Chapter 138: The Thousand Mile Fragrance Blooms, Treasures Revealed
Shen Mo gently plucked the petals of the Red Sun Lotus.
Like munching on potato chips, he tossed them into his mouth.
Instantly, waves of medicinal energy surged through his body.
The feeling was completely different from when he refined the Thousand-Hand Lotus in the past.
If that experience had been a gentle stream, this was like a rushing mountain flood.
The Red Sun Lotus was one of the sixty-some Earth-rank treasures recorded in the Flame Hell Destruction Manual, and it was the most suitable for nurturing a nine-layered lotus platform.
Why was it the most suitable?
It was precisely because of the vast amounts of fiery spiritual energy contained within it.
By dawn, Shen Mo had fully refined the Red Sun Lotus.
Not a trace of its spiritual energy was wasted.
When he observed his dantian internally, he immediately saw that below his golden core, a second lotus platform had already formed atop his dao altar.
This new lotus platform was a fiery red, radiating intense heat.
At first glance, it seemed as though flames were dancing, but in truth, it was crimson petals spinning continuously.
Shen Mo sensed his body had grown significantly stronger, and the flow of blood in his veins had sped up.
This meant that if he were injured, his body would now heal far faster than before.
The effects of this single Red Sun Lotus were equivalent to five Green Jade Beads!
"It's time to leave."
"In two days, the Thousand Mile Fragrance will bloom. I need to rest and prepare for that moment."
With a single leap, Shen Mo stood up and left.
As he strolled out of the residential area, a young couple holding hands walked past him.
This familiar pair—a handsome man and a beautiful woman—was none other than Xiao Fan and Ouyang Qian.
It was obvious they had followed the scent of the flowers to this place.
Had Shen Mo not intercepted the opportunity, the Red Sun Lotus would have certainly ended up in Xiao Fan's hands.
Shen Mo smiled faintly as he brushed past them.
Xiao Fan gave the man wearing a flame-patterned mask a puzzled look.
"Brother Xiao Fan, what's wrong? What are you looking at?" Ouyang Qian asked with a light laugh.
Xiao Fan shook his head. "Nothing, I just felt like I saw someone familiar."
"Someone familiar?" Ouyang Qian tilted her head.
"Someone I both hate and fear," Xiao Fan said, his expression complicated.
Ouyang Qian clenched her fists playfully. "Who is it? I'll ask my father to kill him for you!"
Xiao Fan chuckled, "No need. With my potential, in no more than five years, I'll surpass him."
"The humiliation I've suffered, I will wash away with my own hands!"
Ouyang Qian's eyes sparkled. "Brother Xiao Fan, what I admire most about you is your indomitable spirit and your upright character!"
Xiao Fan smiled humbly. "Sister Qian, you think too highly of me."
Ouyang Qian giggled as she looked ahead at an unremarkable residence. "It seems that intense floral scent is coming from over there, Brother Xiao Fan. Let's take a look."
The two entered the house.
Immediately, they sensed something was off.
The ground inside was already shattered.
Xiao Fan's instincts told him something bad had happened.
He quickly jumped into the cellar.
It was empty.
The once strong floral fragrance was rapidly fading.
Ouyang Qian tilted her head. "Looks like we've come to the wrong place. There's nothing here."
"Brother Xiao Fan, let's check the next house."
Xiao Fan scratched his head. "Yeah, seems like we've got the wrong place."
...
"The City Lord's mansion..."
"This inn looks good."
Shen Mo walked into an inn called "Yuelai" and rented a room on the third floor.
Opening the window, he had a clear view of the City Lord's mansion.
"It seems the City Lord of White Stone City is affiliated with the Purple Star Sect."
Shen Mo gazed at the magnificent City Lord's mansion, lost in thought.
He had done his homework in advance.
While he didn't know the intricacies of the three factions in White Stone City, he was at least familiar with the basics.
The White River Sect and Stormy Rain Sect needed little explanation.
The White River Sect, under the Heavenly Water Sect, was a sworn enemy of the Qingxuan Sect.
The Stormy Rain Sect was under the Verdant Vine Sect, and they were allied with the Qingxuan Sect.
The Purple Star Sect was relatively unfamiliar.
This sect belonged to the Thunderfire Sect, a prestigious and long-standing sect with a deep foundation and many powerful members.
As the three factions vied for control over White Stone City, the Purple Star Sect, being the closest, had taken the initiative and assassinated the old City Lord, installing one of their own in his place.
Additionally, the Purple Star Sect had taken control of the northern part of the city, along with many villages and towns to the north of White Stone City.
This region was rich, with two mines and more than ten medicinal fields, producing abundant resources.
The White River Sect was the second to arrive, seizing the prosperous western part of the city.
Many restaurants, inns, teahouses, and brothels now fell under the control of the White River Sect.
The Stormy Rain Sect and the Qingxuan Sect were the last to arrive, only managing to secure the southern region.
After the Qingxuan Sect decided to withdraw, they transferred control of their territory to the Stormy Rain Sect through a deal.
As for the eastern part of the city, none of the three major factions had touched it.
It remained entirely under the control of rogue cultivators.
Additionally, in the corners untouched by the three major factions, rogue cultivators continued to operate.
Shen Mo speculated that many of these so-called rogue cultivators were actually backed by the three factions.
On the surface, they appeared to be independent groups, but in reality, they acted as pawns or "white gloves" for the three sects.
These "white gloves" were useful, able to do the dirty work and, if necessary, could be discarded without hesitation.
"In truth, for the five great sects of Xuanjiang, the first-rate and second-rate sects that serve them are nothing more than disposable 'white gloves' as well," Shen Mo mused with a faint smile before dismissing the thought.
He then sat cross-legged on his bed, swallowed a Great Replenishment Pill, and began cultivating.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Over those days, the fragrance permeating the entire city grew more intense.
From Core Formation cultivators to common mortals, everyone had a growing sense of anticipation.
The treasure was about to appear!
As the fragrance thickened, the frequency and intensity of secret skirmishes in the city also increased.
Shen Mo had even witnessed several late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators die right below his window.
That night.
Suddenly, colorful lights burst into the sky above the City Lord's mansion.
The night wind carried the strange fragrance throughout the city.
Swish, swish, swish.
One after another, figures instinctively rushed out from their places of rest.
Greedy eyes fixated on the City Lord's mansion.
"The City Lord's mansion!"
Someone shouted, and immediately, countless figures surged toward the mansion.
Boom!
Flames erupted into the sky.
In just moments, the City Lord's mansion, a place that had always been peaceful and protected from rogue cultivators, was engulfed in a raging fire!
Shen Mo did not immediately join the fray.
Instead, he stood on the rooftop of the Yuelai Inn, watching the City Lord's mansion from afar, shaking his head slightly.
On the rooftops around him, numerous other cultivators were also standing.
All of them were at least at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Quite a few were even at the Core Formation stage.
They were far more composed.
Unlike the overly greedy cultivators who rushed headlong toward the City Lord's mansion, these seasoned individuals remained patient.
Shen Mo couldn't help but feel some sympathy for those dark figures charging toward the mansion.
The first wave of intruders was clearly foolish.
The City Lord's mansion, the headquarters of the Purple Star Sect, wouldn't be without defenses.
Even if they were momentarily caught off guard and the fire caused some confusion, there was no way the rogue cultivators would be able to breach it.
As expected, soon the night wind carried the sounds of screams and the stench of blood.
At the same time, a cold voice echoed across the skies of White Stone City.
"Yang Tianxing is here. Anyone who dares to trespass into the City Lord's mansion will be killed without mercy!"
Upon hearing this, many cultivators trembled, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The Sect Master of the Purple Star Sect, Yang Tianxing, had personally arrived?
🌟 Unlock Exclusive Early Access on Patreon! 🌟
Hello, beloved readers!
Join my Patreon community to enjoy:
📚 Daily Updates: Never wait for new chapters—get your story fix every day!
📖 20 Chapters Ahead: Access new chapters far in advance of Scribblehub/RoyalRoad/Webnovel releases.
Support the creation of the stories you love and dive deeper into my world!
Patreon.com/Alex_Cruise