356: Chapter 350 The Plan to Devour Thousand Families

"Go back and reflect properly."

"Come back tomorrow to receive your punishment!"

"Yes! Thank you, Mistress! Thank you, Revered Master!"

The four of them acted as if they had received a pardon.

They scurried away in a flash, disappearing without a trace.

Their speed was even faster than when they were fleeing for their lives just moments ago.

The spacious courtyard.

Was left with only two people in an instant.

Along with that rustling cedar tree.

Chen Zhiwen stood up.

He opened his arms.

Looking at the woman who was still sitting there, seemingly waiting for him to make the first move.

"What is it?"

"Do you still need your husband to invite you?"

Before the words had even faded.

A fragrant breeze rushed towards him.

"Bang!"

Xiao Linger lacked any of the shyness typical of a young girl.

She sprang directly from the stone stool.

Like a young swallow returning to the forest.

She crashed fiercely into Chen Zhiwen's embrace.

The force was so great that Chen Zhiwen was knocked back half a step.

"You finally know how to come back!"

Xiao Linger hugged his waist tightly.

Burying her Face in his chest.

Her voice was muffled and carried a hint of trembling.

"Do you have any idea how chaotic it is out there right now?"

"The Xia Family and the Wan Family are going crazy."

"For these past three months, I have been on edge every day, terrified that you might be ambushed."

"And you, you didn't even send word when you were late."

"Are you trying to worry me to death?"

As she spoke.

She opened her mouth.

And bit down hard on Chen Zhiwen's shoulder through his clothes.

"Hiss—"

Chen Zhiwen exaggeratedly sucked in a breath of cold air.

But he did not dodge.

Instead, he reached out.

And gently stroked her waterfall-like black hair.

Feeling the real warmth and rapid heartbeat of the person in his arms.

The slaughter, calculations, and rushing about of these past three months.

All vanished like smoke in that moment.

"I'm sorry."

"I made you worry."

He whispered in her ear.

His voice was low and firm.

"However."

"Coming back this time."

"I won't let you be scared anymore."

"Those who want to harm us."

"I will personally chop off their claws, one by one."

Xiao Linger looked up.

Looking into Chen Zhiwen's eyes, which were as deep as the starry sky.

There, she saw.

An unprecedented confidence.

And a reassuring strength.

"Mm."

She replied softly.

She was no longer the imposing Revered Master of Cangdan Peak.

At this moment.

She was just Chen Zhiwen's wife.

Xiao Linger.

Beneath the cedar tree.

The two embraced.

...

Ten Thousand Swords Sect, Forbidden Ground at the back of the mountain.

A waterfall cascaded down from a towering cliff.

Like a silver, furious Dragon,

Crashing fiercely into the deep pool below.

Emitting a deafening roar.

By the edge of the pool.

Chen Zhiwen stood with his arms crossed over his chest.

Standing quietly.

The splashing mist soaked his hem, but he was completely unaware.

His gaze seemed to fall on the churning water,

But in reality, it had already pierced through the water, cast towards that treacherous and unpredictable future.

"Initiating a conflict with the Wan Family..."

He silently reviewed the recent series of actions in his mind.

"This is indeed a risky move."

"One could even say that it is putting the entire Ten Thousand Swords Sect on a fire to roast."

If he had followed his usual steady and cautious nature.

He would never have been so aggressive.

But the situation forced his hand; one must advance or retreat.

"Ten Thousand Swords Sect..."

Chen Zhiwen sighed.

He turned his head to look at the Sect behind him, which appeared prosperous,

But in reality, had a shallow Foundation.

"The background is too poor."

"At most, it has only been developing for a few hundred years."

"Compared to those old-established forces with thousands of years of Legacy,"

"It is like a child that hasn't been weaned yet."

"If we develop step by step."

"In a hundred years, let alone rising to power."

"I fear it would be difficult even to protect ourselves."

In this Cultivator world where the weak are prey to the strong.

Being slow is the original sin.

Being weak is being a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

"Therefore, I must take a gamble."

Chen Zhiwen's gaze suddenly turned sharp.

Like a sharp sword unsheathed.

"Instead of waiting to be crushed by the tide of events."

"It is better to take the initiative while no one has noticed us yet."

"Swallow the Wan Family whole!"

"Step on their corpses to rise to the top!"

This was a crazy plan.

Once successful.

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect would directly annex the Wan Family's thousands of years of accumulation.

Resources, territory, reputation...

Leaping to become the top existence among the second-rate forces of the Eastern Continent.

Even gaining the qualifications to catch a glimpse of first-rate forces.

"If I fail..."

Chen Zhiwen curled his lips into a cold smile.

Playing with the Blood Yang Scorching Crystal in his hand.

"I am not afraid of failure."

"I have the Golden Bead Space, the Blood Yang Scorching Crystal, and that mysterious Puppet Legacy."

"At worst, I will take the Core Disciple and flee far overseas."

"As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood."

Able to advance to attack, able to retreat to defend.

This was the confidence behind his willingness to gamble big.

Furthermore, he still held the biggest trump card in his hand.

A hidden card that no one knew about.

"Strength."

Chen Zhiwen clenched his fists.

Feeling the vast, ocean-like spiritual power within his body.

"That old ghost of the Wan Family, Wan Leixiong."

"Known as the Wan Family's number one expert, at the Peak of the Mid Nascent Soul Stage."

"In the eyes of the outside world, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect is nothing but an ant before him."

"But he would never dream that."

"The current me, whether it be my Physical Body, Divine Sense, or actual killing methods."

"Have already completely surpassed him!"

This information asymmetry.

Is the most lethal weapon.

"As long as Wan Leixiong still underestimates me,"

"And still thinks the Ten Thousand Swords Sect is just a lucky upstart."

"He will not use the Family's deepest reserves from the start,"

"Such as the legendary clan-protecting array, or some secret treasure meant for mutual destruction."

"By the time he realizes it..."

A cold glint flashed in Chen Zhiwen's eyes.

"My sword will already be at his throat."

...

Having thought through this layer.

Chen Zhiwen's mood calmed down significantly.

But he knew that force alone was not enough.

The Cultivator world is not just about fighting and killing; there are also human relationships and worldly affairs.

And there is that behemoth hanging over everyone's heads—the Tianyang Sect.

"Heavenly Star Sect..."

Chen Zhiwen whispered the name of this ally.

"This time, I must win them over."

"It is not just because of having a few more Nascent Soul helpers."

"More importantly, it is the connections behind them."

Although the Heavenly Star Sect's strength is not top-tier.

They are very adept at managing interpersonal networks.

As far as he knows, the Ancestral Master of the Heavenly Star Sect was once a deacon of the Chuanfa Peak of the Tianyang Sect.

This bond of favor has continued to this day.

Even now.

The Heavenly Star Sect still maintains excellent personal relationships with the two heads of Chuanfa Peak.

"This is a protective amulet."

Chen Zhiwen remarked with emotion.

What he was most worried about before.

Was not that he couldn't defeat the Wan Family and the Xia Family.

But rather the worry that after destroying the two families, it would provoke the wrath of the high-level officials of the Tianyang Sect.

After all, the Wan and Xia Families were also vassal forces of the Tianyang Sect, paying significant tribute every year.

If the Tianyang Sect were to casually send a Soul Transformation Old Ancestor down to hold them accountable.

Then even if the Ten Thousand Swords Sect won, it would be a dead end.

"But now, it is different."

"With the relationship with the Heavenly Star Sect."

"As long as we operate properly, within the Tianyang Sect,"

"We will have someone to speak for us."

"At the very least, we can ensure they remain neutral."

"As long as the higher-ups don't interfere, how the fight goes below is up to each side's ability."

Chen Zhiwen stood with his hands behind his back.

Pacing slowly by the pool.

His mind rapidly sorting through intelligence about the Tianyang Sect.

This was a true behemoth.

Ruling over a territory of a million miles.

There were over a dozen Nascent Soul Cultivators within the Sect.

And even three terrifying Heavenly Demons at the Soul Transformation Stage guarding it.

"This is the true top-tier power."

"Humans and demons coexist, keeping each other in check."

"Among them, one of the three Heavenly Demons, the 'Overturning Sea Dragon'."

"Is precisely the backer that the Wan Family and Xia Family have served for many years."

This is also why the Wan and Xia Families have been able to, in this area,

Run rampant for so many years, which is the root cause.

It is good to enjoy the shade under a big tree.

With a Soul Transformation Stage Dragon backing them, who would dare to provoke them easily?

"However..."

Chen Zhiwen stopped pacing.

A playful smile appeared on his Face.

"Fortune changes hands."

"Thirty years ago, a major event occurred in the Tianyang Sect."

"The original situation of a three-legged balance of power was broken."

"Another Heavenly Demon, the 'Sky-Splitting White Tiger', successfully broke through to the fifth tier, reaching the Middle Stage of the Soul Transformation Stage!"

"The White Tiger, with greatly increased strength, immediately began to suppress its old rival, the Dragon."

This is the cruelty of high-level maneuvering.

If one prospers, all prosper; if one suffers, all suffer.

"The current Overturning Sea Dragon is having a hard time."

"Not only has its voice within the Sect been greatly weakened."

"But even its own resources have been significantly deducted."

"And it is at this critical juncture that the Wan and Xia Families are still foolishly clinging to the Dragon."

"This is equivalent to standing on the wrong side."

Chen Zhiwen shook his head.

Expressing deep disdain for the Wan and Xia Families' inability to see the situation clearly.

"This is what they call: success and failure both hinge on the same source."

"The Dragon has lost its wings and cannot even protect itself."

"The Wan and Xia Families' network within the Tianyang Sect is actually on the verge of collapse."

"Those who originally took care of them for the sake of the Dragon are probably avoiding them now."

This is simply a god-given opportunity!

"The enemy's backer has fallen."

"While my ally relies on the flourishing Chuanfa Peak."

"As one grows, the other wanes."

"Before this battle has even started, I have already won half of it strategically."

Thinking of this.

That last trace of concern in Chen Zhiwen's heart completely vanished.

Replacing it.

Was a deep reflection on the future development of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

"This incident has also sounded an alarm for me."

"The Ten Thousand Swords Sect is truly too short-sighted in terms of intelligence and connections."

He recalled a past event from three hundred years ago.

At that time, in order to attach themselves to the Tianyang Sect.

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect paid a huge price.

Even sparing no effort to use the Foundation the Sect had accumulated for a hundred years.

Sending an ancestor with a High Grade Spiritual Root into the Tianyang Sect.

Expecting him to soar to success and feed back into the Sect.

"And what was the result?"

Chen Zhiwen gave a bitter smile.

"A High Grade Spiritual Root is a Genius in a small place."

"But in a place like the Tianyang Sect, where Prodigies gather, it can only be considered mediocre."

"That ancestor struggled all his life, and in the end, only managed to get a nominal position as an outer Sect deacon."

"Not only failing to bring any substantial help to the Sect."

"But instead, because he was away from the Sect for years, his feelings for the Family grew distant, and eventually, the connection was even severed."

This is the classic example of "losing the wife and the soldiers".

"This model of cultivating moles or spokespersons is too slow and too uncontrollable."

"Human nature cannot stand the test of time and distance."

"By the time he grows up, he will probably have long forgotten what his surname is."

Chen Zhiwen took a deep breath.

And made a new decision.

"In the future, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect will no longer follow this old path."

"We don't need to cultivate any spokespersons from a young age."

"What we need to do is direct trading!"

"Directly attach ourselves to existing high-level figures!"

His gaze became intense.

"The Revered Master of the Chuanfa Peak of the Tianyang Sect."

"Or even that flourishing 'Sky-Splitting White Tiger'."

"As long as the benefits are sufficiently attractive, there is no door that cannot be opened."

"Whatever they lack, we will provide."

"Spirit Pills, Magic Treasures, or even some special secret techniques."

"As long as it can be exchanged for their protection and intelligence."

"Any price is worth it."

This is the thinking of the strong.

No longer pinning hopes on the ethereal future and feelings.

But believing in naked interest exchange.

Only interest-based binding is the most solid alliance.

"It seems that this trip to the Tianyang Sect is not only to solve the matter of the Wan Family."

"But also to prepare a generous gift to visit the Revered Master of Chuanfa Peak."

Chen Zhiwen secretly calculated in his heart.

Just at this moment.

A light sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts.

He did not turn back.

Because he was too familiar with these footsteps.

"What are you thinking about?"

"So engrossed that you didn't even notice when I arrived."

A gentle voice sounded from behind him.

Immediately after.

A cloak with a faint warmth was gently draped over his shoulders.

Chen Zhiwen turned around.

Looking at Xiao Linger in front of him.

She had changed into a light cyan long dress, no longer the imposing Peak Revered Master.

But a gentle and graceful wife.

She was also holding a bowl of steaming Spirit porridge.

"Nothing."

Chen Zhiwen pulled the cloak tighter.

And took the Spirit porridge from her hand.

"I was just thinking about how to sell you for a good price."

He joked.

Xiao Linger rolled her eyes at him.

"Sell me?"

"Even if you sold those few pounds of meat on you, it wouldn't be worth a few Spirit Stones."

"Drink it while it's hot."

"This is made with century-old Purple Jade Ginseng, it's for replenishing Qi."

Chen Zhiwen picked up the bowl.

Took a sip.

A warm current slid down his throat into his stomach, dispelling the chill on his body.

"Linger."

He suddenly spoke.

His tone became somewhat serious.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Linger keenly sensed the change in his mood.

Putting away her joking expression.

Looking at him quietly.

"What do you think about the Wan Family matter?"

Chen Zhiwen asked.

He wanted to hear the opinion of his wife.

After all, Xiao Linger was not just his wife.

She was also the Revered Master of a Peak in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, and her vision and insight were not lacking.

Xiao Linger was silent for a moment.

She walked to the edge of the pool, looking at the rocks constantly being washed by the waterfall.

"Do you want to hear the truth?"

She turned her head.

Her eyes were clear.

"Of course."

Chen Zhiwen nodded.

"The truth is..."

Xiao Linger paused.

"I think you are playing with fire."

"After all, the Wan Family is an old-established Family with thousands of years of history; a centipede dies but never stiffens."

"If you want to swallow them in one bite, be careful not to break your teeth."

This was very straightforward.

And very harsh.

But Chen Zhiwen was not angry, instead, he smiled.

"Continue."

"But..."

Xiao Linger changed the subject.

A look of ruthlessness, identical to his, appeared on her Face.

"I also feel that playing with this fire is right."

"The Wan Family has been getting more and more excessive over the years."

"Not only squeezing our market share in the bazaar, but also hunting our Disciples in secret."