The following day, news of the vengeful spirits’ rampage spread throughout the Radiant Sect Region.
It was not just the destruction of their new outpost. This time, the vengeful spirits were far more aggressive. They had entered deep into human territory, massacring every soul in their path.
Dozens of villages were wiped out, their inhabitants lost forever. Worse still, the nearest town had also been attacked.
This marked the first time a town had been targeted since the vengeful spirits first appeared in the Western Region.
Tens of thousands of lives were lost.
Tension and grief hung heavy in the air.
The people of the region began to direct their anger toward the Radiant Sect, blaming them for the devastating loss of life.
"What is the sect doing?"
"How could they allow this to happen?"
"I don’t think we’re safe under their rule anymore."
"Compared to them, the Dust Valley Sect has already eradicated all the vengeful spirits in their territory."
"Yes. My brother just returned yesterday and told me how well-guarded their borders are."
"Why? Why can’t the Radiant Sect do the same?"
With each passing moment, the anguished cries of the people grew louder, reverberating through every alley, valley, and corner of the land.
Their voices, filled with pain, fear, and despair, merged into a haunting symphony that refused to be silenced.
Inside the Radiant Sect
A heavy, suffocating gloom filled the grand hall.
The elders sat in tense silence, their expressions grim, their brows furrowed in deep contemplation.
"How could this happen?!" One of the Supreme Elders roared, his voice echoing throughout the chamber.
His piercing gaze locked onto the elder responsible for border security, sharp as a blade.
"I-I... We don’t know. The vengeful spirits have never acted before." The elder in charge stammered, his voice trembling.
"Nonsense! Is that your excuse for allowing thousands to die?!" The Supreme Elder’s fury was palpable.
The weaker elders cowered in fear. The situation was dire, and someone had to take the blame.
Under the tense atmosphere, Supreme Elder Wen sighed and turned to the Sect Master. She shook her head.
"This is not the time to pass blame. We must focus on resolving this crisis."
The elders hesitated before nodding in agreement.
Just then, a steward rushed into the grand hall, his face pale and filled with urgency.
"What happened? Why would you enter the grand hall without announcing your presence?" the Sect Master demanded, his brows deeply furrowed.
"Forgive me, Sect Master. There is urgent news." The steward bowed respectfully.
The steward hesitated, his voice trembling as he looked at the Sect Master in fear.
"The Dust Valley Sect has sealed all borders leading to their region, and..."
"And what?!" the Sect Master snapped impatiently.
"They’ve destroyed all our mines, and our spirit rice fields have been set on fire!"
A terrifying aura erupted from the Sect Master as he shot to his feet, his robes billowing under the sheer force of his rage.
His eyes, bloodshot with fury, burned with murderous intent. The air trembled, and the ground beneath him cracked as his clenched fists radiated a horrifying pressure.
The elders’ faces darkened. None of them had expected the Dust Valley Sect to retaliate so ruthlessly.
This was not the Dust Valley Sect they had known.
Were they no longer afraid of their ancestor?
For a moment, silence reigned.
The Dust Valley Sect’s decisive counterattack made them rethink their previous plans.
With the borders closed, how would the regions continue trading?
Now, faced with both internal and external crises, survival seemed uncertain. Without a proper trading channel, the sect’s future was at risk.
If they failed to handle this carefully, the Radiant Sect could face ruin.
The Sect Master stood frozen, his face twisted with an unsightly expression. Then, without a word, he strode out of the grand hall.
"Where is the Sect Master going?" the elders whispered amongst themselves.
However, the Supreme Elders could already guess.
He was going to see their ancestor.
Things had escalated beyond control—only their ancestor could salvage the situation now.
Inside the Dust Valley Sect Grand Hall
Unlike the turmoil in the Radiant Sect, the Dust Valley Sect’s grand hall was calm as the elders discussed their next course of action.
"Sect Master, with our counterattack, we should expect them to send their ancestor to threaten us," Elder Luo Zhen remarked.
The Sect Master nodded. From the very start, he had anticipated the Radiant Sect’s retaliation.
"Increase security at all borders and warn our disciples to remain vigilant. We don’t know when the Radiant Sect will bare their fangs."
"What about the guards stationed at the border?" another elder inquired.
"Let them continue their duties. If the Radiant Sect dares to attack, we will know immediately."
As the meeting concluded, the elders began to disperse.
However, the Sect Master stopped Supreme Elder Zhao before he could leave.
"Elder Zhao, I want you to go to the border and protect my son," the Sect Master said in a low voice.
"Understood, Sect Master. I will leave immediately."
Watching the Supreme Elder depart, the Sect Master couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry.
This was the first time they had retaliated so aggressively against the Radiant Sect’s oppression.
It was a battle of life and death with their longtime rival.
’I hope we can survive this...’
Many outsiders might wonder why the Dust Valley Sect had suddenly stopped tolerating the Radiant Sect’s bullying. But only a select few knew the answer.
In the past, they had seen no hope of surpassing the Radiant Sect—not in the next several decades.
But now, everything has changed.
Mo Jian’s astonishing talent had shifted the balance of power.
With the Spirit Link’s success, their monthly income had already surpassed their previous annual revenue. And once the noble clans paid their licensing fees, they would become unimaginably wealthy.
So why should they continue living like servants?
The Sect Master clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with determination.
"It’s time to set ourselves free."