The Bloodstone Patriarch didn't just spend the past few months training disciples. Riding his gigantic Blood Beast, he went on several expeditions, destroying opposing factions and plundering resources with ruthless efficiency.
If the Divine Tailor was the superstar that made countless ladies swoon and drew influential men's admiration, then the Bloodstone Patriarch was the terror whose sanguine mask and Thousand-Soul Immolation Flag kept the brave awake at night.
But thankfully, he seemed content with the colossal mountain range occupied by the Bloodstone Cult, and didn't seem willing to add more territory to his portfolio -- even the territory from conquered factions was either abandoned or left for vassals to exploit.
Why would Daji offend someone whose actions didn't threaten her plans in any way, shape or form? Someone as powerful as that? It made no sense whatsoever, and Zi Yao knew it well. But the antidote aside, the grand priestess had nothing to gain from Daji. Even Tieshan's position could be hers if she aimed for it.
"Mhm, I can see that you need more incentive to see the light. No problem. You do realize that my sister's announcement will throw the Anyue state into chaos, right?"
"The hierarch will keep the situation under control."
"Will she though? Mortal men have always been the butt of all jokes in Anyue. The Anyue state has existed for much longer than Tieshan. Can she singlehandedly put an end to the thousands of years of male oppression promoted by the Dark Moon Cult's priestesses? Especially now that said priestesses must feel threatened by the idea of losing their male slaves to my Myriad Beast Gang? That was a rhetorical question, by the way," Daji's lips arched into a teasing grin, and she poured Zi Yao another glass of wine.
"So be it." Aware that Daji was trying to play her nerves, Zi Yao kept her cool, drinking with elegant poise.
"Are you sure? Because the Heart-Wrenching Cult will also jump in. These zealots seem to have a thing for spreading chaos and grief. How likely do you think they are to take advantage of my sister's announcement to intensify the conflict between Anyue's mortal men and its cultivator women?
What once made Anyue the most powerful of the seven states of Yanzhou, is that each woman here is a cultivator, whereas all men are pets, slaves, sacrifices or dual cauldrons. These 'pets' now have a chance to chase freedom. The Heart-Wrenching Cult will help them to add fuel to the fire, and set Anyue ablaze. Can the plans that you had scheduled in the Dark Moon Cult survive the intervention of the Heart-Wrenching cultists? That's another rhetorical question...because the answer is no.
Tieshan can't stand it, and neither can you. Once the conflict starts, I will sneak my troops in, the same way I snuck into your temple, and lay waste to the Dark Moon Cult." Though Daji's tone stayed mild and playful, sinister killing intent now laced her words, guaranteeing to Zi Yao that this was no joke.
Daji did want the destruction of the Dark Moon Cult.
"Not just the Dark Moon Cult. The Shui royal clan, your sister's Albizia Court, the Nameless Sword Mountain and Thousand Roads Mountain, several months ago, those four Dongli factions secretly cooperated with the Dark Moon Cult, Flower Plucking Gang, and Soaring Crane Mountain to invade the White Immortal Sect." Here, Daji paused, giving Zi Yao time to process her words.
"No. We investigated tho..." Zi Yao's words died in her throat, her eyes stretching and trembling in disbelief.
"Yes, you suspected them, investigated, and found nothing. But by now you should know that Bai Renyi, unlike what he showed you, is a peak-stage Divine Transformation expert. Your sect's Hanxing is not his match, and the only reason why he didn't make a direct move was to avoid alerting Burning Spear Supercity of his true cultivation base.
You're a lot stronger now, but back then, if he wanted to hide something from you, you had no way to find it. Your sister, Zi Yao, wants to kill you. She wants to kill you so badly that she didn't mind putting her son's life at risk by attacking the White Immortal Sect. How heartbreaking."
Having always been aware of Zi Huamei's hatred for her, Zi Yao wasn't surprised that she'd try to plot her death. But so far, the grand priestess always believed that, despite their distant relationship, Huamei loved her son. Apparently, she overestimated the mother in her sister's heart.
"Now that you know the truth behind that attack, let me add this. Believe it or not, the plans that led to that invasions caused me unspeakable sufferings. The Soaring Crane Mountain, Thousand Roads Mountain and Flower Plucking Gang are gone, but the Shui royal clan, Nameless Sword Mountain, Albizia Court and Dark Moon Cult still breathe. I will destroy them all, with or without your help." Daji pledged and leaned towards Zi Yao.
"Zi Yao, don't overestimate your insurance policy. Guaranteeing your safety...doesn't mean that I can't obliterate all your hopes and dreams. Matter of fact, doing so might actually be the best way to keep you safe. Mhm...ideas."
'It's not that bad of a deal. We can use her to quickly set up our Moon Sublimation Plan.' While Daji pressured Zi Yao with a blend of reason and power, Yuemi's voice echoed in the grand priestess' mind, reminding her of their plan in the Dark Moon Cult.
Both annoyed Zi Yao. But at the moment, she couldn't contend with Daji's faction or separate herself from the voice that tried to take over her soul. So for now...she had to tolerate them both.
"...very well. Then together, let's dethrone Lady Tieshan and destroy the Dark Moon Cult."
...
Meanwhile, in Colorful Wing Supercity, Xinzi walked through a teleportation formation leading to an underground city that, unbeknown to the Liberation Temple's gals and troops, stretched underneath their feet.
At the exception of Tusha, only Xinzi knew about this place, but even the infernal nun didn't have access to it. A tall mausoleum welcomed Xinzi, standing in the middle of a catacomb with tens of thousands of maroon coffins that covered a vast expanse of land.
A yellow river, like the incarnation of all the diseases and blights that plagued the world, split the catacomb into two. Xinzi stepped towards the mausoleum, and as he walked by the coffins, he stroked them with gentle care, whispering:
"Sorry, and thank you."
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