Chapter 17: Li Jianping’s Targeted Scheme
Chapter 17: Li Jianping’s Targeted Scheme
Following the guidance from his system, Su Ming sprinted toward Chu Fan’s location.
One could only say this secret realm was truly tailor-made by Li Jianping.
Less than half an hour after entering, Chu Fan had already obtained numerous fortuitous encounters.
If not for the fact that the Destiny Disruption effect had ended—causing the Destiny Points required to plunder opportunities to skyrocket—Su Ming would have ensured Chu Fan couldn’t even pick up a blade of grass.
[Chu Fan is changing direction again. Host, please adjust your course]
“Again?”
Hearing the system’s prompt, Su Ming sensed something amiss.
This wasn’t the first time Chu Fan had altered his path.
From the start of the chase until now, Chu Fan had changed direction six times.
This frequency was far too unnatural.
It was as if the other party knew something in advance, adjusting his trajectory with unnerving precision.
“Li Jianping didn’t just customize the challenge environment… He probably gave Chu Fan the entire secret realm’s layout!”
Only this could explain how Chu Fan kept stumbling upon opportunities while moving with such deliberate accuracy.
“His movement speed is suspicious too. Li Jianping likely gave him a mobility treasure as well.”
“That bastard’s underhanded tactics are almost on par with that cheating nation from my past life.”
Cursing under his breath, Su Ming had no choice but to adjust his pursuit.
Just then, a sword light shot toward him from afar.
The attack’s angle was so treacherous it clearly resulted from extensive pre-planning.
Yet facing this premeditated strike, Su Ming simply reached out and crushed it barehanded.
With his current physical prowess, attacks below the sixth layer of the Longevity Realm were negligible.
The ambusher, witnessing Su Ming shatter the sword light with his fingers, immediately turned to flee.
But the moment he spun around, Su Ming was already behind him, right palm resting atop the assassin’s skull.
“Interesting. Not even half an hour in, and you’re already attempting assassinations?”
“While the rules permit combat between participants, this seems… premature.”
“Was this your own idea? Or did someone put you up to this?”
Faced with Su Ming’s questioning, the disciple immediately chose to forfeit without a word.
His purpose here had never been to compete in the Sect Grand Competition.
Seeing this, Su Ming’s expression darkened completely.
Every time he thought Li Jianping had hit rock bottom, the man kept digging deeper.
Since they wanted to play dirty, Su Ming wouldn’t hold back either.
Once he obtained that half-step Void Realm puppet, he’d see how many tricks Li Jianping had left!
When that time came, if he didn’t demolish the Three Saints Sect’s main hall, he’d write his name backwards!
But before completely tearing off the facade, there were still things to acquire.
Everything within the Three Saints Secret Realm—he’d loot it all in one go!
As Su Ming prepared to depart, several bursts of mist exploded around him, releasing a peculiar fragrance.
“Beast Attracting Incense? You’ve really outdone yourself!”
Prearranged assassins were one thing, but laying Beast Attracting Incense as backup?
This was blatantly meant to stall him while Chu Fan accumulated opportunities and points.
“System, expend twenty thousand Destiny Points to interfere with every fortuitous encounter Chu Fan comes across!”
No sooner had Su Ming spoken than hordes of demonic beasts, drawn by the incense, came charging.
Spotting the isolated Su Ming, their eyes gleamed with primal hunger.
Outside the secret realm, observing elders began noticing irregularities.
“Why would a disciple bring Beast Attracting Incense inside? And in such quantities…”
“There are fifth-layer Longevity Realm beasts in that horde! He’s in grave danger…”
“Regardless, we must ensure Su Ming emerges unharmed. If his parents learn of this, it would mean annihilation for our Three Saints Sect…”
As the elders debated, Li Jianping interjected: “Rest assured, I’ll ensure not a single hair on Su Ming’s head is harmed!”
Clearly, Li Jianping intended to teleport Su Ming out the moment he showed signs of struggle.
Afterward, he’d use “concern for safety” to silence any complaints.
This indirect interference would force Su Ming to either accept defeat or pay a price to re-enter—perhaps that Chaos Spirit Crystal.
Not that refusal mattered.
Li Jianping would still grant re-entry, but would emphasize it was only due to Su Ming’s “special status.”
Then he’d casually leak this to certain disciples until the entire younger generation knew: Su Ming had been eliminated but got special treatment.
Thus, Three Saints Sect’s youth would instinctively ostracize and resent him.
Li Jianping’s scheme was well-crafted, but overlooked one critical fact:
The assumption that Su Ming could be injured by these beasts.
Within the secret realm, Su Ming cracked his knuckles while surrounded by snarling demonic beasts.
“I’m in a foul mood right now… consider yourselves my punching bags.”
With a vicious grin, he charged into the horde and began slaughtering.
Whether Transcendent or Longevity Realm, no beast survived a single punch.
Their fates differed only in whether their corpses remained somewhat intact or were reduced to gory chunks.
Every elder witnessing this—Li Jianping included—gaped in shock.
“A first-layer Longevity cultivator one-punching fifth-layer beasts? Am I dreaming?!”
“Terrifying… such combat prowess at such a young age…”
“Over a hundred beasts drawn by the incense, all slaughtered in under thirty breaths… first place is undoubtedly his.”
Hearing the elders’ awed murmurs, Li Jianping’s face darkened completely.
Between prearranged assassins and Beast Attracting Incense, he’d laid meticulous plans.
He’d even prepared countermeasures against Su Ming using the Chaos Spirit Crystal and confronting his guardian.
Yet despite all calculations, he’d never imagined Su Ming’s own strength would be this monstrous.
Within this secret realm, only one creature could rival such power—the savage beast with incomplete Taotie bloodline.
Though only sixth-layer Longevity Realm, its innate divine abilities made it untouchable even by eighth-layer opponents.
Originally, Li Jianping had suppressed this Taotie to pave Chu Fan’s path.
Now, releasing it seemed the only option.
But as Li Jianping prepared to remotely lift the Taotie’s seal, he detected Chu Fan’s spiritual signature near the suppression site.
“Damn it! Why is he there?!”
Li Jianping never imagined that Chu Fan—who knew parts of the realm’s layout—would wander into the restricted beast zone.
Were the secret realm’s treasures not enticing enough? Why go there of all places?!