360: Chapter 354 Someone Wants to Poach Him

Puppet Master.

This is a special profession in the Cultivation world.

It is also a recognized "money-burning" profession.

As everyone knows.

The path of Puppetry does not look at talent, only resources.

As long as you have enough Spirit Stones and enough Materials, even a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator can control a Nascent Soul Stage Puppet to kill enemies.

This is a typical case of "the weak defeating the strong," and it is a "reasonable" way for the weak to defeat the strong.

"I have that Fourth-Grade Medium Grade Demon Arm Yao Beast Spider King."

Chen Zhiwen touched his storage ring.

That was the greatest harvest he had obtained in an ancient ruin.

It was also a true killing machine.

"If I summon this Spider King to hold the line."

"Outsiders will only think I had dumb luck, obtained a powerful Puppet, or inherited the legacy of some Puppet Great Master."

"They will envy my wealth and be jealous of my luck."

"But they will never suspect that I am a Heaven-Defying Prodigy."

"After all, relying on external objects, while criticized in the Cultivation world, is still a form of strength."

In this way.

Most of the suspicion can be eliminated.

"As for the second point..."

Chen Zhiwen's gaze turned towards the north again.

That was the direction of the Tianyang Sect.

"Befriend Nie Chunxia."

"Seek the protection of the Fifth-Grade White Tiger."

This is the most fundamental guarantee.

"If I become one of the White Tiger's people."

"Become a vassal of one of the three giants of the Tianyang Sect."

"Then if my strength is a bit stronger and my methods are a bit more plentiful."

"It will instead become proof of the White Tiger's good judgment."

"By then."

"Even if I act a bit more excessively or kill more ruthlessly."

"With that old tiger covering for me from above."

"Who would dare to say anything?"

This is the so-called "fox borrowing the tiger's might."

It is also the only way to survive in this cruel Cultivation world.

Having figured all this out.

Chen Zhiwen felt his whole body relax.

His thoughts were incomparably clear.

Chen Zhiwen sat cross-legged on the prayer mat, his brows slightly furrowed.

He unconsciously rubbed a Jade Slip in his hand.

That was the information regarding the Tianyang Sect and the various Yao Kings under its command.

His gaze was somewhat unfocused.

Although he had decided on the strategy of leveraging the Tianyang Sect and relying on the White Tiger Yao King, when it came to actually implementing this step, he inevitably felt a bit apprehensive.

After all, that is the Yao Race.

Those who are not of my race must have a different heart.

This saying has circulated in the Cultivation world for tens of thousands of years, and it is a truth watered by the blood of countless Human Race Cultivators.

"Having lived two lives..."

Chen Zhiwen sighed silently in his heart.

"I have seen enough of the sinister nature of human hearts, but this is the first time I have truly tried to fathom the thoughts of a high-level Yao Race."

"Once a Yao Beast reaches the Soul Transformation Stage, its intelligence is no less than that of a human, and it is even more cunning and cruel."

"That White Tiger, able to suppress the Dragon and occupy a place within the Tianyang Sect, is by no means a kind soul."

He was gambling.

Gambling that the White Tiger's desire for profit outweighs its exclusion of the Human Race.

Gambling that the woman Nie Chunxia still has some sense of nostalgia, or rather, some greed.

"I hope this time, it is not just wishful thinking on my part."

Chen Zhiwen muttered to himself in a low voice.

His voice carried a trace of imperceptible worry.

If the White Tiger does not accept him, or turns around and sells him to the Wan Family, then the situation of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect will become even worse.

It might even face a catastrophic disaster.

A hand as cool as jade gently covered the back of his hand.

Interrupting his contemplation.

Xiao Linger did not know when she had sat down beside him.

Those eyes, clear as water, stared at him quietly.

As if she could see through all the unease in his heart.

"Still worried about that big tiger?"

Xiao Linger asked softly.

A faint smile hung on the corners of her mouth, attempting to ease the oppressive atmosphere.

"Mm."

Chen Zhiwen held her soft hand in return.

Feeling the temperature from her fingertips, his mood settled slightly.

"After all, it is a Soul Transformation Stage Great Yao; walking with a ruler is like walking with a tiger. The ancients did not deceive me."

"Moreover, the internal situation of the Tianyang Sect is intricate and complex."

"Whether we step in and find a backer, or step into a quagmire, no one can say for sure."

Xiao Linger shook her head gently.

She tucked some stray hair behind her ear with her other hand.

Her expression became serious.

"Actually, you don't need to be so worried."

"The current situation, for us, might be the best opportunity."

"Oh?"

Chen Zhiwen raised an eyebrow.

Looking at her with some surprise.

"How so?"

Although Xiao Linger usually keeps a low profile, as the master of a peak, her information channels are often much better informed than Chen Zhiwen, who is in closed-door cultivation.

"Because those two from the Tianyang Sect have no time to attend to this sea area right now."

Xiao Linger extended two fingers.

Pointing to the top of her head.

That represented the two supreme Human Race Soul Transformation True Monarchs of the Tianyang Sect.

"As far as I know, in the last two years, the Eye of the Abyss and the Twin City defense line in the north have been very unstable."

"The Eye of the Abyss?"

Chen Zhiwen's eyes narrowed.

He was not unfamiliar with this name.

That is a forbidden area on the Eastern Continent, and also a passage connecting to the Nether Realm.

For thousands of years, it has been a major concern for Human Race Cultivators.

"Did something happen over there again?"

He asked urgently.

Xiao Linger nodded.

Her expression became somewhat solemn.

"It's more than just something happening."

"It has turned into a total mess."

She sighed.

Continuing:

"Ever since ten years ago, when the Tianyang Sect and the Tianding Sect joined forces and issued a mobilization order to purge the Nether Race."

"The Abyss side completely exploded."

"Those Nether spirits that usually hid in the dark corners counterattacked like they had gone mad."

"In the past ten years, the number of Human Race Cultivators who have fallen in this abyss is simply shocking."

Speaking of this.

Xiao Linger paused.

She held up a hand and flipped it.

"It exceeds the sum of the previous one hundred years!"

"What?!"

Chen Zhiwen's pupils shrank sharply.

This number is too terrifying.

You have to know that those who dare to venture into the Abyss are at least Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators.

Even Golden Core Stage Cultivators are just cannon fodder.

Ten years of deaths equaling a hundred years means that it is a true meat-grinder-style war.

"Precisely because of this."

"That Daoist Lord Xu Yixing of the Tianyang Sect does not dare to leave the Abyss for even half a step."

"He has been stationed at the Eye of the Abyss all year round, using his own strength to suppress the riots below."

"And the other Soul Transformation True Monarch is guarding against movements in the Far North Yao Territory in the north."

Xiao Linger analyzed it logically.

"Therefore, the current Eastern Continent sea area is actually in a state of..."

"'Power Vacuum'."

"Although those few Heavenly Yao are powerful, they must also obey the overall situation of the Sect."

"As long as we don't cause a heaven-piercing mess, such as colluding with the Demonic Path or the Nether Race."

"The people above have no time to care about our petty Family feuds."

After listening to this.

Chen Zhiwen suddenly realized.

So that's how it is.

No wonder the Wan Family and the Xia Family dare to be so unscrupulous, no wonder the White Tiger dares to suppress the Dragon within the Sect.

It turns out the people above "have no time to care."

This is indeed an opportunity.

Heroes are born in troubled times.

Only when order is chaotic can small forces possibly complete their initial accumulation, and achieve a class leap.

"However..."

Xiao Linger changed the subject.

Her eyes held a trace of worry.

"Although they don't have time to care about us fighting, it doesn't mean they will let our people go."

"Three years ago, Daoist Lord Xu Yixing issued an iron decree."

"This is also why many forces have been keeping a low profile recently."

Chen Zhiwen felt a shiver in his heart.

"What iron decree?"

Xiao Linger took a deep breath.

Slowly saying:

"Any force that possesses three Nascent Soul Cultivators."

"Regardless of whether it is a Family or a Sect."

"Must forcibly send one person to garrison the Eye of the Abyss."

"The term is... thirty years!"

"And it must be real frontline combat, no faking allowed."

"Those who violate the order will be exterminated!"

Chen Zhiwen heard this.

His expression did not change much, still maintaining that unique calmness.

He quickly calculated in his heart.

"Three Nascent Souls..."

"So that means the Wuzhen Sect and Snow Fox Island should have already sent someone, right?"

These two forces are both old-established powerhouses in this sea area.

With deep foundations, they both have more than three Nascent Soul Cultivators.

"That's right."

Xiao Linger nodded in confirmation.

"The Grand Elder of the Wuzhen Sect left two years ago."

"The Island Master of Snow Fox Island also departed half a year ago."

"I heard... the one from the Wuzhen Sect was seriously injured less than three months after arriving and almost died."

If this news were to spread, it would be enough to make countless Cultivators tremble.

Nascent Soul Cultivators are Old Ancestors in the outside world, calling the wind and summoning the rain.

But in the Abyss, they could lose their lives at any moment.

"This transfer order is quite ruthless."

Chen Zhiwen commented.

This is drawing blood.

Drawing the blood of major forces to fill the bottomless pit of the Abyss.

But this is also a helpless move.

If the Abyss falls and the Nether army rushes out, the entire Eastern Continent will be finished.

Under a collapsed nest, how can there be intact eggs.

"However."

Chen Zhiwen's mouth curled into a faint arc.

Picking up the spirit tea beside him, he took a gentle sip.

"It is not yet our Ten Thousand Swords Sect's turn to worry about this."

He put down the teacup.

It made a crisp sound.

"Counting you and me, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect only has two Nascent Souls on the surface."

"Even if we reveal all those hidden trump cards, as long as we don't actively report it."

"In the Tianyang Sect's record books, we are still a 'weak' force with only two Nascent Souls."

This is called exploiting a bug.

As long as it doesn't reach that "three people" red line, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect is safe.

It can avoid this round of cruel conscription.

"Unless..."

Chen Zhiwen glanced at the direction of the Sect Master's main hall.

That is where the current Sect Master is in closed-door cultivation.

"Unless our Sect Master suddenly has an Epiphany and breaks through to the Nascent Soul Stage."

"In that case, we would become a three-Nascent Soul force."

"At that time, either he goes, or I go, or you go."

Speaking of this.

A glint flashed in Chen Zhiwen's eyes.

"Therefore, this battle must be fought quickly."

"Before the Sect Master breaks through, we must completely resolve the Wan Family."

"Then, we will have enough resources and confidence to deal with future variables."

Xiao Linger nodded.

Indicating agreement.

"Since that is the case, I will go and prepare."

"Personnel movement matters cannot be delayed."

Chen Zhiwen flipped his palm.

A fist-sized bead appeared in his palm.

The bead was crystal clear, with smoke and clouds seeming to flow inside, emitting a faint spiritual power fluctuation.

It was the shadow recording pearl.

"In this bead, there is my handwritten order and a video recording."

Chen Zhiwen handed the shadow recording pearl to Xiao Linger.

His expression was solemn.

"Take this bead and go to Feiyue Island personally."

"Find Chen Xing."

"Tell him this is the highest order."

"Have him lead all Cultivators on the island above the seventh level of Qi Refining, whether they are in closed-door cultivation or out on missions."

"All recalled!"

"Within ten days, they must return to the main peak of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect to report!"

This is the final assembly call.

Above the seventh level of Qi Refining are high-level Qi Refining Cultivators.

In the upcoming battle, they will be the backbone force for controlling Formations, piloting spirit boats, and forming battle arrays.

"Ten days..."

Xiao Linger took the shadow recording pearl.

Feeling the residual warmth on it.

"The time is a bit tight, but I will make them run faster."

She didn't ask much.

As a Dao Companion, she unconditionally executes his orders.

"If anyone resists or delays with excuses..."

A cold glint flashed in Chen Zhiwen's eyes.

He made a beheading gesture.

"You know what to do."

"In extraordinary times, heavy codes must be used."

Xiao Linger's expression tightened.

She nodded solemnly.

"I understand."

After speaking.

She stood up.

Spiritual power surged around her, and a biting chill instantly spread.

A long bow, crystal clear throughout, as if carved from ten-thousand-year black ice, slowly appeared behind her.

That was her Lifebound Treasure—the Ice Soul Bow.

"Then I will go."

Xiao Linger's figure flickered.

Turning into a stream of light, she flew out of the quiet room.

However.

Just as she was about to rush out the door.

Her figure suddenly paused.

As if she had remembered something unspeakable.

She paused in the air for a moment.

She did not turn back.

But a voice transmission, as thin as a gossamer, clearly entered Chen Zhiwen's ears.

Carrying a bit of hesitation, and a bit of candor.

"By the way, there is something... I think I should tell you."

"Lest you hear it from others later and misunderstand."

Chen Zhiwen was stunned.

A bad premonition rose in his heart.

"What is it?"

"That Deputy Peak Master of the Tianyang Sect's Transmission Peak... Jiang Tao."

Xiao Linger's voice was a bit strange.

Seeming to carry a trace of disgust, and some helplessness.

"In the last six months, he has contacted me several times through various channels."

"Sending Medicinal Pills, sending Magic Treasures, and even having people send some inexplicable love poems."

"The meaning between the lines..."

"Seems to be that he wants to become my Dao Companion."

"I have clearly refused many times, telling him I have a husband."

"But he... seems not to have given up."

"Instead, he said... as long as the hoe is swung well, there is no corner that cannot be dug."

Speaking the last sentence.

Xiao Linger's voice was full of disdain.

Obviously, she was extremely repulsed by this shameless behavior.

"Just keep it in mind."

"I will go."

After saying this.

She did not stay any longer.

The ice-blue stream of light instantly accelerated and shot into the sky.

Disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Leaving only Chen Zhiwen in the quiet room.

Still maintaining the cross-legged posture.

But the expression on his face became extremely colorful.