Chapter 300: Yun Yao’s Secret Plot
No! Dare not! Cannot!
Inside the tavern private room, these three sentences echoed repeatedly in Lin Chang’an’s mind. When he looked again at Yun Yao’s carefree smile, his heart instead felt incomparably heavy.
How could it be so easy? This was not the Palace of Blazing Fire from before. The Mystic Yin Divine Sect was not only a Nascent Soul–level power, but Yun Yao herself was not an ordinary cultivator.
Just one step away from becoming the Saintess of the demonic sect—was leaving really that simple?
For a full half hour, Lin Chang’an remained silent. Yun Yao also felt awkward, unsure how to continue the conversation.
“Yun Yao, what exactly happened!”
Finally, when Lin Chang’an spoke, a warm current could not help but rise in Yun Yao’s heart.
In the entire world of cultivation, perhaps only Big Brother Lin still cared about her.
Yun Yao then laughed freely. After drinking a cup of Spirit Wine and placing it down, she controlled her tone and slowly spoke.
“The Saintess of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect is actually a conspiracy. Or rather, every Saintess throughout the generations must cultivate the Water Yin Demonic Art, using the extremely Yin and frigid power of pure Yin.
Then they cultivate a divine ability called ‘Mystic Yin Divine Fire.’ The bodies of cultivators who cultivate the Water Yin Demonic Art are used as firewood to nurture this flame.
When the fire forms, the core perishes.”
As Yun Yao’s calm voice echoed, Lin Chang’an had already imagined what kind of demonic sect divine ability this was.
After she finished speaking, Lin Chang’an raised his head with a grave expression and looked at Yun Yao’s carefree smile.
“Is it only the Saintess? Or all cultivators who cultivate this cultivation method?”
A divine ability that even Nascent Soul cultivators needed to carefully cultivate—how could one or two Core Formation Saintesses as firewood possibly be enough?
Yun Yao laughed lightly. Although she did not say anything further, the fact that she would rather defect than become the Saintess clearly showed the truth.
Anyone cultivating this divine ability would become fuel.
In the next moment, Lin Chang’an reached out and grasped Yun Yao’s fair wrist.
The smile on Yun Yao’s face gradually froze, while Lin Chang’an’s brows furrowed even tighter.
“Just as expected!”
Under the sensing of his mana flowing into her body, Lin Chang’an detected a faint dark-blue flame inside Yun Yao’s dantian.
The instant his mana made contact, he immediately felt an icy Yin-cold aura.
At present, this flame seemed to have reached a mutually nourishing balance with the cultivator.
But once the flame grew stronger, the balance would break.
Eventually, the cultivator would be unable to endure it and would become nourishment for the Spiritual Flame.
“Big Brother Lin!”
Originally Yun Yao had seemed indifferent. But when Lin Chang’an’s mana entered her body, the flame instantly calmed.
Her expression changed immediately.
“Tell me—what are you planning to do?”
After sensing that his Xuantian mana was effective, Lin Chang’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief before releasing Yun Yao’s fair wrist.
Yun Yao also seemed to see a glimmer of hope and could not help but smile.
“As expected, Big Brother Lin also has his own secrets.”
Then Yun Yao explained the entire matter to Lin Chang’an in detail.
“This is the strongest divine ability passed down by the sect. This time that old demon has gone to great lengths to cultivate this divine ability through this method. He has set his sights on a treasure within a certain Secret Realm.
For the past hundred years he has been painstakingly cultivating it. At the same time, he has been searching throughout the cultivation world for flames of extreme Yin and cold, or extreme Yang and firmness.
That is why when he learned of a Third-rank Wind-Chirp Bird, he paid so much attention…”
After hearing Yun Yao’s explanation, Lin Chang’an finally understood why his Wind-Chirp Bird had attracted so much attention from the Mystic Yin Divine Sect.
In the end, whether cultivating the Mystic Yin Divine Fire or searching for the Wind-Chirp Bird, everything was for the sake of something within that Secret Realm.
Although everything had become clear, the enemy they faced this time was the notorious Mystic Yin Divine Sect.
The Mystic Yin Ancestor was a veteran Nascent Soul monster whose reputation shook the Outer Sea.
Seeing Lin Chang’an’s solemn expression, Yun Yao seemed already accustomed to the thought of defecting. Her eyes were extremely calm.
“Big Brother Lin, this old demon has entered seclusion. At the very least, he will not easily emerge within the next hundred years. Otherwise, during the Sinister Soul Sect Secret Realm incident, we would not have been arranged to hide ourselves like this.”
Yun Yao had clearly made thorough preparations for this defection.
Seeing her experienced demeanor, Lin Chang’an was momentarily speechless.
Yun Yao’s expression remained calm. These kinds of restraints—from the Palace of Blazing Fire to the Mystic Yin Divine Sect now—were not much different.
If there was any difference, it was simply that the difficulty had increased.
However, as Yun Yao spoke, her gaze occasionally glanced at the Sword Attendant nearby.
What surprised her was that while both Core Formation cultivators looked extremely solemn regarding this secret, the small Attendant Concubine remained calm.
It was as if nothing could shock her.
“My original plan was to pull off something big before defecting. But now it seems that defecting might not need to be so urgent.”
Yun Yao’s gaze once again fell upon Lin Chang’an.
From that single strand of mana earlier, she could clearly feel that the flame in her dantian was no longer as difficult to control as before.
This gave her hope.
Facing Yun Yao’s gaze, Lin Chang’an did not explain his secret. Instead, he nodded seriously.
“My mana can temporarily help you purify this Spiritual Flame. But if it is not removed, it will always remain a hidden danger.”
He had already tried earlier.
Unfortunately, the flame seemed rooted within Yun Yao’s dantian and could not be extracted.
When Yun Yao heard that Lin Chang’an could purify the flame, she smiled.
A strong warmth filled her heart.
For Big Brother Lin to reveal such a secret meant he trusted her completely.
“With Big Brother Lin helping me, why can I not completely refine this Spiritual Flame?”
Determination appeared in Yun Yao’s eyes.
The Palace of Blazing Fire had treated her as a cultivation furnace.
The Mystic Yin Divine Sect treated her as firewood.
In that case, she would simply refine this Spiritual Flame and seize control of it—taking over the Mystic Yin Divine Sect’s strongest divine ability.
Seeing Yun Yao’s usual stubborn and unyielding nature, Lin Chang’an felt helpless.
But he could understand.
Defection now would be extremely dangerous.
It would be better to first strengthen themselves.
Once their cultivation grew stronger, they could reconsider.
During his earlier inspection, Lin Chang’an had also sensed Yun Yao’s cultivation.
Mid Core Formation.
This made him feel somewhat envious.
He had formed his core late and had spent several years refining his core to improve its quality and his Spiritual Root aptitude.
Thus his cultivation level temporarily lagged behind.
But over the years, the gap between them had grown smaller and smaller.
Now, compared to geniuses like Yun Yao, their aptitude was already on equal footing.
The only difference was cultivation time.
…
“So you plan to take this opportunity to ambush the Palace of Blazing Fire’s residence!?”
Inside the private room, after hearing Yun Yao’s plan, Lin Chang’an was both shocked and strangely felt that the situation seemed familiar.
“That’s right. On Blazing Fire Island there are only five Core Formation cultivators now. Four have gone out to execute sect missions.
Only one old fellow at the early Core Formation stage remains.
Over the years, the Palace of Blazing Fire has plundered quite a lot within the Fog Sea of Tongtian.
Big Brother Lin, if we join forces, the Palace of Blazing Fire’s century of accumulated resources will be ours. For many years, neither of us will need to worry about cultivation resources.”
Yun Yao spoke calmly as if it were something insignificant.
Originally she had planned to defect after pulling off this job.
But now the plan had changed.
Since Big Brother Lin could help purify the flame in her body, she now had much more time to prepare.
There was no need to rush.
She could first use the demonic sect’s resources to improve her cultivation.
Later she could find a better opportunity to defect.
Perhaps she might even use the demonic sect to seek a chance to form the Nascent Soul.
“Yun Yao…”
At this moment Lin Chang’an fell silent.
Her bold decisiveness gave him a renewed understanding of her.
At the same time, he remembered this familiar method.
Back when Yun Yao faked her death and defected from the Palace of Blazing Fire, she had used the same method—plundering the Treasure Pavilion.
As for her intelligence, Lin Chang’an did not doubt it much.
After all, the Palace of Blazing Fire belonged to the Mystic Yin Divine Sect.
Yun Yao had not yet defected and was still one of the quasi-Saintesses.
Her status allowed her access to internal information.
“This time not only are the four Core Formation cultivators gone, but even the sect’s Protectors have been dispatched.
They will have no time to return.
And I know the formations on Blazing Fire Island perfectly.”
Yun Yao sneered and produced a bundle of jade slips.
They clearly recorded the formation layout of the island, even including detailed descriptions.
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an’s eyelids twitched.
He had to admit that calling Yun Yao bold earlier had been an understatement.
With such detailed arrangements—and an internal high-level traitor—the success rate was extremely high.
“This is the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation. Judging by the layout, its power reaches the Third Rank.
Breaking it normally would be difficult.
However, if your jade slip about the formation layout is accurate, breaking it will not be hard.”
Lin Chang’an had to admit he was tempted.
The century-long accumulation of the Palace of Blazing Fire was tempting.
But more importantly, he thought of another Mysterious Sky Withered Leaf.
If he missed this chance, retrieving that leaf might only be possible after reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.
Because the Palace of Blazing Fire belonged to the Mystic Yin Divine Sect.
Normally cautious, Lin Chang’an would not take such a risk.
But Yun Yao’s preparations were simply too thorough.
This time the Palace of Blazing Fire’s elites were almost entirely deployed.
Only about twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, one early Core Formation cultivator, and two False Core cultivators remained.
Even their magical artifacts, cultivation methods, battle experience, and habits were meticulously recorded.
“Yun Yao, how long have you planned this?”
Lin Chang’an could not help but look at her strangely.
This did not seem like a sudden decision.
It looked more like a plan prepared over several years.
Facing his question, Yun Yao calmly drank another cup of Spirit Wine.
“Not long. Just a few years.”
“A few years!?”
Lin Chang’an fell silent.
Yun Yao explained further:
“As for the intelligence on the Palace of Blazing Fire cultivators, I began collecting it back in Yue Kingdom.
After coming here I never stopped.
I haven’t forgotten that old ghost’s grudge.
And don’t worry, Big Brother Lin. I only learned about the formation layout of Blazing Fire Island by chance while handling a traitor.
Even if something happens, it cannot be traced back to me.”
Yun Yao sneered.
If something happened, the Palace of Blazing Fire would first suspect their own people.
Their conversation contained shocking secrets.
Yet the Sword Attendant nearby showed no change in expression.
Even under the constant vigilance of two Core Formation cultivators’ powerful Divine Sense, they could clearly sense that she truly had no emotional fluctuation.
Whether it was the Nascent Soul demonic sect or the Palace of Blazing Fire—none of it concerned her.
In her eyes, there was only her master.
After detailed discussions, they set the timing for three months later.
During this time, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered with thought.
If everything went smoothly, the resources of an entire sect would provide him with enormous Spirit Stones.
Enough to purchase High-grade Spirit Liquid to nourish his Life-bound Spirit Plant.
“Yun Yao is at mid Core Formation and cultivates a top demonic cultivation method, so her combat power is certainly strong.
I am at early Core Formation, and I also have the Azure-Horned Ox and the Wind-Chirp Bird…”
After careful thought, it seemed the advantage lay on his side.
“Big Brother Lin, I also have a treasure. If something goes wrong, as long as a Nascent Soul cultivator does not appear, escaping will not be difficult.”
Yun Yao revealed another trump card.
A dim ancient jade talisman appeared in her palm.
“A quasi–Fourth-rank Escape Light Jade Talisman. Once activated, it allows a cultivator to temporarily possess an escape speed just below that of a Nascent Soul cultivator.”
Hearing this explanation, Lin Chang’an could not help feeling even more tempted.
Yun Yao had prepared thoroughly—even their escape route.
After further discussion, the two finalized a detailed plan.
…
On the way back to Celestial Spring Peak.
“Mo—mo…”
Along the road, the Azure-Horned Ox affectionately called out while carrying its rider.
Although Yun Yao concealed her aura, when she patted its ox horns and revealed a trace of her aura, it still recognized the familiar presence.
“In a few months I’ll let you see your good friend, the Ice Flood Dragon.”
Back then, Yun Yao had used resources from the Palace of Blazing Fire’s Treasure Pavilion to raise a Spirit Pet Ice Flood Dragon.
The dragon and ox had been quite close.
“Moo!”
Yun Yao skillfully took out Spirit Fruits from her Storage Pouch.
The Azure-Horned Ox swallowed them whole but unusually did not ask for more.
Instead it looked reluctantly at the figure on its back.
Back in Tianxuan City of Yue Kingdom, Yun Yao and the Azure-Horned Ox had been familiar with each other for decades.
How could it forget her?
Seeing this, the Sword Attendant could not help feeling a bit envious.
So the master had others too.
But she did not feel jealous.
After all, she alone could call him master.
“Moo…”
Halfway along the road, the figure on the ox’s back vanished.
Yun Yao had secretly concealed her presence and left.
The Azure-Horned Ox let out a reluctant low cry.
“If a ruler does not keep secrets, he loses his ministers. If ministers do not keep secrets, they lose themselves. If matters are not kept secret, they fail.”
This matter was too important.
Yun Yao did not wish to take any risks.
After all, Lin Chang’an was publicly known as a Third-rank Formation Master.
With the Secret Realm situation ongoing, who knew whether someone was watching him?
“Blazing Fire Island…”
On the return journey, Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered.
His mind constantly considered what preparations were needed.
“Familiar magical artifacts cannot be used. Familiar techniques cannot be used either.
Otherwise my identity might be exposed.
Even the Azure-Horned Ox should not appear. But the Wind-Chirp Bird might appear occasionally.”
As for magical artifacts, he still had the twin-sword magical artifacts taken from the remnants of the Divine Sword Sect.
Combat strength would not be greatly affected.
“Ling’er, you heard everything earlier. When the time comes, leave the low-level cultivators to you.”
After arriving at Celestial Spring Peak, Lin Chang’an turned back and spoke calmly.
The Sword Attendant not only showed no fear but instead looked excited.
“Your servant will definitely not disappoint Master!”
After years of bitter cultivation, she could finally help her master.
What she had done before was completely different.
Now she was truly her master’s person.
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered.
This was also the Sword Attendant’s final test.
If she remained loyal without complaint, then they were truly on the same boat.
But if she harbored other intentions, it would show before then.
After all, once certain things were done, there would be no turning back.
Lin Chang’an remained silent as he thought about the restriction he had placed within the Sword Attendant.
Hopefully she would not disappoint him.