At the end of the day, lesser evil cultivators were merely executors, not the ones pulling the strings.
Li Xingtian's words were meant for those evil cultivators. After all, as the current sect master, he was only temporary.
Still, they needed to formulate development plans for the New Evil Spirit Cult.
After all, growth couldn't be achieved through slogans alone.
Inside a tiny, airtight room carved into the cliff face, an aged scent of blood lingered in the air.
Li Xingtian's gaze fell upon the throne-like chair positioned at the head of the room.
The main body might be assembled from various materials, but the armrests were undoubtedly crafted from human skulls.
Zuo Wen and Yu Jing stood naturally to either side, leaving the main seat vacant for Li Xingtian.
After two glances, Li Xingtian chose to sit in the lowest position at the very end.
He wasn't a real evil cultivator, nor did he have a penchant for bone thrones.
Once they were done, he'd have someone bury all these bones and burn some spirit money as compensation.
Seeing Li Xingtian take the lower seat, neither Yu Jing nor Zuo Wen said anything.
They exchanged a knowing glance and remained standing where they were.
Both had just witnessed the true power of this newly appointed sect master.
They hadn't expected this operation to go all out, actually finding a top-tier evil cultivator to serve as sect master.
Indeed, compared to faking it, having a real evil cultivator made their deception flawless.
If only his methods could be... less like a real evil cultivator with all the bloodshed and village massacres.
Zuo Wen was the first to speak with a cupped fist: "Sect Master, to establish our reputation and grow, we must absorb forces and intimidate our enemies."
"However, we must maintain proper boundaries in our actions. After all, we still answer to those above."
Li Xingtian frowned slightly, displeased with these words.
"The concept of 'restraint' shouldn't apply to evil cultivators."
Zuo Wen's heart chilled. He understood that this statement set the tone for what was to come.
They were likely heading into an era of bloody carnage.
What was most terrifying was that these actions would have tacit approval from their superiors.
When evil cultivators had no restraints... it would be hell on earth.
Especially with this sect master's demonstrated top-tier power, which would only make the carnage even more terrifying.
Zuo Wen's gaze shifted slightly to Yu Jing, hoping he might try to change the situation.
But he only saw the warmth in Yu Jing's smile stiffen slightly.
Yu Jing thought for a moment before choosing his words carefully.
"Sect Master, your words make sense. Evil cultivators should indeed act the part to avoid suspicion."
"However, our superiors still have their reputation to consider. If we go too far, we risk their reprimands."
Li Xingtian asked in confusion: "Reprimands? We're acting in good faith. What could they possibly reprimand us for?"
"Besides, what we do is perfectly justified! I'll say it again—restraint shouldn't apply to evil cultivators."
"If there are any objections, I'll discuss them personally with my master. You needn't concern yourselves with this matter."
Perfectly justified?! More like heaven's wrath and human resentment!
Though he thought this inwardly, Yu Jing nodded quickly: "Since the sect master has his own strategy, we must follow his commands. We are merely assistants."
As he finished speaking, his gaze lifted toward Zuo Wen.
At this point, Yu Jing had said what he needed to say.
Besides, a master who could cultivate such a top-tier evil cultivator was likely no benevolent soul.
The true decisions from above were beyond their current understanding.
Whether they wanted to or not, they were already involved with no turning back.
Faced with Yu Jing's subtle glance, Zuo Wen understood.
He fell silent for a moment before retrieving a local map from his spatial ring and unfurling it.
He pointed to a mountain forest area: "This is our base. To the right lies a village, and further in is a larger town. We can recruit members from here..."
"Are there evil cultivators hiding inside?" Li Xingtian interrupted.
Zuo Wen was taken aback and looked up: "According to our intelligence, there aren't any... Does the sect master have information?"
Li Xingtian frowned and questioned: "Without evil cultivators, what members are we recruiting? Do you want ordinary civilians to become evil cultivators too?"
Zuo Wen was momentarily confused.
Could this powerful evil cultivator not plan to recruit anyone, intending to sacrifice the entire village to enhance his own blood energy?
Seeing the hesitation in Zuo Wen's expression, Li Xingtian instantly understood what they were thinking.
"We're on a mission! We're not actually here to become evil cultivators!" Li Xingtian stood up, his tone solemn.
"If we want to make a name for ourselves, then we'll target evil cultivators! News spreads faster and clearer within their circles."
"If we want to recruit evil cultivators, then we'll eradicate them and absorb those willing to submit!"
"I mean we need to strike hard at those evil cultivators! Let them understand that being an evil cultivator leads only to death!"
"At the same time, we can reduce the risk of ordinary people encountering evil cultivators."
"Not for us to commit evil deeds, using innocent lives to fulfill my mission. I could never do such a thing."
"You must remember! We are not evil cultivators!"
Yu Jing's eyes widened as he stared at Li Xingtian's dead serious expression, momentarily feeling that the world was a strange place.
Zuo Wen didn't dare to reply.
A top-tier blood energy cultivator claiming he wasn't an evil cultivator while wanting to protect mortals...
Ignoring the silent duo, Li Xingtian continued speaking:
"Are there any notable evil cultivator groups nearby?"
Zuo Wen quickly responded: "Yes... there's an evil cultivator group stationed nearby."
"Do we have intelligence on them? What's the highest cultivation realm among them?"
"Currently two Golden Core cultivators, at worst possibly one more Nascent Soul Realm cultivator."
"Then this is our target!" Li Xingtian's gaze swept across both of them.
"Gather the troops. Tomorrow, I'll lead personally! When I eradicate them, try to leave some alive."
"You'll handle the recruitment. For anyone who refuses, don't try to convert them! Execute them on the spot!"
"The same goes for managing those evil cultivators! Don't hold back when dealing with them!"
"Also, avoid harming innocent bystanders as much as possible. Issue an order that none of our evil cultivators are to harm ordinary mortals."
"Violators will be executed on the spot!"
Zuo Wen and Yu Jing exchanged glances once more. This time, they responded in unison:
"Yes, Sect Master!"
The next day.
Zuo Wen and Yu Jing stood high in the air, with evil cultivators scattered below, ready to capture any fleeing targets.
Their gazes fell upon the sky-rending blood energy billowing from the valley, watching wave after wave of powerful crimson aura move mountains and seas like a tidal wave.
Zuo Wen suddenly spoke:
"The sect master's words from yesterday match his actions today. Yu Jing, what do you make of him... Do you really think he's not an evil cultivator?"
"His spiritual energy is a bit red... but that doesn't necessarily make him an evil cultivator, right?"
Before Yu Jing could finish his thought, a great ghost-headed saber brimming with endless blood energy slashed directly into the valley.
A terrifying, destructive bloody aura surged crazily outward.
Plants touched by the aura rapidly withered, their life force sucked dry, becoming dead trees and grass.
Zuo Wen's dazed gaze shifted back.
After a moment of silence, Yu Jing spoke again: "Perhaps the sect master just thinks a sword like that looks cooler..."
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