Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1343 - 599: Heading South

Upon the Gatekeeper’s inquiry, Zuo Lv and Hei Ao exchanged a knowing glance.

Despite their deep unease, audacity often reaps great rewards.

After all, they were survivors who had endured immense hardship; having lived through the devastating night Tianyuan Town was annihilated, what further terror or despair could possibly eclipse such an experience?

On that fateful night, they lost everything, and now, they resolved to reclaim it all with their own hands, piece by piece.

"Reporting to my lord, we are refugees who escaped from Tianyuan Town. By a stroke of luck, we once received assistance from a master of the Absolute Sect. They instructed us that should we ever find ourselves in dire straits, we could present this item and seek sanctuary under the Absolute Sect's protection."

"...Hold on for a moment."

The Gatekeeper shared a look with his colleague standing nearby.

He had initially assumed they were mere novices attempting the Absolute Sect's entry-level trials—he had never anticipated this development...

With increased urgency, the Gatekeeper proceeded.

This was a disciple Token belonging to Lord Tang’s faction.

However, Lord Tang's lineage, due to his enigmatic vanishing, had been thoroughly decimated in the ensuing power struggle.

The current dominant force within the Absolute Sect was the Absolute Kill Sect, whose doctrine championed the eradication of every demon in existence.

Their fanatical conviction stood in stark contrast to the beliefs of those lesser individuals.

Nevertheless, Lord Tang remained the most esteemed Elder within the Tang Sect, a figure of immense reverence throughout the Absolute Sect.

Any intelligence concerning Lord Tang was of paramount importance and could not be disregarded.

The internal conflicts plaguing the Absolute Sect were an internal affair—never a justification for allowing outsiders to interfere or exploit the situation!

With a clear passage, the Gatekeeper swiftly delivered the Token to the current Sect Leader.

"You may leave."

The Sect Leader uttered these three words impassively; the Token evoked neither sorrow nor joy within him—not even a tremor of emotion.

The Gatekeeper, after a moment's pause, ventured, "And concerning the two individuals who delivered the Token...?"

"Accept them as Outer Disciples."

"Understood!"

The Gatekeeper then withdrew.

Within the expansive great hall, the Sect Leader gently caressed the Token in his hand.

The sight of the object brought forth memories of the man.

"Junior Brother..."

The Sect Leader’s gaze drifted into the distance.

The divergence in their philosophies was merely a matter of differing perspectives.

The camaraderie forged during their formative years had always been genuine and unwavering.

Even after years of opposition, their bond had remained untarnished.

"That day, we made a pact: regardless of who emerged victorious, the vanquished would offer their full support. Junior Brother, in the end, you still broke our promise."

He clenched his fist, and the Token disintegrated into fine powder, scattering from his grasp.

Step.

Step.

Step.

At that precise moment, a woman, a massive half-moon curved blade strapped to her back, emerged from the rear chambers and approached him.

"Lu Lu."

"Sect Leader."

Sect Leader, is it...

They had drifted apart over time.

The memory of the little girl's innocent countenance from their past remained vivid in his mind.

Yet, before him now stood a visage of cold austerity.

After all, she had been responsible for the demise of countless fellow disciples, the slaughter of many from his Junior Brother's faction.

But if he had not eliminated them, how could he have unified the Absolute Sect, how could he have consolidated their strength, how could he possibly annihilate every demon in this world—annihilate them all!!

"You have performed admirably. The remaining members of my Junior Brother’s faction have all been swayed by your persuasion and have agreed to surrender and submit."

"...It is solely due to the Sect Leader’s wise counsel."

"In my presence, you need not maintain this pretense. I too grieve for my Junior Brother’s demise. One day, I shall personally exact retribution from Lan Yuhe! But not at this moment... The future of the Absolute Sect rests upon my shoulders. You must comprehend, I am no longer acting alone. I bear the weight of..."

The Sect Leader's words were abruptly halted as Lu Lu interjected.

Her voice resonated with an unshakeable resolve, firm as hammered nails.

"Lan Yuhe will fall by my own hand!"

"..."

The Sect Leader remained silent, offering only a sigh before shifting the topic.

"Henceforth, all those who surrendered from my Junior Brother’s faction will fall under your command. The Absolute Sect belongs to all of us. Had they not obstinately resisted and refused to yield, matters would not have escalated to this point."

Many had perished, but at long last, unity had been achieved.

From this day forward, this Absolute Sect would acknowledge only your authority.

But never grant me the opportunity...

Otherwise, I shall ascend to this throne and assume your position!

Lu Lu tilted her head, her gaze fixed upon the Sect Leader, her eyes burning with intensity.

In her grasp lay the artifact left behind by Lord Tang.

That Buddha's Heart—obtained at the cost of Lord Tang’s very life—was her ultimate safeguard, her final gambit to overturn the entire game!

However, even as she pondered this, she understood the necessity of keeping a low profile. Preserving the lineage of Lord Tang was paramount, and she wouldn't falter, even if it meant enduring the shame of submission.

Lord Tang himself had advocated for integration, even with demonic entities, seeking to dismantle opposition from its very core.

Therefore, the same strategy applied to individuals like the Sect Leader and his faction.

The plan was simple: disguise, infiltrate, and then exploit their weaknesses!

Lord Tang was the true guiding force of the Absolute Sect! His vision represented the authentic future path for their entire organization!

Relying solely on you, on brute force alone, the Absolute Sect would forever be trapped in the cyclical mistakes of its past leaders, never achieving... a world devoid of demons!

Lu Lu clenched her fist, her voice dropping to a low murmur, "Sect Leader, I overheard that a Senior Brother was seen ascending the mountain with our lineage's Token. Could it be that new survivors from our family have returned to the sect?"

The Sect Leader gave a slight shake of his head.

"They are merely two outsiders who possessed a Token. I have already made arrangements for their acceptance into the Absolute Sect; they will be registered directly under your name."

"...I shall comply with all your arrangements, Sect Leader."

Lu Lu then withdrew.

Girl, you've certainly matured, but you've also become quite distant and cold...

Gazing at Lu Lu's retreating figure, the Sect Leader's expression was a mixture of emotions—a pang of sorrow mingled with an undeniable chill.

As the Sect Leader, he recognized the impossibility of eradicating them all. Such an act would alienate their followers entirely and inflict irreparable damage upon the Absolute Sect's foundational strength, its Primordial Energy.

It was crucial to remember that even the current level of internal conflict had already exacted a severe toll on the Absolute Sect, compelling them to recruit disciples on a massive scale simply to replenish their ranks. If such infighting were to persist, what future would the Absolute Sect face then?

A leader without followers could never hope to realize the grand ambitions held within their heart.