Chapter 118: If the Rumors Are True

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: If the Rumors Are True

"I never thought someone like you would be running errands."

In a well-preserved courtyard, Eldest Prince Yu Haoyong of the Black Feather Dynasty looked at Xie Xichen and shook his head in resignation. It wasn’t that he wanted to turn hostile in the first place, but even if he did, it would be impossible to act on it now.

Everyone in the central area was watching him. If a fight broke out, countless people would flock over, and he would undoubtedly be the one getting mobbed.

The Black Feather Royal Family were outsiders in this trial to begin with, naturally putting them at odds with everyone else. Now, with Spiritual Cuisine as a lure, everyone could absolutely band together to drive the Black Feather Dynasty out first.

"And isn’t the Eldest Prince of the Black Feather Dynasty, who has always preferred solving problems with his fists, now forced to obediently follow the rules of the trade?"

Xie Xichen shook his head as he looked at Yu Haoyong. The Eldest Prince of the Black Feather Dynasty, a powerhouse with Meridian Passage Beginner Cultivation who had set foot on the Peak Path. Back when the Black Feather Dynasty was waging wars of conquest, he was the Prince most likely to become the next Emperor.

Unfortunately, the Black Feather Dynasty had already swallowed up most of the easy targets in the vicinity. The remaining powers, whether it was the Great Xia Dynasty or Tianya City on the other side, were not to be trifled with. The Black Feather Dynasty had no choice but to sheathe its weapons and abandon its path of violent conquest.

This left the Eldest Prince, who had been groomed for that purpose, in a rather awkward position. If this were ten years ago, this trial wouldn’t even be happening, and the man before him would have been the most satisfactory Crown Prince in the eyes of all factions within the Black Feather Dynasty.

"In the face of a Second Grade Spirit Chef, forget about failures like you and me. Even a true Pride of Heaven would choose to abide by the deal. Nothing is more important than advancing one’s Cultivation, and as long as Spiritual Cuisine can improve Cultivation, everyone is willing to show that person some respect."

Yu Haoyong didn’t get angry. He was well aware of the situation he faced and knew he needed to change. He had to use less violent means to secure benefits for the Black Feather Dynasty, but in that regard, he was a failure.

His second brother had excelled at plots and schemes. His third brother had once been a replica of himself but had done a great job of adapting. His fourth and fifth brothers hadn’t shown any impressive performances, but they had the advantage of being young and extremely malleable.

"Enough idle talk. Let’s get down to business."

Xie Xichen didn’t press the topic. The Black Feather Dynasty couldn’t be considered an ally, and even if they were, it wasn’t his decision to make. However, the Eldest Prince before him was clearly not the reckless fool of the rumors. At the very least, he could see the importance of Spiritual Cuisine.

On the other hand, the Black Feather Dynasty didn’t have a single Spirit Chef. If he could secure a continuous supply of Spiritual Cuisine, then even if he wasn’t the Crown Prince, he would still be irreplaceable.

"I’ll personally take you to activate the pillar of light."

Yu Haoyong nodded and strode off into the distance. Xie Xichen followed slowly behind, the two of them chatting intermittently.

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The tenth day of the ninth month finally passed. Just after midnight on the eleventh, three pillars of light, not far from each other, lit up and were claimed by Purple Cloud Valley.

However, all three pillars were in the outer area of Fire Dragon Valley. With this, two hundred and ninety-eight pillars had been lit in the outer area, while the central area still had only one.

"According to the information I’ve received, there are a total of three hundred pillars in the outer area, with each pillar representing one slot. The central area has forty pillars, with each one corresponding to three slots. Additionally, the eighteen volcanoes each have a pillar corresponding to ten slots. As for where the last two pillars will appear, I have no idea..."

In the courtyard, Ren Xunchun spoke nonchalantly. Yang Haichen, who was also in the courtyard, couldn’t help but glance at him. Although Liu Chen hadn’t left his room, his Spiritual Sense was focused on this Senior Brother Ren.

"It’s not much of a secret. This was the result of a collaboration between the Three Immortal Sects. A Senior Brother from Qingxu Hall who enjoys studying Arrays—though he isn’t an Array Master—made this deduction based on the pillars’ locations. We’ll soon find out if it’s true or not."

"That Senior Brother once said that after the three hundred pillars in the outer area are activated, everyone will be transported to the central area. Perhaps we’ll get to see that very scene tonight."

Ren Xunchun explained that this was the only time the Three Immortal Sects had collaborated since entering Fire Dragon Valley. Purple Cloud Valley had originally been on par with Qingxu Hall in terms of pillars claimed, but because of the incident with Nangong Ye, the disciples of Qingxu Hall had been affected, allowing Purple Cloud Valley to take the lead.

As for Thunder Mountain, after their leading Pride of Heaven was defeated by Yu Haoyong, their overall strategy had become more conservative.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Yang Haichen nodded. He really hadn’t known about these things. After all, by the time he arrived in the central area, the disciples of Purple Cloud Valley had already settled here. Or rather, the Three Immortal Sects had all established their own fixed Territory. He figured this must have happened before he got there.

"I should be the one thanking you. If it weren’t for you, I’d be rotting by now."

Ren Xunchun shook his head, his gaze falling upon the room Liu Chen occupied. He felt that his recovery was all thanks to this junior brother, but he had no concrete proof. Besides, the other party hadn’t said anything, clearly not wanting to be exposed. Since he owed his life to this, he naturally couldn’t repay kindness with malice.

"What I did was insignificant."

Yang Haichen also glanced at Liu Chen’s room but ultimately said nothing. Senior Brother Ren had been on the verge of death, but then he recovered after Yang Haichen had gone out for a bit. It couldn’t be more obvious who was really responsible.

Junior Brother Liu had many secrets, and he had no interest in prying. The man was always helping him, and he wasn’t the type to burn his bridges. However, it was clear that Senior Brother Ren had noticed it too.

"Who knows."

Ren Xunchun turned to look at Yang Haichen, then returned to his own room. Yang Haichen shook his head helplessly. He had been overthinking it. How could someone who managed to become an Inner Sect Disciple lack this bit of tact?

In his room, Liu Chen slowly withdrew his Spiritual Sense and sighed in resignation. He couldn’t bring himself to watch someone die without helping, but he had long anticipated that saving them would inevitably lead to being discovered. Thankfully, neither of his senior brothers was a reckless loudmouth.

-----------------

"If the rumors are correct, once two more pillars are activated, everyone will be transported to the central area of Fire Dragon Valley."

Yu Haoyong said slowly as he gazed at the three completed pillars. He knew full well this was a struggle for succession, and that Nangong Ye had likely been plotted against by one of his own brothers. But Cyan Eagle Crying Blood had marked Nangong Ye, and besides, investigations suggested his second brother was also dead.

Perhaps framing his third brother and Nangong Ye had been his second brother’s handiwork, but now they were all dead. The only thing he could do was avenge the two of them.

"The other two pillars have been taken by your brother. Additionally, someone discovered the Black Feather Dynasty’s empty tents in a rift valley. According to intel from the Xiao Family, that camp was supposed to belong to the Second Prince. What’s certain is that the Xiao Family encountered Black Feather Dynasty Guards at the time."

"The one who used the Spirit Arrow Technique wasn’t necessarily a Black Feather Dynasty Guard, especially not after my third brother’s death."