99: Coveting in the Dark

"War with the Demon Hunting Society? The Sect is getting serious!"

"Haha, I've long been annoyed with the Demon Hunting Society. It's time to kill these bastards."

"Alas, this time... I wonder how many people will die..."

On the day of the declaration of war, the prices of Magical Artifacts, Spiritual Artifacts, and Spiritual Wine in nearby markets and Spiritual Pavilions—anything related to war—rose sharply.

Three days later, the Elder of the War Hall summoned a group of Disciples, who then left the Sect on a flying boat.

"I never thought that I, a Heavenly Spiritual Root Disciple... would also be dragged onto the battlefield..."

The Yuan Ci Avatar frowned.

For someone of his caliber, a seed of the Immortal Dao, destined for the True Core Realm and with hopes of reaching the Profound Cave, which Sect wouldn't protect him closely?

They would be afraid of him being targeted by an enemy Sect and falling prematurely.

"Unless... within the Sect... someone is targeting me... Which Elder could it be?"

A rumor had always circulated in the Sect that there was a method to seize the Spiritual Root of talented Disciples within the Sect.

Its truth was unknown.

"Hmph, if this person reveals himself and, in the midst of a killing blow, discovers that I am a True Core Realm Cultivator, I wonder what expression he would have... Perfect, I will lie low in the dark and wait for the right moment."

Originally, the Yuan Ci Avatar had planned to leave the Sect and ambush the Old Ancestor of the Demonic Cult.

Now was the perfect time.

Within a few days, Cultivators from the two Sects clashed, blood flowed like rivers, and dozens of Foundation Building Realm Cultivators fell one after another.

The True Dan Grandmasters, however, had mixed results.

Overall, the intensity of the conflict was kept below the True Core Realm.

Yuan Ci remained as cautious as ever, stationed in logistics, rarely venturing out.

Wine Sword Life, on the other hand, slew many enemies and gained considerable fame.

He earned the nickname 'Jiu Jian Shuang Jue' (Dual Master of Wine and Sword).

Logistics camp.

"Senior Brother Yuan Ci, a group of Demon Hunting Society Cultivators has been discovered in the southwest Jade Forest, the strongest of whom is only in the Early Stage of the Foundation Building Realm.

I have already invited three or five friends, all skilled Cultivators in the Foundation Building Realm.

Why don't we act together and jointly earn Sect contribution points?"

"Yes, Senior Brother Yuan Ci, with your Earth-attributed Heavenly Spiritual Root abilities, a mere Foundation Building Realm Cultivator would be easily captured, wouldn't they?"

A charming woman said softly.

Her eyes sparkled, radiating allure.

Her words, though ordinary, made one's ears tingle.

Clearly, she practiced a charm technique.

"This... you two overestimate me too much.

Fighting is out of the question... I, however, have quite a bit of experience in Alchemy.

In the future, Junior Sister Gu Nian, if you are short on Medicinal Pills, just come to the logistics department, and I can give you a discount..."

As he spoke, ignoring the hint of disgust in the woman's eyes, the Yuan Ci Avatar lecherously put his arm around her shoulder.

Suddenly, the tent flap opened, and a person walked out.

"If he doesn't go, I will!"

His voice was loud, with a faint smell of alcohol.

It was Wine Sword Life.

"Senior Brother Jiu..."

"Very well."

As she spoke, Gu Nian glanced at Yuan Ci with disdain, finding him smiling brightly, looking carefree.

'I've long heard this person is a coward who hasn't left the Sect in ten years, and it's true.

What a waste of such excellent Aptitude.'

Soon, the group left, but the Yuan Ci Avatar's expression gradually darkened.

"Are these people in league? Or is it a test from the mastermind... It doesn't matter, no matter how formidable the mastermind is, even if he covets my Spiritual Root, as long as I don't leave the main camp and quietly hide in logistics.

No matter his monstrous abilities, he won't find an opportunity to strike."

The Yuan Ci Avatar was as steady as an old dog.

A few days later, news arrived.

There was an ambush hidden in the Jade Forest; three Foundation Building Realm Inner Sect Disciples of the Tiansheng Sect died, and Wine Sword Life also lost an arm, barely escaping.

"It seems it wasn't a targeted ambush against me after all, but truly an accident... However, it inadvertently saved me a lot of trouble."

The Yuan Ci Avatar, adhering to his main body's Dao of caution, became even more resolute.

However, not long after, the peace was broken.

"What, they're actually forcing Foundation Building Realm Cultivators to be stationed in Jade Forest... My name is on the list."

The Yuan Ci Avatar sneered, his internal Qi swirling, and the official document turned to ashes.

"Alright, let me see what tricks you have..."

A tiger pretending to be a cat doesn't mean it actually becomes a cat.

Occasionally showing its fangs means a fatal strike.

Jade Forest.

Green jade pillars, like verdant pines, stood tall.

Their tops intertwined, forming a canopy of emerald green.

Upon closer inspection, many drops of green spiritual essence dripped from the jade pillars, emitting a unique fragrance.

The conflict between the two Sects was for territory and resource points.

The spiritual essence produced in the Jade Forest, capable of rapidly restoring a Cultivator's Qi and magical power, naturally became a critical area on the front lines.

At this moment, a flying boat descended above the encampment in the forest, bringing a group of Cultivators.

"They're finally here..."

The white-haired Elder's face was wreathed in smiles as he stepped forward to greet them.

"Old man Qin Hua greets a few Senior Brothers... Senior Brother Gu, how many Inner Sect Disciples has the Sect sent to support us this time?"

"Old Qin, you're asking the obvious again.

This is a Sect secret, only True Core Elders can know.

Even as the leader, I am not privy to it."

A group of people descended from the flying boat, and the square-faced middle-aged man, Gu Sansi, explained with a smile.

He then turned to introduce the people behind him.

"These are the Inner Sect Senior Brothers and Junior Sisters who have come to support us this time: Bai Qi, Gu Nian, Wine Sword Life..."

When the Yuan Ci Avatar was introduced, Qin Hua's eyes visibly lit up.

"Could it be that Earth-attributed Heavenly Spiritual Root Junior Brother... I heard that our Sect hasn't had a Heavenly Spiritual Root Disciple in over three hundred years.

Seeing him today, he is indeed extraordinary."

Qin Hua bypassed everyone, stepped forward, his gaze burning, fixed on the Yuan Ci Avatar.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qin Hua..."

The Yuan Ci Avatar smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

Inwardly, he thought: 'This person has lived in Jade Forest for a long time and is very familiar with the environment, so there's a good chance he's part of the mastermind's arrangements...'

Just then, a soft, annoyed snort came from beside him.

"Hmph, so what if he has a Heavenly Spiritual Root?

He never dares to go to the front lines to kill enemies, instead hiding in logistics, fanning flames, and taking advantage of others—he's quite good at that."

Gu Nian snorted coldly.

In the last battle in the Jade Forest, two of her close friends died.

She somehow blamed the Yuan Ci Avatar for it.

She thought that if Yuan Ci had gone with them, with the abilities of a Heavenly Spiritual Root Cultivator, even if they encountered an ambush, they wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat.

Perhaps her two friends wouldn't have died.

"This is..."

Qin Hua was bewildered.

He had no idea about the conflict between the two.

"Perhaps Junior Sister Gu Nian has some misunderstanding about me..."

The Yuan Ci Avatar feigned embarrassment, rubbing his nose, then continued: "However, I am indeed not skilled in combat.

I ask Senior Brother Qin to arrange a quiet place for me to cultivate peacefully.

Senior Brother Li from the logistics department and I are very close.

If there are any needs for Medicinal Pills, I do have some connections and can provide some..."

So he was just a silver spear with a wax head, all show and no substance.

Everyone curled their lips, secretly sighing that heaven was blind to give such excellent Aptitude to a coward.

"Then I'll trouble Senior Brother Yuan..."

Though Qin Hua smiled, his tone had grown much colder.

Thereafter, for ten consecutive days, aside from necessary procurement and supplies, Yuan Ci's shadow was nowhere to be seen.

"This person is truly cautious.

However, in troubled times, how can you just focus on cultivation..."

Qin Hua sneered.

He chanted a Magical Artifact, and a corner of the protective grand array opened, allowing a spiritual pigeon to fly out.

The next night.

A streak of green flame cut through the sky.

Immediately, the barrier of the protective grand array trembled incessantly, shattering like glass.

In an instant, alarm bells rang out, echoing across the night sky.