416: Bloodletting therapy, Sword Sect members wailed

Inside the quiet room, Shen Yuanmo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and somber.

The battle with Jian Xuanji had given him the most direct understanding of his current strength.

It was very strong.

A Middle Stage Void Returning cultivation, a Hedao Realm Divine Sense, a sixth-rank Dao Body, plus the chaos dao embryo, the Dao Slash Divine Ability... with various trump cards stacked together, he was capable of killing a Dao Integration Realm Great Expert at the Early Stage in a head-on confrontation.

But it was still not enough.

"The Taiyi Sword Sect has stood in the Eastern Region for hundreds of thousands of years; its foundation is deep, and it certainly possesses more than just the few Hedao experts visible on the surface."

Shen Yuanmo's mind was as clear as a mirror.

Jian Xuanji's death would certainly deal a heavy blow to the Taiyi Sword Sect, causing their Origin Qi to be greatly damaged.

But it would also drive them completely mad, making them seek revenge at any cost.

The final power that a behemoth pushed to its limits could erupt with was absolutely terrifying.

"Rushing to their doorstep to kill them is the stupidest approach."

Shen Yuanmo's fingers lightly tapped his knee as the Stellar Chessboard in his Sea of Consciousness spun rapidly, deducing every subsequent step.

"Right now, the Taiyi Sword Sect is like a startled bird, or rather, a wounded beast."

"They will retract all their power, cowering within their mountain gates to wait for an opportunity, while the entire Eastern Region watches."

What he needed to do was not to charge in immediately.

Instead, he had to make good use of the massive deterrent force brought by Jian Xuanji's death to set a larger trap on the chessboard of the entire Eastern Region.

A noose that could completely strangle the Taiyi Sword Sect to death.

Just then, the Restriction outside the quiet room was lightly touched.

"Elder Shen, this old man is Qing Xu; I have important matters to report."

Qing Xuzi's voice came through, carrying irrepressible excitement and awe.

With a casual wave of Shen Yuanmo's hand, the door to the quiet room opened silently.

Qing Xuzi and Myriad Laws Daoist walked in quickly, followed by a solemn-looking Daoist Xinghe.

As soon as the three entered, they bowed deeply to Shen Yuanmo.

"Congratulations to Elder Shen on your victory, for slaying a Hedao expert and manifesting our Sect's Divine Might!"

Qing Xuzi and Myriad Laws Daoist spoke in unison, their faces filled with unconcealable joy.

Although Daoist Xinghe did not speak, his eyes were filled with shock and admiration as he looked at Shen Yuanmo.

He had imagined that Shen Yuanmo could win, escape from a Hedao Realm expert, or even severely wound one.

But he never expected that Shen Yuanmo would actually slay him.

That was a Dao Integration Realm Great Expert, not some random nobody.

"Sit," Shen Yuanmo spoke plainly, pointing to the prayer mats nearby, and the three sat down as instructed.

"What is the situation outside?" Shen Yuanmo asked.

Qing Xuzi hurriedly bowed and said, "Reporting to Elder Shen, the news of Jian Xuanji's fall has completely ignited the entire Eastern Region!"

"Now, countless Sects and clans have sent out scouts to closely monitor the movements of the Taiyi Sword Sect and our Sect."

"The Taiyi Sword Sect has completely sealed off their mountain, recalling all Disciples and Elders traveling abroad; they are acting as if facing a formidable enemy!"

"At the same time, according to your instructions, we have begun taking over the Spirit Stone veins and markets previously controlled by the Taiyi Sword Sect. The process has been exceptionally smooth, with almost no resistance encountered!"

At this point, both Qing Xuzi and Myriad Laws Daoist couldn't help but smile.

When a wall starts to fall, everyone gives it a push.

Those second and third-rate forces that previously relied on the Taiyi Sword Sect...

...are now running faster than anyone else. Some have even proactively come to our door, wanting to join the Wanfa Immortal Sect."

"Very good." Shen Yuanmo nodded, not surprised by this.

He looked at Daoist Xinghe and asked, "Fellow Daoist Star River, in your opinion, what is the current attitude of the other top powers in the Eastern Region?"

Daoist Xinghe pondered for a moment and said with a serious expression, "Shock, wariness, and observation."

"The Ziyang Holy Land, the Tianxuan Divine Dynasty, the North Abyss Palace... these powers on the same level as our Sect and the Taiyi Sword Sect have all been frightened by the strength you displayed."

"In the short term, they definitely won't dare to make any moves."

"But at the same time, they are watching. They're watching to see if our Wanfa Immortal Sect truly has the ability to completely swallow this behemoth, the Taiyi Sword Sect."

"If we show even a hint of exhaustion, they will likely pounce like sharks smelling blood to claim a share of the spoils."

Hearing this, Shen Yuanmo's gaze turned slightly cold.

"They will see it."

He paused, his tone becoming cold and decisive.

"But just this is not enough. What I want is not just for them to cower. I want them to rot completely from the inside."

The three felt a chill in their hearts and all looked toward Shen Yuanmo.

Shen Yuanmo continued, "Elder Qing Xu, next, the Tianshu, Tianxuan, and Tianji divisions must operate at full capacity."

"First, take the evidence we previously gathered regarding the internal factional struggles within the Taiyi Sword Sect."

"Find a way to inadvertently deliver it into the hands of more neutral Elders and those Disciples who harbor resentment against Jian Wuya."

"I want the seeds of suspicion to take root and sprout completely within their Sect."

"Second, increase the level of support for forces like the Blackwater Xuan Snake Clan and the Blood Saber Sect. Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures—give them whatever they want!"

"I have only one requirement: have them harass the Taiyi Sword Sect's borders at any cost, keeping them exhausted and giving them no peace!"

"Third," Shen Yuanmo's voice became even more frigid, "dispose of the people on this list for me."

With a flick of his finger, a Jade Slip flew toward Daoist Xinghe.

Daoist Xinghe scanned it with his Divine Sense, and his expression changed slightly.

The Jade Slip listed over a dozen names, all of whom were deacons and Elders in key positions responsible for intelligence, logistics, and Formation maintenance within the Taiyi Sword Sect.

These people might not have high cultivation, but they were indispensable gears in the operation of a Sect.

"These people are all Jian Wuya's confidants. By killing them, the operational efficiency of the Taiyi Sword Sect's massive war machine will drop by at least thirty percent!"

Daoist Xinghe instantly understood Shen Yuanmo's intention.

This was a masterstroke of cutting off the source, and a precisely targeted one at that.

"Elder Shen, rest assured!" A sharp light burst from Daoist Xinghe's eyes as he nodded heavily.

"I will handle this matter personally! I guarantee it will be done flawlessly!"

Shen Yuanmo's three steps were interconnected.

Sowing discord within, harassing from without, and severing their support.

This was using a blunt knife to slowly carve the life out of the giant beast that was the Taiyi Sword Sect.

"Then go."

"Let them wait for their doom amidst this endless panic and suspicion. This play still needs some time to ferment."

The three bowed again and then respectfully withdrew from the quiet room.

When the door closed again, Qing Xuzi and Myriad Laws Daoist looked at each other, both seeing deep shock in the other's eyes.

"Elder Shen's methods are truly heaven-reaching; his calculations leave nothing to chance!" Myriad Laws Daoist remarked with emotion.

Qing Xuzi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still feeling a lingering fear.

"I finally understand why Elder Shen is in no hurry to attack the Taiyi Sword Sect."

"Compared to this scheme of killing the heart, directly attacking their door is simply too merciful."

Daoist Xinghe took a deep breath, his tone firmer than ever before.

"Pass down my order: all Sect resources are to be tilted toward the Tianshu, Tianxuan, and Tianji divisions! Complete Elder Shen's instructions at all costs!"

An invisible strangulation targeting the hegemon of the Eastern Region quietly began under Shen Yuanmo's will.

As for himself, he slowly closed his eyes within the quiet room.

"Before they completely collapse, my strength can still take another step forward."

With a thought, the majestic energy from previously devouring the God-Slaying Tribulation and refining the Thunder Emperor Lord, which had not yet been fully digested, began to circulate slowly within his body... Meanwhile, at the Taiyi Sword Sect.

Inside the Sect Master's main hall, it felt as if one had fallen into an ice cellar.

Jian Wuya's face was pale, his eyes bloodshot, as he stared fixedly at the group of Elders kneeling below.

"Seal the mountain! Seal the mountain! Anyone who dares mention leaving the mountain again will be executed without mercy!"

His voice was hoarse, filled with madness and fear.

Just moments ago, he had personally confirmed that the soul jade of Old Ancestor Jian Xuanji had shattered into powder.

That was a Hedao Realm expert, the pillar of the Taiyi Sword Sect.

And he was just dead!

Dead without a sound!

Fear, like an invisible hand, tightly gripped his heart.

"Sect Master! You must not!" Elder Ming Chong looked up and said with great distress.

"Now that our Sect's Spiritual Veins have been destroyed, this is exactly when we need to go out and find resources. If we seal the mountain, it's no different from waiting for death!"

"Waiting for death?" Jian Wuya suddenly rushed to Elder Ming Chong and kicked him to the ground. "Then do you want this seat to go out and die too?!"

"Even Junior Martial Uncle Xuanji is dead! Tell me, who can survive going out now?"

He seemed like a madman, pointing outside the hall. "That monster! That monster named Shen Yuanmo! If he could kill Junior Martial Uncle Xuanji, he can kill all of us!"

"Now, only the Sect-protecting Formation can save our lives! No one is to leave!"

Just then, a Disciple came crawling and rolling in, his voice carrying a sob.

"Report—! Sect Master! Something is wrong!"

"The Blackwater Xuan Snake Clan has overrun the Blackstone mineral vein in the western border! Deacon Lin and the three hundred Disciples guarding it have all been killed in battle!"

"What?!" Jian Wuya's vision went dark, and he nearly collapsed.

The Blackstone mineral vein was one of the few places they had left that could produce high-grade spiritual ores.

"Those beasts from the Blackwater Xuan Snake Clan, where did they get the nerve? Where did they get the strength?" an Elder roared.

The Disciple tremblingly pulled a shattered dharma sword from his robe.

"Sect Master, this was sent back by Deacon Lin before he died. He said the Magic Treasures used by the Blackwater Xuan Snake Clan..."

"...were all Dao Artifacts of the fifth rank or higher! Their Clan Chief even brought out a sixth-rank Dao Artifact!"

"A sixth-rank Dao Artifact?"

The entire hall instantly fell into a dead silence.

Everyone understood what this meant.

It was the Wanfa Immortal Sect supporting the Blackwater Xuan Snake Clan from behind.

"Pfft—!"

Jian Wuya could no longer hold it back and spat out another mouthful of blood.

Before he could catch his breath, another Disciple ran in frantically.

"Sect Master! Elder Sun, who was in charge of the Sect's Medicinal Pill distribution, has been assassinated in his Immortal Cave!"

"All the healing pills prepared for distribution have vanished without a trace!"

"Boom!"

Jian Wuya's mind completely exploded.

Powerful enemies without, assassins within.

He abruptly turned his head, his blood-red eyes sweeping across every Elder present.

Elder Sun's Immortal Cave was heavily guarded; it was impossible for an outsider to infiltrate it!

"Who is it?!" Jian Wuya's voice sounded as if it came from Hell. "Who did this?!"

Panic and suspicion, like a plague, instantly spread through the hearts of all the Elders.

They looked at one another, their eyes filled with doubt and fear.

This was exactly what Shen Yuanmo wanted to see.

And this was only the beginning.