Chapter 561 - 392: Di Yuanpu’s Stratagem
Once a Cultivator reached the Divinity Transformation realm, they generally no longer involved themselves in day-to-day affairs. For a Cultivator of this level, their very existence was their greatest contribution to the sect. So long as they lived, the sect would not fall. Thus, whether the sect expanded east or west, a Divinity Transformation Cultivator would not intervene.
However, the current Yue’e Ancestor did not enjoy such a luxury. She had to personally set the strategy for the campaign against Awakening Lion Valley; otherwise, she would not be able to command the group of Nascent Soul Cultivators under her.
The Nascent Soul Cultivators who had been willing to migrate with her were, on the whole, quite loyal. Yet, every Nascent Soul Cultivator was a master of their own domain, representing the interests of tens of thousands of other Cultivators. They were bound to compete for resources. Without Yue’e Ancestor to mediate, these Nascent Soul Cultivators would likely have come to blows over their own interests.
Yue’e looked at Di Yuanpu, her assessment of him surfacing in her mind. ’As a Mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator who also possesses a Nascent Soul Level Companion Beast—the Desolate Wood Flood Dragon Crocodile—Di Yuanpu’s strength is currently ranked first among my many followers.’
’Previously, he sent his Companion Beast, the Desolate Wood Flood Dragon Crocodile, into Awakening Lion Valley to masquerade as a local Nascent Soul Ancient Beast and scout for information on the Old Lion. For this contribution, he also ranks first.’
’I am well aware of Di Yuanpu’s ambitions. All he does is in preparation for the future. He must be thinking about what would happen if I fail my third Thunder Tribulation.’
’Di Yuanpu’s ambitions are vast, but as long as I am here, he has no choice but to obey. If I were gone... well, I wouldn’t be able to control him then anyway.’
’As for Xiong Youde, that boisterous Cultivator’s motive is quite simple. He just wants to come here and acquire a Nascent Soul Ancient Beast—preferably a Bear Beast.’
Xiong Youde had been a Nascent Soul Cultivator for over a century. Back at Zongshan, if Nascent Soul Companion Beasts were distributed by seniority, it would never be his turn to receive a newly born one. If he wanted a Nascent Soul Companion Beast, his only option was to venture out and find one for himself.
But the Nascent Soul Ancient Beasts of the Barbaric Wilderness were notoriously stubborn and would not easily accept a master. To subdue one, a cultivator had to team up with several peers, trap the beast with an Array, and then wear it down through sheer attrition, much like breaking a hawk.
Xiong Youde had waited many years for such an opportunity without success. For him, Yue’e’s migration to the south was actually a stroke of good fortune.
Xiong Youde had already selected his target: the neighbor next to Moyun Valley, the creature known as the Golden Wind Owl Bear Beast.
And this creature was the first obstacle on the path to attacking Awakening Lion Valley.
"I believe we should dispatch a large force to make initial preparations and attack the Golden Wind Owl Bear Beast’s territory. Three years should be more than enough. If Ancestor trusts me with this, I will even use my own resources to clear this obstacle for you!"
Standing before a Geomancy Map, Xiong Youde thumped his chest and made his guarantee. This display made Di Yuanpu, who was standing to the side, frown slightly. After glancing at the impassive Yue’e, he spoke.
"Calm down, Old Xiong. Our purpose here is only to observe the Old Lion’s movements. We absolutely must not act rashly. If we don’t understand the Old Lion’s temperament, we risk being wiped out while dealing with that Nascent Soul Ancient Beast. That would be a complete disaster."
At this point, Xiong Youde’s mind was completely captivated by the prospect of a Nascent Soul Bear Beast, and he was unconvinced by Di Yuanpu’s words.
"This Bear Beast’s territory isn’t even inside Awakening Lion Valley. The Old Lion’s sense of territory can’t be that strong, can it? It’s just one Divinity Transformation Ancient Beast. No matter how powerful, our Beast Taming Sect has no reason to be afraid. If we act so timidly and word gets back to Zongshan, we’ll be the laughingstock of the entire sect."
Hearing this, Di Yuanpu felt a sense of helplessness. ’What kind of idiot am I working with? Applying past experiences to the Old Lion just to save face? Isn’t that just asking to be killed?’
’My little croc’s observations in Awakening Lion Valley over the past few years have proven that this Old Lion is nothing like that Divinity Transformation Mother Elephant from before. In fact, you could say the intelligence gap between the Old Lion and the Mother Elephant is about ten Xiong Youdes wide.’
Seeing that Xiong Youde was completely fixated on attacking the Golden Wind Owl Bear Beast, lost in a fantasy of the Beast Taming Sect’s invincibility, Di Yuanpu decided not to waste his breath arguing. Instead, he looked up to Yue’e for her decision.
After a moment of thought, Yue’e made her decision.
"Begin the initial preparations. We have to make a move sooner or later. However, as for the timing of the strike, you will listen to Yuan Pu."
Lechuan stood quietly to the side, listening to their conversation with a conflicted heart. ’I had planned to wait until the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect was firmly established in Moyun Valley before putting on a show for the world and having Bear Wind publicly submit. But plans can never keep up with reality. It’s only been four years since the battle for Moyun Valley, and our sect gate isn’t even finished, yet Yue’e Ancestor is already here.’
Seeing Yue’e instruct Di Yuanpu to plot against Bear Wind’s territory, Lechuan felt that if he kept this secret any longer, he would be in for a world of hurt. ’If Di Yuanpu finds out later, I’ll definitely be made into a human lantern as a sacrifice to the heavens.’
At a time like this, Lechuan couldn’t worry about whether Bear Wind was still angry with him. His roots were in the Beast Taming Sect, after all. Since his plans had been upended, he had no choice but to adapt.
So Lechuan took a step forward, and under the astonished gaze of Di Qing, he spoke out clearly.
"This disciple, Lechuan, has a matter to report..."
........
After taking the Dongzhen Incense, Fang Qingyuan returned to his Quiet Chamber and lit it according to the method the Jade Rabbit had shown him.
As the aroma of the Dongzhen Incense gradually permeated his body, an indescribable change spontaneously occurred.
When the incense had burned to ash, Fang Qingyuan felt a new, ethereal fragrance clinging to his body. It was incredibly pleasant.
This was the divine, soul-calming aroma the Jade Rabbit had spoken of. It could bless the body and spirit, providing excellent protection against the Evil Outsider Dao.
It was just that in the current cultivation world, the practitioners of the Evil Outsider Dao had been so thoroughly suppressed by the Great Zhou Academy that not one had been seen in ages. For now, this fragrant protection was of no use.
Fang Qingyuan observed himself with satisfaction. ’I should get some more Benzoin from the Jade Rabbit,’ he thought, ’so Jinbao can enjoy this blessing too.’
Jinbao was currently training with Bear Wind. Bear Wind had said he wanted to develop Jinbao’s combat instincts. For years, Jinbao had been growing up as the only bear around; it was about time he had a Bear Beast senior to teach him some fighting techniques.
Perhaps the death of the Great White Bear had made Bear Wind unusually worried about Jinbao’s safety. He had therefore proposed to give Jinbao special training. To appease him, and to let Jinbao learn some real skills, Fang Qingyuan had sent him to Bear Wind for a year of tutelage.
’Once I get enough Benzoin, Jinbao, I’m definitely coming to get you.’
As Fang Qingyuan was thinking this, a voice called out from the entrance of his Cultivation Cave Mansion. It was a disciple of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect.
"Sect Leader Fang, our Ancestor requests your presence for a meeting."
Fang Qingyuan was puzzled. ’Isn’t Lechuan there? What could they possibly need to discuss with me?’ he wondered. ’But since Di Yuanpu is the one who summoned me, I have to give face to a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator.’
But when he arrived, Fang Qingyuan discovered the situation was not what he’d imagined. It wasn’t just Di Yuanpu and Lechuan present. Seated in the position of honor was an old woman in a gray robe. She had hair as white as a crane’s feathers but the complexion of a young girl, and she was looking at him with a benevolent smile.
Seeing this arrangement, Fang Qingyuan knew he had to show proper respect and immediately performed a formal bow.
"This junior, Fang Qingyuan, pays his respects to the Ancestor, to Uncle Grandmaster Di, and to Uncle Grandmaster Xiong."
"Rise. We are all family here. There is no need for such ceremony."
Di Yuanpu explained from the side. He and Xiong Youde were of the same generation as Lechuan’s master, making them Lechuan’s martial uncles. Since Fang Qingyuan was Lechuan’s disciple, he rightly addressed them as "Uncle Grandmaster." As for Yue’e, there was only one possible title: Ancestor.
"I heard from Lechuan," Yue’e began, "that your Companion Beast has a lineage tracing back to the Divinity Transformation realm—that it is a descendant of the Yin Yang Bear Beast, and is even related to the Golden Wind Owl Bear Beast in the Barbaric Wilderness. Is this true?"
Fang Qingyuan was stunned. He turned to look at Lechuan, who gave him a pointed look. His mind raced, processing the situation as he responded.
"Yes, that is true."
Di Yuanpu was overjoyed at the confirmation and turned to Yue’e.
"Then it can be done! I have a self-injury ploy. We can use the Golden Wind Owl Bear Beast as an inside agent to infiltrate Awakening Lion Valley, seize the territories of the other Nascent Soul Ancient Beasts, and probe the Old Lion’s movements. This will lay a solid foundation for the final battle."
Fang Qingyuan blinked, his mind reeling. ’What kind of plot twist is this?’ he thought frantically. ’The business with Bear Wind... Lechuan, just how much did you tell them?’