Time passed quickly. By mid-January, the bitter chill of winter had begun to fade—but within the Chen Clan, little had changed.

“Clan Leader, just a few more days and the Blood Rice will be ready for harvest!”

“Good. Make sure the clan members keep strict watch over the fields.”

Inside the ancestral hall, Chen Xingzhen had just finished praying to the Divine Tree when he received the news. He gave his instructions without hesitation, then lifted his eyes once more to the towering tree before him.

Was it just his imagination? Since the Grand Offering Ceremony, the Divine Tree seemed healthier, more vibrant.

Even during daylight, its locust-like leaves appeared wrapped in a faint radiance. The sunlight was too blinding to see clearly, but the tree's expanding size was unmistakable.

Once, the ancestral hall had been spacious enough to accommodate dozens of clan members. But at this rate, it would soon become too cramped. Renovation was inevitable.

The rest of the clan compound needed repairs as well. Fortunately, being so close to Chaotic Burial Mountain meant there was no shortage of building materials. Some clan members had even mentioned a unique wall-building technique used in Yong’an City. It might be worth learning when the time came.

Chen Xingzhen lowered his gaze and made his way back toward the fields.

These next few days were critical. Once the Blood Rice was harvested, the Zhou Clan would surely make their move.

...

“Cousin, everything has been quiet these past days. No changes of note. However, the Chen Clan members have been visiting the fields more frequently. I suspect they’re still searching for an antidote.”

Listening to the report, Shi Pojing nodded slightly. If their timing held true, the Zhou Clan’s Wind-Chasing Falcon would likely set out within the next few days.

“What of the people the Chen Clan sent out? Did they find anything?”

“They returned yesterday. Under our surveillance, they found nothing. They don’t even know the name of the poison.”

“Good.”

A trace of smug satisfaction surfaced on Shi Pojing’s face. The Chen Clan was far too naïve to think they could find a cure in Yong’an City.

But just as that thought took root, a flicker of doubt passed through his mind.

Though their clan had acted from the shadows, the Chen Clan wasn’t foolish. They would’ve guessed that the Shi Clan was behind this, even if they had no concrete proof. And if that were the case, why send people into a city that the Shi Clan effectively controlled?

Almost a month had passed. The Chen Clan had neither abandoned the Blood Rice fields nor made any significant move. In fact, they had even withdrawn their agents from Yong’an City.

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.

Something wasn’t right. There was a hidden layer to all this, something he hadn’t yet uncovered.

He couldn’t allow this plan to fail.

With the Zhou Clan yet to arrive, there was still time to adjust. If any mistake had been made, he could still correct it. He had to inspect the Chen Clan’s situation personally.

Without delay, Shi Pojing summoned a group of clansmen and set off for Chaotic Burial Mountain.

...

By the time they arrived, three days had already passed.

Shi Pojing’s face turned dark as he saw Chen Clan members busily harvesting Blood Rice.

He had braced himself for this outcome before setting out—the worst-case scenario: that the Chen Clan had somehow neutralized the Red Lady’s poison.

That would explain their calm demeanor and lack of reaction. There were still a few days before the Zhou Clan’s people would arrive. He could pivot to a new strategy.

But what he hadn’t accounted for was the distance between Yong’an City and Chaotic Burial Mountain. Even at their swiftest pace, the journey had cost them three days.

And they were too late. The harvest had already begun.

Beside him, Shi Chengyu and another elder stood frozen, disbelief written across their faces.

“This can’t be right. The last time I scouted the area, I saw that all the Blood Rice had been pulled out.”

“I’m certain of it. I saw the same with my own eyes.”

“But now that I think back, the fields I saw were divided by walls. The area I checked wasn’t very large.”

As he listened, Shi Pojing’s expression turned grim. It became clear in that moment—they had been deceived.

“Clan brother, should we charge in now and destroy the Blood Rice?” someone suggested.

“Hmph. And announce to the world that we’re behind this? Absolutely not.”

“Then what should we do?”

Shi Pojing fell silent, a dark light flickering in his eyes.

“We strike tonight. Before the Zhou Clan arrives, that batch of Blood Rice must be destroyed.”

“But if we act so openly, won’t the Chen Clan just tell the Zhou Clan everything?”

“Heh. Great clans care only about results. Who bothers with the details in between? If the Blood Rice is gone, no matter how many excuses the Chen Clan offers, they’ll have no way to justify its loss.”

“Only by destroying the Blood Rice can our clan make a move against them. Only then can we claim the Earth-rank battle technique. This must not fail.”

“Elders Yu and Hou, I’ll be counting on you both tonight.”

Shi Pojing bowed respectfully.

“We were too careless earlier. We should’ve inspected the fields more thoroughly.”

“The Chen Clan is cunning, this isn’t your fault,” Shi Pojing said. “With your strength, no one in the Chen Clan can stop you. Don’t bother with their martial cultivators—just locate where the Blood Rice is stored and drop this in.”

He raised a hand and revealed a small object.

It was a beetle—crimson in color, with a thick, armored shell. The creature lay still, as though in deep slumber.

The two elders looked on in surprise.

“A Fire-Armored Beetle.”

“Indeed.”

It was a rare type of insect. Once awakened, it could only live for half an hour. But during that time, everything it touched would ignite—its flames nearly impossible to extinguish.

It wasn’t especially effective against martial cultivators due to its slow speed, but against stockpiles of Blood Rice, it was the perfect weapon.

“Excellent. With this, the task becomes much simpler.”

As dusk settled over the mountains, the two elders disguised themselves in black robes and covered their faces to avoid identification.

Shi Pojing had not sent anyone else. For this kind of mission, fewer was better. The fewer who knew, the cleaner the operation. They had already confirmed the storage location of the Blood Rice—several warehouses near the Chen Clan’s ancestral hall.

Just before they departed, Shi Pojing spoke once more.

“Elders, the Chen Clan’s cultivators are of little concern. But be wary of their Divine Tree.”

“Do not worry,” one of the elders said. “Though they have their totem, we carry the clan’s Divine Stones.”

Shi Pojing felt reassured. Unlike the low-tier stones carried by ordinary clansmen, the ones wielded by Innate Realm elders held far more divine power.

“There’s no time to lose. We’ll be on our way.”

“Safe travels. I’ll remain here and be ready to respond as needed.”

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