Chapter 947: The Traitor (1/2, Requesting Monthly Votes)

The original guarding array of the Fire Sect was built to protect the Fire Sect, but with the aid of an inside agent, the Fire Sect transformed their own guarding array into a reverse imprisonment array, effectively trapping everyone inside it.

Although not as effective as specialized imprisonment arrays, it was sufficient enough, given the solid foundation it was built upon.

This modification had been underway by the Fire Sect for a long time, kept as a secret weapon.

To ensure the mole who rose to the position of Elder in the Jibing Sect would not betray them, the Fire Sect spent a considerable sum each year.

Of course, the results were exceptionally effective— at this critical moment, they finally delivered a fatal blow, giving them the chance to utterly eliminate their ancient enemy, the Jibing Sect, right here on their own territory.

In truth, the Fire Sect had been driven to the brink.

Although during their struggle with the Jibing Sect, they had gradually gained the upper hand.

But it made no difference.

Because the Fourth Prince they had pledged allegiance to was dead.

Killed by the Fifth Huang Nu, who had allied with the Jibing Sect.

This meant they had already lost the great struggle.

Now, to turn the tide, there was only one path left: to absorb the Jibing Sect, merge the strength of both sects, and become a colossal super-sect, making other powers see the value of the Fire Sect rather than choose to destroy it, instead opting to exploit and recruit it.

Otherwise, the Fire Sect, branded as the Fourth Prince's faction, would face nothing but purge in the Nine Dragons Succession Lines.

Whether the Fifth Huang Nu ultimately won, or another prince triumphed in the Nine Dragons Succession Lines, sects branded with such labels were always dealt with first.

Forget about heritage or vast assets—kill the Fire Sect's high-ranking members, seize their resources, and establish a new sect; the foundation would still be the Fire Sect's, and all that would be lost is the lives of this generation of Fire Sect members.

For the ultimate victor, sects were unimportant; if they wished to support one, they could always create one. What truly mattered were only the Four Great Families.

In Qing Guo, the Four Great Families always towered above the sects!

Choosing the wrong side meant bearing the punishment of having chosen wrong. The Fourth Prince had fallen—how long could the Fire Sect possibly hold out? Only by striking first could they reverse the tide.

That was why their assault this time was so fierce, so extreme, sparing no force.

Only thus could they have any chance of completely seizing the Jibing Sect in one decisive blow.

Fortunately, after several incidents, the Jibing Sect's strength had weakened drastically, easing their pressure.

And now was the time to close the net!

"Sect Master, the Jibing Sect members are trapped like fish in a barrel—we can strike and capture them at any moment!"

"Not yet. One important person has not yet arrived."

The Fire Sect Sect Master shook his head slightly.

In truth, among the entire Jibing Sect, there were now barely any who could truly fight, and the only one who filled him with dread, the only one he needed to guard against, was… the former Sect Master of the Fire Sect, now the Supreme Sect Master of the Jibing Sect—Qi Ba Jiu!

That was the sole reason the Fire Sect, despite holding overwhelming advantage, still dared not rashly launch a full-scale assault.

But now, driven to the brink, they had no choice but to deploy all their trump cards and gamble everything.

As long as they could eliminate that man… the plan to swallow the Jibing Sect would truly be complete! Only then could they stand firm in the chaos of the Nine Dragons Succession Lines!

Otherwise, as long as Qi Ba Jiu lived one more day, the Fire Sect could never rest easy!

Fortunately, according to the inside agent's intelligence, they now knew that Qi Ba Jiu's current vessel—the Jibing Saintess named Weiba—had separated from the main Jibing force due to some matter, giving them an opening and room to maneuver.

Otherwise, facing such a being directly, even with elaborate schemes, they would still have to think twice.

But by separating Weiba from the other Jibing Sect high-ranking members and striking them separately, it became far easier.

Not to mention now, they had already dealt with all the other Jibing Sect high-ranking members, leaving only the final strike—only this last obstacle remained.

"I never imagined that the Jibing Sect, once equal in strength to our Fire Sect, would now be reduced to such weakness—no better than a rabble, utterly unmatched in power to our Fire Sect."

Standing beside the Fire Sect Sect Master was the Fire Sect Second Elder.

He had accompanied the Sect Master and the Fire Sect for a very long time, one of the most senior Elders.

Watching their ancient enemy finally face annihilation at their hands, he could not help but sigh.

A century-long struggle was finally coming to an end this day.

"Indeed."

The Fire Sect Sect Master could not help but sigh as well: "Just a few months ago, the Jibing Sect was still locked in bitter conflict with us, even holding a slight upper hand. Then, two months ago, when we sent our Elders and elite to the Heiqing Shanmai, everything changed. They encountered a powerful and bizarre force there, nearly annihilated, losing over half their top-tier combat strength—catastrophic. Since then, our Fire Sect has steadily gained advantage, inch by inch suppressing and absorbing the Jibing Sect's territory, achieving this victory!"

"Correct. All the turning point began when those Elders left two months ago."

Beside the Fire Sect Sect Master and Second Elder stood a sly old man named Dai La—the traitor known to the Jibing Sect as the Array Elder.

It was his betrayal that brought the Jibing Sect to its current state; because of him, Ni Dongmei had been separated from the main force and personally beheaded by the Fire Sect Sect Master, creating this perfect opportunity.

In truth, during his years-long infiltration, Dai La had once considered truly defecting to the Jibing Sect, washing himself clean and becoming their Array Elder.

But… the Jibing Sect was just too weak.

Their advantage never turned into victory; once he realized even with his help, the Jibing Sect could never deliver a fatal blow to the Fire Sect, he naturally continued his undercover role.

Until that day, when he saw Ni Dongmei return with Weiba, and learned that so many Elders had perished in the Heiqing Shanmai, causing the Jibing Sect's strength to collapse—he immediately realized the Jibing Sect was finished, only a matter of time.

Thus, this turncoat fully committed to the Fire Sect's side, began scheming and cooperating actively, leading to this moment.

"Three years, three more years! Today, at last, we reap the fruits of victory!"

Dai La's heart surged with excitement; as an undercover agent, he had dared not draw attention even slightly in the Jibing Sect, fearing exposure.

(End of Chapter)