Outside the Array of the Star Sect, about three black-clothed figures gathered at this moment, dressed very strangely, and their bodies emitted a rotten stench. The surrounding insects and animals were all scattering in all directions, seemingly very afraid of these people.
"Hehe, once the ancestor comes out of seclusion, their Mountain Protection Array will be of no use, and then the entire Star Sect will be our territory."
One of them let out a sinister laugh.
Having spoken, the figures turned into several black shadows and disappeared into the dense forest.
Inside the Star Sect, the Council Hall.
Wang Chengpeng and several disciples rushed into the hall, and at this time, only Elder Qiu Xingjian was sitting inside.
"Rushing about in such a panic, has something happened?" Qiu Xingjian frowned and looked at the disciples who barged in carelessly, revealing a hint of suspicion.
"Reporting to Master, a junior just discovered people from the Puppet Corpse Sect outside our Star Sect, acting very sneakily, as if they are plotting something," Wang Chengpeng said with his head lowered, bowing his hands.
Hearing this, Qiu Xingjian's face also showed a slight concern, "Could it be that the ancestor is about to come out of seclusion? Quickly, have the two elders come over, I need to discuss this properly with them."
"Yes." After Wang Chengpeng finished speaking, he immediately turned around, preparing to call Elder Cheng Ying and Elder Dong Xiangyun to discuss the matter.
These past few days, Lin Mo had always been inside the tower, and he had now reached the seventeenth floor. The disciples of the Star Sect had gone from being initially shocked to becoming accustomed to it; not many people were paying attention to Lin Mo's situation inside the Starry Sky Tower anymore.
Yingzi and Lu Xing also practiced their cultivation techniques every day, hanging around the sect. Seeing many disciples and elders rushing to the Council Hall, the two exchanged glances, both discerning a trace of doubt in each other's eyes.
"Xiao Xing, has something happened in the sect?" Lu Xing stopped Xiao Xing, who was on her way to the Council Hall, and asked with suspicion.
"Sister." Xiao Xing came over and said, "I don't know the specifics yet, but I heard it seems to be about the Puppet Corpse Sect. Everyone looks like the ancestor of the Puppet Corpse Sect is about to come out of seclusion."
Lu Xing frowned and showed a suspecting look on her pretty face. "What sect is this Puppet Corpse Sect?"
"It's an evil sect. I've heard they like grave robbing, excavating the bodies of ancient generals or even emperors and refining them into their puppets. Over the past two years, they have been active in two Shan provinces and have even robbed and harmed our sect's Outer Sect disciples several times," Xiao Xing explained.
"I can't chat with you guys anymore, I need to hurry over, or the master will scold me."
After saying this, Xiao Xing quickly ran toward the Council Hall.
"Shall we go take a look?" Lu Xing asked Yingzi.
Yingzi suddenly pouted, "I don't want to go. Those people mocked my Family Head so much at the beginning, and now that there's trouble, what does it have to do with me?"
Lu Xing was somewhat helpless to hear her words. Although she was a disciple of the Star Sect, it seemed that the three elders had not fully recognized their status nor had they been summoned to attend the meeting. It was not convenient for her to go in directly, so the two had no choice but to return to their bamboo house to rest.
Council Hall.
"I've convened everyone here, and I suppose you are all aware of what's going on, the Puppet Corpse Sect seems to be planning to take action against us again." As the most powerful and prestigious elder, Elder Cheng Ying sat at the very center of the wooden chairs, with Elder Dong and Elder Qiu on either side.
"The Puppet Corpse Sect covets the treasures of our Star Sect, and we are not so easily bullied. Last time they sent someone to attack our Outer Disciples and stole many herbs, yet we haven't even settled the score with them," a female disciple said indignantly.
"However, the cultivation techniques of the Puppet Corpse Sect are nefarious, and their strength is not weak. If it really comes to battle, our Star Sect might not have the advantage," another male disciple said.
The three elders were also frowning. Over the past couple of years, the Puppet Corpse Sect had indeed had many conflicts with the Star Sect, but there hadn't been a major battle. However, this time, all three elders had a bad feeling, as if the Puppet Corpse Sect was planning some major move.
"This time it's different from the past. The Puppet Corpse Sect hasn't approached our Star Sect in a long time. They must be planning something big this time, perhaps their ancestor is about to emerge from his seclusion," Elder Qiu Xingjian said with furrowed brows and concern.
As soon as he spoke, the faces of many disciples changed slightly.
The ancestor of the Puppet Corpse Sect was powerful in mana, a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment expert. Two years ago, they had tried to invade the Star Sect, and it took the joint effort of the three elders to fight him to a standstill. Moreover, at that time, the three elders had also sustained serious injuries. If it hadn't been for the protection of the Mountain Protection Array Formation, the Mountain Gate might have been breached by the people from the Puppet Corpse Sect.
"However, I've heard that the ancestor of the Puppet Corpse Sect seems to have unearthed the corpse of an emperor a year ago and is planning to refine it into a Corpse Master. If that's true, this could be a major calamity for our Star Palace," Elder Dong said with a furrowed brow and in a grave voice.
The three elders sighed simultaneously.
The rest of the disciples also seemed to feel the pressure at this moment.
"What's more, the most important thing is that the Protecting Formation of the Mountain Gate will undergo star position transition in three days. At that time, the Mountain Protection Array Formation of our Star Sect will be at its weakest. I'm afraid the Puppet Corpse Sect has already calculated this and is preparing to make their move at that time," Elder Cheng Ying said as he clenched his fists, his gaze becoming somewhat solemn.
"Now, everyone needs to be vigilant, strengthen patrols, and prepare to deal with the Puppet Corpse Sect. Although the Star Sect currently lacks a Sect Leader, we must ensure the safety of the Star Sect."
"Yes."
Many disciples bowed with a fist in hand.
"Elder Dong, Elder Qiu, starting from today, we also need to make haste in repairing the Mountain Protection Array, reinforce the strength of the array to withstand the assault of the Puppet Corpse Sect," Elder Cheng said to the two elders.
"Hmm, let's get started right now."
The two elders nodded, and immediately after the disciples had left, the three elders began their preparations to reinforce the Mountain Protection Array Formation. The entire Star Sect suddenly became busy.
As for Lin Mo, who was still inside the Starry Sky Tower, he was unaware of all this. Now, having reached the eighteenth floor, the intangible pressure not only suppressed his body, bringing with it torturous pain, but this invisible force also included a suppression of his spiritual power. Now unable to expand his spiritual power, he naturally didn't know anything about the situation outside.
Upon entering the eighteenth floor, the pressure, which was about twice as high as the seventeenth floor, nearly solidified him on the spot. Every bone in his body made cracking sounds, and his muscles and skin showed signs of splitting as fresh blood started to seep out, nearly flattening him against the ground.
Yet, even so, Lin Mo clenched his fists, nearly shattering his teeth and mustering all the strength in his body to take a small step forward. The pressure within the Starry Sky Tower was the best training for his physique. If he gave up now, he wouldn't just be forsaking a chance to quench his body, but almost certainly causing a crack to form in his Dao Heart.
Retreat was not an option. He must forge ahead with bravery!