Watching the Mountain

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Xu Ran had also asked Qin Yufeng about the disease that was spreading throughout the entire Cultivation Realm.

Qin Yufeng had replied quite frankly, "This is indeed one of my plots."

However, when Xu Ran asked for the details, Qin Yufeng, on the other end of the Communication Jade Talisman, just chuckled and said:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, while I am confident, I am not arrogant. If it were a plan I had already completed, I would naturally be more than willing to share it with you.

After all, as you know, I’m someone who fears loneliness. Whenever I accomplish something, I can’t help but want to find someone to share it with. It brings me immense satisfaction."

He paused for a moment before continuing:

"However, there’s a precondition for all of this: the matter must already be complete. That way, even if I speak of it, I don’t have to worry about it affecting my future plans."

"This ’plague,’ for instance, is one of my core plots. It’s tied to many of my subsequent plans. Although our relationship is good, Fellow Daoist Xu, I can’t possibly reveal everything."

"So, my apologies, Fellow Daoist Xu. I’m afraid I can’t satisfy your curiosity this time."

After a moment of silence, Xu Ran asked, "Is there anything at all that you *can* reveal?"

He didn’t want to give up just like that. The implications of this event were simply too great. Although he hadn’t shown any symptoms yet, the experts from the various Sects in the Cultivation Realm speculated that even those who hadn’t entered the Secret Realm could very well be infected in the future.

Getting infected was almost the same as having one’s path of cultivation severed. How could he not be anxious?

’He’s even starting to suspect... could Qin Yufeng’s talk of changing the Cultivation Realm actually mean severing the cultivation path for the entire realm, turning it into a Mortal Realm?’

’If that’s the case, it’s too terrifying. Any bit of information I can get would be good. Maybe I can unravel the clues and extract something useful.’

After hearing Xu Ran’s words, Qin Yufeng fell silent for a moment on the other end of the Communication Jade Talisman before speaking, his tone laced with disbelief:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you’re a truly interesting person. Judging by your questions, you’re clearly on the opposing side. We could be considered enemies."

"And yet here you are, trying to pry useful information from me, your enemy, to use against me. Do you really think that’s appropriate?"

"I share these things with you to share my joy, to let you witness my success—not so you can fish for information to use against me."

Hearing Qin Yufeng’s complaint, Xu Ran replied with a calm expression:

"You can’t put it that way. Aren’t we friends? If we’re friends, how can there be any enmity between us? Besides, Senior, you think too highly of me. With my strength and Cultivation, how could I possibly pose a threat to you?"

"What’s more, didn’t you say it yourself, Senior? You’re confident you can change this world into what you wish it to be. Since that’s the case, what’s the harm in revealing a little information to me?"

"Consider it a small test for your plan, Senior. If everything goes too smoothly, wouldn’t that be dreadfully boring?"

It was unclear if Qin Yufeng was persuaded. He was silent for a moment, then chuckled and said:

"That does seem to make some sense. It would be a bit dull if everything went too smoothly. Very well, I’ll reveal a little something for you, Fellow Daoist."

"Please, Senior, go ahead," Xu Ran said, his expression brightening.

Qin Yufeng’s calm voice came from the other side. "My next plan is to target the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race."

"And then?" Seeing Qin Yufeng fall silent after speaking, Xu Ran hurriedly prompted him.

Qin Yufeng chuckled on the other end. "I’ve already told you my next move. Don’t be too greedy, Fellow Daoist."

’What’s the difference between that and saying nothing at all?’

Xu Ran was momentarily speechless. After a moment of thought, he asked:

"Senior, since you’re planning to target the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race, why would you provoke a rift between the Demon Race and our Human Race? Wouldn’t things go more smoothly with the help of the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm?"

This was something Xu Ran truly couldn’t figure out. After the Secret Realm merged with this world, the Demon Race hadn’t taken much action against the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm. They had only driven the people of the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm out of the New Domain and occupied it.

The only other actions were a few raids led by some of the Demon Race’s powerful experts. They attacked several of the top Sects in the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm and plundered some of their unique, high-grade resources.

Other than that, there were no large-scale invasions, and things had quickly quieted down.

After hearing Xu Ran’s question, Qin Yufeng was silent for a moment before speaking in a soft voice:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, do you know why I share my plans with you?"

Xu Ran was taken aback for a second. After a moment’s thought, he replied, "Senior, you said you enjoy sharing, that it brings you immense satisfaction."

Qin Yufeng laughed heartily from the other side of the Communication Jade Talisman. "That is indeed one reason, but there is another, more important one."

"Please enlighten me, Senior."

"While I’m very confident, I also know how dangerous it is to make an enemy of the entire world. Even I am not certain that my plans will absolutely succeed."

Qin Yufeng paused, his tone turning completely serious. "If I succeed, then all is well. But if I fail, it will surely be a fall from which there is no recovery."

"The reason I share these things with you, Fellow Daoist Xu, is not just because I want someone to witness my path to success. It’s also because, if I should fail one day, I want someone to know what I once tried to do."