The Emperor of Cultivation Prediction

Chapter 8: The Fall of the Elder

The morning sun had just touched the peaks of the Sky Sword Sect’s Main Hall when the great bell chimed three times—an emergency summons for the entire Council of Elders. The atmosphere inside the hall stood in stark contrast to the tranquility outside. The Sect Master sat upon a high throne, his face an unreadable stone carving, while below him, the elders whispered in agitated tones.

"Sect Master, what is the purpose of this sudden meeting? Was the matter regarding Dexa and Gao not considered settled yesterday?" the Holy Elder asked, though his eyes flickered toward the entrance with anticipation.

"It is not over, Holy Elder. New evidence emerged last night," the Sect Master replied flatly. "Bring them in!"

The hall doors swung wide. Dexa stepped inside wearing new outer disciple robes, appearing clean and composed. Beside him, Leriana walked with the grace of a true princess, her now-restored aura radiating a pressure that made several low-level elders feel suffocated.

"My respects, Sect Master. My respects, Council of Elders," Dexa bowed with perfect precision.

"Dexa? And Princess Leriana? Why have you come together?" the Shadow Elder narrowed his eyes, his suspicion peaking.

"I am here as a witness, Shadow Elder," Leriana’s voice was clear and authoritative. "And as a representative of the Holy Phoenix Faction, I demand justice for the attempted sabotage that occurred within this sect."

"Sabotage? What do you mean, Princess?" the Sect Master asked.

"Dexa, if you please," Leriana signaled.

Dexa took a step forward. "Sect Master, yesterday I brought evidence of Lian Xing bribing Elder Gao. However, that was merely the tip of the iceberg. Through further investigation, I discovered that Elder Gao not only accepted bribes but has also been selling the defense maps of the Forbidden Peak to outsiders for the past ten years."

"WHAT?!" the Holy Elder shouted, bolting upright. "Gao, is this true?!"

Elder Gao, standing in the corner with his hands bound by energy-suppressing chains, screamed hysterically. "Lies! He is slandering me! Sect Master, this boy is a demon! How could an outer disciple possibly know about defense maps?!"

"I know because you showed them to me yourself, Elder Gao. Indirectly," Dexa pulled out an old, worn leather scroll. "System, synchronize the historical simulation data into this object," he whispered internally.

[Beep! Synchronization successful. Object now contains Elder Gao’s energy traces from the last ten years.]

"Sect Master, please examine this scroll. These are the secret transaction records I found beneath the floor of Elder Gao’s study. Use your energy to break the seal," Dexa tossed the scroll toward the Sect Master.

The Sect Master caught it and channeled his Qi. Instantly, a light projection appeared in the center of the hall, displaying a list of names, dates, and the amounts of gold and spirit stones Gao had received from rival factions.

"The 14th day of the seventh month... West Sector Map sold to the Black Cloud Sect. The 22nd day of the ninth month... Night patrol information sold to the Green Dragon Clan..." The Sect Master read in a voice that grew increasingly low and dangerous. "Gao... you sold the lives of your own disciples for gold?"

"That... that is fake! He’s using illusion magic!" Gao tried to lung at Dexa, but his chains held him back. "Shadow! Help me! You know I couldn't have done this alone!"

The Shadow Elder remained silent, his face pale. He knew if Gao spoke any more, he would be dragged down as well. "Gao, shut your mouth! This evidence is clear!"

"Not clear enough, Shadow Elder?" Dexa smiled coldly. "Princess Leriana, please show them what you found in the Blue Phoenix Pavilion last night."

Leriana produced a small box containing black powder. "This is Formation-Destroying Powder. I found it under my bed. This powder bears the same energy signature currently on Elder Gao’s hands. He intended to blow up my pavilion and blame the 'accident' on external enemies to trap this sect in a war."

"Gao!" The Sect Master stood, his aura exploding until the hall's pillars trembled. "You intended to destroy this sect for your own ambition?!"

"No... no! I only wanted the position of Vice Chairman! I needed power!" Gao fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face from terror. "Sect Master, forgive me! I was forced!"

"Who forced you?" Dexa asked in a lethal tone. "Was it Lian Xing? Or someone higher up in this Council?"

Dexa glanced toward the Shadow Elder for a moment, making the black-robed man break into a cold sweat. However, Dexa knew through his simulations that this was not the right time to bring down Shadow. He needed Shadow alive as a pawn to reach a larger target later.

"System, simulate Gao’s reaction if I give him a 'chance' to atone for his sins," Dexa whispered.

[Starting Simulation...] [Result: Gao will attempt to use a self-destruction talisman hidden in his tongue to kill you and the Sect Master. Probability of success: 0.001%.]

"Gao, you still have one chance," Dexa said, walking toward the broken man. "Tell us who your co-conspirators are, and perhaps the Sect Master will let your soul remain intact."

"A chance? Hahaha..." Gao laughed maniacally. "You think you’ve won, Dexa? You’re just trash! You have no idea what you’re facing!"

Gao suddenly bit down on something in his mouth. His eyes turned blood-red, and his body began to swell.

"He’s going to self-destruct! Everyone, get back!" the Holy Elder shouted.

"Not in front of me," Dexa moved with a speed that surpassed everyone's understanding in the hall.

Shadow Step: Intermediate Level.

In the blink of an eye, Dexa was behind Gao. His right hand moved like lightning, pressing a meridian point on the back of Gao’s neck while his left hand gripped the man’s jaw, forcing his mouth open.

"System, extract the explosive energy into Fate Points!"

[Beep! Extracting energy... Success. 200 Fate Points obtained.]

Gao’s body, which had been swelling, instantly deflated like a leaking balloon. He slumped weakly onto the floor, his eyes staring at Dexa with indescribable horror. "How... how could you stop a soul-destroying talisman?"

"Because I am the Architect of your fate, Gao. And in my design, you are not permitted to die easily," Dexa stood tall, looking down at the trembling Gao.

The Sect Master stepped down from his throne. "Dexa, you have just saved this hall. And Gao... you have committed high treason."

"Sect Master, according to the ancient laws of the sect..." the Holy Elder spoke up.

"I know," the Sect Master interrupted. "Gao, I hereby strip you of your entire cultivation. You will be cast into the Abyss of Despair, where you will spend the rest of your life as an ordinary human surrounded by the ghosts of the disciples you betrayed."

"NO! JUST KILL ME! NOT THE ABYSS OF DESPAIR!" Gao screamed, his voice hoarse with desperation.

"Dexa," the Sect Master turned. "As the one who uncovered this, do you have a final request regarding this punishment?"

Dexa stared at Gao for a moment. "Sect Master, I wish to claim 'First Blood.' Grant me the right to destroy his Dantian with my own hands."

The hall fell silent again. Manually destroying someone’s Dantian was an incredibly cruel and symbolic act. It meant the perpetrator took full responsibility for the target's destruction.

"I allow it," the Sect Master said.

Dexa walked slowly toward Gao. Each step felt like a hammer blow to Gao’s heart.

"Don't... Dexa, please... I have a family..." Gao whimpered.

"A family? Did you think of the families of the disciples who died because of your maps?" Dexa raised his palm. Peak fifth-layer Qi gathered there, glowing with a cold light. "This is payment for my three years of suffering. And this is the beginning of my dominance."

BAM!

Dexa slammed his palm directly into Gao’s abdomen. The sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the hall—the sound of a Dantian breaking into pieces. Gao shrieked with a sound that no longer seemed human before passing out from the excruciating pain.

[Beep! First Blood has been claimed.] [You have destroyed an early antagonist: Elder Gao.] [Reward: 2000 Fate Points, Unlocking the 'System Shop' function, and Increased Authority in the Sky Sword Sect.]

"Take him away," the Sect Master ordered coldly.

Two guards dragged Gao’s limp body out of the hall. The floor that had been clean was now stained with a few drops of blood—the first blood that marked Dexa’s rise.

"Dexa," the Sect Master looked at the young man with a gaze now full of respect. "You have proven yourself to be more than just an outer disciple. From this day forward, you are promoted directly to Inner Disciple. And you, Princess Leriana, we ask for your forgiveness for this inconvenience. We will ensure your safety becomes our top priority."

"Thank you, Sect Master," Leriana bowed gracefully, yet her eyes remained fixed on Dexa. "However, I believe I would be safer if Inner Disciple Dexa were assigned as my personal escort during my stay here."

The Shadow Elder flinched. "Sect Master, that violates the rules! A new Inner Disciple cannot be immediately assigned to diplomatic duties!"

"Rules can be changed in extraordinary situations, Shadow," the Sect Master countered. "Dexa, are you willing?"

Dexa looked at Leriana, who gave him a thin, meaningful smile. "I am willing, Sect Master. Serving an honored guest is an honor for me."

"Good. Meeting adjourned. Dexa, meet me in my private study this afternoon. There are things we need to discuss regarding your future," the Sect Master turned and left.

One by one, the elders left the hall, casting various looks at Dexa—from fear to intense curiosity. The Shadow Elder was the last to leave, giving Dexa a sharp glare before disappearing behind the doors.

"You did it, Dexa," Leriana whispered once they were alone in the hall. "You truly destroyed him. I have never seen an elder tremble like that."

"This is only the beginning, Leriana," Dexa stared at his hand, which still felt the residual energy from Gao’s shattered Dantian. "Gao was just a small pawn. This first blood is merely the opening of the path for the much greater blood to come."

"You really are a cruel Architect," Leriana chuckled softly. "But I like the way you work. So, what is our next step as 'personal escort'?"

"The Sect Master wants to speak with me. He must be suspicious of my rapidly increasing strength," Dexa walked toward the exit. "System, simulate the conversation with the Sect Master this afternoon. I want him to give me access to the 'Ancient Meditation Cave'."

[Starting Simulation...] [Result: 85% Success if you use the reason 'Ancient Bloodline Resonance'.]

"Ancient Meditation Cave?" asked Leriana, following behind him. "What is in there?"

"The foundation of my kingdom," Dexa replied shortly. "And the place where you will obtain the true Phoenix technique, not the trash your teacher gave you."

Leriana was stunned, then smiled broadly. "I’m starting to think that coming to this small sect was the best decision of my life."

"Your best decision was not drinking that tea yesterday, Leriana," Dexa glanced at her with a thin smile. "Now, let us prepare ourselves. This cultivation world will soon realize that they are no longer led by fate, but by me."

Dexa stepped out of the hall, the sunlight greeting him warmly. Behind him, the grand hall now felt small. To Dexa, the Sky Sword Sect was merely a stepping stone. His eyes looked far toward the horizon, toward the great factions and the rulers of the realms who did not yet know that their Architect had risen.

"System, how many points do I need to simulate this entire region?"

[Beep! Cost: 5000 Fate Points. It is recommended to collect more 'blood' before performing a large-scale simulation.]

"Soon," Dexa whispered. "Very soon."

The first blood had been spilled, and the echoes of Gao’s destruction would serve as a warning to anyone who dared to block the path of the Emperor of Prediction. Beneath the blue sky, a new legend was being written in the ink of blood and the certainty of simulation.