After several months had passed, Xiao Qing was tending to her garden while humming a sweet melody.
She stopped watering the flowers and then glanced back, a faint smile still lingering on her face.
"Zi Yao Mei, you deserve your title as the Ghost of the United Righteous Sect, all walls included." Xiao Qing's tone was calm, carrying a hint of sarcasm.
A man in his forties, dressed in black clothes covering his entire body, appeared. He removed the cloth that had been covering his face completely and bowed, his fist clenched as a sign of respect. "Thank you, Saint, for your praise... Information about the sects present at the Qi Bao Mountains disaster, namely the Joyful Heaven Sect,
the Divine Snow Sect, the Righteousness Sect, the Yang Yi Mountain Sect, the Chang Yu Sect, the Emerald Phoenix Sect, the Zi Yu Dragon Sect, and the Northern Kang Li Clan. They were present at the disaster as witnesses to the defeat of the Great Chaos Venerable Feng. However, despite being at the 8th stage of immortality, none of them survived. Their children inherited their leadership of the sects and clans. The information you requested is ready. It has been brought and placed inside a storage ring." Zi Yao Mei's tone was cold, devoid of any emotion, as if he were a machine executing tasks, with nothing else involved.
He then took out a yellow-green jade ring from his pocket, engraved with a fig pattern, to give to Xiao Qing.
She pointed her finger towards it, a faint smile on her face, as the ring moved towards her. She snapped her fingers, and the storage ring disappeared.
She then spoke in a calm tone, but with an underlying sharp edge that accepted no argument.
"You may leave, Master Zi Yao Mei. Enjoy the next week; you will have the entire week off to do as you please."
Zi Yao Mei bowed at a 45° angle, his fist clenched as a sign of respect. "Thank you for your generosity, Saint of the United Righteous Sect."
He then immediately disappeared, leaving a mirage of fading shadows in the air.
Xiao Qing continued her work as if nothing had happened moments before, humming some folk tunes.
After three hours, in the meeting base, were Kong Yu Shui, Myung Hee, Xiao Qing, and the sect elders whose numbers had decreased after the death of Qin Yu Sao. There were 8 other people:
The leader of the Xuan Yi Sect, Sheng, at the late 8th stage of immortality, and his son Xuan Yi Bai, who is considered the future leader, at the 7th stage of Heaven's Gift, Grant 3.
The leader of the Hua Mountain Sect, Xin Yi Hao Tian, at the peak of the 8th stage, and his grandson Xin Yi Ze Han, at the early stage of immortality, one of the greatest talents in the history of Hua Mountain.
The leader of the Heavenly Star Sect, Feng Kai Feng, at the mid 9th stage of the Transcendent Being, and Feng Tao Jun, commander of the sect's special squad and a rising talent of the Heavenly Star Sect at the early 9th stage of Transcendent Being.
The leader of the Great Buddha Sect, Great Monk Ming Bao Fu, and his right-hand man, the Monk of the Scales of Truth, Tao Jun Kai, both at the late 9th stage, Saint.
They were seated on both sides of the base, forming an aisle of terrifying beasts and formidable talents. The greatest powers in the world, the masters, were in one place, waiting for the sects that participated and attended the Qi Bao Mountains disaster.
Everyone present was seated on mats, with a small table containing some wine and nuts to pass the time until the guests of the ceremony arrived. As for Xiao Qing, she was sitting in her own special enclosure, a cube no more than two meters high, made of gold and diamonds, with a special mattress made of celestial silk inside. Xiao Qing was wearing elegant and beautiful clothes of a milky white color, covering her face with a transparent veil that simultaneously concealed her facial features, which had light makeup. Next to her, Myung Hee was wearing light pink and purple clothes with some light makeup on her face. Her hair was tied in a bun with three equal knots, allowing some of her hair to fall onto her back.
As for Kong Yu Shui, he was sitting on his throne as usual, with an expression of coldness on his face, not indicating whether he was on the righteous or demonic path. His gaze alternated between the void and Xiao Qing, trying to understand what she wanted to achieve, although he was aware that he did not fully grasp her intentions. Since she was glaringly higher in rank than him, it was difficult to read her.
After several minutes, the leaders of the sects and clans that participated in the Qi Bao Mountains disaster arrived.
The attendees turned their eyes towards the current leaders of the sects and the Northern Kang Li Clan with analytical gazes, except for Xiao Qing, who was smiling her usual faint smile with her eyes closed, and Kong Myung Hee, who was sipping some hot tea, indifferent to the current situation.
And Kong Yu Shui, who didn't care about their presence at all, looking at them with utter indifference.
The leaders of the present sects took their designated seats with twisted and malicious smiles that were not evident on their faces.
After a few seconds, Kong Yu Shui spoke in a calm, indifferent tone, as if he knew but wanted those with him to know, even though he was indifferent to their knowledge or ignorance.
"You are the current leaders of the Joyful Heaven Sect,
the Divine Snow Sect, the Righteousness Sect, the Yang Yi Mountain Sect, the Chang Yu Sect, the Emerald Phoenix Sect, the Zi Yu Dragon Sect, and the Northern Kang Li Clan."
Although they heard his tone as a question, they felt it as a confirmation of their situation. Yet, no one dared to speak. However, one of them did not hide that twisted smile that crept under a mask of calmness and respect. Yet, it was just a poor trick for all of them, Kong Yu Shui, Xiao Qing, Kong Yu Shui, the Great Monk Ming Bao Fu, his right-hand man, the Monk of Justice Balance Tao Jun Kai, Feng Kai Feng, and Feng Tao Jun from the Heavenly Star Sect. However, they did not make any statement of any kind, only watched the situation with some caution.
"Introduce yourselves." Kong Yu Shui's tone was firm. It was not a request but an order they had to obey.
A young man with short black hair and eyes of the same color, appearing to be in his twenties, with an average build, bowed slightly, clenching his fist. "I am the current leader of the Chang Zhu Sect, Li Bing Yu, and the third son of Zhu Li Yong."
A person next to him, with reddish-black hair and green eyes, with a strong build, bowed slightly, clenching his fist like Zhang Li Bing Zhu. "Current leader of the Emerald Phoenix Sect, Zhong Yu, grandson of Zhong Gu."
Then came the introductions:
"Current leader of the Su Wu Li Dragon Sect, nephew of Su Wu Li."
"Zi Jin Mortai, leader of the Northern Kang Li Clan, Zi Yu."
"Zhang Xing, current leader of the Joyful Heaven Sect, son of Zhang Su."
"Current leader of the Divine Snow Sect, Yu Bai Fang, son of Yu Bai Yun."
"Current leader of the Long Xin Hai Benevolent Sect, grandson of Long Li Fu."
"Current leader of the Yang Yi Sen Yang Yi Mountain Sect, son of Yang Yi Yang."
Xiao Qing sighed lightly as her wide violet eyes opened to the attendees, a slight smile never leaving her lips. "It seems you have suffered a lot. I offer my belated condolences for the remains of your companions and family members, and I hope they receive what they deserve without any deficiency." Her tone was as calm as usual as she turned her gaze to Zhu Li Bing, Zhong Yu, Su Wu Li, Zi Jin Mortai, Yang Yi Sen, Long Xin Hai, Yu Bai Fang, and Zhang Xing.
Then Su Wu Li spoke in a tone filled with superficial respect, which she easily saw through. "On behalf of all my comrades, I thank the Saint of Creation for her sincere condolences."
Xiao Qing's smile widened as she listened to Su Wu Li's praise, devoid of any respect, while it was not obvious that she had seen through it easily.
"Let's get back to the matter. The reason we called you is the incident in the Qi Bao Mountains." Myon He's tone was calm and firm, unbecoming of her age.
Zhu Li Bing's smile widened as he listened to Myon He's words, and he thought to himself with sarcasm, "I knew they wanted to investigate the Qi Bao Mountains incident, so I took precautions for any emergency."
"Do you want to start investigating the Qi Bao Mountains case? We thank you in advance for your efforts to bring down that despicable scoundrel Feng Li Wu." His tone was a mixture of thanks, indignation, suppressed anger, and sadness.
However, the expressions of some characters did not change, while the faces of others changed. Those whose level was not less than stage 8 of immortality felt uncontrollable indignation and anger towards Feng Li Wu. However, they could only curse him for being able to crush them without much effort. This was the law of the world; the strong fed on the weak, the strong ruled and did as they pleased within or outside the system, while the weak were bound by it until they perished.
"Zhu Li Bing, would you kindly remove your mask of nobility? I am starting to feel disgusted every second I see you and the scum with you with these nauseating faces." Xiao Qing's tone was calm, carrying a hint of killing intent in her gaze and disgust in her words.
The base turned into complete silence, with all of Zhu Li Bing, Zhong Yu, Su Wu Li, Zi Jin Mortai, Yang Yi Sen, Long Xin Hai, Yu Bai Fang, Zhang Xing, Shen Yi Ze Han, Shen Yi Hao Tian, Xuan Yi, and Ben Xuan Yi Bai Seng. Meanwhile, the expressions of Kong Yu Shui, his daughter Myon He, the Great Monk Ming Bao Fu, his right-hand man, the Monk of Justice Balance Tao Jun Kai, Feng Kai Feng, and Feng Tao Jun remained unchanged. In fact, their admiration for Xiao Qing increased.
"What do you mean, Saint Xiao Qing, by your words? We didn't understand any of it." Zhu Li Bing's tone was full of feigned confusion as he looked at Xiao Qing with a wronged expression.
However, Xiao Qing's expression did not change at all; her smile widened as she looked at everyone.
As for Kong Yu Shui, he just watched without showing anything. His gaze was cold, directed at Zhu Li Bing and his companions from other sects.
He then turned his gaze back to Xiao Qing. "Do you have something to say, Saint Xiao Qing, at this point?"
Xiao Qing turned her gaze to Kong Yu Shui for a few seconds before speaking. "I want to ask you, Lord Zhu Li Bing, about something important to the case, if you please." Her facial expression showed great innocence, and at the same time, she was weaving threads to begin an interrogation game.
"Yes, ask what you want, Saint Xiao Qing. I am ready to do anything to serve you." Zhu Li Bing's tone was full of respect and complete submission. He was a brilliant actor, difficult to detect even by those at stage 8 of immortality, so some were affected by his words.
"Then what were the Chang Sect, the Divine Snow Sect, the Yang Yi Mountain Sect, the Benevolent Sect, the Joyful Heaven Sect, the Northern Kang Li Clan, and the Dragon Sect doing on Thursday, May 26, 345, at 5:54 PM in the secret room of the Yang Yi Mountain Sect? And what were the unified architectural blueprints of the Benevolent Sect doing inside that secret room?" Xiao Qing's tone was sharp and interrogative; it was not an investigation but a confirmation of what had happened.
Zhu Li Bing's and his companions' expressions turned tense, sweat beading on their foreheads as they heard Zhao Qing's words.
A few seconds passed before Zhu Li Bing gathered himself and put back on his expression of confusion and injustice, looking towards
"This is a false accusation against me and my companions. Do you have any evidence against me and my companions?"
Everyone's faces turned towards Zhao Qing. Her gaze held a mixture of confusion, cunning, indifference, and analysis, with all of them, the Great Monk Ming Bao Fu, his right-hand man, the Monk of Justice Balance Tao Jun Kai, Feng Kai Feng, and Feng Tao Jun, knowing that Zhu Li Bing was lying. However, they did not interfere because there was no point, and Zhu Li Bing had done nothing to insult Zhao Qing. All his words were outwardly full of respect, appreciation, and free from any insults. However, Zhao Qing felt a lust emanating from Zhu Li Bing and his companions, which made her feel a great deal of hatred and intense anger towards them. She sighed with almost relief because Feng Li Wu was not present. Although they rarely understood each other, they were, in a sense, one soul. So, looking at her in that way was a direct insult to him, and therefore, he would not be merciful.
Zhao Qing snapped her fingers, revealing documents, folders, and the sound of current and former sect leaders talking among themselves about a coup against the four great sects and the united Benevolent Sect.
Zhu Li Bing and his companions' expressions turned black as they looked at the irrefutable evidence.
Before they could say anything, they were completely erased from existence. Only a spot of blood remained in their places. They didn't even realize they had died. The process was quick, with no sound, nothing; just a spot of blood appeared out of nowhere.
They turned their gaze towards Zhao Qing with eyes filled with terror. However, the situation did not end there.
She snapped her fingers, and a wave of golden ethereal energy exploded in the air, completely annihilating the Chang Sect, the Divine Snow Sect, the Yang Yi Mountain Sect, the Benevolent Sect, the Joyful Heaven Sect, the Northern Kang Li Clan, and the Dragon Sect from existence, from history, and from everything. Nothing remained of them in any time, place, or anything. However, the leaders of the four great sects and their guests still remembered the existence of those sects.
"You have seen the fate of the Chang Sect, the Divine Snow Sect, the Yang Yi Mountain Sect, the Benevolent Sect, the Joyful Heaven Sect, the Northern Kang Li Clan, and the Dragon Sect. They no longer exist at all, and the fate of anyone who insults me directly or indirectly will be the same. Consider this a clear warning. I know you are aware of those ridiculous conspiracies. You are the leaders of the four great sects and the masters from stage 8 to 9, ultimately."
"The..." Xuan Yi tried to speak, but Zhao Qing silenced him by raising her hand, her expression as cold as frost, showing no emotion.
"Lord Xuan Yi, respect yourself. I have not finished speaking. Also, you know about the dirty intentions of Zhu Li Bing and his companions towards me, but you remained silent and did nothing. This is truly shameful to the Creator of Heaven. You truly make me feel disgusted. Now, everyone leave, or no one will remain to tell what happened today." Zhao Qing's tone was calm and cold, devoid of any emotion.
After that, the leaders of the great sects said nothing. They rose from their places, bowed slightly, clenching their fists. "We beg your leave, we will depart."
Then they left at the speed of light, as if the speed of their escape would determine their survival or not.
This was the true power of Xiao Qing. If it were someone at the same level or slightly higher, they would have shown their displeasure openly. But Zhao Qing and Kong Yu Shui were both monsters on their own, and their union would cause their death without them even feeling it. The strong rule, and the weak are ruled; this is the law of existence.
Kong Yu Shui turned his gaze towards the elders of his united Benevolent Sect with a cold look. "And you are still here? Get out of my sight." Kong Yu Jun's tone was sharp and cold as usual, but this time it carried a hint of killing intent.
The elders of the united Benevolent Sect left the base without saying anything. Kong Yu Shui's mood was bad; any foolish action would only cause them to turn into a mist of splashing blood.
Kong Yu Shui glanced at Zhao Qing out of the corner of his eye, finding her usual calm expression and a slight smile drawn on her face again. He muttered in a low voice, looking at her, "Who exactly are you, for God's sake?"