Chapter 370: Triangle Stability, Sect Intelligence

Returning to Wisteria Garden, Wang Yu sat on the soft, comfortable bed and waved to the maid. With her meager Qi Refining cultivation, she couldn't possibly have noticed what had just happened at the door.

Seeing him wave, she approached, looking puzzled.

This was the first time she had heard the child, whom they had taken in, speak.

“Do you have Spirit Mountain Grapes? I’d like to eat some.”

“Spirit Mountain Grapes?”

The maid’s mouth twitched. She recalled that these were Level 2 Spirit Fruits, something even the madam had only eaten a few times. This adopted child certainly knew how to enjoy himself.

She was about to refuse.

Just then, the madam, having just bathed, walked in. She wore a thin, light pink gauze dress, her full bosom stretching the fabric like a canopy.

“Madam…”

“Qing, you may leave.”

“Yes.”

Tao Sixuan sat down next to Wang Yu with a smile, pulled him onto her lap, and asked curiously.

“I thought you couldn’t speak. Did you eat like this at home too?”

“Something like that.”

Wang Yu felt around in his pocket, pulled out a cultivation pill, and chewed it, a look of utter contentment on his face. With nothing else to do, his cultivation technique automatically began to circulate within him.

It covertly and rapidly enhanced his cultivation.

At this rate, in about thirty-two days, he would reach the threshold of Level 9 Core Formation. With more free time, he was certainly willing to chat with Tao Sixuan.

Lying amidst the fragrant warmth, his head rested on something soft.

This entirely unreserved behavior made the beautiful woman chuckle softly. Curious, she asked, “What kind of red pill are you eating? Is it that delicious?”

“Here, have one.”

“Just dissolve it in water and drink it. This teacup's worth should be consumed in ten portions; don't take too much at once.”

The true essence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was many levels inferior to magic power. By diluting and consuming it in small amounts, Tao Sixuan could barely refine it.

Wang Yu had an overflowing supply of cultivation-enhancing human pills. Since he could easily refine more, and there were walking main ingredients everywhere as renewable resources, he never felt particularly bad about using them.

Once he broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, the effects of Level 3 human pills would be greatly diminished for him, so he was not stingy now.

Tao Sixuan took it and cautiously sipped the dissolved liquid. Her true essence immediately began to boil, and her beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.

“How can this be!”

Wang Yu jumped behind her, placed a palm on her back, and protected her internal organs with his magic power, instructing her.

“Calm your mind, focus your spirit, and circulate your cultivation technique.”

After a dozen breaths, the rampant true essence calmed down, and the medicinal power concentrated in her Qi Sea. Refining it over the next year or so would significantly boost her cultivation.

Its effect was similar to a top-grade Level 2 cultivation pill. And this cup of elixir still had nine more sips, enough to ensure she could cultivate to the late Foundation Establishment stage, as it was the accumulated lifetime effort of a Core Formation cultivator.

After being refined through the Human Pill Art and his superb alchemy techniques, what remained was pure essence.

If her refining ability and cultivation technique weren't somewhat lacking, one spiritual pill would have been enough to cultivate to the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Waking from her brief cultivation, she realized that the earlier surge of true essence had disheveled her hair and clothes. Tao Sixuan’s face immediately flushed red.

As she hastily straightened herself, she asked again.

“This… how did you obtain this spiritual item?”

“I found it.”

Wang Yu clapped his hands and then lay down lazily, quite pleased with the casual effect he had achieved. He never concealed his desires or needs.

Seeing Tao Sixuan’s captivating appearance, Wang Yu’s throat suddenly bobbed, and a peculiar idea came to him. How did that saying go?

Since he had nothing to do, and Wang Zhenghong had gone to run an errand for him, it was a good time to do something enjoyable.

“Um… can I have a suck?”

Tao Sixuan’s already flushed face seemed to burn even brighter. She wasn’t foolish; the spiritual pill that Wang Yu could swallow casually was so difficult for her to consume.

It was easy to guess what that implied.

She suddenly recalled the maid's warning about the rumors of the Ice Demon Child at the city gate. A faint suspicion began to form in her mind, and her throat suddenly felt dry.

“This… this is improper.”

“Moreover, I am Elder Wang’s concubine. If you truly wish, I can purchase a few women for you.”

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.

“That would be boring. Elder Wang is out on business; let’s just have some fun.”

After giving her a spiritual pill, his attitude became simple and direct.

He couldn't recall when this mindset had developed, perhaps after Long Yiran's death? That sudden, unprepared death had simply arrived.

At that time, he was profoundly shocked, and subsequently, he completely unleashed himself. In Huangbai City, he deliberately attracted attention, seizing the opportunity to slaughter the city and refine his techniques.

That was the first turning point in his transformation.

Now, he was even more unrestrained.

As the saying goes: “Dust to dust, earth to earth, life will eventually die, spirits will eventually perish, and all things will eventually vanish! No matter how glorious, it's merely a handful of dirt, a pile of ashes.”

Living as he pleased was his ultimate pursuit.

It seemed simple, but in reality, it was incredibly difficult to achieve.

“Worldly affairs are but a grand dream, life experiences the chill of several autumns.”

“Why not indulge oneself, and forget about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame!”

Wang Yu’s words were like demonic whispers, luring one into a bottomless abyss. Moreover, his subtle hint that Wang Zhenghong was absent stirred a unique sense of excitement within her.

“But… your child’s body…”

“This humble one has his own wondrous methods.”

The moment was right, and she half-heartedly resisted before giving in. Tao Sixuan even harbored strange thoughts: a mix of agitation and desire, and also a craving for the spiritual pills.

Red Kite people, Red Kite souls, Red Kites are all ambitious people.

The first battle with his new body could only be described as marvelous. He had previously only focused on Tao Sixuan’s face and upper body, but had overlooked her plump lower body.

Her legs were long, slender, and fair, perfect for grasping and playing with.

He was having a very pleasant time here.

Meanwhile, the entire Wang family estate quickly became bustling. Food cultivators skilled in spiritual cuisine were invited to prepare a banquet, and servants were dispatched to purchase spirit fruits and spirit wine.

Wang Zhenghong contacted two colleagues, using the pretext of forming an alliance to disguise his true intention, which naturally fooled the heads of the Intelligence Department.

After all, they had just been through a meeting.

Before the second round began, it was the recruitment phase for the thirty-six elders. The more people one could convince, the greater their leverage would be during the final resolution.

With everyone making moves, Wang Zhenghong’s actions seemed perfectly natural and aroused no suspicion. At most, a few would jest that the old tortoise had finally developed some ambition.

From noon until night.

This elaborate setup, specifically arranged for the two heads of the Intelligence Department, was finally complete. Wang Zhenghong personally arrived at the Prefectural City Guard’s mansion to pick them up. If he were to hide inside now,

with the protective array in place, Wang Yu naturally couldn’t do anything to him.

However, the demonic seed that had vanished inside him after entering still made him deeply uneasy.

Therefore.

Seeing the two emerge from the Guard’s mansion, he immediately displayed a wide, beaming smile: “I, Wang, have been waiting for you two for a long time. Would you care to enter my residence for a good drink?”

“Of course we will.”

“Let’s go together, let’s go together!”

“With Elder Zhenghong personally coming to greet us, how could we refuse?”

“Hahahaha!”

The three departed, arms around each other's shoulders. One would think they were close friends, but in reality, they had little interaction.

Although the position in the Intelligence Department was important, it was also one that easily bore the blame. Their status was not as high as that of the thirty-six peak elders in the Guard’s mansion.

Whether they accepted this olive branch was another matter.

But they certainly had to discuss it.

The Wang family residence.

Wang Zhenghong had lived for too long, with no children of his own. Over time, those collateral bloodlines, whose generations were unknown, could hardly be considered family.

His residence was thus rather empty; it was a new home he had established in his later years, centered around himself.

“Brother Wan, Brother Li, please take the main seats.”

“Someone, call a few concubines to accompany us in drinking.”

“Haha, that sounds excellent.”

Upon hearing this, Wan and Li immediately became interested.

Wang Zhenghong's reputation for womanizing was quite celebrated in the prefectural city. Some said he was old yet vigorous, possessing an “unfailing golden spear”—a point on which the two had doubts, as he had never produced any offspring.

It was hard to believe he was still effective; perhaps he was just putting on a show for reputation's sake.

Men! They all love to be praised for being brave and capable!

Others said he had a unique eye, and every woman he took interest in was beautiful and charming, each with her own distinct allure.

Before, they had only heard tales, but today’s invitation...

He had called them all out to accompany them in drinking, a very clear implicit gesture. Thus, Wan and Li immediately felt Wang Zhenghong’s sincerity. Even if they just mentioned this incident, they would gain immense prestige.

“Elder Zhenghong, you are too kind. Come! I, Wan, will toast you first.”

“Good.”

The wine went down glass after glass. Wang Zhenghong, with ulterior motives, had long ago ordered all unrelated wives and concubines to their rooms, and the sound-proofing barrier had already been activated.

The few concubines remaining to serve drinks also frequently poured wine at his signal.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes.

The official surnamed Li sighed, his eyes hazy.

“I’ve long heard of the reputation of Drunken Spring Breeze, a Level 3 spirit wine. Today, thanks to Elder Zhenghong, its taste… truly lives up to its name.”

“Heh heh, as long as you two are satisfied, my brothers.”

Spirit wine could only induce temporary intoxication. To dispel its effects would only take a few breaths. Wang Zhenghong, wanting to ensure absolute success, was already prepared to launch a sneak attack.

If the commotion was small enough, perhaps no one would even notice.

At midnight.

Both Wan and Li were starting to slur their words from the alcohol.

“By the way, Elder, you haven’t yet mentioned why you called us here… What is it? Just speak, Elder brother, and your younger brother will surely satisfy you.”

“Don’t rush, have another drink.”

Wang Zhenghong silently poured the wine.

At this moment, the hall door suddenly opened, and Tao Sixuan walked in, holding Wang Yu. Her face was flushed and radiant, looking thoroughly nourished, and she seemed hesitant to meet Elder Wang’s eyes.

Wan and Li looked up and both chuckled.

“Well, well, Wang Zhenghong, when did you get a young son? No wonder you suddenly got involved; are you trying to secure some family assets for your son?”

Wang Zhenghong’s cheek twitched, and he turned his head away, no longer looking at them.

Those words were too offensive; how could he possibly respond!

Wang Yu floated down onto the round table. Chains of ice extended from thin air, and in the blink of an eye, they completely froze the two men, jolting them awake.

The two exchanged glances, finally seeing the face so close to them.

“Ice… Demon, the Ice Demon Child?!!”

“Wang Zhenghong, damn your ancestors!”

At this point.

How could they not realize this was a trap? Their hearts immediately filled with dread. The cultivator surnamed Wan forced himself to speak.

“Ice Demon Child, you have never harmed any Sacred Sect disciples in Fengzhou before; in fact, you’ve often helped them. We certainly remember this favor. Why resort to such a low tactic now?”

“This matter is of great importance. Without soul-searching to confirm, my mind cannot be at ease.”

Wang Yu shook his head in response, specifically glancing at Wang Zhenghong.

This person is talented.

However, his plan was to proceed covertly, with as little disturbance as possible, whereas Wang Yu wanted to draw the two into his circle of accomplices, which is why he deliberately disrupted Wang Zhenghong’s arrangement.

He needed people in Fengzhou Prefectural City who could constantly feed him information about the Anti-Spirit Blood Sect. If the Nine Evils Sword Lord were to pursue him, he would surely come to the local Intelligence Department to look for clues.

This move served as a contingency plan, preventing a mishap due to overconfidence. Wan and Li could counterbalance Wang Zhenghong, and with Tao Sixuan also inserted by him,

they would perfectly form the most stable triangle.

Thinking of this, he spoke again.

“I will give you two a chance.”

Forcibly soul-searching often results in fragmented souls and subsequent dementia for the subject, making it difficult to conceal from others.

However, if they voluntarily opened their Niwan Palace, with Wang Yu’s mastery of the Soul-Carving Evil Boat Spell, he was confident he could preserve the integrity of their souls. This was the basis for taking them in as his subordinates.

“Please, speak! Please!”

Seeing a glimmer of hope for survival, neither of them wanted to give up.

They were much younger than Wang Zhenghong, only four or five hundred years old, and still had some hope of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. They also had much of their lives ahead of them.

How could they willingly die in such a trap?

“Open your Niwan Palace and allow this Lord’s divine sense to enter and browse your memories. If you intentionally conceal anything, then death is your only option.”

Wang Yu’s voice was very soft when he spoke, his childlike tone gentle and lacking any deterrence. But the vast divine sense that immediately followed still terrified the two into repeatedly nodding.

Allowing it, there was a chance to live.

Refusing it, they would die instantly.

What more was there to say? They only hoped Wang Yu would be gentle when he entered; their souls couldn’t endure much abuse.

After reaching a silent agreement.

One after another, malicious black paper boats swam into the space between their eyebrows. Wang Yu closed his eyes and began to observe, playing the memories in reverse, starting from recent events.

He focused on their memories of receiving messages from the Sacred Sect.

The hall became utterly silent for a moment as everyone awaited the outcome. Tao Sixuan stared blankly at Wang Yu, finding it difficult to articulate her complex emotions.

A child they had picked up suddenly asserted his dominance.

His display of such domineering behavior, a stark contrast to his appearance, filled her with longing and reverence. Having been raised in a sheltered inner chamber since childhood, she had almost never experienced anything like this.

To say she liked him would be absurd; after all, Wang Yu only looked three years old, and he enjoyed using strange techniques on her. How could she speak of liking him?

Aside from shame and indignation, there was only pleasure.

And a desire and yearning to control her own destiny. In other words, she had felt the allure of power!

Among those present, one person was secretly wiping away 'tears'.

That was Wang Zhenghong…

Not for a woman, but for himself. He was already so old, and the thought of being used as a beast of burden by Wang Yu filled his heart with waves of melancholy.

What was he even striving for?!!

His path to cultivation was hopeless, he had no children, and he had long lost his ambition. The Ice Demon Child’s motives were unclear; if he were to act against the Sacred Sect, wouldn't Wang Zhenghong be implicated?

His wish to enjoy his twilight years in peace couldn't even be realized. It was truly unbearable.

Every time he thought of it, he felt profound despair, which eventually turned into a long sigh… Better to live in disgrace than to die.

A moment later.

After synthesizing the vast amount of information in his mind, Wang Yu finally awoke, his eyes likewise flashing with complex emotions.

The matter of the Anti-Spirit Blood Sect was more complicated than he had imagined.