Chapter 146: The Fame of the Demon Armor Spreads – Find Him
Upon hearing the ancestor's report, Zhang Mo was visibly shaken.
She knew full well what kind of strength Lü Xinyue possessed.
Spreading the rumor of the Thousand Mile Fragrance and deliberately luring Shen Mo to White Stone City was a plan she had devised in collaboration with Lü Xinyue.
If Shen Mo hadn't fallen for the bait, they had other plans ready.
But... not only did Shen Mo not show up, Lü Xinyue was instead killed by some random wandering cultivator?
With Lü Xinyue dead, the situation had become complicated.
"What about the ancestor from the White River Sect? He didn't intervene?" Zhang Mo rasped.
The ancestor responded in a low voice, "He did. The man with the fire-patterned mask killed Lü Xinyue right in front of him."
"The ancestor was half a step too slow to catch him."
Zhang Mo couldn't contain her inner turmoil.
Under the Heavenly Water Sect's command, three first-rate sects had been destroyed: Flying Frost Sect was wiped out by Qingxuan Sect, and the master of the Blood River Sect was killed by Shen Mo from Qingxuan Sect.
And now, the last first-rate sect, White River Sect, had its master killed by an unknown rogue cultivator.
Ridiculous.
Utterly ridiculous!
"What does this rogue cultivator look like?" Zhang Mo took a deep breath to calm herself.
The ancestor thought for a moment, "He's tall and well-built, wearing a half-face mask with fire patterns."
"His voice is raspy, though that could be a deliberate disguise."
"But the most striking feature is his right arm. He wears a purple-black demonic armor armguard that can transform into ice spikes, greatly amplifying its power."
Zhang Mo paced back and forth, her expression gradually becoming calm, revealing neither joy nor sorrow.
"Spread my orders, find this person throughout the entire Xuanjing Prefecture!"
The ancestor nodded solemnly, "Yes, we will find him and kill him on the spot!"
Zhang Mo frowned. "Who said anything about killing him?"
The ancestor froze.
Zhang Mo calmly explained, "If he could kill Lü Xinyue and escape from the ancestor's grasp, his strength must be exceptional. It would be best if we could use him for our own purposes. If not, then we can consider killing him."
The ancestor's eyes lit up.
As expected of a sect leader.
Her vision was far beyond his own.
"Understood!" The ancestor nodded respectfully.
"Remember, negotiate first, act later," Zhang Mo added.
"Understood."
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Mo continued, "I remember the vice sect leader, the first elder, and the second elder of White River Sect are all equally powerful."
"In the past, Lü Xinyue kept them in check, so they could barely maintain peace. Now that Lü Xinyue is dead, they will undoubtedly fight fiercely for the position of sect master."
"Keep an eye on them. Whoever shows the most loyalty to our Heavenly Water Sect, push them into power. Ensure that White River Sect is stabilized within a month. There can be no more disturbances."
The ancestor nodded repeatedly. "Understood, I'll handle it immediately."
After the ancestor left, Zhang Mo softly called out, "Ziyue, come here."
Bai Ziyue sheathed his sword and obediently came to her side, standing respectfully. "Sect Master, do you have any instructions?"
Zhang Mo smiled, "From now on, you don't need to call me Sect Master. Call me Master."
Bai Ziyue was stunned, then his face lit up with joy.
He immediately knelt down on both knees and bowed deeply. "Yes, disciple greets Master!"
Zhang Mo asked, "What do you think of Qingxuan Sect's unstoppable rise?"
Bai Ziyue cautiously glanced at his stern and sharp master, quickly noticing the dangerous glint in her eyes.
He immediately understood Zhang Mo's intentions.
"Master, I have some thoughts, but I'm not sure if I should say them."
"Speak, don't hold back."
Bai Ziyue nodded, "I believe that our Heavenly Water Sect must take action personally."
"With Flying Frost Sect and Blood River Sect both destroyed, and now the master of White River Sect dead, the sect is in chaos, and its strength will significantly decline in the short term."
"We've lost our strongest allies and must act immediately to hinder Qingxuan Sect's rise."
"Otherwise, in two or three years, when Qingxuan Sect absorbs Flying Frost Sect, Blood River Sect, and part of White River Sect's assets and people, they will undoubtedly become the strongest sect under the Five Sects of Xuanjing."
"By then, confronting them would cost us dearly."
After speaking, he quickly lowered his head, awaiting Zhang Mo's reaction.
His words, frankly speaking, were bold and presumptuous.
The Five Sects of Xuanjing had always prided themselves on being the righteous guardians of the Xuanjing Prefecture.
No matter what they did behind the scenes, they always maintained a spotless public image, never leaving any leverage for their enemies.
For the Heavenly Water Sect, as one of the Five Sects, to personally go after a first-rate sect would break precedent.
From now on, the other four sects could also take action personally against first-rate sects.
This would undoubtedly cause panic among many first-rate sects, who would bear a grudge against the Heavenly Water Sect.
After all, it was the Heavenly Water Sect that started this.
Bai Ziyue felt uneasy.
However, Zhang Mo merely patted his head gently.
"You're not wrong."
"What you said is very true."
"However, we still lack a direct excuse."
"Whether it was the destruction of the Flying Frost Sect or the death of Feng Lieshan of the Blood River Sect, in the end, they were only subordinate sects to our Heavenly Water Sect and had no direct connection to us."
"Even if we intervene personally, we must have a justified reason."
Zhang Mo spoke calmly.
Bai Ziyue's eyes darted around, "If the Qingxuan Sect killed someone important to us, or even if one of our people simply went missing on Qingxuan Sect's territory..."
Zhang Mo looked at him, half-smiling. "Do you have someone in mind?"
Bai Ziyue froze.
A name immediately flashed in his mind.
"Disciple doesn't know." He quickly shook his head.
He knew who should be chosen, but he couldn't say it.
"You truly are smarter and more ruthless than Yin Xuege." Zhang Mo smiled.
Bai Ziyue remained silent.
Zhang Mo waved her hand, "Go and rest. Once you've mastered the ninth level of the Nine Serpent Sword Art, I will teach you the Heavenly River Heavy Water Scroll."
Bai Ziyue was overjoyed.
The Heavenly River Heavy Water Scroll was a closely guarded secret of the Heavenly Water Sect.
It was an Earth-tier technique, and upon mastering each level, one would gain an offensive or defensive martial skill.
This technique was highly profound, and only the sect leader and the future sect leader could practice it.
The implication of Zhang Mo's words was clear — she had acknowledged his position.
Given time, he would undoubtedly become the next sect leader of the Heavenly Water Sect!
Second only to one, above thousands!
"Yes! Your disciple will train diligently and live up to your expectations, Master!" Bai Ziyue bowed deeply and left respectfully.
...
In Giant River City, at the Xuanjing Prefecture office.
Ji Shilong listened quietly.
"His main ability seems to be that demonic armor with ice spikes. Let's just call him 'Demon Armor.'"
"Send out my orders. When the envoys visit the various sects to distribute rewards, they must investigate discreetly and find any trace of this Demon Armor."
"It would be a waste if such talent couldn't be used by the imperial court."
Before him, several officials knelt in half-bows.
Upon hearing his orders, they responded in unison, "Understood!"
...
Similar conversations were taking place in the Divine Sword Sect, Shaoyang Sect, Green Vine Sect, and Thunderfire Sect.
Some referred to him as the "Fire-Patterned Masked Man," while others simply called him "Fire-Pattern," and still others named him "Demon Armor."
Regardless, all sides recognized the strength of this rogue cultivator and wanted to recruit him under their banners.
The death of Lü Xinyue, the White River Sect master, had unexpectedly given this rogue cultivator a fearsome reputation!
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