After some disturbances, the Three Great Families of Jinxiu City gradually settled down, and they all began to slowly but positively recover their primordial energy.
Wu Hui had been residing in the Lu Family, occasionally coming over to play a game of chess with Chu Mo.
Chu Mo wasn't very proficient in chess, often finding himself utterly defeated. However, he learned quickly, progressing from Wu Hui giving him handicaps initially to the point where both sides could occasionally reach a stalemate even without any handicaps.
"Daoist Friend Tianming, your chess strategy... is far too reckless. Though being bold and forthright is commendable, one sometimes needs to be indirect and crafty and employ some tactics," Wu Hui laughingly told Chu Mo.
Wu Hui had always held respect for this extraordinary young man, which was quite rare for someone of his stature.
After all, no matter how powerful Chu Mo was, he was still a cultivator at the Golden Core stage.
On the other hand, Wu Hui was a cultivator at the Primordial Infant stage, and also the Deputy Master of Lingshui Hall. In the eyes of almost everyone, his status and importance were far above Chu Mo.
Regardless, Wu Hui's modest behavior gave people a feeling of warmth, like a gentle spring breeze.
Chu Mo enjoyed interacting with people and replied with a smile, "You're absolutely right, elderly Wu. Just like life, chess can have its dark, complicated moments. Sometimes, it indeed necessitates some tactical moves."
"Haha, discussing with Daoist Friend Tianming is truly a joy," Wu Hui laughed. Suddenly, he asked Chu Mo, "Daoist Friend Tianming, are you interested in joining Lingshui Hall?"
"Hmm?" Chu Mo was taken aback, not expecting Wu Hui to extend such an invitation after all this time. Could it be that him staying here for so long was... all for him?
Chu Mo shook his head inwardly, finding that unlikely.
Regardless of his strength, he was ultimately just a Golden Core stage cultivator. His ability to defeat the powerful Primordial Infant like the Versatile Taoist came out of a fortunate coincidence and was not his genuine strength.
He believed Wu Hui was fully aware of this. Therefore, Chu Mo did not think it was his strength that had moved this high-status figure, Wu Hui.
However, reality seemed to contradict his thinking.
What had impressed Wu Hui was Chu Mo's strength!
Chu Mo was overlooking one thing. He considered his killing of the Versatile Taoist not as an expression of his true strength. But in the eyes of individuals like Wu Hui... that very act was his real strength!
The ability to expose the Versatile Taoist's disguises four consecutive times, how extraordinary a skill was that?
In the end, to pierce the Versatile Taoist's heart with one sword blow, while under the pressure emanating from a Primordial Infant, how dominating was that?
Then, with another sword strike, he decapitated the Versatile Taoist's Primordial Infant. How formidable was that?
If such feats could not be considered strength... then what is strength?
Hence, from that day forward, Wu Hui had been rather envious of Chu Mo!
He even had a feeling that if he could persuade Chu Mo to join Lingshui Hall, he might have a chance to become the Master of Lingshui Hall! And then lead Lingshui Hall to achieve even higher ranks!
Everyone has ambitions.
Wu Hui was not an exception.
Otherwise, why would Wu Hui, a Primordial Infant-level powerhouse, stay here merely on Lu Tianyue's request?
Was it to give assistance to a desperate situation? But that would depend on who it was for.
"Is Elder Wu serious?" Chu Mo put down the chess piece in his hand, looked at Wu Hui, who nodded earnestly, and laughed, "I believe you're aware of my current circumstances, aren't you?"
"Which aspect? The feud?" Wu Hui glanced indifferently at Chu Mo, "The Blood Demon Sect... is indeed a massive threat, but Lingshui Hall is not so weak as to be unable to withstand it." Pausing for a moment, Wu Hui added, "Lingshui Hall... is not Lingdong Mountain!"
Chu Mo immediately understood. The so-called unity of the three forces was not as solid as it seemed.
"The Blood Demon Sect is one side of it. Also, Zhu Hong is a man that I must kill," Chu Mo glanced at Wu Hui, then gently smiled, "In addition, I... have never planned to join any sect!"
Wu Hui's eyes squinted, and he suddenly laughed, "Indeed, an exceptionally talented and extraordinary young man like Daoist Friend Tianming is surely contemplating the establishment of his own sect!"
Continuing, he said, "I should've deduced this. Recently, the entire Jinxiu City's Three Great Families have almost been treating Daoist Friend Tianming as if he were the City Lord. It seems that our Lingshui Hall... does not carry any good fortune."
At this point, Chu Mo laughed and said, "Even though Tianming cannot join Lingshui Hall, I do think Elder Wu is a good man!"
Certain things don't need to be articulated entirely; a hint is often enough.
As expected, Wu Hui got the point; his face immediately lit up with a smile, and then he changed the topic, "By the way, I heard that Daoist Friend Tianming's exceptionally gifted disciple is about to get married?"
"Yes, on the 8th of next month," Chu Mo nodded.
"The 8th of August, a good day!" Wu Hui laughed, then said, "At that time, I'll make sure to come and enjoy a drink!"
"Hahaha, Elder Wu is too modest. You must be a distinguished guest when you come!" Chu Mo also laughed.
Subsequently, Wu Hui bid goodbye and left.
The smile on Chu Mo's face gradually faded as he sighed lightly.
Where there are people, there will be a world of martial arts, and where there is a world of martial arts, there will inevitably be various disputes.
Once you step onto this path, many things are out of your control.
For example, Wu Hui, who had just left.
In reality, Chu Mo had never considered getting involved much with the sects of the Spirit Realm. Although he wanted to establish his own power, he only wanted to develop his own forces. Moreover, he would ultimately only be a passerby in the Spirit Realm.
After resolving Qi Xiaoyu's matter, he would enter the Immortal Realm as quickly as possible.
Because in the Immortal Realm, there were still people and things waiting for him.
However, to build a formidable sect out of thin air without alarming any existing forces was not that easy. There would undoubtedly be opposition from all directions.
Therefore, the friends that should be made... must be made!
The enemies that should be killed... must also be killed!
Chu Mo had previously used the Fengshui Divine Art to predict some upheavals occurring in Jinxiu City in the next few days.
Counting the days, the Blood Demon Sect... should be ready to respond, right?
He did not believe that the Versatile Taoist lacked a soul lamp, nor did he believe that Fourth Old Master... the fourth ancestor of the Blood Demon Sect, would remain indifferent after such a significant loss.
The avenging of a disciple's death, the birth of Small Spirit Bodies, and the vast resources of Jinxiu City... were all reasons for the Blood Demon Sect not to let go of this place.
Moreover, one of the five ancestors of the Blood Demon Sect had also died here.
What is to come will always come.
Chu Mo never thought about hiding, let alone retreating.
In the past two months, he had progressed from the middle stage of the Golden Core stage to the latter stage.
With the Five Elements Daoji and the ancestral realm body, he was the most frighteningly talented cultivator in the world!
There was no one like him.