These people were all from minor sects—so obscure that they didn't even rank in the top fifty within the entire Kingdom of Rakshasa. This time, they too had arrived at the Giant Peak Mountains, hoping to fish in troubled waters and perhaps get their hands on the legendary treasure!
But for sects as small as theirs, that was pure wishful thinking...
Yet their luck had been incredible. Because of their weak cultivation and the lack of flying vessels, they arrived late.
By the time they reached the mountain range, the locust beast catastrophe had already passed. They were among the lucky few to survive. Had they arrived any earlier, they would have surely perished in that terrifying beast invasion.
What they did witness, however, left a lasting impression: powerful cultivators clashing, terrifying old demons from legend, and fierce warriors of the Rakshasa Kingdom locked in mortal combat. All of it opened the eyes of these sect disciples, showing them that the world outside was unimaginably vast—filled with beings far more powerful than their own elders or sect leaders.
But what shocked them the most was that mysterious young man.
In the eyes of these disciples, this youth stood above all. The proud royal warriors and ancient demons seemed utterly powerless before him.
And now, that same young man stood before them?
Ever since that battle, the disciples of the minor sect had regarded Senju Yukika as their idol. Now that their idol had appeared in person, they were beside themselves with excitement and unease!
But only the sect leader understood—this was no coincidence. For someone of Yukika's level to come seeking them out personally, something serious must have happened.
Trembling slightly, the sect leader asked, "My lord, what may I do for you?"
He lowered his posture completely, afraid of angering Senju Yukika. A powerhouse of this level would kill without hesitation if crossed.
Yukika did not answer. His gaze swept over the dozens of disciples behind the sect leader.
With just one glance, he could tell that most of them looked at him with awe and reverence. But one of them was different.
Yukika let out a cold chuckle, extended a finger, and a strand of golden light lashed out, yanking that person from the crowd.
The other disciples scrambled back, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire.
The one who was singled out looked panicked but tried to compose himself, putting on a look of grievance. "My lord, please spare me! I don't know what I've done to offend you!"
The sect leader grew nervous. This was one of their own disciples—valuable to the sect. But Yukika ignored all pleas.
With a casual wave, the disciple's robes were torn apart, and his hat blew off...
A cascade of blood-red hair unfurled in the wind, and the man's true face was laid bare.
Not only did he have long crimson hair that exuded a sinister aura, but a red cinnabar mole adorned the center of his forehead—emitting a deeply demonic vibe. His narrow, gleaming eyes bore no resemblance to the pitiful look from before.
When the others realized this man was a demon, both the sect leader and disciples were shocked and immediately went on alert.
The demon smirked, gave Yukika a long look, and turned to flee.
But the speed he took pride in meant nothing before Senju Yukika.
Yukika took a single step, his foot slicing through space and time, instantly closing the hundreds of miles between them.
Realizing he couldn't escape, the demon unleashed every secret technique he knew, saturating the air with ominous energies.
These were legendary techniques, stolen from various sects over the years.
But to Yukika, they were crude, full of flaws.
With a few casual gestures, Yukika unraveled each one, striking down the demon.
Lying exhausted on the ground, the demon asked bitterly, "How can you see through every weakness in my cultivation so easily?"
Yukika hadn't just overpowered him—he had deliberately dismantled each technique.
"Aren't you holding back one more secret technique? Why haven't you used it?" Yukika asked calmly.
The demon blinked in surprise, then gave a wry smile. "So that's what you're after? You should have said so!"
He reached into his garments and carefully handed over a withered, ancient booklet.
"My lord, this technique is too strange—even I find it disturbing. Since you want it, it's yours."
He handed it over without resistance, surprising Yukika slightly.
As soon as Yukika took the book, his spiritual pressure poured into it, instantly reading all the text.
Just one glance confirmed it—this was a genuine, powerful technique.
But the demon's attitude gave him pause...
The demon's eyes flickered with unease as he cautiously asked, "May I leave now, my lord?"
But as Yukika's killing intent quietly seeped out, the demon flinched and stepped back in fear.
"Please spare me! I know I've tread the path of demons, but I've never harmed innocent people!"
He hesitated, then continued:
"To tell the truth, I only have one hobby—stealing secret techniques from the major sects. But I swear, I've never committed any other atrocities."
Yukika had already sensed it. There was no karmic taint on this man's head—proof that he hadn't brought harm to the masses.
Stealing techniques might be morally questionable, but it wasn't a death sentence.
Perhaps, in a way, the path of cultivation in this world no longer had anything to do with him anymore.