84: Bait plan, undercurrent

Qingyun Sect, Council Hall.

The sandalwood in the censer had long since burned out.

A faint, almost imperceptible scent of cold ash mingled in the stagnant air, making it oppressively difficult to breathe.

Inside the hall, all the high-ranking members of the Orthodox Alliance in Tiannan County felt as if their hearts were covered by this cold ash, heavy and icy.

They had just plummeted from the ecstasy of the "Demon Breaking Divine Thunder Talisman" and were now dizzy from an even more severe reality.

They had the Talisman, but the Devil Head's true lifeline—the main underground altar, hidden deep beneath the Demon Suppression Abyss, which continuously supplied him with power—remained as solid as a rock.

As long as the altar was not destroyed, the demonic corruption would never cease.

"That altar is guarded by the Devil Head's main Clone, and thousands of demonic creatures are entrenched there. A frontal assault... is akin to striking a stone with an egg."

The Valley Master of Lieyang Valley's voice was heavy, tinged with a powerlessness that had burned away all ambition.

His most elite Disciples had gone to probe, and none returned.

"Our Tianjian Sect's Sword Array also attempted to break it from afar."

The Grand Elder of Tianjian Sect's face showed unprecedented solemnity.

"The Sword Qi was completely dissolved by the soaring Devilish Qi before it could even get close."

Failure.

Repeated failures.

Like countless cold hands, they clutched everyone's throats.

The hall once again fell into a suffocating silence.

Eventually, all eyes, whether willingly or unwillingly, could only converge in one direction.

Towards the young man they had just appointed to the position of "Chief Strategist," Lin Gou.

He still sat in a prominent position, with Zhao Linger quietly attending by his side, ready to offer him a cup of warm spiritual tea at any moment.

He lowered his eyelids, his fingers lightly tapping on the jade table, a crisp and rhythmic sound.

His "severely depleted Origin Qi" pale complexion, far from making him seem weak, instead added an aura of a wise man who had exhausted all his efforts.

However, Lin Gou's mind was rapidly calculating.

"[Assaulting the altar and dying at the hands of the Devil Head's main Clone will guarantee an S-rank reward evaluation.]"

"[If I can drag a few more people down with me, or create an even greater sensation, I might even reach the SS-rank.]"

"[This deal is a huge profit! ']"

"Chief Strategist Lin, do you have a good plan?"

The Grand Elder of Tianjian Sect finally couldn't help but ask, his tone carrying a hint of plea that he himself hadn't noticed.

Lin Gou's fingers stopped tapping.

He slowly raised his head, his "tired" eyes sweeping over the crowd.

"A frontal assault is indeed the worst option."

Everyone's hearts sank.

"But, what if that altar is unguarded?"

Lin Gou's next words, however, were like a bolt of lightning, instantly cutting through the fog in everyone's minds.

Unguarded?

How could that be!

That Heavenly Devil Clone would have to be foolish to leave the altar.

"Does Master Lin mean... to lure the tiger away from its mountain lair?" Qingyun Sect Leader pondered.

Lin Gou nodded slightly, smiling weakly, as if even this simple action cost him immense mental effort.

"Exactly."

"It is indeed to lure the tiger away from its mountain lair."

He extended a finger and lightly tapped the air.

"That Devil Head guards the altar to the death because it is its source of power, its lifeline."

"But conversely, if a target appears that is more important, or poses a greater threat than the altar, it must make a choice."

Lin Gou's tone took on a strange allure.

"For example... a 'variable' that could completely destroy its Seal, or even threaten its main body."

Inside the great hall, everyone held their breath.

An unbelievable yet seemingly feasible plan was slowly unfolding.

"We need a bait."

"A bait heavy enough, so heavy that the Devil Head's Clone would spare no expense to leave the altar and pursue and kill it!"

"As long as we lure it away for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Fellow Daoist Li Hanyue's Tianjian Sect elites, and skilled Cultivators from various Sects, can seize the opportunity and strike directly at the Dragon!"

As Lin Gou's voice fell, the entire hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The plan was perfect.

Bold, ingenious, and straight to the heart of the matter.

But very quickly, the most fatal problem surfaced in everyone's minds.

Bait.

Who would be this bait?

This wasn't luring the tiger away from its mountain lair at all; this was sending a lamb into the tiger's mouth!

To lure a Devil Head Clone that even a Cultivator at the Late Golden Core Stage couldn't contend with?

What was the difference between this and seeking death?

No, this was a hundred times more tragic than seeking death; this would inevitably result in the destruction of the Divine Soul, with no chance of reincarnation!

The previously enthusiastic atmosphere instantly froze.

The Valley Master of Lieyang Valley began to study the patterns on his boots.

The female Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley elegantly picked up her teacup, gently blowing at non-existent dust.

No one was a fool.

The success rate of this plan was entirely built upon the sacrifice of the bait.

And this sacrifice was too great, so great that no Sect was willing, or able, to bear it.

Even the most straightforward Grand Elder of Tianjian Sect opened his mouth, but it ultimately turned into a heavy sigh.

He could order his Disciples to fight to the death, but he could not order anyone to be such a "bait" that was destined not to leave even a speck of dust behind.

The atmosphere solidified again.

It was even more oppressive and awkward than before.

Zhao Linger stood behind Lin Gou, her small hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes, her heart filled with anxiety for her Senior Brother.

This plan was too good, so good that no one could execute it.

In this deathly silence.

A slightly weak, yet incredibly firm voice, slowly rose.

"This bait..."

"I will be it."

Lin Gou slowly, stood up from his seat.

His figure was still slender, his face still pale, but at that moment, his back was ramrod straight.

As if a mountain on the verge of collapse was being held up by him alone.

Boom!

Everyone's heads felt as if they had been struck hard by a heavy hammer.

They looked at Lin Gou with an incredulous, as if they had seen a ghost, expression.

Him? He wanted to be the bait?

A "Great Master of Demon Breaking" who had just exhausted his mental energy and was so weak he looked like he would collapse with a gust of wind?

Was he insane?!

"Nonsense!"

Qingyun Sect Leader was the first to slam his hand on the table, his face filled with rage and distress.

"Lin Gou! You are the Saint of my Qingyun Sect, the hope of the entire Orthodox Alliance! How can you be so reckless!"

"Master Lin! Absolutely not!" The Grand Elder of Tianjian Sect also grew anxious, his old face flushing red.

To let Lin Gou be the bait was like using a priceless Imperial Seal to crack walnuts, a gross waste of precious resources!

For a time, the hall was filled with fervent voices, with pleas and dissuasions rising one after another.

They, who had just hoped for someone to sacrifice themselves, were now desperately trying to stop Lin Gou from sacrificing himself.

Zhao Linger was even more anxious, tears welling up in her eyes.

She rushed forward, grabbing Lin Gou's sleeve tightly, her voice choked with sobs.

"Senior Brother! No!"

"You can't go! It's too dangerous!"

Her grip was very tight, her knuckles turning white from the effort, for fear that if she let go, the person in front of her would disappear forever.

Lin Gou felt the tremor coming from his sleeve, and his heart warmed slightly.

He gently patted Zhao Linger's hand with his backhand, signaling her to be at ease.

Then, he raised his head, scanning the faces filled with anxiety and concern.

He smiled.

That smile carried a kind of composure and ease that everyone present could not understand.

"Seniors, Sect Head Senior Martial Uncle."

His voice was not loud, but it possessed a calming power that overcame all the clamor.

"Who do you think is more suitable than me to be this bait?"

He counter-questioned.

Everyone was stunned.

Lin Gou continued calmly, his voice full of logic.

"First, throughout the world, who else but I, this 'Great Master of Demon Breaking,' can attract the Devil Head's hatred more effectively?"

"Second, although my cultivation is not high, my understanding of Devilish Qi far surpasses anyone present. How to simulate the aura that will most provoke it, how to maximally challenge it, only I know best."

"Third, and most importantly."

Lin Gou's gaze deepened, as if hiding endless secrets.

"I... have a trump card for self-preservation."

These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up stormy waves in the hearts of all the great figures.

That's right!

This young man, along the way, had created how many miracles?

He always made the most astonishing moves in the most impossible situations, and then survived unscathed!

"Could it be... he possesses the legendary ancient Substitute Puppet?"

"Or some kind of spatial secret treasure that can instantly escape thousands of miles?"

"I heard that some lost ancient Legacy holds Heaven-Defying secret arts for feigning death and escaping..."

Everyone's minds began to wildly speculate, and they felt their guesses were extremely reasonable!

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces change from astonishment to doubt, and then to sudden realization, Lin Gou knew the time was right.

He gently broke free from Zhao Linger's hand and took two steps forward, walking to the center of the hall.

He bowed deeply to everyone.

"When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact."

"We Cultivators should undertake such Heaven-Defying deeds to protect all living beings."

"Lin Gou is untalented, but he is willing to take this perilous step for the sake of the world."

"I ask all Seniors, to grant my request!"

His voice was resonant and powerful, each word striking like a heavy hammer against everyone's hearts.

That tragic stance of "willing to die for the greater good" made all the old monsters who had lived for hundreds of years feel a wave of shame.

Looking at his solitary, upright figure, an emotion called "admiration" naturally arose.

The Grand Elder of Tianjian Sect gazed at Lin Gou, his eyes extremely complex.

Finally, he let out a long sigh, and solemnly clasped his hands towards Lin Gou, bowing deeply.

"Master Lin... such righteousness!"

His bow represented the entire Orthodox Alliance, tacitly approving this crazy plan.

The plan was approved.