343: The Road to Infiltration

The thoughts in Jiang Donghua's heart flashed like lightning.

Sound Valley, Venerable Huanhai!

If it were other factions fighting, which is commonplace on the Fighting Qi Continent, he, Jiang Donghua, was not a bleeding heart and was too lazy to interfere everywhere.

But Sound Valley was different.

When he was still insignificant, he owed Venerable Huanhai of Sound Valley a monumental favor.

He kept that Soul Power debt etched in his memory, and in front of Venerable Huanhai's illusory image, he personally promised that if Sound Valley ever faced hardship, he would certainly not stand idly by.

This favor, he had to repay!

However, a cold rationality instantly suppressed the impulse to immediately strike and crush the poisonous creatures before him.

Killing the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect and its disciples was easy, but it only treated the symptoms, not the root cause.

Since the Hall of Souls had already targeted Mu Qingxian's Heavenly Sound Spirit Body, this failure would surely be followed by another attempt.

Unless he could guard Sound Valley at all times, it would be impossible to defend against them.

The Hall of Souls was like a venomous snake in the shadows; its methods were insidious and difficult to guard against, leaving Mu Qingxian still in grave danger.

It was better to do the opposite.

A bolder, more effective plan quickly formed in his mind.

Why not pretend to join them first!

By infiltrating the Hall of Souls' plan, knowing his enemy, he could deliver a fatal blow at the critical moment, fundamentally dismantling the conspiracy and perhaps even uncovering the Hall of Souls' deeper intentions.

With his power as a Six-Star Dou Zun, if he offered his allegiance voluntarily, the Hall of Souls had no reason to refuse.

A Five-Star Dou Zun, Blood River Heavenly Venerable, plus a Six-Star Dou Zun ally

capturing a potentially poisoned Mu Qingxian would be practically guaranteed success.

Unless that Blood River Heavenly Venerable was insane, he would not push away such powerful assistance delivered right to his doorstep.

The risks certainly existed, but the potential gains were greater.

Furthermore, Jiang Donghua had absolute confidence in his strength; even if his identity was exposed, he was certain he could retreat unscathed, or even counter-kill.

With his mind made up, the stillness on Jiang Donghua's face, which had been like an ancient, undisturbed well, instantly melted away like ice and snow, replaced by a deep-seated hatred that was fiercely suppressed yet still capable of making one's soul tremble!

The vast, ocean-like aura surrounding him was also skillfully retracted by more than half.

Instead of giving a sense of unfathomable depth like the starry sky, it condensed into a sharp, knife-like killing intent, firmly locking onto the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect.

"Sound Valley, Mu Qingxian!"

Jiang Donghua's voice was no longer flat but sounded like the grating of ten thousand years of ice; every word carried cold killing intent.

"Good, very good!"

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect was currently prostrate on the ground, his soul trembling under the pressure of the Six-Star Dou Zun, awaiting the final judgment.

Whether he lived or died depended entirely on the other party's whim.

He had even prepared for the worst: having a Soul restriction planted on him and being enslaved forever.

However, this sudden change left him completely bewildered.

How could the senior, who moments ago had been indifferent as if looking down at an ant, instantly become like a volcano erupting the moment he heard the name of the Sound Valley's Valley Master?

That hatred, which was almost solidifying into substance, was definitely not feigned; it was a malice so profound that even he, a person who practiced toxic cultivation and possessed a cold, sinister nature, felt a lingering fear.

Jiang Donghua gave the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect no chance to think further.

He took a step forward, and the condensed killing intent struck the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Do you know that Sound Valley and I have an irreconcilable feud!"

Jiang Donghua's voice deepened, becoming even more dangerous, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

He deliberately paused, allowing the emotion of hatred to ferment in the silence, before speaking word by word, as if squeezing them out from between his teeth.

"Especially Sound Valley! It harmed my closest kin and destroyed my homeland! This hatred and resentment cannot be washed away even by draining the waters of all three rivers and five lakes!"

"I concealed my name and cultivated bitterly for decades, breaking through to this realm, swearing to uproot Sound Valley's lineage completely, leaving no one behind!"

Jiang Donghua's eyes were filled with fury; he had already envisioned the destruction of Sound Valley.

"It is only a pity, a bitter regret! My own strength is insufficient to wipe them out completely, which is the greatest regret of my life!"

Jiang Donghua's gaze fixed intently on the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect.

"Speak! What are your specific plans? When will you act? I intend to personally settle this karma!"

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect's mind finally managed to process the situation, emerging from the depths of extreme fear and astonishment.

Astonishment, confusion, followed by ecstatic joy, like finding life in a desperate situation!

A sudden turn of events!

No, this was practically a pie falling from the sky!

It turned out this ominous figure hadn't come to enact justice, but had a deep, blood feud with Sound Valley!

His confession just now was not only not a death warrant, but had accidentally hit the mark and played right into the Venerable's preferences!

A powerful reinforcement who was a Six-Star Dou Zun!

This was an existence that even the Hall of Souls' superiors might not be able to invite!

If he could join this operation, capturing Mu Qingxian would be as easy as turning one's hand over!

And what merit would he gain in front of the Hall of Souls' superiors for introducing such a powerful ally?

Not only was the Five Poisons Sect not at fault, but it had earned merit!

Thinking of this, the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect was so excited he was practically trembling.

Where was there any room for doubt?

He hurriedly raised his head, his face plastered with expressions of flattery and shared enmity.

His previous fear was completely swept away, replaced by the excitement of having found his organization.

"Senior! So that's how it is! Heaven's will, truly it is Heaven's will!"

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect's voice rose by an octave.

"That Sound Valley is hypocritical and sanctimonious.

To offend Senior is a crime deserving of ten thousand deaths!

This junior has long found them unpleasant to look at!"

He quickly scrambled to his feet, but still respectfully kept his waist bent to show deference to the powerful expert.

"Senior, this is a heaven-sent opportunity!

Our target is precisely Mu Qingxian!

With Senior joining us, this matter is bound to succeed!

Mu Qingxian won't be able to escape even if she had wings!"

Jiang Donghua sneered inwardly, but his face remained a sheet of icy killing intent.

He raised his head slightly, displaying the arrogance and scrutiny appropriate for a powerful expert.

"Alliance?

Do you, the Five Poisons Sect, with your contemptible methods, even qualify to discuss an alliance with me?"

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect choked slightly, but dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction, quickly offering a placating smile.

"Yes, yes, yes, this junior misspoke, this junior was reckless.

Naturally, Senior will take the lead!

We will all follow Senior's command!"

"Hmph."

Jiang Donghua snorted coldly, his tone relaxing slightly.

"I do not cooperate with those who hide their heads and show their tails.

Have your master behind the scenes, that person called Blood River Heavenly Venerable, come see me personally."

He announced a title, his tone brooking no argument.

"Remember, I am Venerable Donghua.

If he is interested, set a time and place to meet me face-to-face.

If he dares not come, or if he distrusts me, then forget it.

I will personally go to Sound Valley myself and settle my grudges with Mu Qingxian!"

These words perfectly sculpted the image of a powerful, solitary expert

one who was immensely strong, fiercely arrogant, and sought to deal with Sound Valley purely out of personal vendetta.

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect was now completely drawn into the rhythm, feeling that everything Venerable Donghua did was reasonable and logical.

He quickly bowed and responded.

"Yes!

This junior understands!

This junior will immediately use a secret technique to contact Blood River Heavenly Venerable and will faithfully convey Senior's intentions!

I believe Heavenly Venerable will be absolutely delighted to learn of Senior's joining!"

"Mn."

Jiang Donghua nodded indifferently.

The sharp killing intent slowly receded, but the coldness in his eyes remained.

"If this succeeds, I will credit you with a merit.

But if even a hint of news leaks out, allowing Sound Valley to prepare!"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the invisible pressure made the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect instantly break out in cold sweat again.

"I wouldn't dare!

Absolutely not!"

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect pointed at the sky and swore a poisonous oath.

"This junior swears upon his soul that if a single word of today's matter is leaked, I shall suffer the corrosion of ten thousand poisons, and my soul will be scattered!"

Jiang Donghua neither confirmed nor denied, simply glancing indifferently at the surrounding valley, which was still filled with poisonous miasma.

"This place is filthy; I dislike it.

When you have news, come find me again."

The Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect was naturally all smiles.

"Venerable Donghua, thank you.

I have already removed the formation.

I will certainly inform you when I have news."

"Good."

Having said that, his figure flickered and vanished from the spot like a phantom, as if he had never been there.

Only after Jiang Donghua's aura completely disappeared did the Sect Master of the Five Poisons Sect let out a long breath.

He felt utterly drained, his back soaked in cold sweat, but immediately afterward, immense excitement and elation surged into his heart.

He glanced at his disciples, who were silent as cicadas in winter, and sternly shouted.

"If anyone dares to spread word of today's events, their entire clan will be exterminated!"

"Quick, follow me back to the main altar!

Activate the highest-level communication secret formation!

This Sect Master must personally report this monumental good news to Blood River Heavenly Venerable!"

He could already see the scene of the Five Poisons Sect achieving great success and prosperity from now on, having earned great merit by recommending Venerable Donghua and gaining the Hall of Souls' appreciation.

In the distance, atop a mountain peak, Jiang Donghua stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering.

His gaze seemed to pierce through space, landing in the direction of the Five Poisons Sect's main altar.

The corner of his mouth curved into an almost imperceptible arc.

The bait had been cast.

Now, he just had to wait for the fish to bite.