Chapter 297: Ambushing Higher Levels, Unstoppable!
Chapter 297: Overwhelming Superiority Through Ambush!
"Which fellow Daoist approaches?"
Above the Sweet Pear Tree Path of the Sea-Harvesting Li Clan, True Person Xiaohai tensed as his divine ability's radiant display was shattered. His expression turned grave as he focused on the approaching figure.
Then he watched as the escaping light abruptly split apart.
From it emerged an elderly man with crane-like white hair and aged features, yet his back remained straight as a ramrod. The excitement visible on his face froze True Person Xiaohai in place.
"...Old Ghost of the Yun Clan?"
"What did you say!" The Yun Family Patriarch's face twisted in anger as the [Yuan Tu Treasure Talisman] materialized in his hand, the same dazzling sword qi from earlier reappearing.
Meanwhile, True Person Xiaohai sighed deeply.
With that sigh, the hidden trump card he'd been clutching tightly in his sleeve loosened slightly, and ninety percent of his killing intent dissipated instantly.
After all, this was a True Person from the Sword Pavilion!
Unless he planned to flee beyond the Jiangbei region, even if the Li Clan dared show disrespect or drive him away, they absolutely couldn't consider killing him.
"What business brings the Yun fellow Daoist to our Li Clan?"
True Person Xiaohai's expression remained calm as countless radiant lights emerged from the Sweet Pear Tree Path behind him, weaving into formations that once again conjured an endless azure sea at his back.
The opponent's flamboyant entrance and that stunning sword strike had initially prevented him from connecting the dots to the Yun Family Patriarch, leading to genuine surprise. But upon recognizing the attacker's identity, he quickly regained composure.
'How much skill does this old fossil truly possess?'
'A silver spearhead that looks impressive but lacks substance! He must have relied on some external aid—a spirit treasure or talisman—to put on that display earlier!'
Faced with True Person Xiaohai's unyielding stance, the Yun Family Patriarch's fury erupted:
"Why have I come? To investigate the recent demonic calamities! I suspect members of the Li Clan have colluded with the demonic path! Surrender yourselves for interrogation at once!"
As he spoke, the sword qi from his [Yuan Tu Treasure Talisman] intensified.
Yet True Person Xiaohai would never entertain such unreasonable demands. His aura suddenly surged: "Colluding with the demonic path? Fellow Daoist goes too far!"
Meanwhile, within the Li Clan's territory along the Sweet Pear Tree Path...
With True Person Xiaohai confronting the Yun Family Patriarch, Li Clan leader Li Qingyun initially relaxed—until he turned around and froze.
Standing behind him, appearing as if from thin air, was a black-robed young man with hands clasped behind his back and a leisurely demeanor. Yet the moment he manifested, he became the focal point of heaven and earth. His pitch-black eyes locked onto Li Qingyun with an intangible gaze that pressed down like a mountain.
'Another True Person!?'
Instantly, Li Qingyun felt ice flood his veins. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed, shouting with all his might:
"I pay respects to the True Person!"
The thunderous cry dissipated within three feet of his body, not a whisper escaping. All he received in return was the newcomer's mocking smile.
Looking around, Li Qingyun realized only he and the stranger existed in clarity—everything else had blurred into indistinct mist.
'Which Sword Pavilion True Person is this? Such underhanded methods... This isn't the Sword Pavilion's style!'
In Li Qingyun's experience, Sword Pavilion True Persons—whether benevolent or malevolent—always acted openly. No matter the schemes against them, they'd cleave through with a single sword stroke.
This one was completely different!
His actions clearly used the Yun Family Patriarch outside as cannon fodder to draw his clan's True Person's attention while sneaking in for an ambush!
'What a bastard— Huh?'
Meanwhile, Lü Yang studied Li Qingyun with keen interest.
Head-on confrontations had never been his preference. Unless absolutely necessary, he favored overwhelming opponents from higher realms or ambushing peers.
Let others perish rather than this humble Daoist—that was the way of a Saint Sect True Person.
Thus, despite deciding to plunder the Sea-Harvesting Li Clan, caution led him to first send the Yun Family Patriarch as sacrificial bait for reconnaissance.
And the probe had yielded valuable intelligence.
With this thought, a simple ancient bronze bell materialized in his hand. Smiling at Li Qingyun, he asked: "Where did you obtain this?"
Li Qingyun looked up at the bell and felt his heart plummet. This [Summoning Origin Bell] had been sealed in the clan treasury's deepest vault, protected by a Foundation Establishment-level formation! Yet now it rested casually in the stranger's palm.
'Disaster...!'
Li Qingyun's lips trembled as he raised his head to explain, but meeting Lü Yang's gaze plunged his consciousness into darkness.
Golden Talent: Puppet on Strings!
Like a gentle breeze smoothing away all hesitation, the terror drained from Li Qingyun's face, replaced by unnatural calm.
A moment later, he began explaining matter-of-factly: "This treasure was discovered within a fragment of a cave heaven. It serves as an access token—standing at the fragment's entrance and shaking it three times opens a portal inside."
"...Oh?"
Lü Yang's eyes narrowed sharply: 'A cave heaven fragment!? Could this Li Clan truly have such fortune to encounter remnants of a True Lord's personal realm?'
Instantly, Lü Yang felt no joy—only icy suspicion.
How could a minor clan led by an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator stumble upon a True Lord's cave heaven fragment and prosper? The story reeked of deception.
Was this another trap? Did even the Sword Pavilion employ such tactics?
As Lü Yang pondered, a divine sense suddenly descended from above, followed by an enraged shout: "Who dares trespass our clan!?"
The next moment, True Person Xiaohai descended from the sky.
Simultaneously, Lü Yang looked up—as did Li Qingyun beside him, and every Li clansman along the Sweet Pear Tree Path.
"Are you speaking to me?"
Identical movements. Synchronized voices.
That single word plunged True Person Xiaohai into an abyss of horror as he stared at clansmen whose familiar faces now regarded him as a stranger.
'What demonic art is this!?'
Shocked to his core, True Person Xiaohai reached for the trump card hidden in his sleeve—only to see the towering phantom manifestation materializing behind Lü Yang.
"Demon! What have you done to me?"
"Xiaohai pays respects to Master!"
Under the influence of [Puppet on Strings], no trace of fear remained on True Person Xiaohai's face. Like Li Qingyun and the other clansmen, only absolute loyalty showed.
Meanwhile, Lü Yang stood in the hall examining the treasure True Person Xiaohai had willingly surrendered.
It was another talisman, seemingly fire-aligned at first glance, with considerable power—clearly the hidden trump card he'd kept in his sleeve.
Truthfully, the Sea-Harvesting Li Clan's hidden resources ran surprisingly deep.
Beyond this talisman, they possessed a superior spirit treasure—the [Territory-Expanding Ship]—coupled with their clan-protecting formation. For an early-stage Foundation Establishment force, this qualified as top-tier equipment.
Had Lü Yang foolishly charged in openly, allowing True Person Xiaohai to prepare fully and deploy all means, a direct confrontation might have posed genuine danger. This expedition's avatar body was too inferior to withstand his full magical power output.
'Thankfully I remained cautious!'
By feinting openly while striking covertly, Lü Yang subdued True Person Xiaohai effortlessly before he could activate any defenses, expending minimal effort.
"Truly, the essence of combat lies in overwhelming superiority and ambush tactics..."
Lü Yang sighed reflectively before turning a serious gaze toward True Person Xiaohai: "Explain in detail—this cave heaven fragment your Li Clan discovered."