CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 182: MASTERMIND BEHIND THE SCENES (SECOND UPDATE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE)

The sword duel was over, but its impact continued.

If the first two sword duels were merely appetizers, insignificant;

then the third duel was truly spectacular.

Of course, it was not interesting at all, not enjoyable to watch.

The duel between the Wu Family Clan Leader and the Lu Family Clan Leader was decided in one move, just a single exchange of blows.

The entire battle process was neither spectacular nor enjoyable, unlike the two previous captivating duels, which left many lower-level cultivators watching disappointed;

but insiders saw much more.

Particularly impressive was the Lu Family Clan Leader, who directly activated his incarnation on the platform to defeat his opponent, showcasing his formidable and invincible strength.

After the discussion, speculation arose on how strong the Lu Family Clan Leader truly was.

As for the bet of the sword duel, the mine seemed insignificant.

...

Inside the secret chamber of the Wu Family.

After the sword duel, the Wu Family Clan Leader entered the secret chamber to begin seclusion for healing.

As for the outside matters, they were entrusted to the Grand Elder, Second Elder, and others.

"Senior, I have failed!"

Inside the secret chamber, the Wu Family Clan Leader spoke dejectedly.

In another corner of the chamber stood a man in black, shrouded in darkness, his true appearance obscured like a ghost. He spoke, asking, "Describe the sword duel experience in detail? Every situation on the platform needs to be explained clearly."

The Wu Family Clan Leader began to recount the specifics of the sword duel, elaborating on the details.

The man in black persistently inquired, repeating his questions tirelessly, missing no detail.

"Senior, did he use the Supreme Divine Technique [One Qi Transforms Three Pristine Ones]?"

The Wu Family Clan Leader asked.

"No!" the man in black said, "The [One Qi Transforms Three Pristine Ones] is a supreme divine technique of the Daoist sects, requiring not only exceptional insight to cultivate but also the Taiqing Qi, Upper Pure Qi, and Yuqing Qi, which must be continuously refined to form a supreme divine technique."

"But there was no Three Pristine Qi on him!"

The Wu Family Clan Leader asked, "Was it the Buddhist Sect’s [Shadow Incarnation Technique] or the Demon Sect’s [Myriad Transformations Demon Technique]?"

"Neither!" the man in black replied with a voice cold and indistinguishable in gender, "The core of the [Shadow Incarnation Technique] is to refine shadows into incarnations. A keen observer would notice the shadow disappearing. But I observed, and his shadow remained, it did not disappear!"

"Cultivating [Myriad Transformations Demon Technique] would certainly cloak him in dense demonic Qi, but there was no demonic Qi on him!"

"However, he must have cultivated a top-notch incarnation technique. The only uncertainty is the limits of this technique and the resources it consumes!"

"The [One Qi Transforms Three Pristine Ones] is known as the foremost incarnation technique. Even at the pinnacle of Harmonization, it’s never outdated, with extremely high limits. Conversely, the resource cost is massive, requiring the use of [Three Pristine Qi] for refinement."

"In lower realms, the cost of [Three Pristine Qi] is minimal; but at advanced realms, the cost is nearly astronomical. Many Daoist Cultivators start with [One Qi Transforms Three Pristine Ones], but due to lack of resources later on, they ultimately choose to abandon it."

"The [Shadow Incarnation Technique] requires fewer resources, but its limits are low, and in later stages, the [Shadow Incarnation] might only have the strength of five layers or even three layers of the true body, making it rather dispensable!"

The man in black spoke casually, seemingly calm, able to see through everything.

Yet, his clenched fist revealed his inner unease.

The Wu Family Clan Leader said, "The Lu Family has two Purple Mansion Cultivators: one is the Grand Elder, the other is Lu Xuanji. The former has exhausted his potential and is of little threat, but the latter has forged an Upper Grade Purple Mansion, making him a Golden Core Seed in the future. If he grows, it would be terrifying. Initially, I provoked Lu Xuanji, enraging him into a sword duel. During the duel, I ’pretended to lose’ and used a Forbidden Artifact to kill Lu Xuanji. This would eliminate a future enemy for the Wu Family and provide some explanation to you, Senior.

"As for the aftermath, regarding the anger and punishment from the Golden Core Ancestor, I have already thought of a plan."

"After ’pretending to lose’ and killing Lu Xuanji, I would choose to commit suicide, offering my apology to the Golden Core Ancestor to appease his anger."

"For an old and mediocre self to exchange for the death of a prodigy, it seems like a worthwhile trade. However, to your disappointment, Senior, he used his incarnation... using the Forbidden Artifact, it was not worth it!"

As he spoke, he took out a flying sword from the storage bag and placed it on the table.

"It’s not your fault. Who could have predicted Lu Xuanji has such means?" the man in black said, "However, using this opportunity to probe Lu Xuanji’s trump card is not totally a loss!"

...

In Zhao Family Village, at a mountain pass, cultivators were investigating the vein, searching for something.

Lu Family cultivators had taken over this vein, preparing for mining.

In a tent, Lu Xuanji gracefully lifted a teapot, pouring tea into a cup.

Respectfully, he held up the cup and handed it over.

Liu Ruming took the cup, blew on the tea leaves, and took a slight sip, saying, "The Wu Family Clan Leader harbors killing intent towards you? Why not just eliminate him! In a sword duel, life and death are one’s own responsibility!"

Lu Xuanji said, "If I were just a loose cultivator, a lone person, I would naturally have no hesitation to directly eliminate Wu Wenming; but as the Lu Family Clan Leader, burdened with many, I have concerns and naturally cannot kill the Wu Family Clan Leader. However, the grudge is formed."

"The Wu Family will inevitably be destroyed in the future!"

Liu Ruming said, "You acted too rashly, such a trump card should not be exposed too early, or the enemy will target you!"

"Now, am I not already being targeted?"

Lu Xuanji said, "This vein has some value, but it’s not worth a full-scale war between the Lu and Wu families. Someone is using the Wu Family to test the Lu Family? Major figures won’t step in lightly; they will only send pawns to keep testing and provoking us."

"The tree that stands out in the forest is blown down by the wind. When you become outstanding, there will inevitably be countless jealous, slandering, and wanting to stifle you!" Liu Ruming said, "This world is too small, the resources too scarce, no one wants a Golden Core Cultivator to rise. Although Chu Country is large, there are no more than fifty Golden Core Cultivators."

"As for why some cultivators cannot prove the Golden Core, is it because they lack aptitude or understanding? Absolutely not! Seven layers of Golden Core Seeds were killed halfway. For some resources, many cultivators are fiercely competitive."

"Those Golden Core Ancestors, wary of the master, won’t act against you directly, but they can use some small pawns to take dark actions against you. You might be a prodigious genius, defying the heavens, but a dead genius is nothing. Even in the end, if the master avenges you, what’s the point."

Lu Xuanji said, "I’ll be careful!"

"It’s not enough, still not enough!" Liu Ruming said, "Those people are sinister, impossible to guard against!"

"As long as it’s not the Golden Core Ancestor making a move, I have nothing to fear!"

Lu Xuanji said excitedly, "Even if I’m not a match, I can retreat safely. They want to kill me to eliminate a future threat, but don’t I also want to take this opportunity to eliminate them and seize resources? The Lu Family also needs money, it’s best to kill certain people, and grab some resources."

...

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