Chapter 285

Chapter 285: Stay Alert to the Heretic Cultivators’ Plot

Jiang Wen Sheng went on: “Little Fellow Daoist Shen is excellent. Trying to recruit her is normal. It is fine, not shameful. If we poach, we will do it openly.”

The people of the Ninghua Sect felt very pleased. They loved hearing praise for their Sang Ruo.

Shen Dao Chen and Master Ling Xiao, however, looked dark.

Shen Dao Chen burst out: “Nonsense! Shen Sang Ruo was ours in the Flying Cloud Sect to begin with. How is this poaching?”

But everyone else kept that same look that said we get it.

It was like punching cotton. Their anger had nowhere to go.

When had the Flying Cloud Sect ever been looked down on like this?

The Sect Grand Tournament and the recent Malevolent Spirit incident had dropped the Flying Cloud Sect’s standing by a lot.

And now the Ninghua Sect really looked like it was going to replace them.

Just the spirit veins, ores, and other treasures that Shen Sang Ruo found made it obvious to anyone that the Ninghua Sect would rise.

How could the Flying Cloud Sect stand that?

Spiritual Power rippled around Master Ling Xiao. He was on the edge of exploding.

Immortal Lord Chang Li quietly gathered Spiritual Power. The elders of the other sects also made ready to fight.

Two sides were clearly forming. They were not afraid of Master Ling Xiao.

At that moment, Shen Sang Ruo stepped forward and stopped the fight that was about to start.

She bowed and said: “Thank you for your care, Seniors. I am honored. If I have time later, I will visit your sects, if you do not mind my visit. But I like the Ninghua Sect very much. I do not plan to join any other sect now or in the future.”

With such a high EQ answer, the elders of the other sects accepted it.

Look how well this child spoke.

They knew she would not really be poached, but getting more chances to meet her was enough for them.

Yet as one round of arguing ended, a new round started.

Ming Xi spoke first: “Then come to the Heavenly Sword Sect first. I am free anytime. You are always welcome.”

Zhong Chuan refused to give in and said: “What? Our Alchemy Sect is closest to the Ninghua Sect. You should visit us first.”

Liang Yue’s eyes lit up as she said: “Visit the Artifact Forging Sect first. I will have Hua Qiao share gossip with you. No, I will do it. I know more, and I promise it will all be big news you have never heard.”

“What about our Red Desert Jiang Clan?” Jiang Wen Sheng spun in circles, forcing himself to think. “Oh right, if you come to our Red Desert Jiang Clan, you can ride Flying Camels and see the wonders of the Red Desert. Come on!”

Faced with these Sect Leaders using every trick and being way too warm, Shen Sang Ruo felt a bit at a loss.

But she still calmed them down and said: “Seniors, you are too kind. I am flattered. But there is something more important right now that concerns the whole Cultivation World. I would like to discuss it with everyone first.”

Shen Sang Ruo always handled things in good order, so people did not think she was exaggerating. Everyone grew serious.

When the scene grew quiet, she said: “I learned from the Great Devil that the Heretic Cultivators have been planning for ten thousand years and want to harm the Cultivation World.”

The Ninghua Sect members who had lived through the chaos ten thousand years ago frowned a little.

“I ran into a Heretic Cultivator before in the Phantom Mirage Domain, which matches what the Great Devil said,” she continued. “But we still do not know the exact plot or how far it has gone. I hope all Seniors will start paying close attention to the movements of Heretic Cultivators during this time.”

No matter what the plan was, after ten thousand years it was probably close to done.

After all, ten thousand years was enough time for Ya Lan to grow a body from a wisp of soul.

“If you find a Heretic Cultivator, try to keep one alive,” she said. “Maybe we can learn something useful from them.”

Hearing this news, everyone’s face changed. The mood became very grave.

“Heretic Cultivators have appeared much less in the Cultivation World lately, and I thought they had settled down,” Ming Xi said, eyes filled with disgust. “I did not expect they still covet the Cultivation World in secret.”

Right now everyone was sensitive to anything evil, and their eyes fell on the Flying Cloud Sect.

People had looked the other way about Bai Mu Mu before.

But now that it concerned the whole Cultivation World, feelings ran hot, and attitudes hardened.

Ming Xi spoke coldly: “About your daughter’s Malevolent Spirit, Sect Master Shen, should you give the Cultivation World a clear answer?”

Shen Dao Chen did not expect the blade to suddenly point at him and the Flying Cloud Sect.

“We still call you Sect Master Shen with respect,” many voices pressed him. “We hope you can carry the duty of the second sect in the Cultivation World. Do not let bias for your daughter make you ignore the lives of everyone.”

“At this point, do you still plan to muddle through like before?”

“If your daughter has nothing to do with the Malevolent Spirit, then hand her over so we can test her. It will not hurt her.”

They pushed him step by step, leaving him no room.

Shen Dao Chen believed his daughter was innocent, but faced with their proposal, he did not know why he felt hesitant and afraid.

He took a deep breath to steady himself and spoke with presence: “The Flying Cloud Sect will give the Cultivation World an explanation. But my daughter is badly hurt right now and should not be moved. After she heals, I will personally test her again to prove her innocence. At that time, everyone in the Cultivation World may come to the Flying Cloud Sect to watch.”

He looked like a man with a clear conscience. Master Ling Xiao also raised his voice and said: “My disciple cannot be stained by a Malevolent Spirit. If she is tested and cleared, anyone who dares to slander my disciple will answer to me.”

Only then did the crowd grudgingly let the Flying Cloud Sect go.

Shen Sang Ruo thought for a moment. [I almost forgot about Bai Mu Mu.]

She had absorbed that mass of Divine Soul Power and had devoured Ya Lan’s soul. Her own soul was now far stronger than normal. With special training, she could become one of the top figures in the Cultivation World.

[If the Malevolent Spirit on Bai Mu Mu exists in soul form, can I learn related Soul Methods to pull it out? Is that Malevolent Spirit linked to the Heretic Cultivators’ plot?] She kept the idea in mind for later and joined the elders’ discussion.

“When we return, we will tell our disciples to watch for signs of Heretic Cultivators,” Jiang Wen Sheng said.

Liang Yue nodded and said: “We will also send word to friendly sects. Spread the news through the entire Cultivation World as fast as possible so everyone raises their guard.”

Ming Xi spoke to the elders and disciples behind her: “Form teams at once to search for Heretic Cultivators. We must break their plot. The Heavenly Sword Sect will never allow Heretic Cultivators to run wild!”

This could not be delayed, and the Starfield Plain could no longer be entered, so the Treasure-Seeking Meet ended early.

After dividing up the treasures, everyone rushed back to their own sects to start handling matters related to the Heretic Cultivators.