CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 363: REFUSING THE TOAST_1

It was only fair and just for Shen Mo to come and demand the Yin-Yang jade disk!

Moreover, his words were incredibly courteous...

He did not blame Dasheng Mountain, Purple Bamboo Valley, or the Liu and Wu Families for banding together to frame and massacre the Chen Family in order to seize the treasures within the ruins.

Shen Mo had used the Soul Searching Spell to investigate the souls of Liu Dingjiang, Wu Dayong, Liu Yu, and others.

He knew that both Dasheng Mountain and Purple Bamboo Valley were not privy to their conspiracy against the Chen Family!

However, it would be incorrect to say these two sects were completely innocent.

When the Liu and Wu Families unleashed their best cultivators to massacre the Chen Family, Dasheng Mountain and Purple Bamboo Valley could have stopped this brutality and reported it to the Five Great Sects for a thorough investigation.

This area, where Qing, You, and Yong States intersect, meant cultivators from the Riverside Sect, Ghost Corpse School, and Seven Stars Altar would likely have intervened to investigate the allegation of "the Chen Cultivating Family of Sishui City colluding with the Heavenly Demon."

If the situation had unfolded like this, Chen Mengze’s blood relatives would not have been entirely wiped out!

Unfortunately, both Dasheng Mountain and Purple Bamboo Valley chose silence.

The reasons for this were not hard to guess.

It was simply that they feared the expanding influence of the Riverside Sect and other major sects, and they had entangled interests with the Liu and Wu Families.

Later on, when both sects obtained the Yin-Yang jade disk and even recruited many people from the Liu and Wu Families for cultivation... that was even more inexcusable!

In conclusion, while Dasheng Mountain and Purple Bamboo Valley had not committed heinous crimes, they were certainly not blameless.

Of course, Shen Mo was not some "Saint" who was lenient with himself but strict with others; he wouldn’t destroy these two immortal sects just because of this!

Considering the rotation schedule, the Yin-Yang jade disk is currently held by Dasheng Mountain. As long as Dasheng Mountain obediently hands over this treasure, all will be well! If not, I wouldn’t mind showing the White Ape Master and the ailing Fire Sparrow Master what it means to ’be polite before resorting to force,’ and what ’brazen arrogance’ truly is!

Upon hearing Shen Mo’s words and understanding his intention, the White Ape Master’s eyes instantly turned red, his face contorting with fierce rage.

However, due to Shen Mo’s prominent sect background, he forcefully suppressed the fury in his heart and angrily retorted, "Fellow Daoist, are you joking?"

"The Yin-Yang jade disk has always been an ownerless treasure!"

"After being obtained by cultivators from the Liu and Wu Families, it was presented to us and has been shared between my sect and Purple Bamboo Valley for twenty years!"

"By all rights, this treasure belongs to our two sects. When did it become the family treasure of your ’best friend’?"

Shen Mo raised his eyelids, glanced at him, and stated indifferently, "My friend’s surname is Chen. He is the last surviving blood relative of the Chen Family in Sishui City."

The White Ape Master faltered for a moment, then angrily retorted, "Empty words prove nothing! You claim he’s a Chen Family descendant, and we should just believe you?"

"Besides, even if he is of the Chen bloodline, so what!"

"Back then, the Chen Family Clan Leader lacked the ability to break the Prohibition in the inner chamber and retrieve the Yin-Yang jade disk..."

"No matter how you look at it, it cannot be considered a Chen Family treasure!"

CLANG!

A clear sword chime cut off the White Ape Master’s words.

Shen Mo, holding the slightly trembling Thunderstroke Sword, said impatiently, "Enough talk! Will you hand it over or not?"

"You outrageous lad, do you really think I’m afraid of you?" the White Ape Master shouted angrily.

A dark iron rod suddenly appeared in his hand. A faint white light emerged from his body, and the phantom of a terrifying White Ape manifested, merging with him.

Although he was violent and domineering, he was no mindless brute! The Riverside Sect may be one of the Five Great Sects, but Dasheng Mountain is still within Yong State and closer to the Seven Stars Altar. They wouldn’t dare to openly cause trouble for Dasheng Mountain! Besides, apart from a sect’s Law Master, no single cultivator from the Riverside Sect can fully represent their entire sect. Therefore, even though I’m slightly wary, I don’t need to shy away from fighting Shen Mo! Since this person came to Dasheng Mountain intending to plunder our treasure, even if I injure or cripple him, the Riverside Sect will have no grounds to complain.

Thinking this, the White Ape Master swung his iron rod, slamming it forcefully toward Shen Mo’s head!

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The iron rod stirred the void, emitting a ghostly wail reminiscent of howling wolves.

Dark as a black snake and swift as lightning, its attack was exceptionally fierce and brutal!

The first time I fought him, I had to deploy numerous Demon Soul Generals from the Soul Refining Flag, and even then, I only lasted a dozen or so breaths. Now, looking at the White Ape Master’s staff techniques, they seem rather ordinary.

"You prefer punishment to a toast!" Shen Mo snorted coldly, and the Thunderstroke Sword in his hand suddenly pressed down.

Universe of Ten Thousand Forms—River Opening!

BOOM!

The terrifying River Opening Sword Qi, in the blink of an eye, slashed onto the White Ape Master.

CRACK! CRACKLE!

The iron rod in the White Ape Master’s hand disintegrated inch by inch.

At the same time, the White Ape phantom merged with his body let out a wail, its ape form exploding into pieces.

"AH!"

With an unwilling, mournful roar, this Spirit Sea Realm expert from Dasheng Mountain plummeted from mid-air, heavily shattering the mountain gate’s archway.

With just one move, Shen Mo had severely injured his once-formidable opponent!

The disciples of Dasheng Mountain who had followed the White Ape Master out were utterly horrified by this scene. Like startled birds, they scrambled back into Dasheng Mountain’s Formation.

"The White Ape Patriarch has been killed!"

"What nonsense are you spouting? The White Ape Patriarch isn’t dead yet!"

"Is this the might of someone from the Riverside Sect? The White Ape Patriarch’s Cultivation Realm is clearly one level higher than his!"

"Terrifying, far too terrifying! Quickly inform the Fire Sparrow Patriarch..."

"Vile bandit, just you wait! When the Fire Sparrow Patriarch arrives, he’ll make you pay!"

"Activate the Mountain Protection Array! If such a powerful individual goes on a rampage, he could annihilate our Dasheng Mountain in mere moments!"

"Senior, there’s no mortal enmity between you and Dasheng Mountain. Please spare the White Ape Patriarch’s life."

At this critical juncture, the cultivators of Dasheng Mountain reacted in various ways: some were cowardly, some furious, some feigned composure...

But without exception, everyone was deeply alarmed!

A short while later, a fiery-red escaping light rose from the depths of Dasheng Mountain, flying straight towards the mountain gate.

However, Shen Mo perceived that the aura of the cultivator concealed within the escaping light, though powerful and magnificent, held a hint of discord—like a raging fire doused with a large basin of cold water.

BOOM!

The magical aura receded, revealing a gaunt figure.

This person wore a vermillion-brown Daoist robe, and his expression was somewhat troubled. His Cultivation Realm far surpassed the White Ape Master’s, having reached Spirit Sea Realm Layer VII.

Evidently, he was the other of Dasheng Mountain’s two Spirit Sea Realm experts: the Fire Sparrow Master, who remained in seclusion year-round, uninvolved in worldly affairs.

Shen Mo cupped his fists in salute, showing respect for a Senior on the Immortal Path.

Of course, if he proves as unreasonable as the White Ape Master, then this ’Senior’ will quickly become an ’old scoundrel’ in my eyes!

"Fellow Daoist, I am aware of your purpose in coming here," the Fire Sparrow Master said, glancing at the White Ape Master lying amidst the rubble of the archway. The troubled look on his face deepened.

"However, the Yin-Yang jade disk is crucial for the cultivation of my disciples... It absolutely cannot be handed over to you!"