Jessi and her sect were exploring a broken tunnel left behind from the ancient era when the news arrived. The elders and disciples were startled. They were like ant on a hotpot, couldn't sit still.
Their reaction was only natural. Who could remain calm when a sword was hanging above their neck? The Ice Sea Dragon Palace was one of the most reclusive ancient sects, a lineage passed down from the Sea Dragon Emperor himself.
And the one who had made the declaration was none other than a true god level ancestor. For the small Locust Sect, even if they exhausted every resource at their disposal, there was no hope of resisting such a being.
One by one, worried gazes fell upon Jessi. She found herself trapped in a dilemma. On one hand, she was worried about her own dao injury, now a greater problem that threatened her life sprung up. It wasn't just her, everyone's life was depending on her.
"Let the sect master think of a solution! And don't rely on her for everything, use your own heads!" The grand elder barked, dismissing the disciples.
He was an old man in his twilight years, a peak Heavenly King. All his hairs, beard and eyebrows had turned white with wrinkles covering his face.
He had been the grand elder long before Jessi became sect master, watching her rise step by step and guiding her along the way. In his heart, she was no different from a granddaughter.
"Child, you've always been decisive. Why are you so hesitant now?" The grand elder patted her head gently, a smile on his weathered face.
Jessi lowered her head, her shimmering blue hair draping down like a waterfall.
"Child, in our life there will always be moments when we must make hard choices. No matter what you decide, I will support you." He paused, then added softly, "I may be old, but I still have enough strength to silence those stubborn old men."
"I don't want to back down without a fight," Jessi admitted with a sigh. "But I fear dragging everyone in the sect down with me."
She had never been an indecisive person. But this time, the problem before her was simply too great. She did not dare gamble recklessly with the lives of her people.
"It's up to you, child," the grand elder said, stroking his beard. "Listen to your heart and do what you must, so that you won't live with regrets." His expression grew solemn, his voice was profound as he added, "But… there is another way."
Jessi's eyes lit up. If the grand elder was this serious, then it had to be something extraordinary.
"What way?" she asked quickly.
He gazed at her directly and said, "Run away."
Jessi blinked, speechless. For a moment, she couldn't utter a single word. Shameless old man! why did he have to say something like that with such a serious face?
She rolled her eyes and snorted.
The grand elder laughed, his white beard swaying.
…
Discussions raged everywhere. Some cultivators busied themselves exploring the ruins, searching for treasure, while others simply waited, eager to witness the drama unfold.
"Blade Wing Sect's saint child has declared he won't stop until the Locust Sect is destroyed…"
"That's only natural. Their sect master killed so many of Blade Wing's Heavenly Kings."
"They even made enemies of the Ice Sea Dragon Palace and received a death threat. With this chance, how could the saint child possibly let them go? This time, the Locust Sect is finished."
"Humph! That foolish woman doesn't know what's good for her, daring to offend the Sea Dragon Palace. Truly courting death, haha!" one man gloated, his face full of malicious delight.
It was a bald man with a large scar across his face.
"Bi Honglu! You are from eastern territory, how can you take the side of outsiders..?!" Someone got angry and shouted.
The bald man named Bi Honglu sneered. "If you don't have the strength, then why provoke the strong? Isn't that just stupidity?
"So you'd rather be the dog of those stronger than you?" another mocked. "Compared to the Locust Sect's master, you're nothing. Yet you still dared to offend her back then. Aren't you the real fool?"
Bi Honglu's face instantly turned ugly. Back then, he hadn't known she was the Locust Sect's master, nor that she was so terrifyingly strong. Seeing a beautiful blue haired girl, lust had clouded his mind. He wanted to have fun with her but was slapped until all his teeth got broken. The vicious woman didn't stop there, she gathered everyone and publicly humiliated him, stripping him naked.
"If you're so bold, why don't you go say that in front of her? Let's see if she doesn't strip you again!" someone jeered.
The crowd burst into laughter. Jessi's prestige within the eastern territory was unmatched. Even her enemies dared not slander her openly, let alone this bald man.
The bald man gnashed his teeth with hatred as he left the place angrily. His face was as dark as a horse butt.
Meanwhile, the news of Jessi saving Mu Bai of the Mu Family had already spread, eventually reaching Mu Yun's ears. At first, she was surprised. Then, relief washed over her, and a trace of admiration grew in her heart for the mysterious sect master of the Locust Sect.
"Do you want to see your father?" Liam asked.
After passing through the Dao Portal trial, the two of them had been teleported to a place that was very near the Locust Sect's current base.
[Don't! The Locust Sect is doomed. If you go, you'll be stepping into a pit of unpredictable danger!] The system's cold voice rang in Liam's mind.
Liam ignored it.
Mu Yun hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She truly missed her father and couldn't help worrying.
"Then let's set off right away," Liam said with a faint smile.
Mu Yun glanced at the cloaked man, her eyes full of gratitude. Liam simply laughed and shook his head.
Several days later.
Inside a large tent, Jessi sat cross-legged in meditation. Most had gone to explore the ruins in search of treasure, leaving only a few elders behind to guard the area.
"Locust Sect! Surrender at once! If you don't within ten breaths of time, we will start killing everyone!" A thunderous voice reverberated across the field.
An elder rushed into the tent, his face was pale. "Sect Master, we're surrounded…! The saint child has brought hundreds of Heavenly Kings and Saints with him!"
Jessi slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was cold, devoid of emotion. Rising to her feet, she stepped out of the tent, her footsteps were unhurried.
The elders of the Locust Sect exchanged nervous glances. Even though they had activated the protective formation, the crushing aura outside made their hearts pound. Against more than a hundred Heavenly Kings, the array felt no safer than paper.
Jessi's figure levitated in air, her calm gaze fell on Chu Yang.
Chu Yang raised an eyebrow. "They said the Locust Sect's master could not fly. It seems that's not the case."
Jessi had no reaction to his words. Still staring at him with piercing gaze. Her blue hair fluttered wildly.
"Will you surrender?" Chu Yang's lips curved into a mocking smile, his gaze roaming wantonly across her figure. "If you do, I might spare your life."
Jessi was still silent. A terrifying anger boiled inside her chest. An aura colder than thousand year old ice dripped from her. The elders behind her hastily stepped back, not daring to withstand the pressure of her anger.
"Break it!" Chu Yang ordered casually.
Ten heavenly kings stepped forward at once. All of them were from eastern territory and belonged to Blossom flower sect, Cicada devil sect, golden buddha mountain and Armed demon sect.
The spectators watching from afar exchanged meaningful looks.
"So they've finally shown themselves…" someone muttered.
"Of course. Those sects once allied to destroy the Locust Sect. Their sect masters all died miserably in that battle at Jessi's hands. Since then, they hid behind closed doors, too afraid to show their faces again."
"It seems their hatred never died. Now they crawl out, hiding behind the Blade Wing Sect's banner."
"Shameless cowards!" others spat coldly.
Jessi's icy gaze swept across her old enemies and uttered. "Back then, I spared your sects. I didn't erase you completely. It seems… I was far too merciful."
An old, bald monk from Golden Buddha Mountain chuckled, his prayer beads clicking together.
"Sect Master, you walk the path of evil. Lay down your blade and surrender. Allow me to purify your soul."
"Another, from the Cicada Devil Sect, burst into cruel laughter.
"Retribution has come, arrogant woman! You've been untouchable for too long."