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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 110 (138): [Subversion]
(110th of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Weiyi recalled the Hidden Lord's earlier words.
'To minimize casualties, the Hidden Sect had actually subverted the Earth Wolf King's Army?'
'Ally with distant powers while attacking those nearby.'
Shu Prefecture, where the Earth Wolf King's Army was stationed, was thousands of miles away from Li Prefecture, separated by Han Prefecture.
The phrase "ally with distant powers" seemed simple enough, but subversion was no easy feat. Persuading the Earth Wolf King's Army to switch allegiances and serve the Jiu Li Tribe was a task as difficult as climbing to the heavens. The key to it all must lie within that metal box.
....
The Hidden Lord sat across from the Lord.
The arm that had held the chess piece had long since vanished.
The Lord opened the metal box, and a blinding silver light erupted, filling the spacious room.
Daoist chants echoed, transforming into a vast ocean of scriptures that seemed to open a gateway to another world.
"Bang!"
He immediately slammed the metal box shut.
After composing himself, the Lord's face smoothed out, and he chuckled: "To willingly hand over treasures like the Immortal Star, it seems the so-called foundation of the Ten Thousand Ancient Myriad Clans is nothing more than a facade. Have you been driven into a corner by Yang Shenjing?"
The Hidden Lord studied the chessboard, then scanned the room: "There's no need to probe the Hidden Sect's strength. Even with their surface-level power, the Jiu Li Tribe is far stronger than the Sui Sect. If the Nine Great Priests launched a joint attack, would Yang Shenjing survive?"
"Hmm... you don't really think giving you the Immortal Star is a good thing, do you?"
"That would be a great disappointment."
The Lord set the metal box aside, speaking slowly and deliberately: "Anyone other than the Son of Heaven who possesses the Immortal Star faces certain death. In the entire Lingxiao Realm, only Yu Yaozi might barely be able to withstand its power. But given the current situation, even if she were to obtain it, she wouldn't live past the year's end."
"But as long as the secret doesn't leak, the Immortal Star will remain the world's greatest treasure. Currently, only our two clans know about it."
"In other words, the Jiu Li Tribe retreated to advance, offering both millet and rope to seize the Earth Wolf King's Army's greatest weakness."
The Hidden Lord asked, "Will the Heavenly King agree?"
"Who in the world could refuse the Immortal Star?"
The Lord forced a bitter smile and asked, "Tell me, what are your conditions?"
"In this battle, the Earth Wolf King's Army must fully support the Jiu Li Tribe, including the Heavenly King's personal attendance," the Hidden Lord stated directly.
The Great Lord replied, "Agreed!"
"Kill Yao Qian," the Hidden Lord demanded.
The Lord naturally wouldn't agree to everything: "Yao Qian has caught the eye of the Second Palace Master of Lingxiao Palace. The price for harming him is something the Jiu Li Tribe can't afford, let alone us."
"Does the Lord believes that the Jiu Li Tribe is pushing this onto you precisely because they dare not kill him themselves?" the Hidden Lord countered.
The Lord smiled without answering: "I will personally kill him."
The Hidden Lord's tone was resolute. He continued, "I have my own measure of how much the Earth Wolf King's Army truly contributes. If you stand idly by, merely killing a few stragglers, then the words of the Heavenly King refining the Immortal Star will spread quickly throughout the Lingxiao Realm, the Jiu Li Tribe won't lose anything. But the Earth Wolf King's Army will be finished."
The Lord's face darkened: "Once this rein is on, it seems impossible to remove! Perhaps the Jiu Li Tribe should fully support the Earth Wolf King's Army. You have wealth, resources, and provisions, while we are fearless, willing to fight, and ready to risk our lives. It's a perfect match. First, sweep through the Southern Territory, then claim the world?"
"Hahaha!"
The Hidden Lord laughed heartily.
"That's a clever calculation, but I'm not a fool. Once the Heavenly King breaks through to that realm with the help of the Immortal Star, the reins will no longer be able to restrain him. I estimate it will take him ten years at most. By then, the Jiu Li Tribe won't dare to give him orders."
The Lord had been staring into the Hidden Lord's eyes, desperately trying to discern the truth.
Handing over the Immortal Star was a brilliant move, enough to turn the Earth Wolf King's Army into the Jiu Li Tribe's personal hitmen.
But who in the entire cultivation world would agree to this?
And why should they?
The Lord asked himself: If he were in the Hidden Lord's position, he would never have willingly surrendered the Immortal Star.
The Hidden Lord continued, "The Jiu Li Tribe can offer limited support to the Earth Wolf King's Army, but you are not cut out to contend for the throne. Have you heard the news? The Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple is interfering in the worldly affairs!"
The Lord's eyes flashed with divine light. "A Daoist sect that has remained hidden for a thousand years is finally abandoning its seclusion and preparing to vie for the throne to conquer the world?"
The Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple has long been shrouded in mystery, with countless legends circulating about it throughout the Lingxiao Realm. It was said to only emerge during times of great calamity.
Even someone as influential as the Lord knew little about the Immortality Pills it produced - ten pills every sixty years.
Legend had it that the Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple was the only place where these pills could be refined.
Just by possessing the Immortality Pills, one could only imagine how terrifyingly powerful they had become after a thousand years of seclusion.
The Hidden Lord said, "No, they are merely intervening in worldly affairs, not fully entering the world. Currently, they seem to have chosen the Zuoqiu Clan, intending to support them in ascending to power and replacing the Lingxiao Palace to restore order to the realm. So, between the Earth Wolf King's Army and the Zuoqiu Clan, whom do you think the Jiu Li Tribe will choose, Lord?"
The Lord gave a sardonic smile: "Of course, we will follow the prevailing trend. It would be quite fitting for the true dragon to emerge from the Southern Territory."
.....
After removing the Six Desires Talisman from Li Weiyi, Shi Liuyu vanished underground with the Eight Dragon Carriage.
"Little Li, since we're all on the same side now, I'll definitely arrange a stream flow for you next time! Hahaha!" Shi Liuyu's laughter echoed from the depths, growing fainter and fainter.
Li Weiyi's expression remained unchanged, completely ignoring the curious glances from the crowd.
The Hidden Lord's black robe billowed in the wind, rustling softly. He turned to the others and said, "You must have many questions in your hearts, don't you?"
"To plot with a tiger is to court danger. If the Earth Wolf King's Army can turn coat at the crucial moment, the Sui Sect and the San Chen Palace will surely suffer a crushing defeat," Yin Er said.
"Weiyi, come with me."
The Hidden Lord led Li Weiyi aside, creating a spiritual barrier with his Spiritial Qi. It was clear that his earlier casual remarks had been deliberately staged for the Lord's benefit. He would never truly reveal such a critical secret, one that could determine the fate of their entire clan, to too many people.
The Hidden Lord asked, "Have you heard of the Immortal Star?"
Of course Li Weiyi had. Master Coffin had explained it in detail. His heart pounded in shock.
"The Hidden Lord gave the Immortal Star to the Earth Wolf King's Army? This..."
The Hidden Lord smiled wryly: "Do you know what the most difficult and uncertain aspect of this decisive battle is?"
Li Weiyi understood that the Hidden Lord was testing him. After careful consideration, he replied, "What about the hidden forces of the Sui Sect and the San Chen Palace? The Jiu Li Tribe has its Hidden Sect; surely they have concealed methods as well, not all of which are displayed openly."
"Half right," the Hidden Lord said, "We've always controlled the enemy's overt strength and movements. So, no matter where they attack, the Jiu Li Tribe's top experts can rush there to reinforce immediately. In such a confrontation, the Jiu Li Tribe has nothing to fear."
"But the Jiu Li Tribe is on the defensive! We must defend the Jiu Li Dao Academy, Jiu Li City, the Jiu Li Divine Temple, and the Ancestor Realm. We must also protect the Ancestral Mountains of the Nine Great Tribes, as well as all the villages, towns, and city gates..."
"If the enemy suddenly unleashes one, two, or three hidden forces to break through our defenses and slaughter our people, should we rush to their rescue?"
Li Weiyi replied, "Rushing to their rescue would put us entirely on the defensive, potentially leaving us spread too thin. Why not take the initiative and launch an offensive?"
"The Sui Sect's foundation lies along the Shui River, while the San Chen Palace's roots are on the three land routes. Destroying Jiu Li City would be meaningless to them. As for other forces like Guan Shan, Heavenly Cliff Ridge, and Dragon Sect, they're too far away to be relevant."
"The true initiative lies in choosing the battlefield for the Decisive Battle."
The Hidden Lord said, "To seize the initiative, we must choose our own battlefield, not be led by the enemy. Initially, we planned to use the Immortal Star to lure all our enemies to the Cangli Tribe's Ancestral Mountain and wipe them out in one fell swoop, sacrificing the entire Cangli Tribe to secure the Jiu Li Tribe's peace."
"Therefore, we secretly informed Shi Na'er of the Earth Wolf King's Army about the Immortal Star's presence within the Cangli Tribe."
"At the same time, we prepared to leak the news to Yang Shenjing and the others before the Decisive Battle."
Li Weiyi asked, "Why did you change your mind?"
The Hidden Lord's eyes burned with fervor as he looked at him: "For two reasons, one external and one internal."
"Externally, the Zuoqiu Clan has resolved to contend for dominion over the world and requires the Jiu Li Tribe's unwavering support in all aspects. Therefore, they will lend us their full strength in this battle. This means the Jiu Li Tribe no longer needs to make such a great sacrifice. After all... the Cangli Tribe is Jiuli's foremost tribe, with a population of millions. Who could bear to personally condemn so many of their own people to death?"
"Internally, it's because of you."
"Me?" Li Weiyi asked.
The Hidden Lord replied, "The information you brought back was too important! As long as the Leader returns in ten years, even if Shi Na'er breaks through to that realm using the Immortal Star, he'll have to relinquish it. Until then, the Earth Wolf King's Army will become a puppet enforcer for the Jiu Li Tribe."
"Weiyi, will the Leader really return in ten years?"
Before handing over the Immortal Star, the Hidden Lord had been decisive. But afterward, he couldn't calm his mind, which was why he had come to Li Weiyi again to confirm.
Li Weiyi hadn't expected the Hidden Lord to make such a risky decision, one that could potentially backfire, solely because of his trust in him.
If he dared to reveal the truth now, he'd likely be slapped to death by the Hidden Lord.
"The Leader will definitely return, within ten years, absolutely!"
Li Weiyi's eyes were resolute as he clenched his fist and spoke.
Since it was because of him that the Hidden Lord had made this misjudgment and decision, he would not betray that trust.
Within ten years, he would personally retrieve the Immortal Star.
A smile spread across the Hidden Lord's face.
....
After parting ways with the Hidden Lord and Yin Er, Li Weiyi, Yin Shi San, Yin Ershi San, and Yin Ershi Si left the Immortal Realm Space and entered the path leading to the Martial-Mystic Five Seas Realm Cultivators' town.
This path ran along the mountaintop, following the ridge.
The ground was covered in frost, and the snow was nearly a foot deep - a stark contrast to the scorching heat of the path in the Surging Spring Realm.
Once they passed through the Qi Barrier, Li Weiyi looked down at Burial Immortal Town, which seemed to be within arm's reach. He noticed that the thick, bright pillar of light erupting from the town was beginning to fade.
It was clear that the light column was spewing forth from an ancient well in the northeastern corner of Burial Immortal Town.
"Did my blood really trigger the anomaly in Burial Immortal Town? What secrets does my blood hold? Who am I, really?"
Li Weiyi resolved that before leaving, he must seek out Zen Hai Guanwu to unravel these mysteries. He couldn't continue living in such a state of confusion.
They descended from the ridge and followed the Sui River along the Five Seas Realm Boundary.
As expected, the path was clear, with no sign of enemies. However, they didn't encounter Yin Jiu or Cang Li.
After traveling a hundred miles, they reached the spot where they had parted ways with the Nine First Commanders when they first entered the town.
This place was littered with shocking battle scars. The river channel had been cleaved open, creating a wide gap dozens of meters long. Parts of the mountain had collapsed, and vast swathes of trees had been reduced to charred remains.
The Yao Li Tribe's army was stationed on the plains by the river, four miles away.
"Weiyi, the Hidden Sect's secret base is located at Mountain Lord Taiqing's Tomb, thirty miles west of Yaoguan City. Once you've made your decision, meet us there."
Yin Shi San and Yin Ershi San headed into the Mangshan Mountain Range, quickly disappearing into the Immortal Mist Clouds.
Li Weiyi turned to Yin Ershi Si beside him.
"Aren't you going with Senior Brother Yin Shi San?"
"If you can go to the Yao Li Tribe's camp, why can't I go back to see my father? He's injured!"
Yin Ershi Si tilted her chin haughtily and strode ahead toward the military camp.
"Didn't you tell me that becoming a Hidden One meant severing ties with the past?" Li Weiyi hurried to catch up, walking half a step ahead, "I can use Sima Qin's identity. What's your real name?"
"Using the identity of Sima Qin's companion should be reasonable enough, right?"
Yin Ershi Si said with a mock-fierce tone, then took a half-step forward, gently leaning against him. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.
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END OF CHAPTER
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