Chapter 359: Chapter 203: Skyfire War General_2 The quality of Spiritual Power far surpasses that of Qi Blood Power. With the attachment of Spiritual Power, whether in destructive force or defensive capability, it is greatly enhanced. This is precisely why, despite the four powerful families boasting numerous Martial Artists at the eighth level of Bone Refinement, they are still no match for the two sects and three gates. The application of Spiritual Power by someone at the ninth level of Bone Refinement is overwhelmingly superior to that of the eighth level. Even the weakest of ninth-level practitioners could effortlessly crush ten of their eighth-level counterparts. However, Sword Cultivators are an exception, especially one like Wen Mingyan, who has comprehended Sword Intent! "Heh! I never thought there would come a day when I, Wu Gui, would break into the ninth level of Bone Refinement! Humph, Wen Mingyan, your good days are numbered!" Although Wen Mingyan has grasped Sword Intent, he is still merely at the seventh level of Bone Refinement. No matter how much Sword Intent elevates his strength, Wu Gui refuses to believe he could handle two ninth-level practitioners at the same time! After concealing his aura, Wu Gui left the cave. Upon returning to the Thousand Poison Sect, Wu Gui pretended as if nothing had happened and remained in a state of seclusion. A month later, he suddenly emerged to announce publicly that he had successfully broken into the eighth level of Bone Refinement. In the meantime, many elders from the sect came to congratulate him. While receiving their greetings, Wu Gui used some covert methods to win over a considerable number of individuals. Half a month later, Wu Gui ignited a fiery talisman in his hand. "Is it time to make a move?" The Skyfire War General appeared in Wu Gui’s pavilion, this time with a short blade hanging from his waist. Despite his recent growth in power, Wu Gui showed no disrespect to the Skyfire War General. Having managed the Thousand Poison Sect for many years, Wu Gui was a man of profound understanding. He would never assume that someone daring to help him ascend to the ninth level of Bone Refinement would lack the means to control him. "Lord Skyfire, during this time, I have secured the allegiance of many more elders. At this point, the faction led by the Great Elder is reduced to just a few stubborn remnants. With my current cultivation, I am not afraid of them. However, our Sect Master is still a troublesome figure. To ensure everything goes smoothly, I invited you to oversee things personally. If complications arise, I would like to rely on your assistance." The Skyfire War General chuckled. "No problem! Just do what you need to do. Leave your Sect Master to me! Perhaps we can resolve things without drawing swords." ... Thousand Poison Sect Council Hall At this moment, twenty elders were seated in the council hall, all official elders of the Thousand Poison Sect. The one with the lowest cultivation was at the sixth level of Bone Refinement! The seat at the head of the long table, meant for the Sect Master of the Thousand Poison Sect, was empty. To the left sat Wu Gui; to the right, a frail, haggard elder with entirely white hair. This was Nie Jian, the Great Elder of the Thousand Poison Sect. Nie Jian appeared displeased about this convening of the Elder Council. "Wu Gui, why have you suddenly convened the Elder Council without any reason?" A cold smile appeared on Wu Gui’s face. "Great Elder, how can you say there is no reason? Since I’ve summoned the Elder Council, naturally, it’s to discuss something important with everyone!" Nie Jian found Wu Gui’s peculiar behavior unsettling. Narrowing his eyes, he said cautiously, "Something important? As far as I know, nothing significant has occurred in our sect recently. The only major matter is the Red Cloud Secret Realm, but that has already been dealt with. What need is there to call another Elder Council specifically for this?" Wu Gui pressed his hands onto the table and stood up, his brows furrowed as he glared at Nie Jian. "Great Elder, this meeting isn’t about the Red Cloud Secret Realm! There is only one agenda for this Elder Council: to declare all-out war on the Holy Pill Sect! Devour them and take their place among the two sects!" Nie Jian’s heart sank as his palm slammed onto the table. He abruptly stood up and roared, "Utter nonsense! Although our sect has developed rapidly in recent years thanks to the Red Cloud Secret Realm, we are still far from a position where we can easily consume the Holy Pill Sect. If we recklessly launch a war now, it will undoubtedly lead to mutual destruction. Do you think the other sects won’t take advantage of the situation then? This matter has already been vetoed in the past. Why bring it up again? What, are you planning a rebellion? Do not forget that you are merely the Second Elder of this sect!" As Nie Jian spoke, the aura of an eighth-level Bone Refinement practitioner surged forth, pressing heavily against Wu Gui. Wu Gui, however, remained unfazed. Nie Jian’s oppressive aura crashed onto him like a sinking stone in the ocean, causing not the slightest ripple. "Heh! Great Elder, you’re truly getting old. You’ve lost your drive, and your mind is failing! Wen Mingyan has already grasped Sword Intent. With his talent, he is destined to ascend to the ninth level of Bone Refinement. When that time comes, he will undoubtedly become another Red Dust Sword Master! Then what use would it be for us to develop in secret? Do you really think the Sect Master will be a match for Wen Mingyan? Ridiculous! Are you unaware of the might of a Sword Cultivator? We have been at odds with the Holy Pill Sect for over a decade. Now that they are showing a resurgence, we must strike swiftly, or we will only be courting our doom in the future!" "Great Elder, in fact, the Second Elder is not entirely wrong. Perhaps you should reconsider?" The speaker was the Eighteenth Elder of the Thousand Poison Sect, seated at the far end of Nie Jian’s faction. Originally loyal to Nie Jian, he had recently been coerced and bribed into joining Wu Gui’s faction. "Eighteen! How could you side with him?" The one who spoke was the Fourth Elder, a staunch loyalist to Nie Jian and also his cousin. Furious that one of their own had sided with Wu Gui, he sprang up to voice his indignation. The Eighteenth Elder, however, showed no fear of the Fourth Elder’s rebuke. Instead, he calmly continued, "Fourth Elder, the Second Elder is only thinking of the sect’s long-term prospects! Given our animosity with the Holy Pill Sect, do you think they will spare us once they are capable of annihilating us? Wouldn’t it be better to seize the opportunity now while we still have a favorable chance? Furthermore, the Second Elder has always been a man of strategic foresight. Since he’s proposed this, I’m sure he’s identified a key to victory. Why not give his plan due consideration?" Upon hearing this, the Fourth Elder erupted in fury, ready to strike the Eighteenth Elder. Nie Jian hurriedly stopped him. "You must not act rashly!" Nie Jian was no simple figure, having risen to the position of the sect’s Great Elder. Observing the undercurrents among the elders, he quickly discerned that most of them had already been swayed by Wu Gui. If his faction initiated conflict here, they would be playing directly into Wu Gui’s hands. Wu Gui’s face gleamed with a smile as he looked at Nie Jian. "Great Elder, I am speaking to you cordially. If you support me, the position of Great Elder will still be yours in the future! But if you oppose me... heh." Although Wu Gui did not explicitly state his threat, his cold laugh conveyed everything. Nie Jian’s fury exploded. "Wu Gui! Could it be that you truly intend to rebel?" Nie Jian unleashed his full aura, enveloping every elder in the room with overwhelming pressure! "I don’t care what Wu Gui has promised you, but you all better think carefully! You are elders of the Thousand Poison Sect, not his lackeys! Let me make this clear: if anyone dares act recklessly today, don’t blame me for turning against you!" With that, Nie Jian slammed his cane heavily onto the ground. The wooden covering shattered, revealing a long blade underneath! The blade gleamed radiantly, its mere presence releasing a surge of formidable Sword Qi that swept through the room. It was evident at first glance that this was no ordinary weapon. Seeing the long blade in Nie Jian’s hand, a flash of coldness flickered in Wu Gui’s eyes. "The Snow Blade... I didn’t expect the Sect Master to value you, this stubborn old man, enough to entrust you with it!" The Snow Blade was the Thousand Poison Sect Master’s former weapon—a Mystical-level top-grade treasure! Within the Thousand Poison Sect, the Snow Blade was not merely a powerful artifact but also a symbol of the Sect Master’s authority! 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚 The Sect Master had once declared: "To see the blade is to see the person!" Raising the Snow Blade high, Nie Jian’s aura surged once more, further intensifying the pressure in the council hall. Many of the elders struggled under the oppressive force, their faces visibly paling. "The Snow Blade is here. To see the blade is to see the Sect Master! Wu Gui, considering your years of dedicated service to the sect, if you abandon your schemes now, I will let bygones be bygones. You may continue as the Second Elder of the Thousand Poison Sect. But if you persist in your folly, don’t blame me for being merciless!" As Nie Jian channeled power into the Snow Blade, the temperature in the council hall dropped drastically, a bitter cold permeating the air.