Chapter 2646: Unexpected Visitor (No More Today)

In a magnificent hall at Qianyuan Sect, Chen Yu was reporting to Lin Tianfeng.

"Most of Tianhu Sect's masters have mobilized? Do you know why?" Lin Tianfeng asked, puzzled.

"It seems Reverend Fire Python has fallen, and Reverend Tianhu is leading the team personally," Chen Yu reported truthfully. Tianhu Sect's movements were too extensive to be hidden from Qianyuan Sect.

"Reverend Fire Python has fallen?" Lin Tianfeng's face was filled with suspicion. God knows if Tianhu Sect intentionally faked Reverend Fire Python's death.

He remembered something. Decades ago, Wang Mengshan was attacked, severely wounded, and fled back to Guangyuan Sect's main headquarters. He activated the sect's protective array, and the entire sect went on high alert. Lin Tianfeng sent people to visit, but they couldn't see Wang Mengshan at all.

First Wang Mengshan, now Reverend Fire Python, making Qianyuan Sect the most suspicious party. Who is plotting against Qianyuan Sect? Guangyuan Sect lacks the strength; otherwise, they wouldn't have to pledge allegiance to Qianyuan Sect. There's a high probability it's Tianhu Sect. Yes, it must be so.

Tianhu Sect sent people to injure Wang Mengshan, then faked Reverend Fire Python's death, making outsiders suspect Qianyuan Sect. This would cause Guangyuan Sect to side with Tianhu Sect.

Logically, Lin Tianfeng's reasoning wasn't flawed. If Guangyuan Sect truly had a powerful backer, they could simply reveal it; who would dare to touch Guangyuan Sect then? If they didn't want to expose their identity, they could strengthen Guangyuan Sect's power, or perhaps ambush and eliminate Qianyuan Sect's Void Refinement cultivators.

While Guangyuan Sect was somewhat suspicious, Tianhu Sect was even more so, as they were, after all, old rivals of Qianyuan Sect.

"Spread the word that Reverend Fire Python faked his death," Lin Tianfeng ordered. "Also, send someone to contact the Wang family. With their assistance, what are Tianhu Sect and Guangyuan Sect?"

"Yes, Uncle-Master Lin," Chen Yu replied, accepting the order before departing.

At Guangyuan Sect, on Guangyuan Peak, in a secret chamber, Wang Qingshan was speaking with Wang Mengshan. Wang Mengshan's face was pale, his aura weak, and he looked as though he had suffered a great loss of vitality.

Wang Qingshan had originally intended for it to be a mere pretense, but Wang Mengshan insisted on making the charade real.

"We have already eliminated Reverend Fire Python," Wang Qingshan instructed. "Later, we'll find an opportunity to eliminate a Void Refinement cultivator from Qianyuan Sect. The rest is up to you."

"Old Ancestor Qingshan, rest assured," Wang Mengshan said, looking troubled. "Qianyuan Sect and Tianhu Sect's strength has greatly diminished, and your grandson will be able to mediate between them. However, after this incident, Qianyuan Sect will certainly be much more vigilant, making it difficult to act."

"Leave this matter to us; you just focus on managing Guangyuan Sect," Wang Qingshan said, full of confidence. "With a bit more time, an opportunity will surely arise."

After the stone puppet refined the Soul-Suppressing Stone, it became very sensitive to souls. Generally, the higher a cultivator's cultivation level, the stronger their soul, which gave the stone puppet an opportunity.

They had been guarding near Tianhu Sect, and as soon as Reverend Fire Python left, the stone puppet detected him. Qingmu Valley was holding an auction, and if they couldn't intercept Reverend Fire Python, they would rush to Qingmu Valley and ambush him on his way back.

Wang Qingshan had prepared thoroughly, devising multiple plans.

Wang Mengshan nodded, just about to speak, when he took out a dharma plate glowing with green light, cast a spell into it, and asked with a frown, "Didn't I say no visitors?"

"Master, Senior Su from Cold Flame Sect is visiting!" Li Yu's voice rang out. "There are two Void Refinement cultivators."

"Cold Flame Sect!" Wang Mengshan was stunned. He had no dealings with any cultivators from Cold Flame Sect!

"Understood. Please escort him to the reception hall. I'll be right there." Putting away the communication plate, Wang Mengshan looked at Wang Qingshan and said, "I've never interacted with any Void Refinement cultivators from Cold Flame Sect."

"You're one of us; I won't doubt you," Wang Qingshan instructed. "Go meet him, see what his intentions are, and be careful."

Wang Mengshan agreed, then rose and left.

Upon arriving at the reception hall, Wang Mengshan saw a young woman in a green dress with delicate features and a handsome young man in a white robe. The young woman had a graceful figure and skin as fair as snow, while the young man was tall, with a white jade belt around his waist, presenting the image of a dashing young lord.

These were Liu Chuanting and Su Qingheng. Su Qingheng's master was a Body Integration cultivator, so he cultivated faster and was already at the middle stage of Void Refinement.

They were passing through this area on business and heard that the Wang family was very close to Qianyuan Sect, while Guangyuan Sect was at odds with them, and Wang Mengshan had been ambushed and severely injured.

Such incidents were too common on Xuanyuan Continent. If this matter hadn't involved the Wang family, Liu Chuanting would have had no interest at all.

Ever since the Wang family established themselves on Nine Dragon Island, the Liu family's situation had worsened, and their strength had plummeted. To say it had no relation to the Wang family was naturally impossible.

As the Wang family expanded their territory inland, Cold Flame Sect had caused them no small amount of trouble, though they hadn't appeared personally.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

"I am Wang Mengshan. May I ask what advice you two fellow Daoists have for me?" Wang Mengshan said courteously, his tone somewhat weak, appearing as if he were injured.

"I am Su Qingheng, and this is my wife, Liu Chuanting," Su Qingheng said meaningfully. "We've heard about Fellow Daoist Wang's deeds. It hasn't been easy for Fellow Daoist Wang, coming all this way from being a lone cultivator to where you are today."

"Fellow Daoist Su, what do you mean by that? Please speak plainly," Wang Mengshan asked, full of doubt.

"The Wang family has allied with Qianyuan Sect, and your Guangyuan Sect is certainly no match," Liu Chuanting said with a grave expression. "If I'm not mistaken, the people who ambushed you were Wang family cultivators."

"The ones who ambushed me were a man and a woman," Wang Mengshan said with a frown. "I haven't seen them before, so they shouldn't be Wang family cultivators, right? I have no grudge with the Wang family."

"Heh heh, you may have no grudge with the Wang family, but Qianyuan Sect certainly has one with you," Su Qingheng said, extending an olive branch. "Qianyuan Sect has always wanted to eliminate you, isn't that right? Fellow Daoist Wang managed to escape once, but can you escape a second time? I wonder if you are interested in working for our Cold Flame Sect?"

With the Wang family allied with Qianyuan Sect, Cold Flame Sect chose to support Guangyuan Sect. This was not only due to the grievances between the Wang and Liu families but also a conflict of interest between Zhenhai Palace and Cold Flame Sect. However, Zhenhai Palace and Cold Flame Sect would not easily get directly involved.

Wang Mengshan was stunned, thinking he had misheard.

"Do you take me for a three-year-old child?" Wang Mengshan asked, showing displeasure. "Are you making fun of me? Asking me to fight Qianyuan Sect and be cannon fodder, just based on a promise?"

"Fellow Daoist Wang, don't misunderstand; we are sincere," Su Qingheng reminded him. "If you agree, we will have the An family assist you. By the way, Tianhu Sect has already pledged allegiance to our Cold Flame Sect. You can refuse, but Qianyuan Sect might not tolerate you."

"What do I need to do? What benefits can I gain?" Wang Mengshan asked, looking troubled. "In my current state, if you want me to fight Qianyuan Sect's Void Refinement cultivators, I'm simply no match."

"You will cooperate with Tianhu Sect and the An family to counter Qianyuan Sect," Su Qingheng said gravely. "We aren't asking you to fight to the death with Qianyuan Sect's Void Refinement cultivators, nor is there a major cultivation resource at stake. As for the benefits, that depends on what you can do for our Cold Flame Sect. Currently, we don't need you to do anything." He wasn't acting on orders from higher-ups but on his own initiative.

The better the Wang family developed, the stronger Zhenhai Palace's influence became, which was not good for Cold Flame Sect. Since the Wang family was on good terms with Qianyuan Sect, Cold Flame Sect tacitly approved of supporting Guangyuan Sect and Tianhu Sect to oppose Qianyuan Sect.

As for the fate of Guangyuan Sect and Tianhu Sect, they didn't care. As long as they could curb or antagonize the Wang family, that was enough. Given Cold Flame Sect's strength, countless Void Refinement cultivators would want to pledge allegiance to them.

Guangyuan Sect and Tianhu Sect were merely pawns. To ensure these pawns would wholeheartedly serve them, they definitely needed to be properly misled and given some incentives.