Chapter 294
Chapter 294
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 294
Chapter Title: Plundering on a Grand Scale
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Several days later, Lu Yang confirmed that Perfected Being Xiuxin posed no issues.
【Puppet on Strings】 was indeed overbearing. As long as Lu Yang activated this talent, no matter what attitude Perfected Being Xiuxin held before, she would ultimately submit.
As for Yun Miaoqing, however, Lu Yang had not used 【Puppet on Strings】 to forcibly control her.
Mainly because there was no need. Ever since Yun Miaoqing discovered that Lu Yang's great treasure sword could accelerate her cultivation progress, she had devoted herself entirely to secluded cultivation.
Especially after Yun Miaozhen suggested "temporarily staying at the Hidden Sword Villa," she had not stepped out of her door at all.
This suited Lu Yang perfectly.
The only thing that somewhat bothered him was that, since Perfected Being Xiuxin also cultivated the 《Ice Heart Emotionless Sword Art》, she had no friends in the Sword Pavilion.
After all, everyone knew this technique emphasized supreme detachment, with a sword as cold as an icy heart. Apart from a rare few who fancied that temperament, no one wanted to warm a cold behind with a hot face. The only person Perfected Being Xiuxin could summon was still just a mid-Foundation Establishment sword cultivator.
"The current 【Puppet on Strings】 can only control early Foundation Establishment."
"A mid-Foundation Establishment would probably require my Immortal Spirit Body to nurture itself to that realm before I can attempt control. Better not to take the risk."
Everything took stability first!
As for infiltrating the Sword Pavilion to control those early Foundation Establishment cultivators? That would be like shitting right under a Golden Core True Lord's nose—Lu Yang wouldn't dare.
So the top priority was still to swiftly raise his own realm first.
His Immortal Spirit Body was currently only at early Foundation Establishment. To advance, he needed to devour sufficient Geng Metal spirit items. Fortunately, that wasn't too difficult.
Boom!
Within the Hidden Sword Villa, Yun Miaozhen's expression was icy cold as her vast divine sense directly enveloped the entire villa. She then released the imposing aura of late Qi Refining.
For Yun Miaozhen, Lu Yang had ultimately rewarded her once, allowing her to break through her bottleneck—from mid Qi Refining to late Qi Refining—which made her even more devoted to him. But once she left the room, she immediately forgot Lu Yang's existence, remembering only his command.
'Find an excuse to plunder the Hidden Sword Villa!'
As an affiliated sect under the Sword Pavilion, the Hidden Sword Villa was filled with Geng Metal spirit items everywhere. If not for fear of alerting the Sword Pavilion, Lu Yang would have robbed them outright long ago.
But having Yun Miaozhen do it caused no trouble.
After all, the Hidden Sword Villa wasn't even a Foundation Establishment sect. Their strongest was merely Qi Refining Grand Completion, and they wouldn't dare do anything to late Qi Refining Yun Miaozhen.
Not to mention there was also a Perfected Being Xiuxin present.
Soon, Yun Miaozhen's cold voice echoed throughout the entire Hidden Sword Villa:
"Effective immediately, the Hidden Sword Villa is sealed. No one may enter or leave without permission!"
As her words fell, Perfected Being Xiuxin timely acted as well, taking out a handkerchief and sacrificing it into the air. Though it was merely an ordinary treasure, empowered by a Foundation Establishment True Being, it now blotted out the sky like an iron wall, enveloping the entire Hidden Sword Villa in its center.
"Which senior has cast a spell to seal our villa!?"
Soon, from the central area of the Hidden Sword Villa, a figure shot into the sky. His voice trembled with extreme fear as he fled over almost instantly.
The newcomer was an elder in a black robe.
Though he possessed late Qi Refining Grand Completion cultivation, he clearly hadn't cultivated any great divine abilities—his power was just so-so. His appearance also showed considerable age.
"You are..."
The elder was slightly stunned upon seeing Yun Miaozhen, then his face grew grave as he recognized her as the disciple who had come from the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion to select sword seeds.
"Yun Miaozhen of the Jade Pivot."
Yun Miaozhen clasped her hands behind her back and gave a cold smile:
"I've received intelligence that the Hidden Sword Villa is colluding with the Northern Jiang demonic path, plotting to plunder disciples of our Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion!"
"What!?"
At these words, the black-robed elder nearly popped his eyes out.
Colluding with the Northern Jiang demonic path!?
That was an earth-shattering crime! In the lands south of the Jiang, colluding with demons was absolutely taboo—once discovered, it meant certain death!
Seeing Perfected Being Xiuxin beside Yun Miaozhen, the black-robed elder dared not entertain any rebellious thoughts. He immediately bowed low and cried out loudly:
"Injustice! Our Hidden Sword Villa has loyally raised swords for the upper sect for generations, never harboring any disloyal thoughts. How could we collude with demons? Please investigate clearly, upper sect!"
At this, Yun Miaozhen narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly:
"So you're saying I'm falsely accusing you?"
"This one would never dare—"
Before the black-robed elder could explain, Yun Miaozhen waved her hand grandly:
"No need for more words. Since I've come, I naturally have the means to uncover the demons."
'By the timing, they should be arriving.'
Soon, a massive boom echoed from within the Hidden Sword Villa as soaring demonic qi exploded outward. The previously composed black-robed elder turned ghastly pale in fright.
There really were demons!?
Yun Miaozhen showed no surprise at the sight.
After all, the demons in the Hidden Sword Villa were ones she had previously asked Perfected Being Xiuxin to secretly manipulate fate for, drawing them here to abduct Yun Miaoqing.
"Damn it! How could this happen?"
From the surging demonic qi, a Primal Saint Sect disciple scanned his surroundings with an ugly expression. He appeared ferociously mighty at first glance, but terror filled his eyes.
'This isn't right. Why am I so blinded by greed?'
'I was originally just planning to plunder some low-level Sword Pavilion disciples on the southern fringes. Why did I inexplicably come to a place like the Hidden Sword Villa?'
'Oh no!'
Realizing this, the Primal Saint Sect disciple's face drained of color:
"It's Foundation Est—"
Clang!
The next instant, Perfected Being Xiuxin flicked her finger. A sword light streaked out, claiming the lives of all the Primal Saint Sect disciples present in the blink of an eye.
"Northern Jiang demons—any man may slay them on sight."
Yun Miaozhen's expression remained calm. She then turned to the black-robed elder, who hurriedly explained in fright:
"The upper sect must see clearly—we truly had no prior knowledge..."
"And so?" Yun Miaozhen shook her head:
"Even if you truly didn't know beforehand, that's still a crime of negligence. This time, I discovered it, so no harm done. But if these demonic cultivators had actually abducted our Sword Pavilion disciples, and it was investigated afterward, you'd still be held accountable."
"This... this..."
The black-robed elder's expression grew even more bitter. But after Yun Miaozhen finished speaking, she fell silent, instead fixing her wide beautiful eyes on him intently.
Hm?
After a moment of silence, the black-robed elder lowered his voice:
"Since the demons have been slain, is there... any chance this matter could be dropped without further investigation?"
"That depends on you."
Yun Miaozhen said indifferently:
"Harboring demons is a grave crime, after all. To prove your innocence, you must address the most critical issue."
The black-robed elder's eyes darted as he replied:
"To report to the upper sect: our villa recently acquired a new batch of spirit item sword seeds for refining swords. These demons might have come for them and could have tampered with that batch... Would the upper sect be willing to take them away and inspect them thoroughly on our behalf?"
At these words, Yun Miaozhen finally nodded slightly:
"That is indeed a very critical issue."
In a quiet chamber of the Hidden Sword Villa.
Yun Miaozhen entered the room carrying a heavy storage pouch. At a glance, she saw Lu Yang at the desk, locked in an intense magical duel with Perfected Being Xiuxin.
"Who's there!?"
Yun Miaozhen was first startled. But upon seeing Lu Yang's face and meeting his gaze, confusion flickered in her eyes, followed by sudden understanding.
The next second, she bowed low and carefully approached, offering the storage pouch before Lu Yang:
"Master, I've inspected the entire Hidden Sword Villa. All the Geng Metal spirit items are here. There are no more. Any more, and we'd have to look in the surrounding sects."
"Ah!"
Almost simultaneously, Perfected Being Xiuxin let out a miserable cry and fainted under Lu Yang's blow. Only then did Lu Yang stand, shoving her aside and taking the storage pouch.
"Well done."
After counting the Geng Metal spirit items in the pouch, Lu Yang nodded in satisfaction. With a thought, he sent them all into his Immortal Spirit Body.
But this wasn't enough.
A mere Hidden Sword Villa without even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could only accelerate his progress by about ten percent at most. He needed more.
"Have you done what I asked before?"
"Yes, Master."
Yun Miaozhen whispered:
"I've sent a message to the ancestor. I'm now the most valued disciple of the Yun family. Once the ancestor receives it, he'll surely come."
Lu Yang smiled at this.
The first fish had taken the bait.
(End of chapter)