Chapter 210: A Grand and Far-Reaching Sect

Chapter 210: A Grand and Far-Reaching Sect

The Green Cloud Sect had originally been a place of fresh green grass, numerous rivers and marshes, deep pools, and an atmosphere of elegance and tranquility. Yet now, the air was filled with the roar of battle, the green grass stained with a red mist, flower petals speckled with blood, and emerald trees blooming with crimson flowers.

Corpse after corpse fell. No one knew how many had died. Ye Fan had truly transformed into a young demon king, slaughtering in all directions. One figure after another fell dead at his feet.

Not only had the Green Cloud Sect Leader turned to ashes, but the last two Supreme Elders had also been beaten to dust by him. At this moment, he was busy exterminating the others.

Rage burned in his heart. For the sake of so-called development, the Green Cloud Sect had euphemistically claimed their methods were temporarily excessive, but the evil deeds they had committed were utterly appalling.

They had levied exorbitant taxes, treated human life as nothing, stopped at nothing to obtain Source, and had their hands stained with blood. Their crimes were numerous, one after another.

In dozens of villages, young girls had been violated, Source seekers had been killed, and many hot-blooded young people who resisted had been subjected to extreme torture.

The Green Cloud Sect had not only supported over a dozen bands of bandits but had also frequently acted on their own, causing countless bloody incidents. They were the true source of evil in this region. Everything stemmed from them.

To excavate Source mines, they had forcibly relocated over a dozen stone stockades. When one village showed slight resistance, half of its inhabitants were slaughtered—brutal and violent.

Of course, all of this was carried out by the bandits on their behalf, but the orders had come from them.

"Spare me…" A dozen young Green Cloud disciples collapsed to the ground, kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly, begging bitterly.

Ye Fan's powerful divine sense materialized from his brow, sweeping through their sea of consciousness. What he saw was still bloodshed, so he showed no mercy and struck decisively.

"Pfft," "Pfft"…

Blossoms of blood bloomed, eerily beautiful and shocking. In an instant, over a dozen more corpses lay on the ground.

In the distance, everyone trembled and fled in all directions. Some had already realized they couldn't escape and charged forward with roars, desperate to fight to the death.

Ye Fan's expression was calm, as if he were strolling through a courtyard—light and ethereal. But his strikes were merciless. With every finger he pointed, several vibrant lives departed this world forever.

"Pfft," "Pfft," "Pfft"…

He walked with unhurried steps, ending lives as if reaping wild grass. Countless corpses lined the path on both sides, and blood dyed the fragrant meadow red.

This scene was enough to make anyone's heart race. Even Wang Shu and Lei Bo felt a chill run down their spines.

Ye Fan was as ethereal as an immortal, floating lightly, his feet barely touching the ground. He kept pointing, and blood flowers bloomed, leaving corpses strewn everywhere. He seemed untouched, like a leaf that didn't cling to his body, moving through the dead without a single trace of blood.

Though he was killing, there was a certain beauty to it, an otherworldly quality, as if he were demonstrating an art form.

The art of killing—smooth as flowing clouds and water, natural as an antelope hanging by its horns—was as enchanting as a painting, almost a pleasure to behold.

"Demon… a demon king from hell!"

The people of the Green Cloud Sect were utterly broken. Now, they were like lambs on a chopping block, awaiting an unchangeable fate—slaughter.

Death itself wasn't as terrifying as this process. It was a torment that drove people mad.

"Don't kill me! I haven't done any evil. I have nothing to do with this…" Cries and sobs came from time to time.

Ye Fan ignored everything else and focused only on the facts. His divine sense swept through, and anyone stained with blood crimes was immediately beheaded. He walked forward calmly, killing who knows how many, until the path was dyed red.

"Brother Ye, stop killing!" Wang Shu and Lei Bo stepped forward, their stomachs nearly turning inside out. They had never seen such a bloody scene before.

Though the method of killing had a certain aesthetic appeal, these were still lives. Watching heads roll continuously, they could barely endure it.

"You've killed too many—over a hundred. Brother Ye, weren't you planning to establish a sect? You've almost wiped them all out."

Ye Fan stopped and looked back. Along the path he had walked, corpse after corpse lay, dotted with crimson stains, turning the ancient stone steps a dark red.

No one had been able to escape. He had sealed off the Green Cloud Sect with one hundred and eight large banners, and these people couldn't break through.

"I don't dare to use these people, nor can I. Evil must be eradicated completely." Ye Fan shook his head.

In the distance, the remaining members of the Green Cloud Sect were nearly in despair upon hearing this. If the Sect Leader and Supreme Elders had committed evil deeds, then what about them? Most of those present had disguised themselves as bandits and personally participated, their backgrounds far from clean.

"Fight him to the death! Everyone charge together! We can't just wait to die!"

"If we're going to die, let's do it quickly. We won't let him slaughter us like dogs!"

…

Their crimes were numerous, and they were used to killing. Many had some backbone, roaring and charging forward.

The result was without suspense. No matter how much they roared, nothing could change. Screams and curses filled the air, and the Green Cloud Sect fell into chaos.

It wasn't until half an hour later that the place finally returned to peace. The blood mist slowly dissipated, leaving only a field of corpses.

Ye Fan had killed exactly two hundred and seventeen people, nearly wiping out the entire Green Cloud Sect. From ordinary disciples to elders, he had turned the place into a land soaked in blood.

The grass, stone steps, pools, and flower beds were all dyed red. Wang Shu and the simpleton Lei Bo couldn't stop vomiting. Such a bloody scene made their hearts pound.

These weren't pigs or sheep—they were people. It might sound like nothing, but facing hundreds of corpses scattered in disarray, any normal person would be terrified.

Only twenty-three people were spared. They had indeed committed no evil deeds and deeply rejected the Green Cloud Sect's actions. Ye Fan didn't make things difficult for them.

Additionally, he released three old men from the stone prison in the back mountain. They were elders of the Green Cloud Sect who had been imprisoned for opposing the support of bandits.

The Green Cloud Sect was effectively erased, with only twenty-six survivors. The rest were all killed by Ye Fan, decisively and resolutely.

"Bury everyone and bury all the sins!" Ye Fan ordered the twenty-six survivors, then strode toward the main peak in the center.

The Green Cloud Sect's treasure vault was opened. Multicolored light shimmered like mist, dazzling the eyes. On jade shelves were pieces of Source, ranging from the size of a jujube pit to the size of a fist. Though there were no rare treasures, they were all pure.

There was a full half-cubic meter of Source, weighing over sixteen hundred catties—much more than he had estimated. All of it was the result of the Green Cloud Sect's plundering.

"Heavens, so much Source! How many mines would it take to dig this up?" Lei Bo exclaimed.

Wang Shu's eyes were also overwhelmed. He touched one piece, then wiped another. The various Sources were colorful, mostly different in hue, sparkling with crystalline light—the most precious substance in the Northern Domain.

A full half-cubic meter of Source, radiant and translucent, captivating the mind.

"You two take some too. Now that you've embarked on the path of cultivation, you need it every day." Ye Fan told them to take Source.

Then, Ye Fan summoned the Jade Purification Vase and stored the remaining half-cubic meter of Source inside. This was enough for him to break through to the second level of the Dao Palace Secret Realm.

"No wonder so many people become bandits. This really stirs the heart!" Ye Fan sighed. Taking down a small sect had yielded such a huge harvest, enough to drive anyone crazy. Even he was tempted to attack another sect.

Now, his combat power was already considerable. If he reached the second level of the Dao Palace, his strength would surely skyrocket.

Besides the large amount of Source, the treasure vault also contained many weapons and some sealed secret manuals, all of which Ye Fan took out.

At the foot of the Green Cloud Sect's main peak, three large waterfalls cascaded down, magnificent and beautiful. Water mist formed rainbows, surrounded by exotic flowers, rare plants, and emerald treasure trees. The scenery was bright and picturesque.

The remaining twenty-six people were very uneasy, unsure of their fate.

"Slap"

The highest scriptures of the Green Cloud Sect were thrown before them, along with weapons refined by Dao Palace cultivators, all cast onto the ground.

"These belong to you. Don't doubt, don't worry. The Green Cloud Sect was once occupied by a group of bandits who caused havoc everywhere. I've wiped them out, leaving behind the true inheritors."

From hell to heaven, happiness came so quickly that these people could hardly believe it. Moments ago, they were worried about their lives, and now they were being offered treasures and secret arts.

"Really?" One person tremblingly looked up and asked.

"Of course it's true." Ye Fan smiled. "Take care of yourselves. Once you grow strong, you will undoubtedly become the elders of the Green Cloud Sect."

With everyone else dead, if these people stayed, they would naturally become the sect's elders and power holders.

"Brother Ye…" The simpleton Lei Bo wanted to say something.

"I forgot to introduce you. These two are the positive and negative sect leaders of the Mining Sect. We may need your help in the future." Ye Fan pushed Wang Shu and Lei Bo forward.

"We're the sect leaders?! Founding a… sect…" The two were dazed.

"The Mining Sect?!" The survivors of the Green Cloud Sect exchanged glances. The name was too rustic; anyone could tell it was about mining.

"As you might have guessed, our sect doesn't contend with the world. We only seek Source in the mountains and rivers. We may ask for your help in the future." Ye Fan didn't want to take over this sect directly, only to control it from afar. Otherwise, it would surely provoke resistance.

According to the "Source Heaven Scroll," when seeking Source, one sometimes needed to lock down mountain and earth veins, requiring many hands. These were his designated "miners."

"We dare not disobey any orders. We will comply." These people felt fortunate. Not only could they survive, but they would also become the actual controllers of the Green Cloud Sect—beyond their expectations.

At their core, these people weren't bad-hearted. They opposed evil deeds and had clean backgrounds, which was why Ye Fan had spared them.

"You'd better seal off the mountain and cultivate in seclusion…" After saying this, Ye Fan left with Wang Shu and Lei Bo, drifting away.

"Brother Ye, are we really founding a sect?" On the road, Wang Shu kept asking.

"The name is too ugly…" The simpleton muttered.

"What's ugly about it? The Mining Sect—by its name, it's a grand and far-reaching sect." Ye Fan chuckled.

"Didn't you say we were going to establish a sect at the Green Cloud Sect? Why are we leaving?" Both were puzzled.

"My main goal was to remove this tumor. As for the Green Cloud Sect, it must be firmly in my grasp!" Ye Fan smiled.

These were his designated miners, but he couldn't announce it directly. Otherwise, even if they outwardly obeyed, they would rebel inwardly. It required gradual influence.

For now, letting them become the controllers of the Green Cloud Sect would make them overjoyed. Over time, everything would fall into place.

Ye Fan had already regarded this sect as his own territory, not allowing others to interfere. Soon, he would go there to cultivate in seclusion.

In the following three days, Ye Fan used thunderous methods to wipe out all seventeen bands of bandits within a radius of five hundred miles, killing them all cleanly.

When Ye Fan returned to the Green Cloud Sect, preparing to use the acquired Source for seclusion, he learned that over the past three days, people had been spying outside the mountain gate.

"The Separation Fire Sect, the Sunset Cloud Sect, the Profound Moon Cave, and the Seven Star Pavilion—these four sects have been probing the Green Cloud Sect's situation recently."

The three remaining elders of the Green Cloud Sect showed worry, and the other twenty-three young disciples were also uneasy.

"It's fine. As long as they don't go too far, ignore them. If you have any trouble, I'll help. After all, I've borrowed a peak from you." Ye Fan smiled.

He wanted to live in seclusion in the back mountain. The Green Cloud Sect naturally didn't dare refuse. At first, they had reservations, but now they had no choice but to seek Ye Fan's help.

"A disciple of the Profound Moon Cave has come to pay respects and requests an audience with the Green Cloud Sect Leader!" The voice traveled from outside the mountain gate all the way to the eighteen main peaks.

Soon, a Green Cloud disciple led in a young man in his twenties. He walked up the stone steps, scanning his surroundings with a faint smile on his lips.

"You're just a disciple of the Profound Moon Cave, yet you make a loud commotion at our mountain gate, disturbing our cultivation, and arrogantly demand to see our sect leader. Even if your elder came in person, they wouldn't dare act like this."

"I am Li Youran, the ninth disciple of the Profound Moon Cave Master. I've come on my master's orders to pay respects." Li Youran looked around, noticing bloodstains by the pools and on the stone steps, and his smile grew wider.

"Do you have any business?" The Green Cloud elder asked with a stern face.

"I've heard that the Green Cloud Sect has undergone changes. My Profound Moon Cave wishes to assist. Soon, strong experts will arrive here." Li Youran replied.

"How dare you! Are you planning to attack our Green Cloud Sect?" The three elders were furious.

"I wouldn't dare. My master and your sect leader were close friends. If the Green Cloud Sect is in trouble, my Profound Moon Cave naturally wants to help you through this difficulty." Li Youran had deduced the Green Cloud Sect's weakness and became even more casual, a faint smile on his face.

"Is the Profound Moon Cave trying to take advantage of the chaos?" The remaining twenty-six members of the Green Cloud Sect were all enraged.

"Not at all. We sincerely come to help." Li Youran opened his folding fan and spoke smoothly. "My master and your sect leader discussed long ago the idea of merging the two sects to develop together."

The words were clear enough. The Profound Moon Cave's intentions were obvious.

"You…" The Green Cloud members were furious.

"Quite the big talk." Ye Fan stepped out. "Merging the two sects is fine. Go back and tell your cave master to prepare half a cubic meter of Source. He can join the Green Cloud Sect anytime, and I'll make him a deputy sect leader—no problem."

"Who are you?" Li Youran snapped his fan shut, his smile vanishing. "A mere child, what right do you have to speak here? I'm talking to your elders. Step aside."

Ye Fan had already regarded the Green Cloud Sect as his own territory. He wouldn't allow anyone else to meddle or try to steal the fruits of his labor.

"Are you talking to me?" He walked down the ancient stone steps, the breeze lifting his hair and fluttering his sleeves, as ethereal as an immortal. "This is the Green Cloud Sect. I can say whatever I want. Who do you think you are? A disciple of the Profound Moon Cave, yet you act arrogantly here. What do you take this place for, to be so insolent?"

"I represent the Profound Moon Cave. You're just a young disciple—you have no right to speak to me!" Li Youran opened his fan, gazing at the scenery, completely disregarding everyone.

"Get lost. Tell your cave master to prepare half a cubic meter of Source for me. Otherwise, I'll fulfill his wish and merge the sects!"

Ye Fan let out a cold laugh. His long sleeves fluttered, and with a light flick, smooth as flowing clouds and water, elegant beyond compare.

"Slap"

Li Youran was sent flying, hurtling a hundred zhang through the air before crashing to the ground in disgrace.

"You… how dare you show such disrespect to my Profound Moon Cave!"

"Bang"

Ye Fan flicked his sleeve again. Li Youran's mouth and nose sprayed blood, his face swollen as if slapped hard. His whole body felt like it had been struck by lightning, and he was sent flying backward.

"Good, good, good. This time, your Green Cloud Sect will truly be wiped out!" Li Youran's face turned ashen.

"Big talk. Who do you think you are? Get lost and tell your cave master to come see me." Ye Fan stood still, his sleeves waving continuously.

Li Youran's body shook violently, his face swollen, his teeth loosened. He was directly slapped out of the Green Cloud Sect, falling into a distant pool.

That's four thousand words for tonight. The New Year is approaching, and there are some trivial matters. I'll continue to work hard tomorrow.