LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 236: Chapter 236: It's Him Again, Shen Mo
Chapter 236: It's Him Again, Shen Mo
News of the Bloodvine Valley incident quickly reached the ears of the three major powers in Yuzhou.
Supreme Purity Sect
Sect Master Mo Lingxiao sat with a calm expression as a kneeling steward reported the details. After hearing the news, Mo Lingxiao turned to the gaunt middle-aged man beside him, a faint smile spreading across his face.
"Beifeng, did you hear that? The Jade Cauldron Sect grows weaker by the day. To think a mere Bloodvine Valley cost them 21 Nascent Soul elders."
"If that valley had been under the Supreme Purity Sect's control, and it was our elders entering it, even with spies from the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom scheming against us, such heavy losses would never have occurred."
Su Beifeng nodded with a knowing smile. "Exactly. The Jade Cauldron Sect has no industries capable of competing with the other powers, and their overall strength is declining year after year."
"At this rate, they're clearly at the bottom of the three sects in Yuzhou."
Mo Lingxiao chuckled. "And now, having lost so many Nascent Soul elders, I doubt they've brought out much Scarlet Blood Spirit Valley harvest either. It's the perfect opportunity to press them and cut off their resources."
The steward, still kneeling, hesitated before speaking. "Sect Master, the Scarlet Blood Spirit Valley harvest… doesn't seem to differ much from previous years."
Mo Lingxiao frowned. "Didn't you just report that 21 elders were killed?"
The steward hurriedly explained, "That's true, but there was one elder, a young man named Shen Mo, who alone submitted 700 pounds of Scarlet Blood Spirit Valley harvest."
"Moreover, Sect Master Li Zhendao of the Jade Cauldron Sect promoted him to a Third Rank Elder on the spot."
"My investigations show this Shen Mo is a native of Xuanjiang Prefecture, only in his twenties, and he's been in the Jade Cauldron Sect for less than three years."
Mo Lingxiao's frown deepened. "What? The Jade Cauldron Sect has such a young genius, and I've never heard of him?"
Hearing the name, Su Beifeng's expression shifted as if recalling something. "Sect Master, I just remembered something."
"Do you recall the Divine Sword Sect of Xuanjiang Prefecture?"
Mo Lingxiao thought for a moment before nodding. "I do. They had an old Sect Master who reached the Nascent Soul stage. You reported this a few years ago. What about them?"
Su Beifeng gestured for the steward to leave, then knelt respectfully and continued, "Sect Master, the Divine Sword Sect's old master is named Yao Yunluo. My nephew, Su Changqing, was tasked with recruiting him into the Supreme Purity Sect."
"Yao Yunluo held a Nascent Soul celebration and set up an elaborate banquet to assert dominance and unite the forces of Xuanjiang Prefecture under his rule."
"But he didn't expect Shen Mo to also be a Nascent Soul cultivator. At that very celebration, Shen Mo killed him."
"Furthermore, Elder Lü Dongxuan of the Jade Cauldron Sect was also present at the event. Because of his presence, my nephew dared not act rashly and had no choice but to withdraw in frustration."
"Since Yao Yunluo wasn't officially part of the Supreme Purity Sect, I didn't think it necessary to report the matter to you at the time."
After finishing, Su Beifeng lowered his head, uneasy. "Sect Master, if this matter spreads, it will surely disgrace the Supreme Purity Sect. I took the liberty of suppressing it and await your punishment."
Mo Lingxiao waved a hand dismissively. "It was just an entry-level Nascent Soul cultivator. If he's dead, so be it."
"You are the Tenth Elder, the face of the Supreme Purity Sect. Why would I punish you?"
"But this Shen Mo… How dare he kill someone connected to our sect?"
"Hm… If I'm not mistaken, he was recruited by Lü Dongxuan and serves as an elder of the Tenth Peak of the Jade Cauldron Sect?"
Su Beifeng nodded solemnly. "Precisely."
Mo Lingxiao's face remained impassive. "Keep a close eye on his every move."
"This Shen Mo is likely a young genius on par with Ye Yan. First, see if he can be recruited. If not, find an opportunity to eliminate him. We can't leave potential threats unchecked."
Su Beifeng bowed deeply. "Understood."
Pill River Sect
In a luxurious hot spring, Hai Qiankun, the rotund Sect Master of the Pill River Sect, soaked contentedly. Around him, several lightly robed women tended to his every need.
A steward outside the room loudly reported the latest news about the Jade Cauldron Sect.
Hai Qiankun lazily opened his mouth. A woman to his left understood immediately and fed him a plump, juicy grape.
Chewing slowly, Hai Qiankun finally spoke, his tone indifferent. "Twenty-one Nascent Soul elders dead?"
"I can't imagine what gives the Jade Cauldron Sect the nerve to keep resisting the Imperial Court. Do they still think they're the strongest sect in Yuzhou, like when they were first established?"
"Go on. Don't bother me with such trivial matters."
"Yes, Sect Master," the steward responded obediently before retreating.
...
Prefecture Lord's Manor
A tall, silver-haired elder sat casually at the edge of a pond, fishing with his eyes closed.
Strangely, his fishing rod had no bait, no hook—just a plain string dangling in the water.
Behind him, the sound of footsteps approached. It was Wu Renyin, a trusted general under the Prefecture Lord of Yuzhou.
"Reporting to the Prefecture Lord," Wu Renyin said with a respectful bow. "There is news from Bloodvine Valley."
The Prefecture Lord didn't open his eyes and replied indifferently, "No need for details. Just tell me—how many died?"
Wu Renyin nodded. "Twenty-one Nascent Soul elders."
The Prefecture Lord suddenly opened his eyes, frowning. "Only twenty-one? I was expecting at least fifty casualties."
"What exactly happened? Explain it thoroughly."
Wu Renyin nodded. "According to our sources, the two most powerful Bloodroot Dragons in the valley were slain by an unknown party, and no Bloodroot Dragon King was ever born."
The Prefecture Lord furrowed his brow. "That explains it."
"I had thought the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom, after all their planning, would surely produce a Bloodroot Dragon King."
"It seems I overestimated them."
Shaking his head, he continued, "Still, the loss of 21 elders is a severe blow to the Jade Cauldron Sect."
"Also, they must not have harvested much Scarlet Blood Spirit Valley, correct?"
"This would be the perfect opportunity to reduce the supply of spiritual and demonic beast materials to their sect."
Wu Renyin gave a sheepish smile. "Prefecture Lord, as far as I know, the Jade Cauldron Sect's harvest of Scarlet Blood Spirit Valley is nearly identical to previous years."
The Prefecture Lord was taken aback. "What?"
Wu Renyin spoke in a lower voice. "There is a young elder named Shen Mo who submitted 700 pounds of Scarlet Blood Spirit Valley in one go."
"Li Zhendao was overjoyed and made this widely known, declaring Shen Mo as a role model for the entire sect."
The Prefecture Lord murmured the name thoughtfully. "Shen Mo again. This young man is quite intriguing."
"Keep a close watch on him. Report every word he says and every action he takes, down to the smallest detail."
Wu Renyin bowed deeply. "Understood."
The Prefecture Lord pondered for a moment before speaking again. "There are still a few human traitors from the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom, correct?"
Wu Renyin nodded. "Yes, there are several. They did not participate in the Bloodvine Valley operation and are currently working on turning the Fire Jiao Dragon against us."
The Prefecture Lord nodded slightly. "Good. I hear the bloodline of the Demon Emperor is an irresistible temptation for many beasts."
"If they can get close enough to the Fire Jiao Dragon, they should be able to sway it. If they fail even at that, they're beyond worthless."
"You've done well. Take some rest."
Wu Renyin nodded. "Yes, Prefecture Lord. I shall take my leave."
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