"I originally thought that the Profound Firmament Sect had some foundation... At the very least, there would be a few senior figures in seclusion who could step in and turn the tide in a critical moment."
"I never expected the army to collapse so quickly."
Jade Soul Palace.
Chen Shuangbai sat upright in the main seat.
Feiguang stood respectfully to one side. On the jade staircase to the left, a jade toad with a body of emerald green was perched, its two eyes staring at the three water mirrors floating in mid-air.
In the mirror, True Lord Jihai sighed softly.
The Profound Firmament Sect was defeated far too quickly.
In less than half a month, half of the territory that his family had originally controlled in the Zhao Kingdom had been completely lost.
The Profound Firmament Sect has now completely abandoned all territory except for its own sect.
The Profound Firmament Sect rallied its remaining disciples, relied on its sect-protecting formation, and adopted a posture of mutual destruction, barely managing to save its sect.
The news spread like wildfire.
The Vast Waves Alliance, including several others, were all somewhat moved.
Chen Shuangbai was also somewhat surprised.
His mind raced, and he said, "So it seems... Net Chan Dao has gone all out, intending to establish his authority over the Zhao Kingdom, is that it?"
"That's possible."
True Lord Jihai replied.
Chen Shuangbai nodded slightly, then turned her gaze back to True Lord Jihai and asked, "So what are the alliance's plans now?"
"Is it to rush to the aid of the Profound Firmament Sect and take the opportunity to bring their family under our alliance?"
"Or are you just planning to... stand by and watch?"
True Lord Jihai, True Lord Suwen, and Old Man Fish Pillow exchanged glances, each seeing the deeper thoughts in the other's eyes, and for a moment no one spoke.
Not long after.
True Lord Jihai speak softly, his tone revealing an indescribable chill. "The Profound Firmament Sect has not yet reached the point of complete annihilation."
"Doesn't his family still possess that Spirit Treasure that they've been plotting for generations, eagerly awaiting its release?"
A brief silence fell over the hall.
"I also believe that the Profound Firmament Sect is not yet at a critical juncture of life and death."
"That Spirit Treasure was hidden so well. Regardless of whether it was successful or not, it's impossible for our Vast Waves Alliance to have recruited them into our alliance without ever having seen it."
True Lord Suwen's words were equally cold.
Even the usually gentle Old Man Fish Pillow's next words were equally cold.
"His Profound Firmament Sect wants us to send troops to their aid... I think it would be better to wait a little longer."
"Even if his home is breached, it doesn't matter. We can just gather the scattered disciples. That would be fulfilling the duty of the righteous alliance... Besides, hehe, hasn't the Heavenly Star Mystic Sect made any move yet?"
If we're talking about the self-proclaimed number one righteous sect in the country, the Heavenly Star Mystic Sect used to be the loudest in proclaiming it!
The Sword Alliance prefers to do things directly rather than shouting slogans.
This is what a cultivator is.
We must contend with Heaven, contend with Earth, and contend with man.
Cultivators often prioritize their own interests, and sects are essentially aggregates of interests among cultivators.
It's one thing to just shout slogans; another.
But when it comes to actually making a move, who wouldn't first consider whether it's in their own best interest?
Chen Shuangbai could see it clearly even when he was still a low-level cultivator.
Looking at it now... it doesn't seem surprising at all.
As for the Profound Firmament Sect... there are indeed a few who are on good terms with us, but that's a personal friendship, and in the context of the current situation, it's not worth mentioning at all.
Isn't the Profound Firmament Sect the same?
His family keeps that magical Spirit Treasure, whose success is uncertain, hidden away and doesn't use it. Instead, they're seeking help from the Vast Waves Alliance, Heavenly Star Alliance, Orthodox Mystery Alliance, and Sword Alliance, attempting to coerce them into sending troops by using their reputation. Doesn't his family have any ulterior motives at all?
After discussing it for a while, the four of them reached a consensus.
wait!
We'll wait until the Profound Firmament Sect is at its lowest point before acting accordingly!
All three water mirrors vanished as bubbles.
The hall returned to silence.
Feiguang asked with some curiosity, "Master... do you think that the Profound Firmament Sect is hiding that Spirit Treasure without using it because they haven't succeeded yet, or because they want to keep it a secret?"
Chen Shuangbai gently picked up the teacup beside her, blew on it, and slowly sipped a little before saying leisurely:
"Regardless of their intentions, cultivators are typically the type to act only after they've achieved something significant; my family will not make a move so easily."
"Let's see."
The higher the level of spiritual attainment, the more difficult the cultivation becomes.
Chen Shuangbai is only now truly understanding.
Even Haoming Boy... after devouring the demon souls of several Nascent Soul Demon Lord, it has not yet fully digested them. Therefore, it is unknown when it will be able to completely take that step before it becomes a true Supreme-Grade Spirit Treasure.
Chen Shuangbai's current state is actually quite different from Haoming Boy's.
He reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage not long ago.
He needs to calm down!
The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease.
Before Chen Shuangbai could settle down for long, news arrived from outside.
It is said that the True Lord Wuling of the Profound Firmament Sect has perished.
The death of Nascent Soul is a significant event at any time.
Jade Soul Palace.
A beam of golden-white light flew out from outside and transformed into a handsome young man wearing a golden-white feather robe and with a pair of Glazed Glass- gold eyes.
Feiguang knelt on the ground and said, "My lord, the True Lord Wuling of the Profound Firmament Sect... has fallen."
Chen Shuangbai slowly awoke from his dozing, his aura gradually receding, and asked, "Who killed him?"
"According to reports from the front lines, the True Person Chilian of the Blood Sea Dao Blood Sea Dao, wielding the Blood River Diagram, surrounded him and, together with the True Lord Baixiao of the Nascent Soul Middle Stage from Lifeless City, killed him."
"[ Blood River Diagram ]?"
Chen Shuangbai was somewhat surprised.
He clearly remembered that this was merely a Supreme-Grade Law Treasure; it shouldn't be enough to trap True Lord Wuling in the Nascent Soul Middle Stage...
Feiguang was about to say something more.
A glimmer of dark water shimmered within the hall, transforming into a mirror, from which the face of the True Lord Jihai emerged, his expression somewhat solemn.
" Xuhong, you must already know about this?"
"Um."
True Lord Jihai continued, " The Blood Sea Dao Blood River Diagram Sect is a replica of the Blood River Sect's Spirit Treasure from the Middle Ages, therefore it is not of high quality and cannot be promoted to the level of Spirit Treasure."
"But according to news from the front lines, when the True Lord Red Silk was using the [ Blood River Diagram ], he seemed to have also used another item. It was because of that item that the [ Blood River Diagram ], which was a top -Supreme-Grade Law Treasure, displayed the power of Low-Grade Spirit Treasure, trapping the Nascent Soul Middle Stage True Lord Wuling and leading to his demise."
Such a thing is unbelievable!
Chen Shuangbai's gaze also turned serious.
The Secret Method or treasure that can make Supreme-Grade Law Treasure perform at the level of Low-Grade Spirit Treasure... whatever it is, it is an extremely terrifying thing!
After a moment's thought, Chen Shuangbai asked:
"Absolutely true?"
"Absolutely true!"
"Permanently valid?"
True Lord Jihai slowly shook his head and said, "I'm not entirely sure about that. However, Suwen took a look from afar and said that when the [ Blood River Diagram ] was taken back by Chilian, its power decreased. Therefore, we speculate..."
"It must be due to Secret Method or a secret treasure!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai felt a little relieved.
If it were merely temporary, that would be one thing, but to truly and permanently elevate a Supreme-Grade Law Treasure to the level of Low-Grade Spirit Treasure... whether it's Secret Method or a secret treasure, it would be a revolutionary change to the current domestic situation!
But the problem didn't get better; in fact, it got even more serious.
Chen Shuangbai's expression turned slightly serious, and he said, "According to what True Lord said, is this Secret Method of his Blood Sea Dao or... Secret Method of the Renewed Net Sect established by Xuanchengzi?"
True Lord Jihai's tone was not at all relaxed, only saying, "It's most likely a remnant of the True Net Cult, after all, the Blood Sea Dao's foundation isn't very deep."
"But in any case, this matter is far too horrifying. We... cannot remain passive any longer."