On the afternoon the great battle ended, the Wandao Sect’s Sect Protection Array was already repaired.

While the Sect Protection Array wasn’t restored to its original, perfect condition, it was more than sufficient.

At the very least, if the Nine Great Demon Sects dared to turn back and attack the Wandao Sect again, Xiao Mo could leverage the Sect Protection Array to ensure none of them made it out alive.

And while Xiao Mo was recuperating, Yu Yunwei and Si Li kept the Wandao Sect running in an orderly fashion.

Every cultivator who chose to remain during the Sect’s life-or-death crisis was rewarded, their status and position rising a full step.

As for the Wandao Sect disciples who had fled, they could hardly believe their ears when they heard the Sect was unharmed and that Xiao Mo had single-handedly driven off the Nine Great Demon Sects.

After making inquiries everywhere, they learned it was true.

Xiao Mo had truly saved the entire Wandao Sect by himself!

Now, these deserters wanted to return to the Wandao Sect.

Everyone could see that although Xiao Mo was at the Immortal Realm, his power far surpassed that of the previous Sect Leader, Ding Jingyi.

Even though the Wandao Sect was battered and scarred, its future was boundless. It was highly likely that the Wandao Sect would become the number one Major Sect in the Western Regions!

But was the Wandao Sect a place one could come and go from as they pleased?

The names of all disciples who fled the Wandao Sect at the critical moment had been recorded.

It was merciful enough that Xiao Mo hadn’t had them killed; there was no way he would allow these turncoats back into the fold.

However, during the four months Xiao Mo spent recuperating, quite a few cultivators from other sects tried to take advantage of the situation. But the Hall Master of the Punishment Hall and his men were not to be trifled with.

Any cultivator with even the slightest ill intentions was cut down by the Hall Master of the Punishment Hall and his subordinates.

Harassment from minor sects was no great matter. They were even confident they could handle an Immortal Realm Cultivator if one showed up.

What they feared was an Ascension Realm monk from the Buddhist Sect showing up to take advantage of their plight.

Fortunately, their Sect Leader had made a resounding name for himself in that battle, and no one knew the true extent of his injuries.

Even if they considered it, they would have to think twice.

Four months later, Xiao Mo’s injuries had completely healed.

When the cultivators of the Wandao Sect learned their Sect Leader had recovered, everyone from top to bottom breathed a collective sigh of relief.

On the very next day, Xiao Mo summoned all the Hall Masters, Peak Masters, and Elders for a meeting.

The meeting had only one item on the agenda: the annihilation of the Nine Great Demon Sects.

They were all stunned when they heard it.

If Ding Jingyi had proposed this, they would have vehemently objected, even wondering if their Sect Leader had gone mad.

But standing before them was a man of unbelievable power, a man who had single-handedly driven off the leaders of the Nine Great Demon Sects.

If he truly intended to do this, it seemed... it might not be impossible.

"Those who are unwilling to follow me will remain and guard the Wandao Sect. Those who are willing will join me on the expedition." Xiao Mo looked at the sect’s upper echelon, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Furthermore, announce this to the entire Sect. Anyone at the Cave Mansion Realm or above may join the campaign."

’Since their Sect Leader had spoken, what choice did they have?’

In fact, to avoid giving the Sect Leader any reason to suspect their loyalty, these old-timers all chose to join Xiao Mo’s campaign as a demonstration of their devotion.

In the end, Xiao Mo ordered a few Elders at the Immortal Realm and Jade Realm to stay behind and guard the Sect, placing them all under Yu Yunwei’s command.

In Xiao Mo’s absence, Yu Yunwei would be the acting Sect Leader.

Yu Yunwei wanted to accompany her Senior Brother on the campaign, but Xiao Mo gently refused.

While Si Li was also one of Xiao Mo’s trusted confidantes, she was ultimately not of the Blood Sin Peak lineage.

But as Xiao Mo’s Junior Sister, no one would dare defy Yu Yunwei on the basis of that status alone.

Yu Yunwei knew she couldn’t afford to be willful, so she could only remain at the Wandao Sect and wait for her Senior Brother’s return.

「The night before the campaign.」 Xiao Mo sat cross-legged on the edge of a cliff on Blood Sin Peak, meditating with his eyes closed. Myriad stars were scattered across the night sky like fine sand.

"Senior Brother..."

Deep in the night, the sound of Yu Yunwei’s voice reached Xiao Mo’s ears.

Xiao Mo slowly opened his eyes and watched his Junior Sister approach. "Is everything taken care of?"

Since Xiao Mo was about to depart, there were many matters that needed to be handed over.

For instance, Xiao Mo had transferred control of the Wandao Sect’s Sect Protection Array to Yu Yunwei.

"It’s all pretty much done." Yu Yunwei nodded, sitting down beside her Senior Brother. "But Senior Brother, are you sure you don’t need any supplies?"

"I don’t." Xiao Mo shook his head. "War between cultivators isn’t like a war in the Mortal World. We don’t need to eat or drink. As for healing medicines, we can just take what we need on-site after we destroy a sect."

"Oh, right." Xiao Mo looked at Yu Yunwei. "Now that the Wandao Sect is stable, you can consider bringing Madam Wang and Ning Wei here. That way, you won’t be so lonely."

"I know, Senior Brother." Yu Yunwei lowered her head, her eyes filled with the sorrow of their impending separation.

"Also, have someone take good care of the Blood Demon Flower seeds that were planted.

If anything comes up in the future, don’t rush into things.

You’re clever, so no one can really harm you, but don’t be too aggressive in some matters.

And remember, strength is the foundation of everything. Never neglect your cultivation.

The Black Dragon Sect is a good choice; you can form an alliance with them.

The Hall Master of the Punishment Hall is a fine senior. You can trust him.

If there’s anything you’re uncertain how to handle, discuss it with Sister Qing Yuan."

"Senior Brother..." As Xiao Mo continued, listing one instruction after another, Yu Yunwei pouted with a hint of grievance. "Senior Brother, why does it sound like you’re giving me your last will and testament?"

Hearing his Junior Sister’s words, the corner of Xiao Mo’s mouth curled into a smile. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Does it really?"

"Mhm." Yu Yunwei nodded. "It does."

"Well, I am your Senior Brother. It’s only right for me to give you a few extra reminders..."

Yu Yunwei grasped Xiao Mo’s hand, looking up from beneath his palm as it rested on her head. "I don’t want to hear all this. I just want to know when you’ll be back, Senior Brother."

"Well..." Xiao Mo’s gaze softened as he spoke slowly, "That’s hard to say. But I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can."

"Alright..." Yu Yunwei’s gaze fell once more.

But soon, as if remembering something, the young woman looked up at her Senior Brother with anticipation. "Senior Brother, when you return, can you promise me one thing? As a reward for me staying behind to guard the Wandao Sect?"

"What is it?" Xiao Mo asked.

"I’ll tell you when you get back, Senior Brother. But first, can you tell me if you’ll agree?"

The young woman’s cheeks were tinged with red, and she looked very nervous as she gently tugged on the corner of Xiao Mo’s sleeve.

"Alright." Xiao Mo looked at his Junior Sister. ’I have a vague idea of what she wants me to promise.’ His eyes crinkled into a smile. "When I get back, I’ll agree to anything you ask."

"Really?" Yu Yunwei’s eyes lit up.

"Really." Xiao Mo nodded.

"You can’t go back on your word, Senior Brother!"

"Mhm."

Xiao Mo raised his head, his gaze turning to the distant horizon.

"I won’t."