Deities: Starting From Goblins

“It is definitely a frame-up, written by the killer,” he said to the other sect leaders. If he was named the murderer solely based on the bloody characters, it would only allow those with ulterior motives to succeed. He hoped that the leaders of the other five major sects would understand this point.

The Leader of the Heavenly Saint Sect, disconcerted by the ongoing quarrels, finally spoke up, “I’d say, instead of casting blame onto one another, have any of you considered finding out who the killer is? I suggest each Sect must compensate the Heavenly Saint Sect with Spirit Stones. Each person is required to submit a hundred thousand upfront. It also serves to cover the losses of the Heavenly Saint Sect, and naturally, if the killer is found, the Spirit Stones will be returned.”

“A hundred thousand Spirit Stones?” Upon hearing this, the other sect leaders furrowed their brows, considering the move by the Heavenly Saint Sect overly domineering. They were clearly uninvolved, so why should they give the other side a hundred thousand Spirit Stones? It wasn’t their responsibility to pay for the deaths of the Heavenly Saint Sect’s dozen members.

The Flying Flow Sect was the first to dissent, “Regardless of what the other sects do, our sect needs a large amount of Spirit Stones due to moving locations, so naturally, we wouldn’t give out a hundred thousand to others. Just hiring an Array Master previously cost us tens of thousands. If the Heavenly Saints have any capability, they should find the killer themselves, rather than making other sects foot the bill!”

“There are six major sects in total, plus the Shingo Sect. You could gain seven hundred thousand Spirit Stones if all seven sects contribute. Converting those Spirit Stones into cultivation resources—do you know how many Strong Ones you could train, while the other sects suffer a loss? I must say, you are truly good at calculating.”

The Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect remained calm and composed. All were busy making conjectures, but because of this remark, they instantly united in their hatred. While these top-tier sects didn’t find it hard to raise a hundred thousand Spirit Stones, they still didn’t want to be made fools of, right? After all, a hundred thousand Spirit Stones could cultivate a hundred disciples for a year. For a sect, Spirit Stones were a valuable resource.

Other sect leaders also realized something was not right. Why was the Heavenly Saint Sect so persistent in wanting Spirit Stones? Wasn’t it more important to seek justice for the deceased? Was the Leader of the Heavenly Saint Sect indifferent to the lives of his disciples or was there a hidden agenda? Up until now, it was the Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect holding everyone accountable, whereas the Heavenly Saint Sect seemed to be hiding in the shadows.

The Leader of the Heavenly Saint Sect swallowed nervously, soon becoming flustered. He deeply regretted that he shouldn’t have made such a demand. He had originally intended to use the deaths of the dozen disciples to claim some Spirit Stones, thus offsetting the losses of the sect, right? After all, even if the killer was found, compensation in Spirit Stones was not a given. He wanted both the killer and the Spirit Stones.

Celica Shingo’s eyes shifted, plotting to create some trouble for the Heavenly Saint Sect. After all, Lowen Shingo’s capture was masterminded by the Heavenly Saint Sect. At that time, he was forced to give up his son due to the joint pressure from other sects. This grudge was always on his mind; if it wasn’t for Logan and others coming to the rescue, his son might have been lost by now.

“It’s indeed a weird coincidence that ten-odd people died all of a sudden. Nobody from the Heavenly Saint Sect noticed anything, and even bloody characters, pointing only toward the Heavenly Sword Sect, were left behind. The Heavenly Saint Sect is home to many strong individuals. Didn’t they notice an enemy attack? Moreover, those who died were all talents of the Heavenly Saint Sect, usually paid special attention to by the sect elders.”

With just a few words, Celica Shingo, at first seemed to be speaking nonsense, but instantly stimulated plenty of conjectures among the other sect leaders. Some even gasped in realization. According to this theory, they were faced with a mysteriously bizarre fact. Even though the theory seemed far-fetched, it somehow made sense.

Caught in the gaze of the other sect leaders, the Heavenly Saint Sect Leader felt uncomfortable, not understanding how a mere remark from Celica Shingo could cause such upheaval. Everybody was looking at him as if they were looking at a murderer, not bothering to disguise the coldness in their eyes.

The Flying Flow Sect Leader, who was slightly slow to understand, finally caught up, “Are you saying, all this is just a drama put on by the Heavenly Saint Sect, with the intention to profit from Spirit Stones and deepen the conflicts between the major sects while becoming the ultimate winner?”

“The disciples of the sect died, and instead of pursuing the killer, he is obsessing over making other sects compensate with Spirit Stones. It’s definitely strange!” The Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect looked piercingly. Earlier, he was considered the prime suspect, so he had a deep loathing for the real culprit.

At this point, he suspected it was all staged. His temper towards the Heavenly Saint Sect was horrible, and the two sects had long-standing feuds. The other party blamed him by leaving the bloody characters behind, expecting him to foot the bill for their act? If there weren’t solid evidence now, the Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect would make the entire Heavenly Saint Sect pay a terrible price.

The Heavenly Saint Sect Leader was dumbstruck, looking utterly at a loss. He never gave such orders, and it’s highly unlikely any elder in the sect would make such a move. Clearly, the Heavenly Saint Sect was the victim, so how did they end up the prime suspects all of a sudden?

“I have always wondered how the ten-odd people died so silently. It must have been done by someone they trusted most – people of their own sect. And who else can they trust more than their fellow sect members? The murder is clearly an inside job. Moreover, the bloody note was left just to frame others.”

Celica Shingo said with a light smile, adding fuel to the flame, “Think about it everyone, why was there a rumor yesterday saying that the Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect had obtained a chance patronized by the Holy See? Could that too be a plot by the Heavenly Saint Sect, which failed? Among us, the only feud is between the Heavenly Saint Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect. The other sects wouldn’t even entertain such schemes.”

“I was puzzled yesterday. Now it all makes sense,” said the Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect. He scoffed, “I have never received any chance from the Holy See. If I had, I would have fled a long time ago. Why would I still be staying in the camp?”

“You must not slander! The Heavenly Saint Sect would definitely not harm its own people. Our trip this time is for the chance patronized by the Heavenly Saint Daoist, not for some so-called Spirit Stones. We wouldn’t scheme against other sects during this period either.”

The Heavenly Saint Sect Leader hurriedly explained, but no one believed him. They all believed that the Heavenly Saint Sect was putting on a show. Moreover, the resentment from all the previous suspicions culminated in a blame placed squarely on the Heavenly Saint Sect. This left them at a loss for words.

Once calm, the Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect suddenly said, “Could it be that all this has nothing to do with the six major sects? I believe we’re all being manipulated. The real culprit behind the scenes might be Logan. He wants us to fight amongst ourselves to avoid being hunted down.”

At first, most people dismissed it, but on second thought, it did make sense. All sects came for the chance presented by the Holy See. How could they fight each other before getting that chance? Obviously, someone else wanted to stir up the water.