Chapter 293: Plundering Without Restraint
Chapter 293: Large-Scale Plundering
Several days later, Lü Yang confirmed that True Person Xiuxin posed no issues.
[Puppet on Strings] was indeed domineering. As soon as Lü Yang activated this talent, regardless of True Person Xiuxin's previous attitude, she would ultimately submit.
As for Yun Miaoqing, Lü Yang did not forcibly manipulate her with [Puppet on Strings].
Mainly because it wasn't necessary. Ever since Yun Miaoqing discovered that Lü Yang's "great sword" could help accelerate her cultivation progress, she had devoted herself entirely to secluded cultivation.
Especially after Yun Miaozhen proposed "temporarily staying at Hidden Sword Manor," she hardly stepped outside her chambers.
This arrangement suited Lü Yang perfectly.
The only discomfort he felt was that since True Person Xiuxin also cultivated the 《Heartless Ice Sword Technique》, she had few friends within the Sword Pavilion.
After all, as everyone knew, this technique emphasized supreme detachment—sword heart as cold as ice. Apart from the rare few who genuinely preferred this approach, no one was interested in "warming a cold backside with a hot face." The only person True Person Xiuxin could summon was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment sword cultivator.
"Currently, [Puppet on Strings] can only control early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"Mid-stage Foundation Establishment will likely require my immortal spirit body to also nurture to that realm before attempting control. Best not to take this risk."
Stability above all!
As for infiltrating the Sword Pavilion to control early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators? That would be equivalent to taking a dump right under a Golden Core True Lord's nose—something Lü Yang dared not attempt.
Thus, the immediate priority was to swiftly elevate his own cultivation realm.
Lü Yang's current immortal spirit body was still at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. To advance, he needed to consume sufficient Geng Metal spiritual materials. Fortunately, this wasn't overly difficult.
"Boom!"
Within Hidden Sword Manor, Yun Miaozhen's expression was icy as her vast spiritual sense enveloped the entire manor. She then released the imposing aura of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
In the end, Lü Yang had rewarded Yun Miaozhen once, allowing her to break through her bottleneck—progressing from mid-stage Qi Refining to late-stage Qi Refining. This made her even more devoted to him. However, the moment she stepped out of the room, she immediately forgot Lü Yang's existence, remembering only his instructions.
'Find an excuse to plunder Hidden Sword Manor!'
As a subsidiary sect under the Sword Pavilion's jurisdiction, Hidden Sword Manor was filled with Geng Metal spiritual materials. Had Lü Yang not feared alerting the Sword Pavilion, he would have long since resorted to outright robbery.
But having Yun Miaozhen handle it eliminated any trouble.
After all, Hidden Sword Manor wasn't even a Foundation Establishment sect—its strongest member was merely at the peak of Qi Refining. They wouldn't dare oppose a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator like Yun Miaozhen, let alone with True Person Xiuxin present.
Soon, Yun Miaozhen's cold voice echoed throughout Hidden Sword Manor: "Effective immediately, Hidden Sword Manor is sealed. No one is permitted to enter or leave without authorization!"
As her words fell, True Person Xiuxin promptly acted, retrieving a handkerchief and casting it into the air. Though merely an ordinary magic treasure, bolstered by a Foundation Establishment True Person's power, it now blotted out the sky, forming an impenetrable barrier that encased the entire Hidden Sword Manor.
"Which esteemed senior has sealed our manor!?"
Shortly after, a figure soared into the air from the manor's center, his voice filled with terror as he hastily flew over.
The newcomer was an elderly man in black robes.
Though possessing peak Qi Refining cultivation, he clearly hadn't cultivated any grand divine abilities—his strength was unremarkable, and his aged appearance betrayed significant decline.
"You are..."
The old man froze momentarily upon seeing Yun Miaozhen, then quickly adopted a grave expression, recognizing her as the disciple from Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion who had come to select sword embryos.
"Yun Miaozhen of Jade Pivot."
With her hands clasped behind her back, Yun Miaozhen smirked coldly: "I've received intelligence that Hidden Sword Manor has colluded with the demonic factions north of the river, intending to abduct disciples of our Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion!"
"What!?"
The black-robed elder nearly popped his eyes out in shock.
Colluding with the demonic factions north of the river!?
This was an extraordinarily grave accusation! In the Jiangnan region, associating with demonic factions was absolutely taboo—discovery invariably led to execution!
Upon spotting True Person Xiuxin beside Yun Miaozhen, the old man didn't dare entertain even a hint of resistance. He immediately prostrated himself and cried out: "This is a wrongful accusation! Our Hidden Sword Manor has nurtured swords for the upper sect for generations, never harboring improper ambitions. How could we collude with demonic factions? We beg the upper sect to investigate thoroughly!"
Yun Miaozhen narrowed her beautiful eyes: "Are you suggesting I've wrongfully accused you?"
"This humble one wouldn't dare—"
Before the old man could explain further, Yun Miaozhen waved her hand dismissively: "No need for excuses. Since I've come here, I naturally have proof to expose the demons."
'By my calculations, they should be arriving soon.'
Almost instantly, a thunderous explosion erupted within Hidden Sword Manor as demonic qi surged skyward. The previously composed old man paled in horror.
There really were demons!?
Yun Miaozhen showed no surprise.
After all, the "demons" in Hidden Sword Manor were those she had previously asked True Person Xiuxin to covertly manipulate through karma—originally intended to abduct Yun Miaoqing.
"Damn it! How did this happen?"
Amidst the soaring demonic qi, a Saint Sect disciple surveyed his surroundings with a ferocious demeanor that belied the terror in his eyes.
'This isn't right... How could I have been so blinded by greed?'
'I originally planned to ambush a few low-level Sword Pavilion disciples at the Jiangnan border—how did I inexplicably end up in a place like Hidden Sword Manor?'
'...This is bad!'
Realization dawned, and the Saint Sect disciple's face twisted in horror: "It's a Founda—"
"Clang! Clang!"
In the next instant, True Person Xiuxin flicked her finger, sending forth a sword light that decapitated the gathered Saint Sect disciples in the blink of an eye.
"Demonic scum north of the river deserve death by all."
Yun Miaozhen's expression remained placid as she turned to the black-robed elder, who hastily explained: "The upper sect must understand—we truly had no prior knowledge..."
"So what?" Yun Miaozhen shook her head. "Even if you were genuinely unaware, that still constitutes negligence. This time, I discovered it, so no harm was done. But had these demonic cultivators succeeded in abducting our Sword Pavilion disciples, subsequent investigations would still hold you accountable."
"This... this..."
The old man's expression grew increasingly bitter, but Yun Miaozhen fell silent after speaking, instead fixing him with an intense stare.
Hmm?
After a prolonged silence, the old man lowered his voice: "Now that the demons have been eliminated... is there any possibility this matter could be... overlooked?"
"That depends on you."
Yun Miaozhen spoke impassively: "Harboring demons is an extremely serious crime. To prove your innocence, you must identify the most critical issue at hand."
The old man's eyes darted craftily:
"Reporting to the upper sect—recently, our manor acquired a batch of spiritual materials and sword embryos for forging swords. These demons may have targeted them and potentially tampered with the materials... Might the upper sect take them away for thorough inspection?"
At this, Yun Miaozhen finally nodded slightly: "That is indeed a crucial concern."
Within a quiet chamber of Hidden Sword Manor...
Yun Miaozhen entered with a heavily laden storage pouch, only to immediately witness Lü Yang engaged in fierce "sparring" with True Person Xiuxin at the desk.
"Who's there!?"
Initially startled, Yun Miaozhen's confusion cleared upon seeing Lü Yang's face and meeting his gaze—her memories instantly restored.
In the next moment, she bowed respectfully, carefully approaching to present the storage pouch: "Master, I've inspected all of Hidden Sword Manor. The Geng Metal spiritual materials are all here. There are no more beyond this. For additional quantities, we'd need to search neighboring sects."
"Ah!"
Simultaneously, True Person Xiuxin collapsed unconscious after a final cry of pain. Lü Yang rose, pushed her aside, and accepted the storage pouch.
"Well done."
After tallying the Geng Metal spiritual materials inside, Lü Yang nodded in satisfaction. With a thought, he transferred them all into his immortal spirit body.
Yet this wasn't enough.
A mere Hidden Sword Manor—without even a single Foundation Establishment cultivator—could only accelerate his progress by ten percent at most. He needed far more.
"Have you completed what I previously instructed?"
"Reporting to Master, it's done."
Yun Miaozhen whispered: "I've already sent a message to the family patriarch. As Yun Clan's most valued disciple currently, he will undoubtedly come upon receiving my letter."
Lü Yang smiled.
The first fish had taken the bait.