Chapter 230 (Part 2): I Think It Might Be…

For example… every night she would summon two girls to attend her in bed. That was very Wanhuagu.

Yes, Huaxinyuan was actually… quite open, and enjoyed pleasure. She was a classic Wanhuagu Cultivator.

As far as Hua Jian knew, Huaxinyuan maintained improper relationships with a bunch of people. She was completely a sea king.

But there was nothing Hua Jian could say about such private matters.

She couldn’t expect a Wanhuagu Cultivator to be a good girl who guarded her virtue like jade, right?

If she said that out loud, both the Right Path and the Magic Path would probably laugh at her naivety together.

Not understanding, but respecting and blessing. That was Hua Jian’s attitude.

After finishing these matters, Hua Jian left the Red Flower Building and headed straight for Wanling Sect’s station, telling the Lingcaifeng Master this freshly made intelligence.

After hearing it, the Lingcaifeng Master had no reaction. She only told Hua Jian to arrange her time freely today.

This left Hua Jian somewhat confused. In the end, she could only call the Little Dragon Girl down from the sky to play with her.

The Spirit Seed, Linglong, whom Hua Jian treated as a super backup and only remembered when needed, was a tiny bit unhappy this time.

Those golden eyes stayed locked on Hua Jian, as if saying, “Done fooling around, you finally remembered me?”

It made Hua Jian’s hair stand on end. She apologized and begged for forgiveness, running around like a servant, and only then did the Little Dragon Girl’s mood improve a little.

After mentally adding fifty percent to the Spirit Stones spent on soothing Linglong and putting it on the ledger, Hua Jian stuffed the small ice cake she had just bought into Linglong’s open mouth, while curiously asking Linglong’s views on recent events.

“Awoo, I was wondering why you suddenly came to play with me. Turns out you only come when you need something.”

Linglong swallowed the ice cake Hua Jian offered in one bite, chewing while teasing Hua Jian in a muffled voice.

‘So this time you need something from me again. Can’t you come play with me even when you don’t need anything?’

‘Really makes me unhappy!’

“I usually don’t have time either. You’ve seen the schedule the Lingcaifeng Master set for me. It’s so packed.” Hua Jian gave Linglong a thumbs-up. “If I can endure it without complaining, I’m this awesome!”

This thumbs-up was one she gave herself, to commend her recent iron-woman performance.

“It’s just that after sending off that trouble a few days ago, I finally have some free time. Isn’t that why I hurried to find you for a date?”

‘Her mouth is still so good at lying.’

Linglong swallowed the ice cake that had already turned into sweet water in her mouth, glanced at Hua Jian helplessly, then answered seriously, “The Lingcaifeng Master must know Tiandao Sect won’t be absent. She has long been prepared for them to interfere.”

“Everyone knows Tiandao Sect’s habits. When it’s time to enter a Secret Realm to fight over Treasure, no one would forget to count these people in.

“So there’s no need to worry. The Lingcaifeng Master has insight. She knows far more than we do. It’s completely meaningless for you to worry about her.”

“You’re right. I hope the Lingcaifeng Master can smoothly obtain You Xue Lian. Then maybe I can get a few Petals to eat and unlock the Ice-type Ability!”

After eating a part of You Xue Lian, Hua Jian could change class into an Ice Archer!

“But my intuition tells me that without me, this is probably not going to work…”

Before Hua Jian could finish speaking, Linglong quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Linglong knew Hua Jian so well. The moment Hua Jian opened her mouth, she knew what Hua Jian was going to say.

At this time, Hua Jian was definitely going to start promoting that Protagonist Theory again.

Although many previous experiences had made Linglong somewhat believe in this unreasonable theory, she still felt it was better not to let Hua Jian be a jinx.

‘If we’re on a date, just have a good date. Why bring this up?’

“Don’t say these things. Today you’re not allowed to think about anything else!” Linglong gazed at Hua Jian darkly.

If Hua Jian dared to say no, she would bite Hua Jian’s head off in one bite!

Under this purest threat, Hua Jian broke out in a cold sweat, apologized and admitted fault, saying that today Linglong was her Princess.

If Linglong told her to go west, she absolutely wouldn’t go east.

‘What Secret Realm, what Treasure, I, Hua Jian, know nothing. I only know that my Princess Linglong needs my company!’

Fierce wind mixed with blade-like Extreme North Icefield’s Blizzard smashed against the faintly glowing Lingli Barrier, stirring up layer after layer of ripples.

A male Cultivator wearing common Beijing clothing stood within the barrier, looked up at the sky that seemed to have grown even more gloomy, and let out a long sigh.

“If one lived in a place like this all the time, their mind would probably be twisted.”

From entering the Ice Plain until now, more than a month had passed.

During this month, the Ice Plain had always been in this sunless, gloomy state, with only a few brief moments of Sunlight falling.

This made the male Cultivator feel even more depressed. His mood had worsened a lot because of the terrible weather.

When he thought again about the Mission on his body, his mood became even worse.

“Shixiong, we’ve already scouted where the main force of Wanling Sect is. Should we…”

A Cultivator who looked much younger than him walked to his side and softly reported to him.

“Stay away from them. This time we don’t have as many people as they do. If a conflict breaks out, neither side will look good.” The male Cultivator shook his head.

He knew very well how much power Wanling Sect had invested in the Ice Plain this time.

Compared to him fighting alone, the Wanling Sect Cultivators distributed across the Ice Plain were like the Canghai.

They were not something he could face head-on.

If they were caught by Wanling Sect, although their lives wouldn’t be in danger, it would still be humiliating.

In the end, the sect would have to come redeem them, which would be even more troublesome.

“Wanling Sect is determined to get that Spiritual Flower. It’s not suitable for us to compete with them.”

“But Shixiong, didn’t the sect order us to snatch the Spiritual Flower…”

The male Cultivator turned his head and glared at his junior brother with a look of disappointment.

“You don’t know what Tiandao Sect is like? Just listen to orders like that. Don’t take them seriously.”

He was clearly an elite Waimen Disciple who had joined the sect for over ten years.

How could he not understand even this?

If this continued, this fool would probably fail to enter Neimen and get himself killed.

“Remember this: unless that Spiritual Flower appears right in front of us and there is no main force of Wanling Sect nearby, we should not think about fighting for the Spiritual Flower. Let Wanling Sect take it. Our target is the other Spirit Items in the Secret Realm.”

There are many shrewd people in Tiandao Sect.

In a situation like now, where the enemy is far stronger than themselves, Heavenly Dao Sect Cultivators naturally wouldn’t go throw their lives away.

How many people do they have? Can they fight head-on against Wanling Sect, who is fully prepared and just waiting for the Secret Realm to open?

They might as well sneak around the Secret Realm, grab some small treasures, and run.

If they meet later in the Secret Realm, it’ll be easier to explain, right?

With Tiandao Sect’s thick skin, following behind Wanling Sect to eat leftovers is no big deal.

Wanling Sect probably wouldn’t mind using a few Spirit Items they don’t need to buy Tiandao Sect’s obedience so they don’t cause trouble.

Everyone is a Saint Sect. Fighting to the death isn’t good either. It’s better to sit down and discuss cooperation.

Tiandao Sect has always been sensible. When the power gap is huge, Heavenly Dao Sect Cultivators won’t think about risking it for excitement.

After all, the risk is too high, and they could really be wiped out by an enraged Wanling Sect.

After all, if they did that, they would be the ones breaking the rules first.

Wanling Sect’s subsequent actions wouldn’t have any scruples.

Unlike before they make a move, when both sides have to care about face.

If they fight, it’s just verbal sparring.

This is the difference between the Right Path and the Magic Path.

When the Right Path encounters this kind of conflict of interest, they tend to negotiate and solve the problem peacefully.

But on the Magic Path’s side, it’s: with your little strength, why should you negotiate with us?

They’ll send people to wipe you out!

So compared to Demonic Sect, Tiandao Sect is indeed a genuine Righteous Sect of the Right Path.

Even when they have the advantage, they won’t directly attack, but will try to gain as many benefits as possible.

Of course, this is when they run into Wanling Sect.

If they don’t run into them and the Spirit Item is right in front of them, Tiandao Sect won’t act like a gentleman and leave it for Wanling Sect.

They have their own arguments too. The Spirit Item doesn’t have Wanling Sect’s name carved on it.

What’s wrong with first come, first served?

At worst, they can spit it back out later and ask Wanling Sect for some benefits. Either way, they won’t lose.

“Wanling Sect is only a competitor, but the others are true enemies.” The male Cultivator narrowed his eyes.

This was another reason he didn’t want to clash with Wanling Sect.

This Secret Realm exploration is not just internal child’s play within the Righteous Sect, but also a chaotic battle arena with mixed forces.

When the Right Path internally explores Secret Realms, everyone is happy. Safety is guaranteed anyway, so there are no scruples about fighting.

But this time is different. In the Secret Realm, there are also hostile forces like Magic Path Spirit Beasts.

They can negotiate and form alliances with Wanling Sect, but they cannot do the same with the Magic Path and Spirit Beasts.

They can’t do this with the Magic Path because Right Path and Magic Path cannot coexist.

Unless there is a world-level crisis like another invasion by Demons, it’s impossible for Right Path and Magic Path to stand on the same side.

With Spirit Beasts, there is a chance they might listen, but the probability is low.

After communicating, they still have to guard against these beasts stabbing them in the back.

It really makes one angry. Better to just kill them and be done with it.

“The space in this area is getting more and more fragile. I have a feeling the Secret Realm is about to open!”

……

“The Secret Realm should open in seven days, give or take two days.”

Compared to Tiandao Sect’s crude Camp, Wanling Sect’s station on the Ice Plain wasn’t much better.

Several Ling Emperors working on the Ice Plain found a natural ice cave as their station.

After all, they needed to hide their identities. Setting up camp openly and marking territory would expose their strength, which didn’t fit their purpose.

After entering the Secret Realm, they might go all out to fight for Treasure, but before the Secret Realm opens, it was best to endure for a while.

“The opponents we’ve scouted so far are these. Tiandao Sect doesn’t need to be dealt with for now. They’re just a bunch of fence-sitters and will make rational choices.”

A Ling Emperor projected the current distribution of forces on the Ice Plain into the air, then highlighted several areas.

“Here are the stations of several Demonic Sects. Then this place is the Spirit Beast sent by Bear Venerable, led by an Imperial-grade Ice Bear.”

To tell the truth, this Ice Plain is actually the Territory of Bear Venerable, mentioned by Wanling Sect’s Ling Emperor.

Now that a Secret Realm has appeared here, logically it should belong to Bear Venerable.

For example, if a Secret Realm appeared in land under Wanling Sect’s rule, Wanling Sect definitely wouldn’t let others interfere, right?

Unfortunately, this kind of rule only applies to Saint Sects. It doesn’t apply to Spirit Beast Venerable.

As a result, as soon as they discovered a Secret Realm was about to emerge here, Cultivators swarmed over.

Bear Venerable, the host, could only watch aggrievedly as these Human Clan Cultivators invaded its Territory and fought over its Treasure.

It could only, like an outsider, send its subordinates to participate in the fight for Treasure.

It was truly a tragic sight that made one weep.

It also wanted to drive all these Human Clan out and enjoy the Secret Realm alone, but if it really dared to do so, Lingcaifeng Master, who was currently idling in Frozen Winter City, would fly over and give it a big slap.

After all, this world is still ruled by Human Clan. Does this little bear want to overturn the heavens?

“We can set the Spirit Beast side aside for now. I think the biggest enemy is still the Magic Path.” Another Ling Emperor offered his thoughts.

The Ling Emperor who had spoken first also nodded. That was exactly what he meant.

“Once the Secret Realm opens, things inside will be unpredictable. We might be scattered across different parts of the Secret Realm and unable to gather quickly, letting someone else get ahead.”

Many Secret Realms have the characteristic of random teleportation after entering. Guarding against this now isn’t a big problem.

As for how to guard against it, of course it’s to eliminate the biggest possible competitor before the Secret Realm opens.

Strike first to gain the upper hand. Right now Wanling Sect’s power can still be clenched into a fist and smashed out directly.

Even if it can’t kill those Magic Path Cultivators, it can leave them dizzy and disoriented.

This way, in the later Secret Realm, these Magic Path Cultivators won’t have too strong a competitive edge.

“My opinion is that before the Secret Realm opens, we should first attack these Magic Path Cultivators. Taking advantage of the fact that we are hidden and they are exposed, we can eliminate them all!”

This Wanling Sect Ling Emperor swung his hand forcefully, wiping away all the areas representing the Magic Path on the Map.

The other Ling Emperors thought for a moment and then agreed that this plan was feasible.

The risk of dealing with the Magic Path outside was much smaller than inside the Secret Realm.

Who knows what surprises are waiting for them inside this Secret Realm?

It’s better to deal with the trouble earlier.

That way, if they encounter trouble later, they can avoid a situation where a bunch of troubles pile up all at once.

“I agree.”

“Seconded.”

“Good, then I’ll request instructions from the Lingcaifeng Master!”

The Ling Emperor who made the proposal nodded and quickly sent his idea through the Communication Jade Talisman to Lingcaifeng Master, who was far away in Frozen Winter City.

While anxiously waiting for a reply, he began secretly gathering the power in his hands, preparing to deliver a Thunderbolt strike to the Magic Path.

He believed Lingcaifeng Master would not reject his proposal.

And things turned out just as he expected. In only half a day, Lingcaifeng Master’s reply had already been sent back from Frozen Winter City.

The reply contained only one word, “Good.”

This meant his plan was approved. By then the Ling Emperor had roughly gathered Wanling Sect’s forces.

As soon as the order came, he immediately led Wanling Sect’s Cultivators to charge at the Demonic Cultivators, who were completely unaware that crisis was approaching.

Of course, he didn’t charge head-on.

Instead, he began setting up an Array Formation near the area where the Magic Path had gathered, planning to use Wanling Sect’s most proficient method to deal with this group of Demonic Cultivators.