Chapter 579: The Unlucky Nine Infants Clan

Qin Feng believed he was well hidden, eavesdropping on the trio's entire plan. However, when it came to the masterful use of spiritual consciousness at their cultivation level, who could possibly surpass Lu Yang?

Upon entering the first layer, Meng Jingzhou used the map to calculate the distance from the main entrance to the Heavenly Ladder's entrance, determining it would take at least a full day to traverse. The first layer was a circular space. Given that the rules explicitly stated that spirit essences were acquired by slaying demonic beasts, everyone's initial instinct would be to fan out from the entrance, gradually explore the layer, hunt for beasts, and defeat them. No one would consider heading straight to the Heavenly Ladder's entrance to gather intelligence first.

Once the rules of the first layer were clear, both Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou conceived the idea of setting up boxes at the Heavenly Ladder's entrance to collect spirit essences. The only uncertainty in this plan was the unknown strength of the demonic beasts. If Nascent Soul stage beasts displayed the power of Soul Transformation cultivators, then the demon prodigies wouldn't even be able to acquire ten spirit essences. In such a scenario, tricking them at the Heavenly Ladder's entrance would be pointless; it would be quicker for the three of them to simply team up and hunt beasts for the essences themselves.

Therefore, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou's first action was to take Jiang Shishi to slay a demonic beast and ascertain its actual strength. After confirming that the beasts indeed possessed only Nascent Soul stage combat power, Meng Jingzhou immediately departed for the Heavenly Ladder's entrance, leaving Lu Yang and Jiang Shishi behind. To mislead any observers, Lu Yang employed the Tree Planting Art and Hieroglyphic Fist, transforming his clone into Meng Jingzhou's likeness. Subsequently, Lu Yang detected Qin Feng lurking in the shadows. Seizing the opportunity, he created a fake "blocking the gate" plan for outward appearances, while secretly conveying the real strategy to Jiang Shishi through spiritual consciousness.

This was why Jiang Shishi had appeared both nervous and excited; if it had been left to her, she wouldn't have devised such a scheme even with ten days, let alone in the shortest possible time. Was this the wisdom of the human prodigies?

Lu Yang and Jiang Shishi proceeded to systematically slay demonic beasts, deliberately delaying their arrival at the Heavenly Ladder's entrance. This sequence of events led to the scene that had unfolded earlier.

"Fellow Daoist Qin Feng, your efforts are appreciated; I'll be taking these spirit essences," Meng Jingzhou declared, standing by the edge of the box and laughing heartily. The spirit essences were strung together and tied all over his body, making him look like a sticky rice dumpling, a sight that filled onlookers with envy. These were the very spirit essences that all the prodigies had amassed over ten days!

"Bastard!" Qin Feng roared, transforming into his true form, the Nine-Headed Infant—a creature with a single body and nine heads, each resembling a colossal black serpent. His eighteen eyes glowed crimson, appearing as if they could drip blood. The "blocking the gate" plan had been his suggestion to the Demon Alliance prodigies, which had naturally allowed him to seize the initiative. Now, with the plan having backfired, exploited by their opponents, and all spirit essences gone, the Demon Alliance prodigies would undoubtedly unleash their fury upon him. Even with the protection of a Tribulation Transcending stage ancestor, he would be utterly incapable of withstanding the combined wrath of these various races.

"Return the spirit essences!" Qin Feng bellowed, and his nine serpentine heads lunged simultaneously at Meng Jingzhou. Having long anticipated Qin Feng's rash move, Meng Jingzhou shifted his stance, sidestepping the attack. Witnessing this, the Demon Alliance prodigies realized they had been played for fools by Meng Jingzhou. They, too, revealed their true demon forms and charged at him. They couldn't possibly end up with no spirit essences at all and fail to clear the first layer!

Ao Yue's palm crackled with lightning as he contemplated whether to intervene and seize the essences himself. After all, their own spirit essences were also on Meng Jingzhou. At that moment, Jiang Shishi approached and intercepted Ao Yue. Pointing to the agile Meng Jingzhou, she announced, "This is my ally. We had long anticipated such a move from the Demon Alliance and prepared an ambush in advance. Junior Brother Ao Yue, please rest assured, and all fellow Daoists, please be at ease. Our actions are solely directed at the Demon Alliance. Once he makes his escape, we will provide each of you with ten spirit essences, guaranteeing your smooth entry into the second layer."

This was the pre-arranged explanation she and Lu Yang had devised. From the perspective of Ao Yue and the others, they were unaware that Qin Feng had been deceived by Lu Yang and his companions. They would simply believe that Lu Yang's trio was more cunning, had anticipated Qin Feng's actions, hidden in the box, and emerged to uphold justice. Having recovered their lost essences, Ao Yue and the others wouldn't demand more; ten would be sufficient. This way, Lu Yang's trio would not only earn a good reputation but also acquire the largest share of spirit essences.

Jiang Shishi felt fortunate that the elder had the foresight to agree to the alliance proposal; otherwise, she would have only obtained a meager ten spirit essences. Sometimes, the mere thought sent a shiver down her spine; these two human prodigies were incredibly calculating. No wonder the elder always remarked that while her cultivation talent was ample, her strategic mind was somewhat lacking—this was precisely where she fell short.

"Thank you, Young Master Jiang!" The prodigies were profoundly grateful to see Jiang Shishi's generosity, some even shedding tears. Ao Yue still felt a lingering sense that something was amiss, but this was not the time to dwell on it. The Demon Alliance had just bullied them so relentlessly; now was the perfect opportunity to strike back.

"Everyone, let us join forces to help this benevolent fellow Daoist escape his predicament!" Ao Yue transformed into his true Azure Dragon form, his dragon pearl unleashing bolts of lightning. Accompanied by a resounding dragon roar, he wielded his formidable dragon claws, launching relentless attacks amidst the Demon Alliance. Witnessing this, the other demon prodigies also let out battle cries and charged towards the Demon Alliance. The Demon Alliance, simultaneously pursuing Meng Jingzhou and fending off attacks from Ao Yue and the other demons, compounded by their distrust in Qin Feng and refusal to follow his commands, quickly disintegrated into a disorganized rout, fleeing in disarray.

"So, Miss Jiang, was it not a worthwhile endeavor to ally with the two of us?" Lu Yang asked with a chuckle. Since arriving at the Heavenly Ladder's entrance, he hadn't had to lift a finger; everything had unfolded precisely as he had foreseen. He found particular satisfaction in watching Meng Jingzhou leap and bound like a monkey to evade attacks, while he himself comfortably rested in the background.

"Indeed, it was far from a loss," Jiang Shishi affirmed with a nod. It was more than just profitable; it was an immense gain. While the specifics of the ancient realm could not be disclosed externally, the prodigies understood that this series of actions alone would elevate her standing in their eyes. The Demon Alliance had scattered and fled in all directions. The rules of the ancient realm made no mention of prohibiting killing, and anything that happened within its confines could not be divulged outside. Thus, if they died here, no one would avenge them.

Meng Jingzhou safely rejoined Lu Yang and Jiang Shishi, panting heavily from exhaustion. Catching sight of Lu Yang's composed demeanor, he knew he had once again been saddled with the damn hard work. There was nothing he could do; after all, he didn't know the Tree Planting Art or the Hieroglyphic Fist.

As agreed, Meng Jingzhou distributed ten spirit essences to each of the other prodigies, and the remaining eight hundred were divided among the three of them. For a long while, everyone searched in vain for a place to submit their spirit essences. Ao Yue, experimenting, stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder; ten of his spirit essences were absorbed, and he was promptly teleported to the second layer. Only then did the others understand how to successfully clear the first layer. One by one, everyone lined up and entered the second layer, leaving only the Demon Alliance prodigies, who remained hidden nearby.

Qin Feng, seeing Lu Yang and the others ascend, also wished to enter the second layer. However, he possessed not a single spirit essence, and a barrier materialized before the Heavenly Ladder, blocking his path. As the last grain of sand fell in the hourglass, the ten days concluded, and all Demon Alliance prodigies were instantly teleported out of the ancient realm.

"Qin Feng, this is all your fault!" The eyes of the Demon Alliance prodigies immediately turned red. The opportunities within the Ancient Realm of Creation were boundless, yet they had failed to obtain even the slightest benefit.

"Elder, save me!" Terrified, Qin Feng quickly scrambled to hide behind his protector. It was then that he noticed the atmosphere felt off, or rather, heavily solemn, as if the gazes of all races were subtly, yet unmistakably, fixed upon his Nine-Headed Infant tribe—and none of them were benevolent. What had happened here?