In stark contrast to the warm and expectant atmosphere inside the main tent, the air in an inconspicuous tent at the corner of the camp was suffocatingly oppressive.
Zhao Qian sat cross-legged on a crude cot, her expression ugly as fine beads of cold sweat beaded across her forehead.
Time and again, she attempted to use her divine sense to communicate with the demonic soul hiding inside her, yet the depths of her sea of consciousness remained dead silent. Like a clay ox entering the sea, her calls elicited no response whatsoever.
“Damn it...” She snapped her eyes open, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. “It has to be those Demon-Cleansing Pills Su Yi has been sending over! With the medicine's potency yet to dissipate, Senior can't wake up at all!”
Malice surged in her chest. Glancing at the teacup on the small table beside her, an impulse of destruction rushed to her head, making her yearn to snatch it up and smash it to pieces!
Yet her hand froze halfway through the air.
Biting her lower lip fiercely, she recalled her humiliating experiences over the past few days—the moment she showed the slightest loss of control or hint of irritability, the disciples stationed outside, specifically instructed by Su Yi to “look after” her, would barge in expressionlessly and force-feed her yet another Demon-Cleansing Pill without a word!
No matter how she resisted, the onlookers simply assumed she was being influenced by demonic qi and forcibly helped her refine the medicinal power.
She was like a beast bound in chains, stripped even of the right to vent her rage.
In the end, utterly humiliated and aggrieved, she slowly lowered her hand, the stifling fury trapped in her chest with nowhere to go.
An intense mix of indignation and helplessness overwhelmed her. Raising her fists, she didn't strike out at her surroundings, but hammered them brutally, again and again, against her own thighs!
“Curse you... curse you, Su Yi! I clearly have no grievance with you...” Remembering the guards stationed outside, Zhao Qian could not even scream her curses aloud, able only to manage a helpless, tearful whimper.
...
Over the past few days, the collection of spirit sources had proceeded with miraculous efficiency. Guided by Su Yi's map—which might as well have been a cheat code—the disciples of the four great sects returned with full bounties at virtually no cost.
In the center of the camp, Ling Qingyu cast her cool gaze over the crowd, putting forth the soundest proposal: “We have gathered enough spirit sources. The urgent priority is to establish our foundations as soon as possible. We should head to the Foundation Establishment Spirit Platforms immediately and complete our Foundation Establishment first. Once our strength has stabilized, we can proceed with negotiations to exchange hostages with the demonic sects. That is the safest course of action.”
The Foundation Establishment Spirit Platforms were one of the core mechanics of the secret realm. Only by placing gathered spirit sources upon a platform could they be converted into the purest Foundation Establishment spiritual energy, tailored to a cultivator's own Dao foundation.
This was also one of the developers' restrictions on players: no matter how many spirit sources one hoarded, it was useless. The item only worked within the secret realm, making it impossible to endlessly farm spirit sources to sell to Qi Condensation disciples outside.
Ling Qingyu's proposal was met with immediate agreement from the majority of the disciples.
“Senior Sister Ling is right! The stronger we are, the more leverage we have in negotiations!”
“Exactly! Pestilence Manor and Demon Theft Nest have suffered heavy losses. If we finish our Foundation Establishment first, our advantage will be even greater! We can't let them beat us to it!”
Even Shi Yan stroked his chin and nodded. “That makes sense. Best to pocket the benefits first!”
Everyone's eyes turned toward Su Yi, waiting for his final decision.
Hearing this, Su Yi showed no surprise and nodded. “Establishing our foundations first is indeed the most reasonable choice at present.”
Then, changing the subject as if casually recalling some trivial matter, he asked, “By the way, how are those two fellows, Feng Zimo and Deng Nie, doing?”
A disciple responsible for guarding them immediately replied, “Reporting to Senior Brother Su, they're still tied up! Their spiritual power is thoroughly sealed, just waiting to be hauled out on the day of the hostage exchange!”
“Good,” Su Yi acknowledged, casually lowering his gaze.
Yet hidden from everyone's view, his mind had already connected to the UI interface only he could perceive. His fingertips rapidly scrolled and filtered through the faintly glowing store list.
Exchange hostages?
He had no intention of dutifully handing the captives back.
...
With their plans finalized, the commanders led the contingent forward.
The platforms were situated in a relatively open valley, consisting of four ancient stone altars inscribed with profound runes. Hovering slightly above the ground, the stone platforms radiated a gentle halo that pulled at the surrounding spirit sources.
As was common knowledge, the number of Foundation Establishment Spirit Platforms in the secret realm was limited; the four before them were all that could be found in this region.
After a brief discussion, the disciples quickly reached a consensus: the four strongest commanders—Su Yi, Ling Qingyu, Shi Yan, and Shang Shuyi—would be the first to undergo Foundation Establishment.
The remaining disciples would form a defensive formation on the perimeter to stand guard, strictly guarding against any potential harassment or sabotage from the demonic path.
Yet just as Ling Qingyu and the other two prepared to step onto the platforms, Su Yi suddenly spoke up, his calm voice taking everyone by surprise: “Wait. I'll yield my turn to establish Foundation Establishment for now. Pick someone who has performed exceptionally well among the remaining disciples to take my place.”
At these words, not only Ling Qingyu and the others, but even the disciples standing guard on the perimeter showed expressions of shock and bewilderment.
It was common knowledge that the earlier a Foundation Establishment Spirit Platform was activated to convert spirit sources, the purer the absorbed spiritual energy tended to be, providing greater benefits for establishing one's Dao foundation.
Su Yi was actually willing to hand such an opportunity over to someone else?
Hearing this, Ling Qingyu looked at him scrutinizingly with her ice-blue eyes. “Senior Brother Su, what do you mean by this? Could you be worried that the demonic commanders will attack?”
That was the only explanation she could think of. In truth, they were worried about it as well, but none of them was willing to surrender their prime opportunity for Foundation Establishment!
While this was theoretically beneficial to them, Shang Shuyi frowned slightly and said in a soft voice, “Young Manor Lord Su, the demonic sects are selfish. Even if their commanders were to come, seeing that some of us have already begun Foundation Establishment, they would most likely prioritize finding other platforms to establish their own foundations rather than taking a thankless risk to interfere with us. Stepping aside now may not be necessary.”
Su Yi shook his head, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness. “There is always a possibility. What if whoever comes happens to be someone who doesn't play by the rules? It's always best to keep an extra mobile force outside. Say no more—choose someone.”
Seeing his resolute attitude, Ling Qingyu and Shi Yan exchanged glances and pressed the matter no further.
Shi Yan scratched his head. “Brother Su is truly noble! Then let's pick an outstanding junior brother or sister!”
The crowd began murmuring in low voices, weighing suitable candidates.
Just then, someone called out loudly, “Commanders! We believe the junior sister from Divine Might Manor is worthy of this honor!”
He pointed toward Tantai Yunzhi, who stood quietly not far behind Su Yi.
“If this fellow daoist hadn't intervened back then to intercept that devil's shadow strike, we would have lost our lives long ago and never lasted until Fellow Daoist Shang gathered her spiritual power!”
The rogue cultivators still remembered how Feng Zimo had intended to take their lives, and how it was entirely thanks to Tantai Yunzhi's intervention that they were saved.
Taken aback by the sudden nomination, Tantai Yunzhi blinked in confusion, a hint of bewilderment and fluster in her clear eyes as she instinctively pointed to herself. “M-Me?”
Su Yi turned to look at her, showing no surprise, as if he had anticipated this all along. “That works out nicely. Yunzhi, step up. Seize the opportunity and solidify your Dao foundation.”
Tantai Yunzhi looked at Su Yi, recalling the spirit sources he had handed to her earlier, and realized that Su Yi had deliberately arranged for her to take the stage first.
‘Is Senior Brother Su paving the way for me again?’
Thinking this, Tantai Yunzhi did not refuse. Her past experiences had taught her that Su Yi would never take no for an answer.
Rate on N.U.
