By then, the Five Great Sects, other major and minor forces, and a large number of mortals could take refuge within the cave paradise of the Heavenly Monarch’s Ghoul.
If its cave paradise were large enough to reach the extent of the Mountain River Realm, it could at least accommodate thirty percent of the creatures from the Red Fla Zone!
With this realm as their foundation, the Red Fla cultivation world, led by the Five Great Sects, could either continue to fight against the Heavenly Demons from the Outer Zone while waiting for the tis to change, or preserve the vitality of the Red Fla cultivation world and use the Heavenly Monarch’s Ghoul as a sanctuary to evacuate and escape this zone!
Regardless of which choice was made, they would hold the initiative.
There was, however, one issue: if no prior preparations were made, the other Four Great Sects, including the Riverside Sect, would be entirely at the rcy of the Ghost Corpse School.
Therefore, the sect’s higher echelons, gathered in the Longevity Hall for discussion, harbored unavoidable doubts.
"This matter concerns the very survival of countless immortals and mortals in our Red Fla Country!" Peak Master Yuan Jing of Bright Moon Peak stated, his tone deeply solemn. "In my view, we should undoubtedly exert our utmost effort to assist the Ghost Corpse School in unlocking the core of the tomb and refining the Heavenly Monarch’s remains into a Ghoul."
"However, we must always be cautious. Our sect must discuss with the Profound Moon School and the other two major sects beforehand to strive for partial control of the Ghoul!"
Of the four Supre Elders at the Golden Core Realm, one had led a team into the Heavenly Demon Realm and could not be contacted at present. Of the remaining three, two projected their figures onto the water light mirror, while the last, who was guarding the sect’s mountain gate, attended in person. These three, upon hearing Yuan Jing’s words, all showed expressions of approval.
"Peak Master Shen, what are your thoughts?" Sect Master Yuan Qingshi turned his gaze to Shen Mo, inquiring his opinion.
Aside from the three Supre Elders and the Sect Master, Yuan Jing and Shen Mo held the highest status in the hall, so naturally, his opinion would be sought.
Of course, discussion was one thing; the final decision rested with the Sect Master and the Supre Elders.
Shen Mo took a step forward, bowed to the three Supre Elders and Yuan Qingshi, and then slowly began to elucidate his detailed thoughts.
Firstly, assisting the Ghost Corpse School to unlock the core of the tomb, excavate the Heavenly Monarch’s remains for refinent into a Ghoul, and thereby obtain a truly mobile and unobstructed cave paradise, would be of imnse benefit to the entire Red Fla Country cultivation world.
This point was beyond dispute.
Therefore, they should not only assist the Ghost Corpse School but also employ the entire sect’s strength to help them achieve this monuntal feat.
Secondly, as Yuan Jing and Tian Zhaoquan had stated, the sect’s survival could not depend on others’ whims. They had to plan ahead to ensure at least so control over the Heavenly Monarch’s Ghoul.
Currently, the Ghost Corpse School needed the help of the Four Great Sects, including the Riverside Sect. This could be used as a bargaining chip to negotiate for more benefits.
The remaining Hall Masters, core disciples, and others generally shared similar opinions, with only minor differences in details.
Thus, Sect Master Yuan Qingshi and the three Supre Elders soon established the general policy: "Fully assist the Ghost Corpse School and strive to obtain as much control over the Ghoul as possible."
Of course, this matter could not be concluded overnight. It would require proper negotiation and agreent with the Ghost Corpse School and the other three major sects.
Regarding the specific details, not even Yu Yan, the newly appointed Hall Master of the Immortal Welcoming Hall, was qualified to negotiate. Only the Law Masters of the Five Great Sects and individuals at the Supre Elder level, by personally intervening, could finalize the agreent.
This was not sothing Shen Mo and the others needed to concern themselves with.
The next step was to select the individuals who would travel to the Southern Area to assist the Ghost Corpse School in unlocking the core of the tomb.
Shen Mo’s inclusion was a given. His accomplishnts in the Sword Path were so esteed that even figures at the Sword Master level from the Heaven Sword Sect admired him; his na was naturally on the list of those contributing.
Additionally, Zhao Lingyin and her Master, Wu Gong, were also selected as representative figures for overcoming difficulties in the Alchemy Path.
The brothers Guo Zhao and Guo Xun from the Guo Clan, skilled in the Forging Path, were represented by Elder Guo Baige from their clan. Also selected were Elder Xu, who was with Guo Baige in the Forge Hall, and Elder Ji. Elder Ji was the second uncle of core disciple Ji Susu, proficient in the Array Path, and had previously accompanied Guo Xun to the Wando Archipelago to establish the Teleportation Altar.
The Spirit Sea Realm experts alone numbered eight.
Including the inner disciples of the Qi Gathering Realm who possessed extraordinary talents in specific areas, the contingent of Riverside Sect disciples preparing to go to the Southern Area totaled thirty-nine.
Among these disciples, Shen Mo ranked highest in both status and combat power, so he naturally beca the leader of the group.
Originally, Shen Mo had not wanted Zhao Lingyin to accompany them to the Southern Area to help unlock the core of the Heavenly Monarch’s tomb. After all, she had been at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm for so ti.
With her breakthrough imminent, remaining in the sect to focus on secluded cultivation and achieve her breakthrough was the righteous path.
However, upon hearing about the mission, Zhao Lingyin beca determined to go.
Her reasoning to persuade Shen Mo was simple: she had reached the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm so ti ago but had yet to break through because the opportune mont had not arrived.
If she forced it, it could easily create flaws in her Path Heart, giving rise to Heart Demons.
Instead of idly waiting in the Lake Heart Cottage, she argued, why not venture out? Perhaps an opportunity for her breakthrough would arise while tackling the challenges of the Heavenly Monarch’s tomb, particularly those related to the Alchemy Path.
Moreover, the Southern Area was desolate and sparsely populated. The few Heavenly Demon passageways that had appeared there were sealed before they could cause any significant disturbances, so it was considered relatively safe.
Under Zhao Lingyin’s gentle persuasion, Shen Mo had to relent and agree not to remove her from the list.
Besides those chosen for their expertise in overcoming challenges, Shen Mo specifically included Clam Girl Ming Yu.
Currently, her forging proficiency had also reached Grade II. She could consistently forge profound level middle-grade Treasure Beads and occasionally produce one or two profound level high-grade Treasure Beads.
He didn’t intend to rely on her forging skills to unlock the core of the tomb, but rather on her Skill, "The Smallest and The Largest," to protect the other disciples in case of sudden ergencies.
After these preparations, Shen Mo’s group of forty teleported via the Teleportation Array to Five Poisons City, the largest city closest to the Southern Area.
This city, unlike other human settlents, was constructed solely by the Five Poisons Cult, a prominent power in the Southern Area. All its inhabitants were mbers of the Five Poisons Cult.
Benefiting from the vast poisonous miasma that covered the Southern Area for thousands of miles, the Five Poisons Cult wielded considerable influence.
Although the sect lacked a Mountain Guarding Patriarch at the Golden Core Realm, it boasted over a dozen Spirit Sea Realm experts. Furthermore, it had hundreds of Qi Gathering Realm disciples and an even greater, countless number of Body Tempering Realm disciples.
Nearly half the cultivators residing near the Southern Area hailed from the Five Poisons Cult.
In the cultivation world of the Red Fla Country, it was considered a major power, only slightly less prominent than great sects like the Riverside Sect, and even possessed the potential to beco another great immortal sect.
Previously, when Heavenly Demon passageways had appeared near the Southern Area, experts from the Five Poisons Cult had dealt with most of them, slaying the demon heads that poured forth and sealing the demonic caves.
In forr tis, the Five Poisons Cult would undoubtedly have faced suppression from major immortal sects like the Riverside Sect.
However, tis had changed. Major sects like the Riverside Sect were now eager for more Golden Core Realm cultivators to erge in the Red Fla Country’s cultivation world to help share their burdens.
The mont Shen Mo and his party stepped out of the Teleportation Array, an Elder from the Five Poisons Cult, who had clearly been waiting for them, imdiately ca forward. After an exchange of greetings, he personally escorted them deeper into the Southern Area, towards the region where the Heavenly Monarch’s tomb was located.
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