Chapter 511 - 480: Picking Peaches and the Counterattack

Chapter 511: Chapter 480: Picking Peaches and the Counterattack

Over the next half-month, Chen Che received three pieces of news from the outside world.

First, Jiang Shaotian, the Right Protector of the Star-Picking Sect, had secretly left his mountain two days ago.

In this world, the right was the position of honor. The fact that this man could serve as a Protector in the Star-Picking Sect, with a status even a notch above Dou Shanhe’s, spoke volumes about his strength.

This piece of news had been relayed by Yu Yunko through Yu Qian.

According to the report, after his experience at the Black Tortoise Calm Sea and a period of secluded cultivation, Jiang Shaotian’s realm had reached the Golden Core Ninth Layer. He was no ordinary opponent.

Chen Che knew of him. During the great battle between the two sects at the Black Tortoise Calm Sea, Jiang Shaotian had suppressed Duobao so thoroughly that Duobao couldn’t even lift his head. Now that he had descended from his mountain, he was very likely headed for Celestial Ghost City. Chen Che had to be extremely cautious.

The second and third pieces of news both concerned the Primordial Sect.

Upon learning of the pyrrhic victory at Celestial Ghost City, where dozens of Star-Picking Sect Golden Core cultivators were slain, the Primordial Sect had made no official statement. Only Duobao had sent a letter.

The letter first affirmed everyone’s contributions, then gave out verbal commendations one by one, stating that once the Sect Leader emerged from seclusion, all Golden Core cultivators who participated in the battle would be rewarded based on their merits. At the same time, the end of the letter mentioned that seven more Golden Core cultivators would soon arrive to help them garrison Celestial Ghost City.

Considering Jinyun Valley had also suffered significant losses in this battle, if Chen Che was no longer willing to defend the city, he could hand over command to them.

’Help garrison the city? Hmph, more like they’re here to steal the credit.’

Chen Che scoffed.

However, not only did he not resist the idea in the slightest, he actually applauded it, eagerly hoping those seven Golden Core cultivators would arrive as soon as possible.

After all, the Primordial Sect was currently unaware that Jiang Shaotian had secretly left his mountain. Furthermore, because Chen Che had sealed Celestial Ghost City and cut off all information flow, the sect also didn’t know the scale of the cultivators gathering outside the city.

Of course, Chen Che had no desire to stay here and fight the Star-Picking Sect to the death.

Duobao’s meddling this time had actually helped him indirectly, giving him a legitimate reason to leave Celestial Ghost City.

Another piece of news came from Zhao Changping at the Jinghai Island Reef:

The one-year deadline for mining the Anomalous Copper Ore was approaching. Tang Linli had already begun to take inventory of the accumulated ore. After speaking with him, Zhao Changping confirmed that the Primordial Sect would be collecting the ore in one month.

When the time came, two Golden Core cultivators would arrive to escort the shipment, reportedly with a Spiritual Boat.

Because Chen Che had specifically instructed him about the ore, Zhao Changping didn’t dare to be negligent and sent a message at the first opportunity.

Upon learning of this, Chen Che couldn’t help but give a cold smile.

’So Duobao isn’t just after my life, he’s after my property too.’

With the front lines under so much pressure, he still had the spare capacity to send people to collect ore. Chen Che even began to suspect that Duobao might be colluding with the Star-Picking Sect, coordinating from within and without to wear down Golden Core cultivators like him.

At this thought, Chen Che immediately wrote a letter.

In the letter, he told Zhao Changping to keep things stable and maintain the status quo. He didn’t need to worry about anything else. When the sect came to collect the goods, he should not only refrain from obstructing them but actively cooperate, so as not to give them any leverage.

Of course, what Chen Che didn’t say was that he had no intention of letting the Primordial Sect take the ore from right under his nose.

As for this matter, he already had a preliminary plan. All that was left was to put it into action.

Meanwhile, no news had come from within Jinyun Valley.

This meant that all was well in the valley.

’I should deal with the matter at hand first.’

Chen Che’s expression slowly composed itself as he gradually rose to his feet.

...

「That night.」

A bright, pristine moon cast its light over the land like a silver prairie, dispelling the darkness. It was a rare stretch of good weather.

The melting snow made the air in the city heavy with dew. Droplets of water hung in a line from blades of grass, perpetually on the verge of falling. From a distance, a faint, ethereal mist drifted everywhere, creating a rare and beautiful sight.

But Lei Boyu was in no mood to appreciate it. Sleepless, she wandered through her clan’s district to clear her head.

Even after repairs, the scars of war were still visible on Celestial Ghost City. Her once lively family clan was now deathly quiet, with less than one in a hundred of its members remaining. From within the darkened houses came low murmurs and the occasional soft sob.

Half a month had passed, diluting her sorrow.

But the rage and hatred in her heart had not dissipated in the slightest. Seeing the Star-Picking Sect cultivators brazenly gathering outside the city again, she nearly ground her teeth to dust with hatred. It was an outright provocation.

But she knew she could only rage impotently.

To prevent anyone in the city from acting rashly, Valley Master Chen had even sealed Celestial Ghost City with a Grand Array on the third day after the battle. Without a Golden Core cultivator to lead the charge, she alone, with only the remaining people of Celestial Ghost City, had no hope of getting revenge.

’Cultivation!’

With a long sigh, Lei Boyu decided to go back and continue her cultivation.

If she continued to wallow in self-pity, she would never have any hope of revenge. Only by increasing her strength and cultivation could she ever get vengeance.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out in her mind:

"Bring your magical artifacts and weapons. Come to the City Lord’s Mansion at once."

"This... This is..."

Lei Boyu froze for a moment. ’That’s Valley Master Chen’s voice.’

If it had been anyone else, she might have been suspicious, but she had not the slightest doubt about this particular individual.

SWOOSH!

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lei Boyu transformed into a streak of Escape Light and flew out from her clan’s district.

As for her weapons, magical artifacts, and talismans, she always kept them on her person, so she didn’t need any special preparation. As she flew out of her district, she ran into not only Huang Shaoqing but also the other surviving Foundation Establishment Major Cultivators.

Suppressing the questions in her mind, she followed the others to the City Lord’s Mansion.

Luminous Beads embedded in the ceiling brightly illuminated the mansion’s interior.

Only then did Lei Boyu realize with a start that the main hall of the City Lord’s Mansion was already packed with people, yet no one was speaking. The silence was absolute.

Several Jinyun Valley disciples were carrying vats full of black water, lining them up in front of the crowd. Yu Daogui was still handing out talismans, one to each person.

Lei Boyu took the talisman dubiously, only to find it was a Qi Concealment Talisman.

"This..."

Looking up in confusion, she saw that the several Golden Core cultivators she had seen that day were all present. They were perched in high places, silently inspecting their magical artifacts.

Chen Che’s eyes were half-closed, his fingers tapping lightly on his knee.

The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

"Dye all the blades of your magical artifacts and weapons black. Another vat contains poison!"

Meng Qianxun waved his arm, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. His voice was cold and loud. "Change into night clothes. We leave the city in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If you’re a coward, you don’t have to go. Just stay here in the main hall."

The crowd, which had been confused, instantly understood upon hearing his words.

Lei Boyu’s eyes lit up—

They were finally going to strike back!

"Fellow Daoist Huang, you’re going too?"

Lei Boyu glanced over and saw Huang Shaoqing leaning on a crutch with one hand, struggling to coat his blade with the dye. After a quick inspection, he sheathed his weapon with a CLANG.

"I’m going to get my revenge!"

Huang Shaoqing uttered only one sentence.

Lei Boyu nodded. She could see that his eyes were filled with fire and destruction.

In fact, it wasn’t just Huang Shaoqing. Everyone was silently coating their weapons and changing into night clothes without a word. But they could all feel a murderous aura beginning to brew.

No one chose to stay behind.

Because this was their only chance for revenge.

"Are all your weapons coated in poison? Are your talismans in the most accessible spot?" Meng Qianxun’s roar shook the main hall, making it RUSTLE. If not for the Silent Barrier that had been cast, the entire Celestial Ghost City would have been alerted.

"Ready!"

Lei Boyu and the other Foundation Establishment Major Cultivators roared back in unison.

"Are you ready to avenge your family and friends? Are you ready to take your enemies’ heads?"

"Ready!"

"After we leave the city, follow us! There is only one requirement for this operation: not a single cultivator is allowed to leave Three Rivers Peak alive!"

"Yes!"

Each reply was like an ancient war drum, beating in everyone’s heart.

Only then did Chen Che open his eyes.

"Move out!"

As the words fell, Chen Che had already risen to his feet.