Chapter 322
Chapter 322
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Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: Diverting Calamity Eastward
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Profound Spirit Realm, inside Soaring Firmament Hall.
The man in splendid robes showed a faint shift in expression. He promptly issued orders and had the grand bell tolled. Moments later, streams of escaping light converged one after another in the hall.
These were the Heavenly Court's upper echelons.
Every one an Earth Immortal—and there were fully nine of them, their auras surging at peak strength. Placed in the lands south or north of the river, they would count as late Foundation Establishment great cultivators!
"Greetings, Heavenly Official!"
The nine Earth Immortals saluted in unison. Across the entire Heavenly Court, only the [Three Immortal Officials] held Heavenly Immortal cultivation—and at present, just the Heavenly Official was in place, with the other two seats vacant.
"[Shen Gold] has changed hands."
The man in splendid robes wasted no words.
"That downline we cultivated earlier—Qi He—is likely exposed. The original plan requires revision."
The Earth Immortals paled in shock at his words.
"Heavenly Official..."
"No need for more words."
The man waved them off, utterly resolute.
"My mind is set. Delay further, and the foe may strike first!"
Cultivators of the [Profound Spirit Realm] were anything but fools.
Those versed in realm-crossing arts above all—they brimmed with experience invading other worlds, clear on what to do... and what not.
Thus, long ago, the [Profound Spirit Realm] had detected the Ten Thousand Men Pit's existence. Yet they made no grand show of it. Instead, they infiltrated silently, built networks, and gathered intelligence on the lands south and north of the river. Unprobed, all seemed fine. Probe, and horror followed—what in the hells was this place?
Fully thirty fruit positions!?
That revelation alone quashed any thought of outright invasion in the [Profound Spirit Realm]. Their scheme shifted to plunder—snatch and flee.
And [Shen Gold] ranked among their prime targets.
"Advance the operation. I'll lead personally."
"Slay Yu Shao. Seize [Shen Gold]!"
The man intoned gravely.
"No cause for worry. I've consulted the Supreme One, who will personally veil our actions against mishaps."
The Earth Immortals withdrew, helpless.
*Heavenly Official... too rash!*
*No surprise, though. Yu Shao's defection cuts deep. If the foe has a Supreme One too, they can track us via him.*
*It's [Shen Gold] the Heavenly Official fixates on... overly so.*
*Rumors true, perhaps? Supreme One ascended in haste, realm unsteady—needs outer-realm qi to fortify the Heavenly Court and claim the throne secure?*
*Hush—watch your tongue!*
Doubts swirled, yet the Earth Immortals dared no sloth. Preparations began at once.
The stirrings in Profound Spirit Realm escaped Lu Yang's notice, of course.
He now stood in a grand hall deep within the Ten Thousand Men Pit. His clash with Real Person Qi He had been abrupt—impossible to conceal.
What surprised him, though, was the Primal Saint Sect overseer here: an old acquaintance from his prior life's brush overseas. Named [Jun Tong], a great cultivator under [Painted Silk Variegated Gauze True Lord], with every chance of Foundation Establishment perfection given time.
"You are Yuan Tu?"
Atop the hall's head seat, Jun Tong regarded him coolly, a faint smile playing.
"Chongguang mentioned you, true—but omitted your boldness."
"Fighting a Primal Saint Sect real person... in the Ten Thousand Men Pit?"
"Where was the Primal Saint Sect real person? This one long colluded with [Profound Spirit Realm]."
Lu Yang smiled evenly. He flung the half-dead Real Person Qi He to the floor, then produced the intelligence Chen Xin'an had wrung from him.
Jun Tong paid it no heed at first. Then he spied the documents in Lu Yang's grasp... and Qi He's grotesque form, aged yet alluring.
"...Ho!"
A late Foundation Establishment great cultivator of Primal Saint Sect, Jun Tong's insight ran deep. One glance confirmed Real Person Qi He had suffered [Heavenly Mother Incarnation Profound Light]. A moment's thought unveiled just how Lu Yang had extracted that intelligence.
His demeanor turned solemn in an instant.
*Ruthless fellow!*
Ruthless to foes, moreso to self—such Primal Saint Sect real people proved thorny. And per Chongguang, this one's backing loomed large.
Suspected True Lord behind him?
Jun Tong eyed the intelligence once more, pocketing it stone-faced. He turned to Lu Yang.
"Fellow Daoist, your merit runs deep this time."
"Why not linger in the Ten Thousand Men Pit? Allow me to offer some hospitality?"
"No need."
Lu Yang shook his head.
"I'm still embedded in Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion. Can't risk exposure. Not my true body, but the hazard remains too great."
"Fair enough, then."
Jun Tong pressed no further, watching Lu Yang depart.
Moments passed. A figure emerged from the rear hall, expression dour. Jun Tong smiled faintly.
"Well? Does Fellow Daoist Chen know him?"
"Don't."
Had Lu Yang lingered, instant recognition would strike: his old nemesis, Heaven Mending Peak Master Chen Taihe!
Yet the Peak Master's mood soured further, gaze dark as he mulled:
*Divine abilities used to fell Qi He... [Military Affairs Lord] and [Stubborn Gold Duke]? That pairing... does he seek the [Pomegranate Wood] throne like me?*
His eyes chilled deeper.
Chongguang had summoned him expressly to identify an "unnamed Primal Saint Sect real person."
No identification made. But an enemy spotted.
"Truly unknown?"
Jun Tong probed curiously.
"His grasp of Heaven Mending True Scripture astounds. Mind so nimble—[Heavenly Mother Incarnation Profound Light] put to such use."
"Truly."
Heaven Mending Peak Master shook his head, voice dropping low.
"But he's furtive, identity concealed—motives scarce pure."
"Claims heart with Primal Saint Sect, yet ripe for betrayal."
"You should have detained him."
Jun Tong waved idly at the suggestion.
"No need. If he'd stayed, *I'd* have the headache."
"...Oh?"
To the Peak Master's puzzlement, Jun Tong stayed serene.
"Credit where due: Qi He moved with care. None detected him beforehand."
"Yet after Chongguang's alert three years past, I probed in secret."
"Fail to unearth Qi He's treason and outer-realm ties then? I'd scarce deserve my post. That realm calls [Profound Spirit Realm]?"
Jun Tong sneered cold.
"Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion struck the Ten Thousand Men Pit over [Profound Spirit Realm], no doubt. And fittingly, Qi He's [Shen Gold] bears their mark. Yuan Tu snatched it—they'll not stomach that."
"Him leaving the Ten Thousand Men Pit? Perfect."
"Long as he's in southern lands, [Profound Spirit Realm] tracks the mark to him—the havoc hits Jiangnan. Sword Pavilion takes the ache."
"Best: let Sword Pavilion and [Profound Spirit Realm] clash."
"Dog eat dog. We bide fresh, hit their emptied heartland, reap qi vast—a fat profit!"
Clams war, snipe wins!
"Something's wrong!"
Parting the Ten Thousand Men Pit, Lu Yang shivered sharp, brow furrowing.
"That Jun Tong... too cavalier. Just released me?"
Real Person Qi He's [Profound Spirit Realm] collusion.
Vital intelligence. Yet Jun Tong skipped all verification, swallowing it whole. His word *that* weighty?
Or...
*He knew already?*
Lu Yang mulled. He ever gauged foes wide—never deemed Primal Saint Sect real people dullards, least of all a great one.
Thus, he leaned vilest lens.
Arrow loosed, *then* target drawn!
*If he knew Qi He and [Profound Spirit Realm] long... couldn't miss the mark on [Shen Gold].*
*Yet no warning.*
*No warning betokens ill toward me!*
Lu Yang sighed despite himself. Primal Saint Sect... ever Primal Saint Sect.
*...Calamity diverted east?*