Meeting at the Summit of Purple Moon Mountain
It's no wonder Zhao Leicong was so angry. This Cold Tide brought huge changes, with the Demon Sea suddenly invading the Northern River Region, instantly escalating the conflict between the immortal and demonic paths to its extreme.
For a time, the two forces of immortals and demons, who could usually maintain an ambiguous relationship, had to draw a clear line, at least openly.
Therefore, the Zhao Household's hiring of the Black Sha Sect has become a hot potato. Once it is exposed, not to mention anything else, they will definitely not be able to escape punishment from the Three Rivers Sect.
Therefore, Zhao Leicong specifically sent a message to the Black Sha Sect, instructing them to remain calm and not to make a move rashly.
He was even prepared to forfeit the 100,000 Spirit Stones deposit and terminate the contract with the Black Sha Sect, fearing that the latter might act arbitrarily to fulfill the contract and cause trouble for the Zhao Household.
Who knew that at this moment of hesitation, the Black Sha Sect suddenly made its move, directly attacking the Yang Household and Mu Household without any prior notice to the Zhao Household.
Most importantly, the Yang Household was not wiped out. Only two Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators and some insignificant Mortals perished. The Yang Household Ancestor, Yang Haoyu, Yang Dangmo, and others are still alive and well.
This put Zhao Leicong in a very passive position.
It's important to know that the Yang Household still holds Zhao Yunxiao in their hands. Although the Zhao Household has been unable to find Zhao Yunxiao's whereabouts, they can confirm that he is still alive through special Secret Methods.
The fact that Zhao Yunxiao is still alive and missing, combined with the numerous defensive actions taken by the Yang Household after his disappearance, clearly indicates that Zhao Yunxiao has fallen into the hands of the Yang Household.
What troubled Zhao Leicong was this point. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. Even if the Yang Household had witnesses, the Three Rivers Sect wouldn't believe them, or rather, they would choose not to believe them.
But given the current situation, his superior Three Rivers Sect, hates Dragon Valley Sect to the bone, and by extension, he also gnashes his teeth at the Devil Cultivators.
At this time, the Three Rivers Sect held a "better safe than sorry" attitude towards anything involving collusion with Devil Cultivators.
The Yang Household could easily use this to their advantage and severely harm the Zhao Household, or even worse, retaliate first and then provide witnesses, Zhao Household with no choice but to suffer in silence.
Based on his understanding of Yang Haoyu, the second possibility is probably more likely.
It took Zhao Leicong a long time to calm down.
It's too late to say anything now that things have come to this, but the fact that the Black Sha Sect has fulfilled its contract and severed ties with the other party is good news. In addition, the destruction of the Mu Household has removed a major obstacle.
Thinking of this, Zhao Leicong breathed a sigh of relief and felt much better. After a moment's thought, he sent a message to Zhao Zongbin, the head of the Zhao Household family, instructing his clansmen to be on guard in the coming days to prevent retaliation from the Yang Household.
At the Black Sha Sect's temporary base, two Foundation Establishment Devil Cultivators sat facing each other, holding wine glasses and chatting and laughing, seemingly in good spirits.
The Devil Cultivator on the left was none other than the Green Ghost had once made a deal with the Zhao Household, while the one on the right was a short, stocky middle-aged man.
Taking a sip of his drink, the short, stocky middle-aged man smiled and said, "Brother Green Ghost, you've finally settled a matter that's been on your mind. Congratulations!"
Green Ghost sighed and said, "Brother Sun is right. With this matter resolved, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. I'm also very grateful for your help in facilitating the decision to attack the Yang and Mu families; otherwise, given the strength of this contract, it would have cost me my life!"
The short, stocky middle-aged man waved his hand dismissively, "Brother Green Ghost has helped me a lot in the past; these are just small things, nothing to mention."
"Speaking of which, the great war launched by Lord Red Dust Demon Venerable Lord this time was far too hasty. We lowly Devil Cultivators didn't receive any notification at all. Otherwise, I wouldn't have signed any contract with the Zhao Household and put myself under tremendous risk for nothing." Green Ghost downed the wine in his cup in one gulp and complained with a bitter smile.
"Those big shots don't care about our lives when making decisions. As long as they get what they want, the deaths of many low-level Devil Cultivators don't matter. After all, we are ruthless and heartless Devil Cultivators..." The short, stocky middle-aged man's tone was complex and laced with sarcasm.
"Hehe, what's the difference between immortals and demons? Aren't most of those Immortal Dao cultivators kept in the dark too? It's all so they can focus on fighting without distractions!" The Green Ghost chuckled softly, it was unclear whether he was laughing at himself or at the Immortal Dao cultivators he was talking about.
"In the end, it all comes down to strength. If we had the strength of the Golden Core Nascent Soul and Nascent Soul stages, we wouldn't be at the mercy of others. If we could even reach the Spirit Transformation stage, we could get a share of this feast!" The short, stocky middle-aged man's eyes burned with intense fire as he stretched out his palm and reached towards the Firmament, as if trying to grasp something.
"By the way, Brother Green Ghost, will it affect the signing of the contract if we act directly without the consent of the Zhao Household, our employer?" After a moment, the short, stocky middle-aged man withdrew his hand and suddenly asked.
"No, the contract we signed is very lenient. As long as we eliminate either the Yang or Mu families, it will be enough to complete the contract and we won't be punished by heaven and earth!" Green Ghost waved his hand and answered confidently.
"The Yang Household was lucky this time; the Dragon Valley Patrol Envoys arrived in time and saved them." The short, stocky middle-aged man swirled the Spirit Wine in his cup, a nonchalant smile on his face.
"Hehe, the Yang Household is indeed lucky, but this Lineage itself has considerable strength, with ten Foundation Establishment. Although most of them are newly promoted, they should not be underestimated."
"They're just a minor Foundation Establishment Lineage. Compared to our Black Sha Sect, they're like fireflies, not worth mentioning!" The short, stocky middle-aged man sneered, completely disregarding the Green Ghost's caution.
The latter shook his head but didn't say anything more. Perhaps deep down, he didn't take this Foundation Establishment Lineage seriously either.
"Compared to the Yang Household, I'd much rather destroy the Zhao Household. The fact that this Lineage can offer 200,000 Spirit Stones for their services proves they possess even greater assets. If we could acquire them, then..."
A demonic light seemed to flash in the deep blue eyes of the Green Ghost, and he spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of seduction.
"Hehe, brother's thoughts coincide with mine. I've long wanted to take action against the Zhao Household family. This fat sheep can't be missed!"
After saying this, the two exchanged a glance, smiled knowingly, clinked glasses, and drank it all in one gulp!
Zhao Leicong had no idea that the Black Sha Sect, which had previously cooperated with him, was now turning around and trying to kill him, demonstrating the ruthlessness and cunning of Devil Cultivators.
At the summit of Purple Moon Mountain, in front of a bamboo Bamboo House, several extraordinary cultivators sat down around a small stone table.
The group consisted of two men and one woman: Jin Lianri from the Jin Household, Zheng Qiufeng, a steward of the Gold and Silver Alliance, Yang Haoyu, the Yang Household Ancestor.
Jin Lianri and Yang Haoyu need no introduction, and Zheng Qiufeng in the middle is a member of the Gold and Silver Alliance's Legacy Faction.
This man appeared to be a young man with an ordinary appearance. He wore a blue long robe and had a faint, friendly smile.
There were faint sounds of rushing water around him, and a faint aura of power emanated from him. Clearly, he was a Golden Core Cultivator practiced Water Attribute Cultivation Method.
Yang Tianyou arrived by air and when he reached the Purple Moon Mountain, he was greeted by three people chatting and laughing.
He first sized up Zheng Qiufeng, then stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Tianyou greets the Old Ancestor and the two seniors!"