Justin Shang.
Sarah Qin paused, her gaze turning somber. For the past three hundred years, this name had become a forbidden topic within Shushan. Since her rise to Sect Leader, few dared mention him. Many had even deliberately erased him from memory, as if he had never existed in Shushan.
But now, three centuries later, Justin Shang's name had surfaced once again, even prompting the six other supreme sects to initiate the Seven-Sect Alliance to launch a campaign against Shushan?
"What's going on? Could it be that Justin Shang's true identity has been uncovered?"
With her keen intuition, Sarah immediately grasped the situation. The Seven-Sect Alliance was a coalition of the seven supreme sects, only activated in response to significant events. For the six sects to turn against Shushan, and for it to involve Justin, could only mean one thing: his demonic identity had been exposed.
But how was that possible?
Sarah's brow furrowed even more deeply. Justin Shang's disguise had been flawless. If not for the intervention of the Sword Demon Ancestor, no one in Shushan would have ever suspected his hidden nature. After the truth was confirmed through the Heaven-Peering Mirror, Shushan had taken extreme care to erase all records of Justin Shang.
Three hundred years was neither long nor short. Not only would it be difficult for Shushan to unearth Justin's demonic secrets now, but for the other sects, it should have been next to impossible.
"It's true," August Xia said, his tone bitter and his expression tinged with disbelief. "The story is bizarre."
"The Demon-Suppressing Sect recently discovered a lair in the Eastern Wilderness, where they found a group of prisoners. All of them bore the Heavenly Handicap."
"When the Demon-Suppressing Sect found them, most had been drained of their life force and reduced to bones. However, one of them was still alive."
"Through their investigations, the Demon-Suppressing Sect traced some clues back to this individual. As you know, their sect despises all forms of evil, and their methods of tracking demonic activity even surpass our own at Shushan."
"And so… who would have imagined that these captives—marked by the Heavenly Handicap—were victims of Justin Shang's actions?" August Xia continued, his voice laden with resentment. "This led to the exposure of Justin's identity."
"Now the Demon-Suppressing Sect, along with the five other sects, is demanding that we hand over Justin. If we refuse, in three days, they will converge on Shushan…"
August Xia left the thought unfinished, but everyone understood that if the six sects assembled at Shushan, it wouldn't be for a friendly visit.
"This is outrageous! How could something like this happen?"
"Justin Shang, that damned demon—he's truly a curse upon us! Even in death, he's left a trail for the Demon-Suppressing Sect to follow. This is serious trouble," exclaimed Elder Ryan Xia, his face dark with anger. Known for his fiery temper, he couldn't suppress his fury at the heavy-handed stance of the six sects.
"Calm down," the Grand Elder interjected, his voice laden with wisdom. "They don't truly want Justin Shang. They want to use this pretext to bring Shushan to heel."
He sighed. "The Demon-Suppressing Sect is using the Seven-Sect Alliance to apply overwhelming pressure."
The Grand Elder, looking even older and more weary than he had three centuries ago, saw the truth behind the attack. He recognized that Justin Shang was merely a convenient excuse. In recent years, Shushan had been weakened by the loss of many of its strongest members, and even the Sect Leader had only reached the Golden Core Stage.
Unlike Shushan, the other six supreme sects had flourished over the past millennium, producing one powerful figure after another. Their new generations shone brightly, with many young prodigies rising to prominence. The Demon-Suppressing Sect and the Langya Sword Sect, in particular, had expanded rapidly.
If not for Sarah Qin's emergence, Shushan might already have lost its status as the leader of the righteous path. But now, Shushan's vulnerable state had likely drawn the attention and ambition of the other sects.
The Grand Elder's words laid bare the situation: the Demon-Suppressing Sect, using Justin Shang as a pretense, intended to force Shushan into a corner. And no amount of explanation from Shushan could clear them of suspicion.
"This crisis could very well spell disaster for Shushan," he continued solemnly. "If we fail to handle this properly, we may face annihilation."
Sarah Qin maintained a calm expression, observing the reactions of the Shushan elders with clarity. But deep within, she felt a pang of sorrow. Three hundred years ago, her father had sacrificed himself in the Abyss of Demons to save countless lives. Now, three centuries later, the six other sects disregarded their old ties and were ready to march upon Shushan with murderous intent.
A sense of helplessness weighed on her heart like a boulder.
"It's too late for words now," she said, her voice steady and resolute. "We need to focus on formulating a plan to defuse this crisis."
"Grand Elder," she continued, "what are the positions of Star Plucking Tower, the Suxin Immortal Sect, and the Celestial Masters Pavilion?"
Her composed demeanor reminded the other Shushan leaders of the need for strategy.
They nodded in agreement. Hostile forces were already on their way, and there was no way they could hand over Justin Shang. Any explanation Shushan could give would be futile.
Sarah's inquiry referred to the three sects that historically maintained alliances with Shushan.
"Star Plucking Tower and the Suxin Immortal Sect," the Grand Elder said, "remain close to us and have sent messages promising that no Heavenly Sovereigns will join in three days' time."
A small sense of relief settled over the room. It was a glimmer of good news amidst the darkness.
"However, the Celestial Masters Pavilion has remained silent," the Grand Elder continued, his face darkening. "And the Langya Sword Sect, always hostile toward us, is likely to dispatch a Grand Elder from the Heavenly Gate Stage."
"A Grand Elder from the Heavenly Gate Stage?" August Xia's face twisted in disbelief. "Are they insane? Aren't they afraid of unleashing a greater demon?"
The gravity of the situation was not lost on the Shushan elders. If they allowed this to continue unchecked, Shushan would have to pay a heavy price to deter them.
"If they're sending a Grand Elder of the Heavenly Gate Stage, we'll need to request the help of our ancestors," Sarah concluded, rubbing her temples as she weighed the heavy responsibility.
The Heavenly Gate Stage granted one the power to defy fate itself. Only another cultivator of that level could stand against it.
"We have no choice," the Grand Elder agreed, his expression grave. "The Demon-Suppressing Tower and the Abyssal Gate have shown signs of unusual activity lately. Who knows how many of our ancestors might answer the call?"
"Perhaps we should invite the Sword Demon Ancestor," suggested Elder Ryan Xia. "With his power, he could easily handle three or more Grand Elders from the Heavenly Gate Stage, and his reputation alone might serve as a deterrent."
Many of the elders voiced their agreement. Dugu the Sword Demon was a legendary figure, the most brilliant talent in Shushan's history, known as an indomitable force. In recent years, he had intervened several times. If he were to emerge again, this crisis might well be resolved.
"It may be our only option," the Grand Elder conceded. "But we cannot know whether the Sword Demon Ancestor will agree to help."
Sarah Qin hesitated as well. Would the Sword Demon truly come to their aid? As Sect Leader, she had come to understand many of Shushan's hidden truths. She knew that those who had broken through to the Heavenly Gate Stage lived as if treading on thin ice, plagued by unseen threats.
Yet she hadn't anticipated that the six great sects would move with such force, even daring to risk bringing forth Heavenly Gate Grand Elders.
"Our sect is in dire peril. We must act swiftly," August Xia said, bowing to Sarah. "Only the Sect Leader, with the authority of the Golden Seal, has the right to approach the Ancestor and ask for his aid."
"I understand." Sarah looked around, meeting the hopeful eyes of the Shushan elders. Aware of her duty, she could only nod in agreement.
Under their watchful gazes, Sarah flew toward the Swordmaking House once more. This time, however, she wasn't going to chat with Jason Chu. She bore a weighty responsibility and was prepared to seek the Sword Demon's help.
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