175: Enraged and resorting to "physical" extermination

The massive blunder caused by the "Source Network" caused Elder Black Fiend to lose all prestige within the Qingxuan Sect, becoming a laughingstock for everyone after their meals. Even the "Upper Sect" behind him seemed less reliable as a result. Factions like Danxia Peak and the Sword Pavilion seized the opportunity to attack, questioning the waste of resources in laying down such "inferior" Formations and demanding a strict investigation into whether there was any skulduggery involved.

Elder Black Fiend was so angry he nearly vomited blood, yet he had no way to defend himself. He had been the one to push for the Formation, so when problems arose, he was the first to take the hit. He wished he could extract Wen Youyi's soul and refine his spirit, but the "scan results" showed that he himself had issues, making him hesitant to act openly for fear of collateral damage.

However, the pressure from the Upper Sect did not lessen; instead, it became even more urgent. Clearly, the "Server Administrator" had lost patience with the "BUGS" and "viruses" that kept appearing in this "Ranch" of the Qingxuan Sect.

Several days later, a sternly worded decree from the Upper Sect was delivered directly into the hands of Elder Black Fiend.

The decree explicitly pointed out that there was a "High Priority Anomaly" in the Qingxuan Sect region and demanded that he complete the "cleanup" within a limited time, at all costs. At the same time, the decree included a brief hint on how to deal with "rule-level interference," as well as... temporary authorization to call upon three Elementary Scavenger units!

Seeing the word "Scavenger," a flash of fear crossed Elder Black Fiend's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a desperate, ruthless determination!

"Wen Youyi... you forced me to do this!" He gritted his teeth. "Since the 'software' scan can't find you, don't blame me for using 'physical' means to wipe out you rats, nest and all!"

He was no longer obsessed with finding concrete evidence and decided to adopt the most direct and brutal method—area purging!

He locked his targets onto the areas where Wen Youyi and his Mutual Aid Society were most active, as well as several markets and peripheral strongholds secretly influenced by the Spark Alliance. He wanted to use thunderous force to completely "format" these areas, preferring to mistakenly kill rather than let anyone escape!

Meanwhile, inside the Ding Zi Courtyard.

Wen Youyi was discussing with Senior Brother Zhang and Ying via the "Star Network" how to use the "Fallen Star Lake Node Two" to attempt to build a small-scale "rule shielding zone" to cope with potentially higher-level scans.

Suddenly, the Star Core in his bosom sent out a rapid warning fluctuation! At the same time, Wang Wu rushed in with a drastically changed expression!

"Youyi! It's bad! Elder Black Fiend has personally brought a large number of Discipline Hall Disciples and people from the Five Elements Courtyard to surround our 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion' stronghold at the foot of the mountain! A dozen of our peripheral members are gathering there!"

"'Listening to the Rain Pavilion'?" Wen Youyi's heart sank. That was a relatively public contact point for the Mutual Aid Society, mainly used for exchanging information and low-level resources. Most of the people inside were just ordinary Disciples dissatisfied with the status quo, not core members.

"What do they want to do?" Zhao Iron Pillar roared.

"They said they received a report that 'evil spirits' were gathering there and they need to go in and search!" Wang Wu said anxiously. "But our people sent word that they saw three people behind Black Fiend whom they have never seen before, with very cold auras. It feels... very wrong!"

"Scavengers!" Wen Youyi, Senior Brother Zhang, and Ying on the other end of the "Star Network" blurted out almost simultaneously!

The opposition was playing for real! They were no longer playing games; they were directly using force to carry out targeted elimination!

"They are trying to kill the chicken to scare the monkey, forcing us to reveal ourselves!" Wen Youyi's eyes were cold. "We absolutely cannot let them succeed! Those peripheral members are innocent!"

"What should we do? Fight them head-on?" Zhao Iron Pillar gripped his heavy sword.

"Fighting head-on is a bad strategy; it's exactly what they want." Wen Youyi forced himself to calm down, his brain racing. "The opposition came prepared, and they have 'Scavengers.' We don't have enough strength."

His gaze swept across the courtyard and suddenly fixed on the few "little broom" Puppets diligently cleaning in the corner.

An extremely risky plan instantly formed in his mind.

"Got it!" A flash of determination crossed Wen Youyi's eyes. "We'll use a diversion to draw them away!"

He quickly issued orders:

"Senior Brother Wang, immediately use all secret channels to spread the news that Elder Black Fiend is disregarding sect rules and intends to attack innocent Disciples. Make it as big as possible, muddy the waters!"

"Iron Pillar, come with me! We're going to give Elder Black Fiend's lair a 'big gift'!"

"Old Zhang, Ying! You two control 'little broom' numbers one through five, and activate the 'self-destruct' and 'information broadcast' modes I set up earlier. Targets—the Five Elements Courtyard's core warehouse and Elder Black Fiend's private herb garden!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, then realized Wen Youyi's intention!

He was going to raid Black Fiend's nest directly! Forcing him to return to defend!

"Brilliant!" Zhao Iron Pillar slapped his thigh excitedly. "Let's see if that old guy dares to run wild outside anymore!"

"But... the 'little broom's' self-destruct power isn't great; I'm afraid it won't cause much damage." Senior Brother Zhang was a bit hesitant.

"It doesn't need to cause much damage." Wen Youyi sneered. "We just need to create chaos and let everyone 'know' that Elder Black Fiend is acting perversely, that even his own backyard is on fire! Most importantly, let those three 'Scavengers' know that there is a more important 'anomaly' here that needs handling!"

Time was tight, and everyone immediately split up to act.

Wang Wu quickly spread the news, which indeed caused quite a stir. Many neutral Disciples felt dissatisfied with Elder Black Fiend's overbearing behavior.

Meanwhile, Wen Youyi and Zhao Iron Pillar snuck out of the Ding Zi Courtyard like ghosts, heading toward the Five Elements Courtyard.

At the same time, under Senior Brother Zhang's remote control, the red lights in the eyes of the five "little broom" Puppets flashed. They deviated from their daily cleaning routes and, like five gray bolts of lightning, charged toward the Five Elements Courtyard's warehouse and Elder Black Fiend's herb garden respectively!

The energy circuits inside them began to run in reverse, and their bodies started to glow red and expand, while simultaneously emitting a shrill, processed alarm sound that simulated some ancient language:

"Warning! High-concentration anomalous energy detected! Executing purification protocol!"

"For the glory of the Empire! Eliminate all unstable factors!"

(This was the "lines" Wen Youyi had jokingly asked Senior Brother Zhang to program.)

"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"...

A series of explosions, not too loud but enough to be eye-catching, rang out in the core area of the Five Elements Courtyard! Accompanied by chaotic energy fluctuations and that strange "alarm sound," the entire Five Elements Courtyard instantly exploded into chaos!

"Enemy attack?!"

"What exploded?"

"What is that voice saying?"

In the chaos, no one noticed the remains of the few "little broom" Puppets that had turned into fragments.

Almost at the same time as the explosions, Elder Black Fiend, who had already brought people to surround "Listening to the Rain Pavilion" and was preparing to force his way in, received an urgent message from the Five Elements Courtyard!

"Elder! It's bad! The warehouse in the courtyard and your herb garden have been attacked by unknown assailants! Strange Puppets self-destructed and were shouting weird slogans!"

Elder Black Fiend's expression changed drastically! He whipped his head around to look toward the main peak of the Qingxuan Sect, his eyes filled with shock and rage!

And those three "Scavengers" standing like wooden stakes, their cold electronic eyes instantly locked onto the direction of the Five Elements Courtyard, their databases rapidly matching the information of that "alarm sound"...

(End of chapter)