CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 229: CALCULATION AMONG BROTHERS, THE ILLUSION OF A COLLAPSING DYNASTY_2

He was nothing but my stepping stone.

They’re all a bunch of obstinate old fools, timid and afraid of responsibility. How can they achieve anything great with such attitudes?

Qin Tian sneered inwardly.

Every single one of them actually wants to distance themselves from this.

At this rate, I’ll be waiting until hell freezes over.

"Xiao Tian..."

"Mr. Shan, I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first." This time, Qin Tian didn’t wait for Qin Shan to finish and interrupted. With that, he offered a respectful bow and slowly backed away.

Watching Qin Tian’s retreating figure, Qin Shan remained silent.

He had already said all that needed to be said; what Qin Tian would do next was beyond his control.

"Mr. Shan, thank you so much for this time."

Shortly after Qin Tian left, a voice came from the rear of the secret chamber.

Simultaneously, a figure stepped out.

This person’s face was almost identical to Qin Tian’s, but he was clearly more mature, and his expression wasn’t as aloof and arrogant.

"It’s nothing."

Upon seeing this person, Qin Shan’s expression noticeably improved.

"This is no small matter. Without Uncle Shan, how could I have obtained such a top-tier Genius Spirit Seed?"

The person shook his head repeatedly, his face filled with solemnity and respect.

"Xiao Hao, I didn’t do anything. I don’t want to get involved in matters between you brothers; this has nothing to do with me." Qin Shan seemed somewhat apprehensive, a note of caution in his voice.

The person before him was Qin Tian’s twin brother, Qin Hao.

"I understand. I, Qin Hao, will remember this kindness in my heart," Qin Hao said with a smile.

Although the two men bore a striking resemblance, their conduct and demeanor were entirely different.

In reality, Qin Shan hadn’t initially planned to help Qin Tian.

After all, if the matter came to light, it would undoubtedly offend an Elder of the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land, and the potential losses would far outweigh any gain.

Compared to Qin Tian, he naturally favored the mature and composed Qin Hao.

He had already sided with Qin Hao.

He favored Qin Hao to become the leader of their lineage.

However, he couldn’t openly intervene in the conflict between the two.

This time, it was Qin Hao who had instructed him to provide Qin Tian with analysis and assistance.

"Mr. Shan, I shall take my leave then. I will visit you again next time." Qin Hao bowed slightly, his demeanor exceptionally polite. After speaking, he straightened up and smiled as he departed.

This lad...

Looking at Qin Hao’s departing figure, a complex look appeared in Qin Shan’s eyes.

Qin Hao also coveted Wen Zhixing’s top-tier Genius Spirit Seed, but he didn’t want to offend the Elder of the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land.

Thus, he chose to hide behind his brother.

Once the deed was done, all the blame would fall on Qin Tian.

And Qin Hao would merely sit back and reap the rewards.

Xiao Tian, don’t say your brother doesn’t care for you. I’ll have a Genius Spirit Seed ready for you. A one-for-one exchange, you won’t lose out. Qin Hao’s lips curved into a slight smile.

With Qin Tian as my scapegoat, everything will be foolproof.

As for the Genius Spirit Seed, I can’t give him one that’s too poor either. After all, if Qin Tian’s aptitude is lacking, how could he shoulder the blame for me?

Meanwhile, within the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land.

Wen Zhixing walked out of his cave dwelling alone, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Having released his Yang Qi, his mental state was completely different.

Sometimes, one shouldn’t be too repressed; when it’s time to release, one must release.

Lianxin, still under the influence of the previous illusionary enchantment, was currently in a deep slumber and probably wouldn’t awaken anytime soon.

The Ghostly Cunning Spirit had merged with his shadow, following his every move.

He now urgently needed to gather some sustenance for the Ghostly Cunning Spirit.

Wen Zhixing had no intention of leaving the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land.

How should I put this? With Elder Nangong’s protection, staying within the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land is safer. Even if others truly intend to harm me, they likely wouldn’t dare to act within the Holy Land.

"Junior Brother Wen."

Just as he stepped out of his cave dwelling, a voice called from the void ahead.

The arrival was Tan Yuanshan, the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land disciple who had brought Wen Zhixing here the previous day.

"Senior Brother Tan, apologies for troubling you to make another trip," Wen Zhixing said, hurrying forward to greet him.

He had already contacted Tan Yuanshan via message earlier.

Wen Zhixing had initially only wanted to inquire if the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land had any place similar to the Devil Sealing Cave.

I never expected such a place to actually exist! It simply wasn’t called the Devil Sealing Cave here; instead, it was known as the Demonic Ruins.

Disciples of the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land often entered it for training and experience.

Moreover, Tan Yuanshan had eagerly volunteered to accompany Wen Zhixing.

Unable to refuse, Wen Zhixing could only acquiesce.

"Hahaha, not at all! Even if Junior Brother Wen hadn’t mentioned it, I was planning to show you around," Tan Yuanshan laughed heartily, his manner very courteous.

This Tan Yuanshan was not a direct disciple of Elder Nangong; rather, he could be considered an in-name disciple. His appearance, physique, and even his aptitude were all merely average.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. But may I ask where this Demonic Ruins is located?" Wen Zhixing cupped his hands.

He did not look down on Tan Yuanshan; for someone with such average attributes to be accepted as an in-name disciple also indicated he was extraordinary in some way.

"Junior Brother Wen, just follow me," Tan Yuanshan smiled again.

As he spoke, the Spiritual Qi around him surged, and he moved diagonally downwards.

Wen Zhixing saw this and quickly followed.

The two chatted as they walked.

"Senior Brother Tan, may I ask how long the Hundred Tribulations Holy Land has been in existence?" Wen Zhixing asked humbly, seeking knowledge.

There were many things he still didn’t understand.

Tan Yuanshan replied with a smile, "I’m not entirely sure myself, but it should be at least several thousand years, perhaps even longer."

Wen Zhixing was momentarily surprised. "Several thousand years... that long. Isn’t that longer than the Da Zhou Dynasty has existed?"

"Junior Brother Wen, what are you talking about?" Tan Yuanshan asked, looking at Wen Zhixing with puzzlement. He then shook his head and explained, "The Da Zhou Dynasty has existed for at least tens of thousands of years now."

Tens of thousands of years? How could that be?

Wen Zhixing’s breath hitched.

He still remembered Si Nanyan telling him that over five hundred years ago, Da Zhou was a desolate wasteland, overrun by malevolent spirits and demons. It was the Great Zhou Emperor who carved out a new home for the human race. But just over a hundred years ago, the dynasty collapsed...

"Pfft," Tan Yuanshan couldn’t help but chuckle. "Junior Brother Wen, where did you hear such baseless rumors?"

"Er..." Wen Zhixing looked slightly embarrassed, scratching his head. "An elder from Youzhou told me."

"An elder from Youzhou... I see. In that case, it’s not entirely incorrect," Tan Yuanshan said, realization dawning on him.

He then began to explain slowly, "Initially, the Da Zhou Dynasty only comprised the territory of Zhongzhou."

"Only Zhongzhou?" Wen Zhixing exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, Youzhou was the last territory developed by Da Zhou," Tan Yuanshan continued, quickly clarifying the cause and effect.

Initially, Zhongzhou too was a savage, untamed land.

Through the efforts of the first Human Emperor, the Da Zhou Dynasty was formally established.

Subsequently, they began to expand their territory outwards, step by step, eventually reaching Youzhou.

The various states were separated by vast seas.

The seas were fraught with danger and shrouded in an unknown black fog.

This black fog was also the source of the demonic scourges that plagued the various lands.

The Da Zhou Dynasty expended immense effort to dispel the black fog in each state.

However, even after being dispelled, the black fog would still drift in again from the sea.

Youzhou, however, was excessively remote, and its resources were particularly scarce.

Naturally, powerful cultivators were unwilling to be stationed there, as it was almost equivalent to being exiled to a remote frontier.

Expending significant wealth, resources, and manpower for a minor territory like Youzhou was clearly not worth the cost.

Consequently, Youzhou was gradually semi-abandoned, largely left to fend for itself.

As long as it wasn’t utterly destroyed, it was considered acceptable.

This is what led to the misconception that the Da Zhou Dynasty had collapsed.

The information received by the people of Youzhou was thus naturally skewed.

Were it not for occasional visits from cultivators from other states, information in Youzhou would be even more restricted.

So that’s how it is.

Wen Zhixing finally understood.

It turned out the information he had previously received was entirely false. Or rather, it was merely a fraction of the truth. Back then, his perspective had truly been limited, like a single leaf blocking his view of the entire forest.

"Junior Brother Wen, we’ve arrived at the Demonic Ruins. We can discuss other matters later."

At that moment, the two of them had just arrived before the Demonic Ruins.