The white-haired old woman frowned. "Other moves... hmph! The Spirit Appeasement Assembly is over, and we have achieved our objective."
"With so many cultivators joining us, the Sacred Spirit Cult's power will surely soar. In strength and prestige, we now stand no lower than the Demon Shadow Palace did back then."
"Even if Su Shi'er enjoys a great reputation, how large a wave could he possibly stir up all on his own?"
The Sacred Spirit Cult Saintess shook her head. "We cannot look at it that way. Su Shi'er is as cunning as a fox-everyone in Muyun Prefecture knows it. If he truly intends to target us, whether he succeeds or not, he will be a thorn in their backs, a bone lodged in their throats!"
"Besides, while our cult has indeed grown much stronger, so many cultivators joining also means that fish and dragons will inevitably mingle among our ranks."
"Not only will there certainly be spies from other factions among them... it will also give those with ulterior motives more openings to exploit."
"The Hope Fire is a trifling thing. If it is lost, so be it. But the crucial object within this peak, and the greatest secrets of our Sacred Spirit Cult, must not be compromised!"
As she listened to the Sacred Spirit Cult Saintess explain the benefits and risks, the white-haired old woman's expression gradually grew grave. "Even a Nascent Soul Cultivator might not be able to reach that crucial object."
"There are Spirit Testing Arrays both inside and outside the mountain, and I personally stand guard as well. Whoever they are, slipping inside would be no easy feat!"
The Sacred Spirit Cult Saintess quickly added, "But... that female cultivator from the East Sea Islands disguised her identity and concealed her cultivation earlier, and we failed