The plan that Lin Yun had carefully orchestrated over the years was now bearing its poisonous fruit. The assassination of key figures in both the righteous sects and devil sects had caused ripples of distrust and suspicion, slowly chipping away at the towering foundation of Wang Li's Holy Devil Dragon Sect. From the outside, everything seemed normal.
The Holy Devil Dragon Sect still maintained its image of power, prestige, and influence, but cracks were beginning to form beneath the surface.
Sect after sect, family after family, began to view the Holy Devil Dragon Sect with suspicion. The subtle strikes that Lin Yun's shadowy group had executed—perfectly timed assassinations and the planting of carefully fabricated evidence—had made it seem like Wang Li was trying to weaken both sides. And yet, none of the strikes were loud enough to raise immediate alarms.
Instead, they spread through the righteous and devil sects like a slow poison, infecting the thoughts of leaders and elders.
Lin Yun sat with his group, his expression as calm as ever, though there was a quiet satisfaction in his eyes. His warriors had returned from their latest missions, bringing news of further progress.
Zhao Feng, his loyal swordsman, reported first. "The Heavenly Jade Sect has started distancing itself from the Holy Devil Dragon Sect. After Elder Jian Cheng's assassination, they're convinced that Wang Li's sect is behind it, even though they have no concrete proof. The sect leader has quietly begun reaching out to other righteous sects to form alliances against him."
Luo Xinya, the strategist, nodded, her sharp gaze never wavering. "The devil sects are faring no better. The Crimson Moon Sect is in chaos after Zhao Mian's death. Some of the younger elders are already planning to retaliate against Wang Li's faction, even though they haven't made their intentions public yet. It's only a matter of time before they move openly."
Lin Yun listened intently, absorbing the information. Everything was going according to plan. His group had managed to sow seeds of rebellion within both paths without ever revealing themselves. Wang Li's enemies were growing in number, but most importantly, his allies were beginning to question his intentions.
Luo Xinya spoke again, her voice steady and confident. "Even among the sects led by Wang Li's mistresses, there's unrest. Sect Leader Mei Hua of the Frost Orchid Sect—who has long been one of Wang Li's closest allies—has been facing increasing dissent from her elders. They don't trust her relationship with Wang Li, and they believe she's putting their sect at risk by aligning so closely with him."
Zhao Feng smirked. "And from what we've heard, Sect Leader Mei Hua isn't the only one. Su Lan, the head of the Silver Phoenix Clan, has also started facing resistance from within her own sect. Her relationship with Wang Li is no secret, and some of her most powerful elders are beginning to question her loyalty."
Lin Yun smiled faintly. "Good. Let the seeds of rebellion grow. Wang Li believes that these women are loyal to him because of the power he offers them. He doesn't realize that their own sects will soon turn against them—and against him."
Meanwhile, in the Holy Devil Dragon Sect, Wang Li remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around him. His sect's influence continued to expand, and he believed that no one would dare challenge his position. He had heard the rumors of unrest in some of the smaller sects, but to him, it was nothing more than background noise.
But as Wang Li enjoyed his conquests, the rebellious seeds that Lin Yun had planted continued to grow.
Lin Yun continued to work in the shadows. His group moved quietly, subtly, never revealing their hand. They targeted key figures—sect leaders, influential elders, and even powerful families—spreading the belief that Wang Li's Holy Devil Dragon Sect was a danger to them all.
Zhao Feng reported their latest success one evening, his voice laced with satisfaction. "We've successfully taken out Elder Bai Rong of the Emerald Sky Clan. His death has already sparked rumors that the Holy Devil Dragon Sect was behind it. The clan leader is furious, and they've already begun discussing retaliation."
Lin Yun nodded, his calm demeanor never faltering. "Good. Keep the pressure steady. We don't need a full-scale rebellion yet. Just enough to make them believe Wang Li is the enemy."
Luo Xinya, always sharp and calculating, added, "The beauty of our plan is that it doesn't rely on rumors or lies. The actions we've taken are subtle enough that Wang Li can't easily deny them, but they're also not loud enough to raise immediate alarms. It's the perfect balance."
Lin Yun leaned back, his mind already thinking of the next steps. "We'll continue to sow doubt. Soon, even his most loyal allies will begin to question his intentions. And when that happens, they'll turn against him without hesitation."
Back in the Holy Devil Dragon Sect, Wang Li remained blissfully unaware of the growing unrest. He believed that the minor tensions among the sects were nothing more than typical political maneuvering, something that always happened in the cultivation world. And so, he continued to focus on his personal pleasures.
In his private chambers, Wang Li sat with Yue Ling, a stunning beauty from the Silent Mist Sect. Her petite frame was a stark contrast to the voluptuous women who usually surrounded him, but there was a fierce intelligence in her eyes that intrigued him. She had come to discuss an alliance, but the conversation had quickly turned to more intimate matters.
"Wang Li," Yue Ling murmured as she ran her fingers through his hair, "you've already achieved so much. Your sect's influence is unmatched. But don't you ever worry about the enemies you've made along the way?"
Wang Li laughed softly, pulling her closer. "Enemies? If they exist, they're too weak to do anything about it. The Holy Devil Dragon Sect is untouchable."
Yue Ling smiled, though there was a hint of something more in her gaze—something calculating. "Perhaps. But even the mightiest empires can fall if they're not careful."
Wang Li dismissed her words with a wave of his hand. "Let them try. They'll fail."
And so, as Wang Li indulged in his pleasures, enjoying the company of yet another beautiful woman, the world around him slowly turned against him. Lin Yun's plan continued to unfold, and more and more of Wang Li's allies began to question his intentions. The seeds of rebellion had been planted, and it was only a matter of time before they blossomed into full-scale defiance.