223: Persuade Ruoshui

This was Jiang Ning’s first time seeing a Desolate Worm.

Perhaps because its life force had been drained, this insect was much smaller than its egg, only the size of a child's fist.

It had withered yellow wings and a slender body, but its mouth seemed to be divided into six petals, somewhat resembling a carnivorous plant opening wide.

It had eight legs, two of which were very stout hind legs, while its front legs resembled a mantis's “scythes.”

They were covered with dense barbs.

This insect seemed to be born for devouring and slaughter.

“This thing… can turn a city into a dead city?”

Jiang Ning still found it hard to believe.

If this thing had some means, it could even be raised and used as a “nuclear deterrent.”

Flowing Water hummed in affirmation.

“After consuming life force, the Desolate Worm will grow larger. Once it reaches the Golden Core Realm, it can become as large as the spirit boat used by the Yingtong Merchant Guild for passenger transport.”

Jiang Ning thought about it.

That spirit boat was like a giant cruise ship.

That would indeed be quite large.

Flowing Water continued, “Not only that, once its survival is ensured, the Desolate Worm will reproduce. It will scatter its eggs everywhere, and if not controlled...

…the entire domain, and even the entire continent, could become the domain of the Desolate Worm.”

Jiang Ning suddenly understood.

It’s not scary for one thing to be strong. If it’s not only strong, but also has a long Lifespan and super strong reproductive capabilities, then it becomes terrifying.

Isn’t this just like the ' Cut with a knife' (cut a price) viral marketing? It spreads too quickly, and its destructive power is too great!

“I haven't asked yet.” Flowing Water stared at Jiang Ning, “To what extent has your strength improved?”

“I’m still in the Nascent Soul Stage - Early Phase, but I’m much stronger than before, as if I’ve stayed in the Nascent Soul Stage - Early Phase for decades, and my Nascent Soul has grown a bit.”

Jiang Ning didn't hide anything from Flowing Water.

Flowing Water didn't say much.

The Desolate Worm eggs were originally used by the Tinghua City Lord to break through his Bottleneck.

If it could benefit a Nascent Soul, then it could indeed help a Golden Core Perfection break through their Bottleneck.

That day, when she sealed off the Yousen Domain, the man’s life force leaked out. He must have deceived Hongmei into getting these insect eggs, not primarily to advance his cultivation, but more importantly, to replenish his life force and extend his Lifespan.

A longer Lifespan would provide more Opportunities for further advancement.

“Oh, by the way, this time I’m back…”

Jiang Ning stopped mid-sentence.

Flowing Water had just dealt with the matters of Tinghua City, and to bring this up now… he hesitated a bit.

Flowing Water sneered, “Hesitating? If you have something to say, just say it. Don't waste time.”

Jiang Ning: “I wanted to discuss with you the matter of hunting Grand Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu.”

“Goodbye!”

Flowing Water went straight into the house.

Jiang Ning: … He walked to Flowing Water’s door.

“Don’t be so hasty, it sounds like a fantasy, but I have a mature plan.”

“Heh heh, Grand Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu still has a complete method for killing people.”

Flowing Water suddenly acted playful, and Jiang Ning was a bit taken aback.

“I'm serious.”

...In the courtyard.

Flowing Water took a sip of flower tea.

She looked at the three… two people and one fox sitting opposite her.

She said seriously, “You’d better give me a detailed introduction to your mature plan.”

Jiang Ning then explained his plan in great detail.

Actually, it wasn't that profound, because even the most profound deception is like a fleeting cloud in the face of absolute strength.

“You only need to stall Grand Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu and create an Opportunity for me. I will send Grand Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu into a spatial rift.”

“Using spatial turbulence to tear Grand Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu apart?”

Flowing Water chuckled, “That is indeed a method, but why do you think you can push Grand Marshal Marshal Xuan Hu into a spatial rift?

There are many imperfections in this.

Also, what will you do afterwards?”

“Don't worry, if the Grand Marshal of the Tiance Military Prefecture wants revenge, he will only seek revenge on me. He cannot disregard the checks and balances of the Yingtong Merchant Guild, the Yaoguang Immortal Palace, and the Linghuang Pavilion.

Moreover, killing so many local Nascent Soul Cultivators would destabilize the Xuanhuang Domain.

Prioritizing the bigger picture, the Grand Marshal of the Tiance Military Prefecture will not pursue you.”

“I know all this.”

Flowing Water asked, “What I mean is, how will you escape?”

Jiang Ning hadn't expected Flowing Water to be concerned about him.

But the matter of the Small World was, after all, a secret.

He pondered for two seconds, “I have a method that allows me to hide without being discovered. As long as I hide…”

“Can you hide for a lifetime?”

Flowing Water retorted.

Jiang Ning couldn't say even more that if he just waited until next year, when the Tianshan Cold Pool opened, his cultivation would soar, and he wouldn't have to be afraid.

Foreknowledge, for a Cultivator, was too terrifying.

Jiang Ning chuckled twice, “In short, I have a method. At the latest by next year, I will be able to organize another attempt to kill the Grand Marshal of the Tiance Military Prefecture!”

Flowing Water raised an eyebrow.

She stared into Jiang Ning’s eyes.

From Jiang Ning’s gaze, she could tell that he wasn't lying.

So what confidence did Jiang Ning have to say that he would kill the Grand Marshal of the Tiance Military Prefecture next year?

This was no small matter. Killing the Grand Marshal of the Tiance Military Prefecture would mean the demise of the Tiance Military Prefecture… How grand a scheme was this, to dare to say such a thing.

Jiang Ning thought Flowing Water was considering the overall situation of the Xuanhuang Domain, and he said earnestly, “The reward I’m offering to each faction is three Nascent Soul Tribulation Pills. With these Medicinal Pills...

…even if the Grand Marshal dies, the Xuanhuang Domain will have new Nascent Soul forces to replenish it.

And I guarantee that it will not only benefit new Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators, but also veteran Nascent Soul Stage - Late Phase Cultivators will see improvements.

The Xuanhuang Domain will only be stronger than it is now, not weaker!”

This was what the female lead, Yun Qingyao, accomplished in the original novel after obtaining the Opportunity of the Tianshan Cold Pool.

Everything happened naturally.

And the Xuanhuang Domain’s leap in strength to a new level triggered the next part of the plot.

Flowing Water held up five fingers.

“I want five.”

She had to fight for the Yaoguang Immortal Palace.

It wasn’t because of personal favors, but because she felt that the arrival of Jiang Ning, this “variable,” might be the Opportunity for a “reshuffling” of forces in the Xuanhuang Domain.

She believed that the Yingtong Merchant Guild and the Linghuang Pavilion were also thinking this way.

She didn't believe that three Nascent Soul Tribulation Pills would make them offend the Tiance Military Prefecture.

Being part of a major power, Flowing Water saw more than Jiang Ning did.