Chapter 404

Chapter 404: Secret Schemes

Although East Kunlun held the greatest combat power among righteous sects, it couldn’t dominate everything.

In truth, Demonic Path forces now overshadowed the righteous factions. Even when disputes arose between righteous sects, they prioritized peace to avoid large-scale infighting – other righteous sects wouldn’t permit such chaos.

This created an unspoken rule: whichever side produced solid evidence would claim victory, while the losing side had to accept defeat without complaint.

Take this incident – had Bird Bro failed to obtain the Divine Marrow while destroying Sword Fortress, Mo Sect would’ve been held responsible. Others would demand explanations from Mo Sect, and refusal would break established rules, inviting collective pressure from righteous sects to prevent internal strife benefiting Demonic Path forces.

But Bird Bro secured the Divine Marrow, making Sword Fortress the guilty party. Despite their heavy losses, Sword Fortress had no grounds for protest.

Any escalation would only humiliate East Kunlun while other righteous sects mocked them, possibly even supporting Mo Sect against East Kunlun during critical moments.

Clearly outnumbered, East Kunlun had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.

The root cause lay with Sword Fortress Leader’s greed. Had he surrendered the Divine Marrow, East Kunlun could’ve claimed it as fortuitous discovery, leaving Mo Sect powerless.

Thus Sword Fortress Leader bore full responsibility – losing face, territory, and his sect’s favor. A complete disaster!

Sword God maintained his composure despite the situation. His original plan to intimidate Fang Lie and personally safeguard the Divine Marrow backfired when Bird Bro risked everything to obliterate Sword Fortress.

A single strategic error led to total defeat.

Resignedly, Sword God ordered Sword Fortress Leader’s group to return to East Kunlun for disciplinary proceedings while he retreated to the mountains with Xiao Kun.

During their journey, Sword God frowned deeply. "What’s your assessment of Fang Lie?"

"Though I only glimpsed him through the Space Channel, he’s undoubtedly a once-in-an-era genius." Xiao Kun’s brow furrowed. "East Kunlun faces its greatest threat – he might sever our Dao lineage!"

"What?" The ever-stoic Sword God showed rare emotion. "We possess three Ninth-Rank Treasures and millennia of inheritance! How could some junior destroy us?"

"He’s the most formidable talent I’ve witnessed in my entire existence," Xiao Kun stated gravely. "Beyond comparison."

"Impossible!" Sword God’s voice rose in disbelief. "He’s merely a teenager with average spiritual roots and ordinary Qi Sea capacity!"

Xiao Kun’s ancient origins demanded respect – existing since Kunlun Sect’s unification, this treasured relic had seen countless geniuses ascend to Immortal Realm. Even Sword God’s vaunted talent ranked outside historical top hundred.

Cold laughter answered Sword God’s skepticism. "Deny it all you want – he bears Heavenly Dao’s blessing and Golden Light of Merit. You know what that signifies."

Sword God inhaled sharply. "Heavenly Dao recognition requires great vows and cosmic resonance – beyond even my capabilities! And merit Divine Light needs lifetimes of virtue! How?"

"Undeniable facts," Xiao Kun countered. "He survived Mo Sect’s lethal Cycle of Fire trial after millennia of failures. Likely made his great vow during that ordeal."

"Regarding merit," Xiao Kun continued, "despite youth, he’s achieved multiple grand deeds – purging Mo Sect’s corrupt clans, cleansing Gentle Breeze Tower, slaughtering Wanxing Sea demons until evil factions fled entire regions. His recent actions saved Green Fox Clan and restored order to Iron-Walled Jin City. Each act accumulated massive merit."

Sword God grimaced. "His reckless justice accidentally pleased Heavenly Dao. With merit’s protection, disasters become blessings until his merit depletes. I suspect even his undying nature stems from this!"

"Merit shields against calamity, not death," Xiao Kun corrected. "Regardless, no one in living memory matches his Heavenly Dao favor and merit reserves. He surpasses our Core Inner Gate Disciples and Xuan Sect’s best!"

"A seedling of doom for us," Sword God sighed. "Trouble incarnate."

"Can we reconcile?" Xiao Kun pressed. "His terrifying potential combined with that meddlesome bird’s support spells disaster if he matures harboring hatred."

"Impossible," Sword God shook his head. "That hothead only understands vengeance. Unless we sacrifice my heir Dark River Divine Sword – our future Sect Leader equal to Mo Wanfang – which would make East Kunlun a laughingstock."

Xiao Kun snorted. "Your scheming son lacks proper sword cultivator spirit. His bungled plots constantly backfire – especially this disaster!"

"We’ll manage," Sword God deflected. "Fang Lie needs centuries to mature. He might self-destruct earlier – his undying nature and Fang Family stubbornness already caused trouble. Didn’t he kill Tianlong’s bastard? Let’s inform that Buddhist Semi-Immortal."

"Brilliant!" Xiao Kun brightened. "Tianlong knows merit-countering methods. Maybe even negate undying nature!"

"Precisely," Sword God nodded. "During Little Demon Chamber’s upcoming disturbance, I’ll recommend Tianlong for suppression duty. Learning of his son’s death during deployment should provoke… appropriate reaction."

"May this end our troubles," Sword God murmured, gazing at distant peaks.