Chapter 26: Disguising as Weak to Defeat the Strong

Chapter 26: Disguising as Weak to Defeat the Strong

“Brothers, up ahead is Broken Moon Canyon. The Cold Ginseng Grass is inside it.”

Within a canyon flanked by three massive peaks, Song Zhen, Yue Li, and Ye Yun, a group of eight in total, were crouching under a mossy rock at the canyon’s entrance. None dared to move recklessly. Song Zhen whispered cautiously, “The Cold Ginseng Grass has gained sentience. It seems it won’t be long before it takes human form. It’s incredibly precious. Unfortunately, spiritual treasures are usually claimed by great beasts. Not long ago, a Golden-Maned Beast was frequently seen coming and going. It’s possible the Golden-Maned Beast is its Guardian.”

“Golden-Maned Beast, a low-level Adult Stage beast, comparable to a Tenth Layer of Flesh Immortal powerhouse…” The group gasped in unison. An Adult Stage beast was the deadliest foe for a Flesh Immortal cultivator. Even a Tenth Layer Flesh Immortal powerhouse would only flee for their life upon encountering one.

A low-level Adult Stage beast began to possess high intelligence, unlike the foolish beasts of the Growth Stage. Not only were they immensely powerful and terrifying, but they also knew how to analyze situations, equivalent to the intelligence of a human child aged eight to ten. This level of intellect was already quite fearsome for humans.

Some low-level beasts not only had high intelligence but also understood cooperative combat. Take the three Geodrakes Ye Yun slew a few days prior. Although their intelligence wasn’t high, they knew how to cooperate. Any Flesh Immortal cultivator would face certain death, and even an Earth Immortal would find them difficult to handle.

Of course, Ye Yun was an exception. He cultivated the Ancient Times odd technique, the Indomitable Blood Body. Moreover, he possessed a Life Spirit Pearl left within his body by a Heavenly Immortal level powerhouse. If he unleashed the power of the Life Spirit Pearl, even an ordinary Earth Immortal powerhouse could not completely kill him.

“Now there’s only one way!”

Seeing everyone fall silent, Song Zhen wore an awkward expression. He pondered for a long while before speaking. “We need one brother to step up and act as bait. As long as we lure the Golden-Maned Beast out of the valley, we can enter and pluck the Cold Ginseng Grass the moment it leaves. Once we obtain the Cold Ginseng Grass and exit the canyon, we’ll deal with the Golden-Maned Beast together. With the combined strength of the eight of us, even if we can’t kill it, we should at least be able to seriously injure it.”

“The Golden-Maned Beast is terrifying, but compared to the Cold Ginseng Grass, it’s nothing. Besides, the Golden-Maned Beast is slow. As long as you don’t let it catch you, there’s no danger.” A bearded cultivator scanned the group, a strange light in his eyes.

“I agree with our brother’s reasoning. Taking risks for the Cold Ginseng Grass is nothing. Who knows, the canyon interior might be even more dangerous. I believe the brothers with higher cultivation levels should enter the canyon to seize the Cold Ginseng Grass. After all, no one knows what’s inside. If we encounter more powerful beasts, there’ll be no hope for survival.”

After the middle-aged man finished speaking, his gaze fell upon Ye Yun. “After much thought, I believe Little Brother Ye Yun is the most suitable to be responsible for luring away the Golden-Maned Beast. I have a few Mist-Dispersing Beads here. If you encounter danger, throw one, and it will immediately release a mist, allowing you to temporarily evade danger.”

“Mist-Dispersing Beads are treasures! Little Brother Ye, we can only trouble you for the sake of the Cold Ginseng Grass.” As everyone’s gaze turned uniformly towards Ye Yun, Song Zhen felt compelled to speak.

Facing their intense, expectant stares, Ye Yun felt the air grow heavy. If he refused, they might kill him on the spot. His mind raced, and he pretended to be hesitant. “But the Golden-Maned Beast is an Adult Stage creature, and I’m merely at the Fifth Layer: Qi Transformation…”

“Brother, entrusting this to you is both an honor and a sign of our trust in you!” The middle-aged man stared at Ye Yun like a hunter, his expression predatory.

“If we successfully obtain the Cold Ginseng Grass, the benefits go without saying. Nothing in the world comes without effort. You must take risks and make sacrifices to gain what you desire.”

“Besides, everyone will come out to deal with the Golden-Maned Beast. We only need you to hold it off for a while. I also have a few hidden weapons here, which I’ll leave to you as well. Don’t worry.”

For a moment, various faces and expressions presented themselves before Ye Yun. Numerous benefits, the tempting Cold Ginseng Grass… all of it was aimed directly at him.

“Let Brother Ye think it over carefully!”

A faint, cold light flickered in Song Zhen’s eyes as he exchanged subtle glances with several others, their thoughts seemingly in perfect alignment.

“Brother Ye, since everyone unanimously agrees it should be you, I have nothing more to say. That Golden-Maned Beast is truly dreadful. Although this journey is fraught with danger, perhaps Brother Ye’s fortune is high, and he can turn peril into safety?”

Yue Li, who had remained silent until now, looked at Ye Yun with a placid gaze. He spoke only these few words before falling silent again.

“Using me as cannon fodder?”

Ye Yun inwardly sneered with contempt. He thought to himself, “Do they take me for a fool? I’ve heard of the Golden-Maned Beast too. It’s extremely fast. An ordinary Ninth Layer Flesh Immortal cultivator would meet certain death upon encountering it. Even a Tenth Layer cultivator would only flee for their life. The Adult Stage and Growth Stage are completely different realms, as different as heaven and earth. Only a true Tenth Layer powerhouse could fight it.”

“All this high-sounding talk. They deserve to die. Probably the moment they get the Cold Ginseng Grass, they’ll vanish without a trace. Who would come back and risk their life to rescue me?”

Ye Yun considered carefully, as if savoring a jar of old wine. The Golden-Maned Beast was a fearsome opponent even for a Tenth Layer Flesh Immortal cultivator, let alone these Ninth and Eighth Layer cultivators. If they truly encountered the Golden-Maned Beast, there would be only one outcome: certain death.

“Fine. For the Cold Ginseng Grass, I’ll take the gamble.”

Ye Yun suddenly stood up, mustering his courage and declaring loudly.

“Good brother!” Everyone came forward to hug Ye Yun, acting extremely affectionate. An outsider wouldn’t know; they might think they were all truly close companions.

“The time is about right. Brother Ye, this journey is perilous. Be careful. If you truly encounter danger, just run for your life. Compared to your safety, that Cold Ginseng Grass isn’t worth a single coin.”

As Ye Yun was about to set off, Song Zhen offered concern and advice like an elder. He spoke a lot of words, all of them deceptive. Ye Yun was well aware but pretended not to understand, slowly making his way towards Broken Moon Canyon.

“Truly despicable and base. As a descendant of the prestigious Yue Family, how could I call such people brothers? It’s only a pity for Ye Yun…”

Watching Ye Yun’s receding figure, Yue Li sighed with regret but felt powerless. After all, he was only at the Seventh Level of Flesh Immortal cultivation. How could he be a match for Song Zhen, who was at the peak of the Ninth Layer?

“This kid really doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. He’s bound to die on this trip. Hopefully, he can hold out until we obtain the Cold Ginseng Grass. Brothers, get ready. The moment the Golden-Maned Beast leaves the canyon, we charge in.” Greed laced Song Zhen’s voice from within the dense forest, as if the Cold Ginseng Grass was already within his grasp.

“Golden-Maned Beast, low-level Adult Stage, hot-tempered, prefers to live in hot environments. Its entire body is covered in golden mane. It has a massive, robust build. Its greatest weapon is its mane, which can be strengthened and is nearly indestructible.”

Arriving at the entrance of Broken Moon Canyon, Ye Yun recalled memories of the Golden-Maned Beast. After careful analysis, he quietly infiltrated the canyon. Suddenly, he sensed a foul, fishy smell coming from the upper right.

Ye Yun looked up. On a rock several zhang high to the upper right stood a golden beast resembling a giant wolf. Its fiery, bright eyes were fixed intently on Ye Yun.

“As expected of an Adult Stage beast. Its perception is similar to a human’s. They want me to lure you away. Well, then, follow me!” Ye Yun gave a sharp wave towards the Golden-Maned Beast, then immediately turned and fled rapidly towards the canyon exit. His speed was not only fast but also nimble, like an agile hare.

Hisss…

The Golden-Maned Beast slowly opened its massive maw, emitting a horrifying breathing sound. It leaped high into the air, pouncing fiercely towards the direction Ye Yun had fled, like a hawk.

“It really took the bait! Let’s go!”

Song Zhen and the other six shot out from the grass, racing swiftly towards Broken Moon Canyon.

Crunch! Crunch!

The Golden-Maned Beast flew through the woods and grassy fields. As it passed, wild grass and trees snapped and shattered as if cut by machine gears. Its speed was like a thunderbolt.

From a distance, the massive Golden-Maned Beast appeared to be chasing the tiny Ye Yun as they moved rapidly through the forest and wilderness. However, compared to the Golden-Maned Beast’s astonishing speed, Ye Yun also displayed extraordinary swiftness. The Golden-Maned Beast couldn’t catch up, enraged and panting, gnashing its teeth, wishing it could tear Ye Yun to pieces.

“Let’s play with you first, and then…” Ye Yun already had a plan in mind.

Inside Broken Moon Canyon, giant rocks stood everywhere, and the air was heavy with humidity. The canyon was filled with all sorts of strange plants whose names were unknown, along with towering trees and massive vines. It seemed like a vast world of plants.

At the center of the canyon was a Cold Pool. Within that Cold Pool grew a small, jade-blue plant, about one foot tall. Its roots were submerged in the pool. It looked lively and vibrant, exuding an incredibly fresh aura. Even the plants growing around it were rich with Spiritual Qi.

Whoosh!

Seven figures landed beside the Cold Pool. Their gazes were completely captivated by the jade-blue plant in the pool. Just a whiff of its fragrance made everyone feel utterly refreshed and comfortable.

“Cold Ginseng Grass, truly a treasure of heaven and earth! With you, my breakthrough to the Tenth Layer of Flesh Immortal is within sight. Even becoming an Earth Immortal seems a faint hope now. Haha!”

Song Zhen gazed greedily at the Cold Ginseng Grass, seemingly forgetting the presence of the others, laughing wildly up at the sky.

“Brother Song, this item was discovered by all of us. It should be shared among everyone.” The other six men’s expressions changed instantly. The Eighth Layer bearded man directly voiced his doubt.

Boom!

Thud! The bearded man was sent flying, crashing heavily into a rock a zhang away. The rock instantly shattered into rubble. The bearded man’s face turned pale. He clutched his chest with both hands, wracked with pain as strange lights flickered there.

Song Zhen slowly withdrew his hands, his imposing aura pressuring the others. “If anyone dares to harbor thoughts of using the Cold Ginseng Grass for themselves, don’t blame me for being rude. Hmph.”

“You…”

Yue Li and the others had nothing to say. It wasn’t that they had nothing to say, but they didn’t dare speak. If they acted against Song Zhen’s wishes, their fate would be like the bearded man’s, or they might even be killed on the spot.