A Soul-Stealing Kiss, Nearly Inviting Calamity

Back when Rising Sun Peak was at the height of its power, Shen Mo knew better than anyone what sort of people its Peak Master Tang Lü, elders, and disciples had been!

If Shen Mo truly regarded only Azure Cloud Peak as his direct lineage, then with his current strength and standing, it would not take long for Azure Cloud Peak to surpass Rising Sun Peak at its former zenith. Likewise, all its disciples would become just as spoiled and arrogant—if not worse—than those of Rising Sun Peak.

If this continued for long, it would bring no benefit whatsoever to the sect's development.

Thus, Shen Mo treated them as he always had, without deliberately favoring anyone from Azure Cloud Peak...

That did not mean he had not cultivated his own trusted faction. One could glimpse it from the roster of higher-ups overseeing the Nine Peaks, One Lake, and the various halls. It was simply not quite as Chen Mengze had imagined!

"If we are speaking of direct lineage, Senior Sister Chen, you are the one closest to me and most trusted by me—not the disciples of any single peak or branch."

Likewise, Shen Mo's sworn younger sister Mingyu was someone he trusted. There was no need to say that plainly to Chen Mengze, however; she likely understood it in her heart.

"Besides, so long as I have not met calamity and fallen, the Crimson Flame Sect will have no fear of collapsing into pieces. Elevating some peaks and branches while suppressing others would only intensify the sect's internal strife and losses, harming its normal operation, growth, and expansion..."

"You need only govern Azure Cloud Peak with an ordinary attitude. Keep your disciples in check, and do not let them stir up another mess like before."

"After all, for cultivators like