CHAPTER 247: CHAPTER 247: PLANNING_1

"I..." Chen Mengze knelt on the ground, unsure of how to face Shen Mo.

Ever since she learned the truth about the annihilation of the Chen Family, a seed of hatred had been planted in her heart. Seeking justice for the Chen Family, and for her mother, Madame An, had become her obsession... This obsession drove her to persist in her cultivation, constantly breaking through various Minor Realms.

Simultaneously, as time passed, her strength grew year by year. Her obsession, far from diminishing, flourished in tandem. She grew stronger because of her obsession, which, in turn, deepened it.

Originally, Chen Mengze had indeed planned to reach the Spirit Sea Realm before returning to Sishui City to seek justice from the Liu and Wu Families. However, the Heavenly Demons that surged from the depths of Tianshan Mountain changed her initial plans. Over twenty years ago, the Liu and Wu Families had exterminated the Chen Family under the pretext of their collusion with Heavenly Demons.

During the demon-slaying on the Tianshan battlefield, Chen Mengze thought about this matter almost every moment. This troubled her immensely and, at the same time, greatly affected her cultivation progress. Recently, Chen Mengze discovered to her horror that her cultivation had stagnated.

"I know where the problem lies! I will never be able to advance to the Qi Gathering Realm Seventh Layer unless I avenge this blood debt," Chen Mengze’s expression darkened, but it soon regained its determination.

Shen Mo said nothing, quietly listening.

"So I came to think, rather than... having my cultivation at a standstill, and falling into their hands when Heavenly Demons invade in large numbers... why not take the initiative and completely annihilate the Liu and Wu Families! Over the years, I have also accumulated quite a few killing methods. Sixteen Grade III talismans, two single-use magic treasures... The strongest members of the Liu and Wu Families are only at the late-stage of the Qi Gathering Realm."

Upon hearing that Chen Mengze had accumulated so many Grade III talismans, Shen Mo was somewhat moved.

Theoretically, for an Attack Talisman with a single function, the higher the grade, the stronger its killing power.

A Grade I talisman could threaten someone at the Body Refining Realm Peak.

A Grade II talisman could threaten someone at the early-stage of the Qi Gathering Realm.

A Grade III talisman could threaten someone at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm.

Generally, this logic could be extrapolated: Grade IV corresponded to the early-stage of the Spirit Sea Realm, and Grade V to the peak of the Spirit Sea Realm. As for a Grade Six talisman that could threaten the early-stage of the Golden Core Realm, the Supreme Elder of the Riverside Sect might possess one, but it definitely wouldn’t have been crafted by a Talisman Maker within the sect. After all, the Riverside Sect didn’t even have a Grade IV Talisman Maker, so naturally, they couldn’t produce Grade V or higher talismans.

Sixteen Grade III talismans could indeed pose a lethal threat to ordinary cultivators at the late-stage of the Qi Gathering Realm. Of course, posing a threat didn’t mean it could guarantee a kill. It still depended on the true combat strength of the talisman’s target. Those with strong vitality, proficiency in magic and martial arts, or possessing magic artifacts and defensive talismans, could all withstand such attacks. For instance, even a Grade III talisman posed no threat to Shen Mo.

Therefore, Chen Mengze also prepared two single-use magic treasures. Coupled with her background from one of the Five Great Sects, the power of her magic and cultivation method naturally gave her an edge over those from cultivating families. She was fully capable of fighting on par with cultivators from minor families at the Qi Gathering Realm Seventh Layer.

Viewed this way, and not considering that relic secret treasure, she might genuinely be able to annihilate both the Liu and Wu Families single-handedly.

Seeing that Chen Mengze, just as he had predicted, was only thinking of entering the city to go on a killing spree, with no follow-up plans whatsoever... Shen Mo felt quite a headache.

Once the Liu and Wu Families faced annihilation, they would surely, at any cost, promise great rewards to seek aid from the immortal sects backing them. If a Spirit Sea Realm powerhouse came to eliminate her then, Chen Mengze would certainly not be able to escape.

"I’m an inner disciple of the Riverside Sect. Even if I were captured, minor immortal sects wouldn’t dare kill me privately," Chen Mengze said, her gaze shifting as if she dared not meet Shen Mo’s eyes.

"They might not dare, but are you certain the Enforcement Hall of our sect wouldn’t kill you?" Shen Mo glared at her, feeling a strong impulse to drag her back to the Enforcement Hall. He wanted her to see for herself the miserable fate of disciples like Dong Dali, Liu Hong, and Sun Youde in the Enforcement Hall.

Chen Mengze wanted to argue that the Liu and Wu Families had committed the initial blood offense, that she was merely seeking justice for the Chen Family and her mother... However, upon meeting Shen Mo’s clear gaze, she found herself unable to utter those words.

Deep down, she also knew that if she annihilated the Liu and Wu Families, only the Enforcement Hall’s severe punishment awaited her.

As for why the Riverside Sect didn’t intervene in the Chen Family’s annihilation case? The reasons were simple.

Firstly, Sishui City was located at the junction of three states. Its power structure was complex, and the Riverside Sect’s influence there was even less than its influence over Tianshan City in Zhong State. Even if the Riverside Sect wanted to intervene, it lacked the power to do so.

Secondly, when the Liu and Wu Families framed the Chen Family, they meticulously arranged witnesses and evidence. At that time, no other minor families in the city or surrounding minor immortal sects dared to speak up for the Chen Family, and the case became irrefutable. Now, over twenty years later, overturning the case and punishing the Liu and Wu Families was virtually impossible.

Thirdly, even if the old case were reopened and it was proven that the Liu and Wu Families had framed the Chen Family, if Chen Mengze privately took action to annihilate the two major families... the Riverside Sect would still treat it as a separate matter and would not pardon Chen Mengze’s "offense" for such reasons.

After some hesitation, Chen Mengze muttered in a low voice, "So... that’s why I don’t want to involve you..."

As Shen Mo’s strength grew increasingly formidable, Chen Mengze had indeed considered asking him to accompany her to Sishui City. But things were different now.

If, in the past, she had not rejected Shen Mo’s pursuit and they had become Dao companions, then Chen Mengze would have willingly accepted Shen Mo’s help now. It wouldn’t have mattered even if they both had to face punishment from the Riverside Sect’s Enforcement Hall after exacting revenge. In the cultivation world, Dao companions shared a bond that was akin to sharing life and death. But now, she couldn’t convince herself to let Shen Mo help her seek revenge. After all, she and Shen Mo were not Dao companions. There was no reason to let Shen Mo forsake his promising future in the Riverside Sect, abandon the beautiful lady on Spirit Gathering Peak, or even risk his life and fortune for her blood feud...

Shen Mo watched her expression change. Faintly, he understood her thoughts.

"You won’t be dragging me down." Shen Mo shook his head and sat cross-legged beside her, his mind racing. "With our strength, even if the Liu and Wu Families possess that relic secret treasure, they won’t escape annihilation! The crucial point is how to handle the immortal sects backing these two families, and the subsequent investigation by the Riverside Sect’s Enforcement Hall... If we hide our identities and don’t reveal that we are Riverside Sect disciples, then the Enforcement Hall probably won’t be able to trace it back to us... But at the same time, the immortal sects behind the Liu and Wu Families would no longer have any reservations and would likely try to kill us!"

Rather than face charges from the Riverside Sect’s Enforcement Hall, Shen Mo would prefer a bloody battle with Spirit Sea Realm experts from minor immortal sects.

After some thought, Chen Mengze also agreed to act while concealing their identities as Riverside Sect disciples. In doing so, they naturally couldn’t openly proclaim to Sishui City that it was the descendant of the Chen Family who had come to seek justice. But as long as she could personally slay her enemies, such a minor regret was insignificant.