Chapter 20: Descent into Darkness

Under the shroud of night, countless figures surged toward the source of the commotion. Torches blazed, illuminating the mountains and forests as if it were broad daylight. In an instant, the mountains erupted with noise, shouts echoing without end.

Though the Outer Sect of the Azure Cloud Sect had few disciples, the Inner Sect even fewer, the ranks of servants numbered in the tens of thousands. Scattered throughout the mountains, these servants formed a vast web. Despite their lowly status, thanks to Ye Tianxing’s deliberate rumors, they all knew something about Yin Tianfang—how he had gained entry into the sect by feigning hardship, how his talent was unremarkable, and how he struggled to condense qi.

Just months prior, Zhang Ping and Lin Fan themselves had been mere servants. Thus, they were not particularly fearful for their lives. After all, it was not only the servants searching for Yin Tianfang, but also disciples from both the Outer and Inner Sects. Should anyone spot Yin Tianfang, even if unable to subdue him, it would only take a brief delay for the Outer Sect disciples to arrive and capture him with ease.

“Stop right there!”
“Don’t run!”
“Traitor to your master and ancestors, come back and face your punishment!”

Shouts resounded through the darkness, but as Yin Tianfang clung to Zhang Ping’s back, he turned a deaf ear to the cries behind them. Yet, that accusation—“traitor to your master and ancestors”—struck him like a bolt of lightning. Suddenly, he leapt down from Zhang Ping’s back and bellowed into the night, “It’s not true! I didn’t kill my master! You’re slandering me!”

“I didn’t!” His anguished, furious shout reverberated through the forest, laced with grievance and pain.

“Save your lies! The Grand Elder’s cultivation was extraordinary, and he treasured you above all. Yet, you seized the moment when he was gravely wounded—when he was healing in seclusion—to strike him down. Such cruelty, such madness!”

“In the entire Azure Cloud Sect, only you could have approached the Grand Elder in his weakened state. If not you, then who?”

“You’re nothing but a heartless traitor, a disgrace to your master and ancestors! Go back and accept your punishment!”

No matter how Yin Tianfang screamed his innocence, he was met only with scorn and disbelief. In their eyes, he had become a walking treasure trove—whoever caught him would win untold rewards and a chance to soar above the rest.

Even if Yin Tianfang was innocent, none of them cared. Their only goal was to seize him and claim the bounty.

“Master, hurry! There’s no reasoning with them now!” Zhang Ping and Lin Fan, faces drawn with anxiety, pulled Yin Tianfang left and right, dragging him toward the outskirts of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Rustling noises filled the night-shrouded forest as countless figures darted through the trees. Among them, several moved with remarkable speed, their forms flickering like the wind as faint spiritual energy radiated from their bodies. They quickly outpaced the mass of servants, heading directly for Yin Tianfang and his companions.

These were Outer Sect disciples, and upon catching sight of Yin Tianfang, they wasted no time in pursuit. Compared to the servants, their speed was formidable.

Though Yin Tianfang and his friends had all reached the first level of Qi Condensation, making them faster than common servants, Yin Tianfang was now sunk in an abyss of pain and grief. The death of Daoist Wuchen was a devastating blow, but what truly shattered him was the revelation that Daoist Wuchen had once wanted him dead.

Orphaned from birth, bullied in the Ye clan, it was only after Daoist Wuchen brought him to the Azure Cloud Sect that he first felt warmth and human kindness. For a time, Daoist Wuchen had seemed a father to him—a feeling precious to someone who had never known his parents. Deep down, Yin Tianfang had come to regard Daoist Wuchen as a father.

Yet now, it seemed it had all been a lie. In the eyes of Daoist Wuchen, he had been nothing but a pawn. How could he accept that? How could he possibly endure it?

“Are you angry? Sad? Do you feel betrayed by everyone, bullied and doubted by all? Then kill. If they won’t believe you, let them fear you so they’ll never dare to cross you again.

“Kill. Kill them all.”

A voice, thick with malice, echoed in the depths of Yin Tianfang’s mind. Suddenly, he stood frozen in place. Zhang Ping and Lin Fan, still gripping his arms, were astonished to find they could not move him an inch, no matter how they pulled.

A chill spread through the air; Zhang Ping and Lin Fan shuddered involuntarily, glancing anxiously around. To their horror, they realized the cold was emanating from Yin Tianfang himself.

“Master, you—”

“Kill!” The word rasped from Yin Tianfang’s throat, harsh and guttural, brimming with savage intent. A violent aura burst from him, the cold intensifying until it was terrifying to behold.

Zhang Ping and Lin Fan instinctively let go and staggered back several steps. They did not know why, but looking at Yin Tianfang now, a nameless terror gripped their hearts.

At this moment, Yin Tianfang’s mind was clouded by that wicked voice, his spirit thrown into chaos. A murderous fury filled his thoughts. Years of suppressed humiliation, anger, frustration, and agony—all stoked by that sinister voice—had erupted into an all-consuming urge to kill.

A tearing sound split the air as two figures shot toward Yin Tianfang, palms aglow with spiritual energy, aiming to strike him down on the spot.

“Master, be careful!” Zhang Ping and Lin Fan cried out in alarm, leaping forward to intercept the attack.

“Kill!” Yin Tianfang roared.

Zhang Ping and Lin Fan each blocked an opponent, but a third attacker sped straight for Yin Tianfang. Seeing him standing motionless, a cruel grin twisted the assailant’s lips as his attack grew even more ruthless.

The wind from his fierce palm sent Yin Tianfang’s long hair flying. In the instant before the blow could land, Yin Tianfang slowly lifted his head. His eyes blazed red, wild with murderous intent, making him a dreadful, monstrous sight in the darkness.

With a thud, the deadly palm never landed. Instead, Yin Tianfang seized his assailant’s wrist, his crimson gaze filled with savage violence. An animalistic growl rumbled from his throat.

Before the attacker could react, Yin Tianfang’s fist crashed into his chest.

With a sickening crunch, the force of the blow shattered his opponent’s chest, flesh and bone bursting apart, leaving a gaping hole. The ruined heart sprayed blood in all directions, the rich scent of it spreading through the forest.

Blood splattered across Yin Tianfang’s face and body, the coppery stench only fueling his growing madness. His crimson eyes burned ever brighter, their light chilling to the soul.

Far off, the servants who had been racing through the forest abruptly stopped in their tracks. Staring at Yin Tianfang, drenched in blood, his wild red eyes gleaming with insanity, an unnameable dread seized their hearts.