Chương 174: Chapter 174: The Thing Inside is My Answer
Chapter 174: The Thing Inside is My Answer
Bang!
Zhao Liepeng slammed his palm down, shattering the stone table in the courtyard.
His gaze was icy cold.
"Where is Zhao Wu? He's disappeared?"
Two elders kneeling before him broke into a cold sweat.
One of them spoke softly, "Master, we truly don't know... Ever since Zhao Wu went out on your orders, he hasn't returned."
The other elder seemed to recall something. "Right, yesterday, Elder Zhao mentioned going to the Qingshan City area. He said there was something there he needed."
"And then… he never came back."
Zhao Liepeng's eyes flickered. "Qingshan City... isn't that near the core of Qingxuan Sect's territory?"
At that moment, the courtyard door was knocked on urgently.
"Master! I have an urgent report!"
Zhao Liepeng frowned. "Enter."
A young disciple burst in—it was Wan Renjie.
He was once one of the Six Gentlemen of Xuanjiang.
But now, with Shen Mo, Zhou Qingcang, and Mo Yuheng having all successfully formed their golden cores, Wan Renjie had yet to reach that stage.
His title of "Thunder Gentleman" no longer matched his status, and few still addressed him that way.
"Renjie, what's the matter?" Zhao Liepeng casually beckoned, and a teacup flew into his palm.
Wan Renjie anxiously reported, "Master, there are rumors outside that our Thunderfire Sect used a forbidden secret technique, the 'Blood Infant Technique,' in our search for the third Earth Fire Furnace!"
"And there's supposed evidence—someone found a giant vat in Elder Zhao Wu's storage ring, inside of which a Blood Infant is already taking form!"
"Qingxuan Sect has also sent word. They claim they will not tolerate such a heinous act by the Thunderfire Sect."
"Our sect's reputation has plummeted. Several small sects that were considering joining us have backed away in fear and instead turned to Qingxuan Sect."
"Even some loose cultivator groups... have cut ties with us and shifted their allegiance to Qingxuan Sect."
Zhao Liepeng's tea-drinking halted abruptly.
Zhao Wu was dead.
And the fact that Zhao Wu had been secretly ordered to cultivate a Blood Infant had been exposed!
Who did this?
With a crack, Zhao Liepeng crushed the teacup in his hand, his face darkening.
After Wan Renjie finished speaking, the two kneeling elders exchanged shocked and confused glances, not daring to meet Zhao Liepeng's eyes.
From what they knew of Zhao Liepeng, it was entirely possible that he had indeed ordered Zhao Wu to do such a thing.
"Master... is this true?" Wan Renjie pressed, his gaze filled with disbelief, unwilling to accept it.
Zhao Liepeng snorted coldly, "What if it is? What if it isn't? This is nothing but Qingxuan Sect slandering us."
"Zhao Wu merely fell into a trap set by Qingxuan Sect."
"I believe that Blood Infant was actually cultivated by Qingxuan Sect. Now that they're about to be exposed, they've shifted the blame onto us!"
"We cannot let this slide!"
"Does the Thunderfire Sect look like a sect that can be casually slandered?"
Zhao Liepeng stood up abruptly. "Pass my order! Gather all the elders and launch an attack on Heavenly Water City. Within three days, I want Heavenly Water City under our control!"
"Once we drive Qingxuan Sect away from the area, we'll find the third Earth Fire Furnace sooner or later!"
"Yes!" The three of them nodded in agreement.
Wan Renjie's eyes dimmed.
He had followed Zhao Liepeng for many years, spending day and night together.
He knew that when Zhao Liepeng lied, his voice would unconsciously rise.
Just now, Zhao Liepeng's tone and mannerisms were exactly the same as when he lied.
Suddenly, Wan Renjie felt that he didn't know his master as well as he thought.
"A cultivator, with great strength and long life, should protect the common people. Isn't that what Master once taught me?"
Wan Renjie dragged his heavy steps as he slowly walked away.
...
"As expected, Zhao Liepeng, enraged by the exposure of this matter, has decided to act aggressively," Shen Mo nodded slightly after hearing the elder's report.
Zhao Liepeng's reaction was within his expectations.
However, Zhao Liepeng still believed that the Thunderfire Sect's strength surpassed Qingxuan Sect's.
Little did he know that Qingxuan Sect had already acquired the Earth Fire Furnace and had been manufacturing refining crystal spiritual artifacts for a month!
In his storage ring, Shen Mo had stockpiled hundreds of Profound-grade refining crystal spiritual artifacts!
Of these, over a hundred contained third-grade demon crystals.
And more than thirty contained fourth-grade demon crystals!
Once these refining crystal spiritual artifacts were distributed to the Golden Core elders, their power would soar to a whole new level.
The strength of the Golden Core elders rising signifies an enhancement of the sect's top-level combat power.
At this moment, Qingxuan Sect's power has already surpassed Thunderfire Sect!
Dong dong dong!
The sound of the bell resonated.
Another meeting of the elders was called.
Shen Mo walked towards the assembly hall in no hurry, while the expressions of the other elders were complicated.
Some were worried, some were anxious, some were pleased, and others were sorrowful.
After defeating Heavenly Water Sect, Qingxuan Sect had only managed to take over part of their territory, and even Heavenly Water City hadn't been fully conquered.
As of now, these territories hadn't been fully absorbed.
Treasures had yet to be converted into strength.
And now, they had to prepare for war against Thunderfire Sect once again.
No one felt truly confident about this.
Dong.
The grand hall doors closed.
Murong Yue glanced around. "Everyone, Thunderfire Sect has suddenly deployed thirty Golden Core stage cultivators to invade Heavenly Water City."
"The elders from Divine Sword Sect, Shaoyang Sect, and Verdant Vine Sect, who were stationed there, have already retreated."
"Elder Wei and Elder Xiao of our Qingxuan Sect are still holding on at the Qingfeng Pavilion in Heavenly Water City, barely managing with the help of the formation there."
"Let's hear everyone's thoughts. What do you all think?"
Liu Yuanfeng was the first to speak. "Sect Master, I believe our top priority should be to fully absorb the territory of Heavenly Water Sect and avoid direct confrontation with Thunderfire Sect."
"Once we've strengthened ourselves, it won't be too late to act."
Elder Li immediately countered, "Vice Sect Master Liu, I disagree. It's been rumored that the third Earth Fire Furnace of Zhongding Sect is located near Heavenly Water City."
"If we let Thunderfire Sect take over Heavenly Water City, they'll inevitably find the third Earth Fire Furnace sooner or later."
"The importance of the Earth Fire Furnace needs no explanation. Once Thunderfire Sect gets their hands on it, they'll ramp up production of refining crystal spiritual artifacts."
"The gap in strength between us and Thunderfire Sect will widen even further!"
"Time is not on our side!"
After they finished, the other elders began chiming in.
There were ten elders in the hall, and soon they were divided into two factions: those advocating for direct confrontation and those suggesting avoiding battle for now.
Both sides were evenly matched, leading to a deadlock.
Liu Yuanfeng smiled slightly. "Sect Master, it's time for you to make the decision."
However, Murong Yue only gave a faint smile. "I won't make the decision. Shen Mo, you make the call."
With that, she sat down, leaving the entire elder discussion to Shen Mo.
The elders were stunned and all turned their gaze to Shen Mo.
Shen Mo surveyed the room. "I support Elder Li. We should confront them head-on."
Liu Yuanfeng frowned. "Young Sect Master, I respect your strength and your contributions, but right now our power is far inferior to Thunderfire Sect. How do you propose we face them directly?"
"I request that you explain your reasoning."
"Otherwise, I, Liu Yuanfeng, will not obey! I receive Qingxuan Sect's monthly salary, and in everything, I must prioritize the sect's well-being. We cannot act rashly!"
He spoke righteously, as if his loyalty and dedication to Qingxuan Sect were beyond reproach.
Shen Mo took out a storage ring and smiled slightly. "The contents of this ring are my answer."
With that, he shook the storage ring.
Clatter.
In an instant, treasures spilled out, radiating brilliant light!
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