“Apart from you, I won’t kill anyone else,” Helian Zhu declared solemnly.

The smile on Patriarch Helian’s lips deepened as he said meaningfully, “Zhu’er, that’s not how this deity raised you. Life is about choices. Isn’t joining me in the Floating Tower Realm a good option? Perhaps, there, you’ll find an opportunity to reincarnate.”

“Reincarnate? How could I face my fellow disciples in the afterlife with what I’ve done?” Helian Zhu retorted, gazing deeply into Patriarch Helian’s eyes.

The smile finally drained from Patriarch Helian’s face, replaced by a cold glare. He remarked mockingly, “Zhu’er, you’ve truly grown up, becoming harder to control.”

Control? 

Even now, he’s still thinking of controlling me?

Tears welled up in Helian Zhu’s eyes, his voice hoarse as he questioned, “Patriarch, in these twelve years, was there ever a moment you felt guilty for what you’ve done to me?”

Patriarch Helian chuckled softly, “What answer do you expect from me? Huh, guilt?”

A tear slid down Helian Zhu’s cheek.

“Why should I feel guilty?” Patriarch Helian continued, voice rising, “I granted you talent, and status, made you second only to me in the Helian family, placing even the senior brother you so revered beneath your feet. Why should I feel guilty? Is it not you who’s ungrateful, repaying kindness with enmity?” His words shattered the last of Helian Zhu’s hopes.

“You…”

Xie Shuci glanced at Helian Zhu’s ashen face and, pointing at Patriarch Helian, spat out, “Scum!”

But Patriarch Helian only responded with laughter, “Young Daoist, I presume you’re the one who has tamed the Subduing Dragon Artifact? How about this – today’s affairs have nothing to do with you. If you agree to be my personal alchemist, I promise not to harm you or your friends.”

Upon hearing this, the several elders of the Hehuan Sect unconsciously turned their gaze towards Xie Shuci. 

Xie Shuci was initially uninvolved in this affair. If not for the direct threat to his life, he probably wouldn’t have joined them in confronting Patriarch Helian. Now, with a potential way out offered, he might temporarily agree and simply watch the imminent showdown from the sidelines. Regardless of who wins or loses, his life would be spared.

From this perspective, it seemed he had little reason to decline.

Compared to their concerns, Chu Guiyi and his companion seemed much more relaxed.

Chu Guiyi wore a neutral expression, while Chu Wenfeng scoffed, the corner of his lips curling with disdain.

“Ptui! Become your personal alchemist, exclusively concocting pills for you? You think you’re worthy? Why don’t you take a look in the mirror and see just how overinflated your ego is? I’d rather make pills for dogs than for scum like you!” Xie Shuci exclaimed, his face flushing with anger, clearly feeling insulted.

Helian Jue, along with several senior elders of the Hehuan Sect, paused in shock, completely taken aback by Xie Shuci’s response.

On the other hand, Xie An and the other two had varied reactions: one seemed used to such outbursts, another struggled to suppress a chuckle, and the last wore a look of wholehearted agreement.

Patriarch Helian, never having been subjected to such a tirade, turned ashen. His lips twitched uncontrollably, and he was at a rare loss for words, evidently stunned by Xie Shuci’s audacious remarks.

Chu Wenfeng, always one to fan the flames, gleefully added, “From what I see, the pills that Xie Shuci concocts might only be fit for dogs. But if you, Patriarch of the Helian family, are truly desperate for them, I suppose it could be arranged. Just admit you’re worse than pigs and dogs, and perhaps then you could have a taste.”

“Pfft…” Ye Changxuan was the first who couldn’t hold back, her laughter escaping despite her hand covering her cherry lips.

The rest of the group struggled to keep a straight face, even the usually stoic Helian Zhu couldn’t help but smirk.

“Hahaha, well said!” Lu Jin, without any restraint, patted Helian Jue on the shoulder, laughing so hard her eyes teared up.

Seeing everyone brazenly mocking him, Patriarch Helian’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. Veins bulged on his forehead, murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and the aura around him became turbulent. His fingers clenched, joints popping with tension.

The opposing group immediately became alert, warily watching Patriarch Helian, prepared for any sudden movement.

Chu Wenfeng swiftly drew the Nine-section Avian Whip from his waist. As the red whip struck the ground, it sent up a flurry of dust, appearing majestic and awe-inspiring.

He motioned to Xie Shuci with a tilt of his chin, saying, “Take your brother and my senior brother to the back.”

To Xie Shuci’s eyes, Chu Wenfeng, who spoke those words, appeared as dashing as a deity descended from the heavens. He was so touched that he immediately gave Chu Wenfeng a big thumbs-up. Chu Wenfeng arched an eyebrow in response, “You’re mocking me?”

Xie Shuci rolled his eyes, taking Xie An and Chu Guiyi with him to the back of the crowd.

Patriarch Helian eyed their formation and chuckled coldly. “Ah Jue, Zhu’er, do you really want to oppose me?”

Helian Jue retorted, “Patriarch, it’s you who persistently refuses to see reality. Sacrificing our own disciples just to reach the Floating Tower Realm – is it worth it?”

“Worth it? You’re asking if it’s worth it?” Patriarch Helian scoffed as if he had just heard the most ridiculous tale. “Ah Jue, let me ask you. To sacrifice the lives of a few mediocre outer disciples to enable the Helian family to enter the Floating Tower Realm, thus benefitting countless generations of our lineage, what’s not worth it?”

“Aren’t those ‘mediocre’ outer disciples also part of the Helian family? Doesn’t the blood of the Helian lineage flow through their veins? Dressing up your actions with high-sounding words, you’re just being selfish! Someone like you isn’t fit to be the head of a family!” Helian Zhu rebuked angrily.

Yet, after hearing this, Patriarch Helian laughed. He spoke in a soft tone, “Zhu’er, what right do you have to scold me? After all, they all died by your hand!”

Helian Zhu choked, his head bowed, his complexion pale and defeated. Indeed, what right did he have to chastise Patriarch Helian? It was his hands that had personally ended the lives of his fellow disciples, trapping their souls, stealing their life essences, and climbing the ranks upon their sacrifices.

He was arrogant and conceited, believing himself to be extraordinarily gifted, dismissing everyone else, constantly belittling his senior brother, and being a show-off. Everything he did was built upon the corpses of his fellow disciples.

“You’re talking nonsense! You’re twisting facts! Wasn’t it you, the scum, who controlled Helian Zhu to commit those murders? Now you’re pinning everything on him? Have you no shame?” Unable to hold back any longer, Xie Shuci, standing behind the group, shouted in condemnation.

His voice seemed to pull Helian Zhu back to reality.

Helian Zhu shook his head, reminding himself that this was all Helian Yong’s scheme. He couldn’t fall for it, couldn’t be easily swayed.

Through the crowd, Helian Yong shot Xie Shuci a glare, a look that seemed to want to flay him alive. Xie Shuci felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively took a few steps behind Xie An.

Xie An met Helian Yong’s gaze, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.

“Scum!” Xie Shuci cursed again.

Helian Yong didn’t bother exchanging words but didn’t seem intent on attacking either. He turned to Helian Zhu and chuckled, “Zhu’er, did I ever tell you how your fellow disciples died?”

Helian Zhu froze, his heart feeling as if it was being tightly gripped, making it hard for him to breathe.

“Little Zhu!” Helian Jue called out to him.

Helian Zhu shook his head, “Eldest Senior brother, I’m fine.”

Ye Changxuan, with a furrowed brow, cut in, “Enough of your nonsense, Helian Yong. I only want to ask one thing: did the disciples of my Hehuan Sect die at your hands?”

Given the circumstances, there seemed no point in hiding the truth.

Helian Yong sighed, “Yes and no. I indeed intended to offer those children from your sect to Zhu’er. Unfortunately, my men were distracted halfway through trailing them. When we found them again, they were already badly injured. I mercifully ended their suffering. But rest assured, their deaths weren’t in vain. I’ve sealed their souls in a soul-locking bottle. Once everything settles, their essence will nourish the Helian family.”

“You… you’re courting death!” Ye Changxuan’s eyes blazed with fury, a wisp of pink spiritual energy swirling around her fingertips, signaling she was ready to strike.

“Miss Ye, why so impatient?” Helian Yong said calmly. “The spiritual energy of you all hasn’t fully recovered. Even combined, you’d probably be no match for me. Why not let me finish speaking, giving you a chance to recuperate?”

“You think you’re being generous?” Ye Changxuan scoffed.

“Not quite,” Helian Yong smirked, “I just want you to fully understand the truth before your demise. For instance, Zhu’er, I should let you know how each of your fellow disciples tragically died by your hand.”

Helian Yong was right. The group’s spiritual power hadn’t fully returned. If they were to confront him now, they’d surely be at a disadvantage.

However, if he continued to listen, Helian Zhu might not be able to bear it any longer.

“Little Zhu…” Helian Jue looked at him with worry.

Helian Zhu gritted his teeth, “I’m fine. My spiritual veins aren’t fully open yet. He can’t control me.”

“On the night your aptitudes were re-assessed,” Helian Yong began, “I sent over many jugs of wine and food for you all to celebrate. Who knows, the next day one of you might be inducted into the inner sect and leave the rest behind.” 

Helian Zhu listened in silence, memories flooding back. That evening, when the family head sent over the drinks and food, they were over the moon. A group of young ones, sipping on sweet fermented fruit wine, getting so intoxicated that most lost consciousness. Helian Zhu had no recollection of that night, only remembering that by the time he woke up the next day, he was already presented in front of the Patriarch, in the inner sect.

“That night, you played a fun game with everyone. Everyone closed their eyes, no peeking or moving allowed. Those children, so obedient, cheeks resting in their palms, innocently shut their eyes, all the while giggling about who would end up being the winner.”

Helian Zhu closed his eyes, feeling as if an invisible hand was choking his breath.

But Helian Yong, seemingly not satisfied with the torment he’d inflicted, ruthlessly laid out the facts for all to see.

“They were too obedient, not one of them peeked. Of course, none noticed when you, stumbling, rose with a sword in hand. You decapitated the closest little girl with a single strike. Before she could even let out a cry, blood splattered everywhere… tsk tsk.” Helian Yong looked at him with a mix of pity and sadness, “That small hall of yours, in the end, was filled with blood. Not a single body remained intact, almost resembling a human purgatory.”

Helian Zhu’s body swayed slightly, a dazed expression taking over. His vision gradually blurred, and tears the size of beans rolled down his cheeks one after another as if a sword had pierced his heart, causing him unbearable pain.

“Little Zhu!” Helian Jue rushed to his side, “Don’t listen to his nonsense; you knew nothing of this.”

Lu Jin pointed at Helian Yong and shouted, “Shut up! People like you will one day be struck down by the heavens!”

Helian Yong remained unfazed, even letting out a low chuckle, “Zhu’er, perhaps you’re unaware that those who died by your hand, and whose lives you’ve taken, will be seen by the heavens as abominations, just like you. Deemed unacceptable by the heavens, they will cease to exist alongside you.”

All Helian Zhu could perceive was a buzzing in his head, as if something deep within had shattered.

“No!” A heart-wrenching scream resonated by his ears.

Helian Zhu recognized it. It was the voice of that annoying alchemist.

Helian Zhu thought blankly, wondering why he always seemed to be so jumpy.

For a split second, he felt a subtle movement within him. A peculiar sensation came from his arms, as warm liquid soaked through his clothes. Droplets fell to the ground, turning into the hue of crimson plum blossoms.

What just happened?

Blood? How could there be blood?

Confused, Helian Zhu lifted his head, and the scene in front of him froze him in place.

His arms had pierced through two bodies, and the Cloud-Piercing Spear rolled to his feet with a soft ‘thud’.

His mouth opened in silent shock, making a strange, disjointed sound from his throat that couldn’t be pieced together.

“Ah… ah…”