Mortal: I am the young sect master of the Thousand Illusions Sect

Chapter 28 Nascent Soul Birthday Banquet

What kind of enormous bargaining chip could make the powerful Yu Ling Sect willingly give up such a vast territory as the entire Yue Kingdom?

It's important to know that, based on the plot of the original story where Han Laomo returns to Tiannan and immediately comes to destroy the Fu family after advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, some details suggest that the Yuanwu Kingdom was not taken over by the Yuling Sect alone.

Although the Yuling Sect established a branch in the Yuanwu Kingdom, the Fu family, the only remaining Core Formation family in the country that had sided with the demonic path, had sided with the Demon Flame Sect. The Demon Flame Sect must have also torn a large piece of the Yuanwu Kingdom's interests away.

It is highly likely that the Yuanwu Kingdom was divided up by the two sects, or even the Tiansha Sect.

Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the Yue Kingdom will compensate the Yu Ling Sect for its losses through the division of other territories.

What benefits could the Yu Ling Sect possibly have that would make them abandon the Yue Kingdom? A heaven-defying spirit beast or insect? An opportunity that would allow a Nascent Soul cultivator to advance further? Or perhaps the Five Elements Spiritual Infant they've been plotting with the Yu Ling Sect, which was almost a certain success later in the story?

Thinking of this, Su Mixin suddenly had an idea: should she tell her father or her senior brother about this news?

After a moment's thought, Su Mixin decided to give up for the time being.

Firstly, the source of the intelligence cannot be explained.

Secondly, the Yuling Sect is researching the Five Elements Spiritual Infants with the goal of countering or even surpassing the Hehuan Sect. Now that the top two are fighting, it is safest for the third to remain inactive and observe from the sidelines.

Thirdly, according to the original plot, the final step of the Five Elements Spiritual Infants of the Yuling Sect failed to be successfully combined into an array. Before the last Wood Spiritual Infant could be used by the sect disciples, it was intercepted by Han Laomo.

By then, even Old Demon Han would have already formed his Nascent Soul. With his even stronger spiritual root aptitude and greater advantages, what would his cultivation level be then? Would he be able to seize enough benefits based on his prior knowledge?

Thinking of this, Su Mixin slowly said, "Whether the Yuling Sect and the Guiling Sect are secretly plotting something is none of our business. Our sect's goals in this demonic invasion war do not conflict with theirs, and it is highly unlikely that we will be involved. I will inform my senior brother later."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

As for the Ghost Spirit Sect's higher-ups spreading rumors that they were looking for a Daoist partner for Wang Chan.

Su Mixin was very clear about the outcome of this matter. Wang Chan's Blood Spirit Technique not only required extremely high spiritual root aptitude, preferably a Heavenly Spiritual Root or a Dark Spiritual Root, but also required two people to cultivate together.

Ultimately, the Ghost Spirit Sect's target was Yan Ruyan, the Heavenly Spirit Root of the Yan family in the Yue Kingdom.

Su Mixin spoke again: "As for Young Master Wang seeking a Daoist partner, what does that have to do with us? Our sect has absolutely no intention of forming an alliance with the Ghost Spirit Sect through marriage."

After speaking, before the others could offer their opinions, Su Mixin looked at Li Chongyue and asked, "What about the other intelligence report?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chongyue quickly responded, his expression becoming more serious: "Young Master, there is something else. I just returned from scouting outside when Elder Lu and Elder Yulan stopped me. According to the two elders, when they were patrolling the area around the camp with their divine sense, they sensed several Ghost Spirit Sect disciples acting suspiciously, quietly sneaking into this peak, and secretly exchanging some things with the maids arranged on the peak."

He paused, then continued, "Coincidentally, Elder Yulan happened to possess some kind of supernatural power, and her eyes and ears followed those sneaky Ghost Spirit Sect disciples. After they got a little further away from this peak, they talked to each other and vaguely discovered that these people were actually trying to find out detailed information about the Foundation Establishment disciples who were accompanying our sect this time, including their cultivation level, the characteristics of their techniques, and even their backgrounds."

"The two elders dared not neglect this task and specifically instructed me to inform the young master of this information as soon as possible."

Upon hearing Li Chongyue's report, Su Mixin's brows furrowed immediately, and a hint of seriousness flashed in her eyes.

The hall fell silent instantly. Ye Huawen, Xin Ruyin, and Su Han all stared at him, sensing that something was amiss. No one spoke rashly, and they waited quietly for his judgment.

A moment later, Su Mixin looked up at Ye Huawen and asked calmly, "Senior Brother Ye, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Ye Huawen considered his words for a few moments before speaking with a serious expression: "In my opinion, the Ghost Spirit Sect's clandestine gathering of information about our Foundation Establishment disciples is perhaps an attempt to sabotage us. After all, a conflict just occurred at the banquet; they may be holding a grudge?"

Su Mixin slowly shook her head, her tone carrying a certainty: "It's unlikely. At this birthday banquet, the Nascent Soul Ancestors and Core Formation Elders of various sects have gathered at Biluo Mountain. The Ghost Spirit Sect wouldn't dare to openly cause trouble on such an occasion, otherwise it would be making an enemy of the entire Tianluo Kingdom's demonic path."

He paused for a moment, then changed the subject: "On the contrary, I think it's highly likely that a competition for the younger generation will be arranged during the birthday banquet, allowing disciples from various sects to show their skills. This will not only add to the lively atmosphere of the banquet but also allow each sect to assess each other's abilities. This is quite common in gatherings of the Demonic Path Alliance."

Upon hearing this, the people in the hall nodded in agreement, their expressions softening slightly as they realized the point. After all, a public competition was indeed more likely than underhanded tactics.

Su Mixin's gaze fell on Ye Huawen again, her tone becoming more serious: "By the way, what is the overall strength of the Foundation Establishment disciples who accompanied us this time?"

Upon hearing this question, Ye Huawen's expression immediately turned somewhat grim. He shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Young Master, most of the thirty Foundation Establishment disciples who accompanied us this time are rising stars of the sect's younger generation. They have only recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, lack practical combat experience, and their fighting strength is indeed rather average."

He paused, then added, "At most, there are only two cultivators at the late Foundation Establishment stage: myself and a disciple surnamed Chen. But that Senior Brother Chen is a key alchemy master being groomed by the sect, and his mind is entirely focused on alchemy. He's not proficient in combat, so if we were to actually fight, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to unleash much of his fighting power."

Su Han, who had been silent and aloof, couldn't help but interject at this moment. Her voice was low but very clear: "If we really talk about combat strength, I'm afraid that even with my mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, I could rank in the top three among the accompanying disciples."

Upon hearing this, Su Mixin's expression darkened. He knew that the competition at this birthday banquet, though seemingly a friendly exchange, was actually a matter of the sect's reputation. If the Thousand Illusions Sect disciples performed poorly, it would not look good for him, the young master.

After a few breaths, Su Mixin slowly spoke, her tone calm: "Things have come to this point, we can only deal with them as they come."

"Ye Huawen, immediately inform all Foundation Establishment disciples to prepare themselves mentally. Tonight, put aside other trivial matters, get a good rest, and focus on adjusting your condition. If there is a competition tomorrow, be sure to show the spirit of the Thousand Illusions Sect."

"Yes, young master!" Ye Huawen responded quickly, not daring to be negligent in the slightest, and immediately got up to prepare to pass on the order.

Su Mixin waved her hand and said, "You all should go back and rest first. Su Han, stay here, I have something to tell you."

Xin Ruyin and Li Chongyue then got up to take their leave. Before leaving, Xin Ruyin specifically told Su Mixin, "Senior brother, you should also rest early. Don't worry too much about tomorrow's matters."

Su Mixin nodded in agreement. After the three figures completely disappeared outside the side hall of the cave, the stone door closed gently again, leaving only him and Su Han inside.

After pondering for a moment, Su Mi took out a black flying sword from her storage bag and handed it to Su Han, saying, "I don't have any spare magic weapons on me right now. You can take this flying sword; it will add three points to your combat power."

He felt a pang of regret. Aside from his three commonly used magical artifacts, he hadn't prepared a few more powerful spare ones. This black flying sword was his only top-tier treasure magical artifact, which he had obtained from the spoils of war when he intercepted the Great Evolution Technique.

As for trump cards like talismans, how could they possibly be allowed to be used in such a contest?

Su Han didn't hesitate and accepted the black flying sword with both hands.

"Thank you, Grand Uncle." Su Han's tone was firm. "If there really is a competition tomorrow, I will definitely do my best."

Su Mixin nodded slightly.

Now that the matter was settled, Su Han got up to say goodbye and left. A moment later, only Su Mixin remained in the cave.

He thought for a moment, then took out a communication talisman and reported all the information about his conflict with Wang Chan that day, as well as the information that Li Chongyue had just given him, to Qi Danyan.

In fact, given Qi Danyan's Nascent Soul stage cultivation level, these things were unlikely to be hidden from him.

As expected, Su Mixin did not receive a reply via the communication talisman afterward, clearly indicating that Qi Danyan had no interest in these matters.

The next day, as dawn broke and a bright red sun hung high in the sky, casting countless golden rays, what should have been a warm and cozy morning still exuded an inescapable chill at the Ghost Spirit Sect's mountain gate.

The mountain mists were not the usual pure white and ethereal clouds, but rather tinged with a faint gray-black, spreading like ink among the peaks. Even when penetrated by sunlight, they could not conceal the eerie aura lurking within.

The ancient tree's branches were twisted and gnarled, its bare branches reaching towards the sky like ghostly claws. The bark was dark brown with an eerie sheen, and occasionally a few crows would caw from the forest, their hoarse and piercing cries adding to the eerie atmosphere.

The air I breathed in carried the coolness of the morning, but it also carried a faint, almost imperceptible, putrid odor.

Lu Xin, Madam Yulan, and six other Core Formation stage elders, together with Su Mixin, led a group of Foundation Establishment stage disciples from the Thousand Illusions Sect to the main peak of the Ghost Spirit Sect for a ceremony.

Qi Danyan and Wanhua Laomo, two Nascent Soul stage elders, did not join them; Nascent Soul stage cultivators have always maintained their own independent circles.

For ordinary disciples, it's quite normal for Nascent Soul Ancestors to be elusive and rarely seen.

This time, instead of using the bone flying boats prepared by the Ghost Spirit Sect, Lu Xin summoned his own flying boat and led a group of Thousand Illusion Sect cultivators to the main peak of the Ghost Spirit Sect.

The main peak of the Ghost Spirit Sect is called Ten Thousand Souls Peak. Lu Xin used his flying boat to bring them to the foot of Ten Thousand Souls Peak.

The main road leading to the Ghost Palace at the summit, where the birthday banquet was held, had been meticulously maintained, and the black stone slabs paving the ground were smooth and reflective.

Every few feet on either side stood a white palace lantern, its wick burning with a ghostly blue flame, dispelling some of the mist but making the surrounding light and shadows even more mottled and eerie.

Even so, the deep-seated yin energy still lingered, forming a stark contrast with the bright sunlight overhead, as if the world had been divided in two, one half being the sunny human realm and the other half the ghostly underworld.

The group from the Thousand Illusions Sect walked along the main road, and before long, the outline of the Ghost Palace appeared at the edge of their field of vision.

The palace was built entirely of black jade, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters, yet it exuded an eerie atmosphere.

Instead of wind chimes, hanging under the eaves were strings of black skulls, their eye sockets glowing with eerie green phosphorescence.

The two dragon-carved pillars in front of the temple gate are not carved with divine dragons, but with entwined ghostly snakes, their eyes inlaid with blood-red gems, exuding a ferocious and cold light.

However, at this moment, this gloomy palace was decorated to be exceptionally lively.

A long red carpet was laid outside the palace gate, stretching from the palace entrance all the way to the end of the main road. On both sides of the red carpet stood disciples of the Ghost Spirit Sect dressed in green robes and black clothes, their expressions respectful but unable to hide the sinister look in their eyes.

Cultivators from various sects of the demonic path arrived in an endless stream, walking towards the palace in twos and threes. They chatted and laughed, seemingly harmonious, but in reality, each harbored their own thoughts.

Stepping into the main hall of the Ghost Palace, the interior scene is completely different from the gloomy exterior.

The hall was spacious and tall, with a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, emitting a dazzling light that made the entire hall as bright as day.

The ground was covered with a snow-white carpet of spirit beast fur, soft and thick, making no sound when stepped on.

Golden ribbons were wrapped around the jade pillars on both sides, creating a stark contrast with the black jade and almost completely concealing the sinister atmosphere inside the hall.

The space inside the hall was enormous, clearly indicating that an array had been used to achieve the ability of a mechano-like structure, expanding the space several times over.

Near the main hall, a platform that was a full ten feet high and quite large was built.

The tabletop was covered with black brocade, with silver patterns inlaid along the edges, which complemented the decorations inside the hall.

Dozens of grand master chairs were placed on the high platform, all carved from the finest black jade. The backs of the chairs were carved with intricate ghost patterns, and small ghost snake statues were coiled on the armrests, echoing the pillars of the palace gate and revealing the unique style of the Ghost Spirit Sect.

Many people were already seated on the high platform; they were all Nascent Soul elders from various demonic sects of the Tianluo Kingdom who had come to attend the banquet.

Some closed their eyes to rest, others chatted in hushed tones, some leisurely sipped tea, and others casually tasted the sacred fruit.

However, each of them exuded a restrained yet powerful aura, and an invisible pressure spread out, causing the younger generation of cultivators below to subconsciously restrain their auras and dare not make any rash noise.

On the black jade armchair at the very center left of the high platform sat an elderly man with white hair and beard, who should be the protagonist of this birthday banquet—the Soul Shatterer.

He was slender and wore a dark purple Taoist robe embroidered with countless tiny soul patterns in silver thread. These patterns swirled slightly with his breath, as if countless souls were floating within them.

The old man's face was deeply lined, like the bark of an old tree, yet he did not appear old. His eyes were cloudy but deep, and when he occasionally opened them, a glint of eerie green light would flash in them, as if he could see through people's hearts.

His hair and beard were both frosty white, yet meticulously combed. His beard hung down to his chest, swaying slightly in the wind, exuding an air of majesty.

Even just sitting quietly, he exudes a mountain-like pressure, a terrifying aura unique to mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

Corresponding to him, on the upper right side of the platform, sat a middle-aged Nascent Soul cultivator, presumably Wang Tiansheng, the sect leader of the Ghost Spirit Sect and Wang Chan's father.

He was dressed in a black brocade robe embroidered with dark gold ghost snake totems, and a black jade pendant hung at his waist, emitting a faint spiritual energy fluctuation.

Wang Tiansheng had a handsome face, but with a hint of sinister intent. His sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards into his temples, and his long, sharp phoenix eyes carried an undeniable air of authority when he looked down.

His hair was jet black and shiny, with only a few strands of white at his temples. He was tall and upright, sitting in his chair. His aura was deep and profound, though not as unfathomable as that of the Soul Shattering True Man, but still very dignified.