https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-160-The-Physical-Divine-Ability-Mu-Qingliu-s-Decision-The-thousand-foot-tall-giant-ape-wa/12530473/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-162-The-Ancient-Sage-of-Refinement-is-Nothing-Special/12530475/
Chapter 161: Ambush and Assassination Attempt
Chapter 161: Ambush and Assassination Attempt (End of Chapter Preview)
When it came to talent and qualifications, there was no denying that Jin Dongjin had the upper hand. With his mutated spiritual root and natural aptitude, he ranked among the top fifty cultivators in the tens of thousands of years of history of the Dao De Xian Zong Sect.
Furthermore, Jin Dongjin's calm and steady demeanor boded well for his future prospects. Should he successfully advance to the Lian Xu stage, it wouldn't be difficult for him to maintain the sect's dominant position in the Central Plains region.
However, Jin Dongjin was ultimately an outsider, even if he had married into the Mu family. That status as an outsider meant that should he become the future sect leader of Dao De Xian Zong, he would inevitably curb the Mu family's power, regardless of his personal sentiments. It was simply the instinctive nature of one who held such a position.
On the other hand, if Mu Mengting were to become the next sect leader, the above scenario wouldn't occur. After all, Mu Mengting was a direct descendant of the Mu family.
Mu Qingliu's expression remained calm and serene, befitting his lofty cultivation realm. At his level, whoever became the next sect leader of Dao De Xian Zong didn't concern him greatly. The most important thing was to safeguard the interests of the Mu family.
Moreover, Mu Mengting was only inferior to Jin Dongjin; compared to the other members of Dao De Xian Zong, he was already at the pinnacle. With the sect's accumulated heritage of tens of thousands of years, Mu Mengting's ascension to the position of sect leader wouldn't pose any problems.
"Dongjin, don't blame me," Mu Qingliu thought to himself. "If blame must be placed, blame it on the fact that you aren't a member of the Mu family."
In truth, if several decades or even centuries had passed, and Jin Dongjin had reached the Lian Xu stage before Mu Mengting, Mu Qingliu would have sincerely considered grooming Jin Dongjin as the sect's next leader.
However, time was not on his side. With both Jin Dongjin and Mu Mengting progressing at similar rates, Mu Qingliu naturally favored his own family first.
Having made the decision to wholeheartedly support Mu Mengting, Mu Qingliu began to suppress Jin Dongjin. Otherwise, when Jin Dongjin witnessed the sect's full support for Mu Mengting in his attempt to breakthrough to the Lian Xu stage, it might upset his mental balance. Any rash actions Jin Dongjin might take in response would be detrimental to the sect.
Therefore, Mu Qingliu decided to transfer Jin Dongjin away from Dao De Xian Zong ahead of schedule.
"With Dongjin's talent, even without the sect's assistance, he has the potential to reach the Half-step Ancient Sage level in the future," Mu Qingliu mused. "I'll be the bad guy and take the lead in transferring his entire family away. Later, when Mengting becomes the sect leader, we can bring Dongjin back and entrust him with important responsibilities again, thus gaining his loyalty."
In the world of immortal cultivation, while individual prowess was crucial, it wasn't enough to merely possess strength when it came to leading a powerful faction. This was especially true for Dao De Xian Zong, as it faced constant threats from the You Ming Palace, Yao Sheng Nest, and Xie Mo Hai. A sect leader at the Ancient Sage realm needed to remain stationed at Dao De Mountain to oversee the sect's affairs at all times.
At this juncture, managing the entire Central Plains region depended on the capabilities of those beneath the sect leader. And in Mu Qingliu's opinion, Jin Dongjin was an extremely qualified candidate to assist him. Even if he couldn't become the sect leader, his abilities would undoubtedly lighten the burden on the sect leader's shoulders if he were to assume the role of an elder.
At that moment, Jin Dongjin, Mu Lian'er, as well as Jin Xiaoyao and Jin Zhilan, were seated together with furrowed brows on Dao De Mountain.
"What does Grandfather mean by sending all four of us to oversee Mang Cliff Mountain? It's such a remote location, and there aren't any important resources there. Why does he want all of us to go?" Jin Zhilan asked, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.
She had been enjoying her comfortable life on Dao De Mountain, where spiritual energy was abundant and the environment was conducive to cultivation. In comparison, Mang Cliff Mountain, though still within the Central Plains region, was undoubtedly inferior.
"The sect leader must have his reasons," Jin Xiaoyao said, always considering problems from the sect leader's perspective.
"Perhaps there are important resources in Mang Cliff Mountain that we're unaware of?" he added.
Mu Lian'er stood up, determined to get to the bottom of the matter. "I'll go ask Father what's going on."
Mu Lian'er couldn't understand why her father had suddenly issued such an order to their family without any reason.
Over the years, Jin Dongjin had flawlessly executed all the tasks assigned by the sect leader, and there had never been any mistakes, so there was no need for such an order.
"Lian'er," Jin Dongjin quickly stopped Mu Lian'er.
"The sect leader has already issued a sect order regarding this matter. It's a done deal, and going to him now will only put him in a difficult position."
Jin Dongjin shook his head and said, "Actually, I've been busy with sect matters for the past few decades, so it's a good time to take a break now."
"I heard that Mang Cliff Mountain is home to numerous mortal kingdoms. I'll take you there for a good tour when we arrive."
"Father, you're so optimistic," Jin Zhilan said, rolling her eyes.
However, Jin Dongjin was right about one thing.
The transfer of their family was ordered by the sect leader through a sect decree.
There was no room for alteration or negotiation.
No matter how unwilling they were, they could only obey the order.
Otherwise, they would be betraying the Xian Zong Sect.
"Maybe Father just wants to temper your character, and you'll be recalled soon enough," Mu Lian'er comforted.
Dao De Immortal Mountain.
Mu Family's Peak.
Mu Mengting and several of his trusted subordinates arrived at a secret chamber at the peak of the mountain.
This place was one of the few spots in the entire Central Plains region that was not under the surveillance of the Taihao Immortal Mirror.
"Brother Monting, have you heard the news? Jin Dongjin and his entire family are being transferred away. They're going to be stationed at Mang Cliff Mountain," a round-faced man said in a low voice, unable to hide the pleasure in his tone.
Over the years, Mu Mengting and Jin Dongjin had engaged in countless struggles, both overt and covert, for the position of sect leader.
Jin Dongjin, with his mutated spirit root and natural aptitude, was well-liked within the sect and favored by several Grand Elders.
Even with the support of the Mu family, Mu Mengting had suffered setbacks on numerous occasions.
If Mu Mengting had faced such challenges, it was needless to mention his trusted subordinates.
Now that they heard that Jin Dongjin and his family were about to be transferred away, the joy in their hearts was imaginable.
If not for the sect rules, they would have probably gone out to celebrate already.
"Why did the sect leader decide to transfer Jin Dongjin's family away?"
Mu Mengting was in a good mood as well, but he began to ponder the situation.
He didn't know that Mu Qingliu had already decided to choose him as the future sect leader and that transferring Jin Dongjin away was also for his benefit, as well as to lay the groundwork for bringing Jin Dongjin under his control in the future.
"I heard that something major happened in the Wildlands recently," the second subordinate spoke up. "The first prince of the Yao Sheng Nest died, allegedly at the hands of an Ancient Sage."
"I heard about that too," Mu Mengting nodded.
However, no one knew the exact details or the identity of the Ancient Sage involved.
The sect leader probably had his sources, but if he didn't disclose the information, no one dared to ask.
"Brother Monting, regardless of whether this has anything to do with that incident..."
"Those things are not important."
"What's important is that we now have an unprecedented opportunity."
"Just because Jin Dongjin is being transferred away from the sect doesn't mean he won't come back."
The third subordinate lowered his voice.
"What do you mean?" Mu Mengting's expression changed slightly.
"Hehe."
"In the past, Jin Dongjin always had a large number of followers by his side."
"But this time, the sect leader specifically stated that only Jin Dongjin and his immediate family of four are to go to Mang Cliff Mountain."
"If something were to happen to Jin Dongjin and his family during their journey, it shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
The coldness in his subordinate's tone was unmistakable.
"The Taihao Immortal Realm covers the entire Central Plains region. If we make a move, we will surely be exposed," Mu Mengting shook his head.
"The Taihao Immortal Mirror detects foreign auras. If cultivators from the Blood Demon Sea, Yao Sheng Nest, or the You Ming Ghost Palace dare to enter the Central Plains, the Immortal Mirror will surely sense their presence.
"However, if it's the aura of previous sect leaders acting, even if the Immortal Mirror senses it, it won't react."
His subordinate continued, "You're suggesting that I use the talismans left behind by the previous Lian Xu stage sect leaders of Dao De Xian Zong?"
Mu Mengting asked.
Talismans were created through special means, capturing the user's full power in a single strike and sealing it within a talisman paper. When activated, the talisman unleashed the might of that strike.
Being a sect with tens of thousands of years of history, each Lian Xu stage sect leader of Dao De Xian Zong would leave behind such talismans, encapsulating their full power.
As the previous Lian Xu stage sect leaders were once masters of the Taihao Immortal Mirror, their auras would not trigger its alertness.
"That won't do," Mu Mengting shook his head. "While it might not be noticed initially, the sect leader will definitely investigate if something happens to Jin Dongjin, and the truth will eventually come to light."
"Yes, the sect leader will surely find out," his subordinate agreed. "But by then, Jin Dongjin would already be dead. As for the position of sect leader, you, Brother Monting, are the only suitable candidate within Dao De Xian Zong, being a member of the Mu family and a direct descendant of the current sect leader."
"There are many talented disciples in Dao De Xian Zong, and aside from me, there are plenty of others who can become the next sect leader," Mu Mengting argued, still hesitant.
"Brother Monting, you underestimate your standing within the sect," the subordinate continued. "Unless the sect produces another mutant spirit root like Jin Dongjin in the next thousand years, you are the most suitable candidate for the position of sect leader. And there's something else I'm not sure I should say."
"The longest any sect leader has held their position in the history of Dao De Xian Zong is fifteen thousand years, and the current sect leader, Master Mu, has already held the position for about twelve thousand years."
"Brother Monting, you're also a member of the Mu family, a direct descendant of the current sect leader. Aside from Jin Dongjin, who else is there for him to cultivate as his successor?"
"But if Jin Dongjin returns alive, then the future position of sect leader will be uncertain."
As he listened to his trusted subordinate's suggestions, Mu Mengting's expression wavered.
"Alright," he finally agreed after a long silence, his eyes turning cold.
Outside the Cloud Mist Blessed Land, Jin Dongjin, Mu Lian'er, Jin Xiaoyao, and Jin Zhilan were bidding farewell to Lin Yuan.
"Take care, little brother," Jin Zhilan said reluctantly.
The sect order only required Jin Dongjin and his immediate family of four to go to Mang Cliff Mountain; their youngest son, Jin Wuji, who had stayed in the Cloud Mist Blessed Land all these years, was not included.
Perhaps in Mu Qingliu's eyes, Jin Wuji, a mere Gold Core stage body cultivator, was insignificant to the mighty Dao De Xian Zong. Moreover, since Jin Wuji had never actively ventured into Dao De Immortal Mountain after pledging himself to the Cloud Mist Blessed Land, he was considered completely 'harmless.' "Be careful on your journey," Lin Yuan said to Jin Dongjin and Mu Lian'er.
"What's there to be careful about?" Jin Dongjin smiled. "Mang Cliff Mountain is still within the Central Plains region, under the watchful eye of the Taihao Immortal Mirror. Those scoundrels from the You Ming Palace, Yao Sheng Nest, and Blood Demon Sea wouldn't dare to lay a finger on us."
He was evidently very confident in their sect's treasured spirit artifact.
"Regardless," Lin Yuan said, "it's always good to be cautious."
External enemies were not to be feared; the true danger lay within.
And then there was Mu Mengting.
Having interacted with him over the years, Lin Yuan knew that Mu Mengting was the type of person who would stop at nothing to get his revenge.
It wasn't that cultivators with this kind of personality were bad people.
It was just always necessary to be on guard around them.
"Understood."
"Then we'll be on our way."
With a wave of his hand, Jin Dongjin left with Mu Lian'er, Jin Xiaoyao, and Jin Zhilan.
Lin Yuan watched as their figures disappeared from view.
Then he turned around and returned to the Cloud Mist Blessed Land.
Cultivation Chamber.
Lin Yuan sat down with his legs crossed.
"Go, follow them."
With a slight movement of his mind, Lin Yuan sent the Yin Goddess out from his body.
She quickly vanished from the spot.
Mang Cliff Passage.
This was the only route to Mang Cliff Mountain.
Hidden within the dense forest beside the passage were several figures.
These figures concealed their auras, and they were all Heavenly Lords at the Transformation God stage.
"They're here."
"The Jin family is almost here."
The figures carefully observed, sensing the auras of those who were several thousand miles away.
They saw a jade palanquin speeding towards them; it was clearly an upper-tier flying treasure.
"We don't need to do anything. Just activating this talisman will be enough," said the leader of the group as he took out a pale golden talisman from his storage bag with difficulty.
This pale golden talisman emanated an incredibly terrifying power even without being activated.
"Refinement Realm talisman!"
The others eyed the talisman with burning desire.
Only a cultivator from the Dao De Xian Zong Sect, like Mu Mengting, would have access to such a treasure. Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to touch it, let alone take it out.
"Once that palanquin..."
The leader of the group, a Transformation God stage Heavenly Lord, began to give instructions.
It would take their combined efforts to activate a Refinement Realm talisman.
Suddenly, as they watched, the pale golden Refinement Realm talisman seemed to be stimulated and activated on its own.
Boom!!! The talisman exploded, forming a illusory defensive barrier.
But the next moment, the barrier shattered.
From the self-activation of the Refinement Realm talisman to the shattering of the barrier, everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Even with the reaction speed of a Transformation God stage Heavenly Lord, they were left dazed and confused.
What just happened?
"What?"
The leader's face paled as he seemed to realize something.
Refinement Realm talismans usually had two modes of usage.
One was to activate it manually, which was an offensive mode.
The other was a passive mode of defense.
When faced with an irresistible threat, the Refinement Realm talisman would activate on its own and form a defensive barrier.
Even against an attack from a Refinement Ancient Sage of the same level, this defensive barrier could hold for a short while.
However, the defensive barrier formed by the talisman just now had only lasted an instant before shattering.
The leader's heart trembled.
Instinctively, he looked up at the sky.
Between heaven and earth, a suffocating aura had appeared at some point, ancient and vast, obscuring the sky and the sun.
The leader could vaguely see that above the firmament, beneath the moon, there was a figure shrouded in Yin energy, almost as if it were one with the moon itself.
Although this figure stood beneath the moon, it seemed to encompass the entire moon.
His left hand was behind his back, and his right hand was reaching out towards them, as if to crush a few ants, but he seemed to be stopped by some kind of obstruction, pausing for a moment.
End of Chapter
Chapter end
Report
