Chapter 98: This Place Is Now Safe

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: This Place Is Now Safe

"What’s this?"

The leader looked at the Loose Cultivator in the second brother’s grasp and couldn’t help but ask. The five of them had managed to coexist peacefully with the other allied groups of Loose Cultivators—partly because of their strength, and partly because they never went looking for trouble.

"Don’t worry, Boss. He’s not from the Fire Wolf Gang, just some Loose Cultivator trying to suck up to the Three Immortal Sects."

The second brother spoke with a sinister air. ’Even though I think the boss is indecisive at times, his strength is undeniable. Besides, our lives would be difficult if we offended those Loose Cultivators with gang backing.’

"That’s good, then."

The leader nodded slowly and turned to the fourth brother. That guy was always the one with the best ideas.

"Boss, I’ve found a strange group of Cultivators. They don’t seem like Loose Cultivators, and they aren’t carrying any Tokens. They’re most likely from the Black Feather Dynasty, and they’re here to stir up trouble."

The fourth brother narrowed his eyes. To be precise, it wasn’t today that he’d discovered them. He had already struck a deal with the other party. After all, his origins in Purple Cloud Valley meant he still had his ways of gathering intelligence. The second brother had already agreed, leaving only the leader.

"Tell me more."

The leader’s interest was instantly piqued. They couldn’t stay in the Great Xia Dynasty. Here in Fire Dragon Valley, it looked like the Three Immortal Sects were dead set on a complete purge. If the Black Feather Dynasty hadn’t appeared, their only option would have been a desperate, last-ditch fight. But now that they had, there was a sliver of hope for survival.

"They seem to be planning to wait at the base of the cliffs where the pillars of light fall, letting the Trial Disciples from the Great Xia Dynasty walk right into their trap."

The fourth brother narrowed his eyes. ’Clearly, the boss understands our predicament,’ he thought. ’This recruitment might just succeed.’

"Funny you should mention it. I’ve seen a few Trial Disciples from Qingxu Hall."

The leader narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t made a move on the Qingxu Hall disciples. Their leader was formidable, and he hadn’t been confident in his ability to win.

"Boss, Fourth Brother, this isn’t the place to talk," the second brother interjected. "Let’s go back to the cave first!"

The second brother shook his head. After looting the Loose Cultivator of everything he had, he tossed the man into the lava. A piercing scream echoed, but the three men were already immune to the sound.

"You’re right. We’ll talk back there."

The leader nodded and headed straight for the cave. This truly wasn’t a good place to be discussing matters.

The second and fourth brothers exchanged a look, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They were only at the Body Tempering Middle Stage, while their leader was at the Body Tempering Late Stage and the fifth brother was a quasi-Spirit Chef. If the four of them defected to the Black Feather Dynasty together, the resources they would receive would certainly be greater than if only two of them went.

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Previously, Liu Chen could cast the Body Protection Technique ten times in half an hour. After reaching the Meridian Passage Realm, if he was just practicing to maintain his proficiency, the Spiritual Power consumption and casting time were both a fifth of what they used to be.

In other words, Liu Chen could now cast the Body Protection Technique fifty times in half an hour.

The only drawback was the consumption of Spiritual Power. In the past, Liu Chen had needed Spiritual Cuisine to replenish his energy. But after advancing to the Meridian Passage Realm, the speed at which he refined Spiritual Qi had increased, allowing him to recover simply by using Spirit Stones.

[Body Protection Technique Proficiency +2000]

An hour later, Liu Chen looked at the proficiency notification with great satisfaction. Reaching Body Tempering Peak had doubled his proficiency gain, and now, after advancing to the Meridian Passage Realm, the improved quality and quantity of his Spiritual Power had multiplied that gain by another five times.

By this calculation, five hours would be enough to raise a spell from Perfection to the Unique stage. ’Even if proficiency for a completely new spell doesn’t stack this quickly, it’s still far faster than before.’

Just as Liu Chen was about to resume his cultivation, three figures appeared within the range of his Spiritual Sense. Their goal was clear—they were heading straight for his cave.

"Boss, I say we rest up for a bit and then go watch the show from the sidelines. We’ll help whoever’s winning. That way, even if we can’t change the overall situation, at least the victor won’t hold a grudge against us."

The fourth brother said with high spirits. ’Qingxu Hall can’t win. The Black Feather Dynasty came prepared. From what I know, they have three cultivators at the Body Tempering Late Stage alone, and that’s not even counting the rest.’

"That’s not a good idea. Both the Black Feather Dynasty and Qingxu Hall will have tricks up their sleeves for survival. It’s better if we hide in the shadows and take the opportunity to help the weaker party."

The leader shook his head. It was impossible for either the Black Feather Dynasty or Qingxu Hall to completely wipe out the other. Helping the underdog, on the other hand, might just change their own circumstances. Besides, if the weaker side was grievously injured, they’d be in no position to refuse their "help."

As long as it looked like they were genuinely helping, both the Black Feather Dynasty and Qingxu Hall would likely turn a blind eye.

The leader didn’t notice the look that passed between the second and fourth brothers trailing behind him. A flicker of killing intent flashed in their eyes and was gone. If their leader ended up helping the wrong side, they would just have to make other plans.

"The boss is right. Helping the weaker side could certainly improve our situation," the second brother said, sidling closer. "But if it’s Qingxu Hall, will they really accept us? We’re traitors from Purple Cloud Valley. Have you forgotten the look on that sanctimonious Steward’s face?"

As the second brother leaned in and spoke slowly, a flicker of pain crossed the leader’s face. His promising future had been destroyed by that self-righteous Steward. There was no guarantee Qingxu Hall wouldn’t just turn them over to Purple Cloud Valley.

"Then we hide. If Qingxu Hall gains the upper hand, we reveal ourselves and help the Black Feather Dynasty. If the Black Feather Dynasty has the advantage... then we’ll go all the way and help them wipe out everyone from Qingxu Hall."

The leader took a deep breath, his decision made. They had already burned their bridges with Purple Cloud Valley and could no longer stay in the Great Xia Dynasty. Since the Black Feather Dynasty was targeting the Trial Disciples anyway, this would be their pledge of allegiance.

"A brilliant decision, Boss! By my calculations, the two sides should clash this afternoon!"

The fourth brother was quick with the flattery. Laughing and chatting, the three men walked into the cave.

"Fifth Brother, is the food ready?"

the leader asked excitedly. Their apprentice Spirit Chef was good for something, at least. While he couldn’t prepare true Spiritual Cuisine, his cooking could still help them recover their Spiritual Power more quickly.

However, the reply was not the fifth brother’s listless voice, but a snow-white longsword. The blade swept out. Three heads, their faces still mid-laugh, flew into the air. Their expressions were frozen in that final moment as their headless bodies crumpled to the ground.

"Now this place is safe."

Liu Chen flicked the blood from his Snowflake Sword and expertly disposed of the three bodies. He had overheard their discussion, but the Black Feather Dynasty’s plot was against the trial-takers from Qingxu Hall, not Purple Cloud Valley. It was none of Liu Chen’s concern.

However, a plot like that implied a pillar of light representing one of the trial spots must be nearby. ’If I finish my cultivation and the pillar is still unclaimed, I might as well go take a look,’ he mused.

After disposing of the bodies, Liu Chen slipped all seven Storage Rings onto his hand. ’These were hardly good men,’ he thought. ’How else could three people have collected seven Storage Rings?’

Liu Chen sat in the cave, silently taking stock of his new haul. He had been looking forward to it, but a quick inspection of a few of the Storage Rings left him feeling disappointed.

After he finished sorting through everything, the seven Storage Rings had yielded a total of only 426 Spirit Stones, three damaged Spirit Swords, a feather fan, and a manual for the Dragon Locking Skill.