The Scum Is A ***

"We will deal with the person controlling the leader of the demons." Zheng Fu Gong said as he heaved a heavy sigh. "But, as for the demon being controlled, the participants have to deal with it themselves. We can't do anything." He said.

The sect leaders wanted to feel dissatisfied, but they know that what Zheng Fu Gong said is right. They can't enter the special space to help their disciples or else their disciples will be disqualified. Their disciples' hard work would all be in vain if this happens. Naturally, they don't want this to happen.

So, they all feel helpless about this.

"Don't worry." Cheng Sheng spoke.

They looked at him.

"One thing that we can be sure of is – " Cheng Sheng looked at them. " – none of them will die, since xiao Bao, xiao Ling and Bai Tan are still also there inside." He said. "They won't let any of the participants die." He told them.

Their eyes brightened and they all sighed in relief. That is right. There are still xiao Bao, xiao Ling and Bai Tan, the Shapeshifting Blanket!

"Cheng-shidi is reliable as always." Li Tian smiled.

"Of course! It is Ah Sheng!" Chen Han proudly grinned.

"What are you being proud of, da shixiong? It isn't you who is the one reliable. It is junior Cheng." Sun Yi told him.

"Ah Yi…" Wu Yuan called, telling Sun Yi not to be so harsh on Chen Han.

Everyone laughed, and the tense atmosphere dissipated.

"Grandfather." Zheng Yi called.

They turned to him.

"Zheng Ming has already gathered the participants." Zheng Yi said.

"Good – " Pai Lie sighed in relief.

"They are all mages." Zheng Yi told them.

"What?!" they exclaimed.

Zheng Fu Gong felt pained. After all, mages are scarce in number, so if they will lose more of them, what will become of their land?

"Why should it be mages?" Hui Qiu asked as her brows knitted. "Sword cultivators can also use talismans!" she said.

They sighed, pitying her. After all, her disciples are mages. So, all of the five of them are under suspicion. They were also heavily injured before that. This is truly a disaster for the Tuanhui Sect.

"Answering sect leader Hui – " Guo Cheng spoke and respectfully bowed. " – only talisman mages can control someone using a talisman." He said.

"Why is that?" Wu Tong asked.

"Because controlling someone requires a lot of spiritual energy." Xiao Le answered. "Not only to cross the distance between the controller and the one being controlled, but also to subdue and control the target." He explained.

"So that's how it is!" Tang Teng exclaimed.

"Indeed, this should require a lot of spiritual energy. Because the controller also have to infiltrate the special space of elder Pai to do his crime." Qian Shan said.

The others nodded in agreement.

"How many talisman mages are there?" Jing Kang asked.

"Wait!" He Shun exclaimed. "All the mages were summoned, including the mages in the other areas of alchemy?" he asked.

"Yes." Zheng Yi nodded.

"Why?" Su Wan, the sect leader of the MuliSu sect. "Shouldn't it be just the talisman mages?" he asked.

"It should have been." Lei Ling answered. "But, since the mages all have sufficient amount of spiritual energy, then they are still included as suspects." He explained. "Furthermore, not only because they introduced themselves as mages in the other areas of alchemy, they are really mages of those other areas." He said.

"That's right…" Yu Wen muttered. "They can also hide their talent, like they hide their identity!" he said.

Everyone's expressions turned heavy and they immediately went to where Zheng Ming has gathered the mages.

"By the way – " Li Nanzi spoke. " – if we have finally captured the culprit, wouldn't he lose the control of the demon, and the demon would return to normal?" he asked.

Everyone fell silent since they realized that this is a crucial point.

"It depends." Cheng Sheng finally spoke.

"'it depends'?" Ling Xi asked.

"En." Cheng Sheng nodded. "It depends whether the culprit left an order to the demon through the talisman to continue to slaughter the participants." he explained. "In short, even if we capture the culprit, the participants are still in danger as long as the talisman wasn't removed from the demon." He told them.

They were all shocked. This means that the participants really have to rely on themselves inside the special space.

"Don't despair." Cheng Sheng said.

They looked at them.

"It is not like we are making a loss." Cheng Sheng smiled.

Everyone subconsciously shuddered when they saw his smile.

"As long as we catch the culprit, we will disable his control over the demon." Cheng Sheng said as he stopped, then looked at the mages afar.

"This… is an advantage?" Shan Lu asked.

"Of course, it is." Cheng Sheng nodded with certainty. "Because after the culprit will lose his control over the demon, even if the demon received an order from the culprit before the culprit lose his power to control, then – " he turned and looked at them. " – whatever the order is, from that moment onwards, the demon would only have itself to rely on to fulfill this order!" he told them.

Their eyes widened in shock.

"So, you mean, that the talisman's purpose is not only to give orders to the demon, but also to influence the demon's mind?" Jing Rui said.

"That's right." Cheng Sheng nodded as an answer.

"The – " Sun Yu spoke. " – after the demon was free of the control, its thoughts would return on its own?" he said.

"Yes." Cheng Sheng smiled.

Everyone's faces was like clouds parting to reveal the bright sky. They now feel not as helpless as before. They are now filled with hope!

"Oh, right." Xie Lan muttered. "Xiao Sheng, how will you identify the culprit?" he asked.

The others started and were curious.

Cheng Sheng turned. "Answering to shifu – " he smiled. " – it is about to begin." He said and turned to look at Zheng Yi who nodded.

Jing Kang, Lei Ling, Xiao Le and Guo Cheng are also on standby. Zheng Yi stepped forward and he looked at all the mages before he turned and nodded at Zheng Ming who immediately bowed before he and the other Righteous Alliance disciples scattered.

The mages were puzzled, but since they are on the same ground with Zheng Ming and the other Righteous Alliance disciples, they didn't see that although Zheng Ming and the other Righteous Alliance disciples looked scattered around them, they are actually in a formation.

Zheng Fu Gong, Pai Lie, the sect leaders and elders who are standing on a high platform can see this.

Zheng Yi cleared his throat. "Participants." he called. "I have gathered you all here today because I have an important announcement to make." He said.

As expected, the mages who looked restless on the ground started and immediately fell silent.

"For many years, there were less mages who have gained recognition and so can only continue to wander." Zheng Yi continued. "It was, until elder Cheng Sheng has appeared. The profession as mages then started to rise, and many promising seedlings also wanted to become mages." He explained.

Cheng Sheng stood beside Zheng Yi and the mages happily smiled when they saw him.

"It is elder Cheng Sheng!" they exclaimed.

"Ah! It is really him! I can finally see him up close!" some of them said.

"… is he doing this on purpose?" the sect leaders asked while the elders grimaced.

Cheng Sheng is really attention-seeker, no matter which situation he is in.

"So – " Zheng Yi spoke as he looked at the mages. " – today, on behalf of the Righteous Alliance, I hereby declare that elder Cheng Sheng of the Xinfaxian Sect, the master of the five areas of alchemy, namely: Pill Refining, Potion Brewing, Talisman Making, Spell Casting and, lastly, Array Drawing, will become the Righteous Alliance's external advisor!" he said.

Everyone cheered, except for the Righteous Alliance elders, sect leaders and elders behind Zheng Yi and Cheng Sheng who are hidden.

"… who decided this?" Pai Lie asked.

Zheng Fu Gong awkwardly coughed. "Well, it is not like this is impossible to do?" he said.

Xie Lan is fuming in anger. "Just how many times do you all want to take advantage of my disciple?!" he asked as he glared at the Righteous Alliance.

Everyone looked away, declining to comment. Zheng Yi's smile froze when he heard what Xie Lan said behind them while Cheng Sheng's lip twitched. But, none of them two dared to reveal anything to the mages before them.

"So – " Zheng Yi continued after a cough. " – today, elder Cheng Sheng will be choosing promising mages from all of you, and will learn under his tutelage and become a disciple of the Righteous Alliance!" he told them.

The mages cheered. "Oh, my god! Is this a dream?!" they asked each other with their eyes shining in excitement. 

"Then, everyone – " Zheng Yi looked at them.. " – please display your best skills and impress elder Cheng Sheng!" he told them.