Chapter 120: Loyal Liu Yuanfeng

Chapter 120: Loyal Liu Yuanfeng

Upon hearing this, Liu Menghu let out a long breath. "I understand… You want to enter the Profound Frost Cave to search for treasures?"

With a grand gesture, he said openly, "That's not a problem. Once our Stormy Rain Sect takes over Profound Frost Cave, you can search for as many treasures as you like, for as long as you want."

Shen Mo slightly shook his head. "No, no, no. What I mean is, Profound Frost Cave will belong to our Qingxuan Sect."

The elder from Stormy Rain Sect was instantly shocked.

Even Liu Menghu was amused with anger. "You're being a bit too greedy. Profound Frost Cave is one of the most precious places controlled by Flying Frost Sect."

"It's a place highly suitable for the growth of ice-attributed medicinal herbs, and it also produces some special minerals."

"Our Stormy Rain Sect is determined to obtain it as well."

Shen Mo smiled faintly. "Then there's nothing to be done. It seems that I won't be able to give the Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pill to Sect Master Liu."

Liu Menghu scratched his head in frustration.

Verdant Vine Sect's order was for him to bring back the Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pill.

If he handed over the pill, he was sure to receive plenty of rewards.

But Profound Frost Cave was also a treasure trove that couldn't be easily handed over to Qingxuan Sect.

Liu Menghu sighed deeply. "This matter… is of great importance. I need to go back and discuss it thoroughly with the elders."

"Alright, I'll wait for your response, Sect Master Liu," Shen Mo chuckled softly.

He wasn't in a hurry.

The one who was anxious was Liu Menghu.

Oh, and also Pang Longxiang, the Sect Master of Flying Frost Sect, who was tied up tightly.

Profound Frost Cave was clearly the property of his sect, yet now, right in front of him, Qingxuan Sect and Stormy Rain Sect were discussing how to divide it up.

Pang Longxiang's heart ached as if it were being cut by a knife, his expression utterly despairing.

Pretending to compromise and allowing people from the other three sects to enter the Alchemy King's Cave had been a mistake from the beginning.

A colossal mistake!

Unfortunately, even though he wanted to regret it, there was no way to turn back now.

"Sect Master Liu, let's consider Flying Frost Sect and Spirit Beast Sect's other assets, using Profound Frost Cave as the boundary. The assets to the north of Profound Frost Cave belong to Stormy Rain Sect, and those to the south belong to my Qingxuan Sect," Murong Yue finally spoke after a moment of contemplation.

Liu Menghu nodded, "Alright, for now, we'll go with that. Our two sects are allies; we can't let disputes over assets ruin our relationship."

"As for Profound Frost Cave… I will give you all a reply within three days!"

Murong Yue nodded, "Good."

At this point, the exploration of the Alchemy King's Cave came to an end.

Everyone retraced their steps out of the cave, carefully avoiding one dangerous formation after another, until they were back on the surface.

The entrance to the cave opened, and bright sunlight once again streamed in.

The cultivators strode out, their expressions full of emotion.

Although the time spent exploring the Alchemy King's Cave hadn't been long, it felt like they had crossed the threshold of death multiple times.

Their appearance brought a new wave of energy to those waiting on the surface.

It's over?

But why were there so few people?

Clearly, forty cultivators at the Core Formation stage had entered, yet less than twenty emerged.

The rogue cultivators glanced around, whispering among themselves.

Then, they witnessed an even more shocking scene.

The cultivators from Flying Frost Sect and Spirit Beast Sect had their hands tied as they walked out!

Pang Longxiang, the Sect Master of Flying Frost Sect, was also tightly bound, his face dark.

As for the Sect Master of Spirit Beast Sect, he was nowhere to be seen.

The rogue cultivators immediately began discussing wildly, both surprised and suspicious.

Some sharp-minded individuals quickly deduced the situation and quietly gathered their friends, slipping away.

Then, they headed straight for the assets of Flying Frost Sect and Spirit Beast Sect.

With the cultivators of Flying Frost Sect and Spirit Beast Sect captured, these two sects were now leaderless.

Now was the perfect time for these rogue cultivators to make their move.

If they didn't seize the opportunity now, they might never have another chance.

"Liu Sect Master, let's part ways for now," Murong Yue cupped her hands in a gesture of respect. "You can take charge of the Flying Frost Sect members, and I will take the Spirit Beast Sect members back with me."

Liu Menghu glanced at Pang Longxiang, whose face was ashen, and chuckled, "That's exactly what I had in mind. Sect Master Pang, come with me. You'll be treated well, with good food and drink."

The grudge between Stormy Rain Sect and Flying Frost Sect was as deep as the ocean, and for the past five years, Stormy Rain Sect had been suppressed by Flying Frost Sect.

There had even been incidents where their talented disciples were secretly assassinated by Flying Frost Sect.

Stormy Rain Sect had been holding back their anger for a long time.

Now was the perfect time to release it.

Stormy Rain Sect headed north, while Qingxuan Sect moved south.

The two sects parted ways for now.

After they left, the rogue cultivators on the scene immediately sprang into action, rushing toward the Alchemy King's Cave.

Although the cave had already been looted by the sects, there should still be some leftovers.

Even if it was just a tiny bit, the rogue cultivators would risk their lives to snatch it.

...

On the other side.

On the way back to Qingxuan Sect, Murong Yue immediately began assigning tasks.

Each team consisted of two Core Formation stage cultivators, leading a group of Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation disciples, and they were sent swiftly to secure the assets of Flying Frost Sect and Spirit Beast Sect.

Among the rogue cultivators, there were many who were quick-witted and had already realized that Flying Frost Sect and Spirit Beast Sect were doomed.

If the Qingxuan Sect's people arrived late, those assets would likely have been looted by the rogue cultivators.

As the young sect master, Shen Mo didn't need to get involved in such time-consuming and laborious matters.

He headed straight back to the Heavy Weapon Hall.

As soon as he arrived, Liu Yuanfeng greeted him with a broad smile. "Young Sect Master, you've returned? It seems the exploration of the Alchemy King's Cave was exceptionally smooth, haha!"

Shen Mo gave a faint smile. "Deputy Sect Master Liu has been guarding the Heavy Weapon Hall, which is an even more difficult task. How have things been?"

Liu Yuanfeng nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Young Sect Master. Some rogue cultivators tried to take advantage of the chaos to steal the Heavy Weapon Refinement Technique, but I captured them alive. Just now, I had them all executed as a warning to others."

Shen Mo chuckled softly, "Executed so quickly? Shouldn't you have interrogated them first to see who was behind them?"

Liu Yuanfeng shook his head. "They were just opportunistic rogue cultivators, acting on their own. There's no one behind them, Young Sect Master. You're overthinking it."

Shen Mo smiled, "Deputy Sect Master Liu, with such loyalty, I can be at ease."

Liu Yuanfeng laughed heartily, "The exploration of the Alchemy King's Cave must have been exhausting for you, Young Sect Master. I've already had food prepared, and it will soon be delivered to your courtyard."

"You can enjoy a good meal and satisfy your hunger."

"Thank you for your consideration, Deputy Sect Master Liu," Shen Mo replied with a smile.

He then turned and walked toward his courtyard, closing the gate behind him.

The smile on Liu Yuanfeng's face immediately faded, replaced by a deep, serious expression.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Shen Mo also wore a faint smile.

It was likely that Liu Yuanfeng had heard the news about the severe blow dealt to Flying Frost Sect and Spirit Beast Sect, which prompted him to execute those rogue cultivators before Shen Mo's return.

If Shen Mo's guess was correct, those rogue cultivators were probably acting under Liu Yuanfeng's orders to steal the Heavy Weapon Refinement Technique.

This way, it wouldn't appear as though the technique had been leaked by Liu Yuanfeng, but rather by the rogue cultivators.

Even if someone suspected Liu Yuanfeng, there would be no evidence.

But now, they had become scapegoats.

By executing them, Liu Yuanfeng ensured his own safety and indirectly demonstrated his loyalty.

"This man knows how to read the situation," Shen Mo chuckled softly as he sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard.

He tapped the table lightly, recalling the gains from his time in the Alchemy King's Cave.

First, there were seven bottles of Essence Replenishing Pills.

These pills should be enough to help him cultivate to the peak of the Core Formation stage.

Hmm… they should be...

In addition, he had acquired three Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pills and one Enlightenment Pill.

Finally, there was the top-tier Earth-grade treasure, the Thousand-Handed Lotus.

"The harvest was immense. As expected of the Alchemy King's Cave," Shen Mo smiled in satisfaction.

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