https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-206-The-Local-Gangs-Have-No-Manners-/13506312/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-208-Dare-You-Play-Mind-Games-With-My-Holy-Sect-/13506314/
Chapter 207: The Bait is Taken!
Chapter 207: The Bait is Taken!
Jiangbei, Qing Kingdom.
A white-bearded old man strolled leisurely through a fragrant courtyard, idly toying with an Ironfeather Scalebird inside a steel cage.
Suddenly, a brilliant light descended.
"Hua the Eccentric", a voice rang out as a middle-aged man emerged from the radiance. "The Demonic Sect's True Monarch has issued a mobilization order—half of Jiangbei is in turmoil. Yet here you are, still birdwatching."
The figure known as Hua the Eccentric held some renown in Jiangbei as the leader of the Five Elements Sect, a Foundation-Building Mid-Stage cultivator hailed as the Five Elements True Man.
Clutching his birdcage, the Five Elements True Man chuckled. "Water flows around stone—we deal with what comes our way. Xia Weiming, I assume your clan’s relocation is complete?"
"The entire Zhao Xia Clan has moved into Qing Kingdom", Xia Weiming replied. "The Five Elements Sect as well, I presume? No matter what, we’ve already burned our bridges."
His tone carried a trace of melancholy.
"Hmph", came a sharp retort. "Burning bridges? Since when did we have a bridge to begin with?"
A youth stepped forward, his voice cold. "Under the Demonic Sect’s rule, we’ve never had a path to walk. Joining the Dao Court at least gives us a chance to fight for our future."
"Ah, the old Chen family nuisance", Xia Weiming sighed.
The speaker was Chen Anze, an elder ancestor of the Yuan Chen Clan—its name even more prestigious than the Zhao Xia Clan.
Moments later, a fragrant breeze swept the courtyard. Wisps of mist coiled into shape, then dispersed to reveal a woman in celestial robes.
"The Cloud Lotus Fairy of the Cloudreach Sect graces us", the Five Elements True Man remarked.
"What of the Supreme Sword Sect?"
Before the words faded, a piercing sword cry split the sky. A blade of light hurtled down, resolving into a young cultivator with piercing eyes and a golden sword radiating sharp Sword Qi.
"The Supreme Sword Sect indeed received Jiangnan’s patronage", the Five Elements True Man mused, admiring the sword’s aura. "With three Premium Sword Cores, their reputation is well-earned."
"Xuanjin Sword Master", the youth greeted, bowing to the elder. "My master remains in sealed cultivation, advancing toward Foundation-Building Late Stage. Regrettably, he cannot join you today."
"No matter", the elder waved him off, his gaze brightening. "If Supreme Master Shangxuan breaches Late Foundation, ascending to True Manhood, his contribution to the war effort will be invaluable."
The courtyard now held five Foundation-Building cultivators, clearly led by the Five Elements True Man—Mid-Stage cultivation placing him above the rest, who stood at Early Foundation: Xia Weiming, Chen Anze, Cloud Lotus Fairy, and Xuanjin Sword Master.
Yet as they stood, an oppressive weight descended. The very spiritual currents they commanded so effortlessly moments ago now fled, drawn toward the courtyard’s entrance.
A refined young man approached.
"Grand Scholar Zhong Xin!"
The Five Elements True Man bowed first, the others hastily following. Zhong Xin returned each bow with careful courtesy.
"Honored to meet you, elders", the young official said.
"Undeserved flattery", the elder shook his head. "You, the imperial examination’s top scholar and the Emperor’s favored minister, holding a third-grade post at such a young age—"
His eyes narrowed. A rare divination ability granted him insight into hidden truths. He beheld Zhong Xin’s Bureaucratic Qi manifesting as swirling Cloud Cranes and Ferocious Tigers, guardian spirits of his status.
Above Zhong Xin’s head floated his official title:
Shun Dao Fengtian Prefect
A third-grade post in Qing Kingdom, governing the capital’s affairs. Such a rank alone conferred Early Foundation-Building cultivation—a mere shadow of Jiangdong Dao Court’s power, where third-grade officials were Celestial Officials at Foundation-Building Late Stage.
Yet even this paled compared to the jealousy it stirred.
"Grand Elder", Zhong Xin asked curiously. "What urgent matter calls this assembly?"
".It concerns the Jiangbei invaders." The elder produced a Sky Message. "My two Jiangbei allies report encountering a Demonic Sect True Man. They seek our aid in ambushing him."
"A Foundation-Building Mid-Stage cultivator himself, my ally’s target is almost certainly another Mid-Stager. And from the Demonic Sect, no less! I suspect this could be their invasion’s commander."
Zhong Xin’s eyes gleamed. "And your thoughts?"
"I say we strike!" the elder declared. "Killing their leader before war breaks out would cripple their morale."
Zhong Xin hesitated. "But the Dao Court’s Siting Bureau reports the Chongguang True Man has reincarnated. Our priority is locating his rebirth. You should hold your defenses here."
"Nonsense!" the elder countered. "Defensive postures win no glory. The Five Elements Sect joined the Dao Court seeking recognition—achievements demand action."
Silent assent rippled through the four cultivators behind him—each a defector from Jiangbei, each craving the credit of slaying a Demonic Sect True Man.
Zhong Xin sighed. "Very well. But tread carefully behind enemy lines. Retreat if the mission falters."
"Rest assured!" The elder’s face lit with anticipation. "The chance for glory has arrived!"
Elsewhere, Lv Yang drifted lazily toward Gai Zhu Mountain, his pace unhurried.
"Time the bait takes the hook", he murmured. "If they mean to kill me, it’ll be their aggression—not mine—that brands them criminals."
A smirk played on his lips. These Jiangbei cultivators underestimated him. Tricks meant for Holy Sect wanderers like Wu Cang wouldn’t fool even True Man Yinshan, let alone himself.
Sure enough, a distant light approached. Lv Yang halted, hands clasped behind his back, watching the pursuer draw near.
"The fish", he said softly, "have taken the bait."
(End of Chapter)
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