Zhu Xian: The way of heaven collapses, and I only have one sword!

Chapter 71: Cang Ji is punished, the evil cult is coming!
Chen Qiye's fingers moved slightly, his eyelashes trembling slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes. What came into view was the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar carved bedtop. He subconsciously wanted to get up, but his head felt dizzy and his limbs felt weak.

"You're finally awake!" A voice, both surprised and choked with sobs, came from Lu Xueqi, who quickly walked to the bedside. Her eyes were slightly red, filled with concern and joy. "Do you know how long you've been unconscious? You've made everyone so worried."

Chen Qiye forced a weak smile into his lips, his voice hoarse, "Qier, I'm sorry to have worried you." He looked around and found himself in a small courtyard behind the Jade Purity Hall of the Qingyun Sect. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patches of light onto the ground.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the house, and then the door was gently pushed open, and Taoist Master Daoxuan walked in.

Taoist Master Daoxuan looked at Chen Qiye with a complicated expression, his eyes showing both relief and scrutiny. "Qiye, you're finally awake. You've been unconscious for the past few days, and I was worried you'd never wake up."

Chen Qiye struggled to stand up and salute, but Taoist Master Daoxuan raised his hand to stop him.

Taoist Master Daoxuan continued, "During the battle at Liubo Mountain, you displayed great power, but it also affected your internal injuries. However, you are closely involved with members of the Demonic Cult, and their rules are strict. Even if you have made contributions, you cannot escape this punishment."

Chen Qiye nodded slightly, looked at Lu Xueqi, and motioned her to go out first.

Lu Xueqi understood Chen Qiye's intentions. Although she was filled with worry, she quietly retreated and gently closed the door. Only Chen Qiye and Taoist Master Daoxuan were left in the room, and the atmosphere was a little solemn.

Taoist Master Daoxuan slowly walked to the window with his back to Chen Qiye. The sunlight outlined his slightly weathered figure.

"Qi Ye, what exactly is the purpose of your interactions with the Demon Cult's Ghost King and his daughter Bi Yao?" Taoist Master Daoxuan's voice was low, with a certain unquestionable majesty.

Chen Qiye took a deep breath, forced himself to sit up, and said solemnly, "Master, although I know them, I have my own distinction between good and evil. Bi Yao... although she was born into the Demon Sect, she is not a villain. By chance, we have experienced life and death together."

Taoist Master Daoxuan slowly turned around and stared at Chen Qiye with a sharp gaze, his expression filled with worry. "Qiye, you are my most promising disciple. What you believe in as good and evil actually has a defined boundary in this world. The Demon Cult acts erratically and unscrupulously. For thousands of years, they have been in constant conflict with the righteous path, and their blood debt is countless. How can they be easily dismissed by simply saying 'not evil'? You are involved with them. If you are not careful, you will fall into an irretrievable situation. How can your master not be worried?"

"Master, Qiye knows all these things, but what I care about is never the concept of good and evil. I only care about the innocent people in this world. Whether they are good or evil, as long as they are suffering, I cannot sit idly by." Chen Qiye nodded and said.

Taoist Master Daoxuan frowned. He knew that what Chen Qiye said was not unreasonable, but the concept of good and evil passed down for thousands of years, as well as the exemplary status of Qingyun Sect in the righteous path, made it difficult for him to easily agree with Chen Qiye's approach.

"Qiye, your ideas are too idealistic. The conflict between good and evil is deeply rooted and cannot be resolved overnight."

"The opposition between good and evil has existed since ancient times, but who suffers in every war?" Chen Qiye paused, a look of compassion in his eyes. "In every war, innocent people suffer. Corpses and starvation litter the fields, and countless families are torn apart. As cultivators, we bear the responsibility of protecting the people. If we only cling to the name of good and evil, and disregard the lives of the people, what difference is there between us and that demonic cult?"

Taoist Master Daoxuan's expression froze, and he was speechless for a moment. He paced with his hands behind his back, his heart stirred by Chen Qiye's words. After a long moment, he sighed, "You have a point, but the Qingyun Sect attracts attention, and our every move is watched by our fellow righteous men. This matter is of great importance, so I will consider it further. However, regarding your dealings with the Demon Sect, although you are my disciple and ordinary people would not say anything, the punishment you deserve is still due. You will receive ten blows of the Soul-Smashing Whip in front of all the disciples of the Qingyun Sect."

When Chen Qiye heard he was going to receive ten soul-beating whips, he remained calm, showing no fear at all. He bowed slightly and replied, "Disciple is willing to accept the punishment and will follow Master's instructions."

Taoist Master Daoxuan looked at his resolute disciple with mixed feelings. He waved his hand, turned around and slowly left, a heavy look on his face. "Qiye, I, your master, also want to see that day come. I just want to change the order of the world. Only if your strength is unrivaled can you do that. Tomorrow..."

After Taoist Master Daoxuan left, Chen Qiye leaned against the headboard, staring at the closed door, lost in thought. For an ordinary person, ten lashes of the soul-smashing whip would be a gruesome punishment, enough to shatter bones and exhaust the spirit. Each strike felt like a sharp blade slicing through the soul, excruciating pain. But for Chen Qiye, it was little more than a tickle. Although he hadn't fully recovered yet, taking ten lashes was a breeze.

In a remote place at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, four people were standing side by side. Three men and one woman were all quietly gazing at Qingyun Mountain.

After a while, the Poison God suddenly smiled, as if with some emotion, and said: "I never thought that I would return here in my lifetime."

The Ghost King smiled and said, "With you, Senior, in charge, we can do more than just return here. After tomorrow, we'll go to the Jade Purity Palace on Tongtian Peak to have a celebratory drink."

The Poison God shook his head and said with a smile, "Brother Ghost King, why are you teasing me again? We have already agreed that Brother Yu Yangzi of the Changsheng Hall will be in charge of this important matter. We are just pawns." As he said this, he turned his head and said to the man on the other side, "That's right, Brother Yu Yangzi, hehe."

Yu Yangzi, the leader of Changshengtang, is extremely handsome. He looks to be in his early thirties, but he is actually over sixty.

Within the Demon Cult, the Changsheng Hall is a unique faction. It has always been responsible for guarding the Demon Cult's most important holy site, the Holy Temple, in the wilderness. This time, the Demon Cult secretly descended upon Qingyun Mountain. After a secret discussion among the four sect leaders, Yu Yangzi was elected as the leader of this major event. Unavoidably feeling a sense of pride, he said with a smile, "The Qingyun Sect has committed countless evil deeds, oppressing our Holy Cult for centuries. Today, we must demand justice from them."

The Ghost King smiled and said, "Well said." After that, he turned his head and said to the woman beside him, the Three Wonderful Fairies of the Hehuan Sect, "Wait a moment, and I will also see your miraculous Taoist magic."

Hearing the Ghost King's words, the Three Wonderful Fairies smiled faintly. She first glanced at Yu Yangzi, then swept her gaze over the Poison God and the Ghost King, saying, "You three Dao brothers are all great men who have seen the world, far more than I have. However, we all swore a solemn oath before the Holy Mother and the throne of the Bright King. This time, we must work together to avenge the shame of the Holy Temple. I hope you three Dao brothers will put aside your past grudges and not betray your oath."

The three ghost kings looked at each other and said, "Don't worry, fairy, we have no second thoughts."

The next morning, the sun shone early on Qingyun Square at the foot of Qingyun Peak.

Many disciples of Qingyun Sect, as well as the heads of the seven sects and some elders, had already gathered in the square. They had different expressions, some looked worried, while others were a little curious. They were all waiting for the moment when Chen Qiye would be punished.

Lu Xueqi stood in the crowd, biting her lower lip tightly, her hands unconsciously clenched into fists, her eyes fixed on the direction of Yuqing Palace, where Chen Qiye was walking towards the square step by step.

When Chen Qiye appeared in everyone's sight, the square suddenly fell silent. His steps were steady, and although his face still looked a little sick, his determination could not be concealed.

Taoist Master Daoxuan stood on the high platform in the square, his expression solemn. Taoist Master Cangsong beside him turned his head and looked at his senior brother Daoxuan: "Senior Brother, is this really necessary?"

Taoist Master Daoxuan frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his resolve and said in a deep voice, "The sect's rules cannot be abolished. Although Qiye has made great contributions, the fact that he has been involved with the Demon Sect is already known. If we don't punish him, how can we convince the others?"

Taoist Cangsong sighed softly and said nothing more. Fortunately, he was the one who carried out the execution. After all, Chen Qiye was the successor of Senior Brother Wan. If he was beaten, he would never forgive himself.

On the side, Shuiyue Zhenren, Tian Buyi, Su Ru, Shang Zhengliang, Tianyun Taoist, and Zeng Shuchang saw this and no one dared to persuade him. After all, anyone with a discerning eye could see that with Chen Qiye's current strength, enduring the Soul Whip would be like playing.

Taoist Cangsong slowly raised his soul-smashing whip. It shone coldly in the sunlight, seeming to foreshadow the pain to come. Chen Qiye walked steadily to the center of the square, his expression as calm as water. He bowed to Taoist Daoxuan and his teachers, then turned, straightened his back, and prepared to accept the ten blows of the soul-smashing whip.

Lu Xueqi's heart was in her throat. She stared at Chen Qiye nervously, her nails digging into her palms, silently praying that Chen Qiye would suffer less pain. The surrounding Qingyun disciples also held their breath, watching this solemn scene.

Taoist Cangsong took a deep breath, shook his wrist, and the soul-beating whip was like a black lightning, accompanied by the sound of whistling wind, and lashed towards Chen Qiye.

With a crisp "snap" sound, the whip tip landed on Chen Qiye's back, but Chen Qiye's body only shook slightly, and his face did not show much pain.

Everyone was shocked. You have to know the power of the soul-beating whip. If an ordinary disciple was hit by it, his skin would be torn and he would be in excruciating pain. But Chen Qiye seemed to be unaffected.

The second whip landed immediately after, still making a crisp sound. Chen Qiye remained steady, only a shallow whip mark appeared on his clothes. Taoist Cangsong was secretly amazed. He knew Chen Qiye was a highly skilled cultivator, but he had never expected him to be able to withstand the lash of the Soul-Smashing Whip so easily.

Just like that, whip after whip fell, Chen Qiye gritted his teeth and didn't let out a cry of pain. When the ninth whip was over, Chen Qiye's back was already torn and blood was faintly seeping out, but his eyes remained firm and his posture remained upright.

"Qi Ye, are you okay?" Taoist Cangsong said in a low voice.

"Uncle Cangsong, I know. My master told me. If your information is accurate, then the Demon Cult would have attacked Qingyun Sect today. The reason why I was whipped was to gather the disciples of Qingyun Sect together." Chen Qiye nodded.

Taoist Cangsong's expression froze when he heard this, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. He nodded slightly and whispered, "Since you already know, then be careful." He raised his whip for the tenth time. As it fell, Chen Qiye remained steady, though his body swayed slightly.

At this moment, the entire square was silent. Everyone was shocked by Chen Qiye's extraordinary endurance. Lu Xueqi could no longer bear it and quickly stepped forward to support Chen Qiye, her eyes full of heartache: "Qiye, how are you?"

(End of this chapter)