A tense atmosphere permeated the Dust Valley Sect on the eve of the night. Disciples from the Punishment Hall moved throughout the sect, arresting various individuals.
The tension was so palpable that it could be cut with a knife.
Many disciples huddled together in panic.
"What is going on?"
"Why are there so many punishment hall disciples searching everywhere?
"Did something happen in the sect?"
"I'm scared…"
For most of them, this was the first time witnessing such a terrifying scene. Using their Spirit Links, they spoke with their friends, trying to figure out what was going on.
But none of them had the slightest idea.
Meanwhile, in the inner court, inside a secluded courtyard, a middle-aged man fought desperately with all his might. His face was etched with regret and despair.
Since the sect had discovered his true identity, he had no hope of escape.
Bang! Bang!
Still, he refused to go down without a fight.
"Son of a dog! So you're a spy sent by the Radiant Sect!" an elder from the Punishment Hall shouted in fury. "I'll make you regret ever stepping foot in my Dust Valley Sect!"
The elder increased the intensity of his attacks.
The deafening sound of their battle echoed through the air, and what was once a beautiful courtyard was reduced to rubble.
Such was the devastating power of two Peak Foundation Building experts.
Each of their strikes left destruction in its wake.
Suddenly, a powerful pressure descended upon the destroyed courtyard, and the spy collapsed to his knees.
Blood trickled from his mouth, nose, and ears. His face paled, but he struggled to lift his head and look at the newcomer.
Staring back at him were cold, deadpan blue eyes.
Deep within them lurked a horrifying killing intent, yet beyond that, something else.
Something that made his heart pound in terror.
"You're mine…" Liu Zexian's sharp, icy voice echoed in his ears.
Before he could react, his vision blurred, and he lost consciousness.
She grabbed him by the collar and disappeared without sparing a glance at the Punishment Hall elder.
Watching her departure, the elder scoffed. "Ah… What an unfortunate man. Now, dying will be impossible for him."
With the last traitor caught, the sect could now focus on how to handle the spies in the sect.
Inside the sect's grand hall, all the elders were furious. Their gazes flickered toward the silent sect master, and a chill ran down their spines.
Their sect master was not the quiet type. His silence meant only one thing.
One thing only.
He was angry.
And when he was angry…
Blood would flow.
"Did you find any traces of the Radiant Sect elders?" Supreme Elder Zhao demanded, staring at the leader of the Punishment Hall.
"No, Supreme Elder. They were long gone before we arrived."
"Those damn bastards…" he hissed, sucking in a cold breath. A sharp killing intent flickered in his eyes for a brief moment.
Feeling the terrifying pressure, all the elders shuddered.
"How much did they spend?" The sect master turned to a female elder.
"Sect Master, they spent 500,000 lower spirit stones."
The sect master's expression remained unchanged as he gave his next command.
"I want the sect purged. Everyone must be checked. If there are even the slightest errors, I'll personally kill you."
"Y-Yes… Sect Master…" The Punishment Hall elder shivered under the sect master's piercing gaze. "I'll see to it immediately."
"Since they dared to attack my son, I'll show them that I do not take such matters lightly."
"Activate the sleepers."
"Yes, Sect Master," an old elder nodded calmly.
If the Radiant Sect could plant spies in their sect, then the Dust Valley Sect had done the same.
Activating the sleepers meant only one thing.
Blood was going to flow.
Inside the Radiant Sect's grand hall, the elders gathered, discussing their failed mission.
"What a shame. We should have used that opportunity to kill his only son," one elder lamented.
"Yes… Who would have expected that trash to create such a magical artifact?"
"This is not the time to worry about the boy. We need to prepare for the Dust Valley Sect's retaliation," Supreme Elder Wen said, turning to look at the sect master.
"Also, we should have our people reverse engineer the artifact."
Hearing this, the other elders nodded.
With such an artifact, their sect could amass a fortune if they managed to replicate it.
Thinking about the huge amount they had paid to the Dust Valley Sect, their expressions turned grim with anger.
"Don't worry. I already have people working on it. As for the Dust Valley Sect's retaliation… it is nothing. We can deny the allegations against us."
"And if they wish to go to war, we are not afraid."
Hearing this, bright smiles spread across the elders' faces.
Why should they fear a small sect like the Dust Valley Sect?
Two days later.
Under the veil of the night, a horrifying massacre unfolded within the Radiant Sect.
The Dust Valley sleepers moved like ghosts, their stealth skills top-notch.
They were swift. Silent. Deadly.
They were trained assassins.
In less than an hour, countless Radiant Sect disciples were slaughtered in their sleep or during cultivation.
For the outer court disciples, the death toll neared a thousand.
In the inner court, they managed to kill only dozens before they were discovered.
"How could this happen?!" an elder roared, staring in horror at the countless corpses strewn across the ground.
No one spoke. They were all struggling to wrap their heads around the massacre.
One by one, the sect elders arrived.
Finally, the sect master appeared.
As he surveyed the hundreds of dead bodies, the atmosphere turned suffocatingly tense.
All the elders wore grave expressions.
"Dust Valley Sect…" the sect master muttered, clenching his fists.
Elder Wen was furious.
She had warned the sect master about the Dust Valley Sect's retaliation, but he had chosen to ignore her.
He had underestimated his enemies.
And now, they have paid the price.
"Sect Master, how will you answer this?" She questioned with a fierce gaze.
Everyone held their breath, no one expected her to challenge the sect master during such a grave moment.
"I'll shoulder the responsibility." The Sect Master responded without any change in his expression.
He knew he had committed a blunder, and further excuses would only be detrimental to his image.
Gazing at the gathered elders, the sect master spoke in a grave tone.
"This is war. The Dust Valley Sect has challenged our authority, and we will make them pay."
There was no longer a need to maintain the pretense of peace.
They had been at odds for decades.
Now, they would show their true colors.