Chapter 134: The Fragrance of White Rock City

Chapter 134: The Fragrance of White Rock City

"The master drives away wild dogs with a stick. When one day the wild dog becomes a domesticated pet, the stick that once drove it away will inevitably be broken out of resentment."

Ji Shilong gazed southward, muttering these words to himself.

Standing quietly beside him was Luo Shuanghan.

Luo Shuanghan had rushed back from Qingxuan Sect at top speed and relayed every word Shen Mo had spoken, without missing a single detail, to Ji Shilong.

"What do you think he means by this?" Ji Shilong suddenly asked.

Luo Shuanghan shook his head, "I do not know."

Ji Shilong sneered, "It's not that you don't know; you just don't dare say it."

Luo Shuanghan remained silent.

How could he dare say anything?

Ji Shilong spoke calmly, "He believes I'm the cudgel of Yuzhou Prefect or perhaps even the cudgel in the hand of Emperor Jing."

"This kid is quite interesting. While Xuanjiang Sect is on the brink of destruction, he has already seen my future."

Luo Shuanghan still kept his silence.

"What's the movement from the Five Sects of Xuanjiang?" Ji Shilong asked, regaining his composure.

Only then did Luo Shuanghan speak, "Divine Sword Sect, Sword Sovereign Zhou Qingcang has successfully condensed a Seven Kill Golden Core and entered the Core Formation stage."

"Verdant Vine Sect, Demon Sovereign Mo Yuheng has successfully condensed a Ten Thousand Demons Golden Core and entered the Core Formation stage."

"Rising Sun Sect, Fiery Sovereign Hong Chiyu has successfully condensed a Red Sun Golden Core and entered the Core Formation stage."

"Thunderfire Sect, Wanjin failed to condense his Golden Core and is gravely injured, bedridden for at least three months."

"Heavenly Water Sect, upon hearing the news of Feng Lianshan being killed by Shen Mo, Yin Xuege fainted on the spot. It is said that Sect Master Zhang Mo is already grooming Bai Ziyue as a successor."

Ji Shilong's face remained unchanged, "For five sovereigns of Xuanjiang, the gap seems a little too wide."

"And what about Heavenly Water Sect? There should be some movements, right?"

Luo Shuanghan nodded, "Sect Master Zhang personally met with Lu Xinyue, the sect master of White River Sect, but no one knows what they discussed."

Ji Shilong nodded, "Nothing else from Verdant Vine Sect other than Mo Yuheng's Core Formation?"

Luo Shuanghan shook his head, "No, Verdant Vine Sect has been very quiet recently, mostly researching poisons and taming demon beasts."

Ji Shilong waved his hand, "You may leave."

"Yes."

Once again, Ji Shilong was left alone in the courtyard.

He furrowed his brows slightly, "No action from Verdant Vine Sect? No, they must have done something, but it slipped past my eyes and ears."

"Verdant Vine Sect and Heavenly Water Sect must be planning a chess game through Qingxuan Sect."

...

Deep within Profound Frost Cave.

Shen Mo crouched next to the ice dragon's remains.

In his right palm, the Red Lotus Flame blazed, slowly melting the ice dragon's body.

The Red Lotus Flame could gradually melt the remains of the ice dragon.

This was a trick he had only discovered in the past few days.

Though the process was slow, in a whole day he had only managed to melt the dragon's tail.

But he had obtained a few drops of ice dragon blood.

At least, with persistence, he would eventually melt the entire ice dragon.

Its bones, tendons, and blood—all could be taken at once.

Once the ice dragon's body was fully melted, the temperature of Profound Frost Cave would gradually rise, and the place would lose all its value.

Whether he sold it to other sects or abandoned it didn't matter.

Moreover, after several consecutive days of melting, Shen Mo also realized that his rapport with the Red Lotus Flame was improving.

Even though the flame had been subdued by him, it didn't necessarily obey all his commands.

Now, through repeated use, their synergy was growing stronger.

"Has there been any recent activity from Heavenly Water Sect?" Shen Mo casually sat on the ground, melting the dragon's corpse while observing his life panel.

[Destiny: You will stop at the late stage of the Core Formation. Three months from now, Qingxuan Sect will be attacked, and you will die under the sword of Zhang Mo, the sect master of Heavenly Water Sect.]

[Opportunity 1: Today, the progress of melting the ice dragon's body will accelerate significantly, melting half the corpse. You will obtain one ice dragon bone and one ice dragon tendon.]

[Opportunity 2: In more than half a month, you will completely melt the ice dragon's body and store all its treasures in your storage ring.]

[Opportunity 3: A month from now, you will consume the last Great Replenishing Pill and successfully reach the late stage of Core Formation.]

[Upcoming Turn 1: After entering the late stage of Core Formation, you will hear about a strange fragrance near White Rock City, suggesting a great treasure has appeared. On your way to investigate, you will pass by White Rock City and fall into a trap set by White River Sect. You will discover the trap ahead of time, but White River Sect will send a Core Formation elder and three Core Formation elders to hunt you down. Ultimately, you will fall into White River Sect's hands and be used in exchange for Profound Frost Cave.]

[Upcoming Turn 2: After being captured by White River Sect, you will be tortured, and your dantian will be crippled. When Qingxuan Sect trades you back, you will be a useless person.]

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow slightly.

It seemed that the act of killing Feng Lianshan, the Sect Master of Blood River Sect, had already caused a shift in his predetermined fate.

Zhang Mo was clearly losing patience.

"The key is that I fell into White River Sect's trap, and after being captured, my dantian was crippled."

"Murong Yue will surely be enraged by this and attack White River Sect, even though her strength is weaker than theirs."

Shen Mo was deep in thought.

With the destruction of Flying Frost Sect and Blood River Sect, White River Sect had become the only first-rate sect under Heavenly Water Sect's command.

Moreover, after taking over part of Blood River Sect's industries and personnel, White River Sect's power had undoubtedly grown significantly.

Shen Mo had long known that White River Sect would make a move.

He just hadn't expected that they would come for him directly.

"There's a strange fragrance in White Rock City, detectable from dozens of miles away… It's likely Thousand-Mile Fragrance, which, like the Thousand-Handed Lotus, is a rare treasure used to cultivate the Nine-Lotus Nascent Soul. I must obtain it."

"White Rock City—why not go?"

"The only thing to be cautious about is that Core Formation elder."

Shen Mo pondered.

Elders were typically Core Formation cultivators over four hundred years old.

Due to their seniority and age, they were referred to as "elders."

These individuals usually went into deep seclusion, only appearing when their sect was on the brink of destruction.

Elders were few in number.

While the Five Sects of Xuanjiang certainly had elders, the exact number was never publicly disclosed.

Some powerful, long-established first-rate sects also had elders.

White River Sect was one such sect.

As for Qingxuan Sect, some of their elders had perished in the battle against Heavenly Water Sect long ago, and the rest had all passed away over the past fifty years.

Thus, Qingxuan Sect no longer had any elders.

"Elders are typically at the peak of the Core Formation stage. Due to their deep experience and extensive knowledge, their strength surpasses that of younger Core Formation peak cultivators by several degrees."

"However, each battle they fight accelerates their aging, effectively burning their life force. That's why they are reluctant to fight unless absolutely necessary."

"For White River Sect to deploy an elder against me, they are clearly determined to capture me."

"Dealing with such people is not impossible."

Shen Mo understood the strengths and weaknesses of elders well.

They were powerful and had rich combat experience.

But their greatest weakness was their inability to sustain long-term battles.

As long as he avoided direct confrontation and used tactics to wear them down, he might be able to defeat one.

If this elder were to fall, it would surely deal a devastating blow to White River Sect.

At that point, Qingxuan Sect could seize the opportunity and attack White River Sect in one swift move!

In this way, Flying Frost Sect, Blood River Sect, and White River Sect—these three arms would be severed.

No matter how much Heavenly Water Sect resisted, they would have no choice but to intervene personally!

"The plan is set. Now, I just have to wait for that day to come."

Shen Mo's expression remained calm.

🌟 Unlock Exclusive Early Access on Patreon! 🌟

Hello, beloved readers!

Join my Patreon community to enjoy:

📚 Daily Updates: Never wait for new chapters—get your story fix every day!

📖 20 Chapters Ahead: Access new chapters far in advance of RoyalRoad/Webnovel releases.

Support the creation of the stories you love and dive deeper into my world!

Patreon.com/Alex_Cruise