was useless, but it turns out to indeed be useful."

Zhou Chongming laughed, "Zhiyuan, you’ve mastered this secret technique, congratulations, it’s a blessing for the people in the world, as well as for our Heavenly Sword Sect."

"I told you, no secret technique can stump Zhiyuan!" Meng Xusheng laughed heartily, "Now, those who were waiting for a spectacle will be disappointed."

Xu Qianfan snorted, "Not to mention others, even Fuyun Sect and Guiyang Sword Sect were anticipating the spectacle."

"Guanghan Palace has a close relationship with Zhiyuan and has been worried all along," Zhou Chongming said.

Xu Qianfan said, "So many in the world are waiting to watch Zhiyuan’s spectacle, but very few truly care for Zhiyuan."

"Fuyun Sect and Guiyang Sword Sect aren’t worried about Zhiyuan but about themselves," Xu Qianfan added, "After Zhiyuan has mastered this secret technique, our Heavenly Sword Sect follows suit, and the ranking of the Four Great Sects, haha..."

He shook his head repeatedly, with a face full of sarcasm.

"Those two sects have always been unwilling to accept us," Meng Xusheng snorted, "But regardless of how unwilling they are, they can’t change the fact that they rank below us."

Zhou Chongming shook his head, "Actually, there’s no need to compete for these; our Four Great Sects are one, there’s no need for overt or covert competitions."

"Brother Zhou, you think too highly of them," Meng Xusheng expressed dissatisfaction, "Even after Zhiyuan killed so many Great Demons and Giant Demons, they were still dissatisfied, claiming Zhiyuan was lucky, and we were lucky. Now, presumably, they’ll still resent that we were lucky and picked up a big bargain!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Master Meng, in actuality, I was indeed lucky."

Meng Xusheng said, "According to Zhiyuan, we’re all lucky. Those with bad luck would have died prematurely; how could they have cultivated to this level?"

"Exactly, exactly." Xu Qianfan snorted, "Attributing everything solely to luck, without mentioning one’s talent and comprehension, shows they can’t afford to lose."

Lu Wanshan said, "Forget about them, let’s discuss what Zhiyuan plans to do."

He said slowly, "Zhiyuan, are you truly prepared to oppose all the Undying Evil Venerables?"

"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly, "Sect Leader, I fear I might bring trouble to the sect."

"Are you truly ready?" Lu Wanshan asked, "Evil Demons are more terrifying than Demons, harder to deal with, and impossible to guard against and kill!"

Zhou Chongming said, "Zhiyuan, we have eliminated several Evil Sects, but the Evil Sects are not that simple."

Meng Xusheng said, "What’s most hateful about them is that they aren’t afraid of death. We must hunt them down proactively rather than letting them sneak attack and plot against us. Since there are so many Evil Demons in the world, it’s impossible to find them all."

Xu Qianfan said, "That means we can never expect peace."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, "Indeed it’s troublesome, but having come this far, there’s no turning back."

Lu Wanshan looked at the other three Elders.

They sighed helplessly and slowly nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Sect Leader, while the news has just spread, let’s recall the senior brothers and sisters."

"Hmm." Lu Wanshan nodded, "I will give the order tonight."

"How long?" Meng Xusheng asked, "Zhiyuan, how long do you estimate it will take to eliminate those Undying Evil Venerables?"

"I can’t say for sure." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Zhou Chongming said, "Naturally, we support you, Zhiyuan. There’s no need to rush. Take it slow."

Meng Xusheng said, "There’s no use in rushing, ... Zhiyuan, take care of yourself."

"Their methods are vicious, don’t get caught off guard," Xu Qianfan advised.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I will be cautious, the Evil Extermination Department will deploy experts to protect the Branch."

"Reclaim the disciples at the Branch too," Lu Wanshan said.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

All disciples retreat to Heavenly Sword Peak, under the protection of the Heavenly Sword, it’s the safest.

"Go all out," Lu Wanshan said, "Clear out these Undying Evil Venerables properly, vent out this resentment!"

"Yes."