Chapter 552 - 383: Killing with a Borrowed Knife
Chapter 552: Chapter 383: Killing with a Borrowed Knife
The Ghost-Controlling Sect was a Core Formation-level Ghost Cultivator influence.
In terms of its geographical situation, the Ghost-Controlling Sect was comparable to the former Celestial Demon Sect.
Four Core Formation-level influences bordered the Ghost-Controlling Sect: the Blood Dew Palace, the Demon Spirit Sect, the Black Ghost Cave, and the Ghost Head Castle.
Among them, the Black Ghost Cave and the Ghost Head Castle were both Core Formation-level Ghost Cultivator influences. This was very similar to the Celestial Demon Sect’s situation, as it also had two neighboring factions that followed the same cultivation system.
The conflict between the Demon Spirit Sect and the Ghost-Controlling Sect was almost entirely instigated by the Ghost-Controlling Sect alone.
This had much to do with the Ghost-Controlling Sect’s geographical position. They would certainly prioritize good relations with the Black Ghost Cave and the Ghost Head Castle, which shared their cultivation system. This also aligned with the expectations of their overlord, the Nascent Soul-level Celestial Ghost Mansion. As for the Blood Dew Palace, they were a power they simply couldn’t afford to provoke.
Among the Core Formation-level Blood Demon factions, the Blood Dew Palace was at the very top. It could simultaneously fight against two Spirit Refiner factions, the Star Moon Valley and the Vast Sea Sect, with ease.
Faced with such a geographical situation, that left only the Demon Spirit Sect for them to bully.
「At the Ghost-Controlling Sect headquarters.」
Half a month after Zhao Chongguang of the Demon Spirit Sect departed, the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave arrived in person.
The one he wanted to see was the Ghost-Controlling Sect’s most powerful Supreme Elder.
Given the relationship between the Black Ghost Cave and the Ghost-Controlling Sect, and especially since he had come in person, seeing the sect’s most powerful Supreme Elder was a simple matter.
Besides, the two of them were on good personal terms.
"Old Ghost Tang."
"Well now, isn’t this our Great Cave Master? What ghostly wind blew you all the way here today?"
"I’m here about the Demon Spirit Sect."
As he said this, the Great Cave Master found a seat and sat down without waiting for Old Ghost Tang to invite him to do so.
Normally in such a situation, a guest could only stand until invited to sit by the host.
Unless the two of them had a good relationship.
"About the Demon Spirit Sect..." Old Ghost Tang understood at once. "This matter isn’t something I can decide on my own."
"Don’t give me that, Old Ghost Tang. Your situation in the Ghost-Controlling Sect is completely different from mine in the Black Ghost Cave."
Old Ghost Tang was the most powerful Supreme Elder in the Ghost-Controlling Sect, whereas his actual authority as the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave was less than that of their Second Cave Master.
The gap between the number one and number two within a faction could be quite significant.
In the Ghost-Controlling Sect, even on matters Old Ghost Tang couldn’t decide on the spot, things would usually go his way after a bit of discussion.
The reason he and Old Ghost Tang got along was that they were both geniuses from the same era. Back in their Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment days, they had crossed blades many times.
Back then, neither would yield to the other. It wasn’t until both broke through to the Core Formation Stage that a gap slowly began to form between them.
Even among geniuses, there are disparities.
He was now in the mid-stage of Core Formation and would likely never break through to the late stage in his lifetime, whereas Old Ghost Tang had reached the late-stage Core Formation over fifty years ago.
"I say, Great Cave Master, whether we’re talking officially or personally, you can’t be siding with the Demon Spirit Sect," Old Ghost Tang said.
He didn’t want to hear the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave putting in a good word for the Demon Spirit Sect, a faction of Demons.
"I never said I was siding with the Demon Spirit Sect," the Great Cave Master replied.
"KYEKYEKYE, now that’s more like it."
"Old Ghost Tang, the Demon Spirit Sect wants me to convince you not to make a move against them. What are your thoughts? Tell me."
Now that they were talking business, the Great Cave Master’s expression grew much more serious.
His claim of not siding with the Demon Spirit Sect was mainly a way to find out what Old Ghost Tang was thinking. If Old Ghost Tang’s ideas were suitable, he wouldn’t be against going along with them.
"The Ghost-Controlling Sect wants to devour the Demon Spirit Sect," Old Ghost Tang stated his idea. "The Celestial Demon Sect has been destroyed, and the Demon Spirit Sect now lacks its most direct and effective support. Occupying their territory will be much easier than before."
At this point, Old Ghost Tang also brought up the Celestial Cloud Sect.
"I know a thing or two about the Celestial Cloud Sect’s situation. If they make another move, it’s highly likely they’ll target the Demon Spirit Sect. Rather than let the Celestial Cloud Sect occupy them, we might as well do it ourselves."
"The Demon Spirit Sect went from covertly supporting the Celestial Demon Sect to openly helping them eliminate the Celestial Cloud Sect," the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave added in agreement. "The chances of the Celestial Cloud Sect attacking the Demon Spirit Sect in the future are indeed the highest."
"Great Cave Master, it seems you’re tempted as well."
Hearing this, the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave didn’t deny it.
If they could occupy the Demon Spirit Sect along with the Ghost-Controlling Sect, they would also be expanding the Black Ghost Cave’s territory.
Then, when it came time to divide the spoils, the Black Ghost Cave could, with a bit of scheming, ensure that the Ghost-Controlling Sect’s new lands would directly border the Celestial Cloud Sect, thus sharing the pressure they all felt from them.
"Tell me everything the Demon Spirit Sect discussed with you."
"Alright."
The Great Cave Master thought for a moment, then nodded and relayed the gist of his conversation with Zhao Chongguang from the Demon Spirit Sect.
He made a few simple modifications to the details, however, making it sound as if it were merely a simple cooperative agreement between the Black Ghost Cave and the Demon Spirit Sect.
To achieve this simple cooperation, the Black Ghost Cave would have to persuade the Ghost-Controlling Sect to stand down and not attack the Demon Spirit Sect.
"This Zhao Chongguang from the Demon Spirit Sect certainly has some beautiful dreams. For you to agree to such a request, Great Cave Master... that doesn’t sound like you," Old Ghost Tang said with a laugh, clearly questioning the Great Cave Master’s story.
"Old Ghost Tang, it’s not like you’re unaware of the situation with the Celestial Cloud Sect. While the Demon Spirit Sect is acting in its own self-interest, they’re also helping us at the Black Ghost Cave shoulder some of the pressure. Agreeing to their request is the same as helping ourselves," the Great Cave Master reasoned.