Translator: CinderTL
"The Sacrifice Ritual for Fayan's revival was interrupted, and his strength failed to reach the expected level. Neither he nor Mixed Yuan Temple will be willing to accept this and will surely attempt the ritual again," Tai He said.
"Are you planning to disrupt the Sacrifice Ritual once more? However, this second ritual will undoubtedly take place within Mixed Yuan Temple. How could such a thing be accomplished?" Song Wen asked.
Tai He replied, "I would like to ask you, fellow Daoist, to step forward and investigate the location where the Si family members are being held. As long as the Si family is completely wiped out, Fayan will naturally be unable to proceed with the second ritual."
Song Wen frowned slightly, "Fellow Daoist, you overestimate me. Whether Fayan can advance to the late Nascent Soul stage through the Sacrifice Ritual is related to the overall strength of Mixed Yuan Temple. How would Mixed Yuan Temple reveal such a secret to an outsider like me? Moreover..."
Song Wen paused for a moment before continuing.
"The Si family members are undoubtedly being held within Mixed Yuan Temple. Even if we knew their location, who could break into Mixed Yuan Temple and kill them all?"
Tai He said, "You need not worry about that. All I ask is for you to find out where the Si family is being held."
"I can't do it," Song Wen refused bluntly.
Tai He urged, "Fellow Daoist, how can you know without trying? Once the matter is accomplished, my Nine Palaces Sect will surely not treat you unfairly."
"Alright, I'll give it a try. But if it doesn't work out, don't blame me," Song Wen said somewhat helplessly.
Tai He smiled, "Naturally, fellow Daoist, you can rest assured."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Tai He took his leave.
Watching Tai He's retreating figure, Song Wen's expression was complex.
Fayan's revival had disrupted the existing balance of power between Mixed Yuan Temple and Nine Palaces Sect, as well as between Mixed Yuan Temple and Corpse Demon Sect.
Mixed Yuan Temple would undoubtedly seek ways to regain control of Yishi Ridge and reclaim the two massive Spirit Stone veins that originally belonged to them.
This meant that Yishi Ridge was about to face a period of turmoil.
This was extremely unfavorable for both Song Wen and the Asura Sect.
In this matter, Song Wen, Nine Palaces Sect, and Corpse Demon Sect shared a common interest to some extent.
None of the three parties wanted Fayan's strength to reach the late Nascent Soul stage.
If Fayan were to perish, it would be even better. In that case, Yishi Ridge could maintain its current state, which would be most advantageous for Song Wen.
However, killing Fayan was no easy task.
If it were that simple, Nine Palaces Sect and Corpse Demon Sect would have already taken action.
After standing still for a moment, Song Wen made his way to Tiancang Mountain to meet Yu Wen.
"Chief Yu, send someone to Mixed Yuan Temple with gifts to congratulate Zen Master Fayan on his Nirvana rebirth," Song Wen instructed.
Yu Wen looked surprised, "Sect Leader, are the rumors true? Has Zen Master Fayan, who died six hundred years ago, really come back to life?"
"It's not a true revival, but rather a form of suspended animation, a technique used to seek breakthroughs and extend life," Song Wen explained before adding, "Make the gifts as lavish as possible. Also, have someone investigate where the Si family members are being held. Send someone discreet and ensure no clues are revealed."
"Yes, Sect Leader," Yu Wen replied.
After bidding farewell to Yu Wen, Song Wen returned to Qingluo Mountain.
He no longer focused solely on refining the Blood Demon Pill but instead devoted most of his energy to enhancing his Spirit Sense.
He could foresee the impending chaos and naturally sought to improve his own strength.
Although it was impossible to elevate his Spirit Sense realm to the late Nascent Soul stage in a short time, every bit of improvement in his Spirit Sense increased the power of the Focused Spirit Stab, thereby boosting his chances of victory in battle.
The Asura Sect had collected a considerable number of cultivator and demon beast souls. While most of them were of low grade, their sheer quantity made up for it.
With an ample supply of souls and the refinement through the Forbidden Divine Art, Song Wen's Spirit Sense power grew rapidly.
However, his peaceful cultivation days did not last long.
A month later, Yu Wen sent word that Xiao Chan had approached the Asura Sect, seeking a face-to-face meeting with Song Wen.
Additionally, it was worth noting that the information Song Wen had asked Yu Wen to investigate yielded no results.
Song Wen did not press the matter, as it was unlikely that internal intelligence from the Mixed Yuan Temple could be easily obtained.
Song Wen set out for Tiancang Mountain, where he met Xiao Chan waiting outside.
"Master Xiao Chan, what brings you here today?" Song Wen asked with a smile.
Xiao Chan replied, "Yin Shuo, a month ago, our temple trapped and killed Tai He and Hao Kong of the Nine Palaces Sect. At that time, someone intervened and disrupted the Entrapment Formation. Could it have been you?"
Song Wen feigned unease, "Master Xiao Chan, why would you say that? How could I dare involve myself in the conflict between your temple and the Nine Palaces Sect? Moreover, our Asura Sect contributed to the formation your temple set up at the Jie Mountain Market."
Song Wen saw through Xiao Chan's intentions. He knew that Xiao Chan's approach was similar to Tai He's—seemingly accusing him but actually trying to suppress him and gain the upper hand in the upcoming negotiations.
If Xiao Chan had truly come to accuse him, he would not have come alone. Instead, all three Nascent Soul cultivators from the Mixed Yuan Temple would have arrived.
As Song Wen expected, Xiao Chan's tone softened slightly after hearing his response.
"Patriarch Yin Shuo, there's no need to be nervous. I was merely asking casually. I came here today to ask for your assistance with another matter."
Seeing that Xiao Chan no longer suspected him, Song Wen breathed a sigh of relief and visibly relaxed.
"Master, please speak freely. If it is within my power, I will do my best to help."
Xiao Chan said, "Tai He and Hao Kong launched a sneak attack, hindering Zen Master Fayan's progress toward Nirvana and causing the Sacrifice Ritual to fall short of its expected effect. Such a great wrong cannot go unpunished."
"Our Mixed Yuan Temple plans to mobilize its full strength to conquer Jie Mountain. I came here today to invite you and the entire Asura Sect to join us in this campaign. Once Jie Mountain is taken, our two sects will each claim half of it. What do you think?"
Song Wen's expression, which had just relaxed, turned serious once more.
This time, it was not an act.
As he had anticipated, after significantly increasing its strength, the Mixed Yuan Temple was no longer content to let the two massive Spirit Stone mines remain in others' hands and sought to forcibly reclaim them.
As for Xiao Chan's promise of "each taking half," even a three-year-old child would not believe such a claim, let alone Song Wen.
"Master, our sect has just been established and is still weak. I will not involve myself in the conflict between your temple and the Nine Palaces Sect," Song Wen directly refused.
"Patriarch Yin Shuo, don't reject so quickly. You can take your time to consider. As long as our temple has not yet acted against Jie Mountain, my offer remains valid."
With that, Xiao Chan performed a Buddhist salute and gracefully departed.
As he watched Xiao Chan's retreating figure, Song Wen furrowed his brows, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Xiao Chan's visit today harbored deeper intentions, far more complex than what was superficially stated.
It seemed as though Xiao Chan had come specifically to reveal the news that Mixed Yuan Temple was planning to attack Boundary Mountain.
"It appears that Xiao Chan is already aware of my connection with the Nine Palaces Sect," Song Wen thought.
"Is his true purpose to use me as a conduit to relay the news of Mixed Yuan Temple's impending attack on Boundary Mountain to the Nine Palaces Sect?"
"But why would he want to do that?"
"Since he wants me to pass this information to the Nine Palaces Sect, I'll do the opposite and act as if I know nothing about it. I want to see what Mixed Yuan Temple is really up to."
(End of the Chapter)
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