Chapter 180: Returning to the Divine Sword Sect Felt Like Coming Home

The first thing that came to Shen Mo’s mind was the life panel of Mo Yuheng, which he had just seen in the Sect Master’s courtyard.

[Recent Turn of Events 1: Ten days later, Mo Yuheng discovers a Heaven-grade treasure, the Longevity Flower, in Spirit Beast Mountain. Overjoyed, he plans to present it to his father. However, he is imprisoned by a Verdant Vine Sect elder guarding Spirit Beast Mountain. That very night, the Divine Sword Sect attacks the mountain, and a Verdant Vine Sect elder self-destructs to cover their retreat. Mo Yuheng narrowly escapes with his life.]

[Recent Turn of Events 2: One month later, Mo Yuheng joins the Verdant Vine Sect in an alliance with the Qingxuan Sect to resist the Divine Sword Sect. Using a grand formation, they severely wound Luo Chaotian. The old Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect appears, reveals his Seven Lotus Nascent Soul, and annihilates the elders of the Verdant Vine Sect and Qingxuan Sect with a single strike.]

After finishing Mo Yuheng’s life panel, Shen Mo checked his own.

[Recent Opportunity: Tonight, by studying the Verdant Vine Eight Treasures Codex, you will comprehend the top-tier Heaven-grade technique, Beast Command Technique.]

[Recent Turn of Events: One month later, join forces with the Verdant Vine Sect to resist the Divine Sword Sect. Using the grand formation, severely wound Luo Chaotian. The old Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect appears, reveals his Seven Lotus Nascent Soul, and annihilates the elders of the Verdant Vine Sect and Qingxuan Sect with a single strike.]

He glanced at the life panels of everyone in the hall, and they all shared the same fate.

They were all destined to die at the hands of the Divine Sword Sect’s old Sect Master.

Only Liu Yuanfeng’s life panel was different.

[Recent Opportunity: One month later, join forces with the Verdant Vine Sect to resist the Divine Sword Sect. Secretly collaborate with the Divine Sword Sect, severely wounding Nangong Yun and nearly killing her. After the old Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect annihilates the Verdant Vine Sect and Qingxuan Sect, Liu Yuanfeng is rewarded and promoted to an inner elder of the Divine Sword Sect.]

Shen Mo glanced at Liu Yuanfeng, who was speaking enthusiastically, his expression calm.

Shen Mo had long known Liu Yuanfeng’s true colors.

The reason he hadn’t killed him yet was that he wanted to use Liu Yuanfeng to pass along false information.

“This person cannot be killed yet. Killing him now might alert the Divine Sword Sect, causing the predetermined fate to change.”

“Besides, Liu Yuanfeng might still be of use.”

Shen Mo’s eyes flickered as a plan formed in his mind.

“…I have two strategies. The first is to present a valuable treasure to the Divine Sword Sect while secretly assisting the Verdant Vine Sect. We won’t need to invest too much manpower—just prolong their battle as much as possible to buy time for our Qingxuan Sect to develop in secret.”

“In this way, with our two Earth Fire Furnaces, we’ll develop much faster than the Divine Sword Sect. When the time comes, who wins or loses will be uncertain.”

Liu Yuanfeng, his face flushed with excitement, spoke eloquently.

“Why don’t you tell us the second strategy,” Nangong Yun said coldly.

Liu Yuanfeng replied seriously, “The second strategy is to pledge our allegiance to Ji Shilong and express our loyalty to him.”

“Ji Shilong commands the Ji Family Army, a force composed mostly of soldiers who once helped him conquer Jiande Prefecture. They are incredibly powerful.”

“In the same realm, Ji Family Army soldiers clearly have the upper hand compared to cultivators.”

“If we can secure Ji Shilong’s support, we’ll undoubtedly stand on equal footing with the Divine Sword Sect. With the spirit tools produced by our two Earth Fire Furnaces, it won’t be long before we surpass the Divine Sword Sect!”

After finishing his proposal, Liu Yuanfeng smiled, “Sect Master, elders, what do you think?”

Some elders nodded, others shook their heads, and a few furrowed their brows in deep thought.

Based on Liu Yuanfeng’s suggestions, it was clear that he had the Qingxuan Sect’s interests in mind, and there was no obvious flaw in his proposal.

Even Nangong Yun couldn’t think of a counter-argument, so she turned to Shen Mo.

Shen Mo smiled, “Vice Sect Master Liu’s two strategies are both excellent. It’s clear you are truly loyal to our Qingxuan Sect.”

Liu Yuanfeng chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“How about this,” Shen Mo suggested, “Vice Sect Master Liu, why don’t you deliver the message to Luo Chaotian, letting him know that our Qingxuan Sect is willing to submit?”

“We will stay out of the upcoming battle between the Divine Sword Sect and the Verdant Vine Sect.”

Liu Yuanfeng’s eyes widened, and he quickly said, “Young Sect Master, what brilliant insight!”

Those who supported him also immediately echoed, “Young Sect Master, brilliant insight!”

However, Wei Xiongtie, Elder Li, and others frowned deeply.

The elders’ council meeting concluded.

Only Shen Mo and Nangong Yun remained in the hall.

“Mo’er, what you said earlier wasn’t your true intention. Even if Liu Yuanfeng delivers the message to Luo Chaotian, I doubt he’ll believe it,” Nangong Yun shook her head.

Shen Mo didn’t respond. Instead, he took out a map of Xuanjiang Prefecture, spread it out, and pointed to a spot.

“The Verdant Vine Sect’s three key strongholds for raising demon beasts have already been attacked twice. Only Spirit Beast Mountain remains.”

“I am certain that the Divine Sword Sect’s next target will be Spirit Beast Mountain.”

“At this time, by deliberately having Liu Yuanfeng deliver the message to Luo Chaotian, it will only make him more suspicious. He’ll likely deploy more cultivators to the border between the Divine Sword Sect and Qingxuan Sect to guard against us.”

“This way, the number of people attacking Spirit Beast Mountain will be reduced, and the battle will last longer.”

“And once they begin the assault on Spirit Beast Mountain, they’ll see that we have remained completely still, as promised. They’ll then lower their guard and redeploy the border guards to Spirit Beast Mountain.”

“We can launch a surprise attack now and catch the Divine Sword Sect off guard,” Shen Mo said with a smile.

Murong Yue’s eyes gleamed with admiration.

“Good! We’ll do it your way!”

…

That same night, Liu Yuanfeng rushed to the Divine Sword Sect without stopping.

Since he was carrying out an official mission, there was no need to hide his presence. He traveled openly, with confidence.

Before long, he arrived at the Sect Master’s courtyard and was soon greeted by Sect Master Luo Chaotian and Vice Sect Master Ouyang Cang.

Luo Chaotian gave a subtle signal, and Ouyang Cang immediately dismissed everyone else from the room.

Tears welled up in Liu Yuanfeng’s eyes as he dropped to one knee. “Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Vice Sect Master!”

At that moment, he felt as though he had escaped a den of tigers and returned to the warmth of home. His expression was more heartfelt than if he were greeting his own parents.

Luo Chaotian helped him to his feet, speaking in a gentle tone, “You’ve endured many years of humiliation, secretly serving the Divine Sword Sect within the Qingxuan Sect. You’re finally close to being free.”

Liu Yuanfeng quickly waved his hand, “Serving the Divine Sword Sect is an honor. I, Liu Yuanfeng, would willingly face fire and water for you!”

Ouyang Cang stroked his beard. “Tell us, what does Murong Yue want by sending you here?”

Liu Yuanfeng then recounted everything that had taken place in the Qingxuan Sect’s council hall.

Ouyang Cang raised an eyebrow. “Sect Master, what do you think?”

Luo Chaotian’s expression remained unchanged. “It’s fake.”

“This is nothing more than Shen Mo’s clumsy smokescreen. It’s too immature, too transparent.”

Liu Yuanfeng nodded repeatedly, “I thought the same. Shen Mo is still too young, thinking he can deceive our Divine Sword Sect with such a scheme. Truly laughable.”

Luo Chaotian considered for a moment. “Send word to gather ten more Core Formation elders and thirty Foundation Establishment disciples to guard the border. We must not let a single person from the Qingxuan Sect cross the boundary!”

“The more they pretend to stay still, the more we must fortify the border and remain vigilant.”

Ouyang Cang nodded. “Sect Master, your foresight is unparalleled!”

However, his tone shifted, “But if we do that, our Core Formation cultivators attacking Spirit Beast Mountain will be reduced, which could extend the duration of the battle.”

Luo Chaotian chuckled. “We have an insider in Spirit Beast Mountain.”

Both Ouyang Cang and Liu Yuanfeng widened their eyes in surprise. “An insider?!”

Luo Chaotian responded calmly, “He is currently one of the elders guarding Spirit Beast Mountain, in control of the mountain’s grand formation. He has never passed on any information, so the Verdant Vine Sect has no idea that he’s working for us.”

“That’s why I’m confident. Even with fewer people, we can take Spirit Beast Mountain within a few hours.”

Ouyang Cang and Liu Yuanfeng looked at Luo Chaotian with admiration, their faces full of respect.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel