Chapter Sixty: Onlookers

Outside the Stoneflame Secret Realm.

Above the spacious central grounds, a series of projected images floated in midair, revealing scenes from various corners within the secret realm, each depicting the uneventful happenings as they unfolded.

Within several towering buildings, every observation platform on each floor was occupied by countless cultivators of wealth and status. They lounged lazily on sofas, idly chatting as they watched the images. Even the stands outside were packed with spectators.

But as they gazed at the record of events projected overhead, some had already begun to yawn, boredom written plain on their faces.

The projections showed only a few corners of the secret realm. Though the perspectives and locations switched from time to time, nothing major ever seemed to happen. At most, some disciples of various sects moved forward with vigilance, finding safe spots to hide and cultivate. Others teamed up to scour remote areas in search of rare treasures, but none had discovered anything of value so far.

The only point of mild interest was a love triangle involving a female cultivator and two male disciples—a melodramatic affair that quickly lost its allure when someone exposed it as a staged act arranged by the Celestial Mechanism Sect. This time, the secret realm had proven so uneventful that the organizers had resorted to hiring actors, lest the audience demand refunds, as had happened during the previous opening of the realm.

Suddenly, a brand-new image burst into the air with a bang. Yet, this projection was sealed, requiring an additional fee to view. Of course, there was a six-second free preview; once someone paid with a Universal Jade Talisman, the image would be cast directly onto their device.

“Look, pay-per-view content! That must mean something explosive is happening!”

“Those scoundrels of the Celestial Mechanism Sect—after all the tickets we bought, they still charge extra for any real excitement.”

“Just get used to it. Has it ever been any different?”

“Hurry up and show the preview! Let’s see what it is before we decide whether to pay.”

“It must be a big battle.”

“My guess is it’s Qu Hongxiu and Xu Tianjiao joining forces against Li Xunhuang.”

The crowd instantly perked up, growing lively with anticipation.

Meanwhile, after a moment’s pause, the sealed image began to play. Several figures streaked across the sky, pursued by a red-clad silhouette. Occasionally, angry shouts echoed. It was a scene of Qu Hongxiu hunting down the "Soulshatter" assassins.

The brief six seconds ended; the image was sealed once more.

A wave of commotion swept through the crowd.

“What did Qu Hongxiu just shout? Xu Tianjiao has been killed?”

“No wonder I saw a group of ‘Soulshatter’ assassins fleeing the secret realm earlier.”

“I thought they’d abandoned their mission—especially after what Qu Hongxiu said before entering.”

“Who’d have thought? ‘Soulshatter’ moved swiftly—they actually killed Xu Tianjiao already. Aren’t they afraid of retaliation from the Vermilion Bird Army?”

“The Vermilion Bird Army’s pride just took a hit! They’d just declared their protection of Xu Tianjiao, only for him to be killed right away.”

“I’m paying to see what happens next. Qu Hongxiu must have slaughtered a bunch of assassins.”

“No, if it’s just her killing assassins, why would they charge extra?”

…

Inside the high-rise buildings, Ji Dali was sprawled on a sofa in an observation suite, sipping cola and munching fried chicken. At the sudden sound of commotion, both his drink and food fell to the floor, forgotten.

“How can it be? The Grand Hall Master is dead?”

His face paled in disbelief, mirrored by his companions from the Youji Hall, who stared wide-eyed, unable to accept the news.

…

In the observation suite of the Jade Pool Sanctuary, several white-haired elder matrons, who had been resting with eyes closed, now opened them and smiled faintly before shutting them again. The death of Xu Zhe was welcome news, but it held little interest for them.

In contrast, the young, beautiful female disciples nearby were all radiant with joy, whispering excitedly as though vengeance had been served. Xu Tianjiao, for all his vaunted reputation, amounted to little in the end—he could not escape the pursuit of ‘Soulshatter.’

Indeed, it was their secret machinations that had led Mingzhu of the Mo Clan to issue the assassination order, resulting in the current outcome. The sense of participation and accomplishment filled their hearts.

…

In every observation suite, those present were members of powerful factions. Most were first stunned by the news of Xu Zhe’s death, but soon nonchalantly paid to view the subsequent footage. After all, a prodigy was not a god; especially one who had yet to reach his full potential—offending so many factions, it was unsurprising he met his end. The shock stemmed only from the fact that not even Qu Hongxiu could protect him.

Yet, as they watched the paid footage projected onto their Universal Jade Talismans, their brows began to furrow.

They had expected to see Qu Hongxiu hunting the ‘Soulshatter’ assassins. But after a missing segment, the image caught up—showing a fresh group of ‘Soulshatter’ assassins, who immediately cut down those previously pursued by Qu Hongxiu.

The crowd on the stands was astonished, while those in the suites grew even more uneasy.

The one who struck, though dressed as an assassin, used techniques not typical of an assassin’s craft, but rather those of a sect. Someone was impersonating a ‘Soulshatter’ killer.

Sure enough, when Qu Hongxiu arrived, she revealed this fact. The new group of killers, after declaring themselves members of ‘Soulshatter,’ launched an assault to encircle her—a Nascent Soul cultivator and over fifty Golden Core experts.

To encircle Qu Hongxiu with such a force, everyone sensed the gravity of the situation. No wonder this footage required payment; perhaps Qu Hongxiu had been killed.

But then, an astonishing scene unfolded.

Xu Zhe appeared, a delicate black fire lotus blooming instantly to slay several Golden Core assassins. After a brief lecture to Qu Hongxiu, he soared skyward and, with a single punch, killed dozens more.

The entire audience was dumbfounded.

What was going on? Xu Tianjiao wasn’t dead?

Very well, so he survived. But what an entrance! One punch to kill dozens of Golden Core cultivators—wasn’t he only at the Foundation Establishment stage?

“Grand Hall Master, magnificent! Heaven bless the Youji Hall!”

In the observation suite, Ji Dali knelt atop the sofa, roaring with tears streaming down his face.

…

“How can this be?”

In the Jade Pool suite, the elder matrons opened their eyes wide in disbelief, exchanging glances. The young female disciples were dumbstruck, quickly shifting to expressions of venomous resentment.

Then, they heard Qu Hongxiu expose the identity of the Nascent Soul assassin in black—it was someone from the Jade Pool Sanctuary. This was completely unexpected.

How could one of their own disguise themselves as a ‘Soulshatter’ killer to ambush Qu Hongxiu? Yet the swordplay was unmistakably of the Jade Pool Sanctuary.

“Who is this? Why impersonate an assassin to kill Qu Hongxiu?”

“Outrageous! For a Jade Pool disciple to dare such a thing!”

“If Xu Zhe had been killed, so be it. But if she kills Qu Hongxiu, the Vermilion Bird Army will surely declare war on us!”

“She’s making enemies for the Jade Pool!”

“Send word at once—identify her and expel her from the Sanctuary!”

The elder matrons trembled in fury, their voices quivering with anger. Regardless of the outcome, they must distance themselves from this impostor.

The young disciples hung their heads, not daring to respond. In truth, none knew the true identity of the masked Nascent Soul sister who dared attack Qu Hongxiu. Still, they remained hopeful—perhaps Xu Zhe would also be killed alongside Qu Hongxiu.

With that thought, their eyes returned to the screen.

But once again, events took an unexpected turn.

Their Nascent Soul sister chose to retreat, and the remaining Golden Core cultivators also withdrew.

So timid? Xu Zhe could only slay Golden Core cultivators—why would a Nascent Soul expert fear him? Such cowardice was a disgrace to the Jade Pool Sanctuary.

Many disciples wished they were Nascent Soul cultivators so they could turn and slay Xu Zhe themselves.

Suddenly, a resounding crash echoed from the projection as the Nascent Soul sword cultivator was struck down.

The stands and observation suites fell utterly silent.

Not a sound was heard—the quiet was total and absolute.

…

…

[PS: Today is the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century. I hope everyone gives me 21 recommendation tickets and 21 monthly tickets. I salute you all!]