Cao Yun basked in his new strength for some time. But his inability to go outside and soar freely through the sky was really upsetting. Hongyu was in the same state, with even much more frustration. But they had to take it. By now, the Oasis of Life had at little tripled in size. Indeed, many pilgrims from the entire Desolate Sepulcher were there, both from the Nalupu Kingdom and the nomad tribes. As such, even with all of his stealth, Cao Yun didn't want to risk being discovered. Everyone still had to think that he was dead and no one, absolutely no one, had to guess his role within the Sisters of the Abyss.
In fact, apart from a select few who all had seals implanted in them, not a single Sister knew about his presence. As far a they were concerned, the emergency that had happened in the chamber of the Blood Abyss was High Mother Qin Xue's accident. The details weren't clear. Some talked about Qi Deviation during her training. Others even imagined that she had been burned by the Blood Abyss themselves. But no one could imagine what had really happened. Moreover, the Sisters of the Abyss were the masters of information and spies within the Desolate Sepulcher. Thus, it wouldn't be hard for them to hide anything. For decades, many different rumors would spread throughout the continent. The truth would even be spread by the Sisters themselves so as to hide it even more.
A human had bathed into the Blood Abyss and awakened the intent of their god to strike down the High Mother. It was so outlandish that those who spread this rumor were ridiculed by all. But those were really acting for High Mother Lisha to hide the truth in plain sight.
Finally, someone brought Cao Yun the report he had been waiting for. Everyone he wanted to meet had arrived, but Lord Wanghuo wasn't there yet. He was probably the only one who could thwart Cao Yun's plans. But, first of all, he was a lousy politician so he might not be able to do anything apart from using brute force and violence. More than that, from what Cao Yun had read about him, he might simply not deign do anything at all in fact.
The persons who really interested Cao Yun were City Lord Sihe and Boss Gui among the Nalupu Kingdom as well as Patriarch Liang Lisheng from the Sun Scorpion Clan and Sha Chai Gan from the nomad tribes. Besides them, he was also interested in Weiji Nian. She too had arrived in the Oasis of Life along with her son Weiji Bao. During Cao Yun's entrapment and later seclusion, Weiji Bao had grown to be a man. Unfortunately, the influence of his mother had done nothing to steer him away from the path he had already been walking.
Around Weiji Bao, there were many disgusting stories, all hidden by his mother who believed him to be a perfect saint, no matter what cruelty he showed and visited upon others. On the other hand, his father was too busy working for City Lord Sihe. His great uncle might have been able to correct him but it was too late. And his little nephew kept on abusing his family's authority to get what he wanted. This boy had tortured and killed many slaves just for fun. In his eyes, they were nothing more than objects or furniture and he didn't care about them at all. Even among demons, this wasn't a practice that was looked upon nicely. All the help from his mother didn't prevent his reputation from going into the gutter rapidly. However, his family name was protecting him, for now...
For an instant, Cao Yun had a bi of compassion for this boy. His parents had clearly failed him. But he wasn't a boy no more. It was time for this man to learn that actions had consequences and his mother wouldn't be able to cover for him, especially after what he was going to do to her, to both of them. In Cao Yun's mind, the only problem was the rest of the family, in particular, the uncle. Weiji Nian's husband was a done deal as he was attached to City Lord Sihe, but the uncle was a high member of Lord Wanghuo's army so Cao Yun couldn't do anything to rash against him. At the very least, he had to have a legitimate reason, or a sure way of never being associated with his death.
At the moment though, Cao Yun was more interested in meeting the demons he had formed connections with. After learning that his Blazing Swallow was doing just fine, Cao Yun was more than happy. Despite the pressures from City Lord Sihe and the entire Xinian Confederation who was clearly siding with him, they had endured, and in no small part thanks to Boss Gui's support. However, it shouldn't belittle Nie Pian and Dan Yao's efforts either. Xixue had also helped a lot by organizing their business. In a way, Cao Yun felt as though it was part of her legacy so he didn't want it to die. Besides, this business would help a lot.
Of course, money wasn't a problem for Cao Yun, not a problem at all. But this business was important for influence, much more than for money.
-
Among the pilgrims, Nie Pian and Dan Yao were present. With this great concentration of people and power, they had to be there to defend their business. Boss Gui had also come with them and some of her bodyguards, among whom were Miss Wo and Mister Dai. Cao Yun had met both of them already and knew that they were competent. Against him though, they would have no chance. Although their cultivation had improved, it had been nowhere as fast as Cao Yun's. To be fair, they were also very busy working for Boss Gui, especially with all the pressure she was under. And the poisons used by her had their limits.
Even though their cultivation was faster than most demons, it was clearly coming to a halt. Using poisons to improve the body and blood was one thing. But improving one's soul as an Accomplished Demon was much more complex. Yes, there were poisons that could help by provoking the Turbid Demons, or weakening them, or both at the same time. However, they were obviously much more difficult to use, much more dangerous, and most of all, Boss Gui probably knew very little about those. In fact, apart from Cao Yun, this knowledge was most likely unknown to all in the Desolate Sepulcher. After all, a large part came from what he had been able to read in Cleansed Asura's documents.
Boss Gui and the Blazing Swallow were staying close to each other, even in the Oasis of Life. Although no one would be foolish enough to attack them there, as they would risk the wrath of the Sisters of the Abyss, and everyone else with them, their situation wasn't good either. The Xinian Confederation was making sure that their life was as difficult as possible without any direct involvement.
One day, their presence became the talk of the entire Xinian Confederation though. Indeed, a Senior Mother visited Boss Gui. And she even humbled herself and visited the Blazing Swallow establishment. Unlike some who had been able to rent buildings in order to create temporary stores, the Blazing Swallow was still operating out of a tent. However, this Senior Mother entered it as though it were a prestigious shop.
Obviously, this caused an uproar. Those who had no idea of the concealed war between the Xinian Confederation and Boss Gui only thought that this shop had to hold great products and were flocking to enter it. On the other hand, those privy to what was happening behind the scene felt that something was shifting. This simple visit dealt a heavy blow to City Lord Sihe's operations.
Despite all his efforts, he had not been able to compete against the Blazing Swallow when it came to alchemy. Over the years, he had still been able to poach a few alchemists from them. But he had never been able to get the recipes for their greatest products and no alchemist had been able to duplicate them well enough. Although some of their products were of better quality, they didn't have the highest pills Blazing Swallow had. Of course, those recipes had come directly from Cao Yun so Dan Yao had been extremely careful with them. In fact, not a single alchemist knew the entire recipes, not even those Dan Yao trusted the most.
In the following days, not a single representative of the Sisters visited anyone from City Lord Sihe's side. That being said, a few Junior Mothers were sent to valued members of the Xinian Confederation who were either neutral or a bit indecisive in the matter. It was clearly interpreted as an attack against City Lord Sihe's party. Thus, they all began to act behind the scenes, trying to get to High Mother Lisha. Many gifts were sent with all the rituals and ceremonies. But they were refuses without adhering to much ceremony at all. Such an act was obviously an insult but City Lord Sihe couldn't say anything.
In fact, those who had sent those gifts for him also felt terrible. Being associated with him had been extremely profitable. But now, they could sense that things were changing. Still, they could stomach it if the money kept on flowing. The winds could shift, but what mattered was the position their sails in the right direction. They were still convinced that City Lord Sihe would be able to get out of it. Maybe the new High Mother Lisha was changing the alliances of the Sisters of the Abyss. But with enough time, he would be able to make her listen to reason.
This visit had been planned in order to induce this particular series of events. Although it hadn't been too direct, it hadn't been too subtle either. Everyone in the know could immediately deduce what it meant. More than that, they could deduce that the Sisters wanted them to know. For many it was taken as a warning to stay away from City Lord Sihe. But that didn't mean that they would go closer to Boss Gui or the Blazing Swallow. No, most people simply decided to wait on the sidelines. For the time being, they would keep very civil interactions with those two parties and they would see how things would evolve from there.
-
Another reason for this visit was a message from Cao Yun himself. He wanted to meet them in person. Obviously, he didn't disclose his name or the fact that he was alive. Boss Gui was under the impression that High Mother Lisha herself wanted to see her. Thus, she left her bodyguards behind and went toward the Monastery of Bliss and Repose.
Although she wasn't a religious person, Boss Gui knew all the rituals and ceremonies. As she was in the most sacred capital of the Desolate Sepulcher, she adhered to them strictly. Many people were watching her. Any small failure from her part could cause ripples that would affect her entire life. Even if she had been summoned by High Mother Lisha, she wasn't sure whether it was a good or a bad thing. So she was even more careful than usual.
As she climbed the stairs of the Monastery of Bliss and Repose, she was wearing pure white. Just like in the Hongchen Kingdom, white was the color of mourning and grief. According to the calendar used by the Sisters of the Abyss, that period was still meant to mourn High Mother Qin Xue's passing. Boss Gui also tried to be as humble as possible and chanted a few prayers she knew from the Sisters.
Someone who didn't know her might have thought she was a Sister herself. But she had absolutely no interest in becoming one. In fact, she could literally do the opposite of what she was doing if it was good for her. Instead of worshiping the temple, she could set it ablaze to turn up a profit. In that sense, Cao Yun trusted her. Unlike others, she was absolutely rational. She could be cruel if it was necessary, but wouldn't be if it served no purpose. As long as he could show her where her interests lay, she would do everything Cao Yun wanted. For the time being, it was what truly mattered.
Boss Gui walked into the Monastery of Bliss and Repose and was welcomed by the same Senior Mother who had visited her. Unbeknownst to her, this Senior Mother had Cao Yun's seals in her sea of consciousness. At any moment, he could simply thought about it and she would die. As such, she obeyed his every commands. Moreover, those were also High Mother Lisha's words. And all the Sisters of the Abyss knew and respected her when she was still Sister Lisha. If Cao Yun had tried to push someone else as the High Mother, they might have decided to throw their life away to fight him. But as long as Sister Lisha was the High Mother, they could endure it as they were convinced that their order would endure it.
Boss Gui was led underground. As they went deeper and deeper, she began to be afraid. She even wondered whether they had given her so much honor just to lure her into a trap. But thinking about it, it didn't make any sense. The difference between their status was abyssal. The Sisters of the Abyss could have destroyed Boss Gui just by a wave of their sleeves. That being said, it didn't prevent her from being under a lot of stress.
Although it hadn't been Cao Yun's intent, he knew that it would help his talk with her. Having her under pressure would expedite the process. By showing her how much power and influence he had, he was facilitating her understanding of his propositions.
After a few minutes, Boss Gui entered the chamber of the Blood Abyss where Cao Yun was still living. When she entered, she saw no one at all, but smelled a thick odor of blood throughout the air. Of course, she felt more than uneasy. Before she could react, the Senior Mother closed the doors and left. Even if she had tried to, Boss Gui wouldn't have been able to open those doors. They were heavy of course, but what prevented them from being opened were blood runes and seals.
Then, she heard a voice. The world in front of her changed slightly. Where there was no one before, she now could see a large bird and a young man she recognized immediately.
"Mo Yun?"