Chapter 137: Stormy Rain Sect and Purple Star Sect Gather from All Sides
In White Stone City, at the Tianxiang Restaurant.
Liu Menghu, the Sect Master of the Stormy Rain Sect, was gulping down alcohol heartily.
Beside him sat a curvaceous woman draped in black gauze.
A small white snake coiled around her body.
She was none other than Mo Yuheng, the Young Sect Master of the Verdant Vine Sect.
Having just condensed her Golden Core of Ten Thousand Demons and recently stepped into the Core Formation stage, she had come to White Stone City.
Standing nearby were Qin Feng, the vice sect master of Stormy Rain Sect, and an elder of the Core Formation stage, but neither had taken a seat.
Liu Menghu, after finishing a jug of wine, leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Young Sect Master, are you certain the source of the fragrance is the Thousand Mile Fragrance?"
"I've heard rumors suggesting it might be other treasures."
"Those treasures can't be used to form a Nascent Soul."
Mo Yuheng chuckled softly, "Sect Master Liu, have you forgotten my unique constitution? These little creatures by my side are exceptionally sensitive to the scent of rare treasures."
Liu Menghu laughed sheepishly, "Right, that's my oversight."
Mo Yuheng smiled, "My father already has two treasures for forming his Nascent Soul. Obtaining this Thousand Mile Fragrance will give him a third, allowing him to form a Three Lotus Nascent Soul."
Liu Menghu scratched his head, "By the way, I've heard that Shen Mo has also come to White Stone City, but he seems to have vanished after arriving."
A glimmer flashed in Mo Yuheng's eyes. "Oh? Then we're in for quite the show."
"What do you mean?" Liu Menghu asked, puzzled.
Mo Yuheng gently stroked the small snake as she smiled, "The three top-tier sects under the Heavenly Water Sect's control—two of them have already been wiped out. Only White River Sect remains."
"The Heavenly Water Sect is itching to eliminate Shen Mo, but they can't act directly due to their status, as it would be improper to bully someone weaker. Their only option is to use White River Sect."
"White Stone City used to belong to the Blood River Sect, but secretly, White River Sect has been running things here for a long time."
"Shen Mo coming here... do you think they wouldn't know?"
"Also, if I remember correctly, the first rumors about the strange fragrance in White Stone City originated from people associated with White River Sect, right?"
Liu Menghu scratched his head, "Yeah, those spreading the news were pretending to be rogue cultivators, but they were actually from White River Sect. I looked into that a while ago."
"Exactly. White River Sect is probably trying to lure Shen Mo out of the Qingxuan Sect. In the next few days, we might witness them trying to capture Shen Mo," Mo Yuheng said, her eyes flashing.
Liu Menghu thought for a moment, "If Shen Mo really falls into their trap, should we intervene?"
Mo Yuheng blinked, "Fall into their trap? Sect Master Liu, Shen Mo's current strength is already on par with yours. Unless White River Sect sends out more than ten elders, capturing him will be quite difficult."
Liu Menghu couldn't help but laugh.
Mo Yuheng smiled, "Unless White River Sect brings out their veteran elder, there's no way they'll capture Shen Mo."
"But my father's intelligence suggests that the veteran elder of White River Sect is still in secluded cultivation and hasn't left their sect."
"This time, White River Sect has only sent four people to White Stone City, including Lü Xinyue."
"They likely have other means, perhaps a formation, but to think they can trap Shen Mo with a formation is underestimating him."
Liu Menghu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, I remember Shen Mo used a cold-killing formation in Profound Frost Cave to severely weaken Feng Lieshan and others."
"He clearly has deep knowledge of formations."
Mo Yuheng smiled, "So, we just need to sit back and enjoy the show."
"Understood."
...
In White Stone City, at the City Lord's Mansion.
A tall middle-aged man stood silently, gazing at the pitch-black night sky.
He was dressed in a luxurious purple robe.
Gold threads were woven into the collar and chest.
On the front and back, the robe was embroidered with shining stars.
This man was none other than Yang Tianxing, the Sect Master of the Purple Star Sect.
Behind him stood two men, equally silent, saying nothing.
They were also dressed in purple robes, radiating powerful auras—both were Core Formation cultivators.
After a long pause, Yang Tianxing slowly spoke, "The people from White River Sect and Stormy Rain Sect are both here?"
The elder of the Purple Star Sect on the left responded, "Yes, Sect Master. Four people from White River Sect have arrived, with Sect Master Lü Xinyue leading them, along with three Core Formation elders."
"As far as we know, the veteran elder of White River Sect is still in secluded cultivation and has not come out."
The elder on the right added, "Three people from Stormy Rain Sect have also arrived, including Sect Master Liu Menghu, Vice Sect Master Qin Feng, and a Core Formation elder."
"However, we've also heard that Mo Yuheng, the Young Sect Master of Verdant Vine Sect, has arrived in White Stone City. It seems they are working together."
Yang Tianxing raised an eyebrow, "The Verdant Vine Sect has been quiet for a long time, and now they've decided to step in."
"Order our people to intensify the search for the Thousand Mile Fragrance. We must find it before White River Sect and Stormy Rain Sect."
"Understood," the two Purple Star Sect elders replied in unison.
"Sect Master, there are rumors that the Qingxuan Sect's Young Sect Master, Shen Mo, has also come to White Stone City. Should we...?" the elder on the left suddenly asked.
Yang Tianxing's eyes flashed briefly.
The Purple Star Sect had always closely aligned itself under the Thunderfire Sect's banner.
Previously, the Thunderfire Sect had a minor conflict with the Qingxuan Sect over the Thunder Crystal Mine. Although it hadn't escalated into open hostility, tensions undoubtedly existed between them.
If he could capture Shen Mo and present him to the Thunderfire Sect's leader, Yang Tianxing might be able to gain significant rewards.
However, doing so would thoroughly offend the Qingxuan Sect.
Balancing this decision was critical.
Yang Tianxing didn't want to provoke his backer, Thunderfire Sect, but neither did he wish to start a war with the equally powerful Qingxuan Sect.
After a long deliberation, he finally shook his head.
"Let's wait and see."
"If Shen Mo is foolish enough to involve himself in this matter and interferes with us, we'll deal with him then."
The two elders of the Purple Star Sect immediately understood Yang Tianxing's meaning and nodded repeatedly.
...
At the same time.
In the east of White Stone City.
Shen Mo wandered around for a bit before quickly locating the long-abandoned residence.
He effortlessly opened the door and stepped inside.
The interior was quite ordinary, with no objects emitting spiritual energy.
From the furnishings, it seemed the house's owner had been a hunter.
Shen Mo took a deep breath, and his eyes lit up.
At first whiff, the floral fragrance here seemed identical to the scent permeating the entire city.
But upon closer inspection, he realized that the fragrance here was much stronger, not the fresh and subtle aroma that filled the city.
Shen Mo unleashed a few threads of spiritual energy, easily shattering the ground beneath him.
With his current cultivation, he could open up such a stone floor without making a sound.
Plop.
He leapt down into the cellar.
The air inside was thick with the stench of rot.
There were piles of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and dried meat, likely stored by the house's owner for the winter.
However, since the owner had never returned, no matter how well these items were stored, they had inevitably rotted.
Amid the foul odor, a particularly strong fragrance stood out.
Shen Mo immediately spotted a small crimson flower, about the size of a palm.
It was growing among the decayed plants and dried meat.
"Growing amidst decay and filth, yet producing such a rich fragrance."
Shen Mo marveled at the wonders of the world for a moment.
He stepped forward and plucked the Red Sun Lotus.
After a moment's thought, he casually sent out a wave of spiritual energy, clearing the cellar of its rotten stench.
He then sat down cross-legged right where he was.
He intended to refine the Red Sun Lotus on the spot.
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