I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1783 - 216: The Dragon Flies High, Beneficial to Meet Influential People

Chapter 1783: Chapter 216: The Dragon Flies High, Beneficial to Meet Influential People

"As true disciples of the Holy Land, bearing the future destiny of the Mao Sect, how can you behave so disorderly in the Grand Xuchu Hall?"

It was evident that Cao Meng was displeased. Upon entering the hall, he immediately reprimanded them. The disciples hastily adjusted their demeanor, stood in alignment, and bowed respectfully.

"Speak—what matter is so urgent that you felt compelled to strike the Divine Bell?"

The sect master of Mao Sect, his anger slightly quelled, glanced at the disciples standing on both sides and asked impatiently.

At present, the most critical concern for the entirety of Long Valley was undoubtedly the decision on how much support to provide for Cao Lie’s research.

Although Cao Lie, accompanied by his extraordinary dragon beast, had garnered considerable backing that day, many sect leaders had afterward received dissenting opinions, especially within the already intricate structure of Mao Sect.

Daily handling these opposing voices had left Cao Meng mentally exhausted. After painstakingly balancing all sides and negotiating terms, he thought he could return for some rest, only to hear the bell sound from the main sect. This thoroughly soured the sect master’s disposition.

The older disciples, noticing the sect master’s irritation, cautiously stood aside, gauging his mood. But Cao Yanran, unconcerned, stepped forward boldly and poured out the entire story.

From the escape of two dragon beasts in Luyang City to Red Cloud Mountain, to the refusal of Ten Thousand Beasts Manor to provide compensation, then the deaths of over thirty premium beast tamers destined for Beast Taming Sect, and even young elites sent for advanced training being slaughtered at the ferry, the tale was one of injustice upon injustice.

A wronged Shi Muzhi had come to Beast Origin Valley, not intending to escalate matters but simply seeking justice against the murderer.

Yet Red Cloud Mountain had gone too far. Despite admitting fault in their correspondence, they refused to hand over the culprits or offer compensation.

This had enraged even someone as mild and yielding as Shi Muzhi. Surprisingly, Unparalleled City turned out to possess power far beyond anyone’s expectations; not only had they withstood a united attack from five proxy clans of Longzhou, but they had also erased the beast-taming soul marks, shattering centuries of reputation accumulated by the Wu clan.

"Yanran is unsure of the method Unparalleled City used to eradicate the soul marks, but it is clear that the matter has already exceeded the domain controllable by Longzhou’s proxy clans!"

After detailing the events, Cao Yanran earnestly said, "Dragon Taming Stronghold and Golden Lion Valley are families cultivated by Mao Sect for hundreds of years. Now that their family heads are dead, both from the perspective of justice and sentiment, our sect must formally address this matter."

Long Valley Mao Sect’s master, Cao Meng, calmly listened to Cao Yanran’s statement and subsequent commentary. His face revealed no joy or sorrow, devoid of any emotion, causing Cao Yanran to feel increasingly uneasy. Only then did Cao Meng speak slowly and decisively to the disciples: "Do you know why heaven gave humans two ears, positioned on opposite sides? It was to remind us not to only listen to one side of the story!"

"You are Mao Sect’s true disciples. In the future, you may manage the various departments and even major districts within Xiehe, impacting countless livelihoods, even determining matters of life and death with your every decision. What happens if you make a mistake?"

"In truth, nothing significant will happen, for Beast Taming Sect is the Holy Land of Xiehe. We not only possess the greatest strength but also the pinnacle of martial power. Even if we err, no one dares to voice dissent."

At this point, Cao Meng locked eyes with the disciples one by one and solemnly said, "But this is very dangerous. When you reach a position where no one dares to point out your mistakes, it is exceedingly perilous. It clouds your discernment between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, because no matter what decision you make, there will always be those who sing your praises."

"Do you believe the proxy families have suffered an injustice? If Mao Sect shows even the slightest inclination toward them, Red Cloud Mountain will be cast into the abyss of eternal damnation."

"Conversely, if Mao Sect deems Red Cloud Mountain’s actions reasonable and justified, countless voices will emerge to extoll our impartiality and sense of justice."

"Yanran, do you comprehend what this implies?"

As a cultivator, Cao Yanran was undoubtedly outstanding. In both academic pursuits and moral character, he represented the epitome of Mao Sect’s current batch of true disciples. However, the environment in which he had grown had exposed him to excessive privilege and grandeur, leaving him devoid of certain critical perspectives.

Cao Meng’s purpose was to illuminate this truth for him.

The mark of a sharp mind is the ability to grasp things quickly. Cao Yanran lacked experience but was not devoid of intellect.

After thoroughly reflecting on the sect master’s words, this distinguished true disciple straightened and replied, "Yanran has understood!"

"Understood what?"

"Our sect’s stance will shape the perception of facts. Even if we cannot achieve absolute fairness, we must strive for justice. Yanran will first order Lanshan Post Station and Dutian Heavenly King to compile two sets of intelligence reports, analyze this matter comprehensively, and then proceed to make a decision."

"Good." Cao Meng nodded, a look of approval flashing across his face. He pointed to the Divine Bell outside and said, "Next time, don’t recklessly strike the bell."

...

What is the greatest difference between the strong and the weak?

Many times, it is the asymmetry of information.

When Mao Sect true disciple Cao Yanran issued the command for intelligence gathering, the vast machinery controlled by Beast Taming Sect began its operation.

Upon receiving the order, Lanshan Post Station quickly assembled the Wind Media Department from parts of Longzhou and started consolidating information.

Meanwhile, Dutian Heavenly King’s patrols instructed Pingshan City to deliver intelligence about the battle to Long Valley at the fastest speed possible.

As Cao Yanran perused the mountain of accumulated case files, he finally began to realize that making an appropriate decision wasn’t as straightforward as he had thought.

What appeared to be the bullying aggressor turned out, in many instances, to show signs of careful appeasement, while the supposed victim seemed far less modest and upright.

At that moment, Cao Yanran’s understanding shattered. The people and events in his memories, when cross-referenced with the intelligence, proved to be...

Humble, overbearing, low-key, ostentatious, honest, cunning...

Which of them was real, and which was false?

...

Luyang City

"The soul marks of tens of thousands of spirit beasts and wild beasts across five proxy families were simultaneously erased, and they defected?"

Listening to the intelligence returned by the Wind Department subordinates, Cao Lie’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Interesting, truly fascinating."

With Long Valley’s support secured, the soul reconstruction project was now on track, and with successful dragon beast cases like Shi Sanke and Xiang Dongyou, the actual status of Lu Zhongyan and Fu Yuanshan seemed far less critical.

Nevertheless, as the initial creations, they held immense significance to him. Assigning Ten Thousand Beasts Manor to Red Cloud Mountain had been a deliberate effort to keep the matter manageable.

Handing over the dragon beasts and forging goodwill with the broader Luyang City seemed an uncomplicated choice, yet Red Cloud Mountain—who knew why—decided to stand their ground over two dragon beasts and challenge Ten Thousand Beasts Manor.

This petty squabble, which ordinarily Cao Lie wouldn’t even glance at, had unexpectedly unraveled into a series of unforeseen developments of great interest to him.

To abolish soul marks across such a vast region—has Red Cloud Mountain produced a Heaven-level Bloodline?

"Let me see what it is that makes things so fascinating!"

Brimming with excitement, Cao Lie closed his eyes and began to dance. The flowing energy from his fingertips resonated with a distant soul presence thousands of li away, as his purple-scaled dragon robe stirred autonomously against the air.