131: Conspiracy in the Suburbs of Beijing

In the outskirts of the Capital City, deep inside a mine abandoned for many years, it was cold and damp.

The air was filled with the smell of soil and rust, along with a faint, lingering scent of blood.

A phantom figure sat cross-legged on a black stone; it was the Clone of Qiankun Zi. His aura was far weaker than before, and his entire figure appeared somewhat transparent.

That little brat... must die! Qiankun Zi's voice, gritted through teeth, echoed in the cave, carrying resentful malice. And the royal family, Wei Zheng... not one of them can be left alive!

In the darkness, a charming voice chuckled, as if coming from all directions.

Die? Hehe... Lord Speaker, your thinking is still so simple and crude. Why destroy a perfect tool?

Following the voice, a graceful shadow walked out from the deeper darkness.

Ying Mei.

She was barefoot, stepping on the cold stone floor, yet made not a single sound.

Qiankun Zi snorted coldly: Ying Mei, spare me the sarcasm! My main body's Golden Core was damaged, and it was all thanks to him! If I don't kill him, I can't dispel the hatred in my heart!

What can hatred do? Can it restore your cultivation? Or can it make our great cause succeed ahead of schedule? Ying Mei walked up to him, extended a finger, and lightly tapped his phantom figure; a wisp of black Qi was instantly absorbed by her.

The Clone of Qiankun Zi trembled.

You...

Don't be nervous, Lord Speaker. Ying Mei retracted her finger and placed it to her lips, as if tasting something delicious. I am just helping you 'cleanse' some distracting thoughts. What you need right now is to be calm.

She paced around Qiankun Zi, her voice carrying a bewitching power.

That boy named Mu Feng, his 'Perfect Dao Body' is not meant to be killed. Don't you think he is the best 'bait'? A key that can open that ultimate door.

Qiankun Zi fell silent, seemingly pondering the meaning of her words.

What do you mean?

The one in the Vortex Trap Zone... has been asleep for too long. We used the flesh and blood altar, but it only made Him turn over slightly. Ying Mei's eyes flashed with fanatical light. But what if we use a living 'Perfect Dao Body', combined with the 'God-Defying Ancient Array' left by the ancients, and forcibly sacrifice him... guess what will happen?

Qiankun Zi's phantom figure shook violently.

You mean... forced awakening?!

Exactly. Ying Mei smiled even more happily. When that time comes, let alone one Capital City, the entire Great Xia will be our nursery. And you and I will be the gods of the new world.

The madness of this plan made even Qiankun Zi feel a palpitation.

But he is now a Dragon Guard of the State, protected by the royal family and Wei Zheng. It is not easy to capture him, is it?

That is why we cannot use your methods. Ying Mei stretched, her perfect curves appearing and disappearing in the shadows. We must use mine. I have already prepared a grand welcome ceremony for him. He will walk... onto the stage we have prepared for him himself.

She looked toward the outside of the cave, as if she had already seen Li Dong falling into the trap.

I have already had my people mobilize all our 'good stuff' to the Capital City Suburbs. Those polluted Yao Beasts, as well as the newly modified test subjects... will be enough to give the Demon Suppression Division a headache.

...

Inside the Demon Suppression Division office, the atmosphere was oppressive.

Bang!

Wei Zheng slapped the table, causing the teacup to jump.

Again?! In the West Mountain, a squad we sent, twelve people, only three returned! And they were all delirious, babbling about 'flesh and blood blooming'! What kind of monsters are these!

Li Dong sat opposite him, holding a piece of intelligence that had just arrived.

It was sent back by a secret agent planted in the Capital City Suburbs.

Black Wind Mouth in the Capital City Suburbs, the mass grave, and the abandoned post station... recently, a large number of unidentified Cultivators and Yao Beasts have been gathering, and the evil energy fluctuations are very strong. Li Dong put down the intelligence and pointed to several points on the map.

My people went to investigate too, but they couldn't get close at all! Wei Zheng paced back and forth irritably. Heavy losses! The other side seems to know where we are going and has set up a trap in advance, waiting for us to jump in!

Just as he was speaking, a trusted aide walked in quickly and handed over a sealed letter.

Sent urgently by Mr. Xu from the Princess's Mansion.

Li Dong took it, opened it, and saw only a few words: The old palace official, Heart Demon has risen, fearing to be taken advantage of by external evil.

He handed the letter to Wei Zheng.

After reading it, Wei Zheng's expression became even uglier.

Damn it! These bastards, while causing trouble outside, are also trying to reach into the imperial palace? He looked at Li Dong. Sir, this is not right. They are using diversion tactics, and they also want to turn a Golden Core official. This is too big a formation. What exactly do they want to do?

They want to invite the guest into the urn. Li Dong replied.

He ignored the agitated Wei Zheng and closed his eyes.

[Spiritual Domain] expanded silently.

The entire Capital City and its outskirts were transformed into a three-dimensional spiritual energy map in his mind.

Complex, chaotic.

But in this chaos, there was one point that stood out.

Capital City Suburbs, a desolate valley.

There was an energy fluctuation there, not strong, but pure to the extreme, like a diamond in the dark night.

It was the fluctuation of 'spiritual essence'.

Moreover, the quality was extremely high.

Heh, a trap.

These two words popped up in Li Dong's mind.

This technique was too clumsy, just like putting a piece of the fattest meat next to a bear trap, fearing the prey wouldn't see it.

Did the Shadow Council take him for a fool?

But just as he was about to withdraw his perception, a sudden change occurred.

The [Perfect Dao Body] in his body actually produced a faint resonance with that fluctuation of 'spiritual essence'.

It was not being tempted, but a kind of... longing.

Like a wanderer who has been away from home for many years, hearing the call of his hometown.

What was going on?

Could the 'bait' in this trap have some connection with his own Dao Body?

Li Dong instantly understood all the key points.

The other party went to great lengths to set up a net in the Capital City Suburbs, and used this exotic item related to his Dao Body as bait; the purpose was probably not to kill him.

But to... capture him alive.

Capture him alive, and then take him to a specific place.

Interesting.

Li Dong opened his eyes, with no tension in them, but rather a look of watching a good show.

Lord Wei.

Sir, tell me! Wei Zheng immediately leaned in.

Do me a favor. For the next three days, no matter what happens in the Capital City Suburbs, do not send anyone there. Consolidate your forces, and guard the Capital City and the imperial palace well, especially that old palace official.

Wei Zheng was stunned: Then what about the Capital City Suburbs... just leave it alone? Sir, you...

I'm going there myself. Li Dong stood up. They have already set up the stage; if I, the main character, don't show up, wouldn't that be too disrespectful to their Face?

No! This is too dangerous! Wei Zheng refused without thinking. This is clearly a trap!

I know. Li Dong smiled. That's why it's more interesting, isn't it?

He patted Wei Zheng's shoulder.

Don't worry, I'm not going there to fight.

I am going... to close the net.