Chapter 447: Chapter 436: Feast at Hongmen or Not
On the flying boat, the arrangement was classical, giving people the feeling of being in an ancient mansion. No technology products were visible; everything was antique in style, each piece understated yet a work of art, with breathtaking value.
The guests gathered in groups of two or three, while some sat alone to refine Qi. The host imposed no restrictions, and these guests naturally enjoyed great freedom, treating this as a tea party.
Yet they all knew internally, that it wasn’t meant to be like this.
They weren’t here to waste time idly.
Thus, though casually chatting, each was alert, listening to the surroundings, eager not to miss a word amidst the myriad conversations.
"Good tea, good wine, good food. Don’t just sit there, everyone, eat more," said a cheerful, belly-protruding middle-aged man, waving his chopsticks.
The others merely smiled, taking the food and drink casually. They watched the middle-aged man eat and drink heartily, envying his carefree manner.
Beside the middle-aged man sat a beautiful woman, who drew out her husband’s ceremonial sword and boredly polished her nails. She snapped, "I say, Xing Lin, you’re an oil tycoon at least; could you show some sophistication? Look at others; is anyone like you, eating non-stop for nearly ten hours?"
She pointed to clusters of guests, hundreds scattered throughout the spacious courtyard and living room, appearing somewhat sparse.
These people held extraordinary status and, on Yellow Springs Star, were influential figures capable of shaking mountains with a stomp.
Frankly, you could randomly pick one from this crowd, and they would have a fortune of billions, not inferior to that of the couple.
The energy of these hundreds was enough to reshape Yellow Springs Star, under their control, essentially.
"They’re in no mood to eat; despite their calm conversations, internally, they’re not showing how anxious they are." Xing Lin took a large gulp of wine, only then swallowing the food in his throat.
"And you’re not anxious?" The beautiful woman said irritably, "I married a man with a broad heart and thick nerves."
Xing Lin shook his head, "Not exactly. Though curious, I’m too lazy to think deeply.
We, these hundreds, are said to be big shots on Yellow Springs Star, any single one an Earth Immortal.
But so what?
A mere word from others brought us here eagerly. We dare not ask anything, sitting here for ten hours, not daring to let out a peep even when unable to meet their attendants face-to-face.
We’re just small fry. Let’s not take ourselves too seriously; relax and eat and drink.
When the person in charge comes out, we’ll just listen, that’s all we can do.
Since that’s the case, is overthinking beneficial?"
He was exceptionally open-minded, seeming rough yet possessing wisdom. Of course, if not astute, he wouldn’t have become an oil magnate managing tens of thousands under his command.
In a stone pavilion, eight or nine people sat idly, discussing ancient poetry, appearing carefree and scholarly.
But in reality, they used poetry as a code, secretly communicating, with thousands of poems forming passwords via movements, thoughts, tones, beginning sounds, etc. It was multilayered, with three distinct password systems overlapping, its decryption incredibly challenging.
Though the exchange was slow, the confidentiality was excellent, especially as they communicated via Divine Thought, outsiders intercepting undetected was near impossible.
"I received news; a big shot arrived on Yellow Springs Star, and above wishes us to cooperate, creating an opportunity to assassinate him."
The leader was a charming woman, captivating in every move, mesmerizing the men surrounding her with her allure.
To outsiders, it seemed like a group of men in spring pursuing a voluptuous curly-haired woman.
"Who is it?" A young man with a refined appearance spoke, named Wangchuan Zhudao, a leader of a Wangchuan Clan branch, a genius reaching the Divinity Transformation Realm in his hundreds, quite reputable on Yellow Springs Star.
Bai Qing frowned slightly, "He’s called Wang Xuan, titled Hongwu Taoist, our great enemy from Earth Civilization, a youth akin to a Venerable in the Holy Land of Immortal Martial Mountain, the most talented among the third-generation disciples, likely Immortal within a century."
Many on Yellow Springs Star fondly recalled the era 200 years ago when the Yellow Springs Realm was theirs. Though some of those families and sects still persisted, with descendants reaching the peak of the planet, Yellow Springs Star ultimately belonged to Earth Civilization.
They joined the Anti-Earth Alliance, under the flag of restoration, organizing resistance forces, conducting terror actions on Yellow Springs Star and other planets.
Of course, using these actions, their cultivation level and family power seemed mysteriously lucky to rise in outsiders’ eyes.
"Hongwu Taoist? Even citizens of the Earth Federation know of him. Though his exploits aren’t widely shared, each incident is earth-shattering.
He belongs to the most gifted section of Earth Civilization, advancing rapidly while maintaining formidable strength capable of overcoming ranks.
Rumor has it he’s barely thirty yet at the peak of Divine Infant, possibly nearing the Jade Platform Realm."
Lu Ming, long-bearded and charming, spoke up, his thoughts unknowingly overwhelmed, jealousy toward Hongwu Taoist bubbling like a torrent.
If he trained on Immortal Martial Mountain, he would have reached the True Immortal Realm by 150; envy ached for their resources.
Damned Earthlings! Why do they always prosper? It should be Yellow Springs Star’s turn to rise!
"No need for sighing words; how should we act? We both understand Hongwu Taoist’s unimaginable status.
Trying to create an opportunity to kill him is as difficult as ascending to the heavens, and it’s even possible that above us, to seize this opportunity, they might sacrifice us. We must be vigilant.
Wangchuan Zhudao said grimly, they wish for Earth Civilization to become dust in history, but it doesn’t mean they are willing to die for it.
High risk comes with high reward, that’s true, but if the risk is so high it’s certain death, then there’s no benefit, and that would be a losing deal that drags on to the next life.
Bai Qing said, "They’ve given us an antimatter weapon, powerful enough to kill a half-step True Immortal. As long as it explodes at close range, it can cause great chaos.
But to think of killing Hongwu Taoist with it is simply wishful thinking; surely, he must have some life-saving means given by Immortal Martial Mountain.
Of course, this is merely a part of the plan, perhaps even a distraction; we just need to seize the opportunity to detonate that weapon."
Wangchuan Zhudao sneered, "Oh, just? You should know that once that weapon detonates, everything within a hundred-mile radius will vanish, and those of us closest will surely die.
Moreover, the hundreds of people here are the backbone of Yellow Springs Star, what happens if they all die? Besides, an antimatter weapon is powerful enough to destroy all living things within ten thousand miles. We’d be the sinners of Yellow Springs Star."
The cost of detonating an antimatter weapon is too high, and Yellow Springs Star is their homeland; only if they were out of their minds would they do such a thing.
"We have to do it, whether we want to or not. If we don’t complete the mission, we’ll surely die afterward, and our families won’t survive either.
You should know how ruthless they can be.
Moreover, this isn’t necessarily a dead-end. They’ve given me a Teleportation Talisman that can transport us thousands of miles away at once."
This time, they are likely nothing more than sacrificial lambs, but they have no retreat.
This, they knew very well in their hearts.
The atmosphere instantly turned somber; some were furious, others were restless, but after a long discussion, everyone fell silent.
All they could strive for was a sliver of a chance for survival.
Now, to set up an escape route, and quickly flee after teleportation, that was what’s on their minds.
...
At the top of the Flying Boat, there was a black and gold sphere with a diameter of a hundred meters, which served as the power core of the Flying Boat and was also the safest place on it.
A holographic projection of the scenery below the Flying Boat made one feel like they were riding the wind through the void. Naturally, this was favored by those below the Earth Immortal level; immortals who could fly did not lack this experience.
Wang Xuan stretched lazily; everything happening inside the Flying Boat was clearly seen with his Divine Eye; walls were no hindrance.
"For ten hours, the fish have finally surfaced." Li Daoming had been playing chess alone for several hours, watching the scene projected by Wang Xuan with magical power.
Bai Qing, Wangchuan Zhudao, and others discussed poetry, though it was a scenic view of boundless elegance, it held no interest for him, all seemed tedious.
Those were problematic individuals, though he did not know how they tipped off Wang Xuan to know they were rebels.
Li Daoming did not want to ask.
Though he had an intuitive guess, Wang Xuan could clearly know what was in people’s minds.
This is a Divine Technique possessed only by those with profound Spiritual Cultivation.
Wang Xuan having such a Divine Technique was not surprising to him, nor did he mind, because Wang Xuan considered him a friend and would not use such a "Mind Reading Technique" on those around him.
Wang Xuan nodded slightly, "I made a list for you, with some key points noted. Just have your subordinates handle it.
Having waited for so long, it’s time to close the net."
Personally taking action to catch dozens of hidden small fry was not difficult for him?
Li Daoming glanced at the list and couldn’t help but praise Wang Xuan’s abilities, "No wonder your Changsheng Group never had problems using the wrong people and can develop quickly, thanks to your superb skills behind the scenes!"
He had spent several years on Yellow Springs Star, using the planet as a chessboard to hone himself, capturing rebels time and again. Though he made achievements, it was mostly due to those individuals showing flaws in their actions, which he then captured.
Like Wang Xuan, being able to see through everything before the enemy even acted, knowing how the enemy would arrange and act, clearer than the enemy themselves, was something Li Daoming could not achieve.
"You’re too kind." Wang Xuan smiled faintly.
He was considering how those rebels were truly crazy, daring to even detonate an antimatter weapon.
As if as long as they were at ease, who cared if the world was washed away by floods after their death.
Claiming it’s for the benefit of Yellow Springs people, for civilization, for the future, was nothing more than a loud slogan to disguise their despicable acts.
Such people, once identified, should be crushed underfoot; only then would justice prevail.
