Chapter 2

The Emergence of Asura Blood Sect

Tension filled the temporary meeting attended only by those of Elder rank and above. This was due to the presence of the Deputy Sect Leader. The Deputy Sect Leader rarely attended meetings unless the matter was of significant importance, which made everyone on edge. After listening to Wang Ziying's explanation of the operations conducted so far, the assembly fell silent. The Sect Leader was the first to speak.

"Where do you think the failure of this operation lies? Two of our top agents from the Shadow Eagle Corps are dead. We need to identify the cause to address it properly."

"Sect Leader, according to the latest intelligence, the Great Net Mountain Branch of the Asura Blood Sect maintains a highly sophisticated defense. With formations and many experts guarding it, there are limits to what intelligence agents can achieve."

As the malevolent aura emanating from the Sect Leader grew stronger, all the experts in the room sensed his agitation. The Sect Leader, a master of extreme malevolence, usually controlled his aura, but now it was clear he was displeased. With a grave expression, he asked,

"Then what should we do?"

"The special agents we have trained for reconnaissance excel in stealth and espionage, but their martial arts are weak. This time, we plan to send a team of three. We have selected one expert in infiltration and pursuit and another in infiltration and formations, but we lack a warrior with the skills to protect them. Of course, they must also be excellent at infiltration."

The Sect Leader pondered for a moment before suddenly turning to the Deputy Sect Leader.

"What do you think?"

The Deputy Sect Leader, known as the Green-Eyed Poison Lord, Ling Feigui, rarely attended formal events but was a formidable figure. Despite his young and handsome appearance, he was one of the top three extreme malevolence experts in the sect. Unlike the Sect Leader, he made no effort to conceal his suffocating malevolent aura.

"If we need someone skilled in stealth and martial arts, an assassin would be suitable."

The Chief Elder, Ma Qianjian, agreed.

"We should send a couple of top assassins."

However, the Grand Law Enforcer, Blood Shadow Mao Chen, a senior expert with a rather eccentric personality, disagreed.

"I oppose this. Assassins are good at conventional ambushes but are vulnerable to unconventional attacks. It would be better to take two of the top experts from my Law Enforcement Corps."

At this, the Sky Saber King, Lü Zhigao, an Elder trusted by the Sect Leader and the leader of the Heaven Demon Blood Sword Team, the sect's strongest unit, spoke up. His opinion carried significant weight, not only because of his position as the 10th in the sect's hierarchy but also because he was the only son of the Chief Elder, Ma Qianjian, and a recognized formidable expert.

"I disagree with the Grand Law Enforcer. The Law Enforcement Corps' guards are orthodox top experts, not suited for stealth or ambush. For this mission, it would be better to take a few experts from the Heaven Demon Blood Sword Team. They are battle-hardened and will be of great help."

As soon as Elder Lü Zhigao finished speaking, the Black Hand Ghost Shadow Kong Liang, known for his glossy, thin, and black hands, which were not prosthetics but a result of his mastery of the extremely evil Black Corpse Demon Claw technique, spoke up. His powerful claw techniques and ghostly movements had earned him the 8th position in the sect. He was the leader of the Shadowless Team, a covert inspection unit of about 30 top experts.

"How can those sword demons, who only know how to kill, conduct espionage? It would be better to send a few experts from my Shadowless Team."

The Sect Leader nodded in satisfaction.

"That sounds good. They are skilled in stealth and infiltration and have high martial arts prowess."

At this, the powerful Inner Chief, Mo Yan, who commanded the Black Death Team and oversaw the sect's five major military units, spoke up. Mo Yan, a plain-faced expert in the extremely tyrannical Black Dragon Mixed Essence Technique, recommended:

"I nominate one of our assassins from the Black Death Team. For contingencies, two experts from the Shadowless Team and one assassin would be ideal."

The Sect Leader asked,

"Who does the Inner Chief recommend?"

"Ma Xiang. He is not a top assassin but is exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship. In a direct confrontation, he might even outperform a top assassin. He is also excellent at infiltration and is a formidable sword demon. I guarantee his sword skills."

"Then let's do this. Two first-class agents from the Shadow Eagle Corps, two experts from the Shadowless Team, and one assassin. How does that sound?"

"That's the best plan."

The Sect Leader stood up and left, saying,

"Although this team is larger than initially planned, they each have their strengths. Find out what the Asura Blood Sect is carefully planning."

The assembly bowed and shouted in unison,

"Understood!"

After the meeting, the Deputy Sect Leader asked the Grand Law Enforcer,

"How is the Grand Master's health these days?"

The Grand Master referred to the retired former Sect Leader, Poison Hand Demon Emperor Han Xiying, who was 35 years older than the current Sect Leader and his father. In the past, he was known for his cruel methods, earning him the title of Poison Hand. He was one of the Four Demon Emperors and a master of extreme malevolence.

"He is still in good health."

"It's been a while since I've seen him. Please tell him to visit the Council of Elders occasionally. And take extra care of him."

"I will. I'm already doing my best, but he has largely withdrawn from the world. These days, he spends his time with plum blossoms. He has always loved them, hasn't he?"

The Deputy Sect Leader laughed.

"He loves plum blossoms, yet his title is Poison Hand Demon Emperor. It's hard to believe, even now."

"It's easier for us who serve him. He mostly stays in the practice room or the garden."

"Does he still have higher realms to reach?"

"Who knows? With hard work, he might be the first to reach the realm of Transcendence."

"Ah! I miss the old days. When the Four Demon Emperors lived together..."

"What can we do? Fate has its way. The Grand Master seemed to be somewhat affected by the events of that time."

"That's possible. Zhang Renjie's Black Death Demon Palm was exceptional..."

Zhang Renjie, one of the Four Demon Emperors and former Deputy Sect Leader, led his followers to leave the sect and founded the Dark Demon Sect. His 10th-level Black Death Demon Palm, emanating from his extreme malevolent body, was a symbol of terror.

"Let's meet again next time."

The Grand Law Enforcer bowed respectfully.

"Yes, have a safe journey."

Conspiracy

Elder Wang Ziying was sweating profusely as he was summoned by the Sect Leader. The reason was the failure of a certain operation.

"Why is there no news despite the large amount of information we leaked to the Open Sect and the Shadowless Sect?"

Under the Sect Leader's rebuke, she cautiously defended herself. Despite their close relationship, the Sect Leader was strict about subordinates' mistakes.

"Perhaps the woman from the Shadowless Sect is interfering."

"Interfering?"

"We have been leaking information to the Open Sect gradually and are monitoring the Shadowless Sect after giving them a hint. After monitoring the Wulin Alliance and various famous sects..."

"..."

"They have noticed the Blood Sect's movements, especially the Shadowless Sect, which has delved deeply. In some aspects, the Shadowless Sect has superior intelligence capabilities compared to our sect. Most of their experts have received espionage training, so they are likely to know more..."

"Then why is there no reaction?"

"The Wulin Alliance and the famous sects are unusually quiet. It's unlikely that the Blood Sect has already infiltrated the famous sects."

"That's possible. Investigate it."

"Understood."

"Also, Shaolin Temple is a significant influence in the martial world. Are there any sects founded by lay disciples of Shaolin? It would be better if they have close ties with Shaolin."

"There is the Yellow Dragon Sect, which is not well-known but is led by a lay disciple of Venerable Shishan. They maintain close ties."

"What is the scale of the Yellow Dragon Sect?"

"It's not a large sect, but it has about ten formidable experts. The sect leader, Yellow Dragon Supreme Sword Li Wenhè, is also a formidable expert."

"Then use the Yellow Dragon Sect to spread information about the Asura Blood Sect's activities. It will naturally reach Shaolin."

"That's a good idea. By the way, I have a strategy in mind. What do you think?"

"Tell me."

Elder Wang Ziying whispered her response to the Sect Leader.

"..."

"That's a good plan. Implement it!"

"But I need your help."

"With what?"

"..."

"I'll ask the Deputy Sect Leader. And I'll inform the Heavenly Demon Treasure Vault to prepare the items for you tomorrow."

"Understood. And, I haven't had the chance to report yet... The infiltration operation was successful."

"Really? How did it go?"

Elder Wang Ziying whispered her response.

"..."

"What? Five thousand?"

"..."

"New ones?"

"..."

"Missing experts?"

"..."

"This is not something I can decide alone. Gather the top nine in the Dark Chamber for a secret meeting."

"Understood."

In the room, nine experts, emitting suffocating malevolent auras, sat around a round table. After hearing a brief report from Elder Wang Ziying, the Chief Elder, Ma Qianjian, spoke first.

"It's surprising that the enemy is gathering strength through such evil methods. Are you sure it's five thousand zombies?"

"Yes, but the more dangerous ones are the 200 new zombies in production. Their abilities are unknown, but they are expected to be at least three times stronger than traditional zombies."

"Are they only producing zombies there?"

"It seems so. The enemy's defenses are strong, making it difficult to gather detailed information. We also noticed that they are capturing large numbers of women, but it's unclear if they are for the zombies or the Essence Absorption Technique. If the latter, some experts are likely being cultivated there."

Elder Ma Qianjian respectfully asked the Sect Leader,

"Sect Leader, should we gather our experts for a preemptive strike?"

Before the Sect Leader could respond, Elder Wang Ziying quickly answered, slightly overstepping her bounds but excused due to her position as the Sect Leader's trusted advisor.

"It's a considerable risk. About 30% of the zombies are already complete and ready for deployment. If we attack now and engage in a full-scale battle, the damage would be unimaginable."

The Second Elder agreed.

"I concur. If the Shadowless Sect is the only place they are producing zombies, it would be different, but if there are other locations, the preemptive strike would be of little value."

"Then what do you suggest, Elder Wang?"

"I am considering... the Jade Flower Martial Emperor of the Shadowless Sect. We can ask him to find a certain person there without revealing our identity. By the way, our spy saw the Blood Hand Demon Seal Kong Sun among the zombies. We can ask him to look for him in the Great Net Mountain area."

The assembly nodded in agreement.

"Then the Shadowless Sect's spies will learn about the Blood Sect's plans. Given the urgency, they will likely take action before we are implicated."

"Hmm, that's a clever plan. Sect Leader, what do you think?"

The Sect Leader responded,

"They might not fall for it. We tried to subtly leak information about the Asura Blood Sect's activities to the Old Woman and the Open Sect, but there has been no response."

"Perhaps they haven't discovered the location of the Asura Blood Sect's headquarters yet."

The Deputy Sect Leader, with a grave expression, added,

"Even if they have noticed some of the Asura Blood Sect's movements, the actions of the famous sects should be somewhat unusual, but there is no sign of it."

"That's why we are also working on the second phase. Don't worry..."

The Second Elder, curious, asked,

"The second phase... What is it?"

"It's highly confidential. I will tell you later."

Suddenly, the Grand Law Enforcer, Blood Shadow Mao Chen, burst out,

"How can the Demon Sect, the leader of the 100,000 evil sects, not know the location of the Asura Blood Sect's headquarters?"

Elder Wang Ziying quickly responded,

"I am working on it, but it seems only the branch leaders and above know the location."

"Then we should capture a branch leader and interrogate them."

"We might alert them prematurely."

The Grand Law Enforcer fell silent, but the Deputy Sect Leader, who rarely spoke, continued,

"Regardless, continuous surveillance is necessary. The Three Secrets Corps has its limits. Sect Leader, should we add more personnel?"

Elder Wang Ziying replied,

"Don't worry. We are working with the Blood Flower Palace to gather intelligence."

The Chief Elder, Ma Qianjian, groaned and said,

"Even the Blood Flower Palace! But given its nature, there is a risk of information leaking. Do you have a contingency plan?"

"We are working with only a few trusted members of the Blood Flower Palace. We are taking precautions, so rest assured."

The Sect Leader then said,

"Always remember that the righteous sects want the Asura Blood Sect and our sect to clash directly. They will likely sit back and watch. Strictly control your subordinates to avoid provoking the Asura Blood Sect."

"Understood!"

The Inner Chief, Mo Yan, spoke for the first time. As the lowest-ranked among the gathered, he was cautious.

"What if the Asura Blood Sect launches a preemptive strike? The previous conflict was initiated by them."

The Sect Leader calmly answered,

"We are working on countermeasures, so don't worry!"