Chapter 42: Illusory Slaying Tower, Sending Feeders
In truth,
The Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain found itself compelled to seek assistance from the Illusory Slaying Tower.
After all, they were situated within the Bright Cloud Continent, and direct intervention in the affairs of the neighboring Mysterious Truth Continent would be highly inappropriate.
Such a transgression would undoubtedly incite the disapproval of local authorities, like the Starry Abyss Sect.
Thus,
It was due to these considerations that assassins from the Illusory Slaying Tower were dispatched to Autumn Glory City.
For Tian Wendong and his companions,
A formidable team of five Spiritual Awakening realm assassins from the Illusory Slaying Tower had assembled.
With such a formidable force at their disposal, apprehending a Soul Refining realm cultivator would be a task accomplished with remarkable ease!
At this juncture,
Tian Wendong could hardly contain his eagerness to complete the task and indulge in leisure.
As the son of the Illusory Slaying Tower's Lord, he felt excessively constrained.
"Cao Junli!"
"Take action swiftly! What are you waiting for?"
Tian Wendong extracted the transmission jade token and sent a message to Cao Junli, the most formidable member of their group.
His father had specifically instructed Cao Junli to maintain a watchful eye on him.
"Young Master, please exercise patience."
"We have only just arrived in Autumn Glory City, and it is probable that the local powers have taken note of our presence."
"Moreover, we must carry out on-site investigations to confirm the accuracy of our information."
"For the sake of caution, let us bide our time before initiating our plan!"
Cao Junli responded.
"Hmph!"
"A mere Autumn Glory City, who dares to dictate this young master's actions? I'll obliterate them!"
Tian Wendong snorted, yet managed to momentarily quell his impulsive desire to act.
Little did the young master of the Illusory Slaying Tower know that his muttering had been detected by Jiang Chen.
'Illusory Slaying Tower?'
'So that's the situation. The Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain enlisted the Illusory Slaying Tower's aid!?'
'It's understandable, given that the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain hails from the Bright Cloud Continent, making it inconvenient for them to operate within the Mysterious Truth Continent.'
With this revelation, Jiang Chen continued to contemplate his own strategies.
'Truth be told, there isn't much to orchestrate for this scheme.'
'The primary concern is Lin Feng. I must ensure he doesn't arrive prematurely. He needs the opportunity to appear after I've neutralized the adversary.'
'Additionally, I shouldn't reveal myself at the onset. I need to materialize at the most critical juncture, and reverse the course of the battle!
In doing so, both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, will face peril, but Ning Xian possesses an extraordinary Fate Value. She'll undoubtedly be safe, so those surveilling the Vast Spirit Residence should refrain from intervening and ideally withdraw.'
'As for Qiu Liaoxi, her fragile Fate Value suggests she may sacrifice herself to facilitate Ning Xian and Ling Feng's escape, typically resulting in her demise. Fortunately, in this narrative, as the attack unfolds, her adversaries will initially attempt to keep her alive, as they need her assistance in locating the items they desire.'
'Nonetheless, if my objective is to maximize my advantages, the opportune moment to aid her in combating her fate has not yet arrived.'
Jiang Chen's thoughts whirled, with myriad ideas clashing and coalescing into a multitude of brilliant insights.
Before long,
He gained a lucid comprehension of the actions he must undertake.
However, a new complication emerged.
'The current dilemma is...'
'Since I must intervene and display my prowess, or rather, rescue others...who will intercept Lin Feng?'
'Common individuals lack the necessary strength and would be instantly slain by him! It seems we require someone at the Mysterious Platform realm to halt his progress.'
'Furthermore, if someone attempts to thwart Lin Feng, and he fails to save Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, he might expose his true power in a desperate move. In that event, the Zhou Clan could deduce that he is the genuine perpetrator behind the murders.'
'In such a scenario, the Zhou Clan would once again become a potential target, inadvertently 'sending feeders' to Lin Feng, and my side would likely suffer a loss of face.'
'Nevertheless, this would also present the perfect opportunity to solidify Lin Feng's reputation as a 'criminal' and 'fraudster,' significantly diminishing Ning Xian's impression of him!'
'And I, too, will 'exert every effort' once more to 'shield' him from the Zhou Clan's grasp one more time!'
'...'
As Jiang Chen mulled over this, a faint smile gradually materialized on his lips.
Taking action on his thoughts.
Jiang Chen promptly commanded the surveillance team to withdraw from the Vast Spirit Residence, ensuring no one was left behind.
Subsequently.
He reached out to his uncle, Jiang Xingtai.
"Jiang Chen, half a month has passed. How is Lin Feng faring?"
Jiang Xingtai was deeply invested in Jiang Chen's matters and consistently kept a watchful eye on Lin Feng.
Upon receiving Jiang Chen's call, he inquired without delay.
"Lin Feng, this individual, has advanced to the Spiritual Awakening Realm!"
"Moreover, his true prowess, I fear, has attained the stature of a half-step Mysterious Platform!"
Jiang Chen responded.
"Eh!"
"He's advanced to the Spiritual Awakening Realm!"
Jiang Xingtai drew a deep breath, "Is he the one you mentioned with incredible fortune? He's truly formidable!"
"Undeniably formidable!"
Jiang Chen grinned and replied, "However, I have also broken through to the Mysterious Platform Realm."
"What?!"
"You've broken through to the Mysterious Platform Realm?!"
"Wow - a Mysterious Platform Realm at just twenty years old!"
"Jiang Chen, my nephew, you are the genuine individual with immense fortune. In comparison, Lin Feng is simply too feeble!"
"Jiang Chen, my nephew, you are destined to reach the Heavenly Origin Realm, and our Jiang Clan will rise to become one of the top clans in the Mysterious Truth Continent. Ah, just contemplating it is exhilarating!"
"..."
Upon learning that Jiang Chen had broken through to the Mysterious Platform Realm, Jiang Xingtai was utterly astounded!
There were, in fact, quite a few individuals in the Mysterious Truth Continent who had attained the Mysterious Platform Realm.
However, a Mysterious Platform Realm cultivator at the age of twenty was undoubtedly a rare and extraordinary feat!
Achieving such an accomplishment at such a young age signified that they were a prodigious talent with Heavenly Origin potential. If they continued to progress unimpeded, they would assuredly reach the Heavenly Origin Realm!
"Very well, Uncle!"
"Refrain from gasping so heavily; you'll deplete all the air. Be cautious not to asphyxiate those around you."
"Additionally, we must not underestimate Lin Feng. As long as he lives, we must consider him the Jiang Clan's greatest adversary!"
Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head, cautioning Jiang Xingtai.
"Understood!"
"Uncle is aware!"
Jiang Xingtai responded, "So, what would you like me to do today, Jiang Chen?"
"Thwart Lin Feng!"
"Uncle, you may have also heard that there are five foreign Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivators..."
"At that time, you'll disguise yourself as someone from the Illusory Slaying Tower, intercept Lin Feng, and ensure your true identity remains concealed!"
"As a precaution, I will provide you with a treasure that can mask your identity!"
Jiang Chen concisely outlined the situation involving Tian Wendong and others.
He refrained from mentioning the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and other matters.
He simply informed Jiang Xingtai that they had arrived for Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi.
"Understood!"
"I will unquestionably intercept Lin Feng!"
Jiang Xingtai vowed solemnly.
Had it not been for Jiang Chen's warning, Jiang Xingtai would have undoubtedly underestimated Lin Feng.
This was because, generally speaking, the disparity between the Spiritual Awakening Realm and the Mysterious Platform Realm was immense.
In a confrontation between the Mysterious Platform Realm and the Spiritual Awakening Realm, there was simply no uncertainty; victory could be achieved with one hand alone!
However, at this moment.
Heeding Jiang Chen's advice.
Jiang Xingtai became vigilant.
"Good!"
"Uncle, you must exercise caution. If you cannot intercept Lin Feng, prioritize your own safety and avoid engaging in an extended conflict!"
Jiang Chen was somewhat concerned, as Jiang Xingtai was confronting Lin Feng, so he reiterated his warning.
He also glimpsed Jiang Xingtai's character panel, revealing him to be merely a supporting character with a mere few hundred points of Fate Value. In the original storyline, he was destined to be defeated by Lin Feng.
Uncle Jiang Xingtai.
To Lin Feng, he represented a minor villain, a mere stepping stone.
For Jiang Chen, however, he was a warm and amiable elder. Naturally, Jiang Chen did not wish to see Jiang Xingtai fall.
"Understood!"
"I will give it my all!"
Jiang Xingtai responded, "If I sense even a hint of danger, I will make my escape without delay!"
"Very well!"
"I shall arrange for someone to deliver a treasure to you shortly."
After dispatching the message, Jiang Chen promptly accessed the System Mall.
At present, his Villain Value balance stood at 1,400 points.
He possessed sufficient points to exchange for the highest-grade Spiritual Awakening Realm concealment treasure or even a lower-grade Mysterious Platform Realm treasure.
Currently, Lin Feng was in the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm.
His ace in the hole was that enigmatic flame, which likely had little relation to divine sense.
As such.
It seemed improbable that Lin Feng's divine sense would vastly surpass his contemporaries.
Given that Jiang Xingtai was an entire realm above Lin Feng and would have the high-grade Spiritual Awakening Realm concealment treasure in his possession, it seemed plausible to conceal his true identity from Lin Feng.
In that instant.
Having browsed through the offerings in the System Mall.
Jiang Chen swiftly zeroed in on a Spiritual Awakening Realm concealment treasure valued at 700 Villain Value.