Region 7
Ren Ying looked at him and murmured, "Don't worry, it won't kill you. I just need you as a hostage."
Huang Ling was shocked by the sudden turn of events. Her face turned red with anger, and just as she was about to attack, Ren Ying mocked her."You don't want Brother Li to die, do you? My dear sister-in-law!"
Li Yuxong shouted, "You betrayer! Don't you dare. Miss Ling, don't listen to his words!"
Huang Ling looked at him and asked in a heavy voice, "What did you do?"
Ren Ying nodded and said with satisfaction, "It's just a normal poison, named Wraithvine."
Huang Ling's face changed, and she gritted her teeth. "You…" But she didn't know what to say. Wraithvine was a very strong poison that slowly melted away a person's muscles and organs, giving them a painful death. If the antidote wasn't provided within an hour, the poison would take deep root within the warrior's body and could no longer be cured unless by high-grade medicine—or a miracle.
Ren Ying pushed Li Yuxong toward her, letting her catch him. She looked at Li Yuxong and caressed his cheek. Her eyes turned wet as she saw various blue spots appearing on his body.Li Yuxong said stubbornly, "Please don't listen to him."
She looked at Ren Ying and asked in a heavy voice, "What do you want?"
Ren Ying met her gaze and said, "Just do what I say from now on."He paused, then threw a small container containing some medicine. "This is the antidote. It will temporarily heal him. He'll need one such dose every month, and in three years he'll be as good as before. This inheritance will last two more years. After using the medicine for two years, he'll be strong enough to heal himself with his Spiritual Imprint."
Li Yuxong interjected again, "Don't listen to him! I'd rather die than let you become his tool!"
Huang Ling looked at him with wet eyes, gritted her teeth, but said nothing—as if agreeing to Ren Ying's demand. Then she looked back at Ren Ying and asked, "Why did you call those Spirit Dragon clan members?"
Ren Ying met her eyes and said without a change in expression, "No plan can be absolute. They were just a precaution, in case I failed. We always have to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances."
At this moment, a burly man approached them, glanced at Huang Ling, then at Ren Ying, and laughed."As expected of you, boy Ren. Not only have you cornered Huang Weimin, who's about to be captured, but you've also caught the infamous secret Saintess of the Shadow Phoenix Sect."
Huang Ling looked at Ren Ying, shocked. Li Yuxong's heart bled.
Ren Ying turned to the burly man and said, "Long Qianwei, don't misunderstand. I didn't capture her for you. She'll be my tool."
Long Qianwei frowned. "What did you say?"
Ren Ying looked at him as if he were an idiot. He laughed wildly."What do you think? Do you really believe the Spirit Dragon faction still exists in the Small World?"
Long Qianwei's expression changed as realization struck. "Did you betray us too?"
Ren Ying's face turned into a mocking smile. "If I can betray the Shadow Phoenix faction, why do you think I'd be loyal to your Spirit Dragon faction?"
He laughed wildly, then looked at the Spirit Dragon faction members and ordered Huang Ling, "My dear sister-in-law, your first order—kill all of them!"
Long Qianwei's face darkened. "So that's why you called us here! You wanted to separate us from the young master so you could attack us easily!"
Ren Ying smiled. "Your head's not completely empty, you know. Yes, this is called—Divide and Conquer!"
He added, "Miss Ling, please eliminate them."
Huang Ling took a deep look at Li Yuxong and thought, 'Even if I kill him, it's unlikely he has enough antidote for two years. He probably only has enough for five or six months. I can't gamble. I should do as he says for now and look for an alternative solution. Once I find it…'
She suddenly moved, and within moments, all three Rank 4 warriors were dead. Suddenly, she was attacked by two Rank 5s. She dodged, counterattacked, and single-handedly suppressed all of them! The fight continued as one by one, they activated their Spiritual Imprints.
Huang Ling bravely crossed swords with each of them without breaking a sweat. The battle was clearly under her control—until one Rank 4 warrior slipped away and charged toward Ren Ying.
Ren Ying immediately pulled Li Yuxong in front of him as a shield.Seeing this, Huang Ling's expression changed. She dashed toward Li Yuxong, and before the attack could reach him, she killed the Rank 4 warrior.
But she had turned her back to her enemies—a grave mistake.
Taking advantage, Long Qianwei shouted, "Dragon Fist!"
His powerful strike hit her back, and she coughed up blood, but immediately stood up and shouted, "Spiritual Imprint: Divine Phoenix!"
A huge phoenix shadow appeared out of thin air. Seeing the majestic apparition, Long Qianwei suddenly felt despair.
He used his trump card. "Spiritual Imprint: Crimson Serpent!"
Crimson Serpent was a Grade 6 Spiritual Imprint that allowed its user to manipulate their blood and double all physical stats for a short time.
Using the chance, he immediately fled. Huang Ling chased after him and, within an hour, captured him.
Long Qianwei begged for mercy. "Please don't kill me! I'll do whatever you say. I can even help you deal with that traitor!"
She looked at him and said, "Don't worry, I won't kill you—as long as you answer my questions."
Long Qianwei immediately grabbed the opportunity. "Ask anything you want. I'll answer truthfully."
Huang Ling nodded. "Tell me everything you know about Ren Ying."
Long Qianwei fell into deep thought, not knowing where to begin.He sighed. "It's a long story."
Twelve Months Ago
A few Spirit Dragon faction disciples entered Long Yifan's tent and said, "Young Master, a young man has arrived. He says he's a messenger from the Shadow Phoenix faction."
Long Yifan looked at the guard and nodded. "Send him in."
The young man entered and bowed. "Young Master Long, I've heard about you for a long time. Seeing you now, I realize the rumors weren't exaggerated."
Long Yifan looked at him and asked, "Oh? And what did you hear about me?"
Ren Ying smiled. "I've heard that you are a dragon among men, with the temperament of an immortal, and the strongest among the younger generation. I even heard you don't bother with your peers, and that your ambition soars to the heavens!"
Long Yifan nodded with satisfaction and got straight to the point. "So, why have you come here? Just to flatter me?" He narrowed his eyes.
Ren Ying smiled. "Of course not. I heard that you were searching for a young man named Li Gang. I worked day and night and finally found your target. With the help of my fellow members, I killed him and took his head. I didn't even inform my young master before coming here."
Long Yifan's eyes narrowed. He immediately understood his intentions."So, you want to act as a spy for our Spirit Dragon clan? Why should I trust you?"
Ren Ying smiled. "How about I show my sincerity first? This is your enemy Li Gang's head."He took out a small bag and emptied it. A round object rolled toward Long Yifan.He continued, "There's also a Soul Stone mine that the Shadow Phoenix faction discovered. I can tell you its location."
A few days later, Long Yifan laughed with satisfaction as he looked at the dead Shadow Phoenix disciples and the Soul Stone mine.
If that had been all, Long Yifan would have discarded Ren Ying. But soon after, Ren Ying helped Long Yifan conquer many resource points belonging to the Moonlight and Shadow Phoenix factions. This caused friction between the two.
Eight Months Ago
One day, Long Yifan looked at Ren Ying with satisfaction. "Tell me, what do you want? You've made great contributions. I can't let you go unrewarded."
Ren Ying immediately took out a paper listing various items and said, "These items are useful to me. If Young Master could spare some manpower to gather them…" He stopped midway.
Long Yifan chuckled. "It seems you came prepared."
Ren Ying denied it. "How can it be? I just wrote down everything I needed and have been searching for them myself. It's just a coincidence that I had the list ready when you asked!"
Long Yifan didn't expose him. Sometimes giving small benefits was necessary—one never knew when the other party might start harboring a rebellious attitude.
At this time, Ren Ying added, "Young Master, it would be useful if you spread a rumor that Huang Weimin was the one who sent Li Gang's head for 50–100 Soul Stones. It would create chaos in their faction as they try to trace the source. And for locals unfamiliar with the situation in Jade Harbor City, they'd be more inclined to ally with us. Killing two birds with one stone."
Long Yifan narrowed his eyes. "I doubt there's anyone who doesn't know about Jade Harbor City. Your reasoning sounds far-fetched."
Ren Ying smiled confidently. "Even if it seems far-fetched, it will work."
Long Yifan didn't doubt him further. Ren Ying's strategies had already impressed him.
Ren Ying helped Long Yifan eliminate many Shadow Phoenix disciples—fourteen Rank 4 warriors, including elites like Yang Minghui, Deng Shaoqin, and Zhou Hongshan. These three were said to have the potential to reach the peak of Rank 6.
Six Months Ago
Suddenly, members of the Spirit Dragon faction started disappearing. Even some elites sent on missions vanished without a trace.
Long Yifan grew suspicious of Ren Ying, but Ren Ying denied everything without changing his expression. Remembering all his help, Long Yifan dismissed the thought.
Five Months Ago
Ren Ying brought new intelligence: many Shadow Phoenix disciples would gather around Region 17. They could set traps and strike when least expected.
According to the information, there would be 30–40 Shadow Phoenix disciples. He also revealed that the Shadow Phoenix faction was split into two—one led by Huang Weimin and the other by a hidden master, at least a late-stage Rank 5.
He held back some important information, like Huang Ling's true cultivation.
Around twenty days ago, he sent another message saying he would lure that hidden master to Region 10 and asked them to intercept within fifteen days.
That was why Long Qianwei and the others were here—waiting for their arrival.
Huang Ling spoke faintly, her gaze distant as she recalled Ren Ying's scheme that had bound the Spirit Dragon faction, the Shadow Phoenix faction, and even herself.
"Power gathers us Warriors like moths to flame, and all forget—they burn the brightest just before they die. We never realized the difference between light and death!"