C15 Mandara

Zhang Lei, surprisingly, was quite open-minded. Yet, the conversation wasn't over. With a shift in tone, he continued, "However, I do have one more question. Could you please answer it for me?"

"Ask away!"

"Why, with your strength, would you need to lead the disciples of the Skyhaven Clan to conquer my Stormwrack Clan? Couldn't you have done it alone?" Zhang Lei voiced the doubt that had been nagging at him. Had he known how powerful Qin Mu was from the start, he certainly wouldn't have discouraged the Stormwrack disciples from resisting.

Qin Mu touched his nose and replied, "In truth, there's someone even more formidable within the Skyhaven Clan. He has achieved the Great Perfection of Quietus and is the former sect master of our clan."

At the mention of the Great Perfection of Quietus, Zhang Lei was stunned into silence. Yet, it wasn't the level of cultivation that shocked him the most. Could it be that the old sect master of the Skyhaven Clan was still alive?

Qin Mu went on, "That old fellow insists that a sect's strength is what truly makes it thrive. Hence, I had no choice but to spend two months training the Skyhaven disciples."

Looking over the fallen bodies of the Stormwrack disciples, he grimaced, "The assault on Stormwrack was a last resort, prompted by the one who has reached the Great Perfection of Quietus."

Qin Mu spoke nothing but the truth, revealing Qing Min's existence as part of his future strategy.

He couldn't remain with the Skyhaven Clan indefinitely. Once he departed, someone would have to keep Zhang Lei in check, especially since he was at the Nascent Infant stage and could be quite formidable when provoked. No one in the Skyhaven Clan might withstand his wrath.

Therefore, while Qing Min was still alive, Qin Mu planned to use him strategically. He would arrange for Qing Min to meet with Zhang Lei, then claim that Qing Min had entered seclusion. This would serve as a constant threat hanging over Zhang Lei's head, preventing him from stirring up any significant trouble.

Elsewhere, at the entrance of the Aetherium Gaol of the Stormwrack Sect, Sun Xing gazed into the distance. Catching sight of Qin Mu suspended in the sky, she was astounded. How could such a remote and desolate place harbor such a formidable cultivator?

"Shen Bing, let's go! It's time for us to leave!"

Shen Bing looked puzzled. "Master now possesses that demonic flower; he should be very powerful. Why do we need to flee?"

Sun Xing offered no explanation, responding icily, "Stop asking questions and let's go!"

Shen Bing fell silent, her head bowed as she followed Sun Xing back into Stormwrack Sect territory.

Though they hadn't encountered their sect master, the Stormwrack disciples offered no resistance. However, as they and the Skyhaven Clan disciples were clearing the battlefield, a horrifying sight unfolded.

The bodies of the fallen disciples had all turned into mummified corpses, as if they had been dead for centuries.

The Ling sisters sensed something amiss and commanded the Skyhaven Clan disciples to keep a close watch on Stormwrack Sect and their members.

A hot-tempered Stormwrack disciple exclaimed in outrage, "Some sects have no honor, desecrating corpses for their own gain!"

He produced the body of a Skyhaven Clan disciple that appeared desiccated and terribly frightening.

He continued his tirade, "Look at this! They don't even spare their own disciples!"

The Skyhaven Clan members were incensed by the accusation. The defeated soldiers had the audacity to make such wild claims, and some even rashly assumed the Stormwrack disciples were playing a blame game.

"The defeated dare to speak so boldly? To put it nicely, you're under our Skyhaven Clan's wing. To put it bluntly, you're captives, slaves! Brothers, am I right?"

The Skyhaven Clan disciples joined in the jeering, "Exactly! These defeated soldiers still have the nerve to strut around, defaming our Skyhaven Clan!"

Many Stormwrack disciples clenched their fists in frustration, feeling excessively provoked by the Skyhaven Clan disciples.

Just as tensions were about to escalate into a brawl...

Qin Mu and Zhang Lei arrived. Qin Mu remained silent, but Zhang Lei stepped forward and demanded, "What's happening here? Why is there talk of fighting again?"

A Stormwrack disciple replied indignantly, "Sect Master, these Skyhaven Clan members are practicing dark arts and have even turned their violence against us!"

"Evil techniques!" Zhang Lei frowned in concern.

Qin Mu, however, paid no mind to her reaction. His attention was fixed on the corpses. He approached and touched the desiccated bodies, querying the system, "What's happening? What's the cause? Is Stormwrack's poison really that potent?"

"Ding!"

"This is the work of a mandragora, cultivated with a malevolent technique. It began absorbing the blood essence from its surroundings as it grew."

Qin Mu pressed further, "Where is the mandragora now?"

"Ding!"

"To the southeast, in the Stormwrack Aetherium Gaol!"

As the system's voice echoed in Qin Mu's ears, he was already soaring toward the Stormwrack Aetherium Gaol.

Zhang Lei, noticing Qin Mu's silent departure, sensed he must have discovered something and promptly followed him.

"Ding!"

"The mandragora is escaping rapidly. Host, please accelerate!"

Upon hearing the system's prompt, Qin Mu harnessed all his spiritual energy and sped to the Stormwrack Aetherium Gaol.

Upon arrival, he found the Aetherium Gaol teeming with people. A quick scan with his Divine Sense revealed they were indeed the prisoners of the Stormwrack Aetherium Gaol.

Not a single one was innocent. With a flick of his wrist, Qin Mu unleashed a massive fire dragon, and the prisoners vanished in a puff of smoke.

He slipped into the Aetherium Gaol and, following the system's guidance, made his way to the very depths. But then, the system chimed in once more.

"Ding!"

"The mandragora has moved beyond the system's surveillance range."

The mandragora had slipped away from Qin Mu's grasp.

At that moment, Zhang Lei arrived, her eyes falling on the large lock on the ground and the now-empty cell. She cursed, "Damn it, we let that old fox get away!"

Qin Mu turned to Zhang Lei and inquired, "Who was supposed to be in this cell?"

With a heavy sigh, Zhang Lei responded, "This cell held Stormwrack's Right Protector—Sun Xing."

Upon hearing this, Qin Mu questioned, "The old fox?"

Zhang Lei confirmed with a nod, "Yes, the very same. I had already noticed he'd been acting differently. Now, it seems he's hiding something major from us!"

Qin Mu strode out confidently. Knowing that the old fox was involved, he felt at ease.

Such a cunning individual wouldn't simply walk away without a fight.

Zhang Lei scratched her head and left the Aetherium Gaol. The sight of the ashes at the entrance deepened her appreciation for Qin Mu's formidable power.

Qin Mu believed it was important to inform Chu Feng about Sun Xing's escape with the mandragora, to ensure he was prepared.

But first, he needed to address the conflict between the disciples of the Skyhaven Clan and Stormwrack Sect.

He found himself back at the site of the heated debate between the two groups.

Qin Mu stood tall and unwavering like a spear, his voice echoing in every direction.

"I declare that the Skyhaven Clan and Stormwrack Sect have no hierarchical ties; they stand as equals in partnership!"

"Henceforth, should any disciple from Skyhaven or Stormwrack engage in conflict over their allegiance to their sect, they will be executed without exception!"