Seeing that the strength of the Tian Family's Formation was not waning but growing, Shen Mo understood their intentions.

"They won't shed a tear until they see the coffin!"

Shen Mo snorted coldly, urging The Big Dipper Array to press onward.

The Sword Array and the defensive Formation collided with a deafening BOOM!

The dazzling sword light illuminated the entire city.

Runes on the defensive spirit shield constantly annihilated and regenerated.

On one side was a defensive Formation, meticulously constructed and supplemented over a hundred years, relying on the mansion's terrain. It was strong enough to withstand a full-strength blow from a cultivator at Spirit Sea Realm Layer V.

On the other side was the lethal Sword Array, renowned for its Killing Power. Shen Mo had cultivated it for a long time, investing considerable resources into it.

Buffed by the Sword Body Skill, he was confident he could contend even with early-stage Spirit Sea Realm cultivators using this Sword Array alone!

The standoff between the two was astonishingly fierce.

It startled many ordinary people into climbing to high vantage points, fearing some formidable Demon had invaded their city!

The cultivators observing the situation couldn't help but show a drastic change in expression.

"Master Shen… Is he completely breaking ties with the Tian Family?"

"Isn't that obvious? He was besieged but not attacked before, yet Tian deliberately wounded him with a Spirit Sword. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to bear it either!"

"Even if you can't bear it, you have to. Could it be that he's not afraid of the Tian Family's Spirit Sea Realm powerhouse?"

"Don't forget he's also from the Riverside Sect. With such strength at his young age, he must have powerful backers."

"Oh, that makes sense!"

Contrary to the cultivators' speculation within the city, Shen Mo could only rely on himself now.

Although Spirit Sea Realm powerhouses were stationed at the Defense Division headquarters in Zhong State's imperial city, Shen Mo couldn't call for reinforcements. The reason was simple: Hongye City was located within Qing State.

Considering that the Commander was appointed by the Riverside Sect's Affairs Hall, they naturally wouldn't want The Four Great Sects to interfere. If he were to call for reinforcements from headquarters, it would undoubtedly be a merit for him in the Defense Division's eyes. However, The Four Great Sects could also take the opportunity to extend their influence deep into Qing State.

In that case, for Shen Mo, as a disciple of the Riverside Sect, his demerits to the sect would far outweigh any merits. Zhou Shili and other high-ranking members of the Riverside Sect might even prefer to let Tian Zhaoquan arrange for his Tian Family clansmen to serve as Commander. Why would they bother dispatching Shen Mo here?

Besides, Zhou Shili, Elder Huang, and even the Elder of the Enforcement Hall wouldn't personally stand up for him. They might only intervene to secure 'justice' for Shen Mo if a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator from the Tian Family seriously injured or even killed him. This would serve as a silent deterrent to the Tian Family's Spirit Sea Realm experts, preventing them from going too far.

As for everything else, Shen Mo had to rely on himself.

Of course, he had his own plans.

Hall Master Tian Zhaoquan of the Affairs Hall isn't likely to make a personal trip here for a mere seventy thousand-plus Lower Grade Spirit Stones. If he truly does, then I'll just have to accept it! Characters of that caliber can only be dealt with by those at the level of a Peak Master or the Enforcement Hall Master. I don't need to confront him head-on. And that Tian Family core disciple, who is competing with the other eight, is also unlikely to get involved and muddy the waters. If he doesn't cherish his reputation and insists on meddling, I can still ensure my own safety even if I can't defeat him. However, they can forget about getting the Flowing Shadow Spirit Sword back.

Shen Mo sat cross-legged at the entrance of the Tian Family's mansion, mulling over these thoughts.

Just as Tian Hong knew him well, Shen Mo wasn't entirely ignorant of the Tian Clan either. He had also investigated the Spirit Sea Realm cultivators of Gold Toad Tower and the Thriving Gold Sect in advance.

The most likely person to come is Tian Qisheng, the Elder of Bright Moon Peak. He is at Spirit Sea Realm Layer II... Defeating him won't be easy!

Originally, in Shen Mo's plan, he wasn't going to make a move on the Tian Clan so soon. He had planned to wait until he cultivated to the Qi Gathering Realm Seventh Layer. Only then would he gradually pressure the Tian Family to cede their responsibilities in the Defense Division.

However, plans are subject to change.

Tian Hong might have guessed that he was the one who caused the phenomenon related to Godlike Swordplay. Thus, he hastily resorted to underhanded tactics, releasing Heavenly Demons into the city in an attempt to frame him.

Shen Mo couldn't just sit and wait for death; he had to swiftly regain the responsibilities that rightfully belonged to him. The methods were bound to be somewhat extreme!

Blocking the Tian Family's gate to demand repayment was one aspect. Another was to demonstrate his power to the various factions in the city, ensuring Chen Mengze could smoothly lead the Defense Division cultivators to take over the city's defense duties.

Senior Sister Chen's efforts are proceeding smoothly. No one dares to recklessly resist, counting on the Tian Family's backing.

Shen Mo took out a Sound Transmission Talisman and glanced at it.

With even the Tian Clan having their gates blocked by Shen Mo, cultivators from other minor families wouldn't dare to clash with the Defense Division. The city defenders at the Body Tempering Realm and Qi Gathering Realm had all been apprehended. They were being temporarily detained within the Defense Division.

The four Bone Viewing Mirrors hung at the city gates were also carefully inspected. Currently, Chen Mengze had not discovered anything amiss. It was highly probable that after releasing the mutated Heavenly Demon into the city, they had immediately rectified this oversight. The specific situation would only be known after interrogating the captured city defenders.

Chen Mengze had already begun to handle these matters.

What Shen Mo needed to do was withstand the pressure from the Tian Family's Spirit Sea Realm experts and compel the Tian Family to hand over the overdue resources. If things didn't go smoothly, all his previous efforts would likely be wasted. Subsequently, Shen Mo would have to abandon the idea of reclaiming the Defense Division's authority and focus on his cultivation for the time being. Just dealing with the mutated Heavenly Demon that had entered the city would give him enough headaches.

Furthermore, without any income, the Defense Division naturally wouldn't be able to retain its members, and everything would revert to its previous state.

However, every coin has two sides!

Godlike Swordplay.

While it brought him trouble, it also granted him the Sword Body Skill. Originally, he would have needed to reach Qi Gathering Realm Layer VII to contend with Spirit Sea Realm experts, but now, this gap had been significantly reduced.

I've been at Layer V for quite some time now. My foundation is undeniably stable! It's more than enough to support my advancement to Layer VI.

With this thought, Shen Mo took out a jade box from his Universe Bag. Inside was a Grade IV Dragon Tiger Formless Pill!

While maintaining The Big Dipper Array and continuously eroding the Tian Family's defensive Formation, Shen Mo swallowed a Grade IV Elixir. He then unceasingly circulated his cultivation method, steadily converting the vast medicinal potency into Mana within his Purple Knack.

Instantly, nature's spiritual energy within a fifty-mile radius began to churn violently.

The cultivators observing this scene were all stunned and exclaimed in astonishment.

"Is Master Shen attempting to break through to a new Minor Realm? Right at the Tian Family's gate? Isn't he afraid of an ambush?"

"Who in the city can threaten him now? Didn't you see? Even when that brute Tian Hong attacked him with a Spirit Sword, he was blocked, and Tian Hong himself was captured!"

"Such courage, such boldness!"

"But why is he so eager to advance right now? Wouldn't it be better to handle the current affairs and then return to his residence for secluded cultivation?"

Inside the Tian Family mansion, Tian Hong also noticed Shen Mo's actions.

His face was cold as he sneered, "So what if he breaks through? A mere Qi Gathering Realm Layer VI cultivator, can he actually contend with someone at Spirit Sea Realm Layer II?!"

BUZZ!

The atmosphere in Hongye City grew turbulent; vast amounts of Spiritual Qi formed a funnel, continuously surging towards Shen Mo's body. Even the Spirit Gathering Array within the Tian Family's mansion couldn't compete with him for Spiritual Qi.

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