Chapter 496: A Clear Mind [From Parent Wu Ye of Pig-Leopard Family]
Chapter 496: A Clear Mind [From Parent Wu Ye of Pig-Leopard Family]
Hua Jin didn't believe Chen Huaian could persuade Zhang Yibai.
Nevertheless, she prepared a secret chamber as requested and provided a collection of precious spiritual herbs according to Chen Huaian's list.
How should she put it?
Although she hadn't succeeded in recruiting Zhang Yibai, at least she now had a way to save face.
After Chen Huaian and Zhang Yibai entered the chamber, she immediately had Wang Shouyi help her retire to rest.
Inside the secret chamber.
"Well?" Chen Huaian winked at Zhang Yibai.
Zhang Yibai closed his eyes to survey their surroundings before nodding: "Hua Jin the True One indeed shows no intention of spying, but..." His expression turned peculiar as he continued: "That junior brother of yours named Wang Shouyi is quite something! He's only at Golden Core stage yet managed to win over someone at Cave Void stage? And she's the Palace Master of the Immortal Palace no less!?"
Chen Huaian's mouth twitched. Seeing how Hua Jin had Wang Shouyi support her, he could guess what was going on.Had these two already engaged in passionate entanglement?
Youth truly burns with vigor.
"Has Hua Jin the True One investigated this chamber?" he asked.
"No." Zhang Yibai shook his head: "Rest assured, this old man's soul cultivation remains at Great Ascension stage after all. Any unusual movement from Hua Jin the True One wouldn't escape my perception."
"Good. After your performance today, Hua Jin the True One shouldn't suspect you anymore." Chen Huaian took out a hotpot stand and chessboard from his storage ring, smiling: "Old Zhang, let's have some hotpot!"
"Oh, it's been too long!" Zhang Yibai happily sat down. Seeing the beef oil in the pot already bubbling, he immediately picked up some tripe to cook.
"Old Zhang, will you become Kunlun's Honorary Elder?"
Instead of answering, Zhang Yibai asked Chen Huaian: "What do you think? This matter has pros and cons. I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Chen Huaian pondered while eating:
"Hua Jin the True One showing interest in the castrated version of the Heavenly Demon Art is good news.
If I were you, I'd take the Honorary Elder position.
This way, infiltrating Kunlun would make it easier to assimilate those Ascenders using the Heavenly Demon Art. Though I wonder if Hua Jin the True One would be willing to practice it. If she does, that would be perfect!"
"This old man doubts Hua Jin would." Zhang Yibai shook his head.
"The powers behind Hua Jin the True One must have already paved her path. She only needs to follow the established course, with no need to complicate matters by practicing other techniques—especially a body cultivation technique—unless..."
Zhang Yibai paused.
Chen Huaian knew what he meant: "Unless the path those behind her prepared becomes blocked, and things spiral beyond Hua Jin the True One's control.
Perhaps she's severely injured near death, perhaps her martial arts are crippled preventing further cultivation, or perhaps her connection with those powers is severed.
In short, only such an opportunity would make her consider practicing the Heavenly Demon Art."
"Exactly." Zhang Yibai sighed: "We'd have to wait for such timing to emerge, during which we might expose ourselves. Especially with both of us frequently around her—better safe than sorry."
Chen Huaian contemplated briefly before narrowing his eyes:
"Perhaps we could actively create this opportunity."
Zhang Yibai was startled: "You mean..."
"Have Cave Void experts from Cangyun Realm come cripple her cultivation." The moment Chen Huaian said this, he felt suddenly enlightened, his entire train of thought opening up.
Admittedly, those behind the scenes might not have supported only Hua Jin the True One.
If Hua Jin the True One is crippled, there could be Jin-Jin the True One or Oh-Jin the True One. But with their interference, Hua Jin the True One would exist in a Schrödinger's crippled state—they could pour resources to restore her anytime they wished.
Thus Hua Jin the True One could become their sharp blade, acting out palace dramas with newly emerged Jin-Jin the True One or Oh-Jin the True One.
Imagining women tearing into each other...
Both Chen Huaian and Zhang Yibai felt their blood boiling with excitement.
"Brother, do you truly have means to summon Cave Void experts from Cangyun Realm?" Zhang Yibai was also tempted. Undoubtedly, turning Hua Jin the True One into their ally would greatly benefit their plans.
"I have a way, but I must reach Nascent Soul stage first."
Chen Huaian gritted his teeth.
This damned cultivation—hurry up and advance!
Li Qingran was already charging toward mid-Nascent Soul stage while he was still playing in the mud at mid-Golden Core stage!
Though he knew his cultivation speed was already terrifying—due to his overly solid foundation, the spiritual energy he needed to absorb was dozens or hundreds of times that of ordinary cultivators, yet his advancement pace still surpassed typical geniuses. Any faster would simply be monstrous.
"That indeed can't be rushed." Zhang Yibai patted Chen Huaian's shoulder reassuringly: "Cultivation should follow its natural course without haste. Don't worry—as long as we don't touch the core aspects of the Heavenly Demon Art, this old man can modify the technique slightly to buy us some time... Even if exposed, isn't there still this old man holding the front?"
Zhang Yibai's words of having his back moved Chen Huaian deeply.
But he couldn't always let his senior take the lead, could he?
Was there no faster way to advance...
Chen Huaian pondered—and realized there was!
Fusion with the auspicious beasts in the Demon Sealing Pagoda.
Last time meeting Dang Kang had boosted him nearly two minor realms.
Moreover, this was precisely part of the Ancestral Dragon and auspicious beasts' plan.
Now with his status as Kunlun Immortal Palace elder, he could actively request leading assaults on the Demon Sealing Pagoda, taking full responsibility.
With this realization, Chen Huaian's mind became clear again.
He and Zhang Yibai leisurely enjoyed hotpot for an hour before leaving the chamber.
Assuming Hua Jin and Wang Shouyi should have finished by now, they found the main hall empty.
Chen Huaian sighed helplessly, instructing the disciple guarding the chamber entrance to announce them.
"Elder Chen, Her Eminence said not to disturb her without extremely important matters. She's tired."
Chen Huaian's mouth twitched again.
Really tired? More likely engaged in passionate entanglement, oblivious to heaven and earth...
"Tell her Elder Zhang is willing to join Kunlun Immortal Palace."
"What?!" The disciple's eyes widened.
Having heard about the earlier events in the hall—wasn't Elder Zhang previously refusing unto death?
Now observing Zhang Yibai... well, the old man did seem much less resistant.
To persuade such a stubborn elder in just one hour—Elder Chen was truly amazing!
The disciple clasped his hands in admiration: "This disciple will report immediately!"
Deep within Kunlun Immortal Palace.
Hua Jin and Wang Shouyi's passionate entanglement made heaven and earth lose color, oblivious to sun, moon, or the world itself.
Suddenly hurried footsteps approached outside.
Without hesitation, Hua Jin covered Wang Shouyi's mouth.
No choice—Wang Shouyi's moans were louder than hers. She could restrain herself, but this brat might not.
"Your Eminence! Elder Chen and Elder Zhang have emerged!"
"Let them emerge." Hua Jin suppressed her flustered annoyance: "Didn't I say not to disturb me without urgent... matters—ah!"
Damn it—why was Wang Shouyi squirming now of all times?
Infuriated, Hua Jin kicked Wang Shouyi, her voice slightly distorted.
The disciple outside noticed nothing unusual and continued:
"Your Eminence, it is urgent! Elder Chen has persuaded Elder Zhang—Elder Zhang is willing to join our Kunlun Immortal Palace!"
"What?!" Hua Jin's eyes widened as she exclaimed in shock.
Wang Shouyi—pale-faced with blue-tinged lips—also trembled in astonishment, thinking: "Senior, you're incredible!"