Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! - Chapter 445 Blueprint of Control
Chapter 445 Blueprint of Control
“So even the Imperial Family has joined them.”
Bai Zihan muttered softly, more amused than surprised.
He had expected it, though it hadn’t been confirmed.
He was currently reading the information gathered by Kong Zhanghong, and it contained everything they thought they were secretly discussing.
In truth, uncovering it had been far easier than most would imagine.
Kong Zhanghong had made use of the Black Lantern Society to join the alliance of the Li-Zhao Clan, who were desperate to gather allies.
The Li-Zhao Clan seemed to be familiar with the Black Lantern Society, and more than the group’s strength, they coveted their network.
Since they already knew that the assassination attempt on Bai Zihan a year ago had been Black Latern Society’s work, they trusted that they were against the Bai Clan.
Moreover, the Black Lantern Society also provided information about the Bai Clan to earn that trust.
Of course, all the information was what Bai Zihan deliberately wanted them to know-such as how many people from the Bai Clan would attend the Imperial Celebration.
The number of flying ships used, and other details, all of which turned out to be accurate.
Because of this, they found that the Black Lantern Society was far more helpful than expected, and they openly trusted them.
Thus, there was not much that Bai Zihan didn’t know about the plans his enemies were making behind their backs.
“Emperor…”
Bai Zihan muttered as he thought about the man he had met recently.
After seeing Qin Lingxiao, it was difficult to discern whether the Emperor had been replaced or not.
But one thing was definitely certain-a foreign force was intervening in the Desolate Heaven Empire.
Either way, the Imperial Family was his enemy now.
The Shen Clan was also one to be wary of, though they weren’t as powerful as the Imperial Family.
Bai Zihan fell silent.
Against the combined forces of the Li Clan, Zhao Clan, and the Imperial Family, the Bai Clan could still stand.
It would be difficult.
But not impossible.
If it were only those forces, Bai Zihan was confident the Bai Clan could grind them down-even if the price would be steep.
However-
The real variable was not them.
It was the foreign force lurking behind the curtain.
Qin Lingxiao!
There was also Xi Yu’s force. Though her stated objective was to give him a Grade-8 pill, there might be ulterior motives.
If those forces chose to intervene directly, the situation would change entirely.
Even if the Bai Clan survived the first wave, the next would be fatal.
Bai Zihan did not know which empire Qin Lingxiao or Xi Yu originated from.
One thing, however, was certain.
Foreign intervention was no longer a possibility.
It was already happening.
And Bai Zihan had no intention of letting the Bai Clan bleed itself dry before that storm even arrived.
Reducing casualties mattered.
He didn’t want to be exhausted before facing a much more powerful opponent.
He leaned back slightly, fingers tapping against the armrest.
Then-
A plan formed in his mind.
Simple.
Blunt.
Effective.
If the Li-Zhao Alliance could expand, then so could the Bai Clan’s.
They were already doing so, though the process was slow, as Bai Tianheng didn’t believe that forming too many alliances with numerous clans would be beneficial.
The number of forces trying to join the Bai Clan’s alliance was greater than that of the Li-Zhao Alliance.
However, with the Imperial Family taking their side, the balance tipped in favor of the Li-Zhao Alliance.
It wasn’t just the Imperial Family they would need to fight.
Those allied with the Imperial Family also had to be accounted for-and their combined strength was almost equal to the Li or Zhao Clan alone.
One might say the Bai Clan was already receiving as many alliance requests as
possible.
But Bai Zihan had a simple way to increase that number further.
Offer an Earth-Grade cultivation technique to anyone who joins them.
Earth-Grade cultivation techniques were treasures capable of altering the fate
of entire clans and sects.
By offering one, many more would be willing to join the Bai Clan’s alliance.
Even those already aligned with the Li-Zhao Alliance would be tempted. After all, cultivating an Earth-Grade technique was far more valuable than receiving resources or protection from the Li-Zhao Clan.
This could change an entire clan’s fate.
However-
Every plan had its flaws.
And this one had a major flaw the enemy could easily exploit.
If he handed out the technique freely to every clan that joined the Bai Clan’s alliance, leakage would be inevitable.
Once such a technique spread beyond control, there would be no need to join
the Bai Clan to obtain it.
The Li-Zhao Alliance could deliberately send infiltrators.
Join in name.
Learn the technique.
Then take it back.
If that happened, the entire advantage of the plan would collapse.
After all, this was precisely why cultivation techniques were never shared
lightly.
It was the reason clans would rather fall than reveal their core manuals.
Bai Zihan exhaled softly.
Yet his expression did not darken.
Instead, his eyes gleamed faintly-as if he had already expected this outcome.
Because that flaw-
Was not a flaw at all.
It was an opportunity.
Bai Zihan recalled something he had seen or read in many novels on Earth.
In many assassin organizations and shadow sects, cultivation techniques were
divided into ranks.
Outer disciples cultivated incomplete manuals.
Inner members cultivated partial versions.
Only core members were granted the complete technique.
And the hierarchy was absolute.
Those who cultivated incomplete versions could never surpass certain limits.
Some techniques even embedded fatal restrictions-mechanics that allowed the higher rank to cripple, suppress, or outright kill those who cultivated the
lower versions.
If such techniques existed-
Wouldn’t it be better for them to spread, as long as he controlled everyone who practiced them?
Bai Zihan’s fingers tapped once against the armrest.
If the Li-Zhao Alliance truly sent infiltrators, then all the better.
They would willingly step into his net.
A publicly shared outer method-powerful, yet incomplete.
Anyone who cultivated only the outer layers would unknowingly place their life
in his hands.
At best, he could suppress their cultivation.
At worst-
He could kill them.
Control, if possible.
Elimination, if necessary.
Either outcome was acceptable.
In that sense, even if the Li-Zhao Alliance obtained the technique, it would not
weaken him.
It would strengthen his leverage.
Still, he would need to find such a technique first.
Bai Zihan leaned back against the seat, eyes half-lidded.
The plan was almost flawless.
But execution-
That was the true problem.
If such cultivation techniques already existed in this world, he only needed to
obtain one.
His first thought went to the deepest authority bound to him.
“Feilian…”
There was no response.
Bai Zihan frowned.
Ever since she had shared her power with him, Emperor Feilian had remained
at rest.
He tried again.
Still nothing. “Not recovered yet.”
Bai Zihan exhaled softly.
He had hoped that someone like Emperor Feilian-an existence that had stood
at the peak of countless eras-would possess one or two techniques fitting his
needs.
But clearly, that path was blocked for now.
Which left him with only one other option.
The System Shop. His gaze sharpened.
With a thought, the familiar translucent interface unfolded before his eyes.
He navigated directly to the Cultivation Technique Store.
Earth-Grade!
One technique after another appeared, each radiating profound aura and
terrifying potential.
Ninefold Mountain Tempering Art.
Heaven-Splitting Meridian
Powerful. But not what he needed.
Codex.
Bai Zihan’s brows knitted slightly.
None of them were what he was looking for. Since such techniques were often
used by assassination organizations, Bai Zihan had thought it would be easy to obtain one.
It seemed he was mistaken.
At least, there were none in the Earth-Grade section, which he finished examining after many hours.
Then, it was time to move on to the Heaven-Grade techniques.
Bai Zihan’s gaze slowed as he sifted through hundreds more cultivation
techniques.
Then-
He found it.
A technique whose description made his heartbeat quicken.
His eyes narrowed as he read further.
And then-
His expression darkened.
“There’s limitation.”
Even if he possessed the complete version…
Even if others cultivated incomplete forms…
The technique could only exert control over those whose cultivation was below
his own.
Those of equal strength-resistance was possible.
Those stronger-completely immune.
Bai Zihan fell silent.
The room seemed unnaturally quiet.
Finally, he let out a low chuckle.
“So in the end, it’s just a tool for suppressing the weak.”
Against cannon fodder.
Against those who were never a real threat to begin with.
That wasn’t what he wanted.
He could already slaughter weak enemies without such a technique.
There was no need to pay an astronomical price to accomplish what brute
force already could.
His real goal was different.
He wanted a net.
Something vast enough to entangle entire clans.
Something subtle enough that even experts would step into it without
realizing.
Something that could restrain enemies before blades ever crossed.
This-
This Heaven-Grade technique fell short.
Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com
