Chapter 354: The Madness of Lion Ming Sect
Lion Tian's decision left Yunshan somewhat startled. "Does Sect Master Lion intend for the entire Lion Ming Sect to practice the soul-devouring body-seizing technique?" Yunshan asked, puzzled by the extent of the adoption.
"Of course," Lion Tian replied as if it were obvious. "Having acquired such an excellent cultivation aid, it's only natural for the whole sect to practice it." Yunshan, seeing Lion Tian's earnest demeanor, couldn't help but feel a chill despite his ruthlessness.
While Yunshan himself was harsh to outsiders, he had never forced all members of the Yunlan Sect to adopt the soul-devouring technique. Lion Tian, on the other hand, saw it as a given. Lion Ming Sect was not a place known for its kindness but rather for its law of the jungle mentality. Lion Tian had fought his way up to his position as sect leader.
Given this background, Lion Tian felt little attachment to his followers. With Yunshan's assistance, he began by indoctrinating his closest confidants with the soul-devouring technique. Those in the sect who were not part of his inner circle, such as certain elders and guest officials, were given a simple choice: adapt or become fodder for Lion Tian's secret practice.
Lion Ming Sect soon resembled another Yunlan Sect, spreading the soul-devouring technique from the leadership down through the ranks. Under Yunshan's guidance, the sect took a more covert approach than the Yunlan Sect, quietly amassing power without drawing attention.
Lion Ming Sect's domain was vast, and with unsuspecting targets within their own realm, they devoured countless lives under the radar, unknown to other powers. The soul-devouring technique rapidly enhanced the sect members' strength, most notably Lion Tian's.
As he consolidated his power within Lion Ming Sect, Lion Tian displayed a level of cruelty that left even Yunshan impressed. Any high-ranking members who opposed him were quickly turned into nourishment for his secret practice, pushing his capabilities further towards the peak of six-star Dou Zun.
The advantages of the secret technique drove Lion Tian to greater extremes. If it hadn't been for Yunshan's counsel to keep a low profile, the sect's activities would likely have drawn the attention of many other powers in the Northwestern Continent.
However, secrets as dark as these can only be kept for so long. After Lion Ming Sect obliterated another city, their actions finally came to light, shocking other regional powers into action. What terrified them was not just the revelation, but the overwhelming might Lion Ming Sect had developed—they couldn't even fend off its assaults, let alone retaliate.
Once Xiao Ze wrapped up the sect conference affairs, he didn't linger in the Snake Emperor's Domain but instead delegated further coordination with other powers to Lüxin. Trusting in Lüxin's cunning, Xiao Ze knew that he was the right person to manage these delicate negotiations, especially after displaying such power at the conference.
Another reason for Xiao Ze's prompt return to the Sky Alliance headquarters was the alliance's recent acceptance of a large number of new territories, which required his direct oversight.
When Xiao Ze learned of Lion Ming Sect's current state months later, the news came as a shock.
Bang! The door swung open as Xiaoyi hastily entered the room, urgency in her voice. "Xiao Ze, there's trouble! Lion Ming Sect has gone mad!"
Xiao Ze, just coming out of meditation, paused in confusion. "What happened?"
"Lion Ming Sect has adopted the soul-devouring technique across the entire sect, and they've been incredibly secretive about it. By the time other powers noticed, Lion Ming Sect had already become a formidable force."
"The powers at the heart of the Northwestern Continent couldn't withstand their onslaught."
Hearing Xiaoyi's report, Xiao Ze furrowed his brow deeply. The Sky Alliance had been diligently purging their region of malevolent practitioners, even destroying remnants of the soul-devouring technique. It was disheartening to see the technique resurface elsewhere so virulently.
"Why did it take so long for us to hear about Lion Ming Sect's widespread adoption of the soul-devouring technique? Isn't Lüxin also in the central Northwestern Continent? Didn't he notice anything?"
Xiaoyi responded with a wry smile, "Sect Master Lion's ruthlessness far exceeds Yunshan's. He forced the entire Lion Ming Sect to adopt the technique, turning dissenters into sacrificial fodder for the technique's nourishment. Initially, the sect didn't target other powers but instead preyed upon beings within their own domain, keeping their practice under wraps. Lüxin had no way of knowing."
Hearing this, Xiao Ze couldn't help but inhale sharply, fully aware of the scale of Lion Ming Sect's territory—a densely populated area far exceeding the Black Horn Region. If the reports were accurate, the number of lives lost could exceed millions.
And Lion Ming Sect's expansion was far more ruthless than the Yunlan Sect's had been. They offered other practitioners and powers only two choices: death or adoption of the soul-devouring technique and allegiance to Lion Ming Sect.
"Immediately summon all high-ranking officials of the Sky Alliance to prepare for a confrontation with Lion Ming Sect!" Xiao Ze commanded as he stood. He had initially thought Lion Ming Sect would covertly defy the Sky Alliance's mandate to halt the practice of the soul-devouring technique, giving him a legitimate reason to intervene. However, he hadn't expected them to fully embrace their dark path to such an extent.
"I hope the Soul Hall hasn't had a hand in this affair, though given the situation, it wouldn't be surprising," Xiao Ze mused as Xiaoyi departed. The original narrative had the Soul Hall enabling Lion Ming Sect's swift rise to power across half the continent in less than a year. Now, with Lion Ming Sect openly practicing the soul-devouring technique, Xiao Ze worried about the extent of their influence and prepared for the worst.
(End of chapter)
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