Chapter 199: A Clever Scheme
Southern Region, Zhaonan Province.
Zhaonan Province, located outside the Ten Thousand Mountains, was one of the few large and prosperous provinces in the Southern Region.
Due to its proximity to the Central Plains, it was the richest province in the Southern Region.
There were three cultivation sects near Zhaonan Province:
The Chiyu Sect, the Lingyu Sect, and the Huanxi Sect.
Although not top-tier sects, they were still influential, each with Supreme Clarity Realm cultivators among their ranks.
Since the Wu Xuan Cave was the only top-tier sect in the entire Southern Region, and they were reclusive and uninvolved in worldly affairs, these three sects were more active outside the Ten Thousand Mountains.
The Ten Thousand Mountains and Zhaonan Province were like two separate worlds, rarely interacting.
Inside a secret meeting room in the Lingyu Sect…
The white-haired and robust Sect Master of the Chiyu Sect, the cold and aloof Sect Master of the Lingyu Sect, and the portly Sect Master of the Huanxi Sect sat together.
The leaders of the three sects.
Before them stood a masked figure, motionless and silent.
“Is what you say true?”
The Chiyu Sect Master asked, stroking his beard. “Such a significant matter… how did Shen Li come to know of this?”
“There’s nothing we don’t know.”
The masked figure sneered. “If we wanted to, we could even tell you about the time you wet the bed as a child.”
The Chiyu Sect Master’s face darkened, but he didn’t dare retaliate.
This person’s background was too powerful. His entire sect was no match for them.
“You jest, Divine Messenger.” The Lingyu Sect Master intervened, her voice calm. “But this is a serious matter. We must be certain before taking action.”
“Fortune favors the bold.”
The Divine Messenger said calmly, “If you lack the courage, you can pretend I was never here.”
A thoughtful expression appeared in the Lingyu Sect Master’s eyes.
“In that case, please enlighten us, Divine Messenger.” The Huanxi Sect Master, a portly man, said with a fawning smile.
“I’ve made myself clear.”
The Divine Messenger snorted. “The Grand Witch of the Wu Xuan Cave has obtained a great treasure and is currently vulnerable, in the midst of fusing with it. The Wu Xuan Cave has no defenses besides its miasma. Any sect that obtains this treasure will instantly rise to the top, rivaling the Heavenly Net Sect and the Mist Spirit Sect. This is your last chance. Once the Grand Witch fully controls the treasure, it will be too late.”
The three Sect Masters exchanged glances, hesitation evident in their eyes.
“But… why would you offer us such a valuable opportunity, Divine Messenger?”
“Consider it an honor. Hmph.” The Divine Messenger scoffed. “We at Shen Li have no interest in the treasure itself. But if any of you obtain it, we’re willing to form an alliance with you. That offer is perhaps even more valuable than the treasure itself.”
The three Sect Masters looked at each other, their eyes gleaming with greed.
“But the Wu Xuan Cave is a powerful sect.”
The Chiyu Sect Master hesitated. “Even with our combined strength, we might not be able to defeat them.”
“Cowards! The Wu Xuan Cave is weak and vulnerable now. Their elders are in seclusion, and most of their disciples are gone. The Grand Witch, their strongest fighter, is busy fusing with the treasure. Conquering them would be a trivial matter.”
The Divine Messenger’s tone was impatient. “If you’re so hesitant, you might as well go home.”
The three Sect Masters seemed to have a silent discussion through voice transmission, then the Lingyu Sect Master, a middle-aged woman, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Very well. We accept your offer, Divine Messenger.”
“We’ll make some preparations and then attack the Wu Xuan Cave.”
The Divine Messenger nodded with satisfaction.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there with you.”
“If you encounter any trouble, I’ll assist you.”
The three Sect Masters’ eyes lit up with excitement. “Thank you, Divine Messenger!”
They had witnessed his power firsthand.
With a single glance, he had neutralized the cultivation of three Supreme Clarity Realm cultivators, rendering them as helpless as mortals.
Such power was akin to that of the gods in their eyes.
With the Divine Messenger’s backing, the three Sect Masters were filled with confidence and returned to their sects to gather their disciples.
The Divine Messenger left the meeting room, entered a secluded area, summoned his System, and bowed respectfully.
“Divine Son, the trap has been set.”
“Excellent.” The Divine Son’s image appeared in the air, nodding in satisfaction. “Since our new recruit isn’t capable of handling the Grand Witch, we’ll have to lend a hand. After all, we’re family in Shen Li. And we don’t have time to wait for him to mature.”
The Divine Messenger bowed. “I’ll handle this personally.”
“Fu Zhe, I trust you.”
The Divine Son’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he said, “The Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion seems to be making some moves lately. Be discreet. Keep the conflict contained within the Ten Thousand Mountains. Don’t attract Yu Ling’s attention. The next Triennial Day is approaching. She’ll be eager to eliminate us before then.”
Fu Zhe bowed respectfully. “Understood.”
“Go now. Work with our new recruit, use both soft and hard tactics, and bring the Grand Witch into our fold as soon as possible. With pressure from those three sects, it shouldn’t be difficult for you and our new recruit to convince her.”
“I wish you success.” With that, the Divine Son’s image disappeared.
Fu Zhe lowered his head, then looked up after the Divine Son was gone.
“The Divine Son only said to recruit the Grand Witch.”
“As for the rest… I can do as I please, right?”
“Are you planning something again?” The System’s voice was filled with a weary resignation.
Fu Zhe giggled, a chilling sound.
“I’ve been cooped up in the mountains for too long, thanks to that damned Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion and Yu Ling. I’m dying for some action.”
“I’m not letting this opportunity go to waste.”
The System paused, then asked softly, “What are you planning?”
“Those three sects will attack the Wu Xuan Cave without mercy.”
“The Grand Witch, under pressure, will have no choice but to ask us for help. Then I’ll intervene and eliminate those three Sect Masters.”
“With both soft and hard tactics, I can kill those Wu Xuan Cave pests and those three fools while completing the Divine Son’s mission.”
“It’s perfect.” A sinister smile appeared on his lips.
The System was silent for a moment, then sighed.
“As you wish…”
Deep within the earth, the passage was dark and silent.
The miasma was thinner here. As they descended, the air became fresher, and the concentration of spiritual energy increased.
It was almost as rich as that of an immortal mountain.
But the passage was deeper than they had expected.
As they went further down, the temperature rose steadily, as if they were approaching the earth’s core.
“In this environment… can anything even survive here?”
Chen Yin asked curiously, “Is the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma that powerful?”
“How would I know?”
The Grand Witch rolled her eyes. “It’s a legendary herb. I’ve never seen it before. I’m just following the scriptures. But this is the only path. We can’t be wrong.”
Chen Yin was speechless. This Grand Witch was incredibly unreliable.
The masked man had been silent since they entered the secret realm, as if preoccupied with something.
Whenever Chen Yin tried to start a conversation, he would either be met with a cold indifference or be completely ignored.
…Was he still mad about being carried earlier?
Chen Yin decided not to bother him.
They continued their descent.
Finally, a faint light appeared at the end of the passage.
They emerged into a vast, open chamber.
A lake of molten lava surrounded the platform, its heat intense and suffocating.
And in the center of the platform, a large, lush tree stood tall, its branches reaching towards the ceiling, radiating a potent spiritual energy.
“A tree can survive in this place?”
Chen Yin stared at it in disbelief.
The Grand Witch, however, immediately noticed the small, glowing leaves at the base of the tree.
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
“That’s it!”
“The Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma! Just like in the scriptures!”
They approached the tree and looked at the glowing leaves.
The Ganoderma was small, about the size of a hand, with three translucent yellow leaves, each radiating pure spiritual energy.
“Such potent energy… it truly is a treasure.”
The Grand Witch reached out to pluck the leaves, then suddenly frowned.
“Wait… something’s not right. It doesn’t look exactly like the one described in the scriptures.”
“What’s different?”
“It’s supposed to have four leaves, and they should be orange.”
The Grand Witch examined the plant carefully. “There’s a small, withered leaf beneath these three. Could it be—”
Before she could finish her sentence,
A raspy voice suddenly echoed through the chamber.
“You’re right.”
They instantly jumped back, their eyes wary.
Chen Yin gripped his sword tightly, his gaze sharp.
…Here it comes.
This was the source of his unease.
The branches of the tree parted, revealing an old man’s face, his body withered and decayed, only his head remaining, attached to the tree trunk.
A terrifying aura enveloped them.
“This Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma… isn’t ripe yet.”
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