Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 280: If They Don't Fear Me, It's My Own Incompetence

A few days later, Mei Haihe returned to Dragon Snake Mountain with Huang Caiying.

At this time, Shen Mo was practicing his techniques on a vast plain.

He was focused on the Grand Wild Flame Manipulation Technique.

This technique was no less complex than the Hellfire Destruction Method.

The first level involved controlling a single exotic flame, transforming it into various forms.

This stage was relatively simple.

The second level required controlling and merging two exotic flames, then transforming the merged flame into various forms.

The difficulty increased drastically.

This stage demanded precise control of the proportions of each flame to achieve a dynamic balance.

Each exotic flame had unique properties and power levels.

Furthermore, flames could be classified into different stages: spark (juvenile), blaze (mature), and ember (declining).

As a result, merging two exotic flames required extraordinarily stringent conditions.

If the dynamic balance between the flames was not achieved, there was only one possible outcome—

Boom!

Explosion.

The area around Shen Mo was littered with scorched earth.

His robes had been blown apart dozens of times.

Eventually, he stopped wearing robes altogether, covering only his essentials, using his body to withstand the explosions of the exotic flames.

At first, the disciples and stewards of Dragon Snake Mountain were startled by the explosions, thinking it was a riot caused by spirit beasts.

But after discovering that the commotion was caused by Shen Mo's training, they gradually grew accustomed to it.

When Mei Haihe and Huang Caiying asked for Shen Mo's location, they were directed to the plain.

From a distance, Huang Caiying saw Shen Mo, who wasn't wearing much clothing, and her face immediately turned crimson.

Mei Haihe chuckled and patted her head.

"Elder Shen, Caiying and I have returned," he called out.

Shen Mo, hearing the voice, immediately retracted the Solar Flame and Red Lotus Flame, donned a robe, and approached with quick steps.

"Oh? What techniques and martial arts did you select for Caiying?" Shen Mo asked with a smile.

Despite enduring numerous explosions from the exotic flames, Shen Mo's body was strong enough to withstand them without any harm.

He remained as energetic as ever while speaking with Mei Haihe.

Mei Haihe responded respectfully, "The cultivation technique we chose is the Earth-grade low-tier Azure Water Golden Whale Technique.

As for martial arts, we selected three top-tier Profound-grade techniques: Azure Wave Whip Technique, Golden Shield of Azure Water, and Rippled Steps."

Shen Mo nodded slightly.

Huang Caiying had an Earth-grade water-attribute physique, and Mei Haihe, with his extensive knowledge, had made excellent choices.

Mei Haihe added, "The total cost was 13 Grade-C contributions.

However, we encountered the Third Elder at the Scripture Pavilion, and upon hearing about this, he used his Jade Cauldron Pearl to settle the bill for us."

Shen Mo chuckled. "The Third Elder?"

The Third Elder would not normally pay attention to Core Formation cultivators like Mei Haihe or Huang Caiying.

It was evident he had done this deliberately to build a favorable relationship with Shen Mo.

"Not bad—it saved us some contributions," Shen Mo said with a smile.

"Caiying, you can head back for now. I need to discuss something with Elder Shen," Mei Haihe said, patting her on the head.

"Alright," Huang Caiying replied and left.

Once she was gone, Mei Haihe lowered his voice. "Elder Shen, while at the Scripture Pavilion, I overheard a conversation suggesting that some people might be plotting against you."

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Let's hear it."

Mei Haihe explained in a hushed tone, "Recently, the Danhe Sect has suspended its pill trade with our Jade Cauldron Sect.

The Supreme Purity Sect has also refused to fulfill last year's artifact orders.

And the State Governor's Office? They've not only cut off the trade of spirit beast and demon beast materials but have also withheld our spirit stones.

Furthermore, there's news that the State Governor's Office has gifted six Ironclad Cloudships to the Supreme Purity Sect."

Shen Mo pondered this.

Ironclad Cloudships?

Those were treasures of immense value.

One Ironclad Cloudship was equivalent in power to an early-stage Divine Transformation cultivator.

But six Ironclad Cloudships, deployed in a coordinated assault, could easily surpass the strength of six early-stage Divine Transformation cultivators!

The State Governor himself didn't have many Ironclad Cloudships, yet he sent six directly to the Supreme Purity Sect.

As for the Pill River Sect, cutting off the pill trade was a severe blow.

The Jade Cauldron Sect could refine its own pills, but the cost-effectiveness couldn't compare to that of the Pill River Sect.

So much so that it was cheaper to buy from the Pill River Sect than to produce them in-house.

Mei Haihe continued, "There's word from the Pill River Sect that the Qingxuan Sect in Xuanjiang Prefecture, where you used to belong, has always been a subordinate sect of the Pill River Sect.

They claim that the Jade Cauldron Sect poaching you violates the rules set by the three major sects of Yuzhou.

The Pill River Sect is demanding that the Jade Cauldron Sect hand you over and have you leave the Jade Cauldron Sect to join them."

"There's also word from the Supreme Purity Sect. They're accusing you of having killed one of their Nascent Soul elders and are demanding that the Jade Cauldron Sect hand you over for their punishment."

"I also heard that the Second Elder and Fourth Elder are already convening a meeting, and the main topic is you."

After finishing, Mei Haihe cautiously glanced at Shen Mo, worried that these developments would shake his resolve.

In a short period, the Supreme Purity Sect, Pill River Sect, and the State Governor's Office had all openly shown hostility toward the Jade Cauldron Sect.

Moreover, they all demanded that the sect hand over Shen Mo.

No matter how strong Shen Mo was, he couldn't contend with an entire sect alone.

If the deliberations in the council hall concluded with a decision to hand him over, what could Shen Mo do?

And as Shen Mo's steward, what would Mei Haihe's fate be?

However, Mei Haihe didn't see a trace of fear or hesitation on Shen Mo's face.

His expression remained as calm as still water, as if he didn't care about the news at all.

"Is that all? Anything else?" Shen Mo asked nonchalantly.

Mei Haihe nodded. "That's all I heard. They stopped talking when they noticed me approaching, knowing I'm your steward from Dragon Snake Mountain."

Shen Mo chuckled lightly. "That's normal."

"If I hadn't provoked their fear, it would mean I'm incompetent."

Mei Haihe couldn't help but smile wryly.

Oh, Elder Shen.

Even now, you're cracking jokes.

At that moment, the ground suddenly trembled slightly, as if some enormous creature had shifted underground.

All the spirit beasts on Dragon Snake Mountain fell silent, as though sensing the presence of a top predator in the food chain.

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow, a thought flashing through his mind.

"Mei Haihe, I'll leave Dragon Snake Mountain in your care for now. I need to visit the sect," Shen Mo said, patting Mei Haihe on the shoulder.

"Yes, I will manage Dragon Snake Mountain and await your good news," Mei Haihe replied with a resolute nod.

Shen Mo smiled, then vanished from sight.

When he reappeared, he was deep beneath Dragon Snake Mountain, near the hatching site of the Fire Dragon Egg.

"As expected! You're about to hatch!"

Shen Mo looked at the gradually cracking eggshell with joy.

The earlier tremor had been caused by the Fire Dragon Egg.

"For now, you'll need to endure a bit of confinement in the beast pouch."

Shen Mo retrieved his mid-grade beast pouch, placing the Fire Dragon Egg and its vat-like container inside.

Then, without delay, he flew straight toward Dragon Snake Mountain.

However, before he reached Dragon Snake Mountain, he encountered three people.

Zhao Yaolu, Lü Dongxue, and He Tianchou.

The three appeared anxious, rushing toward Dragon Snake Mountain.

Upon spotting Shen Mo, they quickened their pace to meet him.

Before Shen Mo could speak, Zhao Yaolu's expression turned serious as she exclaimed, "Junior Brother! I've already arranged a way out for you. Follow me to Jade Sea City immediately. From there, we'll head straight to the East Sea.

I know of a nameless island where we can hide until this blows over!"

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