Chapter 557: The Secret Document of the Assassination Plan

Meanwhile, in a hidden mountain cave hundreds of miles away from the Star Moon Sect, the intelligence chief of the Heaven Sword Sect, Jianying, was gathering his elite spies.

"Everyone, according to the Sect Leader's instructions, our mission is to fully infiltrate the various strongholds of the Reform Alliance and collect detailed intelligence on them." Jianying was a middle-aged man who looked quite ordinary, but a cold, sinister light flickered in his eyes.

"Chief Ying, we have successfully infiltrated several major strongholds, including the Star Moon Sect, the Qingfeng Sect, and the Green Water Sect," one spy reported. "However, their defenses are tighter than expected, especially that Muerxiu's Void Path, which has a strong restraining effect on our stealth techniques."

Jianying sneered, "A mere brat at the Foundation Establishment Stage dares to show off his meager skills before this old man. But that is fine; this way, we can probe their true strength."

He took a detailed map from his robes, marked with the locations and defensive situations of the Reform Alliance's various strongholds: "Besides intelligence gathering, we have another important mission—to assassinate the core figures of the Reform Alliance. As long as we eliminate key figures like Lin Xuan, Xiao Yuan, and Muerxiu, the Reform Alliance will be leaderless and collapse without a fight."

"Chief Ying is wise!" the spies replied in unison.

Jianying continued to assign tasks: "In addition, we must coordinate with the actions of several other sects to attack the Reform Alliance's supply lines. They are developing so rapidly now that they must require massive resource support. As long as we cut off their supplies, we can greatly weaken their strength."

On the other side, an elite squad from the Flying Cloud Sect was operating in secret. They disguised themselves as a merchant caravan, but in reality, they were monitoring the Reform Alliance's material transport routes.

"Captain, target spotted!" one disciple said, pointing ahead. "That caravan transporting spirit stones is heading to the Star Moon Sect."

The captain gave a cold smile: "Very good, proceed according to plan. Remember, do it cleanly and leave no traces behind."

This caravan was escorted by disciples of the Green Water Sect, carrying a large quantity of spirit stones for purchasing construction materials. They were completely unaware of the approaching danger and were still happily discussing the construction plans for the Harmony Academy.

"Senior Sister, what do you think the academy will look like once it's built?" a young female disciple asked excitedly.

"It will surely be magnificent," the Senior Sister replied with a smile. "With the high level of Senior Yunyou's attainments in Arrays, plus the strong support from various sects, it will certainly become the best academy in the Cultivation World."

Just as they were chatting and laughing, several sword lights suddenly shot out from the woods. The elite disciples of the Flying Cloud Sect appeared like ghosts, surrounding the caravan in an instant.

"Who goes there?" the Green Water Sect's guard captain immediately became alert, but it was already too late.

A fierce battle broke out, but the Flying Cloud Sect disciples were clearly prepared, and their strength far exceeded that of the guard team. Soon, the caravan was completely routed, and a large amount of spirit stones and supplies were looted.

Similar attacks occurred simultaneously on several other transport routes. The Taiji Gate, the Myriad Phenomena Sect, the Purple Firmament Palace, and other sects all dispatched elite forces specifically to sabotage the Reform Alliance's supply lines.

At the Qingfeng Sect, Sect Master Qingfengzi was troubled by the frequent attacks: "These damned fellows are actually specifically targeting our material transport. If this continues, the academy's construction progress will be seriously affected."

"Sect Leader, should we strengthen our guard forces?" an Elder suggested.

"Strengthening the guards is certainly necessary, but doing so will consume a large amount of our manpower," Qingfengzi frowned in thought. "More importantly, this shows that the enemy has already mastered our transport routes and schedules. There may be a problem within our own ranks."

Just as the various sects were suffering from headaches over the frequent attacks, Xiao Yuan unexpectedly discovered a suspicious person during a routine patrol on the outskirts of the Star Moon Sect.

It was a man who looked to be in his thirties, claiming to be a rogue cultivator from the Southern Region who wanted to join the Reform Alliance. But Xiao Yuan keenly sensed something abnormal about him.

"Fellow Daoist, you say you are a rogue cultivator, but why is the spiritual energy fluctuation on your body so pure? And your sword calluses clearly show signs of specialized training; these are not features a rogue cultivator should have," Xiao Yuan asked gently but alertly.

The man clearly did not expect to be seen through by a woman who looked delicate, and he explained in a panic: "Im... Immortal, you misunderstand. Although I am a rogue cultivator, I have also received guidance from some seniors in the past..."

Xiao Yuan smiled slightly, but the vigilance in her eyes became more apparent: "Is that so? Then may I ask who your master is? And where did you learn your sword techniques?"

The man became increasingly flustered, stammering and unable to give a coherent answer. Seeing this, Xiao Yuan immediately sent a secret sound transmission to nearby patrolling disciples and continued to stall for time with the man.

"Fellow Daoist seems a bit nervous; do you need to rest for a while? The guest rooms of our Star Moon Sect are very comfortable," Xiao Yuan said intentionally.

The man sensed that something was wrong and suddenly lashed out, attempting to flee. But Xiao Yuan had been prepared; as soon as her emerald bamboo flute sounded, the surrounding grass and trees grew wildly, surrounding the man completely.

"Still want to escape?" Several Star Moon Sect disciples arrived in time and subdued the spy.

While searching the spy, Xiao Yuan discovered some shocking items on him: a detailed topographical map of the Star Moon Sect, a schedule of the main figures' daily routines, and a secret document marked "Assassination Plan."

The document clearly stated: Target figures—Lin Xuan, Xiao Yuan, Muerxiu; Time of action—the Zi hour three days later; Method of action—assassination; Executors—Jianying's squad.

Seeing this document, Xiao Yuan's expression turned grim instantly. She immediately had the spy taken back to the sect and urgently notified Lin Xuan and the others.

Inside the main hall of the Star Moon Sect, the core members gathered urgently. After Lin Xuan finished reading the assassination plan, his expression became unusually grave.

"It seems the Righteous Alliance can no longer restrain itself," he said in a deep voice. "They are not only sending spies to infiltrate us, but are also preparing to directly assassinate our core personnel."

Muerxiu said indignantly: "These despicable villains, to actually use such low-down, dirty tactics!"

Xiao Yuan was more concerned with practical issues: "Senior Brother, if they truly have such a detailed plan, it means our defenses do indeed have loopholes. And since this spy has been caught, they will certainly change their plans."

Xingchenzi, as the Sect Leader of the Star Moon Sect, immediately ordered: "Pass down the order: the entire sect is to enter a state of martial law. All disciples are to patrol in groups, and any suspicious persons must be strictly interrogated."

Just then, Yunyou Zhenren spoke through the sound transmission array: "Young friends, this old Daoist just observed the celestial phenomena and discovered signs of great misfortune. It seems the Righteous Alliance's counterattack is about to begin, and the scale will be even larger than we imagined."