Chapter 224: Nascent Soul Stage - Bloodvine Valley About to Open
Yuzhou Governor shook his head. "I don't recognize this person."
Martial artist Wu Ren explained Shen Mo's background in detail.
"Born in Qingshan City, he rose to prominence in the Qingxuan Sect, killed Yao Yunluo during the Nascent Soul Celebration, and finally made his way to the Jade Cauldron Sect, achieving remarkable feats in Dragon Snake Mountain."
After hearing this, Yuzhou Governor's previously calm eyes couldn't help but ripple with emotion.
"So it's him."
"He's the one who completely disrupted Ji Shilong's plans in Xuanjiang Prefecture."
"When I heard the first part of your description, I merely thought of him as a martial prodigy."
"But I didn't expect him to have such profound accomplishments in the field of beast taming."
"To put it bluntly, no one in the entire Jade Cauldron Sect can surpass him."
Wu Ren nodded. "It was precisely because of him that Yang Qiye was hindered, preventing the Jade Cauldron Sect from fully abandoning its beast-taming industry, leaving behind Dragon Snake Mountain."
Yuzhou Governor spoke lightly. "No matter, an occasional variable isn't an issue. If everything went according to plan, it would only make this old man feel bored."
"Have things been properly arranged on Yang Qiye's side?"
Wu Ren nodded. "He has been given two bottles of Supreme Soul Refining Pills. Yang Qiye is a clever man; he knows what to do."
Yuzhou Governor nodded slightly, his tone calm. "A clever man, but too clever for his own good."
"He prioritizes his personal gain over the sect's interests, willing to sacrifice the sect to fulfill his ambitions."
"For the Jade Cauldron Sect, having someone like Yang Qiye as a second elder is a disaster, a significant hidden danger. But for me, he is a double-edged sword that can be wielded."
Wu Ren immediately flattered him, saying, "Everything is a result of Governor's brilliant strategies."
The Governor was evidently indifferent to flattery and casually said, "Have the human spies sent by the Ten Thousand Demons Nation all been allowed entry?"
Wu Ren nodded. "I turned a blind eye. When they crossed the border, I ordered the general there to kill a few and let a few through. They've already entered Yuzhou's territory."
The Governor nodded slightly. "Good. This way, they won't suspect anything. If they had all passed unscathed from Wuzhou to Yuzhou, it might have made them uneasy and cautious."
"Now we just have to wait for the show to begin."
The Governor smiled faintly.
"That old flood dragon in the Jade Cauldron Sect is too powerful, comparable to three cultivators at the Divine Transformation stage. As long as it remains alive, the Jade Cauldron Sect, no matter how weakened, won't completely collapse."
"Moreover, they're planning to enter Bloodvine Valley to retrieve the remains of the Sky-Touching Tendril. If they succeed, the elders of the Jade Cauldron Sect who enter Bloodvine Valley will likely suffer heavy casualties, which is also a good thing."
The Governor chuckled softly, clearly indifferent to the lives of those involved.
Wu Ren laughed. "Governor's strategy of driving the tiger to devour the wolf is truly ingenious."
"We'll first eliminate the weakest of Yuzhou's three sects, either destroying or absorbing their forces, and then proceed with the next steps."
The Governor smiled but said nothing.
Before long, he threw the remaining fish food into the pond, watching the fish scramble for it. Suddenly, he asked, "By the way, how is Ji Shilong doing recently?"
Wu Ren lowered his voice. "In recent months, Ji Shilong has slain three demon generals and tens of thousands of demon soldiers, earning numerous merits. The Governor of Wuzhou is quite impressed and has promoted him to the rank of Golden General."
The title of Golden General is a prestigious one in Wuzhou, reserved only for the most accomplished and powerful generals.
The Governor of Yuzhou laughed heartily. "Ah, that old man must be thrilled to have Ji Shilong."
"Keep monitoring the war in Wuzhou. Don't slack off."
"I'm concerned that Wuzhou might not be able to withstand the assault of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation…"
"Yes, I understand!" Wu Ren responded with a firm nod.
In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
In the largest residence atop Dragon Snake Mountain, Shen Mo's aura erupted violently, akin to a long-dormant volcano suddenly unleashing its fury.
The boundless spiritual energy within his dantian surged toward his nascent soul.
The nascent soul's features and contours grew increasingly solid and distinct as spiritual energy poured in.
At a certain moment, as if breaking through a bottleneck, the nascent soul suddenly expanded, its mouth opening and closing in apparent satisfaction.
Shen Mo exhaled a deep breath of turbid air and abruptly opened his eyes.
A glimmer of light flashed through Shen Mo's eyes, and a joyful expression spread across his face.
As expected, with just one bottle of the Great Infant Transformation Pill, he successfully broke through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul Realm.
During this time, the ten jin of Vermilion Blood Spirit Valley grain played a significant role.
Before every cultivation session, he would consume a large bowl of the grain, which quickly brought him into an optimal state for training.
This was precisely why he managed to advance to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul Realm in just a year.
Under normal circumstances, an average Nascent Soul cultivator would take at least five years to achieve the same milestone.
"Elder! A message from the mountain gate—Bloodvine Valley will open in two days!"
Mei Haihe's voice came from outside.
Shen Mo immediately rose and opened the door.
Mei Haihe exclaimed with delight, "You've finally emerged from seclusion!"
Behind him, several stewards half-knelt, their gazes filled with fervor and reverence as they looked at Shen Mo.
Shen Mo's eyes swept over them, and he gave a slight nod.
Since Dragon Snake Mountain exceeded the sect's expectations tenfold in fulfilling its requirements, its importance had grown immensely.
Over the past year, ten stewards and over a hundred disciples had arrived at Dragon Snake Mountain.
The numbers were staggering.
Every elder sought to place their people in Dragon Snake Mountain.
Shen Mo simply delegated the management to Mei Haihe and Huang Bayi, tasking them with overseeing the newcomers.
As for those who seemed untrustworthy upon examination, he used any minor excuse to dismiss them.
Now, the people remaining were all of clean background, ensuring they posed no threat to Dragon Snake Mountain.
Shen Mo said calmly, "Hmm. I'll be going to Bloodvine Valley this time. The management of Dragon Snake Mountain will be in your hands. Do not falter, and do not let any villain harm the industries here. Understood?"
Mei Haihe and Huang Bayi replied in unison, "Yes! Even if it costs our lives, we won't let anyone damage Dragon Snake Mountain!"
Satisfied, Shen Mo nodded. Only then did he summon his energy and soar toward the Jade Cauldron Sect's main gate.
Jade Cauldron Sect Mountain Gate
Today, the sect was more bustling than usual.
There were more cultivators coming and going than on any other day.
The reason was simple: today marked the opening of Bloodvine Valley.
This grand event, held once every five years, naturally attracted a large number of elders.
However, the Vermilion Blood Spirit Grain was of little use to cultivators at higher realms.
Thus, the elders preparing to enter Bloodvine Valley this time were primarily first-rank or second-rank.
Few third-rank or fourth-rank elders would participate.
As for fifth-rank or sixth-rank elders, there were none at all.
At this moment, over seventy elders had gathered in the training grounds, chatting in groups of three to five.
The stewards and disciples respectfully avoided them, not even daring to make eye contact.
Shen Mo's arrival immediately caught the attention of several elders.
It wasn't that he sought to draw attention, but his youthful appearance, combined with the second-rank elder's robe he wore, which outranked most of the elders present, naturally made him stand out.
Some sharp minds quickly deduced Shen Mo's identity.
The stewards and disciples looked at him with admiration and respect, while the elders cast complex glances his way.
Some admired him, some envied him, and others harbored jealousy or resentment.
Shen Mo had long grown accustomed to such gazes. He casually found a spot to stand and said nothing.
"Ah, Hall Master He! What brings you to participate in Bloodvine Valley?"
"Indeed! You're a renowned cultivator and the cherished disciple of the Third Elder. With your strength far surpassing ours, how will there be any Vermilion Blood Spirit Grain left for the rest of us?"
"Hahaha! You flatter me. He's not as strong as you say. I've only recently broken through to the late-stage of the Nascent Soul Realm."
A group of cultivators surrounded a figure, laughing and chatting.
That figure, however, noticed Shen Mo and promptly left the crowd, walking over quickly.
"Elder Shen! Long time no see!" He Tianchou greeted heartily.
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