Chapter 214 - 125: Each with Their Own Scheme

Chapter 214: Chapter 125: Each with Their Own Scheme

Divine Flow Sect.

The position of Sect Leader of the Divine Flow Sect had historically been held by a member of the Sect Founding Ancestor Grandmaster’s clan. By this day and age, however, all power within the sect had been seized by the elders. All major affairs were now decided by the sect’s three Nascent Soul Venerables.

At this moment, in the grand hall where the three Venerables managed their affairs, a majestic man of imposing stature in a Flowing Cloud Daoist Robe sat upon the main seat. From outside the hall’s entrance, a middle-aged Daoist with a stern face, dressed in a blue robe and high cap, led a trembling disciple inside.

Upon the main seat was none other than the renowned and illustrious Nascent Soul Third Level Cultivator, Venerable Chu River. The one entering the hall was Venerable Mu River, whose cultivation was just a step below Chu River’s, having also refined a Nascent Soul Second Layer.

Before Venerable Chu River had refined the Nascent Soul Third Layer, Mu River’s status in the Divine Flow Sect had been comparable to his. Thus, his words now held little respect as he directed a grave question toward the main seat, "Senior Brother Chu, I believe you owe me an explanation for this matter."

Venerable Chu River’s expression remained unchanged as he asked, "What explanation?"

Mu River sneered, beckoned the disciple beside him, and commanded, "You will tell Venerable Chu River what happened."

The disciple looked very familiar. A thought struck Chu River as he seemed to recall the disciple’s duties, and his gaze immediately fell upon him. The disciple shuddered and hastily reported, "Reporting to the Venerable, one hour ago, Venerable Langhe’s Life Lamp was suddenly extinguished."

Chu River’s gaze turned cold.

Mu River said in a low voice, "I have already questioned Langhe’s disciples. He left the sect on your orders, Senior Brother. Now that he has suddenly perished, don’t you feel you should clarify the matter for me?"

Chu River closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly composing himself, then replied without expression, "I was the one who ordered Langhe to go to Yunlan Province to monitor True Form Temple and gather information."

Mu River’s brow furrowed. "Senior Brother, why would you order Langhe to put himself in such peril?"

Chu River frowned. "I only ordered Langhe to monitor and gather intelligence, not to clash with True Form Temple. What peril could there be?"

Mu River retorted, "When Dao Miao of True Form Temple reached the Nascent Soul realm, he forged a Gangyun in a single stroke—a phenomenon visible for a hundred miles. Surely you were not unaware of this, Senior Brother?"

Chu River’s eyelids drooped slightly. "I am aware," he said.

Mu River said angrily, "For a Nascent Soul Cultivator, the difference in Divine Techniques between one who has forged a Gangyun and one who has not is like night and day! Even if it was just surveillance, there was no guarantee Dao Miao wouldn’t sense him. Are you telling me you didn’t know that, Senior Brother?"

Chu River stated, "I received intelligence that Dao Miao was not at True Form Temple. Only then did I order Langhe to go."

Mu River sneered. "Then why did Langhe perish?"

At these words, Chu River fell silent for a moment. Instead of answering, he raised his hand and summoned a Dao Talisman, wrote a decree on it, and sent it flying off. Seeing this, Mu River also gave a cold snort and found a seat to sit down. The hall instantly fell quiet.

About an hour later, a disciple rushed in, bowing as soon as he entered the hall. He reported in a loud voice, "Reporting to the two Venerables! A message has arrived from our disciples in Fenglan Province. It says that in Yunlan Province, two Spiritual Qi vortexes appeared in the sky above True Form Temple, competing to devour the ambient Spiritual Qi..."

Chu River slammed his hand down on the low table, causing it to shudder. "Idiot," he said in a cold voice.

Mu River also frowned. Ignoring Chu River, he said to the disciple, "Continue speaking."

The disciple hurriedly replied, "Afterward, a giant capturing hand, suspected to be one of Venerable Dao Miao’s Divine Techniques, manifested outside True Form Temple. Your disciples did not dare approach to investigate further. We only know that it flattened a mountain peak outside the temple with a single palm strike."

Mu River asked coldly, "Senior Brother, didn’t you say Dao Miao was not in True Form Temple?"

Chu River closed his eyes. "That was the intelligence the Celestial Permanence Sect gathered from the Dragon Image Sect," he said. "It was confirmed to be accurate."

Mu River gave a cold laugh. "Confirmed to be accurate? Then how did it get Junior Brother Langhe killed?"

"Enough," Chu River said coolly. "Mu River, are you doubting me?"

Mu River answered directly, "I am!"

Anger appeared on Chu River’s face. "I have poured my heart and soul into this sect! Why would I conspire to murder my own sect brother?"

Mu River stared directly into Chu River’s eyes. "Poured your heart and soul? I’m not even sure if you’re the Divine Flow Sect’s Chu River or the Celestial Permanence Sect’s Chu River anymore!"

Rage flashed across Chu River’s face. "I was born in the Divine Flow Sect, and I was raised in the Divine Flow Sect! How could I possibly be the Celestial Permanence Sect’s Chu River!"

Mu River yelled, "Then do you realize that you are leading the Divine Flow Sect to a point of no return?"

Chu River yelled back, "I am leading the Divine Flow Sect onto the great path toward the heavens!"

Mu River laughed in fury. "How long have the Five Domains Great Sects presided over their domains? When has their hierarchy ever been altered? By what right does the Divine Flow Sect believe it can replace the Dragon Image Sect?"

"The Five Domains Great Sects were unshakeable in the past because they each had a Master Dongt presiding over them," Chu River said coldly. "Now, the Dragon Image Sect’s Master Dongt is dead. With my strength, why can’t I be the one to replace them?"

Mu River said, his voice laced with anguish, "Chu River! When did you become so foolish? If the Dragon Image Sect were truly so easy to deal with, why would the Celestial Permanence Sect even bother supporting us?"

Chu River burst into laughter, his voice shaking the entire hall. It was a long moment before he replied, "Junior Brother, I am aware of your concerns. The Celestial Permanence Sect wishes to use us as the vanguard, to draw out the Dragon Image Sect’s hidden foundation, so they can then reap the rewards without lifting a finger."

"But without this, our Divine Flow Sect would never have this sliver of an opportunity to ascend into the ranks of the Five Domains and become a Grotto Heaven sect."

Chu River said slowly, "As long as I can suppress the Dragon Image Sect with my own power, and with the Celestial Permanence Sect’s backing, how could we fail to ascend into the ranks of the Five Domains?"

Mu River was naturally aware of these strategic points, but his expression remained unchanged. He said coldly, "Chu River, the prospect of the Grotto Heaven realm has gone to your head. Do you realize you are gambling with the very survival of the Divine Flow Sect?"

"Wrong!" Chu River bellowed. "This is indeed a huge gamble! But our Divine Flow Sect is destined to be the winner!"

Mu River was stunned by his words. "What?" he asked in disbelief.

Chu River raised his head, his gaze piercing through the grand hall as if looking toward the distant Dragon Image Domain. Filled with countless complex emotions, he said faintly, "Even if I am defeated, the Divine Flow Sect will still ascend into the ranks of the Five Domains, becoming a Grotto Heaven sect for thousands upon thousands of years."