Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 288: How Could Such a Treasure Be Handed to Someone Who Betrayed the Sect

"Phew… I've finally mastered the second level of the Great Wilderness Flame Art," Shen Mo said as he admired the ten-zhang-long golden flame spear in his hand, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

This technique was a signature move that could only be comprehended upon mastering the second level of the Great Wilderness Flame Art.

Yet, it had no official name.

The creator of the technique, the Great Wilderness Sovereign, had forged a two-colored flame lotus and named it Divine Wrath Flame Lotus, implying that even gods would tremble with fury upon witnessing its might.

However, the Great Wilderness Sovereign believed that the creations formed by merging eternal flames would vary from person to person.

He instructed future generations not to imitate him but instead to forge their own unique paths.

Following this guidance, Shen Mo did not intentionally shape the fused golden flames into a lotus.

Instead, he allowed the process to follow its natural course, guided by a mysterious will, which ultimately forged the flames into a massive spear.

"Calling it Divine Wrath Flame Lotus wouldn't be fitting."

"Divine Wrath Flame Spear… doesn't sound right either."

"Let's tweak it a bit—I'll call you Great Wilderness Starfall," Shen Mo decided with a slight smile.

This technique had unparalleled attack range and destructive power.

Additionally, being a fire-based martial art, it could synergize perfectly with his Nascent Soul techniques.

Its only drawbacks were the long charging time and high spiritual energy consumption.

But as long as it hit its target, even foes below the Divine Transformation stage would face certain death!

The name Great Wilderness Starfall suited it perfectly.

"Go!"

Shen Mo aimed at a small mountain in the distance.

The cultivators and mortals living near Dragon Snake Mountain had long been relocated under his orders, ensuring he could freely test the power of his martial techniques.

With a sharp gleam in his eyes, he suddenly hurled the massive spear.

Boom!

The stone mountain, a hundred li away, was instantly pierced by the spear.

In an instant, grass and trees were reduced to ash, and rocks melted into liquid.

With one strike, the entire mountain evaporated.

The deafening explosion reverberated far and wide, scattering nearby demonic beasts in terror.

The sheer noise sent waves of fear through the deacons and disciples stationed around Dragon Snake Mountain, nearly causing them to kneel.

However, once they realized the attack originated from the wilderness, they sighed in relief.

It was just the Young Sect Master honing his martial arts.

No big deal.

Why make a fuss?

It was only natural for the Young Sect Master to be this powerful.

"Roar!"

The young flood dragon let out an excited cry and darted toward the demolished mountain.

Shen Mo chuckled.

The lingering aura of eternal flames was simply too enticing for the young flood dragon.

Clearly, it was eager to absorb the residual energy from the strike.

"Young Sect Master! Young Sect Master!"

A joyful voice echoed from afar.

Shen Mo turned to see Mei Haihe running over, puffing and panting.

Casually pulling on a simple robe, Shen Mo smiled and said, "Old Mei, what's got you so excited?"

Mei Haihe burst into laughter. "Young Sect Master, great news!"

"Your senior brother and sister—Elder Zhao and Elder Lü—led our Jade Cauldron Sect cultivators to a major victory against the wolf demon army!"

"They killed over a hundred thousand enemies and even slew a Silver-Crested Demon King!"

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow in surprise and quickly took the battle report.

The ranking system of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom differed significantly from that of humans and demonic beasts.

Their hierarchy was divided into Demon Folk, Demon Soldiers, Demon Generals, Demon Marshals, Demon Kings, and Demon Emperors.

These corresponded to the human realms of Body Refinement, Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Divine Transformation.

Among Demon Kings, there were further distinctions: ordinary Demon Kings, Silver-Crested Demon Kings, and Gold-Crested Demon Kings.

Each Silver-Crested Demon King was at least equivalent to a Nascent Soul advanced-stage cultivator and commanded over two hundred thousand demons.

"To achieve such a remarkable feat…"

Shen Mo smiled and nodded.

When Zhao Yaolu and Lü Dongxuan departed for Mist State with the expeditionary army, he had already glimpsed this opportunity on their life panels.

So, Shen Mo was mentally prepared for this outcome.

However, seeing Mei Haihe so thrilled, it wouldn't do to act as if he already knew. He decided to show a hint of surprise.

"By the way, there's another important matter. You asked me to keep an eye out for the Void Spring and the Soul Abyss Spikes. There's news!" Mei Haihe added excitedly.

Shen Mo's eyes lit up.

This was the matter he cared about the most.

After all, his cultivation path was clear—by refining the Pure Nascent Transformation Pill, he could reach the peak of the Nascent Soul stage within three years at most.

But the three essential items needed to forge a supreme-grade divine soul were not yet fully assembled.

That was the truly critical step.

"How did it come about?" Shen Mo asked eagerly.

Mei Haihe chuckled. "It's thanks to Elder Zhao and Elder Lü's achievements."

"After they slew the Silver-Crested Demon King, they found three Soul Abyss Spikes in the demon king's storage treasure."

"Elder Zhao and Elder Lü each kept one and entrusted the third to Elder He Tianchou, who rushed it back to the sect's treasure vault at top speed."

"They even specifically instructed that it be reserved for you!"

Warmth filled Shen Mo's heart.

He hadn't expected those two, far away in Mist State, to still think of him.

"I'll head to the treasure vault immediately!"

Shen Mo rose into the air, using his energy to fly toward the Jade Cauldron Sect's mountain gate.

…

At the treasure vault.

Yang Qiye glared with wide eyes. "Since this Soul Abyss Spike is the sect's spoils of war, anyone who meets the requirements should be able to exchange for it!"

"I'm meeting the conditions, so why can't I exchange for it?!"

The treasure vault deacon standing before him shrank his neck, sweat pouring down as he replied in a trembling voice, "Second Elder, this Soul Abyss Spike was explicitly delivered by Elder He on behalf of Elder Zhao and Elder Lü. They personally stated that it was reserved for the Young Sect Master."

"No one is permitted to exchange for it."

Around them, cultivators were watching the scene with interest, whispering among themselves.

"The Second Elder is really overbearing. Even something left for the Young Sect Master, he wants to intercept."

"He probably wants to exchange the Soul Abyss Spike for Ye Yan, his favored disciple. Makes sense, I suppose. Ye Yan is his pride and joy."

"I wonder what the other elders will think about this…"

"Speaking of Ye Yan, it's been over a year since anyone's seen him. Where is he?"

"I heard he was sent to complete a mission in Longjiang Prefecture and hasn't returned. Maybe he found some fortuitous opportunity there."

The murmurs of the crowd were unrelenting.

Most gazes toward Yang Qiye were cold.

Yang Qiye was notorious for his domineering ways, and many Jade Cauldron Sect cultivators feared him greatly.

However, his recent push to abandon the beast-taming industry in favor of establishing long-term trade relations with the State Overseer's Office had made many suspect he had deep connections with that office.

On top of that, Yang Qiye's poor relationship with Shen Mo contrasted sharply with Shen Mo's growing popularity, thanks to his string of significant achievements.

In comparison, Yang Qiye's reputation had plummeted, making him increasingly unpopular.

The whispered remarks only fueled Yang Qiye's anger.

If it had been just one or two people, he could have easily detained them to make an example.

But with so many speaking against him, he couldn't possibly round them all up.

"You will hand over the Soul Abyss Spike today! I am the Second Elder of the sect, and I have the authority to make unilateral decisions!"

"If you disobey, I'll charge you with defying orders!"

Yang Qiye took a deep breath and spoke sternly.

The treasure vault deacon, trembling and breaking into a cold sweat, reluctantly retrieved a jade box.

Yang Qiye's eyes gleamed with joy as he eagerly reached for it.

But just then, a calm voice spoke from behind him.

"The Soul Abyss Spike is an exceptional treasure for breaking through the Nascent Soul stage."

"Such a rare and precious item—how can it be handed to someone who has betrayed the sect?"

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