Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 350: Make Sure Shen Mo’s Arrogant Actions Spread Across the Capital

Elder Qingmu spoke indifferently, "Ignore that boy. Just focus on your own tasks."

"Understood," both the Ninth Elder and Bai Tianyuan nodded repeatedly.

After a brief pause, Elder Qingmu continued, "Tianyuan, what’s going on between you and that young master of the Shadow Pavilion?"

Bai Tianyuan’s expression stiffened, and he shrank his neck slightly, offering an awkward smile. "Nothing escapes your discerning eyes, Elder."

Elder Qingmu said flatly, "That Xue Ziyi is not someone you should pursue. Give up on her as soon as possible."

"Don’t let yourself be used by her."

Bai Tianyuan hesitated, looking troubled. "But Master, I truly like her."

The Ninth Elder advised, "Junior Brother Bai, you are an unparalleled genius. One day, you will surely become a great alchemy master like Elder Qingmu."

"Even if you cannot win her over now, in the future, you will undoubtedly claim her hand. You need not worry too much."

Bai Tianyuan nodded repeatedly at these words, feeling deeply grateful to the Ninth Elder of Tianhe Sect.

Elder Qingmu sighed softly, "Forget it. I am old now and have no desire to meddle in such matters anymore."

"Just be cautious around that woman. Don’t let her control you in everything."

"Yes, yes! Rest assured, Elder! I am very rational about this!" Bai Tianyuan nodded vigorously.

Elder Qingmu weighed the four sets of ingredients in his hands. "I will need a month’s time."

"However, it has been years since I last refined the Heavy Water Frost Pill. I cannot guarantee how many successful pills I will produce."

"Be prepared for that outcome."

The Ninth Elder nodded. "Regardless of the success rate, however many pills we obtain in the end, I will accept it."

"Good. You may leave now," Elder Qingmu waved his hand dismissively.

The two men exited the pavilion.

"Senior Brother, thank you," Bai Tianyuan said gratefully.

The Ninth Elder chuckled. "A fine lady is worthy of pursuit. I recall that young master of the Shadow Pavilion—whether in looks or charm, she is indeed among the finest in the world. It’s only natural that you are captivated by her."

Bai Tianyuan declared resolutely, "I will make Xue Ziyi my wife, no matter what!"

"Good. I look forward to that day," the Ninth Elder laughed and waved his hand.

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Tianyuan suddenly said, "By the way, Senior Brother, that Shen Mo is utterly ignorant of his own limitations, actually daring to attempt refining the Heavy Water Frost Pill. Why don’t we take this opportunity to stir things up and make this matter even bigger?"

"Once word spreads throughout the entire capital, everyone will know that the Young Lord of the Jade Cauldron Sect is foolish enough to challenge a grandmaster of alchemy. It will be an absolute joke!"

"And when the final outcome is revealed, Shen Mo’s reputation will undoubtedly plummet!"

The Ninth Elder’s eyes gleamed. "You are absolutely right!"

Bai Tianyuan continued, "I’ve heard that Emperor Jing already harbors ill will toward the Jade Cauldron Sect and Shen Mo."

"If we succeed in orchestrating this, the emperor will surely strengthen his ties with Tianhe Sect."

"In the future, if Emperor Jing decides to use military force to subjugate the Eight Great Sects, he will undoubtedly reassess his alliances!"

"The Jade Cauldron Sect, which has been openly resisting the imperial court, will inevitably be suppressed by force!"

"But if Tianhe Sect presents itself as a loyal subject, we may be allowed to negotiate peacefully."

"In this way, we can avoid the catastrophe of annihilation."

The Ninth Elder nodded firmly.

He knew well that although the Eight Great Sects possessed immense strength, they were incredibly disunited.

Some sects, such as the Qianyuan Sect and the Mad Blade Alliance, had been bitter enemies for over a thousand years.

Expecting the Eight Great Sects to set aside their grudges and unite against the imperial court was nearly impossible.

By contrast, the royal family had long been working strategically.

For generations, the emperors of Jing had been sowing discord and infiltrating the Eight Great Sects.

Now, under the current Emperor Jing, these efforts had yielded significant results.

The Ninth Elder could already guess that some sects might have secretly pledged allegiance to the imperial family.

They just hadn’t openly declared it yet.

The power of the royal family was not as weak as the Eight Great Sects imagined.

If the day ever came when Emperor Jing waged war against the Eight Great Sects, he certainly didn’t want Tianhe Sect to be caught in the flames of battle.

If peaceful submission was an option, it was the best course of action.

And the best way to demonstrate loyalty was to suppress the Jade Cauldron Sect and Shen Mo!

After all, the first step in Emperor Jing’s grand strategy was to consolidate control over Yuzhou.

Unfortunately, Shen Mo had emerged in Yuzhou—completely disrupting the emperor’s plans.

As a result, the subsequent plans could not proceed as expected.

Emperor Jing had likely long wished to kill Shen Mo as soon as possible.

"Good! However, I cannot directly intervene in this matter."

"Junior Brother, I’ll leave this to you."

"Make sure Shen Mo’s arrogant actions spread throughout the capital!"

The Ninth Elder sneered coldly.

He harbored resentment toward Shen Mo as well.

After all, it had taken more than a decade to gather five sets of ingredients, and yet Shen Mo had taken one of them.

Naturally, he was filled with bitterness.

"Don’t worry, I’ll leave this to the Shadow Pavilion. This is their area of expertise," Bai Tianyuan chuckled.

…

Over the next half-month, a rumor spread through the capital like a plague.

From bustling streets to teahouses and taverns, in every corner of the city, people were all discussing the same thing.

The Young Lord of the Jade Cauldron Sect, Shen Mo, was actually trying to challenge Elder Qingmu—attempting to refine the Heavy Water Frost Pill using only a single set of ingredients!

Shen Mo’s name had long been known in the capital.

His achievements—slaying the First and Fourth Princes of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom and leading the annihilation of a million-strong demon army—were already legendary.

Many young people even regarded him as an idol.

However, with this rumor spreading, fueled by those with ulterior motives, Shen Mo quickly became a laughingstock.

"That Shen Mo seems to be an incredible fighter, but isn’t he just an outsider when it comes to alchemy?"

"Exactly. Elder Qingmu is a recognized grandmaster of alchemy in the entire Jing Kingdom. How could Shen Mo possibly compare to him?"

"I heard Shen Mo even claimed he could refine the Heavy Water Frost Pill with just a single set of ingredients. My alchemist friends say that’s utterly ridiculous! No alchemist can guarantee success with just one attempt!"

"Indeed! He’s far too arrogant! Just because he’s a genius in cultivation, does he think he’s also a genius in alchemy?"

Such remarks flooded the city.

Shen Mo’s image was quickly twisted into that of a conceited fool who overestimated himself.

Even his past, earth-shattering feats against the demon race seemed to be overshadowed.

…

The Imperial Palace.

Emperor Jing’s favorite pastime was standing atop the highest tower of the palace, gazing southward.

Like his ancestors before him, he was an ambitious ruler with aspirations to unify all lands.

The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom in the south was the greatest obstacle standing before Jing Kingdom.

He intended not only to destroy the demon kingdom but also to use the impending war as an opportunity to fully absorb the Eight Great Sects into the imperial fold.

It was a delicate balance.

If handled well, he would reap immense rewards.

But if mishandled, everything could come crashing down.

A faint white mist rose from Emperor Jing’s head.

This was the result of his mind operating at extreme speed.

After a long while, he finally stopped and massaged his temples in exhaustion.

His index finger idly tapped against the jade pendant at his waist.

The soft tapping sound had barely faded when a shadowy figure silently appeared in the corner of the room.

"Any major developments recently?" Emperor Jing asked casually.

The shadow replied respectfully, "The alchemy tournament hosted by the Tianhe Merchant Association was disrupted. Most alchemists have already withdrawn."

"Our sources confirm that it was done under Elder Qingmu’s orders, carried out by the Shadow Pavilion."

Emperor Jing gave a slight nod, showing no concern. "Continue."

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