Chapter 250: Lin Yun’s Rather Clever Strategy
A few years had passed since Lin Yun’s fall from grace, and in that time, the world of cultivation had subtly shifted. Wang Li’s Holy Devil Dragon Sect had continued its meteoric rise, solidifying itself as a dominant force. No longer just a sect within the righteous path, it had grown into something far more influential. The sect now acted as a balancing force between the righteous sects and the devil sects, a unique position that allowed Wang Li to expand his influence beyond what anyone thought possible.
The Holy Devil Dragon Sect was no longer seen as a purely righteous sect. Under Wang Li’s leadership, it had reached into the murky politics of the devil sects, bringing powerful devil sects under its control and even acting as a mediator between the two traditionally opposed sides. His influence was so far-reaching that sects from both paths, righteous and devil, had begun looking to the Holy Devil Dragon Sect for guidance on matters that affected the cultivation world as a whole.
However, while Wang Li basked in his victories, expanding his sect and indulging in his life of luxury, Lin Yun had been quietly growing. Away from the eyes of the world, he had been building his own group of powerful and talented warriors. These warriors, unlike the allies who had once followed him openly, were loyal to him in secret, working from the shadows to help him reclaim his lost honor and exact revenge on Wang Li.
Lin Yun had learned the hard way that open conflict with Wang Li would not work. Wang Li’s influence was too great, his power too overwhelming. But Lin Yun was no longer the reckless leader who had fallen into Wang Li’s traps. He had learned from his mistakes, and now he knew that if he wanted to take down Wang Li, he would have to do it with subtlety and cunning.
Sitting in a dimly lit chamber deep within an ancient, hidden base, Lin Yun looked over his most trusted warriors. Among them were Zhao Feng, his loyal swordsman, and Luo Xinya, the brilliant strategist who had helped him navigate the treacherous waters of the cultivation world. Over the years, Lin Yun had gathered other skilled individuals—each powerful in their own right, but united by their loyalty to him and their shared hatred of Wang Li.
“The time has come,” Lin Yun said, his voice calm yet filled with steely determination. “Wang Li’s influence has grown too great. His Holy Devil Dragon Sect is no longer just a threat to the righteous path, but to the devil sects as well. We must strike at his power, but we cannot do it openly. We will make him an enemy to both sides without him even realizing it.”
Luo Xinya nodded, her sharp eyes glinting in the low light. “We’ve studied his movements for years. Wang Li has become overconfident, believing that no one would dare challenge him. His sect has inserted itself into the politics of both the righteous and the devil sects. All we need to do is create the right chaos and let his enemies tear him down.”
Zhao Feng, ever the practical warrior, leaned forward. “But how do we make both sides turn against him without tipping our hand?”
Lin Yun smiled darkly. “Simple. We target key figures on both sides and make it seem like Wang Li’s Holy Devil Dragon Sect is responsible. Assassinations, sabotage, subtle strikes—they will all point back to him. Over time, both sides will believe that Wang Li’s sect is trying to weaken them. By the time anyone realizes what’s happening, Wang Li will be fighting battles on all fronts, with no allies to help him.”
The room fell silent as the gravity of Lin Yun’s plan sank in. This was not the bold, reckless plan of a young, brash leader. This was the strategy of someone who had learned from his mistakes, someone who had spent years honing his skills and understanding the intricacies of power. Lin Yun had become a master of the shadows, and his warriors trusted him implicitly.
Luo Xinya cleared her throat, her voice smooth and calculating. “We’ve identified several key targets. On the righteous side, there’s Elder Jian Cheng, a respected figure in the Heavenly Sword Sect. He’s been known to oppose the Holy Devil Dragon Sect’s growing influence, but he has no proof to act against them. If he were to be assassinated, it would not only remove a threat but also create suspicion around Wang Li.”
Lin Yun nodded thoughtfully. “And on the devil sects’ side?”
Zhao Feng answered this time. “Zhao Mian, one of the elders of the Crimson Moon Sect. He’s always been ambitious, but recently he’s been growing wary of Wang Li’s influence. He’s also someone who could rally others against the Holy Devil Dragon Sect if given the chance.”
Lin Yun stood and walked toward a map on the far wall, pointing at the different sects and their territories. “We’ll start with these two. Zhao Mian and Jian Cheng. We’ll make their deaths look like the work of Wang Li’s people—subtle enough that it can’t be proven, but clear enough that their allies will believe it.”
Luo Xinya smiled slightly. “Once the seeds of doubt are planted, we’ll spread rumors. Not wild, baseless ones—just enough truth to make people question Wang Li’s intentions. It won’t take much. His enemies are already watching him closely.”
Zhao Feng gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “When do we begin?”
Lin Yun’s expression hardened. “Tonight. Our time to act has come.”
Over the following months, Lin Yun’s group set their plan into motion. Zhao Mian, the ambitious elder of the Crimson Moon Sect, was the first to fall. His death was quick, efficient, and brutal—just as Lin Yun had planned. The assassination was carried out by one of Lin Yun’s top assassins, Mei Ning, a quiet yet deadly woman who had perfected the art of silent killing. Zhao Mian had been found dead in his quarters, his body drained of life force, a technique that many associated with Wang Li’s sect.
Rumors began to spread. Zhao Mian had been vocal about his opposition to Wang Li’s growing influence in the devil sects. It wasn’t hard for others in the Crimson Moon Sect to believe that the Holy Devil Dragon Sect had removed him for being a threat. Lin Yun’s group planted just enough whispers in the right ears, and soon, other sects began to take notice.
Next was Elder Jian Cheng of the Heavenly Sword Sect. His death was even more dramatic. While traveling between sects to mediate a conflict, he was ambushed by a group of cultivators, all dressed in the black robes associated with Wang Li’s disciples. The ambush was swift, leaving no survivors but enough evidence to point the blame at the Holy Devil Dragon Sect. Jian Cheng’s body was found with the mark of the Holy Devil Dragon Sect etched into his skin—a cruel but effective touch added by Lin Yun’s warriors.
Within weeks, the tension between the righteous sects and the Holy Devil Dragon Sect began to rise. Wang Li had no idea that his enemies were moving against him from within the shadows. To the public, these assassinations seemed like bold moves by an increasingly aggressive Wang Li, and sects on both sides began to prepare for conflict.
Back in Lin Yun’s hidden base, the group gathered to review their progress. Lin Yun sat at the head of the table, his calm demeanor hiding the satisfaction he felt at seeing his plan unfold so perfectly.
“Both the righteous and devil sects are beginning to turn against Wang Li,” Luo Xinya reported, her voice as sharp as ever. “Jian Cheng’s death has shaken the Heavenly Sword Sect. They’ve started to fortify their defenses, and they’re openly questioning Wang Li’s motives.”
Zhao Feng grinned. “And the Crimson Moon Sect? They’re practically calling for war. Zhao Mian’s death has them on edge, and they’re blaming Wang Li outright.”
Lin Yun allowed himself a small smile. “Good. The more suspicion we create, the harder it will be for Wang Li to maintain control. Soon, both sides will see him as a threat.”
Mei Ning, the assassin who had killed Zhao Mian, spoke up quietly. “We should continue striking at key figures. The more people we take out, the more isolated Wang Li’s sect will become.”
Lin Yun nodded. “Agreed. But we must be careful. If we act too quickly, we’ll tip our hand. We need to keep the pressure steady, but not so much that Wang Li suspects we’re behind it.”
Luo Xinya leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “This is only the beginning. By the time we’re done, Wang Li’s sect will be fighting on all fronts, and he won’t have any allies left to save him.”
Lin Yun’s gaze hardened. “And when that time comes, we’ll strike at him directly. But for now, we let his enemies do the work for us.”
The room fell into a satisfied silence as Lin Yun’s group realized how close they were to achieving their goal. The Holy Devil Dragon Sect was powerful, but even the mightiest sect could be brought down by well-placed strikes in the shadows. Lin Yun’s rise had been slow, but it had been steady, and now, the fruits of his labor were beginning to show.
As the meeting came to an end, Lin Yun’s warriors dispersed, each with their tasks to carry out. Lin Yun remained seated, his mind already calculating the next steps in his plan. He knew that the coming months would be crucial, but he was confident that his plan would succeed.
Wang Li, the man who had once humiliated him, would soon find himself surrounded by enemies, with nowhere left to turn. And when that day came, Lin Yun would be waiting.
