System's Super Sect Chapter 874 - 831: News from within the Red Leaf Sect

Hao Qing slanted a look at Wan Changqing, "If spectating is your only intent, then just watch. Why court unnecessary trouble? Should that day arrive, the Red Leaf Sect will undoubtedly target you first. Regardless of how you view it, we are a step behind you. I actually feel a pang of pity for the Immortal Sect. It is purely because they selected an ill-fated location to build their Sect. Had they settled elsewhere, the Red Leaf Sect might have remained oblivious. Without the Red Leaf Sect meddling, which of these Five-star Influences in the Land of the Fourteen Cities would dare even test the Immortal Sect?"

Hao Qing’s voice carried a distinct note of melancholy regarding the current plight of the Immortal Sect. However, towards the conclusion of his remarks, a sneer crept in, revealing his utter contempt for these Five-star Influences. Without the Red Leaf Sect's shadow looming over them, would they truly have the nerve to antagonize the Immortal Sect?

Look at the Luo Family from Baiyue City, for instance; following a single defeat, they’ve made it a point to avoid all contact with Immortal Sect disciples. And yet, here they are, acting more aggressive and arrogant than anyone else.

Wan Changqing, standing nearby, chimed in, "With the Nanhua Sect as a grim precedent, who would dare cross the Immortal Sect now? The Sect Leader of the Nanhua Sect barely scrambled away from the Immortal Sect that fateful day; everyone assumed he might pull through, but who could have foreseen the Immortal Sect’s Earth Unrestricted Expert showing no mercy? He pursued him all the way to the Nanhua Sect and executed him before his own people. From that instant onwards, who would dare provoke the Immortal Sect? In the Red Domain, putting aside the three Overlord Level factions and the Domain Master, what other Five-star Influence could possibly force the Immortal Sect to bow or feel a shred of fear?"

Wan Changqing’s voice overflowed with fervor, his cadence mirroring an animated storyteller. His excitement was palpable, almost as if he were a member of the Immortal Sect himself. Yet, after casting a glance toward the street, the fire in his gaze slowly flickered and died.

Hao Qing released a sigh, a dry, helpless smile twitching at his lips as he looked at Wan Changqing, whose sudden exuberance had just vanished.

"I suppose you think you’ve backed a winner, don't you? Your happiness over these past few days hasn't escaped my notice."

Wan Changqing shook his head, "Hardly. I always knew this outcome was inevitable, so joining the Immortal Sect was never on my cards. Even when the Nanhua Sect Leader was struck down, I merely felt delight in watching these Five-star Influences trembling in their boots."

What could be more satisfying than witnessing these arrogant local tyrants acting so spineless and terrified?

The pair stood there, exchanged a few final thoughts, and then wandered off down the street.

Even after Wan Changqing and his companion departed, the buzz surrounding the Immortal Sect in Ye City showed no signs of abating. Passersby debated the topic with relentless energy, their conversations growing increasingly heated.

It had been years since such a spectacle rocked the vicinity of Star Sword Mountain. The last time the atmosphere was this charged was when the Red Leaf Sect mounted an offensive against the Lingxiao Sword Sect.

Seventy-two Five-star Influences, armed with seventy to eighty Earth Unrestricted Lower Realm experts alone, plus several Earth Unrestricted Middle Realm practitioners. Faced with such a force, besides the three Overlord Level factions in the Red Domain, what Five-star Influence would dare claim they weren't afraid?

As night descended, the streets and alleys remained bustling.

Some lounged by wine tables, debating in hushed tones.

Others held court in teahouses, shouting grand declarations.

Everyone’s attention was locked on the conflict between the Immortal Sect and the seventy-two Five-star Influences, so much so that most people couldn't even be bothered with their daily Cultivation.

"By tonight, all seventy-two Five-star Influences should be in position, right?"

"Just about. If all goes to plan, a contact of mine in the Luo Family mentioned there are only three or four factions whose Earth Unrestricted experts haven't checked in yet. But if they don’t strike tonight, the rest won't wait—the arrow is already on the string and must fly. If those few stragglers don't want a slice of the reward, nobody will trouble themselves over them."

"If the Immortal Sect falls, their magic arts are bound to be carved up by these Five-star Influences or the Red Leaf Sect. It’s a shame; I never even got the opportunity to join the Immortal Sect and learn their techniques."

...

Under the cover of night, the chatter never ceased.

At that same moment, atop a high tower in Ye City illuminated by only a few flickering lanterns, a grave-looking Chen Xie gazed out into the distance, staring into the heart of the city’s darkness.

He, too, was listening to the buzz of the crowds below.

After a long silence, the Sound Transmission Stone in his palm stirred.

"Tower Master, the objective has been achieved!"

Upon hearing these words, Chen Xie’s somber expression underwent a transformation, shifting from a gloomy, storm-stricken sky to a brilliant, cloudless morning.

Scanning Ye City once more, the illuminated districts appeared exceptionally lively and vibrant.

In the midst of the bustle, all his previous anxiety vanished into thin air.

How wonderful!

Truly delightful!

...

On the west side of Ye City.

A demon rider galloped into the city, charging toward its target without the slightest courtesy for the pedestrians clogging the road.

If someone sustained an injury, it was their own grim luck.

If someone was killed, that was simply their time to go.

This savage charger thundered through the streets, yet no one dared to intervene; even Mountain Suppression Realm experts who witnessed the rampage could only hastily retreat to the curbside.

Because the rider hailed from one of the Fourteen Cities, Celestial Extinction City—a scout from the Kong Family, a premier Five-star Influence orbiting Star Sword Mountain.

A force no less formidable than the Nanhua Sect at its zenith!

The demon rider pulled up behind an embattled, heavily guarded inn, and the expert in the saddle bellowed before he had even dismounted.

"Patriarch, a catastrophe has occurred!"

Kong Cheng, Patriarch of the Kong Family, who had been settled with a drink, stiffened. His face darkened, about to erupt in a fit of rage to rebuke such a reckless subordinate. But upon recognizing the messenger, Kong Cheng stood up instantly and shooed the maids from the chamber.

"Report!"

"The Red Leaf Sect has issued an announcement: six days ago, a mysterious expert from the Immortal Sect assaulted the Red Leaf Sect! Over fifty Earth Unrestricted experts, including the Eastern Vice Sect Leader, have all been eliminated!"

"What?!"

Kong Cheng stood rooted to the spot, stunned.

The Eastern Vice Sect Leader—Dongjin!

A titan among Earth Unrestricted Middle Realm elites. Dead?

And inside the Red Leaf Sect itself?

Combined with the loss of over fifty Earth Unrestricted Elders, the scale of destruction was catastrophic.

Utterly impossible.

"Are you certain of this?"

"Absolutely! While I didn’t witness the slaughter, I verified it through several other factions aligned with the Red Leaf Sect; the announcement is authentic."

"No wonder the Immortal Sect remained silent, completely ignoring our buildup. I was naive enough to believe they were avoiding a fight, that they were petrified." After speaking, Kong Cheng fell into a heavy silence, pacing the floorboards with intense agitation.

Finally, Kong Cheng halted.

The moment he stood still, he forged a resolute decision, "Withdraw everyone."

With so many Earth Unrestricted experts butchered within the Red Leaf Sect, to continue the assault on the Immortal Sect would be no different from a suicide pact.

In less than fifteen minutes, the inn was entirely abandoned.

Not a single member of the Kong Family remained in Ye City.

Simultaneously, word trickled down to the other Five-star Influences. Initially, they were skeptical, but upon attempting to consult the Kong Family, they found them utterly vanished. Though they struggled to accept the reality, the truth of the disaster became undeniable.

"The Seven Domains Celestial Ascension Ranking occurs only once per century, and it’s fast approaching. After deep deliberation, I feel it is imperative that I return to oversee our youngsters. We shall not involve ourselves in the affairs of the Immortal Sect any longer. As for these rumored magic arts, I leave them for the rest of you."

With that, an Earth Unrestricted expert soared into the heavens, vanishing from the Ye City skyline in a heartbeat.

The remaining leaders traded anxious looks before offering strained smiles.

"Word is the Red Leaf Sect has hundreds of entries for the ranking, with over fifty reaching the Mountain Suppression Realm before age forty. Though my Chen Family is modest and lacking such prodigies, I still believe we deserve a presence. Don't ask where my confidence originates; the Chen Family has lofty goals. We won't be involving ourselves in the Red Leaf Sect's vendetta either."

Following those words, the Chen Patriarch likewise took to the sky and fled.

Witnessing two departures in such rapid succession, the others found it impossible to stay. Within an hour, a dozen Five-star Influences had vanished into the night.

Naturally, everyone exited stealthily, armed with their convenient excuses.

By daybreak, the only ones lingering in the city were the blissfully ignorant, completely unaware of the shift in the tides.