Chapter 318: Ten Thousand Victories for the Young Sect Master, Ten Thousand Victories for Jade Cauldron Sect, Ten Thousand Victories for the Human Race
Ji Ping's expression remained calm.
"As far as I know, you still have ten years left to oversee the Flood Dragon Palace."
"Next in line to take over will be the Southern Sea King."
"You and he have never gotten along."
Ji Ping smiled. "You were wrong about one thing. I am not protecting Shen Mo—I am merely upholding the promise between us."
"For the next ten years, I will remain here, watching over this sea."
Beneath the waves, the furious voice gradually fell silent.
The five-hundred-zhang tidal wave slowly shrank.
In the end, it vanished completely, returning to nothingness.
"Ji Ping, I will be waiting for the day you finally die." The Eastern Sea King's last words dripped with hatred.
Then, silence.
The human cultivators of Jade Sea City gazed at the white-robed elder with reverence.
Shen Mo also cupped his hands slightly in respect.
Ji Ping walked up to Shen Mo, his expression filled with appreciation. "I never expected that even I would misjudge someone."
"Young friend, I extend a formal invitation—join Jing Country and serve the imperial court. What do you say?"
"As long as you agree, everything you've done against the court in the past will be pardoned."
"For Divine Transformation cultivators, breaking through to the next stage requires the Refining Spirit Pill. Most sects cannot refine such a pill, but the court can."
"If you accept, I will personally ensure you receive an ample supply of Refining Spirit Pills and even Greater Refining Spirit Pills."
The moment Ji Ping finished speaking, astonishment filled the faces of those around him.
The Sword Sovereign of Jing Country was personally offering to recruit Shen Mo!
Not only that, but he also promised to erase any past conflicts with the imperial court.
And to top it off, he offered the priceless Refining Spirit Pills and Greater Refining Spirit Pills as incentives.
For anyone else, refusing such an offer would be nearly impossible.
Shen Mo's heart wavered slightly.
The conditions were indeed generous—tempting, even.
However, the moment he recalled the deeds of the Jing Emperor, a chill ran through his heart.
The Eastern Sea King had just revealed that Ji Ping had little time left to live.
While Ji Ping was still alive, his status commanded immense respect, forcing even the Jing Emperor to tread carefully.
But what would happen once Ji Ping was gone?
As someone who had repeatedly obstructed the Jing Emperor's plans, how could he possibly expect to be treated kindly?
Moreover, entering the imperial court was akin to shackling himself with invisible chains.
For all these reasons, Shen Mo was destined never to serve the court.
Meeting Ji Ping's expectant gaze, Shen Mo firmly shook his head.
"Apologies, Senior, but I have no such intentions."
Gasps of shock rippled through the surrounding crowd.
He actually rejected such an offer?
Some among them, however, understood Shen Mo's reasoning and fell into deep thought.
Ji Ping, however, did not seem too disappointed. He simply sighed. "A pity, a great pity."
"But my offer still stands. You may seek refuge with the court at any time."
"Moreover, for the next ten years, I will remain in Jade Sea City. If the Eastern Sea King ever attempts to attack, I will intervene."
"Beyond that, I will not interfere."
Shen Mo respectfully cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Sword Sovereign."
Ji Ping gave a slight nod. With a single step, he vanished without a trace.
Like a single drop of water dissolving into the vast ocean, he became impossible to find.
Murong Yue flew toward Shen Mo, embracing him excitedly. "Mo'er, we won! We actually won!"
He Tianchou, Mei Haihe, and others rushed forward as well, their faces alight with joy.
"Yes, we won!"
"The demon army has been repelled!"
From within Jade Sea City, waves of jubilant cries erupted from the human cultivators.
"We won! Ten thousand victories for the Young Sect Master! Ten thousand victories for Jade Cauldron Sect! Ten thousand victories for the human race!"
"Thank you, Young Sect Master, for your immense grace!"
"I will erect a longevity plaque for the Young Sect Master today!"
Countless people knelt in Shen Mo's direction, their faces streaked with tears of joy.
A smile surfaced on Shen Mo's lips. "Indeed, we won—but only in part."
Murong Yue was taken aback. "You mean…"
Shen Mo gazed toward the west. "If nothing unexpected happened, Upper Purity Sect and Pill River Sect were likely attacked by the demon clans as well."
"They have probably suffered heavy losses."
Whoosh!
A streak of light tore through the sky, rushing toward them.
It was the Tenth Elder, Wan Muchun.
Originally, his expression was filled with urgency, as he had hurried over to rescue people.
But upon arriving, he saw Jade Sea City erupting in cheers, a scene of joyous celebration, and couldn't help but be taken aback.
Then, as his gaze swept over the sea, where blood stained the waves and wreckage floated across the water, his eyes widened further in disbelief.
They… won?
"Shen Mo! My Young Sect Master!"
From a distance, Wan Muchun spotted Shen Mo embracing Murong Yue as they hovered in the air. His initial worry instantly turned into pure joy, and he rushed forward.
"Tenth Elder." Shen Mo greeted him with a smile.
Wan Muchun let out a sigh of relief. "Good, good, as long as you're unharmed. The Sect Master instructed me to bring you back to the sect immediately, but judging by this…"
He gestured toward the slaughtered demon clan members in the sea. "These hundreds of thousands of demons… were all killed by you?"
Shen Mo simply smiled and nodded.
He Tianchou couldn't hold back his excitement. "Tenth Elder, the Young Sect Master has already reached the Divine Transformation Realm!"
"What?!" Wan Muchun was utterly stunned.
Seeing his disbelief, Shen Mo released his Divine Transformation aura.
As he sensed the vast power emanating from Shen Mo, Wan Muchun's aged eyes filled with joy.
"Excellent! Truly excellent! You've really reached Divine Transformation!"
"Incredible… A Divine Transformation cultivator this young is extremely rare, even across all of Jing Country!"
"Shen Mo, you've brought great honor to our Jade Cauldron Sect!"
Shen Mo nodded. "How is the sect doing?"
Wan Muchun's smile faded instantly, and he lowered his voice. "This isn't the place to talk about it. Let's return to the sect immediately—we'll discuss on the way."
Murong Yue, He Tianchou, and the other Nascent Soul cultivators quickly followed.
—
Jade Cauldron Sect Mountain Gate
Inside the Sect's Grand Hall.
Only a few figures were present.
The Sect Master, Li Zhendao.
The Young Sect Master, Shen Mo.
The Second Elder, Yang Qiye.
The Tenth Elder, Wan Muchun.
All the other Divine Transformation elders had gone to Ironstone Valley, where they had fallen into the chaos of the Blood Fiend Chaos Formation, trapped in endless battle with no way out.
Yang Qiye, who had been in seclusion reflecting on his mistakes, had fortunately avoided heading to Ironstone Valley.
"…That is the current situation."
"Ironstone Valley is locked within a powerful formation that absorbs killing intent and fiendish energy, affecting all living beings trapped within."
"The more bloodlust and fiendish energy it accumulates, the stronger the formation becomes."
"Now, the valley has become terrifying beyond measure. Even a peak Divine Transformation cultivator would be unable to rescue those inside."
"The only way out is for them to rely on their own willpower and break free on their own."
Li Zhendao sighed deeply.
Ironstone Valley had drawn in a vast number of cultivators, including many core members of both Jade Cauldron Sect and Upper Purity Sect.
The loss was unimaginable.
"But at least, Shen Mo, not only did you return safely, but you also slew two demon emperors and annihilated hundreds of thousands of demons. That is the best news we could ask for."
Li Zhendao's face filled with deep relief.
Never in his wildest imagination had he expected such an outcome.
Yang Qiye remained silent upon hearing the news.
His gaze toward Shen Mo had completely changed.
The three elders present knew well that none of them could have achieved what Shen Mo had done today.
It was obvious—Shen Mo had just recently entered Divine Transformation, yet his actual combat strength already far surpassed theirs!
That was what terrified Yang Qiye the most.
Before he had gone into secluded reflection, Shen Mo had only been at the Nascent Soul stage.
Yet after just a few short years, Shen Mo had become so overwhelmingly powerful that even his mere presence now instilled fear.
And to make matters worse—
He had once severely offended Shen Mo.
How could he not feel fear? How could he not be utterly horrified?
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