Chapter 389: Revealing Their Name.
Inside the old arena conference room, Mo Jian sat in the main seat and looked calmly at the people seated before him.
His gaze was steady and composed, yet it carried a quiet authority that made everyone present straighten their backs unconsciously.
"How is the plan proceeding?" he asked in a measured tone.
"Everything is going according to plan," Elder Bai Delan responded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he spoke.
Not only him, but all the seniors seated in the room wore similar expressions. Their faces reflected a mixture of relief, admiration, and excitement.
They had already prepared themselves for a life and death struggle against all the major forces in the city.
However, none of them had expected Mo Jian to take such an unconventional path.
Instead of confronting their enemies head on, he had chosen a method that was subtle, invisible, and devastating.
A poison that specifically targeted Nascent Soul cultivators had been deployed.
From those initial targets, the toxin could spread further, contaminating others who came into close proximity.
It was silent and insidious, making it nearly impossible to detect before it was too late.
All it required for the poison to spread was simple contact or even proximity. Once a carrier approached another individual, the toxin would transfer without any visible sign.
There were no fluctuations of spiritual energy, no unusual scent, and no warning of any kind.
"Young Master, is it possible for anyone to find a cure for this poison?" Senior Lotus Sword asked.
His voice carried a trace of concern, even though the results so far had been overwhelmingly in their favor.
Mo Jian did not answer immediately. Instead, he shifted his gaze toward Elder Li Huang, silently signaling her to respond.
Understanding his intent, Elder Li Huang straightened slightly and turned to Senior Lotus Sword.
"Of course, there might be a cure," she said calmly, her voice steady and confident. "However, it will not be easy to find."
Her words immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room.
She was not as outwardly active as Elder Bai Delan, but her foundation was exceptionally solid.
Over the years, she had immersed herself deeply in alchemy and the advanced knowledge from Mo Jian.
She had refined her skills to an extraordinary level.
With the help of advanced alchemical tools in her laboratory, she had crafted this poison to be effective against anyone below the Saint realm.
"If they attempt to suppress the toxin using brute force, they will only worsen their condition," she continued. "Their spiritual energy will become more unstable, accelerating the spread of the poison throughout their meridians."
A few elders exchanged glances as they listened carefully.
"Furthermore, any detoxifying pills will have the opposite effect," she added with a faint scoff. "Instead of curing the poison, the pills will act as catalysts, intensifying its potency."
She paused briefly, allowing her words to sink in before continuing.
"In less than a minute, those who take such pills may either fall into a coma or die outright."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Even though they were on the side that deployed the poison, the sheer effectiveness of it still left them in awe.
"But the most important aspect is its method of transmission," Elder Li Huang said. "Anyone attempting to treat the infected must approach them closely to examine their condition. That alone creates the perfect opportunity for the poison to spread further."
Understanding dawned on many faces.
This was not just a poison.
It was a trap designed to exploit both compassion and responsibility. The more they tried to help, the deeper they would fall into it.
"Right now, they must have realized that any detoxifying pill is dangerous," she continued. "After witnessing the results, no one will dare to experiment recklessly again."
"So, for them to develop a cure, it may take years," she concluded.
"Very good," Senior Lotus Sword said, nodding with a satisfied expression. The worry in his heart gradually faded.
Seeing that their concerns had been addressed, Mo Jian gave a slight nod and resumed the meeting.
"Since we have handled the immediate threats, we must accelerate our plans," he said calmly.
"For weeks, we have operated as a nameless organization," he continued. "That ends now."
The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly.
"Our Thousand Wealth Chamber will be officially revealed to the public," Mo Jian declared. "Every store under our control must display the name prominently at its entrance."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
A name was more than just a label. It represented identity, unity, and influence.
Without a name, they were merely a hidden force. With one, they would become a recognized power.
"Since we are revealing ourselves, we will also begin selling the No Heat Stove in the outer city," he added.
Several elders exchanged brief looks. They could already imagine the impact this would have on the market.
"As for our enemies," Mo Jian continued, his tone remaining calm, "they will appear on the front page of the Times newspaper tomorrow."
A few faint smiles appeared.
"Have our scholars prepare detailed stories about each of them," he said. "Make sure the content is engaging and impossible to ignore."
He paused slightly before adding, "Most importantly, include all the noble clans in the city."
At those words, a ripple of understanding passed through the room.
They were not just defending themselves anymore. They were taking the initiative to shape public opinion.
By controlling the narrative, they could influence how the entire city perceived these powerful clans.
Now that they had tested the effectiveness of the poison, their confidence had grown significantly.
Their enemies were already in a vulnerable state.
If anyone wished to attack them now, they would have to think very carefully about the consequences.
A poison that could not be defended against easily.
A toxin that left no visible trace.
No scent, no warning, and no clear origin.
And most importantly, it spread rapidly and silently.
All of these factors combined made it a terrifying weapon.
"However, we must not forget one thing," Mo Jian said, breaking the brief silence. "We still need allies."
His words grounded the room immediately.
"At present, we are still relatively weak," he continued. "If we want to establish ourselves firmly, we must cooperate with others."
Everyone nodded.
Rapid growth required support. Even the strongest tree could not form a forest alone.
The more powerful allies they secured, the faster their influence would expand.
"We need to closely monitor all noble clans and major forces in the city," Mo Jian said. "Increase the number of personnel assigned to observe them."
"We must be ready to respond to any situation at all times."
"With the Spirit Link, no one can surpass us in intelligence gathering," Senior Qiu said with a light smile.
The others nodded in agreement.
With the Spirit Link, they could communicate instantly with their spies and agents.
Information could be gathered, analyzed, and distributed faster than what the people of this could have ever imagined.
"Young Master, what about the Thunderpool Trade Hall?" Senior Huang asked.
Her question drew attention from several others.
Unlike the noble clans, the Thunderpool Trade Hall was a far more complex entity.
It was not limited to a single city. Its influence extended across the entire Yu State, with branches in multiple regions.
Handling such a powerful force required caution.
Mo Jian had already taken note of their subtle movements. Although the trade hall had not shown any hostility, their interest was undeniable.
"For now, we do nothing," he replied calmly.
He leaned back slightly in his seat, his expression thoughtful yet composed.
"Let us deal with the smaller forces first," he added.
The room fell silent once more, but this time, it was a silence filled with anticipation.
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