Chapter 97: I Smell Opportunity

The second hall was unusually quiet.

The soldiers dared not make a sound.

The only noise was the rapid flipping of letters by Ji Shilong.

After a long while, the burly prefect finally set down the letters, his face showing surprise.

The stern man beside him inquired, “My lord? What’s the situation?”

Ji Shilong waved his hand, signaling the three soldiers to leave.

He then handed the letter to the man and slowly spoke, “This Shen Mo is not only exceptionally talented but also possesses extraordinary wisdom.”

“He was involved in the entire process of annexing the Heavy Weapon Sect.”

“First, he obtained the crystal refining technique and gradually took over the Heavy Weapon Sect’s business. This is the first step.”

“Second, he imprisoned Wu Leng, crippling the Heavy Weapon Sect’s most intelligent mind.”

“Third, he allied with small sects, cutting off the Heavy Weapon Sect’s wings.”

“Fourth, he drew the Violent Rain Sect to his side, making them restrain the Feishuang Sect and the Lingxi Sect, preventing them from offering help.”

Ji Shilong sighed softly, “Why does someone like him serve a sect and not my court? I truly wish to recruit him under my command.”

The stern man frowned, “My lord, recruiting this person is not feasible.”

“To my knowledge, he is deeply favored by the Qingxuan Sect’s master and is highly likely to become the next master of the Qingxuan Sect.”

“Moreover, judging from his behavior and conduct, he is not someone who would subjugate himself to others.”

After speaking, he added, “Besides, in my view, this person does not possess great wisdom, only a knack for leveraging situations and thinking several steps ahead of his opponents.”

“Most people can only see what’s right in front of them, not beyond one step. If one can foresee three steps ahead, they have already surpassed the vast majority.”

Ji Shilong laughed heartily, “What about me then?”

The stern man smiled, “My lord can see five steps ahead.”

Ji Shilong still wore a smile, “Oh? And how many steps can you see?”

The stern man proudly replied, “I dare say I can see eight steps ahead!”

Ji Shilong’s smile grew even brighter, “Then why am I the one in charge of you?”

The stern man was stunned for a moment and quickly said, “I misspoke, my lord. The five steps you see are large strides, while the steps I see are small ones! That’s why you are in charge of me!”

As he said this, cold sweat suddenly appeared on his forehead.

He realized it now.

Despite his exceptional talent and usual arrogance, the man before him was not one to hesitate in killing.

In front of Ji Shilong, even a dragon had to coil and a tiger had to crouch.

“I think Shen Mo is quite remarkable. Luo Shuanghan, select some treasures from the warehouse and visit the Qingxuan Sect. See if he is willing to forsake the darkness for the light and join the court.”

“If he is unwilling, then go to the Heavenly Water Sect and ensure this letter reaches Sect Master Zhang.”

Ji Shilong pulled a letter from the bottom of a thick stack of dossiers.

The seal was already stamped with fire lacquer.

It also bore Ji Shilong’s official prefect seal.

The stern man nodded, cupped his hands, and took his leave.

Ji Shilong watched his departing figure, a faint smile on his face.

…

Thunder Crystal Mine.

Shen Mo did not reveal that he had already stepped into the Core Formation stage.

Instead, he landed early outside the forest and walked into the mine with large strides.

Becoming a Core Formation cultivator was indeed worth celebrating.

But the Qingxuan Sect was not a monolith.

There were now many new inner sect elders with varied factions.

If anyone other than himself knew, Liu Yuanfeng might also find out.

Liu Yuanfeng was not a good person.

The Qingxuan Sect’s intelligence had been sold by him countless times.

When the time comes, his own danger would increase further.

For now, it’s better to maintain the current disguise.

Or perhaps, after reaching small or large accomplishment in the Core Formation stage, he could then reveal his status for greater safety.

As for Liu Yuanfeng, Shen Mo did not see him as a threat.

Maintaining the status quo was enough.

He might even use Liu Yuanfeng to spread some false information.

Shen Mo walked into the mine.

Immediately, he saw many disciples.

There were also several Foundation Establishment cultivators hurrying in from outside.

They were not wearing the robes of Qingxuan Sect elders.

Instead, they wore the attire of several nearby small sects.

Seeing Shen Mo, they immediately felt a deep respect and halted, bowing respectfully.

Even Core Formation cultivators dared not show the slightest disrespect.

Now, the cultivators near the Qingcang Mountains already knew that the Heavy Weapon Sect had been annexed by the Qingxuan Sect.

They also knew that it was all orchestrated by Shen Mo behind the scenes.

Without Shen Mo, even if the Qingxuan Sect could annex the Heavy Weapon Sect, it would have resulted in heavy casualties.

“Who are you all?” Shen Mo asked casually.

The Core Formation cultivators replied happily, “Young Sect Master, we are elders from nearby small sects, ordered by our sect master to come and join the Qingxuan Sect.”

“Our sect master is also on the way and will arrive soon.”

Shen Mo smiled and nodded, “Good, you may proceed.”

“Yes.”

Shen Mo took a few more steps and suddenly saw Elder Li looking for someone.

“Young Sect Master, I have news for you,” Elder Li said seriously.

“Speak.”

“Wu Leng is dead, he committed suicide,” Elder Li sighed.

Shen Mo asked, “What happened?”

Elder Li explained, “The news of our Qingxuan Sect annexing the Heavy Weapon Sect has spread, and many people in the mine are talking about it.”

“Wu Leng also heard and couldn’t accept the truth. He shattered his own Golden Core and committed suicide.”

“Many people witnessed the scene.”

Shen Mo’s expression didn’t change.

Given Wu Leng’s obsessive nature, it was understandable for him to react this way upon hearing the news.

“Wu Gangfei hasn’t been buried yet. Bury the father and son together.”

“Yes.”

Shen Mo sighed softly.

Wu Leng should have been a renowned weapon refiner in Xuanjiang Prefecture.

Even if the court had flattened Xuanjiang Prefecture, a weapon refiner like him would not have been affected and would have been honored instead.

But because of Shen Mo’s existence, Wu Leng’s fate had changed repeatedly.

Now, it was completely severed.

Shen Mo didn’t feel much pity for him.

If Wu Leng hadn’t schemed against him and even harbored murderous intent, Shen Mo wouldn’t have kept him imprisoned here.

His death was merely the result of his own actions.

“Time to cultivate. Reaching small accomplishment in the Core Formation stage as soon as possible is the proper business.”

Shen Mo returned to his room.

To quickly advance in the Core Formation stage, one could also take corresponding pills like in the Body Tempering, Qi Condensation, and Foundation Establishment stages.

The pill needed by Core Formation cultivators is called the “Essence Boosting Pill.”

Its effect is to accelerate the growth of the Golden Core.

A Core Formation entry-stage Golden Core is at least five times smaller than that of a Core Formation peak cultivator.

This is for an ordinary Golden Core.

For a flawless Golden Core or a perfect Golden Core, the difference is even greater.

Sevenfold, tenfold, it varies from person to person.

Each growth of the Golden Core represents an improvement in one’s cultivation level.

However, the Essence Boosting Pill is already a top-tier profound grade pill, which the Qingxuan Sect naturally doesn’t have.

The Qingxuan Sect has only two alchemy elders, and the strongest pills they can make are only lower-tier profound grade.

Without a master to teach them, they are entirely self-taught and figured it out on their own.

Therefore, higher-level pills have a very low success rate in refining and are not worth the effort.

Of course, this is not unique to the Qingxuan Sect.

It’s the same for others.

The Essence Boosting Pill must be purchased from the Five Sects of Xuanjiang.

But the Five Sects of Xuanjiang strictly control the quantity.

The number of Essence Boosting Pills sold each month is very limited.

Currently, Shen Mo could only rely on his own power to cultivate.

A few days later, Elder Li’s voice suddenly came from outside.

“Young Sect Master, there is a Core Formation cultivator outside the mine, claiming to be from the prefectural city and under Ji Shilong’s command, wanting to see you.”

Shen Mo slowly opened his eyes.

A flash of brilliance appeared in his eyes.

Hmm… I smell opportunity!

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel