Chapter 339

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

This chapter is edited by Cthulhu. Thank you for your contribution!

Chapter 339: Scary Enemy

Zhongzhou, Moon City

In Tianyue Trading Company, the atmosphere was noticeably tense. Xu Yunyue regarded Lin Jiang skeptically, still unable to fully understand him.

“Taoist Friend Huang, I’m not concerned about your conflict with Yang Luo, but now that you’ve arrived in Moon City, please be transparent about your intentions. As colleagues, we should be direct.”

“Since Senior Xu has been so candid, it would be unfair for me to conceal anything. I’ll be straightforward: I want to enlist your sect’s assistance in eliminating Yang Luo.”

“Yang Luo is not an easy target. My Spiritual Moon Sect has already suffered significant losses. Currently, she is the most crucial figure in the Holy Heavenly Sect, even more important than Sect Leader Yang Xi. She possesses several Life Talismans granted by Yang Xi and is protected by his son, Yang Xiong. Additionally, she has her own survival strategies.”

“I’ve heard that the Holy Heavenly Sect’s rise was entirely due to Yang Luo. Is this accurate?”

“Yes, before Yang Luo’s emergence, the Holy Heavenly Sect was merely a second or third-rate sect. It wasn’t even the strongest among our sect’s vassals. However, in just over a hundred years, it rose to rival our Spiritual Moon Sect, and this was solely because of Yang Luo.”

“How did she accomplish this?”

“That’s precisely what I’m trying to understand. After Yang Luo appeared, the Holy Heavenly Sect began experiencing one miraculous opportunity after another. All cultivation obstacles for their leadership mysteriously disappeared, enabling them to advance smoothly and unhindered.”

Xu Yunyue spoke, acknowledging the enigma. How Yang Luo achieved this remained the highest secret of the Holy Heavenly Sect. Even the Spiritual Moon Sect, with its high status and internal connections, found it challenging to uncover these mysteries.

“It seems we are confronting an exceptionally dangerous enemy.”

“More dangerous than you can possibly imagine.”

“If that’s the case, we must prevent her from growing further. From my understanding, Yang Luo returned to the Holy Heavenly Sect this time to breakthrough her cultivation.”

“Yes, but you’re behind on the latest information. She has already advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.”

“When did this occur?”

“Six days ago. It was as effortless for her as drinking water.”

“····”

Lin Jiang was speechless. Should he marvel at Yang Luo’s brilliance or be astonished by Xu Yunyue’s composure? How could she remain so calm when such a formidable enemy had become even more powerful?

“Based on our predictions, Yang Luo will encounter no obstacles before reaching Tao Achieving, and it will take her at most a thousand years. She is destined for ultimate cultivation success.”

“Doesn’t your sect have any strategies to halt her progress?”

“We’ve attempted measures, but they all failed.”

“What about new approaches?”

“Currently, we have none. That’s why I wanted to hear your perspective today.”

“My recommendation is for the entire Spiritual Moon Sect to launch a surprise attack and crush the Holy Heavenly Sect. We can overwhelm Yang Luo through superior force.”

Lin Jiang proposed. If the Spiritual Moon Sect could accomplish this, Yang Luo’s talents would become irrelevant. She would inevitably be defeated.

“We cannot do that. Our sect and the Holy Heavenly Sect are evenly matched in strength. Even if we succeed, our sect would be nearly destroyed. They are not our only adversaries, and we cannot allow other sects to benefit from our actions.”

Xu Yunyue explained. Numerous sects existed in the Central Region, and no one would complain about a small territory. Once the Spiritual Moon Sect was weakened, other sects would not provide them an opportunity to recover.

“What options remain?”

“If Taoist Friend Huang is impatient, there might be a potential solution.”

“Please elaborate, respected senior.”

“I observe that Yang Luo deeply cares about Taoist Friend Huang. If you’re willing to take a calculated risk and use yourself as bait, you might successfully lure her out.”

“Could Senior Xu have believed the rumors I spread in Tianxian City?”

Lin Jiang interjected suddenly. These were truly cunning individuals. Referencing ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio,’ Lin Jiang realized he was plotting against Xu Yunyue, while she was simultaneously scheming against him. This made Lin Jiang immediately cautious. If he agreed, he would genuinely become bait, with no guarantee of return.

“Rumors?”

“Naturally, they’re merely rumors. Senior Xu wouldn’t genuinely believe someone like Yang Luo could be interested in me.”

Lin Jiang spoke, knowing Xu Yunyue was unaware of his secret history with Yang Luo. She could only dispatch investigators to Tianxian City, who would only uncover the fabricated narratives Lin Jiang had deliberately spread.

“The turtle doesn’t necessarily desire the mung beans just because they appear appealing.”

“It’s the toad who aspires to consume swan meat, and I’m that toad.”

“Haha, I’m genuinely curious about the source of your animosity towards Yang Luo and why you’re going to such lengths to confront her.”

“This is a personal matter, but ultimately, it’s a fight to the death between us.”

“Without understanding the origin, it’s challenging to devise an appropriate solution.”

“Very well. I, Huang, am a solitary individual. If necessary, I’ll simply wander. I don’t believe Yang Luo’s influence can extend to regions like Qing State and Bing State. And if circumstances become dire, I can always seek refuge in You State and Liang State.”

Lin Jiang responded calmly, attempting to discourage Xu Yunyue from uncovering his underlying motivations.

Lin Jiang felt somewhat helpless. Actions inevitably leave traces, like the sound of flying geese. Despite his comprehensive planning, he never anticipated that Xu Yunyue possessed a highly positioned spy within the Holy Heavenly Sect who was aware of Yang Luo’s investigation of him. Consequently, his carefully crafted plans from previous days became obsolete, forcing him to adapt reactively.

“Taoist Friend Huang appears carefree, but my Spiritual Moon Sect is a significant and prestigious institution. We cannot afford to lose or retreat.”

“Therefore, I, Huang, have come specifically to assist. Regardless of the Spiritual Moon Sect’s strategies, I am willing to help.”

Lin Jiang immediately raised his hand, deciding to go with the flow. If the Spiritual Moon Sect and Holy Heavenly Sect engaged in conflict, he would provide support. If they could emerge victorious, he would participate in eliminating Yang Luo. If defeat seemed imminent, he would escape, potentially hiding in North State for thousands of years. If Small Shadiao refused to return, he wouldn’t return either, leaving the matter to be settled directly with Xu Yunyue.

Xu Yunyue, observing Lin Jiang’s commitment, ceased her questioning. Regardless of the circumstances, having two Nascent Soul cultivators supporting the sect was advantageous. Allies were always welcome.

While they conversed, the steward of Tianyue Trading Company had already finalized the transaction, with the price being notably high, possibly due to Small Shadiao’s influence.

“Taoist Friend Huang, let’s reconvene at the company in seven days. I will introduce a friend to you then.”

“Understood, I will certainly attend.”

Lin Jiang nodded, appreciating the open dialogue. He believed the Spiritual Moon Sect would harbor no significant ill will towards him now, unless they had already reconciled with the Holy Heavenly Sect—a scenario he considered nearly impossible. The Spiritual Moon Sect would undoubtedly be driven by warriors until the Holy Heavenly Sect gained an overwhelming advantage.

Returning home, Small Shadiao unexpectedly began cultivating. Those three days of previous chaos had provided a significant benefit. Xu Yunyue was not malevolent, merely taking without reciprocation.

“Dad, you’ve returned!”

“Yes, I couldn’t locate your Beast Spirit Pill or the fourth-level Demon Core.”

Lin Jiang observed that Small Shadiao was finally concentrating on cultivation and willing to assist. The supply of Beast Spirit Pills had increased, though the fourth-level Demon Core remained challenging to acquire.

After deceiving Yang Luo, Lin Jiang had no shortage of resources. The storage bag previously owned by Yang Luo was worth millions of spirit stones, and the Golden Origin Stone’s value was immeasurable. His prior savings further ensured he wouldn’t worry about cultivation resources in the short term.

“Did you successfully deceive that woman?”

“That woman is too intelligent to be easily tricked.”

“What shall we do now?”

“Stay calm. In a few days, discreetly help me create two body doubles. If we cannot prevail, we’ll escape.”

“Okay, with my speed, I can return quickly.”

“It’s up to you during this time. Keep Xu Yunyue in check.”

“·····”

Small Shadiao’s expression froze, silently touching his waist, thinking his brother was destined to suffer again.

Seven days swiftly passed, and Lin Jiang returned to Tianyue Trading Company. He noticed the company had recruited numerous new personnel, all of whom were clearly Talisman Makers.

Professionals in the same circle could instantly recognize each other’s identities with merely a glance. Lin Jiang recalled that previously, Yang Luo had attracted Talisman Makers from various major sects to Tianxian City for discussions, yet not a single representative from the Spiritual Moon Sect had attended. This absence suggested the increasingly tense relationship between the Spiritual Moon Sect and the Holy Heavenly Sect.

“Shopkeeper, are you here?”

Shortly after, Xu Yunyue appeared, accompanied by a familiar Talisman Maker Lin Jiang recognized: Chen Jingyu from Qing State.

Lin Jiang wasn’t particularly surprised, given that the Spiritual Moon Sect had been the first major sect in Zhongzhou to establish friendly interactions with Qing State. Their cooperation seemed natural.

Chen Jingyu appeared to be well-informed about Lin Jiang’s identity in advance. She offered a slight nod of acknowledgment. They had encountered each other multiple times in Tianxian City and previously engaged in direct conversations.

Chen Jingyu acted decisively. Immediately, she began discussing the new talisman technique. While the Spiritual Moon Sect had been gathering information, their sources remained imprecise.

Chen Jingyu possessed first-hand information, having directly communicated with Yang Luo—a circumstance of significant importance.

Lin Jiang listened attentively throughout the half-day discussion. After Chen Jingyu dismissed everyone for individual reflection, she privately arranged a meeting with Lin Jiang at a predetermined location.