Chapter 105: A Moment of Crisis

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After confirming tomorrow’s means of contact once more, Liu Junhuai and Wu Wanyan bade farewell and entered the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, returning to Pingdu City.

Once inside the Chaos Space, Liu Junhuai exchanged a few words with everyone before taking Mo Sitong to the Myriad Phenomena Tower.

After recounting the events of the past two days to the old steward, the latter said, “Actually, Tower Master, you have already exposed yourself. The Blood-Slaying Alliance must have some purpose in coming to Pingdu City. You have now disrupted their plans. Even if they have not yet suspected that you have discovered their secret, you have still obstructed their actions. But it is nothing serious. Since matters have come to this, Tower Master, you may as well fight the Blood-Slaying Alliance to the bitter end. Without combat, there can never be any true progress.”

Liu Junhuai secretly thought that the old steward was quite the warmonger. His way of thinking was completely different from that of the elders in his family.

In truth, Liu Junhuai understood that they approached the matter from different perspectives. The elders placed the safety of the family first, while the old steward placed future development above everything else.

It could not be said that either side’s reasoning was wrong. Both were thinking of his welfare. Although he would still proceed according to his own plans, combining the opinions of both sides would certainly be of great help.

Liu Junhuai said, “My original intention was to destroy Yanfloating Palace and establish my own sect on its foundation. But now that the Blood-Slaying Alliance has taken notice of me, the establishment of a new sect will inevitably make it a target for their attacks. I am quite conflicted.”

The old steward replied, “It is not only the Blood-Slaying Alliance that has set its sights on you. The Falling Star Manor will also regard you as a grave threat. After all, there can be no peaceful resolution between you and Pamoji. Observe the reactions of both sides over the next few days. Your plan is sound, Tower Master, but you did not anticipate that the Blood-Slaying Alliance had a mission in Pingdu City. Perhaps that is the greatest turning point in your journey here. The direction in which your plans should change will depend on what measures the two sides take against you.”

Liu Junhuai shook his head. “The Falling Star Manor will not take any action against me for the time being. As for the Blood-Slaying Alliance, I intend to keep them occupied with the investigations conducted by the various sects. Every additional step they take brings another risk of exposure. If I were in their position, I would temporarily lower my banner and lie low until the storm passed. Therefore, I believe there will be a relatively calm transitional period after the battle in Pingdu City.”

The old steward lowered his head and pondered for a while before looking up. “There is a strong possibility that your analysis is correct. You must find a way to prevent that transitional period from continuing. The most direct method is to keep provoking the various sects into hunting the Blood-Slaying Alliance, while at the same time forcing the alliance to expose more of itself. Only then will you have the opportunity to attend to your own affairs.”

Mo Sitong laughed from the side. “Why do I feel that the two of you are schemers, always afraid that the world might become too peaceful?”

Liu Junhuai said, “This is not scheming but strategy. Only endless struggle creates greater opportunities for advancement. There is no peace or fairness in the cultivation world. The age of survival of the fittest has annihilated countless lives, yet it has also brought forth the rise of countless heroes. Developing targeted strategies early is the only way to ensure that I do not become prey, but instead rise as a great power. Sitong, what would you have me become?”

Mo Sitong replied, “I do not want you to be prey, nor do I want you to become some ruthless overlord. I want you to become a hero.”

The old steward laughed. “To become a hero, one must first possess the makings of a great power. Throughout history, heroes have never lived as long as ruthless overlords. Only by being both a hero and a great power can you hope to live longer.”

“That is not the same,” Mo Sitong protested. “Heroes are revered by all!”

Liu Junhuai said, “Which hero has never had blood on his hands? In truth, there is no fundamental difference between the two. The only distinction lies in the motive behind their actions.”

“Enough,” said the old steward. “There is no need to keep arguing over this. Oh, Tower Master, the two eggs in the pet chamber have shown a trace of movement. Would you like to go take a look?”

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Liu Junhuai shook his head. “Let them hatch naturally first. We do not even know what will emerge. Steward, when do you think Sitong’s alchemy can advance another level? I am still waiting for her pills. It has already been some time since we obtained the Blazing Spirit Mushroom and the Mysterious Pearl Grass, and I have been waiting a long while for the Ninefold Profound Accumulation Pill. Besides, if the newly established sect is to develop rapidly, relying on medicinal pills is the only solution.”

The old steward laughed. “Whose fault is it that you take the Tower Mistress wandering everywhere whenever you have nothing else to do? Only if she settles down and cultivates diligently in the Myriad Phenomena Tower will her alchemy continue to improve. Where could there possibly be a shortcut?”

Mo Sitong said, “Junhuai has already avenged his great hatred. From now on, we must establish the sect, and there will be many matters requiring manpower. Let us wait until everything has stabilized.”

Liu Junhuai laughed. “I am almost using you as an assassin now. You have quite a lot of blood on your hands after this period. I wonder what Palace Master Fang would feel if he found out. Sitong, I have noticed that you still lack a few offensive techniques. Would you like to search the treasure vault for some cultivation manuals, weapons, or the like?”

“Forget the manuals,” Mo Sitong said. “I am still waiting for you to teach me the Heaven-Covering Seal. As for weapons, I truly do not have many. But my primary task is refining pills. A few techniques for saving my life will be enough.”

“Then the first thing you must learn is Transformation Arts,” Liu Junhuai said. “The Heaven-Covering Seal is one of them. My Transformation Arts were directly passed down to me by Senior Miaotaifeng. I can engrave them onto a jade slip for you when I have the opportunity, though I cannot say whether you will succeed in cultivating them.”

“Simple practice and use should not be a problem,” the old steward added. “But fully mastering them will require a long process. Fortunately, we have the support of the temporal formations, which will greatly accelerate the process.”

“That will be all for today,” Liu Junhuai said. “Sitong and I only came to visit you. We still have to monitor Pamoji. A great battle awaits us.”

After leaving the Myriad Phenomena Tower and returning to the Chaos Space, Liu Junhuai instructed Mo Sitong to cultivate while he went to Fang Keyin to discuss the decisive battle at noon.

The development of events had now exceeded Liu Junhuai’s original judgment, mainly because of the Blood-Slaying Alliance’s purpose in Pingdu City.

Although he still did not know the alliance’s ultimate objective, he could be certain that it harbored ill intentions. Liu Junhuai seemed to catch the faint scent of a conspiracy.

Fortunately, his appearance had certainly influenced that conspiracy. He was also striving to search for the slightest clue within it. Perhaps matters would take a turn once the Blood-Slaying Alliance’s reinforcements revealed themselves after dawn.

With high-level cultivators continually joining the battle, it was essential to have experts of Fang Keyin and Bian Yanshan’s caliber holding the line. They might well be the key to determining victory or defeat.

The group discussed the matter for a long time, taking every possible accident into consideration. What they needed next was for Liu Junhuai to provide accurate information regarding the enemy’s forces.

After leaving the Chaos Space, Liu Junhuai spread his divine perception across the entire city and located Pamoji’s precise position. He smiled knowingly. Pamoji was being remarkably considerate of his intentions, having gathered together with everyone else. This arrangement would surely allow Liu Junhuai to overhear more secrets.

Concealing his presence, Liu Junhuai silently entered the City Lord’s Manor. Pamoji was currently presiding over a meeting to prepare for the battle.

The seven reinforcements selected in advance were all present, listening to Pamoji’s analysis of the current situation.

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Pamoji said, “This is all we currently know about Liu Junhuai. The force behind him should not be particularly powerful. The Blood-Slaying Alliance has been observing the Western Regions for a long time; it is unlikely that so many unexpected forces would suddenly emerge. The information brought by Elder Gonghu is extremely important. The Alliance Leader is also highly interested in this mineral deposit. The crucial matter is how to ensure that the Shen Family hands everything over completely. Today’s battle at noon will be decisive. Judging from the comparative strength of both sides, we still cannot make an accurate assessment because the exact strength of Liu Junhuai’s faction remains uncertain. Based on what we currently know, however, we still possess a considerable advantage.”

The gray-haired elder known as Elder Gonghu was the mid-Golden Core cultivator. He said, “Elder Pa is absolutely right. Those arriving after dawn are all hidden forces of our Blood-Slaying Alliance stationed throughout the Western Regions. Everything will be decided in this single battle. Using the Shen Family’s name was a plan established long ago. However, Liu Junhuai’s strength, having returned for revenge, far exceeded the Alliance Leader’s expectations, which caused this operation to encounter so many twists and turns. If this boy is not eliminated, he will become an endless source of trouble!”

Another middle-aged cultivator in the early Golden Core stage said, “Your judgments are certainly correct, but both of you have overlooked a crucial point. Our opponent at noon today is not merely Liu Junhuai’s faction. On the way here, I noticed a cultivator force stationed outside Pingdu City. There is more than one Golden Core cultivator among them.”

“What?” Pamoji rose in alarm. “Junior Brother Li, have you confirmed this? This is a major matter. It means that a force targeting the Blood-Slaying Alliance has already appeared!”

Elder Gonghu also asked in surprise, “What do you mean, Junior Brother Li? Why did I not discover anything of the sort? Your spiritual perception should not be stronger than mine, should it?”

Junior Brother Li sneered. “My sect possesses a unique spiritual-perception technique capable of penetrating every restriction. The cultivator force outside Pingdu City has concealed itself behind an obscuring restriction, so naturally you could not see it. Do not rely on your superior cultivation and assume that you are above me, Gonghu Changtian. When it comes to the subtlety of techniques, you are leagues behind me, Li Wanqiu.”

Liu Junhuai paid little attention to what was said afterward. Li Wanqiu’s words had shocked him. He was not afraid that Li Wanqiu’s secret spiritual-perception art could surpass his Celestial Eye Insight, for his own divine perception was watching them without being detected. What concerned him was that the force organized by the Heavenly Mechanism Sect might have been discovered.

His mind raced as he considered how to dispel Li Wanqiu’s suspicions.

“All right, all right,” Pamoji said. “This is not the time to argue over who is superior. Junior Brother Li’s discovery is extremely important. We must now verify whether it is true. Should we send someone out of the city immediately to investigate?”

Li Wanqiu replied, “I merely suspect that the cultivators outside Pingdu City are connected to today’s decisive battle. To confirm it, someone must indeed be sent to investigate. Since Elder Gonghu does not seem to believe me, I suggest that he go and see for himself.”

By then, Liu Junhuai could no longer afford to continue eavesdropping. He had to relay the information immediately. If the Blood-Slaying Alliance took precautions in advance, it could have a decisive impact on the battle at noon.

With that thought, Liu Junhuai quietly retreated a hundred zhang and urgently sent a communication jade talisman to Wu Wanyan. Then, with a single teleportation, he had reached dozens of miles away. For the current Liu Junhuai, a teleportation across such a distance consumed enough true essence to permit him only two uses.

He swiftly summoned the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle and sped toward the outskirts of Pingdu City.

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