The Venomous Cloud, Shen Tuo

On the main peak of Xuanshao Sect, cold winds swept up the stone steps, bringing with them an oppressive chill. Poison Master Shen Tuo's retreat was located at the mountain's summit, where a faint, corrosive toxic mist hung in the air outside his cave, casting the vegetation around in a sickly, dark green hue. The area was blanketed in a deadly atmosphere, marking it as one of the sect's most feared forbidden grounds, as Shen Tuo rarely allowed visitors.

Shen Gu now stood before his father's cave, bowing respectfully, with an expression of both nervousness and anticipation. He knew that his father, Shen Tuo, controlled the Xuanshao Sect's vast arsenal of toxic arts. As the Shen family's patriarch, his father was not only a pillar of the sect but the backbone of their entire clan. From within the cave, a cold voice echoed, "Enter."

At the sound, Shen Gu stepped into the cave. A strange, faintly poisonous fragrance permeated the air, making it slightly difficult to breathe. At the center sat Shen Tuo, pale-faced and with a chilling green gleam in his eyes that radiated an oppressive aura. He wore a long, black robe that trailed to the floor, with dark cloud patterns at the sleeves that emitted a faint, eerie glow. His expression was unreadable, though he seemed fully aware of Shen Gu's purpose.

With utmost reverence, Shen Gu offered the Mountain King Cauldron with both hands, saying, "Father, during our expedition to the secret realm, Xuanshao Sect successfully claimed the Nascent Soul-level treasure known as the Mountain King Cauldron. With the power to move mountains, it is no ordinary item. I return to offer it to you, as promised."

A hint of approval flashed in Shen Tuo's eyes. He accepted the Mountain King Cauldron, his fingertips emitting a faint green toxin that seemed to merge seamlessly with the cauldron, causing a thin layer of venomous mist to appear across its surface. Shen Tuo examined the cauldron with a faint smile that radiated a chilling satisfaction.

"Well done, Shen Gu. You have exceeded my expectations. The Mountain King Cauldron, as a Nascent Soul artifact, contains immense mountain-shifting power and can turn the tide in our favor. In a sect conflict, wielding it could easily crush disciples from Cloudsky and Skyvault Sects, greatly amplifying our influence," he said with a dark, contemplative smile. "With this artifact, Xuanshao Sect's prestige will surely rise."

After inspecting the cauldron in silence, Shen Tuo nodded, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed delight. He understood that Xuanshao Sect was on the cusp of expansion but had long been held back by limited resources. Though they shared a delicate balance with Cloudsky and Skyvault Sects, further growth demanded bolder strategies.

Standing nearby, Shen Gu listened to his father's words, inwardly thrilled. He was fully aware that Shen Tuo was no ordinary figure. His father was both the Shen family patriarch and one of Xuanshao Sect's most fearsome elders. His mastery of toxic arts was unparalleled within the sect, and even many Jindan-level cultivators harbored deep respect, if not fear, for him.

Shen Tuo finally put down the Mountain King Cauldron and turned his steely gaze on Shen Gu. "Shen Gu, seizing the cauldron is only the beginning. The sect is now preparing to consolidate resources. Striking swiftly would put us leagues ahead of the other two sects and allow us to absorb their resources completely."

He paused, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "Cloudsky and Skyvault are stubborn fools. If we delay any longer, Xuanshao Sect will be limited by our current resources. Our best course is to wage war, leveraging the Mountain King Cauldron to break through our constraints and open new avenues for expansion."

Shen Gu blinked in surprise before quickly nodding, his expression serious. "Father, you are absolutely right. The other two sects likely have no idea of our plans. Attacking now would put us in an advantageous position."

Shen Tuo gave a satisfied nod, his gaze sharpening with deadly intent. "Still, if we strike, it must be with absolute precision. With the cauldron in our possession, we now have a distinct advantage. We must seize this opportunity to ensure a decisive victory. The Shen family will give its all in this expansion to secure Xuanshao Sect's dominance in resource allocation."

He raised his hand slightly, and a faint green mist began seeping from a nearby ghostly bottle, coiling around him like a toxic cloud. Shen Tuo tapped the bottle's opening with his finger, causing it to emit a strange hum before the venomous mist retracted into it.

With reverent awe, Shen Gu spoke in a low tone. "Father, with your resolve, I will follow you and commit fully to the sect's conquest."

Shen Tuo nodded with a faint smile, his gaze piercing the mountain peaks beyond his cave. "The balance among the three sects shattered the moment the secret realm opened. Xuanshao Sect will not grant them a moment's respite. Once our preparations are complete, we will strike."

His words rang with an unmistakable, killing intent, and the surrounding air thickened with an oppressive chill. Shen Gu stood by, feeling as though he were engulfed by endless cold. He understood that his father, Shen Tuo, was now fully prepared to lead Xuanshao Sect in unleashing its might, turning their poisonous arts into a fearsome wave that would sweep through the region, leaving conquest and dominance in its wake.

As Shen Tuo rose to his feet, his long sleeves billowed, radiating an icy, bone-chilling aura. He looked at Shen Gu with an unwavering gaze, commanding, "The entire Shen family must prepare. When I give the order, we will reshape the power structure of the three sects."

With a low bow, Shen Gu accepted his orders, his heart racing with both anticipation and a trace of trepidation. He knew that Xuanshao Sect's destiny was about to undergo a profound transformation, with his father's ambition driving them toward a new era of supremacy.