Chapter 315: There's a Demon Sect Spy in the Sword Pavilion!
Most people would focus on the word "refugee" upon hearing Yu Shao's earlier statement.
But Lü Yang was different.
Others with quick reflexes would also only pay attention to Yu Shao's remark: "What cultivation level does Fellow Daoist Ye possess? In the Mystic Spirit Realm, he could be considered a seated Heavenly Immortal."
Some intelligence regarding the Mystic Spirit Realm had already been shared with Lü Yang by the Yun Family Patriarch. According to the Dao, those who achieve merit on earth, receive the Heavenly Book, and enter the Heavenly Court to govern the world are called Heavenly Immortals. And above Heavenly Immortals, it's highly likely there are True Lords! Given this, what cultivation level does a Heavenly Immortal possess?
'Foundation Establishment Perfection!'
This was the truly valuable piece of intelligence—the Sword Pavilion's True Person Dangmo had unknowingly broken through to the late stage and quietly achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection!
'If I sell this to Uncle Chongguang, I can definitely make another profit!'
At the same time, the atmosphere in the Great Hall grew somewhat silent. Lü Yang wasn't the only clever one—others had also noticed the key point.
Yet no one dared to voice it aloud.
After all, a Grand True Person at Foundation Establishment Perfection hadn't actively released his aura, indicating he had no intention of exposing himself. In such a situation, how could anyone openly mention it?
Ignorance was bliss.
The next moment, someone proactively shifted the topic: "May I ask why this fellow Daoist fled here as a refugee? And how did you traverse the void between realms to escape?"
By now, Yu Shao realized he might have misspoken. He instinctively glanced at True Person Dangmo and, seeing his expression unchanged, sighed in relief before hurriedly answering: "The Mystic Spirit Realm oversees hundreds of mortal realms. We are skilled in traversal methods and have the Luo Fan Realm as an anchor point, so crossing over isn't particularly difficult."
"As for why I fled..."
At this point, Yu Shao couldn't help but sigh: "Since the new Supreme Sovereign ascended the throne, enforcing strict celestial laws, there was truly no other choice."
His words plunged the hall into silence.
None present were fools. Though Yu Shao hadn't elaborated, they could all infer that the so-called Supreme Sovereign was likely the Golden Core True Lord of the Mystic Spirit Realm.
As Yu Shao continued, the full picture of the Mystic Spirit Realm emerged.
The Mystic Spirit Realm was ruled by the Heavenly Court, divided into five ranks of immortals: Ghost, Spirit, Human, Earth, and Heaven, each with their own duties. Only the strongest could ascend to the throne and claim the Supreme Dao Fruit.
Over a thousand years had passed since the previous Supreme Sovereign's death.
During this millennium, Heavenly Immortals waged endless wars against each other. It wasn't until a little over a decade ago that one Heavenly Immortal, named Huanshi, defeated all rivals and ascended to the Supreme position.
At this point, resentment flashed across Yu Shao's face: "That man, Huanshi, believed the constant warfare in the Mystic Spirit Realm stemmed from a lack of laws. Thus, he promulgated celestial decrees to restrain all immortals, commanding us to obey orders, stripping us of our former freedom."
"Such harshness—how could anyone endure it?"
Yu Shao sighed deeply: "I governed the Baochang Great Nation. Under the celestial laws, I couldn't harm mortals, and even when engaging in battles with others, I had to find remote locations."
"Not to mention, in Baochang Great Nation, everything from favorable weather to disasters fell under my jurisdiction."
"From minor human calamities to major natural disasters."
"Even the daily rainfall was meticulously measured. If it exceeded the number decreed by celestial law, immediate arrest and execution followed—without the slightest leniency."
Yu Shao elaborated on the severity of the Mystic Spirit Realm's laws, then looked around, expecting these foreign cultivators to share his indignation.
Instead, he saw expressions of utter familiarity.
"I thought it'd be something extreme—this is it?"
"Never mind the Jiangbei Demon Sect, even the Dao Court is stricter than this. At least these celestial outsiders can flee—under the Dao Court, escape is impossible."
"And these celestial laws actually protect mortals?"
"By that logic, the Mystic Spirit Realm is practically righteous..."
Yu Shao: "???"
His face filled with confusion, he thought he must have explained poorly and quickly added: "Fellow Daoists, there's been a misunderstanding. That Supreme Sovereign once publicly declared—"
Here, he emphasized his tone, speaking gravely: "He said, 'We cultivators devour the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, focusing solely on our own cultivation without nourishing the world. We are nothing but locusts consuming the heavens and earth.' Such violent words—how could they come from a righteous path? We transcendent cultivators stand above the mortal world—how can we be equated with insects?"
Silence fell over the crowd.
Then Yu Shao heard several Sword Pavilion True Persons say in bewilderment: "What's wrong with that? The Mystic Spirit Realm has a very clear understanding of itself."
The analogy of cultivators as insects was already widely accepted.
But so what?
The Saint Sect had never cared, the Pure Land was indifferent, the Dao Court had its own domain, and as for the Sword Pavilion—they believed insects could be divided into pests and beneficial ones.
And they were undoubtedly the latter.
They consumed the world's resources purely to help it eliminate pests like the Jiangbei Demon Sect. If anything, the world owed them karma!
"..."
Yu Shao was utterly speechless this time. Something felt off, but he could only sigh: "In any case, the Mystic Spirit Realm will likely invade Jiangnan soon."
Little did he expect these words to ignite a storm.
"What!?"
"How dare those demons!"
"Another Jiangbei Demon Sect—disregarding the righteous path! They deserve annihilation! After death, they should reincarnate as labor disciples in our Sword Pavilion to repay their karmic debts!"
The crowd's expressions instantly darkened.
Their reaction made Yu Shao's eyelids twitch. He couldn't help but glance at True Person Dangmo and transmit a silent message: 'Senior... this isn't a Demon Sect, is it?'
"Of course not."
True Person Dangmo could only sigh in response: 'You should be glad you met me first. You haven't seen what a real Demon Sect is like.'
There were even stronger forces?
A chill ran down Yu Shao's spine. He hadn't been here long, but now he suddenly realized—was there something wrong with this realm?
At the same time, True Person Dangmo finally spoke, silencing the commotion with a firm tone: "Regardless, according to Fellow Daoist Yu's account, the Mystic Spirit Realm plans to use the mass grave as a foothold to ravage Jiangnan. To prevent Jiangnan's devastation, I intend to go to the mass grave and sever its connection to the Mystic Spirit Realm."
"However, Jiangbei must not learn of this."
True Person Dangmo's expression was grave. The Demon Sect wouldn't care about an invasion—after all, if the Mystic Spirit Realm used the mass grave as a foothold, they'd only enter Jiangnan.
If the Demon Sect found out, they'd happily watch it unfold.
They might even actively assist.
Similar incidents had happened before. One of Jiangbei's current Golden Core sects was founded by a major realm that had once invaded Jiangbei.
"Thus, before we act, none of you should leave without permission."
True Person Dangmo surveyed the crowd. Originally, he had planned to act much earlier, but for some reason, the Demon Sect had gotten wind of it beforehand, forcing him to wait until he achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection.
The leak had occurred among those present in the hall—those not under the Sword Pavilion's watch or the True Lord's gaze.
In other words—
'Among these people, there's likely a Demon Sect spy!'
Truthfully, True Person Dangmo could handle the mass grave alone. The reason he had gathered these True Persons was primarily to uncover the hidden mole.
For this, he needed someone among them—a loyal, reliable, and honest person—to help him test suspects.
After scanning the room, True Person Dangmo quickly made his decision.
"Fellow Daoist Yun, I have a task for you."
The Yun Clan was an old family of the Sword Pavilion, one that had once produced a True Lord. Their roots were orthodox, and though they had fallen from grace, they were undoubtedly trustworthy.
...............
"Hey, hey, hey?"
In Jiangbei, Lü Yang reactivated his avatar and retrieved the flying messenger book used to contact Chongguang.