The Rat Cultivator

Chapter 146: Sowing Discord

“Have you seen any peculiar treasures in Polong Lake before?” Bibo carefully inquired of the ancient Jade Water Spirit Turtle.

The old turtle blinked slowly. “I once saw a school of Sinking Gold Carp appear in a certain deep-water area. They are extremely rare Dragon-type spiritual creatures. Unfortunately, their strength was too high; I couldn’t defeat them.”

A flicker of regret passed through the turtle’s eyes.

Bibo’s ears perked up. “Do you know where they are now?”

The Jade Water Spirit Turtle shook his head, his voice tinged with helplessness. “I only saw them once, decades ago. However, that specific area is now frequented by the Black Water Flood Dragon Snake. I estimate the carp were captured by him.”

After speaking, the old turtle reached under his belly and pulled out a large, polished shell segment. He handed it to Bibo solemnly.

“This is a map marking the distribution of spiritual materials in Polong Lake. I compiled it from my memories over the past few days. Although it can only serve as a reference, it should be helpful to you.”

Bibo accepted the shell with both paws, a look of genuine joy on his face. “Excellent! With this map, we won’t have to run around blindly. As a return, I’ll increase the resource allocation for your clan by thirty percent!”

However, the Jade Water Spirit Turtle did not show joy. Instead, he sighed heavily.

“I am advanced in years. I fear I won’t live much longer. I only hope, Sir, that you will take good care of my little turtle offspring.”

Bibo’s heart was touched. He thought of his own mortality and couldn’t help but show genuine emotion. “As long as they behave obediently, I will ensure they have no worries.”

The turtle nodded, his eyes full of worry. “Although I can still protect them for another seventy or eighty years, I am ultimately uneasy.”

Bibo silently clenched the shell in his hand, feeling a sudden flare of indignation.

Another seventy or eighty years? If I can’t break through, I’ll be dead long before you! Truly worthy of being a turtle demon!

He snorted coldly, turned his head, and left to present the precious map to the Great King.

The Jade Water Spirit Turtle watched Bibo storm off in confusion. He turned back to the shore and sprayed a mouthful of water over the little turtles basking in the sun to keep them moist.

“These foolish children actually gave their own shells to the river otters just to exchange for some Spirit Rice. Now they have no protection at all.”

The old turtle sighed, pondering his next move.

Ah, truly a life of toil. I suppose I should dive back down and find my old flame. I need to sire some clever offspring to look after these dull-witted brothers of theirs.

Little Green Mountain, The Treehouse.

Wu Yuan carefully studied the turtle shell map. The information etched into the bone made his eyes light up.

Sinking Gold Carp. A top-grade resource possessing Dragon Blood!

Even though Wu Yuan wasn’t a dragon-type demon beast, consuming such a creature would drastically strengthen his blood and Qi, benefiting his very foundation.

The Karma Pearl stirred slightly, and a line of text entered his vision.

[Blue Intelligence: The Black Water Flood Dragon Snake and the Red Refined Fire Snake have allied to occupy Polong Lake, using Providence to promote the Sinking Gold Carp’s advancement. However, the two are harmonious on the surface but divided at heart.]

Reading this, Wu Yuan immediately understood the reason for the Black Water Flood Dragon Snake’s massive expansion campaign.

“Is there anything here that can be exploited?”

Wu Yuan carefully pondered the dynamic between the two snakes.

Back in the consciousness space of the Azure Radiance Grotto-Heaven, he had observed that the Black Water Flood Dragon Snake’s strength far surpassed that of his brother. The Black Water Snake was a monster on Wu Yuan’s level, while the Red Refined Fire Snake was only slightly stronger than the Snow Plains Wolf King.

“The Black Water Flood Dragon Snake’s purpose in raising Sinking Gold Carp is definitely to transform into a Flood Dragon,” Wu Yuan analyzed. “Although he already possesses a Third-Tier bloodline, there is a world of difference between a snake and a dragon.”

“But the Red Refined Fire Snake has no dragon blood. To transform, he would need even more resources than his brother.”

“However, he is weak. How can he achieve this goal without his brother’s charity?”

“This,” Wu Yuan smiled, “is the point of conflict.”

He queried the Karma Pearl. “Is my speculation correct?”

[Correct.]

The reply was concise. Wu Yuan smiled with satisfaction. Although he could directly ask the Karma Pearl for intelligence, deducing it himself saved precious Creation Power and kept his mind sharp.

“Then, how should I incite the conflict?”

A flash of inspiration struck him.

Thriving in calamity, perishing in comfort.

“They are currently in an expansion phase; everything is going well, so the Red Refined Fire Snake stays in line. But if the Black Water Flood Dragon Snake suffers a setback… if the pressure mounts… the younger brother may not be able to sit still.”

Wu Yuan turned to Bibo.

“I will dispatch more rat demons to you. I’m also transferring the Winged Tiger to the front lines.”

“You, One Ear, and Winged Tiger—three mid-stage Qi Condensation commanders—will organize a force to confront the Black Water Flood Dragon Snake directly.”

“Remember: concentrate your firepower on the big brother. The three of you should be able to stalemate him.”

“Afterward,” Wu Yuan’s eyes gleamed, “secretly contact the Red Refined Fire Snake. Tempt him with benefits.”

Bibo’s eyes lit up. “I understand!”

Watching Bibo depart, Wu Yuan sighed. “Still not enough hands. I must hold the fort here, and Wolf Mountain cannot be left unguarded.”

Polong Lake, Beaver Water Fortress.

Bibo looked at the motley crew of water demons floating before him.

Besides my Bibo Beavers and a few water-attribute rats, my main forces can’t fight effectively in the lake. I have to rely on this rabble.

But using them as cannon fodder to accumulate demon souls for One Ear isn’t a waste of resources either.

Bibo cleared his throat and shouted to the assembly.

“The Black Water Flood Dragon Snake is fierce and cruel! He leaves us no way to survive! We have reached a life-and-death juncture!”

“We Beavers can retreat to land if we lose. Our combat power won’t diminish much. But what about you?” Bibo pointed a claw at the gathered fish and shrimp demons. “Can you live on the shore? If he takes the lake, you die!”

The fish demons began to whisper among themselves, fear rippling through the ranks.

Bibo knew they needed a spark.

“Today! For every demon who joins the expedition, the starting reward is one jin of Spirit Rice! The higher the cultivation, the greater the reward!”

The atmosphere instantly shifted from fear to greed.

Plants arranged by Bibo in the crowd shouted on cue.

“What are we waiting for?!”

“With so many of us, are we afraid of a few shrimp soldiers?”

“Lord Bibo will handle the big demons!”

“We serve Lord Bibo!”

Bibo didn’t hesitate. He immediately tossed bags of double-ration Spirit Rice to the loudest supporters.

The sight of actual food broke the dam. Water demons rushed forward to sign up for battle, their fear of the Dragon Snake temporarily forgotten in the face of starvation.