World’s No. 1 Swordsman

Sometimes, being too fast with the sword was not a good thing.

Now was one of those moments. When Wang Sheng made his move, he left the one with the highest cultivation among them alive and killed the male and female corrupt Seed Formation Realm cultivators in one hit each.

Only after analyzing the aftermath did they realize that the male corrupt cultivator whom Wang Sheng had killed was actually a Primal Immortal of the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect who carried vital information. The one who had his legs severed was merely a thug-like enforcer—a Corrupt Yin-Yang God.

This couldn't be blamed on Wang Sheng. After all, no one had told him to leave any of these corrupt cultivators alive, much less identify who was in charge.

During the battle for the celestial tablet, the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect had already lost several Primal Immortals, who primarily held roles in team management. Since many powerful corrupt cultivators only knew how to kill, cause destruction, and stir up trouble during cultivation, their sect had no choice but to select some Seed Formation Realm cultivators who were relatively sharp to fill the gap that the Primal Immortals had left.

Compared to cultivation, which could be improved, opening one's mind was a much more difficult task.

Wang Sheng and his group soon followed the police to the local station, where they waited for several hours. In the latter half of the night, they would head out again to raid another hideout, which belonged to a group of corrupt cultivators not affiliated with the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect.

The Daoist masters stayed in the second floor's conference room, while Wang Sheng's group was taken to a room on the fifth floor. They were clearly being deliberately separated.

Though Wang Sheng and the others were of low seniority, they were privy to the plan revolving around the ancient devil. The Daoist masters were to remain here in case the cultivators attempted a counterattack, while Wang Sheng's group would be one of the teams sent near Mount Dajian to provide support and lie in ambush.

A fresh new banner hung on the wall of the meeting room.

Proactively Carry Out Special Operations Against Organized Cultivation Crimes.

A young officer brought them coffee and supper. Mou Yue also thoughtfully had someone prepare some playing cards and poker decks. However, none were in the mood to play.

Mu Wanxuan stood by the window, seemingly preoccupied with watching the city streets below. Wang Sheng also alternated between being deep in thought and gazing at the night sky.

The remaining three whispered to each other using voice transmission, wondering what was going on between the two.

"They definitely had a fight," Shi Qianzhang transmitted with great confidence.

At that moment, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan exchanged a glance and shared a knowing smile. They were still trying to calm their minds after hearing Lu the Progenitor's final letter.

Wang Sheng absentmindedly rubbed the fabric of his Flowing Celestial Robe, his thoughts drifting to more far-fetched things. Soon, he and his team heard high heels tapping down the corridor. All five turned toward the door at once. Mou Yue came in hurriedly, carrying a laptop in her arms.

"Good work tonight, everyone. Considering the operation ended without any casualties on our side, we can consider it a complete success!"

"It was nothing," Huai Jing quickly replied. "How about the other operations?"

"Three-quarters of the task groups have successfully met their targets. I came to share the results of the battle from tonight with you." Mou Yue snapped her fingers as she set the laptop on the table and turned the screen toward them.

Wang Sheng and the others immediately gathered around, forming a half-circle to look at the map of the Hua Republic on the screen. More than fifty green dots flickered across the map, each one representing a site where corrupt cultivators had been eliminated.

"So far, we've captured thirty-two corrupt cultivators and killed six hundred forty-two," Mou Yue reported.

"Among them, over two hundred sixty were from the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect. Most were at the Seed Formation Realm, but that should still be enough to cause them serious pain."

Shi Qianzhang smacked his lips and muttered, "Are Seed Formation Realm cultivators that worthless?"

Huai Jing chuckled. "Consider the population base of the Hua Republic and the number of Daoist heritages among both the righteous and corrupt paths. Seed Formation Realm cultivators could be considered valuable overseas, but here in the Hua Republic, they really aren't that rare anymore."

Shi Qianzhang rolled his eyes. In an attempt to find a sense of superiority, he asked, "What about their Spirit Convergence Realm cultivators?"

Mou Yue explained, "It's just like a few years ago when righteous sects didn't allow their Breath Condensation Realm disciples to descend the mountain. These corrupt cultivator factions are also secretly building up power. Spirit Convergence Realm cultivators usually don't appear in the open."

"We're yet to reach the main part of the plan," Wang Sheng said in a low tone. "What we've gained tonight may look impressive, but it's really the result of the Special Investigation Unit's long-term intelligence gathering finally bearing fruit."

Mou Yue looked at him with a bit of admiration and nodded solemnly. "You're right, Daoist Master Wang. This operation has nearly exhausted all the useful intelligence on corrupt cultivator strongholds that our unit currently holds. Actually, we have to prepare for both outcomes. If this ancient-devil plan fails, then at least the gains from our early preparatory work can serve as an explanation to our superiors."

Liu Yunzhi nodded gently. "Understandable."

On the side, Huai Jing gestured for the group to sit before continuing the conversation.

Mu Wanxuan sat beside Wang Sheng, blinking repeatedly. She looked down at her empty hands, suddenly feeling uncomfortable without her phone. Thankfully, she had her junior brother to keep her occupied...

Bored, Mu Wanxuan stealthily grabbed a lock of Wang Sheng's hair and began braiding it into little plaits.

Mou Yue closed the laptop. "Let's have a brief meeting. For now, our main task is to just wait for orders."

The five nodded one after another. With a serious expression, they looked at Mou Yue, who blinked and thought for a moment. Having no idea how to hold a meeting with several Daoist masters, she found the atmosphere a bit awkward...

Fortunately, Wang Sheng broke the silence. "Why don't we simulate a scenario? If we were the yin sect master of the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect, what kind of arrangements would we make?"

"I'll do it! I'll be the yin sect master!" Shi Qianzhang eagerly raised his hand. With a dramatic wave of his arm, he declared, "Mobilize the troops. If you dare touch my brothers, I'll fight you to the end!"

Liu Yunzhi snorted with laughter. "If the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect were that easy to deal with, the authorities wouldn't have had to go to such lengths just to fish them out."

Huai Jing laughed. "Let me try. You two, help set the stage."

Shi Qianzhang and Liu Yunzhi grew excited as well. After discussing for a moment, one took on the role of a messenger, the other that of a strategist.

Wang Sheng, Mu Wanxuan, and Mou Yue quietly sat to the side as spectators, watching the three others clowning around with amusement.

Shi Qianzhang dashed out the door, knocked lightly, then hunched over and stepped back inside with exaggerated seriousness. He pinched his voice as he shouted, "Sect Master, I have bad news! The Hua Republic just launched a surprise attack and, together with the righteous sects, took down over ten of our strongholds in just two hours. Our forces suffered heavy casualties!"

"Hmph!" Huai Jing slapped the table and fell silent, his face cycling through a medley of expressions as he conveyed the complicated emotions roiling within.

Beside him, Liu Yunzhi calmly advised, "Sect Master, please don't act rashly. We should have everyone who hasn't been exposed yet immediately go into hiding. Preserving our strength is the priority."

"Preserve our strength?" Huai Jing slapped the table again, stood up, and threw his sleeve with a dramatic flourish. As he paced back and forth, he shouted, "Summon the Eight-Headed Serpent God[1] at once!"

"Pfft!"

Mou Yue and Shi Qianzhang tried to cover their mouths as they burst out laughing. Wang Sheng also smiled, unaware that a pair of mischievous hands were already sneaking up behind him, reaching for his long flowing hair.

***

In a bustling coastal metropolis in the eastern Hua Republic, several figures stood on the rooftop of an unremarkable residential building, facing the night sky in the west.

Tendrils of black mist surrounded the masked man at the front, making him look ready to melt into the shadows at any moment. Behind him, two others kept their heads lowered, conversing with him using voice transmission.

"Sect Master, the Hua Republic has either killed or captured fourteen of our Primal Immortals. In just two hours, we've lost nearly fifteen percent of our strength."

"The authorities have clearly been planning this for a long time, Sect Master. They're not going to stop. Even though we've tried our best to stay hidden, there's barely any place left to take cover. Their SkyWeb system leaves no gap."

"Mm," the yin sect master responded casually. "Tell all branches and elders to remain in hiding. No matter what happens next, no one is to make a move. I've received confirmation that the Hua Republic only wants to apply pressure so they can lure us into gathering our forces. Once we have, they'll strike us down. Now, go."

"Yes, Sect Master."

The two bowed and retreated.

Soon, the yin sect master was left alone on the rooftop. He remained unmoving, as if he had fallen asleep on his feet.

Had the Special Investigation Unit heard the voice transmission just now, they would have been stunned. The Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect had already seen through their plan to lure out the corrupt.

His phone vibrated, breaking the silence. The yin sect master pulled it out, revealing an older model. In a moment of hesitation, his finger hovered in midair for some time before finally pressing the speaker button.

The voice clung to him alone, leaving no trace in the air beyond.

"Why are you contacting me now?" the yin sect master asked calmly.

A soft chuckle came through the phone.

—I've changed my mind. Why not turn their trap against them? We can eliminate some of the righteous cultivators and pave the way for our next phase.

"You're planning to take action?"

—Yes. This is a good opportunity. Even if we fail, the loss will be negligible on our side. I visited the Ziyan Temple recently and scouted the area in secret. That ancient devil should have recovered some strength by now. All we need to do is take the bait, let their top cultivators gather there, and then release the ancient devil. The righteous ones will throw themselves into the fight.

The yin sect master fell silent in thought. After a moment, he replied, "If you've made up your mind, then go ahead."

—Alright. Also, keep your son out of sight for a while.

Beep.

The call ended. The yin sect master stared at the number displayed on his screen, then slowly put the phone back into his robe.

"Come back."

1. Originating from Japanese Shinto lore(Yamata-no-Orochi), the Eight-Headed Serpent God is a massive, man-eating serpent slain by the storm god Susanoo. ☜