Chapter 152: It Seems Our Qingxuan Sect Has Gained a Powerful New Enemy

Just as Luo Shuanghan finished speaking, a cultivator shouted loudly.

“Government office? Hmph! How could Daoist Flame Mask possibly become a lapdog of the court?”

“Daoist, I am a steward of the Stormy Rain Sect. Under the orders of my sect master, I have been searching for you for days. Now that we’ve finally met, I hope you can do us the honor of returning to the Stormy Rain Sect with me.”

This person was dressed in the robe of a Stormy Rain Sect steward and was clearly trying to recruit the “Flame Mask.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than another person loudly declared.

“The Stormy Rain Sect isn’t bad, but it can’t compare to our Purple Star Sect!”

“Our Purple Star Sect has the backing of the Thunderfire Sect and also possesses refined crystal spirit artifacts. If Daoist Flame Mask is willing to return to the Purple Star Sect with me, I’ll offer you a profound-grade refined crystal spirit artifact on behalf of our sect master!”

“If you’re willing to join our Purple Star Sect, there will be even greater rewards!”

A steward of the Purple Star Sect stepped forward, cupping his hands repeatedly toward Shen Mo.

Before his words had faded, another steward, clad in a deep blue robe, emerged and spoke loudly.

“Daoist Flame Mask, I am a steward of the Liejiang Sect. My sect master has a grudge against Lü Xinyue. You killed Lü Xinyue, so my sect master has long wanted to meet you and has sent me to present a gift to you.”

With that, he held up a storage ring in both hands.

Inside, it was evident that there was a gift from the sect master of the Liejiang Sect.

Shen Mo was momentarily speechless with laughter.

Each one of them sure knew how to recruit people.

The Liejiang Sect was even straightforward enough to send a gift directly.

At this moment, a sudden burst of a Core Formation cultivator’s aura swept through the area.

The Qingxuan Sect elder stationed in Feiyu City instantly appeared before Shen Mo, letting out a cold snort, “Hmph, what do you mean by this? Feiyu City is the territory of our Qingxuan Sect!”

“Besides, Daoist Flame Mask just killed Shui Zhonghu. Our Qingxuan Sect should be the one to properly thank Daoist.”

With that, he cupped his hands toward Shen Mo, a smile spreading across his face.

“Please, Daoist, follow me back to our Qingxuan Sect. Sect Master Murong has admired you for a long time.”

In a short span of time, the court, Stormy Rain Sect, Purple Star Sect, Liejiang Sect, and Qingxuan Sect had all extended olive branches to this Flame Mask.

The surrounding cultivators watched in astonishment.

They knew that after Flame Mask killed Lü Xinyue, he had already made a name for himself. However, they hadn’t expected that so many factions would want to recruit him.

Flame Mask had practically become a prized possession in the eyes of all the sects!

This level of treatment was something wandering cultivators could only dream of.

Shen Mo glanced around. When he heard that even the Qingxuan Sect elder wanted to recruit him, he found it both amusing and exasperating.

He was about to find an excuse to brush them off.

At that moment, another voice rang out.

“Daoist Flame Mask, I am a steward of the Heavenly Water Sect. Our Sect Master Zhang greatly admires your strength and wishes to invite you to become an inner sect elder of the Heavenly Water Sect.”

“Would you be willing?”

This voice wasn’t loud; in fact, it seemed rather ordinary.

However, once it rang out, everyone fell silent.

The Heavenly Water Sect.

One of the Five Sects of Xuanjiang!

Even though many acknowledged that Heavenly Water Sect ranked fifth among the Five Sects of Xuanjiang,

And even though Heavenly Water Sect’s three subordinates—the Flying Frost Sect, Blood River Sect, and White River Sect—had already been destroyed,

Despite that, the Heavenly Water Sect still had a heritage that a first-rate sect could not match.

Now, Heavenly Water Sect had extended an olive branch to Flame Mask.

The other sects naturally had no place to speak.

Everyone turned to look at Flame Mask.

Would he accept Heavenly Water Sect’s invitation?

Shen Mo was about to refuse.

However, he hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking, “I’ve never liked being restrained. The inner sect elder position doesn’t appeal to me.”

The stewards of the Purple Star Sect and Stormy Rain Sect both breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed Flame Mask had no intention of joining the Heavenly Water Sect.

But Luo Shuanghan and the other sharp-witted individuals caught the underlying meaning.

Flame Mask seemed to dislike only the “inner sect elder” position.

So, what if they offered a different position?

The Heavenly Water Sect steward quickly realized this, hastily responding, “Then, would you be willing to serve as our Heavenly Water Sect’s guest elder?”

Guest Elder!

Every sect had this position.

Only Core Formation cultivators were qualified to hold it.

However, there was a significant difference between a guest elder and an inner sect elder.

An inner sect elder shared the sect’s honor and disgrace, its rise and fall.

They received a generous monthly stipend, could participate in sect affairs, and had to obey the sect master’s orders.

But a guest elder was more independent and couldn’t partake in sect affairs.

They only received a modest monthly stipend and held a nominal position within the sect.

Yet, when the sect encountered major events, it could spend a hefty sum to enlist the help of a guest elder.

To put it plainly, it’s equivalent to a mercenary on the sect’s payroll.

They’ll only act if paid.

Upon hearing the Heavenly Water Sect steward’s words, Shen Mo reluctantly nodded, “I can accept the position of guest elder.”

“But…”

Sensing Shen Mo’s hesitant tone, the steward quickly responded, “I have the authority to present you with a bottle of Great Replenishment Pills as a gift.”

Only then did Shen Mo nod in satisfaction. “Alright.”

The Heavenly Water Sect steward’s face lit up with joy. “Then, would you be willing to accompany me to the Heavenly Water Sect to discuss the details with Sect Master Zhang?”

Shen Mo shook his head. “Since I’ve already agreed to be the guest elder of Heavenly Water Sect, why do I need to meet with her? It’s unnecessary.”

“If Sect Master Zhang has any tasks for me, as long as the reward is sufficient, everything can be discussed.”

With that, he turned and prepared to leave.

“Daoist, how should I contact you?” the steward called out.

Shen Mo casually tossed over a jade piece.

“Keep this communication jade with you. If there’s anything, use it to reach me.”

He had slain quite a few cultivators, and most sect cultivators of some status carried a set of communication jades.

“Alright, alright, safe travels, Daoist,” the Heavenly Water Sect steward responded, taking the jade with a face full of delight.

The crowd ahead of Shen Mo quickly parted, clearing a path for him to leave grandly.

The Qingxuan Sect elder frowned deeply.

“Flame Mask has actually been recruited by the Heavenly Water Sect… Though it’s just as a guest elder, it still means he’s aligned with them.”

“It seems our Qingxuan Sect has gained a powerful new enemy.”

“This matter must be reported to the sect master immediately. Our Qingxuan Sect must be on guard against this individual at all times!”

The other sects, such as the Stormy Rain Sect, Purple Star Sect, and Liejiang Sect, each had varied reactions.

Only the Heavenly Water Sect steward was brimming with joy.

He had accomplished his task and would surely be rewarded upon his return.

…

After leaving Flying Fish City, Shen Mo increased his pace.

He soared through the skies, dived underground, and darted through forests, eventually shaking off those with ill intentions tracking him.

His temporary acceptance of Heavenly Water Sect’s offer was merely a casual move on his part.

Zhang Mo wouldn’t trust him so easily.

Nor would she assign him important responsibilities anytime soon.

However, even so, Shen Mo could still receive the monthly stipend of a guest elder, reaping benefits from Heavenly Water Sect without much cost. Why not take advantage?

“News of this should spread and cause quite a stir, don’t you think?”

A faint smile appeared on Shen Mo’s lips as he quickened his pace toward Qingxuan Sect.

…

As expected.

News that Flame Mask had accepted the Heavenly Water Sect’s offer to become a guest elder quickly caused an uproar.

Many had never anticipated that a figure like Flame Mask would join the Heavenly Water Sect.

Even Ji Shilong, the Prefect of Xuanjiang Prefecture, furrowed his brow and pondered for a long time, unable to make sense of it.

He couldn’t understand whether it was because the court’s offer was too low or if Flame Mask naturally harbored resentment toward the court.

After all, whatever the Heavenly Water Sect could provide, the court could undoubtedly offer more.

“I can’t figure it out… Nevertheless, with Flame Mask on their side, the Heavenly Water Sect will surely gain a significant boost.”

“Currently, the Five Sects of Xuanjiang have yet to directly intervene. If they don’t, this sect rivalry won’t reach its peak.”

“It’s time to fan the flames.”

Ji Shilong gazed southward, his expression calm and unwavering.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel