"Anyway, with this short trip back to the Verdant Stone Realm, I've managed to accomplish nearly all my current goals," Ye Wuji muttered to himself. "The only one still left is finding the ideal target for the Blood Demon Heart refinement."
He sighed softly, closing his eyes for just a moment before exhaling again.
"But that can be postponed for now. And instead of that I should set up the Blood Essence Harvesting Arrays I managed to get from Chen Xi and Bai Qi."
He stood up and ascended the stairs, leaving the Heaven Blood Sect's Main Hall. As he stepped out into the open, he pulled out his flying shuttle artifact from his storage ring and leapt onto it.
"Let's find the best place to plant both arrays," he muttered, rising into the sky and scanning the city below as the flying shuttle artifact carried him into the air.
|>>======|✦|======<<|
Meanwhile, roughly two hundred miles northwest of Rootspire City—
A soft wind rustled through the leaves of the mountain pines, carrying with it the faint scent of spiritual herbs and white plum blossoms. Nestled against the side of a rocky ridge, the branch sect of the Heavenly Mountain Sect lacked the awe-inspiring grandeur of the main sect build deep within the true Heavenly Mountain Range. And yet, even this modest outpost exuded an unmistakable aura of righteousness—refined, disciplined, and peace.
Neatly arranged stone buildings stood in orderly rows, connected by narrow stairs and suspended wooden walkways that weaved through the cliffs. At the heart of the grounds lay the Cloudview Garden—a tranquil inner courtyard filled with trimmed spiritual grass, bamboo groves, and blossom trees circling a pale jade table.
It was here that Lin Tianxu, young master of the Heavenly Mountain Sect and direct disciple of the sect master, often meditated and met with his trusted subordinates.
He sat at the jade table now, quietly sipping tea as white petals drifted gently around him in the wind. His expression was unreadable—his face smooth and elegant, carved like fine jade. A narrow sword lay sheathed on his back; its white scabbard engraved with twin mountain peaks.
Before him knelt three cultivators.
At the front was Meng Xi, tall and composed, dressed in the sect's signature green-white robes. Behind him, two junior disciples knelt deeply, nervous tension etched into their faces.
"Speak," Lin Tianxu said quietly, his voice calm but lacking warmth.
Meng Xi bowed. "We investigated the site where our informant—Scarlet Soul Sect's outer disciple Feng Jun—was last send with three of our outer disciples. Bu, the cave was already empty and the only things that remained were blood and piles of bones."
"Feng Jun is confirmed dead?" Lin Tianxu asked without looking up.
"His corpse was unidentifiable," Meng Xi replied, voice steady. "But it's highly likely he was among the dead there, along with our three other outer disciples. We found no survivors."
He continued, "Judging by the signs of the battle, the Scarlet Soul Sect's remnants managed to eliminate all four of them, even though they are all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. But from the number of corpses, it also seems that they've lost three of their own in return for that."
Lin Tianxu gave a slight nod. "At least they didn't die for nothing and managed to do something useful at least. Anyway, if three died then that means… there must be four survivors, if the reports from other righteous sects are correct."
Meng Xi agreed with a bow. "Yes, young master. If we also count outer disciple Ye Wuji, who hasn't been seen in months, then four Scarlet Soul Sect disciples should still be alive. And two elders, of course."
"Should we continue to pursue them?" he asked.
Lin Tianxu placed his teacup down with a quiet clink. "There's no need to pursue them now."
Meng Xi blinked. "Then… what should we do, young master?"
Lin Tianxu's gaze drifted toward the mist-covered cliffs beyond the garden. "We've already received more pressing news."
Meng Xi and the others raised their heads slightly, curiosity flashing in their eyes.
"Two days ago, three of our sect's elders, who were dispatched to track down the two remaining elders of the Scarlet Soul Sect finally located them."
Meng Xi's eyes widened, along with those of the two disciples behind him. Hope and excitement flared in their expressions.
But Lin Tianxu's voice remained calm. "But in the end, they fell into their trap and all four of them were seriously injured. Thankfully, none of them died, but they will require at least two months of meditation and healing to fully recover."
He added, "And it seems the that the two of them no longer intend to stay hidden. Reports have started coming in from all across the Crimson Phoenix Empire, that they've begun moving openly once again."
The three kneeling disciples exchanged uneasy glances.
"And there's also a second piece of news," Lin Tianxu said, frowning for the first time. His serene jade-like expression twisted ever so slightly in displeasure.
The change in his demeanor sent a chill down Meng Xi's spine.
"On the same day our elders were wounded, both the White Cloud Sect and White Crane Sect began making suspicious moves."
He paused before continuing, "According to the intelligence gathered by our sect, both of them are mobilizing large portions of their forces to the southern region, concentrating them near their respective sect's branches. We've even received intelligence, that they've entered into a temporary alliance."
A heavy silence fell.
"But don't worry too much," Lin Tianxu continued, his voice and expression normal once again. "Reinforcements from the main sect are already on their way. The higher-ups have finalized a deployment list. Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Qi Condensation cultivators will be dispatched here and placed under Elder Qian Lei's direct command."
He fixed his gaze on Meng Xi and two disciples behind him, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"All members of this branch are to remain in position, even including us. And we are to prepare for war."
The weight of those words hit like a mountain. Meng Xi and the two disciples behind him felt their hearts sink in unison, a cold pressure pressing down on their chests.
Meng Xi lowered his head, voice firm despite the tension in his limbs.
"Yes, young master!"