CHAPTER 56: GATHERING OF NASCENT SOULS

Inside the hall, eleven thrones of blue crystal encircled a jade dais at the center, forming a silent council. One by one, the elders took their places.

A withered old man wreathed in golden qi sat at the central throne. His robe shimmered with subtle Dao patterns, and an ancient azure dragon coiled in silence across his sleeves. His aura was deep and placid, like an ocean under moonlight—but anyone who dared probe it would feel a bone-chilling pressure sink into their soul.

He was the sect master Mo Yuntian, a famed late-stage Nascent Soul expert and the current leader of the Azure Dragon Sect. It was said that even among the Sea and Mountain Realm, there were few Nascent Soul Realm experts who could contend with him one-on-one.

His gaze swept the hall, pausing briefly on each elder before settling on the final empty seat.

A ripple of light appeared—and a young-looking man in black robes stepped through. He bowed slightly toward Mo Yuntian before taking his seat.

It was Jiang Chen.

Though he appeared no older than twenty, none present were foolish enough to be deceived by appearances. Within the Azure Dragon Sect, it was already an open secret—this youth stood at the peak of the younger generation, and if nothing unexpected occurred, the next Sect Master’s seat would one day be his.

"You are all here."

Mo Yuntian’s voice finally broke the silence, a simple sentence, yet it caused several elders to straighten in their seats.

"The matter I bring today is not light," he said. "It concerns the recent disappearance of Elder Bo Qing, the destruction of his estate, and the annihilation of the entire Bo Clan in the mortal province beneath us."

Voices rose immediately.

"That happened weeks ago..."

"There was no trace of the enemy left behind."

"The Bo Clan had many Core Formation experts guarding it. For them to vanish so completely—"

"Even their guardian formation was shattered in one blow!"

Mo Yuntian raised a hand, and silence returned.

"I have reason to believe," he continued slowly, "that this matter was not done by a rogue cultivator."

The temperature in the room dropped slightly. Several Nascent Soul Elders exchanged knowing looks.

"Then... you believe it was the Evil Sect Allianc?"

Before the Sect Master could answer, Jiang Chen suddenly spoke.

"I can confirm it."

His voice was clear, and his words struck the air like a sword’s edge.

"All signs point to the Bone Forging Sect. Their signature techniques were found at the remnants of the Bo Clan’s compound— Bone Piercing Qi, Yin Bone Seals, and fragments of the Nine-Shadow Palm Art."

The room grew tense.

Bai Yilan, seated quietly near the edge, narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

Sect Master Mo Yuntian remained still, expression unreadable.

"You seem quite certain."

Jiang Chen met his gaze without flinching. "I was there, Sect Master. Not when the battle happened—but I arrived soon after. I saw what remained. Only one sect cultivates the Yin Bone Dao so purely. It was them."

The hall was silent for a long breath.

Then, Mo Yuntian’s eyes swept toward Bai Yilan.

"Elder Yilan. You have had past dealings with the Bone Forging Sect during your time as an envoy to the Southern Borders. What is your view on this?"

Bai Yilan’s expression didn’t change.

She bowed slightly. "I believe Junior Brother Jiang’s conclusion is reasonable. The traces indeed match their style... However, there are many who mimic the techniques of famed sects to sow discord."

Her tone was measured, neither too soft nor too defensive.

Some of the elders nodded, considering her point. Others glanced at Jiang Chen.

"Even so," Mo Yuntian said, folding his hands, "we must move carefully. If this is the doing of the Bone Forging Sect, we cannot ignore it. But if it is a trick meant to pit us against them, we must not fall for it."

"Therefore," he continued, "no one is to act without the sect’s direct order."

Jiang Chen’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

Bai Yilan merely inclined her head slightly, seemingly indifferent to the matter.

Just then another elder—one with grizzled hair and iron-threaded robes—rose slowly to his feet.

It was Elder Yuan Mo, one of the oldest Nascent Soul cultivators present.

"With respect, Sect Master," he said calmly, "while I do not doubt Elder Bai’s observations, there is another possibility worth raising."

He stroked his beard, his voice measured. "I have seen similar techniques before... but not only in the Bone Forging Sect. The Yin Bone Seals and Nine-Shadow Palm Art also bear resemblance to the Shadowclaw Sect manuals."

The air shifted subtly.

Someone muttered, "The Shadowclaw Sect? Didn’t they have a Nascent Soul Elder vanish a few years ago?"

Elder Yuan Mo nodded. "He was declared dead. But just last month, a traveling cultivator from the southern regions claimed to have encountered a masked expert looking like him."

A few brows furrowed.

"So you suggest," Elder Qiao Lian said, leaning forward, "that a former Shadowclaw Sect elder destroyed the Bo Clan?"

Elder Rong Huo shook his head and chuckled. "You give them too much credit. Shadowclaw Sect? Gutless rats, the lot of them. If they were truly behind this, they’d have left no evidence. They never had the spine to provoke us."

Yuan Mo hesitated. "I suggest only that we cannot jump to conclusions. The Bo Clan may have had dealings unknown to us... or enemies more numerous than we assumed."

Another elder scoffed coldly. "Convenient. A ’former elder’ who no longer exists, rising from the grave to strike down a Core Family under our protection?"

"I would say its the Bone Forging Sect and they are testing our response," said Elder Lan Zhi. "A provocation under the guise of another sect."

Finally, Sect Master Mo Yuntian lifted his hand again.

"There is no need to pursue vengeance for the Bo Clan at this time. The situation remains unclear. We will observe further."

A few nodded reluctantly. Others kept silent.

Mo Yuntian continued, his tone steady but tinged with subtle weight. "As for the long-standing feud between us and the Shadowclaw Sect..."

A flicker passed through the room.

He went on, "It is, for now... resolved. I have spoken with their current Sect Master through intermediaries. Concessions were made. No further blood shall be spilled on either side—unless provoked anew."

A few elders exchanged glances.

Zhou Rui raised an eyebrow. "Even after what happened with the Bo Clan?"