A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Chapter 391: Chapter 226: Conspiracy

Speaking of the Three Sects of Bihai, Lü Zhong felt he could no longer let things run their course.

Otherwise, something was bound to go wrong over there.

He wasn’t the only one who could see the value of the Three Sects. Those Core Formation Cultivators were all as cunning as demons. It wasn’t hard for them to imagine the Three Sects’ future potential; they just weren’t willing to bet on it with a significant investment like Lü Zhong had.

But they would surely be more than happy to pluck the ripe peaches.

Lü Zhong decided to make a trip to Bihai.

...

Sea Suppression Gate.

Within the sect’s secret grounds, the Sea-Suppressing Cliff.

Sect Leader Cang Henian sat cross-legged within an Array. Surging Spiritual Qi washed over him, which he refined bit by bit. His aura was slowly strengthening, drawing ever closer to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

A figure in a black Daoist Robe appeared silently, exuding the aura of a Core Formation Cultivator.

"Little friend, how is the effect of my Calamity Spirit Secret Pill?"

Cang Henian sensed the arrival and hastily exited his cultivation state, kneeling and prostrating himself. "Thank you for your immense kindness, Senior! You have allowed me to glimpse the Core Formation Dao!"

"Rise. There is no need for such ceremony." The old man in the Daoist Robe waved his hand, appearing amicable. He then asked, "How is the plan progressing? If it is implemented smoothly, in the future, you and I... we might even call each other master and disciple!"

The old man dangled another piece of bait.

If you wanted someone to risk their life, to face pursuit by a Core Formation Cultivator and commit an act of sectarian betrayal, you had to offer sufficient benefits.

First came Spirit Stones, then Pills, and now, the possibility of being taken as a disciple.

The trick was simple, but Cang Henian was still wrapped around his finger.

The latter was completely unaware, thinking he had met his great benefactor.

Hearing that the other party might take him as a disciple, Cang Henian wished he could gouge out his own heart to prove his loyalty. "Senior, your plans are divine! As you instructed, this junior has already bought over the Bihai Sect. The Palace Master of Sea Abyss Palace was ungrateful, so I have already sent men to besiege him. I expect to receive news today."

Shi Jing continued to ask, "And what of the Grand Array and poison I gave you? Are they ready?"

"Replying to Senior, this junior has prepared everything."

"Excellent. Take these three bottles of Calamity Spirit Pills as a reward."

Shi Jing looked at Cang Henian’s fawning smile, but his inner thoughts were of a completely different mind. ’If you weren’t still useful, I would have dealt with a profit-chasing, disloyal traitor like you long ago!’

The thought of the Three Sects of Bihai soon being in his grasp made his Heart and Spirit surge with excitement.

’He’s just an Early-stage Core Formation Loose Cultivator. Even if he controls a Great Commerce Association, it just means he’s rich. In terms of raw power, he’s still no match for me...’

Shi Jing dared to think this way because he had the capital to back it up.

He had been a Core Formation Cultivator for over three hundred years and was currently at Mid-stage Core Formation Cultivation. His Lifebound Treasure, the Bitter Spring Mace, had been nurtured for many years and had long since become a Magical Treasure with a Fifth-Layer Prohibition. Among Core Formation Cultivators, he was considered to be of average strength.

Dealing with a cultivator who had been at Core Formation for less than a century would be, as he saw it, a piece of cake.

’Hmph, once I get my hands on the Three Sects of Bihai...’

Even Nascent Soul would be within reach.

...

「The next day.」

Lü Zhong arrived at Bidao Island.

The Workshop Market was noticeably more prosperous than before.

New shops were opening one after another, with categories ranging from Pills to Magical Artifacts and even Talismans, capable of satisfying all the needs of low-level cultivators.

In the Workshop District, workshops were already under construction.

They were Artifact Refining Workshops.

The Bihai Island Group was rich in resources. Although no mineral veins had been discovered yet, the various Demon Beast Materials available were sufficient for refining Magical Artifacts. There was no need to transport them thousands of miles from the Changchun Domain.

Where there was one, there would be two.

He expected that in the near future, the Workshop District would also blossom, filled with one workshop after another.

The higher the output of the workshops, the more taxes the Commerce Association could collect.

Add to that the rental income...

It was foreseeable that this place would become a Treasure Basin.

Soon, Lü Zhong arrived at Bidao Hall.

This was the center of the Workshop Market and also where the administration office was located. It was currently owned by the Chengde Commerce Association, with the Three Sects holding a share. They were responsible for organizing the Law Enforcement Team to maintain order in the market.

The Master of the market was Si Huandou.

Since the upheaval in the Northern Great Forest Sea, this man had been transferred to the Bidao Market.

With Si Huandou accompanying him and explaining the situation, Lü Zhong gained a general understanding of the market’s current state. The two were just about to head to the port to inspect the situation there firsthand.

Suddenly, a figure rushed over.

"A-Ancestor, there’s..."

Lü Zhong followed the voice with his eyes, and his heart sank.

Although the man was severely injured and looked quite wretched, he still recognized him at a glance. It was the Palace Master of Sea Abyss Palace, Hex Bin.

"There’s what? Spit it out..."

Before he could finish, Hex Bin collapsed with a THUD, no longer able to suppress his injuries.

In an instant, blood stained the floor red.

"Quick, quick! Go get a physician!" Si Huandou ordered urgently.

"No need." Lü Zhong waved his hand.

He was an Alchemist; his medical skills surpassed most physicians. He immediately examined Hex Bin’s injuries. When he lifted the man’s Dharma Robe and saw the dense cluster of wounds underneath, he couldn’t help but frown.

Seeing Hex Bin’s weakening aura, he flipped his hand and took out a Pill.

It was a Holy Essence Pill, even better than a Spring Splendor Pill.

A single one was worth twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

If taken to the Western Realm, it could fetch at least a hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

’Seeing as you risked your life to deliver this message, you can have this Holy Essence Pill.’ With this thought, Lü Zhong used his Magical Power to dissolve the Holy Essence Pill, turning it into a mass of pure Spirit Liquid.

Under his precise control, the medicinal power swiftly permeated Hex Bin’s body, rapidly repairing it. At a speed almost visible to the naked eye, his critical injuries became merely severe and soon stabilized.

It wasn’t surprising that a Tier Three Healing Pill would have such an effect on a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Before long, Hex Bin let out a muffled groan and slowly regained consciousness.

’Th-Thank you, Ancestor!’ Hex Bin thought with a surge of gratitude.

’If the Ancestor hadn’t been here, I’m afraid I really would have gone to the Yellow Springs this time.’

Lü Zhong brought Hex Bin to a private room. Without dismissing Si Huandou, he said, "Speak. Why are you so severely injured?"

"Reporting to the Ancestor, it was Cang Henian of the Sea Suppression Gate. He wanted to invite this disciple to deal with you, Ancestor. This disciple refused, so he hired an Evil Cultivator to ambush me..." Hex Bin recounted everything that had happened to him over the past two days, down to the last detail.

Lü Zhong’s brows furrowed deeply as he listened.

Cang Henian was merely at Early-stage Foundation Establishment.

Even if you gave him ten thousand times the courage, he wouldn’t dare do something like this.

’He must have someone backing him.’ Lü Zhong guessed at the likely reason.

Unsurprisingly, it had to be a Core Formation Cultivator.

He glanced at Si Huandou. He didn’t call out Hex Bin for failing to report the conspiracy the moment he’d learned of it, instead tucking the matter away in his mind. After all, he still needed his subordinates.

Lü Zhong decided that once this matter was resolved, he would conduct a major reshuffling of the Three Sects.

He then took out another bottle of Pills. They were Water Ripple Pills, suitable for Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and capable of enhancing one’s cultivation. He handed the entire bottle to Hex Bin as a reward.

"Take it. These Pills will be of great benefit to your cultivation!"

"Th-Thank you, Ancestor! Thank you so much!" Hex Bin was greatly surprised. After a moment of shock, he hurriedly bowed in thanks. When he saw the Pills inside the bottle clearly, a sense of regret grew in his heart.

’Such a good Ancestor... how could I have ever wavered!’

Before this, he had always treated Sea Abyss Palace as a stepping stone, wholeheartedly thinking of joining a Major Sect. He would rather be the tail of a phoenix than the head of a chicken.

But now... alas, it was too late to say anything...

Lü Zhong, for his part, looked toward Si Huandou, who was standing to the side.

Compared to the fickle-minded Hex Bin, this man was far more trustworthy.

He softened his tone and said gravely, "For now, place the Law Enforcement Teams of the Three Sects under supervision to prevent them from causing chaos in the Workshop Market. We will screen them carefully after this matter is concluded."

"Yes, sir!" Si Huandou said, cupping his hands.