"Speaking of right now, I’ve just acquired this Dharma Method, and indeed, it can invoke the might of this place, extraordinary in power. This is strength. If I rely solely on this power, catching them off guard, it’s indeed possible to trap and kill most of Wei Shu and the Wei Family’s elite here, as you said, severely damaging their foundation. This is the might of strength, acting with a kill intent, seemingly satisfying."
Zhiwei’s eyes sparkled, as this was exactly her thought.
However, Chen Ye shifted his tone:
"But! What about after this act?"
"First, it’ll be a slaughter at an immense scale! If one disregards right and wrong, such behavior is no different from those above who abandoned me in this place. It’s just taking lives with the excuse of being in power! This is not strength; this is cruelty and inhumanity! The way of the heavens has constancy; those who indulge in senseless killing will inevitably face retribution, whether inciting people’s wrath or inviting divine punishment. It doesn’t align with the grand trend and is not a long-term strategy."
Zhiwei seemed deep in thought.
But... she didn’t care about these things.
Even if it meant being despised by the world, she still didn’t care.
"Second, my name, Chen Ye, would be completely tainted! Rumors would spread outside... making future actions unbearably difficult. This is not the action of a wise person."
"Third, it would be a wasted power! Not all cultivators are lambs to be slaughtered; a cornered beast will still fight. My Seal of Spirit pin loosens, Foundation Establishment is in sight... just for a moment’s satisfaction, I would miss a great opportunity for breakthrough, sacrificing the greater benefit for momentary gain!"
Chen Ye’s every word was clear and analyzed the pros and cons thoroughly.
He then looked steadily at Zhiwei.
What satisfied him was, he saw the little girl with ink-black hair lower her head in thought for a long time, then lifted her dirty little face, her eyes clear and bright.
The confusion on her face dispersed, she nodded emphatically with sudden realization, "Master is right, Zhiwei was only considering the immediate benefits, nearly bringing great trouble to Master. Zhiwei... has been taught."
Chen Ye felt great joy within.
He, Chen, also knew how to teach a disciple!
No wonder she’s his pupil, so quick to understand!
Finally, he managed to nip those dangerous thoughts of hers in the bud.
However, as the group continued on their journey, under her lowered eyelids, the dutifulness in Zhiwei faded like receding tides.
What Master said was all true.
But she didn’t care about anything, she only cared about Master.
Zhiwei lifted her little face, silently watching Master’s back.
But suddenly Master turned back, he coughed once, "But, don’t mistake Master for being overly saintly... that’s not a good label. Shortly, Master will use this Blood Reed to collect some interest from Wei Shu!"
Master’s focus is so peculiar... does he really care so much about what impression he leaves on his apprentice?
Zhiwei obediently nodded.
...
Another five days passed.
In the following time, under the diligent guidance of the little white fox, Chen Ye smoothly obtained another Second Tier Water Series Spiritual Object.
This was within his expectations.
The reed marsh was inherently suitable for the growth of Water Series Spiritual Objects.
Coupled with the fact that this place hadn’t been approached by cultivators for thousands of years, resources were abundant, and with the guidance of the little white fox, obtaining these Second Tier resources wasn’t difficult.
For a moment, Chen Ye even felt reluctant to leave Songyang Cave Heaven.
He wanted to follow the little white fox, spending a lifetime searching for Second Tier Spiritual Objects in Songyang Cave Heaven.
Where else in the outside world could he find such good opportunities?
Besides that, through successive battles, Zhiwei smoothly advanced to the late stage of Qi Cultivation!
"Whew... now, only the Earth Series Spiritual Object is left."
After finishing his cultivation, Chen Ye’s eyes shone with a gleam of energy.
In his Dantian, the great cycle had already formed a rudimentary shape, only waiting to gather the last spiritual object!
"But... within these ten days, we’ve crossed more than half of the Wailing Marsh. I’m afraid it will be difficult to find this last spiritual object."
Chen Ye sighed quietly.
Suddenly, the little white fox that had been quietly lying on Zhiwei’s shoulder raised its head, its pointed ears twitching slightly.
Zhiwei reached out to soothe the little white fox, her face changed slightly.
Having spent a long time with the little white fox, she was already very familiar with its warning signals.
This suggested that there was danger approaching nearby!
"Master!"
Zhiwei, who had just cultivated her Divine Sense, secretly transmitted the message,
"It’s Little White’s warning. Zhiwei can also sense that a group with chaotic auras is approaching."
Now, the only group capable of keeping pace with Chen Ye would likely be the team from the Lingyin Sect!
"Hmm... they have been awaited for some time."
Chen Ye glanced at the dense reeds.
Over the past while, he had long noticed the traces of the Lingyin Sect and managed to overtake them successfully.
He purposely gathered a large mass of Blood Reeds on their path using a light rain—although Blood Reeds are plants, their advanced root systems make them formidable weapons against foes.
They naturally wouldn’t be confined to one place by their roots like ordinary plants and could move freely in the swamp of Wailing Marsh.
Additionally, he used a piece of Purple Gold Stone as bait.
And Wei Shu, being a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, would certainly be the first to detect this Second Tier Spiritual Object before others.
Besides, Wei Shu would never expect that someone had arrived here before him!
"Master, they’re coming."
Zhiwei’s voice quietly echoed in Chen Ye’s mind.
Chen Ye peered through the dense gaps in the reeds, gazing into the distance.
As expected, he saw the vast and familiar group.
Previously, of the sinful cultivators, only Bu Feifan survived, while even the dual cultivator Tie Hu disappeared.
"Uncle Wei, I’m grateful I listened to you initially; indeed, opportunities abound within this grotto heaven!"
A cultivator from the Wei Family was whispering excitedly to Wei Shu.
Wei Shu stroked his beard, smiling confidently: "Ha, just some First Tier top-grade spiritual materials. But here, there are even Second Tier materials. The guards of these materials are merely Qi Cultivation Ninth-Layer demon beasts."
Upon saying this, he felt puzzled.
Actually, the first batch of sect pathfinder cultivators had already discovered the locations of two Second Tier spiritual materials.
However, these cultivators had low cultivation and couldn’t deal with the demon beasts, so they marked the locations.
Yet, as he arrived, those two places were clearly empty, even the demon beasts were nowhere to be seen.
Could it be that those two demon beasts have achieved Foundation Establishment?
While secretly pondering, Wei Shu’s expression suddenly changed.
At this moment, a compass in his hand emitted a thread of spiritual light, pointing toward a reed clump.
"This is... a Second Tier spiritual object!"
Wei Shu’s eyes gleamed as he looked keenly, stroking his beard knowingly,
"Indeed, though there is no accompanying demon beast, there are astonishingly numerous blood reeds protecting it, no wonder no one has retrieved it. But with my cultivation, if I conceal my aura and go, as long as I don’t alarm it, I can swiftly get and retreat... it can be done!"
This is a Second Tier spiritual object!
Even if Chen Ye gained easily, externally, it’s worth one to two thousand spirit stones, a massive fortune!
"You all wait here, don’t act rashly!"
Wei Shu sternly instructed the disciples behind him before rushing towards the purple-gold stone, unable to hold back anymore!
Chen Ye’s expression was serene, secretly channeling spiritual power.
Since he gathered four kinds of spiritual objects, his usable spiritual power has reached the late stage of Qi Cultivation, a qualitative leap!
In the palm of his hand, a droplet-like water light swiftly condensed, transforming into a sword light.
As Wei Shu stepped into the silent, dormant blood reed area, a fierce light flashed in Chen Ye’s eyes, his wrist subtly trembling!
"Whoosh!"
A highly condensed sword qi separated from his body!
It came too fast! Too cunning!
No sound of wind, no forewarning of killing intent, only a cold trace of light compressing speed and sharpness to the extreme.
In the blink of an eye, it pierced through layers of reeds, aiming directly at Wei Shu’s throat!
Wei Shu, indeed a Foundation Establishment cultivator, reacted swiftly.
"Hmph!"
His brows tightened, and the seal created by his left hand was swiftly released with a snap in the blink of an eye!
Buzz!
A golden square seal shadow instantly condensed in front of his throat, golden light flowing; this was the defensive Gold Series protection magic—Diamond Seal!
"Splatter."
The water-blue sword qi shattered in response at Wei Shu’s command, countless crystal-clear water droplets emitting a gentle sweet scent exploded like fine rain, soaking his robes.
Wei Shu was slightly startled, subconsciously sniffed the gentle pure fragrance in the air:
"Hmm? What is this?"
The next moment, the entire ground began to shake violently!
The swamp beneath his feet, like boiling water, exploded with a roar!
Tens of thousands of blood-red roots, like a blood-colored flood breach, surged at him from all directions!
"Oh no! It’s a trap!"
Wei Shu’s expression drastically changed; he instinctively wanted to retreat!
But, it was too late!
"Guardian!"
"Watch out for the blood reeds!"
"Form an array! Protect..."
The cultivators were terrified, exclaiming in panic, scrambling to aid, attacking the frenzied blood reeds.
Yet, at this moment, the blood reeds showed no interest in anyone else, relentlessly swarming towards Wei Shu in the center!
Only Bu Feifan’s expression was astounded.
Earlier, he had stood beside Chen Ye, witnessing him manage the blood reeds.
Now, he immediately recognized it as Chen Ye’s sweet dew!
He couldn’t help but sweep his gaze around, but he didn’t see Chen Ye’s figure.
As for Chen Ye?
He had long departed with Zhiwei, far away amid the blood vines’ uprising, just as Wei Shu was engulfed by the blood flood.