Low-level evil cultivators were ultimately executors, not the ones pulling the strings.
Li Xingtian's speech was merely for the benefit of those evil cultivators. After all, his position as cult master was only temporary.
So at this moment, they still needed to formulate the future development plan for the [New—Evil Spirit Cult].
Because development couldn't rely on slogans alone.
In a tiny, airless room deep within the mountain cliff, a stale scent of old blood drifted through the air.
Li Xingtian's gaze fell upon the chair at the head of the room, crafted from what appeared to be human bones.
The main body of the chair might have been cobbled together from other materials, but the two armrests were undeniably fashioned from skulls.
Yu Jing and Wen Zuo stood naturally on either side, leaving the seat of honor for Li Xingtian.
Li Xingtian glanced at it twice, then chose to sit directly in the lowest seat at the back.
He wasn't actually an evil cultivator, nor did he have a taste for sitting on bones.
He'd have someone bury all these bones properly once they left, and maybe burn some paper money as a token of respect.
Yu Jing and Wen Zuo, seeing Li Xingtian take the lower seat, didn't say much.
They merely exchanged a glance and, with unspoken agreement, chose not to sit either, remaining standing.
The two of them had just witnessed the prowess of this assigned cult master firsthand.
They hadn't expected this operation to be taken so seriously that they'd actually found a top-tier evil cultivator to serve as cult master.
Indeed, compared to a convincing imitation, nothing was more flawless than getting the real thing.
It was just that if his methods could be a bit less... authentically evil, with less bloodshed and village-slaughtering, that would be nice.
Wen Zuo was the first to cup his hands and speak.
"Cult Master, for the cult to build its reputation and develop, absorbing forces and intimidating all directions is necessary."
"But in our actions, there should still be some measure of restraint. After all, we must answer to those above."
Li Xingtian's brow furrowed slightly, showing clear dissatisfaction with these words.
"The word 'measure' should not be spoken to evil cultivators."
Wen Zuo's heart tightened. He understood well that this statement set the tone for all actions to come.
What lay ahead would likely be a campaign of blood and carnage.
The most terrifying part was that these actions would have tacit approval from above.
When evil cultivators had no restraints... the result would be absolute hell on earth.
Especially with this cult master's top-tier prowess on full display, the landscape would be painted in even more horrifying hues.
Wen Zuo's gaze drifted subtly toward Yu Jing, hoping he might speak up to shift the situation.
But what he saw was that even Yu Jing's usual gentle smile had grown somewhat stiff.
Yu Jing pondered briefly, then carefully chose his words and tone before speaking:
"What the Cult Master says naturally has merit. An evil cultivator must, of course, have the style of an evil cultivator to avoid suspicion."
"But those above do care about appearances. If we go too far, we'll inevitably face reprimands."
Li Xingtian asked in genuine confusion, "Reprimands? We're carrying out our duties in earnest—what could we possibly be reprimanded for?"
"Besides, what we're doing is perfectly justified! I'll say it again: the word 'measure' should not be spoken to evil cultivators."
"If anyone has objections, I'll speak with my Master myself. It's not yet your place to worry about such matters."
Perfectly justified?! More like an affront to heaven and earth!
Though he grumbled inwardly, Yu Jing quickly nodded.
"Since the Cult Master has a strategy in mind, we naturally follow your command. The two of us are merely here to assist."
After speaking, he raised his gaze slightly toward Wen Zuo.
As things stood, he, Yu Jing, had said what needed to be said.
Moreover, whoever could cultivate such a top-tier evil cultivator as a master was probably no saint either.
The true decisions made above were beyond what they could see at this moment.
Whether they wanted it or not, whether they were willing or not, they were already involved. There was no turning back.
Wen Zuo, understanding the hidden meaning in Yu Jing's look, fell silent for a moment.
Then he retrieved a regional map from his spatial ring and unrolled it.
He pointed to a forested area.
"This is our base. To the right is a village, and further in there's a large town."
"Are there evil cultivators hiding inside?" Li Xingtian interrupted.
Wen Zuo blinked, lifting his gaze.
"Based on known intelligence, there aren't... Does the Cult Master have information?"
Li Xingtian frowned and demanded, "No evil cultivators, and you want to recruit cult members? Do you want common folk to become evil cultivators too?"
Wen Zuo was momentarily confused by Li Xingtian's approach.
Could this top evil cultivator have no intention of recruiting members at all? Was he planning to sacrifice entire villages to add a splash of color to his blood aura?
Li Xingtian could read the hesitation on Wen Zuo's face. He instantly understood what the two of them were thinking.
"We're carrying out a mission! We're not actually here to be evil cultivators!" Li Xingtian rose to his feet, his tone solemn.
"If we want to make a name, then target evil cultivators! Word travels faster and clearer among evil cultivator circles."
"If we want to recruit evil cultivators, then eradicate evil cultivators and absorb those willing to submit!"
"What I mean is—we strike hard against those evil cultivators! Make them understand that being an evil cultivator is a dead end!"
"At the same time, we reduce the risk of common folk suffering evil cultivator attacks."
"Not for us to commit evil deeds and use innocent lives to fill our mission quotas. That's something I absolutely won't do."
"Remember this! We are not evil cultivators!"
Yu Jing's eyes widened. Looking at Li Xingtian's utterly serious expression, he suddenly felt the world was a strange and wondrous place.
Wen Zuo didn't dare respond either.
A top-tier blood-aura evil cultivator claiming he wasn't an evil cultivator, while vowing to protect common folk...
Li Xingtian ignored the two silent men and continued speaking:
"Are there any evil cultivator groups nearby with a decent reputation?"
Wen Zuo quickly recovered and answered, "Yes... There's a group of evil cultivators stationed nearby."
"Any intelligence? What's the highest cultivation realm among them?"
"Currently two Golden Core cultivators. At worst, there might be one more at the Nascent Soul realm."
"This is the place!" Li Xingtian's gaze swept over the two of them.
"Assemble the men. Tomorrow I'll personally lead the assault!"
"When I eradicate the evil cultivators, I'll try to leave survivors."
"You two handle the intake. Anyone who refuses—don't waste time trying to reform them!"
"Send them on their way right there!"
"Same goes for managing those evil cultivators! Don't harbor any tender-hearted notions toward evil cultivators!"
"At the same time, pay attention! Avoid harming innocent people whenever possible."
"And issue an order—none of the evil cultivators under our command are to lay a hand on innocent common folk."
"Violators will be executed on the spot!"
Wen Zuo and Yu Jing's eyes met once more. This time, they responded in unison and without hesitation:
"Yes, Cult Master!"
Wen Zuo and Yu Jing stood high in the sky, with their subordinate evil cultivators scattered nearby, ready to capture any fleeing enemy personnel.
Their eyes were fixed on the towering blood aura rising from within the valley, watching wave after wave of powerful crimson qi sweeping with earth-shattering might.
Wen Zuo suddenly spoke:
"What the Cult Master said yesterday matches what he did today. Yu Jing, what do you think of the Cult Master..."
"Do you think he's really not an evil cultivator?"
"His spiritual energy is a bit red... that doesn't necessarily make him an evil cultivator."
Before Yu Jing could finish his halfhearted reassurance, a ghost-head broadsword trailing endless blood aura suddenly slashed down toward the valley.
A terrifying, destructive blood-stench surged wildly in all directions.
Any plant touched by the aura was instantly drained of life force, withering into dead trees and dry grass.
Wen Zuo's bewildered gaze turned toward him again.
Yu Jing fell silent for a moment before speaking once more.
"Perhaps the Cult Master just thinks this kind of sword looks cooler..."
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