Chapter 3091 Walking Dogs
Fu Nanli pondered for a moment, then nodded. “That’s right.”
Ren Futian also inclined his head in agreement. .
Lin Xun was taken aback. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” Xing Jianxia couldn’t help but laugh softly. “With the cunning of Xinhu and those old foxes, they will certainly sense that something is amiss. They would never believe that we old fellows alone could deal such a devastating blow to their camp. Because of that, when they move, they will be extremely cautious.
“But no matter how carefully they scheme,” he continued. “they will never imagine that you, young friend, are the true key to victory. After all, throughout history, there has never been anyone like you...someone at the Creation Realm who can stand against Greater Boundless Realm giants.”
Seeing that Lin Xun was still processing this, Fu Nanli added, “In other words, when the enemy finally strikes, you will be the surprise they never anticipated. And we will use that surprise...to strike them by surprise.”
Understanding dawned on Lin Xun at once. He nodded slowly. “Then,Seniors...how do you propose we make our move?”
Xing Jianxia said, “In most battles, one captures the leader first. But that approach doesn’t apply to Xinhu and Leisong. As the two strongest pillars of the enemy camp, they will naturally expect that if anything goes wrong, the first to be targeted will be one of them. That means they will be on the highest alert at all times.”
Lin Xun’s eyes lit up. “So...our first target should be either Ye Jue or the others?”
“Exactly.”
Xing Jianxia nodded. “With your strength, young friend, you had once restrained Xinying, Wen Zai, and Xingtian Yuan on your own. Holding back the remaining three will be no different. And that means as long as we eliminate one of Ye Jue’s group first, this battle will already tilt firmly in our favor.”
Lin Xun grasped the plan in an instant. If a battle broke out, Xing Xianxia and Fu Nanli could each hold off Xinhu and Leisong. As long as one of Ye Jue’s group was eliminated first, Lin Xun would have the strength to restrain the remaining three. With Ren Futian joining forces with him, the two of them could then wipe them out one by one.
Once that was done, Lin Xun and Ren Futian would be freed up, allowing the four of them to join forces and deal with Xinhu and Leisong together. Everything hinged on one thing: securing a kill at the very start. If they failed to do so, every step that followed would become far more dangerous.
Xing Jianxia then began explaining the backgrounds of Ye Jue and the others.
Ye Jue, a Greater Boundless Realm cultivator of the Ye Clan who had survived five Great Silence Unlife Calamities, possessed a foundation deep beyond measure. His strength rivaled that of Wu Hongzi and Xinying. Calm as an ancient mountain, he wielded the Ravenous Thunder Principle, a law of extreme destructive power. His dao weapon was the Star Vortex Thunder Whip, which had immeasurable might.
Panwu Fusheng, a formidable expert who had survived five Great Silence Unlife Calamities, had mastered the Five Elements Principle and wielded the weapon known as Five Elements Heavenly Sword.
Canglong Yue had survived five Great Silence Unlife Calamities. He had mastered the Thousand Gates Principle, and his dao weapon was the Flowing Flame Thorn.
Ziche Wuji had survived four Great Silence Unlife Calamities and mastered the Divine Astral Principle. His dao weapon was a long spear known as the Blazing Prairie Spear.
After listening carefully, Lin Xun finally asked, “Then seniors...which of these four should we strike first?”
Xing Jianxia smiled faintly. “What do you think, young friend?”
Lin Xun considered for a moment before answering, “By instinct, Ziche Wuji seems the easiest to deal with. But using such a rare opportunity on him would be a waste.”
He continued, “As for Cang Longyue, the Thousand Gates Principle involves the manipulation of spatial power. That kind of force is mysterious, unpredictable, and impossible to guard against. Making him our first target would be far too risky.”
Finally, Lin Xun concluded, “In my view, we should choose either Ye Jue or Panwu Fusheng.”
Xing Jianxia smiled and shook his head. “Young Friend, your analysis is sound, but you’ve only seen the surface.”
“Senior, please enlighten me.”
“Among these four, Ziche Wuji seems the weakest, but in truth, he is the strongest. Otherwise, someone who has survived only four Great Silence Unlife Calamities would never have been taken to the Fate Lotus World by Xinhu and Leisong.”
Xing Jianxia continued, “Once you truly cross blades with him, you’ll realize that his combat power surpasses Ye Jue and the others, and he is only slightly inferior to Xinhu and Leisong themselves.”
Lin Xun was stunned. He had not expected this at all. This also made him realize how misleading cultivation levels could be. Judging an opponent by realm alone could easily lead to mistakes.
Of course, if the enemy believed that Lin Xun was nothing more than a Creation Realm cultivator, they would be making the very same mistake. In the end, it all came down to cognitive bias.
......
Seven days later, Xinhu, Leisong, and the others finally set out for Lotus Leaf Sacred Mountain.
Along the way, Xinhu spoke in a low, urgent voice, “Those old foxes like Xing Jianxia must have every kind of preparation in place. The only thing we truly need to guard against is the unknown ‘variable.’ In other words, once we reach Lotus Leaf Sacred Mountain, everyone must stay on full alert. If danger arises, retreat immediately, never give the enemy a single chance.”
Leisong and the others all nodded. They were all veterans who had fought through countless battles and who had endured the tides of life and the baptism of blood. How could they fail to understand the danger of their present situation?
Fury alone would never solve anything. On the road to revenge, the first step was to stay alive!
Huh?
Just as they were about to reach Lotus Leaf Sacred Mountain...
Xinhu and the others abruptly came to a halt. Their gazes snapped forward in unison as their auras surged and roared skyward. In that instant, all six Greater Boundless Realm giants entered full combat stance. Their reaction speed was astonishing beyond belief.
Heaven and earth trembled, and the ten directions quaked in response. A vast and terrifying killing intent surged forth like a raging flood, drowning every inch of the void. Had any ordinary cultivator been present, they would have been crushed on the spot by that suffocating pressure alone.
At that very moment, a hearty laugh rang out. “Everyone, we have been waiting for you for quite some time.”
As the laughter echoed, three figures materialized from the void, Xing Jianxia, Fu Nanli, and Ren Futian.
Xinhu, Leisong, and the others all narrowed their eyes. With a closer look, one would see that every one of them stood like a fully drawn bow, ready to unleash their full might at the slightest disturbance.
Clad in a white monk’s robe, Xinhu spoke in a deep voice, “Were all the cultivators of our camp slaughtered by you?”
“That’s right.” Xing Jianxia nodded, a faint smile on his lips.
In an instant, Xinhu, Leisong, and the others felt their blood boil. Their faces darkened. So it really was these old bastards behind it all!
“Just the three of you?” Leisong spoke in a deep voice. Clad in green robes and thin of build, his body bore the marks of countless trials. As he opened his mouth, a terrifying aura surged forth, causing the surrounding void to tremble and collapse.
From afar, Xing Jianxia answered with calm indifference, “Of course not.”
“Who else?” Ye Jue asked. Dressed in purple robes, his towering figure stood out as he held a long, crystal-clear whip blazing with brilliance. Billions of star-like radiances surged forth, while thread-thin arcs of lightning coiled and crackled endlessly around it.
“Heh.” Xing Jianxia laughed lightly, “Want to know? Let’s fight and you’ll find out.”
His unhurried composure caused Xinhu and Leisong to frown.
Xinhu let out a soft sigh. “It seems you old fellows have made preparations. No wonder you dare to act with such confidence.”
The unknown had always been the most terrifying of all. What unsettled Xinhu most was that he could not determine who or what this ‘variable’ was. Furthermore, it was precisely that uncertainty that kept them from making any reckless move.
“If we weren’t fully prepared,” Xing Jianxia said with a smile, “how would we dare stand here waiting?”
“Why aren’t you guarding Lotus Leaf Sacred Mountain?” Ziche Wuji demanded coldly. He wore coarse hemp robes, his towering frame radiating an oppressive might. Long, pitch-black hair spilled loosely down his back, while his eyes surged with cold, golden starlight.
In his grip was a jet-black spear over eighteen feet long. Its shaft was engraved with twisted, archaic law runes, while a streak of eerie crimson blood-light bloomed at the spearhead. The aura it exuded tore countless tiny vortexes and fissures into the surrounding void, sending a chill through everyone.
“Naturally to welcome you,” Xing Jianxia replied calmly. “And also to ensure our battle does not disturb the others on Lotus Leaf Sacred Mountain.” From beginning to end, he remained unhurried and composed. Beside him, Fu Nanli and Ren Futian stood in silence, watching with cold, detached gazes.
“You’re not afraid we’ll break through and slaughter our way in?” Leisong raised an eyebrow.
“With us standing here, breaking through will not be so easy for you,” Xing Jianxia said calmly.
“Why do I feel that your true trump card lies on Lotus Leaf Sacred Mountain?” Xinhu said.
A flicker of doubt and unease crossed the others’ faces. Ultimately, it was precisely because they could not identify this unknown ‘variable’ that they remained so wary. They could not tell whether Xing Jianxia was deliberately drawing them away, or whether a hidden ambush was waiting for them.
That feeling was agonizing. Even after repeated probing, they still felt as though the initiative was firmly in the other side’s hands.
Xing Jianxia suddenly sighed. “Everyone, you’ve asked enough. If you came only to chat, then we won’t entertain you any further.”
With that, he turned around. Fu Nanli and Ren Futian followed without a word.
The sudden turn of events made Xinhu and the others’ eyelids twitch. Their expressions darkened further. What exactly are these damned old bastards plotting?
Is this a feigned retreat to lure us into a trap?
Are they deliberately sowing confusion?
Are they inviting us to walk straight into a trap?
Or something even deeper...
They genuinely couldn’t see through it, and that uncertainty only deepened the gloom on their faces.
“If this drags on, we’ll never uncover the truth. We have to make a move and test them.” Ye Jue said coldly.
“Very well. They’re heading back to Lotus Leaf Sacred Mountain. We’ll follow and see what they’re really up to.” Xinhu drew a deep breath, forcing down the unease in his heart.
At once, they stepped into the void and gave chase. Even with Xing Jianxia and the others showing their backs, and with it being the perfect opportunity to launch a surprise strike, they still forcibly held back the impulse to act.
All of this was naturally perceived by Xing Jianxia and the others through their spirit senses. A faint, knowing smile curled at the corners of their lips
This feeling...it was exactly like walking dogs on a preset path!
