Chapter 77: The Black-hearted Doll
Chapter 77: The Black-hearted Doll
“The Sword Control Art, its secret lay in the word ‘control’.”
Revered Qin’s words struck like thunder on dry land. Lu Hangzhi suddenly felt enlightened. His understanding of the Sword Control Art seemed to advance further, and he also gained insights into the Seven-Seven Sword Formation by association.
“Thank you for the guidance, Revered Qin!”
After some thought, Lu Hangzhi felt that if he could slow down the flying sword’s speed and achieve perfect control, he would surely leap from One Thought Six Movements to Seven Motions with One Thought, truly reaching the minor completion stage of the Seven-Seven Sword Formation.
“Good that you understand.”
Revered Qin nodded with satisfaction, then closed his eyes again and said no more, immersing himself in studying the Codex.
Lu Hangzhi turned and descended to the second floor of the Matrix Tower to digest what he had just learned.
In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed.
The situation in Sector 112 remained calm. There were no more fierce attacks like the one half a month ago when over eighty Monster Beasts descended at once.
Because of that battle, the True Disciples of Penglai Island recognized Lu Hangzhi’s strength. Feeling both awe and respect, they intensified their cultivation! With the aid of Demon Beast Inner Cores, their cultivation progress was rapid.
As time went on, the joy on Lei Qun and the others’ faces grew more pronounced, filled with anticipation for the Two Realms Mountain Market.
“In three days, it’s the rotation. Finally, we can leave this damned place and get some proper rest.”
“During the first few days, I thought for sure I wouldn’t survive this mission.”
“Tell me about it!”
Lei Qun and Tong Zhan sighed with emotion.
“First, we had the bad luck of falling under that guy Gu Lie’s command, then we encountered a Beast Tide that’s rare even in years. Out of the hundred-person squad that rotated with us, only about a dozen of us are left.”
“Luckily, we met Revered Qin and Revered Mo when they rotated in. If it were other Venerable Ones, we’d probably have been wiped out long ago.”
“True.”
A group of Penglai Island True Disciples listened, their hearts trembling with fear.
A hundred people, only about a dozen left…
How brutal the battle had been!?
“By the way, what are your plans once we return to the market?”
Lei Qun suddenly spoke up.
Tong Zhan was taken aback.
“This battle made me realize I’m seriously lacking in defensive equipment. Once we’re back at the market, I must exchange for a Defensive Magical Device.”
“Who asked about that?”
Lei Qun rolled his eyes at him. “We have a month’s rest after this return. Next rotation, we’ll be randomly assigned to a new Venerable One. I meant, what are your thoughts on that?”
“You mean…”
“I want to formally join Revered Qin’s team. I think it’s more reliable to serve under Revered Qin than to follow the Reinforcement Department’s arrangements. At least Revered Qin is upright; we don’t have to worry about being sold out by those Evil Cultivators.”
Lei Qun shared his plan.
Hearing this, Tong Zhan immediately showed a serious expression. “In the Two Realms Mountain Reinforcement Department, Venerable Ones do have the authority to form their own teams. But whether Revered Qin would even consider us is another matter.”
The two looked at each other and smiled wryly.
Right!
Back when they were only at the Seventh Grade, they were completely unnoticeable. No Venerable One would pay them any mind. Now, even though they had reached the Eighth-grade, they paled in comparison to Lu Hangzhi.
Lu Hangzhi was personally brought into the Two Realms Mountain by Revered Qin from outside.
The facts had proven Revered Qin’s judgment.
It was very sharp!
So, until now, they hadn’t had the confidence to bring this up.
“How about we ask Hangzhi?”
Tong Zhan thought of a compromise.
Lu Hangzhi had a good relationship with Revered Qin. By going through him, they could sound out Revered Qin’s stance and avoid direct rejection.
Their intention soon reached Lu Hangzhi.
“I understand. I will speak properly with the Venerable One about this matter.”
Lu Hangzhi agreed without hesitation.
Actually.
When he saw Gu Lie leading a group of Evil Cultivators, he had speculated that Spirit Coalescence Elders at the Two Realms Mountain probably had the right to form fixed teams. But since it didn’t concern him, he hadn’t bothered.
Now that Lei Qun and Tong Zhan mentioned it, he suddenly realized that keeping them around would not only benefit Revered Qin but also himself:
At the very least, with their help in command and coordination, he could free up a lot of time for cultivation…
Most importantly, Lei Qun and Tong Zhan had been at the Two Realms Mountain for several months. Their temperaments and strengths were good, they were easy to get along with, and it would be easy to build mutual trust.
Lu Hangzhi later approached Revered Qin about it. After pondering for a while, the latter said:
“Forming teams is something many Spirit Coalescence Elders at the Two Realms Mountain do. They usually look after their own people and intentionally neglect the safety of other cultivators. I’ve had thoughts about this before, but later found it very difficult to achieve…”
Lu Hangzhi immediately understood.
“The Venerable One is kind-hearted and generous. Hangzhi admires this! However, there is one point Hangzhi must remind the Venerable One of.”
“Oh?”
“While the Venerable One looks after us, we also look after the new disciples from the various great sects. This in itself is a very good relationship. Moreover, when the team under your command grows stronger, your control over the war zone will increase, providing better protection for others as well.”
Revered Qin’s heart stirred. He nodded and said:
“Since you put it that way, I authorize you to handle the formation of the team.”
“Good!”
“According to the rules, a War Zone Venerable One has fifty personnel slots. A third-class merit increases the limit by ten people. That means, besides you, and the Lei Qun and Tong Zhan you value, you can recruit fifty-seven more people.”
“Yes, Hangzhi will definitely live up to the Venerable One’s expectations.”
“Alright, go now.”
…
After leaving the Matrix Tower, Lu Hangzhi quickly shared the good news with Lei Qun and Tong Zhan. He also asked them to observe and see if any of the remaining veterans were willing to follow Revered Qin.
The result greatly exceeded his expectations. All the veterans in the war zone chose to stay and follow Revered Qin.
Revered Qin was also very surprised by this.
“…With these fourteen people including Lei Qun, the next rotation can proceed smoothly without worrying about any mishaps. All of this is due to the Venerable One’s personal charisma.”
Lu Hangzhi thought his flattery was seamless, but it still earned him a roll of the eyes and a sarcastic remark from Revered Qin:
“I never noticed before that you were good at flattery?”
“The Venerable One praises me too highly.”
“For the new followers, no matter what, we should have a proper meeting. But these days I am at a critical stage in comprehending the Codex. I’ll just give everyone a meeting gift instead. Here… take this and distribute it to everyone. The gifts for the next forty-five people are all inside too.”
As he spoke, Revered Qin handed over a Qiankun Pouch.
Lu Hangzhi quickly received it.
He swept it with his Spiritual Sense and was utterly shocked.
Demon Beast Inner Cores…
There were at least six to seven hundred of them, densely packed.
Most were Eighth-grade and Ninth-grade quality Monster Beast Inner Cores.
Rich!
This was the true definition of a rich person.
No wonder a Spirit Condensation Stage Venerable One could casually establish a sect outside Two Realms Mountain — with Revered Qin’s wealth, starting a small sect was incredibly easy.
“These are only Epiphany Stage Monster Beast Inner Cores; they are of little use to me. You can handle them as you see fit.”
Revered Qin clearly did not care much about these inner cores. His expression made it seem as if they were just a pile of Spirit Fruits.
Lu Hangzhi did not refuse.
He was about to enter the Dual-Realm Mountains Market and had been worrying about his lack of resources. Now, with this batch of Demon Beast Inner Cores, he had plenty to use.
“Then this junior will take full responsibility for handling these Demon Beast Inner Cores.”
Revered Qin nodded in agreement.
Lu Hangzhi did not immediately distribute the inner cores to everyone. Instead, he gave each person a portion of Spirit Honey — enough to instantly restore a Ninth Grade Cultivator’s Magic Power.
Compared to easily obtainable inner cores, Lu Hangzhi believed that Spirit Honey would make these people feel more secure and united.
This indeed proved to be the case.
When Lei Qun, Tong Zhan, and the others received the small bottles of Spirit Honey, they were so excited they lost themselves, unanimously feeling they had chosen the right side.
This bottle of Spirit Honey could save their lives at a critical moment.
“Remember, everyone, the Venerable One does not have much Spirit Honey. Use it sparingly, and absolutely do not let it be known or leak out.”
“Understood!”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Hangzhi, don’t worry. If this got out, we’d be afraid of being robbed and killed.” The group held their porcelain bottles, their eyes burning with passion and growing brighter with confidence:
“The Venerable One is so generous, sharing such a precious thing with us.”
Inside the Matrix Tower, Revered Qin shook his head helplessly and muttered to himself:
These foolish kids are being sold out by Lu Hangzhi and still counting money for him, even saying thank you.
That bit of Spirit Honey was only worth a few dozen Mid-grade Spirit Stones…
A single Monster Beast Inner Core…
Sigh.
The thought made Revered Qin’s liver ache:
Back then, to get Spirit Honey from Nangong Jun, a single bottle cost ten Ninth-Grade Internal Cores.
Now Lu Hangzhi was using just a few Mid-grade Spirit Stones to buy over a group of promising young cultivators.
What a cunning little rascal.
Revered Qin irritably withdrew his Spiritual Sense, dispelling distractions to continue studying the Codex.
…
After withstanding the fierce assault of the Demon Beast Mist, the Monster Beast attacks at Two Realms Mountain completely dwindled. No organized offensives were mounted afterward, and daily defense duties became routine. A week quickly passed.
The True Disciples from Penglai Island were truly fortunate — all sixty-two of them came together and left together, with no casualties or missing limbs. When the rotation team arrived, the group cheered ecstatically, giving off the impression that they had conquered the entire Two Realms Mountain.
“Hangzhi.”
“Hangzhi.”
Lei Qun, Tong Zhan, and the other veterans all gathered around Lu Hangzhi to welcome Revered Qin.
The moment Revered Qin stepped out of the Matrix Tower, Lu Hangzhi clearly sensed an overwhelming, earth-shaking aura emanating from him.
The cultivator arriving for rotation was an elderly Mid Soul-Concentrating Stage Venerable One with graying temples. Seeing this, his expression grew solemn, and he stepped forward to bow respectfully:
“Revered Qin, you’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all. I never expected you, esteemed elder, to come. It seems the Reinforcement Department is quite optimistic about the battle situation for the next month.”
“… Haha!” The elderly Venerable One didn’t mind and laughed heartily:
“Indeed, otherwise this old man couldn’t handle such chaos. If every month were as intense as when you were guarding, all hundred of my youngsters would likely be lost.”
The two began chatting casually in front of the hundred or so cultivators.
The elderly Venerable One’s words made the group behind him regard Revered Qin and his team with deep respect.
They had all heard about last month’s battles at Two Realms Mountain!
The casualties were horrifying!
Over one-third of the War Zones had fallen!
The Reinforcement Department was forced to deploy in full.
Sector 112 had once been the fiercest front line for a time, but under Revered Qin’s leadership, it held firm.
“I won’t delay your defense duties. We’ll take our leave now.”
Revered Qin cupped his hands and bid farewell.