Chapter 673 - 69: Mastermind (Part 2)

Seeing that the coalition forces were losing momentum and being intimidated by the Evergreen Ascendant, the core members of Funiu Mountain felt increasingly at ease.

This time, these forces suffered heavy losses and would not have the strength to try again for at least a hundred years.

And this century-long window period was the perfect time for Xiaojiu to develop.

"Whoosh~" However, just when everyone thought they had everything under control, a sudden sound rang in their ears.

When they looked, they saw that the third disciple of the Funiu Ascendant had already activated a Spirit Talisman, directly striking the Core Formation Dao Field’s Array.

Boom~

Li Ji’an enveloped the area with his Divine Sense, but his attention was mostly on the coalition forces breaking in from outside, paying insufficient attention to this group of high-ranking core members of Funiu Mountain behind him.

He did not expect that, at this point, there would still be a traitor taking action.

Even if they destroyed Xiaojiu’s Core Formation, it would still be certain death.

"Old Three, what are you doing?" True Man Fengyin and the Second Senior Brother spoke in unison, and were the first to intercept the Spirit Talisman.

However, they were still a step too slow.

The Spirit Talisman hit the Protective Array of the Core Formation Dao Field solidly.

A loud noise came immediately.

At the same time, Xiaojiu’s Core Formation Dao Field began to shake violently.

The surrounding Spiritual Qi was also in chaos, surging turbulently.

If someone were to absorb the Spiritual Qi like a whale swallowing the sea at this moment, it would inevitably result in a Qi riot, leading to the destruction of the Dantian and death.

"Why? Why on earth?" The next moment, Old Three was already restrained by the people beside him.

His early-stage True Core cultivation left him powerless to resist.

Old Three had a desolate look, as if all strength had left him. Yet, seeing the increasingly chaotic Spiritual Qi in the Core Formation Dao Field, he laughed bitterly, "Hahaha, it’s over, it’s all over. If I can’t have it, no one else can."

"You’ve gone mad! Why did you do it?" True Man Fengyin glared angrily, wishing to conduct a Soul Search immediately.

"Xiaojiu!"

...

In an instant, the people of Funiu Mountain were filled with both sorrow and anger.

"Hahaha, Old Dog Funiu, you’ve lost. We’ll wait for you to die of old age, and then turn your Funiu Mountain back into our pasture!" Cold Jade Ascendant laughed heartily.

"The victor becomes a duke, the defeated a bandit. Daoist Funiu, thank you." Mountain Shifting Ascendant also cupped his fists proudly like a victor.

"Triumph!" As the three Ascendants ceased their actions, the coalition of various forces retreated rapidly.

Soon after, the once thunderous cries of battle in the Funiu Mountain Inner City fell silent.

Almost everyone silently gazed in the direction of Xiaojiu’s Core Formation Dao Field, mourning in their hearts.

They mourned not only for Xiaojiu but also for Funiu Mountain.

"Alas!" The Funiu Ascendant also sighed deeply, walking side by side with the Cyan Ox to the outside of the Core Formation Dao Field.

"Daoist Changqing’s great kindness, this old one gives his heartfelt thanks."

"Daoist Funiu, you are too kind," Li Ji’an replied calmly, nodding in return.

"Master..." True Man Fengyin led his fellow junior brothers in bowing shamefully to the Funiu Ascendant.

The Funiu Ascendant glanced at his seven disciples in front of him, one by one.

Except for the restrained Old Three, the other disciples satisfied him greatly.

"Old Three, have I not treated you well? Why did it come to this?" The Funiu Ascendant finally looked at Old Three, his words filled with helplessness.

Old Three raised his head slightly, "Master, you have treated me well, but I can’t accept that I will only remain at the early-stage True Core for my life."

"So you were enticed by them? Promising you spiritual resources to advance to the middle or even late-stage Core Formation?"

"Yes, they also promised that I would lead Funiu Mountain in the future." Knowing he was doomed, Old Three did not hold back.

"So, the matter with Old Five was also your scheme?"

Old Three looked up at the Funiu Ascendant and nodded.

"Driving away Old Five and ending Xiaojiu, this was their plan?" The Funiu Ascendant shook his head slightly.

Old Three bowed his head to the ground.

The Funiu Ascendant said no more, just waved his hand: "You all can leave now."

"Master, is there still hope for Xiaojiu?" True Man Jiuyou’s voice trembled.

True Man Fengyin and the others all looked eagerly at the Funiu Ascendant.

The Funiu Ascendant glanced around, shook his head slightly again, and said, "All of you, leave."

"Xiaojiu!" Everyone bit down hard, cupped their hands towards the Core Formation Dao Field, and then turned away, unwilling to look any longer.

Soon, only the Funiu Ascendant, Cyan Ox, and the unperturbed Li Ji’an remained.

At the moment the outer shield of the Core Formation Dao Field broke, Ning Sujin already sensed the abnormality and transmitted a message to him.

There was no trace of Xiaojiu’s aura inside, nor any recent signs of trying to form a Core.

"This old one thanks you in advance on behalf of Xiaojiu," the Funiu Ascendant once again cupped his hands in gratitude to Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an smiled effortlessly, "Daoist Funiu, no need for courtesy. I’ve said before, this time it’s just to form a good bond with Xiaojiu. As long as the good bond is confirmed, I can be at ease."

"Hahaha, it is indeed a good bond. However, to be safe, may I ask Daoist to protect it further?" The Funiu Ascendant frankly requested.

"I’d love to hear more."

"This is not the place to talk, follow me," the Funiu Ascendant stepped first into the still chaotic Core Formation Dao Field.

Having received Ning Sujin’s transmission, Li Ji’an already understood the situation inside thoroughly and followed without hesitation.

A moment later, the Funiu Ascendant led Li Ji’an to a secret chamber within the Core Formation Dao Field.

In the secret chamber, there was a Shifting Array, made of materials that took nearly ten years to complete.

"Daoist Changqing, I imagine there’s no need for this old one to explain the situation at Funiu Mountain any further. Now, let me summarize the entire context briefly," the Funiu Ascendant got straight to the point.

Li Ji’an nodded in agreement.

"Since this old one took charge of Funiu Mountain, I have been searching everywhere for Immortal Seedlings to inherit my will, thus, Spirit Vein and heart nature talent take precedence.

However, the situation at Funiu Mountain is not like other forces, and I have limited ability. I have never been able to find a successor capable of taking over Funiu Mountain.

Until seventy years ago, by chance, I discovered this little girl Xiaojiu, not only with Celestial-grade Spirit Vein but also with a natural affinity of heart, and so I began training her as my successor," the Funiu Ascendant explained succinctly.

"Oh? Isn’t the fifth disciple of the Daoist also of Ascendant potential?" Li Ji’an asked in confusion.

The Funiu Ascendant chuckled and shook his head in amusement, "It’s embarrassing."

"Old Five was nothing more than a small trick of this old one to keep up appearances."

"His talent is barely passable, but his heart nature is too flawed. Middle-stage Core Formation is his limit, and the Magic Pill he forms is only a Middle-level True Pill. This old one once obtained a Secret Technique, not only altering his Sea of Consciousness memory but also using the technique to confuse his aura."

"To think there exists such a Secret Technique," Li Ji’an marveled secretly.

Even Ning Sujin’s Primordial Spirit Sensing could be fooled.

"It’s just a small technique, a small technique. The reason this old one did so was to pave the way for Xiaojiu’s Core Formation."

"Back when Old Five was about to form his Core, almost no one believed he would form an Upper True Pill, so he didn’t face much obstruction. Later, this old one modified his True Core Qi, leading him to become the predetermined successor, which also served as a shield for Xiaojiu’s growth."

"According to this old one’s plan, with the shield outside and the arrangement here, it was basically ensured that Xiaojiu would form an Upper True Pill."

"Unfortunately, those forces were too cautious, wanting to cut the grass and root, giving not even a sliver of hope."

"Thus, during this old one’s endeavors for Xiaojiu’s Core Formation, it unexpectedly drove away Old Five, the shield, causing almost a mishap."

Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow slightly, finally understanding the Funiu Ascendant’s intentions.

He had been plotting for so many years, fooling so many people.

"And Xiaojiu?" Li Ji’an probed.

"Daoist will see her shortly," the Funiu Ascendant stated directly.

"This Dao Field is undoubtedly the place under the closest surveillance by other forces, so this old one never intended for Xiaojiu to form her Core here from the start."

"To be frank, the reason this old one has reached this point is due to Brother Niu’s help. And the place where I met Brother Niu, in the Earth Cave, has a small Dao Field.

Though its Spirit Vein degree doesn’t match Funiu Mountain, it’s superior in being hidden and pure.

The place of Xiaojiu’s Core Formation is there."

"Daoist has thought deeply and planned well, I am impressed!" Li Ji’an cupped his hands.

"It’s the way of the world, I had no choice." The Funiu Ascendant smiled wryly.

"I’ve laid everything bare; may I ask if Daoist can assist?"

Even though the Earth Cave Dao Field was hidden, once the Core Formation is impacted there, the heavenly phenomenon would certainly be exposed.

Originally, the Funiu Ascendant planned to address the situation at Funiu Mountain first and then rush to protect Xiaojiu.

Now, however, he hoped for an additional helping hand.

After all, given what Li Ji’an had done outside the Core Formation Dao Field, Cyan Ox had already confirmed the genuine goodwill that would benefit Xiaojiu!