Chapter 556: The So-Called Demonic Cultivation

…

“I have gathered everyone here to announce something!”

Chen Huaian gazed at the densely packed disciples in the sect square, his heart swelling with emotion—this was the empire he had built with his own hands.

“Before making this announcement, I want to ask a few elders some questions. After all, as elders, you represent the majority viewpoint of the disciples.”

The elders exchanged glances.

Su Qinian stretched out his hand from inside the rotating washing machine.

“Ancestor! Pick! Pick me!”

Chen Huaian: “…”

“Alright then, Elder Su, you answer.”

Su Qinian snapped his fingers, and Xu An and Duan Feng immediately lifted both him and the washing machine to the front.

Chen Huaian’s mouth twitched, and his clenched fists tightened further.

“What is Elder Su’s opinion on demon cultivators?”

“The so-called demon cultivators are those who cultivate demonic arts,” Su Qinian said with a mysteriously profound expression.

Chen Huaian: “…”

“I didn’t ask you to explain what demon cultivators are. I’m asking your opinion on demon cultivators!”

“Oh, opinion,” Su Qinian’s face darkened. “Damn it, demon cultivators all deserve to die. None of them are innocent!”

As soon as he said this, a figure in the crowd of disciples trembled slightly.

Yue Qianchi held Mo Shumei’s hand and gave her a comforting look.

“But—” Su Qinian suddenly changed his tone, “since meeting Mo Shumei, my view on demon cultivators has changed. Ultimately, demon cultivation is just a different choice of cultivation method. Although demon cultivators often harbor treacherous and evil individuals, we cannot simply condemn them all.”

Among the disciples, Mo Shumei’s eyes brightened.

Su Qinian continued, “So, Ancestor, if you ask me about demon cultivators, I can only say it depends on the individual.

I don’t like to associate with demon cultivators because I cannot be sure of their character. But if I know a demon cultivator is not a villain, I won’t exclude or hold hostility against them!”

Chen Huaian looked at Su Qinian with increasing satisfaction.

Not bad.

Su Qinian was reasonable.

However, Chen Huaian, still expressionless, then asked other elders,

“Elder Zhang Mengchu, Elder Li Ziping, what about your views?”

“Well…” Zhang Mengchu hesitated, then carefully said, “True Martial Holy Land was destroyed by Jade Pool Holy Land and Burning Purity Holy Land, the two major righteous sects recognized in the Cangyun Realm.

Yet they disguise their evil deeds beneath the righteous facade. This shows that righteousness and evil reside in people’s hearts, not in their cultivation methods.

My view is similar to Elder Su’s.”

“I dislike demon cultivators,” Li Ziping spoke bluntly. “I understand the reasoning of the two elders, but I won’t search for gold in a pile of rubbish. Unless that gold proves it is genuine, I won’t change my views on most demon cultivators.”

“Understood.”

After questioning the two strongest elders, Chen Huaian looked toward all the disciples.

“Our Moon Shadow Sect has demon cultivators. Surely all of you have come into contact with her. Whether she has any problems is not for me to judge. You all can decide for yourselves.”

The disciples looked toward Mo Shumei in the crowd.

Mo Shumei quickly lowered her head in fear.

Fortunately, the gazes around her were free of malice, mostly friendly.

These warm looks eased her tense heart.

Still, she couldn’t understand the purpose of Chen Sword Master saying this at this time.

Eliminating the possibility that Chen Sword Master had personal feelings for her—though she was moved by his gesture—she was realistic. Li Qingran had come to learn the seductive flute technique from her, clearly enamored with Chen Sword Master. The two were probably inseparable now, playing music, composing poems, enjoying each other’s company, living a blissful life.

“It seems you disciples have accepted this demon cultivator disciple. I think demon cultivation and righteous cultivation are only different in methods. Indeed, demonic arts have low cultivation thresholds and low requirements on character, making it easy to breed inner demons and evil thoughts, resulting in many corrupt demon cultivators.

But from another perspective, if we control the cultivation threshold, character, and morals well, demon cultivation need not be demonic at all. It can be a method suitable for all ages and talents. Do you all think what I say is correct?”

“Ancestor is right!”

“Indeed, we have seen Mo Shumei’s everyday conduct; she is nowhere near as sinister as the rumors say.”

“I don’t care about demon cultivators or not. My junior brother was harmed by so-called righteous cultivators from Jade Pool Holy Land and Burning Purity Holy Land!”

…

Chen Huaian listened to the disciples’ discussion, watching their reactions carefully.

“Enough, quiet down!” He chuckled. The true intent revealed: “Since you all understand the relationship between demon cultivators and demonic arts, I want to ask—if you were to cultivate demonic arts, would you be willing?”

Once he said this, the disciples exchanged awkward glances and fell silent.

“Well…”

“We’re already cultivating normal arts; there’s no need to learn demonic arts.”

“Yeah, I heard demonic arts can change one’s appearance. I’m fine the way I am... don’t want to become some ugly monster.”

…

It seemed easy enough to get the disciples to accept demon cultivators, but getting them to personally practice demonic arts was another matter.

In that case…

“Old Zhang, it’s your turn!”

Chen Huaian clapped his hands.

Boom—!

A black shadow descended from the sky like a meteorite smashing toward the sect square!

Before the disciples could react, the ground shook violently, sending countless stones flying.

Amid the dust, a huge figure slowly stood up.

He was nearly two meters tall, burly and muscular like cast iron, broad shoulders seeming able to carry a mountain.

His upper body was bare, bronzed skin covered with bulging veins.

Long, pale hair draped over his shoulders, standing out sharply under the swirling demonic energy. The most terrifying thing was the dense demonic aura enveloping him, sinister and powerful, pressing down on the disciples so heavily they could barely breathe.

“Who… who is that?!”

“Terrible! That demonic energy is even more terrifying than the great demon lords we faced when suppressing demon cultivators back then!”

Step by step—!

Some disciples instinctively drew their swords.

Only the disciples from True Martial Holy Land looked at the figure with strange expressions.

They felt a familiar aura but it had changed drastically; they dared not confirm it.

At the center of the sect square, the old man stood quietly, back facing the crowd.

Just from his silver hair and burly physique, one could feel the imposing dignity shaped by years.

Suddenly, he moved his joints, producing a cracking sound like thunder.

Then he punched the nearby Xuanwu Alchemy Stone, which seemed prepared in advance.

Boom!

That giant stone, hard enough to be used as a magical artifact material, instantly turned to powder, the ground beneath forming a deep pit.

The earth-shattering force made all disciples gasp in shock.

The most important part: that punch used no true essence flow at all, relying entirely on physical strength!

As the disciples’ anxiety and apprehension peaked,

The old man slowly turned around.

That weathered old face and deep, sharp eyes were too familiar to True Martial disciples.

Though his figure had undergone a massive transformation,

The original True Martial disciples and elders immediately recognized him.

“Old… Ancestor?!”

Zhang Mengchu’s nose tingled, tears streaming down instantly.

…