Chapter 113: Lackeys Everywhere

The collaboration between the Myriad Treasure Pavilion and the Demonic Path now seems to have created a stalemate with the Righteous Alliance.

Su Ji'an mused to himself, "Things are starting to get interesting."

Even the Demonic Path has become entangled in this. Although Su Ji'an was once part of the Demonic Path, he had always felt indifferent toward it. However, the current priority was to deal with that bunch of ruffians at Hawk Sorrow Ridge. He could treat it as a side project.

As soon as he received the news yesterday, Su Ji'an had arranged for players to scout out definitive information regarding Hawk Sorrow Ridge. Despite his inward disdain for his opponents, Su Ji'an dared not be careless in his actual execution. Otherwise, if he were to capsize in the gutter, it would not be such a simple matter to resolve.

Just now, the players from the Hengyang Sect finally transmitted the findings from their mission at Hawk Sorrow Ridge.

[After thorough investigation by many players of the Hengyang Sect, it has been determined that the strength of Hawk Sorrow Ridge is not to be underestimated; their overall power is even greater than that of the Hengyang Sect.]

[The leader of Hawk Sorrow Ridge possesses cultivation at the Spirit Transformation stage, while the other leaders are at the Nascent Soul stage. Although they are not far from the Hengyang Sect, the two have left each other in peace for many years.]

[Furthermore, decades ago, Hawk Sorrow Ridge suffered a near-total catastrophe. It was not due to a vendetta, but because their years of killing and seizing treasures had accumulated resources that drew the covetous eyes of others, leading to a life-threatening crisis.]

[However, in the end, the attackers returned empty-handed. It turned out that the leader of Hawk Sorrow Ridge, knowing such a disaster was inevitable, had long ago hidden their accumulated wealth elsewhere.]

Su Ji'an realized instantly, "The ordeal of Hawk Sorrow Ridge might be true, or it could be a performance staged for outsiders."

Regardless of the truth, the rumor itself was likely genuine. This was a "calculated strategy" by the leader of Hawk Sorrow Ridge; by intentionally spreading this news, they could at least dispel ninety-nine percent of the greed from the outside world. Things that offer no profit and only bring trouble would indeed deter the vast majority of people.

In this world... those who are truly righteous are rarely able to reach the Spirit Transformation stage.

Although key intelligence had been gathered, this was only the strength Hawk Sorrow Ridge displayed on the surface. How many hidden experts they possessed in the shadows was not something the current players from Blue Star could uncover.

Su Ji'an immediately issued a task to the Hengyang Sect players, intending to probe the true depths of Hawk Sorrow Ridge. At this point, whether it was a side project or not no longer mattered; he had no intention of putting himself in danger. Moreover, it would not be easy to find the location of their hidden treasure. He would just have to see how things unfolded.

[Hawk Sorrow Ridge is a major malignancy in today's world. As a fine youth growing up in the breeze of spring, you should firmly strike against such unrighteousness. Now, use the Spirit Energy Bombs to launch a resolute counterattack.]

[Kindly reminder: Players who die during this mission will be resurrected, but before setting out, be sure to properly stow your cultivation resources to avoid unnecessary losses caused by death-drops.]

[Mission Reward: Five Spirit Energy Bombs, five Yellow Essence Pills.]

[Mission Penalty: Deduction of twenty years of lifespan.]

There was no need for many players to go to Hawk Sorrow Ridge to detonate the bombs; two would suffice. Otherwise, the spirit energy required to resurrect the players would make his heart ache.

To be safe, Su Ji'an specifically issued a simple, light task to the other eight players stationed at the Hengyang Sect.

[Lurk in the shadows near Hawk Sorrow Ridge and keep a close eye out for any survivors. If someone's primordial spirit escapes, immediately use the Soul-Snatching Rope to control it. Then, take any unused Soul-Snatching Ropes to Spirit Creek Village and hand them to the player 'Key Immortal' so they can be brought back to the mission settlement site.]

[Mission Reward: Soul-Snatching Rope, five Yellow Essence Pills.]

[Mission Penalty: Deduction of twenty years of lifespan.]

Though simple, this was crucial. Su Ji'an was not yet certain if the Spirit Energy Bombs could kill a Spirit Transformation cultivator. If they could not even destroy the physical body of a Spirit Transformation cultivator, then these bombs would be too useless.

A Spirit Transformation cultivator has only just formed their divine sense, and their perception of danger is still lacking. Su Ji'an had confidence in the bombs, but it was inevitable that the opponent's primordial spirit might escape. Therefore, the contingency plan he had arranged was particularly important. If he could bring back the primordial spirit of the Hawk Sorrow Ridge leader, he might have a chance to discover the location of their hidden treasure.

At this moment, the Hengyang Sect players were already on their way to Hawk Sorrow Ridge. Su Ji'an couldn't help but sigh, "This is the benefit of spreading players out; otherwise, this would never have been done so quickly."

However, the current scope of player distribution was only within a few hundred miles. For more distant regions, he truly needed to start planning ahead.

Immediately after, Su Ji'an summoned more Blue Star players—forty of them this time.

[Current remaining spirit energy: 95,835.]

Su Ji'an grouped them into sets of five and assigned them to eight different directions within the Great Jin. He was too lazy to specify sects this time and decided to let them improvise. He sent out the beginner guides along with the standard "Everlasting Art" and "Spirit-Opening Pills."

He would leave the infiltration of the Great Jin as it was for now. The next step would be to gradually arrange for infiltration into the Demonic Path, the Great Qian, and other regions. The Demon Race was not currently in his considerations, primarily because they were very exclusionary toward humans. Although he could unlock the "Demon-Transformation Pill," there was no need for it at present.

But having said that, even if he managed to infiltrate all these places, the number of Blue Star players he had summoned was ultimately too small. At this rate, he would have to summon until the end of time before he could have his lackeys running everywhere. By then, if any blind fool dared to provoke him, he could just wave his hand and thousands of lackeys would kneel before him, shouting...

As Su Ji'an thought of this, a vivid image immediately appeared in his mind.

Only two hours had passed when the players heading toward Hawk Sorrow Ridge transmitted the progress of the mission.

[The two players arrived at Hawk Sorrow Ridge in the first instance, carrying the Spirit Energy Bombs. To ensure the explosion achieved the best effect, they claimed to be there to join the gang.]

[Hawk Sorrow Ridge did not turn them away. They successfully infiltrated the enemy's interior. Without hesitation, after exchanging a glance, they immediately detonated the Spirit Energy Bombs.]

[In an instant, as the ten Spirit Energy Bombs exploded, the entire Hawk Sorrow Ridge was razed to the ground.]

After resurrecting the two dead players, Su Ji'an began to wait for the results from the other eight. Perhaps there wouldn't be any result at all. After all, they were only eight Qi Refining stage cultivators; even if a primordial spirit did escape, they might not necessarily have the chance to use the Soul-Snatching Rope.

A moment later, just as Su Ji'an had expected, the system transmitted the news he had been hoping for.

[The player 'Clear Spring,' lurking in the shadows, suddenly noticed a flickering, ethereal light emerging from the aftermath of the explosion, appearing extremely faint.]