CHAPTER 419: CHAPTER 414 HUNTING DEMON CULTIVATORS? DEMON SECT CONSPIRACY!_1

The Insect External Incarnation was taken aback, looking towards Zhuo Chengdao. Lend out three Spiritual Treasures? Does the Lingbao Sect camp have such a rule? Lending treasures is easy, but getting them back is hard. Without my Spiritual Treasures, my combat ability will severely deteriorate. What if the person who borrows the Spiritual Treasures dies at the hands of Shimo Sect Demon Cultivators? Who would compensate for my loss? With a few manipulations, people in the camp could push the blame onto the deceased and even covet my Spiritual Treasures. The risk is too great; only a fool would lend them out.

Zhuo Chengdao’s expression turned ugly. He said coldly, "Senior Brother, I’ve never heard of such a rule. You’re making things unreasonably difficult for my Junior Brother."

The implication of Zhuo Chengdao’s words was clear: there had never been such a rule before. Who have I offended? Is someone secretly trying to trip me up? Deliberately making such an unreasonable demand? If I refuse, I won’t be able to move with the Lingbao Sect Cultivators and will be isolated and unsupported if I’m out here alone. But if I agree, that’s even better for them—exactly what they’re hoping for, an opportunity to scheme for the three Spiritual Treasures in my possession.

"Who exactly is troubling my Junior Brother?" Zhuo Chengdao’s tone carried a simmering anger, his fury threatening to boil over. Jia Ren is not only my Junior Brother; he also saved my life. Daring to plot against Jia Ren is like picking a fight with me.

"The one who made the request is Qi Shixiong. He wields the Lingbao’s Sun-Devouring Divine Hound Heart, so the camp has to follow his lead," the messenger replied, his tone also laced with dissatisfaction. After all, they were all fellow disciples who saw each other frequently; this was truly an ugly affair.

Qi Shixiong? I have adversaries within the Lingbao Sect too; both Wei Chi Gong and Breeze Senior Brother have issues with me. However, the Lingbao Sect rules forbid casual confrontations. They only tried to cause trouble when they first arrived at my Cave, but I was in seclusion and they were turned away at the door. Who is this Qi Shixiong?

Zhuo Chengdao looked at Jia Ren, seeming to notice his confusion. "Qi Shixiong is the ninth disciple of Wu Shishu. How did you incur his enmity?"

I’ve never even heard of this person. Could it be related to Wei Chi Gong and Breeze Senior Brother? There’s no hatred without a cause; thinking it over, that seems the most likely possibility. This Qi Shixiong wields the Lingbao’s Sun-Devouring Divine Hound Heart, the very source of the Lingbao Sect’s advantage here, making him arguably the most authoritative figure in the camp. If he’s trying to create obstacles for me, life in the camp will definitely be unpleasant. I joined the camp seeking stability, but now, entering the camp has become the biggest problem. At this point, I no longer have any desire to join the camp.

"Elder Brother Zhuo, this is where we part ways." The Insect External Incarnation didn’t hesitate and turned to leave. If I’m not welcome here, I’ll find somewhere else. It’s best to find a place to hide.

"Junior Brother, I’ll go with you! This place is filthy; it’s not worth staying!" Zhuo Chengdao declared, slapping his chest. "Junior Brother, we two brothers will eliminate demons and defend the righteous path!" He quickly strode after the Insect External Incarnation.

The Insect External Incarnation was slightly startled. "Senior Brother, you don’t have to do this. Following me will only bring you harm, no good at all." I want to find a place to hide, not drag along... a burden.

The Insect External Incarnation said helplessly, "Elder Brother Zhuo, this is my affair. I don’t want to involve you. Following me will only increase the danger for you!" And if you follow me, I’ll be in more danger too.

Zhuo Chengdao burst into hearty laughter, patting the Insect External Incarnation’s shoulder. "Junior Brother, what kind of person do you take me for? Am I, Zhuo Chengdao, someone who fears death and clings to life?! Besides, the contributions and rewards from following the camp are too meager. I joined the sect war to seek a windfall! With us two brothers joining forces, this is our chance to strike it rich!" Eagerness filled Zhuo Chengdao’s eyes. He had come here seeking adventure and fortune to rapidly increase his strength.

He had considered hunting alone, but unfortunately, one person couldn’t quickly kill a Shimo Sect Demon Cultivator. If delayed by an opponent, more Shimo Sect Demon Cultivators would arrive. Alone and outnumbered, he would surely be besieged and killed. But things were different with Jia Ren. For one, the Bewildering Spirit Bead alone would be a great help. As long as Jia Ren concealed their auras, they could advance or retreat as they pleased. They could silently approach Demon Cultivators and ambush them. With two of them launching a surprise attack, an organized effort against an unprepared enemy, the Shimo Sect Demon Cultivators would struggle to resist. Even if they couldn’t kill their target quickly, they could use the opportunity to flee thousands of miles away. With the Bewildering Spirit Bead, it would be difficult for enemies to track them; as long as they ran fast enough, escape wouldn’t be a problem. If not for this, Zhuo Chengdao wouldn’t have thought of challenging a true disciple of the Shimo Sect’s Demonic Path.

"Senior Brother, you’d be safer in the camp. Just by killing Demon Cultivators in the Heiyuan Secret Realm, the rewards are substantial. Why take the risk?" Jia Ren said, trying to dissuade him. He just wanted to find a safe place to lie low. Hunting outside is always prone to mistakes. I don’t want to put myself in danger. If Elder Brother Zhuo stays in the camp, I’ll also have a source of information and know when the war ends so I can withdraw in time.

"Hehe, Junior Brother Jia, don’t worry! How could I drag you to your death?" Zhuo Chengdao said. "I have my ways! Aren’t you cultivating the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art? Once you truly cultivate this Divine Art, you’ll realize how much money it burns. This is a good opportunity for us." Zhuo Chengdao stuck to him like a persistent leech.

The Insect External Incarnation couldn’t find a suitable excuse to refuse and felt incredibly weary. This guy is really troublesome, isn’t he?

"I can team up with you, Senior Brother, on three conditions. First, we only attack lone Shimo Sect cultivators. If there are two or more Demon Cultivators, we absolutely do not engage. Second, if we encounter a difficult opponent that we can’t defeat quickly, we must abandon the target and retreat immediately. Third, if our opinions differ, you must listen to me. If you agree to these, Senior Brother, we can cooperate."

Attacking lone Demon Cultivators with a surprise attack seemed like a surefire win. The third condition was the most important. I will only act if I judge the chance of success to be over ninety-nine percent. My judgment differs greatly from Elder Brother Zhuo’s. If we can’t agree, problems will arise. If things become uncontrollable, it’s better not to cooperate at all.

Zhuo Chengdao didn’t seem to mind much and readily nodded with a smile. "As long as you’ll go kill Demon Cultivators with me, Junior Brother, I’ll follow your orders." Jia Ren saved my life; these minor issues don’t bother me.

Since it had come to this, the Insect External Incarnation didn’t refuse further. The two of them set off on their Demon Cultivator hunting journey.

"Bewilderment!" The Bewildering Spirit Bead emitted a faint purple glow, enveloping both him and Elder Brother Zhuo. If an outsider were to scan the area with their divine sense, they would surely think it was empty. Combined with their breath concealment and stealth techniques, the two of them were practically invisible.

"Finding them is up to you, Senior Brother!"

"Heart’s Perception!" With a thought, Zhuo Chengdao activated his unique mind-sensing Divine Skill. It could sense the ’heart’ auras within a certain range, allowing him to determine the targets’ locations and strengths. "No Demon Cultivators within a hundred miles. Let’s keep moving."

The Insect External Incarnation watched in amazement. "Is this a mind-sensing Divine Skill?" Heavenly Vision is a Pupil Skill Divine Ability, more for reconnaissance; it’s not as good at sensing enemies as a mind-sensing technique. Mind-sensing Divine Skills are relatively rare. Telepathy is also a mind-sensing Divine Skill. Is this a Lingbao Sect Divine Skill? The detection effect is quite good. After returning to the sect, I should consider exchanging for this Divine Skill.

Zhuo Chengdao nodded, not hiding anything. "This isn’t a sect Divine Skill but a family heirloom. Both Heart’s Perception and Heart Sword are."

What a pity... Jia Ren felt a pang of regret. He wanted to ask if the Divine Skill could be exchanged but found it hard to bring up. After all, it’s his family’s Divine Skill and cannot be casually taught. Families and sects always guard their techniques closely; how could they let outsiders learn their family’s Divine Skills? If Zhuo Chengdao’s family found out, he would surely be punished upon his return.

"Junior Brother Jia, are you interested in this Divine Skill?" Zhuo Chengdao asked. "As long as we team up and kill some Demon Cultivators, just give me one Spiritual Treasure for it. What do you say, Junior Brother?"

"Senior Brother, this is your family’s..." Jia Ren began, but Zhuo Chengdao cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Hehe, I am the family head. The Zhuo Family... only has me left," Zhuo Chengdao’s voice was low, tinged with a deep, unforgettable hatred. If he hadn’t entered the Lingbao Sect in his early years, he would never have escaped that calamity. From family members with Spiritual Root aptitude down to ordinary relatives related by blood, not a single one had escaped the massacre. Moreover, Zhuo Chengdao didn’t dare leave the sect casually. The moment he left, his enemies wouldn’t hesitate to exterminate the last of the Zhuo bloodline. He chose the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art over Sword Dao Divine Skills to raise his cultivation level and realm as quickly as possible. Only with sufficient strength could he avenge his family.

"This is the Heart’s Perception Divine Skill!" Zhuo Chengdao casually tossed a Jade Slip over. It had no restrictions. His willingness to share it, without concern for it being spread, showed his complete trust.

"Then I won’t be polite," the Insect External Incarnation sighed inwardly and accepted the Jade Slip. "This is a poison vial I made. It contains Mixed Poison. You can throw it if you encounter danger."

Zhuo Chengdao didn’t refuse and pocketed the vial of Mixed Poison.

The two set off again, with Zhuo Chengdao using his Heart’s Perception for reconnaissance. After traveling several hundred miles, Zhuo Chengdao’s eyes lit up. "Found a target. Southeast, a hundred miles away. Two Demon Cultivators."

"Let’s find another target," Jia Ren said immediately. Their ambushes prioritized safety; they wouldn’t act without absolute certainty.

Zhuo Chengdao looked regretful but said nothing more. He soon realized how correct Jia Ren’s caution was. A hundred miles away, more than a dozen Demon Cultivators had activated a sound-dampening formation and were discussing something secretly. If a battle broke out, the Shimo Sect Demon Cultivators would detect it instantly. Nascent Soul Cultivators had incredible escape speed and could provide support very quickly. If they attacked rashly and couldn’t kill their targets quickly, they would be bogged down by the enemy and then besieged by over a dozen Demon Cultivators. The slightest misstep would spell disaster for them both.

"Let’s find another target." The Insect External Incarnation was about to move away when he saw Zhuo Chengdao’s expression turn grave. The sound-dampening crystal couldn’t block his eavesdropping. He listened quietly, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"This is bad!" Zhuo Chengdao exclaimed. "Someone from the Lingbao Sect has been controlled by the Shimo Sect’s Dao Heart Seed Demon Divine Art! They’re planning to assassinate Qi Shixiong and corrupt the Lingbao’s Sun-Devouring Divine Hound Heart! The Shimo Sect Demon Cultivators will use the chaos to annihilate all Lingbao Sect Cultivators in the Heiyuan Secret Realm in one fell swoop!"