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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 6: [Battle for the True Inheritance]
Chapter 17 (558): [Before Departure]
(17th of Volume 6)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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"I arrived a few days late and missed the most sensational meeting of the younger generation," Lu Jingchen said.
He continued, "Later, I visited the Rice Mother Tower's encampment near the Immortal Tomb. I didn't see her true form, but I sensed her immense cultivation, her Qi reaching the heavens. I know what you're suspecting, Brother Li. Based on her cultivation realm, she couldn't possibly be the person you're looking for."
Since Lu Jingchen had investigated Li Weiyi, he naturally knew that the Ancestor of the Jiang Clan in the Lingxiao Realm was none other than the former Hall Master of the Twin Rice Sect's Heaven Valley (Tianxia) Hall.
He would also be aware of Li Weiyi's close relationship with Jiang Ning.
With just a casual question, Li Weiyi's true intentions had been exposed.
The Lu brothers' personalities and temperaments were truly worlds apart.
Li Weiyi's eyes showed confusion as he asked, "The greatest conflict in this world is the struggle between life and death. For all Life Realms, the greatest threat is the Nether Realm of the Dead - a matter of survival, a blade constantly hanging over our heads."
"I'm curious. Since the Taiyin Sect serves the Nether Realm of the Dead, shouldn't they be the enemy of all Life Realms, and the most hated foe of the Human Race?"
"What gives Chu Yutian the audacity to appear openly in Dragon City?"
Lu Jingchen replied solemnly, "There are many Rumors, making it difficult to discern the truth. Currently, there are two plausible theories."
"The first theory suggests that the Rice Palace, having suffered consecutive failures with their previous two True Disciples, who were humiliated and disgraced, needed to make a statement with their third appointment. To restore their prestige, they chose Chu Yutian as their opponent, luring him to Dragon City under the guise of trading Dragon Soul Source Light, with the intention of assassinating him."
"But they failed!"
"The second theory posits that the Rice Palace's True Disciple, while trading Dragon Soul Source Light with Chu Yutian in Dragon City, was initially unaware of his true identity. However, they quickly deduced it, and within days, Chu Yutian's true appearance was exposed across all Life Realms, making it impossible for him to openly show his face again."
Lu Jingchen continued, "The full truth likely remains known only to those involved. However, the battle between the Rice Palace's True Disciple and Chu Yutian can be considered a draw, with each side suffering losses and securing gains."
"Chu Yutian undoubtedly obtained the Dragon Soul Source Light, but at the cost of revealing his true identity."
"The Rice Palace's True Disciple failed to kill Chu Yutian in Dragon City. Moreover, Chu Yutian, having obtained the Dragon Soul Source Light, will undoubtedly advance his cultivation significantly. Of course, given the Taiyin Sect's True Disciple's methods, acquiring Dragon Soul Source Light from elsewhere shouldn't be too difficult."
During the excavation of the Ancient Immortal Dragon Remains, many Immortal Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators had obtained Dragon Soul Source Light.
Li Weiyi himself had acquired a wisp after killing Yao Qian, making it even easier for someone of Chu Yutian's cultivation level to obtain it.
In Li Weiyi's view, the Rice Palace's True Disciple's greatest failure was his inability to kill Chu Yutian in Dragon City - assuming, of course, that the True Disciple truly possessed the resolve to do so.
After all, killing Chu Yutian would only bring temporary fame and reshape the Rice Palace's image, while the consequences would be entirely negative.
Suddenly, a thought flashed in Li Weiyi's mind.
Could the secret treasure Qin Zhengyang had sent be the reason Chu Yutian managed to escape Dragon City?
Lu Jingchen was clearly unaware of the secret transaction between Qin Zhengyang and the Rice Palace's True Disciple during the Lantern Festival.
This information had been relayed by a Sentinel Spirit Army expert infiltrating the Taiyin Sect and was classified as top secret.
...
At the fourth quarter of the Xu hour, two hours before midnight.
Li Weiyi drove his carriage away from the Heavenly Pavilion, heading toward the Demon Race's territory in Dragon City.
Having reached the Holy Spiritual Master Realm, his senses had been significantly enhanced, even without actively using Psychic Power.
With his eyes closed, he could perceive the pedestrians, Demon Beasts, vegetation, and buildings lining the surrounding streets, all vividly present in his mind.
Their conversations flowed into his ears like a tide, the rhythm of their breathing pushing the air, and even their gazes and emotions became palpable.
Instead of releasing Second Phoenix to search for Tang Wanzhou, Li Weiyi pulled out a map of the East Sea and studied it intently, lost in thought.
'There's a way to treat friends,' he mused, 'And a way to deal with enemies.'
If he had promised Lu Jingchen his loyalty, yet secretly betrayed him, placing him in mortal danger.
Who would ever trust Li Weiyi again?
That was one reason.
Secondly, the western coast of the East Sea, including parts of the sea itself, was shrouded in the darkness of the Nether Realm.
According to the map, the area was characterized by towering mountains, complex terrain, and dense, dark vegetation, making it a paradise for Malevolent Demons and Dead Spirits.
No one knew if Qin Zhengyang had brought any Fallen Spirit powerhouses with him.
If a confrontation occurred there, even if Tang Wanzhou managed to kill Qin Zhengyang, she would have no chance of escape.
The carriage entered the desolate outskirts of Dragon City, where the lights and human voices faded away, leaving only silence and the ancient ruins.
Massive stone pillars stood like a petrified forest, and dragon nests loomed like earthen hills.
"Swish! Swish..."
A dozen Demon Beasts materialized from the shadows, blocking Li Weiyi's path.
"Humans, this area is restricted. Beyond this point lies the core territory of the Demon Race."
Some had shrimp tails, others crab claws, and there were even eight-legged fish, all armed with spears and halberds, their expressions haughty.
"I'm here to see the Water Otter Immortal! Tell him it's Brother Ren," Li Weiyi's calm voice drifted from the carriage.
"You think you can just come in and demand an audience with the Immortal Crown Prince?"
"Brother Ren, Brother Dog, Brother Cat - whatever you call yourself, leave now, or we'll sever your head!"
Two shrimp demons brandished their spiritual artifact halberds, attempting to drive away the Dead Spirit Beasts pulling the carriage.
"How troublesome! Without showing my strength, I can't even take a single step."
Li Weiyi unleashed a burst of Spiritual Light, sending the two shrimp demons flying dozens of meters away.
The remaining beasts were forced back by the surging light waves emanating from the carriage.
The demons were terrified, realizing they had encountered a formidable opponent.
"Ren, you'll pay for this! If you've got the guts, don't run."
A pitch-black octopus, its eight tentacles churning through the air, darted down the city streets that sloped toward the sea. It plunged into the water and raced toward the newly constructed underwater jellyfish palace.
Moments later, the Water Beaver Immortal and the octopus arrived at breakneck speed, their eyes fixed on the carriage parked in the middle of the street.
"Is that Brother Ren?" the Water Beaver Immortal asked.
"I've come to fulfill my promise," Li Weiyi replied in his own voice.
Hearing this, the Water Beaver Immortal's heart surged with excitement.
He smacked the octopus's head with his tiny paw.
"You blind fools! That's Brother Ren! Even Crown Prince Ba and Her Highness the Princess - even they would treat him as an Honored Guest! Brother Ren, don't lower yourself to these petty squabbles. You're far too important for this. Come, come, let's move this inside. The water awaits!"
"I'm pressed for time," Li Weiyi said, "Let's just handle it here."
After the Water Beaver Immortal drove away all the Demon Beasts, he slipped into the carriage with a whoosh.
His gaze fell upon Li Weiyi, who was studying a map inside.
With utmost respect, he asked, "Yu'er... the Grand Palace Master isn't here, is she?"
"Do you really think you can meet the Grand Palace Master so easily?" Li Weiyi replied.
Li Weiyi glanced at the Water Beaver Immortal before extending a finger to extract the Death Fire from its body.
"Regret, ah! If only I'd known she was the Grand Palace Master..." the Water Beaver Immortal sighed, "My Founding Ancestor once traveled to Lingxiao City to pay respects to the Grand Palace Master. He stood at the foot of Phoenix Pavilion Mountain all night, only to be dismissed by a palace maid."
As the Water Beaver Immortal lamented, it suddenly sensed an extraordinary fluctuation of Spiritual Light emanating from Li Weiyi.
"Brother Ren, have you already become a Holy Spiritual Master?" it exclaimed in surprise.
"Knowing too much won't do you any good," Li Weiyi replied, "My presence in Dragon City must remain a secret."
"Understood."
The Water Beaver Immortal examined itself, confirming that the Death Fire had been completely purged.
Feeling lighter, it said with emotion, "Brother Ren, did you come all this way just to remove the Death Spirit Fire for me?"
"It was a simple matter," Li Weiyi replied.
"Now, go."
The Water Beaver Immortal lifted the carriage curtain, preparing to leave.
Touched by Li Weiyi's selfless act, it couldn't help but offer a word of concern: "Brother Ren, when you reach the Huang River, mention my name - it'll definitely work. Oh, and something big is about to happen on Dragon Island. You should leave immediately to avoid getting caught up in it!"
"What's the big news?" Li Weiyi asked.
The Water Beaver Immortal returned to the carriage, surprised: "You haven't heard? The Rice Palace has enlisted the Taiyin Sect's powerhouses to assassinate Zhuang Shiyan, the Transcendent overseeing Dragon Island for the Calamity Crossing Temple."
Li Weiyi looked up from the map, pondering for a moment.
"That's impossible! Where would the Rice Palace get the audacity to defy the entire world on such a life-and-death matter?"
"Where did you hear this?"
The Water Beaver Immortal plopped down opposite Li Weiyi.
"This has been the talk of the town for days. They say the Rice Palace wants to seize greater control of the East Sea and needs to eliminate the Calamity Crossing Temple's influence."
"Some even claim the Taiyin Sect has mobilized the Five Great Ghost Kings from the Seven Vengeful Plains, making this assassination a certainty. Haven't you noticed the entire Dragon Island is under lockdown? The atmosphere is incredibly tense."
"Whether it's true or not, the old guard of all the major powers have been alerted."
"You're the son-in-law of the Zuoqiu Sect, so you must be staying at the Calamity Crossing Temple's Dragon Island Daoist Temple, right? The clash of Transcendents is terrifying - you should leave immediately."
Li Weiyi didn't believe a word of it.
Even if the Rice Palace truly intended to use the Taiyin Sect to assassinate Zhuang Shiyan, such a secret could never have been leaked.
A thought struck Li Weiyi.
"How long ago did this news spread?" he asked.
"Two or three days ago," Water Beaver Immortal replied.
Li Weiyi pondered for a moment, then a smile spread across his face.
He was at least seventy percent certain that Tang Wanzhou had leaked this information.
The Cave Void (Dongxu) Camp had its weaknesses, but the Taiyin Sect's vulnerabilities were far greater.
Tang Wanzhou was leveraging the collective powers of the old powerhouses across Dragon Island to restrain Qin Zhengyang's potential allies, as well as any hidden Taiyin Sect and Fallen Spirit powerhouses from the older generation.
In the atmosphere she had created, any old powerhouse who dared show their face in the surrounding waters would likely meet a swift and ignominious end.
At that moment, Li Weiyi fully understood why she had boldly deduced that Qin Zhengyang and the Rice Palace's True Disciple would likely meet at the West Ferry.
First, the city was under strict lockdown, with the Taiyin Sect being rigorously hunted.
This forced Qin Zhengyang to avoid setting foot on the island entirely.
Second, the Rice Palace's True Disciple, fearing betrayal by the Taiyin Sect, wouldn't dare venture too far from Dragon Island.
Qin Zhengyang, equally wary of being double-crossed by the Rice Palace and dying mysteriously, would undoubtedly choose a crowded location near Dragon Island's coast.
This way, even if the Rice Palace resorted to treachery, the Taiyin Sect would know exactly who to seek revenge against, preventing the matter from becoming a murky, unresolved affair.
Thirdly, West Ferry was the closest point to the Nether Realm of the Dead, only two thousand li from the West Sea.
In case of trouble, they could retreat at maximum speed.
Qin Zhengyang would never suspect an assassination attempt, let alone that his movements had already been leaked.
Assassinating someone was easy; finding them was the challenge.
Li Weiyi speculated that these were the reasons Tang Wanzhou had chosen West Ferry as the location, anticipating the mutual distrust between the Rice Palace and the Taiyin Sect.
Tang Wanzhou undoubtedly had other arrangements in place. Her only concern now was likely that Qin Zhengyang might be frightened off!
Li Weiyi folded the map and turned to the Water Beaver Immortal.
"Is Your Highness the Princess on Dragon Island?"
"Yes! Her Highness has achieved Breakthrough to Immortal Realm and successfully completed her Transformation," the Water Beaver Immortal replied with a smile, "Would you like to see her true form?"
Li Weiyi shook his head gently. "Please deliver a message for me. Tell her that if anything happens at sea tonight, I hope Her Highness will repay her debt of gratitude. Also, let her know I don't have high hopes for this matter, but if she lends a hand, I will certainly reciprocate in the future."
He said this purely to add another layer of insurance against unpredictable dangers.
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END OF CHAPTER
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