Terrifying! . . .
Zhan Yunfei took a deep breath and gave a resolute nod in agreement with Cha Eun Xiao's assessment.
"Why don't we take this a step further? What if someone deliberately killed Xiao Mufei's daughter? What if these people were responsible for her death? Following this line of reasoning, this vast organization, in order to create the perfect opportunity for their assassins, requires a greater number of individuals to be killed beforehand—a prelude of tragedy aimed at piercing the hearts of those influential figures."
"The sole purpose is to exploit the vulnerabilities in these formidable individuals' hearts, rendering them more susceptible to their assassins' influence and manipulation. This is the only way to ensure the assassins play their roles perfectly in the ultimate assassination."
"In essence, they have a concealed faction devoted to assassinations. On the flip side, they require individuals to collaborate with the assassins they're grooming, similar to that old man. He unwittingly set the entire assassination in motion, and without his calling out 'Rongrong,' Xiao Mufei might never have noticed her. Both he and the old man were crucial in the execution of this plot, the latter being a formidable cultivator in his own right."
Zhan Yunfei nodded, his expression filled with profound concern.
"Hence, there are over a hundred thousand mimicking assassins, a formidable assassination group, and an extensive intelligence network. It's the amalgamation of these factors that contributed to the perfect execution of the assassination."
"To raise and train a hundred thousand people necessitates vast resources, considerable living space, an abundance of food, and numerous materials to enhance their martial skills. This, in turn, entails substantial expenses, implying there must be over two hundred thousand individuals residing in those secluded valleys."
"Furthermore, there must be over two hundred thousand members functioning within the intelligence network to ensure their extensive reach."
"The covert assassination faction could potentially house over a hundred thousand operatives."
"In essence, we're discussing a shadowy power that might encompass more than a million individuals."
"To keep this mammoth operation afloat demands significant financial resources and resource acquisition. While I'm new to this world, I've learned that in Qing-Yun Realm, the common man uses gold and silver for market transactions, which are relatively easy to obtain. However, for martial cultivation materials, one must possess spiritual stones."
"Therefore, this colossal organization must maintain a lucrative business that provides them with sufficient funding for daily expenses. Their resource channels are likely controlled by select entities with a knack for resource acquisition."
"Still, this wouldn't suffice for an organization of such magnitude. They must harbor grand ambitions. A single, unforeseen encounter with an exceedingly powerful cultivator could obliterate them in an instant. Hence, they require substantial martial power for protection."
"In this world, I suspect only a few sects possess the capability to execute such a grand endeavor."
"One person, two great halls, three palaces, and seven sects—these individuals are among the few with the resources, influence, and martial power to construct and sustain an organization of this magnitude."
"To put it simply, other sects don't measure up to the task."
Cha Eun Xiao took a deep breath and continued to unravel the disconcerting revelations.
"Considering what we now understand, it's almost certain that they've orchestrated numerous tragic events. They must have taken the lives of many people, individuals who were related to influential figures—be it their families, friends, disciples, or associates."
As Cha Eun Xiao articulated this, Zhan Yunfei's expression contorted with pain, a grip tightening around his heart as if he were the one suffering.
"Furthermore, their targets are the elite members of various sects, implying that their motives extend far beyond monetary gain. They kill with a grander purpose in mind, one that I can only surmise as an attempt to seize control over the entire Qing-Yun Realm."
Cha Eun Xiao finally drew a grim conclusion.
"They have, to some extent, manipulated the vulnerabilities within the hearts of around seventy percent of the influential figures. At the very least, they've compromised seventy percent of them. Regardless of how vicious and ruthless these individuals may be, they remain too emotionally attached to their own kin to carry out such heinous deeds."
"This is the linchpin of the organization's success. By setting up traps akin to what they subjected Elder Xiao to, they will undoubtedly plunge the Qing-Yun Realm into turmoil and chaos."
"At that juncture, numerous cultivators who should be formidable will meet their demise for diverse reasons."
"Following the fall of these powerful figures, others will be poised to take their places, effectively creating a governing body for the realm."
Cha Eun Xiao went on, "For example, take the Cold Moon Palace. If all Dao Origin Stage cultivators within our sect were to meet their end one day, what would transpire afterward? Those who survive will grapple with paranoia, for they could be betrayed by their closest companions. Trust will become an elusive concept."
Zhan Yunfei clenched his teeth and voiced his concerns. "Should this calamity come to pass one day, nefarious individuals will swoop in and usurp all we've labored to build. We shall be ensnared in our own downfall."
Cha Eun Xiao nodded solemnly. "Indeed, that is precisely what they hope to achieve. When I heard her responses, fear was the only emotion that consumed me."
"This scheme is the most wicked, ambitious, dreadful, terrifying, ruthless, and callous plan I've encountered in my lifetime."
Cha Eun Xiao enunciated each word with emphasis. "It's meticulously orchestrated, proceeding step by step, making it the most malevolent and petrifying plot in history."