Chapter 379 - 203: Looks Like I’ve Come at a Bad Time

Chapter 379: Chapter 203: Looks Like I’ve Come at a Bad Time

"So Chen Sheng wants to lull us into a false sense of security? Fine. We’ll play him at his own game. We’ll pretend to believe his offer of peace and can even consider showing a bit of ’sincerity’ upfront."

Lu Canghai said slowly, a cold smirk playing on his lips,

"But there is one thing. From this day forward, all elders in the manor, myself included, must not leave the manor grounds for any reason, no matter what happens. This is to prevent us from being divided and conquered, picked off one by one!"

Raising his head, Lu Canghai looked past the hall into the deep night, his gaze falling upon the faint, shimmering barrier that enveloped the entire manor. A hint of confidence entered his tone.

"With the Vast Sea Smoke Cloud Grand Array, we have more than enough to keep the manor safe. Though it never reached its full Tier Four potential due to a lack of Spiritual Materials back when it was built, its defensive capabilities are far beyond what a Mystic Realm cultivator could ever hope to breach."

"Unless a Pill Realm Grandmaster takes action, this array is our strongest defense!"

"You mean... we’re just supposed to turtle up and be sitting ducks?" Lu Qingfeng asked, his tone laced with indignation.

"Of course not!"

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Canghai’s eyes. "Feigning peace and defending the manor is just the first step. What we’re truly waiting for... is the arrival of the envoy from the Vast Sea Upper Sect!"

Then, his voice rose,

"I’ve already dispatched a Xuanzhou carrying lavish gifts and a plea for aid. It’s traveling day and night to the Upper Sect. The moment their envoy arrives..."

"...the initiative will be back in our hands. And who knows... that bunch of bald-headed donkeys from Golden Spring Temple might even take the opportunity to make a move on Chen Sheng. If they do, we can just sit back and reap the rewards of their conflict!"

Glancing at the two elders, Lu Canghai’s tone became resolute.

"In short, until we receive a clear reply from the Upper Sect, we must keep our composure. We absolutely cannot let a moment of anger cause us to fall into Chen Sheng’s trap!"

Lu Qingfeng and Lu Guangting exchanged a glance, and both saw deep worry in the other’s eyes.

But they also saw a glimmer of acceptance.

While Lu Canghai’s plan felt frustratingly passive, it was undoubtedly the most prudent, lowest-risk option under the current circumstances.

If they could just hold out until the Vast Sea Upper Sect intervened, the tables could be turned.

This was the Vast Sea Upper Sect, after all!

They were one of the top powers in Yunzhou; even the Government Office had to show them some deference.

"But... what if Chen Sheng throws caution to the wind and launches an all-out assault on the manor before the Upper Sect’s envoy arrives?" Lu Guangting couldn’t help but voice the worst-case scenario.

At this, a cold, confident smirk appeared on Lu Canghai’s face.

"He can’t!"

"The Vast Sea Smoke Cloud Grand Array can only be broken by a Pill Realm Grandmaster. The only other way would be if he could gather more than ten Profound Mastery experts, which is absolutely impossible. The Government Office doesn’t have that kind of manpower."

"Besides, the six major sects have a long-standing, unspoken agreement to stand together against oppression from the Government Office. If Chen Sheng actually dares to brazenly mobilize an army to attack our Luoyun Manor, it would be a blatant violation of the established balance."

"At that point, would Golden Spring Temple, Qingfeng Temple, and the others just sit back and watch? All of Ning’an Prefecture would descend into chaos. That’s a responsibility neither Chen Sheng nor the Government Office behind him can afford to bear!"

This logical and well-reasoned analysis finally eased some of the tension for the two elders.

Indeed, it was a delicate balance; one wrong move could affect the entire situation. No matter how aggressive Chen Sheng was, he still had to consider the bigger picture.

"We shall proceed according to your plan, Manor Master!"

Lu Qingfeng and Lu Guangting cupped their fists in unison, their strategy decided.

...

「Yunze City, City Lord’s Mansion.」

Chen Sheng read the prompt from his Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil, a playful smile touching his lips.

’Old fox... Just as I thought, he wasn’t going to be tricked so easily.’

Chen Sheng’s original plan had indeed been to use Wangqingshan to convey a false offer of peace, hoping to lull Lu Canghai into complacency and create the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack.

He hadn’t expected Lu Canghai to be so cautious and suspicious, even extending his distrust to the Wang Family.

It didn’t matter, though.

Lu Canghai’s reaction, while a little unexpected at first, made perfect sense upon further reflection.

’A man who has held the position of sect master for decades isn’t going to be a pushover.’ ℯℯ𝑙.

The man’s caution only served to prove his inner fear and his pessimistic view of the situation.

And that was precisely what Chen Sheng wanted to see.

More importantly, Lu Canghai’s decision to play along and turtle up played right into Chen Sheng’s hands.

The reason he hadn’t attacked immediately was one crucial obstacle: Luoyun Manor’s Vast Sea Smoke Cloud Grand Array.

While it wasn’t a complete Tier Four array, its defenses couldn’t be breached by ordinary Profound Mastery techniques.

A frontal assault would only be a waste of manpower and would tip them off prematurely.

The real key to breaking the deadlock was a Tier Four Array-Breaking Pearl.

These items were extremely difficult to craft, making them precious and rare. As far as he knew, Qingfeng Temple was the only power in Ning’an Prefecture that possessed any.

However, as soon as he decided to make his move, Chen Sheng had used Nie Xuanfeng’s channels to put in an urgent request for two of them from the State City’s Jingwu Bureau.

Right now, the Array-Breaking Pearls were being transported to Ning’an under armed guard and were due to arrive shortly.

Once the Array-Breaking Pearls arrived, the Vast Sea Smoke Cloud Grand Array would no longer be an insurmountable obstacle.

And Lu Canghai’s decision to defend the manor gave Chen Sheng the perfect opportunity to gather his forces, wait for the Array-Breaking Pearls, and leisurely set up a siege.

His opponent was waiting for aid from the Vast Sea Upper Sect; Chen Sheng was waiting for the array-breaking treasure that would deliver the final blow.

"That fifth-rank robe really suits you. Your presence is even more impressive than before."

A woman’s voice, cool yet gentle, rang out.

Sun Yuzhi had silently entered the main hall. Her gaze fell upon the majestic, fifth-rank Bear Official Robe Chen Sheng wore, her eyes filled with admiration and a hint of imperceptible pride.

Chen Sheng glanced at her and put on a mock-authoritative air.

"You are in the presence of an official. Why do you not bow?"

Sun Yuzhi shot him an annoyed look. She sauntered up to the head of the hall and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, sat down beside Chen Sheng and poured herself a cup of tea.