Fratricide Among Disciples

Chapter 76

The Heavenly Star Sanctuary loomed like a sword suspended over Li Changmeng's head, poised to strike at any moment.

To counter the impending threat of annihilation, Li Changmeng hastened the creation of his clones, dispersing them across the land to find safe havens. As long as one clone remained, it would be considered a success.

Upon learning of this, Yuhua made its own arrangements for survival. It had previously sent some of its offspring beyond the Ten Cities Alliance, but they had been eradicated and were no longer detectable.

For now, the Heavenly Star Sanctuary remained dormant, lying in wait for the opportune moment to eliminate them all in one fell swoop.

On Prayer Immortal Mountain, Chang Fei, Zhao Ming, and Sun Minghao were practicing their techniques together. All three had reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Li Changmeng descended from the sky, landing gracefully among them.

"Greetings, Master."

The three bowed in unison. Li Changmeng gestured for them to rise. Chang Fei, already tall, had grown even larger after reaching Foundation Establishment. His physique had surpassed human limitations, an unmistakable sign of an innate divine ability.

"Chang Fei, Zhao Ming, you are both my disciples, and I regard you as my own. However, due to various distractions, I have neglected you somewhat.

At the Foundation Establishment stage, one can begin to comprehend the Dao. Have you gained any insights?"

The two shook their heads. Understanding the Dao was no simple matter.

"Hmm... Your talents are a bit lacking, and your comprehension ability is not outstanding. But that's alright. You must know that within your dantian lies a 'pill,' which already contains a semblance of the Dao. Focus your mind and perceive it."

After speaking, Li Changmeng observed their reactions. His two disciples had long harbored suspicions about him. If he didn't guide them, they might not follow the path he intended.

The fleshy tumors—the so-called 'flesh pills'—inside their bodies had helped refine the power of faith and carried the rhythm of the fleshly Dao. However, even after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, the flesh pills had only slightly enlarged, showing no other changes.

Li Changmeng speculated that their stagnation was due to their lack of Dao comprehension.

Initially, he had planned to wait for them to naturally grasp the Dao, but with the current blockade, time was no longer a luxury. He had no choice but to expedite the process—forcing the seedlings to grow.

Upon hearing their master's guidance, the two disciples' eyes lit up, and they immediately expressed their gratitude.

"Focus on comprehending the Dao—it will benefit your future cultivation."

"Yes, Master. Thank you for your guidance."

After imparting his instructions, Li Changmeng vanished, secretly observing them.

The group fell silent before wordlessly departing together. Only upon returning to their cave dwellings did their expressions shift.

"What do you think Master meant by that? He called that fleshy tumor a 'flesh pill.' He must know what it is. And remember—he even cut open our dantians to inspect them before."

Chang Fei clenched her fists. Nominally, they were closed-door disciples, and with their breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, they ranked among the highest echelons within the Clear Mist Sect.

There were even rumors within the sect that the leader had secretly provided them with resources to accelerate their cultivation.

What a joke. They were indeed being nurtured—but not as prodigies. More like pets... or livestock.

They had thought reaching Foundation Establishment would grant them a chance at freedom. But instead, they had been forbidden from interacting with outside cultivators.

In essence, they were being kept in a cage.

While others believed the sect leader was protecting them, Chang Fei and the others knew it was a restriction, preventing their escape.

Sun Minghao remained silent. As a Hair Person, his stance was different. Now, he mostly listened, gauging the thoughts of the others.

"Senior Sister, why don't we just escape? Maybe there's still a chance for survival. Comprehending the Dao? How are we supposed to comprehend the Dao from that grotesque fleshy tumor inside us?"

If not for the fact that the tumor was lodged in their dantians, he would have carved it out long ago.

"I was thinking the same thing. What about you, Senior Brother? Continuing like this is just waiting for death. We've reached Foundation Establishment—if we leave now, we can still carve out a future, right?"

Chang Fei turned to Sun Minghao, who remained silent.

"Master is a Core Formation cultivator..."

Sun Minghao didn't finish his thought, but the implication was clear: Did they truly believe, as early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, they could escape from a Core Formation cultivator?

"So what? He usually stays at the main peak, which is far from Prayer Immortal Mountain. A Core Formation cultivator's spiritual sense can't reach here. Once we leave the Clear Mist Sect, we can even hide among mortals if necessary."

Chang Fei was willing to do whatever it took to escape.

"Hmph, then go ahead and try. I won't leave."

Sun Minghao shook his head. Once they left, he would report to the Deity—perhaps even earning some favor.

Chang Fei's expression turned cold. "Senior Brother, we are fellow disciples. How could I bear to leave you alone in such a dangerous place?"

"What are you—"

BANG!

A fist as large as a cooking pot came crashing down, sending Sun Minghao flying.

"Senior Sister, did you kill him?"

Zhao Ming was shocked. It was his first time seeing Chang Fei act so ruthlessly.

"Hmph, so what if he's dead? I always thought Sun Minghao was too much of a coward—too afraid to escape. Staying behind would have only jeopardized us.

Besides... this is far more satisfying than using techniques."

Chang Fei withdrew her bloodstained fist.

Under that punch, Sun Minghao's body had shattered. Only the hair within him barely held the flesh together, preventing it from falling apart entirely.

"Senior Sister... his body is growing a lot of hair!"

"Hair?"

Chang Fei's gaze sharpened. Not far away, Sun Minghao's broken form was rapidly transforming—black hair sprouting, twisting into a grotesque shape.

The hair gathered, forming a humanoid figure. Some yellowed strands overlapped, distorting as they let out a sharp cry for help.

"Then, I'll take you directly to the Deity!"

The Hair Person sneered and charged forward.

"Senior Brother, he..."

"Stop calling him Senior Brother! This is definitely our dear Master's handiwork! If we continue cultivating, we'll end up just like him!"

Chang Fei grabbed Zhao Ming. This abomination was something she dared not face recklessly.

The Hair Person raised its hand and blew out a plume of black hair.

"Flowing Mist Protection!"

Chang Fei cast a defensive spell, while Zhao Ming reacted, launching an attack.

The Hair Person twisted its body at an unnatural angle, dodging the spell, then spewed forth a torrent of black filaments.

Yet before the filaments could reach them, they ignited.

The fire followed the hair, swiftly consuming the Hair Person's form.

At the source of the flames, Chang Fei's colossal form blazed like a living inferno, letting out a deafening roar as she charged forward!

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