Chapter 417

Chapter 417: Framing and Shifting Blame

In this world, few things could stir a Semi-Immortal’s heart—especially not the Sword God. As the world’s supreme master, he’d witnessed countless treasures and rarely cared for material possessions.

Yet Divine Marrow proved an exception. Ever since missing out on that large piece of Divine Marrow, bitterness gnawed at him. Though it originated from Mo Sect territory, shouldn’t it have become his once in his grasp?

With such treasure, he could craft an artifact granting infinite Magic, possibly enabling ascension to higher realms.

But now, due to one greedy scoundrel, the treasure slipped away. How could he swallow this humiliation?

Were that man not a Thunder Tribulation Immortal and East Kunlun Elder, the Sword God would’ve torn him to shreds!

Though Fang Lie reclaimed the treasure, the Sword God clung to frail hope—perhaps Fang Lie, like his own sect’s misers, had hidden it locally.

Knowing the odds were slim, the Sword God still chose shamelessness. He secretly contacted White Bone Sect and other demonic sects, pledging non-interference in their assault on Iron-Walled Jin City.

Meanwhile, he lurked at the battlefield’s edge, waiting to infiltrate the fallen city during chaos.

Yet fate intervened. Iron-Walled Jin City held firm—miraculously defended by a colossal flying sword.

This convinced White Bone Sect that East Kunlun secretly aided Mo Sect, with the Sword God’s earlier promises being mere traps!

The Sword God cared little about demonic sect opinions—their hatred meant nothing. But being branded a traitor despite sincere intentions? Unbearable!

This reputation would ruin both him and East Kunlun. Future words would carry no weight.

Fuming yet helpless, he couldn’t demean himself by explaining to demonic sect cultivators. He forced a bitter smile: "Whose flying sword is this? Don’t they know we oppose Mo Sect?"

"Strange…" Xiao Kun frowned. "I don’t recognize this blade."

"Nor I," the Sword God admitted. "Our sect’s limited fleet contains no match. What’s happening?"

"Wait!" Xiao Kun slapped his thigh. "That damned old bird must’ve crafted this!"

"Impossible!" The Sword God recoiled. "Flying sword techniques are our sect’s secret!"

"Recall—the Sword Fortress Leader borrowed a Seventh-rank flying sword," Xiao Kun reminded. "His treasure ship got devoured by that old bird last battle. With billions of refining-specialized magic spirits, it reverse-engineered our methods!"

"But Eighth-rank weapons require millennia of refinement!"

"Others can’t, but that cheat-code bird can!" Xiao Kun spat. "It grafts Eighth-rank treasure spirits onto large treasures—its signature trick!"

"Ah!" The Sword God jolted. "The Sword Fortress Leader’s Void-Severing Divine Sword enables spatial jumps! Junior Brother Hemingzi’s life-bound Eighth-rank Evil-Expelling Thunder Pearl! That explains the giant sword’s abilities!"

"Exactly!" Xiao Kun pointed at the blade’s surface. "High-rank steel essence composition!"

"Steel essence from Steel Rock!" The Sword God connected the dots. "Sword Fortress’s mountain yielded enough material. That thieving bird stole our fortress, replicated our techniques, then forged this Eighth-rank abomination!"

"Precisely!" Xiao Kun fumed. "By hiding it here, it ambushed White Bone Sect—and framed us as collaborators!"

"Disastrous!" The Sword God grimaced. "Mo Sect gains nothing, demonic sects despise us—we’re pariahs both sides!"

"Compare our plight to White Bone Sect’s." Xiao Kun gestured downward.

Below, White Bone Sect’s treasured White Bone World-Breaking Gate swarmed with Mo Sect Higher-ups planning its installation. Once operational, Mo Sect headquarters could flood reinforcements through its interference-proof Teleportation Passages—transforming the city into an impregnable back garden.

Teleportation arrays paled in comparison—limited to few passengers, vulnerable to disruption. During this battle, White Bone Sect’s Dao magic had sealed the array instantly.

But the Eighth-rank gate maintained massive open channels even mid-battle, permitting Earth’s Magnetic Force Warships through. Combined with the protective array’s billion Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers, the city became unconquerable.

Post-battle, Mo Sect headquarters dispatched three Thunder Tribulation Immortals with disciples to study their prize. The Sword God almost pitied White Bone Sect—losing this treasured item hurt more than losing multiple elders.

Mo Sect disciples ecstatically examined their windfall. Even Mo Qianxun arrived personally, intrigued by both gate and giant sword.

Spotting Mo Qianxun’s Figure, the Sword God immediately cloaked himself and fled with Xiao Kun. Against another Semi-Immortal guarded by Ninth-Rank Wisdom Token, his concealment magic might fail. Being discovered would shatter his dignity.

As they vanished, Mo Qianxun glanced upward and smirked. *You scheming old fox! Your sneaking proves collusion with Demonic Path. Today, I’ll teach you—Mo Sect’s gains aren’t easily snatched!*

He secretly ordered rumors spread: victory owed to East Kunlun’s intelligence, treasures, and combat power. Without their "help", triumph would’ve been impossible.

*Let Demonic Path vent fury on East Kunlun first,* Mo Qianxun inwardly laughed. *They’ll shield us while we regroup!*

Returning to East Kunlun, the exhausted Sword God faced furious Thunder Tribulation Immortals. They berated him for "aiding Mo Sect" and "betraying Demonic Path", causing disciple casualties from retaliatory attacks.

Baffled, he learned rumors painted him conspiring with Mo Sect against White Bone Sect. Unable to breach Iron-Walled Jin City, White Bone Sect and Ghost Realm Sect slaughtered over a dozen East Kunlun Cultivators abroad. Other Demonic Path sects joined the feeding frenzy.

Now every East Kunlun disciple abroad trembled in constant peril.